TAMPER EVIDENT FEATURE

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a container having a container body and a collar integrally formed on the container body. The collar may include a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body and includes a slot disposed therein. The collar may further include a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion, the tamper evident tab having an annularly extending portion and an insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion. The collar may also include at least one living hinge that joins the tab to the collar and at least one frangible connection which connects the tab to the collar prior to actuation of the tab. The container may further include a friction barrier located adjacent the discontinuous annular portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to improved systems and methods for containers, and more particularly, to improved containers having a tamper evident mechanism including a removably affixable tamper evident component.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Containers are frequently formed with tamper evident mechanisms to indicate to a consumer whether the closure has been removed and, as a result, whether the quality of the product inside the container has potentially been compromised (i.e., via contamination, moisture, oxygen, etc.). A common tamper evident mechanism includes a tear strip or a tear tab on the closure which is located so as to prevent or inhibit removal of the closure until such time as the tear strip/tab is removed and, in most cases, the tear strip/tab is completely detached from the container system. However, this mechanism poses multiple disadvantages like generating unnecessary waste elements that must be disposed of, creating a potential choking or swallowing hazard if the removed strip/tab is not properly disposed of and potentially contaminating the container contents with a strip/tab that is prematurely separated, such as during the manufacturing, filling, or consumption processes. Other solutions involve the tamper evident component remaining fixed to the product but in a manner that becomes cumbersome and/or gets in the way of transportation or use of the container (e.g., a dangling tab or hanging strip).

Through ingenuity and hard work, the inventors have developed a container and closure combination which provides a tamper evident tab that easily informs a consumer as to whether the container has been opened, but also remains affixed to the container in a convenient, out-of-the-way manner, thereby avoiding the disadvantages set forth above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an embodiment, the invention comprises a container comprising a container body and a tamper evident collar integrally formed on the container body. The tamper evident collar comprises a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body. The discontinuous annular portion comprises a slot disposed therein, and a discontinuous radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annular portion and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body. The tamper evident collar further comprises a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion. The tamper evident tab comprises an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar, a radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion of the tab and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge of the collar, and an insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion. The tamper evident collar further comprises at least one or more living hinges that join the tab to the tamper evident collar, and a plurality of frangible connections which connect the tab to the tamper evident collar prior to actuation of the tab.

In an embodiment, the tamper evident collar is located near an upper rim of the container body. In an embodiment, both the annular portion and the radially outward edge of the collar are discontinuous at the location of the tab. In an embodiment, the annular portion of the collar is discontinuous at the same circumferential location as the radially outward edge of the collar. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges is on the opposite side of the tab as the plurality of frangible connections. In an embodiment, the slot is proximate the at least one or more living hinges.

In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges connect the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges can bend and rotate without breaking from the collar and tab. In an embodiment, the insert notch is configured to be inserted into the slot when the one or more living hinges is in a hinged configuration. In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections join the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab. In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections join the radially outward edge of the collar and the radially outward edge of the tab. In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections disconnect from the collar by the application of force.

In an embodiment, the container includes a locking mechanism. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism includes the disconnection of the plurality of frangible connections from the collar. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism further includes the rotation of the tab towards the slot and the insertion of the insert notch into the slot of the collar. In an embodiment, the insert notch is removably inserted into the slot. In an embodiment, the container further includes a closure having a leading edge that is removably fitted on the container body adjacent the tamper evident collar. In an embodiment, the tamper evident collar covers the leading edge of the closure when the tamper evident tab is in an unopened position. In an embodiment, the leading edge of the closure is accessible when the tamper evident tab is in an open position.

In an embodiment, the invention comprises a container and closure system. The system comprises a container body and a tamper evident collar integrally formed on the container body. The collar comprises a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body. The discontinuous annular portion comprises a slot disposed therein, and a discontinuous radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annular portion and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body. The collar further comprises a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion. The tab comprises an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar, a radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion of the tab and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge of the collar, and an insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion. The collar further comprises at least one or more living hinges that join the tab to the tamper evident collar, and a plurality of frangible connections which connect the tab to the tamper evident collar prior to actuation of the tab. The system further includes a closure that is removably fitted on the container body adjacent the tamper evident collar.

In an embodiment, the tamper evident collar is located near an upper rim of the container body. In an embodiment, both the annular portion and the radially outward edge of the collar are discontinuous at the location of the tab. In an embodiment, the annular portion of the collar is discontinuous at the same circumferential location as the radially outward edge of the collar. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges is on the opposite side of the tab as the plurality of frangible connections. In an embodiment, the slot is proximate the at least one or more living hinges.

In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges connect the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges can bend and rotate without breaking from the collar and tab. In an embodiment, the insert notch is configured to be inserted into the slot when the one or more living hinges is in a hinged configuration. In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections join the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab. In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections join the radially outward edge of the collar and the radially outward edge of the tab. In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections disconnect from the collar by the application of force.

In an embodiment, the container includes a locking mechanism. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism includes the disconnection of the plurality of frangible connections from the collar. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism further includes the rotation of the tab towards the slot and the insertion of the insert notch into the slot of the collar. In an embodiment, the insert notch is removably inserted into the slot. In an embodiment, the closure includes a leading edge. In an embodiment, the tamper evident collar covers the leading edge of the closure when the tamper evident tab is in an unopened position. In an embodiment, the leading edge of the closure is accessible when the tamper evident tab is in an open position.

In an embodiment, the invention discloses a method of using a container having a tamper evident system. The method comprises providing a container body and providing a tamper evident collar integrally formed on the container body. The collar comprises a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body. The discontinuous annular portion comprises a slot disposed therein, and a discontinuous radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annular portion and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body. The collar further comprises a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion. The tab comprises an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar, a radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion of the tab and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge of the collar, and an insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion. The collar further comprises at least one or more living hinges that join the tab to the tamper evident collar, and a plurality of frangible connections which connect the tab to the tamper evident collar prior to actuation of the tab. The method further comprises disconnecting the plurality of frangible connections from the collar, rotating the tab towards the slot while the at least one or more living hinges bend towards the slot without breaking, and inserting the insert notch into the slot.

In an embodiment, the invention comprises a container comprising a container body and a tamper evident collar integrally formed on the container body. The tamper evident collar comprises a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body, wherein the discontinuous annular portion comprises a discontinuous radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annular portion and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body. The tamper evident collar further comprises a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion. The tamper evident tab includes an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar and a radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion of the tab and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge of the collar. The tamper evident collar further comprises at least one or more living hinges that join the tab to the tamper evident collar and a plurality of frangible connections which connect the tab to the tamper evident collar prior to actuation of the tab. The container further comprises a tamper evident locking mechanism.

In an embodiment, the container further comprises a rim extending circumferentially around an upper portion of the container body, and the tamper evident collar is located near an upper portion of the rim of the container body. In an embodiment, both the annular portion and the radially outward edge of the collar are discontinuous at the location of the tab, and the annular portion of the collar is discontinuous at the same circumferential location as the radially outward edge of the collar. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges is on the opposite side of the tab as the plurality of frangible connections, and the at least one or more living hinges connect the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges can bend and rotate without breaking from the collar and tab.

In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections join the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab. In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections join the radially outward edge of the collar and the radially outward edge of the tab. In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections disconnect from the collar by the application of force, and the locking mechanism includes the disconnection of the plurality of frangible connections from the collar. In an embodiment, the tamper evident locking mechanism comprises a friction barrier located on the container adjacent the discontinuous annular portion, and wherein the friction barrier is proximate the at least one or more living hinges. In an embodiment, the friction barrier is positioned on a lower portion of the rim adjacent the discontinuous annular portion. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism further includes the rotation of the tab towards and over the friction barrier until the tab is disposed on or above the friction barrier. In an embodiment, the friction barrier includes a substantially teardrop shaped configuration.

In an embodiment, the container further includes a closure having a leading edge that is removably fitted on the container body adjacent the tamper evident collar. In an embodiment, the tamper evident collar covers the leading edge of the closure when the tamper evident tab is in an unopened position. In an embodiment, the leading edge of the closure is accessible when the tamper evident tab is in an open position.

In an embodiment, the invention comprises a container comprising a container body and a tamper evident collar integrally formed on the container body. The tamper evident collar comprises a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body, wherein the discontinuous annular portion comprises a discontinuous radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annular portion and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body. The tamper evident collar further comprises a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion. The tamper evident tab includes an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar and a radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion of the tab and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge of the collar. The tamper evident collar further comprises at least one or more living hinges that join the tab to the tamper evident collar and a plurality of frangible connections which connect the tab to the tamper evident collar prior to actuation of the tab. The container further comprises a friction barrier located adjacent the discontinuous annular portion and proximate the at least one or more living hinges.

In an embodiment, the container further comprising a rim extending circumferentially around an upper portion of the container body. In an embodiment, the friction barrier is positioned on a lower portion of the rim, and the tamper evident collar is located near an upper portion of the rim of the container body. In an embodiment, both the annular portion and the radially outward edge of the collar are discontinuous at the location of the tab, and the annular portion of the collar is discontinuous at the same circumferential location as the radially outward edge of the collar. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges is on the opposite side of the tab as the plurality of frangible connections, and the at least one or more living hinges connect the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab.

In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges can bend and rotate without breaking from the collar and tab. In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections join the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab. In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections join the radially outward edge of the collar and the radially outward edge of the tab. In an embodiment, the plurality of frangible connections disconnect from the collar by the application of force. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges is offset from the radius of a cross section of the container. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges is offset by between 0.30 degrees and 0.70 degrees, based upon the 360 degrees of the container. In an embodiment, the angle of the at least one or more living hinges is offset by between 0.40 degrees and 0.60 degrees, based upon the 360 degrees of the container.

In an embodiment, the container further includes a closure having a leading edge that is removably fitted on the container body adjacent the tamper evident collar. In an embodiment, the tamper evident collar covers the leading edge of the closure when the tamper evident tab is in an unopened position. In an embodiment, the leading edge of the closure is accessible when the tamper evident tab is in an open position.

In an embodiment, the invention comprises a container. The container comprises a container body and a collar integrally formed on the container body, wherein when the collar is in an unopen position, the collar comprises a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body and includes a slot disposed therein. The collar further comprises a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion. The tab includes an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar and an insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion. The collar further comprises at least one living hinge that joins the tab to the collar. The collar further comprises at least one frangible connection which connects the tab to the collar prior to actuation of the tab. The container further comprises a friction barrier located adjacent the discontinuous annular portion.

In an embodiment, the collar further comprises a discontinuous radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annular portion and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body. In an embodiment, the tab further comprises a radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion of the tab and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge of the collar.

In an embodiment, the container further comprises a rim extending circumferentially around an upper portion of the container body wherein the friction barrier is positioned on a lower portion of the rim and the collar is located near an upper portion of the rim of the container body. In an embodiment, the friction barrier comprises a substantially three-dimensional teardrop shaped configuration, and wherein the friction barrier is positioned between the at least one living hinge and the slot. In an embodiment, both the annular portion and the radially outward edge of the collar are discontinuous at the location of the tab, and wherein the annular portion of the collar is discontinuous at the same circumferential location as the radially outward edge of the collar.

In an embodiment, the at least one living hinge is on the opposite side of the tab as the at least one frangible connection, and wherein the slot is positioned more proximate to the at least one living hinge than the at least one frangible connection. In an embodiment, the at least one living hinge connects the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab, and wherein the at least one living hinge can bend and rotate without breaking from the collar and the tab. In an embodiment, the at least one frangible connection joins the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab, and wherein the at least one frangible connection joins the radially outward edge of the collar and the radially outward edge of the tab.

In an embodiment, the at least one frangible connection disconnects from the collar by the application of force. In an embodiment, the insert notch is configured to be removably inserted into the slot and the tab is disposed on or above the friction barrier when the at least one living hinge is in a hinged configuration. In an embodiment, the friction barrier aids in securing the tab in the hinged configuration.

In an embodiment, the insert notch, the slot and the friction barrier comprise a locking mechanism. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism includes the rotation of the tab towards and over the friction barrier until the tab is disposed on or above the friction barrier and the insert notch is removably inserted into the slot of the collar.

In an embodiment, the at least one living hinge is offset from the radius of a cross section of the container. In an embodiment, the at least one living hinge is offset by between 0.30 degrees and 0.70 degrees, based upon the 360 degrees of the container. In an embodiment, the angle of the at least one living hinge is offset by between 0.40 degrees and 0.60 degrees, based upon the 360 degrees of the container.

In an embodiment, the container further includes a closure having a leading edge that is removably fitted on the container body adjacent the collar, wherein the collar covers the leading edge of the closure when the tamper evident tab is in the unopened position, and wherein the leading edge of the closure is accessible when the tamper evident tab is in an open position.

In an embodiment, the invention comprises a container. The container comprises a container body and a collar integrally formed on the container body. The collar comprises a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body. The collar further comprises a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion and includes an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar. The collar further comprises at least one living hinge that joins the tab to the collar and at least one frangible connection which connects the tab to the collar prior to actuation of the tab. The container further comprises a tamper evident locking mechanism.

In an embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a slot disposed on the discontinuous annular portion of the collar and an insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion of the tamper evident tab. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism includes the rotation of the tab towards the slot and the removable insertion of the insert notch into the slot of the collar. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism further comprises a friction barrier located on the container adjacent the discontinuous annular portion.

In an embodiment, the locking mechanism includes the insert notch being configured to be removably inserted into the slot and the tab being disposed on or above the friction barrier when the at least one living hinge is in a hinged configuration, and wherein the hinged configuration includes the at least one living hinge being partially or fully bent towards the slot without breaking. In an embodiment, the collar further comprises a discontinuous radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annular portion and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body, and wherein the tab further comprises a radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion of the tab and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge of the collar.

In an embodiment, the invention comprises a container. The container comprises a container body and a collar integrally formed on the container body, wherein when the collar is in an unopen position, the collar comprises a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body and includes a slot disposed therein. The collar further comprises a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion. The tab includes an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar and an insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion. The collar further comprises at least one living hinge that joins the tab to the collar and at least one frangible connection which connects the tab to the collar prior to actuation of the tab.

In an embodiment, the invention comprises a container. The container comprises a container body and a collar integrally formed on the container body, wherein when the collar is in an unopen position, the collar comprises a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body. The collar further comprises a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion and includes an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar. The collar further comprises at least one living hinge that joins the tab to the collar. The collar further comprises at least one frangible connection which connects the tab to the collar prior to actuation of the tab. The container further comprises a friction barrier located adjacent the discontinuous annular portion.

In an embodiment, the container further comprising a rim extending circumferentially around an upper portion of the container body, wherein the friction barrier is positioned on a lower portion of the rim, and wherein the collar is located near an upper portion of the rim of the container body. In an embodiment, the tab is rotated towards and over the friction barrier until the tab is disposed on or above the friction barrier. In an embodiment, the friction barrier includes a substantially three-dimensional teardrop shaped configuration, and wherein the friction barrier is positioned between the at least one living hinge and the slot.

In an embodiment, the invention discloses a method of using a container having a tamper evident system. The method comprises providing a container body and providing a collar integrally formed on the container body. The collar comprises a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body and includes a slot disposed therein. The collar further comprises a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion. The tab includes an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar and an insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion. The collar further comprises at least one living hinge that joins the tab to the collar. The collar further comprises at least one frangible connection which connects the tab to the collar prior to actuation of the tab. The container further comprises a friction barrier located adjacent the discontinuous annular portion. The method further comprises disconnecting the at least one frangible connection from the collar; rotating the tab towards the slot and the friction barrier while the at least one living hinge bend towards the slot without breaking; disposing the tab on or above the friction barrier; and inserting the insert notch into the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a container with a tamper evident collar, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A-2B are a top view and a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1, wherein

a tamper evident tab is in an unopened position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A-3B are a front view and a top perspective cross-sectional view of the container of FIGS. 1-2 with a closure fitted thereon, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4-5 are side views of the container of FIGS. 1-3 with the tamper evident tab actuated and in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the container of FIGS. 1-5 with the tamper evident tab inserted into a slot, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a front view of one embodiment of a container with a tamper evident collar, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A-8B are a top view and a bottom view of the container of FIG. 7, wherein a tamper evident tab is in an unopened position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a close-up side view of the container of FIGS. 7-8 illustrating a locking mechanism of the container, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10-12 are close-up views of the tamper evident tab actuated and in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a close-up cross-section view of the tamper evident tab in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a close-up view of the tamper evident collar illustrating an offset position of an at least one or more living hinges of the tamper evident tab, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a front view of one embodiment of a container with a tamper evident collar, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 16A-16B are a top view and a bottom view of the container of FIG. 15, wherein a tamper evident tab is in an unopened position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a close-up view of the container of FIGS. 15-16 illustrating a locking mechanism of the container, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 18A-18B are close-up views of the container of FIGS. 15-17 illustrating a locking mechanism of the container, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 20 are close-up views of the tamper evident tab actuated and in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

While this present disclosure may be embodied in many forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one or more embodiments, with the understanding that this disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the illustrated embodiments.

Generally speaking, the invention is directed to a container with a tamper evident element and, in some embodiments, a complementary closure for the container. In the invention, the tamper evident feature is formed integrally on the container structure and is not removable or separatable from the container. The invention provides distinct advantages such as the tamper evident element need not be disposed of after opening the container, the tamper evident feature does not create a potential choking or swallowing hazard and/or the tamper evident feature is not likely to be inadvertently separated from and placed within a container, as a potential contaminant, during the manufacturing, filling, or consumption processes. Likewise, in an embodiment, the tamper evident element of the invention, once broken, is affixable to the container in a convenient manner which does not interfere with transportation or use of the container. In an embodiment, the container is designed for multiple usages and reclosures and, as such, the affixable tamper evident element is convenient and useful.

In an embodiment, the container may comprise a body portion which comprises a bottom wall which may, in an embodiment, be flat. In an embodiment, the container comprises at least one sidewall extending upwardly from the base or bottom wall, an open top end, and an upper rim. In certain embodiments, the container body may comprise a continuous cylindrical side wall or may have a cylindrically tapered side wall. However, in other embodiments, any shape or configuration of the container known in the art may be utilized in the invention. For example, the container may be generally square, rectangular, triangular or elliptical in cross section. Likewise, while in some embodiments the container may have a cylindrical mouth portion, in other embodiments, the mouth portion of the container may be bulbous, square, or irregularly shaped throughout its body structure.

As will be discussed in greater detail herein, in an embodiment, the container closure, i.e., the lid, may be shaped and configured to fit onto the open mouth of the container. In an embodiment, the closure may be the same shape as the container, but this need not be the case. Any closure shape and configuration known in the art is encompassed within the invention. The closure may be re-closable in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the closure is snap-fit or screwed onto the container with mating screw threads and/or is in a removably sealed engagement with the container.

As will be explained in greater detail herein, the container may include a collar having a tamper evident tab including at least one or more tamper evident locking mechanisms. In one embodiment, as discussed in greater detail below and shown in FIGS. 1-6, the tamper evident collar may include a slot and an insert notch wherein the locking mechanism of the container may include the removable insertion of the notch into the slot. In other embodiments, as discussed in greater detail below and shown in FIGS. 7-14, the tamper evident collar may include a friction barrier in which the locking mechanism of the container may include the tab being positioned on or above the friction barrier. In yet other embodiments, as discussed in greater detail below and shown in FIGS. 15-20, the tamper evident collar may include a slot, an insert notch, and a friction barrier in which the locking mechanism of the container may utilize all three features. Still in other embodiments, the container may incorporate any of the features described herein, interchangeably, as part of the container's locking mechanism.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a container 10 having a tamper evident collar 20, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, in an embodiment, the container 10 includes a container body 14 and the tamper evident collar 20 integrally formed on the container body 14. In some embodiments, the collar 20 may be located near an upper rim 17 of the container body 14. In other embodiments, the collar 20 may be disposed near a middle or a bottom portion of the container body 14, in accordance with the specific use for the container 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in some embodiments, the collar 20 includes a discontinuous annular portion 22 which extends circumferentially outward from the container body 14. In an embodiment, the annular portion 22 is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the container body 14. In certain embodiments, the annular portion 22 of the collar 20 extends substantially but not entirely circumferentially about the container body 14.

Additionally, in an embodiment, the discontinuous annular portion 22 comprises a slot 23 disposed therein and a discontinuous radially outward edge 24 which extends vertically or angularly upward from the annular portion 22 and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body 14. In an embodiment, the radially outward edge 24 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the container body 14 and/or perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the annular portion 22 of the collar 20. In some embodiments, the radially outward edge 24 may extend vertically both upwardly and downwardly from the annular portion 22. In other embodiments, the radially outward edge 24 may extend upwardly or downwardly, but not necessarily in both directions. In an embodiment, at least the radially outward edge 24 of the collar is interrupted along its circumferential distance. In an embodiment, both the annular portion 22 and the radially outward edge 24 are interrupted along the circumferential distance of the collar 20. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the annular portion 22 of the collar 20 is discontinuous at the same circumferential location as the radially outward edge 24 of the collar. In the position of the discontinuity (i.e., interruption), a tamper evident tab 30 is disposed, which completes the access limiting feature of the collar 20 for the remaining circumferential extent of the collar 20. Thus, in these embodiments, both the annular portion 22 and the radially outward edge 24 of the collar 20 are discontinuous at the location of the tamper evident tab 30, as discussed in greater detail herein.

In an embodiment, the collar 20 includes the tamper evident tab 30 formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion 22 of the collar 20. The tamper evident tab 30 comprises, in an embodiment, an annularly extending portion 32 at least partially aligned with the annular portion 22 of the collar 20. In an embodiment, the tamper evident tab 30 further includes a radially outward edge 34 which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion 32 of the tamper evident tab 30 and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge 24 of the collar 20. In an embodiment, the radially outward edge 34 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the container body 14 and/or perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30. Additionally, in an embodiment, an insert notch 36 is positioned on the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30 (see FIG. 2B). As shown in FIGS. 1-2, in some embodiments, the insert notch 36 may be in the shape of a tapered rectangle; while in other embodiments, the insert notch 36 may be in the shape of a square, a triangle, or an ellipse. Any shape known in the art may be utilized, however. Additionally, in an embodiment, the slot 23 is configured to correspond to the shape of the insert notch 36. However, in other embodiments, the shape and/or size of the slot 23 may be different from the shape and/or size of the insert notch 36.

While the slot 23 is shown to be on the annular portion 22 of the collar 20 and the insert notch 36 is shown to be on the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30, in some embodiments, the slot 23 may be positioned on the annularly extending portion 32 and/or the radially outward edge 34 of the tab 30 and the insert notch 36 may be located on the annular portion 22 and/or the radially outward edge 24 of the collar 20. In other embodiments, the insert notch 36 may be located on the top portion or the bottom portion of the annularly extending portion 32. Additionally, in some embodiments, the container 10 may include multiple slots 23 and multiple insert notches 36. In an embodiment, the configuration of the slot 23 may be a through hole, i.e., a clearance hole, (see FIG. 2B), while in other embodiments, the slot 23 may extend only partially through the thickness of the annular portion 22. Further, while the affixation features are shown as a slot/notch connection, any affixation means, such as a latch, clip, pin and hole, rivets, screws and bolts, hook, loop, magnets, catch, etc., known in the art could be utilized herein.

While the tamper evident tab 30 is shown as the same as or similar in size to collar 20, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the tab 30 may be larger or smaller than the collar 20. In this way, the tab 30 may be more easily visually distinguishable from the remainder of the collar 20 and/or may be more easily accessible to the user. The tamper evident tab 30 may be disposed in any location, and may extend any distance, along the circumferential length of the collar 20. In an embodiment, more than one tamper evident tab 30 may be presented along the circumferential length of the collar 20. In an embodiment, the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30 and/or the annular portion 22 of the collar 20 may have a flat upper surface. In other embodiments, the lower surface of the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30 and/or the annular portion 22 of the collar 20 may be curved. Any shape or configuration known in the art may be utilized, however. Additionally, in an embodiment, the radially outward edge 34 of the tab 30 and/or the radially outward edge 24 of the collar 20 may have one or more curved edges, indicating the location of the tab 30 or may be otherwise colored, shaped, and/or labeled to indicate the location of the tab 30. In any case, the tab 30 may be distinguishable from the remainder of the collar 20.

Additionally, in an embodiment, the collar 20 further includes at least one or more living hinges (or at least one living hinge) 33 that join the tab 30 to the collar 20 and a plurality of frangible connections (or at least one frangible connection) 31 which connect the tab 30 to the collar 20 prior to the actuation of the tab 30. In an embodiment, the collar 20 further includes at least one living hinge 33 that joins the tab 30 to the collar 20 and at least one frangible connection 31 which connects the tab 30 to the collar 20 prior to the actuation of the tab 30. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, there may be a gap between the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30 and the container sidewall, thus allowing movement of the tab 30. As shown, in an embodiment, a gap may also exist between at least a portion of the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30 and the annular portion 22 of the collar 20, on one circumferential side of the tab 30, creating a frangible connection 31. Still further, in some embodiments, there may be a small gap between the radially outward edge 34 of the tab 30 and the radially outward edge 24 of the collar 20, on each circumferential side of the tab 30. Thus, in certain embodiments, the at least one or more living hinges 33 permanently join the tab 30 to the collar 20, and the plurality of frangible connections 31 temporarily join the tab 30 to the collar 20, prior to the actuation of the tab 30. In some embodiments, as shown, the at least one or more living hinges 33 connect the annular portion 22 of the collar 20 to the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30. In some embodiments, as shown, the plurality of frangible connections 31 join the annular portion 22 of the collar 20 to the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30. In still other embodiments, the plurality of frangible connections 31 may instead, or in addition, join the radially outward edge 24 of the collar 20 to the radially outward edge 34 of the tab 30.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, in some embodiments, the at least one or more living hinges 33 are on the opposite side of the tab 30 as the plurality of frangible connections 31 and the slot 23 is proximate the at least one or more living hinges 33. In some embodiments, the container 10 may include one frangible connection connecting the collar 20 to the tab 30 and in other embodiments, the container 10 may include two or more frangible connections connecting the collar 20 to the tab 30, depending on the specific use for the container 10.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a front view and a cross-sectional view of the container 10 with a closure 40 affixed thereon, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, in an embodiment, the container 10 includes a closure 40 having a leading edge 42 that is removably fitted on the container body 14. As further shown, in an embodiment, the container 10 may have an outwardly extending rib or ledge 15 at or near the upper rim 17 of the container body 14. In some embodiments, the ledge 15 may be configured to be engageable with the leading edge 42 of the closure 40. In an embodiment, although the ledge 15 of the container 10 and the leading edge 42 of the closure 40 are shown as interlocking ledges, any mechanism known in the art to securely attach a lid to a container may be utilized. For example, in an embodiment, a matching groove and ridge, a magnetic closure, a hinged lid with latch, a screw-on lid or a snap-fit configuration could be utilized.

In an embodiment, the closure 40 is securely applied to the container 10 after the container has been filled. As shown, in some embodiments, the leading edge 42 is sized and configured to fit between the collar 20 and tab 30, on the one hand, and the container sidewall and/or upper rim 17 of the container body 14, on the other hand. In an embodiment, the leading edge 42 of the closure 40 may fit securely between the radially outward edge of the collar 20 and tab 30 and the container sidewall and/or upper rim 17. In an embodiment, the leading edge 42 may be seated atop the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30 and the annular portion 22 of the collar 20. Generally speaking, in an embodiment, the collar 20 may overlie, hide, cover, or make inaccessible, most of the leading edge 42 of the closure 40 for the majority of the angular extension of the collar 20 when the closure 40 is applied to the container 10. In this embodiment, except as set forth herein, the closure 40 may not be removable from the container 10, due to the initial positioning of the collar 20, and more specifically due to the tamper evident tab 30.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3B, in some embodiments, there may be a gap between the edge of the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30 closest to the upper rim 17 of the container body 14 and the container body 14 and/or the rim 17 of the container 10. In an embodiment, there may be no gap between the edge of the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30 and the container body 14, and instead of the gap there may be a horizontal frangible connection extending circumferentially between the annularly extending portion 32 and the container body 14 which temporarily connects the tab 30 to the container body 14 and that may be disconnected from the container body 14.

As will be appreciated, in an embodiment, when the collar 20 covers the leading edge 42 of the closure 40 the tamper evident tab 30 is in an unopen (i.e., closed) position—as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Thus, in the unopened position the lower portion of the leading edge 42 of the closure 40 is not visible or accessible from the outside of the package. In an embodiment, this prevents tampering with the container 10 unless and until the tab 30 is actuated to allow access to the closure 40 and thus into the container 10.

In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the leading edge 42 of the closure 40 is accessible when the tamper evident tab 30 is in an open position. In an embodiment, an open position of the tamper evident tab 30 is when the frangible connection 31 is broken and/or a user may access the leading edge 42 of the closure 40 due to the actuation of the tab 30. In an embodiment, the tamper evident tab 30 is actuated when a user inserts the tip of his finger, or even a fingernail, near the top of the tab 30 and applies force to the tamper evident tab 30. In certain embodiments, the user may then apply force on the tab 30 until the plurality of frangible connections 31 disconnect from the tab 30 or from the collar 20 and the tab 30 rotates on the one or more living hinges 33 still connecting the tab 30 to the collar 20, as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the at least one or more living hinges 33 can bend and rotate without breaking from the collar 20 and tab 30. In still other embodiments, the plurality of frangible connections 31 may disconnect from the collar 20 or tab 30 by the application of force. In some embodiments, the plurality of frangible connections 31 may comprise thin, weak and/or discontinuous frangible web material which are relatively easily broken by manual pressure at the appropriate time.

As shown by the rotation of the tab 30 in FIGS. 4-6, in an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges 33 allow the tab 30 to rotate, using the at least one or more living hinges 33 as the axis of rotation. Thus, in some embodiments, due to the rotation on the at least one or more living hinges 33, the tab 30 may be rotatable up to about 180 degrees.

In an embodiment, once the plurality of frangible connections 31 have been broken by the applied force, a tamper evident locking mechanism between the tab 30 and collar 20 may be utilized. The locking mechanism, in an embodiment, includes the rotation of the tab 30 on the at least one or more living hinges 33 so that the insert notch 36 is inserted into the slot 23 of the collar 23. Thus, in an embodiment, the locking mechanism is completed once the insert notch 36 is inserted into the slot 23, as shown in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the insert notch 36 is removably inserted into the slot 23 of the collar 20. In some embodiments, the insert notch 36 is configured to be inserted into the slot 23 when the one or more living hinges 33 is in a hinged configuration. In an embodiment, a hinged configuration is when the one or more living hinges 33 are largely or fully bent and the annular portion of the collar 20 is in contact with the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30 (see FIG. 19B, for example). In an embodiment, a hinged configuration of the hinges 33 may comprise a rotation of the hinge by approximately 180 degrees.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7-14, the locking mechanism includes the rotation of the tamper evident tab 130 on the at least one or more living hinges 133 until at least a portion of the tab 130 is positioned between an upper end portion 150a of a friction barrier 150 and the discontinuous annular portion 122 of the tamper evident collar 120. In an embodiment, the container 110 may be substantially structurally and functionally identical to the container 10 of FIGS. 1-6, except as described in connection with FIGS. 7-14 below. In an embodiment, the container 110 does not include a slot 23 or an insert notch 36. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, a container 110 comprises a container body 114 and a tamper evident collar 120 formed on the container body 114. In an embodiment, the tamper evident collar 120 further comprises a discontinuous annular portion 122 which extends circumferentially outward from the container body 114. In an embodiment, the discontinuous annular portion 122 includes a discontinuous radially outward edge 124 which extends vertically from the annular portion 122 and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body 114 (see FIGS. 8A-8B).

In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7-8B, the tamper evident collar 120 further includes a tamper evident tab 130 formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion 122. In an embodiment, the tab 130 includes an annularly extending portion 132 at least partially aligned with the annular portion 122 of the collar 120. In certain embodiments, the tab 130 further includes a radially outward edge 134 which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion 132 of the tab 130 and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge 124 of the collar 120. In an embodiment, at least one or more living hinges 133 join the tab 130 to the tamper evident collar 120. In some embodiments, a plurality of frangible connections 131 connect the end of the tab 130 which is opposite the hinge 133 to the tamper evident collar 120 prior to actuation of the tab 130. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the container further includes a friction barrier 150 located adjacent the discontinuous annular portion 122 of the collar 120. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 150 may be proximate the at least one or more living hinges 133. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 150 may be positioned at any location on the collar 120 so that the friction barrier 150 may be in contact with the tab 130 when the tab is in a hinged configuration. In an embodiment, the tab 130 may include a length (L). In an embodiment, the friction barrier 150 may be positioned anywhere within the length L of the tab 130. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 150 may be positioned anywhere within the length L of the tab 130 adjacent the at least one or more living hinges 133.

In some embodiments, the container 110 may include a rim extending circumferentially around an upper portion of the container body 114. In an embodiment, the rim may include an upper portion 117 and a lower portion 118 (see FIG. 9). In some embodiments, the tamper evident collar 130 may be located near the upper portion 117 of the rim of the container body 114. In other embodiments, the tamper evident collar 130 may be located near a middle portion of the rim of the container body 114. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 150 may be positioned on the lower portion 118 of the rim, adjacent the discontinuous annular portion 122 and proximate the at least one or more living hinges 133.

In an embodiment, the friction barrier 150 includes an upper end 150a and a lower end 150b. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 150 includes a substantially cross-sectioned teardrop shape with a tapered oblong configuration having a wider upper end portion 150a and a narrower lower end portion 150b (see FIGS. 9 and 13). In an embodiment, the upper end 150a of the friction barrier 150 is rounded and the friction barrier 150 gradually narrows to a pointed end at the lower end 150b. Thus, in an embodiment, the diameter of the upper end 150a of the friction barrier 150 is greater than the diameter of the lower end 150b of the friction barrier 150. In an embodiment, the surface of the friction barrier 150 is smooth. In other embodiments, the friction barrier 150 may be any shape known in the art. In an embodiment, the friction barrier may be generally square, rectangular, triangular, circular, ovular, elliptical, or any shape known in the art. In an embodiment, the surface of the friction barrier may not be smooth, but rather uneven or textured.

While the friction barrier 150 is shown to be positioned on the bottom portion 118 of the rim, in other embodiments, the friction barrier 150 may be positioned on the upper portion 117 of the rim, proximate the ledge 115 of the container 110. In an embodiment, once the plurality of frangible connections 131 have been broken by the applied force, a tamper evident locking mechanism between the tab 130 and collar 120 may be utilized. The locking mechanism, in an embodiment, includes the rotation of the tamper evident tab 130 towards and over the friction barrier 150. In an embodiment, because the upper end 150a of the friction barrier 150 is wider in shape, once the tab 130 is positioned within the space between the upper end 150a of the friction barrier 150 and the annular portion 122 of the collar 120, the tab 130 is in a locked position (i.e., open position, as described above). Thus, in an embodiment, the friction barrier 150 may be positioned at a distance away from the annular portion 122 of the collar 120 so that the tamper evident tab 130 may have enough space to occupy the space in between the upper end 150a of the friction barrier 150 and the annular portion 122 of the collar 120. In an embodiment, the end of the tab 130 opposite the hinge is positioned within the space between the upper end 150a of the friction barrier 150 and the annular portion 122 of the collar 120 to create the locked position.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the at least one or more living hinges 133 may be offset as compared to the radius of a cross section of the container 110. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, line A-A illustrates the radius of a cross section of the container 110 (i.e., line which passes through a central axis of the container 110) and line B-B depicts the offset position of the at least one or more living hinges 133. As can be seen, the hinge is offset as compared to the radius of the cross section of the container 110. In certain embodiments, the portion of the at least one or more living hinges 133 proximate the ledge 115 may be greater in width than the portion of the at least one or more living hinges 133 proximate the discontinuous radially outward edge 124.

In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges 133 may be offset from the radius of a cross section of the container 110 by between 0.10 degrees and 0.90 degrees, based upon a container circumference comprising 360 degrees. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges 133 may be offset from the radius of a cross section of the container 110 by between 0.30 degrees and 0.70 degrees. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges 133 may be offset from the radius of a cross section of the container 110 by between 0.40 degrees and 0.60 degrees. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges 133 may be offset from the radius of a cross section of the container 110 by between 0.50 degrees and 0.60 degrees, for example by 0.52, 0.53, or 0.54 degrees. In certain embodiments, the at least one or more living hinges 133 may be offset from the radius of a cross section of the container 110 by about 0.30 degrees, or about 0.50 degrees, or more. In an embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges 133 itself may comprise between about 1 and 3 degrees of the circumference of the container. In another embodiment, the at least one or more living hinges 133 may comprise about 2 degrees of the circumference of the container. Thus, the at least one or more living hinges 133 may be offset from the radius of a cross section of the container 110 by between about 25% of the size of the at least one or more living hinges 133. In an embodiment, the tamper evident tab 130, with the at least one or more living hinges 133 and the frangible connections 131, comprise between about 20 degrees and 60 degrees of the 360-degree container circumference. In an embodiment, the tamper evident tab 130, with the at least one or more living hinges 133 and the frangible connections 131, comprise between about 40 degrees of the 360-degree container circumference.

In an embodiment, once the tab 130 is actuated and rotated towards the friction barrier 150, because of the angle of the at least one or more offset living hinges 133, the tab 130 is at an offset angle when rotated and may tilt toward or against a sidewall portion of the container 110 and create friction with the container sidewall (see FIG. 13). In an embodiment, the tilt created allows for some friction and/or tightness to be created between the sidewall of the container 110 and the annularly extending portion 132 of the tab 130. In an embodiment, this friction allows for the tab 130 to be positioned securely between an upper end portion 150a of a friction barrier 150 and the discontinuous annular portion 122 of the tamper evident collar 120 and directly next to, and potentially pushing against, the sidewall of the container 110.

In an embodiment, the friction barrier 150 is placed proximate the at least one or more living hinges 133 and at a distance away so that when in the open position, the friction barrier 150 makes contact with the tab 130 at an area opposite the at area closer to where the frangible connections 131 were originally located. In an embodiment, the container 110 may include multiple friction barriers 150. In an embodiment, once the tab 130 is in the open position, there may be a gap between the annularly extending portion 132 of the tab 130 and the annular portion 122 of the collar 120 (see FIGS. 11-12). In other embodiments, the size of the gap may vary depending on the distance of the friction barrier 150 from the annular portion 122 of the collar 120. In still other embodiments, the friction barrier 150 is continuous and contacts the annular portion 122 of the collar 120.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15-20, the container 210 may include a slot 223, an insert notch 236 and a friction barrier 250, as will be explained in greater detail below. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism of the container 210 may include the rotation of the tamper evident tab 230 on the at least one or more living hinges 233 towards and over the friction barrier 250 until the tamper evident tab 230 is disposed on or above the friction barrier 250 and the insert notch 236 is removably inserted into the slot 223 of the collar 220. In some embodiments, the insert notch 236 is configured to be inserted into the slot 223 when the one or more living hinges 233 is in a hinged configuration. In an embodiment, a hinged configuration is when the one or more living hinges 33 are largely or fully bent and the annular portion of the collar 20 is in contact with the annularly extending portion 32 of the tab 30 (see FIG. 19B, for example). In an embodiment, a hinged configuration of the hinges 33 may comprise a rotation of the hinge by approximately 180 degrees. Additionally, in an embodiment, in a hinged configuration at least a portion of the tab 230 is positioned between an upper end portion 250a of a friction barrier 250 and the discontinuous annular portion 222 of the tamper evident collar 220. In an embodiment, the container 210 may be substantially structurally and functionally identical to the container 10 of FIGS. 1-6 and the container 110 of FIGS. 7-14, except as described in connection with FIGS. 15-20 below.

In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15, a container 210 comprises a container body 214 and a tamper evident collar 220 formed on the container body 214. In an embodiment, the tamper evident collar 220 further comprises a discontinuous annular portion 222 which extends circumferentially outward from the container body 214. In an embodiment, the discontinuous annular portion 222 includes a discontinuous radially outward edge 224 which extends vertically from the annular portion 222 and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body 214 (see FIGS. 16A-16B). In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14-16B, the tamper evident collar 220 further includes a tamper evident tab 230 formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion 222. In an embodiment, the tab 230 includes an annularly extending portion 232 at least partially aligned with the annular portion 222 of the collar 220. In certain embodiments, the tab 230 further includes a radially outward edge 234 which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion 232 of the tab 230 and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge 224 of the collar 220. In an embodiment, at least one or more living hinges 233 join the tab 230 to the tamper evident collar 220. In some embodiments, a plurality of frangible connections 231 connect the end of the tab 230 which is opposite the hinge 233 to the tamper evident collar 220 prior to actuation of the tab 230. In some embodiments, the container 210 may not include a discontinuous radially outward edge 224 and/or a radially outward edge 234. In other embodiments, the container 210 may include one or both a discontinuous radially outward edge 224 and/or a radially outward edge 234.

In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 17, the container further includes a slot 223 disposed on the discontinuous annular portion 222, an insert notch 236 positioned on the annularly extending portion 332, and a friction barrier 250 located adjacent the discontinuous annular portion 222 of the collar 220. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 250 may be positioned proximate the at least one or more living hinges 233. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 250 may be positioned between the at least one living hinges 233 and the slot 223. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 250 may be positioned at any location on the collar 220. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 250 may be positioned at any location on the collar 220 so that the friction barrier 250 may be in contact with the tab 230 when the tab is in a hinged configuration. In an embodiment, the tab 230 may include a length (L). In an embodiment, the friction barrier 250 may be positioned anywhere on the collar 220 within the length L of the tab 230. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 250 may be positioned anywhere within the length L of the tab 230 adjacent the at least one or more living hinges 233.

As mentioned, in an embodiment, the container 210 may be substantially structurally and functionally identical to the container 10 of FIGS. 1-6, except as described in connection with FIGS. 15-20 below. As stated above, the insert notch 236 may be in any shape known in the art. In an embodiment, the insert notch 236 may be in the shape of a square, a triangle, or an ellipse. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 18A-18B, in an embodiment, the insert notch 236 of the container 210 may be rectangular in shape. In some embodiments, the insert notch 236 of the container 210 may be a tapered rectangle. In an embodiment, the size of the insert notch 236 may vary. In an embodiment, the insert notch 236 may include a width (A), a length (B) and a height (C), as shown in FIGS. 18A-18B. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18A, the width (A) of the insert notch 236 may be between 0.5 mm and 1.7 mm. In an embodiment, the width (A) of the insert notch 236 may be between 0.7 mm and 1.5 mm. In an embodiment, the width (A) of the insert notch 236 may be between 0.9 mm and 1.3 mm. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18A, the length (B) of the insert notch 236 may be between 1 mm and 3 mm. In an embodiment, the length (B) of the insert notch 236 may be between 1.7 mm and 2.5 mm. In an embodiment, the length (B) of the insert notch 236 may be between 1.9 mm and 2.3 mm. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1BA, the height (C) of the insert notch 236 may be between 0.1 mm and 1.6 mm. In an embodiment the height (C) of the insert notch 236 may be between 0.4 mm and 1.3 mm. In an embodiment the height (C) of the insert notch 236 may be between 0.6 mm and 1 mm.

Regardless of the actual dimensions of the insert notch 236, the insert notch 236 may be configured such that it does not interfere with any stacking of the containers 210, one upon another. In an embodiment, the insert notch 236 has one or more sidewalls 236a, 236b, 236c, 236d and distal surface 237. In an embodiment, the insert notch 236 may have one, two, three, or four sidewalls 236a, 236b, 236c, 236d. In some embodiments, the insert notch 236 may have more than four sidewalls. In an embodiment, the one or more sidewalls 236a, 236b, 236c, 236d may be generally perpendicular to the bottom surface 232a of the annularly extending portion 232 (see FIG. 18B, for example). Therefore, the sidewalls 236a, 236b, 236c, 236d are vertically aligned and meet the bottom surface 232a of the annularly extending portion 232 at a perpendicular intersection. In other embodiments, the one or more sidewalls 236a, 236b, 236c, 236d may be at least partially angular as compared to the bottom surface 232a of the annularly extending portion 232 (see FIG. 3A, for example).

In an embodiment, the distal surface 237 of the insert notch 236 may be flat. In an embodiment, the distal surface 237 of the insert notch 236 may be generally parallel to the bottom surface 232a of the annularly extending portion 232. In an embodiment, the length (B) of the distal surface 237 of the insert notch 236 may be the same as the length of the insert notch 236 nearest the bottom surface 232a of the annularly extending portion 232 (see FIG. 18B, for example). In another embodiment, the length (B) of the distal surface 237 of the insert notch 236 may be less than the length of the insert notch 236 nearest the bottom surface 232a of the annularly extending portion 232 (see FIG. 3A, for example). In this embodiment, as noted above, the one or more sidewalls 236a, 236b, 236c, 236d may be at least partially angular as compared to the bottom surface 232a of the annularly extending portion 232 (see FIG. 3A, for example).

In an embodiment, as discussed, the insert notch 236 may be positioned on the annularly extending portion 232 and proximate the frangible connection 231. In some embodiments, the insert notch 236 may include flap or wing features on one or more sides of the insert notch 236. In an embodiment, the flaps of the insert notch may be folded downwards or inwards, adding stability or helping to secure the notch 236 when inserted into the slot 223. In some embodiments, as the notch 236 is inserted into the slot 223, the flaps may either fold inward or outward, depending on the design, so that the flaps fit within the slot 223 or lay flat against its edges. In some embodiments, once fully inserted, the flaps provide added friction or lock the notch 236 securely in the slot 223, preventing it from easily coming loose. In some embodiments, the flaps may “catch” on the inside of the slot 223, acting as a retention mechanism. In certain embodiments, other means of securing the insert notch 236 to the slot 223 may be contemplated. In one embodiment, the notch 236 may include on or more protrusions or hooks that snap into on or more matching recesses or detents in the slot 223. In other embodiments, the notch 236 be larger in size than the slot 223, requiring force to insert the notch into the slot—the tight fit creates friction, holding the notch firmly in the slot. In other embodiment, after the notch is inserted into the slot, a locking tab or latch can be flipped or rotated to lock the notch in its position, in which the tab or latch prevents the notch from sliding out. In yet another embodiment, the container may include elastic retainers proximate the slot and once the insert notch is inserted into the slot, the elastic retainers may hold the notch in place. In yet another embodiment, the notch and slot may include magnetic elements and once the notch is inserted into the slot, the magnetic force holds the two pieces features together. Other retention mechanisms known in the art may be used.

As mentioned, in an embodiment, the container 210 may be substantially structurally and functionally identical to the container 110 of FIGS. 7-14, except as described in connection with FIGS. 15-20 below. Therefore, in an embodiment, the container 210 may include the friction barrier 250 located adjacent the discontinuous annular portion 222 of the collar 220 and proximate the at least one or more living hinges 233 (see FIGS. 17 and 19A-19B).

In some embodiments, the container 210 may include a rim extending circumferentially around an upper portion of the container body 214. In an embodiment, the rim may include an upper portion 217 and a lower portion 218 (see FIG. 17). In some embodiments, the tamper evident collar 230 may be located near the upper portion 217 of the rim of the container body 214. In other embodiments, the tamper evident collar 230 may be located near a middle portion of the rim of the container body 214. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 250 may be positioned on the lower portion 218 of the rim, adjacent the discontinuous annular portion 222 and proximate the at least one or more living hinges 233. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 250 includes an upper end 250a and a lower end 250b. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 250 includes a substantially cross-sectioned teardrop shape with a tapered oblong configuration having a wider upper end portion 250a and a narrower lower end portion 250b (see FIGS. 17 and 20). In an embodiment, the upper end 250a of the friction barrier 250 is rounded and the friction barrier 250 gradually narrows to a pointed end at the lower end 250b. Thus, in an embodiment, the diameter of the upper end 250a of the friction barrier 250 is greater than the diameter of the lower end 250b of the friction barrier 250. In an embodiment, the surface of the friction barrier 250 is smooth. In an embodiment, the width of the friction barrier 250 gradually tapers, i.e., decreases, from the upper end 250a, i.e., the widest point of the friction barrier 250, to the lower end 250b, i.e., the narrowest point of the friction barrier 250. Similarly, the depth of the friction barrier 250 decreases as the friction barrier 250 narrows from the upper end 250a to the lower end 250b, and in some embodiments, giving the friction barrier 250 an elongated form. In other embodiments, the friction barrier 250 may be any shape known in the art. In an embodiment, the friction barrier may be generally prismed and square, rectangular, triangular, circular, ovular, elliptical, or any shape known in the art. In an embodiment, the surface of the friction barrier may not be smooth, but rather uneven or textured.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 and described in greater detail above, the at least one or more living hinges 233 may be offset as compared to the radius of a cross section of the container 210. As can be seen, in an embodiment, the hinge is offset as compared to the radius of the cross section of the container 210. In certain embodiments, the portion of the at least one or more living hinges 233 proximate the ledge 215 may be greater in width than the portion of the at least one or more living hinges 233 proximate the discontinuous radially outward edge 224. In an embodiment, the offset allows for some friction and/or tightness to be created between the sidewall of the container 210 and the annularly extending portion 232 of the tab 230. In an embodiment, this friction allows for the tab 230 to be positioned securely between an upper end portion 250a of a friction barrier 250 and the discontinuous annular portion 222 of the tamper evident collar 220 and directly next to, and potentially pushing against, the sidewall of the container 210. However, in other embodiments, the at least one or more living hinges 233 may not be offset as compared to the radius of a cross section of the container 210.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19-20, once the plurality of frangible connections 231 have been broken by the applied force, a tamper evident locking mechanism between the tab 230 and collar 220 may be utilized. The locking mechanism, in an embodiment, includes the rotation of the tamper evident tab 230 towards and over the friction barrier 250. In an embodiment, because the upper end 250a of the friction barrier 250 is wider in shape (see FIG. 20), once the tab 230 is positioned within the space between the upper end 250a of the friction barrier 250 and the annular portion 222 of the collar 220, the tab 230 may be in a locked position (i.e., open position, as described above). Thus, in an embodiment, the friction barrier 250 may be positioned at a distance away from the annular portion 222 of the collar 220 so that the tamper evident tab 230 may have enough space to occupy the space in between the upper end 250a of the friction barrier 250 and the annular portion 222 of the collar 220. In an embodiment, the end of the tab 230 opposite the hinge is positioned within the space between the upper end 250a of the friction barrier 250 and the annular portion 222 of the collar 220 to create the locked position. In further embodiments, once the tab 230 is disposed on or above the friction barrier 250, the insert notch 236 of the tab 230 may be removably inserted into the slot 223 of the collar 220. In an embodiment, this locking mechanism creates a two-step retention feature in which the insert notch 236 may be inserted into the slot 223 and may be in a first locked position, and if needed, the friction barrier 250 may act as a secondary locking feature in which the tab 230 may be disposed on or above the friction barrier 250 and may be in a second locked position. Thus, container 210 creates a more secure locking mechanism having at least one or more retention features for the tamper evident tab 230.

In an embodiment, once the tab 30, 130, 230 is in the open position, a user may lift the closure 40, 140, 240 away from the container 10, 110, 210. It will be appreciated that this removal is achieved without damage or alteration of any kind to the closure 40, 140, 240 itself. Thus, in an embodiment, the closure 40, 140, 240 retains its sealing qualities throughout the period in which it is associated with the container 10, 110, 210 and may be removed and replaced as often as is desired or necessary. In some embodiments, once the plurality of frangible connections 31, 131, 231 have been broken, tamper evidence cannot be assured. Thus, in certain embodiments, a user will know that if the tab 30, 130, 230 is freely rotatable, if the insert notch 36, 236 is inserted into the slot 23, 223 or if the tab 130, 230 is placed between the upper end 150a, 250a of the friction barrier 150, 250 and the discontinuous annular portion 122, 222 of the collar 120, 220, the contents of the container 10, 110, 210 may have been accessed. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the tamper evident collar 20, 120, 220 and tab 30, 130, 230 is a functional tamper evidence mechanism. Because the tamper evident tab 30, 130, 230 is permanently attached to the collar 20, 120, 220 via the locking mechanisms described above, in an embodiment, the tamper evident tab 30, 130, 230 does not become an element of refuse, does not become a swallowing/choking hazard, cannot find its way into the interior of the container body 14, 114, 214, and is not cumbersome to the use of the container 10, 110, 210.

In an embodiment, the insert notch 36, 236 may be integral to the container and formed from any material known in the art. For example, in an embodiment, the container and insert notch 36, 236 may comprise any polymeric material or paper-based material known in the art. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the insert notch 36, 236 may include any shape or any configuration known in the art. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the slot 23, 223 may include any shape or any configuration known in the art. In an embodiment, the friction barrier 150, 250 may be integral to the container and formed from any material known in the art. For example, in an embodiment, the friction barrier 150, 250 may comprise any polymeric material or paper-based material known in the art. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the friction barrier 150, 250 may include any shape or any configuration known in the art.

In an embodiment, the container 10, 110, 210 and/or closure 40, 140, 240 of the container system may be formed from any material known in the art. For example, in an embodiment, the container 10, 110, 210 body may comprise a paperboard material that is spirally wound into a tubular container body. In other embodiments, the container 10, 110, 210 and/or closure 40, 140, 240 may comprise papers, metals, metalized layers, plastics or polymers and may be formed by any number of methods, such as injection molding, thermoforming or blow molding. In some embodiments, the container 10, 110, 210 and/or closure 40, 140, 240 comprise a combination of one or more materials or laminated layers. The container 10, 110, 210 and/or closure 40, 140, 240 may include a liner material to provide sufficient barrier properties to the container system. In some embodiments, the tamper evident collar 20, 120, 220, including the tamper evident tab 30, 130, 230 may be injection molded with polypropylene, or other similar polymer materials. In an embodiment, the container 10, 110, 210 and closure 40, 140, 240 of the invention may be child resistant. In this embodiment, it may not be obvious to a child that the tab 30, 130, 230 must be actuated to open the container 10, 110, 210 or it may be too difficult for a child to easily actuate the tab 30, 130, 230 to open the container 10, 110, 210.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A container comprising a container body and a collar integrally formed on the container body, wherein when the collar is in an unopen position, the collar comprises: a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body and includes a slot disposed therein;a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion, wherein the tab comprises: an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar; andan insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion;at least one living hinge that joins the tab to the collar; andat least one frangible connection which connects the tab to the collar prior to actuation of the tab;wherein the container further comprises a friction barrier located adjacent the discontinuous annular portion.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the collar further comprises a discontinuous radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annular portion and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the tab further comprises a radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion of the tab and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge of the collar.

4. The container of claim 1, the container further comprising a rim extending circumferentially around an upper portion of the container body wherein the friction barrier is positioned on a lower portion of the rim and the collar is located near an upper portion of the rim of the container body.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the friction barrier comprises a substantially three-dimensional teardrop shaped configuration, and wherein the friction barrier is positioned between the at least one living hinge and the slot.

6. The container of claim 3, wherein both the annular portion and the radially outward edge of the collar are discontinuous at the location of the tab, and wherein the annular portion of the collar is discontinuous at the same circumferential location as the radially outward edge of the collar.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one living hinge is on the opposite side of the tab as the at least one frangible connection, and wherein the slot is positioned more proximate to the at least one living hinge than the at least one frangible connection.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one living hinge connects the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab, and wherein the at least one living hinge can bend and rotate without breaking from the collar and the tab.

9. The container of claim 3, wherein the at least one frangible connection joins the annular portion of the collar and the annularly extending portion of the tab, and wherein the at least one frangible connection joins the radially outward edge of the collar and the radially outward edge of the tab.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one frangible connection disconnects from the collar by the application of force.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the insert notch is configured to be removably inserted into the slot and the tab is disposed on or above the friction barrier when the at least one living hinge is in a hinged configuration.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the friction barrier aids in securing the tab in the hinged configuration.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein the insert notch, the slot and the friction barrier comprise a locking mechanism.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the locking mechanism includes the rotation of the tab towards and over the friction barrier until the tab is disposed on or above the friction barrier and the insert notch is removably inserted into the slot of the collar.

15. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one living hinge is offset from the radius of a cross section of the container.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the at least one living hinge is offset by between 0.30 degrees and 0.70 degrees, based upon the 360 degrees of the container.

17. The container of claim 15, wherein the angle of the at least one living hinge is offset by between 0.40 degrees and 0.60 degrees, based upon the 360 degrees of the container.

18. The container of claim 1, wherein the container further includes a closure having a leading edge that is removably fitted on the container body adjacent the collar, wherein the collar covers the leading edge of the closure when the tamper evident tab is in the unopened position, and wherein the leading edge of the closure is accessible when the tamper evident tab is in an open position.

19. A container comprising a container body and a collar integrally formed on the container body, wherein the collar comprises: a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body;a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion and includes an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar;at least one living hinge that joins the tab to the collar; andat least one frangible connection which connects the tab to the collar prior to actuation of the tab;wherein the container further comprises a tamper evident locking mechanism.

20. The container of claim 19, wherein the locking mechanism includes a slot disposed on the discontinuous annular portion of the collar and an insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion of the tamper evident tab.

21. The container of claim 20, wherein the locking mechanism includes the rotation of the tab towards the slot and the removable insertion of the insert notch into the slot of the collar.

22. The container of claim 20, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a friction barrier located on the container adjacent the discontinuous annular portion.

23. The container of claim 22, wherein the locking mechanism includes the insert notch being configured to be removably inserted into the slot and the tab being disposed on or above the friction barrier when the at least one living hinge is in a hinged configuration, and wherein the hinged configuration includes the at least one living hinge being partially or fully bent towards the slot without breaking.

24. The container of claim 19, wherein the collar further comprises a discontinuous radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annular portion and extends substantially circumferentially about the container body, and wherein the tab further comprises a radially outward edge which extends vertically from the annularly extending portion of the tab and is at least partially aligned with the discontinuous radially outward edge of the collar.

25. A container comprising a container body and a collar integrally formed on the container body, wherein when the collar is in an unopen position, the collar comprises: a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body and includes a slot disposed therein;a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion, wherein the tab comprises: an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar; andan insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion;at least one living hinge that joins the tab to the collar; andat least one frangible connection which connects the tab to the collar prior to actuation of the tab.

26. A container comprising a container body and a collar integrally formed on the container body, wherein when the collar is in an unopen position, the collar comprises: a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body;a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion and includes an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar;at least one living hinge that joins the tab to the collar; andat least one frangible connection which connects the tab to the collar prior to actuation of the tab;wherein the container further comprises a friction barrier located adjacent the discontinuous annular portion.

27. The container of claim 26, the container further comprising a rim extending circumferentially around an upper portion of the container body, wherein the friction barrier is positioned on a lower portion of the rim, and wherein the collar is located near an upper portion of the rim of the container body.

28. The container of claim 26, wherein the tab is rotated towards and over the friction barrier until the tab is disposed on or above the friction barrier.

29. The container of claim 26, wherein the friction barrier includes a substantially three-dimensional teardrop shaped configuration, and wherein the friction barrier is positioned between the at least one living hinge and the slot.

30. A method of using a container having a tamper evident system, the method comprising: providing a container body;providing a collar integrally formed on the container body, wherein the collar comprises: a discontinuous annular portion which extends circumferentially outward from the container body and includes a slot disposed therein;a tamper evident tab formed integrally with the discontinuous annular portion, wherein the tab comprises: an annularly extending portion at least partially aligned with the annular portion of the collar; andan insert notch positioned on the annularly extending portion;at least one living hinge that joins the tab to the collar; andat least one frangible connection which connects the tab to the collar prior to actuation of the tab;wherein the container further comprises a friction barrier located adjacent the discontinuous annular portion;disconnecting the at least one frangible connection from the collar;rotating the tab towards the slot and the friction barrier while the at least one living hinge bend towards the slot without breaking;disposing the tab on or above the friction barrier; andinserting the insert notch into the slot.