Tamper Resistant Closures

Abstract

A tamper resistant closure for a cup-like container having a rim which surrounds the open end of the container, the rim having a rib on its inner side with which a peripheral flange of the container can cooperated to inhibit removal of the closure from the container. The closure includes a dispensing spout through which the contents of the container can be consumed, the spout having a series of spaced slots. In another form, the closure is in the form of a stopper having a similar dispensing spout, the stopper being adapted to be located within the neck of a bottle-like container.

1 . A closure for a liquid container having an open upper end through which liquid in said container can be consumed, said closure being adapted to prevent unauthorized tampering with the contents of said container and having:
 a main body, said main body having an upper side and a lower side and a peripheral engagement portion adapted to he engaged with said container whereby said closure substantially closes the upper end of said container and removal of said closure from said open upper end is inhibited; and   a dispensing spout on said upper side of said main body enabling dispensing of the contents of said container.   
   
   
       2 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container comprises a cup and wherein said main body of said closure has a peripherally extending return flange adapted to cooperate with said cup adjacent the open end thereof to prevent or inhibit detachment of the closure from the cup. 
   
   
       3 . A closure as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said cup is provided with an inwardly directed annular rib surrounding said open upper end and wherein said return flange is adapted to locate within said open upper end of said cup and below said rib to cooperate therewith to inhibit detachment of said closure. 
   
   
       4 . A closure as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said return flange is adapted to be resiliently deflected to pass said annular rib to allow the closure to be applied to and be retained to said cup. 
   
   
       5 . A closure as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said main body includes a downwardly extending peripherally extending skirt and wherein said return flange extends upwardly from a lower end of said skirt. 
   
   
       6 . A closure as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said inwardly directed rib of said cup is provided on its top side with an inclined lead in surface which facilitates inward resilient deflection of the return flange as said closure is applied to said cup. 
   
   
       7 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said dispensing spout comprises a hollow cap-shaped body. 
   
   
       8 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  and including a plurality of dispensing ports or slots arranged circumferentially of said spout body and defining fluid outlets. 
   
   
       9 . A closure as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said body of said dispensing spout further comprises an outer annular rim or ridge which surrounds said dispensing ports or slots, said rim or ridge defining a moat around said ports or slots. 
   
   
       10 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said main body comprises a top wall having a recess therein to accommodate the nose of the person drinking from said container. 
   
   
       11 . In combination, a cup having an open upper end and an inwardly directed annular rib surrounding said upper end and a closure as claimed in  claim 1 , said peripheral engagement portion of said closure being adapted to cooperate with said rib to inhibit removal of said closure from said container. 
   
   
       12 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said container has a neck terminating in an outlet defining said open upper end of said container, said closure being adapted to be [located with said neck with said peripheral portion of said main body frictionally engaged therewith to hold said closure therein. 
   
   
       13 . A closure as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said peripheral portion comprises an annular maximum diameter edge portion of said main body. 
   
   
       14 . A closure as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said main body has a frustoconical leading portion tapering from said annular edge portion towards a leading end of said main body to facilitate placement of said closure into said neck of said container. 
   
   
       15 . A closure as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said main body has a frustoconical trailing portion extending rearwardly from said annular edge portion to said dispensing spout. 
   
   
       16 . A closure as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said dispensing spout comprises a hollow cap-shaped body extending from said main body of said closure. 
   
   
       17 . A closure as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said body of said dispensing spout is stepped inwardly from said main body of said closure. 
   
   
       18 . A closure as claimed in  claim 17  and including a plurality of dispensing ports or slots arranged circumferentially around said body of said dispensing spout. 
   
   
       19 . A closure as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said body of said dispensing spout is adapted to define with said necked portion of said container, an annular channel forming a moat surrounding said dispensing ports or slots. 
   
   
       20 . In combination, a container having a neck and a closure as claimed in  claim 12 , said closure being located within said neck with said peripheral engagement portion of said closure being frictionally engaged with the inner surface of said neck.