Patent Publication Number: US-9834340-B2

Title: Tamper evident and resistant container

Description:
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 interior of 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 one embodiment, a container comprises a tray, a cover comprising a top wall terminating in a cover rib having a peripheral cover lip, a blocking wall preventing direct access to the peripheral cover lip when the cover is on the tray in a closed position on the open top of the tray, and at least one tab that prevents direct access to the peripheral cover lip and which is at least partially separable from the container along at least one line of weakness to provide access to the peripheral cover lip for removing the cover from the tray. The at least one tab further includes an interference element that inhibits replacement of the tab into its original position with respect to the container after the at least one line of weakness have been severed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container having a cover mounted to a tray in a closed position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the container of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portion of the tray of  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the container of  FIG. 1  showing a tab provided on the tray in a first position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-section of the container of  FIG. 4  taken along the line V-V according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-section of the container of  FIG. 4  taken along the line VI-VI according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  illustrating the tab in a second position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-section of the container of  FIG. 7  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a portion of a container having a cover and a tray provided with a tab in a first position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a portion of the container of  FIG. 9  illustrating the tab in a second position according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a hinged container having a cover mounted to a tray in a closed position according to an embodiment of the invention 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a container  10  comprising a cover  12  and a tray  14 . 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. While the container  10  is illustrated as having a generally circular shape, the container  10  can have any geometric shape, non-limiting examples of which include square, rectangular, oval, octagonal, and hexagonal. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the cover  12  includes a top wall  16  defining a plane. References to above/below the plane are made with respect to the cover  12  in a closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . References to inward/outward are made with respect to central axis of the container  10 . The cover  12  includes a top wall  16  terminating in a cover rib  18  that extends around the perimeter of the top wall  16 . The cover rib  18  can include a cover rib inner wall  20  extending from the top wall  16  and connected with a peripheral cover lip  24  by a cover rib top wall  22 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the cover rib  18  is illustrated as having a generally U-shaped cross-section, although it is within the scope of the invention for the cover rib  18  to have an alternative cross-sectional shape. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the tray  14  includes a bottom wall  30  from which extends a peripheral side wall  32  which terminates in a tray rib  34  that at least partially defines an open top providing access to the interior compartment of the container defined by the bottom  30  and the peripheral side wall  32 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the tray rib  34  includes a tray rib inner wall  36  extending from the peripheral side wall  32  and connected with a tray rib outer wall  40  by a tray rib top wall  38  such that the tray rib  34  has a generally U-shaped cross-section, although it is within the scope of the invention for the tray rib  34  to have a different cross-sectional shape. The tray rib  34  can also be provided with a blocking wall  50  that is either part of the tray rib  34  or a separate structure. The blocking wall  50  can be spaced from the tray rib outer wall  40  by a gap  52 . The blocking wall  50  can optionally include a flange  54  which can define the exterior perimeter of the container  10  or the blocking wall  50  can include additional structural features, such as a downwardly depending skirt, or no additional structural features without deviating from the scope of the invention. 
     The blocking wall  50  can be provided with at least one tab  60  that can form a portion of the blocking wall  50  (as illustrated) or be separated from the blocking wall  50 . The tab  60  is configured so as to be at least partially separable from the container  10  along at least one line of weakness. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the tab  60  is coupled with the blocking wall  50  along two lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b . While two lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  are illustrated, it will be understood that the tab  60  can be defined by a single line of weakness or more than two lines of weakness. The lines of weakness can be in the form of a score line or a series of perforations configured to allow the tab  60  to be separated from the blocking wall  50  along the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b . Alternatively, the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  can be formed from a series of alternating rounded crests and troughs of narrowed thickness or areas of removed material. The lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  can extend around a portion of the tab  60  such that the tab  60  is only partially removed from the blocking wall  50  and remains attached to the container  10  when the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  are severed. Alternatively, the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  can extend around the entire perimeter of the tab  60  such that the tab  60  is removed from the blocking wall  50  and the container  10  when the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  are severed. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the tab  60  can optionally include a projection  64  to facilitate grasping the tab  60  to separate the tab  60  from the blocking wall  50  along the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b . The tab  60  further includes an interference element  70  extending from the tab  60  into the gap  52 . The interference element  70  can extend partially into the gap  52 , as illustrated, or span the entire distance of the gap  52 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when the cover  12  is in the closed position on the tray  14 , the peripheral cover lip  24  is received within the gap  52  and engages the interference element  70  on the tab  60  when the tab  60  is in a first position corresponding to a position in which the tab  60  prevents direct access to the peripheral cover lip  24 , which, in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , corresponds to a position in which the tab  60  has not been separated from the blocking wall  50  along the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b . When the cover  12  is in the closed position and the tab  60  is in the first position, the blocking wall  50  and the tab  60  inhibit access to the peripheral cover lip  24  and in this manner inhibit removal of the cover  12  from the tray  14  to open the container  10 . 
     The tab  60  can be separated from the blocking wall  50  along the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  such that the tab  60  can be moved into a second position to provide access to the peripheral cover lip  24  such that a consumer can grasp the peripheral cover lip  24  to remove the cover  12  from the tray  14 . In this manner, separation of the tab  60  along the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  provides an indication that the container  10  has been opened and thus provides an indication that the container  10  may have been tampered with. As used herein, providing an indication that the container  10  has been opened refers to indicating that the container  10  was in a condition in which the cover  12  could be removed from the tray  14  in the intended manner, regardless of whether the cover  12  was actually removed from the tray  14 . The blocking wall  50  inhibits a consumer from opening the container  10  without destroying or damaging the blocking wall  50  and/or the peripheral cover lip  24  without using the tab  60  in the intended manner. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the cover  12  is in the closed position and the tab  60  is in the first position, the peripheral cover lip  24  extends into the gap  52  between the blocking wall  50  and tab  60  and the tray rib outer wall  40 , thus inhibiting direct access to the peripheral cover lip  24 . The interference element  70  extends from the tab  60  into the gap  52  such that the interference element  70  engages the peripheral cover lip  24  through an interference fit. As can best be seen in  FIG. 5 , the interference element  70  engages and deflects the peripheral cover lip  24 . It is also within the scope of the invention for there to be some deflection of the tab  60  and/or interference element  70  by the peripheral cover lip  24  depending on the extent to which the peripheral cover lip  24  and interference element  70  extend into the gap  52  and the relative strength of the peripheral cover lip  24  and the interference element  70 /tab  60 . The interference element  70  can be provided with an angled face  72  to facilitate deflecting the peripheral cover lip  24  as the cover  12  is positioned on the tray  14  and moved into the closed position. 
     The interference element  70  can be in the form of a vertical rib (as illustrated), a rounded protuberance, or have any other geometric cross-sectional shape. While the interference element  70  is illustrated as positioned in a central portion of the tab  60 , it is within the scope of the invention for the interference element  70  to be positioned off-center with the respect to the tab  60 . It is also within the scope of the invention for the tab  60  to include multiple interference elements  70 . 
     The interference element  70  is configured of a size and shape to extend into the gap  52  to such an extent as to engage the peripheral cover lip  24  through an interference fit and deflect the peripheral cover lip  24 . The width of the gap  52 , the extent to which peripheral cover lip  24  extends into the gap  52 , and the extent to which the peripheral cover lip  24  is deflected by the interference element  70  can be configured to inhibit direct access to the peripheral cover lip  24  while still allowing the cover  12  to be seated on the tray  14  in an initial closed condition prior to a first opening of the container  10  and prior to separation of the tab  60  along the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , which is a partial cross-section through a portion of the container  10  that does not include the interference element  70 , the peripheral cover lip  24  can have little to no engagement with the blocking wall  50  when the cover is in the closed condition. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cover rib  18  can have a generally U-shaped cross-section defined by the cover rib inner wall  20 , top wall  22 , and peripheral cover lip  24  that is configured to receive a correspondingly U-shaped tray rib  34  defined by the tray rib inner wall  36 , top wall  38  and outer wall  40 . The cover rib  18  can include a cover seal structure formed at least in part by the cover rib inner wall  20  and the tray rib  34  can include a tray seal structure formed at least in part by the tray rib inner wall  36  which engages the cover seal structure when the cover  12  is in the closed position to form a peripheral seal. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the perimeter of the tray  14  as defined by the tray rib inner wall  36  can be slightly smaller than the perimeter of the cover  12  as defined by the cover rib inner wall  20  to provide an interference fit between the tray rib inner wall  36  and the cover rib inner wall  20  to form the peripheral seal when the cover  12  is in the closed position. Additionally, or alternatively, the tray  14  can further include an inner tray flange  74  provided between the peripheral side wall  32  and the tray rib  34  to form a seat that engages a portion of the cover top wall  16  and the cover rib inner wall  20  through an interference fit to form a peripheral seal between the cover  12  and the tray  14 . Non-limiting examples of a peripheral seal a liquid-tight peripheral seal and a liquid-resistant peripheral seal. 
     To open the container  10 , a consumer separates the tab  60  from the blocking wall  50  along the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b , as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , to move the tab  60  from the first position to the second position to gain access to the peripheral cover lip  24 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the tab  60  is separable from the blocking wall  50  along parallel lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b , but remains connected with the container  10  at a tray outer flange  80  adjacent the blocking wall  50  by a living hinge  82 . The living hinge  82  can be formed by scoring or thinning the material forming the living hinge  82 . In this manner, after the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  are severed, the tab  60  can be pivoted about the living hinge  82  away from the blocking wall  50  to provide access to the peripheral cover lip  24 . The consumer can then grasp the exposed portion of the peripheral cover lip  24  and remove the cover  12  from the open top of the tray  14 . 
     The dimensions of the tab  60 , as defined by the spacing of the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b , can be configured to provide sufficient space between first and second ends  90   a ,  90   b  of the blocking wall  50 , formed when the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  are severed, to allow a consumer to grasp enough of the peripheral cover lip  24  to overcome the peripheral seal between the cover  12  and tray  14  to remove the cover  12  from the tray  14 . In addition, while the living hinge  82  is described as being formed in the tray outer flange  80 , the living hinge  82  can be formed in the blocking wall  50  or within the tray rib outer wall  40  in a similar manner, as long as the positioning of the living hinge  82  is configured to allow the tab  60  to be pivoted into the second position such that the consumer can grasp the peripheral cover lip  24  in order to remove the cover  12  from the tray  14 . Alternatively, the living hinge  82  can be configured as a line of weakness similar to the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b , such that the tab  60  can be separated from the container  10  to provide access to the peripheral cover lip  24 . 
     Movement of the tab  60  from the first position to the second position provides an indication that the container  10  has been opened and thus provides the container  10  with a tamper evident feature. The blocking wall  50  and the tab  60  inhibit a consumer from accessing the peripheral cover lip  24  to open the container  10  without destroying or damaging the blocking wall  50  and/or the peripheral cover lip  24 . In this manner, the blocking wall  50  and tab  60  provide 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. 
     Once the tab  60  is moved into the second position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the interference element  70  inhibits replacement of the tab  60  back into the first position. As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the interference element  70  is configured to extend into the gap  52  and deflect the peripheral cover lip  24  when the cover  12  is in the closed position. Once the tab  60  is separated from the blocking wall  50  along the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b , the tab  60  does not have sufficient strength to deflect the peripheral cover lip  24  and thus the peripheral cover lip  24  will deflect the tab  60 , preventing the tab  60  from being replaced into the first position after the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  have been severed. The peripheral cover lip  24  and interference element  70  are configured such that there is at least some deflection of the peripheral cover lip  24  by the interference element  70  when the interference element  70  is in the first position such that once the tab  60  is severed along the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  and the tab  60  is moved into the second position, the extent to which the peripheral cover lip  24  extends across the gap  52  and the dimensions of the interference element  70  inhibit re-positioning of the tab  60  back into the first position. Thus, it is possible that the peripheral cover lip  24  and the interference element  70 , when the tab  60  is in the first position, are configured to extend across the gap  52  such that there is at least some deflection, either equal or unequal, of both the peripheral cover lip  24  and the interference element  70  and/or tab  60 . Regardless of whether or not there is deflection of both the peripheral cover lip  24  and the interference element  70  and/or tab  60  when the tab  60  is in the first position, the peripheral cover lip  24  and interference element  70  are configured to extend into the gap  52  to inhibit re-positioning of the tab  60  back into the first position severing the lines of weakness  62   a ,  62   b  to move the tab  60  to the second position. 
     Without the interference element  70 , it may be possible for the tab  60  to be re-positioned between the first and second ends  90   a ,  90   b  of the blocking wall  50  such that the tab  60  appears to be in the first position. In this scenario, it may not be evident to a consumer that the tab  60  has already been moved such that the cover  12  could be removed. The interference element  70  inhibits replacement of the tab  60  back into the first position after the container has been opened and enhances the visual indication provided by the tab  60  that the container  10  has been opened. 
     While the container  10  is illustrated as having a single tab  60 , it is within the scope of the invention for the container  10  to include multiple tabs  60  providing more than one location by which the consumer can gain access to the peripheral cover lip  24 . 
       FIGS. 9-10  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 tab  60  is formed. Therefore, elements in the container  110  similar to those of the container  10  will be numbered with the prefix  100 . 
     The tab  160  is similar to the tab  60  except that the tab  160  is configured to pivot laterally rather than downward when the lines of weakness  162   a ,  162   b  are severed. While  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate two lines of weakness  162   a ,  162   b , it is within the scope of the invention for the tab  160  to be defined by a single line of weakness or more than two lines of weakness. In the container  110 , the tab  160  is connected at one end to the blocking wall  150  by a line of weakness  162   b  and connected to the blocking wall  150  at an opposite end by a living hinge  182 . The tab  160  can further be defined by an additional line of weakness  162   a  connecting the tab  160  to the tray outer flange  180 . In this manner, the tab  160  can be separated from the blocking wall  150  at one end and along a bottom edge and pivoted laterally about the living hinge  182  to provide access to the peripheral cover lip  124  to open the container  110  in the same manner as described above for the container  10 . 
     The tab  160  also includes the interference element  170  which inhibits the tab  160  from being re-positioned back into the first position after the lines of weakness  162   a ,  16   b  are severed. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the interference element  170  can be positioned off-center with respect to the tab  160  such that the interference element  170  is adjacent to the living hinge  182 . Positioning the interference element  170  adjacent the living hinge  182  limits the extent to which the tab  160  can be moved back towards the first position; the farther away from the living hinge  182  the interference element  170  is positioned, the further the tab  160  can be moved back towards the first position before being deflected by the peripheral cover lip  124 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates another embodiment of the invention comprising a container  210 , which is similar to the first container  10  except for the manner in which the cover  212  is connected with the tray  214 . Therefore, elements in the container  210  similar to those of the container  10  will be numbered with the prefix  200 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a hinge  300  can be provided to connect the cover  212  and the tray  214 . A cover flange  302  can extend from a portion of the cover rib  218  between first and second ends  304  in the blocking wall  250  and be connected with a tray flange  306  extending from a portion of the tray rib  234  by a hinge line  308  that forms a hinge axis about which the cover  212  and tray  214  relatively rotate to move the container  10  between the opened and closed positions. The container  210  can be opened in the same manner as described above with respect to the container  10  and the blocking wall  250  provides a tamper resistant feature while the tab  260  and interference element  270  provide tamper evident features in the same manner as described above with respect to the container  10 . The hinge  300  can include a single hinge line  308 , as illustrated, or multiple hinge lines. It is also within the scope of the invention for the hinge  300  to include at least one line of weakness such that the cover  212  can be separated from the tray  214  along the at least one line of weakness. It is also within the scope of the invention for the tab  260  to be provided on the hinge  300 . 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein provide a container  10 ,  110 ,  210  which is tamper resistant and also provides evidence to a consumer when tampering or attempts at tampering have occurred. The blocking wall  50 ,  150 ,  250  inhibits a consumer from opening the container  10 ,  110 ,  210  without destroying or damaging the blocking wall  50 ,  150 ,  250  and/or the peripheral cover lip  24 ,  124 ,  224  without using the tab  60 ,  160 ,  260  in the intended manner. The tab  60 ,  160 ,  260  is configured to be movable with respect to the blocking wall  50 ,  150 ,  250  to provide access to the peripheral cover lip  24 ,  124 ,  224  to remove the cover  12 ,  112 ,  212  from the tray  14 ,  114 ,  214  while also providing a visual indication that the container  10 ,  110 ,  210  has been opened. The interference element  70 ,  170 ,  270  enhances the visual indication that the container  10 ,  110 ,  210  has been opened by inhibiting replacement of the tab  60 ,  160 ,  260  back into a position in which it appears that the container  10 ,  110 ,  210  has not been opened. The tab  60 ,  160 ,  260  is configured such that once the container  10 ,  110 ,  210  has been opened and the cover  12 ,  112 ,  212  has been removed, the cover  12 ,  112 ,  212  can be replaced and re-sealed with the tray  14 ,  114 ,  214  while still providing visual evidence to a consumer that the container  10 ,  110 ,  210  has already been opened. 
     To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments of the container  10 ,  110 , and  210  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 of the containers  10 ,  110 , and  210  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.