TAMPER-EVIDENT CONTAINER WITH MULTI-ACTION BREAKAWAY HINGE

• US 20120181280A1
• Filed: 01/11/2012
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EasyPak LLC
• Original Assignee: EasyPak LLC
• Inventors: Barbier, Marco, Murdoch, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 9,016,503 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/269
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0235 with integral tamper element
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/162 the container, the lid and the hinge being made of one piece B65D43/161 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/024 Closures in which a part has to be ruptured to gain access to the contents B65D41/32, B65D43/0235, B65D55/022, B65D55/06 take precedence

Abstract

A novel and unique container of a general clamshell configuration is provided. The hinge of the container of the present invention is particularly unique in that it not only provides a hinged connection between the lid and the base of the container for ease of use by the contents manufacturer during filling but is also breakable in different ways to provide a tamper-evident function without creating small parts that must be disposed of separately from the lid.

Claims

1. A tamper-evident container, comprising:

a base having a bottom with at least one upstanding side wall with a top peripheral edge defining an open top end;

a lid, having a peripheral edge, hingedly connected to the base and configured to substantially enclose the top open end when positioned proximal to the top peripheral edge;

a hinge member hingedly connecting the lid to the base;

the hinge member including a bottom edge, a top edge and a middle portion;

the bottom edge of the hinge being releasably connected to the base proximal to the top peripheral edge thereof;

the top edge being permanently connected to the peripheral edge of the lid;

the middle portion of the hinge being configured to extend laterally outwardly from the lid and double-backing inwardly toward the lid and then downwardly to releasably connect to the base proximal to the top peripheral edge thereof;

the hinge forming a substantial T-shape configuration;

whereby manipulation of the hinge member results in breaking the hinge away from the base while retaining connection of the hinge to the lid.

2. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of reinforcing member disposed laterally across the middle portion of the hinge.

3. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the hinge is releasably connected to the base via a plurality of nicks at a connection point between the hinge and the base.

4. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the base, lid and hinge are made of plastic.

5. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the top peripheral edge of the base includes an inwardly extending flange;

the peripheral edge of the lid being configured to reside under the flange.

6. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the middle portion of the hinge member includes at least one gripping tread.

7. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein manipulation of the hinge member by squeezing the hinge member from above and below results in breaking the hinge away from the base while retaining connection of the hinge to the lid.

8. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein manipulation of the hinge member by pulling up on the hinge member from below results in breaking the hinge away from the base while retaining connection of the hinge to the lid.

9. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein manipulation of the hinge member by pushing down on the hinge member from above results in breaking the hinge away from the base while retaining connection of the hinge to the lid.

10. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein manipulation of the hinge member by pushing laterally into the hinge member toward the lid results in breaking the hinge away from the base while retaining connection of the hinge to the lid.

11. The tamper-evident container of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge of the hinge being positioned a distance away from the peripheral edge of the base to indicate a tampered condition after the hinge has been manipulated and broken away from the base while retaining connection of the hinge to the lid.

12. The tamper-evidence container of claim 1, wherein a gap is defined between the lid and the top peripheral edge of the base when the bottom edge of the lid is connected to the peripheral edge of the base;

the gap permitting air flow to items residing in the base.

13. The tamper-evident container of claim 12, wherein the middle portion of the hinge prevents liquids from entering the base via the gap.

14. A tamper-evident container, comprising:

a base having a bottom with at least one upstanding side wall with a top peripheral edge defining an open top end;

a lid, having a peripheral edge, hingedly connected to the base and configured to substantially enclose the top open end when positioned proximal to the top peripheral edge;

a hinge member hingedly connecting the lid to the base;

the hinge member including a bottom edge, a top edge and a middle portion;

the bottom edge of the hinge being releasably connected to the base proximal to the top peripheral edge thereof;

the top edge being permanently connected to the peripheral edge of the lid;

the hinge being structurally reinforced;

whereby manipulation of the hinge member results in breaking the hinge away from the base while retaining connection of the hinge to the lid.

15. The tamper-evident container of claim 14, wherein the hinge is of a substantial T-shape configuration.

16. The tamper-evident container of claim 14, wherein manipulation of the hinge member by squeezing the hinge member from above and below results in breaking the hinge away from the base while retaining connection of the hinge to the lid.

17. The tamper-evident container of claim 14, wherein manipulation of the hinge member by pulling up on the hinge member from below results in breaking the hinge away from the base while retaining connection of the hinge to the lid.

18. The tamper-evident container of claim 14, wherein manipulation of the hinge member by pushing down on the hinge member from above results in breaking the hinge away from the base while retaining connection of the hinge to the lid.

19. The tamper-evident container of claim 14, wherein manipulation of the hinge member by pushing laterally into the hinge member toward the lid results in breaking the hinge away from the base while retaining connection of the hinge to the lid.