Patent · US Active

Tamper evident container with tear-apart parts

US7631776B2 · kind B2 · utility

59Cited by
14References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 5, 2006
Grant dateDec 15, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 27, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65D2543/00842
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A container clearly indicates that it has been opened after a store clerk loads food into the base of the container and closes a covering of the container onto the base. The covering (16) includes a peripheral cover portion (22) that becomes fixed to a peripheral base portion (32) when the clerk initially closes the container. To thereafter open the container, a person forcefully lifts a tab (30) on the covering to tear the covering along a long tear line (26) that separates the peripheral cover portion (22) from a lid (24) formed by a radially inner covering portion. The base (12) is fixed to the peripheral covering portion (22), and together they form a base device (40). After the lid has been torn free of the peripheral covering portion, the lid can be closed and latched to the base device and then can be easily opened again. The container is supplied to the store with an adhesive strip (34) that the clerk activates by shining ultraviolet light (UV) at the adhesive after he/she places the loaded and initially closed container in a UV chamber (86), or mechanical latches with tabs engaging shoulders can be used.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.