Tamper-revealing nozzle cap with safety fastening ring

Abstract

A flexible plastic belt includes a first ring which is force fit over a cap uncovering a nozzle dispenser of a flowable product container to prevent the cap from being lost or swallowed. The belt includes a second ring which connects the cap to the nozzle until a rotational twist of the cap breaks the connection. The belt is part of the cap as a single unit construction.

1 . In a flowable product container, apparatus comprising:
 a nozzle on said container having a dispensing end;   a removable cap for said container adapted to open and close said dispensing end;   a flexible belt having a first ring adapted to encircle said nozzle and a second ring adapted to encircle said cap;   a first indent area on said cap sized to receive said second ring of said belt;   a second indent area on said nozzle sized to receive said first ring of said belt; and   a notch-and-tab interconnection between a top surface of said first ring and a bottom surface of said cap breakable upon a rotational turning of said cap in a first direction from an initial position to open said dispensing end.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said removable cap is internally threaded, and wherein said nozzle is externally threaded to couple therewith in closing said dispensing end of said nozzle upon a rotational turning of said cap in a second, opposite direction. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said removable cap includes first and second vertically spaced circumferentially encircling flanges forming said first indent area. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said nozzle includes first and second vertically spaced circumferentially encircling flanges defining said second indent area. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said removable cap includes first and second vertically spaced circumferentially encircling flanges forming said first indent area, and wherein said nozzle includes first and second vertically spaced circumferentially encircling flanges defining said second indent area. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said first circumferentially encircling flange of said cap is of a smaller outside diameter than the outside diameter of said second circumferentially encircling flange of said cap. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said first circumferentially encircling flange of said nozzle is of a smaller outside diameter than the outside diameter of said second circumferentially encircling flange of said nozzle. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said first circumferentially encircling flange of said cap is of a smaller outside diameter than the outside diameter of said second circumferentially encircling flange of said cap, and wherein said first circumferentially encircling flange of said nozzle is of a smaller outside diameter than the outside diameter of said second circumferentially encircling flange of said nozzle. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said first ring of said flexible belt is of an inside diameter slightly less than said outside diameter of said first circumferentially encircling flange of said nozzle, and of an outer diameter less than said outside diameter of said second circumferentially encircling flange of said nozzle. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said second ring of said flexible belt is of an inside diameter slightly less than an outside diameter of said first circumferentially encircling flange of said cap, and of an outside diameter less than said outside diameter of said second circumferentially encircling flange of said cap. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said first ring of said flexible belt is of an inside diameter slightly less than said outside diameter of said first circumferentially encircling flange of said nozzle and of an outside diameter less than an outside diameter of said second circumferentially encircling flange of said nozzle, and wherein said second ring of said flexible belt is of an inside diameter slightly less than an outside diameter of said first circumferentially encircling flange of said cap, and of an outside diameter less than said outside diameter of said second circumferentially flange of said cap. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said flexible belt is fabricated of a plastic composition, and wherein said second ring of said belt is force fit over said first circumferentially encircling flange of said cap. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said first ring of said belt is force fit over said first circumferentially encircling flange of said nozzle.