Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Marshall et al.
`
`US005853095A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,853,095
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`[54] TAMPER EVIDENT SPLITTING CLOSURE
`
`[75] Inventors; R Paul Marshal], Orland park;
`Douglas G_ Begley, Palatine, both of
`In
`'
`
`.
`.
`[73] Asslgnee: White Cap, Inc., Downers Grove, Ill.
`
`[21] Appl. NO.Z 644,716
`_
`[22] P119011
`
`May 10, 1996
`
`Related US Application Data
`
`[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 217,224, Mar. 24, 1994, aban-
`doned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 993,085, Dec. 18,
`1992 b d
`d.
`’a a“ ‘me
`[51] Int. Cl.6 ................................................... .. B65D 41/34
`[52] us. Cl. ........................................... .. 215/252; 215/901
`[58] Field of Search ................................... .. 215/252 256
`215/258’ 901’
`’
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U-S~ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4305 516 12/1981 Peme et al
`4:394:918
`7/1983 Grussen
`4,418,828 12/1983 Wilde etal“
`4,458,821
`7/1984 Ostrowsky _
`4,458,822
`7/1984 Ostrowsky ............................ .. 215/252
`4,511,053
`4/1985 Brandes et a1. .
`4,530,436
`7/1985 Wiedmer .
`
`215/252
`215/243
`
`4,545,496 10/1985 Wilde et a1. .......................... .. 215/252
`4,550,843 11/1985 Nolan.
`4,565,295
`1/1986 Mori et a1. ............................ .. 215/252
`4,666,053
`5/1987 Corcoran et a1. .
`4,720,018
`1/1988 SchetZsle et a1. ..................... .. 215/252
`4,744,479
`5/1988 Schéttli ................................. .. 215/252
`
`4,796,770
`1/1989 B l
`.................................. .. 215/252
`479137300 M1990 weiidegler et a1‘ _
`5,040,692
`8/1991 Julian.
`5,056,675 10/1991 Julian .................................... .. 215/252
`5,080,246
`1/1992 Hayes ..
`..
`5,129,530
`7/1992 Fuchs .................................... .. 215/252
`
`Primary Examiner—Allan N. Shoap
`Assistant Examiner—Nathan NeWhouse
`Attorney, Agent) Or Firm—L0CkW00d> Alex, FitZGibbOn &
`Cummings
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A tamper evident Closure for sealing a Container having a
`threaded neck portion and an outwardly extending annular
`?ange below the threaded neck portion including a cap
`assembly having an annular skirt and an annular tamper
`band assembly having a top edge connected to the annular
`skirt by a plurality of frangible bridges disposed about a ?rst
`portion of the annular tamper band, at least one infrangible
`bridge disposed about a second portion of the annular
`tamper band and a Vertically weakened Section between the
`?rst and second portion and a series of interconnected
`hinged engagement tabs disposed along the ?rst portion of
`the annular tamper band.
`
`12 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`l6
`
`l8
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`_,__;
`22 /\ \ rd
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`2?
`
`24
`36
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`'
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`/
`
`I
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`/|4
`38
`4O
`44
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1004
`Page 1 of 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of2
`
`5,853,095
`
`/ 22 /
`
`24
`42
`35
`
`40
`
`FIGS
`
`42\&’
`4°
`H50
`
`42
`4
`
`50
`
`5s
`
`48
`
`38
`
`56
`48
`
`52
`)
`58
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`38
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`52
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1004
`Page 2 of 7
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 29, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 0f 2
`
`5,853,095
`
`F|G.7
`
`FIG.8
`
`50
`
`33
`
`42
`4o
`
`3a
`
`54
`
`5s
`
`FIG.9 ,6
`
`40
`
`54
`
`Fl G. IO
`
`4
`
`so
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`20
`
`I2
`/
`
`38
`30
`"7
`I4
`
`4s
`
`5s
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`48 56 50
`
`4s
`
`'
`
`20
`
`38a
`
`44
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`46
`2a
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`38b
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`48
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`56
`
`46
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1004
`Page 3 of 7
`
`

`
`1
`TAMPER EVIDENT SPLITTING CLOSURE
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`08/217,224, ?led Mar. 24, 1994, noW abandoned, Which is a
`continuation of application Ser. No. 07/993,085, ?led Dec.
`18, 1992, noW abandoned.
`The present invention relates in general to neW and
`useful improvements in closures and, particularly, to a
`screW-type closure having an improved integrally formed
`tamper indicating band. In this regard, an important aspect
`of the present invention concerns a threaded plastic closure
`having an improved tamper indicating band attached thereto
`by a plurality of frangible bridges and a tether or thickened
`bridge Wherein the band is provided With vertical grooves
`that permit it to split into one or more segments.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The utiliZation of tamper indicating closures has become
`Widely accepted in the packaging of consumer goods, par
`ticularly in readily accessible food products intended for
`human consumption such as beverages. Such utiliZation has
`become almost mandatory upon food product suppliers to
`insure consumer con?dence in the integrity of the product
`and to instill a sense of quality. Acommon method employed
`With respect to containers such as bottles is the use of a ring
`or band connected to the closure Which is severed from the
`closure upon initial removal of the closure from the con
`tainer. The separation betWeen the closure and the band is
`visible thus indicating to the consumer prior usage.
`Closures having separable tamper bands are generally
`employed on containers having a threaded neck portion and
`an outWardly extending annular ?ange beloW the neck
`portion. In one such type of tamper indicating closure shoWn
`for example in US. Pat. Nos. 4,458,821, and 4,458,822, the
`closure includes a top Wall and an annular doWnWardly
`depending sideWall. The tamper indicating band or ring is
`connected to the loWer end of the annular sideWall by a
`plurality of frangible bridges and one non-frangible bridge.
`The band also includes a vertically Weakened area Which
`extends across its Width and Which is generally diametrically
`opposite the non-frangible area and Which fractures upon
`initial removal of the closure. The band is also provided With
`a series of interconnected hinged tabs disposed about the
`loWer end of the band for engaging the annular ?ange on the
`container neck.
`When the aforedescribed closure, Which includes a
`threaded portion on the inner surface of the sideWall, is
`unscreWed from the container, the hinged tabs engage the
`annular bead or ?ange on the container neck halting the
`upWard movement of the tamper band and thereby stretching
`the frangible bridges and the vertical frangible portion until
`they break. One draWback associated With this type of
`closure is that it relies solely on stretching to break the
`vertically Weakened area, thus a longer thread portion on the
`neck of the container is required to use up all the clearance
`space and split the band. Because of the extra clearance
`space required, this method requires additional relatively
`expensive material in the annular sideWall and requires more
`effort on the user’s part by Way of additional unscreWing of
`the closure to break the band.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In accordance With the present invention, a tamper indi
`cating splitting band for a container is disclosed. In the
`preferred embodiment the closure is adapted for use on a
`container having a threaded neck portion and an outWardly
`extending annular ?ange disposed beloW the threaded neck
`portion.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
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`25
`
`30
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`35
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`45
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`55
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`65
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`5,853,095
`
`2
`The closure includes a cap assembly having a top Wall and
`an annular skirt depending from the periphery of the top Wall
`so that the skirt and the top Wall are substantially coaxial.
`The skirt includes an integral thread on its inner surface for
`cooperation With the threaded neck portion of the container
`to alloW attachment and removal of the cap assembly to the
`container by relative rotation therebetWeen.
`The closure of the present invention further includes a
`tamper band assembly including an annular member having
`a top and bottom edge connected about a ?rst portion of the
`annular member to the annular skirt by a plurality of
`frangible bridges. The tamper band assembly further
`includes an infrangible bridge connecting a second portion
`of the annular member to the annular skirt. A vertically
`Weakened split line is provided betWeen the ?rst and second
`portions of the annular member. Additionally, a plurality of
`engagement tabs are hingedly connected to the ?rst portion
`of the annular member and are adapted to engage the annular
`?ange on the container.
`Rotation of the closure relative to the container causes the
`thread on the closure and container to cooperate raising the
`cap assembly and the second portion of the tamper band
`assembly relative to the container. The hinged engagement
`tabs abut against the annular ?ange of the container restrict
`ing the upWard movement of the ?rst portion of the ring
`segment causing the frangible bridges to break and the
`vertically Weakened split line of the ring segment to sever.
`With the vertically Weakened split line severed, ?rst use is
`obvious and the cap assembly and tamper band assembly are
`removed from the container through continued rotation of
`the closure.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a more complete understanding of the present inven
`tion reference should noW be made to the embodiment
`illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying draWings
`and described beloW by Way of example of the invention. It
`should be understood that the invention Is not necessarily
`limited to the particular embodiment illustrated herein, but
`is de?ned by the appended claims.
`In The DraWings
`FIG. 1 is a top perspective vieW of a closure according to
`the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a top perspective vieW of the closure of FIG. 1
`illustrating initial removal of the closure from the container;
`FIG. 3 is a top perspective vieW of the closure of FIG. 1
`illustrating complete removal of the closure from the con
`tainer;
`FIG. 4 is a side sectioned vieW of the closure of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 is a partial vieW illustrating the hinged engagement
`tab as initially molded;
`FIG. 6 is a partial vieW of the hinged engagement tabs
`according to the present invention illustrating the tabs in
`their upWardly extending position;
`FIG. 7 is a partial vieW of the hinged engagement tabs
`according to the present invention engaging the annular
`?ange of the container;
`FIG. 8 is a partial vieW of the hinged engagement tabs
`according to the present invention illustrating the tabs posi
`tion during initial removal of the closure;
`FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective vieW of an alternative
`embodiment according to the present invention illustrating a
`tamper band assembly With tWo ring segments;
`FIG. 10 is a bottom vieW of a closure according to the
`present invention;
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1004
`Page 4 of 7
`
`

`
`3
`FIG. 11 is a bottom vieW of an alternative embodiment of
`the present invention illustrating tWo ring segments; and
`FIG. 12 is a bottom vieW of an alternative embodiment of
`the present invention illustrating three ring segments.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Referring to the draWings, a tamper evident splitting
`closure according to the present invention is generally
`indicated by the reference numeral 10. The tamper evident
`splitting closure 10 is provided With a cap assembly 12 and
`a tamper band assembly 14.
`The cap assembly 12 includes a top Wall 16 having a top
`surface 18 and a bottom surface 20. An integral annular skirt
`22 depends from the top Wall 16 and has a free end 24
`extending aWay from the periphery of the top Wall 16 so that
`the annular skirt 22 is substantially coaxial With the top Wall
`16. As shoWn in FIG. 4, the skirt 22 has an outer surface 26
`and an inner surface 28. The inner surface 28 includes an
`integral helical thread 30 and the outer surface 26 preferably
`includes a series of radially extending ribs 27 to enhance the
`user’s grip on the cap assembly 12.
`The closure is intended for use on a container 36 such as
`a bottle that has a neck portion and a thread 32 disposed on
`the neck 34. Additionally, the container is provided With an
`annular abutment ?ange 33 disposed beloW the thread 32.
`The integral thread 30 on the inner surface 28 of the annular
`skirt is adapted to cooperate With the thread 32 on the neck
`34 of the container 36 as shoWn in FIG. 4, for securing the
`closure 10 to the container 36. The cap assembly 12 may
`include sealing means such as a gasket or hot melt disposed
`on the bottom surface 20 of the top Wall 16, the application
`of Which is Well knoWn in the art. The cap assembly 12 can
`be made of any suitable plastic such as polyethylene or
`polypropylene With polypropylene usually being preferred.
`In accordance With the present invention, the tamper band
`assembly 14 includes a closed ring 38 coaxial With the cap
`assembly 12. A plurality on frangible bridges 42 disposed
`about a ?rst portion of the closed ring 38 along the upper
`edge 40 connect the closed ring to the free end 24 of the
`annular skirt 22. Additionally, a second portion of the closed
`ring 38 is connected to the free end 24 of the cap annular
`skirt 22 by a single thickened bridge or tether 44 that is
`substantially infrangible.
`The closed ring 38 additionally includes a Weakened
`vertical split line 46 extending across the Width of the closed
`ring from the upper edge 40 to the bottom edge 54. The
`vertical split line 46 is disposed betWeen the ?rst and second
`portions of the closed ring 38 and is adjacent one side of the
`tether 44. The vertically Weakened split line 46 is severed
`during removal of the closure 10 from the container to
`indicate that the closure 10 has previously been removed.
`As shoWn in FIG. 5—8, the closed ring 38 also includes a
`series of connected hinged engagement tabs 48 connected at
`one end 52 to the loWer edge of inner surface 50 of the
`closed ring 38. The hinged tabs 48 are ?exibly connected at
`one end 52 to the loWer edge 54 of the closed ring 38 to form
`an annular hinge 56. The hinged tabs 48 include a free end
`58 that protrudes inWardly and upWardly from the closed
`ring 38 for engaging in annular abutment ?ange 33 on the
`neck 34 of the container 36 When the closure 10 is seated on
`the container 36. It should be noted that the tabs are
`originally molded in the position as shoWn in FIG. 5 for
`ef?ciency reasons, and then prior to the closure 10 being
`applied to the container are moved about hinge 56 to the
`position shoWn in FIG. 6.
`
`15
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`5,853,095
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`4
`In accordance With the present invention, the hinged
`engagement tabs 48 are preferably distributed only betWeen
`180° to 300° around the inner surface 50 of the closed ring
`38 starting at a point adjacent the vertical split line 46. An
`important feature of the present invention is that the hinged
`tabs 48 are preferably only connected to the ?rst portion of
`the closed ring 38 along the loWer edge 54. Additionally, the
`frangible bridges 42 are also only connected to the ?rst
`portion of the closed ring 38 along the upper edge 40. This
`arrangement of the tabs 48 and the frangible bridges 42
`insures a doWnWard force on the ?rst portion of the closed
`ring 38 attached to the cap assembly 12 by frangible bridges
`42 and an upWard force supplied by the upWard movement
`of the cap assembly 12 during removal of the second portion
`of the closed ring 38 supported by the tether 44. As a result,
`the present invention applies vertically opposite or shearing
`forces on either side of the vertical split line 46 to easily
`fracture the closed ring 38 along the vertical split line 46.
`Maximum shearing action is obtained by eliminating hinged
`tabs 48 in the approximate one-third section or second
`portion of the closed ring 38 on the tether side of the vertical
`split line 46. As a result of the increased shearing forces, the
`?nish or threaded portion 30 of the cap assembly 12 can be
`shorter vertically to save on material and improve ease of
`use by requiring feWer turns of the cap assembly 12.
`It should be understood that in alternative embodiments it
`may be desirable for the closed ring 38 to have more than
`one vertical split line 46. For example, in the alternative
`embodiments shoWn in FIGS. 11 and 12, the closure 10 may
`have any number of vertical split lines 46 and corresponding
`ring segments 38a, 38b, 38c and tethers 44. In each
`embodiment, the ring segments, in order to maximiZe shear
`ing at the vertical split line 46, should have hinged tabs on
`approximately tWo-thirds of each segment. In some appli
`cations it may be preferred that the closure 10 have tWo
`vertical split lines 46 as shoWn in FIG. 11 thereby making
`splitting of the closed ring 38 more obvious because the
`consumer or end user is not required to pick up the container
`36 and turn it around in order to examine the vertical split
`line 46 to determine if it has fractured.
`It should be understood that the re is it minimum effective
`length for a ring segment in any given application, but
`generally, larger diameter closures can afford to use multiple
`ring segments, While very small diameter closures 10 may
`only require a single ring segment.
`Another important feature of the present invention is that
`the tether 44 does not fracture during removal of the closure
`10, thereby maintaining the integrity of the cap assembly
`and the tamper band assembly 14. This is accomplished by
`radially molding the tether 44 thicker than the frangible
`bridges 42.
`The closure 10 is intended to be placed over the opening
`37 of the container 36. With the hinged tabs free end 58
`protruding upWardly and inWardly, the closure is placed over
`the opening on the neck 34 of the container 36. It should be
`noted that When originally molded, the hinged tabs 48
`protrude in a doWnWard orientation as shoWn in FIG. 5, but
`because of the ?exible hinge connection 56, they are easily
`repositioned in an upWard direction as shoWn in FIG. 6 prior
`to attachment of the closure 10 to the container 36.
`The tamper band assembly 14 and hinged tabs 48 are slid
`over the thread 32 of the container 36 until the thread 32 of
`the container initially engages the helical thread 30 on the
`inner surface 28 of the annular skirt 22 of the cap assembly
`12. The closure 10 is then rotated relative to the container 36
`securing the closure 10 to the container 36 by the coopera
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1004
`Page 5 of 7
`
`

`
`5,853,095
`
`5
`tion of the threads 30, 32 While the hinged tabs 48 are bent
`to a near vertical position While passing over the annular
`?ange 33 on the neck 34 of the container 36. When the
`closure 10 is completely secured to the container 36, the
`tamper band assembly 14 is seated beloW the annular ?ange
`33 of the container 36 While the free ends 58 of the hinged
`tabs 48 engage the underside of the annular ?ange 33 and the
`container neck 34 as shoWn in FIGS. 4, 7. The compression
`and shearing forces exerted on the frangible bridges 42 and
`vertical split line 46 during the original placement of the
`closure 10 on the container 36 are not signi?cant enough to
`fracture either, and the tamper band assembly 14 remains
`connected to the free end 24 of the annular skirt 22.
`Referring to FIGS. 1—3, 7, 8, When the closure 10 is
`initially unscreWed from the container 36, the hinged
`engagement tabs 48 temporarily lock the ?rst portion of the
`closed ring 38 under the annular ?ange 33 of the container
`36 While the cap assembly 12 continues to rise due to the
`cooperation of threads 32, 30 pulling the second portion of
`the closed ring 38 upWardly at the tether 44, causing
`shearing forces to act at the vertical split line 46 and fracture
`both the vertical split line 46 and the frangible bridges 42.
`Continued unscreWing of the closure 10 disengages the
`cooperating threads 30, 32 and the closure 10 is easily
`removed from the container 36.
`When the closure 10 is completely removed from the
`container, the tether 44 Which Was distorted during the initial
`removal, pushes the closed ring 38 outWardly and doWn
`Wardly from the noW fractured vertical split line 46 as shoWn
`in FIGS. 3 and 8. The closure 10 can then be easily reapplied
`to the container 36 as the tamper band assembly 14 is
`connected to the cap assembly 12 at only one point, the
`tether 44, and Will not interfere With reapplication. When
`reapplied, ?rst use is obvious due to the fractured vertical
`split line 46 and the outWardly and doWnWardly extending
`ring 38.
`Although the present invention has been described in
`connection With a preferred embodiment thereof, many
`variations and modi?cations Will noW become apparent to
`those skilled in the art. It is preferred therefore, that the
`present invention be limited not by the speci?c disclosure
`herein, but only by the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A tamper evident closure for sealing a container having
`a threaded neck portion and an outWardly extending annular
`?ange adjacent to and beloW the threaded neck portion, said
`tamper evident closure comprising:
`a cap assembly having a top Wall and an annular skirt, said
`skirt depending from said top Wall so that said skirt and
`said top Wall are substantially coaxial, said skirt having
`an inner and outer surface and an integral thread
`disposed on the inner surface of said skirt for coopera
`tion With the threaded neck portion of the container
`enabling said top Wall and said skirt to be secured to
`and removed from said container by relative rotation
`therebetWeen;
`a tamper hand assembly including an annular member
`having a top edge and a bottom edge, said annular
`member connected along its top edge to said annular
`skirt by a plurality of frangible bridges disposed about
`a ?rst circumferential portion of said annular member
`and at least one infrangible bridge disposed about a
`second circumferential portion of said annular member,
`
`10
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`15
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`25
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`35
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`45
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`6
`said annular member having a vertically Weakened
`section betWeen said ?rst and second circumferential
`portions of said annular member, and a series of con
`nected engagement tabs disposed exclusively about
`said ?rst circumferential portion of said annular mem
`ber on only one side of the section of said annular
`member immediately adjacent said vertically Weakened
`section.
`2. The invention as in claim 1 Wherein said engagement
`tabs include a ?rst end and a second end Wherein said ?rst
`end is ?exibly connected to said bottom edge of said annular
`member forming a ?exible hinge member Wherein said
`second end may he rotated betWeen a doWnWardly extending
`as molded position and an upWardly and inWardly extending
`engagement position.
`3. The invention of claim 2 Wherein said second end of
`said engagement tabs disposed in the engagement position
`engage the annular ?ange of the container When said closure
`is in its initial sealed position on said container to restrict
`upWard movement of said ?rst circumferential portion of
`said annular member during removal of said closure.
`4. The invention of claim 1 Wherein said vertically
`Weakened section is fractured by shearing forces during
`removal of said closure.
`5. The invention of claim 1 Wherein said ?rst circumfer
`ential portion constitutes only betWeen 180° to 300° of said
`annular member immediately adjacent said one side of said
`vertically Weakened section.
`6. A tamper evident closure for sealing a container having
`a threaded neck portion and an outWardly extending annular
`?ange adjacent to and beloW the threaded neck portion, said
`tamper evident closure comprising:
`a cap assembly having a top Wall and an annular skirt
`depending from the periphery of said top Wall so that
`said skirt and top Wall are substantially coaxial, said
`skirt having an inner and outer surface and integral
`threads disposed on the inner surface of said skirt for
`cooperation With the threaded neck portion of the
`container enabling said top Wall and said skirt to be
`secured to and removed from said container by relative
`rotation therebetWeen, a tamper band assembly having
`at least one ring segment, each said ring segment
`including: an upper edge and a loWer edge, a plurality
`of frangible bridges disposed exclusively on a ?rst
`section of said ring segment along said upper edge
`connecting said ?rst section of said ring segment to said
`cap assembly, an infrangible connection disposed
`exclusively on a second section of said ring segment
`along said upper edge connecting said second section
`of said ring segment to said cap assembly, a vertically
`Weakened section of said ring segment disposed
`betWeen said ?rst and second sections of said ring
`segment, and a plurality of engagement tabs disposed
`immediately adjacent one side of said vertically Weak
`ened section exclusively on said ?rst section of said
`ring segment.
`7. The invention of claim 6 Wherein said engagement tabs
`include a ?rst end and a second end Wherein said ?rst end is
`?exibly connected to said ?rst section of said ring segment
`along the loWer edge forming a ?exible hinge member
`Wherein said second end may be rotated betWeen doWn
`Wardly extending as molded position and an upWardly and
`inWardly extending engagement position.
`8. The invention of claim 7 Wherein said second end of
`said engagement tabs When disposed in the engagement
`
`KSP EXHIBIT 1004
`Page 6 of 7
`
`

`
`5,853,095
`
`7
`position engage the annular ?ange of said container When
`said closure is in its initial sealed position on the container
`to restrict upward movement of said ?rst section of said ring
`segment during removal of said closure.
`9. The invention of claim 6 Wherein said plurality of
`engagement tabs are connected.
`10. The invention of claim 6 Wherein said engagement
`tabs and said frangible bridges are disposed exclusively over
`said ?rst section of each said ring segment.
`
`5
`
`8
`11. The invention of claim 6 Wherein said ?rst section is
`immediately adjacent one side of said vertically Weakened
`section and constitutes approximately tWo-thirds of each
`said ring segment.
`12. The invention of claim 6 Wherein said second section
`is immediately adjacent said vertically Weakened section
`opposite said one side and constitutes approximately one
`third of each said ring segment.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
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`KSP EXHIBIT 1004
`Page 7 of 7