METHODS OF MANUFACTURING TAMPER- RESISTANT AND TAMPER EVIDENT CONTAINERS

• US 20140300034A1
• Filed: 06/20/2014
• Published: 10/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inline Plastics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Inline Plastics Corporation
• Inventors: Sellari, Robert, Boback, Peter, Stein, Bruce, Landan, Daniel A., Klimaszewski, Tadeusz J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,527,640 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/322
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 22/003 Containers for packaging, storing or transporting, e.g. bottles, jars, cans, barrels, tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00092 circular
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00101 square-like or rectangular-like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00296 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00351 Dome-like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00509 Cup
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00546 NO contact
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/0062 Groove or hollow bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00685 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00731 Groove or hollow bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00796 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/32 Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0254 only on the inside, or a part turned to the inside, of the mouth of the container B65D43/0239 takes precedence
• 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 43/163 the container and the lid being made separately B65D43/161 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/22 Devices for holding in closed position, e.g. clips
• 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 method of thermoforming a tamper-resistant/tamper-evident container includes forming a cover portion that includes an outwardly extending peripheral flange, forming a base portion including an upper peripheral rim and a skirt depending downwardly therefrom. The upper peripheral rim is configured to communicate with at least a portion of the outwardly extending peripheral flange of the cover portion to hinder access to the container when the container is closed. Forming a hinge joining the cover portion and the base portion such that the vertical height of the hinge correlates with the height of the skirt that depends downwardly from the base portion when the height of the skirt is substantially uniform around the perimeter of the container and forming at least one line of weakness in the hinge, the line of weakness is severed to facilitate removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.

Claims

1. A method of thermoforming a tamper-resistant/tamper-evident container comprising:

forming a cover portion from a portion of a sheet of at least partially transparent plastic material, wherein the cover portion includes an outwardly extending peripheral flange;

forming a base portion from a portion of the sheet including an upper peripheral rim and a skirt depending downwardly therefrom, the upper peripheral rim configured to communicate with at least a portion of the outwardly extending peripheral flange of the cover portion to hinder access to the container when the container is closed;

forming a hinge from a portion of the sheet joining the cover portion and the base portion such that the vertical height of the hinge correlates with the height of the skirt that depends downwardly from the base portion when the height of the skirt is substantially uniform around the perimeter of the container; and

forming at least one line of weakness in the hinge, and wherein the at least one line of weakness is formed in a manner that the line of weakness is severed to facilitate removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cover portion, base portion, hinge and frangible portion are unitarily formed from the sheet of at least partially transparent plastic material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one line of weakness comprises two or more lines of weakness.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming vents in the container to promote airflow therethrough.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the base portion further comprises:

forming an upwardly projecting bead in the upper peripheral rim, the upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the container and configured to substantially surround an edge of the outwardly extending peripheral flange of the cover portion to hinder access to the container when the container is closed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one line of weakness includes a plurality of lines of weakness that form a frangible tear strip in the hinge, and wherein, when the frangible tear strip is severed at least one projection is provided for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.