TAMPER-EVIDENT CONTAINER AND PROCESS FOR MAKING THE SAME

Abstract

A tamper-evident container includes a storage compartment made of sheet material, defining an internal volume, and configured for housing products. The storage compartment includes multiple lateral walls defining a passage opening delimited by a free edge. The passage opening is configured to communicate the internal volume of the storage compartment with an external environment. The tamper-evident container further includes a closure system engaged at the free edge of the storage compartment and movable with respect to the storage compartment. The closure system can define a closed condition in which the closure system prevents communication between the internal volume of the storage compartment and the external environment and an open condition in which the closure system enables communication between the internal volume of the storage compartment and the external environment. The tamper-evident container further includes a safety device made of sheet material and including first and second coupling portions.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A tamper-evident container, comprising: a storage compartment made of a sheet material, defining an internal volume, and configured for housing products, the storage compartment comprising multiple lateral walls defining a passage opening delimited by a free edge, the passage opening configured to communicate the internal volume of the storage compartment with an external environment, a closure system made of a sheet material, engaged at the free edge of the storage compartment, and movable with respect to the storage compartment, the closure system configured to define at least one closed condition in which the closure system prevents communication between the internal volume of the storage compartment and the external environment, and the closure system configured to define an open condition in which the closure system enables communication between the internal volume of the storage compartment and the external environment, the closure system comprising: a tab including a closing portion engaged with the free edge of the storage compartment and movable with respect to the free edge, and the tab including an inserting portion configured to insert within the internal volume of the storage compartment in the at least one closed condition of the closure system, and an abutting portion engaged with the free edge of the storage compartment adjacent to the tab, the abutting portion configured to be interposed between the internal volume of the storage compartment and the tab in the closed condition of the closure system, and a safety device made of a sheet material and comprising: a first coupling portion carried by one or both of the tab and the abutting portion of the closure system, and a second coupling portion engaged with the storage compartment and configured to cooperate with the first coupling portion, wherein the first and the second coupling portions are configured to stably engage one another during a first closed condition of the closure system, wherein one or both of the first and second coupling portions include a removable portion configured to separate from the safety device following a first open condition of the closure system that follows the first closure condition of the closure system to provide an evidence of a tampering with the tamper-evident container, wherein the second coupling portion is arranged internal to the storage compartment and lies substantially parallel to one of the multiple lateral walls of the storage compartment, and wherein the first coupling portion is configured to insert at least partially within the internal volume of the storage compartment to stably engage to the second coupling portion in the at least one closed condition of the closure system.

16. The tamper-evident container of claim 15, wherein one of the first and second coupling portions includes the removable portion, wherein the removal portion has an undercut portion, and wherein the other of the first and second coupling portions is configured to engage the undercut portion in the first closed condition of the closure system.

17. The tamper-evident container of claim 16, wherein the undercut portion of the removable portion is delimited by a gripping edge that is spaced apart from the free edge of the storage compartment in the first closed condition of the closure system.

18. The tamper-evident container of claim 16, wherein the undercut portion of the removable portion comprises a hook defining a seat having a concavity that faces towards at least one of the multiple lateral walls of the storage compartment in the first closed condition of the closure system.

19. The tamper-evident container of claim 16, wherein the undercut portion is a first undercut portion delimited by a first gripping edge, and wherein the other of the first and second coupling portions comprises a second undercut portion delimited by a second gripping edge, the second undercut portion configured to engage the first undercut portion of the removable portion in the first closed condition of the closure system.

20. The tamper-evident container of claim 19, wherein the first gripping edge of the removable portion is spaced apart from the free edge of the storage compartment in the first closed condition of the closure system, and wherein the first gripping edge of the removable portion is interposed between the free edge of the storage compartment and the second gripping edge of the other of the first and second coupling portions in the first closed condition of the closure system.

21. The tamper-evident container of claim 15, wherein the storage compartment defines a control opening through one of the multiple lateral walls that is parallel to the second coupling portion of the safety device, the control opening arranged at the removable portion of the safety device and at the inserting portion of the tab, wherein the control opening is configured to enable visualization of the removable portion before the first open condition of the closure system, and wherein the control opening is configured to enable visualization of the inserting portion of the tab following the first open condition of the closure system to provide the evidence of the tampering with the tamper-evident container.

22. The tamper-evident container of claim 21, wherein at least a part of the inserting portion of the tab that is visible from the control opening is distinguishable from at least a part of the removable portion that is visible from the control opening, and wherein a difference between visible parts of the inserting portion and the removable portion provide the evidence from outside of the tamper-evident container of the tampering with the tamper-evident container following the first open condition of the closure system.

23. The tamper-evident container of claim 22, wherein the first coupling portion is directly connected to the inserting portion and extends tangentially thereto, the inserting portion interposed between the first coupling portion and the closing portion of the tab, wherein the second coupling portion is directly connected to at least one of the multiple lateral walls of the storage compartment and is oriented parallel to the at least one lateral wall, and wherein the removable portion is provided by the second coupling portion.

24. The tamper-evident container of claim 16, wherein the undercut portion of the removable portion comprises a hook, and wherein the hook of the removable portion defines a seat having a concavity that faces at least one of the multiple lateral walls of the storage compartment in the first closed condition of the closure system.

25. The tamper-evident container of claim 15, wherein the removable portion comprises two first undercut portions that oppose each other with respect to the removable portion, and wherein one of the first and second coupling portions comprises the removable portion, and wherein the other of the first and second coupling portions comprises two second undercut portions that are configured to engage the two first undercut portions of the removable portion in the first closed condition of the closure system.

26. The tamper-evident container of claim 15, wherein the storage compartment defines a control opening through one of the multiple lateral walls that is parallel to the second coupling portion of the safety device, wherein the control opening is arranged at the removable portion of the safety device and at the inserting portion of the tab, wherein the control opening is configured to enable visualization of the removable portion before the first open condition of the closure system, wherein the control opening is configured to enable visualization of the inserting portion of the tab following the first open condition of the closure system to provide the evidence of the tampering with the tamper-evident container, wherein the safety device is stably engageable with the storage compartment and with the closure system following the first closed condition of the closure system, wherein the removable portion is configured to define, following the first closed condition of the closure device, a tactile projection emerging from one or both of the storage compartment and the closure system, wherein the removable portion, together with the tactile projection, is configured to separate from the safety device following the first open condition of the closure system that follows the first closed condition for providing the evidence of the tampering with the tamper-evident container, wherein the closure system defines a through opening at the free edge above the removable portion in the closed condition of the closure system, and wherein the through opening, following the first closed condition of the closure system and before the first open condition of the closure system, enables the tactile projection to pass through the through opening such that the tactile projection exits the storage compartment

27. The tamper-evident container of claim 26, wherein the through opening is defined, without interruptions, at least partially on the closing portion and at least partially on the inserting portion of the tab.

28. A tamper-evident container, comprising: a storage compartment made of a sheet material, defining an internal volume, and configured for housing products, the storage compartment having multiple side walls defining at least one passage opening delimited by a free edge, the passage opening configured to communicate the internal volume of the storage compartment with an external environment, a closure system made of a sheet material, engaged at the free edge of the storage compartment, and movable with respect to the storage compartment, the closure system configured to define at least one closed condition in which the closure system prevents communication between the internal volume of the storage compartment and the external environment, the closure system configured to define an open condition in which the closure system enables communication between the internal volume of the storage compartment and the external environment, the closure system comprising: a tab including a closing portion engaged with the free edge of the storage compartment and movable with respect to the free edge, and the tab including an inserting portion configured to insert within the internal volume of the storage compartment in the at least one closed condition of the closure system, an abutting portion engaged with the free edge of the storage compartment adjacent to the tab, the abutting portion configured to be interposed between the internal volume of the storage compartment and the tab in the at least one closed condition of the closure system, and a safety device made of a sheet material, stably engageable with the storage compartment and with the closure system following a first closed condition of the closure system, wherein the safety device comprises a removable portion that defines a tactile projection that emerges from one or both of the storage compartment and the closure system following the first closed condition of the closure system, and wherein the removable portion, together with the tactile projection, is configured to be separated from the safety device following the first open condition of the closure system that follows the first closed condition of the closure system to provide an evidence of a tampering with the tamper-evident container.

29. The tamper-evident container of claim 28, wherein the safety device comprises: a first coupling portion carried by one or both of the tab and the abutting portion of the closure system, a second coupling portion engaged with the storage compartment and configured to cooperate with the first coupling portion, wherein the first and second coupling portions are configured to stably engage each other during the first closed condition of the closure system, wherein one or both of the first and second coupling portions includes a removable portion configured to separate from the safety device following the first open condition of the closure system that follows the first closed condition of the closure system to provide the evidence of the tampering with the tamper-evident container, wherein the second coupling portion is arranged internal to the storage compartment and lies substantially parallel to one of the multiple side walls of the storage compartment, and wherein the first coupling portion is configured to insert at least partially within the internal volume of the storage compartment to stably engage the second coupling portion in the at least one closed condition of the closure system.

30. The tamper-evident container of claim 29, wherein the first and second coupling portions are configured to stably engage one another during the first closed condition of the closure system, and wherein one or both of the first and second coupling portions includes the removable portion that carries the tactile projection configured to separate from the safety device following the first open condition of the closure system that follows the first closed condition of the closure system to provide the evidence of the tampering with the tamper-evident container.

31. The tamper-evident container of claim 29, wherein one of the first and second coupling portions includes the removable portion, the removable portion comprising a first undercut portion, wherein the other of the first and second coupling portions is configured to engage the first undercut portion in the first closed condition of the closure system, the first undercut portion of the removable portion being delimited by a first gripping edge that is spaced apart from the free edge of the storage compartment in the first closed condition of the closure system, wherein the other of the first and second coupling portions comprises a second undercut portion delimited by a second gripping edge, the second undercut portion configured to engage the removable portion in the first closed condition of the closure system.

32. The tamper-evident container of claim 29, wherein one of the first and second coupling portions comprises the removable portion, wherein the removable portion comprises two first undercut portions opposing each other with respect to the removable portion, and wherein the other of the first and second coupling portions comprises two second undercut portions configured to engage the two first undercut portions of the removable portion in the first closed condition of the closure system.

33. The tamper-evident container of claim 28, wherein the tactile projection emerges from one or both of the free edge of the storage compartment and the closure system to extend outside of the internal volume of the storage compartment.

34. The tamper-evident container of claim 28, wherein the tactile projection of the removable portion lies parallel to the inserting portion and projects from the free edge of the storage compartment and transversally with respect to the closing portion in the first closed condition of the closure system, and wherein a tapered shape of the tactile projection that extends from the free edge of the storage compartment is visible from a front view that is normal to the tactile projection, the tapered shape of the projection configured for aiding a tactile perception of the tactile projection during the first closed condition of the closure system and before the first open condition of the closure system.

35. The tamper-evident container of claim 28, wherein the closure system comprises a through opening configured to be placed, in the at least one closed condition of the closure system, at the free edge above the removable portion, wherein the through opening, following the first closure of the closure system and before the first open condition of the closure system, enables the tactile projection to pass through the through opening and to exit the storage compartment.

36. The tamper-evident container of claim 35, wherein the through opening is defined, without interruptions, at least partially on the closing portion and at least partially on the inserting portion of the tab.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0206] Some embodiments and some aspects of the invention will be described in the following illustratively and therefore in a non limiting way with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0207] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention arranged in a closed condition and before a first open condition,

[0208] FIGS. 2 and 3 are respective perspective views of a container according to the present invention before a first open condition,

[0209] FIG. 4 schematically shows a container according to the present invention during a first closed condition of the same,

[0210] FIG. 5 is a view of a detail of the container in FIG. 4,

[0211] FIG. 6 schematically shows a cut-away of a container according to the present invention during a first closed condition of the same,

[0212] FIG. 7 schematically shows a cut-away of a container according to the present invention under a first closed condition of the same,

[0213] FIG. 8 is a cross-section, made along the VIII-VIII line, of the container in FIG. 7,

[0214] FIG. 9 schematically shows a cut-away of a container according to the present invention during a first open condition of the same,

[0215] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention arranged in a closed condition following a first open condition,

[0216] FIG. 11 is a top view of a first embodiment of a blank for making a container according to the present invention,

[0217] FIGS. 12 to 15 schematically illustrate the steps of folding the blank of FIG. 11 for making a container according to the present invention,

[0218] FIG. 16 is a top view of a second embodiment of a blank for making a container according to the present invention,

[0219] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention arranged in a compacted condition,

[0220] FIG. 18 is a top view of a third embodiment of a blank for making a container according to the present invention,

[0221] FIGS. 19 and 20 schematically illustrate the steps of folding the blank in FIG. 18 for making a container according to the present invention,

[0222] FIGS. 21 and 22 are perspective views of respective embodiment variants of a container according to the present invention,

[0223] FIG. 23 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of a blank for making a container according to the present invention,

[0224] FIG. 24 is a partial perspective view of a container according to the present invention arranged in an open condition, before a first closed condition,

[0225] FIG. 25 is a partial perspective view of a container according to the present invention during the first closed condition of the same,

[0226] FIG. 26 is a partial perspective view of a container according to the present invention in a closed condition, before a first open condition,

[0227] FIGS. 27 and 28 are respective perspective views of a container according to the present invention before a first open condition,

[0228] FIG. 29 schematically shows a container according to the present invention during a first closed condition of the same,

[0229] FIG. 30 schematically shows a cut-away of a container according to the present invention under a first closed condition of the same,

[0230] FIG. 31 is a cross-section, made along line XXXI-XXXI, of the container in FIG. 30,

[0231] FIG. 32 schematically shows a cut-away of a container according to the present invention during a first open condition of the same,

[0232] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention arranged in a closed condition after a first open condition,

[0233] FIG. 34 is a further perspective view of a container according to the present invention, before a first closed condition,

[0234] FIG. 35 is a further perspective view of a container according to the present invention arranged in a first closed condition, before a first open condition,

[0235] FIGS. 36 to 38 represent respectively a fifth, sixth and seventh embodiments of a blank for making a container according to the present invention,

[0236] FIGS. 39 and 40 are schemes regarding possible steps of folding the blank of FIG. 38 for making a container according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Tamper-Evident Container

[0237] 1 generally shows a tamper-evident container for containing and supporting products. In the present description, we will not go into detail on the type of useable products because such container 1 can find an application, generally, in all the fields providing the packaging of products in order to ensure the closure of the container itself and providing a safety enabling to give evidence of a possible tampering of this latter. Particularly, the container object of the present invention can find an advantageous application in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics field, for example, for defining dispensers able to receive tablets or pills; de facto, in such fields it is particularly interesting to provide intact products and in anyway altered and consequently it is of interest the use of containers capable of giving evidence of a possible tampering or first opening.

[0238] As it is for example visible in FIGS. 1-4 and 27-31, the container 1 comprises at least one store 2 defining an internal volume 3, configured for housing products, for example tablets, pills or blisters (the products are not shown); the store 2 substantially represents the compartment able to house and support the products. More specifically, the store 2 comprises a predetermined number of lateral walls 4 defining at least one passage opening 5 delimited by a free edge 6: the passage opening 5 is configured for communicating the store 2 internal volume 3 with the external environment. The attached figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, a configuration of the store 2 exhibiting two through opening 5 opposite to each other with respect to the store 2 itself so that this latter could define substantially a conduit or tube laterally delimited by said walls 4 and opened at the longitudinal ends. However, it is not excluded the possibility of forming, for example, a store 2 exhibiting only one passage opening 5 or even a number of openings 5 greater than two (these conditions are not illustrated in the attached figures).

[0239] The attached figures illustrate a preferred but non limiting configuration of the store 2 exhibiting a rectangular prismatic shape (the flat lateral walls 4 having a rectangular shape). However, it is not excluded the possibility of forming a store 2 having a different shape, for example a square, trapezoidal or cylindrical one. As it is visible, the store 2 extends, in a non limiting way, substantially along a prevalent development direction and exhibits a thickness smaller with respect to the length and width of the same. The store 2 is configured for exhibiting a minimum size, in this case the thickness, greater than a maximum transversal size of each product; the minimum size of the store 2 is, in a non limiting way, greater than 7 mm (the thickness can vary and be suitable sized based on the product and quantity to be contained/supported). The invention provides small sized containers 1 whose store 2 defines an internal volume substantially greater than 20,000 mm.sup.3, particularly comprised between 40,000 and 200,000 mm.sup.3. However, the container 1, object of the present invention, can be used for packaging medium sized products; under such condition, the store 2 can exhibit an internal volume 3 greater than 500,000 mm.sup.3, particularly comprised between 800,000 and 1,400,000 mm.sup.3. However, it is not excluded the possibility of using the container 1, object of the present invention, for packaging large sized products; under such condition, the store 2 has an internal volume 3 greater than the above specified volumes, for example greater than 10,000 cm.sup.3.

[0240] As it is for example visible in FIGS. 1, 8 and 31, the store 2 can comprise at least one control through opening 24 substantially placed at the free edge 6 of the passage opening 5. FIGS. 1, 8 and 31 illustrate a configuration of the opening 24 which defines a closed perimetral edge and distanced from the store free edge 6; the opening 24 exhibits, in a non limiting way, a cylindrical (FIG. 1), rectangular (FIG. 21), elliptical or square shape. Alternatively, the opening 24 can exhibit an open perimetral edge defining at least partially the free edge 6 (see FIG. 22, for example): in such configuration, the opening 24 substantially comprises a through recess. The attached figures illustrate a non limiting configuration of the container 1 wherein the opening 24 exhibits a substantially V shape whose concavity faces oppositely the store 2 internal volume 3. The particular function of the opening 24 will be better described hereinafter.

[0241] As it is visible for example in FIGS. 1, 5, 33 and 35, the store 2 can further comprise, at the free edge 6, a recess 27; as it is visible in the attached figures, the recess 27 is in contact with the free edge 6 for defining on this latter a kind of depression. Advantageously, the recess 27 is defined on the store 2 lateral wall 4 on which it is further present the opening 24 and particularly on the lateral wall 4 able to abut directly on a closure device 7 of the container 1 which will be better described hereinafter. The recess 27 exhibits an open perimetral outline which exhibits a substantially C or V or U shape, whose concavity faces oppositely the store 2 internal volume 3. At a dimensional level, the recess 27 defines a depression of the free edge 6 having a maximum depth greater than 1 mm, particularly comprised between 2 and 10 mm; the maximum depth is represented by the maximum distance between the free edge and the bottom edge of the recess 27.

[0242] The store 2 is made of sheet material and is obtained for example by folding. In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the store 2 is made of paper sheet material (paper or paperboard); particularly, the used sheet material exhibit a grammage comprised between 100 and 500 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 200 and 400 gr/m.sup.2. As hereinbefore described, the container 1, particularly the store 2, can further be used for housing products of the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food fields. Therefore, it can be advantageous to cover an internal surface of the store 2 by a plastic material coating, for example a film. The coating has the object to define a barrier interposed between the store 2 and the plurality of products; the coating can be further used for defining a water and/or humidity barrier useful for avoiding the weakening and the loss of structurality of the store with following warping of the paper material forming this latter component. Advantageously, the coating could comprise an extrusion coating on one (the store 2 internal side) or on both the sides (the store 2 internal and external surfaces) of the paper material defining the store 2 with values which can for example vary between 10 and 50 gr/m.sup.2 of the coating material (in other words, polyethylene). The coating plastic material can comprise for example one selected among the following materials: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.

[0243] As it is visible in the attached figures, the container 1 further comprises at least one closure system 7, also made of sheet material, engaged at the free edge 6 and movable, particularly by rotation, with respect to the store 2. Specifically, the closure system 7 is configured for defining at least one closed condition (see for example FIG. 1) in which the system 7 itself interdicts the communication between the internal volume 3 of store 2 and the external environment; further, the closure system 7 is configured for defining at least one open condition (see FIGS. 2, 21 and 22, for example), wherein the system 7 itself enables the communication between the internal volume 3 and external environment. De facto, the system 7 substantially represents a cover able to cooperate with the store 2 in order to manage the access to the internal volume 3. Advantageously, the container 1 comprises a closure system 7 for each passage opening 5 of the store 2. In the attached figures, it is illustrated, in a non limiting way, a container 1 configuration exhibiting two through openings 5; under such condition, the container 1 exhibits two closure systems 7 engaged with the respective free edge 6 of the store 2: the systems 7 are placed opposite to each other with respect to the store itself Advantageously, the closure system 7 is, in a non limiting way, integrally joined to the store 2 , particularly with the free edge 6, and is rotatingly movable around this latter between at least the closed and open conditions.

[0244] More specifically, the closure system 7 comprises at least one tab 7 exhibiting a closing portion 9 directly engaged with and integrally joined to the store 2 free edge 6: the closing portion 9 represents the component of the tab 8 configured for interdicting the passage through the opening 5 under the closed condition of the system 7 itself As it is visible in the attached figures, the closing portion 9 substantially comprises a flat body of sheet material countershaped to the opening 5 free edge 6. The attached figures schematically show a preferred configuration of the closing portion 9 exhibiting a rectangular shape entirely countershaped to the free edge 6.

[0245] Further, the tab 8 exhibits at least one inserting portion 10 configured to insert, under the system closed condition, inside the store 2 volume 3. The inserting portion 10 is integrally joined to the closing portion 9 and emerges from this latter from the opposite side of the store 2: the inserting portion 10 substantially represents an extension of the closing portion 9 able to be inserted, under the system 7 closed condition, inside the store 2. As it is visible in the attached figures, also the inserting portion 10 comprises substantially a flat body made of sheet material having, in a non limiting way, a rectangular shape. As it is visible, for example, in the cross-section view in FIG. 8, the inserting portion 10 extends between a first and second prevalent development surfaces 10a, 10b respectively outwardly facing (directly facing a store 2 lateral wall 4) and towards the store 2 internal volume 3. Under the closed condition of the system 7, at least one portion of the first development surface 10a of the inserting portion 10 faces, particularly contacts, directly a part of a store 2 lateral wall 4: the surface 10a extends at least partially parallelly to the store 2 wall 4, particularly parallel to a store 2 front wall opposite to the wall directly connected to the system 7 (definable also as the store 2 back lateral wall).

[0246] The closing portion 9 and the inserting portion 10 exhibit a reciprocal connection edge opposite to the store 2 free edge 6 with respect to the closing portion 9 itself: the inserting portion 10 is rotatingly movable with respect to the closing portion 9 around said reciprocal connection edge. As it is visible for example in FIG. 8, the inserting portion 10, under the system 7 closed condition, is configured for defining, according to a cross-section and in cooperation with the closing portion 9, a substantially L shape: under such condition, the inserting portion 10 substantially extends parallel to one store 2 lateral wall 4. As it is visible for example in FIGS. 2-5, 21-25, 27 and 34, the closure system 7 further comprises at least one abutting portion 11 engaged with the store 2 free edge 6 adjacent to the tab 8: the abutting portion 11, under the closed condition, is configured for being interposed between the internal volume 3 and tab 8 in order to cooperate with this latter for holding stably it in said closed condition. The abutting portion 11 substantially comprises a flat tab made of sheet material integrally joined to the store 2 free edge 6 adjacent to the closing portion 9. The abutting portion 11 exhibits, in a non limiting way, a rectangular or trapezoidal shape. Also the abutting portion 11 is configured for rotating around the free edge 6 for facing, at least under the container 1 closed condition, the store 2 inside.

[0247] More particularly, the abutting portion 11 is constrained to the free edge 6 in order to be capable of engaging, under the container 1 closed condition, at least a part of the inserting portion 10 and/or of the closing portion 9 for stably holding the tab 8 in said condition.

[0248] Advantageously, the container 1 comprises two abutting portions 11 opposite to each other with respect to the tab 8: this latter is interposed between the two abutting portions 11. In such configuration (illustrated for example in FIGS. 2-5 and 21-25), the two portions 11 symmetrically operate on the tab 8 for stably holding it in the closed condition.

[0249] As hereinbefore described, the store 2 comprises a control through-opening 24; as it is visible for example in FIG. 8, the control opening 24 is placed on the lateral wall 4 configured for directly facing the inserting portion 10, particularly the first surface 10a of said portion 10. The control opening 24 is therefore placed in proximity with the first surface 10a and is configured to enable visualising this latter in determined operative conditions of the container 1, which will be better described herein below. The opening 24 canin addition or alternativelybe configured to enable visualising the inserting portion 10 and the correct insertion of the same inside the store 2 as it will be better described herein below. Further, as hereinbefore described, the store 2 comprises a recess 27; as it is visible for example in FIGS. 5 and 29, the recess 27 is placed on the lateral wall 4 configured for directly facing the inserting portion 10, particularly the first surface 10a of said portion 10. The recess 27 is therefore placed in proximity with the first surface 10a and is configured to enable visualising this latter in determined operative conditions of the container 1, which will be better described herein below.

[0250] As it is visible in the attached figures, the closure system 7 can comprise, in a non limiting way, a through opening 26 configured to place, under a closed condition of the system itself, at the free edge 6, particularly at the recess 27. De facto, the through opening 26, under the closure system 7 closed condition, is placed at the store 2 recess 27 (FIG. 33): particularly, under such condition, the opening 26 and recess 27 are reciprocally facing and at least partially countershaped with each other.

[0251] As it is visible in the attached figures, the trough opening 26 defines a closed perimetral outline, particularly exhibiting at least one shape selected in the group among the following shapes: rectangular, square, circular, elliptical, semicircular, triangular. The through opening 26 is defined on the closing portion 9 and/or on the inserting portion 10 of the tab 8. In a preferred, but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the through opening 26 is defined, without interruption, at least partially on the closing portion 9 and at least partially on the inserting portion 10 of the tab 8: the opening 26 is substantially defined on the folding lines of the portions 9 and 10 of tab 8 (FIG. 30).

[0252] In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the system 7 is made, at least partially, particularly entirely, of paper sheet (paper or paperboard); the used sheet material exhibits a grammage comprised between 100 and 500 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 200 and 400 gr/m.sup.2. Optionally, the paper sheet material used for the embodiment of the system 7, is as the sheet material used for the embodiment of the store 2, particularly they are both obtained from only one paper material sheet. As hereinbefore described, the container 1 can also be used for housing products of the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food fields. Under such condition, it could be advantageous to cover an internal surface of the system 7 by a plastic material coating, for example a film. The coating has the object of defining a barrier interposed between the system 7 and the products; further, the coating is able to define a water and/or humidity barrier useful for avoiding the weakening and the loss of structurality of the system with a consequent warping of the paper material forming this latter component. Further, it is noted that a structurality loss or a simple warping of the closure system could compromise the functionality of the system 7 and therefore prevent a correct closure of the store 2. Advantageously, the coating could be an extrusion coating on one (internal side of the system 7) or on both the sides (the system 7 internal and external surfaces) of the paper material defining the system 7 with values which can for example vary from 10 to 50 gr/m.sup.2 of the coating material (in other words, polyethylene). The coating plastic material can be for example selected among the following materials: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE.

[0253] As it is visible for example in FIGS. 2-5 and 27-29, the container 1 further comprises at least one safety device 12, made of sheet material, stably engageable at least partially with the store 2 and at least partially with the closure system 7 following a first closed condition of this latter. De facto, the safety device 12 comprises at least one removable portion 15 configured for defining, following the first closed condition, a tactilely perceivable projection 25 (FIGS. 27-29) emerging from the store 2 and/or from the closure system 7: the removable portion 15, together with the projection 25, is configured to separate from the safety device 12 following a closure system 7 first open condition following the first closed condition for providing evidence of a container 1 tampering.

[0254] More particularly, the removable portion 15 projection 25, under the closure system 7 first closed condition and before the container 1 first open condition, lies on a plane parallel to the inserting portion 10 and projects from the store 2 free edge 6, particularly transversally to the closing portion 9. Still more particularly, the projection 25, under the closure system 7 first closed condition and before the container 1 first open condition, is configured to place at the recess 27 and emerging besides this latter and/or besides the store 2 free edge 6.

[0255] De facto, the projection 25, under the closure system 7 first closed condition and before the container 1 first open condition, is configured for substantially remaining flush with the tab 8 closing portion 9 or is configured for emerging transversally from said closing portion 9; anyway, the projection 25, in both the configurations, is able to be tactilely perceivable so that the same can be distinguishable from the closed portion 9, the free edge 6 and from the recess 27.

[0256] From the geometrical point of view, the projection 25 exhibits, according to a front view normal to the lying plane of the projection 25 itself, a shape selected in the group comprised among: triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, semicircular, elliptical shape. In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the container 1, the projection 25 exhibits, according to front view normal to the lying plane of the projection 25 itself, a tapered, particularly triangular, shape extending from the store 2 free edge 6: the projection 25 tapered shape is configured for assisting the tactile perception of the same during the closure system 7 first closed condition and before the container 1 first open condition. From the quantitative point of view, the projection 25 extends besides the free edge 6 to an extent greater than 1 mm, particularly between 1 and 10 mm, still more particularly between 1 and 7 mm. The tapered shape and the height of the projection with respect to at least the store 2 free edge 6 enable an easy and fast tactile perception of the same projection for example by passing a finger on the tab 8 closing portion 9.

[0257] The attached figures illustrate a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the safety device 12 exhibiting at least one first coupling portion 13 carried by the tab 8 and/or by the abutting portion 11, and at least one second coupling portion 14 engaged with the store 2. The first and second coupling portions 13, 14 are configured to stably engage with each other during a closure system 7 first closed condition in other words during a system 7 first absolute closure wherein there is the first insertion of the inserting portion 10 inside the store 2. As it is visible in the attached figures, the second coupling portion 14 is arranged internally of the store 2 and substantially lies in a plane parallel to one of the lateral walls 4: under the system 7 closed condition, the first coupling portion 13 is configured to insert at least partially in the store 2 internal volume 3 for stably engaging the second coupling portion 14. The first and/or second coupling portions 13, 14 comprise at least one removable portion 15 carrying the projection 25, configured to separate from the safety device 12 following a closure system 7 first closed condition, following said first closed condition, for providing evidence of a container 1 tampering. The attached figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, a container 1 configuration wherein the first coupling portion 13 is engaged with, particularly directly carried by, the closure system 7 tab 8 (alternatively, it could be further carried by at least one abutting portion 11). Advantageously, the first coupling portion 13 is carried only, but not in a limiting way, by the inserting portion 10 of the tab 8: the two portions 10 and 13 are advantageously integrally joined to each other to form only one body. De facto, the first coupling portion 13 comprises a flat sheet body emerging, particularly without interruption, from the inserting portion 10 oppositely to the closing portion 9: the inserting portion 10 therefore is interposed between the closing portion 9 and the coupling portion 13. The first coupling portion 13, under the system 7 closed condition, and therefore during the insertion of the inserting portion 10 in the store 2, is configured to also insert in the internal volume 3.

[0258] The sheet material body of the first coupling portion 13 extends between a first and second prevalent development surfaces 13a, 13b (FIG. 8) respectively facing in the same direction of the first and second surfaces 10a, 10b of the inserting portion 10: the first surfaces 10a, 13a are a continuation of each other and directly face a same lateral wall 4 of the store 2 opposite to the lateral wall 4 directly connected to the system 7. The second surfaces 10b, 13b are also a continuation of each other and face the store 2 internal volume 3.

[0259] More specifically, the first coupling portion 13 comprises at least one undercut portion 20 delimited by a gripping edge 21: the undercut portion 20, under the container 1 first closed condition, is configured for engaging the second coupling portion 14 arranged internally of the store 2 (particularly, the second coupling portion is completely contained in the store 2).

[0260] As it is visible for example in FIGS. 5, 21 and 22, the undercut 20 comprises at least one hook 22 defining a seat 23 whose concavity faces, at least during the device 12 first closed condition, at least one of the store 2 lateral walls 4, particularly faces the abutting portion 11 of the closure system 7. The undercut portion 20 seat 23 defines a substantially C shape: the respective gripping edge 21 delimits a portion of said seat 23 which, under the system 7 first closed condition, faces the store 2 free edge 6.

The attached figures show a preferred but non limiting configuration of the first coupling portion 13 substantially comprising two hooks 22 opposite to each other with respect to the first portion 13 itself. Under such condition, therefore the first portion 13 comprises two respective undercut portions 20 which, at least under the container 1 first closed condition, are configured for both engaging with the second coupling portion 14. The two undercut portions 20 comprise respective seats 23 whose concavities face away from each other: the concavities of the seats face the respective store 2 abutting portions 11. The presence of the two undercuts 20 substantially defines a double symmetrical grip on the second coupling portion 14 which makes more effective and stable the coupling between said first and said second coupling portions 13, 14.

[0261] As previously described, the second coupling portion 14 of the device 12 is directly engaged inside the store 2. Particularly, the second coupling portion 14 is directly connected to at least one store 2 lateral wall and extends parallelly to this latter: the coupling portion 14 develops parallelly to the lateral wall configured for directly facing the inserting portion 10 at least during the system 7 closed condition. De facto, the coupling portion 14 extends parallelly to the lateral wall 4 opposite to the wall directly connected (integrally joined to) to the closure system 7.

[0262] As it is visible for example in FIGS. 2, 4, 24-26, the second coupling portion 14 is integrally joined to store 2, particularly is integrally joined to at least one store 2 lateral wall. As for the first coupling portion 13, also the second portion 14 comprises a flat sheet material body emerging, particularly without interruption, from a store 2 lateral wall 4: the second portion 14 substantially defines a sheet engaged, particularly integrally joined to, inside one or more store 2 lateral walls 4. The sheet material body of the second coupling portion 14 extends between a first and second prevalent development surfaces 14a, 14b (FIG. 8) respectively facing the outside and inside of the store 2: the portion 14 first surface 14a, at least under the system 7 closed condition, is parallel to and faces as the first surfaces 10a, 13a (the first surfaces 10a, 13a, 14d directly facing a store 2 lateral wall 4 opposite to the lateral wall 4 directly connected to the system 7).

[0263] In the configuration illustrated in the attached figures, the second coupling portion 14 comprises, in a non limiting way, the removable portion 15, carried by the projection 25, made of sheet material which extends between a first and second surfaces 15a, 15b (FIG. 8) respectively facing a store 2 lateral wall 4: the surfaces 15a, 15b of the removable portion 15 substantially represent a prolongation of the surfaces 14a, 14b of the second coupling portion 14, while the projection represents a respective prolongation of the removable portion placed oppositely to the portion 14.

[0264] The removable portion 15 comprises at least one undercut portion 16 which is configured for engaging, under the safety device 12 first closed condition, the respective undercut portion 20 of the first coupling portion 13. The undercut portion 16 of the removable portion 15 is delimited by a gripping edge 17 which, under the container 1 first closed condition, is distinct and distanced from the store 2 free edge 6: the undercut portion 16 is inside the store 2 (completely inside the store) and distanced from the passage opening 5 (distanced from the free edge 6) so that the removable portion 15 can engage, under the first closed condition, the respective undercut 20 of the first coupling portion 13. Particularly, the gripping edge 17, under the container 1 first closed condition, exhibits a minimum distance D1 (FIG. 8) from the store free edge 6 greater than 2 mm, particularly greater than 3 mm, still more particularly comprised between 3.5 and 12 mm.

[0265] As it is visible for example in FIGS. 5 and 24, the undercut portion 16 of the removable portion 15 comprises at least one hook 18 defining a seat 19 whose concavity faces at least one of the store 2 lateral walls 4. Particularly, the seat 19 exhibits a substantially C shape: the gripping edge 17 delimits the portion of the seat 19 facing the store 2 free edge 6. More particularly, it is possible to observe that the gripping edge 17 of the removable portion 15, under the container 1 first closed condition, is interposed between the store 2 free edge 6 and the respective gripping edge 21 of the first coupling portion 13.

[0266] The attached figures represent, in a non limiting way, a configuration of the removable portion 15 which exhibits two undercuts 16 placed opposite to each other with respect to the removable portion 15 itself: the concavities of the respective seats 19 are opposite to each other and face respective abutting portions 11 of the store 2. With reference to the first coupling portion 13, it is instead possible to observe that the concavity of the seat 19 of the removable portion 15, under the container 1 first closed condition, faces the concavity of the seat 23 of the respective undercut portion 20 of the first portion 13.

[0267] As described hereinbefore, the first and second coupling portions 13, 14 of the safety device 12 are configured for defining a first closed condition substantially defined by the first engagement/coupling between said portions. Before the first closed condition, the first coupling portion 13 is placed outside the internal volume 3, while the second coupling portion 14 lies inside the store 2 (this condition is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 24). After, the closure system 7 is guided for the first time inside the store 2 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 25: during such step, the system 12 is configured for defining the container 1 closed condition and at the same time there is a first engagement between the first and second coupling portions 13, 14. De facto, during the container 1 first closed condition, the removable portion 15 hook 18 engages the first portion 13 hook 22: the first closed condition is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7, 8 and 26. More particularly, also during the first closed condition, the sheet material body of the first coupling portion 13 is configured for sliding, initially rearwardly the removable portion (the removable portion 15 is interposed between the first coupling portion 13 and the store 2 lateral wall 4) for then passing through the seat 19 and being interposed between the store 2 lateral wall 4 and the second coupling portion 14. As an alternative, the coupling portion can initially slide forwardly the removable portion 15 for then passing through the seat 19: under such condition, the second portion 14 is interposed between the store 2 lateral wall 4 and the first coupling portion 13.

[0268] The container 1 first closed condition is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7, 8, 26 and 30. Under such condition, the removable portion 15 hook 18 abuts on and is stably engaged with the first portion 13 hook 22: under such condition, the first portion 13 is completely inserted inside the removable portion 15 seat 17 and the respective undercuts 16 and 20 define a stably engagement condition between the portion 13 and 14.

[0269] The projection 25 carried by the removable portion 15, under the device 7 first closed condition and before the container 1 first open condition, is distanced from and placed opposite to the gripping edge 17 with respect to the removable portion 15; particularly the projection 25 emerges oppositely to the gripping edges with respect to the removable portion 15 and, as hereinbefore described, emerges from the store 2 free edge 6. De facto, the second portion 14, under the device first closed condition and before the container 1 first open condition, remains completely inside the volume 3 together with the removable portion 15: only the removable portion 15 projection 25 emerges at least partially from the volume 3 and particularly besides the store 2 free edge 6.

[0270] It is useful to note that the removable portion 15, based on the mode of inserting the portion 13, can be interposed between the store 2 lateral wall 4 and the tab inserting portion 10 (condition illustrated in FIG. 8) or can be arranged internally of the volume 3 behind the tab 8 inserting portion 10.

[0271] In case the removable portion 15 is located between the store 2 lateral wall 4 and the tab 8 inserting portion 10, the projection 25, under the device 7 first closed condition and before the container 1 first open condition, emerges from the free edge 6 between the tab 8 and the store lateral wall 4 directly facing the inserting portion 10. Viceversa, in case the removable portion 15 should remain behind the inserting portion 10, the projection 25 is configured for being arranged internally of the tab 8 through opening 26; preferably, under such condition, the projection 25 passes through at least partially the through opening 26 and then emerges from the store 2 free edge 6 and possibly also from the tab 8 closing portion 9 (FIG. 31).

[0272] As hereinbefore described, the store 2 can further comprise a recess 27preferably carried by the lateral 4 parallel to the second coupling portion 14 of the safety device 12 and directly facing the inserting portion 10able to substantially define a free edge 6 depression; the recess 27 enables to aid the projection 25 to emerge from the free edge 6 following the first closed condition and before the open condition. De facto, the recess 27 is able to enable both to visualize and give a tactile perception of the projection 25.

[0273] With reference instead to the control opening 24, it is useful to notesee FIGS. 1 and 2, for examplethat the same is carried by the lateral wall 4 parallel to the safety device 12 second coupling portion 14; the control opening 24 is advantageously placed at the safety device 12 removable portion 15 and at the tab 8 inserting portion 10. More particularly, the control opening 24 is placed on the same lateral wall 4 carrying the recess 27: the control opening 24 is distinct and distanced from the recess 27 and particularly is placed below said opening 24. The control opening 24 is configured to enable visualising the removable portion 15, particularly the first surface 15a, before the container 1 first open condition (during the container 1 first closed condition); the control opening 24 is further configured to enable visualising the inserting portion 10, particularly the first surface 10a, following the container 1 first open condition for giving a visual evidence of a container 1 tampering. In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the control opening 24 is configured to enable visualising, from the outside, the removable portion 15 and/or to enable visualising the correct engagement (arming) of the safety device 12 and particularly the correct insertion/engagement of the first portion 13 with the second portion 14 and therefore the correct arming of the device 12.

[0274] As hereinbefore described, the safety device 12 is further configured for giving evidence of a tampering; particularly, engaging the removable portion 15 with the first coupling portion 13 defines a stable engagement between the store 2 and closure system 7 which resists the container 1 openingthe user, at the first opening, notices a substantial resistance to the container openingfor giving a proof that this latter has not been already opened. The safety device 12, during the first open condition, is configured for enabling to separate the first removable portion 15 and therefore the projection 25, from the second coupling portion 14. The first open condition is for example illustrated in FIG. 9: during the system 7 first open condition, the first coupling portion 13 grips the removable portion 15 (a grip between the hooks 18 and 22) and tears it from the second portion 14.

[0275] Following the first open condition, the device 12 is capable of providing evidence of a tampering because the system 7 opening is easier: the user does not perceive, during the opening, a resistance on the inserting portion 10 (see FIGS. 10 and 22, wherein it is evident the absence of the removable portion 15). Further, following the first open condition, the control opening 24 enables visualizing the inserting portion 10 instead of the removable portion 15 (alternatively, it enables visualizing the store 2 internal volume): under such condition, the user can easily realize that the container 1 has been tampered without providing to open the same. Advantageously, it is possible to differentiate the surfaces 15a and 10a respectively of the removable portion 15 and inserting portion 10 in order to make easier to acknowledge said surface and intensify the evidence of a tampering. For example, it is possible to provide two different colors of the surfaces 15a and 10a: in such way the user can detect the container 1 tampering just by recognizing the color of the inserting portion 10 rather than on the removable portion 15. Besides the possibility of visually checking the container 1 tampering, the same can give a proof of a first opening by means of a missed tactile perception of the projection 25: in this way also sight-impaired people can check that has been performed a tampering.

[0276] As hereinbefore described, the projection 25 is configured for emerging from the store 2 free edge 6 (or also just from the recess 27 and/or through opening 26). Under the container 1 first closed condition and before the first open step, the projection 25 is carried by the removable portion 15 which is also arranged internally of the store: under such condition, the projection emerges from the free edge 6 and is easily tactilely perceivable.

[0277] Following the first opening of the container 1, the removable portion 15 separates from the store 2 (more generally from the container 1) and with it also the projection 25 which is no more tactilely perceivable. The absence of the projection 25 can immediately give a proof that the container has been tampered also without a visual proof. FIGS. 31 and 33 illustrate a further embodiment of the safety device 12, which comprises a control portion 28 of sheet material directly carried by the store 2 and/or closure system 7; the control portion 28 is configured to place, following the system 7 first closure and before the container 1 first open condition, behind the inserting portion 10 so that the same is interposed between said control portion 28 and the store 2 lateral wall 4 directly abutting on the inserting portion 10. Under such condition, the control portion 28 is entirely contained in the store 2 and directly covered by the removable portion 15. Specifically, the control portion 28 is configured to place immediately behind the projection 25 and immediately behind the projection portion emerging from the free edge 6. De facto, the control portion 28 top is configured for remaining inside the volume 3 at the store free edge 6. On the top of the control portion 28, the same has a cavity 29 contactable from the outside via the though opening 26. More specifically, the cavity 29 defines an open outline exhibiting a concavity facing the tab closing portion 9, in other words oppositely the internal volume 3. Still more particularly, the open outline of the control portion 28 cavity 29 defines an outline selected in the group among: a U, a V, a C outline.

[0278] The control portion 28 is configured to place, following the container 1 first open condition, behind the inserting portion 10 so that the same is interposed between said control portion 28 and the store 2 lateral wall 4 abutting on the inserting portion 10; under such condition, the control portion 28 is entirely contained in the store and faces the through opening 26 of the closure system 7: without the projection 25, the control portion 28 cavity is contactable from the outside via the through opening 26 and is tactilely perceivable for confirming the absence of the removable portion 15 and for giving therefore evidence of the container 1 tampering. De facto, the tactile perception of the cavity 29 through the opening 26 can confirm the absence of the projection 25 and particularly of the removable portion 15 and can therefore give evidence of the container 1 tampering.

[0279] In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the control portion 28 is carried, in a non limiting way, directly by the store 2 and comprises a sheet lying parallelly to the second coupling portion 14; particularly, the control portion 28 is, in a non limiting way, integrally joined and parallel to the second coupling portion 14 of the safety device 12. In a preferred, but non limiting way, embodiment of the invention, the device 12 (portions 13, 14 and 15) is at least partially, particularly completely, made of paper sheet material (paper or paperboard); the used sheet material exhibits a grammage comprised between 100 and 500 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 200 and 400 gr/m.sup.2. Optionally, the paper sheet material used for making the device 12 is as the sheet material used for making the store 2 and the closure system 7, particularly they are all obtained from only one paper material sheet. As hereinbefore described, the container 1 can also be used for housing pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food products. Under such condition, it can be advantageous covering an internal surface of the device 12 by a plastic material coating, for example a film. The coating has the object of defining a barrier interposed between the device 1 and products; the coating is further able to define a water and/or humidity barrier useful for avoiding the weakening and the structurality loss with a consequent warping of the paper material forming the device 12. Advantageously, the coating could be an extrusion coating on one side (the device 12 internal side) or on both sides (the device 12 internal and external surfaces) of the paper material defining the safety device having values which can for example vary between 10 and 50 gr/m.sup.2 of the coating material (in other words the polyethylene). The coating plastic material can be for example selected among the following materials: LDPE, HDPE, PP, PE. It is useful to specify that, since the above described solution represents a preferred but non limiting configuration of the container 1. Indeed, the removable portion 15 could equally form at least part of the first and/or second coupling portions 13, 14. For example, the removable portion 15 could define the respective undercut 20 and therefore the hook 22 of the first coupling portion 13; in such case, during the first container opening, the removable portion 15 would be configured for separating from the first portion 13. As hereinbefore described, it is not excluded the possibility of defining at least one removable portion 15 on the first coupling portion 13 and at least one removable portion on the second coupling portion 14.

[0280] In a further embodiment non illustrated in the attached figures, the safety device 12 comprises a sheet material tab at least partially made of paper and/of plastic material: the tab is outwardly engageable with the container 1 following the first closed condition of this latter and particularly of the system 7. Still referring to the container 1 first closed condition and before the first open condition of the same, the tab comprises at least one first constrain portion stably engaged with the tab 8 closing portion 9, at least a second constrain portion stably engaged with the store lateral wall and particularly with the wall which, under the system 7 closed condition, directly faces and abuts on the inserting portion 10. Advantageously, the first and second constrain portions are stably glued outside the container 1.

[0281] Further, the tab comprises at least one removable portion 15 removably engaged, on one side, with the first constrain portion and, on the opposite side, with the tab second constrain portion. The tab outwardly engaging the container 1, defines a L outline and at least one tactilely perceivable projection 25 emerging from the store 2 and/or from the closure system 7. The projection 25 can for example emerge transversally, particularly normal, from the closing portion 9 and exhibit one of the hereinbefore described shapes (for example, triangular, square, rectangular, semicircular). The tab removable portion 15, following the first closed condition and before the container 1 first open condition, is placed and covers at least part of the closure system 7 inserting portion 10.

[0282] The removable portion 15, together with the projection 25, is only engaged with said first and second constrain portions by weakening lines which form the tab weakened pre-notched portions. In other words, the removable portion 15 (together with the projection) is not directly constrained to the container 1 but is directly engaged only with the first and second constrain portions.

[0283] The removable portion 15, together with the projection 25, is configured for separating from the first and second constrain portions following a closure system 7 first open condition after said first closed condition for providing evidence of a container 1 tampering.

[0284] More particularly, during the first open condition of the container 1 and therefore of the system 7, the constrain portions are configured for remaining engaged (glued) with the store 2 and closing portion 9; the removable portion 15 is not directly constrained to the store 2 and system 7: the weakening lines present on the tab around the removable portion 15 cause the breakage of the tab and the separation of said removable portion 15 from the respective constrain portions. As hereinbefore described, the removable portion 15 carries the projection 25 which, separating from the tab, is no more tactilely perceivable. Following the container first opening, the tab can therefore give evidence of a tampering by the absence of the removable portion 25 and therefore of the projection 25.

Process for Making a Tamper-Evident Container

[0285] Further, it is an object of the present invention a process for making a tamper-evident container 1. First of all, the process provides to predispose the store 2 which, as hereinbefore described, is made of sheet material, optionally paper. Particularly, such step provides to predispose at least one first sheet 51 comprising at least one first and one second portions 52, 54 interconnected by a central connecting portion 53. The first sheet 51 further comprises at least one first and one second lateral connecting portions 55, 56. As it is visible for example in FIGS. 11, 12, 16, 18, 36-38, the central connecting portion 53 is interposed between the first and the second portions 52, 54, the first portion 52 is interposed between the first lateral connecting portion 55 and the central connecting portion 53 while the second portion 54 is interposed between the second lateral connecting portion 56 and the central connecting portion 53. Each of said portions 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 comprises at least two longitudinal opposite edges and two end opposite edges: the portions 52, 54, the central connecting portion 53 and said lateral connecting portions 55, 56 are joined along the longitudinal edges and aligned along only one connecting direction.

[0286] In a preferred but non limiting configuration of the invention, the first portion 52 of the first sheet 51 exhibits a rectangular shape perimetrally delimited by a lower edge 52a, a first and second lateral edges 52b, 52c and an upper edge 52d. Analogously, the second portion 54 of the first sheet 51 has a rectangular shape perimetrally delimited by a lower edge 54a, a first and second lateral edges 54b, 54c and an upper edge 54d. Advantageously, the first and second portions 52, 54 comprise a sheet having substantially the same shape and size. The central portion 53 and lateral connecting portions 55, 56 exhibit also rectangular shapes; such portions substantially exhibit the same shape and/or size and are integrally joined to the portions 52 and 54 of the first sheet at the lateral edges.

[0287] The step of predisposing the store 2 provides a step of folding the first sheet 51 at the lateral edges of the portions 52 and 54. The steps of forming the store 2 are schematically illustrated in FIGS. 12-15, 39, 40 and initially provide to fold a lateral connecting portion, for example the portion 55, with respect to the first portion 52 and on approach to the second portion 54 (FIGS. 12 and 40): for example, it is possible to provide to fold the longitudinal connecting portion 55 so that this latter can define, in cooperation with the portion 52, a substantially L shape. Then, the process provides, for example, to fold the central portion 53 with respect to the first portion 52 and on approach to the portion 55 that was already folded (see FIG. 13, for example): for example it is possible to provide to fold the central portion 53 so that this latter can define, in cooperation with the portion 52, a substantially L shape. Successively, it is for example possible to provide to fold the second portion 54 with respect to the central portion 53 and on approach to the first portion 52 (see FIG. 14, for example): for example, it is possible to provide to fold the second central portion 54 so that this latter can define, in cooperation with the central portion 53, a substantially L shape. For completely forming the store 2, the process provides to fold the remaining longitudinal connecting portion, for example, the portion 56, with respect to the second portion 54 so that it is possible to join said lateral connecting portions 55, 56. For holding the store 2 in the folded three-dimensional shape, the process can provide, in a non limiting way, to apply a predetermined quantity of glue 72 (FIG. 15) only the longitudinal connecting portions 55, 56 able to abut on each other: joining said portions enables to lock the store 2 in the folded configuration.

[0288] It is useful to specify that the step of predisposing the first sheet 51 can provide a packing step which enables to define, on the same sheet, folding lines coinciding with the longitudinal lateral edges of the portions of said first sheet 5. De facto, the steps of folding the first sheet portions are performed just along the longitudinal lateral edges of said portions which are packed in order to make easier the movement (folding) thereof.

[0289] The step of predisposing the first sheet 51 further provides at least a step of forming on the same 51 at least one through notch 69 placed on the first and/or second portions 52, 54 and which is configured for defining said control opening 24. The notch 69 is substantially executed at the lower and/or upper edges of at least one of said portions 52, 54. Further, the step of predisposing the first sheet 51 provides at least one step of forming on the same 51 at least a through groove 75 (see FIGS. 36-38, for example), placed on the first and/or second portions 52, 54 which is configured for defining the recess 27. The groove 75 is substantially obtained at the lower and/or upper edges of at least of said portions 52, 54. Advantageously but in a non limiting way, the groove 75 is obtained on the same sheet portion on which the notch 69 is defined and particularly above this latter. Specifically, the through groove 75 is defined at least on a transversal edge of the first or second portion 52, 54 of the first sheet 51; in FIGS. 36-38 the groove 75 is defined at the transversal edges of the second portion 54. The through groove 75 defines an open outline having a substantially C shape (FIG. 37), or a U shape (FIG. 36), or a V shape. Advantageously, the first sheet 51 is entirely made of paper material, exhibiting a grammage comprised between 100 and 500 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 300 and 400 gr/m.sup.2.

[0290] Further, the process provides to predispose the closure system 7. Such step provides to predispose at least one second sheet 57, advantageously, integrally joined to the first sheet 51, particularly at an end edge of the first and/or second portions 52, 54 of the first sheet 51 (FIGS. 11, 36-38). The second sheet 57 comprises at least one first and one second portions 58, 59 integrally joined to each other: the first portion 58 of the second sheet 57 is connected to the first sheet 51 so that said first portion 58 is interposed between the second portion 59 of the second sheet 57 and the first sheet 51. The attached figures illustrate a preferred but non limiting configuration of the invention wherein it is provided to predispose two second sheets 57 engaged with the first sheet 51 and placed opposite to this latter. The second sheet 57 is for example directly connected to the upper edge 52d and/or lower edge 52a of the portion 52 of the first sheet 51. FIGS. 11, 16, 18 and 36 illustrate, in a non limiting way, an embodiment wherein it is provided to form the two sheets 57 respectively on the lower 52a and upper edges 52d of the portion 52. FIGS. 23 and 36 illustrate an alternative embodiment wherein a second sheet 57 is directly connected to the upper edge 52d of the portion 52 while a second sheet 57 is directly connected to the lower edge 54a of the second portion 54. Advantageously, the second sheet 57 is integrally joined to the first sheet to define only one sheet; particularly, also the second sheet 57 is made of paper material, particularly of a paper material sheet having substantially the same characteristics as the first sheet 51.

[0291] The step of predisposing the second sheet 57 can further provide at least one step of forming on the same a through notch 74 (FIGS. 36-38) which is able to define the through opening 26 of the closure system 7. The through notch 74 can be defined on the first and/or second portions 58, 59 of the second sheet 57; in a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the notch 74 is partially defined on the first and partially on the second portions 58, 59 of the second sheet 57 without interruptions to define a single closed outline notch. Still more specifically, the through notch 74 defines a closed perimetral outline exhibiting at least one shape selected in the group of the following shapes: square, rectangular, diamond, circular, elliptical, semicircular, triangular. The attached figures illustrate a non limiting embodiment of the invention wherein the notch exhibits a rectangular shape. Advantageously, the second sheet 57 exhibits a grammage between 100 and 500 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 300 and 400 gr/m.sup.2.

[0292] Further, the process provides the steps of folding the first and second portions 58, 59 of the second sheet 57 for forming respectively the closing portion 9 and inserting portion 10 of the closure system 7. The step of predisposing the closure system 7 further provides a sub-step of predisposing at least one third sheet 60 exhibiting at least one portion 61 connected at least to one central and/or lateral connecting portions of the first sheet 51 and emerging from this latter from the same side from which the second sheet 57 emerges. Advantageously, the third sheet provides four portions 61 integrally joined to the first sheet 51. Two portions 61 are connected to the central portion 53 and emerge from this latter opposite to each other along respective end edges (emerging from the first sheet 51 from the same side from which the second sheet 57 emerges).

[0293] Two further portions 61 are connected to the longitudinal connecting portion 55 or 56 (FIG. 11 illustrates, in a non limiting way, a configuration where the further two portions 61 are carried by the portion 56) and emerging from this latter opposite to each other along respective end edges (emerging from the first sheet 51 from the same side from which the second sheet 57 emerges). Each portion 61 is made of a flat sheet material, particularly a paper sheet material, and exhibits a substantially square or trapezoidal shape. Advantageously, also the third sheet 60 is made of paper material, particularly a paper material sheet, having substantially the same characteristics as the first and second sheets 51, 57. Advantageously, the third sheet 60 exhibits a grammage between 100 and 500 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 300 and 400 gr/m.sup.2. Further, the process comprises the step of folding the third sheet 60 portion 61 towards the store internal volume to form the container 1 abutting portion 11.

[0294] Advantageously, first of all the process provides to fold the first sheet 51 to define the store 2; then the third sheet 60 is folded to define the abutting portion 11. Following or simultaneously with the third sheet 60 folding, the second sheet 57 is folded to define said closure 9 and inserting portions 10.

[0295] Further, the process provides to predispose the safety device 12 which provides at least the sub-step of predisposing a fourth sheet 62 comprising at least one portion 63 integrally joined to the second portion 59 of the second sheet 57 and/or to the portion 61 of the third sheet 60. The fourth sheet 62 portion 63 is also made of sheet material, particularly of paper sheet material, and longitudinally emerges from the second and/or third sheets 57, 60 opposite to the first sheet 51: the fourth sheet 62 portion 63 is configured for defining the container 1 first coupling portion 13. The attached figures illustrate, in a non limiting way, a configuration of the fourth sheet 62 which is directly connected (emerging away from) to the second portion 59 of the second sheet 57. However, it is not excluded the possibility of forming a fourth sheet 62 emerging from the third sheet 60 away from the first sheet 51 (this configuration is not illustrated in the attached figures).

[0296] More specifically, the step of forming the portion 63 of the fourth sheet 62 provides at least the following sub-steps: [0297] forming, as a prolongation to the second portion 59 of the second sheet 57, a flat sheet substantially parallel to the second sheet 57, the prolonging sheet emerges from the second portion 59 opposite to the first portion 59 of the second sheet 57; [0298] forming at least one undercut 71 able to define the first coupling portion 13 of the container 1.

[0299] The undercut 71 substantially defines on the fourth sheet, a seat configured for defining the undercut 20 of the first coupling portion 13. Advantageously, the step of forming the prolongation provides to form at least two undercuts 71 opposite to each other with respect to the fourth sheet 62 itself and which are configured for defining the respective undercuts 20 of the first coupling portion 13. As described hereinbefore, also the fourth sheet 62 is made of paper material, particularly of a paper material sheet, having substantially the same characteristics as the first, second and third sheets 51, 57, 60. Advantageously, the fourth sheet 62 exhibits a grammage comprised between 100 and 500 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 300 and 400 gr/m.sup.2.

[0300] The step of predisposing the safety device 12 further provides at least the sub-step of predisposing a fifth sheet 64 comprising at least a portion 65 integrally joined to the first sheet 51. In a non limiting configuration of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 11, 18 and 37, the fifth sheet 64 emerges laterally from the first sheet 51 beside the portion 55: this latter portion is interposed between the fifth sheet 64 and the first sheet 51 portion 52. In such a configuration, the process, during the step of forming the store 2, provides to fold the portion 65 of the fifth sheet 64, to define said second coupling portion 14, immediately after the longitudinal portion 55 folding: in such way, after having folded the portions 53, 54 and 56, the fifth sheet 64 is positioned inside the store 2. A further configuration is for example illustrated in FIG. 23, in which the fifth sheet 64 is connected to and emerges away from the first portion 52 of the first sheet 51 and/or from the second portion 54 of the first sheet 51. In such configuration, the step of folding the portion 65 of the fifth sheet 64, to define said second coupling portion 14, can be performed before, during or after the step of forming the store 2. In both the configurations of the fifth sheet 64, following the step of folding the portion 65, this latter is configured to place in the store internal volume 3 to define said coupling portion 14.

[0301] The fifth sheet 64 portion 65 is also made of sheet material, particularly paper sheet material. More particularly, the step of forming the fifth sheet 64 portion 65 provides at least the following sub-steps: [0302] forming, as a prolongation to the first sheet 51, a flat sheet substantially parallel to the second sheet 57; [0303] forming on said sheet at least one undercut 70 adapted to define the second coupling portion 14 of the container 1.
The undercut 70 substantially defines a seat (see for example FIG. 11) able to receive the undercut 71 of the fourth sheet 62; the undercut 70 is de facto configured for defining the undercut 16 of the second coupling portion 14. Advantageously, the step of forming the prolongation provides to form at least two undercuts 70 opposite to each other and which are configured for defining the respective undercuts 16 of the second coupling portion 14. As hereinbefore described, also the fifth sheet 64 is made of paper material, particularly a paper material sheet, having at least the same characteristics as the fourth sheet 62. Advantageously, the fifth sheet 64 exhibits a grammage comprised between 100 and 500 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 300 and 400 gr/m.sup.2. In a preferred but non limiting embodiment of the invention, the first, second, third, fourth and fifth sheets 51, 57, 60, 62, 64 are integrally joined to form a single blank sheet 50 (this condition is illustrated in FIGS. 11, 16, 23); the blank sheet 50 is at least partially, particularly entirely, made of paper sheet, optionally the blank sheet 50 exhibits a grammage comprised between 100 and 500 gr/m.sup.2, particularly comprised between 300 and 400 gr/m.sup.2.

[0304] The process further provides a step of forming, on the portions 63 and/or 65, respectively of the fourth and fifth sheets 62, 64, at least a further portion 66 integrally joined to said portion 63, 65 by a weakening line 67: the further portion 66 defines the undercut 70 and/or 71 and is configured for defining the container 1 removable portion 15. This step of forming the further portion 66 substantially provides a sub-step of packing and/or notching the fourth and/or fifth sheets 62, 64 for forming on this latter a weakening line 67 (see FIG. 11, for example) which is able to define a portion of the sheet separable (tearable) from the main body of the sheet. The attached figures illustrate a non limiting configuration of the invention, in which the further portion 66 is carried by the fourth sheet 62 so that, at the end of the packing and/or notching steps and the following sheets folding step, the removable portion 15 is carried by the second coupling portion 14 as illustrated in the attached figures showing the container 1. However, as hereinbefore described, the removable portion 15 can be carried by the first coupling portion 13 or by both the portions 13, 14. For defining the removable portion 15 on the coupling portion 13, the process should provide a step of packing and/or notching the fourth sheet 62 so that the further portion 66 could be defined (integrally joined to) on the portion 63 (this condition is not illustrated in the attached figures). The process provides to form the further portions 66 as many as the present second sheets 57 and therefore as many as the closure systems 7 provided on the container 1. FIGS. 11, 16, 23, 36-38 illustrate a preferred but non limiting configuration of the invention, in which there are two fourth sheets 62 respectively integrally joined to the two second sheets 57, in order to form first coupling portions 13; therefore there are at least two further portions 66 carried by a single fifth sheet 64 (FIGS. 11 and 16) or by two fifth distinct sheets 64 (FIG. 23): the portions 66 are configured for defining two removable portions 15 which are able to cooperate with the two respective first coupling portions 13 of the fourth sheet 62.

[0305] The step of predisposing the safety device 12 further provides a step of forming on the removable portion the tactilely perceivable projection 25 emerging from the store 2 and/or from the closure system 7: the removable portion 15, together with the projection 25, is configured for separating from the safety device 12 following a first open condition of the closure system 7 following said first closed condition for providing evidence of a container 1 tampering. More specifically, the step of predisposing the further portion 66 provides to form at least one bulge 73 emerging from the further portion 66of the fourth and/or fifth sheets 62, 64and placed oppositely with respect to the undercut 70 of the further portion itself The bulge 73 is able to define the removable portion 15 projection 25: the removable portion projection 25, following the container 1 first closed condition, emerges from the store 2 free edge 6 and/or from the closure system 7 outside the internal volume 3. De facto, the bulge 73 is distanced from and opposite to the undercut 70 so that following the step of folding the fifth sheet inside the store 2, the undercut is completely housed in the volume 3 while the projection emerges at least partially from the free edge 6 and/or recess 27. De facto, as hereinbefore described, the projection 25 is distanced from and placed oppositely to the gripping edge 17 with respect to the removable portion 15: the projection 25 emerges oppositely to the gripping edge 17 with respect to the removable portion 15.

[0306] Further, the process can comprise to form, on the fourth and/or fifth sheets carrying the further portion 66, an additional portion 76 of sheet material foldable above the further portion 66 for defining the control portion 28. De facto, the additional portion 76 represents a prolongation of the portion 66 and which defines a substantially end portion of the portion 66. As it is visible for example in FIG. 36, the portion 66 is interposed between the additional portion 76 and the second portion 54 of the first sheet 51; the additional portion 76 is foldable above the portion 54 together with the portion 66: then, the additional portion 76 is again folded above the portion 66 so that the cavity 29 of the control portion 28, in the three-dimensional configuration of the container 1, can be located immediately behind the projection as for example illustrated in FIG. 40.

[0307] Advantageously, the sheets are obtained from a single flat sheet, particularly of paper material, which is die cut for defining the blank 50 comprising the above described sheets 51, 57, 60, 62 and 64. The die cutting step, besides defining the contour of the blank, is configured for packing the sheet for perimetrally delimiting the single sheets, for example by defining the end connection edges of the sheet and along which the folds should be executed in the following. Further, the die cutting step enables to notch the portions 52 and 54 for defining at least one of the following elements: the control opening 24, bulge 73, notch 74, groove 75, undercuts 70 and/or 71. During the die cutting step there is simultaneously the packing and/or notching of the fourth and/or fifth sheets for defining the weakening line 67 (or the plurality of weakening lines 67) for forming the further portion 66. Substantially, by a single die cutting step it is possible to define the flat blank 50 complete of all the above described sheets 51, 57, 60, 62, 64.

[0308] Further, the process can provide a step of predisposing a container 1 arranged in a compacted shape as illustrated in FIG. 17. Particularly, following the single blank 50 formation, the process provides the steps of folding the first sheet 51 in order to couple the portions 55 and 56. Then, the first and second portions 52, 54 are approached and located at least partially in contact with each other. From such condition, it will be sufficient to lift the portions 55 and 56, and also the central portion 53 for arranging the store 2 in the three-dimensional shape with the closure system 7 not already folded (this condition is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3). From such condition, the container 1 is ready for receiving the products and then for being closed for the first time: during the container 1 first closure, there is the coupling of the portions 13 and 14 and therefore the safety device 12 is armed or activated. In case there are two distinct through openings 5, the process can provide to close a system 7 (arming only one safety device 12), to insert the products in the store 2 and to completely close the container 1 by closing the second and last systems 7 (arming the second and last safety devices 12).