Tamper-evident closure

Abstract

A tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) is described, wherein the tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) comprises a body ( 102 ), a cap portion ( 104 ) coupled to the body ( 102 ) by a joint ( 106 ), and a tab ( 124 ) attached to a closure body skirt ( 122 ) of the body ( 102 ) to provide a space ( 126 ) between the closure body skirt ( 122 ) and the tab ( 124 ) to accommodate a lip portion ( 114 ) of the cap portion ( 104 ). Further, an inset ( 129 ) is provided below the tab ( 124 ) in the body skirt ( 122 ), wherein the tab ( 124 ) and the closure body skirt ( 122 ) are attached to one another by a seal.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) comprising:
 a body ( 102 ) having a closure body skirt ( 122 );   a cap portion ( 104 ) coupled to the body ( 102 ) by a joint ( 106 ), wherein the cap portion ( 104 ) includes a lip portion ( 114 ); and   a tab ( 124 ) attached to the closure body skirt ( 122 ) of the body ( 102 ) by a seal ( 130 ), wherein a space ( 126 ) is provided between the closure body skirt ( 122 ) and the tab ( 124 ) to accommodate the lip portion ( 114 ) of the cap portion ( 104 ), and wherein an inset ( 129 ) is provided below the tab ( 124 ) in the closure body skirt ( 122 ).   
     
     
         2 . The tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inset ( 129 ) is a depression in the closure body skirt ( 122 ). 
     
     
         3 . The tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the joint ( 106 ) is a bi-stable joint. 
     
     
         4 . The tamper-evident closure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a protruded part ( 116 ) is disposed on a front surface of the lip portion ( 114 ). 
     
     
         5 . The tamper-evident closure as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the protruded part ( 116 ) has a downward sloping surface. 
     
     
         6 . The tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the tab ( 124 ) includes a cavity ( 128 ) and wherein the protruded part ( 116 ) is adapted to flush fit with the cavity ( 128 ). 
     
     
         7 . The tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the seal ( 130 ) comprises at least one break-away stitch between the tab ( 124 ) and the closure body skirt ( 122 ). 
     
     
         8 . The tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one break-away stitch ( 130 ) is provided away from the inset ( 129 ). 
     
     
         9 . The tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tab ( 124 ) is attached to the closure body skirt ( 122 ) at a position substantially opposite to the joint ( 106 ). 
     
     
         10 . The tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the tab ( 124 ) forms a smooth surface with an outer surface of the closure body skirt ( 122 ). 
     
     
         11 . The tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) as. claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the body ( 102 ) further comprises a planar surface ( 118 ) having an opening ( 120 ), wherein the opening ( 120 ) is configured to receive, in a sealing manner, a projection ( 110 ) disposed on a cover surface ( 108 ) of the cap portion ( 104 ). 
     
     
         12 . The tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) and the tab ( 124 ) are made of a polypropylene copolymer. 
     
     
         13 . The tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the body ( 102 ), the cap portion ( 104 ), and the joint ( 106 ) are formed as a single-piece. 
     
     
         14 . The tamper-evident closure ( 100 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a fitting arrangement  125  for being snap fit on a container.