Tamper-Evident Closure

Abstract

A tamper-evident closure for a container, the closure including a first portion including inner and outer parts, and a second portion, wherein the outer part is movable relative to the inner part from a first position in which the outer part is immediately adjacent the second portion to a second position in which there is an unobstructed gap therebetween, and wherein the inner and outer parts are adapted to become irreversibly locked in the second position so that the outer part cannot be moved back to the first position to close the gap, wherein means are provided to prevent the inner part from moving relative to the second portion until the outer part has reached the second position.

1 .- 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A tamper-evident closure ( 10 ) for a container ( 80 ), the closure comprising: 
 a first portion including inner ( 40 ) and outer ( 30 ) parts, and a second portion ( 60 ),    wherein the outer part ( 30 ) is movable relative to the inner part ( 40 ) from a first position in which the outer part ( 30 ) is immediately adjacent the second portion ( 60 ) to a second position in which there is an unobstructed gap (G) therebetween, and wherein the inner ( 40 ) and outer ( 30 ) parts are adapted to become irreversibly locked in the second position so that the outer part ( 30 ) cannot be moved back to the first position to close the gap (G),    characterised in that,    the closure includes means for preventing the inner part ( 40 ) from moving relative to the second portion ( 60 ) until the outer part ( 30 ) has reached the second position.    
   
   
       12 . A closure according to  claim 11 , wherein: the prevention means comprises friction means between the first and second portions.  
   
   
       13 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein: the friction means are provided by two sets of ratchet teeth ( 64 ,  32 ).  
   
   
       14 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein: the second portion ( 60 ) is adapted to be connected to a container ( 80 ) and the first portion comprises a cap.  
   
   
       15 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein: the second portion ( 60 ) is adapted to be connected to a container ( 80 ) and the first portion comprises a cap.  
   
   
       16 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 13 , wherein: the second portion ( 60 ) is adapted to be connected to a container ( 80 ) and the first portion comprises a cap.  
   
   
       17 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein in use, the second portion ( 60 ) is permanently fixed in its position on the container.  
   
   
       18 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein, in use, the second portion ( 60 ) is permanently fixed in its position on the container.  
   
   
       19 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 13 , wherein, in use, the second portion ( 60 ) is permanently fixed in its position on the container.  
   
   
       20 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 14 , wherein, in use, the second portion ( 60 ) is permanently fixed in its position on the container.  
   
   
       21 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein the second portion ( 60 ) is adapted to engage a non-return fitment associated with the container.  
   
   
       22 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein the second portion ( 60 ) is adapted to engage a non-return fitment associated with the container.  
   
   
       23 . A closure ( 11 ) according to  claim 13 , wherein the second portion ( 60 ) is adapted to engage a non-return fitment associated with the container.  
   
   
       24 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 14 , wherein the second portion ( 60 ) is adapted to engage a non-return fitment associated with the container.  
   
   
       25 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 15 , wherein the second portion ( 60 ) is adapted to engage a non-return fitment associated with the container.  
   
   
       26 . A closure ( 10 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein the first portion includes a ratchet arrangement ( 46 ,  32 ) for locking the inner ( 40 ) and outer parts ( 30 ) in the second position.  
   
   
       27 . A closure ( 11 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein the first portion includes a ratchet arrangement ( 46 ,  32 ) for locking the inner ( 40 ) and outer parts ( 30 ) in the second position.  
   
   
       28 . A tamper-evident closure ( 10 ) for a container ( 80 ), the closure comprising: 
 a first portion including inner ( 40 ) and outer ( 30 ) parts, and    a second portion ( 60 ),    wherein the outer part ( 30 ) is movable relative to the inner part ( 40 ) from a first position in which the outer part ( 30 ) is immediately adjacent the second portion ( 60 ) to a second position in which there is an unobstructed gap (G) therebetween, and wherein the inner ( 40 ) and outer ( 30 ) parts are adapted to become irreversibly locked in the second position so that the outer part ( 30 ) cannot be moved back to the first position to close the gap (G),    characterised in that,    the closure includes means for preventing the inner part ( 40 ) from moving relative to the second portion ( 60 ) until the outer part ( 30 ) has reached the second position; and    a shell ( 20 ) in to which the closure is fitted.    
   
   
       29 . A combination, comprising: 
 a container ( 80 ) and a tamper-evident closure ( 10 );    the closure ( 10 ) comprising:    a first portion including inner ( 40 ) and outer ( 30 ) parts, and    a second portion ( 60 ),    wherein the second portion ( 60 ) is connected to the container ( 80 ) and the first portion is a removable top cap, the first portion outer part ( 30 ) is movable relative to the inner part ( 40 ) from a first position in which the outer part ( 30 ) is immediately adjacent the second portion ( 60 ) to a second position in which there is an empty, unobstructed gap (G) therebetween, thereafter the first portion is removable and the inner ( 40 ) and outer ( 30 ) parts are adapted to become irreversibly locked in the second position so that the outer part ( 30 ) cannot be moved back to the first position to close the gap (G) when the first portion is replaced,    characterised in that,    prevention means are provided to prevent the inner part ( 40 ) from moving relative to the second portion ( 60 ) until the outer part ( 30 ) has reached the second position.    
   
   
       30 . A combination, according to  claim 29 , wherein the combination further comprises: a non-return fitment connectable to the container, the second portion ( 60 ) being adapted to engage the fitment.