Container with Hinged Tamper Indicator

This application claims benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/659,575, having a filing date of Jun. 13, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

The present subject matter relates generally to storage containers, and more particularly to storage containers having tamper evident features.

Plastic containers may be used for packaging and storing various items. Such containers may be used in a retail setting, for example in order to display a quantity of goods stored therein for sale as a unit. The items stored in such containers may be food items, such as perishable food items, or may be other items which are subject to tampering, spoilage, and/or theft of one or more of the items from the container.

Such storage containers may be provided with tamper-evident features to provide an indication of whether the container was previously opened, such as prior to a sale to a consumer. For example, such features may be desired to indicate the container has been opened or otherwise tampered with, such as may be indicative of potential theft, contamination, spoilage, or other concerns.

Existing tamper-evident features may have limitations, such as may be easily circumventable or the difference between the container in an unopened state and a post-opening state may be slight or subtle, such that the previous opening of the container is not readily identifiable at a quick glance. Some existing tamper-evident features may be overly complex and thus make desired opening of the container more difficult.

Accordingly, storage containers with improved, e.g., simplified, tamper-evident features would be useful.

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In an exemplary embodiment, a container is provided. The container defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The container includes a base and a lid. The base extends along the vertical direction between a floor approximately at a bottom of the base and an opening approximately at a top of the base. The lid and the base are configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position. A storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid in the closed position. The container also includes a first flange integrally joined to the base and a second flange integrally joined to the lid. The container further includes a hinge that defines a hinge axis. The first flange and the second flange joined by the hinge, such that the base and the lid are retained in the closed position by the hinge, the first flange, and the second flange. The container also includes a line of reduced strength defined in one of the first flange and the second flange. The line of reduced strength is oriented generally parallel to the hinge axis.

In another exemplary embodiment, a container is provided. The container includes a base and a lid. The base and the lid are configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position. A storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid in the closed position. The container also includes a first flange extending from the base and a second flange extending from the lid, with a hinge that defines a hinge axis. The first flange and the second flange are joined by the hinge, such that the base and the lid are retained in the closed position by the hinge, the first flange, and the second flange. The container also includes a line of reduced strength defined in one of the first flange and the second flange. The line of reduced strength is oriented generally parallel to the hinge axis.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention.

Referring now to the figures, exemplary containers will be described in accordance with exemplary aspects of the present subject matter.provide perspective views of one embodiment of an exemplary containerandprovide perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of the container. As illustrated, containergenerally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.

The containermay be repeatedly opened and closed multiple times, and may include features to indicate that the containerhas been opened (such as opened after items such as food items have been placed therein) and then reclosed. Specifically,illustrate the containerin an initial open position, such as an as-manufactured condition. Thus, items to be stored, such as food items, may be loaded into the containerwhile the containeris in the initial open position as illustrated in. From the initial open position of, the containermay move to an initial closed position, e.g., as illustrated in. For example, the containermay be moved to the initial closed position by rotating the lidinto engagement the base, such as after loading the containerwith the items to be stored. The lidmay rotate about a hinge, such as about a hinge axisdefined by the hinge. For example, the hingemay provide a single-action lid closure process, such as may promote ease of automation and/or manual closing of the lidfrom the initial open position. In some embodiments, the lidand the basemay be sealed together when closed, e.g., by a perimeter sealwhich will be described in more detail below, and the interlocking of features on the lidand basewhich form the seal may provide an audible indication of full closure, e.g., a snap, when the containeris moved to a closed position.

In the initial closed position, the containermay be sealed shut. Once closed for the first time, e.g., after moving from the initial open position (e.g.,) to the initial closed position (e.g.,), the containermay not be opened again without altering the structure of the container, and such alteration may be visually apparent, e.g., in order to indicate that the containermay have been tampered with and/or items stored therein may have been accessed. In particular,illustrate the containerduring opening, e.g., moving the containerfrom the initial closed position to a subsequent open position.

illustrate the containerin the subsequent closed position, e.g., a position in which the containerhas been reclosed after having been previously closed (e.g., previously closed from the initial open position, such as after loading with items) and then opened. The containermay include a first flangeand a second flange, which will be described further below. In the subsequent closed position, a portion of the second flangemay be deflected and the hingemay be in an open position (e.g., the hingemay be broken open along the line of reduced strength) in order to provide a readily ascertainable visual indication that the containerhas been previously opened (the previous opening other than and after the initial open position), e.g., such as the separation of the second flangeand open position of the hingemay indicate previous opening, and may also expose a visual tamper indiciato view, as will be described further below.

Referring again to, the containermay include a baseand a lid. In some embodiments, the baseand the lidmay be integrally joined, such as integrally joined by hinge. The lidand the basemay be configured to selectively move between an open position in which the interior (e.g., internal storage volume) of the containeris accessible and a closed position in which the lidis releasably coupled to the base. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, the lidand the basemay move between an open position (e.g., initial or subsequent open position) and a closed position (e.g., initial or subsequent closed position) by rotating about the hinge. The lidand the basemay be releasably coupled at the openingof the basewhen the lidand the baseare in the closed position, such as releasable by breaking the material of the containeralong the line of reduced strengthwhen in the initial closed position, or releasable by pulling the lidand the baseapart generally along the vertical direction V when in a subsequent closed position.

The basemay extend along the vertical direction V from a floor(see, e.g.,), e.g., approximately at the bottom of the base, to an opening(see, e.g.,). The openingmay be defined at or approximately at the top of the base. The lidmay include a trim edge, and the trim edgemay be positioned approximately at the bottom of the lidwhen the lidand the baseare in the closed position. The trim edgeof the lidmay be received in the openingof the base. As will be described in more detail below (e.g., in the context of), the trim edgemay be received between a lipof the baseand one or more inner postsof the base, such that the lidis retained in the closed position and tampering is prevented or obstructed.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, the baseis relatively deep and the lidis relatively shallow, e.g., a distance from the floorto the openingis much greater than, such as several times greater than, a vertical dimension, e.g., height, of the lid. Accordingly, the internal storage volumeis predominantly provided in the basein the exemplary containerembodiments illustrated in the accompanying FIGS. In other embodiments, however, the proportions of the baseand the lidmay vary, such as may be approximately equal, or the basemay be relatively shallow while the lidis relatively deep.

As mentioned above, the containermay also include a first flangeand a second flange. The first flangemay be positioned on the basesuch as the first flangemay extend from the baseapproximately perpendicular to the vertical direction V, e.g., as illustrated in. In some embodiments, the first flangemay be integrally joined to the baseand the second flangemay be integrally joined to the lid. For example, the base, first flange, lid, second flange, and hingemay be formed from a single continuous piece of material, such as a plastic material, e.g., polyethylene.

The containermay include a first tabadjacent to or proximate to the first flangeon the baseand a second tabon the lidadjacent to or proximate to the second flange. As may best be seen in, the baseand the lidmay be joined to the hingeat opposite sides of the hingeby each respective flange,.

Also as may be seen, e.g., in, the containermay include a line of reduced strengthwhich extends across one of the flanges,, such as across the second flange. The line of reduced strengthhas reduced strength, e.g., as compared to remainder of the second flange. The line of reduced strengthmay be or may include a line that is perforated or otherwise partially cut, reduced in thickness, and/or otherwise reduced material strength through the second flange. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in, the line of reduced strengthmay be formed by a linear series of perforations through the thickness (e.g., vertical dimension) of the second flange. For example, the line of reduced strengthmay extend fully across the second flange, such as the line of reduced strengthmay begin at one external edge of the second flangeand extend to another external edge of the second flange. In some embodiments, the line of reduced strengthmay be parallel to the hinge axisand may extend longitudinally through the second flange. In additional embodiments, the line of reduced strength may be a curved line, e.g., as illustrated in. In such embodiments, the line of reduced strength may be at least partially parallel to the hinge axis, such as a tangent line to the curved line of reduced strengthat a midpoint of the curved line of reduced strengthmay be generally parallel (e.g., within up to ten degrees of parallel) to the hinge axis(see, e.g., FIG,for the hinge axisgenerally andwhere the hinge axisis labelled and illustrated in combination with an exemplary curved line of reduced strength in a post-separation configuration).

As seen throughout the FIGS., when the containeris in the initial open position () or the initial closed position (), the second flangeis intact and connected to both the lidand the hinge, e.g., across the line of reduced strength, such as at the connected portions between each perforation in the illustrated exemplary embodiments. Once the containerhas been re-opened, e.g., opened after the initial closed position, the second flangemay still be connected to the lid, but only partially connected, such as a portion of the second flangeon one side of the line of reduced strengthmay remain connected to the lid, while the other portion of the second flangeon the opposite side of the line of reduced strengthis only connected to the hinge, as illustrated for example in. Thus, the second flangemay at least partially open and fold away from the lid, thereby exposing the visual tamper indiciaon the first flange(which was previously obscured below the intact second flange) to view when the containeris in a subsequent open position, e.g., after having been initially loaded and closed.

provides a top view of the containerin an initial (e.g., untampered) closed position.provides a transverse section view of the container, e.g., along line A-A in, which is generally parallel to the transverse direction T.provide enlarged views of portions of.provides a longitudinal section view of the container, e.g., along line B-B in.

As may be seen, e.g., in, when the second flangeis intact and the lidand the baseare in the closed position, e.g., when the containeris in the initial closed position, the hingemay extend vertically between the second flangeand the first flange. Thus, the baseand the lidmay be joined at the respective flanges,by the hinge, and may thereby be held together, e.g., retained in the closed position. In some embodiments, the hingemay be a W-fold hinge, e.g., as may be best seen in. The first flangeand the second flangemay be generally parallel in the initial closed position.

As may be seen, e.g., in, in some embodiments, a perimeter sealmay be formed around the opening, e.g., the perimeter sealmay be cooperatively formed by the interaction of the baseand the lidin the closed position. For example, the perimeter sealmay include a convex curved portion on one of the baseand the lidand a corresponding concave curved portion on the other of the baseand the lid, such that when the baseand the lidare in a closed position the curved portions may interlock with each other and may be located proximate to and around the openingto collectively define the perimeter sealaround the entire opening. A storage volume(see, e.g.,) of the containermay be defined by and between the baseand the lidwhen in the closed position. The storage volumemay thus be fully enclosed and sealed between the baseand the lid, such as sealed by the perimeter seal, when the containeris in a closed position (e.g., initial or subsequent closed position).

The containermay further include a ledgearound the perimeter of the basewith a ridgewhich extends from the ledge, e.g., upward along the vertical direction V. In additional embodiments, the ridgemay be positioned on the lidand may, for example, extend downward along the vertical direction V when the lidis coupled to the basein the closed position. The ridgemay be positioned outward of the perimeter seal, e.g., where outward refers to farther from the geometric center of the container. Thus, as may be seen, e.g., in, the ridgemay prevent or limit access to the perimeter seal, such as to prevent opening of the containeror other breaching of the perimeter seal. The containermay also include one or more inner posts, such as between four and twelve inner posts, such as eight inner posts, formed in one or more sidewalls of the baseand/or at corners where sidewalls of the baseadjoin each other. As may be seen, e.g., in, the inner postsmay help to hold the lidin place in the closed position, e.g., in the initial or subsequent closed position, by preventing shifting of the lidalong the lateral direction L and/or transverse direction T from the closed position.

As may be seen in, the containermay be opened by separating the lidfrom the baseat one of the flanges,, e.g., at the second flange, such as by bifurcating or otherwise breaking the second flangealong the line of reduced strength. For example, such separation of the baseand the lidmay be promoted by the first tabon the baseand the second tabon the lid, e.g., a user may grasp tabs,in order to separate the lidfrom the base, e.g., by holding the first tabon the basewhile pulling and/or lifting the second tab(and the second flangetherewith) away from the first taband the first flange. Thus, the second flangemay include a frangible portion, e.g., which may be defined by the line of reduced strength, such that the baseand the lidare joined at the hingeand flanges,in the initial closed position and the baseand lidare separated by breaking the second flangealong the line of reduced strengthin order to open the containerfrom the initial closed position. Thus, the opening of the containermay be evidenced by the detachment or separation of the portions of the second flange. In some embodiments, a visual tamper indicia, e.g., a warning symbol or icon, e.g., a caution symbol, and/or a written indicia such as “tampered” or “caution” or the like, may also be provided to further indicate that the containerhas been opened from the initial closed position. In various embodiments, the visual tamper indicia may be, e.g., embossed or engraved on the first flange.

The shape of the tabs,may vary in one or more embodiments, such as one or both tabsmay be wider or narrower than in the illustrated embodiments. In general, the shape of one or both tabs,may be provided to promote ergonomics and ease of handling the tabs, such as when gripping one or both of the tabs,between a user's fingers and/or thumb. As mentioned, the first tabmay be adjacent to or proximate to the first flangeon the baseand the second tabon the lidadjacent to or proximate to the second flange, such as the first tabmay be positioned at a corner of the baseand the second tabmay be positioned at a corner of the lid. The tabs may be positioned at the corners in that each tab,may encompass all or a portion of the respective corner of the baseor lid, and/or each tab,may be positioned at least partially at the respective corner, e.g., a portion of one or both of the tabs,may extend beyond the respective corner of the baseor the lid. In some embodiments, a fillet may be formed at the transition between each tab,and the respective flange,, e.g., as illustrated. In additional embodiments, one or both of the tabs,may be spaced apart from the respective flange,along the perimeter of the baseor lid, such that there is no direct transition from the taborto the flangeor.

The simplified construction of the containermay promote ease of opening the container. For example, the line of reduced strengthmay be a single line, e.g., a single straight line or a single curved line, and as such may permit opening of the containerfrom the initial closed position with a single direction of movement and/or force, e.g., along the single line of the line of reduced strength. As another example, the line of reduced strengthparallel to the hinge axis(see, e.g.,) may permit the containerto be opened from the initial closed position using only a single set of tabs (e.g., tabs,) on one side of the hinge, such as the tabs may be positioned at one end or the other of the hinge, and may be oriented to tear along the line of reduced strengthin line with (e.g., parallel to) the hinge. Thus, for example, the containermay be opened from the initial closed position with a single motion, e.g., lifting the lid tab (e.g., tab) and tearing the line of reduced strengthin a single motion.

In various embodiments, the line of reduced strength may be a single line or may be a composite of two or more line segments. In some embodiments, the line of reduced strength may be a straight line, e.g., as discussed above. In additional embodiments, the line of reduced strength may be a single curved line with a constant and continuous degree of curvature across the entire line. In additional embodiments, the line of reduced strength may include a mixture of straight and curved segments. In such embodiments, e.g., where the line of reduced strength is a composite line including straight segments and curved segments, the line of reduced strength may extend along a single direction from end-to-end, such as to promote ease of opening as described above. In still further example embodiments, the line of reduced strength may include multiple straight segments at differing angles (e.g., a zig zag or other line with only straight segments) or multiple curved segments in different directions and/or degrees of curvature (e.g., wavy lines or other line with only curved segments).

In some embodiments, the flangesandmay be generally parallel to each other (see, e.g.,). For example, the flangesandmay be generally horizontal such as the flangesandmay extend predominantly in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical direction V, e.g., a lateral-transverse plane defined by the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T, in that the largest dimensions of the flangesandmay lie in the horizontal plane, whereas the third dimension, e.g., vertical dimension or height, of the flangesandis much smaller than either of the other two dimensions. The line of reduced strength, e.g., perforation,may be oriented such that one of the flangesand, e.g., the second flange, is vertically removable, e.g., removable by pulling in a direction towards the lidrelative to base, whereby the flange separates along a line, e.g., a single straight line, a single curved line, or a compound line, etc. For example, the line of reduced strengthmay define such line, to break the tamper evident feature and open the containerfrom the initial closed position.

As may be seen in, when the containeris reclosed, e.g., is in a subsequent closed position after the subsequent open position, the visual tamper indiciamay be exposed due to the breaking of the line of reduced strengthand separation of the second flange, which may thus provide a consistent and easily detected indication of potential tampering or theft.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.