Tamper proof closures

• US 6,592,034 B1
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cypher Science Limited, Redcliffe Limited
• Original Assignee: Cypher Science Limited, Redcliffe Limited
• Inventors: Millard, Richard James, Jones, David Geraint Rhys
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US09/674,778
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383, 235/385, 235/444, 235/449, 235/451
• US Class Current: 235/449
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0292 tamper indicating labels

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.

Claims

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.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the magnetic member is permanently magnetized.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one magnetic member comprises first and second permanently magnetized members, and wherein remote sensing comprises:

detecting a change in magnetic field of the first and second permanently magnetized members by induction.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cylindrical closure is a threaded closure for a bottle, and wherein:

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.

14. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

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.

4. A secured container for evidencing tampering and comprising:

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.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the magnetic member is made of permanent magnet material.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the permanent magnet material is permanent magnet powder bonded to a backing of sheet material.

7. A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one magnetic member comprises first and second permanently magnetized members, and wherein the first and second magnetic members enable sensing of a change in magnetic field by induction.

8. A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein the magnetic member is provided on the closure so that respective parts of the magnetic member will be displaced relative to each other when the closure is opened.

9. A container as claimed in claim 4 together with a sensor device for detecting a change in the magnetic field of the magnetic member.

10. The combination claimed in claim 9 wherein the sensor device comprises a Hall effect sensor.

11. The combination claimed in claim 9 wherein the sensor device comprises a magnetoresistive sensor.

12. The combination claimed in claim 9 wherein the sensor device comprises a sensing coil.