US20100102074A1 - Tamper evident container with frangible hinge - Google Patents
Tamper evident container with frangible hinge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100102074A1 US20100102074A1 US12/606,770 US60677009A US2010102074A1 US 20100102074 A1 US20100102074 A1 US 20100102074A1 US 60677009 A US60677009 A US 60677009A US 2010102074 A1 US2010102074 A1 US 2010102074A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- lid
- base
- container
- hinge panel
- peripheral portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
- B65D43/0235—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element
- B65D43/0237—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections before removal of the tamper element
- B65D43/0254—Removable lids or covers with integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections before removal of the tamper element only on the inside, or a part turned to the inside, of the mouth of the container
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
- B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
- B65D43/162—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container, the lid and the hinge being made of one piece
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
- B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
- B65D43/163—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container and the lid being made separately
- B65D43/164—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container and the lid being made separately and connected by interfitting hinge elements integrally with the container and the lid formed respectively
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00064—Shape of the outer periphery
- B65D2543/00074—Shape of the outer periphery curved
- B65D2543/00101—Shape of the outer periphery curved square-like or rectangular-like
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00222—Hollow and made of one piece
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
- B65D2543/00259—Materials used
- B65D2543/00296—Plastic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00342—Central part of the lid
- B65D2543/00351—Dome-like
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
- B65D2543/0049—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
- B65D2543/00509—Cup
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
- B65D2543/00611—Profiles
- B65D2543/0062—Groove or hollow bead
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
- B65D2543/00675—Periphery concerned
- B65D2543/00685—Totality
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
- B65D2543/00722—Profiles
- B65D2543/00731—Groove or hollow bead
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
- B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
- B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
- B65D2543/00787—Periphery concerned
- B65D2543/00796—Totality
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
- B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D2543/00824—Means for facilitating removing of the closure
- B65D2543/00833—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar
- B65D2543/00842—Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar outside of the lid
Definitions
- the specification relates to containers. More specifically, the specification relates to containers that are configured to provide a visual indication that the container has been previously opened.
- Containers are used to store many types of items, such as foodstuffs, medicine, or numerous other types of materials.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,680 discloses a tamper-resistant container with tamper-evident features which includes a cover portion defining a outwardly extending peripheral flange, a base portion defining an upper peripheral edge, a hinge joining the outwardly extending peripheral flange with the base portion and an engagement mechanism for maintaining the peripheral flange adjacent to the upper peripheral edge when the container is closed.
- the upper peripheral edge includes an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion that is configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed.
- the hinge includes a frangible section, which upon severing, provides a projection that extends out beyond the upwardly projecting bead of the upper peripheral edge of the base portion, for facilitating the disengagement of the engagement mechanism and removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.
- United States Patent Application Publication 2006/0289549 discloses a food container formed from plastic and can be loaded with food and then closed by a clerk, and thereafter cannot be opened without tearing apart first sides of the base and lid.
- the container is formed by a single sheet of plastic that forms a base and lid with second sides that are latched together and with adjacent first sides that are joined by a joint line in the plastic that is creased and that has slits.
- the lid has a projecting lid tab and the base has a projecting base tab. A person grasps both tabs, and lifts only the lid tab to tear apart the first sides of the base and lid along the joint line. Thereafter, the lid can be easily closed and reopened on the base.
- a container comprising a base having a base peripheral portion.
- the container further comprises a lid having a lid peripheral portion.
- the lid peripheral portion is mountable to the base peripheral portion to mount the lid to the base.
- a hinge member pivotably joins the base to the lid.
- the hinge member includes a base hinge panel joined to the base peripheral portion, and a lid hinge panel joined to the lid peripheral portion.
- the base and lid hinge panels are pivotally joined together at a pivot region.
- One of the base hinge panel and the lid hinge panel has a line of weakness extending at least partially thereacross. At least a portion of the line of weakness is spaced from and positioned inwardly of the pivot region.
- the one of the base hinge panel and the lid hinge panel is separable along the line of weakness into a grasping portion connected to one of the base and the lid, and a flap portion connected to the pivot region.
- the lid hinge panel has the line of weakness extending at least partially thereacross, and the lid hinge panel is separable along the line of weakness into the grasping portion connected to the lid, and the flap portion connected to the pivot region.
- the lid hinge panel seats on at least a portion of the base hinge panel.
- the pivot region comprises a plurality of non-frangible pivot edges, including a lid pivot edge and a base pivot edge that are each spaced laterally apart from the respective lid and base, and which pivot edges are connected along a line about which the lid can pivot relative to the base.
- the base and lid hinge panels have respective inner surfaces facing each other when the container is closed, and at least a portion of the inner surfaces are spaced apart to form a gap therebetween.
- the line of weakness can overlie the gap.
- the lid hinge panel can be separable into the grasping portion and the flap portion by displacement of at least a portion of the flap portion downwardly into the gap.
- the base hinge panel can comprise a downwardly extending recess (or hollow) defining the gap.
- the line of weakness defines a plurality of curves, and when the one of the lid hinge panel and the base hinge panel is separated into the grasping portion and the flap portion, the plurality of curves provide a plurality of grasping protrusions along the grasping portion.
- the curves present an edge surface that can be gripped by a user, by inserting a finger into the gap underneath the curved edge, and urging the curved edge upward to separate the lid from the base.
- the pivot region is biased to pivot the flap portion away from the grasping portion when the one of the lid hinge panel and the base hinge panel is separated into the grasping portion and the flap portion.
- the lid peripheral portion defines a lid peripheral edge, and the lid peripheral edge is generally in accessible to a user when the lid is mounted to the base.
- the base comprises a bottom panel, at least one sidewall extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom panel, and the base peripheral portion extends from the at least one sidewall.
- the lid can comprise a covering portion and the lid peripheral portion can extend from the covering portion.
- the base peripheral portion comprises at least one engagement surface extending from an upper portion of the at least one side wall to define an inwardly open recess.
- a seating surface may be positioned above the recess, and a barrier wall may extend upwardly from an outer portion of the seating surface and extendi from a first position to a second position spaced perimetrically from the first position.
- the base hinge panel may be provided between the first position and the second position and may be joined to and extend outwardly from the seating surface.
- the lid peripheral portion may comprise a projection receivable in the recess, and a flange positioned above and outwardly of the projection.
- the flange may be seatable on the seating surface, and may have a first portion having an outer edge in perimetrical registration with the barrier wall and a second portion extending between the first position and the second position when the projection is received in the recess.
- the lid hinge panel may be provided between the first position and the second position and extends outwardly from the second portion.
- FIG. 1A is a perspective illustration of an example of a container, wherein the container is in an open configuration
- FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective illustration of the hinge member shown in FIG. 1A ;
- FIG. 1C is a cross-section taken along line 1 C- 1 C in FIG. 1A ;
- FIG. 2A is a perspective illustration of the container of FIG. 1A , wherein the container is in a closed and locked configuration;
- FIG. 2B is a cross-section taken along line 2 B- 2 B in FIG. 2A ;
- FIG. 3A is a perspective illustration of the container of FIG. 1A , wherein the container is in the process of being unlocked;
- FIG. 3B is a cross-section taken along line 3 B- 3 B in FIG. 3A ;
- FIG. 4A is a perspective illustration of the container of FIG. 1A , wherein the container is closed and unlocked;
- FIG. 4B is a cross-section taken along line 4 B- 4 B in FIG. 4A ;
- FIGS. 1A-4B an example of a container 100 is shown.
- the container 100 has an initial configuration, shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C , in which it is generally open and may be filled.
- the container 100 may be provided to a food preparation site in the initial configuration, such that it may be filled with food.
- the container 100 further has a second configuration, shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B , in which it is closed and locked. For example, after the container is filled at the food preparation site, it may be closed and locked, and provided to a distributor and/or seller in this configuration.
- the container 100 further has a third configuration, shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B , in which it is closed and unlocked.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B show the container in the process of being unlocked.
- the container 100 is generally configured such that after it has been unlocked for the first time, it provides visual evidence that it has been previously unlocked. Accordingly, the container 100 may be substantially tamper-resistant, tamper-evident, and/or tamper-proof. Further the container 100 is generally re-closeable, but not re-lockable, such that a user may re-close the container 100 as desired after it has been opened for the first time.
- the container 100 comprises a base 102 and a lid 104 .
- the base 102 generally defines a receptacle, which may receive various items to be stored in the container 100 .
- the lid 104 generally serves to cover the base 102 .
- the base has a base peripheral portion 116
- the lid has a lid peripheral portion 118 .
- the lid peripheral portion 118 is mountable to the base peripheral portion 116 to mount the lid 104 to the base 102 .
- the base 102 comprises a bottom panel 106 , and a plurality of sidewalls 108 extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom panel 106 .
- the base 102 is generally square, and comprises four sidewalls 108 a - 108 d extending upwardly from the bottom panel 106 .
- the base may be another shape, and may comprise another number of sidewalls.
- the bottom panel 106 may be generally circular, and a single rounded sidewall may extend upwardly therefrom.
- the bottom panel and sidewalls may be substantially integral with each other, with out a clear delineation therebetween.
- the base 102 may be generally hemi-spherical.
- the peripheral portion 116 of the base, to which the peripheral portion of the lid 118 is mounted, extends from the upper portion of the sidewalls 108 .
- the peripheral portion 116 of the base 102 defines a peripheral edge 121 of the base.
- the lid 104 comprises a covering portion 110 , which generally serves to cover the receptacle 102 .
- the covering portion 110 includes an upper panel 112 , and a skirt 114 extending downwardly from the upper panel 112 .
- the lid 104 may comprise only the upper panel, and a skirt may not be provided.
- the peripheral portion 118 of the lid 104 which mounts to the peripheral portion 116 of the base, extends outwardly from the skirt 114 .
- the peripheral portion 118 of the lid 104 defines a peripheral edge 119 of the lid.
- the container 100 is generally configured such that after it has been unlocked for the first time, it provides visual evidence that it has been previously unlocked. Accordingly, if an unauthorized user unlocks and opens the container, for example to tamper with the contents, and then closes the container, the container may not be relocked (i.e. cannot be returned to its original pre-opened state), and will provide visual evidence to the next user that the container has been previously unlocked.
- a hinge member 120 is provided, which pivotably joins the base 102 to the lid 104 .
- the container 100 is generally configured such that after the lid 104 is mounted to the base 102 for the first time as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B (i.e.
- the lid 104 can generally not be removed from the base 102 without separating the hinge member 120 into two portions, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 4B . That is, when the lid 104 is mounted to the base 104 , the peripheral edge 119 of the lid 104 is concealed, as will be described further hereinbelow. Accordingly, a user may not grasp the peripheral edge 119 to remove the lid 104 from the base 102 . However, when the hinge member 120 is separated (i.e. when the container is unlocked), a grasping portion 122 of the hinge member 120 becomes accessible to a user, and the user may grasp the grasping portion 120 to remove the lid 104 from the base 102 . The separation of the hinge member 120 generates the visual evidence that the lid 104 has been removed.
- the container may be configured such that when the lid 104 is mounted to the base 104 , the peripheral edge 121 of the base 102 is concealed, such that a user may not grasp the peripheral edge 121 to remove the lid 104 from the base 102 .
- the hinge member 120 comprises a base hinge panel 124 a joined to the base peripheral portion 116 , and a lid hinge panel 124 b joined to the lid peripheral portion 118 .
- the hinge panels 124 a, 124 b are pivotally joined together, to allow the lid 104 to pivot with respect to the base 102 .
- each panel 124 a, 124 b may be of a variety of shapes.
- each panel 124 a, 124 b has an inner surface 125 a, 125 b, and an outer surface, 127 a, 127 b.
- each panel 124 a, 124 b is generally rectangular, and has, respectively, an inner edge 126 a, 126 b, first 128 a, 128 b, and second 130 a, 130 b opposed side edges, and an outer edge, 132 a, 132 b (shown in FIG. 1C ).
- the lid hinge panel 124 b is joined to the lid peripheral portion 118 along its inner edge 126 b.
- the lid hinge panel 124 b extends outwardly of the lid peripheral portion 118 .
- the base hinge panel 124 a is joined to the base peripheral portion 116 along its inner edge 126 a, and along a portion of the first 128 a and second 130 a side edges. Accordingly, the base hinge panel 124 a extends partially outwardly of the base peripheral portion 116 .
- the base hinge panel 124 a and the lid hinge panel 124 b are generally in vertical registration. That is, when the container 100 is in the closed and locked configuration, the lid hinge panel 124 b seats above the base hinge panel 124 a, and the inner surfaces 125 a, 125 b generally face each other and bear against each other.
- each panel 124 a, 124 b comprises a tab portion 134 a, 134 b extending outwardly therefrom. That is, the outer edge 132 a, 132 b of each panel defines a plurality of edges: a first 136 a, 136 b lateral edge extending inwardly from the first 128 a, 128 b side edge, a second 138 a, 138 b lateral edge extending inwardly from second 130 a, 130 b side edge, a first 140 a, 140 b protruding edge extending outwardly from the first 136 a, 136 b lateral edge, a second protruding edge 142 a, 142 b extending outwardly from the second 138 a, 138 b lateral edge, and a central edge 144 a, 144 b extending between the first 140 , 14 b, and second 142 a, 142 b protruding edges, respectively (shown in FIG.
- the panels 124 a, 124 b may be otherwise shaped, and may not extend outwardly or partially outwardly of the base peripheral portion 116 and lid peripheral portion 188 , respectively.
- one or both of the panels 124 a, 124 b may be joined to the base peripheral portion 116 and lid peripheral portion 118 , respectively, along the inner edges 126 a, 126 b, and along the entirety of the side edges 128 a, 128 b, 130 a, 130 b.
- one or both of the panels 124 a, 124 b may seat inwardly of the base peripheral portion 116 and lid peripheral portion 118 , respectively.
- the hinge panels 124 a, 124 b are pivotally joined together, to allow the lid 104 to pivot with respect to the base 102 .
- the lid hinge panel 124 a and the base hinge panel 124 b are joined together at a pivot region 146 .
- the pivot region 146 comprises a plurality of surfaces 148 a - 148 k (shown in FIGS. 1 C and 2 B- 4 B), provided between the outer edge 132 a of the base hinge panel 124 a and the outer edge 132 b of the lid hinge panel 124 b.
- the surfaces are joined together along a plurality of pivot edges 150 a - 150 j (shown in FIG. 1 C), which are generally weakened, although generally not frangible, such that the pivot region 146 may be bent along these edges 150 a - 150 j to pivot the lid 104 away from the base 102 when the container 100 is unlocked.
- the pivot region 146 extends only partially along the outer edges 132 a, 132 b of the panels 124 a, 124 b. That is, the pivot region extends along the central edge 144 a, 144 b of each panel 124 a, 124 b.
- the pivot region 146 may extend along the entirety of the outer edges 132 a, 132 b.
- one of the base hinge panel 124 a and the lid hinge panel 124 b has a line of weakness 152 extending at least partially thereacross.
- the lid hinge panel 124 b has the line of weakness 152 .
- the line of weakness 152 extends only partially across the lid hinge panel 124 b.
- the line of weakness 152 has a first portion 154 extending inwardly from the junction of the first lateral edge 136 b and the first protruding edge 140 b, a second portion 156 extending laterally across the panel 124 b, and a third portion 158 extending outwardly towards the junction of the second lateral edge 138 b and the second protruding edge 142 b.
- the line of weakness may extend in another manner.
- the line of weakness 152 may comprise only a single portion extending entirely across the panel 124 b, from the first side edge 128 b to the second side edge 130 b.
- the base hinge panel 124 a may comprise the line of weakness.
- the line of weakness 152 is spaced from and positioned inwardly of the pivot region 146 .
- ‘inwardly’ refers to a direction towards a central portion of the container.
- each of the first 154 , second 156 , and third 158 portions of the line of weakness 152 are spaced from and positioned inwardly of the pivot region 146 . That is, the first 140 b and second 142 b protruding edges are positioned between second 156 and third 158 portions of the line of weakness 152 and the pivot region 146 , respectively.
- only one or only some portions of the line of weakness 152 may be spaced from and positioned inwardly of the pivot region 146 .
- the risk of accidental separation of the lid hinge panel 124 b along the line of weakness, for example during shipping, may be prevented, minimized, or reduced.
- each portion of the line of weakness 152 is spaced from the pivot region 146 may vary.
- the first 154 and third 158 portions of the line of weakness are spaced from the pivot region by about 0.5 cm
- the second 156 portion of the line of weakness 152 is spaced from the pivot region by about 1 cm.
- any of the portions may be spaced from the line of weakness by another amount, for example between about 0.1 cm and 2 cm.
- the lid hinge panel 124 b is separable along the line of weakness 152 . That is, the line of weakness 152 generally defines a frangible portion of the lid hinge panel 124 b, which may be broken or torn.
- the lid hinge panel 124 b is separable along the line of weakness 152 into a grasping portion 122 connected to the lid 104 , and a flap portion 160 connected to the pivot region 146 .
- the lid hinge panel 124 b has been separated along the line of weakness 152 , the user may grasp the grasping portion 122 to remove the lid 104 from the base 102 . That is, in order to unlock the container 100 , the user may separate the lid hinge panel 124 b along the line of weakness 152 .
- the separation of the lid hinge panel 124 b provides visual evidence that the container 100 has been previously opened.
- the user may separate the lid hinge panel 124 b in a variety of ways.
- at least a portion of the inner surface 125 a of the base hinge panel 124 a and at least a portion of the inner surface 125 b of the lid hinge panel 124 b are spaced apart to form a gap 162 therebetween, and at least a portion of the line of weakness 152 overlies the gap 162 .
- the base hinge panel 124 a may comprise a downwardly extending recess 164 , which defines the gap 162 .
- the second portion 156 of the line of weakness 152 overlies the gap.
- a user may displace at least a portion of either the flap portion 160 or the grasping portion 122 downwardly into the gap, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B .
- a user may apply pressure to the flap portion 160 to displace at least a portion of the flap portion into the gap 162 .
- the lid hinge panel 124 b may break or sever at the line of weakness 152 .
- the user may grasp the grasping portion to lift the lid 104 off of the base 102 .
- the user may release the flap portion, and allow it to automatically pivot away from the grasping portion, as will be described further hereinbelow, and then grasp the grasping portion 122 to lift the lid 104 off of the base 102 .
- the lid hinge panel 124 b may be separated in other ways.
- a pull-tab may be provided on the flap 160 , which the user may grasp in order to pull the flap 160 upwardly and sever the lid hinge panel 124 b at the line of weakness.
- the second portion 156 of the line of weakness 152 defines a plurality of curves.
- the plurality of curves provide a plurality of grasping protrusions 167 along the grasping portion 122 (shown in FIG. 4A ).
- the grasping protrusions 167 may aid a user in grasping the grasping portion 122 .
- the line of weakness may not comprise any curves.
- the second portion 156 may extend in a substantially straight manner.
- the separation of the lid hinge panel 124 b provides visual evidence that the container 100 has been previously opened.
- the hinge member 120 is configured such that the pivot portion 146 is biased to pivot the flap portion 160 away from the grasping portion 122 when the lid hinge panel 124 b has been separated into the grasping portion 122 and the flap portion 160 . That is, referring to FIG. 1C , the pivot surfaces 148 a - 148 k are configured such that in the absence of external forces, for example when the container is in the open configuration, the pivot surfaces 148 a - 148 k extend from each other at approximate right angles.
- the pivot surfaces 148 a - 148 k are compressed towards each other, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 3B , and extend from each other at acute angles.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B when the lid hinge panel 124 b is separated along the line of weakness and the user releases the flap portion 160 , the pivot surfaces 148 a - 148 k, flex back to their original configuration, wherein they extend from each other at approximate right angles. This causes the flap portion 160 to pivot away from grasping portion 122 . The flap portion 160 therefore protrudes from the container 100 , and his provides an additional visual indication to the user that the container has previously been unlocked.
- the peripheral edge 119 of the lid 104 is concealed. Accordingly, a user may not grasp the peripheral edge 119 to remove the lid 104 from the base 102 , and generally must separate the lid hinge panel 124 b in order to grasp the grasping portion 122 and lift the lid off of the receptacle.
- the peripheral edge 19 of the lid may be concealed in a variety of ways, and the lid may be mounted to the receptacle in a variety of ways.
- the peripheral portion 116 of the base 102 comprises at least one engagement surface 166 defining an inwardly open recess 168 .
- the lid peripheral portion 118 comprises a projection 170 .
- the projection 170 is snapably receivable in recess 168 , such that the lid 104 may be securely mounted to the receptacle 102 .
- projection 170 and recess 168 may prevent lid 104 from falling off of receptacle 102 .
- the inwardly open recess is defined by a first engagement surface 166 a extending outwardly from the upper portion of the sidewalls 108 , a second engagement surface 166 b extending upwardly from the first surface 166 a, and a third engagement 166 c surface extending inwardly and upwardly from the second surface 166 b.
- the recess 168 is inwardly and upwardly open.
- the recess 168 may otherwise configured.
- the at least one engagement surface 166 may comprise a single rounded surface extending sequentially outwardly, upwardly, and inwardly from the upper portion of the at least one sidewall 108 .
- the recess may be only inwardly open.
- recess 168 extends around the entire periphery of the base 102 , and extends outwardly from the skirt 114 .
- recess 168 may extend around only a portion of the periphery of the base 102 .
- a plurality of recess portions may be provided, which may be located at various positions around the periphery of the base 102 .
- the projection 170 is defined by a first outwardly extending surface 172 a, a second upwardly extending surface 172 b, and a third inwardly and upwardly extending surface 172 c.
- projection 170 may be otherwise shaped, in order to mate with recess 168 .
- recess 168 is rounded, projection 170 may also be rounded.
- recess 168 extends around only a portion of the periphery of the base 102
- projection 170 may extend around a corresponding portion of the lid 104 .
- the base peripheral portion 118 further comprises a seating surface 174 positioned above the recess 168 .
- the lid 104 comprises a flange 178 positioned outwardly of projection 170 .
- Flange 178 has an outer edge, which defines the peripheral edge 119 of lid 102 .
- Flange 178 is generally configured to seat on the seating surface 174 when the projection 170 is received in the recess 168 , or when the lid 14 is otherwise secured to the receptacle 12 .
- the seating surface 174 is positioned indirectly above the recess 168 . That is, in the example shown, an intermediate surface 176 is positioned between recess 168 and seating surface 174 . In alternate examples, seating surface 174 may be positioned directly above recess 168 and extend directly from surface 166 .
- seating surface 174 is positioned outwardly of recess 168 .
- seating surface 174 and recess 168 may at least partially overlap.
- flange 74 and projection 70 may at least partially overlap.
- Seating surface 174 may be of a variety of configurations.
- seating surface 174 comprises a generally planar surface defining a flange extending about the peripheral portion 116 of the base.
- seating surface 174 may extend around only a portion of the receptacle or a plurality of seating surface portions may be provided, which may extend from various positions around the peripheral portion 116 of the base 102 .
- Flange 178 may be of a variety of configurations.
- the flange 178 comprises a generally flat outwardly extending surface which extends about the entire peripheral portion 116 of the lid 104 .
- flange 178 may be otherwise configured.
- flange 178 may extend about only a portion of the peripheral portion of the lid 104 , or a plurality of flange portions may be provided.
- a barrier wall 180 is provided on the peripheral portion 116 of the base 102 , which extends upwardly from an outer portion of the seating surface 174 .
- the barrier wall 180 extends about a portion of the peripheral portion 116 of the base 102 , from a first position 182 to a second position 184 .
- the first position 182 and the second position 184 are spaced perimetrically apart, such that a gap region 186 is positioned therebetween.
- the base hinge panel 124 a is provided between the first position 182 and the second position 184 , and extends outwardly from the seating surface 174 .
- a first portion 188 of the peripheral edge 119 of the lid 102 is in perimetrical registration with the barrier wall 180 . Accordingly, the user may generally not access or grasp the first portion 188 to remove the lid 104 from the base 102 .
- a second portion 190 of the peripheral edge 119 (i.e. the remainder of the peripheral edge 119 ) is at the gap region 186 , and extends between the first position 182 and the second position 184 .
- the lid hinge panel 124 b extends outwardly from the second portion, and is provided between the first position 182 and the second position 184 . Accordingly, the user may generally not access or grasp the second portion 190 to remove the lid 104 from the base 102 .
- the barrier wall 180 extends generally perpendicularly from the outer portion of the seating surface 174 . Accordingly, when the base 102 is viewed from above, along an axis extending perpendicularly to the seating surface 174 , the outer portion of the seating surface 174 is visible. In other examples, the barrier wall 180 may be at an angle ⁇ of less than 90° with respect to the outer portion of the seating surface 174 .
- the barrier wall 180 is three-dimensional, having an inner wall portion 192 , an outer wall portion 194 , and a top wall portion 198 extending therebetween.
- the barrier wall may comprise, for example, only inner wall portion 192 .
- base peripheral portion 116 further comprises a lip 198 extending outwardly from the barrier wall 180 . The lip extends about the base peripheral portion 118 from the first position 182 to the second position 184 , and is integrally joined with the base hinge panel 124 a.
- the container 100 may be provided in the open configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C . That is, the lid 104 may be pivotally mounted to base 102 by hinge member 120 . The container 100 may then be filled, for example with food. The container may then be closed and locked, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B . That is, lid 104 may be pivoted downwardly and force may be applied to mount the lid peripheral portion 118 to the base peripheral portion 116 . For example, force may be applied to snap projection 170 into recess 168 . In this closed and locked configuration, the peripheral edge 119 of the lid 104 is concealed.
- a first portion 188 of the peripheral edge 119 is in perimetrical registration with the barrier wall, and therefore cannot be grasped
- a second portion 190 of the peripheral edge 119 is concealed by the lid hinge panel 124 b, which extends integrally outwardly therefrom, and therefore cannot be grasped.
- the container 100 may be shipped, stored, and sold in the closed and locked configuration. When a user purchases the container, the container may be inspected to see if it has been previously opened, for example to see if it has been tampered with. That is, the user may inspect the hinge member 120 to see if the lid hinge panel 124 b has been separated along the line of weakness 152 .
- the container 100 may be purchased.
- the user may separate the lid hinge panel 124 b along the line of weakness.
- the user may apply pressure to the flap portion 160 to displace the flap portion 160 into gap 162 and sever the lid hinge panel 124 b along the line of weakness, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B .
- the user may then release the flap portion 160 , and the flap portion 160 may automatically pivot away from the grasping portion 122 , as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B .
- the user may then grasp the grasping portion 122 to lift the lid 104 off of the base 102 .
- the user may place lid 104 back onto the base 102 , and apply pressure to snap the projection 170 into the recess 168 .
- the container 100 may comprise instructions provided on the container for aiding the user in operating the container.
- the container 100 comprises lettering 199 embossed on the hinge member, instructing a user how to operate the container 100 .
Abstract
A container includes a base having a base peripheral portion and a lid having a lid peripheral portion. The lid peripheral portion is mountable to the base peripheral portion to mount the lid to the base for closing the container. A frangible hinge member pivotably joins the base to the lid. The hinge member includes a base hinge panel joined to the base peripheral portion, and a lid hinge panel joined to the lid peripheral portion. The base and lid hinge panels are pivotally joined together at a pivot region. One of the base hinge panel and the lid hinge panel has a line of weakness extending at least partially thereacross. At least a portion of the line of weakness is spaced from and positioned inwardly of the pivot region. The one of the base hinge panel and the lid hinge panel is separable along the line of weakness into a grasping portion connected to one of the base and the lid, and a flap portion connected to the pivot region.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/108,968, filed Oct. 28, 2008, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
- The specification relates to containers. More specifically, the specification relates to containers that are configured to provide a visual indication that the container has been previously opened.
- The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art.
- Containers are used to store many types of items, such as foodstuffs, medicine, or numerous other types of materials.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,680 (Boback et al.) discloses a tamper-resistant container with tamper-evident features which includes a cover portion defining a outwardly extending peripheral flange, a base portion defining an upper peripheral edge, a hinge joining the outwardly extending peripheral flange with the base portion and an engagement mechanism for maintaining the peripheral flange adjacent to the upper peripheral edge when the container is closed. The upper peripheral edge includes an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion that is configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed. The hinge includes a frangible section, which upon severing, provides a projection that extends out beyond the upwardly projecting bead of the upper peripheral edge of the base portion, for facilitating the disengagement of the engagement mechanism and removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.
- United States Patent Application Publication 2006/0289549 (Vovan) discloses a food container formed from plastic and can be loaded with food and then closed by a clerk, and thereafter cannot be opened without tearing apart first sides of the base and lid. The container is formed by a single sheet of plastic that forms a base and lid with second sides that are latched together and with adjacent first sides that are joined by a joint line in the plastic that is creased and that has slits. At the joint line, the lid has a projecting lid tab and the base has a projecting base tab. A person grasps both tabs, and lifts only the lid tab to tear apart the first sides of the base and lid along the joint line. Thereafter, the lid can be easily closed and reopened on the base.
- The following summary is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed discussion to follow. The summary is not intended to limit or define the claims.
- According to one broad aspect, a container is provided. The container comprises a base having a base peripheral portion. The container further comprises a lid having a lid peripheral portion. The lid peripheral portion is mountable to the base peripheral portion to mount the lid to the base. A hinge member pivotably joins the base to the lid. The hinge member includes a base hinge panel joined to the base peripheral portion, and a lid hinge panel joined to the lid peripheral portion. The base and lid hinge panels are pivotally joined together at a pivot region. One of the base hinge panel and the lid hinge panel has a line of weakness extending at least partially thereacross. At least a portion of the line of weakness is spaced from and positioned inwardly of the pivot region. The one of the base hinge panel and the lid hinge panel is separable along the line of weakness into a grasping portion connected to one of the base and the lid, and a flap portion connected to the pivot region.
- In some examples, the lid hinge panel has the line of weakness extending at least partially thereacross, and the lid hinge panel is separable along the line of weakness into the grasping portion connected to the lid, and the flap portion connected to the pivot region.
- In some examples, the lid hinge panel seats on at least a portion of the base hinge panel.
- In some examples, the pivot region comprises a plurality of non-frangible pivot edges, including a lid pivot edge and a base pivot edge that are each spaced laterally apart from the respective lid and base, and which pivot edges are connected along a line about which the lid can pivot relative to the base.
- In some examples, the base and lid hinge panels have respective inner surfaces facing each other when the container is closed, and at least a portion of the inner surfaces are spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. The line of weakness can overlie the gap. The lid hinge panel can be separable into the grasping portion and the flap portion by displacement of at least a portion of the flap portion downwardly into the gap. The base hinge panel can comprise a downwardly extending recess (or hollow) defining the gap.
- In some examples, the line of weakness defines a plurality of curves, and when the one of the lid hinge panel and the base hinge panel is separated into the grasping portion and the flap portion, the plurality of curves provide a plurality of grasping protrusions along the grasping portion. The curves present an edge surface that can be gripped by a user, by inserting a finger into the gap underneath the curved edge, and urging the curved edge upward to separate the lid from the base.
- In some examples, the pivot region is biased to pivot the flap portion away from the grasping portion when the one of the lid hinge panel and the base hinge panel is separated into the grasping portion and the flap portion.
- In some examples, the lid peripheral portion defines a lid peripheral edge, and the lid peripheral edge is generally in accessible to a user when the lid is mounted to the base.
- In some examples, the base comprises a bottom panel, at least one sidewall extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom panel, and the base peripheral portion extends from the at least one sidewall. Further, the lid can comprise a covering portion and the lid peripheral portion can extend from the covering portion.
- In some examples, the base peripheral portion comprises at least one engagement surface extending from an upper portion of the at least one side wall to define an inwardly open recess. A seating surface may be positioned above the recess, and a barrier wall may extend upwardly from an outer portion of the seating surface and extendi from a first position to a second position spaced perimetrically from the first position. The base hinge panel may be provided between the first position and the second position and may be joined to and extend outwardly from the seating surface. The lid peripheral portion may comprise a projection receivable in the recess, and a flange positioned above and outwardly of the projection. The flange may be seatable on the seating surface, and may have a first portion having an outer edge in perimetrical registration with the barrier wall and a second portion extending between the first position and the second position when the projection is received in the recess. The lid hinge panel may be provided between the first position and the second position and extends outwardly from the second portion.
- Other aspects and features of the present specification will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific examples of the specification.
- The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1A is a perspective illustration of an example of a container, wherein the container is in an open configuration; -
FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective illustration of the hinge member shown inFIG. 1A ; -
FIG. 1C is a cross-section taken along line 1C-1C inFIG. 1A ; -
FIG. 2A is a perspective illustration of the container ofFIG. 1A , wherein the container is in a closed and locked configuration; -
FIG. 2B is a cross-section taken along line 2B-2B inFIG. 2A ; -
FIG. 3A is a perspective illustration of the container ofFIG. 1A , wherein the container is in the process of being unlocked; -
FIG. 3B is a cross-section taken along line 3B-3B inFIG. 3A ; -
FIG. 4A is a perspective illustration of the container ofFIG. 1A , wherein the container is closed and unlocked; -
FIG. 4B is a cross-section taken along line 4B-4B inFIG. 4A ; - Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that are not described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.
- Referring to
FIGS. 1A-4B , an example of acontainer 100 is shown. Thecontainer 100 has an initial configuration, shown inFIGS. 1A to 1C , in which it is generally open and may be filled. Thecontainer 100 may be provided to a food preparation site in the initial configuration, such that it may be filled with food. Thecontainer 100 further has a second configuration, shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B , in which it is closed and locked. For example, after the container is filled at the food preparation site, it may be closed and locked, and provided to a distributor and/or seller in this configuration. Thecontainer 100 further has a third configuration, shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B , in which it is closed and unlocked. For example, after an end user such as a consumer purchases thecontainer 100, they may unlock it, such that thecontainer 100 may be then opened and the contents of thecontainer 100 may be accessed.FIGS. 3A and 3B show the container in the process of being unlocked. As will be described further hereinbelow, thecontainer 100 is generally configured such that after it has been unlocked for the first time, it provides visual evidence that it has been previously unlocked. Accordingly, thecontainer 100 may be substantially tamper-resistant, tamper-evident, and/or tamper-proof. Further thecontainer 100 is generally re-closeable, but not re-lockable, such that a user may re-close thecontainer 100 as desired after it has been opened for the first time. - In the example shown, the
container 100 comprises abase 102 and alid 104. The base 102 generally defines a receptacle, which may receive various items to be stored in thecontainer 100. Thelid 104 generally serves to cover thebase 102. Further, the base has a baseperipheral portion 116, and the lid has a lidperipheral portion 118. The lidperipheral portion 118 is mountable to the baseperipheral portion 116 to mount thelid 104 to thebase 102. - In the example shown, the
base 102 comprises abottom panel 106, and a plurality of sidewalls 108 extending upwardly from a periphery of thebottom panel 106. In the example shown, thebase 102 is generally square, and comprises four sidewalls 108 a-108 d extending upwardly from thebottom panel 106. In alternate examples, the base may be another shape, and may comprise another number of sidewalls. For example thebottom panel 106 may be generally circular, and a single rounded sidewall may extend upwardly therefrom. In alternate examples, the bottom panel and sidewalls may be substantially integral with each other, with out a clear delineation therebetween. For example, thebase 102 may be generally hemi-spherical. Theperipheral portion 116 of the base, to which the peripheral portion of thelid 118 is mounted, extends from the upper portion of the sidewalls 108. Theperipheral portion 116 of thebase 102 defines aperipheral edge 121 of the base. - Further, in the example shown, the
lid 104 comprises a coveringportion 110, which generally serves to cover thereceptacle 102. The coveringportion 110 includes anupper panel 112, and askirt 114 extending downwardly from theupper panel 112. In alternate examples, thelid 104 may comprise only the upper panel, and a skirt may not be provided. Theperipheral portion 118 of thelid 104, which mounts to theperipheral portion 116 of the base, extends outwardly from theskirt 114. Theperipheral portion 118 of thelid 104 defines aperipheral edge 119 of the lid. - The
container 100 is generally configured such that after it has been unlocked for the first time, it provides visual evidence that it has been previously unlocked. Accordingly, if an unauthorized user unlocks and opens the container, for example to tamper with the contents, and then closes the container, the container may not be relocked (i.e. cannot be returned to its original pre-opened state), and will provide visual evidence to the next user that the container has been previously unlocked. In the example shown, ahinge member 120 is provided, which pivotably joins the base 102 to thelid 104. Thecontainer 100 is generally configured such that after thelid 104 is mounted to thebase 102 for the first time as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B (i.e. after the container has been filled and placed in the closed and locked configuration), thelid 104 can generally not be removed from thebase 102 without separating thehinge member 120 into two portions, as shown inFIGS. 3A to 4B . That is, when thelid 104 is mounted to thebase 104, theperipheral edge 119 of thelid 104 is concealed, as will be described further hereinbelow. Accordingly, a user may not grasp theperipheral edge 119 to remove thelid 104 from thebase 102. However, when thehinge member 120 is separated (i.e. when the container is unlocked), a graspingportion 122 of thehinge member 120 becomes accessible to a user, and the user may grasp the graspingportion 120 to remove thelid 104 from thebase 102. The separation of thehinge member 120 generates the visual evidence that thelid 104 has been removed. - It will be appreciated that in alternate examples, the container may be configured such that when the
lid 104 is mounted to thebase 104, theperipheral edge 121 of thebase 102 is concealed, such that a user may not grasp theperipheral edge 121 to remove thelid 104 from thebase 102. - Referring to
FIGS. 1A-4B , in the example shown, thehinge member 120 comprises abase hinge panel 124 a joined to the baseperipheral portion 116, and a lid hinge panel 124 b joined to the lidperipheral portion 118. Thehinge panels 124 a, 124 b are pivotally joined together, to allow thelid 104 to pivot with respect to thebase 102. - The
panels 124 a, 124 b may be of a variety of shapes. In the example shown, eachpanel 124 a, 124 b has aninner surface panel 124 a, 124 b is generally rectangular, and has, respectively, aninner edge FIG. 1C ). In the example shown, the lid hinge panel 124 b is joined to the lidperipheral portion 118 along itsinner edge 126 b. Accordingly, the lid hinge panel 124 b extends outwardly of the lidperipheral portion 118. Further, in the example shown, thebase hinge panel 124 a is joined to the baseperipheral portion 116 along itsinner edge 126 a, and along a portion of the first 128 a and second 130 a side edges. Accordingly, thebase hinge panel 124 a extends partially outwardly of the baseperipheral portion 116. When thecontainer 100 is in the closed and locked configuration (i.e. after it has been filled and closed for the first time), thebase hinge panel 124 a and the lid hinge panel 124 b are generally in vertical registration. That is, when thecontainer 100 is in the closed and locked configuration, the lid hinge panel 124 b seats above thebase hinge panel 124 a, and theinner surfaces - In the example shown, each
panel 124 a, 124 b, comprises atab portion 134 a, 134 b extending outwardly therefrom. That is, theouter edge 132 a, 132 b of each panel defines a plurality of edges: a first 136 a, 136 b lateral edge extending inwardly from the first 128 a, 128 b side edge, a second 138 a, 138 b lateral edge extending inwardly from second 130 a, 130 b side edge, a first 140 a, 140 b protruding edge extending outwardly from the first 136 a, 136 b lateral edge, a secondprotruding edge 142 a, 142 b extending outwardly from the second 138 a, 138 b lateral edge, and acentral edge 144 a, 144 b extending between the first 140, 14 b, and second 142 a, 142 b protruding edges, respectively (shown inFIG. 1C ). - In alternate examples, the
panels 124 a, 124 b may be otherwise shaped, and may not extend outwardly or partially outwardly of the baseperipheral portion 116 and lidperipheral portion 188, respectively. For example, one or both of thepanels 124 a, 124 b may be joined to the baseperipheral portion 116 and lidperipheral portion 118, respectively, along theinner edges panels 124 a, 124 b may seat inwardly of the baseperipheral portion 116 and lidperipheral portion 118, respectively. - As previously mentioned, the
hinge panels 124 a, 124 b are pivotally joined together, to allow thelid 104 to pivot with respect to thebase 102. In the example shown, thelid hinge panel 124 a and the base hinge panel 124 b are joined together at apivot region 146. In the example shown, thepivot region 146 comprises a plurality ofsurfaces 148 a-148 k (shown in FIGS. 1C and 2B-4B), provided between theouter edge 132 a of thebase hinge panel 124 a and the outer edge 132 b of the lid hinge panel 124 b. The surfaces are joined together along a plurality ofpivot edges 150 a-150 j (shown in FIG. 1C), which are generally weakened, although generally not frangible, such that thepivot region 146 may be bent along theseedges 150 a-150 j to pivot thelid 104 away from the base 102 when thecontainer 100 is unlocked. - In the example shown, the
pivot region 146 extends only partially along theouter edges 132 a, 132 b of thepanels 124 a, 124 b. That is, the pivot region extends along thecentral edge 144 a, 144 b of eachpanel 124 a, 124 b. However, in alternate examples, for example whereintab portions 134 a, 134 b are not provided, and theouter edges 132 a, 132 b comprise a single edge extending between the first 128 a, 128 b, and second 130 a, 130 b side edges, respectively, thepivot region 146 may extend along the entirety of theouter edges 132 a, 132 b. - Referring to
FIGS. 1A-4B , one of thebase hinge panel 124 a and the lid hinge panel 124 b has a line ofweakness 152 extending at least partially thereacross. In the example shown, the lid hinge panel 124 b has the line ofweakness 152. Further, in the example shown, the line ofweakness 152 extends only partially across the lid hinge panel 124 b. That is, the line ofweakness 152 has afirst portion 154 extending inwardly from the junction of the firstlateral edge 136 b and the first protruding edge 140 b, asecond portion 156 extending laterally across the panel 124 b, and athird portion 158 extending outwardly towards the junction of the second lateral edge 138 b and the second protruding edge 142 b. - In alternate examples, the line of weakness may extend in another manner. For example, the line of
weakness 152 may comprise only a single portion extending entirely across the panel 124 b, from thefirst side edge 128 b to the second side edge 130 b. Further, in alternate examples, thebase hinge panel 124 a may comprise the line of weakness. - Referring to
FIGS. 1A-4B , at least a portion of the line ofweakness 152 is spaced from and positioned inwardly of thepivot region 146. As used herein ‘inwardly’ refers to a direction towards a central portion of the container. In the example shown, each of the first 154, second 156, and third 158 portions of the line ofweakness 152 are spaced from and positioned inwardly of thepivot region 146. That is, the first 140 b and second 142 b protruding edges are positioned between second 156 and third 158 portions of the line ofweakness 152 and thepivot region 146, respectively. In alternate examples, only one or only some portions of the line ofweakness 152 may be spaced from and positioned inwardly of thepivot region 146. By providing at least a portion of the line ofweakness 152 spaced from and inwardly of thepivot region 146, the risk of accidental separation of the lid hinge panel 124 b along the line of weakness, for example during shipping, may be prevented, minimized, or reduced. - The amount that each portion of the line of
weakness 152 is spaced from thepivot region 146 may vary. In the example shown, the first 154 and third 158 portions of the line of weakness are spaced from the pivot region by about 0.5 cm, and the second 156 portion of the line ofweakness 152 is spaced from the pivot region by about 1 cm. In alternate examples, any of the portions may be spaced from the line of weakness by another amount, for example between about 0.1 cm and 2 cm. - Referring to
FIGS. 3A-4B , the lid hinge panel 124 b is separable along the line ofweakness 152. That is, the line ofweakness 152 generally defines a frangible portion of the lid hinge panel 124 b, which may be broken or torn. The lid hinge panel 124 b is separable along the line ofweakness 152 into a graspingportion 122 connected to thelid 104, and aflap portion 160 connected to thepivot region 146. When the lid hinge panel 124 b has been separated along the line ofweakness 152, the user may grasp the graspingportion 122 to remove thelid 104 from thebase 102. That is, in order to unlock thecontainer 100, the user may separate the lid hinge panel 124 b along the line ofweakness 152. The separation of the lid hinge panel 124 b provides visual evidence that thecontainer 100 has been previously opened. - The user may separate the lid hinge panel 124 b in a variety of ways. In some examples, when the container is in the closed and locked configuration, at least a portion of the
inner surface 125 a of thebase hinge panel 124 a and at least a portion of theinner surface 125 b of the lid hinge panel 124 b are spaced apart to form agap 162 therebetween, and at least a portion of the line ofweakness 152 overlies thegap 162. For example, as shown, thebase hinge panel 124 a may comprise a downwardly extendingrecess 164, which defines thegap 162. Further, in the example shown, thesecond portion 156 of the line ofweakness 152 overlies the gap. In order to separate the lid hinge panel 124 b, a user may displace at least a portion of either theflap portion 160 or the graspingportion 122 downwardly into the gap, as shown inFIGS. 3A-3B . For example, a user may apply pressure to theflap portion 160 to displace at least a portion of the flap portion into thegap 162. As theflap portion 160 displaces, the lid hinge panel 124 b may break or sever at the line ofweakness 152. While theflap 160 is still displaced downwardly, the user may grasp the grasping portion to lift thelid 104 off of thebase 102. Alternately, the user may release the flap portion, and allow it to automatically pivot away from the grasping portion, as will be described further hereinbelow, and then grasp the graspingportion 122 to lift thelid 104 off of thebase 102. - In alternate examples, the lid hinge panel 124 b may be separated in other ways. For example a pull-tab may be provided on the
flap 160, which the user may grasp in order to pull theflap 160 upwardly and sever the lid hinge panel 124 b at the line of weakness. - In the example shown, the
second portion 156 of the line ofweakness 152 defines a plurality of curves. When the lid hinge panel 124 b is separated into the graspingportion 122 and theflap portion 160, the plurality of curves provide a plurality of graspingprotrusions 167 along the grasping portion 122 (shown inFIG. 4A ). The graspingprotrusions 167 may aid a user in grasping the graspingportion 122. - In alternate examples, the line of weakness may not comprise any curves. For example, the
second portion 156 may extend in a substantially straight manner. - As mentioned hereinabove, the separation of the lid hinge panel 124 b provides visual evidence that the
container 100 has been previously opened. Furthermore, in the example shown, thehinge member 120 is configured such that thepivot portion 146 is biased to pivot theflap portion 160 away from the graspingportion 122 when the lid hinge panel 124 b has been separated into the graspingportion 122 and theflap portion 160. That is, referring toFIG. 1C , thepivot surfaces 148 a-148 k are configured such that in the absence of external forces, for example when the container is in the open configuration, thepivot surfaces 148 a-148 k extend from each other at approximate right angles. However, when the lid is mounted to the receptacle and the container is in the closed and locked configuration, thepivot surfaces 148 a-148 k are compressed towards each other, as shown inFIGS. 2A to 3B , and extend from each other at acute angles. Referring toFIGS. 4A and 4B , when the lid hinge panel 124 b is separated along the line of weakness and the user releases theflap portion 160, thepivot surfaces 148 a-148 k, flex back to their original configuration, wherein they extend from each other at approximate right angles. This causes theflap portion 160 to pivot away from graspingportion 122. Theflap portion 160 therefore protrudes from thecontainer 100, and his provides an additional visual indication to the user that the container has previously been unlocked. - As mentioned hereinabove, in the example shown, when the
lid 104 is mounted to thebase 104, theperipheral edge 119 of thelid 104 is concealed. Accordingly, a user may not grasp theperipheral edge 119 to remove thelid 104 from thebase 102, and generally must separate the lid hinge panel 124 b in order to grasp the graspingportion 122 and lift the lid off of the receptacle. The peripheral edge 19 of the lid may be concealed in a variety of ways, and the lid may be mounted to the receptacle in a variety of ways. - In the example shown, the
peripheral portion 116 of thebase 102 comprises at least oneengagement surface 166 defining an inwardlyopen recess 168. Further, in the example shown, the lidperipheral portion 118 comprises aprojection 170. Theprojection 170 is snapably receivable inrecess 168, such that thelid 104 may be securely mounted to thereceptacle 102. For example, ifcontainer 100 is inverted,projection 170 andrecess 168 may preventlid 104 from falling off ofreceptacle 102. - In the example shown, the inwardly open recess is defined by a first engagement surface 166 a extending outwardly from the upper portion of the sidewalls 108, a second engagement surface 166 b extending upwardly from the first surface 166 a, and a third engagement 166 c surface extending inwardly and upwardly from the second surface 166 b. Accordingly, the
recess 168 is inwardly and upwardly open. In alternate examples, therecess 168 may otherwise configured. For example, the at least oneengagement surface 166 may comprise a single rounded surface extending sequentially outwardly, upwardly, and inwardly from the upper portion of the at least one sidewall 108. Furthermore, the recess may be only inwardly open. - In the example shown,
recess 168 extends around the entire periphery of thebase 102, and extends outwardly from theskirt 114. However, in alternate examples,recess 168 may extend around only a portion of the periphery of thebase 102. Furthermore, a plurality of recess portions may be provided, which may be located at various positions around the periphery of thebase 102. - In the example shown, the
projection 170 is defined by a first outwardly extending surface 172 a, a second upwardly extending surface 172 b, and a third inwardly and upwardly extending surface 172 c. In alternate examples,projection 170 may be otherwise shaped, in order to mate withrecess 168. For example, ifrecess 168 is rounded,projection 170 may also be rounded. Furthermore, ifrecess 168 extends around only a portion of the periphery of thebase 102,projection 170 may extend around a corresponding portion of thelid 104. - In the example shown, the base
peripheral portion 118 further comprises aseating surface 174 positioned above therecess 168. Further, in the example shown, thelid 104 comprises aflange 178 positioned outwardly ofprojection 170.Flange 178 has an outer edge, which defines theperipheral edge 119 oflid 102.Flange 178 is generally configured to seat on theseating surface 174 when theprojection 170 is received in therecess 168, or when the lid 14 is otherwise secured to thereceptacle 12. - In the example shown, the
seating surface 174 is positioned indirectly above therecess 168. That is, in the example shown, anintermediate surface 176 is positioned betweenrecess 168 andseating surface 174. In alternate examples, seatingsurface 174 may be positioned directly aboverecess 168 and extend directly fromsurface 166. - In the example shown,
seating surface 174 is positioned outwardly ofrecess 168. However, in some examples, seatingsurface 174 andrecess 168 may at least partially overlap. Further, in some examples, flange 74 and projection 70 may at least partially overlap. - Seating
surface 174 may be of a variety of configurations. In the example shown,seating surface 174 comprises a generally planar surface defining a flange extending about theperipheral portion 116 of the base. In other examples, seatingsurface 174 may extend around only a portion of the receptacle or a plurality of seating surface portions may be provided, which may extend from various positions around theperipheral portion 116 of thebase 102. -
Flange 178 may be of a variety of configurations. In the example shown, theflange 178 comprises a generally flat outwardly extending surface which extends about the entireperipheral portion 116 of thelid 104. In other examples,flange 178 may be otherwise configured. For example,flange 178 may extend about only a portion of the peripheral portion of thelid 104, or a plurality of flange portions may be provided. - In order to prevent a user from accessing the
peripheral edge 119 of thelid 104 when the lid is mounted to the receptacle, abarrier wall 180 is provided on theperipheral portion 116 of thebase 102, which extends upwardly from an outer portion of theseating surface 174. Thebarrier wall 180 extends about a portion of theperipheral portion 116 of thebase 102, from afirst position 182 to asecond position 184. Thefirst position 182 and thesecond position 184 are spaced perimetrically apart, such that agap region 186 is positioned therebetween. Thebase hinge panel 124 a is provided between thefirst position 182 and thesecond position 184, and extends outwardly from theseating surface 174. - When the lid is mounted to the base, a
first portion 188 of theperipheral edge 119 of thelid 102 is in perimetrical registration with thebarrier wall 180. Accordingly, the user may generally not access or grasp thefirst portion 188 to remove thelid 104 from thebase 102. Asecond portion 190 of theperipheral edge 119, (i.e. the remainder of the peripheral edge 119) is at thegap region 186, and extends between thefirst position 182 and thesecond position 184. The lid hinge panel 124 b extends outwardly from the second portion, and is provided between thefirst position 182 and thesecond position 184. Accordingly, the user may generally not access or grasp thesecond portion 190 to remove thelid 104 from thebase 102. - In the example illustrated, the
barrier wall 180 extends generally perpendicularly from the outer portion of theseating surface 174. Accordingly, when thebase 102 is viewed from above, along an axis extending perpendicularly to theseating surface 174, the outer portion of theseating surface 174 is visible. In other examples, thebarrier wall 180 may be at an angle θ of less than 90° with respect to the outer portion of theseating surface 174. - In the example shown, the
barrier wall 180 is three-dimensional, having aninner wall portion 192, anouter wall portion 194, and a top wall portion 198 extending therebetween. In alternate examples, the barrier wall may comprise, for example, onlyinner wall portion 192. In the example shown, baseperipheral portion 116 further comprises a lip 198 extending outwardly from thebarrier wall 180. The lip extends about the baseperipheral portion 118 from thefirst position 182 to thesecond position 184, and is integrally joined with thebase hinge panel 124 a. - In use, the
container 100 may be provided in the open configuration, as shown inFIGS. 1A to 1C . That is, thelid 104 may be pivotally mounted tobase 102 byhinge member 120. Thecontainer 100 may then be filled, for example with food. The container may then be closed and locked, as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B . That is,lid 104 may be pivoted downwardly and force may be applied to mount the lidperipheral portion 118 to the baseperipheral portion 116. For example, force may be applied to snapprojection 170 intorecess 168. In this closed and locked configuration, theperipheral edge 119 of thelid 104 is concealed. That is, afirst portion 188 of theperipheral edge 119 is in perimetrical registration with the barrier wall, and therefore cannot be grasped, and asecond portion 190 of theperipheral edge 119 is concealed by the lid hinge panel 124 b, which extends integrally outwardly therefrom, and therefore cannot be grasped. Thecontainer 100 may be shipped, stored, and sold in the closed and locked configuration. When a user purchases the container, the container may be inspected to see if it has been previously opened, for example to see if it has been tampered with. That is, the user may inspect thehinge member 120 to see if the lid hinge panel 124 b has been separated along the line ofweakness 152. If the lid hinge panel 124 b has not been separated along the line ofweakness 152, thecontainer 100 may be purchased. In order to unlock thecontainer 100, the user may separate the lid hinge panel 124 b along the line of weakness. For example, the user may apply pressure to theflap portion 160 to displace theflap portion 160 intogap 162 and sever the lid hinge panel 124 b along the line of weakness, as shown inFIGS. 3A-3B . The user may then release theflap portion 160, and theflap portion 160 may automatically pivot away from the graspingportion 122, as shown inFIGS. 4A-4B . The user may then grasp the graspingportion 122 to lift thelid 104 off of thebase 102. If the user wishes to re-close hecontainer 100, the user may placelid 104 back onto thebase 102, and apply pressure to snap theprojection 170 into therecess 168. - In any of the above examples, the
container 100 may comprise instructions provided on the container for aiding the user in operating the container. For example, as shown, thecontainer 100 compriseslettering 199 embossed on the hinge member, instructing a user how to operate thecontainer 100. - While the above description provides examples of one or more processes or apparatuses, it will be appreciated that other processes or apparatuses may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.
Claims (20)
1. A container comprising:
a) a base having a base peripheral portion defining a base peripheral edge;
b) a lid having a lid peripheral portion defining a lid peripheral edge, the lid peripheral portion mountable to the base peripheral portion to mount the lid to the base, and at least one of the base peripheral edge and lid peripheral edge being generally inaccessible to a user when the lid is mounted to the base to inhibit grasping thereof to separate the lid from the base;
c) a hinge member pivotably joining the base to the lid, the hinge member including:
i) a base hinge panel joined to the base peripheral portion, and a lid hinge panel joined to the lid peripheral portion,
ii) the base and lid hinge panels pivotally joined together at a pivot region;
iii) one of the base hinge panel and the lid hinge panel having a line of weakness extending at least partially thereacross, at least a portion of the line of weakness being spaced from and positioned inwardly of the pivot region;
iv) the one of the base hinge panel and the lid hinge panel being separable along the line of weakness into a grasping portion connected to one of the base and the lid, and a flap portion connected to the pivot region.
2. The container of claim 1 , wherein the line of weakness extends at least partially across the lid hinge panel, the lid hinge panel being separable along the line of weakness into the grasping portion and the flap portion, the grasping portion connected to the lid, and the flap portion connected to the pivot region.
3. The container of claim 1 , wherein the lid hinge panel bears against at least a portion of the base hinge panel when the lid is mounted to the base.
4. The container of claim 1 , wherein the pivot region comprises a plurality of pivot surfaces joined together at a plurality of non-frangible pivot edges.
5. The container of claim 1 , wherein the base and lid hinge panels have respective inner surfaces facing each other when the container is closed, and at least a portion of the inner surfaces are spaced apart to form a gap therebetween.
6. The container of claim 5 , wherein the line of weakness overlies the gap.
7. The container of claim 6 , wherein the lid hinge panel is separable into the grasping portion and the flap portion by displacement of at least a portion of the flap portion downwardly into the gap.
8. The container of claim 6 , wherein the base hinge panel comprises a planar portion adjacent the lid hinge panel when the lid is mounted on the base, and wherein the gap comprises a hollow extending downwardly from the planar portion, away form the lid hinge panel.
9. The container of claim 1 , wherein the line of weakness defines a plurality of curves.
10. The container of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of curves provide a plurality of grasping protrusions along the grasping portion when the one of the lid hinge panel and the base hinge panel is separated into the grasping portion and the flap portion.
11. The container of claim 1 , wherein the pivot region is biased to pivot the flap portion away from the grasping portion when the one of the lid hinge panel and the base hinge panel is separated into the grasping portion and the flap portion.
12. The container of claim 1 , wherein the lid peripheral edge is generally inaccessible to a user when the lid is mounted to the base.
13. The container of claim 12 , wherein the base comprises a bottom panel, at least one sidewall extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom panel, and the base peripheral portion extends from the at least one sidewall.
14. The container of claim 13 , wherein the lid comprises a covering portion and the lid peripheral portion extends from the covering portion.
15. The container of claim 14 , wherein the base peripheral portion comprises at least one engagement surface extending from an upper portion of the at least one sidewall to define an inwardly open recess.
16. The container of claim 15 , wherein the lid peripheral portion comprises a projection receivable in the recess.
17. The container of claim 16 , wherein the base peripheral portion comprises a seating surface positioned above the recess.
18. The container of claim 17 , wherein the lid peripheral portion comprises a flange positioned above and outwardly of the projection, the flange being seatable on the seating surface.
19. The container of claim 18 , wherein the base peripheral portion comprises a barrier wall extending upwardly from an outer portion of the seating surface and extending from a first position to a second position spaced perimetrically from the first position.
20. The container of claim 19 , wherein the flange has a first portion and having an outer edge in perimetrical registration with the barrier wall and a second portion extending between the first position and the second position when the projection is received in the recess.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/606,770 US20100102074A1 (en) | 2008-10-28 | 2009-10-27 | Tamper evident container with frangible hinge |
US14/093,006 US9493277B2 (en) | 2008-10-28 | 2013-11-28 | Tamper evident container with frangible hinge |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10896808P | 2008-10-28 | 2008-10-28 | |
US12/606,770 US20100102074A1 (en) | 2008-10-28 | 2009-10-27 | Tamper evident container with frangible hinge |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/093,006 Continuation US9493277B2 (en) | 2008-10-28 | 2013-11-28 | Tamper evident container with frangible hinge |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100102074A1 true US20100102074A1 (en) | 2010-04-29 |
Family
ID=41426777
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/606,770 Abandoned US20100102074A1 (en) | 2008-10-28 | 2009-10-27 | Tamper evident container with frangible hinge |
US14/093,006 Active US9493277B2 (en) | 2008-10-28 | 2013-11-28 | Tamper evident container with frangible hinge |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/093,006 Active US9493277B2 (en) | 2008-10-28 | 2013-11-28 | Tamper evident container with frangible hinge |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20100102074A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2683671C (en) |
GB (1) | GB2464819B (en) |
Cited By (53)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8608008B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2013-12-17 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
USD697795S1 (en) | 2011-07-29 | 2014-01-21 | Dart Container Corporation | Container |
TWI458610B (en) * | 2013-12-06 | 2014-11-01 | ||
US20150060455A1 (en) * | 2013-08-28 | 2015-03-05 | Hsin-Hung Chou | Tamper-evident food container |
TWI480138B (en) * | 2014-09-26 | 2015-04-11 | ||
US9016503B2 (en) | 2011-01-18 | 2015-04-28 | Easypak Llc | Tamper-evident container with multi-action breakaway hinge |
USD742736S1 (en) * | 2014-09-09 | 2015-11-10 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Tray assembly |
US9187209B1 (en) * | 2013-07-05 | 2015-11-17 | Highland Packaging Solutions, Inc. | Tamper evident container having tear tab and hinged lid |
USD744327S1 (en) * | 2014-09-09 | 2015-12-01 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Tray assembly |
US9278786B2 (en) | 2011-03-22 | 2016-03-08 | Smart-Tab, Llc | Containers with tamper-evident features |
WO2016128755A1 (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2016-08-18 | Par-Pak Europe Limited | Packaging for consumer products |
US9475621B1 (en) | 2015-09-29 | 2016-10-25 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Tamper evident plastic food container with trigger open mechanism |
EP3100962A1 (en) * | 2015-06-04 | 2016-12-07 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
USD776974S1 (en) * | 2015-06-04 | 2017-01-24 | Sabert Corporation | Container |
US9580219B2 (en) * | 2015-06-30 | 2017-02-28 | Anchor Packaging | Tamper evident plastic food container |
US9624009B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2017-04-18 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
US9656785B2 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2017-05-23 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Tamper evident plastic food container |
USD795651S1 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2017-08-29 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Tamper evident plastic food container |
US9796511B2 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2017-10-24 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Tamper evident plastic food container |
USD814923S1 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2018-04-10 | Genpak, Llc | Food container |
US9944436B2 (en) | 2015-12-14 | 2018-04-17 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
USD826709S1 (en) * | 2016-10-12 | 2018-08-28 | Taishan Runcheng Plastics Co., Ltd | Container |
US20180305074A1 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2018-10-25 | Gr8 Engineering Limited | Container with frangible weakened portion and manufacture thereof |
US10220985B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2019-03-05 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a tabbed hinge |
USD845754S1 (en) * | 2016-12-28 | 2019-04-16 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Container |
USD848258S1 (en) * | 2016-10-12 | 2019-05-14 | Taishan Runcheng Plastics Co., Ltd | Lunch box |
US10351310B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2019-07-16 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a bump near a tabbed hinge |
US10384843B2 (en) | 2017-01-31 | 2019-08-20 | Smart-Tab, Llc | Pull-tab tamper evident container |
USD874263S1 (en) * | 2017-09-13 | 2020-02-04 | Gate Gourmet Switzerland Gmbh | Tray for food |
USD874296S1 (en) * | 2017-09-13 | 2020-02-04 | Gate Gourmet Switzerland Gmbh | Tray for packing foods |
US20200055641A1 (en) * | 2018-08-17 | 2020-02-20 | You Mao Shing Plastic Co., Ltd. | Destructive packing container |
US10669078B2 (en) | 2015-12-14 | 2020-06-02 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
USD886595S1 (en) * | 2017-09-13 | 2020-06-09 | Gate Gourmet Switzerland Gmbh | Tray for food |
USD896636S1 (en) * | 2018-08-29 | 2020-09-22 | Taishan Shilong Plastics Co., Ltd | Container |
USD897222S1 (en) * | 2018-05-15 | 2020-09-29 | Waddington North America, Inc. | Container |
US10870519B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2020-12-22 | Lacerta Group, Inc | Tamper evident containers |
US10889413B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2021-01-12 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a tab extending beyond a hinge |
US10894635B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2021-01-19 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a wide tab extending beyond a hinge |
EP3771657A1 (en) | 2019-07-30 | 2021-02-03 | Groupe Guillin | Packaging containers with secure closing |
USD920100S1 (en) * | 2019-04-16 | 2021-05-25 | Pactiv LLC | Tamper-evident feature for a container |
US11077991B2 (en) * | 2018-08-22 | 2021-08-03 | Pinnpack Packaging, Llc | Container having a tamper evidence tab |
USD926564S1 (en) | 2020-02-26 | 2021-08-03 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Container |
USD937672S1 (en) * | 2020-02-21 | 2021-12-07 | Zume, Inc. | Food container |
USD938274S1 (en) * | 2020-02-21 | 2021-12-14 | Zume, Inc. | Food container |
US20220041343A1 (en) * | 2020-08-07 | 2022-02-10 | Portage Plastics Corporation | Tamper Evident Package Or Container |
US11279534B2 (en) | 2019-04-16 | 2022-03-22 | Pactiv LLC | Tamper-evident plastic container |
US11286091B2 (en) | 2020-01-22 | 2022-03-29 | Robert J. Borse | Tamper evident container |
USD948333S1 (en) * | 2021-05-11 | 2022-04-12 | Jinying ZHANG | Food container |
US11479389B2 (en) | 2020-05-20 | 2022-10-25 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Tamper evident plastic food container |
US11479392B2 (en) | 2020-05-20 | 2022-10-25 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Tamper evident plastic food container |
US20230234752A1 (en) * | 2019-07-03 | 2023-07-27 | Michael J. Perry | Nested lid containers |
USD997715S1 (en) * | 2021-07-13 | 2023-09-05 | ATL GA Packaging LLC | Container |
US11794966B2 (en) * | 2021-12-06 | 2023-10-24 | Tekni-Plex, Inc. | Food container with tamper-proof hinged closure |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2497112B (en) * | 2011-12-01 | 2016-07-06 | Par-Pak Europe Ltd | Manufacture of a package |
US10723521B2 (en) * | 2015-06-16 | 2020-07-28 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Container assembly |
US11780654B2 (en) * | 2018-03-26 | 2023-10-10 | Plastifar S.A. | Container with tearable lid |
US10815710B2 (en) | 2018-06-29 | 2020-10-27 | Dynamic Closures Corporation | Hinge assembly for folding closure |
RU192251U1 (en) * | 2019-07-02 | 2019-09-11 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "ПАКГРАД" | POLYMER CAPACITY |
GB2616737A (en) * | 2020-12-22 | 2023-09-20 | Polarpak Company | Tamper resistant container |
Citations (64)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1726103A (en) * | 1924-04-05 | 1929-08-27 | Thermokept Corp | Hinge for cans and method of forming said hinges |
US2798631A (en) * | 1955-03-07 | 1957-07-09 | Engel David | Container |
US2915214A (en) * | 1956-10-05 | 1959-12-01 | Frankel Morris | Plastic containers |
US3043354A (en) * | 1960-07-15 | 1962-07-10 | Edmund J Fitzgerald | Molded plastic container |
US3080087A (en) * | 1961-04-07 | 1963-03-05 | Union Carbide Corp | Beverage case |
US3097758A (en) * | 1961-07-21 | 1963-07-16 | Irvin J Gershen | Pilfer proof cap for aerosol containers |
US3164478A (en) * | 1961-12-15 | 1965-01-05 | Poster Packaging Inc | Doughnut package |
US3421654A (en) * | 1967-02-14 | 1969-01-14 | Schmalbach Lubeca | Closing cover made of plastic |
US3511433A (en) * | 1968-03-13 | 1970-05-12 | Sinclair Koppers Co | Unitary foam sheet container |
US3536251A (en) * | 1967-07-13 | 1970-10-27 | British Petroleum Co | Containers |
US3767110A (en) * | 1971-12-22 | 1973-10-23 | Dolco Packaging Corp | Carton with hinge latch closure |
US4433793A (en) * | 1979-12-17 | 1984-02-28 | A/S Haustrup Plastic | Container having frangible opening means |
US4535889A (en) * | 1984-02-08 | 1985-08-20 | The Stouffer Corporation | Frozen food package and cover lid |
US4576370A (en) * | 1984-12-24 | 1986-03-18 | Harris Graphics Corporation | Method and apparatus for tipping closely incidental mail to magazines or the like |
US4732293A (en) * | 1986-11-05 | 1988-03-22 | Landis Plastics, Inc. | Tear strip closure for a container with a security ring |
US4742935A (en) * | 1986-07-14 | 1988-05-10 | Sandherr Packungen Ag | Packaging container |
US4782977A (en) * | 1987-12-16 | 1988-11-08 | Evergreen Industries, Inc. | Tamper resistant container |
US4919286A (en) * | 1988-05-27 | 1990-04-24 | Robert Linkletter Assoc. | Hinged closure and container |
US4986438A (en) * | 1990-04-03 | 1991-01-22 | Placon Corporation | Recloseable nesting tab container |
US4997100A (en) * | 1990-08-31 | 1991-03-05 | Dudek Peter P | Unitary biological specimen processing apparatus |
US5027969A (en) * | 1990-07-03 | 1991-07-02 | Ipl Inc. | Closure and container combination |
US5040695A (en) * | 1990-07-06 | 1991-08-20 | W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Tear off hinge |
US5046659A (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1991-09-10 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Latching structure for food container |
US5052574A (en) * | 1990-02-16 | 1991-10-01 | Cardinal Packaging Inc. | Tamper-proof and tamper-evident container closure system |
US5092479A (en) * | 1989-12-14 | 1992-03-03 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Rigid one-piece merchandising container |
US5114068A (en) * | 1989-10-25 | 1992-05-19 | Tetra Pak Holdings & Finance S.A. | Apparatus for the separable attachment of two synthetic plastics parts and the use of the apparatus for a package to contain flowable contents |
US5219087A (en) * | 1989-05-31 | 1993-06-15 | Akerlund & Rausing Licens Ab | Tamperproof reclosing lid |
US5287959A (en) * | 1993-05-03 | 1994-02-22 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Domed container for baked goods or the like |
US5311990A (en) * | 1992-02-19 | 1994-05-17 | Ethicon, Inc. | Thermoformed blister package having quick disconnect locking cover mechanism |
US5429833A (en) * | 1993-07-02 | 1995-07-04 | Redex Packaging Corporation | Recloseable modified atmosphere clamshell package |
US5507406A (en) * | 1994-04-26 | 1996-04-16 | Belford Patrick, Inc. | Tamperproof/tamper evident container |
US5573134A (en) * | 1991-08-07 | 1996-11-12 | Portola Packaging, Inc. | Container with curled tamper-evident band to retain closure |
US5584408A (en) * | 1996-03-05 | 1996-12-17 | Inline Plastics Corporation | Latching structure for food container |
US5758791A (en) * | 1996-08-05 | 1998-06-02 | Tenneco Packaging Inc. | Latching mechanism for a plastic container |
US5788105A (en) * | 1995-10-30 | 1998-08-04 | Plastofilm Industries, Inc. | Tamper evident thermoformed package |
US5842592A (en) * | 1998-04-13 | 1998-12-01 | Creative Packaging Corp. | Tamper-evident snap on cap with tear lever |
US5860530A (en) * | 1997-06-30 | 1999-01-19 | Tenneco Packaging Inc. | Container with a corner latch closure |
US5897011A (en) * | 1997-08-19 | 1999-04-27 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Clamshell container with tear-away lid |
US5931291A (en) * | 1997-08-08 | 1999-08-03 | Alpha Enterprises, Inc. | Multi-media shipping and storage container |
US5931332A (en) * | 1996-03-12 | 1999-08-03 | Mygatt; Leonard T. | Tamper-evident closure with pull-tab |
US5938068A (en) * | 1997-12-11 | 1999-08-17 | Dart Container | Container with removable cover |
US5979687A (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 1999-11-09 | Tenneco Packaging Inc. | High-strength container with interior button latch |
US6145688A (en) * | 1996-07-17 | 2000-11-14 | Smith; James C. | Closure device for containers |
US6196408B1 (en) * | 1996-03-04 | 2001-03-06 | Sonoco Products Company | Release strip for tubular containers and methods and apparatus of applying same |
US6360909B1 (en) * | 2000-02-18 | 2002-03-26 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Container closure having a frangible seal |
US20020134783A1 (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2002-09-26 | Arshinoff Stephen H. | Lid with hinge for plastic pail |
US20030034323A1 (en) * | 2001-08-17 | 2003-02-20 | Smith Kelly A. | Tamper-evident closure |
US20030052133A1 (en) * | 2001-09-14 | 2003-03-20 | Hayes Thomas J. | Containers |
US20030057209A1 (en) * | 1999-12-22 | 2003-03-27 | Fritz Seelhofer | Two-component plastic closure and method for producing said closure as a one-component part |
US6572909B1 (en) * | 2000-05-03 | 2003-06-03 | De Ster Corporation | Container having single-cycle hinge and use thereof |
US6609623B2 (en) * | 2001-10-05 | 2003-08-26 | Hsin-Hung Chou | Storage box |
US6651813B2 (en) * | 2000-09-27 | 2003-11-25 | Clearpac Limited | Wallet |
US6715632B2 (en) * | 2001-02-16 | 2004-04-06 | Plastiques M&R Inc. | Lockable tray container |
US20040200836A1 (en) * | 2001-07-24 | 2004-10-14 | Valentin Hierzer | Snap-hinge closure with tamper-evident lid and method of making |
US7073680B2 (en) * | 2003-07-21 | 2006-07-11 | Inline Plastics Corporation | Tamper-resistant container with tamper-evident feature and method of forming the same |
USD532000S1 (en) * | 2005-06-13 | 2006-11-14 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Powerline communications device |
US20060278652A1 (en) * | 2005-06-10 | 2006-12-14 | Terry Vovan | Tamper evident container with tear-apart parts |
US20060289549A1 (en) * | 2005-06-24 | 2006-12-28 | Terry Vovan | Edge-tearing tamper-evident container |
US20060289541A1 (en) * | 2006-07-10 | 2006-12-28 | Peter Boback | Tamper-resistant container with tamper-evident feature and method of forming the same |
US7159733B2 (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2007-01-09 | Really Useful Products Limited | Tamper evident container-lid combination |
US20070012710A1 (en) * | 2005-07-13 | 2007-01-18 | Pwp Industries | Versatile tamper-evident food container |
US20070138180A1 (en) * | 2005-12-21 | 2007-06-21 | Terry Vovan | Enhanced tamper evident bowl with blocked tab |
US20070138046A1 (en) * | 2005-12-19 | 2007-06-21 | Pwp Industries | Multi-compartment container system |
US7658589B2 (en) * | 2002-04-10 | 2010-02-09 | Va Tech Hydro Gmbh | Turbine with tube arrangement and method of preventing detachment of a fluid flow |
Family Cites Families (56)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2765097A (en) | 1954-07-27 | 1956-10-02 | Franklin A Dobson | Manhole cover |
US3142409A (en) | 1962-03-15 | 1964-07-28 | Budd H Ross | Container and cover |
US3670922A (en) | 1970-12-04 | 1972-06-20 | Owens Illinois Inc | Nestable cup |
US3786982A (en) | 1971-11-17 | 1974-01-22 | Phillips Petroleum Co | Thermoformed snap closures |
US4030630A (en) | 1975-06-18 | 1977-06-21 | Penland Container, Inc. | All plastic reclosable container closure |
US4043482A (en) | 1976-01-21 | 1977-08-23 | In. Da. Te. Aktiengesellschaft | Re-usable containers |
US4113136A (en) | 1977-06-06 | 1978-09-12 | Abbott Joseph L | Tamper proof container assembly |
US4124141A (en) | 1977-07-11 | 1978-11-07 | Armentrout James L | Sterile container |
US4111329A (en) | 1977-09-19 | 1978-09-05 | John Edward Lampman | Container with tamperproof and stackable lid |
US4180179A (en) | 1978-08-31 | 1979-12-25 | The Continental Group, Inc. | Beaded snaplock closure |
FR2516052A1 (en) | 1981-11-06 | 1983-05-13 | Plastigord Plastiques Perigord | BOX WITH SEALED CLOSURE FORMING CONTAINER FOR VARIOUS PRODUCTS |
US4452382A (en) | 1981-11-10 | 1984-06-05 | Holdt J W Von | Container closure |
US4474305A (en) | 1983-06-10 | 1984-10-02 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Tamper-evident container |
DK149152C (en) | 1983-07-28 | 1986-09-15 | Jens Ove Nielsen | SALES PACKAGING OF THE DUNK OR BATTERY TYPE, AND LOW AND SAFETY CLOSES |
US4488658A (en) | 1983-12-12 | 1984-12-18 | Sealright Co, Inc. | Tamper evident food package |
US4602718A (en) | 1985-05-31 | 1986-07-29 | Sun Coast Plastics, Inc. | Dual-operation tamper-evident band for closures |
US4643329A (en) | 1986-03-21 | 1987-02-17 | Mobberley Laura P | Tamper evident container |
US4711364A (en) | 1986-06-21 | 1987-12-08 | Letica Corporation | Tamper-evident container and closure |
US4792054A (en) | 1987-08-13 | 1988-12-20 | Weatherchem Corporation | Tamper-evident closure for dispensers |
US4940158A (en) | 1987-09-22 | 1990-07-10 | American National Can Company | Container and seam ring for container |
GB8812837D0 (en) | 1988-05-31 | 1988-07-06 | Drg Uk Ltd | Container with lid |
US5129517A (en) | 1988-11-03 | 1992-07-14 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Food package containing a reclosable means |
GB2227481B (en) | 1989-01-31 | 1993-01-27 | Henry John Louw | Container |
US4942974A (en) | 1989-06-09 | 1990-07-24 | Sealright Company, Inc. | Tamper evident container |
US5085339A (en) | 1990-10-01 | 1992-02-04 | Polystar Packaging, Incorporated | Reclosable container closure |
BR9106028A (en) | 1990-12-01 | 1993-01-19 | Effem Gmbh | CAN WITH PRESSURE COVER |
US5161711A (en) | 1991-03-28 | 1992-11-10 | Dart Industries Inc. | Closure assembly with separable seal |
US5249694A (en) | 1991-06-20 | 1993-10-05 | Highland Plastics, Inc. | Tear strip container |
GB2257118A (en) | 1991-06-24 | 1993-01-06 | Autobar Vendabeka Ltd | Tamper evident closure |
US5170905A (en) | 1991-07-17 | 1992-12-15 | Cap Snap Co. | Tamper-evident thin-walled container package |
US5163575A (en) | 1991-08-07 | 1992-11-17 | Cup Snap Co. | Container with curled tamper-evident band to retain closure |
US5398836A (en) | 1993-03-23 | 1995-03-21 | Portola Packaging, Inc. | Container with tamper-evident band having inward bent retainer projection to retain a lid and method of bending said projection |
DE4138879C1 (en) | 1991-11-27 | 1992-12-17 | Jokey-Plastik Wipperfuerth Gmbh, 5272 Wipperfuerth, De | |
FR2691952B1 (en) | 1992-06-05 | 1995-12-01 | Mino Gaillard Sa | WATERPROOF COMPOSITE PACKAGING. |
US5307949A (en) | 1992-12-21 | 1994-05-03 | Von Holdt Jr John W | Tear-away lid and container |
USD352000S (en) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-11-01 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Container with releasable lock |
GB9323269D0 (en) | 1993-11-11 | 1994-01-05 | Ind Containers Ltd | Tamper-evident container |
FR2713602B1 (en) | 1993-12-14 | 1996-03-01 | Velay Sa Moulages | Case for the transport of goods. |
DE4418935C3 (en) | 1994-05-31 | 1999-04-08 | Spritzguswerk Kg Richard Rassb | Device for securing containers of all types closed by a closure element against unauthorized opening |
FR2727387A1 (en) | 1994-11-29 | 1996-05-31 | Monoplast Sa | Security lid, esp. for plastics container |
ES2110825T3 (en) | 1995-07-03 | 1998-02-16 | Groupe Guillin Sa | HERMETIC AND INVIOLABLE BOX. |
GB2346868B (en) * | 1997-12-11 | 2002-12-18 | Dart Container | Container with removable cover |
US6227369B1 (en) | 1999-10-29 | 2001-05-08 | Sony Corporation | Clamshell package including both permanent and resealable fastening structure |
US6257435B1 (en) | 2000-01-12 | 2001-07-10 | King Plastics, Inc. | Tamper evident closure member |
FR2811638B1 (en) | 2000-07-13 | 2002-09-20 | Tulipia | INVIOLABILITY DEVICE FOR CONTAINER |
FR2819496B1 (en) | 2001-01-16 | 2003-04-04 | Rg Plastiques | PACKAGING FOR FOOD PRODUCTS, PARTICULARLY FOR CHEESES |
GB0122044D0 (en) | 2001-09-12 | 2001-10-31 | Huhtamaki Uk Ltd | Tamper-evident lid assembly |
EP1425228A2 (en) | 2001-09-12 | 2004-06-09 | Huhtamaki (UK) Ltd. | Tamper-evident lid assembly |
UA85846C2 (en) | 2003-07-21 | 2009-03-10 | Інлайн Плестікс Корп. | tamper-resistant container with tamper evident feature |
US7246714B2 (en) * | 2003-08-15 | 2007-07-24 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Single point hinge for a container |
US20050161455A1 (en) | 2004-01-26 | 2005-07-28 | Stephen Studee | Tamper resistant container |
GB0404145D0 (en) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-03-31 | Pactiv Uk Ltd | "Tamper Evident Container" |
GB2412651B (en) * | 2004-02-25 | 2006-06-21 | Pactiv | "Tamper evident container" |
GB0404152D0 (en) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-03-31 | Pactiv Uk Ltd | "Tamper evident container" |
US20070045317A1 (en) | 2005-08-31 | 2007-03-01 | Rosender Adam K | Tamper evident thermoformed containers |
ITMI20070013A1 (en) | 2007-01-05 | 2008-07-06 | Sinesplast S R L | CONTAINER WITH FULL LID AND CLOSURE SYSTEM THAT MAKES THE OPENING OR THE TAMPERING |
-
2009
- 2009-10-27 GB GB0918831.9A patent/GB2464819B/en active Active
- 2009-10-27 US US12/606,770 patent/US20100102074A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-10-28 CA CA2683671A patent/CA2683671C/en active Active
-
2013
- 2013-11-28 US US14/093,006 patent/US9493277B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (68)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1726103A (en) * | 1924-04-05 | 1929-08-27 | Thermokept Corp | Hinge for cans and method of forming said hinges |
US2798631A (en) * | 1955-03-07 | 1957-07-09 | Engel David | Container |
US2915214A (en) * | 1956-10-05 | 1959-12-01 | Frankel Morris | Plastic containers |
US3043354A (en) * | 1960-07-15 | 1962-07-10 | Edmund J Fitzgerald | Molded plastic container |
US3080087A (en) * | 1961-04-07 | 1963-03-05 | Union Carbide Corp | Beverage case |
US3097758A (en) * | 1961-07-21 | 1963-07-16 | Irvin J Gershen | Pilfer proof cap for aerosol containers |
US3164478A (en) * | 1961-12-15 | 1965-01-05 | Poster Packaging Inc | Doughnut package |
US3421654A (en) * | 1967-02-14 | 1969-01-14 | Schmalbach Lubeca | Closing cover made of plastic |
US3536251A (en) * | 1967-07-13 | 1970-10-27 | British Petroleum Co | Containers |
US3511433A (en) * | 1968-03-13 | 1970-05-12 | Sinclair Koppers Co | Unitary foam sheet container |
US3767110A (en) * | 1971-12-22 | 1973-10-23 | Dolco Packaging Corp | Carton with hinge latch closure |
US4433793A (en) * | 1979-12-17 | 1984-02-28 | A/S Haustrup Plastic | Container having frangible opening means |
US4535889A (en) * | 1984-02-08 | 1985-08-20 | The Stouffer Corporation | Frozen food package and cover lid |
US4576370A (en) * | 1984-12-24 | 1986-03-18 | Harris Graphics Corporation | Method and apparatus for tipping closely incidental mail to magazines or the like |
US4742935A (en) * | 1986-07-14 | 1988-05-10 | Sandherr Packungen Ag | Packaging container |
US4732293A (en) * | 1986-11-05 | 1988-03-22 | Landis Plastics, Inc. | Tear strip closure for a container with a security ring |
US4782977A (en) * | 1987-12-16 | 1988-11-08 | Evergreen Industries, Inc. | Tamper resistant container |
US4919286A (en) * | 1988-05-27 | 1990-04-24 | Robert Linkletter Assoc. | Hinged closure and container |
US5219087A (en) * | 1989-05-31 | 1993-06-15 | Akerlund & Rausing Licens Ab | Tamperproof reclosing lid |
US5114068A (en) * | 1989-10-25 | 1992-05-19 | Tetra Pak Holdings & Finance S.A. | Apparatus for the separable attachment of two synthetic plastics parts and the use of the apparatus for a package to contain flowable contents |
US5092479A (en) * | 1989-12-14 | 1992-03-03 | Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation | Rigid one-piece merchandising container |
US5052574A (en) * | 1990-02-16 | 1991-10-01 | Cardinal Packaging Inc. | Tamper-proof and tamper-evident container closure system |
US4986438A (en) * | 1990-04-03 | 1991-01-22 | Placon Corporation | Recloseable nesting tab container |
US5027969A (en) * | 1990-07-03 | 1991-07-02 | Ipl Inc. | Closure and container combination |
US5040695A (en) * | 1990-07-06 | 1991-08-20 | W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. | Tear off hinge |
US4997100A (en) * | 1990-08-31 | 1991-03-05 | Dudek Peter P | Unitary biological specimen processing apparatus |
US5046659A (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1991-09-10 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Latching structure for food container |
US5046659B1 (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1994-02-22 | Mobil Oil Corporation | |
US5573134A (en) * | 1991-08-07 | 1996-11-12 | Portola Packaging, Inc. | Container with curled tamper-evident band to retain closure |
US5311990A (en) * | 1992-02-19 | 1994-05-17 | Ethicon, Inc. | Thermoformed blister package having quick disconnect locking cover mechanism |
US5287959A (en) * | 1993-05-03 | 1994-02-22 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Domed container for baked goods or the like |
US5429833A (en) * | 1993-07-02 | 1995-07-04 | Redex Packaging Corporation | Recloseable modified atmosphere clamshell package |
US5507406A (en) * | 1994-04-26 | 1996-04-16 | Belford Patrick, Inc. | Tamperproof/tamper evident container |
US5788105A (en) * | 1995-10-30 | 1998-08-04 | Plastofilm Industries, Inc. | Tamper evident thermoformed package |
US6196408B1 (en) * | 1996-03-04 | 2001-03-06 | Sonoco Products Company | Release strip for tubular containers and methods and apparatus of applying same |
US5584408A (en) * | 1996-03-05 | 1996-12-17 | Inline Plastics Corporation | Latching structure for food container |
US5931332A (en) * | 1996-03-12 | 1999-08-03 | Mygatt; Leonard T. | Tamper-evident closure with pull-tab |
US6145688A (en) * | 1996-07-17 | 2000-11-14 | Smith; James C. | Closure device for containers |
US5758791A (en) * | 1996-08-05 | 1998-06-02 | Tenneco Packaging Inc. | Latching mechanism for a plastic container |
US5860530A (en) * | 1997-06-30 | 1999-01-19 | Tenneco Packaging Inc. | Container with a corner latch closure |
US5931291A (en) * | 1997-08-08 | 1999-08-03 | Alpha Enterprises, Inc. | Multi-media shipping and storage container |
US5897011A (en) * | 1997-08-19 | 1999-04-27 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Clamshell container with tear-away lid |
US5938068A (en) * | 1997-12-11 | 1999-08-17 | Dart Container | Container with removable cover |
US5842592A (en) * | 1998-04-13 | 1998-12-01 | Creative Packaging Corp. | Tamper-evident snap on cap with tear lever |
US5979687A (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 1999-11-09 | Tenneco Packaging Inc. | High-strength container with interior button latch |
US20030057209A1 (en) * | 1999-12-22 | 2003-03-27 | Fritz Seelhofer | Two-component plastic closure and method for producing said closure as a one-component part |
US6360909B1 (en) * | 2000-02-18 | 2002-03-26 | Sonoco Development, Inc. | Container closure having a frangible seal |
US6572909B1 (en) * | 2000-05-03 | 2003-06-03 | De Ster Corporation | Container having single-cycle hinge and use thereof |
US7159733B2 (en) * | 2000-07-14 | 2007-01-09 | Really Useful Products Limited | Tamper evident container-lid combination |
US6651813B2 (en) * | 2000-09-27 | 2003-11-25 | Clearpac Limited | Wallet |
US6715632B2 (en) * | 2001-02-16 | 2004-04-06 | Plastiques M&R Inc. | Lockable tray container |
US20020134783A1 (en) * | 2001-03-13 | 2002-09-26 | Arshinoff Stephen H. | Lid with hinge for plastic pail |
US20040200836A1 (en) * | 2001-07-24 | 2004-10-14 | Valentin Hierzer | Snap-hinge closure with tamper-evident lid and method of making |
US20030034323A1 (en) * | 2001-08-17 | 2003-02-20 | Smith Kelly A. | Tamper-evident closure |
US20030052133A1 (en) * | 2001-09-14 | 2003-03-20 | Hayes Thomas J. | Containers |
US6609623B2 (en) * | 2001-10-05 | 2003-08-26 | Hsin-Hung Chou | Storage box |
US7658589B2 (en) * | 2002-04-10 | 2010-02-09 | Va Tech Hydro Gmbh | Turbine with tube arrangement and method of preventing detachment of a fluid flow |
US7073680B2 (en) * | 2003-07-21 | 2006-07-11 | Inline Plastics Corporation | Tamper-resistant container with tamper-evident feature and method of forming the same |
US20060278652A1 (en) * | 2005-06-10 | 2006-12-14 | Terry Vovan | Tamper evident container with tear-apart parts |
US7631776B2 (en) * | 2005-06-10 | 2009-12-15 | Pwp Industries | Tamper evident container with tear-apart parts |
USD532000S1 (en) * | 2005-06-13 | 2006-11-14 | Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Powerline communications device |
US20060289549A1 (en) * | 2005-06-24 | 2006-12-28 | Terry Vovan | Edge-tearing tamper-evident container |
US20070012710A1 (en) * | 2005-07-13 | 2007-01-18 | Pwp Industries | Versatile tamper-evident food container |
US20070138046A1 (en) * | 2005-12-19 | 2007-06-21 | Pwp Industries | Multi-compartment container system |
US20070138180A1 (en) * | 2005-12-21 | 2007-06-21 | Terry Vovan | Enhanced tamper evident bowl with blocked tab |
US8028851B2 (en) * | 2006-06-05 | 2011-10-04 | Pwp Industries | Enhanced tamper evident container with tear-apart parts |
US20060289541A1 (en) * | 2006-07-10 | 2006-12-28 | Peter Boback | Tamper-resistant container with tamper-evident feature and method of forming the same |
US20080087669A2 (en) * | 2006-07-10 | 2008-04-17 | Inline Plastics Corp. | Tamper-resistant container with tamper-evident feature and method of forming same |
Cited By (68)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9365331B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2016-06-14 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
US8939307B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2015-01-27 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
US8608008B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2013-12-17 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
US9624009B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2017-04-18 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
US9409683B2 (en) | 2010-08-26 | 2016-08-09 | Dart Container Corporation | Tamper evident container |
US9016503B2 (en) | 2011-01-18 | 2015-04-28 | Easypak Llc | Tamper-evident container with multi-action breakaway hinge |
US9278786B2 (en) | 2011-03-22 | 2016-03-08 | Smart-Tab, Llc | Containers with tamper-evident features |
USD697795S1 (en) | 2011-07-29 | 2014-01-21 | Dart Container Corporation | Container |
US9187209B1 (en) * | 2013-07-05 | 2015-11-17 | Highland Packaging Solutions, Inc. | Tamper evident container having tear tab and hinged lid |
US20150060455A1 (en) * | 2013-08-28 | 2015-03-05 | Hsin-Hung Chou | Tamper-evident food container |
US9120595B2 (en) * | 2013-08-28 | 2015-09-01 | Hsin-Hung Chou | Tamper-evident food container |
TWI458610B (en) * | 2013-12-06 | 2014-11-01 | ||
USD807737S1 (en) * | 2014-09-09 | 2018-01-16 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Tray |
USD742736S1 (en) * | 2014-09-09 | 2015-11-10 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Tray assembly |
USD744327S1 (en) * | 2014-09-09 | 2015-12-01 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Tray assembly |
TWI480138B (en) * | 2014-09-26 | 2015-04-11 | ||
US10870519B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2020-12-22 | Lacerta Group, Inc | Tamper evident containers |
WO2016128755A1 (en) * | 2015-02-13 | 2016-08-18 | Par-Pak Europe Limited | Packaging for consumer products |
US9981782B2 (en) * | 2015-06-04 | 2018-05-29 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
USD776974S1 (en) * | 2015-06-04 | 2017-01-24 | Sabert Corporation | Container |
US20160355303A1 (en) * | 2015-06-04 | 2016-12-08 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-Evident Container and Method |
EP3100962A1 (en) * | 2015-06-04 | 2016-12-07 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
US10279963B2 (en) | 2015-06-04 | 2019-05-07 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
US10450112B2 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2019-10-22 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Tamper evident plastic food container |
US9656785B2 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2017-05-23 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Tamper evident plastic food container |
USD795651S1 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2017-08-29 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Tamper evident plastic food container |
US9796511B2 (en) | 2015-06-30 | 2017-10-24 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Tamper evident plastic food container |
US9580219B2 (en) * | 2015-06-30 | 2017-02-28 | Anchor Packaging | Tamper evident plastic food container |
US9926111B2 (en) | 2015-09-29 | 2018-03-27 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Tamper evident plastic food container with trigger open mechanism |
US9475621B1 (en) | 2015-09-29 | 2016-10-25 | Anchor Packaging, Inc. | Tamper evident plastic food container with trigger open mechanism |
US20180305074A1 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2018-10-25 | Gr8 Engineering Limited | Container with frangible weakened portion and manufacture thereof |
US10569930B2 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2020-02-25 | Gr8 Engineering Limited | Container with frangible weakened portion and manufacture thereof |
US10669078B2 (en) | 2015-12-14 | 2020-06-02 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
US9944436B2 (en) | 2015-12-14 | 2018-04-17 | Sabert Corporation | Tamper-evident container and method |
USD848258S1 (en) * | 2016-10-12 | 2019-05-14 | Taishan Runcheng Plastics Co., Ltd | Lunch box |
USD826709S1 (en) * | 2016-10-12 | 2018-08-28 | Taishan Runcheng Plastics Co., Ltd | Container |
US10351310B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2019-07-16 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a bump near a tabbed hinge |
US10894635B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2021-01-19 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a wide tab extending beyond a hinge |
US10889413B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2021-01-12 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a tab extending beyond a hinge |
US10220985B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2019-03-05 | Genpak, Llc | Tamper-evident container with a tabbed hinge |
USD814923S1 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2018-04-10 | Genpak, Llc | Food container |
USD845754S1 (en) * | 2016-12-28 | 2019-04-16 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Container |
US10384843B2 (en) | 2017-01-31 | 2019-08-20 | Smart-Tab, Llc | Pull-tab tamper evident container |
USD874263S1 (en) * | 2017-09-13 | 2020-02-04 | Gate Gourmet Switzerland Gmbh | Tray for food |
USD886595S1 (en) * | 2017-09-13 | 2020-06-09 | Gate Gourmet Switzerland Gmbh | Tray for food |
USD874296S1 (en) * | 2017-09-13 | 2020-02-04 | Gate Gourmet Switzerland Gmbh | Tray for packing foods |
USD897222S1 (en) * | 2018-05-15 | 2020-09-29 | Waddington North America, Inc. | Container |
US20200055641A1 (en) * | 2018-08-17 | 2020-02-20 | You Mao Shing Plastic Co., Ltd. | Destructive packing container |
US11077991B2 (en) * | 2018-08-22 | 2021-08-03 | Pinnpack Packaging, Llc | Container having a tamper evidence tab |
USD896636S1 (en) * | 2018-08-29 | 2020-09-22 | Taishan Shilong Plastics Co., Ltd | Container |
USD920100S1 (en) * | 2019-04-16 | 2021-05-25 | Pactiv LLC | Tamper-evident feature for a container |
USD961383S1 (en) * | 2019-04-16 | 2022-08-23 | Pactiv LLC | Tab for a tamper-evident container |
USD997724S1 (en) | 2019-04-16 | 2023-09-05 | Pactiv LLC | Tamper-evident container |
US20220411147A1 (en) * | 2019-04-16 | 2022-12-29 | Pactiv LLC | Tamper-evident plastic container |
US11279534B2 (en) | 2019-04-16 | 2022-03-22 | Pactiv LLC | Tamper-evident plastic container |
US20230234752A1 (en) * | 2019-07-03 | 2023-07-27 | Michael J. Perry | Nested lid containers |
EP3771657A1 (en) | 2019-07-30 | 2021-02-03 | Groupe Guillin | Packaging containers with secure closing |
FR3099469A1 (en) * | 2019-07-30 | 2021-02-05 | Groupe Guillin | Secure closing packaging containers |
US11286091B2 (en) | 2020-01-22 | 2022-03-29 | Robert J. Borse | Tamper evident container |
USD938274S1 (en) * | 2020-02-21 | 2021-12-14 | Zume, Inc. | Food container |
USD937672S1 (en) * | 2020-02-21 | 2021-12-07 | Zume, Inc. | Food container |
USD926564S1 (en) | 2020-02-26 | 2021-08-03 | Direct Pack, Inc. | Container |
US11479389B2 (en) | 2020-05-20 | 2022-10-25 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Tamper evident plastic food container |
US11479392B2 (en) | 2020-05-20 | 2022-10-25 | Anchor Packaging, Llc | Tamper evident plastic food container |
US20220041343A1 (en) * | 2020-08-07 | 2022-02-10 | Portage Plastics Corporation | Tamper Evident Package Or Container |
USD948333S1 (en) * | 2021-05-11 | 2022-04-12 | Jinying ZHANG | Food container |
USD997715S1 (en) * | 2021-07-13 | 2023-09-05 | ATL GA Packaging LLC | Container |
US11794966B2 (en) * | 2021-12-06 | 2023-10-24 | Tekni-Plex, Inc. | Food container with tamper-proof hinged closure |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9493277B2 (en) | 2016-11-15 |
GB0918831D0 (en) | 2009-12-09 |
GB2464819B (en) | 2012-10-24 |
GB2464819A (en) | 2010-05-05 |
US20150175315A1 (en) | 2015-06-25 |
CA2683671A1 (en) | 2010-04-28 |
CA2683671C (en) | 2019-06-18 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9493277B2 (en) | Tamper evident container with frangible hinge | |
US8186531B2 (en) | Tamper-evident container | |
US9944436B2 (en) | Tamper-evident container and method | |
US7712626B2 (en) | Edge-tearing tamper evident container | |
US8360262B2 (en) | Integrated food packaging system having a cup, a container, and a cover | |
US8251242B2 (en) | Tamper-evident container with extended band | |
US20150028033A1 (en) | Tamper Evident Packaging | |
US9624009B2 (en) | Tamper evident container | |
US20100072217A1 (en) | Tamper evident container with frangible closure member | |
US20180057223A1 (en) | Tamper evident plastic food container | |
US20100155289A1 (en) | Resealable food container with lid having a tamper evident tear away band | |
US10279963B2 (en) | Tamper-evident container and method | |
US20090090712A1 (en) | Dip packaging system | |
US9580219B2 (en) | Tamper evident plastic food container | |
US10836542B2 (en) | Tamper evident food container with accordiated pull tab | |
US9994369B2 (en) | Tamper evident and resistant container | |
US10669078B2 (en) | Tamper-evident container and method | |
EP0242475A2 (en) | Plastic bottle cap having a foil neck seal | |
CA3196760A1 (en) | Tamper resistant container |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PAR-PAK LTD.,CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:PARIKH, SAMIR R., MR.;CHENAT, SAJITH, MR.;REEL/FRAME:023789/0292 Effective date: 20100108 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: POLARPAK INC., CANADA Free format text: AMALGAMATION OF POLARPAK INC. AND PAR-PAK LTD. INTO POLARPAK INC;ASSIGNOR:PAR-PAK LTD.;REEL/FRAME:030611/0484 Effective date: 20130607 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION |