TAMPER EVIDENT LID
An improved tamper evident lid for a container is provided. The lid includes an annular sidewall with an upper section and a lower section connected together by a weakened portion. The lid includes one or more tamper evident locking components for securing the lid to the container. Each locking component extends inward from an interior surface of the lower sidewall section with a top wall that connects the locking component to the upper sidewall section. The lid includes a void space defined into the exterior of the annular sidewall and corresponding to each locking component. Each locking component forms a continuous enclosure separating the void spaces from the interior of the lid and preventing leakage of contents through void spaces. The void spaces and the weakened portion create a line of weakness that can provide visual evidence of tampering once the lid has been secured to a container.
This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/804,871, filed on Feb. 13, 2019, to Michael Liming et al., entitled “Improved Tamper Evident Lid,” currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates generally to lids for containers and particularly to an improved tamper evident lid, which in addition to providing evidence of tampering, also prevents spillage or leakage of contents.
BACKGROUNDTamper evident lids are often used to enclose and secure containers for food items and other contents. These lids incorporate locking features that restrict the ability to remove the lid from the container without deforming the lid or providing evidence of tampering. One problem with current tamper evident lids is that they do not provide an effective seal around the perimeter of the container opening and thereby allow excess contents within the container to leak out or otherwise exit the container through the lid. This is in part due to the fact that the tamper evident locking features in current tamper evident lids form gaps and spaces extending from the interior of the lid and through the outer sidewall.
Another problem with current tamper evident lids is that they present several manufacturing difficulties. In particular, the construction of the locking features in current tamper evident lids require the forming tool parts to contact and slide across one another during the molding of the lid, which causes excessive wear on the forming components of the manufacturing process. This is in part because current tamper evident lids utilize several projections and ribs within the locking features to support the locking features and provide visual representations of possible tamper evidence, which requires additional molding operations that require the forming tool parts to contact and slide across one another.
Accordingly, a need exists for a tamper evident lid that can effectively secure a container and restrict leakage of contents from the container. In addition, a need exists for a tamper evident container and manufacturing method thereof that can prevent excessive forming tool wear due to sliding contacts between forming tool parts during the molding of the tamper evident lid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed generally to an improved tamper evident lid for containers, including without limitation, containers for holding ice creams, dairy products and other food products and consumables. The improved tamper evident lid may provide a solution for securely covering a top end of a container with tamper evident indicators that indicate whether the lid has been previously removed from the container. The tamper evident lid may include an annular sidewall and cover portion connected to the annular sidewall to create an enclosed upper end of the lid. The annular sidewall may include an upper sidewall section and a lower sidewall section connected together along a weakened portion extending circumferentially around the annular sidewall. The weakened portion may be constructed as an indention or gap defined partially through the sidewall to create a line of weakness between the upper and lower sidewall sections.
The lid may include one or more locking components that are provided on the interior of the annular sidewall and circumferentially spaced around the lid. The locking components can operate in connection with the weakened portion of the lid to indicate whether the lid has been removed or attempted to be removed from the container or otherwise tampered with after being secured thereon. The locking components may include an inward projecting wall that extends radially inward from the interior surface of the lower sidewall section and a top wall that extends from the projecting wall back toward the interior surface of the sidewall. The projecting wall and top wall can operate as a continuous structure that extends the entire length of the locking component and encloses the locking component to separate the interior of the lid.
The lid may include a void space opposite each locking component, where each void space may be configured as a gap or partial opening extending through the annular sidewall and defined by the projecting wall and top wall of the locking component. The top wall of the locking component may extend to and connect to the interior surface of the upper sidewall section bottom edge to completely enclose the void space along the interior of the sidewall, which may restrict contents within the container from exiting, oozing or leaking through the locking components when the lid is secured on the container. According to one embodiment, the void space may be configured as a continuously uninterrupted open space extending into annular sidewall and enclosed along the interior by the projecting wall and the top wall of the locking component.
The void spaces may be generally aligned with and integral with the weakened portion extending circumferentially around the annular sidewall to provide a continuous line of weakness around the lid. The connecting edge that connects the upper wall of the locking component to the upper sidewall section may further function as a line of weakness coextensive with the weakened portion extending around the sidewall.
The lid may include a pair of ribs provided on the interior surface of the sidewall adjacent to each locking components. Each rib may be configured as a vertically oriented protrusion located near each end of the locking components. The ribs may be configured to facilitate aligning and stacking the lid with additional lids.
The lid can be placed on a container so that the locking components engage the upper rim of the container and be secured underneath upper rim. Once engaged, the lid is restricted from being removed from the container without deforming the annular sidewall and providing evidence of tampering. Each locking component may be configured to restrict the lid from being removed from the container without pulling or bending the lower sidewall section. The weakened portion provides a line of weakness around the circumference of the annular sidewall such that if the sidewall is pulled away from the container to allow the locking components to be lifted over the container upper rim, the annular sidewall may deform or tear along the weakened portion to provide a visual indication of tampering.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the accompanying drawing figures.
In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts in the various views:
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.
The following detailed description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Referring to the figures, the present invention is directed to a tamper evident lid 10 for use with containers, including without limitation, containers for holding ice creams, dairy products and other food products and consumables. Lid 10 may be configured for placement over the open end of a container and secured around the container's top rim so as to cover the container opening and prevent the removal of lid 10 without evidence of tampering. As described herein, lid 10 may be secured over the upper rim of a container and include a tamper-evident feature that snaps underneath the rim in accordance with conventional tamper-evident lids to restrict the removal of lid 10 without permanent deformation of lid 10, which may indicate evidence of tampering. As described in greater detail below, lid 10 of the present invention can include a construction with an improved seal design that can limit excess contents within the container from leaking out or exiting through the lid.
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Both projecting surface wall 40 and top wall 42 may comprise a solid structure lacking gaps, holes, or other spacing which may prevent the leaking, oozing or spillage of contents from the container. In particular, both projecting surface wall 40 and top wall 42 may form a continuous enclosure that encloses the interior of annular sidewall 12 around the space or gap formed between upper sidewall section 16 and lower sidewall section 18 and the weakened portion 20 formed therebetween. As best shown in
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Void space 48 may be configured to provide flexibility to lid 10 during the attachment and removal process. The gap or space in the annular sidewall 12 as defined by void space 48 may provide flexibility to the annular sidewall 12 to prevent complete breaking or loss of functionality of lid 10 during removal or attachment. Void space 48 may further provide flexibility to the corresponding locking component 22 and support to the locking component 22 during attachment and removal process.
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The configuration of lid 10 of the present invention also provides advantages over previously designed tamper evident lid constructions in the manufacturing process. The continuous top wall 42 of locking component 22 (which seals void space 48 from the interior of lid 10) enables more efficient manufacturing of lid 10 by eliminating or reducing the metal-on-metal slide action within the manufacturing mold. The metal-on-metal slide action is eliminated or reduced by allowing a gap between the moving tool components. Contrary to previous tamper evident lid designs that rely on a plurality of teeth vertically oriented along the length of the voice space, the continuous opening along the length of the voice space 48 allows for increased spacing, thereby reducing tool wear during the manufacturing process of lid 10. This increased spacing allows the manufacturing tools to be spaced further apart, and prevents any sliding, cross cutting, or other contact between tools while manufacturing the lid 10. This can be achieved in manufacturing methods requiring molds as well as manufacturing methods that do not require molds. The manufacturing advantages of the present invention are in addition to the other advantages as described above. In addition to the manufacturing advantages, the present invention can prevent the contents of container 100 (such as ice cream or other food products) from leaking out through the locking components 22 of lid 10 from the continuous top wall 42 and sealing of void space 48 from the interior of lid 10.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.
The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
Claims
1. A tamper-evident lid for a container, the lid comprising:
- an annular sidewall defining a perimeter of the lid, the annular sidewall including an upper sidewall section and a lower sidewall section connected together along a weakened portion extending circumferentially around the annular sidewall;
- a cover portion connected to the upper sidewall section; and
- a locking component provided on an interior surface of the lower sidewall section, wherein the locking component comprises a projecting wall extending inward from the interior surface and a top wall connected to the projecting wall and extending back toward the annular sidewall and defining an enclosed upper boundary of the locking component.
2. The lid of claim 1, further comprising a void space extending into an exterior surface of the annular sidewall and corresponding to the locking component, wherein the void space extends through the annular sidewall and into the locking component and is defined by the projecting wall and the top wall of the locking component.
3. The lid of claim 2, wherein the projecting wall and the top wall seal an inner portion the void space and separate the void space from an interior of the lid.
4. The lid of claim 3, wherein the top wall of the locking component comprises a continuous top wall extending from the projecting wall to an interior surface of the upper sidewall section along an entire length of the locking component to separate the void space from the interior of the lid.
5. The lid of claim 4, wherein the continuous top wall of the locking component restricts contents in the container from exiting the lid through the locking component and void space.
6. The lid of claim 2, wherein the void space comprises a continuously uninterrupted open space formed into the annular sidewall and defined along an interior of the lid by the locking component, wherein the open space is without obstructions along an entire length of the void space.
7. The lid of claim 1, wherein the weakened portion connecting the upper sidewall section and the lower sidewall section extends circumferentially around the perimeter of the lid.
8. The lid of claim 7, wherein the weakened portion comprises a gap defined partially through the annular sidewall between the lower sidewall section and the upper sidewall section.
9. The lid of claim 8, further comprising a void space extending into an exterior surface of the annular sidewall and corresponding to the locking component, wherein the void space extends through the annular sidewall and into the locking component and is defined by the projecting wall and top wall of the locking component, wherein the void space is generally aligned with and is integral with the weakened portion extending circumferentially around the annular sidewall of the lid.
10. The lid of claim 9, wherein the void space has a width greater than a width of the weakened portion.
11. The lid of claim 1, further comprising an inward projection defined on an interior surface of the upper sidewall section adjacent a lower edge of the upper sidewall section, wherein the continuous top wall of the locking component extends from the projecting wall toward the inward projection and connects to the inward projection along a connecting edge defined along a length of the locking component.
12. The lid of claim 11, wherein the connecting edge of the locking component creates a line of weakness around the circumference along with the weakened portion.
13. The lid of claim 1, wherein the locking component is configured to be positioned under an upper rim of the container when the lid is secured onto the container.
14. The lid of claim 13, wherein locking component restricts the lid from being removed from the container after being secured to the container without deforming the annular sidewall along the weakened portion of the lid.
15. The lid of claim 13, wherein the locking component restricts the lid from being removed from the container after being secured to the container without providing a visual indication of tampering.
16. The lid of claim 1, further comprising a pair of ribs provided on the interior surface of the lower sidewall section adjacent to the locking component, wherein each rib is positioned next to an end portion of the locking component.
17. The lid of claim 16, wherein the pair of ribs are configured to facilitate stacking of the lid with another second lid by engaging an annular projection of the second lid.
18. The lid of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises five locking components circumferentially spaced around the annular sidewall.
19. The lid of claim 18, further comprising a void space corresponding to each locking component, wherein each void space extends through the annular sidewall and into the locking component and is defined by the projecting wall and the top wall of the locking component.
20. A tamper-evident lid for a container, the lid comprising:
- an annular sidewall defining a perimeter of the lid, the annular sidewall including an upper sidewall section and a lower sidewall section;
- a weakened portion extending circumferentially around the annular sidewall and partially through the annular sidewall, the weakened portion connecting the upper sidewall section and the lower sidewall section together;
- a cover portion connected to the upper sidewall section;
- one or more locking components provided on an interior surface of the lower sidewall section, wherein each locking component comprises: a projecting wall extending radially inward from the interior surface of the lower sidewall at an upward angle; and a top wall extending from the projecting wall toward a lower edge of the upper sidewall section; wherein the top wall connects to an interior surface of the upper sidewall section along the lower edge to form an enclosed upper boundary of the locking component; and
- a void space corresponding to each locking component of the one or more locking components, wherein each void space extends into and through the annular wall at a location corresponding to the locking component and is defined along an interior of the lid by the projecting wall and the top wall of the locking component;
- wherein the void space is generally aligned with and integral with the weakened portion to form a continuous line of weakness for tamper evidence around the circumference of the lid;
- wherein the projecting wall and top wall form a continuous enclosure separating each void space from the interior of the lid.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 13, 2020
Publication Date: Aug 13, 2020
Inventors: Michael Liming (New Vienna, OH), Dan Curliss (New Vienna, OH)
Application Number: 16/790,506