FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an easy-to-operate tamper-proof container
for storing contents and to a novel cap coupled with the container with an efficient
tamper evidence mechanism.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Maintaining the safety and efficacy of products is a major concern for both companies
and consumers, especially in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and wellness industries.
Consumers' heath may be at risk if defective or contaminated products are used. Also,
companies suffer huge losses of revenue and lose the trust of their consumers if inferior
or harmful products are sold to consumers. Pharmaceutical and healthcare companies
are actively working on their packaging to prevent tampering of the contents in order
to protect the integrity of their products.
[0003] One common solution to these problems to is utilize tamper-proof packaging to ensure
product safety. Thus, tamper-proof packaging has been an area of significant research
over the past several decades. Several types of tamper-proof packaging solutions are
available on the market; however, these solutions have often been deficient in enabling
the consumer to differentiate between tampered and non-tampered products. Additionally,
some tamper-proof packaging is not completely effective at preventing tampering from
all sides of the container. Furthermore, in some tamper-proof containers, the inclusion
of a tamper-proof mechanism interferes with the proper closure of the product dispensing
orifice, thereby leading to leaking or contamination of the contents from the orifice
during storage or transport.
[0004] Due to the aforementioned issues, it is desirable to have an effective tamper evidence
mechanism that also provides a visual confirmation to consumers that a tamper evidence
mechanism was present even after it has been broken. It is also preferable that the
tamper-proof container be easy to open and close and that the tamper evidence mechanism
does not interfere with the operation of the cap.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Aspects of the present invention are directed to a tamper-proof container comprising
a container having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall, the top portion
defining a cavity wherein contents can be held; a cap provided on the container comprising:
an inner surface provided over the cavity and containing an orifice; a neck extending
around the inner surface and having at least one tamper evidence mechanism; and a
lid connected to the cap pivotally via a hinge and moveable between a closed position
and an opened position, wherein the tamper evidence mechanism includes a male component,
a female component and a locking member. The present invention further includes a
plug projecting from the inner surface of the lid, wherein the plug fits into the
orifice to seal the orifice so as to provide moisture tight and resealable seal. Additionally,
in the present invention, the plug enters the orifice prior to the male component
of the tamper evidence mechanism completing its engagement with the corresponding
female component of the tamper evidence mechanism.
[0006] Aspects of the present invention are further directed to the neck of the cap including
a sloped portion located at a front side of the cap and the lid including an extended
part extending over the sloped portion, wherein the lid of the cap may be opened by
pushing up from under the extended part. The sloped portion is made of a soft material
and has an angel between about 35 degrees and about 90 degrees relative to a horizontal
axis. According to the present invention, the soft material of the sloped portion
can be selected from a group comprising, silicon, LDPE, TPE, PE, rubber, or PET.
[0007] Aspects of the present invention are directed to two tamper evidence mechanism provided
on opposite sides on the neck of the cap. Aspects of the present invention are further
directed to the male component of the tamper evidence mechanism which is provided
on the rim of the lid and the female component of the tamper evidence mechanism which
is provided on the neck of the cap. Aspects of the present invention are further directed
to the locking member which is provided on the female component and extends in a horizontal
direction from one end of the female component to the other end of the female component.
Further, in the present invention, the locking member is connected with one point
of connection at one end of the female component and two points of connection at the
other end of the female component.
[0008] Aspects of the present invention are directed to a cap comprising an inner surface
containing an orifice, a neck extending around the inner surface and having at least
one tamper evidence mechanism, and a lid connected to the cap pivotally via a hinge
and moveable between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the tamper
evidence mechanism includes a male component, a female component and a locking member.
[0009] Aspects of the present invention are directed to a tamper-proof container comprising:
a container having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall, the top portion
defining a cavity wherein contents can be held; a cap provided on the container comprising:
an inner surface provided over the cavity and containing an orifice; a neck extending
around the inner surface and having at least one tamper evidence mechanism; and a
lid connected to the cap pivotally via a hinge and moveable between a closed position
and an opened position, wherein the tamper evidence mechanism includes a male component,
a female component and a locking member, wherein the neck of the cap includes a sloped
portion located at a front side of the cap and the lid includes an extended part extending
over the sloped portion, wherein the lid of the cap may be opened by pushing up from
under the extended part, and wherein the sloped portion is made of a soft material
and has an angel between about 35 degrees and about 90 degrees relative to a horizontal
axis.
[0010] Aspects of the present invention are directed to a tamper-proof container comprising:
a container having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall, the top portion
defining a cavity wherein contents can be held; a cap provided on the container comprising:
an inner surface provided over the cavity and containing an orifice; a neck extending
around the inner surface and having at least one tamper evidence mechanism; and a
lid connected to the cap pivotally via a hinge and moveable between a closed position
and an opened position, wherein the tamper evidence mechanism includes a male component,
a female component and a locking member, wherein the neck of the cap includes a sloped
portion located at a front side of the cap and the lid includes an extended part extending
over the sloped portion, wherein the lid of the cap may be opened by pushing up from
under the extended part, wherein the sloped portion is made of a soft material and
has an angel between about 35 degrees and about 90 degrees relative to a horizontal
axis, and wherein the soft material of the sloped portion can be selected from a group
comprising, silicon, LDPE, TPE, PE, rubber, or PET.
[0011] Aspects of the present invention are directed to a tamper-proof container comprising:
a container having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall, the top portion
defining a cavity wherein contents can be held; a cap provided on the container comprising:
an inner surface provided over the cavity and containing an orifice; a neck extending
around the inner surface and having at least one tamper evidence mechanism; and a
lid connected to the cap pivotally via a hinge and moveable between a closed position
and an opened position, wherein the tamper evidence mechanism includes a male component,
a female component and a locking member, wherein the locking member is provided on
the female component and extends in a horizontal direction from one end of the female
component to the other end of the female component, and wherein the locking member
is connected with one point of connection at one end of the female component and two
points of connection at the other end of the female component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a closed
position;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention in the closed
position;
FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention in the closed position;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in an opened
position;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a female component of a tamper evidence mechanism
of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tamper evidence mechanism of an embodiment of
the present invention;
FIGS. 7A-7D illustrates a side view of an exemplary method of securing the tamper
evidence mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 8A-8D illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary method of securing
the tamper evidence mechanism of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention in the opened position;
FIGS. 10A-10D illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary method of opening an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cap of an embodiment present invention; and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the tamper evidence mechanism of an embodiment of
the present invention in a broken state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Aspects of the present invention are directed to a novel tamper-proof container 100
including a container 200 to told contents, a cap 300, and a tamper evidence mechanism
304.
[0014] Figures 1 through 12 are based upon engineering drawings used for the development
and representation of a tamper-proof container 100 and represents the various embodiments
of the present invention. Hence, the drawings are to scale and representative of the
geometry of the tamper-proof container 100 comprising a container 200, a cap 300,
and a tamper evidence mechanism 304 according to the present invention.
[0015] Figures 1-3 illustrate an exemplary tamper-proof container 100 of the present invention
in a closed position. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the tamper-proof container
100 in the closed position. The tamper-proof container 100 includes a container 200,
a cap 300, and at least one tamper evidence mechanism 304. The container 200 includes
a bottom portion 201, a side wall 202 and a top portion 203 defining an inner cavity
of the container 100 wherein contents may be held. In an embodiment, the container
100 may be rigid and the side wall 202 may maintain its shape. In another embodiment,
the container 100 may be flexible and the side wall 202 may be squeezed to move contents
out of the container 100. The top portion 203 of the container 200 includes an upright
annular neck 206 which is hollow and serves as the sole opening for the passage of
contents out of the container 200. The cap 300 may be provided on the neck 206 of
the container 200 so as to close the opening to the cavity. The diameter of the container
200 may be between about 25mm and about 50mm. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter
of the container is about 40mm. In another preferred embodiment, the diameter of the
container is about 30mm. The diameter of the cap 300 may be between about 24mm and
about 50mm. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the cap is about 39mm. In another
preferred embodiment, the diameter of the cap is about 29mm.
[0016] The present invention may be formed through the combination of the container 200
and cap 300 formed either integrally or non-integrally. If the cap 300 is integrally
connected to the container 200, the cap 300 and the container 200 may be formed of
a blow-molded material or injection molded using methods known to one skilled in the
art. If the cap 300 and container 200 are non-integrally connected, they may be connected,
for example, by being screwed on to external or internal threads, friction fitted,
snap fitted, or secured onto the container 200 in any other suitable manner known
to one skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the container 200 and cap 300
are connected by being snap fitted. In a preferred embodiment, the cap 300 is permanently
fixed to the container 200 after or before the container is filled with contents,
thereby rendering the container 200 and cap 300 into a connected system.
[0017] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view showing an exemplary tamper-proof container
100 in an opened position. The cap 300 may be molded as one piece and includes a substantially
cylindrical neck 301, an inner surface 318, and a lid 305. The lid 305 further includes,
a bottom surface 310, a side surface 208 and a plug 312 protruding from the bottom
surface 310. The neck 301 is provided around the inner surface and extends down from
the inner surface 318 towards the container 200. A back end of the lid 305 is connected
to the neck 301 of the cap 300 via a hinge 302 and pivots about the hinge 302 to move
the tamper-proof container 100 between the opened position and the closed position.
In a preferred embodiment, the inner surface 318 is stationary and does not move during
opening and closing of the tamper-proof container 100. The lid 305 further includes
an extended part 307 at a front end of the lid 305. The extended part 307 may consist
of a soft material and allows the user to easily and comfortably open and close the
lid. In an embodiment, the material of the extended part may be silicon, LDPE, TPE,
PE, rubber, PET, or any other suitable soft or rubberized material. In another embodiment,
the material of the extended part may be polypropylene, high density polyethylene,
low density polyethylene, polycarbonate, or polystyrene. In a preferred embodiment,
the material of the extended part 22 is TPE.
[0018] The neck 301 includes a sloped portion 303 at a front end of the cap 300. The sloped
portion 303 slopes in an inward direction from the front of the cap 300 towards a
back end of the cap 300. The extended part 307 extends over the top of the sloped
portion 303 to allow for a convenient and smooth single-handed opening and closing
of the lid 305. In an embodiment, the sloped portion 303 has an angle of between about
35 degrees and about 90 degrees relative to a horizontal axis. In a preferred embodiment,
the sloped portion 303 has an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the horizontal
axis. A user may place their thumb or other finger on the sloped portion 303 to push
the extended part 307 in an upward direction from an underside of the extended part
307. If a user is not able to use their hands or fingers to open the container, another
object or an edge of a surface may be placed under the extended part 307 and used
to push up on the extended part 307 to open the tamper-proof container 100. In a preferred
embodiment, the extended part 307 has a curved shape; however, the shape of the extended
part 307 is not limited and can be any suitable shape. In an embodiment, the material
of the sloped portion may be silicon, LDPE, TPE, PE, rubber, PET, or any other suitable
soft or rubberized material. In another embodiment, the material of the sloped portion
may be polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polycarbonate,
or polystyrene. In a preferred embodiment, the material of the sloped portion is polypropylene.
[0019] The cap 300 further includes an orifice 313 provided on the inner surface 318 of
the cap 300 by which contents can be dispensed from the tamper-proof container 100
when the tamper-proof container 100 is in the opened position. In a preferred embodiment,
the orifice 313 is a circular shape, but it may be any suitable shape to dispense
the contents held in the tamper-proof container 100. The diameter of the orifice 313
may be between about 2mm and about 6mm. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of
the orifice 313 is about 4.2mm. A user may squeeze the side wall 202 of the container
to push the containers out of the orifice 313. When contents is dispensed from the
orifice 313, a user can flip the tamper-proof container 100 upside down and apply
the contents directly to the desired area without having to take the contents on their
finger first. There is a smooth transition from the sloped portion 313 to the inner
surface 318 of the cap 300 to facilitate the application of the contents directly
to the desired area. Thus, the sloped portion 303 can serve as an applicator and provides
a smooth surface for direct application of the contents to an area. Further, the slope
of the sloped portion 303 allows for easy direct application of the contents to difficult
to reach areas with minimal manipulation of the tamper-proof container 100 by the
user. This direct application of the contents to the desired area prevents contamination
of the contents by avoiding contact with a user's fingers prior to application and
prevents waste of the contents.
[0020] In a closed position, the plug 312 extends in a downwards direction from the bottom
surface 310 of the lid 305 towards the container 200 and fits into the orifice 313
to create a secure air tight seal to prevent contamination and leaking of the contents.
In an embodiment, the tamper-proof container 100 is moisture-tight and is resealable
to maintain the moisture tight properties. As used herein, the term "resealable" means
that the tamper-proof container 100 can be opened or reopened and closed or reclosed
a numerous amount of times (e.g. more than 5 times) and still retain its moisture-tight
properties. As used herein, the term "moisture-tight" means the moisture ingress of
the container is less than about 1500 micrograms of water/day, determined by the following
test method: (a) place approximately one gram of molecular sieve in the container
and record the weight; (b) close the resealable mechanism; (c) place the sealed container
in an environment chamber at conditions of 80% relative humidity and 72°F; (d) after
one day, weigh the container containing the molecular sieve; (e) after approximately
two weeks, weigh the container; and (f) subtract the first day sample from the value
obtained and divide by the number of days to calculate the moisture ingress of the
container in units of micrograms of water/day.
[0021] The cap 300 further comprises at least one tamper evidence mechanism 304 provided
on the cap 300 to prevent tampering with the contents prior to a user opening the
tamper-proof container 100 for the first time. There can be any suitable number of
tamper evidence mechanisms 304 provided on the cap 300. In an embodiment, there is
one tamper evidence mechanism 304. In a preferred embodiment, there are two tamper
evidence mechanisms 304 located on either side of the hinge 302 so as to be on opposite
sides around the cap 300. Two tamper evidence mechanisms 304 provide the benefit of
additional protection by preventing the lid 305 from being lifted or opened from either
side of the hinge 302 or the extended part 307 without breaking at least one of the
two tamper evidence mechanisms 304 to indicate signs of tampering. In a preferred
embodiment, each of the tamper evidence mechanisms 304 have the same structure and
function.
[0022] Each tamper evidence mechanism 304 includes a male component 304A, a corresponding
female component 304B, and a locking member 304C. The male component 304A is provided
on a rim 311 of the side surface 308 of the lid 305. The male component 24A protrudes
from the rim 311 of the side surface 308 of the lid 305 in an upwards direction when
the tamper-proof container 100 is in the opened position. The shape of the male component
304A can be any suitable shape. In a preferred embodiment, the male component 304A
has a substantially rectangular shape. The male component 304A further includes a
lip 314 at a top portion of the male component 204A that extends in a substantially
perpendicular direction from the remainder of the male component 304A.
[0023] The female component 204B includes a recess provided on a rim 309 of the neck 301
of the cap 300 and extends down onto the neck 301 of the cap 300. In a preferred embodiment,
the female component 304B is a substantially rectangular shape, but the present invention
is not limited to this shape and the female component can be any suitable shape. The
tamper evidence mechanism 304 further includes a locking member 304C. The locking
member 304C can be any suitable shape and size. In a preferred embodiment, the locking
member 304C is in the form of a band and extends from one end of the female component
304B to the other end in a horizontal direction, thereby connecting the two ends of
the female component of the tamper mechanism 304. In an embodiment, the length of
the locking member may be between about 3mm and about 8mm. In a preferred embodiment,
the length of the locking member is about 6mm. A gap exists between the locking member
304C and the neck 301 of the cap 300.
[0024] Figure 5 depicts an exemplary female component of the tamper evidence mechanism of
the present invention. Each end of the locking member 304C is connected to an end
of the female component 304B in the horizontal direction. The locking member 304C
is connected so as to have a stronger connection at one end as compared to the other
end. In a preferred embodiment, the locking member 304C is connected by a single point
of connection 317 at one end of a female component 304B, and by two points of connection
315 & 316 at the other end of the female component 304B. The locking member 304C has
a stronger connection at the end with two points of connection as compared to the
end with the single point of connection. Therefore, when the lid 305 is opened for
the first time, the locking member 304C will detach from the female component 304B
predictably and consistently at the end with the single point of connection only and
remain attached at the opposite end having two points of connection. This provides
clear indication of prior opening to the user since the severed locking member 304C
is still attached at one end once the lid 305 has been opened for the first time providing
visual confirmation that a tamper mechanism was present and has been broken. Additionally,
since the locking member 304C remains attached at one end, there is no need to discard
the locking member 304C once the tamper-proof container 100 has been opened. In an
embodiment, the locking member 304C may be connected with three points of connection
at one end and a single point of connection at the other end. In another embodiment,
the locking member may be connected with two points of connection at one end and three
points of connection at the other end. The present invention may have any combination
of connections so long as the connection at one end is stronger than the connection
at the opposite end.
[0025] Figure 6 is a view of an exemplary tamper evidence mechanism 304 secured on the tamper-proof
container 100 of the present invention. When the tamper-proof container 100 is closed
for the first time after being filled with the contents, the tamper evidence mechanism
304 is secured onto the tamper-proof container 100. When the tamper evidence mechanism
304 is attached, the lid 305 is secured in the closed position over the inner surface
318 of the cap 300, thereby preventing access to the contents held in the container
200. In order to secure the tamper proof mechanism 304, the male component 304A engages
with the female component 304B and sits in the recess of the female component 304B
with the locking member 304C provided on top of the male component 304A. The bottom
of the locking member 304C resists the movement of the lip 314 of the male 304A so
as to lock and hold the male component 304A in place. In this configuration, the male
component 304A cannot be removed from the female component 304B without detaching
the locking member 304C from at least one end indicating tampering. The tamper evidence
mechanism 304 remains intact until the lid 305 is opened for the first time. When
the user moves the lid 305 in an upward direction to open the tamper-proof container
100 for the first time, the lip 314 of the male component 304B pushes against the
locking member 304C causing the locking member 304C to disengage at one end to allow
the lid 305 to be lifted and the tamper-proof container 100 to be opened.
[0026] FIGS. 7A to FIG. 7D illustrate a process of securing the tamper evidence mechanism
304 on the present invention. After contents is filled in the container, the lid 305
is closed for the first time, and the tamper evidence mechanism is enabled. The lid
305 is moved in a downward direction to cover the orifice 313 on the inner surface
318 of the cap 300. As can be seen in Figures 7B and 7C, as the lid 305 pivots about
the hinge 302 in the downwards direction, the plug 312 substantially enters the orifice
313 to seal the orifice 313 before the male component 304A of the tamper evidence
mechanism 304 completes its engagement with the corresponding female component 304B.
As can be seen in Figure 7C, while the plug 312 enters the orifice 313, the male component
304A continues to enter the gap in the corresponding female components 304B until
the tamper evidence mechanism 304 is secured in place. Only after the plug 312 has
entered the orifice 313 completely to seal the orifice 313, does the male component
304A complete its engagement with the corresponding female component 304B.
[0027] Figures 8A-8D illustrate a cross-sectional view of the process of closing the lid
305 of the cap 300 for the first time according to the present invention. Figures
8A-8D further indicate the process in which the plug 312 enters the orifice 313. Additionally,
as the lid 305 is moved down into the closed position, the male component 304A of
the tamper evidence mechanism 304 provided on the lid 305 engages with the female
component 304B. As can be seen in Figure 8C, the plug 312 substantially enters the
orifice 313 before the engagement of the tamper evidence mechanism 304 is complete.
[0028] Figure 9 illustrates a top view of the cap of the present invention in an opened
position. Line 10 indicates that the center point of the tamper evidence mechanism
304 is closer to the hinge 302 as compared to the center point of the orifice 313.
Accordingly, in a typical container with this arrangement, the tamper evidence mechanism
304 would engage and lock before the plug 312 completely enters the orifice 313. However,
if the tamper evidence mechanism 304 engages and locks in place prior to the plug
312 entering the orifice 313, the lid 305 will not be closed properly and will not
be flat against the inner surface 318 of the cap 300 as desired. Instead, a gap may
exist between the lid 305 and the inner surface 318 of the cap 300 causing the contents
to spill out, be contaminated, or exposed to harmful environmental factors. In order
to address this problem, in the present invention, the length of the male component
304A projecting from the rim 311 of the lid 305 is less than the length of the plug
312 projecting from the inner surface 318 of the cap 300 so as to facilitate entry
of the plug 312 into the orifice 313 before the male component 304A of the tamper
evidence mechanism 304 is fully locked into the corresponding female component 304B.
In an embodiment, the projection length of the plug 312 from an inner surface 310
of the lid 305 to the end of the plug 312 may be between about 3mm and about 7mm.
In a preferred embodiment, the projection length of the plug is about 5.51mm. In an
embodiment, the length of the male component 304A from the rim 311 of the side surface
308 of the lid 305 to the end of the male component 304A may be between about 1.5mm
and about 3.5mm. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the male component 204A
is about 2.84mm. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of the projection length of
the male component 204A to the projection length of the plug is 1:9. The distance
between the hinge 302 and the center of the orifice 313 is between about 15mm and
about 23mm. In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the hinge 302 and the
center of the orifice 313 is about 18.55mm. The distance between the hinge 302 and
the center of the female component 304B is between about 10mm and about 20mm. In a
preferred embodiment, the distance between the hinge 302 and the center of the female
component 304B is about 13.25mm.
[0029] Figures 10A to 10D depict the process of opening the tamper-proof container 100 for
the first time. As can be seen in Figure 10A, when the user first encounters the tamper-proof
container 100, the tamper evidence mechanism 304 is clearly intact on either side
of the cap 300 to indicate to the user that there has been no tampering with the contents
held in the container 200. As the user beings to lift up the lid 305 by pushing the
extended part 307 up from an underside of the extended part 307, the tamper evidence
mechanism 304 begins to disengage. A user may open the tamper-proof container 100
in a flip motion with a single hand. The force applied by the user to the lid 305
causes the male component 304A to press against the locking member 304C and put pressure
on the locking member 304C until the locking member 304C breaks at one end. In a preferred
embodiment, the locking band 304C breaks at the end with the single point of connection
and remains connected to the female component 304B at the other end with the two points
point of connection. As can be seen in Figure 10D, once the lid 305 is opened, and
the tamper evidence mechanism 304 is broken, the locking member 304C remains attached
to the female component 304B at one end so as to provide visual confirmation of the
tamper evidence mechanism 304 being broken. Thus, if the contents have been previously
accessed, the subsequent user will have clear visual indication via the broken and
attached locking member 304C. In a preferred embodiment, two tamper evidence mechanisms
304 are provided on either side of the orifice 313 so as to prevent opening the lid
305 from any point around the lid 305 without breaking one or both tamper evidence
mechanisms 304.
[0030] Figure 11 depicts the cap 300 of the present invention in the opened position removed
from the container 200. Once the lid 305 has been opened for the first time, the locking
member 304C of the tamper evidence mechanism 304 remains attached to the female component
304B. The locking member 304C will remain attached to the female component 304B at
the end with the stronger connection, i.e. two points of connection 315 and 316, instead
of the end with the weaker connection, i.e. the single point of connection 317. In
a preferred embodiment, the end with the stronger connection may be the end of the
female component 304B closest to the hinge 302.
[0031] In an embodiment, the material of the tamper evidence mechanism 304, the container
200, the lid 305 and the neck 301 of the cap 300 may be polypropylene, high density
polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polycarbonate, or polystyrene. In a preferred
embodiment, the material of the tamper evidence mechanism 304, the container 200,
the lid 305, and the neck 301 of the cap 300 is polypropylene.
[0032] The contents held in the container tube may be any compound or composition that can
be used to cleanse the skin, provide pain relief, or provide overall health and wellness
benefits to the user. Non-limiting examples of the contents may include pharmaceutical
active ingredients including over the counter actives, behind the counter actives,
prescription actives, or any combination thereof.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the contents may be available in various
forms and selected from group comprising gel, lotion, cream, oil, emulsion, ointment
and powder. In an embodiment, the contents held in the container is a cream or gel
containing diclofenac sodium. In a preferred embodiment, the contents held in the
container is a combination of diclofenac sodium, ammonia, carbomer homopolymer type
c, coco-caprylate/caprate, isopropyl alcohol, mineral oil, polyoxyl 20 cetostearyl
ether, propylene glycol, and water.
[0034] The tamper-proof container 100 of the present invention may be compatible with any
pump or spray device, including, but not limited to airless pumps.
[0035] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s),
it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made
and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the
scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the
essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited
to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all
embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
1. A tamper-proof container comprising:
a container having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side wall, the top portion
defining a cavity wherein contents can be held;
a cap provided on the container comprising:
an inner surface provided over the cavity and containing an orifice;
a neck extending around the inner surface and having two tamper evidence mechanism;
and
a lid connected to the cap pivotally via a hinge and moveable between a closed position
and an opened position,
wherein the tamper evidence mechanisms include a male component, a female component
and a locking member, wherein the two tamper evidence mechanisms are provided on either
side of the orifice so as to prevent opening the lid from any point around the lid
without breaking one or both tamper evidence mechanisms; and
wherein the neck of the cap includes a sloped portion located at a front side of the
cap and the lid includes an extended part extending over the sloped portion, and wherein
the lid of the cap may be opened by pushing up from under the extended part.
2. The tamper-proof container of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a plug projecting
from the inner surface of the lid, and wherein the lid fits into the orifice to seal
the orifice when the tamper-proof container is in the closed position.
3. The tamper-proof container of claim 2, wherein the seal between the plug and the orifice
is moisture tight and resealable.
4. The tamper-proof container of claim 2, wherein the plug enters the orifice prior to
the male component of the tamper evidence mechanism completing its engagement with
the corresponding female component of the tamper evidence mechanism.
5. The tamper-proof container of claim 1, wherein the sloped portion is made of a soft
material and has an angle between about 35 degrees and about 90 degrees relative to
a horizontal axis.
6. The tamper-proof container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the soft material of the
sloped portion can be selected from a group comprising, silicon, LDPE, TPE, PE, rubber,
or PET.
7. The tamper-proof container of claim 1, wherein the container includes two tamper evidence
mechanisms provided on opposite sides on the neck of the cap.
8. The tamper-proof container of claim 1, wherein the male component of the tamper evidence
mechanism is provided on a rim of the lid.
9. The tamper-proof container of claim 1, wherein the female component of the tamper
evidence mechanism is provided on the neck of the cap.
10. The tamper-proof container of claim 1, wherein the locking member is provided on the
female component and extends in a horizontal direction from one end of the female
component to the other end of the female component.
11. The tamper-proof container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the locking member is connected
with one point of connection at one end of the female component and two points of
connection at the other end of the female component.
12. A cap comprising:
an inner surface containing an orifice;
a neck extending around the inner surface and having two tamper evidence mechanisms;
and
a lid connected to the cap pivotally via a hinge and moveable between a closed position
and an opened position,
wherein the tamper evidence mechanism includes a male component, a female component
and a locking member, wherein the two tamper evidence mechanisms are provided on either
side of the orifice so as to prevent opening the lid from any point around the lid
without breaking one or both tamper evidence mechanisms; and wherein the neck of the
cap includes a sloped portion located at a front side of the cap and the lid includes
an extended part extending over the sloped portion, and wherein the lid of the cap
may be opened by pushing up from under the extended part.