Patent NZ-712475-A (NZ)
Title: Container with secure audible closure
Inventor: NAMETH TRACY L
IPC: B65D17/28
Filed: 2014-03-06
Abstract: Paperboard containers are used extensively in packaging a wide variety of products. Many of these products can be conveniently stored in the container after the container is initially opened. However, many paperboard containers are unable to reclose or fail to remain closed after an initial opening. In the case of many consumer products, this failure to remain closed may lead to spillage, leakage, or spoilage of the contents within the paperboard container. Previous attempts to develop an effective re-closeable paperboard container have resulted in complex designs which consume significantly more paperboard and require additional effort to manufacture or assemble. Many paperboard containers include a tamper-evident feature such as a seal or a tear-away strip. These containers are initially opened by breaking the seal. Tamper-evident packaging ensures consumers that the container has not been previously opened. However, such features may be difficult or expensive to manufacture, thereby increasing the cost of the container and the product contained therein. Accordingly, there exists a need for a simple and effective paperboard container which overcomes the disadvantages associated with conventional paperboard container designs. One aspect of the present disclosure is a re-closeable container. The container includes a base having opposing front and rear panels, opposing side walls extending between the front and rear panels, and a bottom panel connected with lower edges of the front, rear, and side walls. The front panel includes a tear-away portion defined by a score line. The container further includes a cover pivotally connected with an upper edge of the rear panel for movement between an open position and a closed position, the cover having a top portion extending between the front and rear panels when the cover is in the closed position, and a front portion connected with the top portion and disposed in close parallel alignment with the front panel when the cover is in the closed position. The container further includes a locking panel hingedly connected with an upper edge of the front panel and disposed between the front panel of the base and the front portion of the cover when the cover is in the closed position, the locking panel having a first tab, a second tab, and a tear-away portion defined by score lines. The tear-away portion of the locking panel is fixedly attached to both the front portion of the cover and the tear-away portion of the front panel such that initial movement of the cover from the closed position toward the open position causes the locking panel and the front panel to tear along the score lines and causes both tear-away portions to pivotally move with the cover. In some embodiments, the tearing of the locking panel forms a pair of engagement surfaces projecting from an inner surface of the front portion of the cover. The first and second tabs are configured to engage the engagement surfaces for securing the cover in the closed position and the engagement is accompanied by at least one of an audile feedback and a tactile feedback. Advantageously, the separation of tear-away portions upon an initial opening of cover may function as a tamper-evident feature for the container. Such tamper evidence may provide a customer with an assurance of product integrity, quality, and/or freshness with respect to the contents of the container.