Closure with tamper evident strip

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a closure for a container, such as a bottle or the like, and more particularly, to a resealable, tamper evident closure for a container. The closure consists of a top section connected to a lower skirt portion. The closure is structured such that it would be evident if one were to attempt to remove the closure or tamper with the closure and that the contents of the container should not be consumed due to the risk of possible contamination.

1 . A tamper evident closure for a container, comprising:
 a top section; and   a lower skirt connected to said top section, said lower skirt including at least two vertical tear membranes defining therebetween a tamper evident strip,   wherein upon tampering with said closure, said tamper evident strip may be at least partially separated along said vertical tear membranes to indicate tampering therewith.   
   
   
       2 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 1 , wherein said tamper evident strip extends over an arc of less than 180°. 
   
   
       3 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 1 , wherein said tamper evident strip extends over an arc of less than 90°. 
   
   
       4 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 1 , wherein four vertical tear membranes are provided such that at least three tamper evident strips are defined. 
   
   
       5 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 1  wherein said vertical tear membranes are spaced equally around the circumference of the lower skirt. 
   
   
       6 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 1  wherein said vertical tear membrane comprises a web of material. 
   
   
       7 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 1  wherein said top section comprises an upper surface and an upper skirt each having a perimeter, said upper surface and said upper skirt being joined along said perimeters. 
   
   
       8 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 7  wherein said upper skirt is connected to said lower skirt by at least one vertical spoke extending vertically therebetween. 
   
   
       9 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 1  further comprising a tab coupled to said lower skirt. 
   
   
       10 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 7  wherein said upper skirt has an internal surface, the circumference of said internal surface further comprising at least one helical thread. 
   
   
       11 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 1  wherein said lower skirt has an internal surface, the circumference of said internal surface further comprising at least one ratchet. 
   
   
       12 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 7  wherein said upper skirt has an external surface, the circumference of said external surface further comprising a plurality of vertical indentations. 
   
   
       13 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 1  wherein said closure comprises a plastic material. 
   
   
       14 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 7  further comprising an internal skirt connected to an internal surface of said upper surface. 
   
   
       15 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 1  wherein said vertical tear membrane is a line of reduced thickness plastic. 
   
   
       16 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 1  wherein said upper skirt is connected to said lower skirt by a band of reduced thickness plastic. 
   
   
       17 . A tamper evident closure for a container, comprising:
 a top section; and   a lower skirt connected to said top section, extending downwardly from said top section, said lower skirt having a tamper evident strip and a tab; said tamper evident strip and tab being structured to allow said tamper evident strip to be at least partially separated from said top section when a pulling force is applied to said tab.   
   
   
       18 . The tamper evident closure of  claim 18  wherein said lower skirt further comprises at least one vertical tear membrane. 
   
   
       19 . A combination of a container and a tamper evident closure, said closure comprising:
 a top section; and   a lower skirt connected to said top section, said lower skirt including at least two vertical tear membranes defining therebetween a tamper evident strip,   wherein upon tampering with said closure, said tamper evident strip may be at least partially separated along said vertical tear membranes to indicate tampering therewith.   
   
   
       20 . The combination of  claim 19  further comprising a tab coupled to said lower skirt.