The present invention relates to an anti-tamper band. Specifically, the present invention relates to an anti-tamper band with a line of perforation, wherein the line of perforation allows a user to visually inspect the anti-tamper band for signs of damage to indicate signs of tampering.
Many people enjoy eating in restaurants or ordering food from various delivery establishments. Once the food is prepared and placed in the delivery container, the delivery driver is tasked with delivering the food to the user. However, there is no way for a user to determine whether their food has been tampered with between being placed in the delivery container and being received by the user. Tampering with a food delivery can result in food being stolen or otherwise contaminated, which can lead to illness.
Typically, a delivery container is secured in a closed position via tying a knot in the delivery bag or placing a sticker over the opening of the container. However, the delivery driver can very easily untie or remove the sticker to taste or steal food within the container, and then re-secure the container afterwards. Therefore, a device that ensures a customer's food delivery has not been tampered with, or alternatively, one that clearly indicates whether the food delivery has been tampered with is desired.
In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing anti-tamper bands. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of anti-tamper bands now present in the known art, the present invention provides an anti-tamper band wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when visually inspecting a container for signs of tampering.
The present system comprises a flexible member having a central portion and a pair of elongated arms extending from opposing ends of the central portion. An adhesive is disposed on a lower surface of the flexible member, the adhesive configured to removably secure the flexible member to a container. A line of perforation extends across a width of each of the pair of elongated arms, wherein the line of perforation is configured to easily tear the elongated arm therealong. In some embodiments, the central member comprises a circular shape having a diameter greater than the width of the pair of elongated arms. In another embodiment, a protective cover is removably secured to the lower surface, wherein the protective cover is configured to preserve the adhesive properties of the adhesive. In other embodiments, the protective cover comprises a tab extending therefrom, wherein the tab extends beyond a perimeter of the flexible member. In yet another embodiment, indicia is disposed on an upper surface of the flexible member, wherein the indicia is configured to indicate the time of application of the flexible member. In some embodiments, the adhesive is configured to permanently affix to a container. In another embodiment, a second line of perforation extends across a diameter of the central portion. In other embodiments, a third line of perforation extends across the central member and intersects the second line of perforation perpendicularly. In yet another embodiment, the adhesive is disposed along the lower surface between each line of perforation and a distal end of each of the pair of elongated arms. In some embodiments, the adhesive is disposed along the lower surface of the central portion.
The method of using the present system comprises applying a flexible member having a central portion and a pair of elongated arms extending therefrom to a container, wherein a lower surface of the flexible member comprises an adhesive thereon, and wherein each of the elongated arms are disposed on the container on opposing sides of an opening of the container. The user then inspects a line of perforation extending along a width of each of the pair of elongated arms for damage, tearing along the line of perforation to remove the flexible member from the container, and opening the container. In some embodiments, the method further comprises removing a protective cover extending along a lower surface of the flexible member. In another embodiment, the method further comprises recording a time of application on an upper surface of the flexible member as indicated by an indicia thereon. In other embodiments, the method further comprises inspecting the container for damage caused by removal of the adhesive.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the anti-tamper band. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
The flexible member 12 further comprises an adhesive disposed across a lower surface 15 thereof. In some embodiments, the adhesive extends along an entire lower surface 15 of the flexible member 12, while in alternate embodiments, the lower surface 15 along the pair of elongated arms 14 comprise no adhesive thereon. In this way, the user can easily remove the flexible member 12 from a food container (shown in
The line of perforation 16 extends along a width of each of the pair of elongated arms 14 and is configured to provide efficient tearing of the flexible member 12 therealong. The line of perforation 16 further operates as a point of failure for the flexible member 12, such that sufficient attempts at removing the flexible member 12 from the food container will cause the line of perforation 16 to tear, leaving visible evidence of potential tampering. When a user receives a food delivery, the user can easily inspect the line of perforation 16 for tears to determine whether any tampering was performed on the food container. Furthermore, when the user desires to remove the flexible member 12 from the food container, the line of perforation 16 can be torn, allowing the user to easily remove the elongated arm 14 from the food container, allowing the container to be opened. In embodiments where the adhesive is disposed between the distal end 25 and the line of perforation 16, the adhered section of the elongated arm 14 remains secured to the food container, while the remainder of the elongated arm 14 is removed therefrom.
In the illustrated embodiment, a second line of perforation 22 extends across a diameter of the central portion 13 parallel to the line of perforation 16. In this way, the user can easily remove the flexible member 12 from a food container by tearing along the second line of perforation 22. When secured to a food container, the flexible member 12 is placed such that the central portion 13 is disposed over an opening (shown in
Referring now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the protective cover 18 further comprises a tab 19 extending therefrom, wherein the tab 19 extends beyond a perimeter of the flexible member 12. In this way, the tab 19 provides the user with a gripping surface, allowing easy removal of the protective cover 18 therefrom. In embodiments wherein the protective cover 18 comprises a plurality of sections, a tab 19 can extend from each of the plurality of sections, allowing a user to easily remove each section of protective cover 18 from the lower surface 15.
Referring now to
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/571,280 filed on Oct. 12, 2017. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62571280 | Oct 2017 | US |