Tamper Evident Package Or Container

Abstract

A single piece thermoformed package or container configured to allow a user to visually determine whether the package or container has been tampered with. The container includes a base, a lid, and a hinge. The lid is pivotable relative to the base about the hinge to move the container from an opened position to the closed position. Once in the closed position, it is difficult to remove the lid without disengaging a tamper evident feature. The tamper evident feature may include a perforated section formed in the hinge and one or more pull or push sections. When the tamper evident feature is disengaged using the one or more pull or push sections, the perforation section allows the hinge to be broken such that the entire lid is removed. The container is made of polypropylene and thus can safely be microwaved and includes vents to release pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tamper evident thermoformed container comprising:
 a base;   a lid connected to the base about a hinge; and   a tamper evident feature;   wherein the lid is movable between:
 an open position; and 
 a closed position in which the lid is releasably secured to the base; 
   wherein the tamper evident feature provides visible confirmation that the lid has been moved from the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The tamper evident thermoformed container of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper evident feature further comprises:
 at least one pull section associated with one of the base and the lid;   at least one push section associated with the other of the base and the lid; and   a perforation section formed along the hinge;   wherein the at least one pull section is pulled and the at least one push section is pushed to break the perforation section and separate the hinge.   
     
     
         3 . The tamper evident thermoformed container of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one pull section is pulled in a first direction;
 wherein the at least one push section is pushed in a second direction; and   wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.   
     
     
         4 . The tamper evident thermoformed container of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper evident feature further comprises:
 a first pull section associated with one of the base and the lid;   a second pull section associated with the other of the base and the lid; and   a perforation section formed along the hinge;   wherein the first pull section and the second pull section are pulled to break the perforation section and separate the hinge.   
     
     
         5 . The tamper evident thermoformed container of  claim 4 , wherein the first pull section is pulled in a first direction;
 wherein the second pull section is pulled in a second direction; and   wherein the first direction is in substantially the opposite direction of the second direction.   
     
     
         6 . The tamper evident thermoformed container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flange extending from one of the base and the lid; and   a rim formed in the other of the base and the lid;   wherein the flange is secured against the rim to form a snap or interference fit between the base and the lid.   
     
     
         7 . The tamper evident thermoformed container of  claim 7 , further comprising a perimeter wall located adjacent to the flange and the rim;
 wherein the perimeter wall prevents access to the flange and the rim.   
     
     
         8 . The tamper evident thermoformed container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one vent formed in the base or the lid; and   at least one rib formed in the base or the lid.   
     
     
         9 . A method of using a single-piece polypropylene tamper evident thermoformed container comprising the steps of:
 inserting contents into a base of the container;   pivoting a lid of the container relative to the base about a hinge;   securing the lid to the base; and   disengaging a tamper evident feature to access the contents held within the base.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the disengaging step further comprises the steps of:
 pulling a pull section associated with one of the base and the lid;   pushing a push section associated with the other of the base and the lid; and   breaking a perforation section formed along the hinge.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 pulling the pull section in a first direction;   pushing the push section in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and   separating the lid from the base.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the disengaging step further comprises the steps of:
 pulling a first pull section associated with one of the base and the lid;   pulling a second pull section associated with the other of the base and the lid; and   breaking a perforation section formed along the hinge.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 pulling the first pull section in a first direction;   pulling the second pull section in a second direction that is substantially opposite of the first direction; and   separating the lid from the base.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the securing step further comprises the step of securing a flange extending from one of the base and the lid with a rim formed in the other of the base and the lid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the securing step further comprises the step of forming a snap fit or interference fit between the base and the lid. 
     
     
         16 . A single-piece polypropylene tamper evident thermoformed container comprising:
 a base having at least three sides;   a lid having at least three sides; and   a tamper evident feature comprising:
 a perforation section; and 
 at least one push section or pull section associated with at least one of the base and the lid; 
   wherein the lid is movable between:
 a first open position in which the lid is connected to the base about a hinge; 
 a closed position in which the lid is releasably secured to the base; and 
 a second open position in which the tamper evident feature is disengaged; 
   wherein the tamper evident feature provides visible confirmation that the lid has been moved to the second open position.   
     
     
         17 . The single-piece polypropylene tamper evident thermoformed container of  claim 16 , wherein the tamper evident feature further comprises:
 a pull section associated with the base; and   a push section associated with the lid;   wherein the pull section is pulled in a first direction and the push section is pushed in a second direction to break the perforation section and separate the hinge; and   wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.   
     
     
         18 . The single-piece polypropylene tamper evident thermoformed container of  claim 16 , wherein the tamper evident feature further comprises:
 a first pull section associated with the base; and   a second pull section associated with the lid;   wherein the first pull section is pulled in a first direction and the second pull section is pulled in a second direction in substantially the opposite direction as the first direction to break the perforation section and separate the hinge.   
     
     
         19 . The single-piece polypropylene tamper evident thermoformed container of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a flange extending from one of the base and the lid; and   a rim formed in the other of the base and the lid;   wherein the flange is secured against the rim to form a snap or interference fit between the base and the lid.   
     
     
         20 . The single-piece polypropylene tamper evident thermoformed container of  claim 19 , further comprising a perimeter wall located adjacent to the flange and the rim;
 wherein the perimeter wall prevents access to the flange and the rim.