Abstract:
Disclosed is a tamper evident packaging that provides a packaging piece with a lid, a base section, and tamper evidencing means. The tamper evidencing means is provided on the base of the packaging piece by way of an internal and external rib structure with a perforated channel formed therebetween. The lid is configured with an engagement portion having a lid flange that is positioned within the perforated channel when the packaging is closed, thereby prohibiting access to the lid flange and preventing the opening of and tampering with the packaging piece. The perforated channel allows for the removal of the external rib structure from the interior rib structure, thereby granting access to the lid flange and allowing for the packaging to be opened, as well as providing the evidence that the packaging may have been tampered with.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/655,829 filed Jun. 5, 2012 and entitled “Tamper Evident Packaging,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to packaging systems, and more particularly to a package design with a tamper-evident securing feature. 
         [0003]    Thermoformed plastic packaging is common in the packaging industry. However, there remains a need for plastic packaging which can be securely closed and has a unique means to provide visual evidence of tampering, to thereby ensure the safety and quality of the packaged item. There is also a need for a packaging that is capable of visually evidencing tampering that is sturdy and structurally sound, so as to not become damaged during bulk shipping, which may suggest tampering that did not occur or that defeats the ability of the packaging to show tamper evidence. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention satisfies this need by providing tamper-evident packaging wherein the tamper evidencing means is provided on the base of the packaging piece, as opposed to the lid, and the tamper evidencing is executed by way of a pair of rib structures and a perforated channel. The packaging may be constructed as either a two-piece, lid and base packaging or a unitary clamshell packaging where the lid is hingedly adjoined to the base. The tamper evidence is provided via a perforated channel located on the base of the packaging piece. The perforated channel is constructed on at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the base. The perforated channel retains an outer flange at the perimeter of the lid. The outer flange can only be accessed, and therefore permit opening of the package, upon tearing along the perforations in the perforated channel and removing the outer ring portion of the base. As such, it is clear to an observer that when a portion of the perforated channel has been torn away, the packaging is not secured and may have been tampered with. 
         [0005]    One aspect of the invention provides a tamper-evident packaging including a base section having an interior rib structure, a lid having a raised channel and a lid flange and a tamper evidencing means irreversibly removably attached to the interior rib structure such that the interior rib structure is receivable within the raised channel of the lid, wherein the lid flange is substantially inaccessible by the location of the tamper evidencing means. 
         [0006]    The tamper-evident packaging may also include the tamper evidencing means extends substantially along the periphery of the interior rib. 
         [0007]    The tamper-evident packaging may also include the raised channel and the interior rib structure are configured to provide a secure, snap-like engagement between the lid and the base. 
         [0008]    The lid of the tamper-evident packaging may also include at least one corner pull tab. 
         [0009]    The tamper-evident packaging may also include a connecting means joining the base section to the lid. 
         [0010]    The tamper evidencing means of the tamper-evident packaging may extend substantially along the periphery of the interior rib. 
         [0011]    The raised channel and the interior rib structure of the tamper-evident packaging may also be configured to provide a secure, snap-like engagement between the lid and the base. 
         [0012]    The lid of the tamper-evident packaging may also include at least one corner pull tab. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the invention provides a tamper-evident packaging including a lid section having a main cover portion and an engagement portion located substantially near the outer perimeter of the main cover portion, the engagement portion having a lid flange extending therefrom. The tamper-evident packaging also includes a base section having at least one sidewall having a top end and an interior rib structure formed at the top end of the at least one sidewall where the interior rib structure extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the base section. The tamper-evident packaging also includes at least one tamper evidencing means irreplaceably removably coupled to the perimeter of the base section, said at least one tamper evidencing means extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the base section. The lid flange of the tamper-evident packaging is receivable within the channel such that access to the lid flange is blocked by the tamper evidencing means. 
         [0014]    The tamper-evident packaging may also include the at least one tamper evidencing means taking the form of an exterior rib structure disposed generally parallel to the interior rib structure and a channel formed between the interior rib structure and the exterior rib structure. 
         [0015]    The tamper-evident packaging may also include the at least one tamper evidencing means including a plurality of perforations extending along at least a portion of the channel, wherein the perforations disposed generally parallel to the interior and exterior rib structures. 
         [0016]    The tamper evidencing means of the tamper-evident packaging may also be formed along substantially the entire perimeter of the base portion. 
         [0017]    The tamper-evident packaging may also include at least a portion of the lid section coupled to the base section by a connecting means. 
         [0018]    The tamper-evident packaging may also include a first tamper evidencing means and a second tamper evidencing means. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1B  is a partial breakaway view of the first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention taken along line  2 A- 2 A of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 2B  is a close-up, cross-sectional view of a tamper evidencing means of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a human hand acting on the tamper evidencing means of the first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a human hand acting on a lid portion of the first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5B  is a partial breakaway view of the second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention taken along line  6 A- 6 A of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0028]      FIG. 6B  is a close-up, cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the tamper evidencing means of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a human hand acting on the tamper evidencing means of the second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a human hand acting on the lid portion of the second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9A  is top view of the second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention along line  9 B- 9 B of  FIG. 9A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 9C  is a side view of the second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention with the tamper evidencing means separated from the base portion. 
           [0036]      FIG. 10C  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention with the tamper evidencing means and the lid separated from the base portion. 
           [0037]      FIG. 11A  is top view of the first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 11B  is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention along line  11 B- 11 B of  FIG. 11A . 
           [0039]      FIG. 11C  is a side view of the first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 12B  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention with the tamper evidencing means separated from the base portion. 
           [0042]      FIG. 12C  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the tamper-evident packaging according to the present invention with the tamper evidencing means and the lid separated from the base portion. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0043]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention. 
         [0044]    As shown in the Figures, the present invention is a tamper-evident packaging piece  10  having a lid  20  and a base section  30 . 
         [0045]    The base section  30  may have a generally bowl-like configuration comprising a main base portion  31 , at least one side wall  32 , and an interior rib structure  33  formed at the top  34  of the at least one side wall  32 , about the perimeter  35  of the base section  30 . A tamper evidencing means  40  may be coupled to the perimeter  35  of the base section  30 , along at least a portion of the perimeter  35  of the base section  30 . 
         [0046]    The main base portion  31  may be substantially flat to create a sturdy base for the packaging piece  10  to sit on. Extending from the perimeter of the base portion  31  is the at least one side wall  32 . The at least one side wall  32  may extend generally perpendicular from the base portion  31 . The side walls  32  may be substantially planar or may have a somewhat curved or rounded transition from the base portion  31  to the top  34  of the side wall  32  that forms the perimeter  35  of the base section  30 . 
         [0047]    The tamper evidencing means  40  may be made up of an exterior rib structure  36  positioned parallel to the interior rib structure  33  and a channel  37  formed between the interior rib structure  33  and the exterior rib structure  36 . The channel  37  of the tamper evidencing means  40  may have perforations  38  formed substantially near the central point in the channel  37 , extending parallel with the interior rib structure  33  and the exterior rib structure  36 . The perforations  38  allow for the disengagement of the exterior rib structure  36  from the remainder of the base section  30 . 
         [0048]    The tamper evidencing means  40  may also have one or more tear tabs  39  to provide improved access to the exterior rib structure  36  and the perforations  38 , to assist in the removal of the exterior rib structure  36  from the base section  30 . In the embodiments shown, the tear tab  39  is located in one corner, but the tear tab  39  may be located in a different position, or in more than location on the base section  30 . 
         [0049]    The lid  20  may have a main cover portion  21  having a top side  21   a  and a bottom side  21   b  and engagement portion  22  located substantially near the outer perimeter  23  of the main cover portion  21 . The main cover portion  21  may be substantially flat and configured to enclose the packaging area formed by the main base portion  31  and the at least one side wall  32  of the base section  30 . The engagement portion  22  may be constructed with an outer wall  24  extending substantially perpendicular to the main cover portion  21  in the direction of the bottom side  21   b.  The outer wall  24  may have a lid flange  25  extending therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the lid flange  25  extends from a distal end  24   b  of the outer wall  24 . The lid flange  25  is configured to provide a manipulation point to assist in the separation of the lid  20  from the base section  30 . 
         [0050]    In a preferred embodiment, the engagement portion  22  may have a raised channel  26  to provide a secure, snap closure with the base section  30 , configured to accommodate interior structure rib  33  of the base section  30 . The raised channel  26  has an inner wall  27  and an outer wall  24 . The raised channel  26  is sized and configured in a substantially cooperative manner to the counterpart portions of interior rib structure  33  to provide secure, snap-like engagement between the elements and maintain secure closure between the lid  20  and the base section  30 . 
         [0051]    The lid  20  may further have one or more corner pull tabs  28 , generally extending the lid flange  25 , to provide improved gripping capabilities to assist in the separation of the lid  20  from the base section  30 , thereby opening the packaging piece  10 . 
         [0052]    When the packaging piece  10  is closed, the outer wall  24  extends adjacent to interior rib structure  33  thereby positioning the lid flange  25  and/or the pull tab  28  within the channel  37 . In this position, the lid flange  25  or the pull tab  28  is prohibited from being accessed (to thereby open or tamper with the packaging piece  10 ) due to the barrier formed by the exterior rib structure  36 . When the perforations are torn apart to separate the exterior rib structure  36  from the remainder of the base section  30 , the lid flange  25  and/or the pull tab  28  becomes accessible and the lid  20  and the base portion  30  can be at least substantially separated. Such separation of the exterior rib structure  36  along the perforations  38  is clearly visible and indicates that tampering with the packaging may have occurred. 
         [0053]    As noted, the tamper evidencing means  40  may be formed along at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the base portion  30 . As shown in the figures, the tamper evidencing means  40  may be formed substantially about the full perimeter of the packaging piece  10 . In  FIGS. 1-4  and  11 A- 12 C, for example, the tamper evidencing means  40  surrounds nearly the entirety of the perimeter  35  of the base  30 , but for the perimeter portion having the connecting means  50 . In  FIGS. 5-10C , for example, the tamper evidencing means  40  surrounds nearly the entirety of the perimeter  35  of the base  30 , but for gap  41 . Alternatively, the tamper evidencing means  40  may surround the entire perimeter  35  having no gap  41  or connecting means  50 . The tamper evidencing means  40  may also be located only at a corner of the packaging piece  10 , providing access to the pull tab  28 . The tamper evidencing means may also be located on a portion of one side  34  or more than one side  34 , or the packaging piece  10  may have more than one tamper evidencing means  40  located on separate parts of the packaging piece  10 , such as two corners. 
         [0054]    The lid  20  and base section  30  can take on a variety of shapes and sizes, so long as the lid  20  and base section  30  forming a packaging piece  10  have a corresponding shape and size to accommodate the secure closure discussed above. The figures show square and rectangular packaging pieces  10 , although a packaging piece can be formed into other shapes such as circles, triangles, other polygons, and other shapes suitable for packaging a desired item. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 1-4  and  11 A- 12 C show a first embodiment of the packaging piece  10 . In this embodiment, the lid  20  and the base section  30  are partially connected via connecting means  50 , such as the hinge-like mechanism shown, thereby making a clam shell-type packaging piece  10 . The connecting means  50  may extend along the perimeters  23 ,  35  of the lid  20  and the base  30 , along a substantially entire side of the packaging piece  10 , or as shown, may be provided on only a portion thereof. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 5-10C  show a second embodiment of the lid  20  and the base section  30  as separable elements to form the packaging piece. In this embodiment, there are no connecting means  50  adjoining the two elements together when in the open position. 
         [0057]    Furthermore, with reference to  FIGS. 10A-10C  and  12 A- 12 C, a user may open the packaging piece  10  by first removing the tamper evidencing means  40  by gripping the tamper evidencing means  40  and pulling the tamper evidencing means  40  away from the base section  30  along perforations  38 . This step may be aided by providing a tab  39  or a gap  41  for a user to grip. Prior tampering with the packaging piece  10  will be evidenced by any separation of the tamper evidencing means  40  from the base section  30  before the user proceeds in removal of the tamper evidencing means  40 . After the tamper evidencing means  40  has been removed, the user may lift the lid  20  from the base section  30 , effectively separating the raised channel  26  from the interior rib structure  33 . This step may be aided by providing a lid flange  25  or a pull tab  28 . 
         [0058]    Containers according to the present invention may be formed from a variety of materials, such as thermoformable plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PETE/PET or PETG), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and/or polystyrene (PS). Generally, containers according to the present invention may be constructed in a variety of methods, such as a two-step method including a thermoforming step and a cutting step. The thermoforming step may generally form the three-dimensional shape of such container and the cutting step may at least separate the formed container from some waste. The cutting step may include a step of creating the tamper evident means discussed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the tamper evident means may be established prior to (e.g. during the thermoforming step) or after the cutting step.