Container and tamper evident closure

Abstract

A container and tamper evident closure comprising a container having a body portion, shoulder and a cylindrical dispensing unit extending upward from the shoulder. The closure is comprised of a closure aperture with a skirt depending from the area of the closure aperture. The cylindrical dispensing unit has a rotation limiting mechanism. The closure attaches to the cylindrical dispensing unit or to the shoulder and has one or more weakened areas on the skirt. Upon the twisting of the closure to remove it from the container the weakened areas are stressed and show distortion or are severed. This is clear evidence of tampering.

1 . A container and tamper evident closure comprising a container having a body portion, a shoulder on one end of said body portion and a cylindrical dispensing unit on the extending unit on extending from said shoulder, said closure comprising a closure channel in alignment with said cylindrical dispensing unit, a skirt depending from said channel, said skirt having at least one weakened area whereby when said closure is attempted to be removed by twisting said at least one weakened area is visually affected to provide a signal of such attempt.  
   
   
       2 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 1  wherein there are at least two weakened areas.  
   
   
       3 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one weakened area is on an interior surface of said closure.  
   
   
       4 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 1  wherein said closure is attached to said cylindrical dispensing unit.  
   
   
       5 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 4  wherein said closure is attached to said cylindrical dispensing unit by an interference fit.  
   
   
       6 . A container and closure as in  claim 1  wherein said closure is attached to said shoulder.  
   
   
       7 . A container and closure as in  claim 6  wherein said closure is attached to said shoulder by an interference fit.  
   
   
       8 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 1  wherein said cylindrical dispensing unit has a rotation limiting means.  
   
   
       9 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 8  wherein said rotation limiting means is at least one cam.  
   
   
       10 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 1  wherein said closure has at least one projection which interacts with a rotation limiting means on said cylindrical dispensing unit.  
   
   
       11 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 10  wherein said rotation limiting means is at least one cam.  
   
   
       12 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 10  wherein said projection is a cam.  
   
   
       13 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 1  wherein said closure channel has a refill limitation device.  
   
   
       14 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 1  wherein said closure has a lid.  
   
   
       15 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 14  wherein said lid is attached to said closure by a hinge.  
   
   
       16 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 14  wherein said lid has a reinforcement structure on a lower part thereof.  
   
   
       17 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one weakened area is at least partially fractured as a signal of such attempt.  
   
   
       18 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 1  wherein said at least one weakened area is visually distorted as a signal of such attempt.  
   
   
       19 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 1  wherein said body portion is non-circular.  
   
   
       20 . A container and tamper evident closure as in  claim 17  wherein said body portion is substantially rectangular.