Closure with 2-stage tag

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10399753-B1
Application number	US-201816057708-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Aug 7, 2018
Priority date	Aug 7, 2018
Publication date	Sep 3, 2019
Grant date	Sep 3, 2019

Abstract

A closure includes a top wall portion, an annular skirt portion depending from the top wall portion and a tamper-evident band. The skirt portion includes an internal thread formation. The tamper-evident band depends from and is at least partially detachably connected to the skirt portion by a frangible connection. The closure further includes a 2-stage tag imbedded therein. The 2-stage tag includes an antenna, a switch with a plurality of leads, and a chip or integrated circuit. The current path of the switch is interrupted after the tamper-evident band has been at least partially broken from the skirt portion. The chip stores first and second readable codes that correspond to unopened and opened positions. The frangible connection extends through the 2-stage tag and includes at least two bridges.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A closure comprising:
a first closure portion including:
a polymeric top wall portion;
a polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the polymeric top wall portion, the annular skirt portion including an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container; and

a second closure portion including:
a polymeric tamper-evident band, the tamper-evident band depending from and being at least partially detachably connected to the polymeric annular skirt portion by a frangible connection,

wherein the closure has an unopened position and an opened position, the opened position occurring when the tamper-evident band has been at least partially broken from the polymeric annular skirt portion,
wherein the closure includes a 2-stage tag imbedded therein, the 2-stage tag including an antenna, a switch with a plurality of leads, and a chip or integrated circuit, the current path of the switch being interrupted after the tamper-evident band has been at least partially broken from the polymeric annular skirt portion, the chip or integrated circuit stores a first readable code and a second readable code, the first readable code being obtained when the closure is in the unopened position, the second readable code being obtained when the closure is in the opened position,
wherein the frangible connection extends through the 2-stage tag and includes at least two bridges.

2. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the 2-stage tag is a 2-stage NFC tag.

3. The closure of claim 2 , wherein the 2-stage NFC tag is passive.

4. The closure of claim 2 , wherein the 2-stage NFC tag is active.

5. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the 2-stage tag is a 2-stage RFID tag.

6. The closure of claim 5 , wherein the 2-stage RFID tag is passive.

7. The closure of claim 5 , wherein the 2-stage RFID tag is active.

8. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the closure is a one-piece closure.

9. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the closure comprises polyolefins.

10. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the first closure portion further includes a polymeric continuous plug seal depending from the polymeric top wall portion, the continuous plug seal being spaced from an interior surface of the polymeric annular skirt portion.

11. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the 2-stage tag is flush with an exterior surface of the closure.

12. A package comprising:
a container having a neck portion defining an opening, the container having an external thread formation on the neck portion; and
a closure being configured for fitment to the neck portion of the container for closing the opening, the closure including a first closure portion and a second closure portion, the first closure portion including a polymeric top wall portion, a polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the polymeric top wall portion, the annular skirt portion including an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container, the second closure portion including a polymeric tamper-evident band, the tamper-evident band depending from and being at least partially detachably connected to the polymeric annular skirt portion by a frangible connection,
wherein the closure has an unopened position and an opened position, the opened position occurring when the tamper-evident band has been at least partially broken from the polymeric annular skirt portion,
wherein the closure includes a 2-stage tag imbedded therein, the 2-stage tag including an antenna, a switch with a plurality of leads, and a chip or integrated circuit, the current path of the switch being interrupted after the tamper-evident band has been at least partially broken from the polymeric annular skirt portion, the chip or integrated circuit stores a first readable code and a second readable code, the first readable code being obtained when the closure is in the unopened position, the second readable code being obtained when the closure is in the opened position,
wherein the frangible connection extends through the 2-stage tag and includes at least two bridges.

13. The package of claim 12 , wherein the 2-stage tag is a 2-stage NFC tag.

14. The package of claim 12 , wherein the 2-stage tag is a 2-stage RFID tag.

15. The package of claim 12 , wherein the closure comprises polyolefins.

16. The package of claim 12 , wherein the 2-stage tag is flush with an exterior surface of the closure.

17. A method of forming a closure, the method comprising:
inserting a 2-stage tag into a mold, the 2-stage tag including an antenna, a switch having a plurality of leads, and a chip or integrated circuit, the chip or integrated circuit stores a first readable code and a second readable code, the first readable code being obtained when the closure is in the unopened position, the second readable code being obtained when the closure is in the opened position;
inserting polymeric material into the mold;
forming the polymeric top wall portion and a polymeric annular skirt portion depending from the polymeric top wall portion, the annular skirt portion including an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container;
releasing the product from the mold, the 2-stage tag being imbedded within the polymeric material; and
slitting a lower portion of the product to form a general line forming a frangible connection that partially detachably connects the annular skirt portion and a tamper-evident band, the frangible connection extending through the 2-stage tag and includes at least two bridges,
wherein the current path of the switch is interrupted after the tamper-evident band has been at least partially broken from the polymeric annular skirt portion.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the 2-stage tag is located flush with an exterior surface of the closure.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the 2-stage tag is a 2-stage NFC tag.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the 2-stage tag is a 2-stage RFID tag.

Assignees

• Closure Systems Int Inc

Inventors

• Migas Jeremiah
• Morin Jeremy

Classifications

• B65D2401/20

  Frangible elements completely enclosed in closure skirt · CPC title

• G06K19/07798

  part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers (electronic seals G09F3/03) · CPC title

• B65D2203/10

  Transponders · CPC title

• B65D41/3423 Primary

  with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt (B65D41/3404 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B29C45/14639 Primary

  for obtaining an insulating effect, e.g. for electrical components · CPC title