Container Closure With Tamper Evidence

Abstract

A closure ( 2 ) for a container body ( 4 ) comprises a base ( 6 ) with a hinged lid ( 8 ). The base has a depending skirt ( 10 ) and a flange ( 12 ). The horizontal flange ( 12 ) of the base is sealed to a rim of the container body by means of an induction heat sealed foil ( 14 ). The side wall of the container body is stepped inwardly and the skirt is deep and thin-walled and is provided with at least one weakened region to define a fracture point. Any leverage of the skirt will at least leave a mark and is liable to tear the skirt at the fracture point. Preferably the weakened regions are reduced wall section ribs are moulded into an interior face of the skirt at vulnerable areas such as the corners and centres of the side walls to provide additional tamper evidence.

1 . A package comprising a container body and a closure, the closure being a base with a lid adapted to close over the base, the base comprising a horizontal flange surrounded by a depending skirt, the base defining an opening adapted to fit over an open mouth of the container body;
 the container body having a side wall which terminates in a rim of an open mouth of the container body; and   an induction heat sealing foil adapted to be secured to the rim of the container body and the base;   characterised in that the side wall of the container body is stepped inwardly to provide a first step adjacent a terminal edge of the skirt; and in that the skirt is a non- structural thin wall having at least one weakened region to define a fracture point if the skirt is subjected to lateral movement away from the container body.   
     
     
         2 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the weakened region comprises a reduced wall section areas moulded into an interior surface of the skirt. 
     
     
         3 . A package as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the reduced wall section areas further include at least one reduced thickness rib at a corner of the skirt. 
     
     
         4 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the skirt wall is 0.8 mm or less. 
     
     
         5 . A package as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the thickness of the skirt wall is 0.5 mm or less. 
     
     
         6 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the depth of the skirt exceeds 8 mm. 
     
     
         7 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base is polypropylene. 
     
     
         8 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the container body is stepped to provide a second step that is nearer the rim than the first step. 
     
     
         9 . A package as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein at least one vertical surface of the stepped portion of the side wall displays a warning message which is only visible when the closure is removed. 
     
     
         10 . A package as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the warning message is created by embossed or recessed letters. 
     
     
         11 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the closure is manufactured as a co-injection using a different plastic material for the skirt.