TAMPER RESISTANT 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 closed bottom portion; a closeable upper portion; and a plurality of adjacent tabs foldably connected to a first panel in an upper area thereof, wherein each of the tabs includes an adhesive deposited thereon, wherein each of the tabs is folded until the adhesive deposited thereon contacts a second panel of the container, thereby sealing the closeable upper portion.

In some implementations, the plurality of tabs are configured to provide visual evidence of tampering if any of the tabs are separated from the second panel. In some implementations, the container further comprises a first handle member attached to the first panel; and a second handle member attached to the second panel, wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to avoid contacting the first and second handle members when each of the tabs is folded. In one implementation, each of the tabs is folded in an upward direction until the adhesive deposited thereon contacts the second panel. A second adhesive may be deposited on an inner surface of the second panel that corresponds to the adhesive deposited on each of the tabs. The adhesive deposited on each of the tabs and the second adhesive may be deposited in strips. The adhesive deposited on each of the tabs and the second adhesive may be cold seal adhesives, permanent pressure-sensitive adhesives, cohesives, remoistenable adhesives, repositionable adhesives, or combinations thereof. In another implementation, each of the tabs is folded in a downward direction until the adhesive deposited thereon contacts the second panel. A second adhesive may be deposited on an outer surface of the second panel that corresponds to the adhesive deposited on each of the tabs. The adhesive deposited on each of the tabs and the second adhesive may be deposited in strips. The adhesive deposited on each of the tabs and the second adhesive may be cold seal adhesives, permanent pressure-sensitive adhesives, cohesives, remoistenable adhesives, repositionable adhesives, or combinations thereof. In one or more implementations, the container is a paper or plastic bag.

Another implementation of the disclosed technology provides a tamper-resistant container, comprising a closed bottom portion; a closeable upper portion; and a first panel having a plurality of adjacent tabs foldably connected thereto in an upper area of the first panel, wherein each of the tabs includes an adhesive deposited thereon, wherein each of the tabs is folded in an upward direction or a downward direction until the adhesive contacts a second panel of the container to seal the closeable upper portion, and wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to provide visual evidence of tampering if any of the tabs are separated from the second panel.

In some implementations, the tamper-resistant container further comprises a first handle member attached to the first panel; and a second handle member attached to the second panel, wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to avoid contacting the first and second handle members when each of the tabs is folded in the upward direction or the downward direction. In some implementations, when each of the tabs are folded in the upward direction, a second adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the second panel that corresponds to the adhesive deposited on each of the tabs; or when each of the tabs are folded in the downward direction, a second adhesive is deposited on an outer surface of the second panel that corresponds to the adhesive deposited on each of the tabs. In some implementations, the adhesive deposited on each of the tabs and the second adhesive are deposited in strips. In some implementations, the adhesive deposited on each of the tabs and the second adhesive are cold seal adhesives, permanent pressure-sensitive adhesives, cohesives, remoistenable adhesives, repositionable adhesives, or combinations thereof. In one or more implementations, the tamper-resistant container is a paper or plastic bag.

Still another implementation of the disclosed technology provides a tamper-resistant container for food, comprising a closed bottom portion; a closeable upper portion; a plurality of adjacent tabs foldably connected to a first panel in an upper area thereof, wherein each of the tabs includes an adhesive deposited thereon; and a second adhesive deposited on a second panel of the container, wherein each of the tabs is folded in an upward direction or a downward direction until the adhesive deposited on each of the tabs contacts the second adhesive deposited on the second panel, thereby sealing the closeable upper portion, and wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to provide visual evidence of tampering if any of the tabs are separated from the second panel.

In some implementations, when each of the tabs are folded in the upward direction, the second adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the second panel; or when each of the tabs are folded in the downward direction, the second adhesive is deposited on an outer surface of the second panel.

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 container shown in a flat configuration;

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

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A-4D depict exemplary, non-limiting steps for sealing the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 4A illustrates folding a first tab in an upward direction to contact a strip of adhesive, wherein FIG. 4B illustrates folding a second tab in the upward direction to contact the strip of adhesive, wherein FIG. 4C illustrates folding a third tab in the upward direction to contact the strip of adhesive, and wherein FIG. 4D depicts the tamper-resistant container in a fully sealed, tamper-resistant configuration;

FIG. 5 depicts another example implementation of the disclosed tamper-resistant container shown in a flat configuration;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 5 shown in an upright and unsealed configuration;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 8A-8D depict exemplary, non-limiting steps for sealing the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 6, wherein FIG. 8A illustrates folding a first tab in a downward direction to contact a strip of adhesive, wherein FIG. 8B illustrates folding a second tab in the downward direction to contact the strip of adhesive, wherein FIG. 8C illustrates folding a third tab in the downward direction to contact the strip of adhesive, and wherein FIG. 8D depicts the tamper-resistant container in a fully sealed, tamper-resistant 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 bag (which may be paper, cardstock, cardboard, plastic, etc.) having a plurality of tabs, each with an adhesive deposited thereon, that are connected to a first panel and that fold in an upward or downward direction until the adhesive deposited on each of the tabs contacts a second panel, thereby sealing an upper portion of the container. In some implementations, an adhesive is deposited on each of the tabs, on only the second panel, or on both the tabs and the second panel. In some implementations, the plurality of tabs are connected to and/or formed into the first panel as such to avoid contacting first and second handle members when each of the tabs is folded in either the upward or downward direction. One or more adhesives deposited on the tabs and/or the second panel may be configured for use with the disclosed container to seal the container or bag (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, or the tabs, any of which would provide visual evidence of tampering to the customer.

FIG. 1 depicts an example implementation of the disclosed tamper-resistant container shown in a flat configuration; FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 1 shown in an upright and unsealed configuration; FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 2; FIGS. 4A-4D depict exemplary, non-limiting steps for sealing the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 4A illustrates folding a first tab in an upward direction to contact a strip of adhesive, wherein FIG. 4B illustrates folding a second tab in the upward direction to contact the strip of adhesive, wherein FIG. 4C illustrates folding a third tab in the upward direction to contact the strip of adhesive, and wherein FIG. 4D depicts the tamper-resistant container in a fully sealed, tamper-resistant configuration.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3 and 4A-4D, tamper-resistant container 50 comprises closed bottom portion 110, middle portion 120 that accommodates various items for storage, and closeable upper portion 130. Tamper-resistant container 50 further comprises front panel 200, rear panel 300, first side panel 400a, and second side panel 400b. First handle member 500a is coupled to front panel 200, and second handle member 500b is coupled to rear panel 300.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 4A-4D, front panel 200 includes inner surface 202, outer surface 204, and upper area 206. First, second, and third tabs 210a, 210b, 210c are foldably connected to front panel 200 in upper area 206. First tab 210a includes strip of adhesive 212a deposited thereon; second tab 210b includes strip of adhesive 212b deposited thereon; and third tab 210c includes strip of adhesive 212c deposited thereon.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 4A-4D, rear panel 300 includes inner surface 302, outer surface 304, and upper area 306. Strip of adhesive 308 is deposited on inner surface 302 along upper area 306. Strip of adhesive 308 is deposited on inner surface 302 at a predetermined location that corresponds to adhesives 212a, 212b, 212c deposited on tabs 210a, 210b, 210c, respectively. Strips of adhesive 308 and 212a, 212b, 212c allow container 50 to be sealed in a fully closed, tamper-resistant configuration simply by folding each of tabs 210a, 210b, 210c in an upward direction, joining adhesives 212a, 212b, 212c with adhesive 308, and applying pressure.

In one non-limiting method of forming and/or sealing tamper-resistant container 50, the following non-limiting steps are performed: (i) forming first, second, and third tabs 210a, 210b, 210c in upper area 206 of front panel 200; (ii) depositing strips of adhesive 212a, 212b, 212c on tabs 210a, 210b, 210c, respectively; (iii) depositing strip of adhesive 308 on inner surface 302 of rear panel 300; (iv) folding first tab 210a in an upward direction until adhesive 212a contacts adhesive 308, and applying pressure; (v) folding second tab 210b in the upward direction until adhesive 212b contacts adhesive 308, and applying pressure; and (vi) folding third tab 210c in the upward direction until adhesive 212c contacts adhesive 308, and applying pressure. The disclosed non-limiting steps 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, tabs 210a, 210b, 210c, or panels 200, 300, any of which would provide evidence of tampering.

FIG. 5 depicts another example implementation of the disclosed tamper-resistant container shown in a flat configuration; FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 5 shown in an upright and unsealed configuration; FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 6; and FIGS. 8A-8D depict exemplary, non-limiting steps for sealing the tamper-resistant container of FIG. 6, wherein FIG. 8A illustrates folding a first tab in a downward direction to contact a strip of adhesive, wherein FIG. 8B illustrates folding a second tab in the downward direction to contact the strip of adhesive, wherein FIG. 8C illustrates folding a third tab in the downward direction to contact the strip of adhesive, and wherein FIG. 8D depicts the tamper-resistant container in a fully sealed, tamper-resistant configuration.

With reference to FIGS. 5-7 and 8A-8D, tamper-resistant container 75 comprises closed bottom portion 1100, middle portion 1200 that accommodates various items for storage, and closeable upper portion 1300. Tamper-resistant container 75 further comprises front panel 2000, rear panel 3000, first side panel 4000a, and second side panel 4000b. First handle member 5000a is coupled to front panel 2000, and second handle member 5000b is coupled to rear panel 3000.

Still referring to FIGS. 5-7 and 8A-8D, front panel 2000 includes inner surface 2020, outer surface 2040, and upper area 2060. Strip of adhesive 2080 is deposited on outer surface 2040 along upper area 2060. Rear panel 3000 includes inner surface 3020, outer surface 3040, and upper area 3060. First, second, and third tabs 3100a, 3100b, 3100c are foldably connected to rear panel 300 in upper area 3060. First tab 3100a includes strip of adhesive 3200a deposited thereon; second tab 3100b includes strip of adhesive 3200b deposited thereon; and third tab 3100c includes strip of adhesive 3200c deposited thereon. Strips of adhesive 2080 and 3200a, 3200b, 3200c allow container 75 to be sealed in a fully closed, tamper-resistant configuration simply by folding each of tabs 3100a, 3100b, 3100c in a downward direction, joining adhesives 3200a, 3200b, 3200c with adhesive 2080, and applying pressure.

In one non-limiting method of forming and/or sealing tamper-resistant container 75, the following non-limiting steps are performed: (i) forming first, second, and third tabs 3100a, 3100b, 3100c in upper area 3060 of rear panel 3000; (ii) depositing strips of adhesive 3200a, 3200b, 3200c on tabs 3100a, 3100b, 3100c, respectively; (iii) depositing strip of adhesive 2080 on outer surface 2040 of front panel 2000; (iv) folding first tab 3100a in a downward direction until adhesive 3200a contacts adhesive 2080, and applying pressure; (v) folding second tab 3100b in the downward direction until adhesive 3200b contacts adhesive 2080, and applying pressure; and (vi) folding third tab 3100c in the downward direction until adhesive 3200c contacts adhesive 2080, and applying pressure. The disclosed non-limiting steps 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, tabs 3100a, 3100b, 3100c, or panels 2000, 3000, any of which would provide evidence of tampering.

The tabs used with the disclosed tamper-resistant containers may be formed in their respective panels 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 adhesives may be a cold seal adhesive, a permanent 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 adhesives may be deposited on only the tabs, one or more of the panels, or both the tabs and the panels. It is further to be appreciated that the adhesives may be deposited in one or more 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.