Tamper-resistant container with tamper-evident feature and method of forming same

Abstract

A tamper-resistant container with tamper-evident features which includes a cover portion defining a outwardly extending peripheral flange, a base portion defining an upper peripheral edge, a hinge joining the outwardly extending peripheral flange with the base portion and an engagement mechanism for maintaining the peripheral flange adjacent to the upper peripheral edge when the container is closed. The upper peripheral edge includes an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion that is configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed. The hinge includes a frangible section, which upon severing, provides a projection that extends out beyond the base portion for facilitating the disengagement of the engagement mechanism and removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.

1 . A tamper-resistant/evident container comprising: 
 a) a cover portion including an outwardly extending peripheral flange; and    b) a base portion including an upper peripheral edge forming at least in part an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion and configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed, wherein the cover portion and base portion are adapted and configured to lock together about their periphery by way of a circumferential engagement sealing interface, wherein the circumferential engagement sealing interface is defined at least in part by a perimeter having a plurality of arcuate segments and rounded corner portions.    
   
   
       2 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 c) a hinge joining the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion with the base portion, the hinge including a frangible section, which upon severing, provides an arm extending outwardly from the base portion having opposing sides graspable by a user for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.    
   
   
       3 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a lock disposed along a side of the container opposite from the hinge for maintaining the peripheral flange adjacent to the upper peripheral edge when the container is closed.  
   
   
       4 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 3 , wherein a skirt depends downwardly from the upper peripheral edge of the base portion, and the hinge extends from a lower edge of the skirt to the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion.  
   
   
       5 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the lock facilitates the reattachment of the cover portion with the base portion.  
   
   
       6 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the lock is disposed along one of the arcuate segments, and is configured and adapted to urge the peripheral flange of the cover portion and the upper peripheral edge of the base portion to remain adjacent with respect to each other when the container is closed by securing the cover portion to the base portion.  
   
   
       7 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the lock includes corresponding male and female engaging members.  
   
   
       8 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the male engaging member is defined on the base portion and the female engaging member is defined on the cover portion.  
   
   
       9 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising a support disposed on the base portion proximate the lock configured and adapted to resist a load imposed downwardly on the cover portion of the container.  
   
   
       10 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cover portion is adapted and configured to be mated with the base portion along the circumferential engagement sealing interface by pressing downwardly on one or more corners of the cover portion.  
   
   
       11 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential engagement sealing interface includes four arcuate segments.  
   
   
       12 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the arcuate segments are outwardly bowed.  
   
   
       13 . A tamper-resistant/evident container comprising: 
 a) a cover portion including an outwardly extending peripheral flange;    b) a base portion including an upper peripheral edge, wherein the cover portion and base portion are adapted and configured to lock together about their periphery by way of a circumferential engagement means;    c) a hinge joining the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion with the base portion, the hinge including a frangible section, which upon severing, provides an arm extending outwardly from the base portion for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container; and    d) a latch disposed proximate the circumferential engagement means for maintaining the peripheral flange adjacent to the upper peripheral edge when the container is closed.    
   
   
       14 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed.  
   
   
       15 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the engagement means and the latch facilitates the reattachment of the cover portion with the base portion.  
   
   
       16 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the latch is disposed proximate the circumferential engagement means, and urges the peripheral flange of the cover portion and the upper peripheral edge of the base portion to resist separation when the container is closed.  
   
   
       17 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the latch is disposed along a portion of the container substantially opposite the hinge.  
   
   
       18 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 13 , wherein a skirt depends downwardly from the upper peripheral edge of the base portion, and the hinge extends from a lower edge of the skirt to the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion.  
   
   
       19 . A thermoformed plastic tamper-resistant/evident container comprising: 
 a) a cover portion including an outwardly extending peripheral flange;    b) a base portion including an upper peripheral edge; and    c) a hinge joining the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion with the base portion, the hinge including a frangible section, which upon severing, provides an arm shaped projection adapted and configured to be gripped by a user that extends out beyond the base portion for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container by the user, wherein the container is made from a polymeric material having a flexural modulus less than about 340,000 psi and having a tensile strength at yield less than about 8,000 psi.    
   
   
       20 . A thermoformed plastic tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 17  wherein the polymeric material is chosen from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephtalate and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       21 . A tamper-resistant/evident container comprising: 
 a) a cover portion including an outwardly extending peripheral flange;    b) a base portion including an upper peripheral edge forming at least in part an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion and configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed, wherein at least one of the cover portion and base portion are formed at least in part from transparent plastic to permit the display of goods within the container; and    c) a tamper evident bridge connecting the cover portion to the base portion.    
   
   
       22 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the tamper evident bridge includes a hinge joining the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion with the base portion, the hinge including a frangible section, which upon severing, provides a graspable projection that extends out beyond the base portion, for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.  
   
   
       23 . A tamper-resistant/evident container comprising: 
 a) a thermoformed cover portion including a peripheral flange; and    b) a thermoformed base portion connected to the cover portion including an upper peripheral edge forming at least in part an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion and configured to render the peripheral flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed, wherein the cover portion and base portion are adapted and configured to lock together about their periphery by way of a circumferential engagement sealing interface, wherein the circumferential engagement sealing interface is defined at least in part by a perimeter having a plurality of arcuate segments and rounded corner portions.    
   
   
       24 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the thermoformed cover portion and the thermoformed base portion are connected by a hinge that includes a frangible section, which upon severing, permits the cover portion to be separated from the base portion to open the container.  
   
   
       25 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the cover portion is transparent.  
   
   
       26 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the base portion is transparent.  
   
   
       27 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the cover portion is translucent.  
   
   
       28 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the base portion is translucent.  
   
   
       29 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein a skirt depends downwardly from the upper peripheral edge of the base portion.  
   
   
       30 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 29 , further comprising a frangible hinge connecting the cover portion to the base portion proximate the skirt, wherein the cover portion of the container may be removed from the base portion when the frangible hinge is ruptured.  
   
   
       31 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the cover portion is adapted and configured to be mated with the base portion along the circumferential engagement sealing interface by pressing downwardly on one or more corners of the cover portion.  
   
   
       32 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the circumferential engagement sealing interface includes four arcuate segments.  
   
   
       33 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the arcuate segments are outwardly bowed.  
   
   
       34 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the cover and base are thermoformed from a single sheet of plastic material.  
   
   
       35 . A tamper resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 34 , wherein at least a portion of the container is opaque.  
   
   
       36 . A tamper resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the base portion of the container is opaque.  
   
   
       37 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the cover portion is transparent.  
   
   
       38 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the cover portion is translucent.  
   
   
       39 . A tamper-resistant/evident container comprising: 
 a) a thermoformed cover portion including an outwardly extending peripheral flange;    b) a thermoformed base portion including an upper peripheral edge, wherein the cover portion and base portion are adapted and configured to lock together about their periphery by way of a circumferential engagement interface; and    c) a hinge joining the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion with the base portion, the hinge including a frangible section, which upon severing, facilitates removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.    
   
   
       40 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 39 , wherein the container is opened by pulling a first tab connected to the cover portion and a second tab connected to the base portion away from one another.  
   
   
       41 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the frangible section includes a tear strip that is removed from the container prior to opening the container by pulling on the first tab and the second tab.  
   
   
       42 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 40 , further comprising an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed.  
   
   
       43 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 39 , wherein the cover portion is transparent.  
   
   
       44 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 43 , wherein the base portion is transparent.  
   
   
       45 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 43 , wherein the base portion is opaque.  
   
   
       46 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 39 , wherein the cover portion is translucent.  
   
   
       47 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 46 , wherein the base portion is translucent.  
   
   
       48 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 46 , wherein the base portion is opaque.  
   
   
       49 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 39 , wherein a skirt depends downwardly from the upper peripheral edge of the base portion, and the hinge is attached proximate a lower edge of the skirt.  
   
   
       50 . A tamper resistant/evident container comprising: 
 a) a cover portion including an outwardly extending peripheral flange;    b) a base portion including an upper peripheral edge forming at least in part an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion and configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed; and    c) a hinge joining the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion with the base portion, the hinge including a frangible section, wherein the frangible section, upon severing, provides an upper projection extending from the cover portion and a lower projection extending from the base portion out beyond the upwardly projecting bead of the upper peripheral edge of the base portion for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.    
   
   
       51 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 50 , wherein a skirt depends downwardly from the upper peripheral edge of the base portion, and the hinge extends from a lower edge of the skirt to the outwardly extending peripheral flange of the cover portion.  
   
   
       52 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the frangible section of the hinge is delimited at least in part by a pair of parallel score lines.  
   
   
       53 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 52 , wherein the frangible section of the hinge is further delimited by a plurality of spaced apart notches associated with the score lines.  
   
   
       54 . A tamper-resistant/evident container comprising: 
 a) a transparent cover portion including an outwardly extending peripheral flange;    b) a base portion including an upper peripheral edge; and    c) a hinge joining the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion with the base portion, the hinge including a frangible section, which upon severing, provides a projection that extends from the base portion for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.    
   
   
       55 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 54 , wherein the upper peripheral edge of the base portion further comprises an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed.  
   
   
       56 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 54 , wherein a skirt depends downwardly from the upper peripheral edge of the base portion, and the hinge extends from a lower edge of the skirt to the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion.  
   
   
       57 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 54 , wherein the frangible section of the hinge is delimited at least in part by a pair of parallel score lines.  
   
   
       58 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 57 , wherein the frangible section of the hinge is further delimited by a plurality of spaced apart notches associated with the score lines.  
   
   
       59 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 54 , wherein the cover portion and the base portion have a generally circular configuration.  
   
   
       60 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 54 , wherein the cover portion and the base portion have a generally rectangular configuration.  
   
   
       61 . A tamper-resistant/evident container comprising: 
 a) a cover portion made at least in part from transparent material, the cover portion including an outwardly extending peripheral flange;    b) a base portion including an upper peripheral edge;    c) a hinge joining the cover portion with the base portion; and    d) a frangible tear strip disposed proximate an edge of the container near a region where the cover portion and base portion meet, wherein upon severing, the tear strip provides a projection extending from at least one of the base portion and cover portion for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.    
   
   
       62 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 61 , wherein the projection extends from the cover portion of the container.  
   
   
       63 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 61 , wherein the projection extends from the base portion of the container.  
   
   
       64 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 61 , wherein the tear strip is delimited at least in part by a pair of parallel score lines.  
   
   
       65 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 61 , wherein the base portion includes transparent material.  
   
   
       66 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 61 , wherein the base portion includes opaque material.  
   
   
       67 . A tamper-resistant/evident container comprising: 
 a) a cover portion made at least in part from translucent material, the cover portion including an outwardly extending peripheral flange;    b) a base portion including an upper peripheral edge;    c) a hinge joining the cover portion with the base portion; and    d) a frangible tear strip disposed proximate an edge of the container near a region where the cover portion and base portion meet, wherein upon severing, the tear strip provides a projection extending from at least one of the base portion and cover portion for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.    
   
   
       68 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 67 , wherein the projection extends from the cover portion of the container.  
   
   
       69 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 67 , wherein the projection extends from the base portion of the container.  
   
   
       70 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 67 , wherein the tear strip is delimited at least in part by a pair of parallel score lines.  
   
   
       71 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 67 , wherein the base portion includes translucent material.  
   
   
       72 . A tamper-resistant/evident container as recited in  claim 67 , wherein the base portion includes opaque material.