TAMPER EVIDENT CLAMSHELL CONTAINER

Abstract

Tamper evident clamshell containers include a first half hingedly coupled to a second half. The first half has a first closure edge with a tamper evident closure frangibly coupled thereto and the second half has a second closure edge with an engagement feature. The tamper evident closure can be coupled to the engagement feature to close the container. A force necessary to decouple the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature is greater than a force necessary to frangibly decouple the tamper evident closure from the first closure edge of the first half of the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/573,867 filed on Oct. 18, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/614,537 filed on Jan. 8, 2018. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present technology relates to tamper evident containers, and in one embodiment a clamshell-style container comprising a container half or body with a hingedly attached half or lid configured to close and seal the container, where reopening the lid separates a portion of a closure mechanism providing an indication that the container was previously closed and has been tampered with by re-opening.

INTRODUCTION

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Clamshell-style containers for various products, including various food products, are well known. Such clamshell-style containers can be formed of various materials, including various plastics, various foamed materials (e.g., expanded polystyrene or EPS), and various paper-based materials (e.g., paperboard, cardboard, etc). Plastic clamshell-style containers can be thermoformed from a polymeric material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These clamshell-style containers can provide convenience to retailers and consumers, while also being economical, hygienic, and recyclable. Various clamshell-style containers can be formed using various transparent, clear, or colored materials, as well as formed using various opaque or translucent materials, depending on whether it is desirable that the contents are to be visible when the container is closed.

One common feature of such containers is the use of a frangible section or a tear strip that must be removed in order to provide access to the contents of a closed container and that provides a tamper evident feature, yielding physical evidence that the container was opened prior to reaching an end user or consumer. One problem with such containers, however, is that the frangible section or tear strip becomes a separate waste item that is not necessarily recycled at the same time the container is recycled or is not recycled at all. Another problem with such containers is that frangible sections or tear strips are purposefully designed to be visible and can therefore can be deliberately circumvented in certain cases by someone wishing to open the container without leaving evidence of a tampering event. Yet another problem with certain frangible sections or tear strips is that, once the tamper evident feature has been exercised, a lid portion of the container can be physically separated from a remainder of the container, producing separate polymer pieces that can be misplaced, compounding recycling issues, and where the separate portions may not all be marked with recycling codes.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a clamshell-style container that provides a discrete tamper evident function, evidencing whether a tampering event occurred, where opening of the container does not generate loose separate pieces.

SUMMARY

The present technology includes articles of manufacture, systems, and processes that relate to a clamshell-type container useful for food service and/or other uses that has the advantages of providing a tamper evident feature without producing a loose, separate waste piece, and where the tamper evident feature provides a discrete appearance prior to opening of the container.

Tamper evident clamshell containers are provided that include a first half hingedly coupled to a second half. The first half includes a first closure edge having a tamper evident closure frangibly coupled thereto and the second half includes a second closure edge having an engagement feature. The tamper evident closure is configured to be coupled to the engagement feature and close the container. A force necessary to decouple the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature is greater than a force necessary to frangibly decouple the tamper evident closure from the first closure edge of the first half.

In this manner, opening of the closed container results in the tamper evident closure frangibly decoupling from the first closure edge of the first half of the container. The decoupled tamper evident closure therefore remains coupled to the engagement feature on the second closure edge of the second half of the container. The frangible decoupling of the tamper evident closure provides a physical indication that the container was previously closed and then opened. Where coupling between the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature provided the only way to hold the container closed, the container can no longer be held closed. Otherwise, the container can further include one or more closure means on each of the closure edges, where the closure means can be configured to couple together and hold the container closed. The tamper evident closure can be frangibly coupled to the closure edge of the first half of the container in various ways, including the use of a partition having a reduced thickness compared to adjacent portions of the container and/or a partition having perforations. In certain cases, a coupling device can be provided that is configured to couple the tamper evident closure to the engagement feature when the tamper evident closure is coupled to the engagement feature and the container is closed. The coupling device, for example, can be configured to mechanically fasten and retain the tamper evident closure to the engagement feature when the tamper evident closure is frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge of the first half.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tamper evident clamshell container showing two hingedly coupled halves that are partially open.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the tamper evident clamshell container of FIG. 1A showing the two hingedly coupled halves closed, where a tamper evident closure is coupled to an engagement feature.

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the tamper evident clamshell container of FIG. 1A showing the two hingedly coupled halves reopened after being closed as shown in FIG. 1B, where the tamper evident closure is decoupled from a first closure edge of a first half and remains coupled to the engagement feature.

FIG. 2A is a partially exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a tamper evident clamshell container showing two hingedly coupled halves that are closed, where a tamper evident closure is coupled to an engagement feature and a coupling device is provided to be disposed therethrough.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the tamper evident clamshell container of FIG. 2A showing the coupling device disposed through the tamper evident closure as coupled to the engagement feature, where the coupling device mechanically fastens and retains the tamper evident closure to the engagement feature.

FIG. 2C is a fragmentary front elevational view of the coupling device disposed through the tamper evident closure coupled to the engagement feature and mechanically fastening the tamper evident closure to the engagement feature.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a tamper evident clamshell container showing two hingedly coupled halves that are partially open.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the tamper evident clamshell container of FIG. 3A showing the two hingedly coupled halves closed, where a tamper evident closure is coupled to an engagement feature.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the tamper evident clamshell container of FIG. 3A showing the two hingedly coupled halves reopened after being closed as shown in FIG. 3B, where the tamper evident closure is decoupled from a first closure edge of a first half and remains coupled to the engagement feature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

All documents, including patents, patent applications, and scientific literature cited in this detailed description are incorporated herein by reference, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Where any conflict or ambiguity may exist between a document incorporated by reference and this detailed description, the present detailed description controls.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

As referred to herein, disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “front,” “back,” “side,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The present technology provides various tamper evident containers including thermoformed clamshell-style containers having a container body formed of two hingedly coupled halves configured to close and seal the container, whereupon reopening the two halves separates a portion of a closure mechanism providing an indication that the container was previously closed. In particular, such tamper evident clamshell containers can include a first half hingedly coupled to a second half, where the first half includes a first closure edge having a tamper evident closure frangibly coupled thereto and the second half includes a second closure edge having an engagement feature. The tamper evident closure is configured to be coupled to the engagement feature and thereby close the container. A force necessary to decouple the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature is greater than a force necessary to frangibly decouple the tamper evident closure from the first closure edge of the first half. Accordingly, opening of the closed container results in the tamper evident closure being frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge of the first half of the container and remaining coupled to the engagement feature on the second closure edge of the second half of the container.

The tamper evident containers can also include a first half releasably coupled to a second half, where the first half includes a first closure edge having a tamper evident closure frangibly coupled thereto and the second half includes a second closure edge having an engagement feature. An additional closure and an additional engagement feature can be respectively provided on the first closure edge and the second closure edge to provide a re-sealing means once the tamper evident closure is frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge. The first half may further include a third closure edge having a closure coupled thereto and the second half may include a fourth closure edge having an engagement feature. The closure is configured to be coupled to the engagement feature and thereby close the third edge and the fourth edge of container. A force necessary to decouple the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature is greater than a force necessary to frangibly decouple the tamper evident closure from the first closure edge of the first half. Accordingly, opening of the closed container results in the tamper evident closure being frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge of the first half of the container and remaining coupled to the engagement feature on the second closure edge of the second half of the container.

The container can take on various shapes, forms, and dimensions. The container can be formed without hinged portions or to include hinged portions that open and shut in a manner resembling the halves of a clamshell. The halves can be of substantially identical dimensions or can have one half that primarily functions as a container portion with walls defining a depth of the container portion and another half that primarily functions as a lid portion with shallow or no walls relative to the container portion. The hinged portions of the container, forming the two halves can generally be referred to as a first half and a second half. Opposite of where the first half is hingedly coupled to the second half can be positioned the first closure edge of the first half and the second closure edge of the second half. The first and second closure edges can also be positioned on other sides or edges of the container, but it can typically be more convenient to have the first closure edge and the second closure edge opposite the hinge to facilitate closing and reopening of the container.

In addition to the tamper evident closure configured to be coupled to the engagement feature and close the container, the container can include one or more additional closures to keep the first half and second half closed together and minimize inadvertent opening of the container, or to re-seal the container once opened. Such closures can be spaced at one or more locations around the edges of the container on the first half and/or second half, including the first closure edge and the second closure edge or other edges of the container. The closures can be configured to releasably couple the first half and the second half and can operate in addition to the tamper evident closure being coupled to the engagement feature to close the container. Where two such closures are included, the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature can be flanked by a first closure and a second closure. For example, a container can be configured where the first half is hingedly coupled to the second half along at least a portion of a back of the container, the first closure and the second closure can each be located on a front of the container adjacent a respective side of the container, and the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature can be substantially centered on the front of the container.

Various configurations can be used for coupling the tamper evident closure to the engagement feature. Interlocking features, compression fittings, and various resilient male-female couplings can be used. Certain embodiments include where the tamper evident closure is configured to be coupled to the engagement feature by a snap-fitting. A snap-fitting can include where one of the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature includes a molded undercut and the other of the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature includes a mating lip, where the molded undercut engages the mating lip. Various types of snap-fittings include annular snap-fittings, cantilever snap fittings, and ball-and-socket joints. Typically, one or both of the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature is deformed during the coupling thereof, where a resilient nature returns one or both of the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature substantially back to an original shape or dimension once the coupling is complete; e.g., when the molded undercut engages the mating lip.

Embodiments of the tamper evident clamshell container can include the use of a coupling device configured to couple the tamper evident closure to the engagement feature when the tamper evident closure is coupled to the engagement feature and the container is closed. For example, the coupling device can be a separate component from the container that is used couple the tamper evident closure to the engagement feature or to supplement the coupling of the tamper evident closure to the engagement feature when the container is closed. The coupling device can be configured to mechanically fasten and retain the tamper evident closure to the engagement feature when the tamper evident closure is frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge of the first half. A portion of the coupling device can be configured to pass through the tamper evident closure as well as the engagement feature when the tamper evident closure is coupled to the engagement feature and the container is closed. In certain embodiments, the coupling device can be configured as a pin having a head and one or more barbs. The pin can be pushed through the engagement feature to the tamper evident closure when the tamper evident closure is coupled to the engagement feature and the container is closed. The head and the one or more barbs can therefore mechanically fasten or lock the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature together.

The tamper evident closure can be configured to be frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge of the first half in various ways. Frangible decoupling can involve the tamper evident closure being torn away from a remainder of the first closure edge. After being torn, the tamper evident closure remains coupled to the engagement feature upon opening of the previously closed container. The tamper evident closure can also be frangibly coupled to the closure edge of the first half of the container by a partition that defines the tamper evident closure. The partition can include a thickness that is less than the thickness of portions of the container adjacent the partition, thereby making the material of the partition easier to tear and/or separate compared to the portions of the container adjacent the partition. The partition can also include perforations, where such perforations can include one or more rows of small holes through the container material that guide tearing or separating of the tamper evident closure. In certain embodiments the partition can define the tamper evident closure as a tab frangibly coupled to the first edge of the first half of the container. In other embodiments, the partition can circumscribe the tamper evident closure so that an aperture is formed in the first edge when the tamper evident closure is frangibly decoupled therefrom. Absence of the tab or the formation of the aperture in the first edge of the first half thereby provides evidence of reopening or tampering of the container.

The container can be made of various materials and can be formed in various ways. Containers include those made of plastics, foamed materials (e.g., expanded polystyrene or EPS), and paper-based materials (e.g., paperboard, cardboard, etc). Material choice can be dependent on desired features, including insulative properties, rigidity, weight capacity, recyclability, water resistance, heat resistance, microwave compatibility, etc. Forming methods include vacuum forming, thermoforming, compression molding, injection molding, etc. Embodiments include where the container is thermoformed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The container can be made of an opaque material; e.g., a foamed material or a paper-based material. The container can also be made of a transparent material; e.g., PET. The container can be made by thermoforming of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet or blanks. For various commercial purposes, the container can be formed of PET that is clear so that an end user may view the contents of the container. However, opaque plastics or other materials of various types can be used, as well as various opaque colors and translucent colors. The thickness of the container wall can be such that the entire container can be reasonably resilient and lightweight and this resiliency can improve coupling functions between the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature, as well as any additional closure means.

The container can be designed to hold various items and can be useful in any storage or merchandizing situation where a tamper evident feature is advantageous. Examples include containers for holding various foodstuffs, including various prepared foods and prepackaged foods. The container provides a convenient and readily identifiable way to determine whether the container was previously closed and reopened, as the tamper evident closure becomes frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge of the container upon reopening and is retained by the engagement feature on the second closure edge of the container. Accordingly, there is physical evidence that the container was reopened. The tamper evident feature remaining coupled to the engagement feature also minimizes any loose parts associated with the container and can maximize the recyclability of the container, unlike tear strips and other devices that separate from the container.

Examples

Example embodiments of the present technology are provided with reference to the several figures enclosed herewith.

With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, an embodiment of a tamper evident clamshell container is shown at 100. The container 100 includes a first half 105 hingedly coupled to a second half 110. A hinge 115 can comprise a majority of the length of a shared side of the first half 105 and the second half 110. The first half 105 includes a first closure edge 120 having a tamper evident closure 125 frangibly coupled thereto. The second half 110 includes a second closure edge 130 having an engagement feature 135. The tamper evident closure 125 is configured to be coupled to the engagement feature 135 and close the container 100. As depicted, the tamper evident closure 125 is receives the engagement feature 135 to provide a snap-fitment therebetween. A force necessary to decouple the tamper evident closure 125 and the engagement feature 135, that is a force necessary to overcome the snap-fitment, is greater than a force necessary to frangibly decouple the tamper evident closure 125 from the first closure edge 120 of the first half 105.

As shown, the first closure edge 120 of the first half 105 of the container 100 and the second closure edge 130 of the second half 110 of the container 100 are opposite of where the first half 105 is hingedly coupled to the second half 110, namely at the hinge 115. Additional closure means, including a first closure means 140A, 140B and a second closure means 145A, 145B, are provided to further hold the first half 105 and second half 110 together when the container 100 is closed. The first closure means 140A, 140B and the second closure means 145A, 145B can accordingly reversibly couple the first half 105 and the second half 110 and be used to repeatedly hold the container 100 closed. The embodiment of the depicted container 100 has the tamper evident closure 125 and the engagement feature 135 flanked by the first closure means 140A, 140B and the second closure means 145A, 145B, but other configurations are possible. The first closure means 140A, 140B and the second closure means 145A, 145B are depicted as two-part features that cooperate as snap-fitments, although other coupling types can be used.

With reference to the FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, relative position of these various features with respect to the overall container 100 can be described as follows. The first half 105 is hingedly coupled to the second half 110 along at least a portion of a back 150 of the container 100; e.g., along hinge 115. The first closure means 140A, 140B and the second closure means 145A, 145B are each located on a front 155 of the container 100 adjacent a respective side 160, 165 of the container 100. The tamper evident closure 125 and the engagement feature 135 are substantially centered on the front 155 of the container 100.

The tamper evident closure 125 that is shown is configured to be coupled to the engagement feature 135 by a snap-fitting. It can be seen that the tamper evident closure 125 receives the engagement feature 135; however, the engagement feature 135 could be configured to receive the tamper evident closure 125. Once the tamper evident closure 125 is coupled to the engagement feature 135 and the container 100 is closed, the tamper evident closure 125 will be frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge 120 of the first half 105 of the container 100 upon reopening the container 100. The transition from a closed container 100 to a reopened container 100 is shown from FIG. 1B to FIG. 1C.

The frangible decoupling can involve the tamper evident closure 125 tearing away from a remainder of the first closure edge 120. To achieve this, the tamper evident closure 125 is frangibly coupled to the first closure edge 120 of the first half 105 of the container 100 by a partition 170 defining the tamper evident closure 125. The partition 170 can include a thickness that is less than the thickness of portions 175 of the container adjacent the partition 170, including the portions 175 on either side of the partition 170. Alternatively, or in addition to, the partition 170 can include perforations. The reduced thickness of the partition 170 and/or the perforations of the partition 170 provide the frangible coupling of the tamper evident closure 125 to the first closure edge 120. As shown in FIG. 1B, the partition 170 defines the tamper evident closure 125 as a tab 180 that is frangibly coupled to the first edge 120. As shown in FIG. 1C, upon reopening the container 100, the tamper evident closure 125 is frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge 120 along the partition 170, as the tamper evident closure 125 remains coupled to the engagement feature 135, and leaves an indent 185 in the first closure edge 120 where the tab 180 used to be. The indent 185 and the tamper evident closure 125 (coupled to the underside of the engagement feature 135) each provide physical evidence that the container 100 was previously closed and is now reopened as shown in FIG. 1C.

With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, another embodiment of a tamper evident clamshell container is shown at 100′, where features analogous to those found in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C have reference numerals denoted with a single prime (′). FIG. 2A shows the container 100′ closed, where the tamper evident closure 125′ is coupled to the engagement feature 135′. Here, a coupling device 190 is provided that is configured to couple the tamper evident closure 125′ to the engagement feature 135′. In this case, the tamper evident closure 125′ can receive the engagement feature 135′ and can provide a snap-fitment therebetween (as already described for FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C) or the tamper evident closure 125′ can be coupled to the engagement feature 135′ solely by using the coupling device 190. That is, the coupling device 190 can result in a force necessary to decouple the tamper evident closure 125′ and the engagement feature 135′ being greater than a force necessary to frangibly decouple the tamper evident closure 125′ from the first closure edge 120′ of the first half 105.

The coupling device 190 is configured to mechanically fasten and retain the tamper evident closure 125′ to the engagement feature 135′ when the tamper evident closure 125′ is frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge 120′ of the first half 105′ of the container 100′. In the embodiment shown, a portion of the coupling device 190 is configured to pass through both the tamper evident closure 125′ and the engagement feature 135′ when the tamper evident closure 125′ is coupled to the engagement feature 135′ and the container 100′ is closed. The coupling device 190 can be formed as a pin 195 having a head 200 and two barbs 205. The pin 195 can be pushed through the engagement feature 135′ and through tamper evident closure 125′ when the tamper evident closure 125′ is coupled to the engagement feature 135′ and the container 100 is closed. The head 200 and the barbs 205 can therefore mechanically fasten or lock the tamper evident closure 125′ and the engagement feature 135′ together.

Following installation of the coupling device 190, reopening of the container 100′ results in frangible decoupling of the tamper evident closure 125′ from the first closure edge 120′ of the first half 105′. For example, as described in reference to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the tamper evident closure 125′ is frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge 120′ along the partition 170′, as the tamper evident closure 125′ remains coupled to the engagement feature 135′ by the coupling device 190, and leaves an indent 185′ in the first closure edge 120′ where the tab 180′ used to be. The indent 185′ and the tamper evident closure 125′ (coupled to the underside of the engagement feature 135′ by the coupling device 190) each provide physical evidence that the container 100′ was previously closed and has been reopened.

With reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, yet another embodiment of a tamper evident clamshell container is shown at 100″, where features analogous to those found the embodiment of FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C have reference numerals denoted with a double prime (″). As before, the tamper evident closure 125″ is configured to be frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge 120″ of the first half 105″ by tearing away the tamper evident closure 125″ from a remainder of the first closure edge 120″. The tamper evident closure 125″ is frangibly coupled to the first closure edge 120″ of the first half 105″ of the container 100″ by a partition 170″ defining the tamper evident closure 125″. The partition 170″ can include a thickness that is less than the thickness of portions 175″ of the container adjacent the partition 170″, including the portions 175″ on either side of the partition 170″. Alternatively, or in addition to, the partition 170″ can include perforations. The reduced thickness of the partition 170″ and/or the perforations of the partition 170″ provide the frangible coupling of the tamper evident closure 125″ to the first closure edge 120″. As shown in FIG. 3A, the partition 170″ defines the tamper evident closure 125″ by circumscribing the tamper evident closure 125″ on the first closure edge 120″. As shown in FIG. 3C, upon reopening the container 100″, the tamper evident closure 125″ is frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge 120″ about the partition 170″, as the tamper evident closure 125″ remains coupled to the engagement feature 135″, and leaves an aperture 210 in the first closure edge 120″ where the tamper evident closure 125″ used to be. The aperture 210 and the tamper evident closure 125″ (coupled to the underside of the engagement feature 135″) each provide physical evidence that the container 100″ was previously closed and is now reopened as shown in FIG. 3C. It should be noted that when the container 100″ is closed, a coupling device 190 (as per the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C) can also be provided that is configured to couple the tamper evident closure 125″ to the engagement feature 135″. The coupling device 190 can be configured and can function as described.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.

Claims

1. A tamper evident container comprising:

a first half including a first closure edge having a tamper evident closure frangibly coupled thereto; and

a second half coupled to the first half, the second half including a second closure edge having an engagement feature, the tamper evident closure configured to be coupled to the engagement feature and close the container;

wherein a force necessary to decouple the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature is greater than a force necessary to frangibly decouple the tamper evident closure from the first closure edge of the first half.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first half is hingedly coupled to the second half to form a clamshell container, and wherein the first closure edge of the first half and the second closure edge of the second half are opposite a hinge edge where the first half is hingedly coupled to the second half.

3. The container of claim 1, further comprising a first closure configured to releasably couple the first half and the second half and close the container.

4. The container of claim 3, further comprising a second closure configured to releasably couple the first half and the second half and close the container.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature are flanked by the first closure and the second closure.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the first half is hingedly coupled to the second half along at least a portion of a back of the container, the first closure and the second closure are each located on a front of the container adjacent a respective side of the container, and the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature are substantially centered on the front of the container.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the tamper evident closure is configured to be coupled to the engagement feature by a snap-fitting.

8. The container of claim 1, further comprising a coupling device configured to couple the tamper evident closure to the engagement feature when the tamper evident closure is coupled to the engagement feature and the container is closed.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the coupling device is configured to mechanically fasten and retain the tamper evident closure to the engagement feature when the tamper evident closure is frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge of the first half.

10. The container of claim 8, wherein a portion of the coupling device is configured to pass through the tamper evident closure and the engagement feature when the tamper evident closure is coupled to the engagement feature and the container is closed.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the tamper evident closure is configured to be frangibly decoupled from the first closure edge of the first half by tearing the tamper evident closure from a remainder of the first closure edge.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the tamper evident closure is frangibly coupled to the closure edge of the first half of the container by a partition defining the tamper evident closure.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the partition includes a thickness that is less than the thickness of portions of the container adjacent the partition.

14. The container of claim 12, wherein the partition includes perforations.

15. The container of claim 12, wherein the partition defines the tamper evident closure as a tab frangibly coupled to the first edge.

16. The container of claim 12, wherein the partition circumscribes the tamper evident closure so an aperture is formed in the first edge when the tamper evident closure is frangibly decoupled therefrom.

17. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises an opaque material.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein the opaque material comprises one of a foamed material or a paper-based material.

19. The container of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a transparent material.

20. The container of claim 19, wherein the transparent material comprises polyethylene terephthalate.