Tamper ring locking tab construction

Abstract

A locking tab construction for tamper-indicating rings on threaded closures for containers used for soft drinks and the like. The tabs are pivoted at a lower edge of the tamper ring, and are maintained in axial orientation by resilient engagement within corresponding recesses in an inner surface of the lower part of the tamper ring.

1 , In a threaded closure having a tamper evident ring frangibly interconnected to a cap element, said ring having an inner surface and a plurality of pivotally mounted tabs having free ends selectively engaging a bead on a container finish to transmit a force severing said ring from said cap element upon the unthreading of said closure from said finish, the improvement comprising: said ring having a relatively thin  1  upper portion defining an arcuate recess, and a relatively thick lower portion having a lower edge surface and an inner surface; said inner surface defining a plurality of generally rectangularly-shaped recesses at least partially corresponding to the configuration of said tabs, said tabs having a lower edge pivotally interconnected to said lower edge surface of said ring, said tabs engaging said recesses at at least lower portions thereof; said tabs having portions projecting into said rectangularly-shaped recesses to resiliently engage the same, and having an upper surface positioned to override said bead during installation of said closure:  
     
     
         2 . The improvement as set forth in  claim 1 , in which radial movement of said free ends of said tabs is in the order of 0.020 inch.  
     
     
         3 . The improvement in accordance with  claim 1 , in which upper portions of said tab contact said inner surface of said upper portion of said ring to resiliently radially expand the same during installation of said closure.  
     
     
         4 , In a threaded closure having a tamper evident ring frangibly interconnected to a cap element, said ring having an inner surface and a plurality of pivotally mounted tabs having free ends selectively engaging a bead on a container finish to transmit a force severing said ring from said cap element upon the unthreading of said closure from said finish, the improvement comprising: said ring having a relatively thin upper portion defining an arcuate recess, and a relatively thick lower portion having a lower edge surface and an inner surface; said inner surface defining a plurality of generally rectangularly-shaped recesses at least partially corresponding to the configuration of said tabs, and resiliently engaging the same; said tabs being of elongated configuration, and having a lower edge pivotally interconnected to said lower edge surface of said ring, said tabs engaging said recesses at lower portions thereof; said tabs having upper enlarged portions projecting into said arcuate recess, and having an upper surface adapted to override said bead during installation of said closure.  
     
     
         5 . The improvement as set forth in  claim 4 , in which radial movement of said free ends of said tabs is in the order of 0.020 inch.