Device for closing a threaded neck of a container providing tamper-evidence

Abstract

The invention relates to a device ( 1 ) for closing a threaded neck ( 2 ) of a container ( 3 ) providing tamper-evidence, the device ( 1 ) comprising a cap ( 4 ) and a plug ( 5 ), wherein the cap ( 4 ) comprises a front surface ( 6 ) and a skirt ( 7 ) surrounding the front surface ( 6 ), wherein the skirt ( 7 ) comprises an inner thread ( 8 ) for engaging with a thread of the threaded neck ( 2 ) of the container ( 3 ), wherein the plug ( 5 ) is at least partially arranged inside the skirt ( 7 ), wherein the front surface ( 6 ) has an inner piece ( 10 ) and an outer piece ( 11 ) that surrounds the inner piece ( 10 ), wherein the inner piece ( 10 ) is connected to the outer piece ( 11 ) by a connection ( 12 ), wherein the connection ( 12 ) between the inner piece ( 10 ) and the outer piece ( 11 ) has a material weakening, wherein the inner piece ( 10 ) is in mechanical engagement with the plug ( 5 ), the mechanical engagement allowing a force, preferably a rotational force to be transmitted from the inner piece ( 10 ) to the plug ( 5 ).

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A device for closing a threaded neck of a container providing tamper evidence, comprising:
 (a) a cap; and   (b) a plug;   wherein the cap comprises a front surface and a skirt surrounding the front surface;   wherein the skirt comprises an inner thread for engaging with a thread of the threaded neck of the container;   wherein the plug is at least partially arranged inside the skirt;   wherein the front surface has an inner piece and an outer piece that surrounds the inner piece;   wherein the inner piece is connected to the outer piece by a connection having a material weakening;   wherein the inner piece is in mechanical engagement with the plug such that the mechanical engagement allows a force to be transmitted from the inner piece to the plug.   
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the inner piece is a center piece and the outer piece is a rim piece. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the top surface of the inner piece and the top surface of the outer piece are arranged in the same plane. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the inner piece or the plug comprises a protrusion having a circumference which is correspondingly structured to a recess in the plug or the inner piece, respectively. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the inner piece is formed as a disc-shaped element. 
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the cap further comprises an inwardly extending projection that supports an outer circumference of the plug, thereby allowing an axial force to be transmitted from the cap onto the plug. 
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 21 , wherein the inwardly extending projection is at least partially provided by the inner thread of the cap. 
     
     
         23 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the material weakening of the connection between the inner piece and the outer piece is provided by the thickness of the cap at the connection being thinner than the thickness of the inner piece and the outer piece. 
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the material weakening at the connection between the inner piece and the outer piece is provided by the connection having a circumferential gap between the inner piece and the outer piece that surrounds the inner piece, and wherein at least one bridge spanning the gap connects the inner piece to the outer piece. 
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one bridge extends at an angle to the radial direction. 
     
     
         26 . A container comprising:
 a threaded neck; and   a device attachable to the threaded neck to close the container, the device comprising:   (a) a cap comprising a front surface and a skirt surrounding the front surface; and   (b) a plug;   wherein the skirt comprises an inner thread for engaging with a thread of the threaded neck of the container;   wherein the plug is at least partially arranged inside the skirt;   wherein the front surface has an inner piece and an outer piece that surrounds the inner piece;   wherein the inner piece is connected to the outer piece by a connection having a material weakening;   wherein the inner piece is in mechanical engagement with the plug, the mechanical engagement allowing a force to be transmitted from the inner piece to the plug.   
     
     
         27 . The container according to  claim 26 , wherein the plug protrudes into the neck of the container, and wherein an interference fit is provided between the outer circumferential surface of the plug and the inner circumferential surface of the neck. 
     
     
         28 . The container according to  claim 26 , wherein the container is an extrusion blow moulded container. 
     
     
         29 . The container according to  claim 26 , wherein the cap further comprises an inwardly extending projection that supports an outer circumference of the plug allowing an axial force to be transmitted from the cap onto the plug, wherein in a first state of the container, the extending projection is spaced apart from the outer circumference, and in a second state of the container, the inwardly extending projection supports the outer circumference of the plug, whereby the cap is screwed further down onto the thread of the threaded neck in the first state of the container than in the second state of the container. 
     
     
         30 . The container according to  claim 26 , wherein the mechanical engagement of the inner piece with the plug enables transmission of rotational force from the inner piece to the plug. 
     
     
         31 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the mechanical engagement of the inner piece with the plug enables transmission of rotational force from the inner piece to the plug.