Tamper evident container

Abstract

A tamper evident container includes a lid and a base such that the lid cannot be accessed or separated from the base by ordinary access from the top or side of the container. A tamper evident tab is included on either of the lid or base such that the user must depress the tab into the container and insert their finger to either pull or push the lid from its mating closure with the base.

1 . A tamper evident container having a base and a lid, the lid being incapable of being separated from the base from a top or side of the container, the tamper evident container comprising:
 a tamper evident tab positioned on one of the lid or a side wall of the base and configured such that a user must break the tamper evident tab and manually separate the lid from its sealed engagement with the base.   
     
     
         2 . The tamper evident container according to  claim 1 , wherein the tamper evident tab comprises:
 a seam ( 30 ) that is capable of being broken; and   a hinge section ( 32 ) that is not capable of being broken and maintains said tab on the lid or side wall after the seam has been broken.   
     
     
         3 . The tamper evident container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a compartment ( 55 ) positioned under the tamper evident tab and operable to prevent exposure of goods in the container once the tamper evident tab has been broken 
     
     
         4 . The tamper evident container according to  claim 2 , wherein the tamper evident tab further comprises a raised wall ( 42 ) integrated into the lid or side wall around the tab such that a base of the raised wall consists of the seam ( 30 ). 
     
     
         5 . The tamper evident contained according to  claim 2 , further comprising a membrane ( 40 ) secured to the underside of the lid or side wall and positioned under the tab, said membrane breaking when the tab is depressed into the container. 
     
     
         6 . The tamper evident contained according to  claim 2 , further comprising a membrane ( 40 ) secured over the tab, said membrane being broken concurrently with the breaking of the tab when depressed into the container. 
     
     
         7 . A tamper evident container comprising:
 a base;   a lid configured to be mated with and enclose the base to form the container, the lid and base being configured such that the lid is incapable of being separated from the base by accessing the same from a top or side of the container; and   a tamper evident tab positioned on the lid and configured such that a user must break the tamper evident tab and lift the lid from its sealed engagement with the base.   
     
     
         8 . The tamper evident container according to  claim 7 , wherein the tamper evident tab comprises:
 a seam ( 30 ) that is capable of being broken; and   a hinge section ( 32 ) that is not capable of being broken and maintains said tab on the lid after the seam has been broken.   
     
     
         9 . The tamper evident container according to  claim 7 , further comprising a compartment ( 55 ) positioned under the tamper evident tab and operable to prevent exposure of goods in the container to the tamper evident tab. 
     
     
         10 . The tamper evident container according to  claim 8 , wherein the tamper evident tab further comprises a raised wall ( 42 ) integrated into the lid around the tab such that a base of the raised wall consists of the seam ( 30 ). 
     
     
         11 . The tamper evident contained according to  claim 8 , further comprising a membrane ( 40 ) secured to the underside of the lid and positioned under the tab, said membrane breaking when the tab is depressed into the container. 
     
     
         12 . The tamper evident contained according to  claim 8 , further comprising a membrane ( 40 ) secured over the tab, said membrane being broken concurrently with the breaking of the tab when depressed into the container. 
     
     
         13 . A tamper evident container comprising:
 a base having a bottom and at least three side walls;   a lid configured to be mated with and enclose the base to form the container, the lid and a top edge of the at least three side walls being configured such that the lid is incapable of being separated from the base by accessing the same from a top or side of the container; and   a tamper evident tab positioned on a side wall of the base and configured such that a user must break the tamper evident tab and push the lid from its sealed engagement with the base.   
     
     
         14 . The tamper evident container according to  claim 13 , wherein the tamper evident tab comprises:
 a seam ( 30 ) that is capable of being broken; and   a hinge section ( 32 ) that is not capable of being broken and maintains said tab on the side wall after the seam has been broken.   
     
     
         15 . The tamper evident container according to  claim 13 , further comprising a compartment ( 55 ) positioned under the tamper evident tab and operable to prevent exposure of goods in the container to the tamper evident tab. 
     
     
         16 . The tamper evident container according to  claim 14 , wherein the tamper evident tab further comprises a raised wall ( 42 ) integrated into the side wall around the tab such that a base of the raised wall consists of the seam ( 30 ). 
     
     
         17 . The tamper evident container according to  claim 14 , further comprising a membrane ( 40 ) secured to the underside of the side wall and positioned under the tab, said membrane breaking when the tab is depressed into the container. 
     
     
         18 . The tamper evident container according to  claim 14 , further comprising a membrane ( 40 ) secured over the tab, said membrane being broken concurrently with the breaking of the tab when depressed into the container.