Container Closure Comprising a Cable Tie

Abstract

A tamper evident lid assembly ( 10 ) for a mouth of a container ( 12 ) comprises a lid ( 15 ) to close the mouth of the container, and a strip ( 14 ) preventing removal of the lid. Removal or disconnection of the strip ( 14 ) enables the lid ( 15 ) to be removed. The strip ( 14 ) defines at one end a block ( 20 ) with an aperture ( 24 ), and also defines serrated teeth ( 22 ) along at least part of its length, such that after removing the strip from the lid assembly it may be used as a cable tie.

1 . A tamper evident lid assembly for a mouth of a container, the assembly comprising a lid to close the mouth of the container, and a strip preventing removal of the lid, such that removal or disconnection of the strip enables the lid to be removed, wherein the strip defines at one end a block with an aperture, and also defines serrated teeth along at least part of its length, such that after removing the strip from the lid assembly it may be used as a cable tie. 
   
   
       2 . A lid assembly as claimed in claim I, wherein the strip extends around at least part of the periphery of the mouth, the strip being initially integral with the lid and linked to the lid by one or more breakable elements, and the strip preventing removal of the lid while they remain integral. 
   
   
       3 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the block is thicker than the remainder of the strip. 
   
   
       4 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the length of the strip to be removed, and the length of the strip usable as a cable tie, are substantially the same as the periphery of the mouth of the container. 
   
   
       5 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the strip to be removed from the container consists of two or more sections, each strip section defining at one end a block with an aperture, and also defining serrated teeth along at least part of its length, such that after removing each strip section from the container it may be used as a cable tie. 
   
   
       6 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claims 1  wherein the length of each strip usable as a cable tie is at least 5 cm. 
   
   
       7 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the length is between 5 and 20 cm. 
   
   
       8 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the width of the strip is at least 1.5 mm. 
   
   
       9 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the width is in the range between 1.5 and 4 mm. 
   
   
       10 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the thickness of the strip, including the height of the serrated teeth, is at least 1 mm. 
   
   
       11 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the thickness is in the range between 1 and 3 mm. 
   
   
       12 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the block protrudes from the lid assembly. 
   
   
       13 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the block is at least partly recessed, whereas the other end of the strip protrudes from the lid assembly. 
   
   
       14 . A lid assembly as claimed in claim l wherein the block provides a surface on which information is presented. 
   
   
       15 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 1  also comprising an electronic device embedded within the block. 
   
   
       16 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the strip, before it is removed from the assembly, forms a continuous ring. 
   
   
       17 . A lid assembly as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the continuous ring defines a thin portion adjacent to the block.