Tamper-evident lid with tear-away ring

• US 4,934,554 A
• Filed: 09/14/1988
• Issued: 06/19/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bryant Edwards
• Original Assignee: Bryant Edwards
• Inventors: Edwards, Bryant
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcus, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): STUCKER, NOVA E
• Application Number:
  US07/244,118
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 220/266, 220/270, 220/276, 220/306, 220/307, 215/253, 215/254, 215/256
• US Class Current: 220/266
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/15 Tearable part of the closure B65D2401/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/45 Windows in external skirts for viewing tamper-element
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00092 circular
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00296 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00509 Cup
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00527 NO contact
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00555 on both the inside and the outside
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00629 Massive bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00657 U-shaped or inverted U
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00685 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/0074 Massive bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00796 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/0099 Integral supplemental sealing lips
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0249 on both the inside and the outside of the mouth of the container B65D43/0239 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0252 leaving only an inside snap after removal of the tamper element
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0254 only on the inside, or a part turned to the inside, of the mouth of the container B65D43/0239 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0262 leaving only an outside friction after removal of the tamper element

Abstract

A tamper-evident lid for use with containers includes a surface to cover the container, and downward projections around the periphery of the surface which surrounds the mouth of said container. An interrupted ring is frangibly attached to the downward projections. A plurality of tamper-evident hooks are affixed to said ring. The hooks are visible through openings in the downward projections. The hooks engage the container, but when the lid is removed, the ring fractures away from the downward projection ring and the tampering with the package is apparent. In the preferred embodiment, a bead on the lid engages the sidewall of the container to provide a resealable, airtight seal.

Claims

1. A tamper-evident lid adapted to be used with a container, said lid comprising;

a continuous surface adapted to cover the mouth of said container, said lid having downwardly projecting portions adapted to surround the outside of the mouth of said container;

a bead associated with said continuous surface adapted to engage the side wall of said container and form a seal therewith;

a ring frangibly affixed to said downwardly projecting portions, said ring being interrupted, said ring adapted to substantially encircle the mouth of said container;

a plurality of tamper-evident assemblies affixed to said ring, each said tamper evident assembly comprising a hook member adapted to engage said container;

said downwardly projecting portions having openings in the area of each tamper-evident assembly in order to provide visual observation of said tamper evident assembly.

2. A lid as described in claim 1, wherein said ring is joined to said downwardly projecting portion by a frangible joint which allows said hook members to be deflected upwardly during insertion of the lid onto the container, but which causes said joint to fracture when said hook members are deflected downwardly.

3. A lid as described in claim 2, wherein said frangible joint comprises a plurality of radial ribs affixed to the inner side of said ring.

4. A lid as described in claim 1, comprising a sanitary cover depending from said lid and contacting said container, said sanitary cover positioned adjacent to and extending beyond both ends of said opening.

5. A tamper-evident package comprising a lid and a container;

said container having a rim defining a container mouth, said rim adapted to receive a removable lid;

a downwardly turned lid extending outwardly and downwardly from the rim of said container;

said lid comprising a continuous surface adapted to cover said container mouth, and having downwardly projecting portions adapted to surround the rim of said container;

a ring frangibly affixed to said downwardly projecting portions, said ring adapted to substantially encircle the rim of said container;

a plurality of tamper-evident assemblies affixed to said ring, each said tamper-evident assembly comprising a hook member adapted to engage the under side of said downward turned lip; and

said downwardly projecting portions having openings in the area of each of said tamper-evident assembly in order to provide visual observation of said tamper-evident assembly.

6. A tamper-evident package as described in claim 5, wherein said ring is joined to said downwardly projecting portion by a frangible joint which allows said book to be deflected upwardly, but which fractures said joint when said hook is deflected downwardly.

7. A tamper-evident package as described in claim 6, wherein said frangible joint comprises a plurality of radial ribs affixed to the inner side of said ring.

8. A tamper-evident package as described in claim 6, wherein said ring is interrupted.

9. A tamper-evident package as described in claim 5, wherein said lid comprises a sanitary cover depending from said lid and contacting the lip of said container, said sanitary cover positioned adjacent to and extending beyond both ends of each said opening.

10. A tamper-evident package as described in claim 5, wherein said lid comprises an annular bead associated with said continuous surface, said bead adapted to engage the sidewall of said container and form a seal therewith.

11. A tamper-evident package as described in claim 5, wherein an inwardly directed annular bead is positioned at the upper portion of the rim of said container and an outwardly directed annular bead is positioned on a corresponding vertical member of said lid, whereby said beads cooperate to lock said lid to said container in the closed position.