Cap with visible tamper-indicating seal

Abstract

The inventions disclosed herein include a clear cap and tamper-indicating seal combination, a translucent cap and seal combination, an improved cap embodying a raised ridge for providing a contact surface on the top of the cap, among other inventions. The preferred cap is at least partially non-opaque to allow a customer to perceive the tamper-indicating seal through the cap at the point of purchase. In a first embodiment, the tamper-indicating seal serves as a label, wherein the customer can perceive, through the cap, information such as printing which is indicative of the contents of the container. In a second embodiment, the tamper-indicating seal serves as a tamper evident seal, wherein the customer can perceive, through the cap, at the point of purchase, whether the seal has been breached. In a third embodiment, the tamper-indicating seal serves as both a label and a seal, wherein the tamper-indicating seal creates a liquid resistant seal between the cap and the opening of the container. In a forth embodiment, the tamper-indicating seal serves as both a label and a tamper evident seal. In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a cap is provided with a raised portion on a top surface of the cap for reducing the frictional surface area of the cap during capping operations.

1 . A closure for a container containing a product comprising: 
 a cap and a tamper-indicating seal;    the cap having a generally circular cover and a skirt depending from a periphery of the generally circular cover;    the generally circular cover and the skirt defining an interior space;    the cap having a skirt with at least one inwardly directed protuberance holding the tamper-indicating seal in the interior space;    at least a portion of the generally circular cover allowing the tamper-indicating seal to be viewed through the cover;    the tamper-indicating seal providing an indication about the product, said indication being visible through the circular cover; and,    the generally circular cover having a raised portion on a top surface.    
   
   
       2 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the raised portion provides a reduced contact surface area to improve feeding of the cap during capping operations.  
   
   
       3 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the raised portion provides a contact surface for the generally circular cover to protect the portion of the generally circular cover, which allows the tamper-indicating seal to be viewed through the cover, from marring.  
   
   
       4 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the raised portion extends along at least a portion of the circumference of the generally circular cover.  
   
   
       5 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the raised portion is generally circular and is disposed adjacent an outer edge of the generally circular cover.  
   
   
       6 . The closure of  claim 5  wherein the raised portion has a matte finish.  
   
   
       7 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein there is a plurality of spaced-apart raised portions on the top surface of the generally circular cover, the plurality of spaced-apart raised portions being arranged adjacent to an outer edge of the generally circular cover.  
   
   
       8 . The closure of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of spaced-apart raised portions have a matte finish.  
   
   
       9 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the tamper-indicating seal comprises a foil layer and a bottom layer of plastic rendering the tamper-indicating seal capable of being heat sealed to the container at a upper lip of a neck of the bottle, wherein the tamper-indicating seal is adapted to serve as a seal for the bottle.  
   
   
       10 . The closure of  claim 1  wherein the tamper-indicating seal comprises a foam layer shaped to be held between the generally circular cover and a lip of the container upon placement of the closure onto the bottle.  
   
   
       11 . A closure for a container containing a product comprising: 
 a cap and a tamper-indicating seal;    the tamper-indicating seal adapted to be located near an underside of a lid of the cap, and    the lid being comprised of a material such that the tamper-indicating seal can be seen through at least a portion of the lid of the cap; and,    the lid having a raised portion on a top surface, the raised portion extending adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter of the generally circular cover.    
   
   
       12 . The closure of  claim 11  wherein the cap has a skirt with at least one inwardly directed protuberance holding the tamper-indicating seal near an underside of the lid of the cap.  
   
   
       13 . The closure of  claim 12  wherein the material comprising the cap is substantially colorless.  
   
   
       14 . The closure of  claim 13  wherein the tamper-indicating seal contains information about the type of product contained in said container and/or the source of the product in the container.  
   
   
       15 . The closure of  claim 11  wherein the tamper-indicating seal and the cap are each tamper evident.  
   
   
       16 . A closure for a container containing a product comprising: 
 a cap having a cover and a skirt, the skirt downwardly depending from the cover; and,    the cover having a raised portion on a top surface, the raised portion extending adjacent at least a portion of an edge of the generally circular cover.    
   
   
       17 . The closure of  claim 16  wherein the closure further comprises a tamper-indicating seal which is adapted to be located near an underside of the cover.  
   
   
       18 . The closure of  claim 17  wherein the cover is comprised of a material such that the tamper-indicating seal can be seen through at least a portion of the lid of the cap.  
   
   
       19 . The closure of  claim 16  wherein the raised portion provides a reduced contact surface area to reduce surface friction during capping operations.  
   
   
       20 . The closure of  claim 17  wherein the raised portion provides a contact surface for the generally circular cover to reduce marring of the portion of the generally circular cover which allows the tamper-indicating seal to be viewed through the cover.  
   
   
       21 . The closure of  claim 18  wherein the raised portion extends along at least a portion of the circumference of the generally circular cover.  
   
   
       22 . The closure of  claim 19  wherein the raised portion is generally circular and is disposed adjacent an outer edge of the generally circular cover.  
   
   
       23 . The closure of  claim 22  wherein the raised portion has a matte finish.  
   
   
       24 . The closure of  claim 19  wherein there is a plurality of spaced-apart raised portions on the top surface of the generally circular cover, the plurality of spaced-apart raised portions being arranged adjacent to an outer edge of the generally circular cover.  
   
   
       25 . The closure of  claim 24  wherein the plurality of spaced-apart raised portions have a matte finish.  
   
   
       26 . A closure for a container containing a product comprising: 
 a cap having a cover and a skirt, the skirt downwardly depending from the cover; and,    the cover having a raised circumferential ring on a top surface.    
   
   
       27 . A closure for a container containing a product comprising: 
 a cap and a liner;    the cap having a cover and a skirt;    the skirt downwardly depending from the cover;    the cover being comprised of a material such that the liner can be seen through at least a portion of the cover of the cap;    the cover having a ridge which at least partially encloses the portion of the cover of the cap.    
   
   
       28 . A closure for a container containing a product comprising: 
 a cap and a liner;    the cap having a cover and a skirt;    the skirt downwardly depending from the cover;    the cover being comprised of a material such that the liner can be seen through at least a portion of the cover of the cap; and,    the cover having a plurality of ridges which at least partially enclose the portion of the cover of the cap.