Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TAMEPER-EVIDENT SEAL FOR A CONTAINER
FaLD OF 1111 INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved container. More
particularly,
the present invention relates to a tamper-evident seal for a container which
is easily
opened.
BACKGROUND OF IILL INVENTION
[0002] Plastic containers for distributing food and consumer goods are in
common
use. Such containers, when used for food, extend the shelf life of perishable
products,
resulting in savings to the food industry and fresher food to the consumer.
One
concern of consumers is the integrity of the food within the container.
Consumers
want to be assured that the food has not been tampered with prior to
purchasing. It is
desirable to provide such containers with a seal and a means to easily
identify when
those containers have been opened. Tamper evident seals for plastic containers
are
known in the art. Various prior art systems are available to provide evidence
that a
container has not been opened. One prior art method is to wrap the container
with, a
plastic band which must be cut to gain access to the container. Other, more
sophisticated methods are also known. For example, two such methods are shown
in
United States published patent applications 2005/0184070 Al and 2007/0045317
A1.
Containers for non-
food consumer products also may require tamper-evident seals so that consumers
can
be assured thaithey are receiving new products in factory condition.
[0003] A tamper-evident seal is needed which is easy to open, inexpensive
to
produce and which provides ready evidence that the seal has been broken.
SUMMARY OF VIP INVENTION
[0004] The present invention can be used in connection with a variety of
plastic
food and consumer product containers. The plastic used could be thermoplastic
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material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), polystyrene, polypropylene
and
polyethylene, or other similar plastic material. The material may be, for
example,
from .010 to .050 inches thick. Such containers are typically made by
thermoforming
in a mold. The container could be of various sizes and configurations
depending on
the purpose of the container. The container could be used for food, such as
baked
goods, fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, salads, eggs and other food items. The
container could also be used for retail products such as batteries, compact
disks,
.razors, electronics, hardware, tools and other products.
10005] In one embodiment, the invention employs a
single-piece thermoformed
container consisting of a boftom portion and a top portion joined by a hinge.
In
another embodiment, the container includes separate top and bottom portions
which
= may be attached to one another. Preferably, the top and bottom portions
are attached
to one another near the edges through ultrasonic welding, heat staking, stitch
welding
or similar methods. If the top and bottom portions are joined by a hinge, then
the
welding can be on the side of the container opposite the hinge. Ifthe top and
bottom
are separate, two or more sides can be attached to one another by ultrasonic
welding,
heat staking, stitch welding or similar methods.
[00061 In either case, the top and bottom portions each
have at least one lip
extending out from the container body. A series of portions of weakened
material or
aligned cuts, such as perforations are disposed in one of the top or bottom
lip portions.
The lip can have one or two perforation lines. The perforations can be made
with a
steel rule die. In one example die, the teeth are spaced at 30 teeth per inch.
Dr
perforations are between the weld line and the body of the container on at
least one
side of the container. The perforation line is covered with an adhesive member
such
as tape, preferably, polypropylene or PETE tape, with, for example, an aqueous
based
acrylic or rubber based adhesive. One suitable tape is filament reinforced
tape such as
TM
Scotch Tear Tape sold
by 3MTM CorpOration of St. Paul, Minnesota. The adhesive
member is placed between the top and bottom lips and a portion of the adhesive
member projects out from between the lips.
[0007] To gain access to the container body, the
adhesive member is pulled
through the perforation line, breaking the perforations. The portions of the
lips which
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are affixed to one another remain affixed, but the container may be opened
because
the perforation line is between the part of the lip which is affixed to the
other lip and
the container body. When the perforation line is broken it is evident that the
container
has been opened.
[00081 The top portion and bottom portion can each have second lips
which
extend from the container body. These second lips can also be joined by
welding or
other similar inethods and can include one or two perforation lines covered by
an
adhesive member, in the manner as described above.
f0008a1 In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided
a
container comprising.: a container body having a top portion and a bottom
portion; the
top portion and the bottom portion forming a connection around their
periphery, the
top portion and the bottom portion including a periphery of sides, the top
portion and
the bottom portion permanently affixed to one another by a flexible material
forming
a hinge between the peripheral edge of the top portion and the peripheral edge
of the
bottom portion along one of the plurality of sides; a:top lip extending from
the top
portion; a bottom lip extending, from the bottom portion, a portion of the top
lip
affixed to a portion of the bottom lip at the peripheral edge or adjacent to
the
peripheral edge of the top lip and the bottom lip; two perforation lines in
only one of
the top lip and the bottom lip, the perforation lines situated at a point on
the selected
lip between the location at \ vhich the top lip and bottom lip are affixed and
the central
edge of the selected lip where it meets the sidewall portion of the container
body,
along the side opposite the hinge; an adhesive member spanning entirely
between the
perforation lines. the adhesive member layered between the top tip and the
bottom lip,
whereby the adhesive member may be pulled to tear the perforation tines in one
ofthe
top and bottom lips and the adhesive member is completely removed from the
containersuch that no portion of the adhesive member remains attached to the
= container, to gain access inside the container body whereby the portion
of the top lip
affixed to the bottom lip remains attached to the container.
10008b1 In a further embodiment of the present invention there is
provided a
container comprising: a container body having a top portion and a bottom
portion, the
top portion and bottom portion forming a connection around their periphery,
the top
portion and the bottom portion including a periphery of sides, the top portion
and the
bottom portion permanently affixed to one= another by a flexible material
forming a
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hinge between the peripheral edge of the top portion and the peripheral edge
of the
bottom portion along one of the plurality of sides: a first top lip extending -
from the
top portion; a first bottom lip extending front the bottom portion, a portion
of the .first
-top lip affixed to a portion oldie first bottom lip at the peripheral edge or
adjacent to
the peripheral edge of the first top lip and the first bottom lip; a first
perforation line
in only one of the first top lip and the first bottom lip, the first
perforation line situated
at a point on the selected first lip between the location at which the first
top lip and the
first bottom lip are affixed and the central edge of the selected first lip
where it meets
the sidewall portion of the container body; a second perforation line in only
one of the
first top lip and the first bottom lip, the second perforation line situated
at a point on
the selected first lip between the location at which the first top lip and the
'first bottom
lip are affixed and the central edge of the selected first lip where it meets
the sidewall
portion of -the container body; the first perforation line situated parallel
to the second
perforation line, the first perforation line and the second perforation line
extending
lengthwise along the first selected lip; a second top lip extending from the
top portion;
a second bottom lip extending from the bottom portion, the second top lip
affixed to a
portion of the second bottom lip at the peripheral edge or adjacent to the
peripheral
edge of the second top lip and the second bottom lip; a .third perforation
line in only
one of the second top lip and the second bottom lip, the third perforation
line situated
at a point on the selected second lip between the location at which the second
top lip
and the second bottom lip are affixed and the central edge of the selected
second lip
where it meets. the sidewall portion of the container body; a fourth
perforation line in
only one of the second top lip and the second bottom lip. the fourth
perforation line
situated at a point on the selected second lip .between the location at which
the second
top lip and the second 'bottom lip are affixed and the central edge ofthe
selected
second lip where it meets the sidewail portion of -the container body: the
third
perforation line situated parallel to the fourth perforation line, the third
perforation
line and the fourth perforation line extending lengthwise along the second
selected lip:
a first adhesive member spanning entirely between the first and second
perforation
lines, the first adhesive member layered between the first top lip and the
.first bottom
lip, whereby the first adhesive member inay be pulled to -tear the first and
second
perforation lines and the first adhesive member is completely' removed .from
the
container such that no portion of the first adhesive member remains attached
to the
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container, to gain access inside the container body: and a second adhesive
member
spanning ,entirely between the third and fourth perforation lines. the second
adhesive
member layered between the second top lip and the second bottom lip. whereby
the
second adhesive member may be pulled to tear the third and fourth perforation
lines
and the second adhesive member is completely removed from the container such
that
no portion of the second adhesive member remains attached to the container,
'to gain
access inside the container body whereby the portion of the first top lip
affixed to the
first bottom lip and a portion of the second top lip affixed to the second
bottom lip
remain attached to the container.
10008cl ln yet another embodiment of the present invention there is
provided a
container comprising: a container body having a top portion and a bottom
portion, the
top portion and the bottom portion forming a connection around their
periphery, the
top portion and the bottom portion including a plurality of sides, the top
portion and
the bottom portion permanently affixed to one another by a flexible material
forming
a hinge between the peripheral edge of the top portion and the peripheral edge
of the
bottom portion along one of the plurality of sides; a top lip extending from
the top
portion; a bottom lip extending from the bottom 'portion, a portion of the top
lip
affixed to a portion of the bottom lip at the peripheral edge or adjacent to
the
peripheral edge of the top lip and the bottom lip; two perforation lines in
only one of
the top lip and the bottom lip, the perforation lines situated at a point on
the selected
lip between the location at which the top lip and the bottom lip are affixed
and the
central edge of the selected lip where it meets the sidewall portion of the
container
body. alone the side opposite the hinge; and an adhesive member spanning
entirely
between the perforation lines. the adhesive member layered between the top lip
and
bottom lip and attached to only one of the top lip and bottom lip. whereby the
adhesive member may be pulled to tear the perforation lines to gain access
inside the
container body whereby the portion of the top lip affixed to the bottom lip
remains
attached to the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
10009j Embodiments and applications of the invention are illustrated by the
attached non-limiting drawings. The attached drawings are for purposes of
illustrating the concepts of the invention and may not be to scale.
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[00101 FIG. I is a side elevation view of a container according to one
embodiment
of the present invention;
[00111 FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIG. I;
[00121 FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. I;
100131 FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the container of FIG. 1 after
closing and
sealing the container:
[00141 FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 4 taken
along line
=
5-5 in FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container oî FIG. 4 taken
along line
6-6 in FIG. 4;
= [00161 FIG. 7 is perspective view of another embodiment 0 the
present invention;
[017] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the invention of FIG. 7:
100181 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present
invention showing the top portion separated from the bottom portion;
100191 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a. portion of the top portion of
the
invention of FIG. 9;
[00201 FIG. I I is a perspective view of a portion of the bottom portion
of the
invention of FIG. 9; and
=
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[0021] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the invention of FIG. 9 in the
closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Throughout the following description specific details are
presented to
provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However,
well-
known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid
unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and
drawings
are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with
reference to Figures 1 -12. Figure 1 shows one particular shape for a
container 10, it
being understood that the container 10 is shown in this shape for illustration
purposes
only and that the container could take on a wide variety of shapes, sizes and
configurations. Figure 1 shows the container 10 in an open orientation having
a top
portion 12 and a bottom portion 14. The top portion 12 has a lip 20 extending
away
from the container top body 16. The bottom portion 14 also has a lip 22
extending
from the container bottom body 18. The top portion 12 can have reinforcing
ribs 24
and the bottom portion 14 can also have reinforcing ribs 26. A hinge 27 is
provided
between the container top body 16 and the container bottom body 18.
[0024] As shown in Figure 6, the bottom portion 14 has an upwardly
extending
wall 28 and the top portion 12 has a sidewall portion 30. When the container
is
closed, the upwardly extending wall 28 presses against the sidewall portion 30
to hold
the container closed. Other configurations for interlocking parts are commonly
used
and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0025] Reference is now made to Figures 2 and 3. It will be understood
that while
certain features are described in association with the lip 20, this is done
for illustration
purposes, and that those features could be associated with lip 22 instead. In
Figures 2
and 3, the lip 20 on the top portion 12 includes a perforation line 34
extending
lengthwise along the lip 20. The perforation line 34 consists of a series of
aligned
cuts or weakened portions of the lip 20. In one example embodiment, the cuts
or
weakened portions may be between 20 to 40 per inch, separated by, for example,
material which is 0.012 inches long, although various other dimensions of
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perforations will work. Although shown as straight, the perforation line may
have
other geometries. The perforation line 34 is covered with an adhesive strip
36.
Preferably, the lip 20 terminates at both ends in tabs 40 and 42, which are
removably
attached to the lip 20. Adhesive strip 36 extends, preferably, to both tabs 40
and 42.
Adhesive strip 36 is preferably constructed of filament reinforced tape, but
other
adhesive members can be used.
[0026] Figure 4 shows the container 10 in the closed configuration. The
lips 20
and 22 have been affixed together by a know technique such as ultrasonic
welding,
heat staking or other techniques. For illustration purposes, the lips 20 and
22 are
shown as welded together by welds 50. The welds may be in the range of 0.06
inches
to 0.1 inches in diameter. The welds may be separated from one another by
spaces of
0.12 inches to 0.19 inches, for example. Other dimensions for the size of the
welds
and the spacing between the welds will work. When closed, the container 10 has
adhesive strip 36 between lips 20 and 22.
[0027] The perforation line 34 must be broken to access the contents of
the
container 10. The perforation line 34 can be broken by grasping tab 40 or 42
and
pulling adhesive strip 36 through the perforation line 34. Figure 4 shows tab
40
separated from the lip 20 and pulled partially through perforation line 34.
Figure 5
illustrates the partial opening of container 10 as well. Because the
perforation line 34
is between the welds 50 and the container top body 16, a portion of the lip 20
will
remain attached to the lip 22 as the perforation line 34 is broken. Once the
perforation line 34 is broken, the container 10 can be opened.
[0028] As shown in Figure 7, instead of being joined by a hinge, the top
portion
112 and bottom portion 114 of container 110 could alternatively comprise two
separate pieces. The top portion 112 has a lip 120 extending away from the
container
top body 116. The bottom portion 114 also has a lip 122 extending from the
container
bottom body 118. The top portion 112 can have reinforcing formations 124 and
the
bottom portion 114 can also have reinforcing formations 126. A hinge 127 is
created
by providing a perforation line 129 on the lip 160 inside of weld line 131,
although
other hinge mechanisms are possible.
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[0029] As shown in Figure 8, the lip 120 on the top portion 112 includes
two
perforation lines 134 and 135 extending lengthwise along the lip 120. The
perforation
lines 134 and 135 consist of a series of aligned cuts or weakened portions of
the lip
120. The perforation lines 134 and 135 are shown as straight, but may have
other
geometries. The perforation lines 134 and 135 are covered with an adhesive
strip 136.
Preferably, the lip 120 terminates at both ends in tabs 140 and 142, which are
removably attached to the lip 120. Adhesive strip 136 extends, preferably, to
both
tabs 140 and 142. Adhesive strip 136 is preferably constructed of filament
reinforced
tape, but other adhesive members can be used.
[0030] As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the lips 120 and 122 have been affixed
together
by ultrasonic welding, heat staking or other techniques. Ultrasonic welds 150
are
shown as an example method of affixing the lips together. When closed, the
container
110 has adhesive strip 136 between lips 120 and 122. Lips 160 and 162 have
also
been affixed together by, for example, ultrasonic welds 151.
[0031] As with the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the perforation lines 134
and 135
must be broken to access the contents of the container 110. The perforation
lines 134
and 135 can be broken by grasping tab 140 or 142 and pulling adhesive strip
136
through the perforation lines 134 and 135.
[0032] Figures 9-12 show another example embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9
and
12, the top portion 212 and bottom portion 214 of container 210 could comprise
two
separate pieces. The top portion 212 has a lip 220 extending away from the
container
top body 216. As best seen in Figure 11, the bottom portion 214 also has a lip
222
extending from the container bottom body 218. The top portion 212 can have
reinforcing formations 224 and the bottom portion 214 can also have
reinforcing
formations 226. The top portion 212 has a lip 260. The bottom portion has a
lip 262.
[0033] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the lip 220 on the top portion 212
includes
two perforation lines 234 and 235 extending lengthwise along the lip 220. The
perforation lines 234 and 235 consist of a series of aligned cuts or weakened
portions
of the lip 220. It is not necessary that the perforation lines 234 and 235 be
straight.
The perforation lines 234 and 235 are covered with an adhesive strip 236.
Preferably,
the lip 220 terminates at both ends in tabs 240 and 242, which are removably
attached
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to the lip 220. Adhesive strip 236 extends, preferably, to both tabs 240 and
242.
Adhesive strip 236 is preferably constructed of filament reinforced tape, but
other
adhesive members can be used.
[0034] The lips 220 and 222 have been affixed together by ultrasonic
welding,
heat staking or other techniques. Ultrasonic welds 250 are shown for as an
example
method of affixing the lips together. When closed, the container 210 has
adhesive
strip 236 between lips 220 and 222. As shown in FIG. 12, lips 260 and 262 have
also
been affixed together by, for example, ultrasonic welds 251. Lip 260 also has
two
perforation lines 264 and 265. The perforation lines 264 and 265 are covered
with an
adhesive strip 270. The lip 260 terminates at tabs 266 and 268.
[0035] All perforation lines 234, 235, 264 and 265 must be broken to
access the
contents of the container 210. The perforation lines 234 and 235 can be broken
by
grasping one of the tabs 240 and 242 and pulling adhesive strip 236 through
the
perforation lines 234 and 235. Similarly, the perforation lines 264 and 265
can be
broken by pulling on tabs 266 or 268 to pull adhesive strip 270 through the
perforation lines 264 and 265.
[0036] It is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments are merely
illustrative of the present invention and that many variations of the above-
described
embodiments can be devised by one skilled in the art without departing from
the
scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that all such variations be
included
within the scope of the following claims and their equivalent.
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