U.S. patent application number 10/818772 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-23 for tamper-resistant container.
Invention is credited to Lessard, Claude, Normand, Pascal.
Application Number | 20040182872 10/818772 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32736267 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040182872 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lessard, Claude ; et
al. |
September 23, 2004 |
Tamper-resistant container
Abstract
The present invention provides a container having a lid hingedly
connected thereto and so configured that the hinged elements cannot
be separated from one another whereby the lid cannot be opened or
removed from the body of the container to allow access to the
contents of the container.
Inventors: |
Lessard, Claude; (Levis,
CA) ; Normand, Pascal; (Levis, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P. O. BOX 5257
NEW YORK
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Family ID: |
32736267 |
Appl. No.: |
10/818772 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10818772 |
Apr 5, 2004 |
|
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10353818 |
Jan 29, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/826 ;
220/833 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/164
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/826 ;
220/833 |
International
Class: |
B65D 051/04 |
Claims
1. A tamper-resistant container comprising: two opposite side
walls; two opposite end walls; a bottom surface interconnecting
said side and end walls; and a lid; wherein a) one of said side
walls includes first hinge elements; b) said lid includes second
hinge elements cooperating with said first hinge elements for
hingedly connecting said lid to said side wall; c) one of said one
side wall and of said lid includes at least one projection; d) the
other of said one side wall and of said lid includes at least one
aperture corresponding to said one projection; and e) said one
projection and said one aperture are so configured that, when said
lid is hingedly moved to a closed position, said one projection
enters said one aperture and provides resistance to forceful
opening of the lid from the container at said hinge elements.
2. The tamper-resistant container of claim 1, wherein said lid
includes two lid members.
3. The tamper-resistant container of claim 2, wherein each said
side wall defines an upper edge, said first hinge elements
including hinge pins mounted to said side walls; each said lid
member including generally C-shaped hinge members configured to
cooperate with said hinge pins on said upper edge of each side
wall.
4. The tamper-resistant lid according to claim 3, wherein said
hinge pins are integrally molded with said side walls and wherein
said generally C-shaped hinge members are integrally molded with
said lid members.
5. A tamper-resistant lid according to claim 3, wherein said
C-shaped hinge element are horizontally spaced from one another
along an edge of said lid; said projection being located in each
spaces between said C-shaped hinge elements.
6. A tamper-resistant lid according to claim 3, wherein said hinge
pins are horizontally spaced from one another along said upper edge
of said side walls; said aperture being located in each space
between said hinge pins.
7. A tamper-resistant lid according to claim 5, wherein each corner
along said edge of said lid is free of a C-shaped element; each
said corner displaying a male hinge engaging a recessed area in
each opposite corner of said upper edge of said side wall to
provide resistance to tampering in each corner of said
container.
8. A tamper-resistant lid according to claim 3, wherein said
C-shaped hinge elements are horizontally spaced from one another
along an edge of said lid; said projection being located in spaces
between said C-shaped hinge elements except in a central area of
said edge; said upper edge of said side wall including, in a
central area of said edge of said lid, rib means to provide
resistance to tampering in said areas.
9. A tamper-resistant lid for a container provided with a side
wall, said lid being so hingedly mounted to said side wall via
cooperating hinge elements as to pivot between open and closed
positions, said side wall including at least one aperture and said
lid including at least one projection corresponding to said at
least one aperture whereby, when said lid is moved to the closed
position, said one projection enters said one aperture to provide
resistance to tampering via said hinge elements.
10. A tamper-resistant lid for a container provided with first and
second side walls each having an edge provided with first hinge
elements and with at least one aperture, said lid comprising: a
first lid member having an outer edge provided with second hinge
elements configured to cooperate with said first hinge elements;
said first lid member being so mounted to said first side wall via
said cooperating hinge elements as to be pivotable between open and
closed positions; said first lid member including at least one
projection; a second lid member having an outer edge provided with
second hinge elements configured to cooperate with said first hinge
elements; said second lid member being so mounted to said second
side wall via said cooperating hinge elements as to be pivotable
between open and closed positions; said second lid member including
at least one projection; wherein a) when said first lid member is
moved to the closed position, said at least one projection of said
first lid member enters said at least one aperture of the first
side wall to provide resistance to tampering; and b) when said
second lid member is moved to the closed position, said at least
one projection of said second lid member enters said at least one
aperture of the second side wall to provide resistance to
tampering.
11. The tamper-resistant lid according to claim 10, wherein said
first lid member further has an inner edge provided with a lap
portion and a recessed portion, and said second lid member has an
inner edge provided with a lap portion opposite said recessed
portion of the first lid member and a recessed portion opposite
said lap portion of the first lid member, so that said first and
second lid members are complementarily secured together by an
overlapping of said respective inner edges.
12. The tamper-resistant lid according to claim 10, wherein the
first hinge elements of the container include hinge pins and
wherein said second hinge elements of said first and second lid
members include generally C-shaped hinge members.
13. The tamper-resistant lid according to claim 12, wherein said
hinge pins are integrally molded with said side walls and wherein
said generally C-shaped hinge members are integrally molded with
said lid members.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to containers. More
specifically, the present invention is concerned with a
tamper-resistant container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Containers are widely used for packaging and transporting
goods. It is usually important that such containers be delivered to
a destination thereof with their content being unaltered.
[0003] There have been an increasing concern of protecting the
contents of the containers from unauthorized access, in order to
ensure the integrity of the delivered merchandise. A number of
tamper-resistant and of tamper-evidencing containers are currently
available. While the former relate to containers that are designed
so as to be extremely difficult to open, the later are so designed
as to not be possibly opened without evidence of the attempt being
left, by providing a tearable seal for example.
[0004] Not surprisingly, the current trend is to provide containers
that are simultaneously tamper-resistant and tamper-evidencing
making them difficult to open and, at the same time, in case
tampering is successful, providing evidencing thereof.
[0005] It has been observed that tampering may occur by forcing
separation of the lid from the container at their hinging
connection. Although in some cases, complete separation is not
achieved, some separation is available by providing sufficient
distancing of the lid from the container to enable manual insertion
into the container.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a
tamper-resistant container which overcomes the above described
problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] More specifically, in accordance with the present invention,
there is provided a tamper-resistant container comprising:
[0008] two opposite side walls;
[0009] two opposite end walls;
[0010] a bottom surface interconnecting the side and end walls;
and
[0011] a lid;
[0012] wherein a) one of the side walls includes first hinge
elements; b) the lid includes second hinge elements cooperating
with the first hinge elements for hingedly connecting the lid to
the side wall; c) one of the one side wall and of the lid includes
at least one projection; d) the other of the one side wall and of
the lid includes at least one aperture corresponding to one
projection; and e) the one projection and the one aperture are so
configured that, when the lid is hingedly moved to a closed
position, the one projection enters the one aperture and provides
resistance to forceful opening of the lid from the container at the
hinge elements.
[0013] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following
non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given
by way of example only with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the appended drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the container of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lid for the container of
FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the lid of FIG. 3
half way inserted into a wall of the container of FIGS. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating
the lid completely locked in to a wall of the container of FIGS.
1;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a lid for the container of
FIG. 6;
[0022] FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of a corner of the assembled
container and lid of FIGS. 6 and 7; and
[0023] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the central area
of the assembled container and lid of FIGS. 6 and 7.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Generally stated, the present invention provides a
tamper-resistant lid for a container allowing the container to be
closed by the lid in such a way that it cannot be opened by forcing
upwardly the lid at its hinge connection with the container.
[0025] More precisely, the present invention provides a container
having side walls fitting in such a way with edges of a lid
therefor that cannot be forcingly removed.
[0026] Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the appended drawings, a
container 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention
will be generally described.
[0027] The container 10 comprises a body including two opposite
side walls 14 and 16; two opposite end walls 18 and 20; and a
bottom wall 22 (better seen in FIG. 2). As will be described
hereinbelow, the container 10 also includes a lid hingedly mounted
to the body via hinge elements provided on both the body and the
lid.
[0028] The container 10 may be one-piece molded in a plastic
material and the walls 14-20 may be rugged straight walls. A
straight-wall, collapsible container may even be contemplated.
[0029] The side walls 14 and 16 are provided with respective
apertures 24 and 26 molded on edges 15 and 17. The apertures 24 and
26 may be pocket-shaped openings, indentations or windows for
example. The female parts 24 and 26 are designed in relation to a
lid allowing tamper-resistant closure of the container 10, as will
be further explained in detail hereinbelow.
[0030] The edges 15 and 17 are also provided with respective hinge
pins 25 and 27 configured and sized to receive hinge members of the
lid members as will be described below.
[0031] Interestingly, top surfaces 29 and 31, respectively provided
below the hinge pins 25 and 27 are outwardly tapered and may
include apertures in order to direct liquids out of the inside of
the container 10.
[0032] As mentioned hereinabove, in order to offer an increased
protection of its content, the container 10 is provided with a lid
comprising a first lid member 30, illustrated on its own in FIG. 3;
and a second identical lid member (not shown). Since the first and
second lid members forming the cover are identical, only the lid
member 30 will be described herein, for concision purpose.
[0033] The lid member 30 has a length defined between opposite side
edges 32 and 34 corresponding to a length of the container 10
between the second opposite side walls 18 and 20 thereof (see FIG.
1), and a width between an outer edge 38 and an inner edge 36.
[0034] The inner edge 36 of the first lid member 30 is so designed
as to allow a tight closure of the container 10 when the second
identical lid member (not shown) is mounted with an outer edge
thereof connected along the edge 15 or 17 of the wall 14 or 16
respectively of the container 10 (see FIG. 1). In the example
illustrated in FIG. 3, the inner edge 36 of the lid member 30 is
provided with a lap portion 46 having a bottom surface (not shown)
bearing ribs, and a recessed portion 48 bearing ribs 50 on a top
surface thereof. People in the art will easily understand that a
corresponding inner ledge of the second lid member (not shown) is
provided with a lap portion in a region opposite the recessed
portion 48 and a recessed portion in a region opposite the lap
portion 46, so that the first and second lid members are
complementarily secured together by an overlapping of their
respective inner edges. Of course, other designs of interconnection
between the two lid members are possible.
[0035] The side edges 32 and 34 engage fittingly with edges 19 and
21 of the opposite end walls 18 and 20 of the container 10 (see
FIG. 1), in a manner that is believed to be well known in the art.
For example, in cases when tightness is sought because the
container 10 is intended for protection of valuable contents
against contaminants such as liquids or dusts, skirt portions 33,
35 on the side edges 32 and 34 may be provided that come in
wrapping contact with the edges 19 and 21 of the side walls 18 and
20 of the container 10. Alternatively, the side edges 32 and 34 of
the lid member 30 may be plain surfaces setting on the edges 19 and
21.
[0036] The outer edge 38 of the lid member 30 is provided with
hinge elements in the form of generally C-shaped hinge members 41
configured and sized to cooperate with the hinge pins 25 or 27 of
the body of the container 10 so as to allow the lid member 30 to be
pivoted between open and closed positions.
[0037] The hinge members 41 alternate with shoulder portions 39
bearing projections 40. The projections 40 are located opposite the
apertures 24 and 26 molded on the edges 15 and 17 of the side walls
14 and 16 when the lid member 30 is mounted to the container 10 via
the hinge pins of the container and the hinge members of the lid
members.
[0038] When in a generally horizontal position towards the center
of the container 10, the first and second lid members 30 meet
lengthwise along inner edges 36 thereof into a generally closed
position, thereby forming a cover for the container 10. Such a
cover may be opened by allowing one (or both) of the first and
second lid members 30 to pivot back outwardly so that the
projections 40 are freed from the apertures 24 and 26 as will be
described hereinbelow.
[0039] In the generally closed position of the cover where the
first and second lid members 30 meet lengthwise along the inner
edges 36 thereof, the edges 32, 34 of the lid member 30 may be
further fastened to the side walls 18 and 20 of the container 10 by
lengths of tie wrap (not shown), insertable in apertures of the
cover and edges of the container.
[0040] The lid members 30 may be molded in a plastic material as is
known in the art.
[0041] Turning now more specifically to FIGS. 4-5, the operation of
the tamper-resistant features of the container 10 will be
described.
[0042] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an allowed movement of the lid
member 30 in relation to the container 10. In FIG. 4, the lid
member 30 is shown half way inserted into the edge 17 of the wall
16, by sealingly engagement of the projection 40 in the aperture
26.
[0043] As seen in FIG. 4, the projection 40 is not flat but has a
slope and a rounded end to allow a pivot movement (see arrow 42) of
the lid member 30 with respect to the container 10.
[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates the lid member 30 in a fully closed
position where the projection 40 completely enters the aperture
26.
[0045] People in the art will appreciate that such a design also
helps to direct liquids outside of the container 10.
[0046] Once so closed, the container 10 may be opened, by an
authorized person, by removing lengths of tie wrap, or other
closing means such as a padlock, provided to secure both lid
members 30 forming the cover together prior to pivot the lid
members 30 towards their open position (see double arrow 42 in FIG.
4).
[0047] The container 10, once closed, cannot be open without either
first cutting the lengths of tie wrap and allowing the lid members
30 to pivot, or by forcing the projection 40 out of the apertures
24 and 26.
[0048] Indeed, the configuration of the hinge and of the
projection/aperture combination makes it impossible to break either
the hinge element 41 or the projection 40.
[0049] In FIG. 5, the direction of arrow 52 indicates how a force
would be exerted to remove (or slightly lift) the lid from the
container at their hinge elements. The goal of this force is to
remove the hinge member 41 from the hinge pin 25. However, movement
in this direction is prevented by the projection 40 engaged in
aperture 26.
[0050] Turning now to FIG. 6 of the appended drawings, a container
110 according to another embodiment of the present invention will
be generally described.
[0051] The container 110 comprises a body including two opposite
side walls 114 and 116; two opposite end walls 118 and 120; and a
bottom wall 122. As will be described hereinbelow, the container
110 also includes a lid hingedly mounted to the body via hinge
elements provided on both the body and the lid.
[0052] The container 110 may be one-piece molded in a plastic
material and the walls 114-120 may be rugged straight walls. A
straight-wall, collapsible container may even be contemplated.
[0053] The side walls 114 and 116 are provided with respective
apertures 124 and 126 molded on edges 115 and 117. The apertures
124 and 126 may be pocket-shaped openings, indentations or windows
for example. The female parts 124 and 126 are designed in relation
to a lid allowing tamper-resistant closure of the container 110, as
will be further explained in detail hereinbelow.
[0054] The edges 115 and 117 are also provided with respective
hinge pins 125 and 127 configured and sized to receive hinge
members of the lid members as will be described below.
[0055] Interestingly, top surfaces 129 and 131, respectively
provided below the hinge pins 125 and 127 are outwardly tapered and
may include apertures in order to direct liquids out of the inside
of the container 110.
[0056] The container 110 differs from container 10 described above
with respect to FIGS. 1-5 in that each corner of the side walls
displays a T-shaped opening, two being shown as 101 and 103 on side
wall 116 and two being shown as 105 and 107 on side wall 114 (see
also FIG. 8). Also, the central area of each side wall of the
container displays a gap 109, 111 and on the facing hinge surfaces
173, 175, two ribs 177 and 179 (see FIG. 9) are provided to
cooperate with the lid to prevent forceful opening of the lid via
said central gap area.
[0057] As mentioned hereinabove, in order to offer an increased
protection of its content, the container 110 is provided with a lid
comprising a first lid member 130, illustrated on its own in FIG.
7; and a second identical lid member (not shown). Since the first
and second lid members forming the cover are identical, only the
lid member 130 will be described herein, for concision purpose.
[0058] The lid member 130 has a length defined between opposite
side edges 132 and 134 corresponding to a length of the container
110 between the second opposite side walls 118 and 120 thereof (see
FIG. 6), and a width between an outer edge 138 and an inner edge
136.
[0059] The inner edge 136 of the first lid member 130 is so
designed as to allow a tight closure of the container 110 when the
second identical lid member (not shown) is mounted with an outer
edge thereof connected along the edge 115 or 117 of the wall 114 or
116 respectively of the container 110 (see FIG. 6). In the example
illustrated in FIG. 7, the inner edge 136 of the lid member 130 is
provided with a lap portion 146 having a bottom surface (not shown)
bearing ribs, and a recessed portion 148 bearing ribs 150 on a top
surface thereof. People in the art will easily understand that a
corresponding inner ledge of the second lid member (not shown) is
provided with a lap portion in a region opposite the recessed
portion 148 and a recessed portion in a region opposite the lap
portion 146, so that the first and second lid members are
complementarily secured together by an overlapping of their
respective inner edges. Of course, other designs of interconnection
between the two lid members are possible.
[0060] The lid 130 of FIG. 7 differs from the lid 30 of FIG. 3 by
the presence of the cylindrically shaped hinge elements 181 and 183
at each opposite corner of the outer side edge of the lid. These
elements are shaped to insert the openings 101, 103 (or 105,107) at
each corner of the side walls of the container. The engagement of
the hinge elements in their respective openings of the container
further prevents forceful opening of the lids at the corner
areas.
[0061] The side edges 132 and 134 engage fittingly with edges 119
and 121 of the opposite end walls 118 and 120 of the container 110
(see FIG. 6), in a manner that is believed to be well known in the
art. For example, in cases when tightness is sought because the
container 110 is intended for protection of valuable contents
against contaminants such as liquids or dusts, skirt portions 133,
135 on the side edges 132 and 134 may be provided that come in
wrapping contact with the edges 119 and 121 of the side walls 118
and 120 of the container 110. Alternatively, the side edges 132 and
134 of the lid member 130 may be plain surfaces setting on the
edges 119 and 121.
[0062] The outer edge 138 of the lid member 130 is provided with
hinge elements in the form of generally C-shaped hinge members 141
configured and sized to cooperate with the hinge pins 125 or 127 of
the body of the container 110 so as to allow the lid member 130 to
be pivoted between open and closed positions.
[0063] The hinge members 141 alternate with shoulder portions 139
bearing projections 140. The projections 140 are located opposite
the apertures 124 and 126 molded on the edges 115 and 117 of the
side walls 114 and 116 when the lid member 130 is mounted to the
container 110 via the hinge pins of the container and the hinge
members of the lid members.
[0064] When in a generally horizontal position towards the center
of the container 110, the first and second lid members 130 meet
lengthwise along inner edges 136 thereof into a generally closed
position, thereby forming a cover for the container 110. Such a
cover may be opened by allowing one (or both) of the first and
second lid members 130 to pivot back outwardly so that the
projections 140 are freed from the apertures 124 and 126 as will be
described hereinbelow.
[0065] In the generally closed position of the cover where the
first and second lid members 130 meet lengthwise along the inner
edges 136 thereof, the edges 132, 134 of the lid member 130 may be
further fastened to the side walls 118 and 120 of the container 110
by lengths of tie wrap (not shown), insertable in apertures of the
cover and edges of the container.
[0066] The lid members 130 may be molded in a plastic material as
is known in the art.
[0067] The operation of the tamper-resistant features of the
container 110 will be not described since it is identical to the
operation of container 10 described above and illustrated in FIGS.
4 and 5.
[0068] From the foregoing, it should now be apparent that the
present invention provides a tamper-resistant container, which
combines strength for securing stacking, lid members combining
interlocking features for a secure closure thereof as well as a
rugged hinge mechanism.
[0069] As will also be apparent to one skilled in the art, to
operate properly, it is advantageous to make the containers 10 and
110 in a proper material that is sufficiently stiff to prevent a
sufficient resilient deformation of the lid members and side walls
that would allow an unauthorized individual to open the container
without evidence.
[0070] It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that even
though the lid of the container is shown herein as being made of
two identical lid members, these lid members could be different as
long as they provide an adequate closure of the container.
[0071] It will also be apparent that the projections 40 and 140
could be made of a breakable material so that to force upwardly the
lid from the container could result in breaking the projection thus
making the present container a tamper-evident container.
[0072] Although the present invention has been described
hereinabove by way of specific embodiments thereof, it can be
modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the
subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *