TAMPER EVIDENT CONTAINER

Abstract

A tamper evident container includes a lid and a base such that the lid cannot be accessed or separated from the base by ordinary access from the top or side of the container. A tamper evident tab is included on either of the lid or base such that the user must depress the tab into the container and insert their finger to either pull or push the lid from its mating closure with the base.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/295,838 filed on Jan. 18, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to containers. More particularly, it relates to a tamper evident container.

2. Description of Related Art

There are many types of containers known in the art. These vary from boxes to bags to cups with lids and the like.

The containers can be fabricated of virtually any material such as paper, wood and plastic. The plastic devices can be fabricated any number of ways including, for example, injection molded, hermetic sealing techniques, and thermoforming. Thermoformed plastic containers are generally inexpensive and easy to produce.

In the current day and age, containers are used to store many types of devices for later use and/or sale. Containers can incorporate, among other things, foodstuffs, medicine or the like. Of course, virtually any type of product can be stored in containers with lids.

Unfortunately, in the current day and age it is also a frequent occurrence that containers are tampered with by persons who wish to tamper with the goods or products which are stored in the packages. These attacks on the products have various and sundry effects. For example, the contents of the package or container can be pilfered or contaminated. Pilferage can be a nuisance; contamination can be fatal.

In taking steps to avoid this invasion of the container, many approaches in the nature of security and/or safety have been utilized. Some of these security attempts have been easily circumvented by the persistent person who wishes invade the container and/or its contents. Some of the security measures have been so cumbersome as to make the container virtually useless. Other security measures have been terribly expensive and indirectly driven up the price of the goods contained in the container.

In addition, many of the security attempts have been unsuccessful in that it is not fully evident that the security of the container has been breached. One of the desirable features of security packaging is to have a package which is very secure so as to be considered “tamper proof”. Also important is the characteristic that any tampering with the package produces a “tamper evident” condition. With a “tamper evident” condition, a consumer can, with almost casual visual observation, detect that the container has been tampered with even though the “tamper proof” aspects thereof have not been breached.

Consequently, it is highly desirable to produce a package which is relatively inexpensive, easy to produce and is substantially tamper proof and incorporates the characteristics that any tampering is evident to the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the tamper evident container includes a base and a lid configured to be mated with and close the base to form the container. A tamper evident tab is positioned on one of the lid or a side wall of the base and is configured such that a user must break the tamper evident tab and manually separate the lid from its sealed engagement with the base.

Those of skill in the art will recognize that although the present invention is described in the exemplary context of a thermoformed container, the present principles are equally applicable to any container manufactured in any known manner that is suitable for the storage of food products and or non-perishable goods

Other aspects and features of the present principles will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the present principles, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar components throughout the views:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the tamper evident container according to an implementation of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tamper evident container taken along line C-C of FIG. 1, according to an implementation of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the section D highlights in FIG. 2, according to an implementation of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an implementation of the tamper evident feature of the present invention positioned on the lid of the container;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are plan views showing the engagement and operation of one implementation of the tamper evident feature of the present invention;

FIGS. 6a and 6b are plan views showing an alternative embodiment of the engagement and operation of the tamper evident feature of the present invention; and

FIGS. 7a and 7b show plan views of various alternative implementations of the tamper evident feature of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2 a container 10 having a base 14, a lid 12, and the tamper evident tab 16 according to an implementation of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, according to one implementation of the invention, there is shown an enlarged cross-sectional area where the lid 12 mates with the base 14. As shown, the lid 12 is designed with an outwardly extending peripheral flange 20. The upper peripheral edge of the base 14 is designed with an upwardly projecting bead 22 extending about the perimeter of the same. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the bead 22 is configured and dimensioned to render the outwardly extending flange 20 of the lid portion 12 inaccessible from the top or side when the container is closed. Thus, with this configuration of the bead 22 and flange 20, the access to the outer edge of the flange 20 of lid 12 is physically prevented, and as a result, a consumer or person with intention to tamper with the goods in the container, cannot simply separate the lid 12 from the base 14 and access what inside the base 14.

As is also shown, according to one implementation, the lid 12 includes a shaped portion 18 that corresponds to a matching shaped portion of the base 24. These shaped portions (shown in this example as semi-circular protrusion) are configured to enable the lid 12 to “snap” into the base 14 and be frictionally secured therein while the outer edge of the flange 20 remains inaccessible to the consumer. Those of skill in the art with recognize that various different mating arrangements for the lid and base can be made without changing the scope or spirit of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows one example of the tamper evident tab 16 according to an implementation of the invention. In this example, the tab 16 is disposed on the lid 12, and is manufactured or alternatively integrated into the lid such that a seam 30 and hinge section 32 are formed around the tab 16. The seam 30 is preferably configured such that it is either perforated (i.e., perforations of any size can be used depending on the desired application for the container) or made of a thickness that is sufficiently thinner than the lid itself so as to be breakable. Thus, the tab 16 with seam 30 is configured for a one time depression which breaks the seam 30 and thereby indicates tampering with the container.

In alternative implementations, a membrane or film 40 can be secured to the underside of the lid 12 and positioned under the tab 16 such that when tab 16 is depressed into the interior of the container the membrane or film is broken, further indicating tampering with the container. Alternatively, the film or membrane could be positioned over the tab 16 such that the same must either be removed, or is also perforated such that it too is broken when the user engages the tab to break the same and open the container. In alternative implementations, the film or membrane can take the form of a sticker that is disposed over the tab 16 (See for example, FIGS. 6a and 6b)

In the example of FIG. 4, the tab 16 is shown in an oblong shape such that when a user depresses an area 34 opposing the hinge area 32, the seam 30 breaks and the tab is depressed into the interior of the container. Once the seam 30 is broken, the user can insert their finger into the container and apply the appropriate upward force on the lid 12 to cause the same to be released from its closed/mated position within the base 14. In this implementation, the lid and tab are designed and formed with a raised wall 42 along along the perimeter of the tab 16 such that the base of the raised wall 42 consists of the seam 30 with the respective breakable perforation configuration. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the shape of tab 16 can be any shape (e.g., circular, semi-circular, oval, ellipse, square, rectangular, hexagon, octagon, etc.) without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention

In another implementation, the tab 16 could be configured as a pull tab, where the user must pull on tab 16 to break the seam 30, and then use the tab 16 to pull the lid 12 from the base 14.

FIGS. 5a and 5b demonstrate the exemplary implementation described above by showing the finger 50 depressing the tab 16 (FIG. 5a) and lifting the lid 12 up from its seated closed position within the base 14 (FIG. 5b).

In one implementation, the base 14 can include a hold tab 33 on an edge or corner adjacent the tamper evident tab 16 so as to assist the user in holding the base 14 down while engaging tab 16 and pulling or pushing up on lid 12 to release the same from the base 14.

As mentioned above, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that once the seam 30 is broken on the tab 16, it cannot be re-sealed, thus clearly identifying that the container has been tampered with, and possibly the goods contained in the same. Thus, the tamper evident aspect of the container having tab 16 with seam 30 is a one time depression of the tab to break the seam. Subsequent use of tab 16 (with already broken seam 30) for separating the lid 12 from the base 14 is clearly understood as to not be a part of the tamper evident feature of the present invention.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show an implementation where a sticker 60 is disposed on the lid 12 to provide information relating the product contained therein. The sticker 60 can include a portion 62 that is configured to overlay the tab 16 and includes, for example, performations 64 such that when the user presses the tab 16 in, the sticker perforations 64 and seam 30 are broken together, thus adding an additional level of tamper evident features to the container.

According to other contemplated implementations, the position of the tab 16 can be changed according to a preferred or desired application of the container. FIGS. 7a and 7b show various examples of the tab 16 positioned in several different locations on lid 12, and also being shaped differently. FIG. 6b shows an implementation where the tab 16 is integrated into a side of the base 14, wherein the user can engage/depress the tab 16 into the container and push up on lid 12 to release the same from the base 14.

In another contemplated implementation, the base of the container 14 may include a wall or a formed compartment 55 (See FIG. 2) positioned from the bottom of the base to the top (without interfering with the lid closure mating with the base) such that any product contained within the base 14 cannot be accidentally or intentionally touched by the user's finger once tab 16 has been engaged to separate the lid from the base. In this manner, the evidence that the container 10 has been tampered with through the breaking of the seam 30 of tab 16 does not necessarily result in the goods contained within the container being tampered with.

In another contemplated embodiment, not shown, the wall or compartment 55 can be integrated into the lid 12, such that the manufacturing of the base 14 does not have to change to accommodate the tamper evident tab 16 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the compartment 55 would be integrally formed onto the underside of the lid 12 such that when tab 16 is depressed and the seam 30 is broken the user's finger stays within the compartment 55 and does not touch or otherwise come into contact with the goods in the base 14.

In other implementations, the base 14 of the container can include other features such as, for example, raised bottom portion to prevent the food product contained therein from sitting in any liquids. Other possible features could include drain holes for any such liquid, and textured exterior surfaces for aiding in the handling of the container at the retail level.

While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the present principles, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the foam and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the same. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the present principles. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or implementation of the present principles may be incorporated in any other disclosed, described or suggested form or implementation as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A tamper evident container having a base and a lid, the lid being incapable of being separated from the base from a top or side of the container, the tamper evident container comprising:

a tamper evident tab positioned on one of the lid or a side wall of the base and configured such that a user must break the tamper evident tab and manually separate the lid from its sealed engagement with the base.

2. The tamper evident container according to claim 1, wherein the tamper evident tab comprises:

a seam (30) that is capable of being broken; and

a hinge section (32) that is not capable of being broken and maintains said tab on the lid or side wall after the seam has been broken.

3. The tamper evident container according to claim 1, further comprising a compartment (55) positioned under the tamper evident tab and operable to prevent exposure of goods in the container once the tamper evident tab has been broken

4. The tamper evident container according to claim 2, wherein the tamper evident tab further comprises a raised wall (42) integrated into the lid or side wall around the tab such that a base of the raised wall consists of the seam (30).

5. The tamper evident contained according to claim 2, further comprising a membrane (40) secured to the underside of the lid or side wall and positioned under the tab, said membrane breaking when the tab is depressed into the container.

6. The tamper evident contained according to claim 2, further comprising a membrane (40) secured over the tab, said membrane being broken concurrently with the breaking of the tab when depressed into the container.

7. A tamper evident container comprising:

a base;

a lid configured to be mated with and enclose the base to form the container, the lid and base being configured such that the lid is incapable of being separated from the base by accessing the same from a top or side of the container; and

a tamper evident tab positioned on the lid and configured such that a user must break the tamper evident tab and lift the lid from its sealed engagement with the base.

8. The tamper evident container according to claim 7, wherein the tamper evident tab comprises:

a seam (30) that is capable of being broken; and

a hinge section (32) that is not capable of being broken and maintains said tab on the lid after the seam has been broken.

9. The tamper evident container according to claim 7, further comprising a compartment (55) positioned under the tamper evident tab and operable to prevent exposure of goods in the container to the tamper evident tab.

10. The tamper evident container according to claim 8, wherein the tamper evident tab further comprises a raised wall (42) integrated into the lid around the tab such that a base of the raised wall consists of the seam (30).

11. The tamper evident contained according to claim 8, further comprising a membrane (40) secured to the underside of the lid and positioned under the tab, said membrane breaking when the tab is depressed into the container.

12. The tamper evident contained according to claim 8, further comprising a membrane (40) secured over the tab, said membrane being broken concurrently with the breaking of the tab when depressed into the container.

13. A tamper evident container comprising:

a base having a bottom and at least three side walls;

a lid configured to be mated with and enclose the base to form the container, the lid and a top edge of the at least three side walls being configured such that the lid is incapable of being separated from the base by accessing the same from a top or side of the container; and

a tamper evident tab positioned on a side wall of the base and configured such that a user must break the tamper evident tab and push the lid from its sealed engagement with the base.

14. The tamper evident container according to claim 13, wherein the tamper evident tab comprises:

a seam (30) that is capable of being broken; and

a hinge section (32) that is not capable of being broken and maintains said tab on the side wall after the seam has been broken.

15. The tamper evident container according to claim 13, further comprising a compartment (55) positioned under the tamper evident tab and operable to prevent exposure of goods in the container to the tamper evident tab.

16. The tamper evident container according to claim 14, wherein the tamper evident tab further comprises a raised wall (42) integrated into the side wall around the tab such that a base of the raised wall consists of the seam (30).

17. The tamper evident container according to claim 14, further comprising a membrane (40) secured to the underside of the side wall and positioned under the tab, said membrane breaking when the tab is depressed into the container.

18. The tamper evident container according to claim 14, further comprising a membrane (40) secured over the tab, said membrane being broken concurrently with the breaking of the tab when depressed into the container.