Bottles and jars – Closures – Frangible member or portion
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-04
2001-07-03
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Bottles and jars
Closures
Frangible member or portion
C215S253000, C215S258000, C215S901000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253939
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The current invention is directed to closure caps of the type that are used to seal containers and that have releasable tamper-evident bands. More specifically, the current invention is directed to such a cap having improved drainage capability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, tamper-evident closures for containers comprise a threaded cap from which an annular skirt depends. A first band is releasable attached to the skirt by means of tear strips. A second band, sometimes referred to as a “fish hook,” is attached to the first band by means of a flexible hinge. When the closure is inserted down over the container neck during initial installation by the bottler, the second band rotates upward so that its edge becomes located below, and faces, an annular bead formed on the container neck. This displacement of the second band causes a V-shaped cavity to be formed between the first and second bands. Such a closure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,153 (Hayes), hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
When the closure is rotated upon removal, the entire assembly initially travels upward under the action of the threads until the edge of the second band engages the container annular bead. As a result of this engagement, the first band is prevented from further upward movement. Thereafter, continued rotation of the closure causes the tear strips to fracture, separating the cap from the first band, thereby providing a positive indication that the integrity of the closure has been compromised.
During capping, liquid sometimes spills or splashes over the lip of the container neck and drips down into the V-shaped cavity formed between the first and second bands. Over time, such liquid acts as a medium that can support the growth of undesirable bacteria and fungus. Although closures having openings in the second band have been used in the past, such openings are inadequately to allow complete drainage of the V-shaped cavity.
Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a tamper-evident closure with improved drainage capability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the current invention to provide a tamper-evident closure with improved drainage capability. This and other objects is accomplished in a tamper-indicating closure for sealing a container having a neck portion. The closure comprises (i) a cap portion adapted to engage the container neck and forming a downwardly extending annular skirt, (ii) a downwardly extending first band that forms an approximately circular inner wall, (iii) tear strips for releasably attaching the first band to the annular skirt, (iv) a second band having an inner wall and upper and lower edges, and (v) a hinge connecting the upper edge of the second band to the first band and that allows the second band to rotate upwardly toward the first band inner wall when the closure is applied to the container neck so as to form a cavity between the inner walls of the first and second bands. A plurality of openings are formed in the second band and spaced therearound. A plurality of recesses are formed in the inner wall of the first band and spaced therearound. The recesses in the first band inner wall and the openings in the second band cooperate to ensure that fluid drains from the cavity.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the openings in the second band extend through the hinge and into the inner wall of the first band. Moreover, at least one of the recesses is vertically aligned with each of the openings so that each of the openings is in flow communication with one of the recesses.
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Deubel Donald
Hierzer Valentin
Mueller Manuel J.
Wan Min Miles
Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
Eloshway Niki M.
Shoap Allan N.
Woodcock Washburn Kurtz Mackiewicz & Norris LLP
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