초록 ▼

A container assembly includes a container that has an externally threaded finish portion as well as retention structure for preventing upward movement of a tamper evident band. The container assembly further includes a closure having a body portion of a base and an internally threaded downwardly dep

A container assembly includes a container that has an externally threaded finish portion as well as retention structure for preventing upward movement of a tamper evident band. The container assembly further includes a closure having a body portion of a base and an internally threaded downwardly depending sidewall portion that is sized and shaped to screw onto the finish portion of the container. The closure further includes a tamper evident band that is frangibly connected to the sidewall portion and that includes a main band portion and a J-hook retention member. The J-hook retention member includes a plurality of pleated retaining flaps, each of which has upper portion for engaging the retention structure. Advantageously, at least one of the pleated retaining flaps is further constructed and arranged to engage the container so as to resist rotation with respect to the container, whereby separation of said tamper evident band from said body portion is better assured when the closure is unscrewed from the container.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A tamper evident closure, comprising: a body portion comprising a base and an internally threaded downwardly depending sidewall portion; and a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising: a main band portion, and a J-h

What is claimed is: 1. A tamper evident closure, comprising: a body portion comprising a base and an internally threaded downwardly depending sidewall portion; and a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising: a main band portion, and a J-hook retention member that includes a plurality of retaining flaps and a plurality of connector elements extending only between said retaining flaps, each of said connector elements being unitary at a first end with a first retaining flap and at a second end with a second retaining flap, whereby said connector elements and said retaining flaps extend in a continuous closed hoop-like structure, and wherein said connector elements have a first maximum height and said retaining flaps have a second maximum height, and wherein said first height is within a range of about 50 percent to about 95 percent of said second height; and wherein each of said retaining flaps has an upper portion that is constructed and arranged to engage retention structure of a container in order to prevent upward movement of said tamper evident band with respect to the container, and wherein at least one of the retaining flaps is further constructed and arranged to engage the container so as to resist rotation with respect to the container, whereby separation of said tamper evident band from said body portion is assured when the closure is unscrewed from the container, and wherein each of said retaining flaps is shaped as to include a first convexly radius ramp portion, a second convexly radiused ramp portion and a flat forward portion, which is provided between the first and the second convexly radiused ramp portion. 2. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein said first maximum height is within a range of about 65 percent to about 85 percent of said second maximum height. 3. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein said connector elements have a first maximum thickness and said retaining flaps have a second maximum thickness, and wherein said first maximum thickness is within a range of about 10 percent to about 60 percent of said second maximum thickness. 4. A tamper evident closure according to claim 3, wherein said first maximum thickness is within a range of about 10 percent to about 30 percent of said second maximum thickness. 5. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein said connector elements have a first maximum cross-sectional area taken in a vertical plane and wherein said retaining flaps have a second maximum cross-sectional area taken in a vertical plane, and wherein said first maximum cross-sectional area is within a range of about 20 percent to about 50 percent of said second maximum cross-sectional area. 6. A tamper evident closure according to claim 5, wherein said first maximum cross-sectional area is within a range of about 25 percent to about 40 percent of said second maximum cross-sectional area. 7. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein said retaining flaps comprise a longitudinally extending body column portion for optimizing a column strength of said retaining flaps. 8. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein said main band portion is constructed and arranged to define a radial gap between an interior wall of said main band portion and an exterior surface of ratchet structure on the container after application of said closure to the container, said radial gap being a first radial distance, and wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 60 percent to about 95 percent of said first radial distance. 9. A tamper evident closure according to claim 8, wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 75 percent to about 90 percent of said first radial distance. 10. A tamper evident closure according to claim 1, wherein said retaining flaps together extend for an aggregate flap circumferential distance about said hoop-like structure that is within a range of about 40 percent to about 85 percent of a total circumference of said hoop-like structure. 11. A tamper evident closure, comprising: a body portion comprising a base and an internally threaded downwardly depending sidewall portion; and a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising: a main band portion, and a J-hook retention member that includes a plurality of retaining flaps and a plurality of connector elements extending only between said retaining flaps, each of said connector elements being unitary at a first end with a first retaining flap and at a second end with a second retaining flap, whereby said connector elements and said retaining flaps extend in a continuous closed hoop-like structure, and wherein said connector elements have a first maximum thickness and said retaining flaps have a second maximum thickness, and wherein said first maximum thickness is within a range of about 10 percent to about 60 percent of said second maximum thickness; and wherein each of said retaining flaps has an upper portion that is constructed and arranged to engage retention structure of a container in order to prevent upward movement of said tamper evident band with respect to the container, and wherein at least one of the retaining flaps is further constructed and arranged to engage the container so as to resist rotation with respect to the container, whereby separation of said tamper evident band from said body portion is assured when the closure is unscrewed from the container and wherein each of said retaining flaps is shaped as to include a first convexly radius ramp portion, a second convexly radiused ramp portion and a flat forward portion, which is provided between the first and the second convexly radiused ramp portion. 12. A tamper evident closure according to claim 11, wherein said first maximum thickness is within a range of about 10 percent to about 30 percent of said second maximum thickness. 13. A tamper evident closure according to claim 11, wherein said connector elements have a first maximum cross-sectional area taken in a vertical plane and wherein said retaining flaps have a second maximum cross-sectional area taken in a vertical plane, and wherein said first maximum cross-sectional area is within a range of about 20 percent to about 50 percent of said second maximum cross-sectional area. 14. A tamper evident closure according to claim 13, wherein said first maximum cross-sectional area is within a range of about 25 percent to about 40 percent of said second maximum cross-sectional area. 15. A tamper evident closure according to claim 11, wherein said retaining flaps comprise a longitudinally extending body column portion for optimizing a column strength of said retaining flaps. 16. A tamper evident closure according to claim 11, wherein said main band portion is constructed and arranged to define a radial gap between an interior wail of said main band portion and an exterior surface of ratchet structure on the container after application of said closure to the container, said radial gap being a first radial distance, and wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 60 percent to about 95 percent of said first radial distance. 17. A tamper evident closure according to claim 16, wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 75 percent to about 90 percent of said first radial distance. 18. A tamper evident closure according to claim 11, wherein said retaining flaps together extend for an aggregate flap circumferential distance about said hoop-like structure that is within a range of about 40 percent to about 85 percent of a total circumference of said hoop-like structure. 19. A tamper evident closure, comprising: a body portion comprising a base and an internally threaded downwardly depending sidewall portion; and a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising: a main band portion, and a J-hook retention member that includes a plurality of retaining flaps and a plurality of connector elements extending only between said retaining flaps, each of said connector elements being unitary at a first end with a first retaining flap and at a second end with a second retaining flap, whereby said connector elements and said retaining flaps extend in a continuous closed hoop-like structure, and wherein said connector elements have a first maximum cross-sectional area taken in a vertical plane and wherein said retaining flaps have a second maximum cross sectional area taken in a vertical plane, and wherein said first maximum cross-sectional area is within a range of about 20 percent to about 50 percent of said second maximum cross-sectional area; and wherein each of said retaining flaps has an upper portion that is constructed and arranged to engage retention structure of a container in order to prevent upward movement of said tamper evident band with respect to the container; and wherein at least one of the retaining flaps is further constructed and arranged to engage the container so as to resist rotation with respect to the container, whereby separation of said tamper evident band from said body portion is assured when the closure is unscrewed from the container and wherein each of said retaining flaps is shaped as to include a first convexly radius ramp portion, a second convexly radiused ramp portion and a flat forward portion, which is provided between the first and the second convexly radiused ramp portion. 20. A tamper evident closure according to claim 19, wherein said first maximum cross-sectional area is within a range of about 25 percent to about 40 percent of said second maximum cross-sectional area. 21. A tamper evident closure according to claim 19, wherein said retaining flaps comprise a longitudinally extending body column portion for optimizing a column strength of said retaining flaps. 22. A tamper evident closure according to claim 19, wherein said main band portion is constructed and arranged to define a radial gap between an interior wall of said main band portion and an exterior surface of ratchet structure on the container after application of said closure to the container, said radial gap being a first radial distance, and wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 60 percent to about 95 percent of said first radial distance. 23. A tamper evident closure according to claim 22, wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 75 percent to about 90 percent of said first radial distance. 24. A tamper evident closure according to claim 19, wherein said retaining flaps together extend for an aggregate flap circumferential distance about said hoop-like structure that is within a range of about 40 percent to about 85 percent of a total circumference of said hoop-like structure. 25. A tamper evident closure, comprising: a body portion comprising a base and an internally threaded downwardly depending sidewall portion; and a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising: a main band portion, and a J-hook retention member that includes a plurality of retaining flaps and a plurality of connector elements extending only between said retaining flaps, each of said connector elements being unitary at a first end with a first retaining flap and at a second end with a second retaining flap, whereby said connector elements and said retaining flaps extend in a continuous closed hoop-like structure, and wherein said retaining flaps comprise a longitudinally extending body column portion for optimizing a column strength of said retaining flaps; and wherein each of said retaining flaps has an upper portion that is constructed and arranged to engage retention structure of a container in order to prevent upward movement of said tamper evident band with respect to the container, and wherein at least one of the retaining flaps is further constructed and arranged to engage the container so as to resist rotation with respect to the container, whereby separation of said tamper evident band from said body portion is assured when the closure is unscrewed from the container and wherein each of said retaining flaps is shaped as to include a first convexly radius ramp portion, a second convexly radiused ramp portion and a flat forward portion, which is provided between the first and the second convexly radiused ramp portion. 26. A tamper evident closure according to claim 25, wherein said main band portion is constructed and arranged to define a radial gap between an interior wall of said main band portion and an exterior surface of ratchet structure on the container after application of said closure to the container, said radial gap being a first radial distance, and wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 60 percent to about 95 percent of said first radial distance. 27. A tamper evident closure according to claim 26, wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 75 percent to about 90 percent of said first radial distance. 28. A tamper evident closure according to claim 25, wherein said retaining flaps together extend for an aggregate flap circumferential distance about said hoop-like structure that is within a range of about 40 percent to about 85 percent of a total circumference of said hoop-like structure. 29. A tamper evident closure, comprising: a body portion comprising a base and an internally threaded downwardly depending sidewall portion; and a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising: a main band portion, and a J-hook retention member that includes a plurality of retaining flaps and a plurality of connector elements extending only between said retaining flaps, each of said connector elements being unitary at a first end with a first retaining flap and at a second end with a second retaining flap, whereby said connector elements and said retaining flaps extend in a continuous closed hoop-like structure, and wherein said main band portion is constructed and arranged to define a radial gap between an interior wall of said main band portion and an exterior surface of ratchet structure on the container after application of said closure to the container, said radial gap being a first radial distance, and wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 60 percent to about 95 percent of said first radial distance; and wherein each of said retaining flaps has an upper portion that is constructed and arranged to engage retention structure of a container in order to prevent upward movement of said tamper evident band with respect to the container, and wherein at least one of the retaining flaps is further constructed and arranged to engage the container so as to resist rotation with respect to the container, whereby separation of said tamper evident band from said body portion is assured when the closure is unscrewed from the container and wherein each of said retaining flaps is shaped as to include a first convexly radius ramp portion, a second convexly radiused ramp portion and a flat forward portion, which is provided between the first and the second convexly radiused ramp portion. 30. A tamper evident closure according to claim 29, wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 75 percent to about 90 percent of said first radial distance. 31. A tamper evident closure according to claim 29, wherein said retaining flaps together extend for an aggregate flap circumferential distance about said hoop-like structure that is within a range of about 40 percent to about 85 percent of a total circumference of said hoop-like structure. 32. A container assembly, comprising: a container having a main body portion and a finish portion, said finish portion comprising at least one external thread that is constructed and arranged to facilitate attachment of a closure to said container, radially extending retention structure positioned beneath said external thread, said radially extending retention structure comprising an annular ring that is unitary with said finish portion, said annular ring protruding radially outwardly from said finish portion by a first distance, and rotational locking structure that is integral with an underside of said annular ring for arresting rotation of a tamper evident band on a closure relative to said container in at least one direction, and wherein said rotational locking structure extends radially outwardly by a second distance that is no greater than said first distance; and a tamper-evident closure comprising a body portion having a base and an internally threaded downwardly depending sidewall portion; and a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising: a main band portion, and a J-hook retention member that includes a plurality of retaining flaps and a plurality of connector elements extending only between said retaining flaps, each of said connector elements being unitary at a first end with a first retaining flap and at a second end with a second retaining flap, whereby said connector elements and said retaining flaps extend in a continuous closed hoop-like structure, and wherein said main band portion is constructed and arranged to define a radial gap between an interior wall of said main band portion and a radially outermost surface of said rotational locking structure after application of said closure to the container, said radial gap being a first radial distance, and wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 60 percent to about 95 percent of said first radial distance; and wherein each of said retaining flaps has an upper portion that is constructed and arranged to engage said annular ring in order to prevent upward movement of said tamper evident band with respect to the container, and wherein at least one of the retaining flaps is further constructed and arranged to engage the rotational locking structure so as to resist rotation with respect to the container, whereby separation of said tamper evident band from said body portion is assured when the closure is unscrewed from the container and wherein each of said retaining flaps is shaped as to include a first convexly radius ramp portion, a second convexly radiused ramp portion and a flat forward portion, which is provided between the first and the second convexly radiused ramp portion. 33. A container assembly according to claim 32, wherein said retaining flaps have a maximum thickness that is within a range of about 75 percent to about 90 percent of said first radial distance. 34. A tamper evident closure, comprising: a body portion comprising a base; and a downwardly depending sidewall portion, said downwardly depending sidewall portion having a plurality of threads defined on an inner surface thereof, said threads having a multi-lead configuration, and wherein said inner surface further has at least one speed bump defined thereon for frictionally engaging external threading of a container during removal of said closure from the container; and a tamper evident band frangibly connected to said sidewall portion, said tamper evident band comprising: a main band portion, and a J-hook retention member that includes a plurality of retaining flaps and a plurality of connector elements extending only between said retaining flap, each of said connector elements being unitary at a first end with a first retaining flap and at a second end with a second retaining flap, whereby said connector elements and said retaining flaps extend in a continuous closed hoop-like structure and wherein each of said retaining flaps is shaped as to include a first convexly radius ramp portion, a second convexly radiused ramp portion and a flat forward portion, which is provided between the first and the second convexly radiused ramp portion.