Patent Publication Number: US-10759571-B2

Title: Container for produce storage, packing and transport

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 119 
     The present Utility Application for Patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/445,236 entitled “Container for Produce Storage, Packing &amp; Transport” filed Jan. 11, 2017, and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of containers, in particular to tamper evident containers which include a peelable flap portion located within the lid of the container that is secured by a tab which can be broken allowing a consumer to peel back a portion of the lid for access and then reseal the container by placing the flap portion back into its original position. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is common to use clear plastic hinged containers to transport and package fresh and chilled foods, including but not limited to fruit, vegetables and bakery items, for selling to consumers. The containers come in various shapes and sizes and allow the food to be transported with less damage, such as bruising, and provide convenient packaging for consumers who are purchasing the food. 
     One common type of container includes a base connected to a lid via a hinge. Typically the food items are placed in the base and the lid is hingedly folded over onto the base to secure the food items within the container. Due to safety concerns, the food industry is demanding food containers that incorporate tamper evident and tamper resistant features. 
     Tamper evident features typically include features which, when the container is tampered with or has been opened, enable the consumer to easily visually recognize the container has been tampered with and not purchase or consume foods from that container. Containers containing tamper evident and resistant features are also important for deterring theft and preventing the loss of food or other product and income for the seller. These features also inspire confidence in consumers in the integrity of the contents located within the container, and confidence in the ability of the seller and/or manufacturer to provide and maintain food products. 
     Currently, many sellers and/or manufacturers utilize shrink bands with vertical or horizontal perforations to seal the lid to the base of food containers showing that the contents have not been tampered with. These shrink bands can be difficult to remove and when removed create an extra piece of waste that needs to be thrown out. Furthermore, as not all containers utilize shrink bands it is not necessarily possible for a consumer to determine if the container has been tampered with. 
     Consequently, a container that not only provides visible evidence of the integrity of the contents of the container but also allows the container to be easily opened and reclosed maintaining the freshness of the remaining contents is needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of one or more implementations in order to provide a basic understanding of some implementations. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated implementations, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all implementations nor delineate the scope of any or all implementations. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more implementations in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     According to one aspect, a tamper evident container is provided. The tamper evident container comprises a base having a bottom, a pair of sidewalls, and a pair of end walls, the bottom, the pair of sidewalls and the pair of end walls being integrally connected wherein an edge of the pair of sidewalls and the at least one end wall extend outwardly to form a lower flange, the lower flange comprising at least two latch receiving openings; and a lid hingedly connected to the base. The lid comprises an outer raised portion having an integrally connected inner recessed portion formed therein, wherein the inner recessed portion includes a peelable flap portion partially detachable from the inner recessed portion for lifting the peelable flap upwardly from the inner recessed portion; an upper flange extending perpendicularly outward from a perimeter of the lid and having a connecting member located between at least at least two extending latching portions extending outwardly from the upper flange, the at least two extending latching portions adapted for being received in the at least two latch receiving openings; and a tab connected to the peelable flap portion on a first end and detachably connected to the connecting member on a second end, where the tab is configured for pushing inward detaching the second end from the connecting member allowing the peelable flap portion to be lifted upwardly away from the inner recessed portion. 
     According to one feature, the inner recessed portion comprises a back edge; a pair of side edges having proximal ends and distal ends, the distal ends integrally connected to the back edge; and a pair of front edges integrally connected to the proximal ends of the pair of side edges and extending inwardly to the tab. 
     According to another feature, wherein the peelable flap portion is integrally connected to the back edge of the inner recessed portion and detachably connected to the pair of side edges and the pair of front edges of the peelable flap portion. 
     According to yet another feature, wherein the peelable flap portion is detachably connected to the pair of side edges and the pair of front edges of the inner recessed portion by perforations. 
     According to yet another feature, wherein the tab is located between a pair of tab vents. 
     According to yet another feature, wherein the tab is comprised of a flexible elongated material. 
     According to yet another feature, wherein the tab includes a horizontally elongated protrusion. 
     According to yet another feature, wherein the connecting member comprises; an upper surface edge; a lower connected surface edge opposing the upper surface edge; a pair of side surface edges integrally connecting the upper surface edge and the lower surface edge. 
     According to yet another feature, wherein a length of the upper surface is shorter than a length of the lower surface. 
     According to yet another feature, wherein the peelable flap portion fits is received within the inner recessed portion once peeled back allowing reclosure. 
     According to yet another feature, wherein the peelable flap portion includes one or more protrusions before the tab. 
     According to yet another feature, wherein each of the one or more protrusions is of varying length. 
     According to yet another feature, wherein the base includes a plurality of base vents for allowing air to circulate within the container. 
     According to yet another feature, wherein the base further comprises a base back upper portion of having one or more back upper portion openings; wherein the lid further comprises a lid back portion having lid extending latching portions; and wherein the lid extending latching portions are received within the one or more back upper portion openings when the lid is secured to the base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, nature, and advantages of the present aspects may become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top plan view of a container in an open configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of a closed locking mechanism of the container of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of a die cut clip locking feature of a locking mechanism of the container of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of an extending latching portion of a locking mechanism of the container of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration with an unbroken tab. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of a tab on the lid of the container of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration with a broken tab. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of broken tab on the lid of the container of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a top left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 9  showing a peelable flap portion of the lid in a partially peeled back position. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a top left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 11  showing the peelable flap portion of the lid in an open position. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a top left perspective view of a container in an open configuration according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a top right perspective view of the container of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a bottom left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of an extending latching portion of a locking mechanism of the container of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of a latch receiving opening of a locking mechanism the container of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a top right perspective view of the container of  FIG. 13  in a closed configuration with an unbroken tab. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. The term “container” refers to any type of device for holding objects, including a receptacle, a bin, a box, a carton, a case, and a crate. The term “food” refers to any type of edible substance including all types of fruits, vegetables and bakery items. 
     According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the containers  100  and  200  may be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrenes, polypropylenes, or any other suitable material known in the art. 
     Overview 
     One aspect of the present disclosure provides a tamper evident container for packaging food for transporting and selling to consumers. The container includes a base hingedly connected to a lid. The lid includes an outer raised portion having an integrally connected inner recessed portion formed therein, wherein the inner recessed portion includes a peelable flap portion partially detachable from the inner recessed portion for lifting the peelable flap upwardly from the inner recessed portion; an upper flange extending perpendicularly outward from a perimeter of the lid and having a connecting member located between extending latching portions extending outwardly from the upper flange and adapted for being received in the two latch receiving openings; and a tab connected to the peelable flap portion on a first end and detachably connected to the connecting member on a second end, where the tab is configured for pushing inward to detach the second end from the connecting member allowing the peelable flap portion to be lifted upwardly. 
     Locking Mechanisms—Die Cut Clip Locking Feature 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a top plan view of a container in an open configuration according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration.  FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of a closed locking mechanism of the container in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a top left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration.  FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of a die cut clip locking feature of a locking mechanism of the container of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of an extending latching portion of a locking mechanism of the container of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a top left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration with an unbroken tab.  FIG. 8  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of a tab on the lid of the container of  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a top left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration with a broken tab.  FIG. 10  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of broken tab on the lid of the container of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a top left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 9  showing a peelable flap portion of the lid in a partially peeled back position.  FIG. 12  illustrates a top left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 11  showing the peelable flap portion of the lid in an open position. The following discussion refers interchangeably to  FIGS. 1-12 . 
     As shown, a container  100  includes a base  102  connected to a lid  104  via a hinge  106 . The base  102  includes a bottom  108  and two opposing sidewalls  110  and  112  integrally connected to two opposing end walls  114  and  116 . The sidewalls,  110  and  112 , and end walls,  114  and  116 , extend continuously upwardly from the bottom  108  to form the base  102 . The uppermost edges of the sidewalls  110 ,  112  and the end walls  114 ,  116  define a perimeter of the base  102  by which a lower flange  118  is integrally connected thereto. The lower flange  118  generally projects in an outwardly or an approximately perpendicular fashion relative to the perimeter. 
     The lid  104 , integrally connected to an upper flange  122 , may include an outer raised portion  120 , having an integrally connected inner recessed portion  117 . The upper flange  122  generally projects in an outwardly or an approximately perpendicular fashion relative to the perimeter of the lid  104 . A front portion  121  (See  FIG. 7 ) of the upper flange  122  (opposite the hinge  106 ) may include a connecting member  138  located between a pair of extending latching portions  128   a  and  130   a  (See  FIG. 4 ) of locking mechanisms  128  and  130  (described below in further detail) and extending upwardly from the upper flange  122 . The connecting member  138  may have an upper connecting surface edge  138   a  and an opposing lower connecting surface edge  138   b  integrally connected by a pair of side connecting surface edges  138   c.  According to one example, the upper connecting surface edge  138   a  may have a length shorter than the length of the lower connecting surface edge  138   b  such that the pair of side connecting surface edges  138   c  extend downwardly at an angle from the upper connecting surface edge  138   a  to the lower connecting surface edge  138   b.    
     A peelable flap portion  113  formed within the inner recessed portion  117  (See  FIG. 9 ), the boundaries of which are comprised of a back edge  115   a,  a pair of side edges  115   b  connected to the back edge  115   a  and a pair of front edges  115   c  connected to proximal ends of the pair of side edges  115   b  and extending inwardly to a tab  136 . Although the pair of front edges  115   c  are shown angled inwardly, this is by way of example only and the pair of front edges  115   c  may extend perpendicularly from the pair of side edges  115   b  to the tab  136  or at any other angle. The back edge  115   a  of the peelable flap portion  113  may be integrally connected to the inner recessed portion  117  while the pair of side edges  115   b  and the pair of front edges  115   c  may be separable or detachable from the inner recessed portion  117  by perforations  115  or scoring. The peelable flap portion  113  may be peeled upwardly allowing access to the interior of the container  100 . The peelable flap portion  113  is flexible and remains secured to the lid  104  allowing the peelable flap portion  113  to be lowered back into the original position closing or resealing the container  100 . The peelable flap portion  113  may further include one or more protrusions  107  configured for allowing the consumer to easily grip the peelable flap portion  113  and pull back. 
     The lid  104  may further comprise a tab  136  connected to, or formed into, the peelable flap portion  113  between the pair of front edges  115   c  at a distal end of the tab  136  and detachably connected to the upper connecting surface edge  138   a  of the connecting member  138 . As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the tab  136  may comprise a flexible elongated component or material  136   a  having an elongated protrusion  136   b  extending horizontally and parallel to the upper flange  122 . Tab openings or vents  140  may be located on the sides of the tab  136 . To obtain access to the contents of the container  100 , a user may push inwardly on the tab  136  breaking or detaching the flexible elongated component or material  136   a  of the tab  136  from the connecting member  138  (See  FIG. 10 ). Once the flexible elongated component or material  136   a  of the tab  136  is broken from the connecting member  138 , the user may then pull upwardly on the peelable flap portion  113  breaking the perforations  115  connecting the peelable flap portion  113  from the inner recessed portion  117  providing access to the interior of the container  100 .  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate the flexible elongated component or material  136   a  of the tab  136  separated or detached from the connecting member  138 .  FIG. 11  illustrates the peelable flap portion  113  partially pulled upward with the perforations on the pair of front edges  115   c  broken.  FIG. 12  illustrates the peelable flap portion  113  pulled all the way back breaking all the perforations allowing access to the interior of the container  100 . 
     According to one example, the outer raised portion  120  may have a substantially rectangular or square shape. However, in alternative embodiments, the outer raised portion  120  may be in the form of a different shape including but not limited to an oval, triangle, square, circular or other polygons. 
     According to one example, top openings or vents  133  may be spaced apart along the sides and back end of the outer raised portion  120  to allow air to circulate through the container  100 . 
     According to one example, base openings or vents  135  may be spaced apart along the sides, front end and back end of base  102  of the container  100  to allow air to circulate through the container  100 . 
     The container  100  may also include a pair of locking mechanisms  128  and  130  to secure the lid  104  to the base  102  and prevent consumers from prematurely or easily opening the container  100  prior to sale, as well as preventing the lid  104  from separating from the base  102  during transportation and spilling and/or damaging its contents. The pair of locking mechanisms  128  and  130  may include extending latching portions  128   a  and  130   a  (See  FIG. 6 ) which may be received by, or into, die cut clip locking features  128   b  and  130   b  (See  FIG. 5 ). The die cut locking feature may be in the form of an elongated horizontal die cut having two outwardly extending die cuts at each end of the elongated horizontal die cut forming a “V” shape on each end. This shape is by way of example only and other configurations of die cuts may be utilized. The extending latching portions  128   a  and  130   a  may be received into or pushed through die cut clip locking features  128   b  and  130   b  securing the lid  104  to the base  102 . 
     When engaged, the extending latching portions  128   a  and  130   a  extend through the die cut clip locking features  128   b  and  130   b  creating a plurality of flap portions  131  extending downwardly from the flanges preventing the locking mechanisms  128 ,  130  from being opened. (See  FIG. 3 ) As shown, the extending latching portions may have a spade configuration. Although two locking mechanisms  128  and  130  are shown, the container  100  may have only one locking mechanism or may have more than two locking mechanisms. 
     According to one aspect, the outer raised portion  120  may have first and second notches  124  and  126  in the same location as the extending latching portions  128   a  and  130   a  of locking mechanisms  128  and  130 , respectively, allowing for a user to place a thumb or other finger to aid in accessing the container. 
     Locking Mechanisms—Latch Receiving Openings 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a top left perspective view of a container in an open configuration according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 14  illustrates a top right perspective view of the container of  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 15  illustrates a bottom left perspective view of the container of  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 16  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of an extending latching portion of a locking mechanism of the container of  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 17  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of a latch receiving opening of a locking mechanism the container of  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 18  illustrates a top right perspective view of the container of  FIG. 13  in a closed configuration with an unbroken tab. The following discussion refers interchangeably to  FIGS. 13-18 . 
     As shown, a container  200  includes a base  202  connected to a lid  204  via a hinge  206 . The base  202  includes a bottom  208  and two opposing sidewalls  210  and  212  integrally connected to two opposing end walls  214  and  216 . The sidewalls,  210  and  212 , and end walls,  214  and  216 , extend continuously upwardly from the bottom  208  to form the base  202 . The uppermost edges of the sidewalls  210 ,  212  and the end walls  214 ,  216  define a perimeter of the base  202  by which a lower flange  218  is integrally connected thereto. The lower flange  218  generally projects in an outwardly or an approximately perpendicular fashion relative to the perimeter. 
     The lid  204 , integrally connected to an upper flange  222 , may include an outer raised portion  220 , having an integrally connected inner recessed portion  217  (See  FIG. 15 ). The upper flange  222  generally projects in an outwardly or an approximately perpendicular fashion relative to the perimeter of the lid  204 . A front portion  221  of the upper flange  222  (opposite the hinge  206 ) may include a connecting member  238  located between a pair of extending latching portions  228   a  and  230   a  of locking mechanisms  228  and  230  (described below in further detail) and extending upwardly from the upper flange  222 . The connecting member  238  may have an upper connecting surface edge  238   a  and an opposing lower connecting surface edge  238   b  integrally connected by a pair of side connecting surface edges  238   c.  According to one example, the upper connecting surface edge  238   a  may have a length shorter than the length of the lower connecting surface edge  238   b  such that the pair of side connecting surface edges  238   c  extend downwardly at an angle from the upper connecting surface edge  238   a  to the lower connecting surface edge  238   b.    
     A peelable flap portion  213  is formed within the inner recessed portion  217  and the boundaries of which are comprised of a back edge  215   a,  a pair of side edges  215   b  connected to the back edge  215   a  and a pair of front edges  215   c  connected to proximal ends of the pair of side edges  215   b  and extending inwardly to a tab  236 . Although the pair of front edges  215   c  are shown angled inwardly, this is by way of example only and the pair of front edges  215   c  may extend perpendicularly from the pair of side edges  215   b  to the  236  or at any other angle. The back edge  215   a  of the peelable flap portion  213  may be integrally connected to the inner recessed portion  217  while the pair of side edges  215   b  and the pair of front edges  215   c  may be separable or detachable from the inner recessed portion  217  by perforations  215  or scoring. The peelable flap portion  213  may be peeled upwardly allowing access to the interior of the container. The peelable flap portion  213  is flexible and remains secured to the lid  204  allowing the peelable flap portion  213  to be lowered back into the original position closing or resealing the container  200 . The peelable flap portion  213  may further include one or more protrusions  207  configured for allowing the consumer to easily grip the peelable flap portion  213  and pull it back. Although four protrusions  207  of varying lengths are shown, this is by way of example only and the peelable flap portion  213  may have less than four protrusions  207  or more than four protrusions. Alternatively, the peelable flap portion  213  may include no protrusions. Although the four protrusions  207  are shown of varying length which increases, this is by way of example only and the protrusions may be of the same length. 
     The lid  204  may further comprise the tab  236  connected to or formed into the peelable flap portion  213  between the pair of front edges  215   c  at a distal end of the tab  236  and detachably connected to the upper connecting surface edge  238   a  of the connecting member  238 . As can be seen in  FIG. 15  for example, the tab  236  may comprise a flexible elongated component or material  236   a  having an elongated protrusion  236   b  extending horizontally and parallel to the upper flange  222 . Tab openings or vents  240  may be located on the sides of the tab  236 . To obtain the contents of the container  200 , a user may push inwardly on the tab  236  breaking or detaching the flexible elongated component or material  236   a  of the tab  236  from the connecting member  238  as shown in  FIG. 10  with reference to container  100 . Once the flexible elongated component or material  236   a  of the tab  236  is broken from the connecting member  238 , the user may then pull upwardly on the peelable flap portion  213  breaking the perforations  215  connecting the peelable flap portion  213  from the inner recessed portion  217  providing access to the interior of the container  200 . Similarly to the container  100  in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the flexible elongated component or material  236   a  of the tab  236  may be separated or detached from the connecting member  238 . As the tab  236  and the peelable flap portion  213  operate and function in the same manner as in container  100 , the peelable flap portion  213  may be partially pulled upward with the perforations on the pair of front edges  215   c  broken (See  FIG. 11  with reference to the peelable flap portion  113 ) or may be pulled all the way back breaking all the perforations  215  allowing access to the interior of the container (See  FIG. 12 ). 
     According to one example, the outer raised portion  220  may have a substantially rectangular or square shape. However, in alternative embodiments, the outer raised portion  220  may be in the form of a different shape including but not limited to an oval, triangle, square, circular or other polygons. 
     According to one example, top openings or vents  233  may be spaced apart along the sides and back end of the outer raised portion  220  to allow air to circulate through the container  200 . 
     According to one example, base openings or vents  235  may be spaced apart along the sides, front end and back end of the base  202  of the container  200  to allow air to circulate through the container  200 . 
     The container  200  may also include a pair of locking mechanisms  228  and  230  to secure the lid  204  to the base  202  and prevent consumers from prematurely or easily opening the container  200  prior to sale, as well as preventing the lid  204  from separating from the base  202  during transportation and spilling and/or damaging its contents. The pair of locking mechanisms  228  and  230  may include extending latching portions  228   a  and  230   a  (See  FIG. 16 ) which may be received by latch receiving openings  228   b  and  230   b  of a locking mechanism (See  FIG. 17 ). The latch receiving openings  228   b  and  230   b  may be openings in the flange  218  of the base  202  of the container. According to one example, the latch receiving openings  228   b  and  230   b  may be in the form of an elongated “U” shape such that a horizontal elongated opening may be located between a pair of vertical elongated openings where the horizontal elongated openings have a length that is longer the length of each of the vertical elongated openings. This shape is by way of example only and other configurations of openings may be utilized. The extending latching portions  228   a  and  230   a  may be received into or pushed through the latch receiving openings  228   b  and  230   b  securing the lid  204  to the base  202 .  FIG. 18  illustrates extending latching portions  228   a  and  230   a  received within the latch receiving openings  228   b  and  230   b  securing the lid  204  to the base  202  of the container  200 . 
     According to one example, the extending latching portions  228   a  and  230   a  include vertical concave grooves located on each side of the extending latching portions  228   a  and  230   a , for example concave groove  230   a   1  on extending latching portion  230   a  as shown in  FIG. 16 . Although one concave groove is shown  230   a   1 , an extending latching portion has concave grooves located on opposing sides of the extending latching portion  228   a.  The concave grooves  230   a   1  allow the extending latching portions to flex inwards from an initial position for insertion into the pair of latch receiving openings  228   b  and  230   b.  When the pair of extending latching portions  228   a  and  230   a  are inserted into the pair of latch receiving openings  228   b  and  230   b,  the pair of extending latching portions  228   a  and  230   a  expand back to their initial position preventing the pair of extending latching portions  228   a  and  230   a  from easily being disengaged or pulled from the pair of latch receiving openings  228   b  and  230   b  creating a tighter fit and preventing the lid  204  from being easily disengaged from the base  202 . 
     An extending latching portion  230   a  may have a lower portion  230   a   2  and an upper portion  230   a3 , the lower portion  230   a   2  integrally formed into the upper flange  222 . The lower portion  230   a   2  may be connected to the upper portion by a ring  230   4  or other distinguishing demarcation. The lower portion  230   a   2  may have a generally rectangular shape with sloping or end sides  230   5  extending outwardly from the connection of the upper and lower portions to the flange  222 . 
     An edge  230   6  on the upper portion  230   3  of the extending latching portion  230   a  may be used to guide itself into the latch receiving opening  230   b  if the lid and the base are not properly aligned when the lid and the base are pinched, pushed or rolled together to lock or engage the lid to the base preventing the requirement of having direct alignment. 
     When the extending latching portions  228   a  and  230   a  are engaged with the latch receiving openings  228   b  and  230   b,  the container  200  cannot be open except by pushing inward on the tab  236  and then pulling the peelable flap portion  213  upward. As shown, the extending latching portions may have a spade configuration. Although two locking mechanisms  228  and  230  are shown, the container  200  may have only one locking mechanism or may have more than two locking mechanisms. 
     According to one aspect, the outer raised portion  220  may have first and second notches  224  and  226  in the same location as the extending latching portions  228   a  and  230   a  of locking mechanisms  228  and  230 , respectively, allowing for a user to place a thumb or other finger to easily open the container. 
     According to one aspect, a back upper portion of the base  202  near the hinge  206  may include one or more openings or receiving members  242  configured to receive extending latching portions  244  located at a back portion of the lid  204  near the hinge  206 . When the lid  204  is secured to the base  202 , the extending latching portions  244  at located at the back portion of the lid  204  near the hinge  206  engage with the openings or receiving members  242  near the hinge  206  providing additional closure points between the base  204  and the lid  202  and additional visible evidence to the consumer that the container  200  has been properly sealed and not tampered with. 
     One or more of the components and functions illustrated in the previous figures may be rearranged and/or combined into a single component or embodied in several components without departing from the invention. Additional elements or components may also be added without departing from the invention. 
     While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention is not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.