Tamper evident container and closure

Abstract

A container and a closure for the container are disclosed. The container has a projection extending outwardly from a sidewall that surrounds a central space. The projection is received within a channel having inner and outer legs that form a perimeter of the closure. The projection engages an inwardly projecting shoulder formed by a lip attached to the outer channel leg. The lip is removable to allow removal of the closure from the container. The lip serves a tamper-evident function. The projection takes the form of a flange arranged at an acute angle or a rib formed of reverse folded sidewall portions. A method of forming the container is also disclosed. A first sidewall portion having a free edge is folded over and attached to a second sidewall portion adjacent the free edge.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a bottom;    a sidewall surrounding said bottom and defining a central space, said sidewall having a free edge surrounding an opening positioned opposite to said bottom; and    a projection extending outwardly from said sidewall adjacent to said opening, said projection being formed by a first sidewall portion contiguous with said free edge reverse folded into overlying relation with a second sidewall portion adjacent to said free edge, said first and second sidewall portions being attached to one another.    
   
   
       2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said projection comprises a flange oriented at an acute angle relatively to said sidewall.  
   
   
       3 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein said sidewall defines a circular cross section.  
   
   
       4 . A container according to  claim 3 , wherein said flange extends entirely around said opening.  
   
   
       5 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein said sidewall defines a substantially rectangular cross section having rounded corners.  
   
   
       6 . A container according to  claim 3 , wherein said flange extends entirely around said opening.  
   
   
       7 . A container according to  claim 5 , wherein a flange is positioned at each of said corners.  
   
   
       8 . A container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a polymeric layer positioned between said first and second sidewall portions, said polymeric layer being fusible so as to adhere said first and second sidewall portions to one another upon the application of heat and pressure to said sidewall portions.  
   
   
       9 . A container according to  claim 8 , wherein said polymeric layer is a material selected from the group consisting essentially of polypropylene, polyethylene, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       10 . A container according to  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer positioned between said first and second sidewall portions, said adhesive layer adhering said first and second sidewall portions to one another.  
   
   
       11 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein said projection comprises a rib attached to an outer surface of said sidewall and facing outwardly therefrom.  
   
   
       12 . A container according to  claim 11 , wherein said rib comprises said first and second sidewall portions folded into overlying relation with and attached to one another, and a third portion of said sidewall contiguous with said rib folded outwardly at said opening into overlying relation with said outer surface of said sidewall.  
   
   
       13 . A container according to  claim 11 , wherein said sidewall defines a circular cross section.  
   
   
       14 . A container according to  claim 13 , wherein said flange extends entirely around said opening.  
   
   
       15 . A container according to  claim 11 , wherein said sidewall defines a substantially rectangular cross section having rounded corners.  
   
   
       16 . A container according to  claim 15 , wherein said flange extends entirely around said opening.  
   
   
       17 . A container according to  claim 15 , wherein a flange is positioned at each of said corners.  
   
   
       18 . A container according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a closure adapted to close said opening, said closure comprising:    a panel positionable overlying said opening;    a channel forming a perimeter surrounding said panel, said channel having an inner leg and an outer leg in spaced relation to said inner leg, said projection being positionable between said inner and outer legs when said panel is positioned overlying said opening; and    a lip positioned on said outer leg, said lip being separable from said outer leg and having a shoulder projecting toward said inner leg, said shoulder being engageable with said projection and preventing removal of said closure from said container, said closure being removable upon separation of said lip from said outer leg.    
   
   
       19 . A container according to  claim 18 , wherein said panel is formed from paperboard and said channel and said lip are formed from a polymer attached to said panel.  
   
   
       20 . A closure for a container having a sidewall surrounding an opening and a projection extending outwardly from said sidewall adjacent to said opening, said closure comprising: 
 a panel positionable overlying said opening;    a channel forming a perimeter surrounding said panel, said channel having an inner leg and an outer leg in spaced relation to said inner leg, said projection being positionable between said inner and outer legs when said panel is positioned overlying said opening; and    a lip positioned on said outer leg, said lip being separable from said outer leg and having a shoulder projecting toward said inner leg, said shoulder being engageable with said projection and preventing removal of said closure from said container, said closure being removable upon separation of said lip from said outer leg.    
   
   
       21 . A container according to  claim 20 , wherein said panel is formed from paperboard and said channel and said lip are formed from a polymer attached to said panel.  
   
   
       22 . A method of forming a container, said method comprising: 
 attaching a sidewall surrounding a bottom thereby defining a central space and an opening, said sidewall having a free edge surrounding said opening;    folding a first sidewall portion contiguous with said free edge into overlying relation with a second sidewall portion adjacent to said free edge;    attaching said first and second sidewall portions to one another; and    folding said first and second sidewall portions outwardly away from said opening.