WO2024077387A1 - Tear-away security lid with retention ring - Google Patents

Abstract

A tamper evident lid is secured to a retention ring. The retention ring has an inner face sized to have an interference fit with an outer wall of a container. Also taught are methods of securing the lid, for example, placing the retention ring below the lid and around the container; lifting the retention ring to a point near the top of the container, so that there is an interference fit between the retention ring and the container; and pushing the lid down on the container to affix the lid to the retention ring.

Description

TEAR-AWAY SECURITY LID WITH RETENTION RING

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to a tear-away security lid with a retention ring for containers, and particularly to tarn per- resista nt lid for containers for products that present significant concerns for the consumer about unauthorized tampering with the product (e.g. food products and other consumables).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0002] This application claims priority from US provisional application no. 63/415,644 filed October 12, 2022.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the packaging industry, a variety of closure arrangements are used to hold a paperboard, plastic or composite lid in place on the paperboard container or tub holding the product. Examples include U.S. Patent No. 6,772,901 (Witt), U.S. Patent No. 7,703,626 (Witt), and U.S. Patent No. 6,053,353 (Helms), as well as U.S. 10913581, U.S. 2016016700, U.S. 2008099481, U.S. 10730660, U.S. 2018002083, U.S. 11192688, U.S. 11072444, U.S. 11186416, U.S. 2021214135, U.S. 2021387773, U.S. 2021362913, TW M604757, GB 1509896, U.S. 7703626, and U.S. 7703626.

[0004] Previous solutions involve complex processes for incorporating a paperboard top within a closure. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,772,901 describes that a paper top is peripherally sealed to a downwardly-recessed annular ridge of a plastic rim by induction heating, ultrasonic welding or spin welding. U.S. Patent No. 6,772,901 describes that in the alternative, the paper top may be sealed to the annular ridge by applying a coating of adhesive to either side of the face surfaces prior to insertion of the paper lid. U.S. Patent No. 7,703,626 describes the pre-assembly heating of the closure components with directed hot air to partially melt the thermoplastic surfaces and allow the parts to be immediately assembled sealingly, and describes a paperboard composite closure in which the plastic rim is of a two-piece snap-fit construction where the paperboard is compressed between first and second annular flanges of the two-piece plastic rim.

[0005] It is of great and increasing importance that the consumer, at the point of purchase of a product, be confident that the package that he or she intends to purchase has not been compromised. If there is a problem with the packaging which cannot be spotted until the consumer opens it for use, he or she may well never purchase that product again and consumer confidence is reduced generally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is a general object of the present invention to provide a tamper-resistant security lid with a retention ring.

[0006] According to an aspect, there is provided a tamper evident lid secured to a retention ring, wherein the retention ring has an inner face sized and/or shaped to have an interference fit with the outer wall of the container.

[0007] According to another aspect, there is provided a tamper evident lid secured to a retention ring, in which the retention ring has a U-shape cross-section. The opening of the U-shape is on an upper face or the outer face of the retention ring. The retention ring may have a flat inner face, or an angled inner face. The retention ring may also have a flat horizontal upper face.

[0008] According to another aspect, there is provided a tamper evident lid secured to a retention ring, in which the retention ring has a side channel extending circumferentially around an outer face of the retention ring, and a lower inner face of a side wall of the lid has a projection extending circumferentially around the lower inner face, and the projection nests inside the side channel to secure the lid to the retention ring. The projection and the side channel may mate in an interference fit. The tamper evident lid and the retention ring may be bonded. [0009] According to another aspect, there is provided a tamper evident lid secured to a retention ring, in which the retention ring has lips that extend upwards from a top face of the retention ring, said lips having a friction fit with the outer wall of the container.

[0010] According to another aspect, there is provided a tamper evident lid secured to a retention ring, in which the retention ring has a tab that extend outwards from the retention ring, said tab for gripping and tearing the retention ring and a lower portion of a side wall of the lid.

[0011] According to another aspect, there is provided a tamper evident lid secured to a retention ring, in which intermittent perforations extend circumferentially around a side wall of the lid, said perforations located above the retention ring.

[0006] According to another aspect, there is provided a tamper evident lid wherein the retention ring has intermittent projections, said intermittent projections having an upright portion. The intermittent projections may have an outward portion. The upright portion may extends upward to a distal end having an upper taper. The outward portion may extend outward to a distal end having an outward taper. The upper taper may be configured to insert partially into and thus secure to a rim of a container when the retention ring is assembled to the container. The outward taper may be configured to insert partially or wholly into a line of weakness on a lid. The outward taper may be configured so that the underside of the outward portion is flat, while the upper side of the outward portion is angled to provide the taper.

[0005]

[0007] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method of making the lid as defined herein, comprising: placing the retention ring below the container; lifting the retention ring to a point near the top of the container, so that there is an interference fit between the retention ring and the container; placing an adhesive between a lid and the retention ring; and pushing the lid down on the container to affix the lid to the retention ring.

[0008] In one embodiment, the step of pushing the lid down breaks the interference fit between the container and the retention ring.

[0009] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a method of filling and assembling a tamper evident container comprising: placing a retention ring at a filling location; placing a container within the retention ring, the upper lip of the container having a diameter larger than the diameter of the retention ring; filling the container with a product; raising the retention ring near the top of the container; and bonding a lid to the retention ring.

[0010] In one embodiment, the bonding between the lid and the retention ring is through a cold-seal adhesive. Alternatively, the bonding between the lid and the retention ring is through a heat seal, heat-stake, or pierce joint method.

[0011] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of filling and assembling a tamper evident container comprising: fixing the retention ring near the top of a container by friction or bonding; filing the container; and bonding a lid to the retention ring.

[0012] According to yet another embodiment, there is provided a container having the tamper evident lid secured to a retention ring as defined herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show exemplary embodiments of the present application, and in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a security lid attached to a container; [0014] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container and security lid of Figure 1;

[0015] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional portion view of an embodiment of a used in the security lid;

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a side wall used in the security lid;

[0017] Figure 5 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a retention ring used in the security lid;

[0018] Figure 6A is a top perspective view of a further embodiment of a retention ring used in the security lid;

[0019] Figure 6B is a cross-sectional portion view of the retention ring of Figure 6A in connection with an embodiment of a security lid;

[0020] Figure 7 schematically illustrates a method for assembling and using the lid according to one embodiment;

[0021] Figure 8 schematically illustrates a method for assembling and using the lid according to a further embodiment;

[0022] Figure 9 is a close up cross-sectional portion view of Figure 6B;

[0012] Figure 10 is a top perspective view of a further embodiment of a retention ring;

[0023] Figure 11 is a top perspective view of a further embodiment of a retention ring of Figure 10 on a container; and

[0012] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional portion view of a close up of the retention ring of Figure 10 in connection with an embodiment of a security lid and container. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The features and benefits of the present disclosure are illustrated and described herein by reference to exemplary embodiments and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. This description of exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. Accordingly, the present disclosure expressly should not be limited to such embodiments, and features of each embodiment described herein may be combined with each other to form further embodiments.

[0014] In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "inward", "downward", "outward", "upward", and derivatives thereof, or any other terms related to direction or orientation should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing(s) under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the invention be constructed or operated in a particular orientation.

[0015] Figure 1 shows an example lid 10 in accordance with the present disclosure that has been applied to a container 12 and retained in position using a retention ring 18. The tamper-resistant lid 10 may be suitable for use to close an opening of container 12. This includes containers that the public wish to have assurance have not been compromised, such as a plastic or paperboard food containers (e.g., an ice cream container), drink containers, medicine containers, and the like.

[0016] The lid 10 generally comprises a ring-shaped side wall 14, and an upper panel 16 secured to the side wall 14. The upper panel 16 serves to cover the opening of the container 12. The lid 10 is secured to the container via a retention ring 18.

[0017] The upper panel 16 may be made of thin paperboard, cardboard, plastic, resin, foil, metal, or the like, and may contain e.g a tear-away portion, a pull tab, or perforations, to allow a consumer to remove some or all of the upper panel 16 to access the interior of the container 12.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, side wall 14 has an upper part 20 and a lower part 22. The upper part 20 and the lower part 22 may be separated by a line of weakness 23. In this embodiment, the upper part 20 extends upward and curves inward relative to the container 12. A flange 24 extends inward from an inner face 26 of the side wall 14. The flange 24 may be a separate piece that is bonded to the side wall 14, such as during manufacturing, or may be formed as a part of the side wall 14 through e.g. extrusion. The upper panel 16 of the lid 10 may adhere to the upper or lower face of the flange 24, or the upper panel 16 of the lid may be an extension of flange 24.

[0019] The line of weakness 23, which can be seen in Figures 3, 4, and 6B, can be a thinning of material of the side wall 14, that permits tearing and separation of the upper part 20 and the lower part 22. Alternatively, the line of weakness 23 may take the form of intermittent perforations.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the flange 24 is shaped and dimensioned so that the low point 28 of the flange 24 abuts and rests upon the upper face 29 of the rim 30 of the container 12 when the lid 10 is in use. The flange 24 may be substantially horizontal and planar with the upper panel 16, or the end 32 of the flange 24 may extend upward as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0021] The retention ring 18 is intended to sit below the opening of the container 12, and generally has a smaller circumference than the opening of the container 12. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 5, the retention ring 18 has a U-shaped cross section, which comprises an outer leg 34 and an inner leg 36. The space between the outer and inner legs 34, 36 defines a channel 38 that extends around the length of the retention ring 18. The legs 34, 36 may be substantially the same thickness, or as can be seen in Figure 5, the inner leg 36 may have a greater thickness than the outer leg 34. The thickness of the inner leg 36 facilitates retaining the retention ring 18 in place, as the top face 40 of inner leg 36 of the retention ring 18 may abut against the lower face 31 of the rim 30 of the container 12. Preferably, the outer circumference of the inner leg 36 does not exceed the outer circumference of the rim 30.

[0022] The top face 40 of the inner leg 36 is preferably planar, and substantially horizontal. When the retention ring 18 is in use and is placed around a container 12, a flat horizontal face of the inner leg 36 provides ample surface area to abut against the lower face 31 of the rim 30 of the container 12. Alternatively, the top face 40 of the inner leg 36 may have a different shape in order to matingly receive the lower face 31 of the rim 30 of the container 12. For example, in the Figures, the lower face 31 of the rim 30 of the container 12 is convex, so the top face 40 of the inner leg 36 may be concave to allow for a snug fit between the retention ring 18 and the rim 30 of the container 12.

[0023] In one embodiment, the inner face 42 of the retention ring 18 is shaped to accommodate the shape of the container 12. For example, the inner face 42 of the retention ring 18 may be angled as can be seen in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the inner face 42 tapers upward toward the top face 40 of the inner leg 36. This shape reflects that shape of many food containers, which are tapered from top to bottom, as is the case with the illustrated container 12. When a retention ring 18 according to this embodiment is applied to a container 12 that is tapered, the angled inner face 42 permits a snug friction fit that secures the retention ring 18 in place.

[0024] The lower part 22 of the side wall 14 extends downward, and may be substantially vertical, or may flare outward or inward as necessary to mate with the channel 38 of the retention ring 18. To retain the lid 10 on the container 12, the lower part 22 of the side wall 14 nests into the channel 38 of the retention ring 18, and may be adhered to the retention ring 18 to secure the lid 12 to the retention ring 18. This process can be carried out e.g. after the container 12 has been filled with product as will be discussed below. [0025] A further embodiment is shown in Figures 6A, 6B and 9. In this embodiment, a side channel 46 extends circumferentially around part of, or the entire, outer face 48 of the retention ring 18. With this embodiment, the lower part 22 of the side wall 14 of the lid 10 has a projection 50 that extends inwardly. The projection 50 is shaped and dimensioned so that when the lid 10 extends downward to cover the top of the container, the projection nests inside the side channel 46 to secure the lid 10 to the retention ring 18. The connection between the projection 50 and the side channel 46 may be a snap fit connection, or alternatively, an adhesive may be used to secure the flange 50 in the side channel 46. The cross-section of the side channel 46 and the flange 50 are shown as semi-circular in Figure 6B, however, other shapes may be used, such as square, rectangular, angular, or flat.

[0026] Optionally, there are lips 52 that extend upward from the top face 40 of the retention ring 18. The lips 52 align with the inner face 42 of the retention ring 18, and serve to facilitate a snug friction fit that secures the retention ring 18 in place along the outer face 44 of the container 12. In addition, the lips may also serve to abut against the lower face 31 of the rim 30 of the container 12 to secure the retention ring 18 in place. The retention ring 18 may also include a tab 54 to facilitate manipulation thereof.

[0027] Adherence of the lower part 22 of the side wall 14 in the channel 38, 46 of the retention ring 18 may be accomplished with adhesive, such as a cold-seal adhesive. Alternatively, the coupling of the lower part 22 of the side wall 14 of the lid 10 with the retention ring 18 may be achieved by heat seal, heat-stake, or pierce joint method. The channel 38 provides an increased surface area to adhere to the lower part 22 of the side wall, thereby strengthening the connection between the two pieces 14 and 18 of the lid 10.

[0028] To aid in opening the container 12, the lower part 22 of the side wall and/or the retention ring 18 may have a gripping means (not shown). In a further embodiment, the lower part 22 of the side wall 14 and/or the retention ring 18 is formed with an accessible edge portion (not shown) disposed at a location along the outwardly facing surface. The accessible edge portion may be at an edge of the gripping means, and serves to assist a user's ability to grip and hold the side wall 14 and/or retention ring 18 below the line of weakness 23. The application of force by the user causes the line of weakness 23 to rupture, thereby allowing the lower part 22 of the side wall 14 to separate from the upper part 20 along the line of weakness 23. Upon separation, the lid 10 is able to be removed from the retention ring 18 and the container 12.

[0029] Some or all of the components of the lid 10 are made from a paper product that is fully recyclable and/or compostable. The retaining ring 18 may be made of a paper-based molded product, a resin or plastic material, and/or a foil or metallic material.

[0030] Figure 7 illustrates a method 100 of assembling the lid 10 according to one embodiment. In this method, a first step 110 may include placing a retention ring 18 below the container 12. The ring 18 may be placed on a flat surface, or if the assembly is being done mechanically, the ring 18 may be suspended to receive the container 12.

[0031] In a subsequent step 120, the retention ring 18 is then lifted to a point near the top of the container, so that there is an interference fit between the retention ring 18 and the container 12. Alternatively, if the ring 18 is suspended, the container 12 can be placed in the ring 18 until the ring 18 forms an interference fit with the container 12. The interference fit may be a result of the top face 40 of the inner leg 36 abutting the rim 30 of the container 12 and/or the inner face 42 of the ring 18 frictionally engaging the outer face 44 of the container.

[0032] In another step 130, which can be performed at any point in the method, an adhesive is placed between the lid 10 and the retention ring 18. Preferably, the adhesive is placed in the channel 38, 46 of the ring 18, or the adhesive may be applied to the lower part 22 of the side wall 14 of the lid 10. The adhesive may be a cold-seal adhesive. Alternatively, this step may be omitted, and the bonding between the retention ring 18 and the lid is performed through a heat seal, heat-stake, or pierce joint method, or in the case of the side channel 46, a snap-fit connection.

[0033] When an adhesive has been applied, a further step 140 includes bringing the lid 10 and the retention ring 18 together to bond the two pieces. Preferably, the lower part 22 of the side wall 14 nests in the channel 38 of the retention ring 18.

[0034] A method 200 of filling and assembling a tamper evident container is illustrated in Figure 8, and comprises a step 210 of placing a retention ring at a filling location. This may be a manufacturing facility in which the container is filled with product.

[0035] In a subsequent step 220, a container 12 is then placed within the retention ring 18. In this method, the opening of the container 12, which may have an upper lip, has a diameter larger than the diameter of the retention ring 18.

[0036] In a next step 230, the container is filled with a product, such as ice cream, a beverage, baby formula, medicine, and the like. This step may also take place before step 220, i.e. the container 12 may be filled with the product prior to placing it within the retention ring 18.

[0037] The retention ring 18 is then raised 240 near the top of the container 12, at which point it will engage the container 12 in an interference fit. The retention ring 18 is then bonded 250 to a lid 10. Bonding may be through the use of an adhesive, such as a cold-seal adhesive, or through a heat seal, heat-stake, or pierce joint method, or a snap-fit connection when the retention ring 18 has a side channel.

[0038] Another embodiment is directed to a container 12 comprising the lid 10 as disclosed herein (see for example Figure 1). The container 12 may be a food container, such as an ice cream container, but the tamper-resistant security lid 10 may be applied to other containers, such as over-the-counter medication containers. [0039] In the embodiments shown in the figures, the lid is circular. In other embodiments, it is rectangular, oval, square, or other shapes.

[0040] A further embodiment, a projection retention ring 60 has intermittent projections 62 is shown in Figure 10. As with the other embodiments, retention ring 60 has an inner face 42 of the retention ring 18 shaped to accommodate the shape of the container 12. For example, the inner face 42 of the retention ring 60 may be angled. The projection retention ring 60 has a base 68 which is formed to have a continuous ring structure and sized to have an interference fit with the outer wall of a container. Projection outwardly from the bottom of the base 68 may be a rim 70.

[0041] As with the embodiments described above, the projection retention ring 60 provides a method of securing a lid to a container by placing the projection retention ring 60 below the lid and around the container, lifting the projection retention ring 60 to a point near the top of the container, so that there is an interference fit between the retention ring and the container; and pushing a lid down on the container to affix the lid to the projection retention ring 60. The lid may be further affixed to the retention ring by bonding.

[0042] The intermittent projections 62 have an upright portion 64 and an outward portion 66 extending from the upright portion 64. The upright portion 64 extends upward to a distal end having an upper taper 72. An outward portion 66 extends outward to a distal end having an outward taper 74. The upper taper 72 is designed to insert partially into and thus secure to a rim 30 of a container 12 when the projection retention ring 60 is assembled to the container, as shown in Figure 11 and 12. By this arrangement, the projection retention ring 60 is more securely held to the container 12 thus increasing the security of the non-tamper feature.

[0043] The outward taper 74 is designed to insert partially or wholly into a line of weakness 23 on a lid 10, as seen in Figure 12. The line of weakness 23, which can be seen in Figures 3, 4, and 6B, can be a thinning of material of the side wall 14, that permits tearing and separation of the upper part 20 and the lower part 22. Alternatively, the line of weakness 23 may take the form of intermittent perforations. By this arrangement, the lid 10, and in particular the lower part 22 of lid 10 is more securely held to the container 12 unless and until the lower part 22 is separated from the upper part 20 by tearing the lower part from the upper part, thus increasing the security and visibility of the non-tamper feature.

[0044] As seen in Figures 10 and 12, the outward taper 74 is designed so that the underside 76 of the outward portion 66 is flat, while the upper side 78 of the outward portion 66 is the tapered part. By this arrangement, when assembling the projection retention ring 60, the lid 10 and the container 12, during the step of pushing the lid down, the taper on the upper side 78 facilitates moving the lower part 22 of the lid over and slightly outward in relation to the outward portion 66 until the line of weakness 23 aligns with the outward taper 74, at which time the distal end of the outward taper 74 settles into the line of weakness 23. In contrast, the flat fact on the underside 76, having no taper, makes it more difficult to remove the lid without breaking the line of weakness 23. In an alternative embodiment, the outward taper 74 partially breaks the line of weakness 23 when they come into contact upon assembly. By either embodiment, this arrangement provides a strong contact and fit between the outward taper 74 and the lid 10 at the line of weakness 23. The lid can thus only be removed when one breaks the line of weakness.

[0045] Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that changes or additions may be made to the design of the closure without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims attached hereto. For example, a solid resilient band might be used on the tear-away strip portion of the closure instead of individual tamper-evident teeth. In lieu of paperboard, different flexible sheet materials might be used, according to the final intended application. The inside wall of the top cylindrical band could be formed with threads to adapt the closure for use on a threaded container.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A tamper evident lid secured to a retention ring, wherein the retention ring has a continuous ring structure and an inner face sized to have an interference fit with an outer wall of a container.

2. A tamper evident lid of claim 1, wherein the retention ring has a U-shape cross- section, said U-shape configured to receive a lower outer wall of the lid.

3. The tamper evident lid of claim 1, wherein the retention ring has a side channel extending circumferentially around an outer face of the retention ring, and a lower inner face of a side wall of the lid has a projection extending circumferentially around the lower inner face, and the projection nests inside the side channel to secure the lid to the retention ring.

4. The tamper evident lid of claim 3, wherein the projection and the side channel mate in an interference fit.

5. The tamper evident lid of claim 1, wherein the retention ring has intermittent projections, said intermittent projections having an upright portion.

6. The tamper evident lid of claim 5, wherein the intermittent projections have an outward portion.

7. The tamper evident lid of claim 5, wherein the upright portion extends upward to a distal end having an upper taper.

8. The tamper evident lid of claim 6, wherein the outward portion extends outward to a distal end having an outward taper.

9. The tamper evident lid of claim 7, wherein the upper taper is configured to insert partially into and thus secure to a rim of a container when the retention ring is assembled to the container.

10. The tamper evident lid of claim 8, wherein the outward taper is configured to insert partially or wholly into a line of weakness on a lid.

11. The tamper evident lid of claim 10, wherein the outward taper is configured so that the underside of the outward portion is flat, while the upper side of the outward portion is angled to provide the taper.

12. The tamper evident lid of claims 1 to 11, wherein the lid and the retention ring are bonded.

13. A tamper evident lid of claims 1 to 12, wherein the retention ring has a flat inner face.

14. A tamper evident lid of claims 1 to 13, wherein the retention ring has an inner face angled to correspond to an angle of an outer face of a container.

15. A tamper evident lid of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retention ring has a flat horizontal upper face.

16. The tamper evident lid of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retention ring has lips that extend upwards from a top face of the retention ring, said lips having a friction fit with the outer wall of the container.

17. The tamper evident lid of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retention ring has a tab that extend outwards from the retention ring, said tab for gripping and tearing the retention ring and a lower portion of a side wall off the lid.

18. The tamper evident lid of any of claims 5 to 15, wherein the lid has a lower portion and the lower portion has a tab that extends outwards from the lower portion, said tab for gripping and tearing a lower portion of a side wall off the lid.

19. The tamper evident lid of any of claims 1 to 18, further comprising intermittent perforations extending circumferentially around a side wall of the lid.

20. A method of securing the lid of any of claims 1 to 19, comprising: placing the retention ring below the lid and around the container; lifting the retention ring to a point near the top of the container, so that there is an interference fit between the retention ring and the container; and pushing the lid down on the container to affix the lid to the retention ring.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the lid is affixed to the retention ring by bonding.

22. A method of claim 20 or 21, wherein the step of pushing the lid down breaks the interference fit between the container and the retention ring.

23. A method of filling and assembling a tamper evident container comprising: placing a retention ring at a filling location; placing a container within the retention ring, a lower outer circumference of the container having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the retention ring, and an upper outer circumference of the container having a diameter larger than the diameter of the retention ring; filling the container with a product; raising the retention ring near the top of the container; and bonding a lid to the retention ring.

24. A method of filling and assembling a tamper evident container comprising: fixing the retention ring near the top of a container by friction or bonding; filing the container; and bonding a lid to the retention ring.

25. The method of any of claims 21 to 24, wherein the bonding between the lid and the retention ring is through a cold-seal adhesive.

26. The method of any of claims 21 to 24, where the bonding between the lid and the retention ring is through a heat seal, heat-stake, or pierce joint method.

27. A container having the tamper evident lid secured to a retention ring as defined in any one of claims 1 to 19.

28. The container of claim 27, wherein the container has a circular circumference.

29. The container of claims 27 or 28 wherein a lower outer circumference of the container has a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the retention ring, and an upper outer circumference of the container has a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the retention ring.

30. The container of claims 27 to 29, wherein the container is tapered so that it is larger at a top than at a bottom.