Tamper proof closures
First Claim
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1. A method of detecting tampering with a cylindrical article closure, the method comprising the steps:
- providing the cylindrical closure with at least one magnetic member;
providing the at least one magnetic member with a magnetic field;
opening the closure at least partially;
disturbing the magnetic member of the closure when the closure is opened, wherein disturbing the magnetic member subjects the magnetic field of the magnetic member to a change resulting from a changed interaction between respective parts of the disturbed magnetic member, and detecting the change in the magnetic field by remote magnetic sensing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tamper proof closure (1) has a plurality of magnetic strips (7) attached thereto which are arranged to be broken if the closure is opened. The broken magnetic strips have a different magnetic characteristic as compared to when they are intact and this can be sensed with a Hall effect or other sensor. The tamper proof closure enables the condition of article closures such as the screw caps of liquor bottles to be remotely monitored.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of detecting tampering with a cylindrical article closure, the method comprising the steps:
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providing the cylindrical closure with at least one magnetic member;
providing the at least one magnetic member with a magnetic field;
opening the closure at least partially;
disturbing the magnetic member of the closure when the closure is opened, wherein disturbing the magnetic member subjects the magnetic field of the magnetic member to a change resulting from a changed interaction between respective parts of the disturbed magnetic member, and detecting the change in the magnetic field by remote magnetic sensing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 13, 14)
detecting a change in magnetic field of the first and second permanently magnetized members by induction.
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13. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cylindrical closure is a threaded closure for a bottle, and wherein:
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providing the cylindrical closure with at least one magnetic member comprises providing the at least one magnetic member across a frangible portion of the closure; and
disturbing the magnetic member of the closure when the closure is opened comprises breaking the at least one magnetic member at the frangible portion by unscrewing the threaded closure from the bottle.
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14. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein:
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the cylindrical closure is a threaded closure for a bottle;
the magnetic member is mounted across a frangible portion of the threaded closure; and
the magnetic member is broken when the threaded closure is unscrewed from the bottle.
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4. A secured container for evidencing tampering and comprising:
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a container;
a cylindrical closure for the container;
at least one magnetic member provided with a magnetic field and mounted on the cylindrical closure, wherein the magnetic member becomes disturbed when the closure is at least partially opened; and
wherein the magnetic field of the magnetic member changes due to a changed interaction between respective parts of the disturbed magnetic member, such a change being detectable by remote magnetic sensing. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification