Tamper evident closure with integrated venting and method of manufacturing
First Claim
1. A tamper evident closure, comprising:
- a body portion comprising a base and a downwardly depending sidewall portion; and
a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising;
a main band portion;
a J-hook retention member that is oriented in a first molded position that is substantially beneath and in alignment with said main band portion of said tamper evident band, said J-hook retention member extending continuously about an entire circumference of said tamper evident band;
wherein said J-hook retention member comprises a plurality of flexible web elements, wherein at least one of said flexible web elements has a ventilation opening and a predetermined crease line defined therein;
wherein said J-hook retention member further comprises a plurality of retaining elements, at least some of said retaining elements being constructed and arranged to engage a container to which said closure may be mounted in order to retain said tamper evident band on the container when said body portion is removed from the container; and
a plurality of flexible web elements, and said flexible web elements being sufficiently flexible to render said J-hook retention member circumferentially compressible from said first molded position and a second engaged position wherein said retention member is bent upwardly and inwardly to engage the container for retention purposes;
wherein at least one of said flexible web elements is shaped so as to have a predetermined crease line about which said web element will begin to fold as said J-hook retention member is circumferentially compressed; and
wherein said flexible web element is shaped so that said predetermined crease line is positioned radially inwardly from the nearest retaining element, whereby said flexible web element will be caused to fold radially inwardly as said J-hook retention member is circumferentially compressed.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a vented tamper evident closure of the J-hook type to a container involves a closure of the type including a base, a downwardly depending sidewall portion and a tamper evident band. The tamper evident band is frangibly connected to the sidewall portion and includes a main band portion and a J-hook retention member that includes a plurality of retaining elements and a corresponding plurality of flexible web elements. Advantageously, the retention member is originally molded in a first position wherein it is positioned substantially beneath and in alignment with the main band portion of the tamper evident band. This molding position creates substantial manufacturing advantages. When the closure is installed onto the container, the retention member is circumferentially compressed and folds inwardly as it is moved to a second, engaged position wherein it is bent upwardly and inwardly to engage the container. The substantial circumferential compression of the retention member is enabled by the provision of the flexible web elements. In addition, ventilation openings are preferably defined within the flexible web elements. The ventilation openings provide a dual benefit in that they further promote efficient moldability of the closure and that they permit the entire container assembly, including the closure, to be washed after packaging to remove any food material that may be left after filling permit the closure.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A tamper evident closure, comprising:
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a body portion comprising a base and a downwardly depending sidewall portion; and a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising; a main band portion; a J-hook retention member that is oriented in a first molded position that is substantially beneath and in alignment with said main band portion of said tamper evident band, said J-hook retention member extending continuously about an entire circumference of said tamper evident band; wherein said J-hook retention member comprises a plurality of flexible web elements, wherein at least one of said flexible web elements has a ventilation opening and a predetermined crease line defined therein; wherein said J-hook retention member further comprises a plurality of retaining elements, at least some of said retaining elements being constructed and arranged to engage a container to which said closure may be mounted in order to retain said tamper evident band on the container when said body portion is removed from the container; and
a plurality of flexible web elements, and said flexible web elements being sufficiently flexible to render said J-hook retention member circumferentially compressible from said first molded position and a second engaged position wherein said retention member is bent upwardly and inwardly to engage the container for retention purposes;wherein at least one of said flexible web elements is shaped so as to have a predetermined crease line about which said web element will begin to fold as said J-hook retention member is circumferentially compressed; and wherein said flexible web element is shaped so that said predetermined crease line is positioned radially inwardly from the nearest retaining element, whereby said flexible web element will be caused to fold radially inwardly as said J-hook retention member is circumferentially compressed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A tamper evident closure, comprising:
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a body portion comprising a base and a downwardly depending sidewall portion; and a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising; a main band portion; a J-hook retention member that is oriented in a first molded position that is substantially beneath and in alignment with said main band portion of said tamper evident band, said J-hook retention member extending continuously about an entire circumference of said tamper evident band; wherein said J-hook retention member comprises a plurality of flexible web elements, wherein at least one of said flexible web elements has a ventilation opening and a predetermined crease line defined therein; wherein said J-hook retention member further comprises a plurality of retaining elements, at least some of said retaining elements being constructed and arranged to engage a container to which said closure may be mounted in order to retain said tamper evident band on the container when said body portion is removed from the container; and
a plurality of flexible web elements, and said flexible web elements being sufficiently flexible to render said J-hook retention member circumferentially compressible from said first molded position and a second engaged position wherein said retention member is bent upwardly and inwardly to engage the container for retention purposes; andwherein said retaining elements are tapered in their circumferential dimensions so as to narrow at distal ends thereof that are distal to said body portion of said closure; and wherein said flexible web elements are inversely tapered with respect to said retaining elements. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification