AU662724B2

AU662724B2 - Tamper proof container

Info

Publication number: AU662724B2
Application number: AU10799/92A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Graham Bendall; Jim Stafford
Original assignee: Arrow Plastics Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Arrow Plastics Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1991-03-19
Filing date: 1992-02-06
Publication date: 1995-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-19
Also published as: AU1079992A

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 S F Ref: 203437 66272 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Arrow Plastics Pty Ltd 16 Redfern Street Wetherill Park New South Hales 2164

AUSTRALIA

a PO I 0O I

I

PI

t Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Hales, 2000, Australia Invention Title: Tamper Proof Container The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845/4 I c. 1 Technical Field This invention relates to containers and combinations of a container and a lid.

Background of Invention There is a need for containers and lids therefor to be tamper proof, yet provide ready access to the consumer.

Objects of the Invention Objects of this invention are to provide containers and combinations of a container and a lid.

Disclosure of Invention According to a first embodiment of this invention there is provided a container having: a bottom, a side wall, a horizontal top opening, and an annular horizontal flange extending from and projecting outwardly from said side wall, said annular flange being disposed proximate about said opening, a tamper proof flange disposed distal from said wall and extending upwardly from said annular flange, said tamper proof flange, said annular flange and said wall forming a channel between said tamper proof flange and said wall, said channel being adapted to receive an annularly depending lip of a lid which lip is adapted to fit in said channel between said tamper proof flange and to terminate adjacent said annular flange and said wall when said lid is snap engaged on said container, said annular flange and said tamper proof flange being adapted to obstruct access to said lip and thereby inhibit removal of said lid from said container, and access means displaceable to provide access to said lip to facilitate prying of said lip away from said annular flange and said tamper proof flange and to aid removal of said lid, and wherein said access means is an access portion, said access portion including part of said annular flange and tamper proof flange, said access portion is secured in position by rupturable means, which are ruptured to enable displacement of said access means to provide access to said lip to facilitate prying of said lip away from said annular flange.

Typically, in the container of the first embodiment the annular flange has a skirting flange disposed distal from the wall and extending about the wall to form a gap between the wall and the skirting channel thereby providing a holding portion by which the container can be manually lifted, the annular flange, the tamper proof flange and the skirting flange having an access portion which is adapted to be removed to provide access to the lip to facilitate prying of the lip away from the annular flange and the tamper proof flange and to aid removal of the lid.

[N:\LIBTT]00606:LMM -2- Generally the access portion is attached to the remainder of the flanges by rupturable webs.

The flanges may have two access portions.

Advantageously the two access portions are disposed substantially opposite one another on opposing sides of the wall.

Preferably the container further has a first and second handle, the first handle being pivotally attached to the annular flange, the tamper proof flange or the skirting flange on one side of the access portions and the second handle being pivotally attached to the annular flange, the tamper proof flange or the skirting flange on the other side of the access portions.

Typically the container further includes a handle pivotally attached to the annular flange, the tamper proof flange or the skirting flange.

According to a second embodiment of this invention there is provided the container of the first embodiment wherein the side wall extends beyond the annular flange to an end which defines the opening of the container, the end having an outwardy projecting barb disposed substantially at and about the end, the projecting barb being adapted to engage a barb on a lip of a lid to securely attach the lid to the container.

According to a third embodiment of this invention there is provided in combination, the container of the first embodiment together with a lid, the lid having an annularly depending lip adapted to terminate adjacent the annular flange and to fit in the channel between the tamper proof flange and the wall when the lid is snap engaged on the container to securely attach the lid to the container.

According to a fourth embodiment of this invention there is f. provided in combination, the container of the second embodiment together 30 with a lid, the lid having an annularly depending lip adapted to terminate adjacent the annular flange and to fit in the<.-.hannel between the tamper proof flange and the wall when the lid is snap engaged on the container and the lip has a barb to engage the barb of the wall to securely attach the lid to the container.

Generally the lip has an end which is adapted to abut the annular flange when the lid is fitted on the container.

Typically the container and lid are made from a flexible plastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

LMM/814t L 3- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective partial section of a container according to the second embodiment of the invention in combination with a lid; Fig. 2(a) is a perspective partial section of a container according to the second embodiment of the invention in combination with a lid showing an access portion broken away from the container; Fig. 2(b) is a perspective partial section of a container according to the second embodiment of the invention in combination with a lid showing an access portion still attached to the container; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a container having a skirting flange in combination with a lid; Fig. 4 is a perspective partial section of a container according to the second embodiment of the invention in combination with a lid, the container in this case including a skirting flange; Fig. 5(a) is a perspective partial section of a container according to the second embodiment of the invention in combination with a lid showing an access portion broken away from the container, the container in this case including a skirting flange; Fig. 5(b) is a perspective partial section of a container according to the second embodiment of the invention in combination with a lid showing an access portion still attached to the container, the container in this case including a skirting flange; Fig. 6 is a schematic section side elevation of a portion of a container and lid applied thereto; Fig. 7 is a schematic section side elevation of portions of a series of stacked containers; and Fig. 8 is a schematic section side elevation of portions of a series of stacked lids.

BEST MODE AND OTHER MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Fig. 1 there is depicted a perspective partial section of a container according to the second embodiment of the invention in combination with a lid 10. The container has a side wall 11 provided with an annular flange 12 projecting outwardly therefrom. The annular flange 12 is disposed proximate about opening 13 (which is closed by lid 14 in Fig. A tamper proof flange 15 is disposed distal from the wall 11 so that the tamper proof flange 15, annular flange 12 and wall 11 form an annular channel 16 which is upwardly open.

LMM/81 4t -4- Channel 16 is adapted to receive an annularly depending lip 19 of lid 14. Lip 19 terminates adjacent annular flange 12 and fits in channel 16 between tamper proof flange 15 and wall 11. Annular flange 12 and tamper proof flange 15 obstruct access to lip 19 and thereby inhibit removal of lid 14 from the container.

Wall 11 has end 17 which defines the opening of the container, end 17 having an outwardly projecting barb 18 disposed substantially at and about end 17, projecting barb 18 being adapted to engage barb 20 on lip 19 to securely attach lid 14 to the container.

Referring to Fig. 2(b) annular flange 12 and tamper proof flange have access portion 25. Portion 25 is integral with annular flange 12 and tamper proof flange 15 and its extremities are defined by two weakened annular and tamper proof flanges portions 26 and 27. Access portion 25 is adapted to be removed manually by tearing portion 25 from the remainder of flanges 12 and 15 to provide access to lip 19 to facilitate prying of lip 19 away from annular flange 12 and tamper proof flange 15 and to aid removal of lid 14.

In use, the container is filled with material and lid 14 is snap fitted on top of the container with lip 19 disposed in channel 16 so that barb 20 engages barb 18. The filled container is then typically transported to a retail outlet where it is sold to a user who then takes the container to the place of use. The user opens the container by manually tearing access portion 25 away from the container thereby exposing lip 19 and permitting lid 14 to be readily removed from the container by pushing upwardly on the exposed part of lip 19.

A handle may be integrally formed with the side wall 11 and/or flange 12 and/or flange 15. The handle could incorporate part of the flange 15 so that when pivoted from a storage portion located adjacent the wall 11, to an operative carry position, it exposes portion of the lip 19 to aid removal of the lid 14. As a further modification the handle could incorporate part of the removable portion The handle would preferably be connected to the flange 12 or flange by rupturable web portions that act as tamper indicators.

As a still further modification the handle could be displaced to expose a gap in either or both flanges 12 and 15. The handle would be jointed to the flanges 12 and 15 by rupturable webs, which are ruptured to enable pivoting of the handle to the carry position from a position adjacent the flanges and covering the gap in either or both flanges 12 and LMM/814t Referring to Fig. 3 there is depicted a combination 50 of a container 51 and a lid 52. Container 51 has side wall 53 which has annular flange 54 projecting outwardly from the side wall 53, annular flange 54 being disposed proximate about opening 55 (Fig. 4 which is closed by lid 52 in Fig. 3).

Tamper proof flange 56 is disposed distal from wall 53 so that tamper proof flange 56, annular flange 54 and wall 53 form channel 57 (Fig. 4).

Channel 57 is adapted to receive an annularly depending lip 58 of lid 52. Lip 58 terminates adjacent annular flange 54 and fits in channel 57 between tamper proof flange 56 and wall 53. Annular flange 54 and tamper proof flange 56 obstruct access to lip 58 and thereby inhibit removal of lid 52 from the container.

Annular flange 54 has a skirting flange 65 disposed distal from wall 53 and extending about wall 53 to form a gap 66 between wall 53 and skirting channel 66 thereby providing a holding portion by which container 51 can be manually lifted.

Wall 53 has end 59 which defines the opening of the container, end °°59 having an outwardly projecting barb 18 disposed substantially at and ;°ooo 20 about end 59, projecting barb 60 being adapted to engage barb 61 on lip o°°0 58 to securely attach lid 52 to the container.

qooo* Referring to Fig. 5(b) annular flange 54 and tamper proof flange 56 i have access portion 62. Portion 62 is integral with annular flange 54, tamper proof flange 56, and skirting flange 65 and its extremities are 25 defined by two weakened annular and tamper proof flanges portions 63 and 0 64. Access portion 62 is adapted to be removed manually by tearing portion 62 from the remainder of flanges 54 and 56 to provide access to lip 58 to facilitate prying of lip 58 away from annular Flange 54 and 00o0° <tamper proof flange 56 and to aid removal of lid 52.

In use, the container is filled with material and lid 52 is snap fitted on top of the container with lip 58 disposed in channel 57 so that barb 61 engages barb 18. The filled container is then typically transported to a retail outlet where it is sold to a user who then takes the container to the place of use. The user opens the container by manually tearing access portion 62 away from the container thereby exposing lip 58 and permitting lid 52 to be readily removed from the container by pushing upwardly on the exposed part of lip 58.

LMM/814t -6- In Fig. 6 there is schematically depicted a container 30 to which there is applied a lid 31. The container 30 has a side wall 32 from which there transversely projects a flange 33. Extending upwardly from the flange 33 is a tamper proof flange 34. The flanges 33 and 34 are of an annular configuration. Also extending upwardly from the flange 33 is a stacking flange 35 which cooperates with the flanges 33 and 34 to partly enclose an upwardly open annular channel 36. It should be appreciated that the flange 35 may be a continuation of the side wall 32 or slightly displaced radially relative thereto.

The lid 31 has a top wall 37 which includes an annular channel 38 having a wall 39 which abuts the flange 35. Extending from the wall 39 is an annular lip 40 which extends downwardly at an acute angle to engage the flange 34. More particularly the flange 34 has an annular barb 41 which engages an enlarged portion 42 on the lip 40. The barb 41 has a concave arcuate portion 43 which engages a convex portion 44 onl the enlarged portion 42. As can be seen, the flange 35 is located between the wall 39 and the lip The flanges 33 and 34 would be provided with one or more removable 0 20 portions which would provide access to the lower portion of the lip 40 to oenable prising of the lid 31 from engagement with the container The flange 33 extends upwardly so that when a series of containers are nested, the top of the flange 35 abuts the flange 33. When a series of lids 31 are nested, the web 45 joining the wall 39 and lip engages the lower portion of the trough 38.

L ,g LMM/814t

Claims

1. A container having: a bottom, a side wall, a horizontal top opening, and an annular horizontal flange extending from and projecting outwardly from said side wall, said annular flange being disposed proximate about said opening, a tamper proof flange disposed distal from said wall and extending upwardly from said annular flange, said tamper proof flange, said annular flange and said wall forming a channel between said tamper proof flange and said wall, said channel being adapted to receive an annularly depending lip of a lid which lip is adapted to fit in said channel between said tamper proof flange and to terminate adjacent said annular flange and said wall when said lid is snap engaged on said container, said annular flange and said tamper proof flange being adapted to obstruct access to said lip and thereby inhibit removal of said lid from said container, and access means displaceable to provide access to said lip to facilitate prying of said lip away from said annular flange and said tamper proof flange and to aid removal of said S: lid, and wherein said access means is an access portion, said access portion including part of said annular flange and tamper proof flange, said access portion is secured in position by rupturable means, which are ruptured to enable displacement of said access means to provide access to said lip to facilitate prying of said lip away from said annular flange.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein a portion of said tamper proof flange It provides said access means, with said portion secured in position by said rupturable means, which are ruptured to permit displacement of said portion.

3. The container of claim 1 or 2 wherein rupturable means are rupturable webs.

4. The container of claim 2 wherein said flanges have two access portions.

The container of any one of claims 1 to 4 further including a handle pivotally attached to said annular flange.

6. The container of any one of claims 1 to 4 further including a handle pivotally attached to said tamper proof flange.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein said access means includes a handle Spivotally attached to the flanges and displaceable to provide access to said lip.

8. The container of claim 7 wherein the handle is secured in a tamper resistant position by said rupturable means, which are ruptured to permit pivoting displacement of the handle to expose the lip.

9. The container of claim 8 wherein the handle includes a removable portion of the tamper proof flange and/or annular flange.

The container of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said annular flange has a n skirting flange disposed distal from said wall and extending about said wall to form a gap [N:\LIBTT]00606:LMM i i 8 between said wall and said skirting channel thereby providing a holding portion by which said container can be manually lifted.

11. The container of claim 4 wherein said two access portions are disposed substantially opposite one another on opposing sides of said wall.

12. The container of any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a first and second handle, said first handle being pivotally attached to said annular flange, said tamper proof flange or said skirting flange on one side of said access portions and said second handle being pivotally attached to said annular flange, said tamper proof flange or said skirting flange on the other side of said access portions.

13. The container of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said side wall extends beyond said annular flange to an end which defines said opening of said container, said end having an outwardly projecting barb disposed substantially at and about said end, said projecting barb being adapted to engage a barb on the lip of the lid to securely attach the lid to the container. S 15

14. In combination, the container of any one of claims 1 to 13 together with the lid with the annularly depending lip adapted to terminate adjacent said annular flange and to fit in said channel between said tamper proof flange and said wall when said lid is snap engaged on said container to securely attach the lid to the container.

In combination, the container of claim 13 together with the lid, with the annularly depending lip adapted to terminate adjacent said annular flange and to fit in said channel between said tamper proof flange and said wall when said lid is snap engaged on 4 said container and said lip has a barb to engage the barb of said wall to securely attach the lid to the container.

16. The combination of claim 14 or 15 wherein said lip has an end which is S, 2 adapted to abut said annular flange when said lid is fitted on said container.

17. The container of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said side wall extends beyond said annular flange so that when a series of the containers are nested so as to be 6 stacked, the extremity of the side wall abuts the annular flange of the next container.

18. The container of any one of claims 1 to 12 or 17 wherein said tamper proof 30 flange is provided with a barb to engage said lip.

19. In combination, the container of claim 18 and the lid therefor, wherein said lid has a portion adjacent its extremity to engage the barb of said tamper proof flange.

The combination of claims 14, 15, 16 or 19, wherein said lid has a trough portion including a wall cooperating with said lip to define an annular cavity within which a portion of the container is located when the lid is located on the container.

21. The combination of claim 20, wherein the lid has a web joining the trough and lip so that when a series of lids are stacked, the web and trough abut.

22. A container substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1, 2(a) and or Figs. 3, 4, 5(a) and F[N:\LIBTT]00606:LMM I I. 9

23. In combination, a container and a lid, substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1, 2(a) and or Figs. 3, 4, 5(a) and

24. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings. 2f; In combination, a container and lid therefor, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings. Dated 30 June, 1995 Arrow Plastics Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [N:\LIBTT]00606:LMM i _i TAMPER PROOF CONTAINER ABSTRACT A container and lid (10) therefor which cooperate to provide a tamper resistant closure and with a tamper indicator. The container has a flange (15) which cooperates with a depending lip (19) on the lid to inhibit removal of the lid The lid (10) is removed by rupturing a portion (25) of the tamper proof flange to remove a portion (25) of the flange (15) to expose the lower extremity of the lid lip Nith a portion (25) of the lip (19) exposed, the lid (10) can be prised from its position applied to the container. Fig.C 0 o o 0 0 0 0 0 Fig. 1 LMM/814t