TAMPER-EVIDENT PACKAGING STRUCTURE INCORPORATED INTO A CONTAINER COVER AND AN ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A container cover comprises two halves that are integrally-molded. The two halves are connected by a common pivot point or hinge that is disposed to one side of each half which allows the halves to be folded over and onto one another. One half is a solid cover or lid structure (the “lid”) and one half is a ring-like base structure (the “base”), both of which are intended to be disposed atop a container, with the base in direct contact with the container although the lid and base could be modified the include other engaging structure. The lid is configured to fit with and engage the base via the common hinge or pivot point. Opposite the hinge point of each structure is part of a lock structure that provides the tamper-evident functionality when the lid is folded over and attached to the base.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to product packaging and to tamper-evident packaging. More specifically, the present invention relates to a container cover that incorporates a tamper-evident structure to provide a limited barrier to entry into the container and, most importantly, provide visible evidence to a consumer that the product container has or has not been tampered with. Further, the present invention relates to such a tamper-evident structure that can be formed into a container cover using one-shot plastic injection molding fabrication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tamper-evident packaging is well known. Such packaging is intended to provide at least one barrier of entry to a container, which barrier also provides visible evidence to a consumer that the product within the container has been accessed and that the product has, perhaps, been tampered with.

Perhaps the most familiar type of tamper-evident packaging is in the area of pharmaceuticals where a foil-covered blister pack will show if a pill, capsule or other medication has been compromised where the foil has been pierced or otherwise disturbed. Such packaging often includes a warning statement to the consumer to look for this and to not use the product if the seal is broken.

There are many other types of tamper-evident packaging available and the goal of each is to make the product protected, but not impenetrable. For example, tamper-evident plastic shrink bands can provide security for certain types of lids and caps. Shrink-wrap films provide tamper-evidence for almost any product—from foods to software, toys, board games, cosmetics and other consumer goods. Button-top security lids provide similar security by providing an audible signal to a consumer that the vacuum seal of a food jar is intact. Once open, the food product in the jar is readily accessed by the consumer, often repeatedly. That is, such easy-open packaging must provide security as well as consumer-friendliness.

Significantly, it is desirable for food product packagers to provide a visual seal, a visible description of how it works or what to look for in the case tampering of the package has occurred. Between the packaging step and the consumer's purchase of a product, tamper-evident packaging is advantageous to the packager by knowing that its product and product container has not been tampered during shipment. On the consumer's end, using tamper-evident packaging demonstrates a clear concern for the well-being of the consumer, thereby building consumer loyalty and deterring someone with a plan to harm others. Tamper-evident packaging provides many benefits to product sellers in almost any industry.

Therefore, in the experience of the inventor, there is need for an improved tamper-evident structure that provides visible evidence to a consumer that a product container has been or has not been tampered with. There is also a need to provide such a structure that can be conveniently formed using a one-shot plastic injection molding process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the foregoing, the invention provides an improved tamper-evident structure that provides visible evidence to a consumer that a product container has or has not been tampered with. The structure is also formed using a one-shot plastic injection molding process. This fabrication method is desirable because it simplifies and speeds up the production process for manufacturing the container cover.

Generally speaking, the container cover (the “cover”) of the present invention comprises two halves that are integrally-molded. The two halves are connected by a common pivot point or hinge that is disposed to one side of each half which allows the halves to be folded over and onto one another. One half is a solid cover or lid structure (the “lid”) and one half is a ring-like base structure (the “base”), both of which are intended to be disposed atop a container, with the base in direct contact with the container although the lid and base could be modified the include other engaging structure.

The lid is configured to fit with and engage the base via the common hinge or pivot point. Opposite the hinge point of each structure is part of a lock structure that provides the tamper-evident functionality when the lid is folded over and onto the base. The foregoing and other features of the tamper-evident packaging structure of the present invention will be will be apparent from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top and side perspective view of the cover as described herein and showing the base and lid thereof in the “open” position.

FIG. 2 is the same view as that shown in FIG. 1 but showing the base and lid thereof in the “closed” position.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the cover as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation and cross-section view detailing the unengaged sealing point interfaces of the cover shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged cross-section view detailing the sealing point interface in the base of the cover taken along line 5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the cover as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the cover shown in FIG. 6 and illustrating the tamper-evident packaging structure prior to the lid structure being opened.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational and cross-sectioned view detailing the engaged sealing point interfaces of the cover shown in FIG. 1 and taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6 and also illustrating the tamper-evident packaging structure prior to the lid structure being opened.

FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectioned view detailing the sealing point interface in the base and lid of the cover taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like-numbered elements refer to like elements throughout, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the structure of the unitary cover of the present invention, generally identified 10. FIG. 1 shows the cover 10 in an “open” position and FIG. 2 shows the cover 10 in a “closed” position. The cover 10 is comprised of two major structural elements. One is the base, generally identified 20, and the other is the lid, generally identified 40. See FIG. 3. The base 20 and the lid 40 are connected by a flexible hinge 60 that is integrally-formed with those structures. In production, the cover 10 is preferably a piece of plastic formed by injection molding. The plastic type and durometer are not limited, but the plastic should be of a type that has some inherent “memory” to it, i.e. where the plastic members can be flexed but then return to an original position. Further, and although illustrated to be cylindrical in shape, the base 20 and the lid 40 could be alternatively configured.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, they show a cross-sectioned view of the cover 10 in its “open” position. Disposed substantially 180° from the point at which the base 20 and the lid 40 are connected by the hinge 60 are complementary portions of the tamper-evident packaging structure that is formed in accordance with the present invention. The collective structure of the base 20, lid 40 and hinge 60 that form the tamper-evident structure is generally identified 100, this structure 100 being best illustrated in FIG. 9 and will be discussed further below.

Referring again to FIG. 3, and in accordance with the present invention, the lid 40 comprises a circumferential lip 41 that engages a complementary circumferential receiver 21 that is defined within the base 20. The lid 40 further comprises a covering 43 that extends across and within the entire perimeter 47 of the lid 40. Once closed, it is this covering 43 that keeps the contents of any container that the cover 10 is attached to safe and secure. Other lid-cover interfaces, other than the tamper-evident packaging structure 100 discussed above, may be employed without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Lastly, disposed approximately 180° from the hinge 60 and extending outwardly from the perimeter 47 of the lid 40 is a lid lift tab 44. The lid lift tab 44 is configured so as to allow a consumer to grasp the tab 44 and pull the lid 40 upwardly and away from the base 20.

That portion of the tamper-evident packaging structure 100 that is formed into the lid 40 comprises three primary elements, all of which are preferably contained within the lid tab 44. Specifically, the lid lift tab 44 comprises a slot-like lid opening 42. See FIG. 4. At the outermost portion of the slot-like lid opening 42 (i.e., that portion extending at the outermost edge of the lid lift tab 44) is an inwardly-extending “catch” or lip 45. See FIG. 9. To the opposite side of the opening 42 is a lid protrusion 46, the lid protrusion 46 having an outwardly-extending lip 48 as well. Again, all of the foregoing structure is integrally formed as part of the cover 10 during the single-shot plastic injection-molding process.

That portion of the tamper-evident packaging structure 100 that is formed into the base 20 comprises four primary elements. Specifically, the base 20 comprises a flat base protrusion 22 and a void 28 disposed behind the base protrusion 22. See FIG. 5. The base protrusion 22 extends upwardly from the base 20 and comprises a lip 24. The base protrusion lip 24 extends outwardly from the uppermost portion 23 of the base protrusion 22. The base protrusion 22 further comprises a rearward facing surface 25. Referring now to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the base protrusion 22 is actually a frangible pull structure having pull tabs 23 disposed to either side of the base protrusion 22. The base protrusion 22 is removably attached to the base 20 via a plurality of breakable fingers 26. Here too, all of the foregoing structure is integrally formed as part of the cover 10 during the single-shot plastic injection-molding process.

Once formed, the cover 10 is secured to a container (not shown) by engagement of the circumferential lip 41 of the lid 40 with the complementary circumferential receiver 21 that is defined within the base 20. See FIGS. 2 and 6-9. This can be done prior to engagement of the tamper-evident structure 100 or after. In other words, the cover 10 can be secured to a container prior to filling the container with product (also not shown), or after. Either process, i.e. placing product in the container prior to securement of the cover 10 to the container or securing the cover 10 to the container and then introducing product to the container via the cover opening 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 3), requires that the lid 40 be rotated upwardly (in the orientation illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4) using the hinge 60.

As the lid 40 overlays the base 20, the uppermost portion 23 of the base protrusion 22 will extend upwardly and into the slot-like lid opening 42. The catch 45 of the lid opening 42 will engage the lip 24 of the base protrusion 22. At the same time, the lid protrusion 46 will enter the void 28 defined within the base 20, with the lip 48 of the lid protrusion 46 engaging the rearward facing surface 25 of the base protrusion 22. In these positions, the base protrusion 22 will be unable to be flexed inwardly or rearwardly to the point that the catch 45 of the lid opening 42 disengages the lip 24 of the base protrusion 22. At this point, the cover 10 shows that the cover 10 has not been tampered with. See FIG. 7. In order to disengage the lip 24 of the base protrusion 22, one side tab 23 of the frangible base protrusion 22 must be grasped by the consumer and pulled away from the base 20. As this is done, the fingers 26 of the assembly 100 will break away, allowing the base protrusion 22 to be removed. At this point, the assembly 100 is defeated and the consumer can lift the lid 40 as desired or required, using the remaining portion of the lid lift tab 44 as a way to exert upward pressure on the lid 40 sufficient to disengage the circumferential lip 41 of the lid 40 from the complementary circumferential receiver 21 that is defined within the base 20.

This cover 10, when combined with a container (not shown), provides a tamper-evident assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A container cover comprising: a container cover base;a container cover lid, wherein the container cover lid comprises a perimeter and a covering that extends across and within the perimeter of the container cover lid;a container cover hinge that connects the container cover base and the container cover lid such that the container cover lid can be folded over and onto the container cover base;wherein the container cover base, the container cover lid and the container cover hinge form a unitary structure; anda tamper-evident packaging structure comprising a first portion that is formed within the container cover base and a second portion that is formed within the container cover lid.

2. The container cover of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the container cover lid of the tamper-evident packaging structure further comprises a circumferential lip that engages a complementary circumferential receiver that is defined within the container cover base.

3. The container cover of claim 2 wherein the container cover lid further comprises a lid lift tab extending outwardly from the perimeter of the container cover lid.

4. The container cover of claim 3 wherein the container cover lid lift tab is configured to enable a user to pull the container cover lid to an open position via the container lid lift tab.

5. The container cover of claim 3 wherein the container cover lid lift tab comprises a slot-like lid opening.

6. The container cover of claim 5 wherein the slot-like lid opening comprises an outermost portion and a catch extending inwardly of the container cover lid lift tab.

7. The container cover of claim 6 wherein the slot-like lid opening further comprising an opposing side and the opposing side comprising a lid protrusion, the lid protrusion having an outwardly-extending lip.

8. The container cover of claim 7 wherein the container cover base further comprises a flat base protrusion that extends upwardly from the container cover base.

9. The container cover of claim 8 wherein the cover base protrusion further comprises an uppermost portion and a rearward facing surface.

10. The container cover of claim 9 wherein a base protrusion lip extends outwardly from the uppermost portion of the cover base protrusion.

11. The container cover of claim 10 wherein the base protrusion is a frangible pull structure having pull tabs disposed to either side of the cover base protrusion.

12. The container cover of claim 11 wherein the cover base protrusion is removably attached to the base via a plurality of breakable fingers.

13. The container cover of claim 1 wherein the container cover base, the container cover lid and the container cover hinge collectively comprise a single-shot plastic injection-molded structure.

14. A container cover comprises two halves that are integrally-molded wherein the two halves are connected by a hinge that is disposed to one common side of each half; wherein one half is a lid structure and one half is a base structure, both of which are intended to be disposed atop a container, with the base structure in direct contact with the container; and wherein, opposite the hinge of each structure, is part of a lock structure that provides tamper-evident functionality when the lid structure is folded over and onto the base structure.

15. The container cover of claim 14 wherein: the first portion of the lid structure of the tamper-evident packaging structure further comprises a circumferential lip that engages a complementary circumferential receiver that is defined within the cover structure, the lid structure further comprising a lid lift tab extending outwardly from the perimeter of the lid structure;the lid lift tab is configured to enable a user to pull the lid structure to an open position via the lid lift tab.the lid lift tab comprises a slot-like lid opening;the slot-like lid opening comprises an outermost portion and a catch extending inwardly of the lid lift tab;the slot-like lid opening further comprising an opposing side and the opposing side comprising a lid protrusion, the lid protrusion having an outwardly-extending lip;the base structure further comprises a flat base protrusion that extends upwardly from the base structures;the base structure protrusion further comprises an uppermost portion and a rearward facing surface;a base protrusion lip extends outwardly from the uppermost portion of the cover base protrusion; andthe base protrusion is a frangible pull structure having pull tabs disposed to either side of the cover base protrusion and the cover base protrusion is removably attached to the base structure via a plurality of breakable fingers.

16. The container cover of claim 15 wherein the base structure, the lid structure and the hinge comprise a single-shot plastic injection-molded and unitary structure.