Tamper-proof container insert

• US 10,336,517 B1
• Filed: 01/08/2018
• Issued: 07/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rodney Laible
• Original Assignee: Rodney Laible
• Inventors: Laible, Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Benjamin R
• Application Number:
  US15/864,385
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 2224815
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 39/0052 made in more than one piece B65D39/02, B65D39/04, B65D39/06, B65D39/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/2018 comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/32 with means for venting
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 49/08 Spring-loaded valves
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 49/12 by destroying, in the act of opening the container, an integral portion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/16 with means for venting air or gas
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/02 Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure B65D41/32 takes precedence; protective covers for bottles B65D23/08; protective cap-like outer covers for bottle or jar closures B65D41/62; pressure-applying means B65D45/00; closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal of closures B65D50/00

Abstract

A tamper-proof insert for use with a liquid container. The insert is of the foam liner venting type. The insert is designed to be inserted into the throat of a container such as a bottle. A retention lug ring is secured to the lower end of the insert. The retention lug ring includes a plurality of spaced-apart retention lugs, having upper and lower ends, which extend upwardly and outwardly from a base ring. The upper ends of the retention lugs of the retention lug ring engage the inside surface of the container to prevent the insert from being manually pulled upwardly and outwardly from the throat of the container. If the insert is pulled from the container against the resistance of the retention lugs, the lugs will break-away from the insert and it will be evident that the insert has been subjected to tampering.

Claims

1. In combination with a container having an upper end with an inside surface and a throat with an inside surface, comprising:

a tamper-proof insert positioned in the throat of the container with the insert having upper and lower ends;

said insert being of the foam liner venting type;

a horizontally disposed retention lug ring mounted on said insert at said lower end of said insert;

said retention lug ring including a horizontally disposed base ring which is secured to said insert at said lower end of said insert; and

said retention lug ring having a plurality of radially spaced-apart retention lugs, having upper and lower ends, which extend upwardly and outwardly from said base ring whereby said upper ends of said retention lugs are in engagement with the inside surface of the container to prevent said insert from being removed from the container.

2. A tamper-proof insert for use with a closed loop dispensing system including a container having a throat with an inside surface, comprising:

a horizontally disposed ring-shaped lip having an upper side, a lower side, an outer end, and an inner end;

a generally cylindrical first wall member having an open upper end, an open lower end, an inner surface and an outer surface;

said first wall member extending downwardly from said inner end of said lip whereby said lip protrudes outwardly form said upper end of said first wall member;

a generally horizontally disposed first annular shoulder extending inwardly from said open lower end of said first wall member;

said first annular shoulder having an inner end, an outer end, an upper end and a lower end;

a generally vertically disposed and annular second wall member having an upper end and a lower end;

said second wall member extending downwardly from said inner end of said first annular shoulder;

a vertically disposed tubular receiver having an upper end, a lower end, an inner surface and an outer surface;

a generally horizontally disposed and annular third wall member having an inner end, an outer end, an upper side and a lower side;

said lower end of said tubular receiver being secured to said third wall member outwardly of said inner end of said third wall member to define a valve stop at said inner end of said third wall member;

an annular fifth wall member which is horizontally disposed and which has inner and outer ends;

said inner end of said fifth wall member being secured to said fourth wall member above said lower end of said fourth wall member;

said outer end of said fifth wall member being secured to said second wall member above said lower end of said second wall member;

said fifth wall member having a plurality of radially spaced-apart vent openings formed therein;

a vertically disposed and annular sixth wall member having upper and lower ends;

said upper end of said sixth wall member being secured to said fifth wall member;

said sixth wall member being spaced inwardly of said second wall member to form a vertically disposed groove therebetween;

said lip, said first wall member, said first annular shoulder, said tubular receiver, said fourth wall member, said fifth wall member and said sixth wall member being integrally formed;

an upstanding hollow valve body having an upper tubular member, a lower tubular member, and a horizontally disposed annular shoulder portion extending outwardly between said upper and lower tubular members;

said upper tubular member having a greater diameter than said lower tubular member;

said annular shoulder portion of said valve body having an upper side and a lower side;

said upper tubular member being vertically movably received in said tubular receiver so as to be movable between an upper position and a lower position;

said upper side of said annular shoulder portion of said valve body being in sealing engagement with said third wall member when said valve body is in said upper position;

said upper side of said annular shoulder portion of said valve body being spaced from said third wall member when said valve body is in said lower position;

a cylindrical spring having an upper end and a lower end;

said upper end of said spring embracing said lower tubular member of said valve body;

said upper end of said spring being in engagement with said lower side of said annular shoulder portion of said valve body;

a retainer member having a horizontally disposed circular bottom wall having a plurality of spaced-apart vent openings formed therein;

said bottom wall having upper and lower sides;

a ring-shaped first side wall, having a lower end, an upper end, an outer surface and an inner surface, extending upwardly from said bottom wall;

said outer surface of said ring-shaped first side wall having a horizontally disposed annular rib extending outwardly therefrom;

said inner surface of said ring-shaped first side wall having a shoulder formed therein;

a ring-shaped support wall, having upper and lower ends, extending upwardly from said bottom wall inwardly of said ring-shaped first side wall;

an elongated hollow valve body, having a closed upper end and a open lower end, integrally formed with said bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom;

said hollow valve body member having a plurality of openings formed therein below said upper end thereof;

a hollow dip tube support, having upper and lower ends, extending downwardly from said lower end of said hollow valve body member and being in fluid communication with open lower end of said hollow valve body member;

said upper end of said first side wall of said retainer member being received in said vertically disposed groove formed between fifth and sixth wall members whereby said upper side of said bottom wall of said retainer is in engagement with said lower end of said spring;

a horizontally disposed and ring-shaped foam liner having an upper side and a lower side;

said foam liner having spaced-apart perforations formed therein;

said foam liner being positioned at said lower ends of said fourth and sixth wall members so as to be supported on said shoulder formed on said inner surface of said first side wall of said retainer and said upper end of said support wall with said perforations of said foam liner being positioned between said inner surface of said first side wall and support wall;

said insert preventing fluid flow from said container when said valve body is in said upper position;

said insert permitting fluid flow from said container when said valve body is in said lower position;

said insert permitting ambient air to pass therethrough into said container when said valve body is in said lower position;

said foam liner permitting air or gas to pass therethrough while preventing liquid to pass therethrough whereby the container is vented at all times;

and a locking ring secured to said second wall member which engages the inside surface of said container to prevent said insert from being removed from said container.

3. The tamper-proof insert of claim 2 wherein said locking ring is a retention lug ring.

4. The tamper-proof insert of claim 2 wherein said outer side of said second wall member has an annular recess formed therein at said lower end of said second wall and wherein said locking ring is positioned in said annular recess.

5. The tamper-proof insert of claim 4 wherein said locking ring includes a base ring which is received in said annular recess and wherein a plurality of flexible lugs extend upwardly and outwardly from said base ring in a radially spaced-apart manner for engagement with the inside surface of said container.

6. The tamper-proof insert of claim 5 wherein said locking ring is comprised of a plastic material.