Tamper resistant container

Abstract

A vacuum formed, tamper resistant container resists deformation of the sides thereof that might otherwise permit access to contents of the container without removal of the lid. Downward protruding lid features reinforce the wall of the container base, and buttress features included in the rim of the base extend from a base flange diagonally downward and inward to the inner rim of a recessed shelf, thereby resisting downward rotation of the wall beneath the lid protruding features. In embodiments, attachment tabs surrounded by frangible boundaries are incorporated in the lid and attached to the base by living hinges, such that removal of the lid requires breaking of the frangible boundaries and detachment of the lid from the attachment tabs. Pucker elements associated with the attachment tabs can cause the attachment tabs to pivot away from the lid when the attachment tabs are detached from the lid.

Claims

1. A tamper evident container, comprising: a base having a substantially horizontal bottom joined at a perimeter thereof to a lower edge of at least one substantially vertical base wall, the base comprising a substantially horizontal base flange extending outwardly from an upper rim of the base; a lid that can be installed onto the base such that a seal is formed between the lid and the base, the lid being surrounded by a lid flange; a pull tab in the lid flange, the pull tab proximal to a living hinge side of an upper edge of the base, the pull tab facilitating grasping of the lid and the base to pull the lid and the base apart and breaking a frangible attachment therebetween; and at least one attachment tab attached by the living hinge to the living hinge side of an upper edge of the base, the at least one attachment tab being attached to the same living hinge side of the upper edge of the base, the at least one attachment tab being incorporated into and substantially co-planar with the lid flange, and being bounded by frangible tab boundaries that permit the at least one attachment tab to be broken free of the lid, thereby freeing the lid from the base; the at least one attachment tab being coordinate with a corresponding pucker element, such that when the at least one attachment tab is broken free from the lid and the lid is subsequently re-installed on the base, the at least one attachment tab is caused by the pucker elements to extend upward away from the lid flange.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one base wall includes a substantially horizontal shelf extending outward, the substantially horizontal shelf terminating in a substantially vertical, upwardly extending rim wall, said rim wall terminating in the outwardly extending, substantially horizontal base flange.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the lid comprises a plurality of protruding lid features that extend downward from the lid, wherein when the lid is installed on the base the protruding lid features extend downward along the rim wall of the base toward the substantially horizontal shelf of the base.

4. A tamper evident container, comprising: a base having a substantially horizontal bottom joined at a perimeter thereof to a lower edge of at least one substantially vertical base wall, the base comprising a substantially horizontal base flange extending outwardly from an upper rim of the base; a lid that can be installed onto the base such that a seal is formed between the lid and the base, the lid being surrounded by a lid flange; and at least one attachment tab attached by a living hinge to a living hinge side of an upper edge of the base, the at least one attachment tab being attached to the same living hinge side of the upper edge of the base, the at least one attachment tab being incorporated into and substantially co-planar with the lid flange, and being bounded by frangible tab boundaries that permit the at least one attachment tab to be broken free of the lid, thereby freeing the lid from the base; the at least one attachment tab being coordinate with a corresponding pucker element, such that when the at least one attachment tab is broken free from the lid and the lid is subsequently re-installed on the base, the at least one attachment tab is caused by the pucker elements to extend upward away from the lid flange; wherein the at least one substantially vertical base wall includes a substantially horizontal shelf extending outward, the substantially horizontal shelf terminating in a substantially vertical, upwardly extending rim wall, said rim wall terminating in the outwardly extending, substantially horizontal base flange; wherein the lid comprises a plurality of protruding lid features that extend downward from the lid, wherein when the lid is installed on the base the protruding lid features extend downward along the rim wall of the base toward the substantially horizontal shelf of the base; and wherein gaps between the protruding lid features are provided in the regions of the at least one attachment tab so that the protruding lid features do not overlap the at least one attachment tab, and so that upon reattachment of the lid to the base, the container is ventilated due to openings in the lid resulting from the breaking free of the at least one attachment tab from the lid.

5. The container of claim 3, wherein in regions proximate the at least one attachment tab the protruding lid features are located inward of the at least one attachment tab, so that the protruding lid features do not overlap the at least one attachment tab, and so that upon reattachment of the lid to the base, the container is not ventilated due to openings in the lid resulting from the breaking free of the at least one attachment tab from the lid.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the protruding lid features are located inward from the at least one attachment tab and are substantially parallel with the hinge edge of the base flange.

7. The container of claim 5, wherein the protruding lid features are proximate the hinge edge of the base flange in regions between the at least one attachment tab, and are offset inward from the hinge edge of the base flange in regions proximate the at least one attachment tab, such that the protruding lid features do not overlap the at least one attachment tab.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1A is a perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown with the lid open prior to filling the container with contents;

(2) FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view of the rim of the base of the exemplary embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment, shown after the container has been filled and the lid has been attached to the base;

(4) FIG. 3A is a sectional view from the side of the embodiment of FIG. 2, where the sectional cut has been made through a pair of opposing buttress features;

(5) FIG. 3B is a sectional view from the side of the embodiment of FIG. 2, where the sectional cut has been made between the buttress features through a pair of opposing base protrusions;

(6) FIG. 3C is an enlarged view of a rim portion of the cut intersection of FIG. 3A;

(7) FIG. 3D is an enlarged view of a rim portion of the cut intersection of FIG. 3B;

(8) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, directed to the side of the container that includes pucker elements;

(9) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown after the attachment tabs have been broken free of the lid, and the lid has been replaced on the base;

(10) FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment wherein the lid protruding features are offset from the attachment tabs along the entire hinge side of the container, the embodiment being shown before initial filling of the container;

(11) FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A, shown after the container has been filled and closed;

(12) FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A, shown after it has been opened and emptied;

(13) FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A, shown after it has been re-closed;

(14) FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment where in the lid protruding features are offset inward from the attachment tabs but proximal the hinge edge of the container between the attachment tabs, the embodiment being shown before initial filling of the container;

(15) FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A, shown after the container has been filled and closed;

(16) FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A, shown after it has been opened and emptied;

(17) FIG. 7D is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A, shown after it has been re-closed; and

(18) FIG. 7E is a close-up view of the hinge side of the embodiment of FIG. 7D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(19) The present invention is a vacuum formed container that inhibits deformation of sides thereof, and thereby inhibits access to its contents until the lid is removed from the base. Another general aspect of the invention is a tamper evident feature for a vacuum formed container that does not require additional manufacturing steps after the vacuum forming thereof.

(20) Regarding a first general aspect of the invention, with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the disclosed container 100 includes a base 104 having a bottom 106, at least one wall 108, and a base rim 110 surrounding an upper edge of the wall 108 that is configured for interlocking with a corresponding lid rim 112 of a lid 102. The base rim 110 includes a substantially horizontal recessed shelf 114 surrounded by a substantially vertical rim wall 126 that terminates in a substantially horizontal, flat base flange 116. The base rim 110 is thereby configured such that when the lid 102 is installed on the base 104, protruding lid features 118 included in the lid rim 112 extend below the base flange 116 and beside the rim wall 126 toward the recessed shelf 114, thereby reinforcing the sides 108 of the base 104 against lateral indentation thereof. The embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B further includes base protrusions 124 that extend upward from an inner edge of the recessed shelf 114, such that the lid protrusions 118 extending downward from the lid 102 are inserted between the base protrusions 124 and the rim wall 126 of the base 104.

(21) In addition, the rim 110 of the base 104 includes novel features, referred to herein as buttress features 120, that reinforce the sides 108 of the base 104 against being rotated inward and downward, so that the rim 110 of the base cannot be pushed below the protruding lid features 118 of the lid. The buttress features 120 are formed as lateral indentations of the rim wall 126 and recessed shelf 114, and are bounded on upper sides thereof by downward sloping upper surfaces 122 extending from the base flange 116 to the inner rim of the recessed shelf 114. Because of this intrusion of the buttress features 120 into the rim 110 of the base 104, corresponding gaps 128 are provided between the protruding lid features 118.

(22) Embodiments include only two opposing buttress features 120 located on two opposing sides 108 of the base 104, or only four buttress features 120, including one buttress feature 120 on each of four sides 108. Still other embodiments include a plurality of buttress features 120 on each of two opposing walls 108, for example if the container 100 is long and narrow. The embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a plurality of buttress features 120 included on each side 108 of the base 104. It will be understood that the scope of the present invention includes embodiments with any number of buttress features 120 on any combination of sides 108 of the base.

(23) FIGS. 3A and 3B present sectional views of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1A-2, taken as indicated in FIG. 2, wherein the cross section of FIG. 3A is taken through a pair of opposing the buttress elements 120, while the cross section of FIG. 3B is taken in between the buttress elements 120. FIGS. 3C and 3D are close-up cross-sectional views of the rims 110 of FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively.

(24) Embodiments of the present invention further include at least one tamper evident feature configured to indicate whether the lid 102 has been removed from the base 104 at any time after the original sealing of the container 100. In some of these embodiments, the tamper evident feature includes a frangible attachment of the lid 102 to the base 104. With reference again to FIG. 2, in the exemplary embodiment frangible attachment 210 of the lid 102 to the base 104 is provided on only one hinge side of the container 100, and pull tabs 202 are provided proximal to the hinge side 200 in a lid flange 204 of the lid 102, and in the base flange 116. The pull tabs 202 facilitate grasping of the lid 102 and base 104 to pull them apart and break the frangible attachment 210 therebetween. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the lid flange 204 surrounds and is pressed against the base flange 116, is thin and flat, and does not extend outward as far as the base flange 116, such that separation of the lid 102 from the base 104 without use of the pull tabs 202 and breaking of the frangible attachment 210 is rendered highly difficult.

(25) As can be seen in FIG. 2, the lid 102 includes a plurality of attachment tabs 206 that are included in the lid 102 and are attached by living hinges 208 to the base 104, wherein the attachment tabs 206 are surrounded by frangible boundaries 210 that enable them to be broken free of the lid 102, thereby freeing the lid 102 from the base 104 while the attachment tabs 206 remain attached to the base 104.

(26) According to a second general aspect of the present invention, with reference to FIG. 4, which is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment directed toward the hinge side 200 of the container 100, at least some of the living hinges 208 that join the attachment tabs 206 to the base 104 include pucker elements 212 that function in a manner similar to a leaf spring, whereby when the attachment tabs 206 are attached to the lid 102 and the lid 102 is rotated about the living hinges 208 to close the container 100, a spring tension is created by the pucker elements 212 that would tend to pivot the lid back away from the base, except that there is not sufficient tension to overcome the friction between the lid protruding features 118 and the rim wall 126 of the base 104.

(27) However, with reference to FIG. 5, when the attachment tabs are broken free from the lid, the attachment tabs 206 are lifted up and away from the lid 102 by the pucker elements 212, thereby relieving the spring tension. The pucker elements 212 together with the attachment tabs 206 thereby provide an easily visible indication that the frangible attachment of the lid 102 to the base 104 has been broken, by lifting the attachment tabs 206 upward out of the plane of the lid even after the lid 102 is reinstalled onto the base 104.

(28) It should be noted that the attachment tabs and pucker features of the second general aspect of the invention can be combined with the first general aspect of the invention, as shown in the drawings, but can also be provided separately from the first general aspect, for example if the vacuum formed container omits one or more of the horizontal shelf 114, the vertical rim wall 126, and the protruding lid features 118 with or without gaps 128.

(29) In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the protruding lid features 118 are not continuous across the region of the attachment tabs 206. In these embodiments, when the container 100, is resealed, it is ventilated due to the openings 500 in the lid 102 that result from the breaking free and lifting up of the attachment tabs 206. This configuration can be advantageous, for example, when ventilation of fresh produce is required, or when release of steam from hot food is desirable.

(30) In other embodiments the protruding lid features 118 are continuous across the attachment tabs 206. In these embodiments, the protruding lid features 118 are diverted inward from the living hinge 208, at least in the regions of the attachment tabs 206, so that they do not interfere with the operation of the attachment tabs 206, and so that the container will not be ventilated after it is resealed and the attachment tabs 206 have been broken free of the lid.

(31) FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment 600 in which the protruding lid features 118 avoid overlap with the attachment tabs 206 by being offset away from the living hinge 208 along the entire length 602 of the living hinge 208. FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment 700 in which the protruding lid features 118 avoid overlap with the attachment tabs 206 by being offset away from the living hinge 208 only in the regions 702 of the attachment tabs 206. In this embodiment, the attachment tabs 206 are more rounded than in FIGS. 1-6, so as to better accommodate the shaping of the protruding lid features 118. Otherwise, they function in an identical manner to the previously described embodiments.

(32) FIG. 6A presents a perspective view of the container 600 before it has been filled and closed. FIG. 6B presents a perspective view of the container 600 of FIG. 6A after it has been filled and closed. FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the container 600 of FIGS. 6A and 6B after it has been opened and emptied. And FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the container 600 after it has been re-closed. As in the other described embodiments, the attachment tabs 206 are lifted away from the plane of the lid flange 204 by the pucker features 212 when the container 600 is opened.

(33) FIG. 7A presents a perspective view of the container 700 before it has been filled and closed. FIG. 7B presents a perspective view of the container 700 of FIG. 7A after it has been filled and closed. FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the container 700 of FIGS. 7A and 7B after it has been opened and emptied. As in the other described embodiments, the attachment tabs 206 are lifted away from the plane of the lid flange 204 by the pucker features 212 when the container 700 is opened. FIG. 7D is a perspective view of the container 600 after it has been re-closed. And FIG. 7E is a close-up view of the living hinge side of the container 700 of FIG. 7D.

(34) The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Each and every page of this submission, and all contents thereon, however characterized, identified, or numbered, is considered a substantive part of this application for all purposes, irrespective of form or placement within the application. This specification is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure.

(35) Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, the scope of the invention is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. The disclosure presented herein does not explicitly disclose all possible combinations of features that fall within the scope of the invention. The features disclosed herein for the various embodiments can generally be interchanged and combined into any combinations that are not self-contradictory without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the limitations presented in dependent claims below can be combined with their corresponding independent claims in any number and in any order without departing from the scope of this disclosure, unless the dependent claims are logically incompatible with each other.