US3737064A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pilfer-proof closure for containers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-17
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1991-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A pilfer-proof closure for use in combination with a container having a threaded neck portion and an annular flange below the threaded portion, comprising a body having an internally threaded upper portion and a lower skirt portion. A flexible locking member attached to the inside of the body by frangible connecting means and protected by the skirt is adapted to slide over the container flange as the cap is threaded on whereby the locking member snaps into place underneath the flange to lock the closure onto the container. When the closure is unthreaded from the container, the frangible connecting means are broken to completely disconnect the locking member from the inside of the closure. A viewing opening in the lower portion of the body permits visual observation of the locking member when the closure is threaded on the container to determine whether or not the container has been tampered with.
Inventors
- 👤 C Patel
- 👤 R Patel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:29
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D41/00; B65D41/32; B65D41/34; B65D41/3442; B65D41/3447; B65D2401/00; B65D2401/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A pilfer-proof closure for use in combination with a container having a threaded neck portion and an annular flange below said threaded portion comprising: a body having an internally threaded upper portion and a lower skirt portion, a flexible locking member inside of said body protected by said skirt portion and spaced therefrom adapted to slide over said container flange as the closure is threaded onto said container, said locking member having a top surface adapted to engage the bottom surface of said flange to lock the closure in place when the closure is completely threaded onto said container, frangible connecting means for securing said locking member to the inside of said body so that said locking member will become completely disconnected from said body when the closure is unthreaded from said container, and a viewing opening in said body to permit visual observation of said locking member to determine whether the container has been opened after the closure has initially been threaded thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A pilfer-proof closure for use in combination with a container having a threaded neck portion and an annular flange below said threaded portion comprising: a body having an internally threaded upper portion and a lower skirt portion, a flexible locking member inside of said body protected by said skirt portion and spaced therefrom adapted to slide over said container flange as the closure is threaded onto said container, said locking member having a top surface adapted to engage the bottom surface of said flange to lock the closure in place when the closure is completely threaded onto said container, frangible connecting means for securing said locking member to the inside of said body so that said locking member will become completely disconnected from said body when the closure is unthreaded from said container, and a viewing opening in said body to permit visual observation of said locking member to determine whether the container has been opened after the closure has initially been threaded thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A pilfer-proof closure as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking member has a bottom surface slanting downwardly and outwardly from the top surface thereof to facilitate the sliding movement of said locking member over said container flange when the closure is threaded onto said container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A pilfer-proof closure as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking member is comprised of a plurality of annular segments connected to the inside of said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A pilfer-proof closure as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking member is comprised of a continuous annular ring connected to the inside of said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pilfer-proof closure as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a plurality of frangible webs connected at one end to the inside of aid body and at the other end to said locking member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A pilfer-proof closure as defined in claim 5 wherein said skirt portion includes a horizontal rib and said webs extend vertically downwardly therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A pilfer-proof closure as defined in claim 5 whErein said skirt portion includes a horizontal rib and said webs extend horizontally inwardly therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A pilfer-proof closure as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a thin plastic membrane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A pilfer-proof closure as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a perforated plastic film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
A pilfer-proof closure as defined in claim 1 for use in combination with a container having an annular rib spaced from and below said container flange, said rib having a diameter at least as great as the diameter of said skirt portion, wherein said skirt portion is of sufficient length to engage the upper surface of said rib when the closure is threaded onto said container to locked position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
A pilfer-proof closure as defined in claim 1 for use in combination with a container having a body provided with a shoulder portion spaced from and below said annular flange and having a diameter at least as great as said skirt portion wherein said skirt portion is of sufficient length to engage said shoulder portion when the closure is threaded onto said container to locked position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1352712A
Cited
US3460708A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |