TAMPER RESISTANT SELF-SEALING CONTAINERS AND METHODS RELATING TO THE SAME

Description

BACKGROUND

The disclosed inventive subject matter relates in general to containers and packages used for food, perishable items, and other items, and more specifically to a tamper-resistant container for use with carry-out, pick-up, and delivery systems and services used for food and other items.

Carry-out, pick-up, and delivery systems and services used for food and other items are commonplace in modern society. However, such systems and services necessarily involve multiple individuals handling, packaging, and in some circumstances delivering, the food or other items. Customers and consumers of such systems and services are often understandably concerned about the integrity of the packaging that the food or other items is stored in prior to pick-up or delivery and about the accuracy and contents of an order. The food packaging may be opened, damaged, or otherwise tampered with prior to delivery or pick-up, resulting in customer concern and/or dissatisfaction. Accordingly, food containers, boxes, and packaging that utilizes or includes tamper-resistant features is highly desirable.

SUMMARY

The following provides a summary of certain example implementations of the disclosed technology. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements of the disclosed technology or to delineate its scope. However, it is to be understood that the use of indefinite articles in the language used to describe and claim the disclosed technology is not intended in any way to limit the described technology. Rather the use of “a” or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”.

One implementation of the disclosed technology provides a container, comprising a bottom portion having a plurality of walls that surround a base panel; a lid; and a first tab formed in one of the plurality of walls, wherein the first tab is configured to engage the lid to securely seal the container in a tamper-resistant manner, and wherein visual evidence of tampering is provided when the first tab is separated from the lid.

In some implementations, a first adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the first tab, and wherein the first adhesive engages the lid to seal the container in the tamper-resistant manner. In some implementations, the first tab includes a first portion foldably connected to a second portion, wherein a first adhesive is deposited on an outer surface of the first portion, and wherein folding the first portion about the second portion positions the first adhesive relative to the lid such that first adhesive engages the lid to seal the container in the tamper-resistant manner. In some implementations, the plurality of walls that surround the base panel include a front wall having the first tab formed therein; a rear wall opposite the front wall, wherein the lid is hingeably attached to the rear wall; a first sidewall; and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall. In some implementations, the container further comprises a second tab formed in the first sidewall; and a third tab formed in the second sidewall. In some non-limiting aspects, a second adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the second tab, and wherein the second adhesive engages the lid to seal the container in the tamper-resistant manner; a third adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the third tab, and wherein the third adhesive engages the lid to seal the container in the tamper-resistant manner; and visual evidence of tampering is provided when the second and third tabs are separated from the lid. In some non-limiting implementations, the second tab includes a first portion foldably connected to a second portion, wherein a second adhesive is deposited on an outer surface of the first portion, and wherein folding the first portion about the second portion positions the second adhesive relative to the lid such that the second adhesive engages the lid to seal the container in the tamper-resistant manner; and the third tab includes a first portion foldably connected to a second portion, wherein a third adhesive is deposited on an outer surface of the first portion, and wherein folding the first portion about the second portion positions the third adhesive relative to the lid such that the third adhesive engages the lid to seal the container in the tamer-resistant manner. In some implementations, the lid includes a first adhesive deposited thereon that is configured to receive the first tab and scal the container in the tamper-resistant manner.

Another implementation of the disclosed technology provides a tamper-resistant container for food, comprising a bottom portion having a plurality of walls that surround a base panel; a lid hingeably connected to the bottom portion; and a first tab formed in one of the plurality of walls, wherein the first tab has a first adhesive deposited thereon, wherein the first adhesive deposited on the first tab engages the lid to securely seal the container in a tamper-resistant manner, and wherein visual evidence of tampering is provided when the first tab is separated from the lid.

In some non-liming embodiments, the first adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the first tab. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first tab includes a first portion foldably connected to a second portion, wherein the first adhesive is deposited on an outer surface of the first portion, and wherein folding the first portion about the second portion positions the first adhesive relative to the lid. In some non-liming embodiments, the plurality of walls that surround the base panel include a front wall having the first tab formed therein; a rear wall opposite the front wall, wherein the lid is hingeably attached to the rear wall; a first sidewall; and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall. In some non-limiting embodiments, the tamper-resistant container further comprises a second tab formed in the first sidewall; and a third tab formed in the second sidewall. In some non-liming embodiments, a second adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the second tab; a third adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the third tab; and visual evidence of tampering is provided when the second and third tabs are separated from the lid. In some non-liming embodiments, the second tab includes a first portion foldably connected to a second portion, wherein a second adhesive is deposited on an outer surface of the first portion, and wherein folding the first portion about the second portion positions the second adhesive relative to the lid; and the third tab includes a first portion foldably connected to a second portion, wherein a third adhesive is deposited on an outer surface of the first portion, and wherein folding the first portion about the second portion positions the third adhesive relative to the lid. In some non-liming embodiments, the lid includes an adhesive deposited thereon that is configured to mate with the first adhesive deposited on the first tab.

Still another implementation of the disclosed technology provides a tamper-resistant container for food, comprising a bottom portion, comprising a first tab formed in a front wall, wherein the first tab has a first adhesive deposited thereon; a second tab formed in a first sidewall, wherein the second tab has a second adhesive deposited thereon; a third tab formed in a second sidewall, wherein the third tab has a third adhesive deposited thereon; and a rear wall opposite the front wall; and a lid hingeably connected to the rear wall of the bottom portion, wherein the first, second, and third adhesives engage the lid to securely seal the container in a tamper-resistant manner, and wherein visual evidence of tampering is provided when the first, second, or third tabs are separated from the lid

In some non-limiting embodiments, the first adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the first tab; the second adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the second tab; and the third adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the third tab. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first tab includes a first portion foldably connected to a second portion, wherein the first adhesive is deposited on an outer surface of the first portion, and wherein folding the first portion about the second portion positions the first adhesive relative to the lid; the second tab includes a first portion foldably connected to a second portion, wherein a second adhesive is deposited on an outer surface of the first portion, and wherein folding the first portion about the second portion positions the second adhesive relative to the lid; and the third tab includes a first portion foldably connected to a second portion, wherein a third adhesive is deposited on an outer surface of the first portion, and wherein folding the first portion about the second portion positions the third adhesive relative to the lid. In some non-limiting embodiments, a first adhesive deposited thereon that is configured to mate with the first adhesive deposited on the first tab; a second adhesive deposited thereon that is configured to mate with the second adhesive deposited on the second tab; and a third adhesive deposited thereon that is configured to mate with the third adhesive deposited on the third tab.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the technology disclosed herein and may be implemented to achieve the benefits as described herein. Additional features and aspects of the disclosed system, devices, and methods will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the example implementations. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further implementations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of what is disclosed herein. Accordingly, the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more example implementations of the disclosed technology and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front, right perspective view of an example implementation of the disclosed tamper-resistant, self-sealing container in an open configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front, right perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-sealing container of FIG. 1 shown in a partially closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a front, right perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-sealing container of FIG. 1 shown in a fully closed and sealed configuration;

FIG. 4 is a rear, left perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front, right perspective view of another example implementation of the disclosed tamper-resistant, self-sealing container in an open configuration;

FIG. 6 is a front, right perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-sealing container of FIG. 5 shown in a partially closed configuration;

FIG. 7 is a rear, left perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-sealing container of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front, right perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-sealing container of FIG. 5 shown in a fully closed and sealed configuration; and

FIG. 9 is a rear, left perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-sealing container of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example implementations are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the disclosed technology. Accordingly, the following implementations are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed subject matter.

The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the apparatuses, devices, systems, and methods described herein. None of the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed below should be taken as required for any specific implementation of any of these the apparatuses, devices, systems or methods unless specifically designated as such. For ease of reading and clarity, certain components, modules, or methods may be described solely in connection with a specific Figure. Any failure to specifically describe a combination or sub-combination of components should not be understood as an indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible. Also, for any methods described, regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed in a different order or in parallel.

Example implementations of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods provide a self-scaling, food container or box (which may be paper, cardstock, cardboard, plastic, etc.) having a lid hingeably connected to a bottom portion. The bottom portion includes one or more tabs having an adhesive deposited thereon in predetermined locations that is configured to engage the lid and seal the container or box (with food or other consumable items stored therein) in a tamper-resistant manner, such that the container or box cannot be re-opened without damaging the container or the tabs, either of which would provide evidence of tampering to the customer. In some implementations, the adhesive is also or alternatively deposited on the lid at predetermined locations that correspond to the one or more tabs. The terms “self-sealing” and “self-adhering” refer to the container or box sticking to itself in a permanent of semi-permanent manner.

FIG. 1 is a front, right perspective view of an example implementation of the disclosed tamper-resistant, self-sealing container in an open configuration; FIG. 2 is a front, right perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-sealing container of FIG. 1 shown in a partially closed configuration; FIG. 3 is a front, right perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-sealing container of FIG. 1 shown in a fully closed and sealed configuration; and FIG. 4 is a rear, left perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 3.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, tamper-resistant container 50 includes lid 100 and bottom portion 200, wherein lid 100 is hingeably and foldably connected to bottom portion 200. Lid 100 is configured to cover bottom portion 200 when container 50 is in a closed configuration. Lid 100 includes top panel 110, front wall 120a, first sidewall 120b, and second sidewall 120c. Front wall 120a, first sidewall 120b, and second sidewall 120c are each foldably connected to top panel 110. Front wall 120a includes inner surface 122a and outer surface 124a; first sidewall 120b includes inner surface 122b and outer surface 124b; and second sidewall 120c includes inner surface 122c and outer surface 124c. Adhesive 150 is deposited on outer surfaces 124a, 124b, and 124c at predetermined locations.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-4, bottom portion 200 includes base panel 210, front wall 220a, first sidewall 220b, second sidewall 220c, and rear wall 220d. Front wall 220a, first sidewall 220b, second sidewall 220c, and rear wall 220d are each foldably connected to base panel 210. Front wall 220a includes outer surface 222a; first sidewall 220b includes outer surface 222b; second sidewall 220c includes outer surface 222c; and rear wall 220d includes outer surface 222d. Rear wall 220d is hingeably and foldably connected to top panel 110 of lid 100.

Tab 300a is a cut-out portion of front wall 220a that remains hingeably and foldably connected to base panel 210; tab 300b is a cut-out portion of first sidewall 220b that remains hingeably and foldably connected to base panel 210; and tab 300c is a cut-out portion of second sidewall 220c that remains hingeably and foldably connected to base panel 210. Tab 300a includes inner surface 310a upon which adhesive 350 is deposited; tab 300b includes inner surface 310b upon which adhesive 350 is deposited; and tab 300c includes inner surface 310c upon which adhesive 350 is deposited. When tamper-resistant container 50 is in its partially closed configuration (i.e. lid 100 is covering base portion 200, as depicted in FIG. 2), adhesive 350 deposited on tabs 300a, 300b, 300c corresponds with adhesive 150 deposited on outer surfaces 124a, 124b, and 124c, respectively. As such, adhesives 150 and 350 allow container 50 to be sealed in a fully closed, tamper-resistant configuration simply by applying pressure between tabs 300a, 300b, 300c and outer surfaces 124a, 124b, and 124c, respectively.

In one non-limiting method of forming and/or scaling tamper-resistant container 50, the following steps are performed: (i) applying adhesive 150 to a predetermined location on outer surface 124a of front wall 120a, on outer surface 124b of first sidewall 120b, and on outer surface 124c of second sidewall 120c; (ii) forming tabs 300a, 300b, 300c in walls 220a, 220b, 220c, respectively; (iii) applying adhesive 350 to a predetermined location on inner surface 310a of tab 300a, on inner surface 310b of tab 300b, and on inner surface 310c of tab 300c; (iv) folding lid 100 to cover bottom portion 200; (v) folding tabs 300a, 300b, 300c about base panel 210 until adhesive 350 on tabs 300a, 300b, 300c contacts adhesive 150 on outer surfaces 124a, 124b, and 124c, respectively; and (vi) pressing together tabs 300a, 300b, 300c and walls 220a, 220b, 220c, respectively, to seal container 50 around food or other consumable items in a tamper-resistant manner, such that container 50 cannot be re-opened without damaging container 50 or tabs 300a, 300b, 300c, any of which would provide evidence of tampering.

FIG. 5 is a front, right perspective view of another example implementation of the disclosed tamper-resistant, self-sealing container in an open configuration; FIG. 6 is a front, right perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-sealing container of FIG. 5 shown in a partially closed configuration; FIG. 7 is a rear, left perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-scaling container of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a front, right perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-scaling container of FIG. 5 shown in a fully closed and sealed configuration; and FIG. 9 is a rear, left perspective view of the tamper-resistant, self-sealing container of FIG. 8.

Now referring to FIGS. 5-9, tamper-resistant container 75 includes lid 1000 and bottom portion 2000, wherein lid 1000 is hingeably and foldably connected to bottom portion 2000. Lid 1000 is configured to cover bottom portion 2000 when container 75 is in a closed configuration. Lid 1000 includes top panel 1100, front wall 1200a, first sidewall 1200b, and second sidewall 1200c. Front wall 1200a, first sidewall 1200b, and second sidewall 1200c are each foldably connected to top panel 1100. Front wall 1200a includes inner surface 1220a and outer surface 1240a; first sidewall 1200b includes inner surface 1220b and outer surface 1240b; and second sidewall 1200c includes inner surface 1220c and outer surface 1240c. Adhesive 1500 is deposited on outer surfaces 1240a, 1240b, and 1240c at predetermined locations.

Still referring to FIGS. 5-9, bottom portion 2000 includes base panel 2100, front wall 2200a, first sidewall 2200b, second sidewall 2200c, and rear wall 2200d. Front wall 2200a, first sidewall 2200b, second sidewall 2200c, and rear wall 2200d are each foldably connected to base panel 2100. Front wall 2200a includes outer surface 2220a; first sidewall 2200b includes outer surface 2220b; second sidewall 2200c includes outer surface 2220c; and rear wall 2200d includes outer surface 2220d. Rear wall 2200d is hingeably and foldably connected to top panel 1100 of lid 1000.

Tab 3000a is a cut-out portion of front wall 2200a that remains hingeably and foldably connected to base panel 2100; tab 3000b is a cut-out portion of first sidewall 2200b that remains hingeably and foldably connected to base panel 2100; and tab 3000c is a cut-out portion of second sidewall 2200c that remains hingeably and foldably connected to base panel 2100. Tab 3000a includes inner surface 3100a, outer surface 3200a, first portion 3300a, and second portion 3400a. First portion 3300a is foldably connected to second portion 3400a, and second portion 3400a is foldably connected to base panel 2100. Tab 3000b includes inner surface 3100b, outer surface 3200b, first portion 3300b, and second portion 3400b. First portion 3300b is foldably connected to second portion 3400b, and second portion 3400b is foldably connected to base panel 2100. Tab 3000c includes inner surface 3100c, outer surface 3200c, first portion 3300c, and second portion 3400c. First portion 3300c is foldably connected to second portion 3400c, and second portion 3400c is foldably connected to base panel 2100.

Still referring to FIGS. 5-9, adhesive 3500 is deposited on: (i) outer surface 3200a of first portion 3300a; (ii) outer surface 3200b of first portion 3300b; and (iii) outer surface 3200c of first portion 3300c. When tamper-resistant container 75 is in its partially closed configured (i.e. lid 1000 is covering base portion 2000, as depicted in FIGS. 6-7): (i) first portion 3300a is folded about second portion 3400a such that adhesive 3500 is positioned relative to adhesive 1500 deposited on outer surfaces 1240a of front wall 1200a; (ii) first portion 3300b is folded about second portion 3400b such that adhesive 3500 is positioned relative to adhesive 1500 deposited on outer surfaces 1240b of front wall first sidewall 1200b; and (iii) first portion 3300c is folded about second portion 3400c such that adhesive 3500 is positioned relative to adhesive 1500 deposited on outer surfaces 1240c of second sidewall 1200c. As such, adhesives 1500 and 3500 allow container 75 to be sealed in a fully closed, tamper-resistant configuration simply by applying pressure between tabs 3000a, 3000b, 3000c and outer surfaces 1240a, 1240b, and 1240c, respectively.

In one non-limiting method of forming and/or sealing tamper-resistant container 75, the following steps are performed: (i) applying adhesive 1500 to a predetermined location on outer surface 1240a of front wall 1200a, on outer surface 1240b of first sidewall 1200b, and on outer surface 1240c of second sidewall 1200c; (ii) forming tabs 3000a, 3000b, 3000c in walls 2200a, 2200b, 2200c, respectively; (iii) applying adhesive 3500 to outer surface 3200a of first portion 3300a, to outer surface 3200b of first portion 3300b, and to outer surface 3200c of first portion 3300c; (iv) folding lid 1000 to cover bottom portion 2000; (v) folding first portion 3300a about second portion 3400a such that adhesive 3500 corresponds with adhesive 1500 deposited on outer surfaces 1240a of front wall 1200a; (vi) folding first portion 3300b about second portion 3400b such that adhesive 3500 corresponds with adhesive 1500 deposited on outer surfaces 1240b of front wall first sidewall 1200b; (vii) folding first portion 3300c about second portion 3400c such that adhesive 3500 corresponds with adhesive 1500 deposited on outer surfaces 1240c of second sidewall 1200c; and (viii) pressing together tabs 3000a, 3000b, 3000c and walls 2200a, 2200b, 2200c, respectively, to seal container 75 around food or other consumable items in a tamper-resistant manner, such that container 75 cannot be re-opened without damaging container 75 or tabs 3000a, 3000b, 3000c, any of which would provide evidence of tampering.

The tabs used with the disclosed tamper-resistant containers may be formed in their respective walls by being cut (e.g. by way of scissors, blades, etc.) or torn by way of perforations. The tabs can have a predetermined geometry that is rectangular, square, circular, triangular, or polygonal.

The disclosed adhesives may include latex or rubber based adhesives or any other glue or adhesive material, including self-sealing materials, suitable for use with the disclosed tamper resistant containers. The disclosed adhesive may be permanent a pressure-sensitive adhesive (e.g., acrylic-based or rubber-based), cohesive (e.g., natural rubber or synthetic rubber), remoistenable adhesive (e.g., polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, or dextrin), or repositionable adhesive (e.g., acrylic microspheres or cross-linked acrylic).

It is to be appreciated that the disclosed adhesive may be deposited on: (i) the inner surface of one or more of the disclosed tabs; (ii) the outer surface of one or more of the disclosed tabs; (iii) one or more of the disclosed walls of the lid; or (iv) combinations thereof. It is further to be appreciated that the adhesives may be deposited in strips or the adhesives may be deposited in a thin layer.

All literature and similar material cited in this application, including, but not limited to, patents, patent applications, articles, books, treatises, and web pages, regardless of the format of such literature and similar materials, are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. Should one or more of the incorporated references and similar materials differs from or contradicts this application, including but not limited to defined terms, term usage, described techniques, or the like, this application controls.

As previously stated and as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” refer to both the singular as well as plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. Although many methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used, particular suitable methods and materials are described herein. Unless context indicates otherwise, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range. Furthermore, references to “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, implementations “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional elements whether or not they have that property.

The terms “substantially” and “about”, if or when used throughout this specification describe and account for small fluctuations, such as due to variations in processing. For example, these terms can refer to less than or equal to ±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to ±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to ±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.05%, and/or 0%.

Underlined and/or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the disclosed subject matter, and are not referred to in connection with the interpretation of the description of the disclosed subject matter. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various implementations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the disclosed subject matter. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.

There may be many alternate ways to implement the disclosed technology. Various functions and elements described herein may be partitioned differently from those shown without departing from the scope of the disclosed technology. Generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations. Different numbers of a given module or unit may be employed, a different type or types of a given module or unit may be employed, a given module or unit may be added, or a given module or unit may be omitted.

Regarding this disclosure, the term “a plurality of” refers to two or more than two. Unless otherwise clearly defined, orientation or positional relations indicated by terms such as “upper” and “lower” are based on the orientation or positional relations as shown in the FIGS., only for facilitating description of the disclosed technology and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the referred devices or elements must be in a particular orientation or constructed or operated in the particular orientation, and therefore they should not be construed as limiting the disclosed technology. The terms “connected”, “mounted”, “fixed”, etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, “connected” may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For an ordinary skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the disclosed technology may be understood according to specific circumstances.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail herein (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the disclosed technology. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the technology disclosed herein. While the disclosed technology has been illustrated by the description of example implementations, and while the example implementations have been described in certain detail, there is no intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the disclosed technology in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.