TAMPER-EVIDENT CONTAINER

Abstract

A tamper-evident container is disclosed. The tamper-evident container includes a containing base, a lid, and a release structure. The containing base has a base edge and the lid has a lid edge. The lid is fixed to the containing base for closing and the base edge encloses the lid edge. The release is disposed at the containing base. The release structure includes a barrier line and two break lines. The break lines are extended from two ends of the barrier line to the base edge. A detachable zone is encompassed by the barrier line, the break lines, and the base edge. The break lines are for detaching the detachable zone from the containing base, so that the lid edge is partially exposed so as to separate the lid from the containing base.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 102200302, filed Jan. 7, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present disclosure relates to a container. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tamper-evident container.

2. Description of Related Art

In the past, stealing goods packed in containers or putting something into the containers without leaving any traces was not difficult because the containers were easy to be opened. Therefore, tamper-evident containers are developed and are popular in supermarkets or convenient stores nowadays. Typically, tamper-evident containers are hardly opened after closing. If somebody opens the tamper-evident containers only in force and without following a predetermined way, obvious distortions will be left on the tamper-evident containers.

A predetermined way for opening a conventional tamper-evident container may be removing a security tape adhered thereon or removing a strip thereof. However, the conventional tamper-evident container will leave litter such as the security tape or the strip removed that is inconvenient for consumers also not environmentally-friendly.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a tamper-evident includes a containing base, a lid, and a release structure. The containing base has a base edge and the lid has a lid edge. The lid is fixed to the containing base for closing and the base edge encloses the lid edge. The release structure is disposed at the containing base. The release structure includes a barrier line and two break lines. The break lines are extended from two ends of the barrier line to the base edge. A detachable zone is encompassed by the barrier line, the break lines, and the base edge. The break lines are for detaching the detachable zone from the containing base, so that the lid edge is partially exposed so as to separate the lid from the containing base.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tamper-evident includes a containing base, a lid, and a release structure. The containing base has a base edge and the lid has a lid edge. The lid is fixed to the containing base for closing and the lid edge encloses the base edge. The release structure is disposed at the lid. The release structure includes a barrier line and two break lines. The break lines are extended from two ends of the barrier line to the lid edge. A detachable zone is encompassed by the barrier line, the break lines, and the lid edge. The break lines are for detaching the detachable zone from the lid, so that the base edge is partially exposed so as to separate the lid from the containing base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiment, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a tamper-evident container according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a three dimensional view of the tamper-evident container of FIG. 1 after closing;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tamper-evident container taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the detachable zone detached from the containing base of the tamper-evident container of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a tamper-evident container according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a three dimensional view of the tamper-evident container of FIG. 5 after closing;

FIG. 7 is a partial crass-sectional view of the tamper-evident container taken along the line B-B of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the detachable zone detached from the lid of the tamper-evident container of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a three dimensional view of a tamper-evident container according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a detachable zone detached from a lid of a tamper-evident container according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a three dimensional view of a containing base of a tamper-evident container according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the detachable zone detached from the containing base of FIG. 11:

FIG. 13 is a three dimensional view of a lid of a tamper-evident container according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 14 is a three dimensional view of a lid of a tamper-evident container according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a tamper-evident container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a three dimensional view of the tamper-evident container 100 of FIG. 1 after closing. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the tamper-evident container 100 includes a lid 110, a containing base, 120, and a release structure 130. The lid 110 is fixed to the containing base 120 for closing the containing base 120 and the release structure 130 is disposed at the containing base 120. The release structure 130 includes a barrier line 131 and two break lines 132. The break lines 132 are respectively extended from two ends of the barrier line 131 to the base edge 121. A detachable zone D1 is encompassed by the barrier line 131, the break lines 132, and the base edge 121. In addition, the containing base 120 includes a protrusion 122 extended from the base edge 121 within the detachable zone D1. The tamper-evident container 100 is integrally formed. The manner the lid 110 is fixed to the containing base 120 may be snapping, latching and so on.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tamper-evident container 100 taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2. In detail, the lid 110 has a lid edge 111 and the containing base 120 has a base edge 121. The base edge 121 encloses the lid edge 111 that makes the lid edge 111 hardly be held adequately. Therefore, the tamper-evident container 100 is almost unable to be opened after the lid 110 fixed to the containing base 120 unless by the release structure 130.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the detachable zone D1 detached from the containing base 120 of the tamper-evident container 100 of FIG. 2. In FIG. 4, consumers detach the detachable zone D1 from the containing base 120 by pulling down the protrusion 122 to break the break lines 132, so that the lid edge 111 is partially exposed. The protrusion 122 facilitates breakage of the break lines 132 but may not be necessary. Once the lid edge 111 is partially exposed, consumers can hold the lid 110 and the containing base 120 adequately and separate them from each other. Therefore, the tamper-evident container 100 can be opened easily. The barrier line 131 is for stopping breakage of the break lines 132. In other words, the barrier line 131 is a terminal of the breakage of the break lines 132. The barrier line 131 may be a groove or other geometries.

Thus, there is no litter left but the lid 110 and the containing base 120 only when the tamper-evident container 100 is opened by the release structure 130. The tamper-evident container 100 would be more convenient to consumers and also environmentally-friendly. Moreover, the tamper-evident container 100 may be made of polylactic acid to further reduce the burden of environment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a tamper-evident container 200 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a three dimensional view of the tamper-evident container 200 of FIG. 5 after closing. FIGS. 5 and 6, the tamper-evident container 200 includes a lid 210, a containing base 220, and a release structure 230. The lid 210 is fixed to the containing base 220 for closing the containing base 220 and the release structure 230 is disposed at the lid 210. The release structure 230 includes a barrier line 231 and two break lines 232. The break lines 232 are respectively extended from two ends of the barrier line 231 to the lid edge 211. A detachable zone D2 is encompassed by the barrier line 231, the break lines 232, and the lid edge 211. In addition, the lid 210 includes a protrusion 212 extended from the lid 210 within the detachable zone D2. The tamper-evident container 200 is integrally formed. The manner the lid 210 is fixed to the containing base 220 may be snapping, latching and so on.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tamper-evident container taken 200 along the line B-B of FIG. 6. In detail, the lid 210 has a lid edge 211 and the containing base 220 has a base edge 221. The lid edge 211 encloses the base edge 221 that makes the base edge 221 hardly be held adequately. Therefore, the tamper-evident container 200 is almost unable to be opened after the lid 210 fixed to the containing base 220 unless by the release structure 230.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the detachable zone D2 detached from the lid 210 of the tamper-evident container 200 of FIG. 6. In FIG. 8, consumers detach the detachable zone D2 from the lid 210 by pulling up the protrusion 212 to break the break lines 232, so that the base edge 22 is partially exposed. The protrusion 212 facilitates breakage of the break lines 232 but may not be necessary. Once the base edge 221 is partially exposed, consumers can hold the lid 210 and the containing base 220 adequately and separate them from each other. Therefore, the tamper-evident container 200 can be opened easily. The barrier line 231 is for stopping breakage of the break lines 232. In other words, the barrier line 231 is a terminal of the breakage of the break lines 232. The barrier line 231 may be a groove or other geometries.

Thus, there is no litter left but the lid 210 and the containing base 220 only when the tamper-evident container 200 is opened by the release structure 230. The tamper-evident container 200 would be more convenient to consumers and also environmentally-friendly. Moreover, the tamper-evident container 200 may be made of polylactic acid to further reduce the burden of environment.

FIG. 9 is a three dimensional view of a tamper-evident container 300 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 9, the tamper-evident container 300 includes a lid 310, a containing base 320, a release structure 330, and a hinge 340. The hinge 340 connects the lid 310 and the containing base 320. The lid 310 is fixed to the containing base 320 for closing the containing base 320. The release structure 330 is disposed at the containing base 320 and arranged in a non-overlapped manner with the hinge 340. The release structure 330 includes a barrier line 331 and two break lines 332. The break lines 332 are respectively extended from two ends of the barrier line 331 to the base edge 321. A detachable zone D3 is encompassed by the barrier line 331, the break lines 332, and the base edge 321. The manner the lid 310 is fixed to the containing base 320 may be snapping, latching and so on.

The lid 310 has a lid edge 311 and the containing base 320 has a base edge 321. Similarly, the base edge 321 encloses the lid edge 311 that makes lid edge 311 hardly be held adequately. Therefore, the tamper-evident container 300 is almost unable to be opened after the lid 310 fixed to the containing base 320 unless by the release structure 330.

As the first embodiment, the detachable zone D3 can be detached from the containing base 320 by pulling down the base edge 321 within the detachable zone D3 to break the break lines 332, so that the lid edge 311 can be partially exposed. Once the lid edge 311 is partially exposed, consumers can hold the lid 310 and the containing base 320 adequately and separate them from each other. Therefore, the tamper-evident container 300 can be opened easily. The barrier line 331 is for stopping breakage of the break lines 332. In other words, the barrier line 331 is a terminal of the breakage of the break lines 332. On the other hand, breakage of the break lines 332 does not damage the hinge 340 because the release structure 330 and the hinge 340 are arranged in a non-overlapped manner.

Thus, there is no litter left when the tamper-evident container 300 is opened by the release structure 330. The tamper-evident container 300 would be more convenient to consumers and also environmentally-friendly. Moreover, packaging goods by the tamper-evident container 300 with the hinge 340 is more efficient because packagers do not need to pick a lid and a containing base respectively during packaging process anymore.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a detachable zone D4 detached from a lid 410 of a tamper-evident container 400 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The tamper-evident container 400 includes a lid 410, a containing base 420, a release structure 430, and a hinge 440. The hinge 440 connects the lid 410 and the containing base 420. The lid 410 is fixed to the containing base 420 for closing the containing base 420. The release structure 430 is disposed at the lid 410 and is arranged in a non-overlapped manner with the hinge 440. The release structure 430 includes a barrier line 431 and two break lines 432. The break lines 432 are respectively extended from two ends of the barrier line 431 to the lid edge 411. A detachable zone D4 is encompassed by the barrier line 431, the break lines 432, and the lid edge 411. The manner the lid 410 is fixed to the containing base 420 may be snapping, latching and so on.

The lid 410 has a lid edge 411 and the containing base 420 has a base edge 421. Similarly, the lid edge 411 encloses the base edge 421 that makes the base edge 421 hardly be held adequately. Therefore, the tamper-evident container 400 is almost unable to be opened after the lid 410 is fixed to the containing base 420 unless by the release structure 430.

As FIG. 10 shown, the detachable zone D4 can be detached from the lid 410 by pulling up the lid edge 411 within the detachable zone D4 to break the break lines 432, so that the base edge 421 is partially exposed. Once the base edge 421 is partially exposed, consumers can hold the lid 410 and the containing base 420 adequately and separate them from each other. Therefore, the tamper-evident container 400 can be opened easily. The barrier line 431 is for stopping breakage of the break lines 432. In other words, the barrier line 431 is a terminal of the breakage of the break lines 432. On the other hand, breakage of the break lines 432 does not damage the hinge 440 because the release structure 430 and the hinge 440 are arranged in a non-overlapped manner.

Thus, there is no litter left when the tamper-evident container 400 is opened by the release structure 430. The tamper-evident container 400 would be more convenient to consumers and also environmentally-friendly. Moreover, packaging goods by the tamper-evident container 400 with the hinge 440 is more efficient because packagers do not need to pick a lid and a containing base respectively during packaging process anymore.

FIG. 11 is a three dimensional view of a containing base 520 of a tamper-evident container according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 11, the containing base 520 has a base edge 521 and a release structure 530 is disposed at the containing base 520. The release structure 530 includes a barrier line 531 and two break lines 532. The break lines 532 are respectively extended from two ends of the barrier line 531 to a base edge 521 of the containing base 520. A detachable zone D5 is encompassed by the barrier line 531, the break lines 532, and the base edge 521.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the detachable zone D5 detached from the containing base 520 of FIG. 11. Similar to the third embodiment above, the break lines 532 can be broken by pull down the base edge 521 within the detachable zone D5, so that a lid edge of a lid of the tamper-evident container enclosed by the base edge 521 after the lid is fixed to the containing base 520 can be partially exposed. The barrier line 531 is for stopping breakage of the break lines 532. In this case, the barrier line 531 may just be disposed at a flange inside the containing base 520.

FIG. 13 is a three dimensional view of a lid 610 of a tamper-evident container according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 13, the lid 610 includes a lid edge 611 and two depressions 612. A release structure 630 is disposed at the lid 610. The release structure 630 includes a barrier line 631 and two break lines 632. The break lines 632 are extended from two ends of the barrier line 631 to the lid edge 611. A detachable zone D6 is encompassed by the barrier line 631, the break lines 632, and the lid edge 611. The depressions 612 are within the detachable zone D6. In this case, the break lines 632 can be broken by pinching the depressions 612 and pulling up the detachable zone D6, so that a base edge of a containing base of the tamper-evident container enclosed by the lid edge 611 after the lid 610 is fixed to the containing base can be partially exposed. The barrier line 631 is curved and for stopping breakage of the break lines 632.

FIG. 14 is a three dimensional view of a lid 710 of a tamper-evident container according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 14, the lid 710 includes a lid edge 711 and four depressions 712. Two release structures 730 are respectively disposed at the lid 710. Each of the release structures 730 includes a barrier line 731 and two break lines 732. The break lines 732 are respectively extended from two ends of the barrier line 731 to the lid edge 711. Similar to embodiments above, two detachable zones D7 are therefore formed. The depressions 712 are within the detachable zones D7 averagely. In this case, the break lines 732 can be broken by pinching the depressions 712 and pulling up the detachable zone D7, so that a base edge of a containing base of the tamper-evident container enclosed by the lid edge 711 after the lid 710 is fixed to the containing base can be partially exposed. From the release structures 730, more portions of the base edge are exposed.

In other embodiments of the disclosure, the break lines are not limited to be extended from two ends of the barrier line as long as a detachable zone can be encompassed by the barrier line, the break lines and the base edge (or the lid edge). There is no restriction on the size of the detachable zone as long as consumers can hold the lid and the containing base adequately after the detachable zone detached from the containing base (or the lid). There is no restriction on the appearance of the barrier line or the break lines as long as a detachable zone can be encompassed by the barrier line, the break lines and the base edge (or the lid edge). For example, the barrier line may be straight or curved and each of the break lines may be consisted of a series of aligned cuts or a series of curved cuts. There is also no restriction on the shape and the position of the protrusions or the depressions as long as the protrusions and the depressions are within the detachable zone and facilitate breakage of the break lines.

Although the present disclosure has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, their spirit and scope of the appended claims should no be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A tamper-evident container, comprising:

a containing base having a base edge;

a lid having a lid edge, wherein the lid is fixed to the containing base for closing and the base edge encloses the lid edge; and

a release structure disposed at the containing base, the release structure comprising: a barrier line; and two break lines respectively extended from two ends of the barrier line to the base edge, wherein a detachable zone is encompassed by the barrier line, the break lines and the base edge;

wherein the break lines are for detaching the detachable zone from the containing base, so that the lid edge is partially exposed so as to separate the lid from the containing base.

2. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, further comprising:

a hinge connecting the lid and the containing base, wherein the hinge and the release structure are arranged in a non-overlapped manner.

3. The tamper-evident container of claim 2, wherein the tamper-evident container is integrally formed.

4. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the containing base further comprising:

at least one protrusion integrally extended from the containing base within the detachable zone.

5. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the containing base further comprising:

at least one protrusion integrally extended from the base edge within the detachable zone.

6. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the tamper-evident container is made of polylactic acid.

7. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the barrier line is a groove.

8. A tamper-evident container, comprising:

a containing base having a base edge;

a lid having a lid edge, wherein the lid is fixed to the containing base for closing and the lid edge encloses the base edge; and

a release structure disposed at the lid, the release structure comprising: a barrier line; and two break lines respectively extended from two ends of the barrier line to the lid edge, wherein a detachable zone is encompassed by the barrier line, the break lines and the lid edge;

wherein the break lines are for detaching the detachable zone from the lid, so that the base edge is partially exposed so as to separate the lid from the containing base.

9. The tamper-evident container of claim 8, further comprising;

a hinge connecting the lid and the containing base, wherein the hinge and the release structure are arranged in a non-overlapped manner.

10. The tamper-evident container of claim 9, wherein the tamper-evident container is integrally formed.

11. The tamper-evident container of claim 8, wherein the lid further comprising:

at least one protrusion integrally extended from the lid within the detachable zone.

12. The tamper-evident container of claim 8, wherein the lid further comprising;

at least one protrusion integrally extended from the lid edge within the detachable zone.

13. The tamper-evident container of claim 8, wherein the lid further comprising;

two depressions formed on the lid within the detachable zone.

14. The tamper-evident container of claim 8, wherein the tamper-evident container is made of polylactic acid.

15. The tamper-evident container of claim 8, wherein the harrier line is a groove.