Tamper-Resistant Storage Container

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a tamper-resistant storage container. The storage container includes a container and lid portion having formed channels and surfaces along their perimeters configured to interlock securely to each other to attach the lid to the container. The lid includes at least one open area spanned by a breakaway stringer defining an area of weakness along a perimeter of the lid such that removing or attempting to remove the lid from the container breaks the stringer to provide a visible indication that the container has been opened or tampered with.

1 . A tamper-resistant storage container, comprising:
 a receptacle comprising a bottom with sidewalls extending upwardly to an upper perimeter, said bottom and sidewalls defining an inner cavity for receiving and storing a contents; and   a lid configured to mate with said receptacle to seal said contents therein, said lid comprising at least one area of weakness positioned along a perimeter of said lid such that said area of weakness will break prior to other portions of said lid when presented with a removal force to said lid.   
     
     
         2 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said area of weakness comprises at least one open area spanned by a stringer such that said stringer will break when presented with a removal force to said lid. 
     
     
         3 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 1 , comprising two areas of weakness on said lid positioned along corresponding adjacent sidewalls of said receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle is substantially rectangular in shape and wherein said lid comprises at least two areas of weakness positioned on adjacent sidewalls on opposite sides of a corner of said receptacle. 
     
     
         5 . The tamper-resistant container of  claim 4 , wherein said receptacle is substantially square in shape. 
     
     
         6 . A tamper-resistant storage container, comprising:
 a receptacle comprising a bottom portion with at least one wall extending upwardly to an upper perimeter, said upper perimeter comprising at least one channel configured to mate with a like-shaped on a lid; and   a lid comprising an outer perimeter, said outer perimeter comprising at least one channel configured to mate with said channel of said receptacle such that said lid is securely held to said receptacle, wherein said lid comprises at least one area of weakness having a shear strength less than a shear strength of a remainder of said lid.   
     
     
         7 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 6 , wherein said receptacle comprises a protruding lip and wherein said lid comprises a stepped portion extending inwardly under said protruding lip such that said stepped portion engages said protruding lip upon a removal force applied to said lid. 
     
     
         8 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 7 , wherein said stepped portion extends under said protruding lip approximately at least 3/16 inch. 
     
     
         9 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 6 , wherein said area of weakness comprises an open area spanned by a stringer. 
     
     
         10 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 6 , wherein said lid comprises a plurality of areas of weakness positioned around a perimeter of said lid. 
     
     
         11 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 10 , wherein at least two of said areas of weakness are positioned on opposite sides of a corner of said receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 6 , wherein said receptacle is substantially circular in shape and wherein said at least one wall extends around a perimeter of said bottom. 
     
     
         12 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said lid and said receptacle are made of a material having properties such that deformation discolors said material. 
     
     
         13 . A tamper-resistant storage container, comprising:
 a receptacle comprising a bottom with at least one sidewall extending upwardly to an upper perimeter, said bottom and sidewall defining an inner cavity for receiving and storing a contents, wherein said upper perimeter comprises at least one channel configured to receive a corresponding protrusion in a lid; and   a lid configured to mate with said receptacle, said lid comprising an outer perimeter having a protrusion configured to mate with said channel in said receptacle, wherein said lid comprises at least one area of weakness positioned along a perimeter of said lid such that said area of weakness will break prior to other portions of said lid when presented with a removal force to said lid.   
     
     
         14 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said receptacle comprises a protruding lip and wherein said lid comprises a step extending inwardly under said protruding lip. 
     
     
         15 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 14 , wherein said step extends under said protruding lip approximately at least 3/16 inch. 
     
     
         16 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said area of weakness comprises an open area spanned by a stringer. 
     
     
         17 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said lid comprises a plurality of areas of weakness positioned around a perimeter of said lid. 
     
     
         18 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 17 , wherein at least two of said areas of weakness are positioned on opposite sides of a corner of said receptacle. 
     
     
         19 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 13 , comprising a plurality of areas of weakness positioned around said perimeter of said lid. 
     
     
         20 . The tamper-resistant storage container of  claim 19 , wherein said areas of weakness have a shear strength less than a shear strength of areas of said lid not comprising said areas of weakness.