IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,575,123
Granted Patent B2
US 7,575,123 · App. 11/038,868 · Granted Aug 18, 2009

Tamper-evident locking band for a container closure

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,575,123
App. No.
11/038,868
Granted
Aug 18, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A container and closure combination according to one embodiment of the present invention includes, as part of the closure, a tamper-evident band. The container includes a neck portion defining a dispensing opening and including an A diameter stop. The tamper-evident closure includes a closure body and the tamper-evident band is connected to the closure body by a plurality of frangible elements. A plurality of locking tabs are included as part of the tamper-evident band and are constructed and arranged to abut up against the A diameter stop upon retrograde rotation of the closure body from the container neck. The tamper-evident band further includes a radially inwardly extending ridge that is constructed and arranged to prevent repositioning of a plurality of the locking tabs to an orientation wherein the plurality of locking tabs would avoid abutment with the A diameter stop.

Claims (48)

1. A tamper-evident closure for a container having an A diameter stop, said tamper-evident closure comprising:

a closure body; and

a tamper-evident band connected to said closure body by a plurality of frangible elements, said tamper-evident band including a plurality of locking tabs constructed and arranged to abut against said A diameter stop during initial removal of said closure from said container, each locking tab being constructed and arranged with a radially-inward first portion having a free end and an intermediate second portion located between said first portion and the remainder of said tamper-evident band, said first portion being enlarged relative to said second portion and said second portion having a reduced axial thickness relative to said first portion, said tamper-evident band further including a radially inwardly extending ridge that is constructed and arranged to prevent repositioning of a plurality of said locking tabs to an orientation wherein said plurality of locking tabs avoid abutment with said A diameter stop.

2. The tamper-evident closure of claim 1 wherein said ridge is arranged into a plurality of spaced-apart sections.

3. The tamper-evident closure of claim 2 wherein each section of said ridge includes an inclined upper surface.

4. The tamper-evident closure of claim 3 wherein said locking tabs are positioned axially between said frangible elements and said ridge.

5. The tamper-evident closure of claim 4 wherein said closure body is internally threaded.

6. The tamper-evident closure of claim 1 wherein said ridge is constructed and arranged as an annular member.

7. The tamper-evident closure of claim 6 wherein said ridge includes an inclined upper surface facing said plurality of locking tabs.

8. The tamper-evident closure of claim 7 wherein said locking tabs are positioned axially between said frangible elements and said ridge.

9. The tamper-evident closure of claim 8 wherein said closure body is internally threaded.

10. In combination:

a container having a neck portion defining a dispensing opening and an A diameter stop; and

a tamper-evident closure for said container, said tamper-evident closure comprising:

a closure body; and

a tamper-evident band connected to said closure body by a plurality of frangible elements, said tamper-evident band including a plurality of locking tabs constructed and arranged to abut against said A diameter stop during initial removal of said closure from said container, each locking tab being constructed and arranged with a radially-inward first portion having a free end and an intermediate second portion located between said first portion and the remainder of said tamper-evident band, said first portion being enlarged relative to said second portion and said second portion having a reduced axial thickness relative to said first portion, said tamper-evident band further including a radially inwardly extending ridge that is constructed and arranged to prevent repositioning of a plurality of said locking tabs to an orientation wherein said plurality of locking tabs avoid abutment with said A diameter stop.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said ridge is arranged into a plurality of spaced-apart sections.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein each section of said ridge includes an inclined upper surface.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said locking tabs are positioned axially between said frangible elements and said ridge.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said closure body is internally threaded.

15. The combination of claim 10 wherein said ridge is constructed and arranged as an annular member.

16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said ridge includes an inclined upper surface facing said plurality of locking tabs.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said locking tabs are positioned axially between said frangible elements and said ridge.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein said closure body is internally threaded.

19. A tamper-evident closure for a container having an A diameter stop, said tamper-evident closure comprising:

a closure body; and

a tamper-evident band connected to said closure body by a plurality of frangible elements, said tamper-evident band including a plurality of locking tabs constructed and arranged to abut said A diameter stop during initial removal of said closure from said container, each locking tab being constructed and arranged with a radially-inward first portion having a free end and an intermediate second portion located between said first portion and the remainder of said tamper-evident band, said first portion being enlarged relative to said second portion and said second portion having a reduced axial thickness relative to said first portion, said tamper-evident band further including a radially inwardly extending ridge that is constructed and arranged to prevent repositioning of a plurality of said locking tabs to a substantially vertical orientation wherein said plurality of locking tabs avoid abutment with said A diameter stop.

20. The tamper-evident closure of claim 19 wherein said ridge is arranged into a plurality of spaced-apart sections.

21. The tamper-evident closure of claim 20 wherein each section of said ridge includes an inclined upper surface.

22. The tamper-evident closure of claim 21 wherein said locking tabs are positioned axially between said frangible elements and said ridge.

23. The tamper-evident closure of claim 22 wherein said closure body is internally threaded.

24. The tamper-evident closure of claim 19 wherein said ridge is constructed and arranged as an annular member.

25. The tamper-evident closure of claim 24 wherein said ridge includes an inclined upper surface facing said plurality of locking tabs.

26. The tamper-evident closure of claim 25 wherein said locking tabs are positioned axially between said frangible elements and said ridge.

27. The tamper-evident closure of claim 26 wherein said closure body is internally threaded.

28. In combination:

a container having a neck portion defining a dispensing opening and an A diameter stop; and

a tamper-evident closure for said container, said tamper-evident closure comprising:

a closure body; and

a tamper-evident band connected to said closure body by a plurality of frangible elements, said tamper-evident band including a plurality of locking tabs constructed and arranged to abut against said A diameter stop during initial removal of said closure from said container, each locking tab being constructed and arranged with a radially-inward first portion having a free end and an intermediate second portion located between said first portion and the remainder of said tamper-evident band, said first portion being enlarged relative to said second portion and said second portion having a reduced axial thickness relative to said first portion, said tamper-evident band further including a radially inwardly extending ridge that is constructed and arranged to prevent repositioning of a plurality of said locking tabs to a substantially vertical orientation wherein said plurality of locking tabs avoid abutment with said A diameter stop.

29. The combination of claim 28 wherein said ridge is arranged into a plurality of spaced-apart sections.

30. The combination of claim 29 wherein each section of said ridge includes an inclined upper surface.

31. The combination of claim 30 wherein said locking tabs are positioned axially between said frangible elements and said ridge.

32. The combination of claim 31 wherein said closure body is internally threaded.

33. The combination of claim 28 wherein said ridge is constructed and arranged as an annular member.

34. The combination of claim 33 wherein said ridge includes an inclined upper surface facing said plurality of locking tabs.

35. The combination of claim 34 wherein said locking tabs are positioned axially between said frangible elements and said ridge.

36. The combination of claim 35 wherein said closure body is internally threaded.

Assignments (9)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (024120/0535) Recorded Jul 16, 2015
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS SECOND LIEN AGENT
To: CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036125/0710 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2015
From: TRIMAS CORPORATION; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; ARMINAK & ASSOCIATES, LLC; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; INNOVATIVE MOLDING; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036051/0483 →
RELEASE OF REEL/FRAME 026712/0001 Recorded Nov 15, 2013
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031645/0591 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 13, 2012
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: TRIMAS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029291/0265 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2011
From: ARROW ENGINE COMPANY, AN OKLAHOMA CORPORATION; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC., AN OHIO CORPORATION; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC., A MICHIGAN CORPORATION; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY, A TEXAS CORPORATION; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; RIEKE CORPORATION, AN INDIANA CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 026712/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2011
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: TRIMAS CORPORATION; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; BEAUMONT BOLT & GASKET, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC.; COMPAC CORPORATION; CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CUYAM CORPORATION; DEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DI-RITE COMPANY; ENTEGRA FASTENER CORPORATION; FULTON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; HAMMERBLOW ACQUISITION CORP.; THE HAMMERBLOW COMPANY, LLC; HI-VOL PRODUCTS LLC; INDUSTRIAL BOLT & GASKET, INC.; KEO CUTTERS, INC.; LAKE ERIE PRODUCTS CORPORATION; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; LAMONS METAL GASKET CO.; LOUISIANA HOSE & RUBBER CO.; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; NETCONG INVESTMENTS, INC.; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NI WEST, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; NORRIS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.; NORRIS INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLASTIC FORM, INC.; REESE PRODUCTS, INC.; RESKA SPLINE PRODUCTS, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE OF INDIANA, INC.; RIEKE LEASING CO., INCORPORATED; RIEKE OF MEXICO, INC.; TOWING HOLDING LLC; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; TRIMAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; WESBAR CORPORATION; DRAW-TITE, INC.; RICHARDS MICRO-TOOL, INC.
Reel/Frame 026706/0434 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 4, 2010
From: TRIMAS COMPANY, LLC FKA K.S. DISPOSITION, INC; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; TRIMAS CORPORATION; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; BEAUMONT BOLT & GASKET, INC.; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC FKA COMMONWEALTH DISPOSITION, LLC; COMPAC CORPORATION; CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; CUYAM CORPORATION; DI-RITE COMPANY; DRAW-TITE, INC.; ENTEGRA FASTENER CORPORATION; FULTON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT TOWING PRODUCTS, INC. FKA HITCH 'N POST, INC.; INDUSTRIAL BOLT & GASKET, INC.; KEO CUTTERS, INC.; LAKE ERIE SCREW CORPORATION; LAMONS METAL GASKET CO.; LOUISIANA HOSE & RUBBER CO.; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC.; NETCONG INVESTMENTS, INC.; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC FKA NI FOREIGN MILITARY SALES CORP.; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NI WEST, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; NORRIS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.; NORRIS INDUSTRIES, INC.; PLASTIC FORM, INC.; REESE PRODUCTS, INC.; RESKA SPLINE PRODUCTS, INC.; RICHARDS MICRO-TOOL, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE OF INDIANA, INC.; RIEKE OF MEXICO; RIEKE LEASING CO.; TRIMAS COMPANY, LLC FKA TRIMAS FASTENERS, INC.; TRIMAS COMPANY, LLC FKA TRIMAS SERVICES CORP.; WESBAR CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 024390/0471 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 23, 2010
From: TRIMAS CORPORATION; TRIMAS COMPANY LLC; ARROW ENGINE COMPANY; CEQUENT PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.; CEQUENT CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; COMPAC CORPORATION; DEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; HI-VOL PRODUCTS LLC; KEO CUTTERS, INC.; LAKE ERIE PRODUCTS CORPORATION; MONOGRAM AEROSPACE FASTENERS, INC; NI INDUSTRIES, INC.; NORRIS CYLINDER COMPANY; RICHARDS MICRO-TOOL, INC.; RIEKE CORPORATION; RIEKE LEASING CO.; RIEKE OF MEXICO, INC.; THE HAMMERBLOW COMPANY, LLC; TRIMAS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; LAMONS GASKET COMPANY; TOWING HOLDING LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS SECOND LIEN AGENT
Reel/Frame 024120/0535 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2005
From: LAVEAULT, RICHARD A.; JAHAN, ROWSHAN
To: RIEKE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015883/0806 →