Closure for a container

Abstract

A closure comprising a cap ( 31 ) and a collar ( 32 ) by means of which the cap ( 31 ) can be secured to the container ( 33 ), the collar ( 32 ) comprising a ring ( 32 A) and being moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration such that parts of the collar ( 32 ) are radially moveable between inner and outer positions. The cap ( 31 ) and collar ( 32 ) having mutually engageable parts ( 32 c, 42 c ) providing for rotatable engagement between the cap ( 31 ) and collar ( 32 ) between a first position in which the collar ( 32 ) is in the expanded configuration (so the closure can be fitted to and removed from the container ( 33 )) and a second position in which the collar ( 32 ) is in the contracted configuration so said radially moveable parts are held in engagement with the container ( 33 ) (whereby the closure is secured to the container). Furthermore, the closure has a tamper-evident feature ( 34, 35 ).

1 . A closure for a container, the closure comprising a cap and a collar by which the cap can be secured to the container, the collar comprising a ring and being moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration such that parts thereof are radially moveable between inner and outer positions, the cap and collar having mutually engageable parts providing for rotatable engagement between the cap and collar between a first position in which the collar is in the expanded configuration so the closure can be fitted to and removed from the container and a second position in which the collar is in the contracted configuration so said radially moveable parts are held in engagement with the container whereby the closure is secured to the container, the closure having a tamper-evident feature which in a first state permits rotation between the cap and collar to allow the cap to be rotated in a tightening direction relative to the collar from the first position to the second position and which can be put into a second state when the cap is in the second position, whereby rotation of the cap in a loosening direction relative to the collar requires irreversible deformation in a visually apparent manner of the tamper-evident feature. 
   
   
       2 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the tamper-evident feature provides a physical join between the cap and the collar when put into the second state, the join comprising a snap-fit therebetween and/or a welded join therebetween. 
   
   
       3 . A closure as claimed in  claim 2  in which the tamper-evident feature comprises an arm carried by the collar with a projection which is arranged to snap-fit into an aperture within the cap, or vice versa. 
   
   
       4 . A closure as claimed in  claim 2  in which the tamper-evident feature comprises an arm carried by the collar with a portion which is arranged to be spot-welded to the cap, or vice versa. 
   
   
       5 . A closure as claimed in  claim 2  in which the tamper-evident feature comprises at least one recess in a skirt portion of the cap to provide a thin walled section in the cap through which a spot-weld can be formed to join the cap to the collar. 
   
   
       6 . A closure as claimed in  claim 2  in which the tamper-evident feature is connected to one of the cap and collar by at least one frangible connection and arranged to be connected to the other of the cap and collar by said snap-fit and/or welded join, the frangible connection being arranged to rupture when the cap is rotated in the loosening direction. 
   
   
       7 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the ring has a break in it whereby the diameter of the collar can be increased and decreased. 
   
   
       8 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the collar comprises a plurality of flaps or other radially moveable parts spaced apart from each other around the ring. 
   
   
       9 . A closure as claimed in  claim 1  in which after the tamper evident feature has been broken, the closure can be reapplied to the container body.