Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/496,215 (filed Jul. 31, 2006), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/166,308 (filed Jun. 24, 2005), and this application also claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/065,907 (filed Feb. 15, 2008); the entirety of these applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to tamper resistant hangable containers and, more particularly, to hangable deli packs. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Food is often placed in a transparent plastic container that includes a base with a large volume cavity that holds the food and with a cover or lid that closes the cavity. Buyers want to be assured that, after the food was placed in the container as by a clerk at the food store, that the container has not been opened. There is a possibility that another customer has secretly opened the container enough to taste a bit of food before closing it (possibly leaving germs from his/her finger in the food). Potential buyers want to be assured that this has not happened. A container that could be constructed at low cost from plastic, that could be easily initially closed by a clerk at a store after loading goods such as food into the container, and which thereafter required a customer to tear apart parts of the container before initially opening it, would be of value. 
     Retailers frequently display items for sale on hangers, allowing the products to be hung in rows. Consumers interested in purchasing the products can easily remove one or more items from the hanger. Such methods of distribution can be advantageous in the context of deli meats, cheeses, confectionery, baked goods, produce, hardware, and other products, as they can be hung on dispensing rods. A product at the front of the row can be visible to the consumer, while the remaining items lie behind, coming to the forefront when the first item is removed. Accordingly, if each row has a distinct hanger, then a consumer can simultaneously see precisely one of each product, maximizing the visible selection while maintaining a relative compactness of product within the display area. 
     Prior art deli packs include a firm cardboard backing including a hole for a hook, and a plastic covering typically glued or welded to the cardboard backing to hold the product. This design does not lend itself to resealing or reclosing, as once the package is opened it substantially loses its ability to reliably hold its contents. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the containers described herein is to provide a superior hangable packaging. As discussed further herein, in some embodiments the container can be both hangable and resealable, allowing for preservation of its contents long after an initial opening of the package. Further, in some embodiments, the hanging features can be integrated with the remainder of the packaging, providing a sleek and compact design. The disclosure herein provides for a unique approach that can achieve these objectives, among others. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a container is provided that can be constructed at low cost, that can be loaded with goods and initially closed by a clerk at a store and hung on a conventional store hanger, and that thereafter requires a customer to manipulate the container when initially opening it, in a manner that makes it clear that the container was initially opened. The container is constructed of plastic, and preferably of a sheet of plastic that has been formed into the shape of a base having an upwardly-opening cavity for holding goods, and a lid that can close the cavity. The base and lid initially have adjacent first sides and widely-spaced second sides. The first sides are joined by a join line in the plastic sheet that can be easily torn. At the join line, the base and lid have been bent and the bend has been creased, so rim portions of the base and lid lie facewise adjacent to each other. A bump is formed in one of the rim portions to slightly separate the base and lid rim portions once the join line has been torn, indicating that the container has been previously opened. 
     A clerk loads food into the cavity of the base, and moves the second sides of the container together so they latch together. The second sides latch together to close the container, in a manner that prevents their initial separation. With the second sides of the base and lid latched together and the first sides joined along a join line that must be torn to separate the first sides, the container is securely initially closed. In this condition, the goods in the container cannot be readily touched or sampled by a customer. For a buyer of the container to initially open the container, the buyer must tear apart the first sides of the base and lid along the join line. The join line is weakened, as by a series of slits, so it can be more easily torn apart. 
     The first sides of the base and lid are formed with a tab in the lid that can be pulled up to tear the join line while the base is held down. The base can be held down by a person grasping a base tab that is horizontally spaced from the lid tab. The outer end of the lid tab, which lies furthest from the container vertical axis, is formed out of material in a flat rim of the first side of the base, to thereby leave a cutout in the base under the lid tab. 
     In one embodiment, a clam-shell container system can include first and second container pieces that are hingedly connected. The first container piece can include a perimeter and a hangable tab, the hangable tab having an opening configured to receive a prong, rod, hanging rod, or rack. The hinge connection can be perforated, such that it breaks upon actuation of the hangable tab to open the container system. The second container piece can include a cutout in proximity to the hinge connection and the hangable tab. Accordingly, the cutout can provide clearance for the rotation of the hangable tab beyond the hinge connection. Further, the second container piece can have a perimeter having a shape substantially similar to the perimeter of the first container piece. The perimeters can form a substantial seal in combination. 
     In another embodiment a method for forming a container system can be provided. A thermoplastic sheet can be formed into a lid and base connected by a strip of material at their ends. The strip can be cut to form a tab on the lid and a complementary cutout on the base without removing material. The strip can also be perforated to form a perforated line from the edge of the strip to the base of the tab. 
     In a further embodiment, a container system can include a lid and a base. The lid can include a snap-fitting tab. The base can be hingedly connected to the lid and include a tab as well. The bas can additionally include a snap-fitting receiver mounted on the tab. The snap-fitting receiver can form a snap-fit with the snap-fitting tab. The base can also include a pull portion at the end of the tab and adjacent the snap-fitting receiver, such that pulling on the pull portion can cause the snap-fit to release. Finally, the base can include a perforated line adjacent the pull portion and configured to tear upon actuation of the pull portion. 
     In yet another embodiment a container system can include two compartments. The first compartment can include a first lid hingedly connected to a first base. The first lid can include a lift tab and the first base can include a tab slot positioned to receive the lift tab when the first compartment is in a closed position. The second compartment can be adjacent and connected to the first compartment, and include a hingedly connected second lid and second base. The second lid can include a second tab positioned to obscure the tab slot when the second compartment is in a closed position. The second base can include a third tab positioned and configured to form an interlocking means with the first tab when the second compartment is in a closed position. 
     In yet another embodiment a dual-compartment container system can include two lids and two bases hingedly connected to the lids. The lids can include hangable tabs and the hinge connections can be perforated such that they break upon actuation of the hangable tabs to open the compartments. The bases can include a cutout in proximity to the hinge connection and the hangable tab, providing clearance for the rotation of the hangable tab beyond the hinge connection. Further, the two bases can be hingedly connected to each other such that they can be folded into a face-to-face position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an embodiment container system in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the container system of  FIG. 1  in a half-open position; 
         FIG. 2A  is an enlarged view of the container system of  FIG. 2  at  2 A- 2 A; 
         FIG. 2B  is an enlarged view of another embodiment container system similar to that of  FIG. 2 , at  2 A- 2 A; 
         FIG. 2C  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the container system of  FIG. 1  at  2 B- 2 B; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the container system of  FIG. 1  in an open position; 
         FIG. 4A  is an isometric front view of another embodiment container system in a closed position; 
         FIG. 4B  is an isometric back view of the container system of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is an enlarged view of the container system of  FIG. 4A  at  4 C- 4 C; 
         FIG. 5A  is an isometric front view of another embodiment container system in a closed position; 
         FIG. 5B  is an isometric back view of the container system of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of another embodiment container system in a closed position; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the container system of  FIG. 6  in an open position; 
         FIG. 7A  is an enlarged view of the container system of  FIG. 7  at  7 A- 7 A; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment dual-compartment container is a closed position; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the container of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of an embodiment dual-compartment container in an open position; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the dual-compartment container of  FIG. 8  in a half-closed position; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of the dual-compartment container of  FIG. 8  in a closed position, with portions of a first lid tab shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 13  is a further enlarged view of the dual-compartment container of  FIG. 8 , with portions of a first lid tab shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the dual-compartment container of  FIG. 12  at  14 - 14 ; 
         FIG. 14A  is a cross-sectional view of the dual-compartment container of  FIG. 12  at  14 - 14  with an alternative inter-engaging structure; 
         FIG. 15  is an isometric view of another embodiment container system in an open, unsealed position, with additional tabs shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of the container system of  FIG. 15 , with one half of the container system in an open, unsealed position with one lid portion raised; 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric view of the container system of  FIG. 15  in an open, sealed position; 
         FIG. 18  is an isometric view of the container system of  FIG. 15  in a closed, sealed position; and 
         FIG. 18A  is a cross-sectional view of the container system of  FIG. 15  in a closed, sealed position as depicted in  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     To assist in the description of these components, the following coordinate terms are used.  FIG. 1  depicts an x-y-z Cartesian coordinate system, with the container system primarily lying in the x-y plane. As described herein, terms such as “height” refer to distance in the z-direction, and “higher/upward” and “lower/downward” refer to the positive and negative z-direction, respectively. Similarly, terms such as “outward”, “inward”, and “radial” generally refer to directions in the x-y plane directed generally away from or toward the center of the container system, although not necessarily directly from or toward the center. Similarly, terms such as “lateral” will refer to the y-direction and “longitudinal” will refer to the x-direction. A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the container system, and its associated method of use, now follows. 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate an embodiment container system  1  including a base  30  with an upwardly-opening cavity  44  for holding goods such as food, and a lid  10  that closes the top of the cavity. The base  30  and lid  10  are preferably formed of a single sheet of plastic that has been thermoformed as by vacuum forming, transfer molding or blow molding. It is even possible to injection mold the container to form a container comprising a plastic sheet. The base  30  and lid  10  can include center portions  11 ,  31  surrounded by second, third, and fourth sides  13 - 15 ,  33 - 35  that are securely held to each other so the sides cannot be separated until after the first sides  12 ,  32  have been separated. The first sides  12 ,  32  of the base  30  and lid  10  are initially fixed together along a pivoting join line  72  formed in an integral portion of the plastic sheet, that can be easily torn. Along the first sides  12 ,  32 , the lid  10  has a lid tab  20  that projects radially outward with respect to the container system&#39;s vertical axis. As depicted, the container system  1  can have a generally rectangular shape in the x-y plane, with the lid tab  20  and the pivoting join line  72  on a shorter edge of the container. However, in other embodiments the container system  1  can have other geometric properties, such as being generally rounded. In some embodiments, the lid tab  20  can be no greater than 0.14 inches thick. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show the container system  1  as it can be supplied to a store. The container system  1  can initially be in an open position, such that a store clerk can load goods into the container system and initially close the container. At this point the first sides  12 ,  32  of the base  30  and lid  10  are joined along the pivoting join line  72 , but the second sides  13 ,  33  are separated. The base  30  and lid  10  can have the form of thin plastic, or plastic sheeting, and in a preferred embodiment are parts of the same sheet of plastic (which may have portions of different thickness or other material properties). The join line  72  can be formed in an integral sheet of plastic.  FIG. 3  shows the container as it can be initially formed from a single sheet of thermoformed plastic which has been thermoformed to the illustrated shape, and with slits cut along the join line  72 . The lid can be folded, or bent 180 degrees from  FIG. 3  at a hinge  70  to achieve the initially closed position of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows the first sides  12 ,  32  of the base  30  and lid  10 , showing that the join line  72  includes opposite join line parts  72 A and  72 B that lie on opposite sides of the lid tab  20 . Along each join line part  72 A,  72 B there are three join lengths  74  and an interrupted slit  76  with slit parts. In some embodiments, the join lengths  74  can each have a length of no more than 0.25 inch. Leading to each join line part  72 A,  72 B is an entrance slit  78  with an end width of the same order of magnitude as the slit  76 , that leads from the tab  20  to the join line parts, to concentrate separation forces along the join line parts. In addition, the plastic sheet can be creased (by forming a sharp bend such as a bend having a radius of curvature no more than the thickness of the two sheet portions being bent) to weaken it along the join line. 
     It can be seen in  FIG. 2A  that the lid tab  20  has a radially outward extension  21  that projects beyond the pivoting join line  72  longitudinally. The base  30  can have a cutout  42  initially lying around the lid extension  21  (when the lid is pivoted 180 degrees from its closed position to the open position in which it is manufactured). As depicted, the cutout  42  can have two longitudinal walls and one lateral wall, forming a generally rectangular structure, but other shapes are possible such as a rounded cutout, a semi-circular cutout, or a generally polygonal cutout. The lid tab  20  can be formed by the cutout  42  which can extend continuously to leave a lid tab extension  21  with a generally rounded rectangular shape. The cutout  42  can leave clearance between the longitudinal and lateral cutout walls for the rotation of the lid tab  20  with no scrap plastic sheet to throw away during production of the lid tab extension  21 . The tab extension  21  can end in an entrance slit  78  leading to the join line parts  72 A,  72 B. 
     In other embodiments, the base  30  can also have a tab with a similar extension. The lid can then form a cutout around the base extension (further details depicted in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0289549, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). These various structures provide longer tabs that can be more easily grasped and cutouts under or over the tabs.  FIG. 2A  also shows that the first side  32  of the base forms a join rim part  80  that can be flat and lie facewise adjacent to the lid tab  20  when the lid  10  is closed on the base  30 . The rim part  80  of the base can also have bumps  40  that assure slight separation between the lid tab  20  and the join rim part  80  after the join line is torn. 
       FIG. 2B  depicts another embodiment container system, similar to that depicted in  FIG. 2A  with similar features denoted with corresponding numerals. As depicted, the container system can include two join lines  72 ′,  72 C′, each with entrance portions  78 ′. Accordingly, the first join line  72 ′ can separate upon activation of the lid tab  20 ′. However, in the embodiment of  FIG. 2B  the second join line  72 C′ can remain intact after activation of the lid tab  20 ′, retaining a removable strap  82 ′ connecting the lid tab  20 ′ to the lid  10 ′. Accordingly, this strap  82 ′ (and the lid tab  20 ′) can be removed at a later time, if desired, by pulling upon an edge of the strap  82 ′ to tear the second join line  72 C′. This may be desirable, for example, if a consumer has already purchased the container system and its contents, and no longer desires the hangability provided by the tab  20 ′. Once the tab  20 ′ and the strap  82 ′ have been removed, the remaining portions of the join rim part  80 ′ on the base  30 ′ surrounding the cutout  42 ′ can extend beyond the lid  10 ′, and thus function as tabs to facilitate opening and closing of the container system. 
     A clerk at a store can receive a stack of containers in the configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , with the first sides  12 ,  32  of the base  30  and lid  10  joined and with the second sides  13 ,  33  widely separated. The clerk can first load goods such as food into the cavity  44  of the base, and then pivot the lid  10  so its second side  13  lies over the base second side  33 . The clerk then can force the lid second side  13  downward to lock, or latch it to the base second side  33 , to place the container in an initially closed configuration.  FIG. 1  shows the container in such an initially closed configuration. 
       FIG. 2C  shows one embodiment interlocking structure on the third sides  14 ,  34  of the base  30  and lid  10  after the lid has been initially closed on the base. As depicted, the third side  34  of the base  30  has a free rim  50  with a raised ridge  54 . At an inner side of the ridge  54 , an undercut  58  can be formed with an upper limit surface  58  and a lower limit surface  59 . The lower limit surface  59  can extend to two or more seal walls  60 ,  62  which can be separated by a seal ridge  64 . From the lower seal wall  76 , the side walls  36  of the base  30  can extend toward the center portion  31 . 
     These features can interact with corresponding features on the lid  10 . As depicted in  FIG. 2C , the lid  10  can include a free rim  52 . The free rim  52  can extend inward, and two seal walls  61 ,  63  can extend downward from the free rim, separated by a seal ridge  65  approximately matching the seal ridge  64  on the base  30 . 
     In operation, the lid  10  and the base  30  can interengage when pressed together as depicted. When pressed together, the free rim  52  on the lid  10  and/or the undercut  56  on the base  30  can deflect to allow the free rim to enter the undercut  58 . The undercut  58  can then remain between the upper and lower limit surfaces  58 ,  59  of the base  30 . In this position, the lid  10  and the base  30  can thus be held in a facing relationship. Further, with the free rim  52  within the undercut  58 , the upper and lower seal walls  60 - 63  can engage each other to form a substantial seal. As depicted, the form of the seal walls  60 - 63  and the seal ridges  64 ,  65  can create two sealing regions. However, in other embodiments one or more than two sealing regions can be formed. Further, although this interengagement is depicted as being on the third sides  14 ,  34 , such sealing features can also extend about the second and fourth sides  12 ,  14 ,  32 ,  34 , and additionally onto portions of the first sides  12 ,  32 . Further details of such sealing features can be found, for reference, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0138180, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     Advantageously, the interaction between the free rim  52  of the lid  10  and the undercut  56  of the base  30  can reversibly hold the lid and base together. As depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 C, the perimeter of the lid  10  can be substantially contained by the perimeter of the base  30 , preventing lateral and longitudinal movement of the lid  10  when in the closed position. Further, the free rim  52  of the lid  10 , as discussed above, can be restrained vertically be the undercut  56 . Accordingly, the lid  10  in the illustrated embodiment cannot be removed from the base  30  absent some deflection in the lid or base. Further, in some embodiments the interaction of the seal walls  60 - 63  can form a substantially liquid-tight seal within the container system  1 . 
     Accordingly, when a clerk presses down the lid on the base during initial closing of the container, the lid can move down and deflect (as can the base along with or instead of the lid) until the free rim  52  of the lid  10  enters the undercut  56 . The limit surfaces  58 ,  59  can then restrain the free rim  52  in its final closed position, shown in  FIG. 2C . 
     This motion into the closed position can occur as the lid  10  rotates about the hinge  70  relative to the base  30 . Although the hinge  70 , as depicted and discussed herein includes a join line  72  that is perforated after formation, in other embodiments the hinge can be formed in other ways such as by sonic welding, glue, or the like. In further embodiments, the join line  72  can be unperforated. For example, to provide sufficient flexibility without perforations, in some embodiments the join line  72  can comprise a material thickness of no greater than 0.06 inches. 
     As depicted, there are no tabs or other projections along the lid second, third, or fourth sides  13 - 15  that can be grasped to pull it up. Accordingly, after a clerk initially closes the lid  10  on the base  30 , a customer cannot easily open the container without tearing the plastic sheet along the pivoting join line  72 , as by forcefully lifting the lid tab  20  while holding down the base (for example holding down the base by holding the ridge  54  along the base rim  38 ). When the customer tears the plastic sheet along the join line  72 , he/she thereafter can easily close the container, and can reopen the container by lifting the lift tab  20  with a small force (e.g. less than one pound in some embodiments) as the join line has already been torn. Further, the base  30  can include bumps  40  near the join line  72  such that, after the pivoting join line  72  has been torn, the lid  10  and base  30  can be separated slightly while in the closed position to indicate to viewers that the container may have previously been opened. 
     In some embodiments the lid  10  can only be restrained on the second side  13 . Thus, when the first side of the container is opened by lifting the lid tab, the second side of the lid can slide slightly towards the first side so the lid free rim  52  does not lie under the base shoulder and therefore the lid can be easily completely separated from the base. 
     Advantageously, after the clerk has closed the container system  1 , the container system  1  can have a hanger hole  24  on the lid tab  20 , extending outward from the container system. The container system  1  can thus hang on a standard retail hanger, or any other suitable hanging apparatus. As the entire hanging system can be created from a single sheet, this design advantageously increases the structural integrity of the container system  1 . Further, provision of the tab  20  along with the cutout  42  simplifies the production of the container system  1  by reducing material that must be removed from the molded material. Integrating the tab  20  and the hanger hole  24  further reduces the number of protrusions from the container system  1 , simplifying the design. Providing even further advantages, the container system  1  can have elements indicating freshness, and be resealable after an initial opening. 
       FIGS. 4A-C  depict another embodiment container system  201 . As depicted, the container system  201  can include a base  230  and a lid  210 , with a base tab  220  on the base and a cutout  242 . The base tab  220  can have a circular hanger hole  224 . As further depicted, the perimeter sealing between the lid  210  and the base  230  can be substantially the reverse of the sealing between the lid  10  and the base  30  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 . The lid  210  can include a ridge  254  with an undercut  256 , and the base  230  can include a free rim (not shown) extending into the undercut. As depicted in  FIG. 4C , once a perforated join line  272  has been broken, it can be visible to a viewer, with the separation between the base tab  220  and the join rim part  280  on the lid  210  amplified by the bumps  240   
       FIGS. 5A ,  5 B depict another embodiment container system  301 . This embodiment can be substantially similar to the embodiment container system  201  in  FIGS. 4A-C . However, the container system  301  in  FIGS. 5A-B  can include a hanger hole  324  with a side opening  324 A allowing the container system to engage a hanger from the side. Alternatively, the previous embodiments typically enter a hanger from an end. 
       FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  7 A depict another embodiment container system  401 . The container system  401  can be substantially similar to the container systems described in the previous figures, including a lid  410  and a base  430 . As depicted, the lid  410  includes a cavity  444 , and the base includes projected walls  448 . The projected walls  448  can advantageously be shaped to match the shape of an intended product held by the container system  401 , and the side walls  416  on the lid  410  can be shaped to receive the corner walls  448 . As further depicted, both the lid  410  and the base  430  can include hanger holes  424  on their respective tabs  420 ,  446 . However, the entrance slit  478  can be extended and arculate, as compared to the previous embodiments. Accordingly, as depicted the entrance slits  478  can create side tabs  420 A on the lid  410  that correspond with cutouts  442  on the base  430  and the outer edges of the container system  401 . In opening the container system  401 , a customer can pull the side tabs  420 A to tear the join line  472 . Then, the container system  1  can be easily opened by separating the tabs  420 ,  446 . 
       FIGS. 8-14  depict another embodiment container system  501  that can be substantially similar to the previous embodiments. The container system  501  can comprise a dual-compartment design, including first and second lids  510 A,  510 B and first and second bases  530 A,  530 B. As shown, the bases  530 A,  530 B can be adjacent and joined, with hinges  570 A,  570 B on the sides. The first lid  501 A can include a first lid tab  520 A that can easily enter a base tab slot  545  when the first compartment is closed. The first compartment can then be held closed by a perimeter seal similar to those discussed above. The first compartment can be opened by pulling on the first lid tab  520 A, which can be inaccessible from outside the container system  501 , as further described below. 
     Still referring to the embodiments of  FIGS. 8-12 ,  FIG. 10  depicts the container system  501  near a half-closed position with the first compartment near a closed position and the second compartment in an open position. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the first lid tab  520 A can be received entirely by the tab slot  545 . Next, the second compartment can be closed, as the second lid  510 B joins the second base  530 B, entering the position depicted in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  12 ,  13 . As best depicted in  FIGS. 10 ,  14 , the second lid  510 B can include a lid tab  520 B with an inwardly-facing circular groove  526 B surrounding an inwardly-extending circular protrusion  526 A. Further, the lid tab  520 B on the second lid  510 B can include a free end  552  extending substantially around the lid tab and including a c-shaped ridge. The second base  530 B can include a base tab  546  connected to a circular protrusion  547  within a recessed generally circular groove  549 . The circular protrusion  547  can include a free end with a c-shaped ridge, as shown. As depicted in  FIGS. 12-14  the circular protrusion  547  on the second base  530 B can engage the circular protrusion  526 A on the second lid  510 B, as can the join rim part  580  with the free rim  552  on the lid and analogous portions on the interior from the protrusions (on the left side of  FIG. 14 ). Advantageously, these engagements can create a seal that compliments sealing features discussed above as extending around the remainder of the perimeter of the container system  501 . 
     An alternative embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 14A , with similar features to those of  FIG. 14  denoted with a corresponding numeral. As shown, the second base  530 B can include a circular protrusion  547 ′ and a circular groove  549 ′. The circular protrusion  547 ′ on the second base  530 B can generally match the circular groove  526 B′ on the second lid  510 B, creating a substantial seal between the two. Further, the circular groove  549 ′ on the second base  530 B can generally match the free rim  552 ′ of the second lid  510 B, substantially creating a second sealing portion. 
     Upon closing the second compartment of the container system  501 , a hanger hole  524  can be formed, passing through the circular protrusions and groove  526 A,  526 B,  547  on the second lid and base  510 B,  530 B. Additionally, as best depicted in  FIG. 13 , closing the second compartment can conceal the first lid tab  520 A, preventing opening of the first compartment. 
     In both embodiments ( FIGS. 14 ,  14 A), the free rim  552  of the second lid  510 B can engage an undercut  556  on the base tab  546 . Referring back to  FIG. 10 , the base tab  546  can include two join lines  527 A,  527 B extending inward toward the circular protrusion  547 . To release the second lid  510 B from the second base  530 B a customer can pull the base tab  546 , simultaneously causing the join lines  572 A,  572 B to break and the free rim  552  to release from the undercut  546 , as in the previously described embodiments. Once the second compartment has opened, the first lid tab  520 A is accessible and can be lifted to open the first compartment. 
       FIGS. 15-18A  depict another embodiment container system  601 , substantially similar to the embodiments discussed above, especially the embodiment container system  1  depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . As depicted, the container system  601  can be another dual compartment container system. As shown, the two bases  630  can be connected by a compartment hinge  690  on a lateral side, and to their respective lids  610  on a longitudinal side. As depicted, the lids  610  are not joined, allowing them to be opened and closed independently. Further, one of the two bases  630  can include a base tab  646  with a hanger hole. Although the container system  601  is primarily depicted as having only one base tab  646  at a longitudinal end, additional base tabs can be provided, as shown in phantom on a second, complimentary longitudinal end and/or on a lateral end. The lids  610  can each include an S curve  628  separating two portions of the lid  610  at different heights, creating an S-shaped ridge. As further depicted in  FIG. 18A , the S curves  628  can have undercuts  629  which can form an interfering snap-fit interconnection when the lids  610  are face-to-face, as discussed below. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 15-18A , the container system  601  can be closed into a fully compact position. In  FIG. 15 , the container system  601  is in a fully open position, from which it can be loaded with product. As depicted in  FIG. 14 , the lids  610  can be closed independently. Once both lids  610  are in the closed position, the two bases  630  can rotate along the compartment hinge  690 , as shown in  FIG. 17 , to a fully compact position depicted in  FIG. 18 . Advantageously, the S curves  628  on the lids  610  can interact in the contact position to further stabilize the container system  601 , as their respective ridges and undercuts  629  snap-fit together. Providing further advantage, the compact container system  601  can be hung on either side, through the base tab  646  or the now-aligned lid tabs  620 . Alternatively, the container system  601  can be hung in a non-compact position, with the two lid tabs  620  acting separately to hang the container, spreading the container&#39;s weight. 
     The container can be formed from a wide variety of polymers, including polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthate, etc. Instead of a container of primarily rectangular shape as illustrated in a plan view, the container may be circular, elliptical, or of any reasonable polygonal shape. The base (and cover) can have walls forming compartments, and the container can include a middle tray. 
     Thus, the invention provides a container comprising a base and lid that can be constructed at low cost, that can be shipped to a store with its cavity open to enable easy loading of food or other goods by a store clerk, and that can be easily closed by the store clerk. The base and lid are preferably formed of a single sheet of plastic, and are joined by a join line that can be torn. After initial closing by the store clerk, the container strongly resists initial opening, to greatly discourage customers from secretly opening the container as to taste food in it. Instead, initial opening requires forceful opening by lifting a tab on the lid to tear the plastic sheet along the join line. Once the container has been initially opened, the fact that it has been initially opened is evident to anyone who looks at the container, which assures buyers that the container is intact. The container thereafter can be easily opened and closed. The plastic sheet that forms the container has a crease along the tear line, and has a narrow slit leading to the tear line. The lid tab extends axially outward beyond the join line by leaving a cutout when it is formed in the plastic sheet. 
     However, it should be understood that the invention described herein should not be limited to the embodiments described herein. For example, in some embodiments the container systems can be used outside the context of a store clerk or a customer. For example, the packaging can be loaded and sealed at a manufacturing plant, prior to delivery to a store. Alternatively, the packaging can be intended for a co-worker instead of a customer. 
     Further, although the embodiments described herein generally include a perforated join line that breaks upon opening the packaging, in some embodiments this feature can be absent. For example, in some embodiments it may be desirable to retain a hinging relationship between the lid and base of a container system, and thus the hinge would desirably not tear. However, the tearable join line can provide certain advantages, such as indicating that a container has previously been opened and the contents have potentially been contaminated. 
     Further variations on the described embodiments are also possible, such as alterations to the shape. It will be clear from the disclosure described herein that although most of the described embodiments are rectangular, other shapes are possible. As another example, the S shapes in the embodiment of  FIGS. 13-16  can be substituted with another interlocking shape, such as a Z-shape or a 90-degree step. 
     Further, although the described embodiments are generally described in the context of deli containers, other contained consumer items are applicable. For example, in some embodiments the container systems can hold vegetables, nuts, candy, medical accessories, etc. 
     Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art, and consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.

Technology Category: 7