US2387955A - Tamperproof closure - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 30, 1945.

D. H. TILSON TAMPERPROOF CLOSURE Filed Jan. 8, 1942 INVENTOR 120mm 1171mm Patented Oct. 30, 1945 Donald H. Tilson, New Kenslngton,

Company of America, Pittsburgh,

to Aluminum Pa... assignor Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 8, 1942, Serial No. 426,005

needle may be inserted to withdraw portions of the contents of a container.

Yet another object is to provide a closure which is easy to remove entirely for emptying,

the contents of a container.

A further object is to provide a tamperprooi' closure which, because of fractured or mutilated portions thereof, will immediately indicate any partial opening or entire removal of the closure.

Prior to this invention, containers provided with closures through which a needle might be inserted for withdrawal of the contents were known. Many such closures left exposed to direct contact with septic media that surface portion of the closure through which the needle passed. Others had a protective foil covering which tended to dull the needle upon its insertion therethrough. Some were constructed so that the closure could be removed and later replaced in such a manner that it was impossible to immediately detect use, dilution, contamination, or substitution of the contents of the container.

Serums injected intravenously by means of a hypodermic needle are an example of fluids which, because of their use, must be kept sterile. It is important ,that the user of such fluids be able to determine whether the package he possesse's has been opened in any way, that is, whether it is in the same uncontaminated, undisturbed, sterile condition as when it left the packager. It is also important that he have ready access to the iluid, i. e. that the closure be easy to open. If the contents are to be withdrawn by a hypodermic syringe, the method should be one that will not dull a needle, and one that will keep the contents free from contamination by entry of foreign substances during and between withdrawals. For this purpose it is desirable to have a closure which by partial removal permits a the withdrawal of fluid and yet effectively continues to exclude septic media. In some cases the user might wish to empty the entire contents, and therefore it is desirable to have a closure which is easy to remove entirely.

to provide a closure which is 'draw portions of 5 Claims. (Cl. 215-38) The closure of this invention permits no access to the interior of the container without apparent irreparable and telltale damage to the closure. The closure may be easil removed entirely or, upon choice, may be removed only partially to expose a needle-penetrable portion. In the case of partial removal of the closure, a needle may be inserted, without dulling the same, to withthe contents while the closure then and thereafter effectively excludes extraneous matter from the contents remaining in the container. Reference to the drawing will make more clear the objects of this invention as examplified in a preferred embodiment thereof.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred form of the closure of the invention, assembled with a container;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the closure and container shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section of the closure and upper part of the container taken on the line. III-III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modification of the closure;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on the line V-V of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 showing another modification of the closure.

Referring now to the drawing, the outer closure I! of permanent deformation and ready tearing. Thin metal, preferably aluminum, is suitable. The closure I0 is cylindrical or cup-like in shape and is shown reformed into close contact with the finish or shoulder at the neck of bottle 9. The invention, however, is applicable to container finishes of varied shapes and contours, it being desirable that intimate contact skirt of the closure and the finish tainer be attainable. I

From the top panel of the closure lo a tear-on tab II is partially severed within the rim l2, the latter being integrally connected with the tearoff tab by bridges l3 and H. As shown in Fig. 1, the arcuate line of severance is discontinuedat the rear of the tab II to form a tab base between the points I! and I6. Bridges l3 and ii are oppositely disposed, preferably at angles greater than about 45 but less than 90, from a line perpendicularly bisecting the tab base as shown, for example, in Fig. 1. This positioning facilitates their rupturing since the force transmitted to them upon lifting the tab ing force. When said bridges are disposed less than about 45, their rupturing, while still posbetween the may be made of any pliable material capable of the con- I will act chiefly as shearweakened lines I1 and IB, to the rear points I5 and I6, which rovide an optional hinge for the tab. 1

The tab II is provided with a marginal bead adjacent to its line of severance and across the non-severedtabbase in order to strengthen the tab and protect the fingers of the user from thescored: v or; cut edge thereof when the tabis digitally gra'sped; For further longitudinal strengthening of thetab I I there is provided an embossed rib 2I extending from the front of the marginal bead ginal bead 20 at the tab-base.

and I4, there is provided a raised .lip' 22 in the": bea 120 (into which-the rib 2I mergesl'ith at per- 2n.,of the tab, along the diameter paralle to 'the f t,the front of he tab and betw.een the ridges fient to provide groove 29 to prevent loss of the disc 25. Later, upon insertion of the liner 21,

groove 30 may be provided. Howeven'if inthe assembling of the closure combination the .disc

mits the insertion of the fingernail of the-user or a'lever means, such as a spatula or knife blade,

.. for lifting the tear-off tab I I. On the rim I2 im-- 'mediately in front of the raised lip 22 of tab II a score or cut I9 extends from a point-adjacent to the line of severance of the tab to'the margin l of the rim I2.

' The skirt of the closure II] is provided with parallel cuts or scores 23 leading from the top of the skirt part way down the same and well within the area between the extended chord lines I1 and I8. This relationship, as is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, creates a. further optional hinge for the tab I I along the line of junction of the rim I2 and the skirt. The cut or scored lines 23', as shown in Fig. 2, extend from the top of the skirt toshortly above the scored or fluted band 24. In the forms of closure shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the band 24 is not shown, and in its absence it is desirable to extend cut or scored lines 23 to shortly above the bottom of the skirt. As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 the scored or fluted band 24 should be located slightly above the bottom of the skirt and extended vertically upward about half the skirt length.

The scored or fluted band 24, the cut or scored lines I9 and 23, the weakened lines I1 and I8, and

the partially severed top panel produce a frangible closure when the same is made from pliable metal of customary thickness. A disc 25 may be used to reinforce the closure III at the upper portions thereof. It may be located between the closure II] and a, liner or stopper, as shown in Figs, 3 through 6. This disc 25 is provided with an aperture 26 near its center under the tear-off tab II. A liner or stopper of a resilient, rubberlike, fluid-impervious substance, preferably having some degree of self-sealing properties, may be located below the disc 25 for disposition over the orifice of bottle 9. With this closure combination it should be apparent that the contents of the bottle cannot be reached without either removing the closure entirely or lifting the tear-off tab and penetrating that portion of the liner or stopper accessible through aperture 26 in disc 25. A flat disc liner 21 is shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. A recessed stopper 28 is shown in Fig. 4. Either may be used, as is desired.

Fig. 6 discloses anannular inwardly disposed groove 29 in the closure skirt which serves to retain the disc 25 against the rim I2. Also Fig. 6 shows a similar inwardly disposed groove 30 in the and the liner '"are inserted at once, it is convenient to provide only groove 30 which will then serve to retain both the discand the liner. a

i? The closure. combination maybe, either by sepl a arate or'coincidental disposition of the elements thereof, placed over. ti e-container, It.is sealed container {such as bottle 9, and' thenffbumg. 1: the lower portion of the skirt undentheshoulder :of the container. 7 v i To open the container forl-the insertion hypodermicrleedle or the like, it is necessary-only to. lift the tear-oif tab II, hinging the same at either bridges I5, I6 or at the periphery'ofrim I2. This will expose the penetrate liner or stopper accessible through the aperture in the reinforcing disc. To do this it is necessary that the bridges I3 and I4 be broken. As above mentioned, bridges I5 and I6 may or may not be broken, as desired. To remove the closure entirely from the container it is necessary only to lift the tear-off tab II and pull it downwardly over the bottle neck. The bridges l3, I4, and I5 and IE will break away and the metal will tear as guided by the scored or cut lines I1, I8 and 23, and throughout scored band 24, thereby rupturing the skirt. When the skirt is spread out and away from the bottle, the

closure will break along the scoredor cut line I9 for easy removal.

The bridges I3 and-I4 serve as tamperproof means indicating whether or not tab II has been lifted. The rib 2I prevents undetectable bending of the tab and facilitates severing of bridges I3 a d I4 when the end of tab II is lifted. The scored band 24 acts as a further-tamperproof means since any attempt to spread the lower skirt portion, which is reformed inwardly under the shoulder of bottle 9, will cause the skirt to split along the scored lines of band 24, making the closure incapable of re-use. It should be apparent that any entry or attempted entry into the interior of the bottle through the closure at any point will result in some obvious mutilation or tearing of the closure I0.

Several modifications of the invention have been described, and the appended claims should be read in the light thereof without being limited specifically thereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A closure combination comprising a. sealing member adapted to be pierced readily by a needle, a rupturable outer closure and an apertured reinforcing element, said outer closure having a top panel cut to form a tab partially severed therefrom but integral therewith at rupturable bridges, said reinforcing element being disposed between said top panel and said sealing member, said tab having a marginal bead and a longitudinal rib merging into said bead intermediate a pair of said bridges so located that the aperture in said reinforcing element can be exposed upon lifting of said tab only by rupturing one or more or reforriied by customary methods, one lawman; consists of pressing closure. Ill, disc 25,,Iandi1 of said bridges, said tab and said sealing member being thereby protected respectively from undetectable lifting and undetectable perforation.

2. A closure combination comprising a sealing member adapted to be pierced readily by a needle, a rupturable outer closure and an apertured reinforcing element therebetween, said outer closure having a top panel cut to form a partially severed tab, a non-severed tab base, a tab-surrounding rim, and rupturable bridges connecting said tab and rim disposed at least one on each side of a line perpendicularly bisecting the tab base and interrupting that portion of the line of tab severance opposite the tab base, said tab having a marginal bead and a diametral rib merging into said bead intermediate a pairof said bridges so located that the aperture in said reinforcing element can be exposed only by rupturing one or both of said pair of bridges, said tab and said sealing member being thereby protected respectively from undetectable lifting and undetectable perforation.

3. A container-closure combination comprising a container having a shouldered orifice, a sealing member of a material adapted to be pierced readily by a, needle and disposed in closing relationship to said orifice, a rupturable outer closure over said sealing member secured to said container by a portion disposed under said shoulder and an apertured reinforcing element between said closure and said sealing member, said closure having a top panel cut to form a partially severed tab, 9, non-severed tab base, a tab-surrounding rim, and rupturable bridges connecting said tab and rim disposed at least one on each side of a line perpendicularly bisecting the tab base and interrupting that portion of the line of tab severance opposite the tab base, said tab having a marginal bead and a diametral rib merging into said bead intermediate a pair of said bridges so located that the aperture in said reinforcing element can be exposed only by rupturing one or both of said pair of bridges, said tab and said sealing member being thereby protected respectively from undetectable lifting and undetectable perforation.

4. A closure combination comprising a sealing member adapted to be pierced readily by a needle, 9. rupturable outer closure and an apertured reinforcing element, said outer closure having a skirt with a rupturable band of fiuting near its lower edge and a top panel cut to form a tab partially severed therefrom but integral therewith at rupturable bridges, said reinforcing element being disposed between said top panel and said sealing member, said tab having a marginal bead and a longitudinal rib merging into said bead intermediate a pair of said bridges so located that the aperture in said reinforcing element can be exposed upon lifting said tab only by rupturing one or more of said bridges, said tab and said sealing member being thereby protected respectively from undetectable lifting and undetectable piercing.

5. A container-closure combination comprising a container having a shouldered orifice, a sealing member of a material adapted to be pierced readily by a needle and disposed in closing relationship to said orifice, a rupturable outer closure over said sealing member secured to said container by a portion disposed under said shoulder and an apertured reinforcing element between said closure and said sealing member, said closure having a skirt with a weakened band near its lower edge and a top panel cut to form a partially severed tab, a non-severed tab base, a tab surrounding rim, and rupturable bridges connecting said tab and rim disposed at least one on each side of a line perpendicularly bisecting the tab base and interrupting that portion of the line of tab severance opposite the tab base, said tab having a marginal bead and a diametral rib merging into said bead intermediate a pair of said bridges so located that the aperture in said reinforcing element can be exposed only by rupturing one or both of said pair of bridges, said tab and said sealing member being thereby protected respectively from undetectable lifting and undetectable piercing.

DONALD H. TILSON.

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