Tamperproof packaging

Abstract

A tamperproof package for containers of ingestible material such as aspirin, nonprescription drugs, food products and the like, comprising a thin layer of an elastomeric material stretched thinly over the outside surface of a container or other article such that the material will rupture and split upon being punctured. The outer edges of a sheet or opening in the elastomeric material are gathered together tightly around the container and closed by tying a string around the gathered material and/or by gluing or solvent welding. Excess material is trimmed from the gathered end. Dry lubricant is provided between the container and the elastomeric layer to facilitate movement of the elastomeric material over the surface of the container in the event of rupture of the elastomeric material. A pattern or content label can be printed onto the outside of the elastomeric layer subsequent to packaging. A method of packaging the container with an elastomeric layer includes vacuum forming of a sheet of elastomeric material in the shape of the container, inserting the container into the thus-formed sheet, gathering the free edges of the sheet, tying and/or heat-sealing the gathered end and removing the excess material from the distal end of the package.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.