Packaging Device

Abstract

An improved packaging device having a lid connected to the base or tub. The packaging includes multiple locking mechanisms, such as frictional or latching mechanisms. The packaging may be securely closed even after repeated openings and may include a tamper-evident feature. The walls of the packaging may be configured to provide strength and a unique appearance.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to packaging such as packaging used for food, including packaging that provides multiple locking mechanisms, that securely maintains the packaging in a closed position, that provides a marketing function and/or that allows a potential consumer to see whether the packaging has been previously tampered with.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food and other items are oftentimes packaged in containers that may be repeatedly opened and closed until all the contents are gone. It is preferred that the packaging remain securely closed while in the closed position despite this repeated opening and closing. This may be especially so where the packaging contains food that must be kept fresh.

Various mechanisms have been used to keep packaging securely closed after being opened. However, certain of these mechanisms have drawbacks. For example, many existing packaging devices have a lid that is separate from the tub or other container to which the lid attaches. However, the separate lid may be lost so that the contents remain exposed. Furthermore, many existing packaging devices having a lid connected to the tub or other container may simply stretch or lose the ability to effectively seal the packaging when closed. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved packaging device that securely closes the packaging even after being repeatedly opened.

In today's consumer marketplace, sellers typically try to gain any advantage they can to increase their sales. This has included advertising, product packaging in recognizable colors or shapes, the use of coupons and other means. However, existing coupons may be contained with the packaging and not in plain sight so the consumer may not even be aware of the coupon's existence. Furthermore, other coupons may form part of the packaging that requires scissors to remove. If it is a hassle for the consumer to use the coupon, the coupon may not very well be used. These existing marketing attempts may thus not fully realize their potential. Accordingly, there is a need for packaging with improved marketing capabilities. There is also a need for an improved packaging configuration that is unique and may, in and of itself, serve a marketing function.

Food and other items are also often packaged in containers where it is intended that the contents are not tampered with. With such containers, it is desirable to warn the potential buyer if the food or other item contained therein has been tampered with. If a container is mangled or otherwise significantly tampered with, it may be easy to see such tampering and it will be evident to the buyer that someone else has already touched the food contained therein, and the buyer will know not to buy that particular container. However, slight or other tampering may not be readily apparent to the potential buyer because the container does not look tampered with.

Various mechanisms have been used so that packaging containers will show whether they have been tampered with. Where a packaging container includes a tub and lid, different types of mechanisms have been used to connect the lid and tub in such a way that if they are tampered with, it will be evident to the potential buyer.

For example, the lid may be ultrasonically welded to the tub. Ultrasonic welding is an industrial technique whereby high-frequency ultrasonic acoustic vibrations are locally applied to work pieces being held together under pressure to create a solid-state weld. It is commonly used for plastics, and especially for joining dissimilar materials. In ultrasonic welding, there are no connective bolts, nails, soldering materials, or adhesives necessary to bind the materials together. The “weld” between the lid and tub is generally strong, such that if someone tampers with the packaging container by trying to partially pull off the lid, the container will be relatively mangled so that the tampering is evident to a later potential buyer.

Drawbacks of ultrasonic welding, however, are that it is an expensive process and the machinery used to ultrasonically weld plastic container pieces together may be loud and thus harmful to employees in the workplace. And where relatively small packaging containers are used to package food, a disproportionate part of the total cost of the packaging may be the ultrasonic weld.

Another technique used to join lids to tubs so that tampering may be shown, involves a shrink wrap band. With this technique, the lid is placed on the tub and the packaging container is fitted with a band that may extend around the upper part of the tub that engages the lid. Heat is then applied to the container and the band shrinks so as to firmly hold the lid in place on the tub. After the packaging is assembled in this manner, if someone later attempts to partially remove the lid from the tub, the shrink wrap band will generally be removed or altered enough to show that someone has indeed tried to tamper with the packaging.

Drawbacks of the shrink wrap band include cost and that it involves a labor intensive process. For example, to apply heat to the shrink wrap band, the assembled container is typically run through a heat tunnel on a conveyor. This typically involves a significant capital investment for the machinery. Also, the application of heat itself may be a drawback to certain contents. For example, where the container contains food such as lettuce or other produce, the food may be adversely affected by the heat.

Other techniques to have also been used to join lids to tubs, or to join other components of packaging in a way that will make it evident to a potential consumer that the packaging has been tampered with. However, these techniques often involve multiple or complex tabs, layers or other locking devices that add to the cost to manufacture the packaging and make it difficult for the consumer to open the packaging after the item is purchased. Accordingly, there is a need for packaging that provides a tamper-evident feature that is economical to produce, effective in warning against tampering and still readily removable by the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention addresses the foregoing issues and drawbacks and provides an improved packaging.

In an aspect of the current invention, a packaging device is described that provides multiple locking mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment, this may include frictional and/or latching mechanisms.

Another aspect of the current invention involves a packaging that may securely close a container after being initially opened and/or opened multiple times thereafter.

Another aspect of the current invention regards an improved marketing function. For example, the packaging of the current invention may include a coupon that is readily visible to the consumer and that may be easily removed from the packaging.

Another aspect of the current invention regards a unique arrangement of container walls and other components so as to provide a unique appearance that may be recognizable to the consumer and thus provide a marketing function.

Another aspect of the current invention regards packaging having walls and other components that are arranged to provide strength.

Another aspect of the current invention regards a tamper-evident feature that may alert a consumer that someone has already opened, or tried to open, the packaging. To this end, the packaging of the current invention may include tabs and/or tear strips that readily show an attempt at removing them.

In another aspect of the current invention, a tamper-evident packaging is described that may be manufactured at decreased cost and that avoids cumbersome or dangerous manufacturing processes and that avoids significant capital equipment expense.

In another aspect of the invention, a tamper-evident packaging that is still relatively easy to open is described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top rear perspective view of the packaging device.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a packaging device.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a packaging device.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of a packaging device.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of a packaging device.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a packaging device.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a packaging device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a packaging device in an open position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a packaging device in an open position.

FIG. 10 shows a top plan view of a packaging device in an open position.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view rear top perspective view of a packaging device in a closed position.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of a packaging device with a lid in a closed position and a tab pulled up.

FIG. 13 is a top rear perspective view of another embodiment of a packaging device.

FIG. 14 is a top view of another embodiment of a packaging device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The current invention is now described with reference to the figures. Components or aspects that appear in more than one figure bear the same reference numeral.

FIG. 1 depicts packaging device 10 in a closed position, and FIG. 8 depicts packaging device 10 in an open position. As shown, packaging 10 may generally comprise lower portion or tub 12 and upper portion or lid 14. In a preferred embodiment lid 14 may be attached to tub 12 by a hinge-like structure 16 which is more fully described later. Packaging 10 may also include tab, flap or closing device 18.

Tab 18 may in turn comprise first or vertical section 20, second or locking section 22, third or tear strip section 24, and fourth or flap section 26. Tab 18 may also include hinge-like structures 28, 30, where hinge 28 may connect first section 20 to tub 12 and hinge 30 may connect second section 22 to first section 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, when packaging 10 is closed, lid 12 may be folded over to overlay or cover and seal tub 10. Closing device 18 may then be folded over lid 12 to overlay and lock into or otherwise engage lid 12. If is preferred that tub 12, lid 14 and tab 18 are contiguous. For example, these components may be formed together during an injection molding, extrusion or other suitable manufacturing process.

The manner in which hinges 16, 28, 30 operate is now more fully described. As more clearly shown in FIG. 9, hinge 16 may include first and second sections 16a, 16b that may have a U-shaped, V-shaped or other folded or foldable configuration. It is preferred that hinge sections 16a, 16b function somewhat like an accordion structure so that lid 14 may extend up and over the top of tub 12. The accordion-like nature of hinge 16 is further shown by comparing FIG. 9 and either of FIG. 4 or 5 which are right and left side views, respectively, of packaging 10 in a closed position. FIGS. 4 and 5 show how hinges 16a,b may rotate or otherwise move relative to each other to allow lid 14 to fold up and over the top edge of tub 12. To this end, it is preferred that hinges 16a,b provide enough flexibility to allow lid 14 to be securely over and fastened to tub 12 when packaging 10 is in a closed position.

Hinges 28, 30 may each comprise a U-shaped, V-shaped or other folded or foldable or accordion-like configuration as shown in FIG. 9 and either of FIG. 4 or 5. The shape of hinges 28, 30 preferably allow tab 18 to extend up and over tub 10 and lid 14 to further secure lid 14 in place and protect the contents in packaging 10. To this end, it is preferred that, hinges 28, 30 provide enough flexibility to allow tab 18 (via first or vertical section 20 and second, third and fourth sections 22, 24, 26) to be securely over and fastened to lid 14 when packaging 10 is in a closed position.

Tub 12 is now more fully described with reference to FIGS. 1-10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-8, tub 12 may include walls 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and bottom 12e. In a preferred embodiment, walls 12a-d are inwardly tapered as they extend downward. Tub 12 may also include side corners 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d which may be chamfered as shown. Tub 12 may also include bottom corners 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d which may be beveled as shown. To this end, bezels 13a-d may each include several panels. The bottom 12e of tub 12 may also include a recess 12ee, the outline of which may generally correspond to the chamfer of side corners 15a-d and the bevel of bottom corners 13a-d. These characteristics of tub 12 preferably provide a unique and aesthetically pleasing appearance to packaging 10. In a preferred embodiment, the chamfers, bezels and other features of packaging 10 may provide the unique appearance of a prism. The amount of taper of walls 12a-d and the configuration of chamfers 15a-d and bezels 13a-d may vary and still be within the scope of the invention.

A lip 40 may extend about the upper edge of tub 12. More specifically, lip 40 may comprise sections 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d which may extend about the upper edges of walls 12a-d, respectively. Lip 40 may include chamfered corner sections 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d that may correspond to chamfers 15a-d. Viewed cross-sectionally, lip 40 may extend outward from walls 12a-d, such as horizontally outward. For example, horizontal sections 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d may extend outward from walls 12a-d.

At the outer periphery of horizontal sections 44a-d, lip 40 may include sections 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d that may generally extend downward. Lip sections 46a-d may include a bezel shape as shown more clearly in FIG. 9. Lip 40 may also include further outwardly-extending sections 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d. In this manner, lip 40 may resemble an upside down U-shape with outwardly extending, e.g., horizontal, lips 48a-d.

Lid 14 and the manner in which lid 14 may engage tub 12 are now more fully described with reference to FIGS. 1-10. Lip 12 may also include a lip 50 that extends about its periphery. To this end, lip side 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d may comprise lip 50. The corners 51a, 51a, 51a, 51a of lip 50 may be chamfered to correspond to corner chamfers 42a-d of lip 40 of tub 12. Preferably, lip 50 engages lip 40 to provide a tight seal when packaging 10 is closed. To this end, lip 50 may include downwardly extending sections 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, i.e., downwardly extending when packaging 10 is closed, but shown as upward in the open configuration of FIG. 8. Lip sections 52a-d may frictionally engage downwardly extending sections 46a-d of lip 40 on tub 12. To enhance the frictional engagement lip sections 52a-d may be formed in a bezel that corresponds to the bezel of tub lip sections 46a-d.

Lip 50 may also include outwardly extending, e.g., horizontal lip 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d that may engage with lips 48a-d of lip 40 of tub 12. The close fits of lips 48, 54 and sections 46, 52 preferably provide a tight seal to help protect the contents of packaging 10, e.g., prolonging the freshness of food.

Lid 14 may include a raised section 53 as shown in FIG. 1, though which appears as a depression in FIG. 8. The outline of raised section 53 may generally correspond to the chamfers, bezels and other aesthetic features described above to further enhance the prism or other appearance of packaging 10.

The manner in which tab 18 may engage lid 12 is now further described with reference to FIGS. 1-10. Lid 12 may include knob 60 as viewed from its underside in FIG. 8, but which may form a cavity or recess 60 when viewed from the top of lid 12 or when lid 12 is in a closed position. Second or locking section 22 of tab 18 may have a similarly configured knob 62. When in a closed position, locking section 22 is preferably positioned over lid 12 so that knob 62 may insert into and frictionally engage recess 60.

In this manner, packaging 10 preferably provides a dual locking feature, i.e., the frictional engagement of lips 40,50, between tub 12 and lid 14, and the frictional engagement of knob 62 and recess 60 between lid 14 and tab 18. This dual locking feature preferably increases the protection for the contents of packaging 10.

Lid 12 may also include a recessed area 64 that may accommodate tab 26. That is tab 26 may fit within or on top of area 64 when packaging 10 is closed. To this end, the underside of tab 26 may be adhesive so as to stick to recess 64 thereby providing a third degree of locking and protection of contents in packaging 10.

Tab 26 may also serve a marketing function. For example, the top side of tab 26 may include the name, logo and/or description of the contents of packaging 10. Alternatively, tab 26 may comprise a coupon that may be torn away from third section or tear strip 24. To this end, the material joining tab 26 and tear strip 24 along edge 24b may be perforated to allow tab 26 to be readily detached as shown in FIG. 10.

Tab 26 may also provide a tamper-evident function. That is, if someone has removed the coupon represented by tab 26, a consumer may see that the coupon is missing, e.g., by noticing the frayed edge 24b of tear strip 24 that had been attached to tab 26 by a perforated edge. Alternatively, for example, where tab 26 is intended to provide a further locking mechanism and may be more difficult to remove from lid 12, tab 26 may be bonded to lid 12 by a stronger adhesive. And if someone attempts to remove tab 26, that will be evident to later consumers.

Tear strip 24 is now further described. As shown in FIGS. 10-11, the connection between tear strip 24 and locking section 22 may comprise a perforated edge 24a. Similarly, the connection between tear strip 24 and tab 26 may comprise a perforated edge 24b. Tear strip 24 may include ends or tabs 25. Furthermore, the edges of locking section 22 and tab 26 nearest tear strip 24 may have angled corners thereby forming recesses 27. With this configuration, tabs 25 are accessible to a consumer's fingers thereby allowing the consumer to lift up either of tabs 25 and remove tear strip 26.

The removal of tear strip 24 may represent the initial opening of packaging 10. After tear strip 24 is removed, as shown in FIG. 12 which also shows the tab 26 removed, the consumer may then pry up locking section 22 from lid 14. While the frictional engagement between knob 62 and recess 60 is preferably snug, it still preferably allows the consumer to disengage tab 18 from lid 14. Lid 14 may then be disengaged from tub 12 thereby providing access to the contents of packaging 10.

In one embodiment, the underside of tear strip 24 may have an adhesive so that it sticks to the corresponding surface of lid 14. This may be preferred where, for example, tab 26 has been removed as a coupon. In any event, if adhesive is used between tear strip 24 and lid 14, it is preferred that tear strip 24 may still be readily removed by the consumer. Such adhesive may provide a fourth locking mechanism to protect the contents of packaging 10.

In one embodiment, tear strip 24 may remain partially connected to locking section 22 even after the consumer pulls up tear strip 24. For example, perforated edges may stop near one of the ends of tear strip 24 so that enough material remains to connect tear strip 24 to locking section 22. In this embodiment, tear strip 24 may include tab 25 at only one end and the perforation of edge 24a stops shy of the other end. This may provide an environmental function by avoiding the situation where tear strip 24 is fully disengaged from packaging 10 only to be discarded improperly.

Tear strip 24 may also provide a tamper-evident function. That is, if someone removes tear strip 24, a later consumer will be able to see that. Or if the person who tampered with packaging 10 only pulled up on tear strip 24, that will also be evident to the later consumer.

After tear strip 24 is removed and packaging 10 is opened, the consumer may later close packaging 10 by closing lid 14 over tub 12 so that lips 40, 50 again frictionally engage each other. The consumer may then close tab 28 over lid 12 so that knob 62 again frictionally engages recess 60. In this manner, the dual locking feature may keep packaging 10 securely closed until being opened again.

An alternate embodiment of packaging 10 is shown in FIGS. 13-14. Here, recesses 27 are more of a U-shape since the edges of locking section 22 and tab 26 nearest tear strip 24 are curved in a U-shape as opposed to angled as in the prior embodiment.

Packaging 10 may comprise polycarbonate, another type of plastic or other suitable material. It is preferred that the material comprising packaging 10 is sufficiently strong to protect the contents therein. As shown, packaging 10 may be transparent, but non-transparent material may be used. To this end, various colors or color schemes may be used.

As noted earlier, tub 12, lid 14 and tab 18 may comprise one contiguous piece. To facilitate the manufacturing, and with reference to FIG. 9, when packaging 10 is formed by a molding process, lip 54 of lid 14, lip 48 of tub 12 and first (vertical), section 20, second (locking) section 22, third (tear strip) section 24 and tab 26 of tab 18, may all be on the same plane.

It should be noted that the dimensions of packaging 10 of the current invention may vary. For example, the height of tub 12 may vary to contain taller or shorter contents. However, the dimensions of any aspect of tub 12, lid 14, tab 18 or their constituent parts may vary for utilitarian purposes depending on the contents, or for aesthetic purposes, or both. Furthermore, the configuration of the chamfers, bevels, raised areas and/or recesses may be modified.

Tab 26 may be shorter, may be curved or reflect some other shape to attract attention as a coupon. Tear strip 24 may include text or other symbol to denote it is to be pulled up.

Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that variations and modifications of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A packaging device, comprising: a tub;a lid that is hingedly attached to the tub; anda tab that is hingedly attached to the tub;wherein the lid overlays and is secured to the tub and the tab overlays and is secured to the lid when the packaging device is in a closed configuration.

2. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the tab includes a tear strip.

3. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein a hinge attaches the lid to the tub and the hinge includes an accordion-like structure.

4. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the hinge attaches the tab to the lid and includes an accordion-like structure.

5. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the tub includes a plurality of ridges, chamfers, bezels and tapers.

6. The packaging device of claim 5 wherein the lid includes a plurality of ridges, chamfers, bezels and tapers.