Tamper-resistant container with tamper-evident feature and method of forming the same

A tamper-resistant/evident container comprising:

• a) a cover portion including an outwardly extending peripheral flange;
• b) a base portion including an upper peripheral edge, wherein the cover portion and base portion are adapted and configured to lock together about their periphery by way of a circumferential engagement means;
• c) a hinge joining the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion with the base portion, the hinge including a frangible section, which upon severing, provides a projection extending outwardly from the base portion, for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container;
• d) a latch disposed proximate the circumferential engagement means for maintaining the peripheral flange adjacent to the upper peripheral edge when the container is closed;
• and
• e) at least one supporting rib defined on the base portion and including a plurality of elongated arcuate portions positioned adjacently with respect to one another.

A tamper-resistant/evident container comprising:

• a) a cover portion including an outwardly extending peripheral flange;
• b) a base portion including an upper peripheral edge forming at least in part an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion and configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed;
• c) a hinge joining the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion with the base portion, the hinge including a frangible section, which upon severing, provides a projection including tabs extending outwardly from the base portion for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container;
• d) a male engaging member defined on the base portion to project towards the cover portion when the container is closed;
• and
• e) a female engaging member having a receiving portion defined on the cover portion to correspond to the position or the male engaging member when the container is closed for receiving the male engaging member therein and forming a non-permanent engagement between the male and female engaging members when the container is closed.