Tamper evident container with frangible closure member

Abstract

A container for packaging food stuffs includes a first body portion and a second body portion pivotally joined to the first body portion and moveable from a closed position to an open position for accessing an interior of the container. An anchoring engagement element is integrally joined with the first body portion when the second body portion is in the closed and open positions. A frangible engagement element is integrally joined with the second body part and locked with the anchoring engagement element when the second body portion is in the closed position. The frangible engagement element is configured to sever from the second body portion and remain in locked engagement with the anchoring engagement element when the second body portion is moved from the closed position to the open position.

1 . A container for packaging food stuffs, comprising:
 a) a first body portion and a second body portion pivotally joined to the first body portion, the second body portion pivotal from a closed position to an open position for accessing an interior of the container;   b) an anchoring engagement element integrally joined with the first body portion when the second body portion is in the closed and open positions; and   c) a frangible engagement element integrally joined with the second body part and locked with the anchoring engagement element when the second body portion is in the closed position, the frangible engagement element configured to sever from the second body portion and remain in locked engagement with the anchoring engagement element when the second body portion is moved from the closed position to the open position.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a line of weakness in the second body portion and generally surrounding the frangible engagement element to facilitate said severing of the frangible engagement element from the second body portion. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the line of weakness comprises a perforated line surrounding the frangible engagement element. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein locking of the anchoring engagement element to the frangible engagement elements defines a locking force holding the respective elements together, and a minimum force applied across the line of weakness at which the frangible engagement element severs from the second body portion defines a severing force, the locking force being greater than the severing force. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4 , the container being free of any releasably refastenable engagement elements, wherein the container is inhibited from being reclosed after said frangible engagement element has been severed from the second body part. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5 , further comprising a prop member disposed between the first and second body portions when the second body portion is in or near the closed position, the prop member exerting a biasing force that biases the second body portion towards a partially open position. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the locking force holding together the anchoring and frangible engagement elements is greater than the biasing force exerted by the prop member when the second body portion is in the closed position. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first body portion comprises a receptacle, and the second body portion comprises a lid. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the receptacle comprises a bottom panel, and at least one wall extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom panel, and the lid comprises a covering portion. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein
 a) the anchoring engagement is defined in a first lid coupling surface extending laterally outwardly from an upper portion of the at least one wall; and   b) the frangible engagement element is defined in a first receptacle coupling surface extending laterally outwardly from the covering portion.   
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10 , further comprising a prop member disposed between the first and second body parts when the container is in or near the closed position, the prop member exerting a biasing force that biases the lid towards a partially open position. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the prop member comprises an upwardly extending wall extending from at least a portion of the first lid coupling surface. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the first receptacle coupling surface has a greater surface area than the first lid coupling surface, the upwardly extending wall extends from a periphery of the first lid coupling surface, and the first receptacle coupling surface sits on the upwardly extending wall when the container is in the closed position. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein when the container is in the closed position, the first receptacle coupling surface bends between the engagement element and the prop member. 
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises a second anchoring engagement element, and a second frangible engagement element. 
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first body portion is mounted to the second body portion at a mounting portion, and the anchoring engagement element and the frangible engagement element are perimetrically opposed to the mounting portion. 
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein when force is applied to move the first body portion to the open position, and the frangible engagement element is severed, an aperture is formed in the second body portion. 
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein when force is applied to move the second body portion to the open position, and the frangible engagement element is severed, a waste product is not generated. 
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the frangible engagement element comprises an upwardly extending recess, and the anchoring engagement element comprises an upwardly extending projection receivable in the recess. 
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the recess comprises a laterally outwardly extending groove, and the projection comprises a laterally outwardly extending lip receivable in the groove.