Hinge segment with integrated security tab

Abstract

A hinge segment is coupleable with a container lid for connecting the container lid to a container. The container has hinge segment openings with a shoulder defining an undercut. The hinge segment includes hinge pins pivotably securable in the hinge segment openings and a security tab engageable with the undercut. The design is particularly suited for containers with all plastic hinges and provides a high level of security and tamper evidence.

Claims

1. A container comprising: an enclosure including a top perimeter, the top perimeter including hinge segment openings with a shoulder defining an undercut within each of the hinge segment openings; a container lid pivotably securable to the enclosure and displaceable between an open position and a closed position; and a plurality of hinge segments connected to the container lid, the hinge segments including hinge pins pivotably secured in the hinge segment openings and a security tab positionable under the shoulder and into the undercut, the security tab being displaceable with the container lid, and the security tab being positioned into the undercut by pivoting the container lid to the closed position, wherein the hinge pins are secured in slots defined in sides and tops of the hinge segment openings and recessed in the top perimeter.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises two sides and two ends, wherein the sides are longer than the ends, and wherein the hinge segment openings are defined in the sides.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the hinge segments comprise segment rails connected to the container lid adjacent sides of the hinge segment openings and extending substantially parallel to the container ends.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge segments are displaceable with the container lid between the open position and the closed position, and wherein in the closed position, the security tab is engaged with the undercut and the shoulder is disposed between the security tab and the hinge pins.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container lid is secured to the enclosure with parts made only of plastic.

6. A container comprising: an enclosure including a top perimeter, the top perimeter including hinge segment openings with a shoulder defining an undercut within each of the hinge segment openings; a container lid; and a plurality of hinge segments connected to the container lid, the hinge segments including hinge pins pivotably secured in the hinge segment openings and a security tab engageable with the undercut, wherein the hinge pins are secured in slots defined in sides and tops of the hinge segment openings and recessed in the top perimeter, wherein the hinge segments comprise segment rails connected to the container lid adjacent sides of the hinge segment openings and extending substantially parallel to the container ends, wherein the hinge segments are displaceable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the security tab is disposed spaced from the segment rails such that in the closed position, the undercut is sandwiched in the space between the security tab and the segment rails.

7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the security tab is positioned on an opposite side of the hinge segment from the container lid.

8. A hinge segment coupleable with a container lid for connecting the container lid to a container, the container including hinge segment openings with a shoulder defining an undercut, the hinge segment comprising: hinge pins pivotably securable in the hinge segment openings; a security tab engageable with the undercut; a main panel oriented in a plane substantially perpendicular with the container lid; and segment rails disposed on opposite sides of the main panel, wherein the hinge pins are coupled with the segment rails and extend outward from the segment rails.

9. The hinge segment according to claim 8, wherein the security tab is substantially perpendicular to the main panel and is spaced from the segment rails along the main panel, and wherein the space between the security tab and the segment rails is sized to receive the shoulder.

10. The hinge segment according to claim 8, wherein the hinge segment is displaceable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein in the closed position, the security tab is engageable with the undercut and the shoulder is positionable between the security tab and the hinge pins.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and lid assembly including hinge segments of preferred embodiments;

(3) FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the hinge segments;

(4) FIGS. 3-5 show a closing sequence for the container lid and the interaction of the hinge segments with the container; and

(5) FIG. 6 is a plan view of a hinge segment with the container lid in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary container incorporating the hinge segments of described embodiments. The container 10 includes an enclosure 12 with a top perimeter 14. The top perimeter 14 is provided with a plurality of hinge segment openings 16 including a shoulder 18 defining an undercut 20. The enclosure 12 includes two sides 22 and two ends 24 as shown. The sides 22 are generally longer than the ends 24. The hinge segment openings 16 may be formed in the top perimeter 14 of the sides 22.

(7) In an exemplary construction, the hinge segment openings 16 in the top perimeter 14 are interposed between typical hinge openings 26. The typical hinge openings 26 do not include the shoulder 18 or undercut 20. In alternative constructions, the container may include only hinge segment openings 16. Four hinge segments openings 16 are shown on each side 22 in FIG. 1, and more or fewer hinge segment openings 16 may be included. It is preferable to include at least one hinge segment opening 16 on opposite sides of a center line through the sides 22 of the enclosure 12.

(8) A container lid 27 is pivotably securable to the enclosure 12 by suitable hinges. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the container lid 27 includes separated lid panels that are securable in an overlapping connection as is conventional. The lid panels may be secured with a cable tie or the like in an aperture through the overlapping centers of the lid panels and into a corresponding aperture in the perimeter 14 of the enclosure 12.

(9) A plurality of hinge segments 28 are connected to the container lid 27. Preferably, the hinge segments 28 are integrally molded with the container lid 27. The lid may also include hinge pieces 30 without the security features of the described embodiments. Both the hinge segments 28 and the hinge pieces 30 include hinge pins 32 pivotably secured in hinge pin slots 33 of the respective openings 16, 26 in the top perimeter 14 of the enclosure 12. See FIG. 6. In an exemplary construction, the hinge pins 32 are received in the hinge pin slots 33 in a snap fit or may alternatively be held in the hinge pin slots 33 with a cover or overlay or covered portion of the enclosure 12.

(10) With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, the hinge segments 28 include a main panel 34 oriented in a plane substantially perpendicular with the container lid 27 and segment rails 36 disposed on opposite sides of the main panel 34 as shown. The hinge segments 28 also include a security tab 38 that is substantially perpendicular to the main panel 34 and is spaced a distance A (FIG. 4) from the segment rails 36 along the main panel 34 by an amount generally corresponding to a thickness of the shoulder 18. The security tab 38 is positioned on an opposite side of the hinge segment 28 from the container lid 27. As shown in the drawings, the hinge pins 32 are coupled, preferably integral, with the segment rails 36 and extend outward from the segment rails 36.

(11) The hinge segments 28 are substantially T-shaped in a front view as defined by the main panel 34 and the hinge pins 32. In side view, the hinge segments 28 are substantially L-shaped including the main panel 34 and the security tab 38.

(12) With reference to FIGS. 3-5, the lid 27 and thereby the hinge segments 28 are displaceable between an open position and a closed position. As the lid 27 is closed, the security tab 38 is extended into the undercut 20 such that the shoulder 18 is sandwiched between the security tab 38 and the segment rails 36 (and the hinge pins 32). In closed position, the security tab 38 is engaging in the undercut 20, and the shoulder 18 limits the vertical travel of the lid 27 (i.e., prevents the disengagement of the hinge pins 32). In an exemplary construction, the horizontal travel of the lid 27 is further restricted by the opposing lid which is engaged with the lid 27 when closed. Both lids may be secured with cable ties in the center of the ends 24.

(13) The described embodiments provide a very high level of container security and tamper evidence. To access a closed container, it would require tools and a high level of force to disengage the security tabs and the hinge pins. It would not be possible to re-engage the hinge segments with the container if disengaged, thereby providing tamper evidence in the event the container was breached or a breach was attempted. The described embodiments are particularly suitable for a molded container with an all-plastic hinge (i.e., no metal hinge pins).

(14) While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.