Tamper evident seal on OTC pharmaceutical

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

Purposes

Roll-on metal closures

Shrink bands

Other

Examples

See also

References

Further reading