Container with Hinged Tamper Indicator

Abstract

A container includes a base and a lid configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position. A storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid in the closed position. The container also includes a first flange extending from the base and a second flange extending from the lid, with a hinge that defines a hinge axis. The first flange and the second flange are joined by the hinge, such that the base and the lid are retained in the closed position by the hinge, the first flange, and the second flange. The container also includes a line of reduced strength defined in one of the first flange and the second flange.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the container comprising:
 a base extending along the vertical direction between a floor approximately at a bottom of the base and an opening approximately at a top of the base;   a lid, the lid and the base configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position, wherein a storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid in the closed position;   a first flange integrally joined to the base;   a second flange integrally joined to the lid;   a hinge defining a hinge axis, the first flange and the second flange joined by the hinge, whereby the base and the lid are retained in the closed position by the hinge, the first flange, and the second flange; and   a line of reduced strength defined in one of the first flange and the second flange, the line of reduced strength oriented generally parallel to the hinge axis.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the line of reduced strength is defined in the second flange, further comprising a visual tamper indicia on the first flange. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a first tab on the base proximate the first flange and a second tab on the lid proximate the second flange. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the first tab is positioned at a corner of the base and the second tab is positioned at a corner of the lid. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge is a W-fold hinge. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are spaced apart along the vertical direction when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a perimeter seal defined around a perimeter of the container when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , further comprising a ridge outward of the perimeter seal, wherein the ridge obstructs access to the perimeter seal. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the base further comprises a post inward of the perimeter seal, wherein the post interfaces with the lid to constrain movement of the lid generally within a lateral-transverse plane defined by the lateral direction and the transverse direction. 
     
     
         10 . A container, comprising:
 a base;   a lid, the lid and the base configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position, wherein a storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid in the closed position;   a first flange extending from the base;   a second flange extending from the lid;   a hinge defining a hinge axis, the first flange and the second flange joined by the hinge, whereby the base and the lid are retained in the closed position by the hinge, the first flange, and the second flange; and   a line of reduced strength defined in one of the first flange and the second flange, whereby the base and the lid are configured to be released from the closed position by separating the one of the first flange and the second flange in which the line of reduced strength is formed along the line of reduced strength.   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the line of reduced strength is defined in the second flange, further comprising a visual tamper indicia on the first flange. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 10 , further comprising a first tab on the base proximate the first flange and a second tab on the lid proximate the second flange. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the first tab is positioned at a corner of the base and the second tab is positioned at a corner of the lid. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein hinge is a W-fold hinge. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are spaced apart when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 10 , further comprising a perimeter seal defined around a perimeter of the container when the lid and the base are in the closed position. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , further comprising a ridge outward of the perimeter seal, wherein the ridge obstructs access to the perimeter seal. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the base further comprises a post inward of the perimeter seal, wherein the post interfaces with the lid to constrain movement of the lid within a plane generally parallel to a floor of the base.