Tamper evident system and method FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a tamper evident system and method. More precisely, it relates to a tamper evident container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There has been ongoing efforts to develop tamper evident packaging in order to know that a product has not been altered since it left the manufacturer, in a number of fields, including for example, the food industry and the pharmaceutical industry.

[0003] Wilson (WO 200582733) describes a container having a base, a cover and anchoring formations, the base having an opening adapted to be closed by the cover, a first anchoring formation being attached to the cover by means of a frangible connection, the anchoring formations coupling together to the base and the cover in the closed position of the cover on the base, so that opening the container disrupts the frangible connection leaving the anchoring formations coupled together and allowing the base to be at least partially detached from the cover, leaving the disrupted frangible connection as evidence that the container has been opened.

[0004] Parikh et al. (CA 2,679,213) also uses anchoring formations and a frangible connection, and once opened, the container may not be completely closed again.

[0005] Bordner (US 2007/0062949) uses a cover comprising a pull tab having an opening and a rib on the pull tab adapted to detachably engage the container. Upon lifting the cover from the closed container by pulling on the pull tab, the rib is disengaged from the container thereby deforming the pull tab.

[0006] There is still a need in the art for a tamper evident system and method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a container comprising a lid comprising a central portion and a circumferential rim, the rim comprising an aperture at least at one location around a perimeter of the rim; and a body comprising a base and lateral walls extending up from the base and ending up in a rim, the rim comprising a knob at least at one location thereof; wherein, in a closed position of the lid over the body, the knob is received in the aperture and is seen emerging from the aperture, and, upon lifting the lid up from the closed position for the first time, the knob disengages from the aperture, thereby deforming at least one of the aperture and the rim of the lid, the deformed part testifying of a fist opening of the container.

[0008] There is further provided a method of evidencing opening of a container having a body and a lid, comprising providing a lid comprising a central portion and a circumferential rim, and providing an aperture at least at one location of the rim; providing a body of a shape corresponding to the lid, and comprising a base and lateral walls extending up from the base and ending up in a rim, and providing a knob at least at one location of the rim; and positioning the lid over the body so that the knob is received in the aperture and the knob is seen emerging from the aperture, in a closed never opened position of the container; whereby, upon lifting the lid up from the closed position, the knob disengages from the aperture, thereby deforming at least one of the aperture and the rim of the lid.

[0009] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following no n- restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the appended drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a lid for a container according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a body for a container according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 4 is a close up view of a container in a closed position thereof according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

[0015] Figures 5a, 5b and 5c are a close up views of a lid for a container according to embodiments of an aspect of the present invention;

[0016] Figures 6a-6e are close up views of a container in a closed position thereof according to further embodiments of an aspect of the present invention [0017] Figure 7 is a close up view of the container of Figure 1 before assembly of the lid over the body thereof;

[0018] Figure 8 is a close up of the lid of a container after first removal thereof according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figures 9a-9d are a close up views of a lid for a container according to further embodiments of an aspect of the present invention

[0020] Figures 10a-10d show details of a container according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figures 1 1 a-1 1 b show details of main body and lid of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022] Figures 12a- 12b show stacking properties of containers according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present invention is illustrated in further details by the following non-limiting examples.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1 , a container 10 generally comprises a body 12 and a lid 14.

[0025] The container may have a range of shapes, including for example parallelepiped as illustrated herein. It may also be round or have a horseshoe shape or any combinations of shapes.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the lid 14 comprises a central portion 202, a rim 204 and a flange 206 extending downwards from the rim 204. The central portion 202 may have a generally parallelepiped shape. The central portion 202 may also be round or ovoid, depending on the shape of the body 12 of the container 10 as mentioned hereinabove.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the body 12 comprises lateral walls 1 1 extending up from a base. The lateral walls 1 1 comprise an upper flange 22 extending from a rim 24 on at least part of the perimeter of the rim 24.

[0028] Figure 4 shows the lid 14 on the body 12 in a closed position of the container 10. In this closed position of the container 10, the rim 204 of the lid 14 generally comes into a sitting position on the rim 204 of the body 12 of the container 10.

[0029] As best seen in Figures 2 and 7, at least at one location around its perimeter, the flange 206 of the lid 14 comprises an aperture 210 and a portion 208 located below this aperture 210. As exemplified in Figures 5, the aperture 210 may have a range of shapes. In Figure 5a, the aperture 210 is shown with a rib 21 1 located in an horizontal plane for example, while in Figure 5b it is shown with a rib 1 13 in a vertical plane, and in Figure 5c, there is no rib.

[0030] The aperture 210 is adapted to receive a knob 30 , best seen in Figure 3, supported by a lateral wall 1 1 at a corresponding location of the flange 22 of the body 12 when the lid 14 is in position over the body 12 in the closed position of the container 10 (see Figures 4, 6a-6e, 9a-9d). As illustrated in Figures 6, the knob 30 may have a range of shapes.

[0031] When the container 10 is properly closed, i.e. when the lid 14 is properly secured over the body 12, the knob 30 is seen emerging from the aperture 210 (see Figures 4). This evidences proper closure of the container 10.

[0032] Upon removal of the lid 14 by grasping the flange 206 to lift the lid 14 from its position over the body 12 in the closed position of the container 10, the knob 30 forces on the portion 208 of the flange 206 of the lid 14 when the knob 30 disengages itself from the aperture 210 in the flange 206 of the lid 14.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, by providing that this portion 208 is of a reduced thickness relative to the remaining of the flange 206, for example, the knob 30 thus forcing on the portion 208 stretches the material in this portion 208, to the point of breakage of the portion 208 as illustrated in Figure 8 for example, or not. In either case, as the lid 14 is thus removed from the body 12, the damaged portion 208, either deshaped by stretching or even split off. The damaged portion 208 may remain attached to the lid 14 and the state of the portion 208 testifies of the opening of the container 10. Alternatively, the damaged portion 208 may separate from the lid 14.

[0034] It is found that while positioning the lid 14 into a secure position over the body 12, i.e. by engaging the knob 30 into the aperture 210, the forces exerted on the lid 14 are generally uniformly distributed and the portion 208 does not get visibly or irreversibly deformed. In contrast, when a user pulls on the lid 14 to open the container 10, this pulling force causes the portion 208 to deform as it passes the protruding knob 30 of the body 12 and this deformation may even cause the portion 208 to break, as mentioned hereinabove. The portion 208 remains attached to the rim 206 of the lid 14 as shown in Figure 8. The deformation or breaking of the portion 208 allows to easily determine whether the lid 14 has been opened, i.e. whether there has been tampering.

[0035] In the above described embodiment, the stretching or even breaking of the portion 208 may be due to a reduced thickness of this portion 208 compared to the remaining part of the flange 206 of the lid 14. The portion 208 may even be of the same thickness than the remaining part of the flange 206 of the lid 14, in cases of a very thinned walled container for example. Being located at a position where the protruding knob 30 of the body 12 passes upon pulling on the lid 14 to open the container 10, this portion 208 is irreversibly deformed upon removal of the lid 14.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the portion 208 may comprise a weakening line 230, which would similarly be deformed or even broken upon passage of the knob 30.

[0037] In another embodiment, the portion 208 may be a portion of the flange 206 of the lid 14 with a series of accordion-like plies, such as in bellows for example, (see Figure 9a), so that, when the portion 208 passes by the knob 30 upon lifting of the lid 14, the knob 30 unfolds the plies, thereby testifying of tampering.

[0038] In Figure 9b, the portion 208 is shown as a portion of the flange 206 with an inward radius of curvature, Figure 9c shows an S shaped portion 208, and Figure 9d shows a V shaped portion 208.

[0039] The deforming feature of the body 12 is described hereinabove as a knob 30. It may be any protuberance (see for example Figure 6a-6e), or a localized curvature variation, on the flange 22 of the body 12, able to force on a portion of the flange 206 of the lid 14 as this portion passes by it as it emerges from the aperture 210 as the lid 14 is lifted from the body 12.

[0040] In still another embodiment illustrated for example in Figures 10, instead of a portion 208 located below the aperture 210, the aperture 210 may be located on a break tab 214 defined by one or more weakening lines 216, 218. Upon lifting the lid 14, the knob 30 then forces on the aperture 210 to disengage itself therefrom, thereby stretching the material of the flange 206 of the lid about the aperture 210, and even tearing off at least one of the weakening lines. By providing a bridge 220 between the break tab 214 and the body 202 of the lid 14, the break tab 214 remains attached to the lid 14 even when all weakening lines 216, 218 are broken. The weakening lines 214, 216 may be visible to a user, as shown in Figure 10c, or on the inside of the flange 206 as shown on Figure 10d, for a leaner look.

[0041] As people in the art will appreciate, any combinations of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 5-9 for example can be contemplated.

[0042] The present invention provides evidence of a first opening of the container 10, without interfering with its original characteristics, such as sealing properties for example. Thereafter, the container 10 may still be closed and reopened again.

[0043] The body 12 comprises at least one knob 30, and the rim 206 of the lid 14 comprises at least the same number of apertures 210 and portions 208. For ease of handling by the user, the rim 206 of the lid 14 may comprise more apertures 210 and portions 208 than the number of knobs, so that the user does not need to orient the lid 14 when closing the container 10.

[0044] Typically, to open the container 10 closed by the lid 14, a user may pull anywhere on the rim 206 of the lid 14 where there is an access, including on portions 208 themselves, to open the lid 14 and at least one of the portions 208 will be stretched or broken as a result, evidencing opening. Access may be limited by a ridge as shown in 32 for example (see Figure 7).

[0045] As shown in Figure 1 1 a, the body 202 of the lid 14 may be lower than the rim 204 thereof, thereby providing a sealing surface (A) with the upper walls of the body 12. Alternatively, the lid 14 may be a flat lid 14 as shown in Figure 1 1 b, thereby allowing positioning a film seal for example.

[0046] The tampering combination of the present invention does not prevent containers to be stacked together within a minimum volume, as shown in Figures 12a and 12b.

[0047] As people in the art will now be in a position to appreciate, the present invention provides an integrity indicator, increasing manufacturers and consumers confidence in product safety. Moreover, the shape of the present containers allows for optimized shipping and warehousing, while providing an intuitive single motion opening.

[0048] To close the lid on the main body the first time, the lid is aligned, then pressed and snapped all around while releasing air by pressing the center of the lid to burp container. A container closing roller or mobile plate device can be used. If using an automated closing device, a proper lid air removing system may be used as known in the art. Once the lid is properly positioned on top of the container, it may be opened by grasping the side of the lid where there is no handle and pull using the fingers.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of specific embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the nature and teachings of the subject invention as claimed in the appended claims.