![Acetes japonicus 01 bottle from Japan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Acetes_japonicus_01_bottle_from_Japan.JPG)
A tamper-evident band or security ring serves as a
tamper resistant
Tamperproofing, conceptually, is a methodology used to hinder, deter or detect unauthorised access to a device or circumvention of a security system. Since any device or system can be foiled by a person with sufficient knowledge, equipment, and ti ...
or
tamper evident function to a
screw cap A screw cap or closure is a common type of closure for bottles, jars, and tubes.
Usage
A screw closure is a mechanical device which is screwed on and off of a "finish" on a container. Either continuous threads or lugs are used. It must be engi ...
,
lid
A lid, also known as a cover, is part of a container, and serves as the closure or seal, usually one that completely closes the object. Lids can be placed on small containers such as tubs as well as larger lids for open-head pails and drums. S ...
, or
closure.
The term ''tamper-proof'' is sometimes used but is considered a misnomer given that pilfering is still technically possible.
A security band can be integral with the cap or can be a separate package component. It is a plastic or metal structure around the circumference (usually) of the closure that is often found attached below a closure in bottles, jars, and tubs.
Several variations have been developed for caps, lids, and closures.
The use of custom printing and
security printing
Security printing is the field of the printing industry that deals with the printing of items such as banknotes, cheques, passports, tamper-evident labels, security tapes, product authentication, stock certificates, postage stamps and identity ...
is available.
Perforation
A perforation is a small hole in a thin material or web. There is usually more than one perforation in an organized fashion, where all of the holes collectively are called a ''perforation''. The process of creating perforations is called perfor ...
s or other areas of weakness are often used to initiate and control a tear. Sometimes engineered
frangibility
A material is said to be frangible if through deformation it tends to break up into fragments, rather than deforming elastically and retaining its cohesion as a single object. Common crackers are examples of frangible materials, while fresh bre ...
is used for break-away functions.
While tamper-evident bands are not considered a challenge for
recycling
Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. The recovery of energy from waste materials is often included in this concept. The recyclability of a material depends on its ability to reacquire the p ...
, it is important that the band stays attached to the cap in case of refillable bottles, because it is hard to remove the rings from intact bottles in an economical way.
The opening ring is a
tamper warning: if the seal between the ring and the cap is broken, it is an indication that the cap has been opened.
Purposes
Security opening rings might have several possible purposes:
*Provide clear evidence of container being opened
*Deter tampering
*Deter
package pilferage
Package pilferage is the theft of part of the contents of a package. It may also include theft of the contents but leaving the package, perhaps resealed with bogus contents. Small packages can be pilfered from a larger package such as a shippin ...
*Deter product adulteration
*Improved closure strength during shipping
*Regulatory requirement (sometimes)
Roll-on metal closures
When an aluminum or plastic bottle cap has an integral band, it is usually connected by thin bridges. They can be molded along with the cap or slit afterwards.
When unscrewing the cap, the
frangible
A material is said to be frangible if through deformation it tends to break up into fragments, rather than deforming elastically and retaining its cohesion as a single object. Common crackers are examples of frangible materials, while fresh bre ...
ring breaks: the ring can separate from the cap, and two separate pieces remain, the sealing piece and the leftover ring; or the broken ring can form a "pigtail" still attached to the cap.
Shrink bands
Separate bands of
shrink film can be placed over the closure and tightened in a
shrink tunnel
A shrink tunnel or heat tunnel is a heated tunnel mounted over or around a conveyor system. Items (such as packaging) have shrink film loosely applied; with heat, the film shrinks to fit snugly around the wrapped object.
Uses
* Shrink labels.
* ...
.
Some have perforations or nicks to help initiate the tear.
Other
Most standard
pressure sensitive tape
Pressure-sensitive tape, known also in various countries as PSA tape, adhesive tape, self-stick tape, sticky tape, Sellotape, or just tape, is an adhesive tape that will stick with application of pressure, without the need for a solvent (such as ...
s do not have a high degree of tamper evidence. Some special
security tape
Security tape (or security label) is a type of adhesive tape used to help reduce shipping losses due to pilfering and theft. It helps reduce tampering or product adulteration. Often it is a pressure sensitive tape or label with special tamper ...
s have additional tamper evident features which offer better tamper evidence. Some have intentional weakness which cause breakage or delamination; others have hidden messages which appear upon opening.
Examples
File:CocaColaCode.jpg, plastic screw cap with break-away band
File:Suntory IEMON.JPG, plastic screw cap with break-away band
File:DoD random drug test specimen bottle.png, Cross strip of PSA security tape with frangible backing
File:Wine bottle screwcap.JPG, A capsule is fitted onto a wine bottle and heat shrunk tightly
File:Bottled Zamzam water - Flickr - Al Jazeera English.jpg, in-line heating of shrink bands on plastic bottles of water
See also
*
List of bottle types, brands and companies
This is a list of bottle types, brands and companies. A bottle is a rigid container with a neck that is narrower than the body, and a "mouth". Bottles are often made of glass, clay, plastic, aluminum or other impervious materials, and are typical ...
*
Tamper-evident technology
*
Tamper resistance
Tamperproofing, conceptually, is a methodology used to hinder, deter or detect unauthorised access to a device or circumvention of a security system. Since any device or system can be foiled by a person with sufficient knowledge, equipment, and ti ...
*
Chicago Tylenol murders
The Chicago Tylenol murders were a series of poisoning deaths resulting from drug tampering in the Chicago metropolitan area in 1982. The victims had all taken Tylenol-branded acetaminophen capsules that had been laced with potassium cyanide. S ...
References
Further reading
*Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009,
* "Improving Tamper-Evident Packaging: Problems, Tests and Solutions", Jack L. Rosette, 1992
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Packaging
Security
Security technology