US20230278750A1 - Tamper evident container - Google Patents
Tamper evident container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20230278750A1 US20230278750A1 US18/117,172 US202318117172A US2023278750A1 US 20230278750 A1 US20230278750 A1 US 20230278750A1 US 202318117172 A US202318117172 A US 202318117172A US 2023278750 A1 US2023278750 A1 US 2023278750A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- tamper evident
- locking tab
- protrusion
- recess
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
- B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
- B65D43/162—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container, the lid and the hinge being made of one piece
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
- B65D17/28—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness
- B65D17/32—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions at lines or points of weakness having non-detachable members or portions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
- B65D43/22—Devices for holding in closed position, e.g. clips
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
- B65D2401/15—Tearable part of the closure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
- B65D2517/0001—Details
- B65D2517/001—Action for opening container
- B65D2517/002—Unusual opening actions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2517/00—Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting, piercing or tearing of wall portions, e.g. preserving cans or tins
- B65D2517/0001—Details
- B65D2517/0026—Means for preventing loss of removable element
- B65D2517/0029—Means for preventing loss of removable element the element being part of the pull-out panel
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
- B65D2543/0049—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
- B65D2543/00509—Cup
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
- B65D2543/00537—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
- B65D2543/00546—NO contact
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
- B65D2543/00611—Profiles
- B65D2543/0062—Groove or hollow bead
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
- B65D2543/00675—Periphery concerned
- B65D2543/00685—Totality
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
- B65D2543/00722—Profiles
- B65D2543/00731—Groove or hollow bead
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
- B65D2543/00787—Periphery concerned
- B65D2543/00796—Totality
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00824—Means for facilitating removing of the closure
- B65D2543/00833—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar
- B65D2543/00842—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar outside of the lid
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers with a tamper evident closure configured to provide a visual indication that the container was previously opened.
- Containers can be made with various structures.
- One such structure is a clamshell container which includes a base and a lid attached together by a hinge, resulting in a structure that has the appearance and function of a clamshell.
- An alternative structure is a multi-piece container that includes separate base and lid designed to fit together. Both clamshell containers and multi-piece containers typically include a closure designed to hold the lid on the base once the container is closed.
- closures may be used, including snap connections, staples, labels, adhesives, and/or screw tops.
- Containers can also be closed with a tamper evident closure, which incorporates a feature that becomes irreversibly altered when the container has been opened for the first time, thereby providing visual evidence that the container was previously opened.
- Clamshell containers may include a tamper evident closure that requires the hinge between the base and lid to be broken to open the container, resulting in the lid and base becoming separate pieces after opening. Tamper evident closures may also include tear strips that are separated from the container when opened for the first time, resulting in a separate piece of plastic or other material after the container has been opened.
- a tamper evident container wherein the container includes a first container portion, a second container portion and a first hinge connected to the first container portion and the second container portion for rotation of the first and second container portions relative to each other from an open position to a closed position.
- the tamper evident container also has a tamper evident closure which includes a locking tab and a second hinge connected to the first container portion wherein the locking tab is rotatable about the second hinge to move the locking tab to a locked position wherein the locking tab is connected to a portion of the second container portion when the container is in the closed position.
- the tamper evident closure also includes a line of weakness that can be broken when the tamper evident closure is in the locked position to allow the first container portion and the second container portion to be rotated relative to each other from the closed position to the open position while the locking tab remains connected with the second container portion after the line of weakness is broken.
- the locking tab of the tamper evident container may comprise a first protrusion and the second container portion may comprise a first recess wherein the first protrusion is inserted within the first recess when the tamper evident closure is in the locked position.
- the first protrusion may also be retained within the first recess by a snap connection.
- the first recess may also be provided in a lip extending from the second container portion and the locking tab is rotated about the lip to insert the first protrusion in the first recess.
- the locking tab may also include at least one side edge and the second container portion may include at least one surface that surrounds a portion of the first recess wherein the at least one side edge of the locking tab is positioned adjacent to the at least one surface when the locking tab is in the locked position to inhibit access to the at least one side edge of the locking tab.
- the at least one surface may comprise a portion of a side wall of the second container portion and/or at least one projection extending from the lip.
- the first container portion of the tamper evident may include at least one gripping tab extending outwardly and the tamper evident closure may include a holding surface wherein the line of weakness is positioned between the at least one gripping tab and the holding surface.
- the holding surface may include a second protrusion positioned between the second hinge and the line of weakness.
- the tamper evident closure may also include a second recess opposite to the second protrusion and a lip protrusion opposite to the first recess such that, in the locked position, the lip protrusion is inserted into the second recess.
- the first container portion comprises a lid having an outside periphery edge and the second container portion comprises a tray portion having a base and the sidewall extending upwardly from a perimeter of the base and in the closed position the outside periphery edge of the lid portion engages the sidewall of the tray portion in a snap connection.
- the sidewall of the tray portion may also include a ridge extending around at least a portion of an upper edge of the sidewall and wherein in the closed position, at least a portion of the outside periphery edge of the lid portion abuts against at least a portion of the ridge to inhibit access to the at least a portion of the outside periphery edge.
- a tamper evident closure for a container comprising a first container portion and a second container portion connected by a first hinge
- the tamper evident closure includes a locking tab and a second hinge configured to be attached to the first container portion wherein the locking tab is rotatable about the second hinge to move the locking tab to a locked position wherein the locking tab is connected to a portion of the second container portion when the container in a closed position.
- the tamper evident closure also includes a line of weakness that can be broken when the tamper evident closure is in the locked position to allow the first container portion and the second container portion to be rotated relative to each other from the closed position to an open position and the locking tab remains connected with the second container portion after the line of weakness is broken.
- the locking tab may include a first protrusion and the first protrusion is inserted within a first recess in the second container portion when the tamper evident closure is in the locked position.
- the first protrusion may also be retained within the first recess by a snap connection.
- the first recess may also be provided in a lip extending from the second container portion and the locking tab is rotated about the lip to insert the first protrusion in the first recess.
- the locking tab may also include at least one side edge and the second container portion may include at least one surface that surrounds a portion of the first recess wherein the at least one side edge of the locking tab is positioned adjacent to the at least one surface when the locking tab is in the locked position to inhibit access to the at least one side edge of the locking tab.
- the at least one surface may comprise a portion of a side wall of the second container portion and/or at least one projection extending from the lip.
- the tamper evidence closure may also include a holding surface
- the first container portion may include at least one gripping tab extending outwardly and the line of weakness may be positioned between the holding surface and the at least one gripping tab.
- the holding surface may include a second protrusion positioned between the second hinge and the line of weakness.
- the tamper evident closure may also include a second recess opposite to the second protrusion and a lip protrusion opposite to the first recess such that, in the locked position, the lip protrusion is inserted into the second recess.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tamper evident container in an open position.
- FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 in an open position.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 in a closed position with a tamper evident closure in a locked position.
- FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 in a closed position with the tamper evident closure in a locked position.
- FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a front portion of the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 in a closed position with the tamper evident closure in a locked position.
- FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a front portion of the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 in a closed position with the tamper evident closure in a locked position.
- FIG. 7 A is a bottom elevation view of a front portion of the lid of the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 in an open position as shown in FIG. 2 showing a first embodiment of the line of weakness therein.
- FIG. 7 B is a bottom elevation view of a front portion of the lid of the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 in an open position as shown in FIG. 2 showing a second embodiment of the line of weakness therein.
- FIG. 7 C is a bottom elevation view of a front portion of the lid of the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 in an open position as shown in FIG. 2 showing a third embodiment of the line of weakness therein.
- FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a front portion of the tray of the container of FIG. 1 in an open position as shown in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a front portion of the lid of the container of FIG. 1 in an open position as shown in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 in a closed position with the tamper evident closure in a locked position.
- FIG. 11 is a cross-section side view of the locked tamper evident closure along line A-A shown in FIG. 10 .
- FIG. 12 is a cross-section side view if the connection between a lid portion and a tray portion of the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 along line B-B shown in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 with the tamper evident closure broken.
- a container with a tamper evident closure is provided which can be used, for example, to sell food items or the like.
- FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a container 99 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the container in an open position.
- Container 99 has a clamshell structure comprising a lid 100 , a tray 101 and a hinge 102 .
- Lid 100 may be rotated relative to tray 101 about hinge 102 to move lid 100 from the open position shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 to a closed position as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 .
- Container 99 may be manufactured from a single sheet of material such as plastic, bioplastic, fossil-based plastics, plant-based plastics or other suitable material, including but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), bio-polyethylene terephthalate (Bio-PET), polylactic acid (PLA), crystal polystyrene (PS) or oriented polystyrene (OPS).
- PET polyethylene terephthalate
- Bio-PET bio-polyethylene terephthalate
- PLA polylactic acid
- PS crystal polystyrene
- OPS oriented polystyrene
- Tray 101 has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners. However, it would be understood that alternative shapes of tray 101 could be used. As shown in FIG. 1 , tray 101 includes a bottom base wall 104 with side walls 105 extending vertically upwardly from the periphery of bottom base wall 104 . Side walls 105 include a plurality of ribs 106 to add strength and stability of tray 101 .
- the top of side walls 105 of tray 101 includes a lower recess 107 that extends around the perimeter of tray 101 and has a locking indent 108 .
- Lower recess 107 receives lid 100 when container 99 is in a closed position and includes a snap connection as discussed in further detail below.
- the top of side walls 105 of tray 101 also includes a tray flange 111 that extends outwardly along the perimeter of the tray and is connected to hinge 102 along the back of container 99 .
- Tray flange 111 includes a set of side ridges 126 on each of side of the tray which project upwardly and extend from hinge 102 to the front of container 99 , creating an upper recess 127 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12 .
- a lip 124 extends outwardly from tray flange 111 at front of container 99 and between side ridges 126 .
- Lip 124 includes a tray locking protrusion 110 extending upwardly and two protrusions 120 extending downwardly and positioned on either side of tray locking protrusion 110 .
- lid 100 is generally flat and is shaped to cover tray 101 .
- the perimeter of lid 100 includes a lid ridge 109 extending upwardly (from the perspective shown in FIG. 1 ) with a lid flange 128 adjacent thereto and extending outwardly.
- lid ridge 109 includes a locking projection 129 extending outwards from the outer surface of lid ridge 109 .
- the outer circumference of locking projection 129 is slightly wider than the upper inner circumference of lower recess 107 in tray 101 .
- lower recess 107 and/or locking projection 129 is/are deformed and locking projection 129 snaps into locking indent 108 of tray 101 when positioned adjacent thereto as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 .
- This arrangement creates a snap connection between lid 100 and tray 101 which requires a force to be applied to separate lid 100 from tray 101 .
- This arrangement allows lid 100 to be lockingly secured to tray 101 in the closed position.
- lid flange 128 sits within upper recess 127 of tray 101 such that side ridges 126 limit access to lid flange 128 along the sides of tray 101 .
- lid flange 128 is connected to hinge 102 along the back of container 99 and is connected to a tamper evident closure 103 and a pair of gripping tabs 119 positioned on either side of the tamper evident closure at the front of container 99 .
- tamper evident closure 103 includes a holding surface comprising a holding protrusion 115 extending downwardly (from the perspective shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 ) and positioned between pair of gripping tabs 119 , a locking tab 116 that includes a lid locking protrusion 118 extending upwardly (from the perspective shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 ) and a hinge 117 positioned between holding protrusion 115 and locking tab 116 to permit locking tab 116 to be rotated relative to holding protrusion 115 .
- a line of weakness 121 extends around holding protrusion 115 between it and gripping tabs 119 and lid flange 128 .
- Line of weakness 121 can be made in any manner which allows same to be broken when the container is opened as discussed in greater detail below.
- line of weakness 121 may be made of a series of cuts or perforations in the container materials at spaced intervals along its length.
- FIG. 7 B and FIG. 7 C show a second and third embodiment of line of weakness 121 , respectively. In particular, in the second embodiment shown in FIG.
- line of weakness 121 may comprise a cut in the container material along the portion positioned between holding protrusion 115 and lid flange 128 and a series of cuts or perforations at spaced intervals along the side portions between holding protrusion 115 and gripping tabs 119 .
- line of weakness 121 may comprise a series of cuts or perforations at spaced intervals along the portion positioned between holding protrusion 115 and lid flange 128 and a cut in the container material along each of the side portions between holding protrusion 115 and gripping tabs 119 . It would be understood by a person skilled in the art that alternative configurations of the line of weakness could also be used.
- container 99 is placed in the closed position by rotating lid 100 relative to tray 101 about hinge 102 .
- gripping tabs 119 and tamper evident closure 103 are positioned between side ridges 126 of tray 101 and holding protrusion 115 of tamper evident closure 103 is positioned over tray locking protrusion 110 on lip 124 of tray 101 .
- Tamper evident closure 103 is configured such that hinge 117 is positioned beyond the outer end of lip 124 of tray 101 to allow locking tab 116 to be rotated about hinge 117 by approximately 180 degrees to allow lid locking protrusion 118 to be inserted into a recess opposite to tray locking protrusion 110 .
- the interior surface of the recess opposite to tray locking protrusion 110 includes locking recesses 130 designed to receive locking ridges 131 positioned on the exterior surface of lid locking protrusion 118 .
- Locking ridges 131 are configured such that the recess opposite to tray locking protrusion 110 and/or the lid locking protrusion 118 is/are deformed as lid locking protrusion is inserted and the locking ridges 131 snap into locking recesses 130 when positioned adjacent thereto.
- lid locking protrusion 118 is secured within the recess opposite to tray locking protrusion 110 by a snap connection.
- lid 100 includes stacking locators 132 which extend upwardly when lid 100 is in the closed position.
- Stacking locators 132 are configured to receive the bottom of the tray 101 of an identical container 99 to allow stacking of multiple containers in the closed position.
- the structure of container 99 allows for brittle and/or fragile materials to be used to fabricate container 99 without risk of structural failure to the container or tamper evident closure.
- certain bioplastics including but not limited to PLA
- certain fossil-based plastics including but not limited to PS or OPS
- the incorporation of hinge 117 in tamper evident closure 103 provides the ability to use such materials to fabricate the container without increasing the risk of tamper evident closure 103 breaking while the mechanism is being locked.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/316,630, filed on Mar. 4, 2022. The contents of that application are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
- The present disclosure relates to containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers with a tamper evident closure configured to provide a visual indication that the container was previously opened.
- Containers can be made with various structures. One such structure is a clamshell container which includes a base and a lid attached together by a hinge, resulting in a structure that has the appearance and function of a clamshell. An alternative structure is a multi-piece container that includes separate base and lid designed to fit together. Both clamshell containers and multi-piece containers typically include a closure designed to hold the lid on the base once the container is closed. A variety of closures may be used, including snap connections, staples, labels, adhesives, and/or screw tops.
- Containers can also be closed with a tamper evident closure, which incorporates a feature that becomes irreversibly altered when the container has been opened for the first time, thereby providing visual evidence that the container was previously opened. Clamshell containers may include a tamper evident closure that requires the hinge between the base and lid to be broken to open the container, resulting in the lid and base becoming separate pieces after opening. Tamper evident closures may also include tear strips that are separated from the container when opened for the first time, resulting in a separate piece of plastic or other material after the container has been opened.
- The following summary is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The summary is not intended to limit or define the claims.
- According to one broad aspect, a tamper evident container is provided wherein the container includes a first container portion, a second container portion and a first hinge connected to the first container portion and the second container portion for rotation of the first and second container portions relative to each other from an open position to a closed position. The tamper evident container also has a tamper evident closure which includes a locking tab and a second hinge connected to the first container portion wherein the locking tab is rotatable about the second hinge to move the locking tab to a locked position wherein the locking tab is connected to a portion of the second container portion when the container is in the closed position. The tamper evident closure also includes a line of weakness that can be broken when the tamper evident closure is in the locked position to allow the first container portion and the second container portion to be rotated relative to each other from the closed position to the open position while the locking tab remains connected with the second container portion after the line of weakness is broken.
- In some examples, the locking tab of the tamper evident container may comprise a first protrusion and the second container portion may comprise a first recess wherein the first protrusion is inserted within the first recess when the tamper evident closure is in the locked position. The first protrusion may also be retained within the first recess by a snap connection. The first recess may also be provided in a lip extending from the second container portion and the locking tab is rotated about the lip to insert the first protrusion in the first recess. The locking tab may also include at least one side edge and the second container portion may include at least one surface that surrounds a portion of the first recess wherein the at least one side edge of the locking tab is positioned adjacent to the at least one surface when the locking tab is in the locked position to inhibit access to the at least one side edge of the locking tab. The at least one surface may comprise a portion of a side wall of the second container portion and/or at least one projection extending from the lip.
- In other examples, the first container portion of the tamper evident may include at least one gripping tab extending outwardly and the tamper evident closure may include a holding surface wherein the line of weakness is positioned between the at least one gripping tab and the holding surface. The holding surface may include a second protrusion positioned between the second hinge and the line of weakness. The tamper evident closure may also include a second recess opposite to the second protrusion and a lip protrusion opposite to the first recess such that, in the locked position, the lip protrusion is inserted into the second recess.
- In further examples, the first container portion comprises a lid having an outside periphery edge and the second container portion comprises a tray portion having a base and the sidewall extending upwardly from a perimeter of the base and in the closed position the outside periphery edge of the lid portion engages the sidewall of the tray portion in a snap connection. The sidewall of the tray portion may also include a ridge extending around at least a portion of an upper edge of the sidewall and wherein in the closed position, at least a portion of the outside periphery edge of the lid portion abuts against at least a portion of the ridge to inhibit access to the at least a portion of the outside periphery edge.
- In another broad aspect, a tamper evident closure for a container comprising a first container portion and a second container portion connected by a first hinge is provided wherein the tamper evident closure includes a locking tab and a second hinge configured to be attached to the first container portion wherein the locking tab is rotatable about the second hinge to move the locking tab to a locked position wherein the locking tab is connected to a portion of the second container portion when the container in a closed position. The tamper evident closure also includes a line of weakness that can be broken when the tamper evident closure is in the locked position to allow the first container portion and the second container portion to be rotated relative to each other from the closed position to an open position and the locking tab remains connected with the second container portion after the line of weakness is broken.
- In some examples, the locking tab may include a first protrusion and the first protrusion is inserted within a first recess in the second container portion when the tamper evident closure is in the locked position. The first protrusion may also be retained within the first recess by a snap connection. The first recess may also be provided in a lip extending from the second container portion and the locking tab is rotated about the lip to insert the first protrusion in the first recess. The locking tab may also include at least one side edge and the second container portion may include at least one surface that surrounds a portion of the first recess wherein the at least one side edge of the locking tab is positioned adjacent to the at least one surface when the locking tab is in the locked position to inhibit access to the at least one side edge of the locking tab. The at least one surface may comprise a portion of a side wall of the second container portion and/or at least one projection extending from the lip.
- In other examples, the tamper evidence closure may also include a holding surface, the first container portion may include at least one gripping tab extending outwardly and the line of weakness may be positioned between the holding surface and the at least one gripping tab. The holding surface may include a second protrusion positioned between the second hinge and the line of weakness. The tamper evident closure may also include a second recess opposite to the second protrusion and a lip protrusion opposite to the first recess such that, in the locked position, the lip protrusion is inserted into the second recess.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tamper evident container in an open position. -
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the tamper evident container ofFIG. 1 in an open position. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tamper evident container ofFIG. 1 in a closed position with a tamper evident closure in a locked position. -
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the tamper evident container ofFIG. 1 in a closed position with the tamper evident closure in a locked position. -
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a front portion of the tamper evident container ofFIG. 1 in a closed position with the tamper evident closure in a locked position. -
FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a front portion of the tamper evident container ofFIG. 1 in a closed position with the tamper evident closure in a locked position. -
FIG. 7A is a bottom elevation view of a front portion of the lid of the tamper evident container ofFIG. 1 in an open position as shown inFIG. 2 showing a first embodiment of the line of weakness therein. -
FIG. 7B is a bottom elevation view of a front portion of the lid of the tamper evident container ofFIG. 1 in an open position as shown inFIG. 2 showing a second embodiment of the line of weakness therein. -
FIG. 7C is a bottom elevation view of a front portion of the lid of the tamper evident container ofFIG. 1 in an open position as shown inFIG. 2 showing a third embodiment of the line of weakness therein. -
FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a front portion of the tray of the container ofFIG. 1 in an open position as shown inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a front portion of the lid of the container ofFIG. 1 in an open position as shown inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the tamper evident container ofFIG. 1 in a closed position with the tamper evident closure in a locked position. -
FIG. 11 is a cross-section side view of the locked tamper evident closure along line A-A shown inFIG. 10 . -
FIG. 12 is a cross-section side view if the connection between a lid portion and a tray portion of the tamper evident container ofFIG. 1 along line B-B shown inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the tamper evident container ofFIG. 1 with the tamper evident closure broken. - The drawings illustrate examples of aspects of the invention. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, and/or from the combination of one or more of the figures and the textual description herein, or from portions thereof.
- A container with a tamper evident closure is provided which can be used, for example, to sell food items or the like.
-
FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 illustrate acontainer 99 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the container in an open position.Container 99 has a clamshell structure comprising alid 100, atray 101 and ahinge 102.Lid 100 may be rotated relative totray 101 abouthinge 102 to movelid 100 from the open position shown inFIG. 1 andFIG. 2 to a closed position as shown inFIG. 3 andFIG. 4 .Container 99 may be manufactured from a single sheet of material such as plastic, bioplastic, fossil-based plastics, plant-based plastics or other suitable material, including but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), bio-polyethylene terephthalate (Bio-PET), polylactic acid (PLA), crystal polystyrene (PS) or oriented polystyrene (OPS). -
Tray 101 has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners. However, it would be understood that alternative shapes oftray 101 could be used. As shown inFIG. 1 ,tray 101 includes abottom base wall 104 withside walls 105 extending vertically upwardly from the periphery ofbottom base wall 104.Side walls 105 include a plurality ofribs 106 to add strength and stability oftray 101. - As shown in
FIG. 1 ,FIG. 11 andFIG. 12 , the top ofside walls 105 oftray 101 includes alower recess 107 that extends around the perimeter oftray 101 and has a lockingindent 108.Lower recess 107 receiveslid 100 whencontainer 99 is in a closed position and includes a snap connection as discussed in further detail below. The top ofside walls 105 oftray 101 also includes atray flange 111 that extends outwardly along the perimeter of the tray and is connected to hinge 102 along the back ofcontainer 99.Tray flange 111 includes a set ofside ridges 126 on each of side of the tray which project upwardly and extend fromhinge 102 to the front ofcontainer 99, creating anupper recess 127 as shown inFIG. 1 andFIG. 12 . - As shown in
FIG. 1 andFIG. 8 , alip 124 extends outwardly fromtray flange 111 at front ofcontainer 99 and betweenside ridges 126.Lip 124 includes atray locking protrusion 110 extending upwardly and twoprotrusions 120 extending downwardly and positioned on either side oftray locking protrusion 110. - As shown in
FIG. 1 ,lid 100 is generally flat and is shaped to covertray 101. The perimeter oflid 100 includes alid ridge 109 extending upwardly (from the perspective shown inFIG. 1 ) with alid flange 128 adjacent thereto and extending outwardly. As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 ,lid ridge 109 includes a lockingprojection 129 extending outwards from the outer surface oflid ridge 109. The outer circumference of lockingprojection 129 is slightly wider than the upper inner circumference oflower recess 107 intray 101. As a result, whenlid 100 is moved to the closed position as shown inFIG. 3 andFIG. 4 ,lower recess 107 and/or lockingprojection 129 is/are deformed and lockingprojection 129 snaps into lockingindent 108 oftray 101 when positioned adjacent thereto as shown inFIG. 11 andFIG. 12 . This arrangement creates a snap connection betweenlid 100 andtray 101 which requires a force to be applied toseparate lid 100 fromtray 101. This arrangement allowslid 100 to be lockingly secured totray 101 in the closed position. - As shown in
FIG. 12 , whenlid 100 is in the closed position,lid flange 128 sits withinupper recess 127 oftray 101 such thatside ridges 126 limit access tolid flange 128 along the sides oftray 101. - As shown in
FIG. 1 andFIG. 3 ,lid flange 128 is connected to hinge 102 along the back ofcontainer 99 and is connected to a tamperevident closure 103 and a pair of grippingtabs 119 positioned on either side of the tamper evident closure at the front ofcontainer 99. - As shown in
FIG. 1 ,FIG. 7A to C, andFIG. 9 , tamperevident closure 103 includes a holding surface comprising a holdingprotrusion 115 extending downwardly (from the perspective shown inFIG. 1 andFIG. 9 ) and positioned between pair of grippingtabs 119, alocking tab 116 that includes alid locking protrusion 118 extending upwardly (from the perspective shown inFIG. 1 andFIG. 9 ) and ahinge 117 positioned between holdingprotrusion 115 andlocking tab 116 to permit lockingtab 116 to be rotated relative to holdingprotrusion 115. - As shown in
FIG. 5 andFIG. 7A to C, a line ofweakness 121 extends around holdingprotrusion 115 between it andgripping tabs 119 andlid flange 128. Line ofweakness 121 can be made in any manner which allows same to be broken when the container is opened as discussed in greater detail below. By way of example, as shown in the first embodiment inFIG. 7A , line ofweakness 121 may be made of a series of cuts or perforations in the container materials at spaced intervals along its length.FIG. 7B andFIG. 7C show a second and third embodiment of line ofweakness 121, respectively. In particular, in the second embodiment shown inFIG. 7B , line ofweakness 121 may comprise a cut in the container material along the portion positioned between holdingprotrusion 115 andlid flange 128 and a series of cuts or perforations at spaced intervals along the side portions between holdingprotrusion 115 andgripping tabs 119. As illustrated in the third embodiment shown inFIG. 7C , line ofweakness 121 may comprise a series of cuts or perforations at spaced intervals along the portion positioned between holdingprotrusion 115 andlid flange 128 and a cut in the container material along each of the side portions between holdingprotrusion 115 andgripping tabs 119. It would be understood by a person skilled in the art that alternative configurations of the line of weakness could also be used. - As shown in
FIG. 3 toFIG. 6 , to lock tamperevident closure 103,container 99 is placed in the closed position by rotatinglid 100 relative totray 101 abouthinge 102. In the closed position, grippingtabs 119 and tamperevident closure 103 are positioned betweenside ridges 126 oftray 101 and holdingprotrusion 115 of tamperevident closure 103 is positioned overtray locking protrusion 110 onlip 124 oftray 101. Tamperevident closure 103 is configured such thathinge 117 is positioned beyond the outer end oflip 124 oftray 101 to allow lockingtab 116 to be rotated abouthinge 117 by approximately 180 degrees to allowlid locking protrusion 118 to be inserted into a recess opposite totray locking protrusion 110. As shown inFIG. 11 , the interior surface of the recess opposite totray locking protrusion 110 includes lockingrecesses 130 designed to receive lockingridges 131 positioned on the exterior surface oflid locking protrusion 118. Lockingridges 131 are configured such that the recess opposite totray locking protrusion 110 and/or thelid locking protrusion 118 is/are deformed as lid locking protrusion is inserted and the lockingridges 131 snap into lockingrecesses 130 when positioned adjacent thereto. As a result,lid locking protrusion 118 is secured within the recess opposite totray locking protrusion 110 by a snap connection. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , once tamperevident closure 103 has been locked by securinglid locking protrusion 118 in the recess opposite totray locking protrusion 110, the side edges of lockingtab 116 abut againstprojections 120 inlip 124. Similarly, the front edge of lockingtab 116 abuts against the upper outside surface of the front side wall oftray 101. As such, access to the edges of lockingtab 116 is limited to assist in preventinglid locking protrusion 118 from being removed from the recess opposite totray locking protrusion 110. Gripingtabs 119 oflid 100 are offset fromtray flange 111 allowing for them to be gripped by both the upper and lower surfaces thereof. - Once tamper
evident closure 103 has been locked, access to the container can only be obtained by breaking line ofweakness 121 as shown inFIG. 13 . This is accomplished by gripping one or both of grippingtabs 119 and applying an upward force while exerting a downward force on holdingprotrusion 115 to maintain it in position relative totray 101. As a result,surface 125 extending laterally from the base of holdingprotrusion 115 to line of weakness 121 (as shown inFIG. 9 ) abuts against the top surface of lip 124 (as shown inFIG. 8 ) to provide support when the downward force on holdingprotrusion 115 is applied. In addition, to the extent that holdingprotrusion 115 deforms downwardly as a result of the downward force being applied, the upper interior surface thereof abuts against the top surface oftray locking protrusion 110 which provides further support to holdingprotrusion 115. The opposite forces on one or both of grippingtabs 119 and holdingprotrusion 115 causes line ofweakness 121 to break thereby allowinglid 100 to be rotated relative totray 101 abouthinge 102. Holdingprotrusion 115 remains attached totray 101 aslid locking protrusion 118 remains locked in the recess opposite totray locking protrusion 110. As a result, all components ofcontainer 99 remain connected after line ofweakness 121 has been broken. - As shown in
FIG. 3 ,lid 100 includes stackinglocators 132 which extend upwardly whenlid 100 is in the closed position. Stackinglocators 132 are configured to receive the bottom of thetray 101 of anidentical container 99 to allow stacking of multiple containers in the closed position. - The structure of
container 99, in particular the structure of tamperevident closure 103, allows for brittle and/or fragile materials to be used to fabricatecontainer 99 without risk of structural failure to the container or tamper evident closure. By way of example, certain bioplastics, including but not limited to PLA, and certain fossil-based plastics, including but not limited to PS or OPS, typically exhibit a low elongation rate and stress resistance before break when submitted to a mechanical stress in tension like bending in excess of a certain angle. The incorporation ofhinge 117 in tamperevident closure 103 provides the ability to use such materials to fabricate the container without increasing the risk of tamperevident closure 103 breaking while the mechanism is being locked. - While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (22)
Priority Applications (1)
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US18/117,172 US20230278750A1 (en) | 2022-03-04 | 2023-03-03 | Tamper evident container |
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US202263316630P | 2022-03-04 | 2022-03-04 | |
US18/117,172 US20230278750A1 (en) | 2022-03-04 | 2023-03-03 | Tamper evident container |
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US20230278750A1 true US20230278750A1 (en) | 2023-09-07 |
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US18/117,172 Pending US20230278750A1 (en) | 2022-03-04 | 2023-03-03 | Tamper evident container |
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US (1) | US20230278750A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3191850A1 (en) |
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