Tamper-evident tare cap

• US 7,152,760 B1
• Filed: 08/03/2004
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steven R. Peabody
• Original Assignee: Steven R. Peabody
• Inventors: Peabody, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaufman, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US10/909,956
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/3, 222/153.05, 222/153.06, 222/153.07, 222/541.6
• US Class Current: 222/153.07
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/35 Vertical or axial lines of weakness
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/48 non-metallic, e.g. made of paper or plastics B65D41/47 takes precedence

Abstract

A tamper-evident cap for a threaded outlet includes a top and a cylindrical side. The tamper-evident cylindrical side is initially engaged with threads of a valve outlet to prevent axial displacement of the cylindrical side with respect to the valve outlet. The cylindrical side includes a plurality of undercut barbs to prevent manipulation of the cap to an open condition. The cylindrical side includes a frangible tear strip connected to a pull tab and connected to the remainder of the cylindrical side by lines of weakness, which tear strip arranged to be torn to facilitate displacement of the cylindrical side to permit manipulation of the cap to an open condition.

Claims

1. A tamper-evident cap comprising a substantially closed top, an open bottom, and a cylindrical side connecting the top and the bottom, the cylindrical side having a tear strip and a plurality of radially inwardly extending undercut barbs, which barbs have top and bottom ends, wherein the barbs are connected to the cylindrical side substantially adjacent to the bottom and extend inwardly and upwardly so that the top end is at a distance from the cylindrical side, the tear strip being attached at the end opposite the top to a pull tab.

2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the top has a plurality of cut-away areas.

3. The cap of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical side has a plurality of cut-away areas.

4. The cap of claim 1, wherein there are lines of weakness defining the tear strip.

5. The cap of claim 1, wherein the undercut barbs are at the same distance from the top of the cap.

6. A method which comprising a) applying a tamper-evident cap to a threaded outlet, said cap comprising a substantially closed top, an open bottom and a cylindrical side connecting the top and the bottom, the cylindrical side having a tear strip and a plurality of radially inwardly extending undercut barbs, which barbs have top and bottom ends, wherein the barbs are connected to the cylindrical side substantially adjacent to the bottom and extend inwardly and upwardly so that the top end is at a distance from the cylindrical side, the tear strip being attached at the end opposite the top to a pull tab and b) pulling the pull tab to remove the tear strip and enable the cap to be removed from the threaded outlet.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the top has a plurality of cut-away areas.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the cylindrical side has a plurality of cut-away areas.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein there are lines of weakness defining the tear strip.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the undercut barbs are at the same distance from the top of the cap.