Container Having a Tamper Evident Hinge

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/634,414, filed on Apr. 15, 2024, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to containers and packaging, and more particularly, to containers and packaging that incorporate tamper-resistant and/or tamper-evident features.

Containers for packaging, distributing, displaying or otherwise housing food items are known in the industry. The containers typically include a base and removable lid. Consumers visually inspect the containers prior to purchase to make sure that items are not damaged or missing. The lid 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.

It would be desirable to develop a container having a tamper feature to visually show if the container has been opened.

Embodiments described herein may meet one or more of the needs identified above and may overcome one or more of the shortcomings of current containers. Various implementations of systems, methods, and devices within the scope of the appended claims each have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes described herein. Without limiting the scope of the appended claims, some prominent features are described herein.

In one aspect of the present invention, a tamper-evident container is disclosed having a base; a lid coupled to the base, a flexible hinge with a line of weakness connecting the lid and the base, the flexible hinge having a tab coupled to the line of weakness, wherein pulling the tamper evidence tab separates the hinge along the lines of weakness showing evidence of tampering.

In some embodiments, the hinge is preferably formed integrally with both base and lid such that the base and lid are a single continuous piece of material formed simultaneously.

In some embodiments, separating the hinge along the lines of weakness results in separation of the lid from the base.

In some embodiments, the base includes side walls, rear wall and front wall and a bottom forming a cavity.

In some embodiments, the base includes a base edge, and the lid includes a lid edge being configured to couple with the base edge in a closed position.

In some embodiments, the hinge is approximate to a rear or back wall. In other embodiments, the hinge is proximate to the front wall. In other embodiments, the hinge is positioned on the side wall. The hinge may be positioned at any location around the container.

In another aspect of the present invention, a tamper-resistant container is disclosed having a base; a lid coupled to the base, a flexible hinge with a line of weakness connecting the lid and the base, the flexible hinge having a tamper evidence tab position in a downward direction coupled to the line of weakness, wherein pulling the tamper evidence tab separates the hinge along the lines of weakness showing evidence of tampering.

In some embodiments, the hinge is preferably formed integrally with both base and lid such that the base and lid are a single continuous piece of material formed simultaneously.

In some embodiments, separating the hinge along the lines of weakness results in separation of the lid from the base.

In some embodiments, the tamper evidence tab is a substantially U-shaped tab positioned in the downward position coupled with lines of weakness.

In some embodiments, the downward position of the tamper evidence tab allows opening of the packaging by pulling the tamper evidence tab away from the package.

In some embodiments, the base includes a base edge, and the lid includes a lid edge being configured to couple with the base edge in a closed position.

In some embodiments, the angled lid edge sits below the angled base edge so that the lid cannot be opened using the lid edge, locking the lid to the base.

In some embodiments, the base includes walls forming a cavity.

In some embodiments, the hinge is proximate a rear. In other embodiments, the hinge is proximate a front wall. In other embodiments, the hinge is positioned on the side wall. The hinge may be positioned at any location around the container.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter, and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein, and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures, wherein like numerals reflect like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive way, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes, or which is essential to practicing the invention described herein.

is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a tamper resistant containerhaving a circular baseand circular lidcoupled by a tamper evident hinge. The lidtypically has a shape complementary to the basewith an overall plan shape that is substantially the same as the base. In some embodiments, the lidincludes a lid flange that is configured to engage a base edge to lock the lidto the base.

The basemay be formed in one piece having a bottomand a substantially upright side wallwith a deep base rear wall portion, a shallow base front wall portion and angled base side wall portions, forming a generally wedged shaped configuration with an angled base edgeextending around the upper periphery of base. The angled base edgeis planar and is angularly disposed with the bottomin the wedged shaped configuration.

The lidhas a shape complementary to that of basewith an overall plan shape is substantially the same as the baseto which it is to be matched, having a top substantially similar in overall dimensions to bottom and a lid side wallcomplementing base side wall, with a short or shallow lid rear wall portion complementing the deep base rear wall portion, a deep lid front wall portion complementing shallow base front wall portion, and angled lid side wall portions complementing the angled base side wall portions forming a generally wedged shaped configuration with an angled lid edgeextending around the upper periphery of lid. The lidmay be transparent to display the food contained.

The circumferential angled lid edgeis substantially co-extensive in size and dimensions to the angled base edge. Both edges are planar and made to seal one against the other. The circumferential angled lid edgemay additionally be provided with a formed rim which encompasses angled base edge. Such a rim would provide an improved seal between baseand lid. With the rim, the angled lid edgewould overlap the angled base edgeand could provide a friction fit, with the angled lid edgeextending sitting below the angled base edgeso that the lidcannot be opened from the baseusing the angled lid edge.

In the embodiment shown, the container has an overall round shape. In other embodiments, the container may have a different shape, such as oval, square, rectangle, etc. In the embodiments shown, the tamper evident hingeis positioned on a rear or back wall. In other embodiments, the tamper evident hingeis positioned on a front wall. In other embodiments, the tamper evident hingemay be positioned at any location around the container.

are top view, bottom view, side views, and a cross-sectional view showing the containerin an open position with the baseand lid. The baseincludes a bottomwith a base side wallforming a base cavity in which a product is placed. The upper portion of the base side wallforms an angled base edgearound an upper periphery of base. The lidhas a shape complementary to the basein that the overall plan shape would be substantially the same as the base. The lidincludes a top surfaceand a lid side wallforming a lid cavity to cover the product. The lower portion of the lid side wallforms an angled lid edgearound a lower periphery of lid.

are enlarged areas B, C, D, E of sectional viewE, andare perspective views showing more details for the container. The angled base edgeincludes a base flangeand the angled lid edgeincludes a lid flange. The base flangeand lid flange are configured to engage and lock to the lidto the basewhen closed.

A portion of the base flangeflares outwardly forming a base flat area, and a portion of the lid flangeflares outwardly forming a lid flat area. The base flat areaand lid flat areaare coupled at the tamper evident hingealong a separation line. The separation lineincludes perforated portionsthat are breakable joints or lines of weakness on each side of a cut portionThe cut portion is where the lineis cut between the base flat areaand the lid flat area. Another portion of the lid flangeflares outwardly forming one or more lid tabs.

The baseand lidare joined by a flexible hinge. The hingeis preferably formed integrally with both baseand lidsuch that the base and lid are a single continuous piece of material formed simultaneously. In the embodiments shown, the hingeincludes two hingesformed in the lid flat areaon both sides of the cut portionAs the lidis folded toward the basethe hingesfold, leaving the cut potionin place, forming a base tab. The one or more lid tabscan be positioned on one side of the hinge, two lid tabson both sides of the hinge(shown in the figures), or the one or more lid tabsmay integrated into the lid flat areaon one side or both sides of the hinge.

The exposure of the base taballows simple opening of the packaging holding the base tabwhile pulling up on one of the lid tabsto break the perforated portionson each side of the base tab. Portions of the base taband/or lid tabsmay include a shaped portion, texture portion or roughened portion to assist in gripping the base taband/or lid tabs.

In the embodiments shown, the hingeis proximate the of the container. In other embodiments, the hingecan be positioned on any side of the container.

show the separation of the lidand base. When the base taband lid tabsare pulled, the base flat areaand the lid flat areaare separated or tear When the lidis folded to the baseat the hinges, the base flat areaproximate the cut portionremains, forming a base tab. The lid flat areaalso extends outward and forms one or more lid tabs.

The base taband one or more lid tabsare used to open the container. along the perforated portionsIn the embodiment shown, once the perforated portionsare separated, the base tabremains with the baseand the lid tabsremain with the lid. This is an indication that the lid has been tampered with and/or opened.

are top and side views showing the containerwith the baseand lidin a closed position. The tamper evident hingeis folded along the hinge portionduring closure of containerwith the tamper evident hingefolded along the hinge. In the closed position, the base flangeengages the lid flangeto lock the lidon the base.

is an enlarged view of G inlooking down on the tamper evident hinge,is an enlarged view of H inlooking up on the tamper evident hinge, andis an enlarged perspective view of the tamper evident hinge.

show the separation of the container.shows the closed container.show some details of the separated lid.show some details of the separated base.

In some embodiments, the containers may be stacked, and the base and lid may include engagement features to engage other containers in a stacked relationship.

shows containerswith product P configured to be stacked and/or connect vertically. For example, the top surfaceof the lidcan be provided with an indentationconfigured to engage the bottom surfaceof the base.

shows multiple containersin a nested configuration. In some embodiments, the containersare configured to nest. The base side walland the lid side wallmay be tapered such that the cross-sectional area decreases to facilitate the nesting of multiple containers.

show the product P placed within the baseof the container and the lidclosed and locked.

is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a tamper resistant containerhaving a circular shape in an open position prior to closing the lid and locking the product within the container. The tamper resistant containerincludes a baseand a lidcoupled by a tamper evident hinge. The baseincludes a bottomand a circular base side wallforming a base cavity in which a product P is placed. The upper portion of the base side wallforms an angled base edgewith a lid flangearound an upper periphery of base. The lidhas a shape complementary to the base. The lid includes a top surfaceand a lid side wallforming a lid cavity to cover the product P. The lower portion of the lid side wall forms an angled lid edgewith a lid flangearound a lower periphery of lid. When the tamper resistant containeris being closed, the lidis folded along hingesandand the lid flangeis configured to engage the base flangeto lock the lidto the base.

is a perspective view showing the tamper resistant containerin a closed position and a downward facing lid taband one or more base tabs. The exposure of the downward facing lid taballows simple opening of the packaging by holding the base tabwhile pulling up on the downward facing lid tabto break perforated portions on each side of the downward facing lid tab.

The basemay be formed in one piece having a bottom and a substantially upright side wall with a deep rear wall and a shallow front wall. An angled base edgeextends around the upper periphery of base. The angled base edgeis planar and is angularly disposed with a generally wedged shaped configuration.

The lidhas a shape complementary to that of basein that the overall plan shape would be substantially the same as that of baseto which it is to be matched, having a top substantially similar in overall dimensions to bottom and a side complementing base side with a short rear wall complementing deep rear wall of the base, and a deep front wall complementing shallow front wall of the base. An angled lid edgeextends around the periphery of the lid. The lidmay be transparent to display the food contained.

The circumferential angled lid edgeis substantially co-extensive in size and dimensions to the angled base edge. Both edges are planar and made to seal one against the other. The circumferential angled lid edgemay additionally be provided with a formed rim which encompasses angled base edge. Such an edge would provide an improved seal between baseand lid. With the edge, the angled lid edgewould overlap the angled base edgeand could provide a friction fit.

In the embodiment shown, the containerhas an overall round shape. In other embodiments, the container may have a different shape, such as oval, square, rectangle, etc. In the embodiment shown, the tamper evident hingeis positioned on a rear or back wall. In other embodiments, the tamper evident hingemay be positioned at any location around the container.

are a top view and a side view showing the containerwith the baseand lidin an open position. The baseincludes a bottom surfacewith a base side wallforming a base cavity in which a product P is placed. The upper portion of the base side wallforms an angled base edgewith a base flangearound an upper periphery of base. The lidhas a shape complementary to the base. The lid includes a top surfaceand a lid side wallforming a lid cavity to cover the product P. The lower portion of the lid side wall forms an angled lid edgewith a lid flangearound a lower periphery of lid. When the tamper resistant containeris being closed, the lid flangeis configured to engage the base flangeto lock the lidto the base. The tamper evident hingeis preferably formed integrally with both baseand lidsuch that the base and lid are a single continuous piece of material formed simultaneously.

is a bottom view showing the containerwith the baseand the lidin a closed position. The tamper evident hingeis folded along the hinge linesduring closure of containerwith the pull tabin a downward position. In the closed position, the base flangeengages the lid flangeto lock the lidon the base.