WO2012154282A1

WO2012154282A1 - Containers with enhanced tamper evident performance

Info

Publication number: WO2012154282A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/026871
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ryan A. Bailey
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Corporation
Priority date: 2011-03-30
Filing date: 2012-02-28
Publication date: 2012-11-15

Abstract

A container with enhanced tamper evident performance is disclosed that includes a lid (101), a bottom (102), and a mid- frame component (103) connecting to the lid and the bottom. The mid- frame component comprises: an interior band (103B) securing to the lid and the bottom and forming interface areas; a tamper evident outer band (103A) including an opening feature and wrapping around the interface areas; and a several bridge area (103C) connecting the tamper evident outer band to the interior band. The tamper evident outer band includes an opening feature (104) such that the tamper evident outer band is easily removed from the container upon engaging the opening feature. Additionally, clear evidence of any prior tampering is visually observed once the tamper evident outer band is tampered.

Description

CONTAINERS WITH ENHANCED TAMPER EVIDENT PERFORMANCE

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] Many consumer products now provide indicia to display the effects of unauthorized tampering with the products. Some consumer products, such as medicines, food products and tobaccos, are marketed in containers wrapped with a clear overwrap film closure (aka "shrink wrap"). This overwrap film closure is generally removed by means of a tear strip to gain access to the packaged

consumer products. The tearing of overwrap film closure provides an indication that the product containers have been opened or the internal contents of the containers have been tampered prior to purchase.

[0002] Consumer product containers, such as a smokeless tobacco container, 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. Although the paper labels provide ease of lid opening after customer purchase, they are easily delaminated, torn, or scored. Additionally, the paper labels generally do not provide a sufficient indication to customers that the product containers have been opened or the internal contents of the containers have been tampered prior to purchase. Thus, a tamper evident label is commonly used to provide an indication that the containers have been tampered prior to purchase. For example when the tamper evident label is removed, the label leaves behind a residue on the substrate as evidence of its removal. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/013081 1 discloses a tamer evident label for consumer product container. The label consists of a base film, an ink layer, and an adhesive layer for adhering to a container.

[0003] While the tamper evident labels and overwrap film closures provide adequate evidence of the tampered removal, it is often difficult for consumers to remove these labels and overwrap films from the containers after purchasing the products. After purchase of the non-tampered containers, consumers desire a quick, easy, and convenient method for breaking the seal of labels or overwrap films to gain access to the purchased products. Wrap rage or package rage are consumers' heightened levels of anger and frustration because of the inability to open the packaging containers and retrieve the purchased goods. Additionally, consumers could suffer Injuries, such as cut fingers and sprained wrists, when trying to open hard-to-remove packaging.

[0004] Accordingly, there is still a need of the tamper evident system for packaging containers that provides consumers with clear visual evidence of any tampering prior to purchase, yet offers consumers with ease of opening the containers and retrieving the purchased products,

[0005] Furthermore, it is desirable to have a packaging container with enhanced tamper evident performance.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] A container with enhanced tamper evident performance is disclosed that includes a lid, a bottom, and a mid-frame component connecting to the lid and the bottom. The mid-frame component comprises: an interior band securing to the lid and the bottom and forming interface areas; a tamper evident outer band including an opening feature and wrapping around the interface areas; and a severable bridge area connecting the tamper evident outer band to the interior band. The tamper evident outer band includes an opening feature such that the tamper evident outer band is easily removed from the container upon engaging the opening feature. Additionally, clear evidence of any prior tampering is visually observed once the tamper evident outer band is tampered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed container wherein the tamper evident outer band includes a pull tab as an opening feature;

[0008] FIG. 2A is a top view of the disclosed container shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0009] FIG. 2B is a side view of the disclosed container shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the container lid, the tamper evident outer band of the mid-frame component, and the container bottom;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the disclosed container shown in FIG.

1 ; [001 1] FIGs. 4A and 4B illustrate the opening of the tamper evident outer band by pulling the pull tab of the disclosed container shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the disclosed container shown in FIG. 1 after the tamper evident outer band is removed;

[0013] FIG. 6A shows the three separate components of the container in FIG. 4: the container lid, the interior band of the mid-frame component, and the container bottom;

[0014] FIG. 8B shows the partial assembly of the three components in FIG.

5A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0015] The present disclosures now will be described more fully hereinafter, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are necessarily shown. While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, 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 disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.

[0018] The disclosed container with enhanced tamper evident performance comprises:

(a) a container lid;

(b) a container bottom;

(c) a mid-frame component including:

(i) an interior band connecting to the container lid and bottom, the interior band forming interface areas;

(ii) a tamper evident outer band including an opening feature, the tamper evident outer band wrapping around the interface areas between the interior band, the bottom and the lid; and

{iii) a severable bridge connecting the tamper evident outer band to the interior band, wherein the severable bridge is broken upon engaging the opening feature of the tamper evident outer band and separating the tamper evident outer band from the interior band of the mid-frame component.

[0017] In one embodiment of the disclosed container with enhanced tamper evident performance, the container comprises:

(A) a container lid including a lid locking structure;

(B) a container bottom including a bottom locking structure;

(C) a mid-frame component including:

(i) an interior band comprising an upper locking feature removably engaging to the lid locking structure of the container lid, and a lower locking feature engaging to the bottom locking structure of the container bottom;

(ii) a tamper evident outer band including an opening feature and wrapping around interface areas between the interior band, the bottom and the lid; and

(iii) a severable bridge connecting the tamper evident outer band to the interior band, wherein the severable bridge is broken upon engaging the opening feature of the tamper evident outer band and separating the tamper evident outer band from the interior band of the mid-frame component.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows the perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed container with improved tamper evidence performance. As shown in FIG. 1 , the container 100 comprises a container lid 101 , a container bottom 102, and a tamper evident outer band portion 103A of the mid-frame component wrapping around the interface areas between the interior band, the bottom and the lid. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the tamper evident outer band portion 103A has an opening feature in a form of pull tab 104.

[0019] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrate the top and side views of the

embodiment of disclosed container shown in FIG. 1 , respectively. In FIG. 2A, the top view show the container lid 101 and the tamper evident outer band 103A having the pull tab 104 as an opening feature. In FIG. 2B, the side view shows the container lid 101 , the container bottom 102, and the tamper evident outer band 103A having the pull tab 104 as an opening feature. [0020] FIG. 3 illustrates the cross section view of embodiment of the disclosed container shown in FIG. 1 . The container comprises a container lid 101 , a container bottom 102, and a mid-frame component 103.

[0021] Referring to the cross section view in FIG. 3B, the mid-frame component 103 includes the interior band 103B and the tamper evident outer band 103A.

[0022] FIG. 3A shows each element of the mid-frame component and their interconnections with the container lid and bottom in details. The container lid 101 and interior band 103B of the mid-frame may have locking mechanism that secures the container lid 101 to the interior band 103B, yet allows for an ease of removing the lid 101 from the interior band 103B when desired. FIG. 3A shows one embodiment of such locking mechanism. The lower rim of the container lid 101 has a locking structure 11 1 , and the interior band 103B has a locking feature in a form of protrusion element 121 . The locking structure 1 1 1 of the container lid 101 is releasably engaged with a protrusion element 121 of the interior band 103B. The protrusion 121 prevents the lid 101 from unintentionally being removed from the interior band 103B, yet allowing the lid 101 to be removed from the interior band 103B when consumers intentionally slide the locking structure 1 1 1 over the protrusion element 121 . The ease of removal may be controlled by the size and shape of the locking structure 11 1 on the lid 101 and/or the protrusion element 121 of the intersor band 103B.

[0023] It is to be understood that various locking mechanism may be used to secure the container lid to the interior band of the mid-frame component. For example, there may be more than one locking structure on the container lid and/or more than one protrusion element on the interior band. Furthermore, one skilled in the arts recognizes that a variety of sizes and shapes of the structure on the container lid and the protrusion element on the interior band may be used and modified to accommodate the end use packaging applications of the disclosed containers.

[0024] Referring again to FIG. 3A which demonstrates one embodiment of the locking mechanism for the container bottom 102 and the intersor band 103B of the mid-frame, the lower rim of the container bottom 102 has a locking structure 112 which is engaged with a protrusion element 122 of the interior band 103B. The protrusion 122 prevents the bottom 102 from unintentionally being removed from the interior band 103B. The ease of removing the bottom 102 from the interior band depends on the size and shape of the locking structure 1 12 on the bottom 102 and/or the protrusion element 122 of the interior band 103B.

[0025] FIG. 3A shows one embodiment of the presently disclosed container wherein the sizes of the locking structure (1 1 1 and 112) on the lid and the bottom are the same, but the size of the protrusion 122 on the interior band 103B is larger than that of the protrusion 121 . As such, it is easier to remove the lid 101 from the disclosed container than to remove the bottom 102.

[0028] It is to be understood that various locking mechanism may be used to secure the container bottom to the interior band of the mid-frame component. For example, there may be more than one locking structure on the container bottom and/or more than one protrusion element on the interior band. Furthermore, one skilled in the arts recognizes that a variety of sizes and shapes of the locking structure on the container bottom and the protrusion element on the interior band may be used and modified to accommodate the end use packaging applications of the disclosed containers.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking structure 1 12 and the protrusion 122 are designed to prevent a slide of the locking structure 1 12 over the protrusion 122, and therefore the bottom 102 is not removable from the interior band 103B.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the interior band of the mid-frame component is incorporated into the container bottom as a one-piece structure. In such embodiment, there is no need for locking mechanism between the interior band of the mid-frame component and the container bottom.

[0029] FIG. 3A also shows one embodiment of the connection between each element of the mid-frame component. The mid-frame 103 comprises a tamper evident outer band 103A, an interior band 103B, and a severable bridge 103C connecting the tamper evident outer band 103A to the interior band 103B.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates the opening of the tamper evident outer band to access the packaged goods inside the disclosed container. To demonstrate the opening movement, a pull tab is used as the opening feature shown in FIG. 4. After purchasing, the consumer gains access to the packaged goods inside the container by simply lifting (FIG. 4A) and pulling (FIG. 4B) the pull tab 104 of the tamper evident outer band 103A, As shown in FIG. 5, when the pull tab is pulled, the bridge area 103C is severed and the tamper evident outer band 103A is disengaged from the interior band 103B of the mid-frame component.

[0031] In FIG. 5, the tamper evident outer band 103A is disengaged from the disclosed container. The resulting container 200 then comprises a lid 101 , a bottom 102, and an interior band 103B portion of the mid-frame connecting the lid 101 to the bottom 102.

[0032] FIG. 8A shows the explosive view of the resulting container 200. The locking structure 11 1 on the lid 101 engages to the protrusion 121 of the interior band 103B to connect the lid to the mid-frame, while the locking structure 1 12 on the bottom 102 engages to the protrusion 122 of the interior band 103B to connect the bottom to the mid-frame.

[0033] When the resulting container 200 is opened by disengaging the locking structure 1 1 1 on the lid 101 from the protrusion 121 of the interior band 103B, the interior compartment 104 which provides space for storing consumer product goods is revealed as shown in FIG. 6B.

[0034] It is to be understood that the disclosed containers may be designed in various size and shape without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the disclosed container may be in round, square, rectangular, oval, or multiple angular structures. One skilled in the arts recognizes that the size and shape of the disclosed containers may be tailored to accommodate the selected end use packaging applications.

[0035] The disclosed containers may be used as packaging containers for various consumer product goods. Examples of such goods include, but are not limited to, smokeless tobacco pouches, moist smokeless tobacco (MST), food products, and medicines.

[0036] The container lid may be made of several suitable materials.

Examples include, but are not limited to, tin, aluminum, tin-aluminum alloy, plastics, composite, paperboard, heavily waxed cardboard, and other alloy metals. [0037] The container bottom may be made of several suitable materials.

Examples include, but are not limited to, tin, aluminum, tin-aluminum alloy, plastics, composite, paperboard, heavily waxed cardboard, and other alloy metals.

[0038] When desired, the container lid and bottom may be made of the same material.

[0039] Additionally, a corrosion resistant coating may be applied on at least one of the interior surface of the container lid or bottom to provide the containers with an improved corrosion resistance.

[0040] A scratch resistant textured coating may be applied on at least one of the container lid or bottom on the exterior and/or interior surfaces of the lid or bottom.

[0041] The mid-frame component may be made of several suitable materials. Examples include, but are not limited to, plastic polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, polysulfone, polyester, polyurethane, and

combinations thereof. When desired, the mid-frame component may be made of the same material as the container lid and/or bottom.

[0042] Additionally, the mid-frame component may be made of materials that allows for see-through characteristics and/or enhanced aesthetics. This may include, but are not limited to, clear colorless, transparent color, translucent, tinted, and opaque plastics.

[0043] Furthermore, an enhanced barrier performance may be incorporated to the disclosed containers. A barrier resistant film may be applied or sealed to the upper peripheral edge of the interior band. Various barrier resistant films may be used. These include, but are not limited to, breathable film materials, non-breathable films, foil, polypropylene, shrink-fit, and combinations thereof. The barrier resistant film may also be applied to the interior surface of the tamper evident outer band to further enhance the barrier performance of the disclosed containers.

[0044] In one embodiment, the upper peripheral edge of the interior band may be hermetically sealed to impart the containers with barrier resistant performance suitable for hermetic packaging applications.

[0045] While the invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but will have full scope defined by the language of the following claims.

Claims

1 . A container with enhanced tamper evident performance, comprising:

(A) a container lid;

(B) a container bottom;

(C) a mid-frame component comprising:

(i) an interior band connecting the container lid and bottom, the

interior band forming interface areas;

(ii) a tamper evident outer band including an opening feature, the outer band wrapping around the interface areas between the lid, the bottom, and the interior bands; and

(iii) a severable bridge connecting the tamper evident outer band and the interior band, wherein the severable bridge is broken upon engaging the opening feature of the tamper evident outer band and separating the tamper evident outer band from the interior band of the mid-frame component.

2. The container of Claim 1 , wherein the container includes:

(A) a container lid including a lid locking structure;

(B) a container bottom including a bottom locking structure;

(C) a mid-frame component including:

(i) an interior band comprising an upper locking feature removably engaging the lid locking structure of the container lid, and a lower locking feature engaging the bottom locking structure of the container bottom;

(ii) a tamper evident outer band including an opening feature, the outer band wrapping around interface areas between the interior band, the bottom and the lid; and

(iii) a severable bridge connecting the tamper evident outer band to the interior band, wherein the severable bridge is broken upon engaging the opening feature of the tamper evident outer band and separating the tamper evident outer band from the interior band of the mid-frame component,

3. The container of Claim 1 , wherein the interior band is unremovably connected to the container bottom.

4. The container of Claim 1. wherein the interior band of the mid-frame component is incorporated into the container bottom as a one-piece structure.

5. The container of Claim 1 , wherein the container lid is made of a material including a member selected from a group consisting of tin, aluminum, tin-aluminum alloy, plastics, composite, paperboard, and heavily waxed cardboard.

6. The container of Claim 1 , wherein the container bottom is made of a material including a member selected from a group consisting of tin, aluminum, tin- aluminum alloy, plastics, composite, paperboard, and heavily waxed cardboard.

7. The container of Claim 1 , wherein the mid-frame component is clear colorless, transparent color, translucent, tinted, opaque plastics, or combinations thereof.

8. The container of Claim 1 , wherein the mid-frame component is derived from a material including a member selected from a group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, polysulfone, polyester, polyurethane, and combinations thereof.

9. The container of Claim 1 , wherein the opening feature on the tamper evident outer band includes a pull tab.

10. The container of Claim 1 , wherein an upper edge of the interior band is

hermetically sealed to impart the container with hermetic barrier resistant performance.

1 1. The container of Claim 1 , wherein an upper edge of the interior band is sealed with a substrate having barrier resistant performance.

12. The container of Claim 1 suitable for packaging a consumer product including a member selected from a group consisting of smokeless tobacco pouches, moist smokeless tobacco {MST), food products, and medicines.

13. A tamper evident system for a container that includes a container lid and a

container bottom, wherein the tamper evident system comprises:

(a) an interior band connecting to the container lid and bottom, the interior band forming interface areas;

(b) a tamper evident outer band including an opening feature, the outer band wrapping around the interface area between the interior band, the bottom and the lid; and

(c) a severable bridge connecting the tamper evident outer band to the interior band, wherein the severable bridge is broken upon engaging the opening feature of the tamper evident outer band and separating the tamper evident outer band from the interior band of the mid-frame component.

14. The system of Claim 13, wherein:

the container lid includes a lid locking structure;

the container bottom includes a bottom locking structure; and

the interior band includes an upper locking feature removably engaging to the lid locking structure, and a lower locking feature engaging to the bottom locking structure.

15. The material of Claim 13, wherein the interior band is unremovably connected to the container bottom.