TAMPER-EVIDENT PACKAGING STRUCTURE INCORPORATED INTO A CONTAINER COVER AND AN ASSEMBLY

A container cover comprises two halves that are integrally-molded. The two halves are connected by a common pivot point or hinge that is disposed to one side of each half which allows the halves to be folded over and onto one another. One half is a solid cover or lid structure (the “lid”) and one half is a ring-like base structure (the “base”), both of which are intended to be disposed atop a container, with the base in direct contact with the container although the lid and base could be modified the include other engaging structure. The lid is configured to fit with and engage the base via the common hinge or pivot point. Opposite the hinge point of each structure is part of a lock structure that provides the tamper-evident functionality when the lid is folded over and attached to the base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to product packaging and to tamper-evident packaging. More specifically, the present invention relates to a container cover that incorporates a tamper-evident structure to provide a limited barrier to entry into the container and, most importantly, provide visible evidence to a consumer that the product container has or has not been tampered with. Further, the present invention relates to such a tamper-evident structure that can be formed into a container cover using one-shot plastic injection molding fabrication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tamper-evident packaging is well known. Such packaging is intended to provide at least one barrier of entry to a container, which barrier also provides visible evidence to a consumer that the product within the container has been accessed and that the product has, perhaps, been tampered with.

Perhaps the most familiar type of tamper-evident packaging is in the area of pharmaceuticals where a foil-covered blister pack will show if a pill, capsule or other medication has been compromised where the foil has been pierced or otherwise disturbed. Such packaging often includes a warning statement to the consumer to look for this and to not use the product if the seal is broken.

There are many other types of tamper-evident packaging available and the goal of each is to make the product protected, but not impenetrable. For example, tamper-evident plastic shrink bands can provide security for certain types of lids and caps. Shrink-wrap films provide tamper-evidence for almost any product—from foods to software, toys, board games, cosmetics and other consumer goods. Button-top security lids provide similar security by providing an audible signal to a consumer that the vacuum seal of a food jar is intact. Once open, the food product in the jar is readily accessed by the consumer, often repeatedly. That is, such easy-open packaging must provide security as well as consumer-friendliness.

Significantly, it is desirable for food product packagers to provide a visual seal, a visible description of how it works or what to look for in the case tampering of the package has occurred. Between the packaging step and the consumer's purchase of a product, tamper-evident packaging is advantageous to the packager by knowing that its product and product container has not been tampered during shipment. On the consumer's end, using tamper-evident packaging demonstrates a clear concern for the well-being of the consumer, thereby building consumer loyalty and deterring someone with a plan to harm others. Tamper-evident packaging provides many benefits to product sellers in almost any industry.

Therefore, in the experience of the inventor, there is need for an improved tamper-evident structure that provides visible evidence to a consumer that a product container has been or has not been tampered with. There is also a need to provide such a structure that can be conveniently formed using a one-shot plastic injection molding process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the foregoing, the invention provides an improved tamper-evident structure that provides visible evidence to a consumer that a product container has or has not been tampered with. The structure is also formed using a one-shot plastic injection molding process. This fabrication method is desirable because it simplifies and speeds up the production process for manufacturing the container cover.

Generally speaking, the container cover (the “cover”) of the present invention comprises two halves that are integrally-molded. The two halves are connected by a common pivot point or hinge that is disposed to one side of each half which allows the halves to be folded over and onto one another. One half is a solid cover or lid structure (the “lid”) and one half is a ring-like base structure (the “base”), both of which are intended to be disposed atop a container, with the base in direct contact with the container although the lid and base could be modified the include other engaging structure.

The lid is configured to fit with and engage the base via the common hinge or pivot point. Opposite the hinge point of each structure is part of a lock structure that provides the tamper-evident functionality when the lid is folded over and onto the base. The foregoing and other features of the tamper-evident packaging structure of the present invention will be will be apparent from the detailed description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like-numbered elements refer to like elements throughout,FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate the structure of the unitary cover of the present invention, generally identified10.FIG. 1shows the cover10in an “open” position andFIG. 2shows the cover10in a “closed” position. The cover10is comprised of two major structural elements. One is the base, generally identified20, and the other is the lid, generally identified40. SeeFIG. 3. The base20and the lid40are connected by a flexible hinge60that is integrally-formed with those structures. In production, the cover10is preferably a piece of plastic formed by injection molding. The plastic type and durometer are not limited, but the plastic should be of a type that has some inherent “memory” to it, i.e. where the plastic members can be flexed but then return to an original position. Further, and although illustrated to be cylindrical in shape, the base20and the lid40could be alternatively configured.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 and 5, they show a cross-sectioned view of the cover10in its “open” position. Disposed substantially 180° from the point at which the base20and the lid40are connected by the hinge60are complementary portions of the tamper-evident packaging structure that is formed in accordance with the present invention. The collective structure of the base20, lid40and hinge60that form the tamper-evident structure is generally identified100, this structure100being best illustrated inFIG. 9and will be discussed further below.

Referring again toFIG. 3, and in accordance with the present invention, the lid40comprises a circumferential lip41that engages a complementary circumferential receiver21that is defined within the base20. The lid40further comprises a covering43that extends across and within the entire perimeter47of the lid40. Once closed, it is this covering43that keeps the contents of any container that the cover10is attached to safe and secure. Other lid-cover interfaces, other than the tamper-evident packaging structure100discussed above, may be employed without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Lastly, disposed approximately 180° from the hinge60and extending outwardly from the perimeter47of the lid40is a lid lift tab44. The lid lift tab44is configured so as to allow a consumer to grasp the tab44and pull the lid40upwardly and away from the base20.

That portion of the tamper-evident packaging structure100that is formed into the lid40comprises three primary elements, all of which are preferably contained within the lid tab44. Specifically, the lid lift tab44comprises a slot-like lid opening42. SeeFIG. 4. At the outermost portion of the slot-like lid opening42(i.e., that portion extending at the outermost edge of the lid lift tab44) is an inwardly-extending “catch” or lip45. SeeFIG. 9. To the opposite side of the opening42is a lid protrusion46, the lid protrusion46having an outwardly-extending lip48as well. Again, all of the foregoing structure is integrally formed as part of the cover10during the single-shot plastic injection-molding process.

That portion of the tamper-evident packaging structure100that is formed into the base20comprises four primary elements. Specifically, the base20comprises a flat base protrusion22and a void28disposed behind the base protrusion22. SeeFIG. 5. The base protrusion22extends upwardly from the base20and comprises a lip24. The base protrusion lip24extends outwardly from the uppermost portion23of the base protrusion22. The base protrusion22further comprises a rearward facing surface25. Referring now toFIG. 7, it will be seen that the base protrusion22is actually a frangible pull structure having pull tabs23disposed to either side of the base protrusion22. The base protrusion22is removably attached to the base20via a plurality of breakable fingers26. Here too, all of the foregoing structure is integrally formed as part of the cover10during the single-shot plastic injection-molding process.

Once formed, the cover10is secured to a container (not shown) by engagement of the circumferential lip41of the lid40with the complementary circumferential receiver21that is defined within the base20. SeeFIGS. 2 and 6-9. This can be done prior to engagement of the tamper-evident structure100or after. In other words, the cover10can be secured to a container prior to filling the container with product (also not shown), or after. Either process, i.e. placing product in the container prior to securement of the cover10to the container or securing the cover10to the container and then introducing product to the container via the cover opening12(seeFIGS. 1 and 3), requires that the lid40be rotated upwardly (in the orientation illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4) using the hinge60.

As the lid40overlays the base20, the uppermost portion23of the base protrusion22will extend upwardly and into the slot-like lid opening42. The catch45of the lid opening42will engage the lip24of the base protrusion22. At the same time, the lid protrusion46will enter the void28defined within the base20, with the lip48of the lid protrusion46engaging the rearward facing surface25of the base protrusion22. In these positions, the base protrusion22will be unable to be flexed inwardly or rearwardly to the point that the catch45of the lid opening42disengages the lip24of the base protrusion22. At this point, the cover10shows that the cover10has not been tampered with. SeeFIG. 7. In order to disengage the lip24of the base protrusion22, one side tab23of the frangible base protrusion22must be grasped by the consumer and pulled away from the base20. As this is done, the fingers26of the assembly100will break away, allowing the base protrusion22to be removed. At this point, the assembly100is defeated and the consumer can lift the lid40as desired or required, using the remaining portion of the lid lift tab44as a way to exert upward pressure on the lid40sufficient to disengage the circumferential lip41of the lid40from the complementary circumferential receiver21that is defined within the base20.

This cover10, when combined with a container (not shown), provides a tamper-evident assembly in accordance with the present invention.