Tamper evident tub

Abstract

A container assembly includes a container body with a first side, a bottom, a top edge and an interior cavity, the top edge opposite the bottom and defining an opening into the interior cavity. A satellite ring circumscribes at least a portion of the container body adjacent the top edge. A tear strip is removably coupled to the satellite ring. A latch chamber is defined by the container body, the satellite ring, and the tear strip, the latch chamber defining an opening to an interior of the latch chamber. A latch assembly is disposed at least partially within the latch chamber, the latch assembly including a latch. A lid includes a tab extending through the opening in the latch chamber such that at least a portion of the tab is disposed within the interior of the latch chamber and engaged with the latch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container assembly comprising:
 a container body including a first side, a bottom, a top edge and an interior cavity, the top edge being opposite the bottom and defining an opening into the interior cavity;   a satellite ring circumscribing at least a portion of the container body adjacent the top edge, the satellite ring having an upper edge and a lower edge;   a tear strip removably coupled to a gap in the satellite ring that extends from the upper edge to the lower edge;   a latch chamber defined by the container body, the satellite ring, and the tear strip, the latch chamber defining an opening to an interior of the latch chamber;   a latch assembly disposed at least partially within the latch chamber, the latch assembly including a latch; and   a lid including a tab extending through the opening in the latch chamber such that at least a portion of the tab is disposed within the interior of the latch chamber and engaged with the latch.   
     
     
         2 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is pivotable relative to the container body between a closed position, in which access to the interior cavity is inhibited, and an open position, in which access to the interior cavity is permitted. 
     
     
         3 . The container assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the tab comprises a tab opening that receives the latch to maintain the lid in the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latch chamber is at least partially occluded when the tear strip is coupled to the satellite ring. 
     
     
         5 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the satellite ring includes chamber walls that partially define the latch chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The container assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the chamber walls extend perpendicularly from the container body. 
     
     
         7 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the interior of the latch chamber is spaced outwardly from the container body. 
     
     
         8 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latch is disposed between the tear strip and the first side of the container body. 
     
     
         9 . The container assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latch further includes a rib extending between the first side of the container body and the latch for providing structural support to the latch. 
     
     
         10 . A container assembly comprising:
 a container body defining an interior cavity, a first side, a bottom, and a top edge, the top edge being opposite the bottom and defining an opening into the interior cavity;   a satellite ring circumscribing at least a portion of the container body adjacent the top edge;   a latch assembly adjacent the satellite ring, the latch assembly defining a chamber including a latch and an opening into the chamber;   a lid comprising a tab, the tab extending through the opening in the latch assembly such that at least a portion of the tab is disposed within the chamber and engaged with the latch; and   a tear strip coupled to the latch assembly and moveable from a first position, in which an interface between the tab and the latch is covered by the tear strip, to a second position, in which the interface between the tab and the latch is not covered by the tear strip or the satellite ring.   
     
     
         11 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the tear strip is coupled to the latch assembly with perforated seams. 
     
     
         12 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the tear strip is detached from the satellite ring when in the second position. 
     
     
         13 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the latch extends from the first side of the container body. 
     
     
         14 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the tab includes an opening that receives the latch. 
     
     
         15 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the tear strip is substantially flush with the satellite ring when in the first position. 
     
     
         16 . A container assembly comprising:
 a container body including a first side, a bottom, a top edge and an interior cavity, the top edge being opposite the bottom and defining an opening into the interior cavity;   a satellite ring circumscribing at least a portion of the container body adjacent the top edge;   a latch assembly adjacent the satellite ring, the latch assembly defining a chamber and a first locking feature;   a lid pivotable relative to the container body between a closed position, in which access to the interior cavity is inhibited, and an open position, in which access to the interior cavity is permitted, the lid including a second locking feature that engages the first locking feature to secure the lid in the closed position; and   a tear strip removably coupled to the satellite ring, the tear strip located at a same elevation from the bottom of the container body as the first and second locking features such that removal of the tear strip allows access to the chamber and the first and second locking features.   
     
     
         17 . The container assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first locking feature is a latch extending from the first side of the container body. 
     
     
         18 . The container assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second locking feature is a tab. 
     
     
         19 . The container assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the tab includes an opening that receives the latch. 
     
     
         20 . The container assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a portion of the satellite ring is integrally formed with the latch assembly.