Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TAMPER EVIDENT AND RESISTANT CONTAINER
[0001] <this paragraph is intentionally left blank>
BACKGROUND
[0002] Disposable containers for packaging and storing edible goods are
often provided with
tamper resistant and tamper evident features to prevent unauthorized access to
the interior of the
container and to indicate to a consumer when the container has previously been
opened. That the
consumer still finds it desirable to have the tamper evident and resistant
features in combination
with a resealable container increases the complexity of the container, which
may make it more
difficult and time consuming to open.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0003] In one aspect, an embodiment of the disclosure relates to a
container that comprises a
tray comprising a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall extending upwardly
from the bottom
wall, which collectively define a compartment, and terminating in a tray rib
to at least partially
define an open top providing access to the compartment. The container further
comprises a
cover comprising a top wall that terminates in a cover rib having a peripheral
cover lip, an
interference element extending from the container, at least one tab provided
in the container and
associated with the interference element, and at least one line of weakness
coupling the tab to the
container. The tab is moveable between a first position where the line of
weakness is not severed
and a second position where the line of weakness is severed. The at least one
tab and
interference element are juxtaposed such that the interference element
prevents the return of the
tab to the first position after the tab is moved to the second position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] In the drawings:
[00051 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container having a cover mounted
to a tray in a
closed position according to an embodiment of the invention.
-1-
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CA 2958930 2017-02-23
[0006] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 1 according
to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0007] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the tray of Figure 2
according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0008] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the container of
Figure 1 showing a tab
provided on the tray in a first position according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0009] Figure 5 is a partial cross-section of the container of Figure 4
taken along the line V-
V according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] Figure 6 is a partial cross-section of the container of Figure 4
taken along the line VI-
VI according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1
illustrating the tab in a
second position according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] Figure 8 is a partial cross-section of the container of Figure 7
according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0013] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a container having a
cover and a tray
provided with a tab in a first position according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0014] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the container of
Figure 9 illustrating
the tab in a second position according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0015] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a hinged container having a cover
mounted to a
tray in a closed position according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0016] Figure 12 is a top view of a portion of a container having a cover
mounted to a tray,
showing a tab provided on the cover in a first position according to an
embodiment of the
invention.
[0017] Figure 13 is a front view of a portion of the container of Figure 12
illustrating the tab
in a second position according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] Figure 14 is a partial cross-section of the container of Figure 13
according to an
embodiment of the invention.
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DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a container 10 comprising a cover 12 and
a tray 14. Non-
limiting examples of suitable materials for the container 10 include oriented
polystyrene,
polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate. All or a portion of the
container 10 can be formed
so as to be translucent, transparent, opaque or a combination thereof. While
the container 10 is
illustrated as having a generally circular shape, the container 10 can have
any geometric shape,
non-limiting examples of which include square, rectangular, oval, octagonal,
and hexagonal.
[0020] Referring now to Figure 2, the cover 12 includes a top wall 16
defining a plane.
References to above/below the plane are made with respect to the cover 12 in a
closed position,
as illustrated in Figure 1. References to inward/outward are made with respect
to central axis of
the container 10. The cover 12 includes a top wall 16 terminating in a cover
rib 18 that extends
around the perimeter of the top wall 16. The cover rib 18 can include a cover
rib inner wall 20
extending from the top wall 16 and connected with a peripheral cover lip 24 by
a cover rib top
wall 22. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the cover rib 18 is illustrated as
having a generally U-
shaped cross-section, although it is within the scope of the invention for the
cover rib 18 to have
an alternative cross-sectional shape.
[0021] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the tray 14 includes a bottom
wall 30 from which
extends a peripheral side wall 32 which terminates in a tray rib 34 that at
least partially defines
an open top providing access to the interior compartment of the container
defined by the bottom
30 and the peripheral side wall 32. In the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, the
tray rib 34
includes a tray rib inner wall 36 extending from the peripheral side wall 32
and connected with a
tray rib outer wall 40 by a tray rib top wall 38 such that the tray rib 34 has
a generally U-shaped
cross-section, although it is within the scope of the invention for the tray
rib 34 to have a
different cross-sectional shape. The tray rib 34 can also be provided with a
blocking wall 50 that
is either part of the tray rib 34 or a separate structure. The blocking wall
50 can be spaced from
the tray rib outer wall 40 by a gap 52. The blocking wall 50 can optionally
include a flange 54
which can define the exterior perimeter of the container 10 or the blocking
wall 50 can include
additional structural features, such as a downwardly depending skirt, or no
additional structural
features without deviating from the scope of the invention.
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[0022] The blocking wall 50 can be provided with at least one tab 60 that
can form a portion
of the blocking wall 50 (as illustrated) or be separated from the blocking
wall 50. The tab 60 is
configured so as to be at least partially separable from the container 10
along at least one line of
weakness. In the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3, the tab 60 is coupled with the
blocking wall 50
along two lines of weakness 62a, 62b. While two lines of weakness 62a, 62b are
illustrated, it
will be understood that the tab 60 can be defined by a single line of weakness
or more than two
lines of weakness. The lines of weakness can be in the form of a score line or
a series of
perforations configured to allow the tab 60 to be separated from the blocking
wall 50 along the
lines of weakness 62a, 62b. Alternatively, the lines of weakness 62a, 62b can
be formed from a
series of alternating rounded crests and troughs of narrowed thickness or
areas of removed
material. The lines of weakness 62a, 62b can extend around a portion of the
tab 60 such that the
tab 60 is only partially removed from the blocking wall 50 and remains
attached to the container
when the lines of weakness 62a, 62b are severed. Alternatively, the lines of
weakness 62a,
62b can extend around the entire perimeter of the tab 60 such that the tab 60
is removed from the
blocking wall 50 and the container 10 when the lines of weakness 62a, 62b are
severed.
[0023] Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the tab 60 can optionally include
a projection 64 to
facilitate grasping the tab 60 to separate the tab 60 from the blocking wall
50 along the lines of
weakness 62a, 62b. The tab 60 further includes an interference element 70
extending from the
tab 60 into the gap 52. The interference element 70 can extend partially into
the gap 52, as
illustrated, or span the entire distance of the gap 52. As illustrated in
Figure 4, when the cover
12 is in the closed position on the tray 14, the peripheral cover lip 24 is
received within the gap
52 and engages the interference element 70 on the tab 60 when the tab 60 is in
a first position
corresponding to a position in which the tab 60 prevents direct access to the
peripheral cover lip
24, which, in the embodiment of Figure 4, corresponds to a position in which
the tab 60 has not
been separated from the blocking wall 50 along the lines of weakness 62a, 62b.
When the cover
12 is in the closed position and the tab 60 is in the first position, the
blocking wall 50 and the tab
60 inhibit access to the peripheral cover lip 24 and in this manner inhibit
removal of the cover 12
from the tray 14 to open the container 10.
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[0024] The tab 60 can be separated from the blocking wall 50 along the
lines of weakness
62a, 62b such that the tab 60 can be moved into a second position to provide
access to the
peripheral cover lip 24 such that a consumer can grasp the peripheral cover
lip 24 to remove the
cover 12 from the tray 14. In this manner, separation of the tab 60 along the
lines of weakness
62a, 62b provides an indication that the container 10 has been opened and thus
provides an
indication that the container 10 may have been tampered with. As used herein,
providing an
indication that the container 10 has been opened refers to indicating that the
container 10 was in
a condition in which the cover 12 could be removed from the tray 14 in the
intended manner,
regardless of whether the cover 12 was actually removed from the tray 14. The
blocking wall 50
inhibits a consumer from opening the container 10 without destroying or
damaging the blocking
wall 50 and/or the peripheral cover lip 24 without using the tab 60 in the
intended manner.
[0025] Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, when the cover 12 is in the closed
position and the
tab 60 is in the first position, the peripheral cover lip 24 extends into the
gap 52 between the
blocking wall 50 and tab 60 and the tray rib outer wall 40, thus inhibiting
direct access to the
peripheral cover lip 24. The interference element 70 extends from the tab 60
into the gap 52
such that the interference element 70 engages the peripheral cover lip 24
through an interference
fit. As can best be seen in Figure 5, the interference element 70 engages and
deflects the
peripheral cover lip 24. It is also within the scope of the invention for
there to be some
deflection of the tab 60 and/or interference element 70 by the peripheral
cover lip 24 depending
on the extent to which the peripheral cover lip 24 and interference element 70
extend into the gap
52 and the relative strength of the peripheral cover lip 24 and the
interference element 70/tab 60.
The interference element 70 can be provided with an angled face 72 to
facilitate deflecting the
peripheral cover lip 24 as the cover 12 is positioned on the tray 14 and moved
into the closed
position.
[0026] The interference element 70 can be in the form of a vertical rib (as
illustrated), a
rounded protuberance, or have any other geometric cross-sectional shape. While
the interference
element 70 is illustrated as positioned in a central portion of the tab 60, it
is within the scope of
the invention for the interference element 70 to be positioned off-center with
the respect to the
CA 2958930 2017-02-23
tab 60. It is also within the scope of the invention for the tab 60 to include
multiple interference
elements 70.
[0027] The interference element 70 is configured of a size and shape to
extend into the gap
52 to such an extent as to engage the peripheral cover lip 24 through an
interference fit and
deflect the peripheral cover lip 24. The width of the gap 52, the extent to
which peripheral cover
lip 24 extends into the gap 52, and the extent to which the peripheral cover
lip 24 is deflected by
the interference element 70 can be configured to inhibit direct access to the
peripheral cover lip
24 while still allowing the cover 12 to be seated on the tray 14 in an initial
closed condition prior
to a first opening of the container 10 and prior to separation of the tab 60
along the lines of
weakness 62a, 62b. As illustrated in Figure 6, which is a partial cross-
section through a portion
of the container 10 that does not include the interference element 70, the
peripheral cover lip 24
can have little to no engagement with the blocking wall 50 when the cover is
in the closed
condition.
[0028] Still referring to Figures 5 and 6, the cover rib 18 can have a
generally U-shaped
cross-section defined by the cover rib inner wall 20, top wall 22, and
peripheral cover lip 24 that
is configured to receive a correspondingly U-shaped tray rib 34 defined by the
tray rib inner wall
36, top wall 38 and outer wall 40. The cover rib 18 can include a cover seal
structure formed at
least in part by the cover rib inner wall 20 and the tray rib 34 can include a
tray seal structure
formed at least in part by the tray rib inner wall 36 which engages the cover
seal structure when
the cover 12 is in the closed position to form a peripheral seal. hi the
embodiment of Figures 5
and 6, the perimeter of the tray 14 as defined by the tray rib inner wall 36
can be slightly smaller
than the perimeter of the cover 12 as defined by the cover rib inner wall 20
to provide an
interference fit between the tray rib inner wall 36 and the cover rib inner
wall 20 to form the
peripheral seal when the cover 12 is in the closed position. Additionally, or
alternatively, the
tray 14 can further include an inner tray flange 74 provided between the
peripheral side wall 32
and the tray rib 34 to form a seat that engages a portion of the cover top
wall 16 and the cover rib
inner wall 20 through an interference fit to form a peripheral seal between
the cover 12 and the
tray 14. Non-limiting examples of a peripheral seal a liquid-tight peripheral
seal and a liquid-
resistant peripheral seal.
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[0029] To open the container 10, a consumer separates the tab 60 from the
blocking wall 50
along the lines of weakness 62a, 62b, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, to
move the tab 60 from
the first position to the second position to gain access to the peripheral
cover lip 24. In the
embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, the tab 60 is separable from the blocking wall
50 along parallel
lines of weakness 62a, 62b, but remains connected with the container 10 at a
tray outer flange 80
adjacent the blocking wall 50 by a living hinge 82. The living hinge 82 can be
formed by
scoring or thinning the material forming the living hinge 82. In this manner,
after the lines of
weakness 62a, 62b are severed, the tab 60 can be pivoted about the living
hinge 82 away from
the blocking wall 50 to provide access to the peripheral cover lip 24. The
consumer can then
grasp the exposed portion of the peripheral cover lip 24 and remove the cover
12 from the open
top of the tray 14.
[0030] The dimensions of the tab 60, as defined by the spacing of the lines
of weakness 62a,
62b, can be configured to provide sufficient space between first and second
ends 90a, 90b of the
blocking wall 50, formed when the lines of weakness 62a, 62b are severed, to
allow a consumer
to grasp enough of the peripheral cover lip 24 to overcome the peripheral seal
between the cover
12 and tray 14 to remove the cover 12 from the tray 14. In addition, while the
living hinge 82 is
described as being formed in the tray outer flange 80, the living hinge 82 can
be formed in the
blocking wall 50 or within the tray rib outer wall 40 in a similar manner, as
long as the
positioning of the living hinge 82 is configured to allow the tab 60 to be
pivoted into the second
position such that the consumer can grasp the peripheral cover lip 24 in order
to remove the
cover 12 from the tray 14. Alternatively, the living hinge 82 can be
configured as a line of
weakness similar to the lines of weakness 62a, 62b, such that the tab 60 can
be separated from
the container 10 to provide access to the peripheral cover lip 24.
[0031] Movement of the tab 60 from the first position to the second
position provides an
indication that the container 10 has been opened and thus provides the
container 10 with a
tamper evident feature. The blocking wall 50 and the tab 60 inhibit a consumer
from accessing
the peripheral cover lip 24 to open the container 10 without destroying or
damaging the blocking
wall 50 and/or the peripheral cover lip 24. In this manner, the blocking wall
50 and tab 60
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provide the container 10 with a tamper resistant feature in that the container
10 cannot be opened
except in a manner which provides evidence that the container 10 has been
opened.
[0032] Once the tab 60 is moved into the second position, as illustrated in
Figures 7 and 8,
the interference element 70 inhibits replacement of the tab 60 back into the
first position. As
illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the interference element 70 is configured to
extend into the gap 52
and deflect the peripheral cover lip 24 when the cover 12 is in the closed
position. Once the tab
60 is separated from the blocking wall 50 along the lines of weakness 62a,
62b, the tab 60 does
not have sufficient strength to deflect the peripheral cover lip 24 and thus
the peripheral cover lip
24 will deflect the tab 60, preventing the tab 60 from being replaced into the
first position after
the lines of weakness 62a, 62b have been severed. The peripheral cover lip 24
and interference
element 70 are configured such that there is at least some deflection of the
peripheral cover lip
24 by the interference element 70 when the interference element 70 is in the
first position such
that once the tab 60 is severed along the lines of weakness 62a, 62b and the
tab 60 is moved into
the second position, the extent to which the peripheral cover lip 24 extends
across the gap 52 and
the dimensions of the interference element 70 inhibit re-positioning of the
tab 60 back into the
first position. Thus, it is possible that the peripheral cover lip 24 and the
interference element 70,
when the tab 60 is in the first position, are configured to extend across the
gap 52 such that there
is at least some deflection, either equal or unequal, of both the peripheral
cover lip 24 and the
interference element 70 and/or tab 60. Regardless of whether or not there is
deflection of both
the peripheral cover lip 24 and the interference element 70 and/or tab 60 when
the tab 60 is in the
first position, the peripheral cover lip 24 and interference element 70 are
configured to extend
into the gap 52 to inhibit re-positioning of the tab 60 back into the first
position severing the lines
of weakness 62a, 62b to move the tab 60 to the second position.
[0033] Without the interference element 70, it may be possible for the tab
60 to be re-
positioned between the first and second ends 90a, 90b of the blocking wall 50
such that the tab
60 appears to be in the first position. In this scenario, it may not be
evident to a consumer that
the tab 60 has already been moved such that the cover 12 could be removed. The
interference
element 70 inhibits replacement of the tab 60 back into the first position
after the container has
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been opened and enhances the visual indication provided by the tab 60 that the
container 10 has
been opened.
[0034] While the container 10 is illustrated as having a single tab 60, it
is within the scope of
the invention for the container 10 to include multiple tabs 60 providing more
than one location
by which the consumer can gain access to the peripheral cover lip 24.
[0035] Figures 9-10 illustrate another embodiment of the invention
comprising a container
110, which is similar to the first container 10 except for the manner in which
a tab 60 is formed.
Therefore, elements in the container 110 similar to those of the container 10
will be numbered
with the prefix 100.
[0036] The tab 160 is similar to the tab 60 except that the tab 160 is
configured to pivot
laterally rather than downward when the lines of weakness 162a, 162b are
severed. While
Figures 9 and 10 illustrate two lines of weakness 162a, 162b, it is within the
scope of the
invention for the tab 160 to be defined by a single line of weakness or more
than two lines of
weakness. In the container 110, the tab 160 is connected at one end to the
blocking wall 150 by
a line of weakness 162b and connected to the blocking wall 150 at an opposite
end by a living
hinge 182. The tab 160 can further be defined by an additional line of
weakness 162a connecting
the tab 160 to the tray outer flange 180. In this manner, the tab 160 can be
separated from the
blocking wall 150 at one end and along a bottom edge and pivoted laterally
about the living
hinge 182 to provide access to the peripheral cover lip 124 to open the
container 110 in the same
manner as described above for the container 10.
[0037] The tab 160 also includes the interference element 170 which
inhibits the tab 160
from being re-positioned back into the first position after the lines of
weakness 162a, 16b are
severed. In the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10, the interference element 170
can be positioned
off-center with respect to the tab 160 such that the interference element 170
is adjacent to the
living hinge 182. Positioning the interference element 170 adjacent the living
hinge 182 limits
the extent to which the tab 160 can be moved back towards the first position;
the farther away
from the living hinge 182 the interference element 170 is positioned, the
further the tab 160 can
be moved back towards the first position before being deflected by the
peripheral cover lip 124.
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[0038] Figure 11 illustrates another embodiment of the invention comprising
a container 210,
which is similar to the first container 10 except for the manner in which the
cover 212 is
connected with the tray 214. Therefore, elements in the container 210 similar
to those of the
container 10 will be numbered with the prefix 200.
[0039] As illustrated in Figure 11, a hinge 300 can be provided to connect
the cover 212 and
the tray 214. A cover flange 302 can extend from a portion of the cover rib
218 between first
and second ends 304 in the blocking wall 250 and be connected with a tray
flange 306 extending
from a portion of the tray rib 234 by a hinge line 308 that forms a hinge axis
about which the
cover 212 and tray 214 relatively rotate to move the container 10 between the
opened and closed
positions. The container 210 can be opened in the same manner as described
above with respect
to the container 10 and the blocking wall 250 provides a tamper resistant
feature while the tab
260 and interference element 270 provide tamper evident features in the same
manner as
described above with respect to the container 10. The hinge 300 can include a
single hinge line
308, as illustrated, or multiple hinge lines. It is also within the scope of
the invention for the
hinge 300 to include at least one line of weakness such that the cover 212 can
be separated from
the tray 214 along the at least one line of weakness. It is also within the
scope of the invention
for the tab 260 to be provided on the hinge 300.
[0040] Figures 12-14 illustrate another embodiment of the invention
comprising a container
310, which is similar to the first container 10 except for features related to
the tab 60. Therefore,
elements in the container 310 similar to those of the container 10 will be
numbered alike, but
with the prefix 3.
[0041] The tab 360 is similar to the tab 60 except that the tab 360 is
located as an extension
from the cover 312, rather than the tray 314, as in previous embodiments.
Further, the tab 360 is
configured to pivot upward rather than downward, pivoting about the living
hinge 382, when the
lines of weakness 362a, 362b are severed. In this exemplary embodiment, the
interference
element 370, which inhibits the tab 360 from being re-positioned back into the
first position after
the lines of weakness 362a, 362b are severed, is positioned such that it
protrudes from the tray
314, rather than from the tab 360 itself. While the tab 360 is illustrated as
having two lines of
CA 2958930 2017-02-23
weakness 362a, 362b, it is within the scope of the invention for the tab 360
to be defined by a
single line of weakness or more than two lines of weakness.
[0042] Figure 12 illustrates a top view of the container 310, showing the
tab 360 provided on
the cover 312 in a first position. When the tab 360 is in the first position,
the lines of weakness
362a, 362b have not been severed and are intact. The interference element 370
protrudes
upwardly from the tray 314, contacting the tab 360. Although the contact
between the
interference element 370 and the tab 360 results in some strain being put upon
the lines of
weakness 362a, 362b, the force is not sufficient to cause the lines of
weakness 362a, 362b to
sever without the action of a consumer. Further, the tab 360 extends through
an opening in the
blocking wall 350. The blocking wall 350 is positioned adjacent to the
peripheral cover lip 324
and also serves to block access to the peripheral cover lip 324.
[0043] Figure 13 illustrates a front view of the container 310, showing the
tab 360 provided
on the cover 312 in a second position. When the tab 360 is in the second
position, the lines of
weakness 362a, 362b are severed. The tab 360, when lifted by a consumer, can
be separated
along the lines of weakness 362a, 362b from the adjacent portions of the cover
312 and pivoted
upwardly about the living hinge 382. Further lifting force applied by the
consumer results in the
cover 312 separating from the tray 314, with the tab 360 serving as the
grasping point by which
the consumer can begin to lift the cover 312 away from the tray 314.
[0044] The tray 314 also includes the interference element 370 which
inhibits the tab 360
from being re-positioned back into the first position after the lines of
weakness 362a, 362b are
severed. In the embodiment of Figure 13, the interference element 370 can be
positioned either
centered or off-center with respect to the tab 360 such that the interference
element 370 is
adjacent to the living hinge 382. Positioning the interference element 370
adjacent the living
hinge 382 limits the extent to which the tab 360 can be moved back towards the
first position.
The farther away from the living hinge 382 the interference element 370 is
positioned, the further
the tab 360 can be moved back towards the first position before being
deflected by the
interference element 370.
[0045] Figure 14 illustrates a partial cross-section of the container 310,
showing the tab 360
provided on the cover 312 in a second position after it has been torn along
the line of weaknesses
11
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CA 2958930 2017-02-23
and moved from the first position (shown in dashed lines). From this view, the
upward pivot, as
indicated by the arrow 400, of the tab 360 about the living hinge 382 can be
more clearly seen.
Further, it is shown that the placement of the interference element 370
adjacent the living hinge
382 prevents the tab 360 from being moved back towards the first position.
Therefore, once the
tab 360 is moved from the first position to the second position as part of
removing the cover, the
replacement of the cover will result in the interference element 370
preventing the return of the
tab 360 to the first position. With the tab 360 being in the second position,
the tab indicates that
the container has been opened.
[0046] It will be understood that the examples described herein showing the
location of the
tab 60, 160, 260, 360 and the interference element 70, 170, 270, 370 are non-
limiting. Any
suitable combination of tab 60, 160, 260, 360 and interference element 70,
170, 270, 370
location is within the scope of the invention. For example, the tab 60, 160,
260, 360 can be
located at any suitable point either on the tray 14, 114, 214, 314 or the
cover 12, 112, 212, 312.
The interference element need not be located on the tab and the tab can be
located on either
cover or tray. When the interference element is located on the tab, the
interference element 70,
170, 270, 370 can be located at any suitable point either on the tab 60, 160,
260, 360 or not on
the tab 60, 160, 260, 360.
[0047] It will be further understood that the shape of the container is not
limiting. The
container can be of any desired shape, such as circular or polygonal. The
container can or cannot
have corners. The tabs and interference element can or cannot be located at a
corner. There may
be one or more combinations of tabs/interference elements per container.
100481 The embodiments of the invention described herein provide a
container 10, 110, 210,
310 which is tamper resistant and also provides evidence to a consumer when
tampering or
attempts at tampering have occurred. The blocking wall 50, 150, 250, 350
inhibits a consumer
from opening the container 10, 110, 210, 310 without destroying or damaging
the blocking wall
50, 150, 250, 350 and/or the peripheral cover lip 24, 124, 224, 324 without
using the tab 60, 160,
260, 360 in the intended manner. The tab 60, 160, 260, 360 is configured to be
movable with
respect to the blocking wall 50, 150, 250, 350 to provide access to the
peripheral cover lip 24,
124, 224, 324 to remove the cover 12, 112, 212, 312 from the tray 14, 114,
214, 314 while also
12
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providing a visual indication that the container 10, 110, 210, 310 has been
opened. The
interference element 70, 170, 270, 370 enhances the visual indication that the
container 10, 110,
210, 310 has been opened by inhibiting replacement of the tab 60, 160, 260,
360 back into a
position in which it appears that the container 10, 110, 210, 310 has not been
opened. The tab
60, 160, 260, 360 is configured such that once the container 10, 110, 210, 310
has been opened
and the cover 12, 112, 212, 312 has been removed, the cover 12, 112, 212, 312
can be replaced
and re-sealed with the tray 14, 114, 214, 314 while still providing visual
evidence to a consumer
that the container 10, 110, 210, 310 has already been opened.
[0049] To the extent not already described, the different features and
structures of the various
embodiments of the container 10, 110, 210, and 310 may be used in combination
with each other
as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the embodiments
is not meant to be
construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the
various features of
the different embodiments of the containers 10, 110, 210, and 310 may be mixed
and matched as
desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are
expressly described.
100501 While the invention has been specifically described in connection
with certain
specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of
illustration and not of
limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the
scope of the forgoing
disclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention
which is defined in the
appended claims.
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