Tamper-evidencing container and closure structures

Abstract

Tamper-evidencing container and closure structures are provided for preventing or for signaling unauthorized access to packaging. These structures provide tamper-evidencing improvements that add to the security and reliability of packaged contents.

1 . A tamper-evidencing closure comprising: 
 a top,    an annular skirt depending from the top;    a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the bottom of the annular skirt;    an inwardly-turned retaining rim that extends at least partially upwardly from the tamper-evidencing band, the retaining rim having a free edge adapted for engagement with a locking surface of a container; and    an anti-collapsing extension extending from the free edge of the retaining rim;    wherein the anti-collapsing extension is dimensioned and configured to oppose collapse and distortion of the retaining rim when an upward force is applied to the closure while the free edge is engaging the locking surface.    
     
     
         2 . A tamper-evidencing closure according to  claim 1 , wherein the anti-collapsing extension has a rectangular shape.  
     
     
         3 . A tamper-evidencing closure according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 the anti-collapsing extension has a substantially square-shaped cross-section.    
     
     
         4 . A tamper-evidencing closure according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of anti-collapsing extensions extending from the free edge of the retaining rim, the anti-collapsing extensions being circumferentially spaced around the retaining rim.    
     
     
         5 . A tamper-evidencing closure according to  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of flutes located between adjacent arcuate segments of the retaining rim;    wherein at least one anti-collapsing extension is located between adjacent ones of said flutes.    
     
     
         6 . A tamper-evidencing closure according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 vertically-extending lines of weakness circumferentially spaced about the annular skirt.    
     
     
         7 . A tamper-evidencing closure according to  claim 6 , wherein 
 the lines of weakness are located on an inner surface of the annular skirt.    
     
     
         8 . In combination, a tamper-evidencing closure according to  claim 1  and a tamper-evidencing container, said container comprising: 
 a container neck finish having closure-engaging structure dimensioned and configured for engaging the closure upon reclosure; and    a locking surface on the container neck finish below the closure-engaging structure, the locking surface being dimensioned and configured to engage the free edge of the retaining rim of the closure;    wherein the anti-collapsing extension of the closure extends between the locking surface of the container and the annular skirt of the closure when the closure is fully applied to the container.    
     
     
         9 . A combination according to  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 an inward taper on an exterior surface of the container neck finish below said locking surface, the inward taper being dimensioned and configured to increase hoop strength of the exterior surface.    
     
     
         10 . A combination according to  claim 9 , wherein 
 the inward taper is formed by an inwardly-concave stretch.    
     
     
         11 . A combination according to  claim 10 , further comprising 
 another inwardly-concave stretch formed in another exterior surface of the container neck finish, the another inwardly-concave stretch being dimensioned and configured to increase hoop strength of the another exterior surface.