U.S. patent application number 13/006885 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-21 for tamper evident container.
Invention is credited to Nlall Kelly, John Murphy, Manny F. Silva, III.
Application Number | 20110174819 13/006885 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44276810 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110174819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murphy; John ; et
al. |
July 21, 2011 |
TAMPER EVIDENT CONTAINER
Abstract
A tamper evident container includes a lid and a base such that
the lid cannot be accessed or separated from the base by ordinary
access from the top or side of the container. A tamper evident tab
is included on either of the lid or base such that the user must
depress the tab into the container and insert their finger to
either pull or push the lid from its mating closure with the
base.
Inventors: |
Murphy; John; (Santa
Barbara, CA) ; Kelly; Nlall; (Orajl, CA) ;
Silva, III; Manny F.; (Pismo Beach, CA) |
Family ID: |
44276810 |
Appl. No.: |
13/006885 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61295838 |
Jan 18, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/270 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/0062 20130101;
B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2543/00509 20130101; B65D 2543/00796
20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101; B65D
2401/15 20200501; B65D 55/024 20130101; B65D 2251/0093 20130101;
B65D 43/0254 20130101; B65D 2543/00194 20130101; B65D 2203/02
20130101; B65D 2251/0018 20130101; B65D 2401/10 20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/270 |
International
Class: |
B65D 17/34 20060101
B65D017/34 |
Claims
1. A tamper evident container having a base and a lid, the lid
being incapable of being separated from the base from a top or side
of the container, the tamper evident container comprising: a tamper
evident tab positioned on one of the lid or a side wall of the base
and configured such that a user must break the tamper evident tab
and manually separate the lid from its sealed engagement with the
base.
2. The tamper evident container according to claim 1, wherein the
tamper evident tab comprises: a seam (30) that is capable of being
broken; and a hinge section (32) that is not capable of being
broken and maintains said tab on the lid or side wall after the
seam has been broken.
3. The tamper evident container according to claim 1, further
comprising a compartment (55) positioned under the tamper evident
tab and operable to prevent exposure of goods in the container once
the tamper evident tab has been broken
4. The tamper evident container according to claim 2, wherein the
tamper evident tab further comprises a raised wall (42) integrated
into the lid or side wall around the tab such that a base of the
raised wall consists of the seam (30).
5. The tamper evident contained according to claim 2, further
comprising a membrane (40) secured to the underside of the lid or
side wall and positioned under the tab, said membrane breaking when
the tab is depressed into the container.
6. The tamper evident contained according to claim 2, further
comprising a membrane (40) secured over the tab, said membrane
being broken concurrently with the breaking of the tab when
depressed into the container.
7. A tamper evident container comprising: a base; a lid configured
to be mated with and enclose the base to form the container, the
lid and base being configured such that the lid is incapable of
being separated from the base by accessing the same from a top or
side of the container; and a tamper evident tab positioned on the
lid and configured such that a user must break the tamper evident
tab and lift the lid from its sealed engagement with the base.
8. The tamper evident container according to claim 7, wherein the
tamper evident tab comprises: a seam (30) that is capable of being
broken; and a hinge section (32) that is not capable of being
broken and maintains said tab on the lid after the seam has been
broken.
9. The tamper evident container according to claim 7, further
comprising a compartment (55) positioned under the tamper evident
tab and operable to prevent exposure of goods in the container to
the tamper evident tab.
10. The tamper evident container according to claim 8, wherein the
tamper evident tab further comprises a raised wall (42) integrated
into the lid around the tab such that a base of the raised wall
consists of the seam (30).
11. The tamper evident contained according to claim 8, further
comprising a membrane (40) secured to the underside of the lid and
positioned under the tab, said membrane breaking when the tab is
depressed into the container.
12. The tamper evident contained according to claim 8, further
comprising a membrane (40) secured over the tab, said membrane
being broken concurrently with the breaking of the tab when
depressed into the container.
13. A tamper evident container comprising: a base having a bottom
and at least three side walls; a lid configured to be mated with
and enclose the base to form the container, the lid and a top edge
of the at least three side walls being configured such that the lid
is incapable of being separated from the base by accessing the same
from a top or side of the container; and a tamper evident tab
positioned on a side wall of the base and configured such that a
user must break the tamper evident tab and push the lid from its
sealed engagement with the base.
14. The tamper evident container according to claim 13, wherein the
tamper evident tab comprises: a seam (30) that is capable of being
broken; and a hinge section (32) that is not capable of being
broken and maintains said tab on the side wall after the seam has
been broken.
15. The tamper evident container according to claim 13, further
comprising a compartment (55) positioned under the tamper evident
tab and operable to prevent exposure of goods in the container to
the tamper evident tab.
16. The tamper evident container according to claim 14, wherein the
tamper evident tab further comprises a raised wall (42) integrated
into the side wall around the tab such that a base of the raised
wall consists of the seam (30).
17. The tamper evident container according to claim 14, further
comprising a membrane (40) secured to the underside of the side
wall and positioned under the tab, said membrane breaking when the
tab is depressed into the container.
18. The tamper evident container according to claim 14, further
comprising a membrane (40) secured over the tab, said membrane
being broken concurrently with the breaking of the tab when
depressed into the container.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/295,838 filed on Jan. 18, 2010, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to containers. More
particularly, it relates to a tamper evident container.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] There are many types of containers known in the art. These
vary from boxes to bags to cups with lids and the like.
[0006] The containers can be fabricated of virtually any material
such as paper, wood and plastic. The plastic devices can be
fabricated any number of ways including, for example, injection
molded, hermetic sealing techniques, and thermoforming.
Thermoformed plastic containers are generally inexpensive and easy
to produce.
[0007] In the current day and age, containers are used to store
many types of devices for later use and/or sale. Containers can
incorporate, among other things, foodstuffs, medicine or the like.
Of course, virtually any type of product can be stored in
containers with lids.
[0008] Unfortunately, in the current day and age it is also a
frequent occurrence that containers are tampered with by persons
who wish to tamper with the goods or products which are stored in
the packages. These attacks on the products have various and sundry
effects. For example, the contents of the package or container can
be pilfered or contaminated. Pilferage can be a nuisance;
contamination can be fatal.
[0009] In taking steps to avoid this invasion of the container,
many approaches in the nature of security and/or safety have been
utilized. Some of these security attempts have been easily
circumvented by the persistent person who wishes invade the
container and/or its contents. Some of the security measures have
been so cumbersome as to make the container virtually useless.
Other security measures have been terribly expensive and indirectly
driven up the price of the goods contained in the container.
[0010] In addition, many of the security attempts have been
unsuccessful in that it is not fully evident that the security of
the container has been breached. One of the desirable features of
security packaging is to have a package which is very secure so as
to be considered "tamper proof". Also important is the
characteristic that any tampering with the package produces a
"tamper evident" condition. With a "tamper evident" condition, a
consumer can, with almost casual visual observation, detect that
the container has been tampered with even though the "tamper proof"
aspects thereof have not been breached.
[0011] Consequently, it is highly desirable to produce a package
which is relatively inexpensive, easy to produce and is
substantially tamper proof and incorporates the characteristics
that any tampering is evident to the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
tamper evident container includes a base and a lid configured to be
mated with and close the base to form the container. A tamper
evident tab is positioned on one of the lid or a side wall of the
base and is configured such that a user must break the tamper
evident tab and manually separate the lid from its sealed
engagement with the base.
[0013] Those of skill in the art will recognize that although the
present invention is described in the exemplary context of a
thermoformed container, the present principles are equally
applicable to any container manufactured in any known manner that
is suitable for the storage of food products and or non-perishable
goods
[0014] Other aspects and features of the present principles will
become apparent from the following detailed description considered
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be
understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for
purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of
the present principles, for which reference should be made to the
appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings
are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise
indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the
structures and procedures described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote
similar components throughout the views:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a top view of the tamper evident container
according to an implementation of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tamper evident
container taken along line C-C of FIG. 1, according to an
implementation of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the section D highlights in
FIG. 2, according to an implementation of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an implementation of the
tamper evident feature of the present invention positioned on the
lid of the container;
[0020] FIGS. 5a and 5b are plan views showing the engagement and
operation of one implementation of the tamper evident feature of
the present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 6a and 6b are plan views showing an alternative
embodiment of the engagement and operation of the tamper evident
feature of the present invention; and
[0022] FIGS. 7a and 7b show plan views of various alternative
implementations of the tamper evident feature of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] There is shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2 a container 10
having a base 14, a lid 12, and the tamper evident tab 16 according
to an implementation of the invention.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, according to one implementation of the
invention, there is shown an enlarged cross-sectional area where
the lid 12 mates with the base 14. As shown, the lid 12 is designed
with an outwardly extending peripheral flange 20. The upper
peripheral edge of the base 14 is designed with an upwardly
projecting bead 22 extending about the perimeter of the same. As
can be seen in FIG. 3, the bead 22 is configured and dimensioned to
render the outwardly extending flange 20 of the lid portion 12
inaccessible from the top or side when the container is closed.
Thus, with this configuration of the bead 22 and flange 20, the
access to the outer edge of the flange 20 of lid 12 is physically
prevented, and as a result, a consumer or person with intention to
tamper with the goods in the container, cannot simply separate the
lid 12 from the base 14 and access what inside the base 14.
[0025] As is also shown, according to one implementation, the lid
12 includes a shaped portion 18 that corresponds to a matching
shaped portion of the base 24. These shaped portions (shown in this
example as semi-circular protrusion) are configured to enable the
lid 12 to "snap" into the base 14 and be frictionally secured
therein while the outer edge of the flange 20 remains inaccessible
to the consumer. Those of skill in the art with recognize that
various different mating arrangements for the lid and base can be
made without changing the scope or spirit of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows one example of the tamper evident tab 16
according to an implementation of the invention. In this example,
the tab 16 is disposed on the lid 12, and is manufactured or
alternatively integrated into the lid such that a seam 30 and hinge
section 32 are formed around the tab 16. The seam 30 is preferably
configured such that it is either perforated (i.e., perforations of
any size can be used depending on the desired application for the
container) or made of a thickness that is sufficiently thinner than
the lid itself so as to be breakable. Thus, the tab 16 with seam 30
is configured for a one time depression which breaks the seam 30
and thereby indicates tampering with the container.
[0027] In alternative implementations, a membrane or film 40 can be
secured to the underside of the lid 12 and positioned under the tab
16 such that when tab 16 is depressed into the interior of the
container the membrane or film is broken, further indicating
tampering with the container. Alternatively, the film or membrane
could be positioned over the tab 16 such that the same must either
be removed, or is also perforated such that it too is broken when
the user engages the tab to break the same and open the container.
In alternative implementations, the film or membrane can take the
form of a sticker that is disposed over the tab 16 (See for
example, FIGS. 6a and 6b)
[0028] In the example of FIG. 4, the tab 16 is shown in an oblong
shape such that when a user depresses an area 34 opposing the hinge
area 32, the seam 30 breaks and the tab is depressed into the
interior of the container. Once the seam 30 is broken, the user can
insert their finger into the container and apply the appropriate
upward force on the lid 12 to cause the same to be released from
its closed/mated position within the base 14. In this
implementation, the lid and tab are designed and formed with a
raised wall 42 along along the perimeter of the tab 16 such that
the base of the raised wall 42 consists of the seam 30 with the
respective breakable perforation configuration. Those of skill in
the art will recognize that the shape of tab 16 can be any shape
(e.g., circular, semi-circular, oval, ellipse, square, rectangular,
hexagon, octagon, etc.) without departing from the scope and spirit
of the present invention
[0029] In another implementation, the tab 16 could be configured as
a pull tab, where the user must pull on tab 16 to break the seam
30, and then use the tab 16 to pull the lid 12 from the base
14.
[0030] FIGS. 5a and 5b demonstrate the exemplary implementation
described above by showing the finger 50 depressing the tab 16
(FIG. 5a) and lifting the lid 12 up from its seated closed position
within the base 14 (FIG. 5b).
[0031] In one implementation, the base 14 can include a hold tab 33
on an edge or corner adjacent the tamper evident tab 16 so as to
assist the user in holding the base 14 down while engaging tab 16
and pulling or pushing up on lid 12 to release the same from the
base 14.
[0032] As mentioned above, it will be apparent to those of skill in
the art that once the seam 30 is broken on the tab 16, it cannot be
re-sealed, thus clearly identifying that the container has been
tampered with, and possibly the goods contained in the same. Thus,
the tamper evident aspect of the container having tab 16 with seam
30 is a one time depression of the tab to break the seam.
Subsequent use of tab 16 (with already broken seam 30) for
separating the lid 12 from the base 14 is clearly understood as to
not be a part of the tamper evident feature of the present
invention.
[0033] FIGS. 6a and 6b show an implementation where a sticker 60 is
disposed on the lid 12 to provide information relating the product
contained therein. The sticker 60 can include a portion 62 that is
configured to overlay the tab 16 and includes, for example,
performations 64 such that when the user presses the tab 16 in, the
sticker perforations 64 and seam 30 are broken together, thus
adding an additional level of tamper evident features to the
container.
[0034] According to other contemplated implementations, the
position of the tab 16 can be changed according to a preferred or
desired application of the container. FIGS. 7a and 7b show various
examples of the tab 16 positioned in several different locations on
lid 12, and also being shaped differently. FIG. 6b shows an
implementation where the tab 16 is integrated into a side of the
base 14, wherein the user can engage/depress the tab 16 into the
container and push up on lid 12 to release the same from the base
14.
[0035] In another contemplated implementation, the base of the
container 14 may include a wall or a formed compartment 55 (See
FIG. 2) positioned from the bottom of the base to the top (without
interfering with the lid closure mating with the base) such that
any product contained within the base 14 cannot be accidentally or
intentionally touched by the user's finger once tab 16 has been
engaged to separate the lid from the base. In this manner, the
evidence that the container 10 has been tampered with through the
breaking of the seam 30 of tab 16 does not necessarily result in
the goods contained within the container being tampered with.
[0036] In another contemplated embodiment, not shown, the wall or
compartment 55 can be integrated into the lid 12, such that the
manufacturing of the base 14 does not have to change to accommodate
the tamper evident tab 16 of the present invention. In this
embodiment, the compartment 55 would be integrally formed onto the
underside of the lid 12 such that when tab 16 is depressed and the
seam 30 is broken the user's finger stays within the compartment 55
and does not touch or otherwise come into contact with the goods in
the base 14.
[0037] In other implementations, the base 14 of the container can
include other features such as, for example, raised bottom portion
to prevent the food product contained therein from sitting in any
liquids. Other possible features could include drain holes for any
such liquid, and textured exterior surfaces for aiding in the
handling of the container at the retail level.
[0038] While there have been shown, described and pointed out
fundamental novel features of the present principles, it will be
understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the
foam and details of the methods described and devices illustrated,
and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the same. For example, it is
expressly intended that all combinations of those elements which
perform substantially the same function in substantially the same
way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the present
principles. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures
and/or elements shown and/or described in connection with any
disclosed form or implementation of the present principles may be
incorporated in any other disclosed, described or suggested form or
implementation as a general matter of design choice. It is the
intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope
of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *