US 10,894,635 B2 · Tamper-evident container with a wide tab extending beyond a hinge

Abstract

A tamper-evident container includes a base and a lid. A base extension and a lid extension are connected to a hinge to join the base and the lid together in a closed, pre-use configuration. A tab extends from either the lid extension or the base extension in a direction away from the lid and the base such that the tab extends beyond the hinge The tab is joined to one of the extensions via weakened regions that can be torn when the tab is pulled to indicate that the container has been tampered with or opened.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims29

Dependent claims

A tamper-evident container comprising:

a base comprising a base extension, the base extension having a first end opposite from a second end, the base terminating at a free edge;
a lid comprising a lid extension, the lid extension having a first end opposite from a second end, the base terminating at a free edge;
a hinge, wherein the base extension connects the base to the hinge, wherein the lid extension connects the lid to the hinge, and wherein the hinge has a first section opposite from a second section;
and
a tab extending from either the lid extension or the base extension;
wherein, when the container is in a closed, pre-use configuration with the lid coupled to the base, the tab extends in a direction away from the lid and the base such that the tab extends beyond the hinge;
wherein, when the container is in the closed, pre-use configuration, the tab comprises a free edge that defines an outermost perimeter of the tab between a first end and a second end;
wherein, when the container is in the closed, pre-use configuration, a first weakened region in the same extension from which the tab extends is located between the first end of the free edge of the tab and a first intersection of the free edge of the lid or base and the first end of the same extension from which the tab extends and a second weakened region in the same extension from which the tab extends is located between the second end of the free edge of the tab and a second intersection of the free edge of the lid or base and the second end of the same extension from which the tab extends;
wherein the hinge is not coaxially aligned with the free edge of the tab, the first weakened region, or the second weakened region;
and
wherein, when the container is in a closed, pre-use configuration, the container is opened by tearing along at least one of the weakened regions.

8 more elements

A tamper-evident container comprising:

a base comprising a base extension, the base extension having a first end opposite from a second end, the base terminating at a free edge;
a lid comprising a lid extension, the lid extension having a first end opposite from a second end, the base terminating at a free edge;
a hinge, wherein the base extension connects the base to the hinge, wherein the lid extension connects the lid to the hinge, and wherein the hinge has a first section opposite from a second section;
and
a tab extending from either the lid extension or the base extension;
wherein, when the container is in a closed, pre-use configuration with the lid coupled to the base, the tab extends in a direction away from the lid and the base such that the tab extends beyond the hinge;
wherein, when the container is in the closed, pre-use configuration, the tab comprises a free edge that defines an outermost perimeter of the tab between a first end and a second end of the free edge of the tab;
wherein the free edge of the tab has a main section with a contour that is a mirror image of a contour of the free edge along a section of either the lid when the tab extends from the base extension or the base when the tab extends from the lid extension;
wherein, when the container is in the closed, pre-use configuration, the first weakened region and the second weakened region extend integrally within the same extension from which the tab extends;
wherein the hinge is not coaxially aligned with the free edge of the tab, the first weakened region, or the second weakened region;
and
wherein, when the container is in a closed, pre-use configuration, the container is opened by tearing along the weakened regions to the first and second ends of the same extension from which the tab extends such that the lid and the base are separated.

9 more elements

A tamper-evident container comprising:

a base comprising a base extension, the base extension having a first end opposite from a second end;
a lid comprising a lid extension having a first end opposite from a second end, the lid terminating at a free edge, the free edge of the lid at least partially defining a first corner area of the lid and a second corner area of the lid;
a hinge, wherein the base extension connects the base to the hinge, wherein the lid extension connects the lid to the hinge, and wherein the hinge has a first section opposite from a second section;
and
a tab extending from the lid extension;
wherein, when the container is in a closed, pre-use configuration with the lid coupled to the base, the tab comprises a free edge that defines an outermost perimeter of the tab between a first end and a second end;
wherein, when the container is in the closed, pre-use configuration, the tab extends in a direction away from the lid and the base such that the tab extends beyond the hinge;
wherein, when the container is in the closed, pre-use configuration, a first weakened region in the lid extension extends between the first end of the free edge of the tab to the free edge of the lid at the first corner area of the lid and a second weakened region in the lid extension extends between the second end of the free edge of the tab to the free edge of the lid at the second corner area of the lid;
wherein the hinge is not coaxially aligned with the free edge of the tab, the first weakened region, or the second weakened region;
and
wherein, when the container is in a closed, pre-use configuration, the container is opened by tearing along the weakened regions to the first and second ends of the same extension from which the tab extends such that the lid and the base are separated.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description11,376 words

Summary7 words

#The present disclosure relates to tamper-evident containers.

Brief description of the drawings30 figures

#The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, as listed below.

#FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tamper-evident container in an open, pre-use configuration showing a hinge with two fold lines.

#FIG. 1B is an enlarged perspective view of the section encircled at 2 of the tamper-evident container of FIG. 1A.

Detailed description10,583 words

#It should be noted that these figures are intended to illustrate the general characteristics of methods, structure and/or materials utilized in certain exemplary embodiments and to supplement the written description provided below. These drawings are not, however, to scale and may not precisely reflect the precise structural or performance characteristics of any given embodiment, and should not be interpreted as defining or limiting the range of values or properties encompassed by exemplary embodiments. For example, the relative thicknesses and positioning of components may be reduced or exaggerated for clarity. The use of similar or identical reference numbers in the various drawings is intended to indicate the presence of a similar or identical element or feature.

#The inventive concepts will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts are shown. The advantages and features of the inventive concepts and methods of achieving them will be apparent from the following exemplary embodiments that will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the inventive concepts are not limited to the following exemplary embodiments, and may be implemented in various forms. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are provided only to disclose the inventive concepts and let those skilled in the art know the category of the inventive concepts. In the drawings, embodiments of the inventive concepts are not limited to the specific examples provided herein and are exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals or the same reference designators denote the same elements throughout the specification.

#The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the singular terms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof

Facts

Application

16/246,439Filed 11 Jan 2019 · continuation in part

Priority

28 Oct 2016

Published

US 2019/0185222 A120 Jun 2019

Granted

19 Jan 2021

Term ends

5 Mar 2037

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 128 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification5 codes

B65D 43/0256
Secured by snapping over beads or projections before removal of the tamper element: only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the…
B65D 43/162
Hinged for upward or downward movement: the container, the lid and the hinge being made of one piece
B65D 2401/15
Tamper-indicating means: tearable part of the closure
B65D 2543/00842
Integral tabs, tongues, handles or similar: outside of the lid

Family

Application15/338,145Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 28 Oct 2016

Application15/797,313Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 30 Oct 2017

US 2019/0185222 A1Pre-grant publication · published 20 Jun 2019

US 10,220,985 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 10,351,310 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part

Application15/338,145Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2018/0118420 A1Published application

US 2018/0118421 A1Published application

US 10,894,635 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Timeline

28 Oct 2016Priority claimedParent application 15/338,145
11 Jan 2019Application filedUS 16/246,439
7 Apr 2019Assigned to Genpak, LLCassignment of assignor's interest
20 Jun 2019PublishedUS 2019/0185222 A1
19 Jan 2021GrantedUS 10,894,635 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
5 Mar 2037Term endsEstimated, includes 128 days of adjustment

Tamper-evident container with a wide tab extending beyond a hinge

Life of this patent

Tamper-evident container with a wide tab extending beyond a hinge

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims29

Description11,376 words

Drawings

Classification5 codes

Life of this patent

Description11,376 words