U.S. patent application number 13/681017 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-22 for tamper evident containers.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENPAK LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is GENPAK LLC. Invention is credited to Brian S. Allers, Christian D. Lisowy, Edward W. Rider, JR., Michael V. Warner.
Application Number | 20140138383 13/681017 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50726964 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140138383 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lisowy; Christian D. ; et
al. |
May 22, 2014 |
TAMPER EVIDENT CONTAINERS
Abstract
A tamper-evident container can include a base and a lid. Each of
the base and the lid can include a flange having a free edge that
defines at least a portion of an outermost perimeter of the base or
lid, respectively. The lid can include a tab that has an upper
surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface and a
weakened region that borders a portion of the tab. When the lid is
coupled to the base in a closed pre-use configuration, the lower
surface of the tab is accessible from a lateral side of the
container. The tab can be separated from a neighboring portion of
the lid flange along the weakened region yet remain coupled with
the lid and assist in uncoupling the lid from the base.
Inventors: |
Lisowy; Christian D.;
(Shohola, PA) ; Warner; Michael V.; (Hawley,
PA) ; Allers; Brian S.; (Poughkeepsie, NY) ;
Rider, JR.; Edward W.; (Slate Hill, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GENPAK LLC |
Glens Falls |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GENPAK LLC
Glens Falls
NY
|
Family ID: |
50726964 |
Appl. No.: |
13/681017 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/270 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00101
20130101; B65D 2543/00462 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D
2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2401/20 20200501; B65D 2543/00796
20130101; B65D 2543/0062 20130101; B65D 43/162 20130101; B65D
2543/00842 20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/270 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/00 20060101
B65D051/00 |
Claims
1. A tamper-evident container comprising: a base comprising: a
bottom end; a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom end to
define a cavity; a base connection interface at an upper end of the
sidewall that extends about a periphery of the sidewall; and a base
flange extending outwardly relative to the base connection
interface with a configuration such that a majority of the base
flange is substantially planar, the base flange comprising a free
edge that defines at least a portion of an outermost perimeter of
the base; and a lid comprising: a lid connection interface
configured to selectively couple with the base connection interface
to attach the lid to the base in a configuration that closes the
cavity of the base; and a lid flange extending outwardly relative
to the connection interface of the lid, with a configuration such
that a majority of the base flange is substantially planar, the lid
flange comprising: a free edge that defines at least a portion of
an outermost perimeter of the lid; a tab that comprises an upper
surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, wherein the
free edge of the lid extends along a periphery of the tab; and a
weakened region that borders a portion of the tab; wherein, when
the lid is coupled to the base in a closed pre-use configuration:
the base flange is directly connected to an upper end of the base
connection interface; the base flange is at a higher position than
is the base connection interface, relative to the bottom end of the
base; the lid flange is above the base flange; the free edge of the
base flange extends further outward than the free edge of the lid
flange; the relative dimensions of the lid flange and the base
flange prevent the container from being grasped to separate the lid
from the base without pulling on the tab; the tab extends radially
outwardly and is substantially parallel to the base flange; the
lower surface of the tab is accessible from a lateral side of the
container such that a finger of a user can be moved in a radially
inward direction that is parallel to the base flange to pass under
the free edge of the lid flange and contact the lower surface of
the tab; and the tab is configured to be separated from a
neighboring portion of the lid flange along the weakened region yet
remain coupled with the lid and assist in uncoupling the lid from
the base, wherein separation of the tab along the weakened region
indicates that the lid has been uncoupled from the base to
transition from the closed pre-use configuration to an open
configuration.
2. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the base flange
comprises a recessed region that is downwardly offset from
neighboring portions of the base flange, wherein the free edge of
the base flange extends along a periphery of the recessed region
and along a periphery of portions of the base flange that neighbor
the recessed region.
3. The tamper-evident container of claim 2, wherein, when the lid
is coupled to the base in the closed pre-use configuration, the tab
is positioned over the recessed region of the base and cooperates
therewith to define an opening that is accessible from a lateral
side of the container to permit a user to insert a finger between
the free edges of the lid and the base and into the opening.
4. The tamper-evident container of claim 2, wherein the bottom end
defines a plane to permit the base to rest on a horizontal surface,
wherein at least a majority of the base flange defines a plane that
is parallel to the plane defined by the bottom end, and wherein the
recessed region of the base flange is outside of the plane defined
by other portions of the base flange.
5. The tamper-evident container of claim 4, wherein the recessed
region of the base flange defines a planar portion that is parallel
to and offset from the plane defined by other portions of the base
flange.
6. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein an entirety of
the lower surface of the tab faces an upper surface of the base
flange, and wherein the base flange is flexible so as to be
downwardly displaceable to expose the lower surface of the tab.
7. The tamper-evident container of claim 6, wherein the base
further comprises a gripping feature that is radially aligned with
the tab when the lid is coupled to the base in a closed pre-use
configuration.
8. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the base flange
comprises a notch that exposes at least a portion of the lower
surface of the tab when the lid is coupled to the base in the
closed pre-use configuration.
9. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein an entirety of
the free edge of the lid flange is exposed when the lid is coupled
to the base in a closed pre-use configuration.
10. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein at least a
majority of the lid flange defines a plane, and wherein the tab is
within the plane when the container is in the closed pre-use
configuration.
11. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the relative
dimensions of the base flange and the lid flange are such that the
free edge of the lid and the free edge of the base can be touched
by a user, but cannot be grasped to separate the lid from the
base.
12. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein after the
initial opening, the tab is bent relative to the neighboring
portion of the lid flange.
13. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein, when the
container is in the closed pre-use configuration, the lid flange is
planar and the tab is co-planar therewith.
14. The tamper-evident container of claim 13, wherein after the
initial opening, the tab remains substantially planar and is angled
relative to the plane of the neighboring portion of the lid
flange.
15. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the free edge
of lid extends about at least a majority of the outermost perimeter
of the lid.
16. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the free edge
of the base extends about at least a majority of the outermost
perimeter of the base.
17. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein a plane
defined by the base flange is parallel to a plane defined by the
lid flange at their respective free edges.
18. The tamper-evident container of claim 17, wherein the base has
a base transition section between the base connection interface and
the sidewall of the base, wherein the base transition section is
opposite from a lid transition section, which extends from the lid
connection interface; and wherein the base transition section
defines a plane that is parallel to a plane define by the lid
transition section.
19. The tamper-evident container of claim 18, wherein the planes
defined by the base flange and the lid flange at their respective
free edges are at higher positions, relative to the bottom end of
the base, than the planes defined by the transition section of the
base and the transition section of the lid.
20. The tamper-evident container of claim 17, wherein, when the
container is in the closed pre-use configuration, the free edge of
the lid flange is exposed and is positioned above the base
flange.
21. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the base and
lid are permanently coupled to each other via a hinge.
22. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the weakened
region comprises a line of perforation.
23. A tamper-evident container comprising: a base comprising: a
bottom end; a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom end to
define a cavity; a base connection interface at an upper end of the
sidewall that extends about a periphery of the sidewall; and a base
flange extending outwardly relative to the base connection
interface, the base flange comprising: a free edge that defines at
least a portion of an outermost perimeter of the base; and a
recessed region that is downwardly offset from neighboring portions
of the base flange, wherein the free edge extends along a periphery
of the recessed region and the neighboring portions of the base
flange; and a lid comprising: a lid connection interface configured
to selectively couple with the base connection interface to attach
the lid to the base in a configuration that closes the cavity of
the base; and a lid flange extending outwardly relative to the
connection interface of the lid, the lid flange comprising: a free
edge that defines at least a portion of an outermost perimeter of
the lid; a tab, wherein the free edge extends along a periphery of
the tab; and a weakened region that borders a portion of the tab in
close proximity to the lid connection interface; wherein, when the
lid is coupled to the base in a closed pre-use configuration: the
tab is positioned over the recessed region of the base and
cooperates therewith to define an opening that is accessible from a
lateral side of the container to permit a user to insert a finger
between the free edges of the lid and the base and into the
opening; the weakened region does not extend to an outer edge of
the lid flange such that a portion of the lid flange acts as a stop
to prevent tearing beyond the weakened region; the portion of the
lid flange that acts as a stop extends over one of the portions of
the base flange neighboring the recessed region; and the tab is
configured to be separated from a neighboring portion of the lid
flange along the weakened region yet remain coupled with the lid
and assist in uncoupling the lid from the base, wherein separation
of the tab along the weakened region indicates that the lid has
been uncoupled from the base to transition from the closed pre-use
configuration to an open configuration.
24. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein, when the
container is in the closed pre-use configuration, the free edge of
the lid flange is exposed and is positioned above the base
flange.
25. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein the relative
dimensions of the base flange and the lid flange are such that the
free edge of the lid and the free edge of the base can be touched
by a user, but cannot be grasped to separate the lid from the
base.
26. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein after the
initial opening, the tab is bent relative to the neighboring
portion of the lid flange.
27. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein, when the
container is in the closed pre-use configuration, the lid flange is
planar and the tab is co-planar therewith.
28. The tamper-evident container of claim 27, wherein after the
initial opening, the tab remains substantially planar although
angled relative to the plane of the neighboring portions of the lid
flange.
29. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein the free edge
of lid extends about at least a majority of the outermost perimeter
of the lid.
30. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein the free edge
of the base extends about at least a majority of the outermost
perimeter of the base.
31. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein the base
flange is at a higher position than is the base connection
interface, relative to the bottom end of the base.
32. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein the base
flange is directly connected to an upper end of the base connection
interface.
33. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein the bottom
end defines a plane to permit the base to rest on a horizontal
surface, wherein at least a majority of the base flange defines a
plane that is parallel to the plane defined by the bottom end, and
wherein the recessed region of the base flange is outside of the
plane defined by other portions of the base flange.
34. The tamper-evident container of claim 33, wherein the recessed
portion of the base flange defines a planar portion that is
parallel to and offset from the plane defined by other portions of
the base flange.
35. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein the tab has a
length and a width, wherein the weakened region extends along the
length of the tab, and wherein the width of the tab tapers along
the length of the tab in the direction toward the portion of the
lid flange that acts as a stop.
36. The tamper-evident container of claim 35, wherein the weakened
region is closer to the lid connection interface along a majority
of the length of the tab than to the outer edge of the lid
flange.
37. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein the base and
lid are permanently coupled to each other via a hinge.
38. The tamper-evident container of claim 23, wherein the weakened
region comprises a line of perforation.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to tamper evident
containers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] The written disclosure herein describes illustrative
embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is
made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted
in the figures, in which:
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tamper
evident container in an open preloading configuration.
[0004] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the tamper evident
container of FIG. 1 in a closed pre-use configuration.
[0005] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a tamper evident
region of the container of FIG. 1, taken along the view line 3 in
FIG. 2.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tamper
evident container of FIG. 1 taken along the view line 4-4 in FIG.
2.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another portion of the
tamper evident container of FIG. 1 taken along the view line 5-5 in
FIG. 2.
[0008] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the tamper evident
container of FIG. 1 showing a tab being separated from a
neighboring portion of a flange.
[0009] FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the tamper evident
container of FIG. 1 in an open post-use configuration.
[0010] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
tamper evident container in an open preloading configuration.
[0011] FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the tamper evident
container of FIG. 8 in a closed pre-use configuration.
[0012] FIG. 10 depicts the container of FIG. 9 in the closed
pre-use configuration and shows that a base flange is flexible or
otherwise capable of being displaced.
[0013] FIG. 11 depicts the container of FIG. 9 in an open post-use
configuration.
[0014] FIG. 12A is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of a
region of the container of FIG. 9 similar to that shown in FIG.
4.
[0015] FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of FIG. 12A taken along the
view line 12B in FIG. 12A.
[0016] FIG. 13A is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of
another region of the container of FIG. 9 similar to that shown in
FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of FIG. 13A taken along the
view line 13B in FIG. 13A.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
tamper evident container in an open preloading configuration.
[0019] FIG. 15 is another view of the container of FIG. 14 shown in
a closed pre-use configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to containers that
may be used, for example, in the food industry. In particular,
certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to tamper evident
containers that may be used for storing and/or transporting food
products. It will be readily understood that the components of the
present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the
drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety
of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed
description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope
of the disclosure, but is merely representative of possible
embodiments of the disclosure. While various aspects of certain
embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not
necessarily drawn to scale.
[0021] Certain embodiments can advantageously be supplied to an
intermediary user in an open preloading configuration (e.g., FIG.
1). The intermediary user can load the container with any desired
item, such as a food product, and can then close the container into
a closed pre-use configuration (e.g., FIG. 2). When in this state,
the container can be resistant to opening at any region other than
an opening region, which can be provided with a tamper evident tab.
Accordingly, in some embodiments, an end user can ultimately access
the packaged contents of the container using the tamper evident
tab. The tab can be pulled to assist in separating primary
components of the container (e.g., a lid and a base) from each
other. The tab can remain coupled with one of the primary
components of the container (e.g., the lid), but can be separated
from a neighboring region thereof in such a way as to indicate that
the tab has been used (e.g., FIG. 6). As the tab is pulled further,
the package can be opened from the pre-use configuration into an
open post-use configuration (e.g., FIG. 7). Further details of
embodiments of tamper evident containers are provided below.
[0022] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a tamper evident container
100 shown in an open preloading configuration. As illustrated, the
container 100 can include a base 110 and a lid 130. In some
embodiments, the base 110 and the lid 130 may be connected or
otherwise adjoined to one another. For example, the base 110 and
the lid 130 may be connected via a hinged portion or hinge 105. In
some embodiments, the base 110, the lid 130, and the hinge 105 may
be integrally formed from a unitary piece of material. For example,
in some embodiments the container 100 is formed from a single piece
of thermoformed plastic. In other embodiments, the base 110 and the
lid 130 may not be connected to one another at all; rather, the
base 110 and the lid 130 may each comprise individual and fully
separable components.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the base 110 may include a bottom end
112. The bottom end 112 can have any suitable shape and
configuration. For example, in some embodiments at least a portion
of the bottom end 112 is substantially planar. In the illustrated
embodiment, the bottom end 112 includes a contact surface 111 and a
raised platform 113. At least a portion of the contact surface 111
may be substantially planar such that the base 110 may readily rest
upon a planar surface. The raised platform 113 may be upwardly
offset relative to the contact surface 111. Other suitable
configurations for the bottom end 112 are also contemplated.
[0024] The base 110 may further include a sidewall 114 that extends
upwardly from the bottom end 112. The bottom end 112 and the
sidewall 114 can cooperate to define a cavity 116. The base 110 may
be generally bowl-shaped, although other shapes and configurations
are possible. In some embodiments, the sidewall 114 may extend
upwardly in a substantially vertical manner that it is
substantially perpendicular to the bottom end 112. In other
embodiments, the sidewall 114 may extend upwardly and may be angled
radially outwardly. For example, the sidewall 114 may extend
upwardly in a radially outward direction at an angle of about 5
degrees to about 10 degrees, or from about 5 degrees to about 15
degrees. In yet other embodiments, the sidewall 114 may extent
upwardly in a curved or arcuate manner. Accordingly, as can be
appreciated, the sidewall 114 may extend upwardly in a variety of
ways depending on the desired shape and characteristics of the
container 100.
[0025] The sidewall 114 may be substantially uniform or flat, or it
may comprise one or more features for reinforcement, grip
assistance, etc. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the
sidewall 114 comprises a plurality of substantially vertically
oriented ribs 115. The ribs 115 may provide the base 110 with
strength and/or may augment its rigidity.
[0026] The base 110 of the container 100 may further comprise a
base connection interface 118 disposed at an upper end of the
sidewall 114. The base connection interface 118 may be configured
to interact with portion the lid 130 so as to close the container
100, as further discussed below. In some embodiments, the base
connection interface 118 may extend about at least a majority of a
periphery of the sidewall 114. For example, in various embodiments,
the base connection interface 118 may extend about at least 1/2,
2/3, or 3/4 of a total periphery of the upper end of the sidewall
114. In further embodiments, the base connection interface 118 may
about an entirety of the periphery of the sidewall 114. In yet
other embodiments, the base connection interface 118 may extend
around a smaller portion of the sidewall 114.
[0027] A base flange 120 can extend outwardly relative to the base
connection interface 118. The base flange 120 may be directly
connected to or otherwise coupled with an upper end of the base
connection interface 118. Accordingly, the base flange 120 may be
configured such that it is at a higher position than is base
connection interface 118, as compared with to the bottom end 112.
In the illustrated embodiment, the base flange 120 is positioned at
an upper end of the base connection interface 118, and the base
flange 120 extends radially outwardly in a horizontal direction
from the base connection interface 118 (see also FIG. 3). In other
embodiments, the base flange 120 may be at about the same height,
or may be lower than, the connection interface 118 relative to the
bottom end 112.
[0028] At least a portion of the base flange 120 can be flat or
planer. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the base flange
120 defines a plane that is parallel to the plane defined by the
bottom end 112. The planar portion of the base flange 120 may
extend about at least a majority of the perimeter of the base. In
some embodiments, at least a majority of the base flange 120 may be
substantially planar. In yet other embodiments, only a portion of
the base flange 120 may be substantially planar.
[0029] In other embodiments, the base flange 120 may have
configurations that are non-planar and/or multi-planar. For
example, the base flange 120 may extend upwardly at an angle
relative to a horizontal plane (e.g., at an angle no less than
about 30, 45, 60, or 75 degrees). Depending on the shape of the
container, the base flange 120 may have substantially planar
regions, substantially conical regions, and or regions that define
other shapes. For example, where the base flange 120 extends
upwardly at a constant angle along the periphery of the container
100 at each radial position, and the container is substantially
rectangular, the upwardly extending flange 120 may define a
different plane along each of the linear regions of the rectangle,
and the flange 120 may define substantially conical regions at the
corners that connect adjacent planar regions. As another example,
where the base flange 120 extends upwardly at a constant angle
along the periphery of the container 100 at each radial position,
and the container is substantially circular, the flange 120 may
define a substantially conical region that extends about at least a
majority of the periphery of the base 110. Other arrangements are
also contemplated.
[0030] The base flange 120 may further comprise a free edge 122
that defines at least a portion of the outermost perimeter of the
base 110. In some embodiments, the free edge 122 may extend about
at least a majority of the outermost periphery of the sidewall 114.
In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the free edge 122
extends about the outermost periphery of the sidewall 114
everywhere other than at the hinged portion 105. In other
embodiments, the free edge 122 may extend about the entirety of the
outermost periphery of the sidewall 114. The free edge 122 of the
base flange 120 may therefore extend about at least a majority, up
to and including the entirety, of the outermost perimeter of the
base 110.
[0031] With continued reference to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the
base flange 120 includes a recessed region 124. The recessed region
124 may be offset from neighboring portions of the base flange 120.
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the recessed region 124
defines a plane. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the
recessed region 124 defines a plane that is parallel to a plane
that is defined by neighboring portions of the base flange 120. The
illustrated recessed region 124 is downwardly offset but otherwise
parallel to the neighboring portions of the base flange 120.
Accordingly, the recessed region 124 may be below or otherwise
spaced from or outside of a plane defined by at least a portion of
remaining portions of the base flange 120. As further illustrated
in FIG. 1, the free edge 122 may extend along the outermost
periphery of the recessed region 124 as well as the outermost
periphery of the neighboring portions of the base flange 120.
[0032] The lid 130 can include a lid connection interface 132 that
is configured to interact with a complementary or otherwise
cooperative portion of the base 110. For example, the lid
connection interface 132 may be configured to selectively couple
with the base connection interface 118. In some embodiments, the
connection interfaces 132, 118 are complementary in shape (see FIG.
3), and the lid connection interface 132 and the base connection
interface 118 may be substantially the same shape, size and
conformation. In some embodiments, the lid connection interface 132
may be configured to be received by the base connection interface
118, and it may be slightly larger than the base connection
interface 118 to assist in providing a tight seal therewith. In
other embodiments, the base connection interface 118 may be
configured to be received by the lid connection interface 132.
[0033] The lid connection interface 132 may extend about at least a
majority of the periphery of the lid 130. In some embodiments, the
lid connection interface 132 may also extend about the entire
periphery of the lid 130. When the container 100 is in a closed
configuration, the lid 130 and the base 110 may be coupled or
otherwise attached such that the cavity 116 defined by the base 110
is closed by the lid 130, or stated otherwise, is enclosed by the
lid 130 and the base 110.
[0034] The lid 130 can include a lid flange 134 that may extend
outwardly relative to the lid connection interface 132. In some
embodiments, the lid flange 134 may be directly connected to an end
of the lid connection interface 132. The lid flange 134 may have a
free edge 136 that may define at least a portion of the outermost
perimeter of the lid 130. In some embodiments, the lid free edge
136 may extend about at least a majority of, up to and including
the entirety of, the outermost perimeter of the lid 130.
[0035] With continued reference to FIG. 1, and with additional
reference to FIG. 2, at least a portion of the lid flange 134 can
be flat or planer. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the
lid flange 134 defines a plane that is parallel to the plane
defined by the majority of the base flange 120 when the container
100 is in the closed pre-use configuration shown in FIG. 2. The
planar portion of the lid flange 134 may extend about at least a
majority of the perimeter of the lid 130. In some embodiments, at
least a majority of the lid flange 134 may be substantially planar.
In yet other embodiments, only a portion of the lid flange 134 may
be substantially planar.
[0036] In other embodiments, the lid flange 134 may have
configurations that are non-planar and/or multi-planar. For
example, the lid flange 134 may extend upwardly at an angle
relative to a horizontal plane (e.g., at an angle no less than
about 30, 45, 60, or 75 degrees) when the container 100 is in the
closed pre-use configuration shown in FIG. 2. Depending on the
shape of the container, the lid flange 134 may have substantially
planar regions, substantially conical regions, and or regions that
define other shapes. For example, where the lid flange 134 extends
upwardly at a constant angle along the periphery of the container
100 at each radial position, and the container is substantially
rectangular, the upwardly extending flange 134 may define a
different plane along each of the linear regions of the rectangle,
and the flange 134 may define substantially conical regions at the
corners that connect adjacent planar regions. As another example,
where the lid flange 134 extends upwardly at a constant angle along
the periphery of the container 100 at each radial position, and the
container is substantially circular, the flange 134 may define a
substantially conical region that extends about at least a majority
of the periphery of the base 110. In various of the foregoing
embodiments, the lid flange 134 may be substantially parallel to
the base flange 120, whether in the planar or non-planar regions.
Other arrangements are also contemplated.
[0037] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 130 can
include a tab 140. The tab may have any suitable shape. The tab 140
can have opposite surfaces 146, 147 that are configured to be
gripped by a user. In the illustrated embodiment, the surface 146
is referred to as the lower surface and the surface 147 is referred
to as the upper surface, with the terms "upper" and "lower"
referring to the arrangement depicted in FIG. 2 in which the
container 100 is in a closed orientation. In some embodiments, the
tab 140 can be substantially planar, and in further embodiments,
the tab 140 may be co-planar with the lid flange 134. In some
embodiments, the tab 140 may be connected to, integral with, or
otherwise associated with the lid flange 134. The free edge 136 of
the lid 130 may extend along a periphery of the tab 140.
[0038] The lid flange 134 may have a weakened region that borders a
portion of the tab 140. This weakened region 134 may allow for
controlled separation (e.g., tearing) of a portion of the tab 140
from the lid flange 134. The weakened region 134 may further act as
an indicator for demonstrating that the container 100 has been
opened or otherwise tampered with, as discussed further below.
[0039] FIGS. 2 and 3 depict the container 100 is in an initial
closed configuration, which may also be referred to as a closed
pre-use configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the tab 140
is positioned over the recessed region 124 of the base flange 120.
By positioning the tab 140 over the recessed region 124, the tab
140 may cooperate with the recessed region 124 to define or create
an opening 125 that is accessible from a lateral side of the
container 100. For example, due to the expanded spacing between the
lid flange 134 and the base flange 120 in the vicinity of the
recessed region 124, a user to insert a portion of a finger (e.g.,
a tip or a side portion of a thumb or index finger) between the
free edge 136 of the lid 130 and the free edge 122 of the base 110
and into the opening 125 so as to grasp the opposite surface 146,
147 of the tab 140. In various embodiments, opening 125 has a
height H of no less than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, or 20
millimeters; no greater than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, or 20
millimeters; or between about 1 and about 20 millimeters, between
about 1 and about 15 millimeters, or between about 1 and about 10
millimeters. In some embodiments, the height H is about 2.2
millimeters.
[0040] As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lid 130 may include a
weakened region 142 that borders a portion of the tab 140. The
weakened region 142 may include any suitable form of weakening,
such as a frangible line, a line of perforation, and/or a region of
reduced thickness. In the illustrated embodiment, the weakened
region 142 comprises a line of perforation 143. The weakened region
142 can permit controlled separation of the tab 140 from a
neighboring portion of the lid flange 134. The weakened region 142
can be situated so as to prevent full separation of the tab 140
from the lid flange 134. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the
illustrated line of perforation does not extend all the way to the
outer edge 136 of the lid flange 134. As a result, the material of
which the lid flange 134 is formed (e.g., plastic) can act as a
stop to prevent tearing to extend beyond the end of the line of
perforation 143. In various embodiments, a width, thickness, and/or
strength of a portion of the material that is positioned between
the end of the line of perforation 143 and the outer edge of the
lid flange 134 can be sufficient to prevent further tearing once
the perforated portion has been separated. In view of the
foregoing, the tab 140 may be configured to be separated from a
neighboring portion of the lid flange 134 along the weakened region
142 yet remain coupled with the lid 130 and assist in uncoupling
the lid 130 from the base 110 when being pulled upon by a user.
[0041] Separation of the tab 140 along the weakened region 142 can
indicate whether the container has been opened or otherwise
tampered with. For example, separation of the tab 140 along the
weakened region 142 may indicate that the lid 130 has been
uncoupled from the base 110 to transition out of the closed pre-use
configuration, as discussed further below with respect to FIGS. 6
and 7. In the illustrated embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3,
the lid 130 has been closed to the base 110 after an initial
filling of the base 110, but the lid 130 has not yet been uncoupled
from the base 110, as evidenced by the fact that the weakened
region 142 is unbroken.
[0042] An arrangement such as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be
intuitive for a user to manipulate. For example, some known
containers include a tab at an edge thereof that a user grasps in
order to open the container. The user can generally grasp such a
tab directly from the outer edge of the container, such as by
advancing a finger radially inwardly under the tab. The user may
pinch opposite surfaces of the tab between two fingers (e.g., an
index finger and a thumb) and pull on the tab to open the
container. With an arrangement such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
user can intuitively understand operation of the tamper-evident tab
140. The user can naturally access opposing surfaces of the tab
directly from the outer edge of the container 100 by inserting a
finger into the opening 125 to grasp the opposite surfaces 146, 147
of the tab 140, and then the user can pull upwardly on the tab 140
in a typical fashion.
[0043] In some embodiments, the container 100 can include further
features to aid the user in readily using the tab 140. For example,
the tab 140 may include any suitable indicia for indicating that
the container 100 is opened by pulling on the tab 140. The tab 140
may includes writing, coloring, or other instructive markings. In
the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the tab 140 is colored
(e.g., with ink of any desired color--blue, etc.) to draw the
user's attention to the tab 140. In the illustrated embodiment,
other portions of the container 100 may be substantially
transparent or translucent, such that the colored tab 140 may
highly contrast with the remaining portions of the container
100.
[0044] In some embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 3, the
tab 140 can be positioned above the base flange 122, and the base
flange 122 can extend outwardly at least slightly beyond a profile
of the tab 140. Such an arrangement can inhibit inadvertent contact
with the tab 140 that might break the weakened area 142. For
example, the base flange 122 may act as a guard against bumping of
the tab 140 that might otherwise result from transport or handling
of the container 100.
[0045] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the
container 100 further illustrating the opening 125 or gap created
between the tab 140 and the recessed region 124 of the base flange
120. FIG. 4 also depicts an illustrative example of the manner in
which the base connection interface 118 and the lid connection
interface 132 may be selectively coupled to one another thereby
attaching the lid 130 to the base 110 while the container 100 is in
a closed configuration. In particular, in the illustrated
embodiment, the base connection interface 118 defines a rounded
recess 160 and the lid connection interface 132 defines a rounded
protrusion 162. The rounded recess 160 is substantially
complementary to the rounded protrusion 162 and is configured to
receive the rounded protrusion 162 therein in locking engagement.
Any other suitable locking configuration is contemplated.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another portion of the
container 100 when the container is in the closed configuration of
FIG. 2. The portion of the container 100 that is depicted is at a
position spaced from the tab 140. As shown, the lid flange 134 can
be positioned above the base flange 120. The lid flange 134 may be
recessed relative to the base flange 120. In the illustrated
arrangement, both the free edge 136 of the lid flange 134 and the
free edge 122 of the base flange 120 are exposed so as to be
contactable by a user. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the
relative dimensions of the lid flange 134 and the base flange 120
are such that the flanges 120, 134 cannot be adequately grasped in
order to separate the lid 130 from the base 110. Accordingly, it
may be difficult to separate the lid 130 from the base 110 or
otherwise open the container 100 without the use of the tab 140. In
various embodiments, a width of the base flange 120 is no less than
about 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, or 1.0 times greater than a width of the
lid flange 134. In other embodiments, the base flange 120 and the
lid flange 134 have approximately the same width. In other
embodiments, the lid flange 134 may be wider than the base flange
120. In various embodiments, a width of the lid flange 134 is no
greater than about 1.5, 1.75, 2.0, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, or 3.0
millimeters, and the base flange 120 is no greater than about 1.5,
1.75, 2.0, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3.0, 3.25, 3.5, or 4.0 millimeters. In
some embodiments, a width of the lid flange is about 1.7
millimeters and a width of the base flange 120 is about 2.2
millimeters.
[0047] In some instances, attempts to grasp the flanges 120, 134 in
regions spaced from the tab 140, such as shown in FIG. 5, can bend,
distort, or otherwise plastically deform the flanges 120, 134. Such
deformation can indicate that an access attempt or event has taken
place.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, a plane defined by the base flange 120
can be parallel to a plane defined by the lid flange 134. Other
arrangements, including other parallel arrangements, are also
possible (such as discussed above).
[0049] FIG. 6 depicts the tamper evident container 100 in the
closed pre-use configuration. The tab 140 has been lifted so as to
separate it from neighboring portions of the lid flange 120. As can
be seen, the weakened region 142 has been broken and the tab 140
has been lifted in the direction indicated by the arrow.
Accordingly, the separation of the tab 140 along the weakened
region 142 indicates that the container 100 may have been tampered
with and that the lid 130 may have been uncoupled from the base
110. As further shown, the tab 140 is bent relative to the
neighboring portions of the lid flange 134. In the illustrated
embodiment, although the tab 140 has been bent, the tab 140 still
remains substantially planar, although the plane that it defines is
angled relative to the plane of the neighboring portions of the lid
flange 134. The tab 140 may continue to be grasped by a user, and
additional pulling can uncouple the lid 130 from the base 110 into
the arrangement shown in FIG. 7.
[0050] In some embodiments, pulling on the tab 140 into the
position shown in FIG. 6 can plastically deform at least a portion
of the lid flange 134. For example, in some embodiments, the tab
140 may remain in the lifted position due to the plastic
deformation, such as permanent bending.
[0051] FIG. 7 depicts the tamper evident container 100 in an open
post-use configuration. As can be seen in FIG. 7, following
separation of the tab 140 along the weakened region, the tab 140
may be grasped and pulled in the direction of the arrow by a user
such that the lid 130 may be removed from the base 110.
[0052] After the container 100 has been transitioned to the open
post-use configuration, it may be closed again, and thereby
transitioned to a closed post-use configuration. For example, the
connection interfaces 118, 132 and the base 110 and the lid 130,
respectively, can be configured to repeatedly engage with each
other and disengage from each other. When in the closed post-use
configuration, the tab 140 may remain in a displaced state. For
example, in some embodiments, the container 100 may look
substantially like what is depicted in FIG. 6, with the tab 140 in
a raised or lifted state. In other embodiments, the tab 140 may
return to a coplanar state with neighboring portions of the lid
flange 134, or the tab 140 may otherwise be generally continuous
with the neighboring portions of the lid flange 134, although the
broken or torn weakened area may remain in a severed state to
indicate that an opening event has occurred.
[0053] FIGS. 8-13B depict another embodiment of a tamper evident
container 200. The container 200 can resemble the container 100
discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-7. It will be appreciated
that the illustrated embodiments may have analogous features.
Accordingly, like features are designated with like reference
numerals, with the leading digits incremented to "2." Relevant
disclosure set forth above regarding similarly identified features
thus may not be repeated hereafter. Moreover, specific features of
the container and related components shown in FIGS. 8-13B may not
be shown or identified by a reference numeral or specifically
discussed in the written description that follows. However, such
features may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, as
features depicted in other embodiments and/or described with
respect to such embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions
of such features apply equally to the features of the container
200. Any suitable combination of the features, and variations of
the same, described with respect to the container 100 and
components illustrated in FIG. 1, can be employed with the
container and components of FIG. 2, and vice versa. This pattern of
disclosure applies equally to further embodiments depicted in
subsequent figures and described hereafter.
[0054] As can be seen in FIGS. 8-11, a base 210 of the container
200 may have a base flange 220 that does not include a recessed
region such as depicted above with respect to the base flange 120.
In the illustrated embodiment, the base flange 220 is substantially
planar about an entirety of the perimeter of the base 210. FIG. 8
depicts the container 200 in an open preloading configuration,
FIGS. 9 and 10 depict the container 200 in a closed pre-use
configuration, and FIG. 11 depicts the container 200 in an open
post-use configuration.
[0055] A lid 230 of the container 200 may have a lid flange 234
that includes a tab 240. The tab 240 may be substantially the same
as the tab 140 discussed above, and may include a lower surface 246
such as the lower surface 146. As shown in FIG. 9, when the
container 200 is in the closed pre-use configuration, an entirety
of the lower surface 246 faces an upper surface of the base flange
220. For example, the tab 240 can be positioned above the base
flange 220, and the base flange 220 can extend outwardly at least
slightly beyond a profile of the tab 240. Moreover, the tab 240 and
the base flange 220 can be in closer proximity to each other than
the arrangement shown in FIG. 3. Like the arrangement in FIG. 3,
the arrangement depicted in FIG. 9 can inhibit inadvertent contact
with the tab 240 that might break a weakened area 242. For example,
the base flange 220 may act as a guard against bumping of the tab
240 that might otherwise result from transport or other typical
handling of the container 200.
[0056] With reference to FIG. 10, in some embodiments the base
flange 220 is flexible or otherwise capable of being displaced to
provide access to the lower surface 246 of the tab 240. As depicted
by a downwardly directed arrow, a user may depress the base flange
220 to provide an opening 225 between the tab 240 and the base
flange 220. The tab 240 thus can be readily grasped by a user in an
effort to open the container 200.
[0057] FIGS. 12A-13B are partial perspective cross-sectional views
of different portions of the container 200. They depict regions and
features of the container 200 that are similar to those shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5, including free edges 236, 222 of the lid and base
flanges 234, 220, respectively.
[0058] FIGS. 14 and 15 depict another embodiment of a tamper
evident container 300 that resembles the containers 100, 200 in
many respects. The container 300 is shown in an open preloading
configuration in FIG. 14 and is shown in a closed pre-use
configuration in FIG. 15.
[0059] A lid 330 of the container 300 can include a tab 340 that
has a lower surface 346, and these can resemble the similarly named
and numbered features above. The container 300 can also include a
base 310 having a base flange 320 that is somewhat different from
the base flanges 120, 220. In particular, the base flange 320 can
include a notch 380 and a tab region 382. In some embodiments, a
sidewall 314 of the base 310 includes gripping features 370. The
gripping features 370 can be of any suitable variety. In the
illustrated embodiment, the gripping features 370 include a series
of bumps and indentations. The gripping features 370 can be
provided at any desired location on the base 310 and/or the lid
330. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping features 370 are
positioned at each corner of the sidewall 314.
[0060] With reference to FIG. 15, when the container 300 is in the
closed pre-use configuration, the tab 340 can be closely
approximated to the base flange 320, similar to what was discussed
with respect to FIG. 9. However, unlike the arrangement shown in
FIG. 9, the lower surface 346 of the tab 340 is accessible without
displacement of the base flange 320. In particular, the notch 380
of the base flange 320 exposes at least a portion of the lower
surface 346 of the tab 340.
[0061] In some embodiments, to assist in opening the container 300,
a portion of the base flange 320 can act as an additional tab that
is offset from the tab 340. In particular, the tab region 382 may
be grasped by a user with one hand while the tab 340 is grasped by
the user with the other hand. In the illustrated embodiment, a lid
flange 334 defines a notch 335, which provides access to the tab
region 382 of the base flange 320.
[0062] In some instances, rather than grasping the tab region 382,
a user may grasp one or more of the gripping features 370. As shown
in FIG. 15, in some embodiments, the gripping features may
advantageously be radially aligned with the tab 340. A user may
thus be able to readily counteract upward forces exerted on the tab
340 by grasping the gripping features 370.
[0063] Any suitable alterations, replacements, and combinations of
the features described above are possible. For example, in some
embodiments, the gripping features 370 can be included with the
containers 100, 200. As another example, in some embodiments, the
tabs 240, 340 may be colored in a manner such as discussed with
respect to the tab 140. In some embodiments, features of the lid
and base flanges may be reverse. For example, in some embodiments,
the base flange 320 can include the tab 340, wherein as the lid
flange 334 can include the notch 380 and the tab region 382.
[0064] Additional features are also contemplated. For example, in
some embodiments, any of the tabs 140, 240, 340 may be provided
with gripping features. In some embodiments, any of the tabs 140,
240, 340 may be provided with ribs or other structurally
reinforcing features, which may maintain the tabs in substantially
planar configurations after the use thereof.
[0065] Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or
actions for performing the described method. The method steps
and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other
words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for
proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of
specific steps and/or actions may be modified.
[0066] References to approximations are made throughout this
specification, such as by use of the terms "about" or
"approximately." For each such reference, it is to be understood
that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, or characteristic
may be specified without approximation. For example, where
qualifiers such as "about," "substantially," and "generally" are
used, these terms include within their scope the qualified words in
the absence of their qualifiers. For example, where the term
"substantially planar" is recited with respect to a feature, it is
understood that in further embodiments, the feature can have a
precisely planar configuration.
[0067] Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment"
or "the embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or
characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or
variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are
not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0068] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above
description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped
together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for
the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of
disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an
intention that any claim require more features than those expressly
recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features
of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.
[0069] The claims following this written disclosure are hereby
expressly incorporated into the present written disclosure, with
each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This
disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with
their dependent claims. Moreover, additional embodiments capable of
derivation from the independent and dependent claims that follow
are also expressly incorporated into the present written
description.
[0070] Recitation in the claims of the term "first" with respect to
a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a
second or additional such feature or element. Elements specifically
recited in means-plus-function format, if any, are intended to be
construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112 6. Embodiments of
the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is
claimed are defined as follows.
* * * * *