Tamper evident nozzle shield and methods for using the same
View Patent ↗A tamper evident nozzle shield ( 100 ) may be configured to fit a pump or pump dispenser to protect a fluid path ( 12 ) in the dispenser from contamination or to prevent or visually indicate if a dispenser or pump dispenser has been tampered with.
1. A fluid dispenser, comprising:
a container containing a fluid product;
a dispenser attached to the container, the dispenser comprising:
an accumulator;
a pump chamber;
a head comprising a nozzle;
a head skirt;
a closure for attaching the dispenser to the container; and
a tamper evident nozzle shield attached to the dispenser, the tamper evident nozzle shield comprising:
a dust cap;
a connector connected to the dust cap;
a tamper evident structure opposite the dust cap and removably connected to the connector by at least one breakpoint;
a collar attached to the connector; and
a retention ring extending from the connector between the dust cap and the tamper evident structure and into an interior space defined by the collar.
2. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the dust cap is configured to cover at least a portion of the nozzle.
3. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the tamper evident structure further comprises a pull-tab.
4. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the tamper evident structure further comprises a pull-tab configured to tear away from the connector along the at least one breakpoint when sufficient force is applied to the tamper evident structure.
5. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the tamper evident structure further comprises an arrow-shaped pull-tab.
6. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the tamper evident nozzle shield is a molded plastic component.
7. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the collar of the tamper evident nozzle shield is configured to encircle at least a portion of the head skirt of the dispenser and to limit movement of the head.
8. The fluid dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the collar of the tamper evident nozzle shield is configured to be reattached to the dispenser.