Abstract:
A hinge segment is coupleable with a container lid for connecting the container lid to a container. The container has hinge segment openings with a shoulder defining an undercut. The hinge segment includes hinge pins pivotably securable in the hinge segment openings and a security tab engageable with the undercut. The design is particularly suited for containers with all plastic hinges and provides a high level of security and tamper evidence.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/975,552, filed Apr. 4, 2014, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    (Not Applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention relates generally to containers and, more particularly, to a hinge segment coupleable with a lid for connecting a container lid to a container. The hinge segment includes a security tab cooperable with a shoulder on the container. 
         [0004]    Molded plastic containers are available in many different shapes and sizes. The containers are rugged and sturdy while being inexpensive to manufacture. When not in use, such containers are typically constructed such that they are stackable for compact transport. 
         [0005]    A container lid is typically separately molded and cooperable with the container to close the container. In one construction, the container lid is pivotally secured to the container using hinge pins or the like. The hinge pins may be integrally molded with the container lid and cooperable with corresponding slots formed in a top perimeter of the container. 
         [0006]    The security of such containers can be problematic as the integral hinge pins may be secured in the container slots in a snap fit, which can be subject to unauthorized access. Still further, with a simple snap-in hinge, it may not be readily apparent that the container had been subjected to an unauthorized breach. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It would thus be desirable to improve security for plastic containers and to provide tamper evidence in the event that an attempt was made to breach the contents of a container. It is desirable to provide such enhanced security in a molded container with an all-plastic hinge. That is, it would be desirable to improve security for a plastic molded container and lid where a hinge assembly is integrated with the lid and/or container. 
         [0008]    A plurality of hinge segments may be connected to the container lid. The hinge segments include a security tab positionable in an undercut in the container defined by a shoulder. The lid may have multiple hinge segments that engage the container with hinge pins. The design provides a high level of security and tamper evidence. 
         [0009]    In an exemplary embodiment, a container includes an enclosure including a top perimeter and a container lid. The top perimeter of the enclosure has hinge segment openings with a shoulder defining an undercut. A plurality of hinge segments connected to the container lid include hinge pins pivotably secured in the hinge segment openings and a security tab engageable with the undercut. The hinge pins may be secured in slots defined in sides of the hinge segment openings. The hinge segments may be substantially T-shaped in a front view including a main panel and the hinge pins, and the hinge segments may be substantially L-shaped in a side view including the main panel and the security tab. 
         [0010]    The enclosure may include two sides and two ends, where the sides are longer than the ends, and where the hinge segment openings are defined in the sides. In this context, the hinge segments may include segment rails connected to the container lid adjacent sides of the hinge segment openings and extending substantially parallel to the container ends. The security tab may be disposed spaced from the segment rails. The security tab may be positioned on an opposite side of the hinge segment from the container lid. 
         [0011]    The hinge segments may be displaceable between an open position and a closed position, and in the closed position, the security tab is engaged with the undercut and the shoulder is disposed between the security tab and the hinge pins. 
         [0012]    The container lid may be secured to the enclosure with parts made only of plastic. 
         [0013]    In another exemplary embodiment, a hinge segment is coupleable with a container lid for connecting the container lid to a container. The hinge segment includes hinge pins pivotably securable in the hinge segment openings and a security tab engageable with the undercut. The hinge segment may also include a main panel oriented in a plane substantially perpendicular with the container lid, and segment rails on disposed opposite sides of the main panel. The hinge pins may be coupled with the segment rails and extend outward from the segment rails. The security tab may be substantially perpendicular to the main panel and spaced from the segment rails along the main panel, where the space between the security tab and the segment rails is sized to receive the shoulder. 
         [0014]    In yet another exemplary embodiment, a container includes an enclosure including a top perimeter and a container lid. The top perimeter has hinge segment openings with a shoulder defining an undercut. A plurality of hinge segments connected to the container lid include hinge pins pivotably secured in the hinge segment openings and a security tab engageable with the undercut. The hinge segments may be displaceable between an open position and a closed position, and in the closed position, the security tab and the hinge pins are disposed on opposite sides of the shoulder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container and lid assembly including hinge segments of preferred embodiments; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a close-up view of the hinge segments; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3-5  show a closing sequence for the container lid and the interaction of the hinge segments with the container; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of a hinge segment with the container lid in a closed position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary container incorporating the hinge segments of described embodiments. The container  10  includes an enclosure  12  with a top perimeter  14 . The top perimeter  14  is provided with a plurality of hinge segment openings  16  including a shoulder  18  defining an undercut  20 . The enclosure  12  includes two sides  22  and two ends  24  as shown. The sides  22  are generally longer than the ends  24 . The hinge segment openings  16  may be formed in the top perimeter  14  of the sides  22 . 
         [0021]    In an exemplary construction, the hinge segment openings  16  in the top perimeter  14  are interposed between typical hinge openings  26 . The typical hinge openings  26  do not include the shoulder  18  or undercut  20 . In alternative constructions, the container may include only hinge segment openings  16 . Four hinge segments openings  16  are shown on each side  22  in  FIG. 1 , and more or fewer hinge segment openings  16  may be included. It is preferable to include at least one hinge segment opening  16  on opposite sides of a center line through the sides  22  of the enclosure  12 . 
         [0022]    A container lid  27  is pivotably securable to the enclosure  12  by suitable hinges. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the container lid  27  includes separated lid panels that are securable in an overlapping connection as is conventional. The lid panels may be secured with a cable tie or the like in an aperture through the overlapping centers of the lid panels and into a corresponding aperture in the perimeter  14  of the enclosure  12 . 
         [0023]    A plurality of hinge segments  28  are connected to the container lid  27 . Preferably, the hinge segments  28  are integrally molded with the container lid  27 . The lid may also include hinge pieces  30  without the security features of the described embodiments. Both the hinge segments  28  and the hinge pieces  30  include hinge pins  32  pivotably secured in hinge pin slots  33  of the respective openings  16 ,  26  in the top perimeter  14  of the enclosure  12 . See  FIG. 6 . In an exemplary construction, the hinge pins  32  are received in the hinge pin slots  33  in a snap fit or may alternatively be held in the hinge pin slots  33  with a cover or overlay or covered portion of the enclosure  12 . 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the hinge segments  28  include a main panel  34  oriented in a plane substantially perpendicular with the container lid  27  and segment rails  36  disposed on opposite sides of the main panel  34  as shown. The hinge segments  28  also include a security tab  38  that is substantially perpendicular to the main panel  34  and is spaced a distance A ( FIG. 4 ) from the segment rails  36  along the main panel  34  by an amount generally corresponding to a thickness of the shoulder  18 . The security tab  38  is positioned on an opposite side of the hinge segment  28  from the container lid  27 . As shown in the drawings, the hinge pins  32  are coupled, preferably integral, with the segment rails  36  and extend outward from the segment rails  36 . 
         [0025]    The hinge segments  28  are substantially T-shaped in a front view as defined by the main panel  34  and the hinge pins  32 . In side view, the hinge segments  28  are substantially L-shaped including the main panel  34  and the security tab  38 . 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIGS. 3-5 , the lid  27  and thereby the hinge segments  28  are displaceable between an open position and a closed position. As the lid  27  is closed, the security tab  38  is extended into the undercut  20  such that the shoulder  18  is sandwiched between the security tab  38  and the segment rails  36  (and the hinge pins  32 ). In closed position, the security tab  38  is engaging in the undercut  20 , and the shoulder  18  limits the vertical travel of the lid  27  (i.e., prevents the disengagement of the hinge pins  32 ). In an exemplary construction, the horizontal travel of the lid  27  is further restricted by the opposing lid which is engaged with the lid  27  when closed. Both lids may be secured with cable ties in the center of the ends  24 . 
         [0027]    The described embodiments provide a very high level of container security and tamper evidence. To access a closed container, it would require tools and a high level of force to disengage the security tabs and the hinge pins. It would not be possible to re-engage the hinge segments with the container if disengaged, thereby providing tamper evidence in the event the container was breached or a breach was attempted. The described embodiments are particularly suitable for a molded container with an all-plastic hinge (i.e., no metal hinge pins). 
         [0028]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.