HK1214575B - Tamper-evident containers - Google Patents

Description

Tamper evident container

Cross reference to related applications

The present application claims the right of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/793,919 entitled "tamper evident container" filed on 2013, month 3 and 15, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The disclosed embodiments relate to resealable containers having tamper-evident features for storing and displaying food and various other items.

Background

The use of plastic disposable containers and trays for packaging, dispensing food is common in the marketplace. For example, the pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industries use tamper-evident and tamper-resistant medicine containers to mitigate and minimize intentional or unintentional tampering. Similarly, the food industry requires that food containers also contain tamper-evident and tamper-resistant features.

These tamper-evident features typically include structural design elements that, when the container is tampered with or opened, enable the user to easily and visually identify such tampering so that the product can be rejected.

In addition to ensuring product security, such tamper-evident and tamper-proof elements are particularly important to deter theft and to prevent loss of product and revenue to the vendor, as well as to give the consumer confidence in the integrity of the contents in the container and confidence in the ability of the vendor and/or manufacturer to provide and maintain high quality goods and food products.

Disclosure of Invention

The disclosed embodiments provide a tamper-evident, resealable container, for example, for food products. The disclosed embodiments include the following features: a tear-off strip having one or more break points to prevent formation of a closure loop when the strip is removed, a texturing of the tear-off strip surface to increase visibility of the strip, and a vertical or near vertical removable tear tab that is more readily visible from the side of the container.

Many different break point configurations are possible, including one break point to form a single continuous strip or at least two break points to form at least two separate pieces. In some embodiments, the break points may be configured such that they do not break immediately when removed from the tear-off strip, thereby allowing a closed loop to be formed by the tear-off strip. In such a configuration, however, as a safety feature, the break point is configured to break when a predetermined force is applied to the closure ring, for example if the ring is pulled over a child's head. Thus, the use of a break point allows for tear-off strip removal in different configurations, such as a closed loop, a single continuous strip, multiple strip pieces (e.g., two separate strip pieces), and the like.

The disclosed embodiments also provide different shaped lids and tray edges that form a locking mechanism to keep the lid attached to the bottom of the container. The disclosed embodiments also provide a tamper-evident container having a hinge and a tear-off strip extending around three of the four sides of the container. In some embodiments, the tear-off strip may also extend to a portion of the fourth side of the container.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a tamper-evident container formed by thermoforming, comprising a pail having a bottom and a side wall forming an interior volume, the pail further comprising a rim extending circumferentially outwardly from an upper edge of the side wall. The container also includes a lid having a rim extending circumferentially outwardly therefrom, the lid rim being configured to cooperate with the tub rim to close the container. The lid edge has an inner portion and an outer portion with a perforated portion therebetween. The perforated portion extends continuously around the entire periphery of the lid such that the outer portion forms a tamper evident seal that is removable from the interior to allow removal of the lid from the pail. The container also includes a texture element distributed about an exterior of the lid edge, the texture element configured to provide a visual indication of the presence of a tamper evident seal. The tub edge is disposed below the outer portion of the lid edge and extends circumferentially outward so that a majority of the outer portion of the lid edge does not extend below the tub edge in a vertical direction of the container in an upright orientation. A pull tab extends from the exterior of the lid edge beyond the bucket edge, the pull tab extending in a vertical direction of the container below the bucket edge.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features. A first force applied to the exterior of the lid rim sufficient to cause the perforated section to separate is less than a second force sufficient to overcome the interference fit lock between the interior of the lid rim and the tub rim to remove the lid from the tub. After the outer portion of the lid rim is removed, the inner portion of the lid rim may be configured to interference fit with the tub rim to removably secure the lid to the tub. The interior of the lid rim may include an inner tear tab having an edge that is exposed when the tamper evident seal is removed. The texture elements may have ridges extending in the vertical direction of the container.

The container may be formed from any of the following plastic materials: high Density Polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and polylactic acid (PLA).

The outer portion of the lid rim may contact the rim of the pail around its entire periphery except for the tear tab. The tear tab may be the only portion of the lid that extends under the rim of the pail. The tub rim and the lid rim each have a respective peripheral channel configured such that one of the peripheral channels is received within the other peripheral channel to secure the lid to the tub. Each peripheral channel may comprise an inner wall and an outer wall joined by a transverse channel wall. The inner wall of the peripheral channel of the tub rim may have a protrusion which cooperates with a corresponding protrusion in the inner wall of the peripheral channel of the lid rim to form an interference fit between said peripheral channels when the lid is secured to the tub. The perforations of the lid edge may be formed in the transverse channel walls of the lid edge. The outer portion of the lid edge may include a bridging portion formed by a gap in the outer wall of the peripheral channel and having a perforated segment on the transverse channel wall of the peripheral channel extending outwardly from the perforated portion to segment the tamper evident strip. The outer portion of the lid edge may comprise at least two bridging portions to separate the tamper evident strip into at least two separate pieces.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a tamper-evident container formed by thermoforming, including a bottom having an interior volume and a sidewall pail further including a rim extending circumferentially outward from an upper rim of the sidewall. The container also includes a lid having a rim extending circumferentially outwardly therefrom, the lid rim being configured to cooperate with the tub rim to close the container. The lid edge has an inner portion and an outer portion with a perforated portion therebetween. The perforated portion extends continuously around the entire periphery of the lid such that the outer portion forms a tamper evident seal that is removable from the interior to allow removal of the lid from the pail. The container also includes a texture element distributed about an exterior of the lid edge, the texture element configured to provide a visual indication of the presence of a tamper evident seal. The lid rim may be mated with the tub rim without the application of heat or adhesive to secure the lid to the tub before the outer portion of the lid rim is removed.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features. A pull tab may extend from the exterior of the lid edge beyond the bucket edge, the pull tab extending below the bucket edge in the vertical direction of the container in an upright orientation. The tear tab may be the only portion of the lid that extends under the rim of the pail. The tub edge and the lid edge may each have a respective peripheral channel configured such that one of the peripheral channels is received within the other peripheral channel to secure the lid to the tub. Each peripheral channel may comprise an inner wall and an outer wall joined by a transverse channel wall. The inner wall of the peripheral channel of the tub rim may have a protrusion which cooperates with a corresponding protrusion in the inner wall of the peripheral channel of the lid rim to form an interference fit between said peripheral channels when the lid is secured to the tub. The perforations of the lid edge may be formed in the transverse channel walls of the lid edge.

The outer portion of the lid rim may include a bridge portion formed by a gap in the outer wall of the peripheral channel and having a perforated section on the transverse channel wall of the peripheral channel that extends outwardly from the perforated portion to segment the tamper evident strip. The outer portion of the lid edge may comprise at least two bridging portions to separate the tamper evident strip into at least two separate pieces.

The lid and pail may be formed as a unit such that the tray rim and the outside of the lid rim can be joined along one side of the container, with a hinge formed between the tray and lid to allow the lid to be folded onto the tray to close the container. The tub may have a wedge-like polyhedral shape with two trapezoidal opposite sides which narrow towards the bottom of the tub.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a tamper-evident container formed by thermoforming, including a bottom tray having a bottom and a sidewall forming an interior volume, the tray further including a rim extending circumferentially outward from an upper edge of the sidewall. The container also includes a lid having a rim extending circumferentially outwardly therefrom, the lid rim being configured to cooperate with the tray rim to close the container. The lid edge has an inner portion and an outer portion with a perforated portion therebetween. The perforated portion extends continuously around the entire periphery of the lid such that the outer portion forms a tamper evident seal that is removable from the interior to allow removal of the lid from the tray. The tray edge is disposed below the outer portion of the cover edge and extends circumferentially outward such that a majority of the outer portion of the cover edge does not extend below the tray edge. The perforations of the lid rim are formed in the horizontal wall of the peripheral channel extending around the lid rim. The outer portion of the lid edge includes a bridge portion having a perforated section extending outwardly from the perforated portion to segment the tamper evident strip.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The tab may extend from the exterior of the lid edge and over the tray edge.

The inner walls of the peripheral channels of the tray rim may have first projections which cooperate with corresponding first projections in the inner walls of the peripheral channels of the lid rim to form an interference fit between said peripheral channels when the lid is secured to the tray, and the inner walls of the peripheral channels of the tray rim may have second projections which cooperate with corresponding second projections in the inner walls of the peripheral channels of the lid rim to form an interference fit between said peripheral channels when the lid is secured to the tray. The first and second projections may be oriented in opposite directions.

There may be a downwardly facing third projection formed in the tray rim between the inner wall of the peripheral channel of the tray rim and the point where the tray rim meets the tray side wall, the third projection being configured to cooperate with a corresponding third projection in the lid rim. The interference fit between the first, second, and third tabs of the tray edge and the corresponding first, second, and third tabs of the lid edge may provide resistance to liquid from leaking out of the container between the tray edge and the lid edge.

The first set of corresponding sealing surfaces may be provided by second projections of the lid edge and the tray edge, the second set of sealing surfaces may be provided by third projections of the lid edge and the tray edge, and the third set of sealing surfaces may be disposed on a diagonally inclined portion between the third projections of the lid edge and the tray edge and a point where the lid edge and the tray edge diverge at the interior volume of the container. These three sets of sealing surfaces can form a three-stage leak-proof seal between the lid edge and the tray edge.

Drawings

The above and/or other aspects and advantages will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the disclosed embodiments described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a tamper-evident container comprising a pail and a flat lid, depicting the lid having a tear-off strip, which is textured and comprises a break point and a downwardly extending tear-off tab, before the lid is secured to the pail.

FIG. 2 shows the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 after the lid is secured to the pail.

FIG. 3 shows the tamper evident container of FIG. 1 during an initial stage of removal of the tear-off strip by pulling on the tear-off tab.

Fig. 4 shows the tamper-evident container of fig. 1 with a portion of the tear-off strip completely removed from the lid between two breaking points.

FIG. 5 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the tamper-evident container of FIG. 1 along the centerline of the pail.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged portion of the vertical cross-sectional view of fig. 5, showing the peripheral edge of the lid interlocking with the peripheral edge of the pail.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a hinged tamper-evident container comprising a pail and a hinged lid, depicted with the lid having a tear-off strip, textured and including a break point, prior to securing the lid to the pail.

FIG. 8 shows the hinged tamper-evident container of FIG. 7 after the lid is secured to the pail by folding the lid about the hinge.

FIG. 9 shows the hinged tamper-evident container of FIG. 7 during an initial stage of removal of the tear-off strip.

FIG. 10 shows the hinged tamper evident container of FIG. 7 with a portion of the tear-off strip completely removed from the lid between two break points.

FIG. 11 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the tamper evident container of FIG. 7 along the centerline of the pail.

Fig. 12 shows an enlarged portion of the vertical cross-sectional view of fig. 11, showing the peripheral edge of the lid interlocking with the peripheral edge of the pail.

Fig. 13-14 show another enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the tamper-evident container of fig. 7, showing the peripheral edge of the lid interlocked with the peripheral edge of the pail.

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of a tamper-evident container comprising a tray and a lid, depicting the lid having a tear-off strip comprising a tear-off tab, a break point and a leak-proof feature before the lid is secured to the tray.

FIG. 16 shows the tamper evident container of FIG. 15 after the lid is secured to the tray.

FIG. 17 shows the tamper-evident container of FIG. 15 during an initial stage of removal of the tear-off strip by pulling on the tear-off tab.

FIG. 18 shows the tamper-evident container of FIG. 15 with a portion of the tear-off strip completely removed from the lid between two break points.

FIG. 19 shows a top view of the tamper-evident container of FIG. 15, and in particular shows a perforated section around the lid periphery extending between the inside and outside of the lid edge and a perforated segment at the bridge portion dividing the tear-off strip into a plurality of individual strips.

FIG. 20 shows a side view of the tamper evident container of FIG. 15.

FIG. 21 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the tamper-evident container of FIG. 15, taken along line A-A in FIG. 20.

Fig. 22 shows an enlarged portion of the vertical cross-sectional view of fig. 21, showing the peripheral edge of the cover interlocking with the peripheral edge of the tray.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-6 illustrate an embodiment of a tamper-evident container 100 that includes a barrel 110 and a flat lid 120. Containers of this type may be used, for example, to store and display a wide variety of food items, such as nuts, dried fruit, fruit slices, and the like, on grocery store shelves or display units. The disclosed tamper-evident container may be manufactured using a thermoforming process and may be formed from any of a number of materials that can be modified from this process, such as, for example, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and polylactic acid (PLA).

The basic thermoforming process involves feeding a hot thermoplastic film to a metal mold, which then conforms the material to the shape of the mold with a vacuum force (possibly pressurized air) applied through small holes in the mold. Once the material cools, it is removed from the mold and trimmed to form a complete thermoformed part.

Fig. 1 particularly shows the container 100 before the lid 120 is secured to the pail, while fig. 2 shows the tamper evident container 100 after the lid 120 is secured to the pail 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the bucket 110 is substantially square and has a bottom surface 112 and a side wall 114, e.g., the side wall 114 has four sides, that collectively define the interior volume of the container 100. Other shapes may also be used, such as, for example, a rectangular bucket or a circular bucket. The bucket 110 has an upper edge, referred to herein as a "bucket edge" 115, that extends circumferentially outward from the upper edge of the sidewall 114, as will be described in further detail below.

In the present embodiment, the cover 120 has a substantially flat surface at a central portion thereof. Other shapes may be used such as, for example, a dome or circle shape or a plateau shape with a convex flat surface and angled sides. Similar to the tub 110, the lid 120 has a rim 125 extending circumferentially outward from an almost flat central portion. The lid rim 125 is shaped to mate with the tub rim 115 to snap-fit the container 100.

The lid edge 125 has an inner peripheral portion 127 and an outer peripheral portion 130 (relative to the center of the container 100) with a perforation 140 therebetween, which may be formed, for example, by a stamping process in which a die contacts the thermoformed material to partially cut through the material. Alternatively, the perforated portion 140 may be formed by other techniques such as, for example, laser perforation. The perforated portion 140 extends continuously around the entire circumference of the cover 120. In this manner, the outer portion 130 of the lid rim 125 forms a tamper evident seal in the form of a tear-off strip that allows the lid 120 to be removed from the pail 110 when removed or partially detached from the inner portion 127. In one advantageous approach, the lid rim 125 may not be heat or adhesively bonded to the tub rim 115 to secure the lid 120 to the tub 110 until the outer portion 130 of the lid rim 125 is removed.

Fig. 2 shows the pail 110 with the lid 120 in place before any tear-off strip (i.e. the outer portion 130 of the lid rim 125) has been removed. An end user, such as a consumer, can access the removal tab 150 extending from the cover 120 proximate a corner.

FIG. 3 illustrates the tamper evident container 100 of the present embodiment during an initial stage of removal of the tear-off strip 130 by pulling on the removal tab 150. The force exerted by the user on the tear-off strip 130 causes the outer portion 130 of the lid edge 125 to separate from the inner portion 127 of the lid edge 125 along the perforations 140. In addition, as will be explained in further detail below, the tear-off strip 130 itself breaks into separate pieces at defined break points or "bridges" 160. The force required to break the perforated portion 140 is less than, and preferably significantly less than, the force required to remove the lid 120 from the pail 110. Thus, the tamper evident strip 130 can be reliably removed from the container 100 without opening the container 100. This in turn means that the container 100 cannot be opened without leaving visible evidence, i.e. the tamper evident strip 130 at least partially detached from the lid 120.

The tab 150 extends from the outer portion 130 of the lid edge 125 and extends beyond the tray edge 115. Also, in this embodiment, the tab 150 extends downward from the edge of the lid 120 so that it extends at an angle or nearly vertically. The tear tabs 150 may extend at an angle, such as between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees relative to horizontal. Alternatively, the tear tabs 150 may extend, for example, at an angle between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees relative to horizontal.

This configuration is advantageous, inter alia, in that the tab 150 is more easily discernable from the side of the container 100. In other words, the tear tabs 150 are more visible when the container 100 is viewed from the side than conventional horizontally oriented tear tabs. However, since the tab 150 may be angled slightly outwardly from the container 100, it is also apparent from the container 100 from above, looking downwardly. Thus, the removal label 150 and the indicia on its surface (e.g., arrows or text "remove" or "tear off") are clearly visible from both a lateral and perspective viewing angle, which makes it easy to see when the container 100 is on a store shelf.

Fig. 4 shows a tamper evident container 100 with the portion of tear-off strip 130 between two break points 160 completely removed from lid 120. The tear-off strip 130 may be configured to break at one or more frangible portions, i.e., bridging portions 160, one of which may be, for example, in the vicinity of the tear-off tab 150. The bridge 160 is part of the outer portion 130 of the cover rim 125 and is formed by a gap 165 (see fig. 2) (see fig. 6 and related discussion below) in the outer wall 180 of the peripheral channel 170 of the cover rim 125 and a perforated segment 167 (see fig. 2) on the transverse channel wall 185 of the peripheral channel 170 of the cover rim 125. Perforated segment 167 extends outwardly from perforated portion 140 and across bridge 160 to allow partial removal of tamper evident strip 130. In this embodiment, the outer portion 130 of the lid edge 125 includes at least two bridging portions 160 to separate the tamper evident strip 130 into at least two separate pieces.

Thus, because tear-off strip 130 is separated from the edge of lid 120 around the perimeter of lid 120, it is in one or more continuous lengths of material, rather than a closed loop or ring. The bridging portions 160 thus prevent the formation of a closed plastic loop or ring that can pose a choking hazard to pets and children, as well as a threat to wildlife and the environment. As shown in fig. 4, once tear-off strip 130 is removed, an inner tear tab 155 portion of lid 120 (i.e., the "opening tear tab") is accessible to a user to allow for convenient removal of lid 120. In certain embodiments, tear-off strip 130 may have at least two break points 160 such that removal of one of the at least two separate portions of tear-off strip 130 may allow lid 120 to be removed while another portion of tear-off strip 130 remains on lid 120, as shown in fig. 4.

As shown in fig. 1-4, textural elements 122 may be distributed around the tamper evident seal (i.e., tear-off strip 130) that is shaped to provide a visual indication of the presence of the tamper evident seal. The textural elements 122 may be, for example, slots, ridges, bumps, depressions, protrusions, and the like, which may be oriented in the vertical direction of the container 100 when in the upright position. Other textural elements may also be used, such as, for example, dimples, raised lines, diagonally oriented raised elements, or horizontal bands or ridges. Textured tear-off strip 130 is readily visible when container 100 is viewed from the side and/or from above (i.e., when the container is viewed from a direction giving the viewer a side or perspective view). Thus, the textured surface of tear-off strip 130 makes it clear whether the strip is still in place or removed, since the edge portion left after the strip is removed is clearly devoid of the texture elements 122 (see fig. 4).

FIG. 5 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the tamper evident container 100 of this embodiment, taken along the centerline of the container 100. Fig. 6 shows an enlarged portion of the vertical cross-sectional view of fig. 5, showing the peripheral edge of the lid 120 interlocking with the peripheral edge of the pail 110. The tub edge 115 is disposed below the outer portion 130 of the lid edge 125 and extends circumferentially outward such that the outer portion 130 of the lid edge 125 does not extend below the tub edge 115 in the vertical direction when the container 100 has an upright orientation, i.e., the height direction of the container.

However, as described above, the removal tab 150 extending from the lid edge 125 may extend downwardly below the bucket edge 115 (see fig. 2). For purposes of illustration, the tab 150 can be considered a separate element extending from the lid edge 125 even though it is integrally formed with the lid edge 125. However, even if the tear tab 150 is viewed as part of the lid edge 125, it can be said that the barrel edge 115 extends circumferentially outward so that a majority of the outer portion 130 of the lid edge 125 does not extend below the barrel edge 115. In one instance, the pull tab 150 is the only portion of the lid 120 that extends below the tub edge 115.

As shown in fig. 6, the tub rim 115 and the lid rim 125 each have a respective peripheral channel 170 configured such that one of the peripheral channels is received in the other peripheral channel to secure the lid 120 to the tub 110. Each peripheral channel 170 includes an inner wall 175 and an outer wall 180 joined by a transverse channel wall 185. The perforations 140 of the lid edge 125 are formed in the transverse channel wall 185 of the lid edge 125.

The inner wall 175 of the peripheral channel 170 of the tub rim 115 has a protrusion 190 that cooperates with a corresponding protrusion 192 in the inner wall 175 of the peripheral channel 170 of the lid rim 125 to form an interference fit, i.e., a "snap" fit, locking between the peripheral channels 170 to secure the lid 120 to the tub 110.

With this configuration, a first force applied to the outer portion 130 of the lid edge 125 sufficient to cause the perforated portion 140 to separate may be less than a second force sufficient to overcome the interference fit lock between the inner portion 127 of the lid edge 125 and the tub edge 115 to remove the lid 120 from the tub 110. Thus, as described above, the tamper evident strip 130 can be reliably removed from the lid 120 without opening the container 100. This in turn means that the container 100 cannot be opened without leaving visible evidence, i.e. without leaving a tamper evident strip 130 that is at least partially separable from the lid 120.

In the embodiment of fig. 6, the outer portion 130 of the lid edge 125 and the barrel edge 115 extend outwardly approximately the same distance, i.e., their outermost edges are approximately flush. However, it may be the case that the tub edge 115 extends further than the outer portion 130 of the lid edge 125, as described in other embodiments herein (see, e.g., fig. 12) or vice versa (see, e.g., fig. 14).

Fig. 7-14 illustrate an embodiment of a thermoformed tamper evident container 300 having a barrel 310 and a hinged lid 320. Containers of this type may be used, for example, to store or display sandwiches or other food items. The tub 310 may be particularly shaped to closely match the shape of the food product to be stored therein, such as, for example, a sandwich cut in half diagonally and the two halves packaged together.

Fig. 7 shows container 300 prior to securing lid 320 to pail 310 by folding container 300 about hinge 323. The tub 310 has a bottom 312 and a sidewall 314 forming an interior volume. For example, the tub 310 may have a wedge-like polyhedral shape with two trapezoidal opposing side walls 314 that narrow towards the bottom 312 of the tub 310. Lid 320 and pail 310 may be formed as a unit such that pail rim 315 and an outer portion 330 of lid rim 325 join along the rear side of container 300, with hinge 323 formed between pail 310 and lid 320 to allow lid 320 to be folded onto pail 310 to close container 300.

The tub 310 has a rim 315 extending circumferentially outward from the upper edge of the sidewall 314. The lid 320 has an outwardly circumferentially extending rim 325 shaped to cooperate with the tub rim 315 to snap-fit the container 300. The lid edge 325 has an inner portion 327 and an outer portion 330 with a perforated portion 340 therebetween. The perforated portion 340 extends continuously around the entire periphery of the cover 320. Alternatively, the perforated portion 340 may extend around three sides of the cover 320 and only partially on a fourth side of the cover 320 (as depicted in fig. 7-10).

The outer portion 330 of lid rim 325 forms a tamper evident seal in the form of a tear-off strip that is removable from the inner portion 327 for removal of lid 320 from pail 310 and to provide a tamper evident indication. The outer portion 330 of the lid rim 325 may optionally include an easily removable tear tab (not shown). In one advantageous approach, the lid rim 325 may be bonded to the tub rim 315 without the application of heat or adhesive to secure the lid 320 to the tub 310 before the outer portion 330 of the lid rim 325 is removed.

Fig. 8 shows container 300 after lid 320 is secured to pail 310 by folding lid 320 about hinge 323 and before any tear-off strip (i.e. outer portion 330 of lid rim 325) has not been removed. An end user, such as a consumer, removes tear-off strip 330 by directly contacting tear-off strip 330, for example, at a corner or side of container 330 and pulling the strip. FIG. 9 shows hinged tamper-evident container 300 during an initial stage of removal of tear-off strip 330.

Fig. 10 shows a hinged tamper evident container 300 with the portion of tear-off strip 330 between two breakpoints 360 completely removed from lid 320. The break point 360 is formed by a bridge as described above. The bridges 360 are part of the outer portion 330 of the cover rim 325 and each bridge is formed by a gap 365 (see fig. 8) (see fig. 12 and related discussion below) in the outer wall 380 of the peripheral channel 370 of the cover rim 325 and a perforated section 367 (see fig. 8) on the transverse channel wall 385 of the peripheral channel 370. The perforated section 367 extends outwardly from the perforated portion 340 to separate the tamper evident strip 330. In this embodiment, the outer portion 330 of the lid edge 325 includes at least two bridges 360 to enable the portion of the tamper evident strip 330 between the bridges 360 to be completely removed.

As shown in fig. 7-10, textural elements 322 may be distributed around the tamper evident seal (i.e., tear-off strip 330), which is shaped to provide a visual indication of the presence of the tamper evident seal. The textural elements 322 may be, for example, slots, ridges, bumps, depressions, protrusions, and the like, which may be oriented in the vertical direction of the container 300 in an upright position. The textured surface of the tear-off strip 330 makes it clear whether the strip is still in place or removed, since the edge portion left after the strip is removed is clearly devoid of the texture elements 322 (see fig. 10).

FIG. 11 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the hinged tamper-evident container 300 of this embodiment, taken along the centerline of the container 300. Fig. 12 shows an enlarged portion of the vertical cross-sectional view of fig. 11, showing the interlocking of the perimeter of the lid 325 with the perimeter of the pail 315. The tub edge 315 is disposed below the outer portion 330 of the lid edge 325 and extends circumferentially outward such that the outer portion 330 of the lid edge 325 does not extend below the tub edge 315 in the vertical, i.e., height, direction of the upright oriented container 300.

As shown in fig. 12, the tub rim 315 and the lid rim 325 each have a respective peripheral channel 370 configured such that one of the peripheral channels is received within the other peripheral channel to secure the lid 320 to the tub 310. Each peripheral channel 370 includes an inner wall 375 and an outer wall 380 joined by a transverse channel wall 385. The perforations 340 of the lid edge 325 are formed in the lateral channel walls 385 of the lid edge 325.

The inner wall 375 of the peripheral channel of the tub rim 315 and the inner wall 375 of the peripheral channel of the cover rim 325 each form an acute angle with respect to their respective transverse channel walls 385 to form an interference fit lock between the peripheral channels 370 when the cover 320 is secured to the tub 310. With this configuration, the first force applied to the outer portion 330 of the lid edge 325 sufficient to cause the perforated portion 340 to separate is less than the second force sufficient to overcome the interference fit lock between the inner portion 327 of the lid edge 325 and the tub edge 315 to remove the lid 320 from the tub 310.

In the embodiment of fig. 12, the tub edge 315 extends further outward than the outer portion 330 of the lid edge 325. However, as shown in fig. 13, it may also be the case that the outer portions 330 of the tub edge 315 and the lid edge 325 extend outwardly approximately the same distance, i.e. their outermost edges are approximately flush. Or, as shown in fig. 14, it may be the case that the outer portion 330 of the lid edge 325 extends further than the tub edge 315.

Fig. 15-22 illustrate an embodiment of a tamper evident container 500 that includes a tray 510 and a lid 520. This type of container can be used, for example, to store or display large hot food products, such as roast chicken.

Fig. 15 particularly depicts the container 500 of this embodiment before the lid 520 is secured to the tray 510. FIG. 16 shows the tamper evident container 500 after the lid 520 is secured to the tray 510. In the illustrated embodiment, the tray 510 is substantially rectangular and has a flat bottom 512 (which may include a raised portion in the center to hold the food item) and side walls 514, such as side walls having four sides, that together define the interior volume of the container 500. The tray 510 has an upper edge, referred to herein as a "tray edge" 515, that extends circumferentially outward from the upper edge of the sidewall 514, as will be described in further detail below.

In this embodiment, the cover 520 has a dome shape with four side walls 517 topped by a surface 519 that is approximately flat in its central portion but has an arcuate shape. Other shapes may also be used, such as, for example, a dome shape with a dome. Similar to the tray 510, the lid 520 has a rim 525 that extends circumferentially outward from an almost flat central portion. The lid edge 525 is shaped to mate with the tray edge 515 to snap-fit the container 500.

The cover edge 525 has an inner portion 527 and an outer portion 530 with a perforated portion 540 therebetween. The perforated portion 540 extends continuously around the entire circumference of the cover 520. In this manner, the outer portion 530 of the lid edge 525 forms a tamper evident seal in the form of a tear-off strip that is removable from the inner portion 527 to allow the lid 520 to be removed from the tray 510.

In one advantageous approach, the cover edge 525 may be mated with the tray edge 515 without the application of heat or adhesive to secure the cover 520 to the tray 510 before the outer portion 530 of the cover edge 525 is removed. Thus, the container 500 can hold food and snap-fit simply by placing the lid 520 over the tray 510 and snapping it into place. This avoids the use of special additional methods, such as heat shrink wrapping or the like, which reduces the time required to fill and seal the container 500, thereby helping to ensure that these steps are properly completed even in busy retail environments.

Fig. 16 shows the tray 510 with the lid 520 in place before any tear-off strips (i.e., the outer portion 530 of the lid edge 525) are removed. An end user, such as a consumer, can access the removal tab 550 extending from the cover 520 near a corner.

FIG. 17 illustrates the tamper-evident container 500 of the present embodiment during an initial stage of removal of the tear-off strip 530 by pulling on the pull-off tab 550. The tab 550 extends from the outer portion 530 of the lid edge 525 and beyond the tray edge 515 (see fig. 16). The force exerted by the user on the tear-off strip 530 causes the outer portion 530 of the lid edge 525 to separate from the inner portion 527 of the lid edge 525 along the perforated portion 540 without separating the lid 520 from the tray 510. Once the section of tear-off strip 530 is removed, the inner tab 555 portion of lid 520 (i.e., the "open" tab) is accessible to the user to allow for easy removal of lid 520. In addition, as will be explained in further detail below, the tear-off strip 530 itself breaks into separate pieces at a defined breaking point or "bridge" 560.

Fig. 18 shows the tamper evident container 500 of fig. 15 with the portion of the tear-off strip 530 between the two break points 560 completely removed from the lid 520. The break point 560 is formed by a bridge as described above. The bridging portions 560 are part of the outer portion 330 of the cover rim 525 and each is formed by a gap 565 (see fig. 16 and 20) (see fig. 22 and related discussion below) in the outer wall 580 of the peripheral channel 570 of the cover 520 and a perforated section 567 (see fig. 19) on the transverse channel wall 585 of the peripheral channel 570. A perforated section 567 extends outwardly from the perforated section 540 to separate the tamper evident strip. In this embodiment, the outer portion 530 of the lid edge 525 includes at least two bridging portions 560 to separate the tamper evident strip 530 into at least two separate pieces. As in the embodiments described above, a textural element (not shown) may be distributed around the tamper evident seal 530 that is shaped to provide a visual indication of the presence of the seal.

Fig. 19 shows a top view of the tamper-evident container 500 of this embodiment, and in particular shows a perforated section 540 extending around the periphery of the lid 520 between the inner 527 and outer 530 portions of the lid rim 525 and a perforated segment 567 at the bridge portion 560 for dividing the tear-off strip 530 into a plurality of separate pieces. FIG. 20 shows a side view of a tamper evident container 500.

FIG. 21 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the tamper-evident container 500 of this embodiment along line A-A in FIG. 20. Fig. 22 shows an enlarged portion of the vertical cross-sectional view of fig. 21, showing the peripheral edge of the cover interlocking with the peripheral edge of the tray. The tray edge 515 is disposed beneath the outer portion 530 of the lid edge 525 and extends circumferentially outward such that the outer portion 530 of the lid edge 525 does not extend beneath the tray edge 515 in the vertical direction when the container has an upright orientation, i.e., the height direction of the container 500.

As shown in fig. 22, the tray edge 515 and the lid edge 525 each have a respective peripheral channel 570 configured such that one of the peripheral channels is received within the other peripheral channel to secure the lid 520 to the tray 510. Each peripheral channel 570 includes an inner wall 575 and an outer wall 580 joined by a transverse channel wall 585. As described above, the perforated portion 540 of the cover rim 525 is formed in the transverse channel wall 585 of the cover rim 525.

As further shown in fig. 22, the inner wall 575 of the peripheral channel 570 of the tray edge 515 may have a first tab 605 that cooperates with a corresponding first tab 610 in the inner wall 575 of the peripheral channel 570 of the lid edge 525 to form an interference fit between the peripheral channels 570 when the lid 520 is secured to the tray 510. The inner wall 575 of the peripheral channel 570 of the tray rim 515 also has a second tab 615 that cooperates with a corresponding second tab 620 in the inner wall 575 of the peripheral channel 570 of the lid rim 525 to form an interference fit between the peripheral channels when the lid 520 is secured to the tray 510, the first tabs (605 and 610) and the second tabs (615 and 620) may be oriented to face in opposite directions, i.e., inward and outward relative to the container 500. Thus, the inner wall 575 provides a locking function for the container 500.

There is also a third downwardly facing tab 625 formed in the tray edge 515 between the inner wall 575 of the peripheral channel 570 of the tray edge 515, the point where the tray edge 515 meets the side wall of the tray 510. This third tab is shaped to mate with a corresponding third tab 630 formed in the lid edge 525, the corresponding third tab 630 being between the inner wall 575 of the peripheral channel 570 of the lid edge 525, where the lid edge 525 meets the side wall of the lid 520. The interference fit lock formed between the first, second, and third tabs of the tray edge 515 and the corresponding first, second, and third tabs of the lid edge 525 provides a strong resistance to liquid leaking out of the container 500 between the tray edge 515 and the lid edge 525.

With this configuration, the first force applied 530 to the outer portion of the lid edge 525 sufficient to cause the perforated portion 540 to separate may be less than a second force sufficient to overcome the interference fit lock definition between the inner portion 527 of the lid edge 525 and the tray edge 515 to remove the lid 520 from the tray 510.

This configuration of locking tabs also serves to provide a leak-proof feature to the container 500, which is particularly important when the container is designed to store food products that may contain large amounts of oily liquids, such as grilled chicken.

The inner wall 575 of the peripheral channel 570 of the tray edge 515 includes a sealing surface that presses against a corresponding sealing surface of the inner wall 575 of the peripheral channel 570 of the cover edge 525. The first set of corresponding sealing surfaces is provided by the second protrusions (615 and 620), the second set of sealing surfaces is provided by the third protrusions (625 and 630), and the third set of sealing surfaces is provided on the diagonally inclined portions of the third protrusions (625 and 630), the cover 520, and the tray 510 between the divided portions inside the container 500 (see the farther right in fig. 22). These three sets of sealing surfaces form a three-level leak-proof seal between lid edge 530 and tray edge 525.

In the embodiment of fig. 22, the tray edge 515 extends further outward than the outer portion 530 of the lid edge 525. However, it may be the case that the outer portions 530 of the tray edge 515 and the cover edge 525 extend outwardly about the same distance, i.e., their outermost edges may be approximately flush, as in other embodiments herein (see, e.g., fig. 13). Alternatively, the outer portion 530 of the lid edge 525 may extend further than the tray edge 515 (see, e.g., fig. 14).

Although exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described in this specification and the drawings, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and/or described without departing from the principles and spirit thereof.

Claims (38)

1. A tamper-evident container formed by thermoforming, comprising:

a tub having a bottom and a sidewall forming an interior volume, the tub further comprising a rim extending circumferentially outward from an upper edge of the sidewall;

a lid having a rim extending circumferentially outwardly therefrom, the lid rim being configured to cooperate with the pail rim to close the container, the lid rim having an inner portion and an outer portion with a perforated portion therebetween, the perforated portion extending continuously around the entire periphery of the lid, whereby the outer portion forms a tamper-evident seal that is removable from the inner portion to allow removal of the lid from the pail;

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the tamper-evident container further comprising a plurality of texture elements distributed around the exterior of the lid edge, the texture elements configured to provide a visual indication of the presence of the tamper-evident seal,

wherein the tub edge is disposed below the outer portion of the lid edge and extends circumferentially outward such that a majority of the outer portion of the lid edge does not extend below the tub edge in a vertical direction of the container in an upright orientation,

wherein a pull tab extends from an exterior of the lid edge beyond the bucket edge, the pull tab extending in a vertical direction of the container below the bucket edge;

wherein the texture element is absent from an edge portion of the lid that remains after the tamper evident seal is removed;

the interior of the lid rim includes an inner tear tab having an edge that is exposed when the tamper evident seal is removed.

2. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein a first force applied to the exterior of the lid rim sufficient to cause the perforated portion to separate is less than a second force sufficient to overcome an interference fit lock between the interior of the lid rim and the pail rim to remove the lid from the pail.

3. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein after the outer portion of the lid rim is removed, the inner portion of the lid rim is configured to have an interference fit with the pail rim to removably secure the lid to the pail.

4. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the texture elements comprise ridges extending in a vertical direction of the container.

5. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the container is formed of any of the following plastic materials: high Density Polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and polylactic acid (PLA).

6. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein an exterior of the lid rim contacts the pail rim around its entire periphery except for the tear tab.

7. A tamper-evident container according to claim 1, wherein the tear tab is the only portion of the lid extending below the rim of the barrel.

8. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the barrel rim and the lid rim each have a respective peripheral channel configured such that one of the peripheral channels is received within the other peripheral channel to secure the lid to the barrel.

9. The tamper-evident container of claim 8, wherein each peripheral channel includes an inner wall and an outer wall joined by a transverse channel wall.

10. The tamper-evident container of claim 9, wherein the inner wall of the peripheral channel of the pail rim has a projection that cooperates with a corresponding projection in the inner wall of the peripheral channel of the lid rim to form an interference fit between the peripheral channels when the lid is secured to the pail.

11. The tamper-evident container of claim 9, wherein the perforations of the lid rim are formed in the transverse channel walls of the lid rim.

12. The tamper-evident container of claim 11, wherein an exterior of the lid edge includes a bridge portion formed by a gap in an outer wall of the peripheral channel and having a perforated segment on a transverse channel wall of the peripheral channel, the perforated segment extending outwardly from the perforated portion to segment the tamper-evident strip.

13. A tamper-evident container according to claim 12, wherein the outer portion of the lid edge includes at least two bridging portions to separate the tamper-evident strip into at least two separate pieces.

14. A tamper-evident container formed by thermoforming, the container comprising:

a tub having a bottom and a sidewall forming an interior volume, the tub further comprising a rim extending circumferentially outward from an upper edge of the sidewall;

a lid having a rim extending circumferentially outwardly therefrom, the lid rim being configured to cooperate with the pail rim to close the container, the lid rim having an inner portion and an outer portion with a perforated portion therebetween, the perforated portion extending continuously around the entire periphery of the lid, whereby the outer portion forms a tamper-evident seal that is removable from the inner portion to allow removal of the lid from the pail;

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the tamper-evident container further comprising a plurality of texture elements distributed around the exterior of the lid edge, the texture elements configured to provide a visual indication of the presence of the tamper-evident seal,

wherein the lid rim is capable of cooperating with the pail rim in a manner that does not apply heat or adhesive to secure the lid to the pail before the outer portion of the lid rim is removed;

wherein the texture element is absent from an edge portion of the lid that remains after the tamper evident seal is removed; and is

Wherein the texture element comprises a vertically extending ridge extending substantially perpendicularly away from the exterior of the container.

15. The tamper-evident container of claim 14, wherein a first force applied to the exterior of the lid rim sufficient to cause the perforated portion to separate is less than a second force sufficient to overcome an interference fit lock between the interior of the lid rim and the pail rim to remove the lid from the pail.

16. The tamper-evident container of claim 14, wherein after the outer portion of the lid rim is removed, the inner portion of the lid rim is configured to have an interference fit with the pail rim to removably secure the lid to the pail.

17. The tamper-evident container of claim 14, wherein a pull tab extends from outside the lid edge beyond the barrel edge, the pull tab extending below the barrel edge in a vertical direction of the container in an upright orientation.

18. A tamper-evident container according to claim 17, wherein the tear tab is the only portion of the lid extending below the rim of the barrel.

19. The tamper-evident container of claim 14, wherein the barrel rim and the lid rim each have a respective peripheral channel configured such that one of the peripheral channels is received within the other peripheral channel to secure the lid to the barrel.

20. The tamper-evident container of claim 19, wherein each peripheral channel includes an inner wall and an outer wall joined by a transverse channel wall.

21. The tamper-evident container of claim 20, wherein the inner wall of the peripheral channel of the pail rim has a projection that cooperates with a corresponding projection in the inner wall of the peripheral channel of the lid rim to form an interference fit between the peripheral channels when the lid is secured to the pail.

22. The tamper-evident container of claim 20, wherein the perforations of the lid rim are formed in the transverse channel walls of the lid rim.

23. The tamper-evident container of claim 22, wherein an exterior of the lid edge includes a bridge portion formed by a gap in an outer wall of the peripheral channel and having a perforated segment on a transverse channel wall of the peripheral channel, the perforated segment extending outwardly from the perforated portion to segment the tamper-evident strip.

24. A tamper-evident container according to claim 23, wherein the outer portion of the lid edge includes at least two bridging portions to separate the tamper-evident strip into at least two separate pieces.

25. The tamper-evident container of claim 24, wherein the lid and the pail are formed as a unit such that the pail rim and the outside of the lid rim are joined along one side of the container, wherein a hinge is formed between the pail and the lid to allow the lid to be folded onto the pail to close the container.

26. The tamper-evident container of claim 25, wherein the barrel has a wedge-like polyhedral shape with two opposing sides of a trapezoid that narrow towards the bottom of the barrel.

27. A tamper-evident container formed by thermoforming, comprising:

a bottom tray having a bottom and a sidewall forming an interior volume, the tray further comprising a rim extending circumferentially outward from an upper edge of the sidewall; and

a lid having a rim extending circumferentially outwardly therefrom, the lid rim being configured to cooperate with the tray rim to close the container, the lid rim having an inner portion and an outer portion with a perforation therebetween, the perforation extending continuously around the entire periphery of the lid such that the outer portion forms a tamper evident seal that is removable from the inner portion to allow removal of the lid from the tray,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the tamper-evident container further includes a plurality of texture elements distributed about an exterior of the lid edge, the texture elements configured to provide a visual indication of the presence of the tamper-evident seal, and

a pull tab extending from an exterior of the lid edge at an angle relative thereto, the pull tab extending in a vertical direction of the container below the lid edge,

wherein the tray edge is disposed below an outer portion of the lid edge and extends circumferentially outward such that a majority of the outer portion of the lid edge does not extend below the tray edge,

wherein the perforations of the lid edge are formed in the transverse wall of the peripheral channel extending around the lid edge,

wherein an outer portion of the lid edge includes a bridge portion having a perforated section extending outwardly from the perforated portion to segment the tamper evident strip;

wherein the texture element is absent from an edge portion of the lid that remains after the tamper evident seal is removed; and is

Wherein the texture element comprises a vertically extending ridge extending substantially perpendicularly away from the exterior of the container.

28. The tamper-evident container of claim 27, wherein a first force applied to an exterior of the lid edge sufficient to cause the perforated portion to separate is less than a second force sufficient to overcome an interference fit lock between an interior of the lid edge and a tray edge to remove a lid from the tray.

29. A tamper-evident container according to claim 27, wherein the outer portion of the lid edge includes at least two bridging portions to separate the tamper-evident strip into at least two separate pieces.

30. The tamper-evident container of claim 27, wherein after the outer portion of the lid rim is removed, the inner portion of the lid rim is configured to have an interference fit with the tray rim to removably secure the lid to the tray.

31. The tamper-evident container of claim 27, wherein the interior of the lid rim includes an inner tear tab having an edge that is exposed when the tamper-evident seal is removed.

32. The tamper-evident container of claim 27, wherein an outer portion of the lid edge contacts the tray edge around an entire periphery of the tray except for the tear tab.

33. The tamper-evident container of claim 27, wherein a tear tab extends from an exterior of the lid edge beyond the tray edge.

34. The tamper-evident container of claim 27, wherein:

the peripheral channel of the lid edge and the corresponding peripheral channel of the tray edge are configured such that one of the peripheral channels is received in the other peripheral channel to secure the lid to the tray, and each peripheral channel comprises an inner wall and an outer wall joined by a transverse channel wall.

35. The tamper-evident container of claim 34, wherein:

the inner wall of the peripheral channel of the tray rim having first projections which cooperate with corresponding first projections in the inner wall of the peripheral channel of the lid rim to form an interference fit between said peripheral channels when the lid is secured to the tray,

the inner wall of the peripheral channel of the tray rim has a second tab that cooperates with a corresponding second tab in the inner wall of the peripheral channel of the lid rim to form an interference fit between the peripheral channels when the lid is secured to the tray, the first and second tabs being configured to be oriented in opposite directions.

36. The tamper-evident container of claim 35, further comprising a downwardly facing third tab formed in the tray rim between an inner wall of the peripheral channel of the tray rim and a location where the tray rim meets the side wall of the tray, the third tab being configured to mate with a corresponding third tab in the lid rim.

37. The tamper-evident container of claim 36, wherein the interference fit between the first, second, and third tabs of the tray rim and the corresponding first, second, and third tabs of the lid rim provides resistance to liquid leaking out of the container between the tray rim and the lid rim.

38. The tamper-evident container of claim 37, wherein a first set of corresponding sealing surfaces is provided by the second projection of the lid and tray edges, a second set of sealing surfaces is provided by the third projection of the lid and tray edges, and a third set of sealing surfaces is provided on a diagonally inclined portion between the third projection of the lid and tray edges and a point where the lid and tray edges separate at the interior volume of the container, the three sets of sealing surfaces for forming a three-level leak-proof seal between the lid and tray edges.