Systems and Methods for Packaging
20250320041 ยท 2025-10-16
Inventors
Cpc classification
B65D47/0838
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing tamper evident packaging are disclosed. The systems and methods include, for example, one or more structures that provide or generate a visual indicator of package tampering. In some implementations, the systems and methods described herein relate to a package system, the system including, for example, top/lid and base portions connected together by a tamper evident assembly. In some implementations, the systems and methods described herein also relate to a packaging system including, for example, nozzle and base portions that are snap or interference fit together.
Claims
1. A packaging system comprising: a lid and a base portion; and tamper evident assembly comprising first, second and third portions, the first portion comprising a plurality of breakable structures connected to the lid portion; the second portion comprising a projecting bearing surface; the third portion comprising a hook portion; and wherein the tamper evident assembly includes a first state comprising the plurality of breakable structures being unbroken and a second state comprising the plurality of breakable structures being broken.
2. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the hook portion comprises a cam surface.
3. The packaging system of any of claim 1 wherein base portion comprises an opening for receiving the hook portion.
4. The packaging system of any of claim 1 wherein the tamper evident assembly is disposed in a recessed space of the lid portion.
5. The packaging system of any of claim 1 wherein the first, second and third portions are disposed on a body of the tamper evident assembly.
6. The packaging system of any of claim 1 wherein the tamper evident assembly is retained by the base portion after the plurality of breakable structures are broken.
7. The packaging system of any of claim 1 further comprising a nozzle portion connected to the base portion.
8. The packaging system of any of claim 1 wherein the second portion is disposed between the first and third portions.
9. The packaging system of any of claim 1 wherein the projecting bearing surface bears against a support surface of the base portion.
10. The packaging system of any of claim 1 wherein the tamper evident assembly comprises an arcuate body.
11. A packaging system comprising: a base portion and a nozzle portion; the base portion comprising: an opening for receiving the nozzle portion and first and second nozzle mounting portions, the first nozzle mounting portion comprising a first wall that is received with a recess of the nozzle portion to orient the nozzle portion for insertion into the base portion; and the second nozzle mounting portion comprising a second wall that is received within a neck portion of the nozzle portion; and wherein the first nozzle portion and second nozzle portion comprise a snap fit connection that maintains the base portion and nozzle portion connected together.
12. The packaging system of claim 11 wherein the first wall comprises an arcuate shape.
13. The packaging system of any one of claim 11 wherein the recess of the nozzle portion comprises an arcuate shape.
14. The packaging system of any one of claim 11 wherein the nozzle portion comprises a locking bead portion that bears against the second wall.
15. The packaging system of any one of claim 11 wherein the nozzle portion further comprises a dispensing portion and wherein the neck portion is at least partially recessed from the dispensing portion.
16. The packaging system of any one of claim 11 wherein the opening of the base portion comprises a first size and a second larger size during insertion of the nozzle portion.
17. The packaging system of any one of claim 11 wherein second nozzle mounting portion comprises first orientation and second orientation that is a flexed orientation during insertion of the nozzle portion.
18. The packaging system of any one of claim 11 wherein the nozzle portion comprises a tapered surface that bears against the second nozzle mounting portion during insertion.
19. The packaging system of any one of claim 11 wherein the first wall limits the insertion distance of the nozzle portion in to the base portion.
20. The packaging system of any one of claim 11 wherein the first wall limits rotation of the nozzle portion with respect to the base portion during insertion.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] To further explain various aspects of examples in the present disclosure, a more particular description of certain examples and implementations will be made by reference to various aspects of the appended drawings. These drawings depict only example implementations of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, while the figures can be drawn to scale for some examples, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for all examples. In the views shown, the scale and relative scale are intended as representative examples. Examples and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
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DESCRIPTION
[0042] The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate example implementations of the present disclosure. Other implementations having different structures and operations do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0043] Various technologies pertaining to packaging systems and methods are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a non-limiting description of one or more aspects of the disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that functionality that is described as being carried out by certain system or assembly components may be performed by multiple components. Similarly, for instance, a component may be configured to perform functionality that is described as being carried out by multiple components. Further, when two components are described as being connected, coupled, joined, affixed, in physical communication, etc., it is to be understood that one or more intervening components or parts can be included in such association.
[0044] Moreover, the term or is intended to mean an inclusive or rather than an exclusive or. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase X employs A or B (or other similar phrases) is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase X employs A or B is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles a and an as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.
[0045] The terms top and bottom, or upper and lower, are used herein for identification purposes. Similarly, the terms first, second, third, etc. are used herein for identification purposes. It is contemplated that components disclosed herein can be oriented in substantially any manner or order consistent with the disclosure. For instance, a top surface need not be above a bottom surface, unless specifically identified in that spatial relationship by the disclosure. Similarly, a first component need not come before a second or third component. Further, as used herein, the term exemplary is intended to mean serving as an illustration or example of something.
[0046] Systems and methods for packaging are provided that include, for example, visual tamper indicator(s). In some implementations, the visual tamper indicator(s) are retained or tethered with the product (versus being separately discarded from the product or packaging). This helps to lower environmental waste and enhances recycling as the packaging components remain together. In other implementations, the visual tamper indicator(s) need not remain with the product.
[0047] In one implementation, the systems and methods include a tamper evident band or strip assembly. The assembly includes a visual untampered (or closed) state and a visual tampered (or open) state. In the visual untampered state, the assembly includes at least one band or strip body that is connected to a lid portion of the product packaging via one or more breakable tabs. In the unbroken tab state, the assembly provides or generates a visual untampered indicator state. Also in this state, in some implementations, the band or strip body includes a snap fit or snap lock (or interference fit) arrangement connecting the body to a base portion of the packaging that maintains the body with the base portion. The snap fit or snap lock arrangement can include, for example, one or more cantilevers, lugs, or projections having interlocking beads or bosses thereon. The beads or bosses can be in the form of, for example, projections such as hooks, channels, studs, etc., or any shape allows an interlocking snap fit arrangement. In this closed state, the packaging is maintained in an unopened and untampered state.
[0048] In the visual tampered state (or open state), the one or more breakable tabs are torn, broken, or disconnected, allowing the band or strip body to disengage or unlock from the lid portion. This frees or unlocks the lid portion of the packaging allowing it to open. The broken tabs provide or generate a visual tamper indication since the product packaging is no longer locked and can be opened. The band or strip body is retained or remains tethered or connected to the product packaging via, for example, the snap fit or snap lock arrangement with the base portion on the product packaging.
[0049] In another implementation, a dispensing or nozzle portion of the packaging is connected to the base portion via snap fit or snap lock arrangement. The nozzle and base portions are provided with interlocking bearing and guide surfaces or walls. This provides for a simpler assembly structure and correspondingly less complex molding and tooling for manufacturing the components of the assembly.
[0050] Referring now to
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[0053] Lid portion 102 includes a notch, cut-out or recessed space 316 where the tamper evident assembly (e.g., band or strip body 300, etc.) is initially placed or formed. Space 316 is bound by walls 318 and 320. Within space 316, the tamper evident assembly is connected or fixated to lid portion 102 by first portion 303, which includes one or more tabs or tab-like structures 314a, 314b, 314c, and 314d. While these structures are shown as tabs, they can be any structure or shape that can be broken or torn to release lid portion 102 so that it can open after assembly to base portion 104. In other implementations, band or strip body 300 can be connected to lid portion 102 via, for example, a row of breakable perforations. Lid portion 102 also includes an extension portion 312, which can be used to be pushed against to lift open the lid. A nozzle cap portion 310 can also be provided to close the dispensing nozzle when lid portion 102 is in the closed state (e.g., see cap wall 800 in
[0054] Base portion 104 includes support or bearing surface 304, opening 306, nozzle opening 308, and surface 324. As previously described, support or bearing surface 304 and opening 306 work with band or strip body 300 and projecting portion 302 to form one implementation of a tamper evident feature. Nozzle opening 308 allows a dispensing nozzle of nozzle portion 106 to project therethrough (e.g., see
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[0060] So formed, tamper evident portion 108 is inserted into opening 306 in base portion 104 by inserting the hook portion 916 therein. In order to form the snap fit or snap lock connection, opening 306 is sized slightly smaller than hook portion 916. As hook portion 916 is inserted into opening 306, cam or tapered wall 914 causes opening 306 to slightly expand until hook portion 916 passes therethrough. Once hook portion 916 passes through, opening 306 returns to its original size. The insertion depth of hook portion 916 is limited by bearing wall 908 of tamper evident portion 108 making contact with bearing wall 910 of base portion 104. Once inserted, hook portion 916 cannot be withdrawn because surface 918 of hook portion 916 bears against projecting surface 920 of base portion 104. Surface 920 of base portion 104 forms an opposite bead, lug or hook to lock or prevent hook portion 916 from withdrawal from base portion 104. In one implementation, lid portion 102, base portion 104, nozzle portion 106, and tamper evident portion 108 are made of a resilient material such as plastic or similar material, which can flex or bend without breaking and can accommodate the snap fit or snap lock arrangements disclosed herein. Thus, in this manner, lid portion 102 is initially closed against base portion 104 thereby presenting tamper evident portion 108 in the closed or visual untampered state.
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[0062] Further movement of nozzle portion 106 in the outward direction is restricted by second nozzle mounting portion 508 that includes bearing wall 504, which bears against wall 602 of nozzle portion 106. As shown particularly in
[0063] During this insertion process, bearing recesses 410 on nozzle portion 106 contact correspondingly shaped projecting walls 506 on base portion 104 to guide and fixate the two components (i.e., nozzle portion 106 and base portion 104) as the insertion process is performed. In one implementation, bearing recesses 410 are recessed portions with elliptical or partially elliptical shapes and projecting walls 506 have a similar shape except they project in a manner so that they can be received partially or fully with recesses 410. Shapes other can elliptical can also be used including, for example, circular or partial circular, polygonal and partially polygonal, etc. The exact shape is not critical so long as a guiding, orientation, and/or fixation function is provided between the nozzle portion 106 and base portion 104.
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[0066] As previously described, the visual tamper indicator is retained or tethered with the product (versus being separately discarded from the product or packaging). This helps to lower environmental waste and enhances recycling as the packaging components remain together. In other implementations, the visual tamper indicator(s) need not remain with the product.
[0067] While packaging system 100 has been shown having substantially arcuate shapes and geometries, non-arcuate shapes and geometries can be used. For example, packaging system 100 and its components can have polygonal (e.g., triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, etc.) shapes and geometries. Further, while tamper evident portion 108 has been shown generally configured as arcuate in plan views and substantially straight in elevation views (e.g., see
[0068] Further yet, the various snap fit or snap lock (or interference fit) arrangements disclosed herein can be modified to include other such arrangements. For example, lugs, beads, or hooks can be cantilevered, complementary lug, bead, and/or hooking arrangements can be used, lug, bead, or hooks can be used with locking receptacles or recesses, etc. Hence, the exact form of snap fit or snap lock (or interference fit) configuration is not critical so long as it provides a connection or fixation of the components.
[0069] Still further yet, while the tamper evident portion 108 has been shown formed with lid portion 102 and snap fit or snap locked to base portion 104, the opposite configuration is also possible. That is, tamper evident portion 108 can be formed with base portion 104 and snap fit or snap locked to lid portion 102. The tab structures 314a, etc. would still need to be torn or broken to release lid portion 102 to allow it to open and to provide a visual tampered state indication.
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[0071] The following includes additional description of examples and implementations. The implementations are intended to illustrate examples of combinations of elements and are not intended to limit the scope of any particular example or implementation disclosed herein.
[0072] Implementation 1. A packaging system comprising: a lid and a base portion; and a tamper evident assembly comprising first, second and third portions, the first portion comprising a plurality of breakable structures connected to the lid portion; the second portion comprising a projecting bearing surface; the third portion comprising a hook portion; and wherein the tamper evident assembly includes a first state comprising the plurality of breakable structures being unbroken and a second state comprising the plurality of breakable structures being broken.
[0073] Implementation 2. The packaging system of implementation 1 wherein the hook portion comprises a cam surface.
[0074] Implementation 3. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-2 wherein base portion comprises an opening for receiving the hook portion.
[0075] Implementation 4. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-3 wherein the tamper evident assembly is disposed in recessed space of the lid portion.
[0076] Implementation 5. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-4 wherein the first, second and third portions are disposed on a body of the tamper evident assembly.
[0077] Implementation 6. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-5 wherein the tamper evident assembly is retained by the base portion after the plurality of breakable structures are broken.
[0078] Implementation 7. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-6 further comprising a nozzle portion connected to the base portion.
[0079] Implementation 8. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-7 wherein the second portion is disposed between the first and third portions.
[0080] Implementation 9. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-8 wherein the projecting bearing surface bears against a support surface of the base portion.
[0081] Implementation 10. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-9 wherein the tamper evident assembly comprises an arcuate body.
[0082] Implementation 11. A packaging system comprising: a base portion and a nozzle portion; the base portion comprising: an opening for receiving the nozzle portion and first and second nozzle mounting portions, the first nozzle mounting portion comprising a first wall that is received with a recess of the nozzle portion to orient the nozzle portion for insertion into the base portion; and the second nozzle mounting portion comprising a second wall that is received within a neck portion of the nozzle portion; and wherein the first nozzle portion and second nozzle portion comprise a snap fit connection that maintains the base portion and nozzle portion connected together.
[0083] Implementation 12. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-11.
[0084] Implementation 13. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-12 wherein the first wall comprises an arcuate shape.
[0085] Implementation 14. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-13 wherein the recess of the nozzle portion comprises an arcuate shape.
[0086] Implementation 15. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-14 wherein the nozzle portion comprises a locking bead portion that bears against the second wall.
[0087] Implementation 16. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-15 wherein the nozzle portion further comprises a dispensing portion and wherein the neck portion is at least partially recessed from the dispensing portion.
[0088] Implementation 17. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-16 wherein the opening of the base portion comprises a first size and a second larger size during insertion of the nozzle portion.
[0089] Implementation 18. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-17 wherein second nozzle mounting portion comprises first orientation and second orientation that is a flexed orientation during insertion of the nozzle portion.
[0090] Implementation 19. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-18 wherein the nozzle portion comprises a tapered surface that bears against the second nozzle mounting portion during insertion.
[0091] Implementation 20. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-19 wherein the first wall limits the insertion distance of the nozzle portion in to the base portion.
[0092] Implementation 21. The packaging system of any of implementations 1-20 wherein the first wall limits rotation of the nozzle portion with respect to the base portion during insertion.
[0093] As described herein, when one or more components are described as being connected, joined, affixed, coupled, attached, or otherwise interconnected, such interconnection can be direct as between the components or can be indirect such as through the use of one or more intermediary components. Also as described herein, reference to a member, component, or portion shall not be limited to a single structural member, component, or element but can include an assembly of components, members, or elements. Also as described herein, the terms substantially and about are defined as at least close to (and includes) a given value or state (preferably within 10% of, more preferably within 1% of, and most preferably within 0.1% of).
[0094] The various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the disclosures may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the examples herein, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative implementations, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present application. Still further, while various alternative implementations as to the various aspects, concepts, and features of the disclosures-such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, and components, alternatives as to form, fit, and function, and so onmay be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available implementations, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts, or features into additional implementations and uses within the scope of the present application even if such implementations are not expressly disclosed herein.
[0095] Additionally, even though some features, concepts, or aspects of the disclosures may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, example or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present application, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated.
[0096] Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of a disclosure, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts, and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific disclosure, the disclosures instead being set forth in the appended claims. Descriptions of example methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated. The words used in the claims have their full ordinary meanings and are not limited in any way by the description of the implementations in the specification or description.