WO2008020238A1

WO2008020238A1 - A tamper-evident container

Info

Publication number: WO2008020238A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/003171
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicolas Lavrov
Original assignee: Hd2, Limited
Priority date: 2006-08-18
Filing date: 2007-08-20
Publication date: 2008-02-21

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tamper-evident container. The present invention relates to, in particular containers for digital versatile discs (DVDs, also referred to as compact discs (CDs)) and other types of container which require tamper- evident features. Product containers, such as DVD envelopes and containers, are often sealed with a paper label adhered to both a lid and to a container body to seal the container while on the store shelf. The paper label secures the lid to the body, but also provides ease of lid opening after customer purchase. The paper label is easily delaminated, torn, or scored along an interface between the lid and container body to allow the container to be opened. However, current paper labels generally do not provide a sufficient indication to the purchasing customer that the label and lid may have been removed and replaced back onto the container. Therefore, even with a label affixed over the lid and body of a container, the consumer does not know if the internal contents of the container have been tampered with prior to purchase. The invention provides a thermoformed plastics container element consisting of a base portion (12), a top portion (14) and a hinge (11) that is formed in one section, folded over about the hinge. A lid can be removed only upon the breakage of frangible links, whereby to indicate any previous opening of the container.

Description

A TAMPER-EVIDENT CONTAINER

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a tamper-evident container. The present invention relates, in particular, to containers for digital versatile discs (DVDs, also referred to as compact discs (CDs)) and other types of container which require tamper- evident features.

Background to the Invention

Product containers, such as DVD envelopes and containers, are often sealed with a paper label adhered to both a lid and to a container body to seal the container while on the store shelf. The paper label secures the lid to the body, and is designed to provide an indication of lid opening prior to customer purchase. The paper label is easily delaminated, torn, or scored along an interface between the lid and container body to allow the container to be opened. Further, current paper labels generally do not provide a sufficient indication to the purchasing customer that the label and lid may have been removed and replaced back onto the container. Therefore, even with a label affixed over the lid and body of a container, the consumer does not know if the internal contents of the container have been tampered with prior to purchase.

A tamper-evident label or security tape is a commonly used label that provides an indication that the label may have been removed from a product of commerce. For example metallic foil may be placed around an upper section of a wine botde, covering the cork used to prevent loss of the bottle contents through evaporation and spillage.

Various closures for drinks packages are known from prior art which comprise features operable to indicate initial opening. A considerable number of tamper evident means are known which are designed to lock when the closure is initially closed and are destroyed when the closure is opened for the first time. The most commonly used type of tamper evident threaded closure has a series of protrusions which project inwardly from a skirt and interlock with a bead of the container. The protrusions are on a band which forms part of the skirt and which is joined along a line of weakening to the remainder of the skirt. The band itself has a transverse line of weakening extending across it. It is intended that any attempt to remove the cap causes the band to break along its transverse line of weakening. However, it is possible with care to remove such a closure without damaging it, and then screw it back onto the bottle again without damaging it. It consequently does not reveal all tampering. Alternative solutions are known in the form of tear off bands or breakable bridges which are destroyed during initial opening.

However, the means described in the above paragraph are not appropriate for non-bottle systems. In the case of packaging for small products such as DVDs and the like, cases are manufactured, the product placed therein together with any information about the product, for example the "sleeve" to an audio recording, instructions for use, etc., and subsequently the case is closed and additional security devices are affixed or otherwise secured. For example, a frangible pseudo-holographic image having an adhesive backing may be placed around an edge, typically opposite the hinge of a DVD case; alternatively a cellophane wrapper may be employed. If the security feature becomes visible, then evidence exists that, at a minimum, the packaging has been tampered with. On the other hand, an intact security label generally presents evidence of non-tampering, which may indicate that the container or internal contents are in their original condition.

Object of the Invention

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the problems addressed above. The present invention seeks to provide a container which can be simply manufactured, can be easily filled or otherwise have a product placed inside and be closed yet be capable of simply showing evidence of tampering by opening of the container.

Statement of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container comprising: a thermoformed plastics element consisting of a base portion, a top portion and a hinge, the base portion and top portion having corresponding mating surfaces; wherein the top portion comprises a lid portion and one or more lands, the lid portion being connected to each land by frangible connections, the lid portion being connected by a hinge to the base portion along one edge and a catch element is situated along an opposite edge of the lid, which cooperates with corresponding catch element to provide a releaseable catch for the lid with respect to the base; wherein each land incorporates one or more fastening elements, each element operable to fasten with a corresponding fastening element upon the base portion; wherein contents may be placed within the container whilst in an open condition, whereby it can be folded such that the land is fastened to the base portion, whereby the top portion is connected to the base portion yet the lid portion can be opened about the hinge only by separation of the frangible connections. The arrangement provides that an initial opening of the lid can be determined without the use of separate security seals or further wrapping film, paper or otherwise. In simple terms, there is provided a perforation line disposed between a hingeable lid and a land or upstanding component fixedly connected with the base portion, and/or base portions operable to provide tamper evidence that initial access to the interior has been made.

The present invention readily lends itself to the packaging of small yet high value items such as DVDs, which can easily be removed from known packaging systems as are currently employed. Using the container in accordance with the present invention, DVD or other products are placed within the container prior to initial fastening of the top portion with respect to the base portion; these containers can then be taken to a point of sale, with the tamper evident means providing a simple to manufacture and implement product container system.

Conveniently, associated with each edge adjacent a hinge, there is a land, whereby, in conjunction with a suitable locking element opposite the hinge, and especially in the case of a typical rectangular shaped package, product cannot be removed from an unopened container by manipulation by squeezing or otherwise of opposite sides of the container, as is possible with known DVD cases.

The shape, size, type, and number of locking mechanisms vary to accommodate different usages of the container. One preferred locking mechanism uses male/female mating parts that interlock and prevent removal once inserted. Alternatively, a machine closing operation can be used such as heat staking or by the use of adhesive. Furthermore, the tamper evident means does not need to disfigure the presentation of a case once it has been opened; the container being capable of subsequently being re-used many times over.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a container, wherein there is provided a mould for manufacturing a container from a thermoplastics material, the mould defining three parts of the finished product corresponding to the base portion, the top portion and the hinge, wherein the top portion is divided into two types of top portion component, corresponding to a lid portion and a land portion, the method comprising the steps of: effecting a partial vacuum within the mould; introducing heated thermoplastic material into the mould; wherein thermoplastic material is free to flow between the lid and the hinge section and the hinge section and the base portion; wherein thermoplastic material is urged under pressure to pass through channels between the lid portion; whereby the thermoplastic material fills the mould completely and whereby the channels defined by the mould provide frangible connections between the lid and the land.

The sizes of the channels are of the order of lmm in diameter for a mould of an approximate size of 14 cm by 19cm. It will be appreciated that a skilled man will realise the necessity of adjusting process conditions such as the level of mould vacuum, the temperature and input pressure of the molten thermoplastic for a particular mould and plastics combination. For example, the pressure of the thermoplastic material as it is forced into a mould in accordance with the invention is typically 2 — 4 times as great as pressures encountered with normal processes.

A container in accordance with the present invention is provided with a cover portion comprising a single component, yet divided into two portions separated by frangible connectors as produced by injection moulding; these frangible locking means break away upon initial opening. This affords a means of determination upon inspection by any subsequent user or purchaser of the container that a container has been previously opened or tampered with. Brief Description of the Figures

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the Figures as shown in the accompanying drawing sheets, wherein:-

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inside an open one-disc DVD case prior to initial assembly;

Figures 3i and 3ii are intermediate and final positions of an attachment process in accordance with one aspect of the invention; Figures 3ai and 3aii show an alternative arrangement to the components of Figures 3i &

3ϋ;

Figure 4 shows a view of an area between two lid components, detailing a connecting tag;

Figure 5 shows an axial view of a connecting tag;

Figures 6 & 7 show, respectively a top plan view and side view of an open two-disc case prior to initial assembly;

Figures 8 - 10 show a further embodiment, in three manufacturing steps;

Figure 11 & 12 top plan views of one and two-disc cases, respectively, after initial opening, and;

Figures 13 & 14 show a further embodiment of the invention, wherein there is a single land, respectively before assembly and after initial opening.

Detailed description of the Preferred Embodiments

There will now be described, by way of example only, the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the present invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set out in order to provide a complete understanding to the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that the present invention may be put into practice with variations of the specific.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a closed container or case 10 in perspective view, showing a base 12 and a lid 14 which is hinged along one side of the container by hinge 11. On the side of the lid opposite to the hinge there is a handle 17. On the other two sides of the lid there are two lands shaped as L-shaped frames, 16. The handle 17 cooperates with a recess (not shown in Figure 1) defined below the Hp of the handle ensuring that the container can be conveniently opened and closed, after the initial opening; conveniently a catch means is provided between cooperating features of the Ud and base portions (not shown in this Figure). It is to be noted that the configuration of the handle with respect to the lid and the position of the lands 16 either side of the lid, enables the package to be opened from the handle unlike typical media package that can be urged into an open position from any one of the three non-hinge edges of the major faces.

During manufacture, the lands are integrally formed with the lid 12 as a top portion; the lands being connected by plastics tags 18 to the lid. The plastics tags correspond to the thermoplastics mould fluid flow passageways created for the transfer of molten plastics fluid from the mould part of the lid 14 to the lands 16 as it enters the mould from an inlet feed situated on a surface part of the case. Thus, after manufacture and prior to an initial opening of the case from a locked-together condition, the tags remain, linking the lid portion 12 to the lands 16. Note that this particular container is shaped for the housing of a DVD disc. Although not shown, a polythene sleeve may be heat welded to the outside surface of the DVD container as is known. Alternatively, the outside surface may be printed upon or a label attached thereto.

Figure 2, shows the container above in a condition as it would have appeared immediately upon release from a mould after plastics injection usage i.e. prior to assembly of the case. The base 12 is on the right hand side; a hinge 11 connects base 12 to lid 14. It will be seen that the area of die base corresponds to the combined area of the lid plus lands. The base 12 has a circular section which is raised slightly for the placement of a DVD disc (not shown). Base 12 is provided with a releasable push/locking mechanism 13 that retains a DVD disc within the case. Releasable push/locking mechanism 13 is sized, shaped and disposed to retain a DVD disc with respect to a center hole of the disc. The disc can be removed from the mechanism 13 and replaced as many times as wanted. As will be appreciated, for the retention of bodies other than DVDs, then the design can be adapted to securely retain or otherwise other types of goods. Handle elements 17 enable die case to be easily opened; after initial breakage of the security tags 26, co-operating clip means 30, 31 enable the case to be retained in a closed position. The inside surface of the upper lid may be provided with a paper sheet or booklet clip 19. Conveniently, these clips are integrally moulded with the upper lid 12.

The undersides of the lands 16 are designated 20: these lands are attached to the lid 14 by, for example, tags 22, 24 produced in the moulding process as referred to above; before first opening of the lid these comprise tamper evident connector plugs.

Moulded upon the underside of the lands 20 are clip means or ratchet steps 23, which locate and lock non-releasably with corresponding ratchet sprag or clip means 24 moulded upon the inside face of an area 26 of base member 12. The clip means are detailed with reference to Figure 3a (i) & (ii) where they take the form of simple two-step ratchet. Figures 3bi & 3bϋ show an alternative system, whereby the upstanding element may be heat welded or staked to the other part or even adhesively connected together.

In terms of the manufacturing process, once a case has been thermo-formed in a mould, then personalization of the case is performed, by the direct printing of insignia, information etc upon the case, attaching - conveniently by heat welding or by adhesive - a polythene jacket, into which paper or card can be placed or, by the sticking of a label, pre-printed or otherwise, upon one or both outside surfaces. Then a DVD disc can be placed inside the case by mounting upon boss or push/locking mechanism 13. Any booklet or information sheet can be clipped to the clip retaining means 19. Finally, the lid and the base are brought together: corresponding spigot or clip means 22 are brought towards clip means 24 upon the base member 12 so that they are fixedly connected or corresponding abutment points are heat staked welded or adhesively connected together. This will realize a closed case as shown with reference to Figure 1.

Case 10 utilizes a security locking system that is effected when the case is first closed (assembled) after the disc(s) (and possibly its booklet) have been inserted, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When the cover portion, comprising lid 14 and two lands or L- shaped frames 16 of the case 10 close (secured to) onto the case 12 these two L-shaped frames 16 of lid 14 remain permanently attached onto the base 12 forming a new structure, being the base 12 plus lands 16 . Referring to Fig. 3i & 3ii, the two sections 24, 23 of security locking system lock one with respect to the other in two steps as seen in the first and second aspects to this figure. Other types of connection are possible; a male and female plug arrangement could be employed; heat welding or staking could be employed. Figures 3ai & 3aii show an alternative system, whereby an upstanding element 31 is attached by means of adhesive 33; alternatively, the land 16 and base 12 may be heat welded or staked together. Once the land is connected with the corresponding portion of the base a single entity is formed from the land and the original base member.

At this point the case 10 is closed, and because the lid 14 is still attached to L- shaped frames 16 by breakable tags 26 and the lid is thereby attached to the lower part or base 12. In detail, and with reference to Figure 4, a view of an area linking the kid part to a land part 16 is shown; the lid cannot e removed without sufficient force to break the tags 26. That is to say, the storage case 10 is now sealed.

With reference to Figure 5, a view of a tag 26 is shown in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tag 26. In a thermoplastics case from polyethylene, for a DVD case, it was found that a mould flow tube of diameter 1.2 mm was found to provide good flow characteristics; the size of the tag is directly determined from the size of the mould; however, it should be noted that the pressure of the thermoplastic material can be varied and so each design will have its own preferred manufacturing operating values for a given size of mould; the diameter of vias or flow tubes between interconnecting apertures with the mould will also have a significant effect, taking into account that the area of a circular passageway is proportional to the square of the radius of the passageway .

Providing that the product has not been tampered with, for example, by unauthorised opening of the container prior to sale or authorised first use, then when a consumer (or authorised first user) opens the case for the first time, then the security tags 26 connecting the lid to the lands will be broken. This initial opening releases the upper lid 12 from the lower lid 14. The breaking of the breakable lid 14 will result in a clicking/breaking noise that will guarantee it is the first time the case is being opened. It will be understood that more security tags may be used or even only one tag may need to be present, dependent upon the size of product to be retained The breakable lid 14 may be made more viewable, e.g. by adding some color during moulding, so it can be visually determined that the case had been previously opened. The thermoplastic may be of the type which becomes translucent to a degree to show that the box has been opened. In accordance with another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, push/locking mechanism 16 may be also molded on an inside surface of lid 14 whereby to produce a two-disc variant. Conveniendy, base and lid 12 and 14 with push/locking mechanism 16 and clips 18 are fabricated from a single piece of transparent material. Figure 7 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 6.

Colours may be added to the plastics material, whereby to give the case a characteristic colour. The skilled man will be familiar with the nature of the additives possible to give a range of colours. The case 10 shown in the preferred embodiment is formed with a round edge, e.g. of 25% radius (the curve percentage of the angles of the box), although this is not a critical feature of the design. It will be appreciated that the L- shaped land need not comprise an "L" shape as such, but this is convenient amongst other characteristics, the lands, since they stand up in relation to the contents of the disc, they prevent removal of product by shaking and subsequent dislodgement of the product.

The present invention also provides a container which may be manufactured in a large number of shapes. Not only can standard rectangular boxes and cubic boxes be manufactured, but star shaped boxes; circular, elliptical cross shaped, polygonal prisms, diamond, trapezoidal, pyramidal and conical containers can also be manufactured. Furthermore containers with separate base components can be manufactured whereby the lid, land and co-operating features of the base can be supplemented by deep, bowl- like elements which can be clipped, glued or otherwise attached to provide a container with a wide aperture, suitable for products where a bottle-like enclosure is unsuitable. With reference to Figures 8 — 10, there is an embodiment shown wherein the base 12 comprises an insert portion 80, which is placed within an aperture operable to retain the insert, by clip means or otherwise. Figure 10 shows how, in side profile, the container volume can be usefully increased, using this simple to implement construction.

Figures 11 & 12 show top plan views of the single and double disc models after the cases have been first opened: land 16 are seen; the top cover portion only comprises the lid connected via hinge 11. As will be readily understood by the skilled man, the simple one stage moulding process can be adapted to different goods and can be presented in different styles. For example, Figures 13 & 14 show a further embodiment of the invention, wherein there is a single land 16, respectively before assembly and after initial opening.

The mould for manufacturing a container as depicted in Figure 1 from thermoplastics material, defines three parts of the finished product corresponding to the base portionl2, the top portion 14 and the hinge 11, wherein the top portion is divided to define two distinct areas, corresponding to a lid portion and a land portion, the areas being separated by a wall with flow passages. The method comprises the steps of: effecting a partial vacuum within the mould; introducing heated thermoplastic material into the mould under pressure — typically 2 - 4 times normal pressure for thermoplastics materials of a given type whereby to cause the thermoplastics material to fill the mould completely, without any unsightly voids. In particular, the thermoplastic material is free to flow between the lid and the hinge section and the hinge section and the base portion, and the thermoplastic material is urged under pressure to pass through channels between the lid portion; whereby the thermoplastic material fills the mould completely; the channels defined by the mould, upon removal from the mould, provide frangible connections between the lid and the land.

The case 10 preferably comes out of the mould in one-piece form, in unassembled open position as it is shown in Fig 1, and is only closed on the replication line after insertion of a product, such as DVD discs (and any other note or booklet), the consumer will then be the first one to open the completed case 10 and crack the lids 26. The storage case in accordance with the present invention, is conveniently made from a polypropylene material, but other suitable thermoplastic materials can be used, as will be known to the skilled man.

The sizes of the channels are of the order of lmm in diameter for a mould of an approximate size of 13 cm by 19cm. It will be appreciated that a skilled man will realise the necessity of adjusting process conditions such as the level of mould vacuum, the temperature and input pressure of the molten thermoplastic for a particular mould and plastics combination.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A container comprising: a thermo formed plastics element consisting of a base portion 12, a top portion 14 and a hinge 11, the base portion and top portion having corresponding mating surfaces; wherein the top portion comprises a lid portion and one or more lands 16, the lid portion being connected to each land by frangible connections 26, the lid portion being connected by the hinge 11 to the base portion along one edge; wherein each land incorporates one or more fastening elements 23, each element operable to fasten with a corresponding fastening element 24 upon the base portion 12; wherein the container is operable to be provided with a product whilst in an open condition, whereby it can be folded such that the land is fastened to the base portion, whereby the top portion is connected to the base portion yet the lid portion can be opened about the hinge only upon breakage of the frangible connections, whereby to indicate any previous opening of the container.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container is adapted to retain one or more digital versatile discs (DVDs).

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the thermoplastics material is polypropylene.

4. A container according to claim 1 - 3 wherein there are two or more lands connected by frangible tags 26 with respect to a lid element.

5. A container according to any one of claims 1 - 4 wherein there are clip means 30, 31 operable to retain the lid in a closed position.

6. A container according to claim 1, wherein associated with each edge adjacent a hinge, there is a land which extends towards a position adjacent the handle.

7. A container according to claim 1, wherein the land locking system comprises interlocking male and female parts on corresponding cover and base portions.

8. A container according to claim 1, wherein the land locking system comprises corresponding ratchet components on corresponding base and cover portions.

9. A container according to claim 1, wherein the land locking system comprises a heat staked or welded component between corresponding base and cover portions.

10. A container according to claim 1, wherein the land locking system comprises adhesively attached corresponding base and cover portions.

11. A container according to claim 1, wherein there is a handle element is situated along an opposite edge of the lid, which handle can facilitate opening of the lid.

12. A method of manufacturing a container, wherein there is provided a mould for manufacturing a container from a thermoplastics material, the mould defining three parts of the finished product corresponding to the base portion, the top portion and the hinge, wherein the top portion is divided into two types of top portion component, corresponding to a lid portion and a land portion, the method comprising the steps of: effecting a partial vacuum within the mould; introducing heated thermoplastic material into the mould; wherein thermoplastic material is free to flow between the lid and the hinge section and the hinge section and the base portion; wherein thermoplastic material is urged under pressure to pass through channels between the lid portion; whereby the thermoplastic material fills the mould completely wand whereby the channels defined by the mould provide frangible connections between the lid and the land.