Self-Sealing Container

Abstract

A self-sealing container is formed from a blank comprising panels and end flaps connected along fold lines with the panels and the end flaps being foldable along the fold lines to form the container. The container includes a securing feature that seals the container in a closed position, with the securing feature providing a visual indication of opening if the container is opened from the closed position. After the container is opened, the securing feature provides a closure feature that allows the container to be closed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a first container section with at least a first sidewall;   a second container section with at least a second sidewall;   the first container section and the second container section being connected along a container fold line; wherein the two container sections are foldable along the fold line to close the container in a closed position;   a securing feature that is engageable to seal the container in a sealed position;   wherein the securing feature includes a first flap and a second flap connected along a flap fold line;   wherein the securing feature seals to an exterior of either the first side wall or the second sidewall;   wherein the securing feature provides a visual indication that the container has been opened from the sealed position;   wherein the container further comprises a closure feature that allows the container to be closed to the closed position after the container has been opened from the sealed position.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first container section and the second container section are capable of mating to close the container. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first flap is connected to the first container section and the second flap is connected to the first flap along the flap fold line. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the first flap includes the closure feature. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the second flap includes sealing means that secures the second flap to the container. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the sealing means is an adhesive that is covered by a cover that is removable to expose the adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the sealing means includes a tear tab that separates at least a portion of the second flap from the container and the tear tab separation provides the visual indication of opening. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the visual indication is (1) alteration of the container including by tearing, ripping, or otherwise varying an outer portion of the container or outer flap, or (2) separation of an outer sealing flap from the container. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container cannot be resealed with the sealing means after the closed container is opened. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one identifier is provided, with the at least one identifier is chosen from: a barcode, a QR code, or RFID tag; and,
 wherein the at least one identifier indicates at least one of: order information, timestamp, supplier information, recipient information, promotional message(s), removal instructions, and any combination thereof. 
 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the second flap is connected to the second container section and the first flap is connected to the second flap along the flap fold line. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the second flap includes the closure feature. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the first flap includes sealing means that secures the first flap to the container. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13  wherein the sealing means is an adhesive that is covered by a cover that is removable to expose the adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 13  wherein the sealing means includes a tear tab that separates at least a portion of the first flap from the container and the tear tab separation provides the visual indication of opening.