Stopper having a tamper-evident feature

Abstract

The invention includes a snap type plastic stopper having a closure shell with a roof wall and a tamper band to be secured on a bottle neck. The stopper includes a first weakness line with first bridges, where the first bridges separably link the bottom edge of the closure shell and the top edge of the tamper band; at least one hinge which extends through the first weakness line, where the hinge pivotably links the closure shell and the tamper band; and a tongue which is diametrically situated at the opposite of the hinge, where the tongue outwardly extends relative to a peripheral wall of the closure shell. The stopper also includes within the closure shell and/or tamper band at least one tamper evident feature such as a toggle.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A snap type plastic stopper comprising:
 a closure shell with a roof wall and a tamper band to be secured on a bottle neck;   a first weakness line with first bridges, the first bridges separably link the bottom edge of the closure shell and the top edge of the tamper band;   at least one hinge which extends through the first weakness line, the hinge pivotably links the closure shell and the tamper band;   a tongue which is diametrically located at the opposite of the hinge, the tongue outwardly extends relative to a peripheral wall of the closure shell;   
       wherein the closure shell further comprises
 at least one portion of the peripheral wall situated under the tongue, 
 the at least one portion is thinner than the peripheral wall. 
 
     
     
         2 . The snap type plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the closure shell comprises two portions of the peripheral wall,   the two portions being spaced from each other.   
     
     
         3 . The snap type plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the closure shell comprises at least one inner bead, the inner bead being shaped to cooperate with an outer clip ring of the bottle neck;   the at least one portion extends at least upwardly relative to the at least one inner bead.   
     
     
         4 . The snap type plastic stopper according to  claim 1 , wherein
 each portion comprises two lateral walls;   at least one of the two lateral walls extending in an inclined divergent way from bottom to top.   
     
     
         5 . A snap type plastic stopper comprising:
 a closure shell with a roof wall and a tamper band to be secured on a bottle neck;   a first weakness line with first bridges, the first bridges separably link the bottom edge of the closure shell and the top edge of the tamper band;   at least one hinge which extends through the first weakness line, the hinge pivotably links the closure shell and the tamper band;   a tongue which is diametrically situated at the opposite of the hinge, the tongue outwardly extends relative to a peripheral wall of the closure shell;   
       wherein
 the closure shell comprises a least one rib; 
 each rib is linked to a bottom face of the tongue and the peripheral wall. 
 
     
     
         6 . Snap type plastic stopper according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the closure shell comprises two ribs;   the two ribs being spaced apart from each other.   
     
     
         7 . Snap type plastic stopper according to  claim 5 , wherein each rib extends vertically. 
     
     
         8 . Snap type plastic stopper according to  claim 5 , wherein each rib comprises an outer concave curved shape. 
     
     
         9 . Snap type plastic stopper according to  claim 5 , wherein the tongue is upwardly protruding relative to the roof wall. 
     
     
         10 . Snap type plastic stopper according to  claim 5 , wherein the closure shell further comprises
 at least one portion of the peripheral wall situated under the tongue,   the at least one portion is thinner than the peripheral wall.   
     
     
         11 . Snap type plastic stopper according to  claim 5 , wherein the tongue is upwardly protruding relative to the roof wall and the closure shell further comprises
 at least one portion of the peripheral wall situated under the tongue,   the at least one portion is thinner than the peripheral wall.