Tamper Proof Package

Abstract

A container structurally interrelated so as to provide tell-tale evidence if the container contents have been tampered with. A tab defined by a recess on the ID of a container is broken away when entry is made into the container. The container and its cover are made from brittle polymer plastic.

Description

This invention relates to a package which is tamper proof in the sense that unauthorized entry into the package is immediately ascertainable by tell-tale evidence. The package includes a container and a cover made from brittle polymer plastic such as transparent polystyrene. The cover is snapped into engagement with the container.

The container wall in its inner periphery is provided with a recess defining a tab integral with the wall of the container. When entry is made into the container, the tab breaks away from the remainder of the container so as to immediately indicate the package has been tampered with.

The package of the present invention is adapted for use in connection with packaging of a wide variety of products wherein tampering or handling of the merchandise is to be discouraged. The articles adapted to be packaged in the container forming part of the present invention include pharmaceuticals, small light weight apparel such as pantyhose, cosmetics such as perfume, expensive food products, electrical and/or electronic components or devices, etc. The products or articles within the container of the present invention may be provided with an outside container, bag, or otherwise sealed.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a novel tamper proof package.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tamper proof package which facilitates observation of the contents therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide the container which provides tell-tale evidence of tampering or handling of the contents therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tamper proof package which is light weight, inexpensive, capable of mass production, and adapted to be made without complicated expensive equipment.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the tamper proof package of the present invention with portions in cross section.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the upper end of the container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown tamper proof package in accordance with the present invention designated generally as 10. The package 10 includes a container having a wall 12 which is preferably cylindrical but may have other cross sectional configurations. The cylindrical wall 12 is integral with the bottom wall 14. The end of the container remote from the wall 14 is open and selectively closed by a cover generally designated as 16.

A cover 16 is provided which is generally cup-shaped with a top wall 18 and a depending peripheral flange 20. The flange 20 is provided with a radially outwardly directed bead 22. The inner peripheral surface of the wall 12 is provided with a groove 24 which receives the bead 22. The exposed surface of the wall 18 on the cover 16 is slightly inwardly of the end face 13 on the wall 12. The bead 22 is positioned between the top wall 18 and the free end of the flange 20.

A U-shaped recess 26 as shown on FIG. 2 is provided on the inner periphery of the wall 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The recess 26 defines a tab 28 integral with the side wall 12. The depth of recess 26 is greater than the depth of groove 24 so that the beed 22 extends into the juxtaposed portion of recess 26.

The container defined by walls 12 and 14 and the cover 16 are preferably made from a transparent brittle polymer plastic such as polystyrene. Polystyrene is particularly suitable because of its brittleness, its resistance to various chemicals including acids and alkalis, as well as its desirable electrical properties. Other polymeric plastic materials may be utilized in place of polystyrene including polyvinyle chloride, melamineformaldehyde, methyl methacrylate, etc.

In order to attain access to the articles of products disposed within the package 10, it is necessary to remove the cover 16. In order to remove the cover 16, it is necessary to insert a tool such as a coin, screw driver, or other device into the recess 26 and pry the cover 16 upwardly. The force necessary to pry the cover 16 upwardly results in an opposite reaction force against the tab 28 thereby breaking the tab 28. Packages 10 which have the tab 28 broken are immediately ascertainable as having been tampered with.

The package 10 may be made in a wide variety of sizes. A typical size disclosed hereinafter for purposes of exemplifying the invention is: walls 12 and 18 and flange 20 have a thickness of 0.031 inches, wall 12 has a length of approximately 5 inches and a diameter of approximately 2 inches, the bead 22 extended radially outwardly from the flange 24 for a distance of 0.010 inches, tab 28 has a radial thickness of 0.010 inches, and the wall 28 is below the end face 13 by a distance of 0.020 inches. The tab 28 need not be U-shaped as illustrated. The typical dimensions for the configuration of tab 18 would include a height of approximately 0.875 inches and a width of 0.75 inches.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A tamper proof package comprising a container and a cover of brittle polymer plastic, the inner periphery of said container having a circumferential groove, said cover having a bead projecting into said groove, said container having a recess on its inner peripheral surface, said recess interupting said groove and being deeper in radial direction than said groove, a portion of said bead projecting into said recess, and said recess defining a tab to be broken away when entry is made into the container.

2. A package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said container is circular, said cover including a round top wall having a cylindrical depending flange, said bead projecting radially outwardly from said flange.

3. A package in accordance with claim 2 wherein said container and cover are made from transparent polystyrene.

4. A package in accordance with claim 1 wherein the radial thickness of said tab is approximately one-third the radial thickness of a side wall of said container.

5. A package in accordance with claim 1 wherein said recess extends from an end face of said container, the circumferential length said recess being between 20 and 50 circular degrees, and said recess extending in an axial direction for a distance greater than the distance between said groove and an end face of said container.