TAMPER RESISTANT CONTAINERS WITH TAB LOCKS 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 plurality of panels connected to a base; a tab connected to a first panel of the plurality of panels, wherein the tab includes an adhesive deposited thereon; and a slot formed in a second panel of the plurality of panels, wherein the slot receives the tab and the tab engages the second panel to securely close the container in a tamper-resistant manner.

Visual evidence of tampering may be provided when the tab is separated from the second panel. In some non-limiting implementations, the adhesive is further deposited on the second panel. The adhesive may be a permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive, cohesive, remoistenable adhesive, repositionable adhesive, or combinations thereof. In some implementations, the plurality of panels comprise the first panel; the second panel, wherein the first panel is opposite the second panel; a third panel; and a forth panel, wherein the first panel is adjacent the third and fourth panels, and wherein the second panel is adjacent the third and fourth panels. In various implementations, the first panel comprises a side portion foldably connected to the base; and a top portion foldably connected to the side portion of the first panel, wherein the tab is connected to the top portion, and the second panel comprises a side portion foldably connected to the base; and a top portion foldably connected to the side portion of the second panel, wherein the slot is formed in the top portion. In various implementations, the adhesive is deposited on an exterior surface of the tab, and wherein the adhesive is deposited on an exterior surface of the top portion of the second panel. In some implementations, the adhesive is deposited on the exterior surface of the top portion of the second panel at a location above the slot. In some implementations, the third panel comprises a side portion foldably connected to the base; and a top portion foldably connected to the side portion of the third panel, and the fourth panel comprises a side portion foldably connected to the base; and a top portion foldably connected to the side portion of the fourth panel. In some implementations, the top portions of the first and second panels at least partially cover the top portions of the third and fourth panels when the container is securely closed in the tamper-resistant manner. In some implementations, the disclosed container has a length of 6-8 inches, a width of 5-7 inches, and a height of 2-4 inches. In other implementations, the disclosed container has a length of 3-5 inches, a width of 2-4 inches, and a height of 4-6 inches.

Another implementation of the disclosed technology provides a tamper-resistant container, comprising a plurality of panels connected to a base, wherein the plurality of panels include a first panel having a tab connected thereto; a second panel having a slot formed therein, wherein the tab and the second panel have an adhesive deposited thereon; a third panel; and a fourth panel, wherein the slot receives the tab and the tab engages the second panel to securely close the container in a tamper-resistant manner, and wherein visual evidence of tampering is provided when the tab is separated from the second panel.

In some implementations, the adhesive is a permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive, cohesive, remoistenable adhesive, repositionable adhesive, or combinations thereof. The first panel may be opposite the second panel, and the first panel may be adjacent the third and fourth panels, and the second panel may be adjacent the third and fourth panels. In some implementations, the first panel comprises a side portion foldably connected to the base panel; and a top portion foldably connected to the side portion of the first panel; the second panel comprises a side portion foldably connected to the base panel; and a top portion foldably connected to the side portion of the second panel; the third panel comprises a side portion foldably connected to the base panel; and a top portion foldably connected to the side portion of the third panel; and the fourth panel comprises a side portion foldably connected to the base panel; and a top portion foldably connected to the side portion of the fourth panel. In various implementations, the adhesive is deposited on an exterior surface of the tab, and the adhesive is deposited on an exterior surface of the top portion of the second panel. In various implementations, the adhesive is deposited on the exterior surface of the top portion of the second panel at a location above the slot. In some implementations, the top portions of the first and second panels at least partially cover the top portions of the third and fourth panels when the container is securely closed in the tamper-resistant manner. In various implementations, the container comprises a length of 6-8 inches, a width of 5-7 inches, and a height of 2-4 inches; or a length of 3-5 inches, a width of 2-4 inches, and a height of 4-6 inches.

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 depicts an example implementation of the disclosed tamper-resistant containers in an unfolded, flat configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 1 shown in an open configuration;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 1 shown in a partially closed configuration;

FIG. 4 is a top-down view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 1 shown in a fully closed configuration;

FIG. 6 depicts another example implementation of the disclosed tamper-resistant containers in an unfolded, flat configuration;

FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 6 shown in an open configuration;

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 6 shown in a fully closed configuration.

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 food container or box (which may be paper, cardstock, cardboard, plastic, etc.) having a tab connected to a first panel that engages a slot formed in a second panel. One or more adhesives may be configured for use with the disclosed container to seal the container or box (with food or other consumable items stored therein) in a tamper-resistant manner, such that the container cannot be re-opened without damaging the container, the panels, the tab, or the slot, any of which would provide evidence of tampering to the customer.

FIG. 1 depicts an example implementation of the disclosed tamper-resistant containers in an unfolded, flat configuration; FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 1 shown in an open configuration; FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 1 shown in a partially closed configuration; FIG. 4 is a top-down view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 1 shown in a fully closed configuration.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, tamper-resistant container 50 includes base panel 100, first panel 200a, second panel 200b, third panel 200c, and fourth panel 200d. First panel 200a includes side portion 210a and top portion 220a; second panel 200b includes side portion 210b, top portion 220b, and exterior surface 225b; third panel 200c includes side portion 210c and top portion 220c; and fourth panel 200d includes side portion 210d and top portion 220d. Side portions 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210d are each foldably connected to base panel 100. Top portions 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d are foldably connected to side portions 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210d, respectively. First panel 200a is positioned opposite second panel 200b. Third panel 200c is positioned opposite fourth panel 200d. First panel 200a is positioned adjacent to third and fourth panels 200c, 200d. Second panel 200b is positioned adjacent to third and fourth panels 200c, 200d. Gusset 60 is foldably connected to first panel 200a and fourth panel 200d; gusset 62 is foldably connected to first panel 200a and third panel 200c; gusset 64 is foldably connected to second panel 200b and third panel 200c; and gusset 66 is foldably connected to second panel 200b and fourth panel 200d.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, tab 230a is foldably connected to top portion 220a of first panel 200a. Slot 230b is formed in top portion 220b of second panel 200b and is configured to receive tab 230a. Tab 230a comprises exterior surface 232a that comprises adhesive 300. Adhesive 300 is further deposited on exterior surface 225b of top portion 220b at a predetermined location above slot 230b. Adhesive 300 allows container 50 to be sealed in a fully closed, tamper-resistant configuration simply by inserting tab 230a into slot 230b, joining tab 230a and top portion 220b of second panel 200b, and applying pressure.

In one non-limiting method of forming and/or sealing tamper-resistant container 50, the following steps are performed: (i) folding first, second, third, and fourth panels 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d about base panel 100 such that side portions 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210d are substantially perpendicular to base panel 100; (ii) folding top portions 220c and 220d inward such that top portions 220c and 220d are substantially parallel with base panel 100; (iii) folding top portions 220a and 220b inward to at least partially cover top portions 220c and 220d; and (iv) inserting tab 230a (having adhesive 300 deposited thereon) into slot 230b and pressing together tab 230a and top portion 220b (having adhesive 300 deposited thereon) 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, tab 230a, or slot 230b, any of which would provide evidence of tampering.

FIG. 6 depicts another example implementation of the disclosed tamper-resistant containers in an unfolded, flat configuration; FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 6 shown in an open configuration; FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 7; and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 6 shown in a fully closed configuration.

Now referring to FIGS. 6-9, tamper-resistant container 75 includes base panel 1000, first panel 2000a, second panel 2000b, third panel 2000c, and fourth panel 2000d. First panel 2000a includes side portion 2100a and top portion 2200a; second panel 2000b includes side portion 2100b, top portion 2200b, and exterior surface 2250b; third panel 2000c includes side portion 2100c and top portion 2200c; and fourth panel 2000d includes side portion 2100d and top portion 2200d. Side portions 2100a, 2100b, 2100c, and 2100d are each foldably connected to base panel 1000. Top portions 2200a, 2200b, 2200c, and 2200d are foldably connected to side portions 2100a, 2100b, 2100c, and 2100d, respectively. First panel 2000a is positioned opposite second panel 2000b. Third panel 2000c is positioned opposite fourth panel 2000d. First panel 2000a is positioned adjacent to third and fourth panels 2000c, 2000d. Second panel 2000b is positioned adjacent to third and fourth panels 2000c, 2000d. Gusset 80 is foldably connected to first panel 2000a and fourth panel 2000d; gusset 82 is foldably connected to first panel 2000a and third panel 2000c; gusset 84 is foldably connected to second panel 2000b and third panel 2000c; and gusset 86 is foldably connected to second panel 2000b and fourth panel 2000d.

Still referring to FIGS. 6-9, tab 2300a is foldably connected to top portion 2200a of first panel 2000a. Slot 2300b is formed in top portion 2200b of second panel 2000b and is configured to receive tab 2300a. Tab 2300a comprises exterior surface 2320a that receives adhesive 3000. Adhesive 3000 is further deposited on exterior surface 2250b of top portion 2200b at a predetermined location above slot 2300b. Adhesive 3000 allows container 75 to be sealed in a closed, tamper-resistant configuration simply by inserting tab 2300a into slot 2300b, joining tab 2300a and top portion 2200b of second panel 2000b, and applying pressure.

In one non-limiting method of forming and/or sealing tamper-resistant container 75, the following steps are performed: (i) folding first, second, third, and fourth panels 2000a, 2000b, 2000c, 2000d about base panel 1000 such that side portions 2100a, 2100b, 2100c, and 2100d are substantially perpendicular to base panel 1000; (ii) folding top portions 2200c and 2200d inward such that top portions 2200c and 2200d are substantially parallel with base panel 1000; (iii) folding top portions 2200a and 2200b inward to at least partially cover top portions 2200c and 2200d; and (iv) inserting tab 2300a (having adhesive 3000 deposited thereon) into slot 2300b and pressing together tab 2300a and top portion 2200b (having adhesive 3000 deposited thereon) 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, tab 2300a, or slot 2300b, any of which would provide evidence of tampering.

Tamper-resistant container 75 functions similarly and includes components as tamper-resistant container 50, the difference being that tamper-resistant container 75 includes varying dimensions from that of tamper-resistant container 50. In one non-limiting embodiment, tamper-resistant container 50 has a length between 6-8 inches, preferably about 7¾ inches; a width between 5-7 inches, preferably about 5½ inches; and a height between 2-4 inches, preferably about 2½ inches. In one non-liming embodiment, tamper-resistant container 75 has a length between 3-5 inches, preferably about 3½ inches; a width between 2-4 inches, preferably about 2½ inches; and a height between 4-6 inches, preferably about 4¼ inches.

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 only the tab, only the second panel, or both the tab and the second panel. Likewise, the disclosed adhesive may be deposited on the exterior surface of the tab as described herein such that the tab folds upward to adhere to the second panel, or the adhesive may be deposited on an interior surface of the tab such that the tab folds downward to adhere to the second panel. 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.