Tamper evident system

• US 5,617,812 A
• Filed: 07/16/1996
• Issued: 04/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ampac Trigon, LLC
• Original Assignee: Sealed Air Limited (Sealed Air)
• Inventors: Whitwood, Robert J., Balderson, Simon N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Worth, Willie Morris
• Application Number:
  US08/683,115
• Time in Patent Office: 266 Days
• Field of Search: 116/200, 116/206, 206/807, 206/459.1, 215/230, 220/DIG. 34
• US Class Current: 116/206
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/244 provided with oxygen absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/026 initial opening or unauthorised access being indicated by a visual change using indicators other than tearable means, e.g. change of colour, pattern or opacity B65D55/066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/066 Foil covers combined with outer closures and comprising interacting or interposed tamper indicating means visible through the outer closure, e.g. releasable coloured dyes, changeable patterns, pierceable membranes, visible through a transparent closure or through a window
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/2069 in a special atmosphere
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/2076 in an at least partially rigid container
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/807 Tamper proof

Abstract

A tamper evident system for indicating when a closed enclosure (24) has been opened comprises a window (21) and a sensor (22) colour sensitive to presence of a gas. The sensor (22) is located in the enclosure (24) so as to be visible through the window (21). Any compositional change of gas in the enclosure (24) is signalled by a change of colour of the sensor (22).

Claims

1. A tamper evident system for a closed enclosure for indicating when the closed enclosure has been opened, said tamper evident system comprising

(a) a see-through membrane provided in the enclosure,

(b) a fracturable wall separating the enclosure into first and second compartments, said first compartment containing at least one first gas, said second compartment containing at least one second gas, said fracturable wall being adapted to be fractured to allow said first and second gases to mix and form a composition of gases in the closed enclosure, the composition of gases being changed upon opening of the enclosure, and

indicating means located in the enclosure adjacent said see-through membrane and visible from the exterior of the enclosure, said indicating means being sensitive to a change in the composition of gases in the enclosure caused by the opening of the enclosure for giving a visual indication of the change in the composition of gases and thus of the opening of the enclosure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the composition of gases in the enclosure is different from that of air.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the composition of gases in the enclosure is further provided by exposure to the indicating means, which scavenges one or more gases in the enclosure.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the composition of gases in the enclosure is further provided by reacting reactive components one with another.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the composition of gases in the enclosure is further provided by addition of a gas to one of the compartments before the enclosure is closed.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the gas which is added is carbon dioxide.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein oxygen is a scavenged gas.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first compartment and the second compartment are integral with the enclosure and separable therefrom by the fracturable wall.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicating means is sensitive to carbon dioxide.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicating means is selected to give a first visual indication when the proportion of oxygen in the enclosure is less than that of air and a second, different visual indication when the proportion of oxygen in the enclosure increases.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicating means is sensitive to carbon dioxide.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicating means is selected to give a first visual indication when the proportion of oxygen in the enclosure is less than that of air and a second, different visual indication when the proportion of oxygen in the enclosure increases.

13. A container characterized by a tamper evident system providing a visual indication of opening of the container, said container comprising

(a) a body member defining an enclosure therein and having an opening into said enclosure,

(b) a removable cap member closing said opening in said body member to provide a closed enclosure, said cap member including a see-through membrane therein,

(c) a composition of gases in said closed enclosure that is changed upon removal of said cap member or other opening of said enclosure,

indicating means located adjacent said see-through membrane and sensitive to a change in the composition of gases within said enclosure upon opening thereof for providing a visual indication that the composition of gases has changed and thus the enclosure has been opened, and

(d) a fracturable membrane initially encapsulating said indicating means and being located in position to be fractured by said cap member when said cap member closes the enclosure to expose said indicating means to the enclosure and the composition of gases therein.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the composition of the gas in the enclosure is different from that of air.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the composition of the gas in the enclosure is provided by exposure to the indicating means, which scavenges one or more gases in the enclosure.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the composition of the gas in the enclosure is provided by reacting reactive components one with another.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the composition of the gas in the enclosure is provided by addition of a gas before the enclosure is closed.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the gas which is added is carbon dioxide.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein oxygen is a scavenged gas.