Patent Publication Number: US-9409683-B2

Title: Tamper evident container

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/954,446, filed Jul. 30, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,939,307, issued Jan. 27, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,008, issued Dec. 17, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/377,317, filed Aug. 26, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Disposable containers for packaging and storing edible goods are often provided with tamper resistant and tamper evident features to prevent unauthorized access to the container and to indicate to a consumer when the container has previously been opened. That the consumer still finds it desirable to have the tamper evident and resistant features in combination with a resealable container increases the complexity of the container, which may make it more difficult and time consuming to open. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a container includes a tray comprising a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in an outwardly extending tray flange and a rib projecting upwardly from at least a portion of the tray flange to at least partially define an open top, the rib comprising a tray seal structure, and a cover comprising a top wall and terminating in an outwardly extending cover flange with a skirt projecting upwardly from the cover flange, the skirt comprising a cover seal structure. A peripheral seal is formed by the tray seal structure and the cover seal structure when the cover closes the open top of the tray. When the cover is mounted to the tray to close the open top of the tray, a portion of the skirt lies on top of the rib, and an amount of the skirt that is pinchable is insufficient to apply the force required to overcome the peripheral seal to separate the cover from the tray. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container having a cover hingedly mounted to a tray in a closed position according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a container having a cover hingedly mounted to a tray in an open position according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a container having a cover hingedly mounted to a tray in a closed position according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-section of the container of  FIG. 3  taken along the line  4 - 4 . 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-section of the container of  FIG. 3  taken along the line  5 - 5 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a consumer opening a container having a cover hingedly mounted to a tray according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the container of  FIG. 6  after it has been opened and the cover separated from the tray according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a container having a cover hingedly mounted to a tray in a closed position according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a container having a cover hingedly mounted to a tray in an open position according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cross-section of the container of  FIG. 8  taken along the line  10 - 10 . 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-section of the container of  FIG. 8  taken along the line  11 - 11 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a consumer attempting to open the container of  FIG. 8  according to the third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a container having a cover hingedly mounted to a tray in a closed position according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a container having a cover hingedly mounted to a tray in an open position according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a container having a cover hingedly mounted to a tray in a closed position according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a container having a cover hingedly mounted to a tray in an open position according to the fifth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a container  10  comprising a cover  12  and a tray  14 , which are connected by a hinge  16 . The cover  12 , tray  14  and hinge  16  are preferably integrally formed from a single piece of material in a well known thermoforming process. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials for the container  10  include oriented polystyrene, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate. All or a portion of the container  10  can be formed so as to be translucent, transparent, opaque or a combination thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cover  12  includes a top defining a plane. References to above/below the plane are made with respect to the cover  12  in the closed position. A circumferential rib  20 , which is a specific example of a type of blocking wall, projects upwardly from the top  18 , with a peripheral cover flange  22  extending from the circumferential rib  20 . The circumferential rib  20  extends around the perimeter of the top  18  and can provide additional strength and support to the top  18 . The circumferential rib  20  can extend around the entire perimeter of the top  18 , as illustrated, or the circumferential rib  20  can extend only along the sides of the top  18  not adjacent the hinge  16 . A pair of cover tabs  34  extend from a skirt  32  adjacent the hinge  16 . 
     While the cover  12  has a generally rectangular shape and can be thought of as comprising opposing front and rear sides  24 ,  26  and opposing lateral sides  28 ,  30 , the container may have a variety of different shapes, including non-rectilinear shapes, such as circles, ovals, hexagons, etc. 
     The tray  14  comprises a bottom  36  from which extends a peripheral sidewall  38  which terminates in a peripheral tray flange  40 . A plurality of alternating inwardly and outwardly projecting support panels  42  are provided in the peripheral sidewall  38  for strengthening the tray  14 . The peripheral sidewall  38  defines a generally rectangular shape comprising opposing front and rear sides  44 ,  46  and opposing lateral sides  48 ,  50 , with the hinge  16  located adjacent the front side  44 . Like the cover  12 , the tray  14  can have a variety of shapes. 
     An upwardly projecting rib  52  forming a tray seal structure extends from the peripheral tray flange  40  around the perimeter of the tray  14 . A blocking shield  54  extends from the rib  52  around a portion of the perimeter of the tray  14  corresponding to the rear side  46  and opposing lateral sides  48 ,  50 . Opposing ends  56  of the blocking shield  54  define a gap  58  in the blocking shield  54  along the front side  44  of the tray  14 . A pair of tray tabs  60  extend from the rib  52  adjacent the blocking shield  54 , but spaced from the hinge  16 . 
     The hinge  16  is located adjacent the front side  24  of the cover  12 . The hinge  16  can comprise a weakened line  61  in the form of a score line or a series of perforations to weaken the hinge  16  such that the hinge  16  can be torn along the weakened line  61  to separate the cover  12  from the tray  14 . Alternatively, the weakened line  61  can be formed from a series of alternating rounded crests and troughs of narrowed thickness. The weakened line  61  forms a hinge line or hinge axis about which the cover  12  and tray  14  relatively rotate to move the container  10  between the opened and closed positions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when the container  10  is in the closed position, neither the cover tabs  34  nor the tray tabs  60  extend beyond the hinge line such that the cover and tray tabs  34  and  60 , respectively, are located radially interiorly of the hinge line relative to a central axis extending through the cover  12  and the tray  14  when the cover  12  is in the closed position. The cover tabs  34  are located adjacent the hinge line. The tray tabs  60  are spaced laterally from both the hinge line and the cover tabs  34 . The cover tabs  34  and tray tabs  60  can be labeled with the words “LIFT” and “HOLD”, respectively, as illustrated, to guide the consumer in opening the container. It is also within the scope of the invention for the cover tabs  34  and tray tabs  60  to be labeled with different words or to not be labeled at all. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the skirt  32  and rib  52  adjacent the hinge  16  are now described. The skirt  32  extends upwardly from the peripheral cover flange  22  and comprises a first outwardly angled cover leg  62  connected to a second outwardly angled cover leg  64  by an inwardly angled cover leg  66 . The second outwardly angled cover leg  64  is connected with a peripheral cover lip  68  which is connected to the hinge  16  along a portion of the front side  24  of the cover  12 . 
     As can best be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the peripheral cover lip  68  extends outwardly from the cover  12  into the gap  58  defined by the opposing ends  56  of the blocking shield  54  to meet the hinge  16 . The cover tabs  34  are formed in the portion of the peripheral cover lip  68  extending between the opposing ends  56  adjacent the hinge  16 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the rib  52  extends upwardly from the peripheral tray flange  40  and comprises a first outwardly angled tray leg  70  connected to a second outwardly angled tray leg  72  by an inwardly angled tray leg  74 . The second outwardly angled tray leg  72  is connected with a peripheral tray lip  76  which is connected with the hinge  16  along a portion of the front side  44  of the tray  14  by a lip extension  77 . 
     As can best be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the blocking shield  54  is formed in the peripheral tray lip  76  along the rear side  46  and opposing lateral sides  48 ,  50  of the tray  14 . The lip extension  77  extends outwardly from the peripheral tray lip  76  in the gap  58  defined by opposing ends  56  of the blocking shield  54  to meet the hinge  16 . The tray tabs  60  are formed in the peripheral tray lip  76  and are generally located adjacent the opposing ends  56  of the blocking shield  54  near the gap  58 , but laterally spaced from the hinge  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in the closed position, the peripheral cover flange  22  and the peripheral tray flange  40  abut one another, as do the peripheral cover lip  68  and the peripheral tray lip  76 . The inwardly angled tray leg  74  is inclined towards a center of the container  10  such that in the closed position the inwardly angled tray leg  74  presses against the inwardly angled cover leg  66  providing an interference fit between the cover  12  and the tray  14 . The interference fit between the inwardly angled cover and tray legs  66 ,  74 , respectively, provides a peripheral seal between the cover  12  and the tray  14  and facilitates maintaining the inwardly angled cover leg  66  and inwardly angled tray leg  74  in the closed position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , on the rear side  46  and lateral sides  50  and  48  along which the blocking shield  54  is located, an outer distal end  78  of the peripheral cover lip  68  is received and retained by an undercut  80  in the blocking shield  54 . The blocking shield  54  comprises an angled inner wall  82  extending from the peripheral tray lip  76  coupled with an outer vertical wall  84  by a horizontal wall  86 . When the distal end  78  of the peripheral cover lip  68  is received by the undercut  80 , the angled inner wall  82  prevents access to the peripheral cover lip  68  and thus prevents a consumer from opening the container along the rear side  46  and lateral sides  48 ,  50  of the tray  14  without destroying or damaging the blocking shield  54 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , to open the container  10 , a consumer  88  separates the cover  12  from the tray  14  along the hinge  16  because the blocking shield  54  prevents access to the peripheral cover lip  68 . To separate the cover  12  from the tray  14 , the consumer  88  grasps the cover tab  34  and the tray tab  60  and pulls on the cover tab  34  to separate the cover  12  from the tray  14 . As the consumer  88  pulls on the cover tab  34 , the distal end  78  of the peripheral cover lip  68  is unseated from its location within the undercut  80  and the hinge  16  tears along the weakened line  61 . The blocking shield  54  prevents access to the peripheral cover lip  68  and thus prevents access to the contents of the container  10  without using the cover tabs  34  and tearing the hinge  16  along the weakened line  61 . In this manner, the blocking shield  54  provides the container  10  with a tamper resistant feature in that the container  10  cannot be opened except in a manner which provides evidence that the container  10  has been opened. 
     The location of the circumferential rib  20  adjacent the inwardly angled cover leg  66  provides the container  10  with additional tamper resistance by limiting the space available for a consumer to attempt to grasp the peripheral cover lip  68 . In this manner, the circumferential rib  20  can provide the container  10  with an additional blocking shield to prevent a consumer from grasping the peripheral cover lip  68  in an attempt to open the container  10  without the use of the cover tabs  34 . 
     Once the container  10  is completely opened, the cover  12  and tray  14  are separated along the hinge  16 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The tearing of the hinge  16  provides evidence to a consumer that the container  10  has been opened or that an attempt to open the container  10  has been made. Once the cover  12  has been separated from the tray  14  to gain access to the contents of the container  10 , the cover  12  can be replaced on the tray  14  and held in place by the cover and tray seal structures formed by the cover skirt  32  and tray rib  52 , respectively. The torn hinge  16  serves as a visual indicator that the container  10  has been opened and provides the container  10  with a tamper evident feature. 
     The hinge  16  does not extend along the full length of the front sides  24  and  44  of the cover  12  and tray  14 , respectively, but rather extends only along a portion of the front sides  24 ,  44  between the cover tabs  34 . The tray tabs  60  are spaced laterally from both the hinge  16  and cover tabs  34 . The length of the hinge  16  and the spacing of the tray tabs  60  from the hinge  16  and cover tabs  34  provides room underneath the cover tabs  34  for the consumer  88  to grasp the cover tab  34 , thus making it easier for the consumer  88  to adequately grasp the cover tabs  34  and provide enough force to overcome the peripheral seal between the cover  12  and the tray  14  to separate the cover  12  and tray  14 . 
     While the container  10  is illustrated as having a pair of cover and tray tabs  34  and  60 , respectively, on each side of the hinge  16 , it is also within the scope of the invention for the container  10  to have a single cover tab  34  and a single tray tab  60 . 
       FIGS. 8-11  illustrate another embodiment of the invention comprising a container  110 , which is similar to the first container  10  except for the manner in which a hinge  116  is formed, the absence of a blocking shield and the addition of a plurality of bar locks  190 . Therefore, elements in the container  110  similar to those of the container  10  will be numbered with the prefix  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the cover  112  includes the top  118  from which extends the circumferential projection  120 . The circumferential projection  120  extends around the perimeter of the top  118  except for where the circumferential projection  120  is interrupted by a bar lock  190 . As can best be seen in  FIG. 9 , a male portion  192  of the bar lock  190  can be formed in an extension of the peripheral tray flange  140  which projects inward toward a center of the tray  114  and is connected with an upper portion of a corresponding inwardly projecting support panel  142 . The cover  112  is provided with a female portion  194  of the bar lock  190  corresponding to each of the male portions  192 . It is also within the scope of the invention for the location of the male and female portions  192 ,  194  on the tray  114  and cover  112  to be reversed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the male portion  192  can be formed in the peripheral tray flange  140  corresponding to a generally centrally located support panel  142  formed in each of the rear side  146  and lateral sides  148 ,  150  of the tray  114 . It is also within the scope of the invention for the container  110  to include additional or fewer bar locks  190 . The bar locks  190  facilitate maintaining the container  110  in the closed position, as is well known in the art. The particular type of bar lock is not germane to the invention and it is within the scope of the invention for any number of bar locks having any suitable size or shape to be used with the container  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , along the front sides  124 ,  144  the cover  112  and tray  114  are connected by the hinge  116 . The hinge  116  comprises a vertical hinge wall  198  coupled at an upper portion thereof with the peripheral cover lip  168  of the skirt  132  by a weakened line  161 . The peripheral tray lip  176  is connected with the vertical hinge wall  198  at a lower portion thereof by a downwardly extending skirt  200  and an outwardly extending skirt flange  202 . The hinge wall  198  can be connected with both the cover  112  and the tray  114  at upper and lower portions thereof by a pair of weakened lines  161 . In one example, the hinge wall  198  can be connected to both the cover  112  and tray  114  by a pair of perforation lines. In another example, the hinge wall  198  can be connected with one of the cover  112  and tray  114  by a perforation line and the other of the cover  112  and tray  114  by a coin line. In yet another example, at least one of the pair of weakened lines  161  can be formed from a series of alternating rounded crests and troughs of narrowed thickness. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the cover tabs  134  can be formed in the peripheral cover lip  168  of the skirt  132  adjacent the hinge  116 . The tray tabs  160  can be formed in the skirt flange  202  extending from the rib  152 , laterally spaced from both the hinge  116  and the cover tabs  134 . In the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 8 , neither the cover tabs  134  nor the tray tabs  160  extend beyond the hinge line. While the container  110  is illustrated as having a hinge  116 , it is also within the scope of the invention for the container  110  to not have a hinge. 
     As can best be seen in  FIG. 11 , where the cover  112  and tray  114  are not connected by the hinge  116 , along the rear sides  126 ,  146  and lateral sides  128 ,  130  and  148 ,  150  of the cover  112  and tray  114 , respectively, the peripheral cover lip  168  does not extend outwardly beyond the peripheral tray lip  176 . The peripheral cover lip  168  abuts the peripheral tray lip  176  and extends just beyond a junction between the peripheral tray lip  176  and the second outwardly angled tray leg  172 . The angle of the second outwardly angled cover leg  164  presses the peripheral cover lip  168  against the peripheral tray lip  176 . 
     The container  110  can be opened in a manner similar to that of the container  10  described above with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . A consumer can grasp the cover tab  134  and the tray tab  160  and pull the cover tab  134  away from the tray tab  160  to separate the cover  112  from the tray  114 . The separation force provided by the consumer when opening the container  110  causes the hinge  116  to tear along one or both of the weakened lines  161  provided in the vertical hinge wall  198 . The tearing of the weakened line  161  provides an indication to the consumer that the container  110  has been opened or that an attempt to open the container has been made, thus providing the container  110  with a tamper evident feature. 
     The length of the peripheral cover lip  168  and the presence of the bar locks  190  make it difficult for a consumer to open the container  110  at any location other than the cover tabs  134 . In this manner, the peripheral cover lip  168  and the bar locks  190  provide the container  110  with tamper resistant features in that they prevent a consumer from opening the container  110  in a manner that does not leave evidence that the container  110  has been opened. The circumferential rib  120  provides the container  110  with a tamper resistant feature that prevents unauthorized opening of the container  110 . The height and proximity of the circumferential rib  120  relative to the tray rib  152  and the length of the skirt  132  is selected such that the ability of a consumer to grasp the skirt  132  to separate the cover  112  from the tray  114  is prevented. More specifically, the configuration of the circumferential rib  120  prevents the consumer from being able to pinch the peripheral cover lip  168  between his or her thumb and index finger. As used herein, the term pinch is used to mean squeezing the peripheral cover lip  168  and/or other portions of the skirt  132  between the thumb and index finger. The tamper resistance provided by the circumferential rib  120  is related to the amount of the skirt  132  a consumer can pinch such that the consumer can apply enough force to separate the cover  112  from the tray  114 . In the container  10  of  FIG. 1 , the blocking shield  54  renders the peripheral cover lip  68  of the skirt  32  inaccessible to a consumer, in this manner preventing a consumer from opening the container  10  without using the cover tab  34 . In the container  110  having the circumferential rib  120  without a blocking shield, the peripheral cover lip  168  of the skirt  132  is accessible to a consumer; however, it is configured so as to not be pinchable by a consumer. It has been found that a configuration of the circumferential rib  120  and rib  152  in which a consumer can only pinch approximately 0.125 inches or less of the skirt  132  prevents the consumer from pinching enough of the skirt  132  such that enough force can be applied to overcome the peripheral seal and separate the cover  112  from the tray  114  to open the container  110 . The configuration of the circumferential rib  120 , skirt  132  and rib  152  can be selected in concert with each other to provide the desired tamper resistance while taking into consideration design and manufacturing constraints. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a consumer&#39;s attempt to open the container  110  by pinching the skirt  132  instead of the cover tabs  134 .  FIG. 12  is not necessarily to scale and is meant for illustrative purposes only. The amount of the skirt  132  that a consumer can pinch depends on both the height and proximity of the circumferential rib  120  relative to the rib  152 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12 , a gap A between the circumferential rib  120  and the rib  152  is smaller than the average width of an adult human index finger and the height of the circumferential rib  120  is approximately equal to that of the rib  152 . This limits the depth to which a consumer can insert his or her finger into the gap A in an attempt to pinch the skirt  132 , which prevents the consumer from pinching enough of the skirt  132  to separate the tray  112  and the container  114 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the gap A between the circumferential rib  120  and the rib  152  is approximately 0.177 inches and the height of the circumferential rib  120  is approximately the same as that of the rib  152 . The width of the gap A is a function of the width of the peripheral cover flange  122  and the configuration of the first and second outwardly angled cover legs  162  and  164  and the inwardly angled cover leg  166 . Assuming the width of an adult human index finger between the nail and fingerprint region of the finger is approximately 0.350 inches, the consumer will only be able to insert a portion of his or her index finger into the gap A, limiting the amount of the skirt  132  the consumer can manipulate in an attempt to open the container  110  to approximately 0.105 inches. This is not enough to allow the consumer to pinch the skirt  132  such that enough force can be applied to overcome the peripheral seal and therefore the consumer will not be able to separate the cover  112  from the tray  114  to open the container  110 . 
     The length of the skirt  132  also contributes to whether or not a consumer is capable of pinching the skirt  132  in an attempt to open the container  110 . For example, in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 12 , the length of the peripheral cover lip  168  of the skirt  132 , indicated as the length B, is approximately 0.060 inches. This corresponds to the minimum trim flange allowed for the machine form-to-trim misalignment tolerances. However, depending on the specific machine used, the length of the peripheral cover lip  168  could be made shorter or longer. The shorter the peripheral cover lip  168  the harder it will be for a consumer to pinch more than 0.125 inches of the skirt  132  and open the container  110 , thus increasing the tamper resistance of the container  110 . 
     As the length of the peripheral cover lip  168  of the skirt  312  increases, the configuration of the circumferential rib  120 , rib  152  and gap A can be adjusted accordingly to still provide the desired tamper resistance. For example, the gap A between the circumferential rib  120  and the rib  152  can be made smaller such that the amount of the skirt  132  a consumer can pinch remains less than about 0.125 inches. The smaller the gap A between the circumferential rib  120  relative to the rib  152 , the greater the tamper resistance, however, tooling tolerances may limit how close the circumferential rib  120  can be formed to the rib  152 . 
     The height of the circumferential rib  120  relative to the rib  152  can also be increased to minimize the amount of the skirt  132  that a consumer can pinch. Raising the height of the circumferential rib  120  relative to the rib  152  increases the tamper resistance of the container; however this may interfere with the ability to stack the containers and the aesthetic appearance of the container. 
     In addition to the tamper resistance provided by the circumferential rib  120 , the bar locks  190  also contribute to preventing unauthorized opening of the container  110 . To open the container  110  without using the cover tabs  134 , a consumer would have to deflect the cover  112  inward towards the center of the container  110  in order to pry the peripheral cover lip  168  upwards such that the peripheral cover lip  168  can be pinched and pulled to separate the cover  112  from the tray  114 . The presence of the bar locks  190  increases the force required to deflect the cover  112  inward, thus decreasing the possibility that the peripheral cover lip  168  can be pinched and pried away from the cover. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the bar locks  190  can be located near a midpoint of the sidewalls  138 , as the midpoint typically corresponds to the areas of the container  110  which are the easiest to deflect inwards, although it is within the scope of the invention for the bar locks  190  to be positioned at any location about the periphery of the container  110 . 
     In addition, the size of the peripheral cover lip  168  and the spacing of the circumferential rib  120  and inwardly angled cover leg  166  limit the ability of a consumer to open the container  110  without using the cover tabs  134 . The size of the peripheral cover lip  168  makes it difficult for a consumer to get a firm enough grasp such that the force of the perimeter interference seal and the bar lock seal can be overcome to open the container  110 . The location of the circumferential rib  120  near the inwardly angled cover leg  166  limits the space available for a consumer to attempt to grasp the peripheral cover lip  168 . In this manner, the circumferential rib  120  provides the container  110  with a type of blocking shield to prevent a consumer from accessing the cover lip  168  by pinching the cover lip  168  between his or her thumb and index finger in an attempt to open the container  110  without the use of the cover tabs  134 . 
     As described above with reference to container  10 , the hinge  116  does not extend along the full length of the front sides  124  and  144  of the cover  112  and tray  114 , respectively, but rather extends only along a portion of the front sides  124 ,  144  between the cover tabs  134 . The tray tabs  160  are spaced laterally from the hinge  116  and cover tabs  134  on the skirt flange  202 . According to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8-11 , the tray tabs  160  are also vertically spaced from the cover tabs  134  by the hinge wall  198 . The length of the hinge  116  and the lateral and vertical spacing of the tray tabs  160  from the cover tabs  134  provides room underneath the cover tabs  134  for a consumer to pinch the cover tab  134 , thus making it easier for the consumer to adequately pinch the cover tab  134  and provide enough force to separate the cover  112  and tray  114 . 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate another embodiment of the invention comprising a container  310 , which is similar to the container  110  except for the container  310  has a single bar lock  390  instead of the three bar locks  190  of the container  110 . Therefore, elements in the container  310  similar to those of the container  110  will be numbered with the prefix  300 . 
     The cover  312  includes the top  318  from which extends the blocking wall  320 . The blocking wall  320  extends around the perimeter of the top  318  except for where the blocking wall  320  is interrupted by a bar lock  390 . A male portion  392  of the bar lock  390  can be formed in an extension of the peripheral tray flange  340  which projects inward toward a center of the tray  314  and is connected with an upper portion of a corresponding inwardly projecting support panel  342 . The cover  312  is provided with a female portion  394  of the bar lock  390  corresponding to the male portion  392 . It is also within the scope of the invention for the location of the male and female portions  392 ,  394  on the tray  314  and cover  312  to be reversed. As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the male portion  392  can be formed in the peripheral tray flange  340  corresponding to a generally centrally located support panel  342  formed in the rear side  346  of the tray  314 . 
     Along the front sides  324 ,  344  the cover  312  and tray  314  are connected by the hinge  316 . The hinge  316  comprises a vertical hinge wall  398  coupled at an upper portion thereof with the peripheral cover lip  368  and at a lower portion thereof by a downwardly extending skirt  300  and an outwardly extending skirt flange  302 . The hinge wall  398  can be connected with both the cover  312  and the tray  314  at upper and lower portions thereof by a pair of weakened lines  361   a  and  361   b , respectively, that can be in the form of coined or fold lines. The cover  312  can be connected with the weakened line  361   a  by a non-linear perforation line  362  that tears when the cover  312  is removed from the tray  314 . While the non-linear perforation line  362  is illustrated as a wavy or squiggly line, the non-linear perforation line can have any curved, jagged, undulating, rippled, scalloped or zig-zag shape, for example, such that when torn, the perforation line  362  has a non-linear appearance when the cover  312  is viewed from above the plane defined by the top  318 . The non-linear appearance makes it more readily visible to the consumer, which aids the consumer in determining tampering. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the cover tabs  334  can be formed in the skirt  332  adjacent the hinge  316 . The tray tabs  360  can be formed in the skirt flange  302 , laterally spaced from both the hinge  316  and the cover tabs  334  and vertically spaced from the cover tabs  334 . In the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 13 , neither the cover tabs  334  nor the tray tabs  360  extend beyond the hinge line. 
     The container  310  can be opened in the same manner as described above for the container  110 . The configuration of the blocking wall  320 , skirt  332  and rib  352  prevent a consumer from pinching enough of the skirt  332  to overcome the peripheral seal and bar lock  390  to separate the cover  312  from the tray  314 , thus providing the container  310  with a tamper resistant feature in the same manner as that described above with reference to the container  110 . In addition, the presence of the bar lock  390  increases the force required to deflect the cover  312  inward, thus decreasing the possibility that the skirt  332  can be pried away from the tray  314 . The non-symmetrical perforation line  362  provides enhanced visibility of the torn hinge  316  when the container  310  is opened compared to a straight perforation line to indicate to a consumer that the container  310  has been opened. 
     While the container  310  has been described in the context of a pair of coined lines  361   a, b  and a non-symmetrical perforation line  362 , it is within the scope of the invention for container  310  to include any of the features of any of the hinges described herein. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate another embodiment of the invention comprising a container  410 , which is similar to the container  110  except for the shape of the lid  412  and the blocking wall and the absence of the bar locks. Therefore, elements in the container  410  similar to those of the container  110  will be numbered with the prefix  400 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the cover  412  includes the top  418  from which depends a cover sidewall  420 . The cover sidewall  420  extends from the top  418  to the peripheral cover flange  422 . The height of the cover sidewall  420  can be selected to provide the container  410  with a cover  412  having a dome shape of any desired height. The cover tabs  434  can be formed in the skirt  432  adjacent the hinge  416 . The tray tabs  460  can be formed in the skirt flange  402 , laterally spaced from both the hinge  416  and the cover tabs  434 . In the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 15 , neither the cover tabs  434  nor the tray tabs  460  extend beyond the hinge line. 
     Along the front sides  424 ,  444  the cover  412  and tray  414  are connected by the hinge  416 . The hinge  416  comprises a vertical hinge wall  498  coupled at an upper portion thereof with peripheral cover lip  468  of the skirt  132  by a weakened line  461 . The peripheral tray lip  476  is connected with the vertical hinge wall  498  at a lower portion thereof by a downwardly extending skirt  400  and an outwardly extending skirt flange  402 . The hinge wall  498  can be connected with both the cover  412  and the tray  414  at upper and lower portions thereof by a pair of weakened lines  461 . In one example, the pair of weakened lines  461  can be in the form of perforation lines. In another example, the hinge wall  498  can be connected with one of the cover  412  and tray  414  by a perforation line and the other of the cover  412  and tray  414  by a coin line. In yet another example, at least one of the pair of weakened lines  461  can be formed from a series of alternating rounded crests and troughs of narrowed thickness. 
     The container  410  can be opened in a manner similar to that described above for container  110 . The cover sidewall  420  provides the container  410  with tamper resistance in a manner similar to that described above for the circumferential rib  120  and  320  of the containers  110  and  310 , respectively, to prevent a consumer from pinching the skirt  420  in an attempt to open the container  410  without the use of the cover tabs  434 . The height and proximity of the sidewall  420  to the rib  452  prevents the consumer from pinching enough of the skirt  132  to apply enough force to overcome the peripheral seal to separate the cover  412  from the tray  414 . 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein provide a container which is tamper resistant and also provides evidence to a consumer when tampering or attempts at tampering have occurred. The spacing of the cover tabs adjacent the hinge but spaced from the tray tabs facilitates easy access to the contents of the container. The separation of the cover and the tray along the hinge and the separation of the cover and the tray from one another can be achieved in a single step by pulling the cover tab. Attempts to open the container without using the cover tab and without damaging the container itself are resisted by features such as the blocking shield, the configuration of the blocking wall, cover skirt and tray rib, and the bar locks. In addition, once the container has been opened, the cover can be replaced and re-sealed with the tray while still providing visual evidence to a consumer that the container has already been opened. 
     To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments may be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments may be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.