Tamper-evident containers

Abstract

Various tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant containers are disclosed. In some embodiments, the container comprises a base and a lid. The base can receive a food product. The lid can be engaged with the base to form a closed chamber in the container. In some embodiments, the lid is received in a peripheral channel in the base and/or recessed below an upper lip of the base to inhibit grasping of a peripheral edge of the lid. The lid can have a tab and a recess. The tab can be positioned in the recess. An indicator can overlay the tab in the recess. To open the container, the tab is drawn upward which pulls the lid out of engagement with the base. Removing the tab from the recess tears or otherwise mars the appearance of the indicator.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A tamper-evident container comprising:
 a base comprising a bottom, an upper flange, and a sidewall, the base forming a chamber for holding one or more items; and   a lid comprising:
 an outer periphery disposed around the upper surface; 
 a tab hingedly coupled with the outer periphery; 
 an upper surface having an indent, the indent including a cavity portion and a recess portion; and 
 a tamper evident feature comprising an adhesive strip; 
   wherein in a closed configuration of the container:
 the lid is attached to the base by a coupling between the outer periphery of the lid is coupled within the upper flange of the base; 
 a head of the tab is disposed within the cavity of the indent and a neck of the tab is disposed within the recess of the indent; and 
 the tamper evident feature covers at least a portion the head of the tab and the cavity; 
   wherein the container is configured such that, to transition the container to an open configuration:
 the tab is removed from the indent and pulled outward relative to the upper surface, thereby pulling the outer periphery of the lid out of the upper flange of the base and removing the lid from the base; and 
 the tamper-evident feature is irreversibly damaged, thereby providing a visible indication that the container has been opened. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper-evident feature overlays both the cavity and the recess. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive strip comprises a plastic strip. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive strip comprises a paper strip. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive strip comprises one or more perforations and drawing the end of the tab upwards tears the perforations. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is biased to extend outwards from the outer periphery of the lid. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is generally circular. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is flush with the upper surface of the lid in the first configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the tab is below the upper surface of the lid in the first configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the lid is generally horizontal. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the lid is at least partially vertical. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer periphery of the lid includes a circumferential protrusion and the upper flange includes a peripheral channel to receive the circumferential protrusion of the lid in the first configuration. 
     
     
         13 . A tamper-evident container comprising:
 a base having a bottom, a sidewall, and a chamber for holding one or more items;   a lid configured to be fitted with the base, wherein the base and lid together form an enclosed receptacle;   a tab coupled with the lid for removing the lid from the base;   an indent in the lid configured to at least partially receive the tab therein; and   a tamper evident feature at least partially covering the indent and the tab, the tamper evident feature comprising an adhesive strip.   
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the lid is configured such that, to remove the lid from the base, the tab is pulled out of the indent and the tamper evident feature is irreversibly damaged. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the lid is configured such that the tamper evident feature must first be ruptured in order for a user to grasp the tab. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the lid is configured such that, during the pulling of the tab from the indent, the tamper evident feature is ruptured. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive strip comprises one or more perforations and drawing the end of the tab upwards tears the perforations. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the tab is biased to extend outwards from the outer periphery of the lid. 
     
     
         19 . A method of opening a tamper-evident container that comprises a base and a lid, the lid comprising a pull tab with a head, the method comprising:
 rupturing an indicator on the lid to form an opening;   grasping, through the opening in the indicator, the head of the pull tab of the lid of the container;   rotating the head of the pull tab relative to the base;   pulling the head of the pull tab relative to the base; and   removing the lid from the base, thereby opening the container.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein rupturing the indicator comprises permanently and visibly damaging the indicator.