Tamper evident seal

Abstract

A tamper evident seal for use as an indicator of tampering of, for example, a food or beverage container, is disclosed. The seal includes a tamper resistant layer having physically destructive characteristics that provide a visual indication when the tamper resistant layer is disturbed. An anchoring layer having a topcoat is covered by the tamper resistant layer, the topcoat having a color that is visually distinct from the tamper resistant layer. Upon a breaking of the tamper resistant layer, the colored topcoat of the anchoring layer is visible through the tamper resistant layer to indicate tampering of the seal. The seal is useful to indicate whether a closure of a container, such as a beverage bottle, has been opened or partially opened.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A seal comprising: 
 a tamper resistant layer; and    an anchoring layer covered and concealed by the tamper resistant layer;    wherein the tamper resistant layer is releasably adhered to the anchoring layer and, upon at least partial physical destruction of the tamper resistant layer and releasing of the tamper resistant layer from the anchoring layer, the anchoring layer displays a color that is visually distinct from the tamper resistant layer.    
     
     
         2 . The seal of  claim 1  further comprising a topcoat applied to the anchoring layer, the topcoat having the visually distinct color that is visible, upon the at least partial physical destruction of the tamper resistant layer, through a plurality of breaks in the tamper resistant layer to indicate a tampering with the seal.  
     
     
         3 . The seal of  claim 2  further comprising a release coating disposed between the tamper resistant layer and the colored topcoat of the anchoring layer, and wherein the release coating permits the tamper resistant layer to be released from the colored topcoat of the anchoring layer in order to expose the colored topcoat through the tamper resistant layer breaks.  
     
     
         4 . The seal of  claim 2  wherein the colored topcoat is UV printed to the anchoring layer.  
     
     
         5 . The seal of  claim 3  wherein the release coating is UV cured and is applied to the colored topcoat.  
     
     
         6 . The seal of  claim 1  wherein the anchoring layer has a zoned die cut format.  
     
     
         7 . The seal of  claim 2  wherein the tamper resistant layer is capable of fracturing to expose the colored topcoat of the anchoring layer.  
     
     
         8 . The seal of  claim 1  wherein the tamper resistant layer is larger than and completely covers the anchoring layer.  
     
     
         9 . The seal of  claim 1  wherein the tamper resistant layer includes vinyl.  
     
     
         10 . The seal of  claim 2  wherein the tamper resistant layer cannot reconceal the colored topcoat of the anchoring layer once the colored topcoat is exposed through the tamper resistant layer breaks.  
     
     
         11 . A multiple layer tamper resistant seal comprising: 
 a layer covering an anchoring underlayer;    wherein, upon tearing of the covering layer to produce tears in the covering layer, at least a portion of the anchoring underlayer is irreversibly visible through the tears in the covering layer.    
     
     
         12 . The seal of  claim 11  wherein partial destruction of the covering layer cannot be reversed to a pre-tearing condition such that the anchoring underlayer is not visible.  
     
     
         13 . The seal of  claim 11  wherein the tamper resistant layer is substantially white.  
     
     
         14 . The seal of  claim 11  wherein the anchoring underlayer is substantially non-white.  
     
     
         15 . The seal of  claim 11  wherein the anchoring underlayer is substantially colored.  
     
     
         16 . The seal of  claim 11  wherein the anchoring underlayer has a zoned die cut format.  
     
     
         17 . The seal of  claim 11  wherein the anchoring underlayer includes polyethylene.  
     
     
         18 . A seal for use with a container, the seal comprising: 
 a tamper resistant layer having a tamper resistant layer adhesive;    an anchoring layer having a topcoat covered by the tamper resistant layer, the topcoat having a color that is visually distinct from the tamper resistant layer;    a release coating disposed between the tamper resistant layer adhesive and the topcoat of the anchoring layer to permit the tamper resistant layer to peel away from the anchoring layer; and    an adhesive to adhere the anchoring layer to the container;    wherein upon a breaking of the tamper resistant layer, at least a portion of the colored topcoat of the anchoring layer is visible to indicate tampering of the seal.    
     
     
         19 . The seal of  claim 18  wherein the anchoring layer has a zoned die cut format.  
     
     
         20 . A container in combination with a seal, the combination comprising: 
 a container for use with at least one of a food and a beverage, the container having a closure;    a seal applied to the closure, the seal comprising:    a tamper resistant layer;    an anchoring layer covered and concealed by the tamper resistant layer;    wherein the tamper resistant layer is releaseably adhered to the anchoring layer and, upon at least partial physical destruction of the tamper resistant layer, the anchoring layer displays a color that is visually distinct from the tamper resistant layer and    wherein moving the closure with respect to the container at least partially physically destructs the tamper resistant layer such that damage to the tamper resistant layer is observable and releases the tamper resistant layer from the anchoring layer to reveal at least a portion of the anchoring layer through breaks in the tamper resistant layer.    
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 20  wherein the anchoring layer has a zoned die cut format.  
     
     
         22 . A tamper resistant seal comprising: a plurality of sealing layers, wherein at least one of the sealing layers at least partially destructs to reveal another of the sealing layers that is visually distinct from and disposed beneath the partially destructed sealing layer.  
     
     
         23 . A closure for a container, the closure comprising: 
 an upper portion;    a lower portion for closing engagement to the upper portion; and    a tamper resistant seal for secure attachment to the upper portion and the lower portion, the tamper resistant seal comprising a plurality of sealing layers, wherein when the upper portion and the lower portion of the container are opened with respect to one another, at least one of the sealing layers at least partially destructs to reveal at least a portion of another of the sealing layers that is visually distinct from and disposed beneath the partially destructed sealing layer.