■ Heilman, Robert J., 2001. Tamper indicating closure. US Patent # 6,179,139 B1.
The key objectives are to 1- optimize the invention for food packaging; 2- sign an intellectual property agreement with all parties and 3- commercialize this patent.
The original inventor passed away in the past year and the family gave an OARDC scientist, Melvin Pascall, the rights to continue development. A first year objective is to optimize the closure for food or pharmaceutical packaging and make it more appealing to potential users. A second year objective is to forge licensing and royalty agreements with the patent owners, the university, and industrial package manufacturers who will apply the technology.
The basis of this invention is a color-changing threaded closure consisting of an injection molded transparent polypropylene shell fitted with a stamped circular metal panel designed with a pop-up button. This closure has tamper-evidence and anti-counterfeit features and can be used on bottles or jars. On assembly, the button is drawn to its down position and a brightly colored indicator material is applied to the top of the button. A sealed package prevents the button from popping up and disturbing the indicator. When the package opens, the button pops up, spreading the color so it is obvious to anyone who sees it.
This project will help ensure the integrity of the closure and optimize applications in food or pharmaceuticals. This will include factors such as application and removal torque, corrosion, storage, distribution and handling tests. The closure 1- must not interact with food components, 2- must maintain integrity after exposure to extreme temperature (40 to 200 °F), 3- must resist storage, handling, and transportation stresses; and 4- must survive high speed automation. Our food packaging laboratory is capable of this optimization plan.