A container cover comprises two halves that are integrally-molded. The two halves are connected by a common pivot point or hinge that is disposed to one side of each half which allows the halves to be folded over and onto one another. One half is a solid cover or lid structure (the lid) and one half is a ring-like base structure (the base), both of which are intended to be disposed atop a container, with the base in direct contact with the container although the lid and base could be modified the include other engaging structure. The lid is configured to fit with and engage the base via the common hinge or pivot point. Opposite the hinge point of each structure is part of a lock structure that provides the tamper-evident functionality when the lid is folded over and attached to the base.

A tamper-indicating device, the tamper-indicating device including: an elongate structure; a penetrant chamber coupled to the elongate structure; and a physical barrier (or other release mechanism) disposed between the elongate structure and the penetrant chamber; wherein the penetrant chamber is adapted to contain a penetrant material that selectively diffuses into the elongate structure at a predetermined rate when the physical barrier is ruptured (or the other release mechanism is actuated) by a tamper or environmental event; and wherein the penetrant material creates an overt or covert indication of the degree of diffusion into the elongate structure, the degree of diffusion indicating an amount of time since the tamper or environmental event. The tamper-indicating device further includes a substrate coupled to the elongate structure. Optionally, the tamper-indicating device further includes a visible time scale disposed on the substrate substantially adjacent to the elongate structure.

The present invention is directed to containers and packaging that incorporate novel tamper evident features. In particular, the containers of the present invention comprise newly designed tamper evident linkages, i.e., wedged fracture tabs. In addition, the present invention provides novel methods of improving tamper security of packages or containers by incorporating distinguishing printed graphics on the tamper evident component (e.g., frangible hinge, frangible tear strip, or wedged fracture tabs) of the present invention.

Containers are described that allow a consumer to see inside the container and to more easily access the products. One form of the container includes a base member with a lid defining a window. A flexible laminate with a peelable flap portion is attached to the lid to provide access to the products inside. The flexible laminate includes a first film layer laminated to a second film layer. The first film layer includes a first cut line defining a peelable flap portion and the second film layer includes a second cut line offset from the first cut line that defines an opening into the container. First and second reclose surfaces defined between the cut lines on the corresponding film layers include pressure-sensitive adhesive to allow the container to be re-sealed via movement of the peelable flap portion back into engagement with the flexible laminate remaining with the container.

The present invention provides a closure cap for a container comprising a lid and a shell, and a hinge region for pivotally connecting the lid to the shell and for locking the lid in an open position thereof. The lid comprises a top panel having a tongue adjacent the hinge region and a cylindrical wall suspended from a bottom face of the top panel and connected to the shell via a plurality of bridges which break upon a first opening of the lid. The hinge region comprises a pair of elongate hinge elements spaced apart from each other, and a ratchet-like member disposed therebetween.

A plastic container capable of assuming a loading state, an initially sealed state and an opened state comprises a lid including a lid rim and a base having a base rim. The lid rim sealingly engages with the base rim. A projecting portion has an accordiated section and a pull tab that projects outwardly from the lid. The accordiated section has at least one pleat. The projecting portion includes a frangible bridge. When the plastic food container is in the initially sealed state, the accordiated section has a first length and a first orientation relative to the projecting portion. When the container is in the initially sealed state and a first pulling force is applied to the pull tab, the frangible bridge ruptures. When the frangible bridge ruptures and before the lid is separated from the base, the container is in a tab-employed state in which the accordiated section springs outward and has a second length visibly longer than the first length.

A receptacle for minimizing evaporation of a fluid includes a single-piece body, a fluid-tight seal, a penetrable septum, and a lid. The body includes a chamber having an opening. The fluid-tight seal is affixed to a surface of the body that defines the first opening. The fluid-tight seal covers the opening and is frangible. The septum covers the opening and the fluid-tight seal. The septum includes at least one slit forming slats. The lid has an opening axially aligned with the opening and is coupled to the body such that at least a portion of the septum is disposed between the lid and the fluid-tight seal.

A tamper evident food container is provided. The container comprises 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.

A package having a lid seated on a base where the edge of the seated lid is generally inaccessible, and where the edge is made accessible by a movement of a tamper-evident tab. The base and lid are configured so that opening of the tamper-evident tab locks the tab in the opened position. The inner edge of the tamper-evident tab is joined to the base by a hinge. The tamper-evident tab includes a protrusion that extends inwardly beyond the hinge. The lid includes a retention feature overlying the tamper-evident tab. The protrusion interacts with the retention feature to provide an audible indication when the tamper-evident tab is opened and to retain the tamper-evident tab in the opened position. The protrusion may be configured to lift the lid when the tamper-evident tab is in the opened position.

A housing for an instrument such as an endoscopic camera head is provided. The housing includes at least two parts which are attachable to each other by using tabs and grooves, creating a sealed and tamper-evident housing without the use of externally exposed fasteners. A tool for attaching the two parts and a method of its use are also provided.