Patent Publication Number: US-2015083725-A1

Title: Container having locking mechanism with tamper evident attribute

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This applications claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/882,896 filed on Sep. 26, 2013, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to containers and packaging, and more particularly, to containers and packaging that incorporate tamper-evident features. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Disposable containers for packaging, distributing, displaying or otherwise housing consumer items, especially perishable foods, are becoming increasingly important. Historically, perishable products had to be brought to market and sold quickly before exposure to the atmosphere caused the products to lose their freshness. 
     The advent of plastics resulted in many products being wrapped or packaged in plastic, both in the form of flexible plastic bags and solid plastic containers. The use of plastics in the modern-day convenience food industry has significantly improved the “shelf life” of perishable products, allowing both merchants and their customers to store the products for longer periods of time, resulting in substantial savings. 
     It has been found that consumers like re-closeable packages, particularly for comestible products, especially in circumstances where more than one serving of a comestible product is contained therein, in order to reduce drying out or other deterioration of the comestible food product. In addition, consumers prefer to visually inspect the food product within such containers prior to purchase. Thus, fabricating containers from clear see-through plastics is desirable. For example, packaging provided for bakery goods or agriculture products has often been in the form of clear, plastic clamshell packaging, because, among other things, such clear, plastic clamshell packaging, provides a homegrown, baked-on-the-premises image which grocery retailers have found to be especially appealing to consumers. 
     Typically, plastic containers will include a fairly rigid lid and base, although they may be subject to some amount of flexure. The lid provided must be capable of properly and effectively sealing the container, yet the container must be constructed so that the lid is relatively easy to remove, and even replace, since it is expected that the container and lid would normally be reused. 
     In addition to the aforementioned consumer design preferences, it is desirable to fabricate containers that include features which either deter unauthorized tampering or clearly indicate whether unauthorized tampering has occurred, or both. These tamper-resistant/evident features typically include structural elements which, when the container is tampered with or opened without authorization, enable the consumer to easily visually recognize such tampering so that the product can then be rejected. Such tamper-resistant/evident elements are important for, among other things, deterring theft and preventing the loss of product and income for the seller, as well as instilling consumer confidence in the integrity of the contents within the container and confidence in the ability of the seller and/or manufacturer to provide and maintain quality goods. 
     Thus, there is a compelling interest in the development of containers having consumer-preferable design elements, such as recloseability features which are reliable and easy to operate, along with tamper-resistant/evident features with non exposed jagged or sharp edges but remain a deterrent against tampering and clearly indicate whether tampering has occurred. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a container that meets these needs. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention meets the aforementioned needs, while also improving upon and solving problems associated with previous containers by providing, among other things, a tamper-resistant feature without throw away or hanging pieces. 
     According to an implementation, the locking mechanism for a container having a tamper evident feature includes a male portion having at least one geometrically shaped feature and a female portion having at least one cutout configured to receive the at least one geometrically shaped feature male portion such that geometric shape of the male portion locks into and secures the male portion to the female portion when inserted through the at least one cutout. A tear away feature surrounds the male portion and is configured to be broken in response to an opening action of the container. The male portion remaining locked within said female portion after the container has been opened. 
     According to another implementation, the locking mechanism for a container having a tamper evident feature includes a female portion having at least one geometrically shaped feature and a male portion having at least one cutout configured to receive the at least one geometrically shaped feature female portion such that geometric shape of the female portion locks into and secures the female portion to the male portion when inserted through the at least one cutout. A tear away feature surrounds the female portion and is configured to be broken in response to an opening action of the container. The female portion remaining locked within said male portion after the container has been opened. 
     These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present principles will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar components throughout the views: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container with the lid closed and having a tamper evident feature according to an implementation of the present principles; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a container with the lid open and having the tamper evident feature according to an implementation of the present principles; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross sectional view of the tamper evident feature, according to an implementation of the present principles; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view showing the perforated cuts surrounding the male features of the tamper evident feature according to an implementation of the present principles; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the female locking mechanism of the tamper evident feature on a basin side of a clamshell container, according to an implementation of the present principles; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the tamper evident feature of the present principles when closed, according to an implementation of the present principles; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  show the tamper evident feature before and after use, respectively, according to an implementation of the present principles. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present description illustrates the present principles. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the present principles and are included within its spirit and scope. 
     All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the present principles and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. 
     Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present principles, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. 
       FIG. 1  shows a container  10  having a base  12 , a lid  14  and a connection region  16  where the lid  14  is either hinged  16  or pivotally  16  connected to the base  12  in either a fixed or removable configuration. A closure assembly having tamper evident feature  20  is integrated into the container  12  and lid  14  so as to provide a clear indication of tampering in the event of the same. As shown in  FIG. 2 , once the lid  14  is opened, a portion of the tamper evident feature is removed from the lid and remains securely within the base  12 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the locking mechanism with tamper evident feature  20  is integrated into a lid  14  of a container. As shown in  FIGS. 3-7B , the tamper evident feature is configured as part of a locking mechanism having a series of individual cone-like male features  24  with locking undercuts  26 . Although the following is described in the context of a container having a lid and a base, the principles disclosed herein are not so limited and may be implemented in a reverse arrangement on a standard container, or could be implemented on other containers or even bottles containing liquids or the like. 
       FIG. 4  shows an example of the series of individual cone-like male features  24  having a perforated cut  28  entirely surrounding the same. The perforated cuts  28  are configured to separate when opened, which will result in the series of individual cone-like male features remaining locked into the base. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the perforated cut  28  can be located in specified areas along the cut to allow for an easy tear. 
       FIG. 5  shows the female locking mechanism  30  which is positioned opposite the series of individual cone-like male features  24  on the respective container. The female locking mechanism includes a series of through cuts  32  with corresponding holes  36 , and which are configured to receive the series of individual cone-like male features  24  when the lid is closed onto the corresponding base. The undercuts  26  of the cone-like male features  24  engage the underside of the holes  36  and provide the “locking” or snap in lock feature of the same. 
       FIG. 6  shows a side view of the male features  24  engaged through the holes  36  of female locking mechanism  30  thus locking the two together. As shown, the undercuts  26  lock under the respective holes  36  and thereby create a lock stronger than the perforated edge  28  surrounding the male feature  24 . 
       FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show the present principles in operation.  FIG. 7   a  shows the lid  14  and base  12  secured together by the locking mechanism having the tamper evident feature  20 . When the user pulls on the lid  14  to open the container, the male features  26  tears away from the lid  14  in a zip like method (along the perforated lines  28 ) and consequently remains securely locked into the holes of the female feature on basin  12  side (see  FIG. 7   a ). Once open, the lid  14  is left with an opening or hole  40 , which clearly indicates the contained has been opened from its initial packaging state. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the contained lid  14  can be securely reclosed using the side flanges or any other known configuration. However, once the tamper evident feature has been broken, it cannot be returned to an unbroken state. 
     In accordance with other contemplated embodiments, the male features and female features of the locking mechanism can be configured in any geometric shape so as to achieve the intended locking function of the locking mechanism with tamper evident feature of the invention. The option of color may be used by printing the male feature in the manufacturing process to further highlight the separation and tamper evident feature. 
     In addition, it is further an embodiment of the invention where different geometrically shaped male features with corresponding different geometrically shaped female features are used in a single locking mechanism. In this configuration a stronger or weaker locking effect can be achieved depending on the intended purpose of the container. By using different geometrically shaped male and female features in a single locking mechanism, the strength required to initially open the same can be significantly controlled and increased as needed. 
     For example, in food containers, the locking mechanism may not need to be very strong, yet in an industrial container environment, for example containers for chemicals, paints, etc., the locking mechanism must be sufficiently strong to prevent unwanted opening of the container during shipment, and/or maintain a child proof aspect to the same by requiring the strength of an adult to open the same. In these other applications, it is further contemplated that the number male and female portions of the locking mechanism with tamper evident feature could be increased or reduced depending on the particular application, and the use of glue or other adhesive may be implemented so as to secure the portion within the perforated region  28  differently or in conjunction with the male and female portions. 
     The implementation of the locking mechanism with tamper evident feature of the present principles will eliminate sharp exposed edges along the flange of the container. In addition, there will be no throw away pieces for the consumer to deal with once the container has been opened. 
     The present principles provide a unique container locking mechanism that once used, provides evidence of tampering with the respective container. As noted above, there will be no exposed perforated edge on either the hinge or the front of the container&#39;s flange which can cut consumers fingers while opening. The perforated edge is clearly hidden away on the inside of the base of the container thus greatly reducing the potential of cuts and injury while opening and closing the container. 
     In addition the use of color may be applied to highlight the tamper evident feature of the package and thus clearly identifying the feature to the consumer. 
     Also as noted above, the positioning of the male and female portions of the tamper evident locking mechanism of the present principles can be integrated into any opposing portions of a container, bottle or the like, without departing from the intended scope of the same. 
     Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present principles, as well as other variations thereof, means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present principles. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment”, as well any other variations, appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present principles is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present principles. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present principles as set forth in the appended claims.