TAMPER EVIDENT PACKAGE

Abstract

A tamper evident package includes an inner component having at least one product receiving pocket and at least one locking point and an outer component in which the inner component is slidingly received at least in part so that the inner component is removable from the outer component. The outer component has at least one tamper resistant tab in engagement with the at least one locking point such that the inner component is locked in the outer component. The at least one tamper resistant tab is removably connected to the outer component such that removal of the at least one tamper resistant tab allows the inner component to be removed from the outer component.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/443,545, filed Feb. 16, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a package having inner and outer components detachably connected together through one or more tamper evident features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tamper evident packaging has met widespread acceptance in the market place. Packages of this nature generally include consumables, food, beverage, medicine or the like; beauty products, or other such products where consumers are concerned about sanitary conditions and/or the safety of the inner product. All sorts of materials have been used to create tamper evident packages from paperboard, treated or untreated, to plastic, treated or untreated, to any combination of these.

The goal of temper evident packaging is to provide an evidence that someone has accessed the packaged product. This is generally shown by a deformation or permanent alteration of the package. In paper packaging, tamper evidence is mainly shown using wafer seals, peel away strips or glued down flaps.

The present invention is directed to embodiments of tamper-evident packages for a package wherein the tamper evident feature keeps the inner and outer components together until the package has been opened. The tamper evident feature is not replaceable once the package has been opened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention comprises a tamper evident package having an inner component having at least one product receiving pocket and an outer component provided with at least one tamper resistant tab. The inner component is locked in the outer sleeve by means of the at least one tamper resistant tab that is in engagement with at least one locking point on the inner component. The at least one tamper resistant tab is removably connected to the outer component so that a user can remove the at least one tamper resistant tab to unlock the locking engagement of the inner and outer components. An access area may be provided to facilitate removal of the at least one tamper resistant tab. Once the at least one tamper resistant tab is removed, the package is permanently in an openable position where the inner tray may be removed from the outer sleeve.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer component may include a sleeve structure having at least one open end. The inner component may provide a closure for closing the at least one open end of the outer component. The sleeve structure may comprise a plurality of side walls, and the at least one tamper resistant tab may be detachably connected to at least one of the side walls along at least one severance line. The inner component may include a tray which includes a bottom and a plurality of side panels. The at least one locking point may be provided by at least one of the side panels of the inner component.

In another embodiment, the sleeve structure may include a closed end at a location opposite the open end.

In another preferred embodiment, the tray may have a top opposing the bottom. The top may have at least one product receiving pocket for receiving at least one article. The top of the tray may have at least one product holding flap. The at least one pocket may be formed by at least one opening defined in the at least one product holding flap.

In another preferred embodiment, the at least one tamper resistant tab may include a side portion detachably connected to the sleeve structure along at least one severance line and a ledge portion hingedly connected to the side portion. The ledge portion may be folded inwardly of the sleeve structure to a position adjacent to the inside surface of the side portion to engage the at least one locking point of the inner component. The at least one severance line may be a pair of substantially parallel severance lines. Each severance line may extend from the at least one open end of the sleeve structure and may terminate at an access area for facilitating access to the side portion. The access area may be located next to the upper end of the side portion.

In another preferred embodiment, the at least one locking point may include an indented area which provides a locking edge for engaging the at least one tamper resistant tab. The indented area may be an indent provider defined in the inner component. The indent provider may include an area in a portion of the inner component formed from sheet material, from which part of the sheet material has been removed to create the locking edge. The indent provider may be one selected from the group consisting of an opening, an aperture, a cutout, a notch, and a recess. The at least one locking point may further include a backing panel which closes at least in part the indent provider. The backing panel may be secured to the inside surface of the portion of the inner component.

In a still another embodiment, the at least one locking point may include a raised area provided by an element on the inner component. The element may include a hinged tab struck from the inner component and hingedly connected to the inner component. The hinged tab may be secured to the outside surface of the inner component. The hinged tab may be folded to a position adjacent to the outer surface of the inner component to allow a free end edge of the hinged tab to serve as a locking edge for engaging the at least one tamper resistant tab.

The invention in another aspect provides an outer component for receiving an inner component to provide a composite package. The outer component includes a sleeve structure and at least one tamper resistant tab for locking engagement with the inner component. The at least one tamper resistant tab is removably connected to the outer component such that removal of the at least one tamper resistant tab allows the inner component to become removable from the outer component. The at least one tamper resistant tab includes a side portion detachably connected to the sleeve structure along at least one severance line and a ledge portion hingedly connected to the side portion. The ledge portion is folded inwardly of the sleeve structure to a position adjacent to the inside surface of the side portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one severance line comprises a pair of substantially parallel severance lines. Each severance line may extend from an open end of the sleeve structure and terminates at an access area for facilitating access to the side portion. The access area may be located next to an end of the side portion.

The present invention in another aspect provides an inner component for placement into an outer component to provide a composite package. The inner component includes a tray having at least one locking point. The at least one locking point includes an indented area for providing a locking edge for engaging the outer component. The indented area includes an indent provider defined in the inner component. The indent provider is one selected from the group consisting of an opening, an aperture, a cutout, a notch, and a recess.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one locking point may further include a backing panel which closes at least in part the indent provider, the backing panel being secured to the inner component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partially erected outer component with tamper resistant tabs;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a partially erected inner component with locking points;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fully erected inner component;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inner component aligned with a fully erected outer component to be ready to slide into the outer component to form a tamper evident package;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fully erected tamper evident package;

FIG. 6A is a plan view of a blank for forming the outer component;

FIG. 6B is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the tamper resistant tabs in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank for forming the inner component; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a modified form of the erected inner component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The tamper evident package or container described herein may have an outer component and an inner component. A variety of foldable sheet materials may be used to form this package including, but not limited to, paperboard, plastic, corrugated board or a combination of these. The materials may be treated or untreated, recycled or new, molded or thermoformed etc based on manufacturing preferences.

FIG. 1 illustrates an outer component 20 of the tamper evident package or container according to an embodiment of the present invention. The outer component 20 is illustrated in the form of a sleeve. The outer component 20 in FIG. 1 is not erected fully but partially. A fully erected form of the outer component 20 is shown in FIG. 4 while an example of a blank for forming the outer component is shown in FIG. 6A. The outer component 20 has four side walls 22, 24, 26, 28 which are hingedly interconnected by fold lines 29. The four side walls 22, 24, 26, 28 are formed into an open-ended sleeve structure. The sleeve structure is held in the erected form by means of a securing flap 44 which is hingedly connected to the side wall 28 by a fold line 27 and which is secured to the inside surface of the side wall 22. As used herein, the term “fold line” may include, but is not limited to, perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of short half cuts, a single half cut, a line of short score lines, a single score line, any combination thereof and the like. One of the opposed ends of the sleeve structure is closed at least in part by a top wall 60 as best shown in FIG. 4. The other end of the sleeve structure, i.e., the bottom end in FIGS. 1 and 4, remains open to receive an inner component.

The one or more tamper resistant tabs 30 are located near the bottom end of the sleeve structure. Two tabs 30 are provided in this example. It is noted that the one or more tamper resistant tabs 30 may be located around the middle of the sleeve structure or even proximate the upper end of the sleeve structure based on manufacturing preferences as well as on the structure of the associated inner component. In the illustrated embodiment, the two tamper resistant tabs 30 are located at approximately the same height on the side walls 24, 28 respectively although they may be positioned at different heights. Each tab 30 includes a side portion 34 and a ledge portion 32. The side portion is detachably connected to the respective side wall 24, 28 along at least one severance line 38. As used herein, the term “severance line” may include, but is not limited to, perforations, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of short half cuts, a single half cut, any combination of perforations, slits, half cuts, and short score lines, combinations thereof and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the side portion 34 is connected to the respective side wall 24, 28 by a pair of substantially parallel severance lines 38. Each severance line 38 extends from the lower end of the respective side wall 24, 28 and terminates at an opening 36 located next to the upper end of the side portion 34. The ledge portion 32 is hingedly connected to the respective side portion 34 by a fold line 62 and extends from the fold line 62 to its free engaging edge that is to engage with a locking edge of the respective locking point which will be described later in more tails. It should be readily understood that in a paper board package, it may be beneficial to place the tamper resistant tabs 30 along the open end of the outer component 20 for ease in manufacturing.

The openings 36 provide an access area for a consumer to pull away the tamper resistant tabs 30 and thereby to release the inner component from outer sleeve 20, which will be discussed in more details later. The severance lines 38 may be coextensive with the respective side portion 34 such that each severance line 38 extends almost all the way along the length of the side portion 34. Alternatively, each severance line may be substantially shorter than the length of the side portion 34. Each tamper resistant tab 30 may be lined with a reinforcing layer formed of weakened sheet material such as a piece of plastic tape. Such a reinforcing layer may be provided with one or more severance lines that are substantially aligned with the one or more severance lines 38 of the respective side portion 34. Alternatively, the reinforcing layer may be a tape having a width equal to, or less than, that of the respective tamper resistant tab 30.

The ledge portion 32 of each tamper resistant tabs 30 is a foldable tab which may be a piece of material formed from the same blank for forming the outer component 20 and thus is integrally joined with the respective side portion 34. Alternatively, the ledge portion 32 may be a separate piece of material attached to the respective side portion 34 mechanically or adhesively. In either embodiment, the ledge portion 32 may be a flat panel, a reinforced panel, a panel heat-formed, or press-formed, into a three-dimensional shape, or a panel provided with an attached blister, bubble, bump, an edge-reinforcing element or any other engaging feature that is capable of releasably engaging with, or catching on, an associated locking point of the inner tray. The ledge portions 32 are not directly connected to any part of the outer component 20 but to the respective side portions 34 such that when each side portion 34 is removed from outer component 20, the respective ledge portion 32 is also removed. However, in an alternative embodiment, each ledge portion 32 may be detachably connected directly to the adjacent side wall 24, 28 of the outer component by one or more severance lines. Such an arrangement strengthens the connection between the respective tamper resistant tab 30 to the outer component 20. More specifically, each ledge portion 32 may be detachably connected directly to the adjacent side wall or to one or more other adjacent portions of the outer component such as adjacent bottom end flaps 48 (see FIG. 6A). It should be readily understood that the each tamper resistant tabs 30 may be formed of a single layer of material or may be two or more layers of material unbonded from, or boded to, each other through adhesive, heat sealing, staples, snapping portions or other such means.

FIGS. 6A and 6B shows an example of a blank for forming the outer component 20. Window 46 may be positioned on one or more of the side walls 22, 24, 26, 28. Major top end flaps 50, 50 are hingedly connected to the upper ends of the side walls 22, 26 along fold lines 31, 31 respectively. Minor top end flaps 52, 52 are hingedly connected to the upper ends of the side walls 24, 28 along fold lines 31, 31 respectively. In the erected form as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the top end flaps 50, 52 are folded inwardly about their respective fold lines 31 into an overlapping position and at least two of them are secured together by known securing means to provide the top wall 60. The at least two top end flaps may be heat sealed, adhered, secured by one or more mechanical elements (such as staples) to provide an additional tamper evident feature. Major bottom end flaps 40, 42 may be hingedly connected to the side walls 22, 26 along fold lines 33, 33 respectively. A pair of minor bottom end flaps 48, 48 are hingedly connected to each of the side walls 24, 28 along the respective fold line 33. Each pair of minor bottom end flaps 48, 48 are positioned on the opposite sides of the respective ledge portion 32, In the erected form in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom end flaps 40, 42, 48 are folded inwardly of the sleeve structure about their respective fold lines 31 and may be attached to the inside surfaces of the side walls 22, 24, 26, 28 respectively. Alternatively, the bottom end flaps 40, 42, 48 may simply be placed immediately next to the inside surfaces of the side walls without being secured thereto. In a similar way, the ledge portions 32 are folded inwardly of the sleeve structure about their respective fold lines 62 when the outer component 20 is erected. The ledge portions 32 may be glued or otherwise secured to the inside surfaces of the side portions 34 respectively or they may remain detached and thus free from the inside surface of the side portions 34 depending on the structure of the inner component. When the associated locking points are in the form of openings, it is preferred that the ledge portions 32 are secured to the inside surfaces of the respective side portions 34. On the other hand, when the locking points are in the form closed or covered openings, it is preferred that the ledge portions 32 remain unsecured to the respective side portions 34. A closed opening that is useful in the present invention may be an opening closed or covered on the inside by a backing panel such that the peripheral edge of the opening is available for engagement with the associated ledge portion 32.

At least one tamper resistant tab 30 may be provided on at least one of the side walls 22, 24, 26, 28. Preferably, two or more tamper resistant tabs 30 are provided on two or more of the side walls 22, 24, 26, 28. Two or more tamper resistant tabs 30 may be provided on one or each of two or more side walls 22, 24, 26, 28.

Instead of being formed from the blank, the outer component 20 may be blow-molded. thermo-formed, press-formed using plastic, paperboard, or any other appropriate known materials. It is to be understood, that based upon the materials chosen, various features of the invention may need to be adjusted to allow for a removable tamper resistant tab that interacts with a locking point or element on an inner component.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an inner component 80 of the tamper evident package or container and FIG. 7 shows an example of a blank for forming the inner component 80. The inner component 80 is illustrated in the form of an article-supporting/carrying device such as a tray. The inner component 80 includes four side panels 112, 114, 116, 118 which are hingedly connected together by fold lines 120. The side panel 112 is hingedly connected via a fold line 136 to a backing panel 100 which is secured to the inside surface of the side panel 118. By that means, the side panels 112, 114, 116 and 118 are held in a tubular form. The side panels 114, 118 each is formed with an opening 90 which provides part of a locking point on the inner component, which cooperate with a tamper resistant tab 30 to secure the inner and outer components 80, 20 together or to lock the inner component 80 in the outer component 20. The opening 90 in the side panel 118 is closed or covered by the backing panel 100 as best shown in FIG. 3. The bottom end of the tubular structure is substantially closed by a composite bottom 94 (see FIG. 3). The composite bottom 94 is composed of four folded bottom closure panels 122, 124, 126, 128 overlapped and secured together. These panels, i.e., the two major bottom panels 124, 128 and the two minor bottom panels 122, 126, are hingedly connected to the side panels 118, 1116, 114, 112 about fold lines 138, respectively (see FIG. 7). Preferably, at least two of the bottom closure panels 122, 124, 126, 128 are secured together to retain all the bottom closure panels 122, 124, 126, 128 together in their folded positions so that the four panels 122, 124, 126, 128 provide the bottom 94. The side panels 112, 114, 116, 118 may be as tall as needed based on the needs of the product that the inner component will be holding.

Referring to FIG. 7, the minor bottom panel 126 is hingedly connected to a connecting panel 130 along a fold line 140. The connecting panel 130 in turn is hingedly connected to a backing panel 132 by a weakened hinged connection that is composed of a fold line 142 interrupted by slots 134. Upon erection of the inner component, the connecting panel 130 is folded 180 degrees about the fold line 140 to be in a face-contacting relationship with the minor bottom panel 126. The backing panel 132 at the same time is folded about the fold line 142 to be in a face-contacting relationship with the inside surface of the side panel 114 where the backing panel 132 closes or covers the opening 90 in the side panel 114. The backing panel 132 preferably is glued, or otherwise secured, to the side panel 114. The connecting panel 130 and the backing panel 132 may be pre-folded onto the bottom closure panel 126 and the side panel 114 respectively prior to folding of the minor bottom panel 126 into its closing position.

The inner component 80 may further include one or more product holding flaps 82, 86. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner component 80 has two major holding flaps 82 and two minor holding flaps 86. The major holding flaps 82 are connected to the side panels 112, 116 along fold lines 144, 144 respectively while the minor flaps 86 are connected to the side panels 114, 118 about fold lines 144, 144 respectively. The major holding flaps 82 may have one or more product receiving areas 98 (e.g., apertures) while the minor holding flaps 86 have one or more partial product receiving areas 102 (e.g., cutouts). It is to be understood that the product holding flaps 82, 86 are folded inwardly about their respective fold lines 144 such that they are disposed in an overlapping position to provide a composite top 96 of the inner component 80. At least two of the holding flaps 82, 82, 86, 86 are glued, or otherwise secured, together to retain the holding flaps in their folded positions. When the composite top 96 is formed, the product holding areas 98 and 102 align such that they provide one or more product receiving pockets 99 for receiving and supporting the bottom portions of products or articles such as cans, bottles and other primary or secondary packages (see FIG. 8).

The one or more locking points each may comprise an indented or raised area that provides a locking or engaging edge. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an example of such a locking point comprises an indent provider (e.g., an opening or cutout) 90 defined in the respective side panel 114, 118 and a backing panel 100 or 132 that closes at least in part the indent provider 90. As used herein, the term “indent provider” may include, but is not limited to, an opening, an aperture, a cutout, a notch, a recess or any other area in a sheet material from where part of the material has been removed or debossed to create a locking edge of the material that can catch an associated ledge portion 32. In an embodiment wherein the indent provider is a cutout or notch, the indent provider may extend upward from the lower edge of the respective side panel and terminate at a position within that side panel to provide a locking edge for engaging the ledge portion 32 of the associated tamper resistant tab 30. In another embodiment wherein the indent provider is an opening, aperture or recess, the upper peripheral edge of the indent provider provides the locking edge. The backing panel 100 or 132 is preferably glued, or otherwise secured, to the inside surface of the respective side panel 114, 118. The backing panel of each of the illustrated locking point is provided by an integral part of the blank of FIG. 7, i.e., the respective one of the panels 100 and 132. However, the backing panel may be provided by a different part of the blank or even by a separate material. Alternatively, one or more locking points may be provided by a raised area created by an element such as a locking tab or flap attached to the outside surface of the respective side panel or hingedly connected to the respective side panel. Such a locking tab or flap may be formed or struck from the respective side panel or another part of the blank adjacent to the respective side panel or may be provided by a separate material. FIG. 8 shows an example of a raised area which is provided by a hinged tab or flap 150. The hinged tab 150 has been struck from the minor holding flap 86 and hingedly connected to the side panel 118 along a fold line that is generally coincidental with the fold line 144 between the minor holding flap 86 and the side panel 118. Reference numeral “152” denotes an opening created in the minor holding flap 86 as a result of striking the hinged tab 150 from that holding flap 86. The hinged tab 150 is folded down about the associated fold line 144 to the position adjacent to, if not directly on, the outer surface of the side panel 118. In this alternative embodiment, the lower edge of the folded hinged tab 150 provides a catching or locking edge for engaging with the ledge portion 32 of the associated tamper resistant tab 30. The folded hinged tab 150 may be secured or not secured to the outside surface of the respective side panel. The above alternative arrangement is beneficial because, the blank for forming the inner component of the alternative arrangement no longer requires the panels 130 and 132 and requires a small sized glue flap in place of the backing panel 100 (see FIG. 7.)

Alternatively, one or more locking point may be a simple opening or cutout such as the opening 90. Such an independent opening or cutout 90 is defined in the respective side panel and is not closed or covered by a backing panel. The independent opening or cutout can cooperate with a ledge portion of a tamper resistant tab that is secured to the inside surface of the associated side portion 34.

Still further alternative embodiments of the locking point that is useful with the invention includes, but is not limited to, an embossment, debossment, ledge, bubble, or any other such means that may catch, engage, cooperate and/or interact with the ledge portion 32 of the respective tamper resistant tab 30.

FIGS. 4 and 5 shows a combination package 10 composed of the outer component 20 and the inner component 80. The length and width of the outer component 20 are approximately equal to or slightly greater than those of the inner component 80. The inner component 80 may form the bottom of the tamper evident combination package 10. The inner component 80 may be up to 10% of the height of the outer sleeve 20, or up to 25% of the height of the outer sleeve 20, or up to 50% of the height of the outer sleeve 20 or may be up to approximately the 100% of the height of the outer sleeve 20. It is to be understood that the inner and outer components 80, 20 may approximately be of the dimensions such that the inner component 80 would fit snugly within the outer component 20 and be able to slide from a closed position where the product receiving pockets 99 of the inner component 80 are fully covered by the outer sleeve 20 to an opened position where the product receiving pockets 99 are exposed to view. The outer component 20 may have a window 46 to allow consumers to view the products that are supported by the inner component 80 from the outside of the closed composite package 10. The window 46 may be open or it may be closed by a shield member formed of transparent plastic film.

Referring to FIG. 4, the outer component 20 may be lowered to receive the inner component 80 through the bottom of the outer component 20. As the tamper resistant tabs 30 are aligned with the respective locking points, the ledge portions 32 which are biased inwardly toward the inner component snap into the opening 90 to have their upper end engaged with the respective locking edges of the opening 90. The backing panels 100 and 132 function as stoppers for preventing the ledge portions 32 from passing through the opening and thereby holding the ledge portion 32 in engagement the locking edge of the opening 90. Once engaging the locking edges of the locking points, the tamper resistant tabs 30 prevent the outer component 20 from being removed from the package 10. The tamper resistant tabs 30 may be provided only to prevent the outer component 20 from being removed from the inner component 80 since the upward movement, or overly deep insertion, of the inner component 80 into the outer component 20 will likely be prevented by the contents of products in the package abutting on the top of the outer component 20. However, in some circumstances, the tamper resistant tabs may be provided to prevent both the upward and downward movement of the inner component 80 relative to the outer component 20.

In order to access the products within the package 10, at least one of the tamper resistant tabs 30 may be removed from the outer component 20. This may be achieved by holding the side portion 34 of the respective tamper resistant tab 30 while utilizing the adjacent opening 36 and by tearing the side portion 34 along its severance lines 38. Once the severance lines 38 are broken, the entirety of the tamper resistant tab 30, including the side and ledge portions 34, 32, will be removed from the outer component 20. Removal of all the tamper resistant tabs 30 from the outer component 20 will free the outer component 20 from the inner component 80 so that the outer component 20 may be removed from the inner component 80. However, removal of at least one tamper resistant tab 30 may at least ease removal of the outer component 20. When a user tries to forcibly remove the outer component 20 from the inner component 80 against the resistance of the tamper resistant tabs 30, the tamper resistant tabs 30 would tear or the ledge portions 32 would be damaged. Pressure to move the side walls of the outer component 20 away from the inner component 80 may also result in a tear or otherwise some damage. It may be beneficial to have more than one tamper resistant tab 30 on more than one side walls 22, 24, 26, 28 of the outer component 20 to prevent users from pulling one sleeve side wall away from the inner component and thus deactivating the only one tamper resistant tab 30. Placing the tamper resistant tabs 30 higher on the outer component 20 so that they are not along the top or bottom edge of the sleeve structure may improve their tamper resistant function since that will prevent a user from disabling the tabs 30. Thermoformed ledges 32 or less flexible material on the ledge portion 32 may also improve their function.

The outer component 20 may have one or more open ends 70. The top may be sealed shut to provide a second tamper evident feature in the form of glued flaps.

Given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such features, modifications or improvements are, therefore, considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all embodiments and within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

The present invention has been illustrated in relation to particular embodiments which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. For example, as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “base”, “bottom”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper”, “middle”, “lower”, “front” and “rear” do not limit the respective walls of the carton to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these walls from one another. Furthermore, the various embodiments demonstrate that the top, sides, and bottom panels may be hingedly connected to one another and secured into a tubular sleeve in any order that provides a top panel opposing a bottom panel and/or opposing side panels. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a junction including a single hinge only. Indeed, it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more potentially disparate means for hingedly connecting materials.

Claims

1. A tamper evident package comprising:

an inner component having at least one product receiving pocket and at least one locking point; and

an outer component in which the inner component is slidingly received at least in part so that the inner component is removable from the outer component,

wherein the outer component has at least one tamper resistant tab in engagement with the at least one locking point such that the inner component is locked in the outer component, the at least one tamper resistant tab being removably connected to the outer component such that removal of the at least one tamper resistant tab allows the inner component to be removed from the outer component.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the outer component includes a sleeve structure having at least one open end, and the inner component provides a closure for closing the at least one open end of the outer component.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein the sleeve structure comprises a plurality of side walls, and the at least one tamper resistant tab is detachably connected to at least one of the side walls along at least one severance line.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein the inner component comprises a tray which includes a bottom and a plurality of side panels, and wherein the at least one locking point is provided by at least one of the side panels of the inner component.

5. The package of claim 2, wherein the sleeve structure comprises a closed end opposite to the open end.

6. The package of claim 4, wherein the tray has a top opposing the bottom, and the top has at least one product receiving pocket for receiving at least one article.

7. The package of claim 6, wherein the top of the tray comprises at least one product holding flap, and the at least one pocket comprises at least one opening defined in the at least one product holding flap.

8. The package of claim 2, wherein the at least one tamper resistant tab comprises a side portion detachably connected to the sleeve structure along at least one severance line and a ledge portion hingedly connected to the side portion, the ledge portion being folded inwardly of the sleeve structure to a position adjacent to an inside surface of the side portion to engage the at least one locking point of the inner component.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the at least one severance line comprises a pair of substantially parallel severance lines, each of the severance lines extending from the at least one open end of the sleeve structure and terminates at an access area for facilitating access to the side portion, the access area being located next to an upper end of the side portion.

10. The package of claim 1, wherein the at least one locking point comprises an indented area which provides a locking edge for engaging the at least one tamper resistant tab.

11. The package of claim 10, wherein the indented area comprises an indent provider defined in the inner component, the indent provider comprises an area in a portion of the inner component formed from sheet material, from which part of the sheet material has been removed to create the locking edge.

12. The package of claim 11, wherein the indent provider comprises one selected from the group consisting of an opening, an aperture, a cutout, a notch, and a recess.

13. The package of claim 11, wherein the at least one locking point further comprises a backing panel which closes at least in part the indent provider, the backing panel being secured to an inside surface of the portion of the inner component.

14. The package claim 1, wherein the at least one locking point comprises a raised area comprising an element on the inner component.

15. The package of claim 14, wherein the element comprises a hinged tab struck from the inner component and hingedly connected to the inner component, the hinged tab being secured to an outside surface of the inner component.

16. The package of claim 15, wherein the hinged tab is folded to a position adjacent to the outer surface of the inner component to allow a free end edge of the hinged tab to serve as a locking edge for engaging the at least one tamper resistant tab.

17. An outer component for receiving an inner component to provide a composite package, the outer component comprising a sleeve structure and at least one tamper resistant tab for locking engagement with the inner component, the at least one tamper resistant tab being removably connected to the outer component such that removal of the at least one tamper resistant tab allows the inner component to become removable from the outer component, the at least one tamper resistant tab comprising a side portion detachably connected to the sleeve structure along at least one severance line and a ledge portion hingedly connected to the side portion, the ledge portion being folded inwardly of the sleeve structure to a position adjacent to an inside surface of the side portion.

18. The outer component of claim 17, wherein the at least one severance line comprises a pair of substantially parallel severance lines, each of the severance lines extending from an open end of the sleeve structure and terminates at an access area for facilitating access to the side portion, the access area being located next to an end of the side portion.

19. An inner component for placement into an outer component to provide a composite package, the inner component comprises a tray and at least one locking point, the at least one locking point comprising an indented area for providing a locking edge for engaging the outer component, the indented area comprising an indent provider defined in the inner component, the indent provider comprising one selected from the group consisting of an opening, an aperture, a cutout, a notch, and a recess.

20. The inner component of claim 19, wherein the at least one locking point further comprises a backing panel which closes at least in part the indent provider, the backing panel being secured to the inner component.