Tamper resistant container

Abstract

A container has a base including a tamper evident lock base portion, and a cover including a tamper evident lock cover portion, whereby the tamper evident lock base portion may be fastened to the tamper evident lock cover portion to secure the cover to the base.

1 . A container, comprising: 
 a base formed of thermoformed plastic,    the base including a floor; at least one base side wall integrally formed with and extending upward from the floor; a base rim, the base rim integrally formed with a top of the at least one base side wall; and    at least one tamper evident lock base portion integrally formed with a portion of the base rim; and    a cover formed of thermoformed plastic,    the cover including a ceiling; at least one cover side wall integrally formed with and extending downward from the ceiling; a cover rim, the cover rim integrally formed with a bottom of the at least one cover side wall; and    at least one tamper evident lock cover portion integrally formed with a portion of the cover rim; and    wherein the tamper evident lock base portion and the tamper evident lock cover portion are adapted to be fastened together;    whereby the cover may be secured to the base by fastening the tamper evident lock base portion to the tamper evident lock cover portion.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion is connected to the base by a fracture portion.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion is connected to the cover by a fracture portion.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes an adhesive-bearing surface, whereby the tamper evident lock base portion is adapted to be fastened to the tamper evident lock cover portion by pressing at least a portion of the tamper evident lock cover portion against the adhesive-bearing surface of the tamper evident lock base portion.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion includes an adhesive-bearing surface, whereby the tamper evident lock cover portion is adapted to be fastened to the tamper evident lock base portion by pressing at least a portion of the tamper evident lock base portion against the adhesive-bearing surface of the tamper evident lock cover portion.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes a surface comprising a first material; 
 wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion includes a surface comprising a second material; and    wherein the first material and the second material adhere when pressed together;    whereby the surface comprising a first material of the tamper evident lock base portion and the surface comprising a second material of the tamper evident lock cover portion may be pressed together and fastened.    
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion is adapted to be fastened to the tamper evident lock cover portion by engaging at least a portion of the tamper evident lock cover portion with at least a portion of the tamper evident lock base portion and subjecting the engaged portions to heat.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion is adapted to be fastened to the tamper evident lock cover portion by engaging at least a portion of the tamper evident lock cover portion with at least a portion of the tamper evident lock base portion and subjecting the engaged portions to radio-frequency energy.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion is adapted to be fastened to the tamper evident lock cover portion by engaging at least a portion of the tamper evident lock cover portion with at least a portion of the tamper evident lock base portion and subjecting the engaged portions to microwave energy.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes a crushable dimple; 
 wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion includes a crushable dimple; and    wherein the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock base portion and the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock cover portion are adapted to be engaged by nesting one within the other;    whereby the tamper evident lock base portion may be fastened to the tamper evident lock cover portion by engaging and crushing together the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock base portion and the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock cover portion.    
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion is connected to the base by a fracture portion.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion is connected to the cover by a fracture portion.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes a tab having a first end connected to the portion of the base rim and a second end, wherein the dimple of the tamper evident lock base portion is located between the first end of the tab and the second end of the tab.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13  wherein the first end of the tab of the tamper evident lock base portion is connected to the portion of the base rim by a fracture portion.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion includes a tab having a first end connected to the portion of the cover rim and a second end, wherein the dimple of the tamper evident lock cover portion is located between the first end of the tab and the second end of the tab.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15  wherein the first end of the tab of the tamper evident lock cover portion is connected to the portion of the cover rim by a fracture portion.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the base side wall includes at least one base sealing thread having a first engagement wall and wherein the cover side wall includes at least one cover sealing thread having a second engagement wall, whereby the first engagement wall engages the second engagement wall when the cover is fitted upon the base.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the base sealing thread has a forward limit wall and the cover sealing thread has a forward limit wall, whereby the forward limit wall of the cover sealing thread engages the forward limit wall of the base sealing thread when the cover is fitted upon the base.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 18  wherein the base sealing thread has a reverse limit wall and the cover sealing thread has a reverse limit wall, whereby the reverse limit wall of the cover sealing thread engages the reverse limit wall of the base sealing thread when the cover is fitted upon the base.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the base sealing thread has a reverse limit wall and the cover sealing thread has a reverse limit wall, whereby the reverse limit wall of the cover sealing thread engages the reverse limit wall of the base sealing thread when the cover is fitted upon the base.  
   
   
       21 . A container, comprising: 
 a base formed of thermoformed plastic,    the base including a floor; at least one base side wall integrally formed with and extending upward from the floor; a base rim, the base rim integrally formed with a top of the at least one base side wall; and at least one base sealing thread integrally formed with and extending inward from a portion of the base side wall and having a base sealing thread engagement wall; and    a cover formed of thermoformed plastic,    the cover including a ceiling; at least one cover side wall integrally formed with and extending downward from the ceiling; a cover rim, the cover rim integrally formed with the bottom of the at least one cover side wall; and at least one cover sealing thread integrally formed with and extending inward from a portion of the cover side wall and having a cover sealing thread engagement wall;    wherein the cover and the base are formed to be placed in a first position in which the base rim engages with the cover rim but the base sealing thread engagement wall does not engage with the cover sealing thread engagement wall, and in a second position in which the base rim engages with the cover rim and the base sealing thread engagement wall engages with the cover sealing thread engagement wall,    whereby the cover can be placed on the base in the first position and then moved to the second position to fasten the cover to the base.    
   
   
       22 . The container of  claim 21  wherein the base sealing thread has a forward limit wall and the cover sealing thread has a forward limit wall, whereby the forward limit wall of the cover sealing thread engages the forward limit wall of the base sealing thread when the cover is moved to the second position upon the base.  
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 22  wherein the base sealing thread has a reverse limit wall and the cover sealing thread has a reverse limit wall, whereby the reverse limit wall of the cover sealing thread engages the reverse limit wall of the base sealing thread when the cover is moved to the second position upon the base.  
   
   
       24 . The container of  claim 21  wherein the base sealing thread has a reverse limit wall and the cover sealing thread has a reverse limit wall, whereby the reverse limit wall of the cover sealing thread engages the reverse limit wall of the base sealing thread when the cover is moved to the second position upon the base.  
   
   
       25 . The container of  claim 21  wherein the base rim is circular and the cover rim is circular, whereby the cover is moved to the second position by rotating the cover relative to the base.  
   
   
       26 . The container of  claim 25  wherein the base sealing thread has a forward limit wall and the cover sealing thread has a forward limit wall, whereby the forward limit wall of the cover sealing thread engages the forward limit wall of the base sealing thread when the cover is moved to the second position upon the base.  
   
   
       27 . The container of  claim 26  wherein the base sealing thread has a reverse limit wall and the cover sealing thread has a reverse limit wall, whereby the reverse limit wall of the cover sealing thread engages the reverse limit wall of the base sealing thread when the cover is moved to the second position upon the base.  
   
   
       28 . The container of  claim 20  wherein the base includes a tamper evident lock base portion integrally formed with a portion of the base rim; 
 wherein the cover includes a tamper evident lock cover portion integrally formed with a portion of the cover rim; and    wherein the tamper evident lock base portion and the tamper evident lock cover portion are adapted to be fastened together;    whereby the cover may be secured to the base by fastening the tamper evident lock base portion to the tamper evident lock cover portion.    
   
   
       29 . The container of  claim 28  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes a crushable dimple; 
 wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion includes a crushable dimple; and    wherein the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock base portion and the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock cover portion are adapted to be engaged by nesting one within the other;    whereby the tamper evident lock base portion may be fastened to the tamper evident lock cover portion by engaging and crushing together the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock base portion and the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock cover portion.    
   
   
       30 . The container of  claim 29  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion is connected to the base by a fracture portion.  
   
   
       31 . The container of  claim 29  wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion is connected to the cover by a fracture portion.  
   
   
       32 . The container of  claim 28  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes an adhesive-bearing surface, whereby the tamper evident lock base portion is adapted to be fastened to the tamper evident lock cover portion by pressing at least a portion of the tamper evident lock cover portion against the adhesive-bearing surface of the tamper evident lock base portion.  
   
   
       33 . The container of  claim 28  wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion includes an adhesive-bearing surface, whereby the tamper evident lock cover portion is adapted to be fastened to the tamper evident lock base portion by pressing at least a portion of the tamper evident lock base portion against the adhesive-bearing surface of the tamper evident lock cover portion.  
   
   
       34 . The container of  claim 28  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes a surface comprising a first material; 
 wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion includes a surface comprising a second material; and    wherein the first material and the second material adhere when pressed together;    whereby the surface comprising a first material of the tamper evident lock base portion and the surface comprising a second material of the tamper evident lock cover portion may be pressed together and fastened.    
   
   
       35 . A container, comprising: 
 a base formed of thermoformed plastic,    the base including a floor; at least one base side wall integrally formed with and extending upward from the floor; a base rim, the base rim integrally formed with a top of the at least one base side wall; and    at least one base sealing slot integrally formed with and extending outward from a portion of the base side wall and having a base sealing slot engagement wall and an open end; and    a cover formed of thermoformed plastic,    the cover including a ceiling; at least one cover side wall integrally formed with and extending downward from the ceiling; a cover rim, the cover rim integrally formed with the bottom of the at least one cover side wall; and    at least one cover sealing ridge integrally formed with and extending outward from a portion of the cover side wall and having a cover sealing ridge engagement wall and an insertion end;    wherein the cover and the base are formed to be placed in a first position in which the insertion end of the cover sealing ridge is adjacent to the open end of the base sealing slot and the base sealing slot engagement wall does not engage with the cover sealing ridge engagement wall, and in a second position in which the cover sealing ridge is inserted into the base sealing slot and the base sealing slot engagement wall engages with the cover sealing ridge engagement wall,    whereby the cover and base can be placed in the first position and then moved to the second position to fasten the cover to the base.    
   
   
       36 . The container of  claim 35 , wherein the base sealing slot has a reverse limit wall and the cover sealing ridge has a reverse limit wall, whereby movement of the cover and base back to the first position is inhibited after the cover and base have been placed in the second position from the first position.  
   
   
       37 . The container of  claim 36 , wherein the base sealing slot has a forward limit wall and the cover sealing ridge has a forward limit wall.  
   
   
       38 . The container of  claim 35  wherein the base includes a tamper evident lock base portion integrally formed with a portion of the base rim; 
 wherein the cover includes a tamper evident lock cover portion integrally formed with a portion of the cover rim; and    wherein the tamper evident lock base portion and the tamper evident lock cover portion are adapted to be fastened together;    whereby the cover may be secured to the base by fastening the tamper evident lock base portion to the tamper evident lock cover portion.    
   
   
       39 . The container of  claim 38  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes a crushable dimple; 
 wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion includes a crushable dimple; and    wherein the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock base portion and the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock cover portion are adapted to be engaged by nesting one within the other;    whereby the tamper evident lock base portion may be fastened to the tamper evident lock cover portion by engaging and crushing together the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock base portion and the crushable dimple of the tamper evident lock cover portion.    
   
   
       40 . The container of  claim 39  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion is connected to the base by a fracture portion.  
   
   
       41 . The container of  claim 39  wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion is connected to the cover by a fracture portion.  
   
   
       42 . The container of  claim 38  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes an adhesive-bearing surface, whereby the tamper evident lock base portion is adapted to be fastened to the tamper evident lock cover portion by pressing at least a portion of the tamper evident lock cover portion against the adhesive-bearing surface of the tamper evident lock base portion.  
   
   
       43 . The container of  claim 38  wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion includes an adhesive-bearing surface, whereby the tamper evident lock cover portion is adapted to be fastened to the tamper evident lock base portion by pressing at least a portion of the tamper evident lock base portion against the adhesive-bearing surface of the tamper evident lock cover portion.  
   
   
       44 . The container of  claim 38  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes a surface comprising a first material; 
 wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion includes a surface comprising a second material; and    wherein the first material and the second material adhere when pressed together;    whereby the surface comprising a first material of the tamper evident lock base portion and the surface comprising a second material of the tamper evident lock cover portion may be pressed together and fastened.    
   
   
       45 . The container of  claim 38  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes at least one tensioning protrusion adapted to be located between the tamper evident lock base portion and the tamper evident cover portion when the tamper evident lock portion and the tamper evident cover portion are fastened together.  
   
   
       46 . The container of  claim 38  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion includes a means for providing tension between the tamper evident lock base portion and the tamper evident cover portion when the tamper evident lock portion and the tamper evident cover portion are fastened together.  
   
   
       47 . A method of using a container, comprising: 
 (a) providing a base formed of thermoformed plastic, the base including a floor; at least one base side wall integrally formed with and extending upward from the floor; a base rim, the base rim integrally formed with a top of the at least one base side wall; and at least one tamper evident lock base portion integrally formed with a portion of the base;    (b) providing a cover formed of thermoformed plastic, the cover including a ceiling; at least one cover side wall integrally formed with and extending downward from the ceiling; a cover rim, the cover rim integrally formed with the bottom of the at least one cover side wall; and at least one tamper evident lock cover portion integrally formed with a portion of the cover, wherein the tamper evident lock base portion and the tamper evident lock cover portion are adapted to be engaged and fastened together;    (c) placing the base on the cover whereby the rim of the base engages the rim of the cover;    (d) engaging together the tamper evident lock base portion and the tamper evident lock cover portion; and    (e) fastening together the engaged tamper evident lock base portion and tamper evident lock cover portion;    thereby securing the cover to the base and closing the container.    
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the tamper evident lock base portion is connected to the base by a base fracture portion, wherein the tamper evident lock cover portion is connected to the cover by a cover fracture portion, and further comprising the steps of 
 (f) breaking the base fracture portion and the cover fracture portion; and    (e) disengaging the rim of the cover from the rim of the base    thereby removing the cover from the base and opening the container.