NZ331282A - Tamper evident container/lid, the container having an inner and outer rim, the outer rim including at least one frangible member - Google Patents

Abstract

A tamper evident lidded container assembly.

Description

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "Tamper Evident Container/Lid Combination" t We, RODERICK FRANCIS GALANTAI, a New Zealand citizen of 41 Sarsfield Street, Heme Bay, Auckland, New Zealand and BRENDA SCOTT MATHER, a New Zealand citizen of Sentry Investments, Private Bag 92105, Auckland, New Zealand, together in trust for the MARJORIE ANN GALANTAI FAMILY TRUST, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: & No: 331282 Date: 6 August 1998 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 3 AUG 1999 RECEIVED The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to tamper evident container/lid combinations.

There are many combinations of container and lid that exist where a container (of any appropriate periphery in plan) is capable of being closed by a lid closure having peripheral regions adapted to engage the peripheral rim or the like of the container.

Examples of such arrangements include, for example, those of New Zealand Registered Design 27736 which discloses a range of tamper evident containers where there is a tamper evident providing downwardly depending skirt of a lid form which is interposed between two upwardly directed rims of the complementary container, the outer rim of which container includes frangible regions capable of being broken away to allow tamper evidence of subsequent lid removal.

Another prior art form, and one that similarly relies on the down-folding of a rim region (continuous or segmented) to enable lid removal is that disclosed in New Zealand Patent Specification No. 209031. In New Zealand 209031 there is disclosed and there was claimed a container (eg; of the bucket or jug type) capable of being reasonably lidded. In that prior art container the plastics container is provided with a mouth edge portion provided with an upper annular grove between an inner mouth flange (or rim) and an outer flange (or rim). The lid itself, preferably also of a plastics material, has a depending edge flange.

The inter-engagement disclosed in New Zealand 209031 is such that the depending edge flange of the lid is received in the upper annular groove so as to engage (eg; in a snap-lock manner) under an annular locking nose portion of the interior side of the outer mouth flange and also so as to engage under a co-operating locking nose portion of the outside of the inner mouth flange where a similar snap-lock or the like engagement takes place.

In that prior art construction the outer mouth flange or rim of the container is designed so as to be outwardly and downwardly foldable into a swung down position to allow lid removal.

In the embodiment of Figure 4 of New Zealand 209031 part of the peripheral outer rim is modified to include a tamper evidencing thin walled leaf member at some or many places around the rim.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative to such tamper evident containers and/or lids.

In a first aspect the present invention consists in a tamper evident lidded container assembly or combination comprising or including (i) a (preferably moulded) container which includes or has an open mouth bounded by spaced inner and outer rims, the inner rim defining an INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 3 AUG 1999 outwardly directed "nose" and said outer rim having an upper extent above that of said inner rim, and (ii) a (preferably moulded) lid capable of closing said open mouth of said container from above, said lid having a periphery complementary to that of the container periphery at and about said mouth with such lid periphery having (i) a downwardly directed flange having an inwardly directed "nose" adapted to snap lock under the outwardly directed nose of said inner rim and (ii) an outwardly directed flange integral with the remainder of the lid from a position above said inwardly directed "nose" of said downwardly directed flange of said lid adapted to be positioned below the inwardly directed nose of said outer rim when said snap lock involving said inner rim is occurring and/or has occurred, wherein, when said lid closes the container, said lid is substantially flush with or underlies the upper extent of said outer rim yet overlies the upper extent of said inner rim, and wherein said outer rim includes at least one frangible feature capable of providing evidence of tampering should the lid be removed from the lid closed container, the closed container requiring one or both (a) rupture of at least part of said at least one frangible feature, and (b) an outward flaring of at least part of said outer rim in order to have allowed lid removal subsequent to closure.

In some forms said outer rim on its inside face may include a "nose". Preferably, if so, said nose of the outer rim is above that of the inner rim.

As defined herein "nose" in each or any instance that so allows may be male (e.g. a ridge, shoulder, etc) or female (e.g. a groove, shoulder, etc) in nature, continuous or intermittent. In the case of the nose/nose engagement of the inner rim preferably said engagement is preferably that of a snap fit of means providing a downwardly directed shoulder of the inner rim on top of means defining an upwardly directed shoulder of the lid. In the case of the outer rim there is optionally a positioning of means providing a downwardly directed shoulder of the outer rim (e.g. ridge, top of groove, etc) over the outer extremity of the lid.

Preferably said lid and inner said rim on closure also snap engage on the outside of said inner rim.

Preferably said lid includes a cross-section adapted on closure to apply with part of the lid a force against the inside of said inner rim.

Preferably said assembly or combination as substtatfi&tyfts^eftiip&aydescribed Office:,of NZ 21 NOV 2000 33128? with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a lid suitable for use with the combination or assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Preferably said lid is substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a lid substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a container suitable for use with an assembly or combination of the present invention.

Preferably said container is substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a container substantially as hereinafter described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

Preferably said lid and/or container can be of any peripheral configuration when viewed in plan, i.e. it is not restricted to the round or annular interengagement described hereinafter by reference to their drawings.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of packing a product which involves the operative use of a container, lid or combination of the present invention in the form of an assembly of the present invention.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a packed consumable rendered secure against unauthorised opening without providing evidence of tampering, such consumable having been enclosed in a container of the present invention by a lid of the present invention to provide an assembly of the present invention.

Preferably the lid is applied to the filled container with a provision of a downward pressure on at least the periphery thereof.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be considered however that the outer complementary peripheries of the container and lid can be of any configuration (much the same as the aforementioned New Zealand Registered Design No. 27736 discloses both complementary lid/container combinations that are round in plan and are square ,n^ectual Property Office of NZ ' 8 NOV 2000 RECEIVED or rectangular in plan with optionally rounded corners). Indeed round, elliptical, oval, hexagonal, triangular, square, rectangular or other forms in plan are contemplated as still being within the scope of the present invention.

The detailed description however will be confined to the most simple of forms, i.e. that where there is an annular peripheral engagement.

In the enclosed drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a lidded container assembly in accordance with the present invention viewing a frangible feature of the outer rim (there preferably being only one such frangible feature in the preferred form albeit with a number of spaced frangible lines), Figure 2 is a plan view of the assembly of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a cross-section in the direction AA (see Figure 2) of the assembly of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a sectional view shown in enlarged form for the feature designated B in the Figure 3, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 from below, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 from above, Figure 7 is a similar view to that of Figure 5 but showing the lid exploded from the container, Figure 8 is a similar view to that of Figure 6 but showing (as with Figure 7) the lid exploded from the container as would be the case prior to the first closure of the container with the lid, Figure 9 is a simplified section similar to that of Figure 4 but showing the lid prior to its first association with the container and showing how the downwardly directed flange of the lid, which underlies the outwardly directed flange, can be used for alignment purposes, Figure 10 shows a similar view to that of Figure 9 but with the lid partially guided to its snap lock condition as shown in Figure 4, Figure 11 is the next stage of engagement where the snap lock of the downwardly directed flange and its nose (preferably a male feature) underlies the outwardly directed nose (preferably a male feature) of the inner rim and at the same time the outer periphery of the outwardly directed flange has positioned itself under an inwardly directed (preferably male) nose of the outer rim, the lid being shown overlying the inner rim yet being substantially flush with or below the upper extremity of the outer rim, Figure 12 shows the frangible feature depicted in Figure 1 which is a frangibly detachable or downwardly hingable part of the outer rim having been pulled free of the outwardly directed flange of the lid thereby enabling removal of the lid easily by an INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 3 AUG 1999 upward application of pressure under the outwardly directed flange and which allows the peel removal of the lid (preferably with some outward resilient flaring of the outer rim of the container elsewhere), Figure 13 shows in a manner similar to Figure 8 a square plan version of the combination, and Figure 14 to 16, each a cross-section of the simplified style of Figure 11, shows three further embodiments of the present invention each without the optional nose of the outer rim but in each case nevertheless rendering lid removal difficult without rupture of the frangible feature and in each case the outwardly directed flange (with optional further extension e.g. downwardly) bearing against the outer rim above the nose of the inner rim.

In the preferred form of the present invention the container is preferably injection moulded. Preferably also the lid is injection moulded.

Suitable materials for the container are plastic polymers preferably such polymers are selected from but are not limited from polypropylene and HDPE. It is desirable that the container material have good memory or hysteresis characteristics consistent with the frangibility required for tamper evidence.

Preferably the lid likewise preferably as formed from plastic polymers such as but not limited to high impact styrene, nylon, polyamides, ABS.

It is preferable however that the lid be provided with more rigidity than the outer rim of the container. However any suitable combination of materials that serve the end purpose and provide the tamper evidence previously referred to may be used.

Whilst reference is being made herein to the items being moulded, preferably each of the container and lid is formed from a single material but obviously blends of material are within the scope of the present invention as also may be fabricated modifications to a moulded or otherwise formed structure to confer some lining and/or structural advantage, e.g. resilience, etc.

Figures 1 through 12 show a preferred container where the container 1 has a mouth 2 capable of being closed by the lid 3.

Preferably the container 1 is such that it will confer some degree of self nestability with like containers prior to their use. Similarly, preferably the lids are such as to provide some measure of self nestability with like lids. Preferably also the base of the container 1 is such as to confer some indexing for stacking purposes on a fitted lid of an assembly as depicted (e.g. inwardly of the sealing periphery).

As can be seen best by reference to Figures 9 through 12 the container 1 has a wall preferably extending upwardly to an inner rim 4 having an outwardly directed nose 5. Extending preferably integrally outwardly from (but it could be fabricated) is INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Ul-HUt OF N.Z. - 3 AUG 1999 the outer rim 6 with its preferred inwardly directed male type nose 7. In some forms however the appropriate engagement can occur with a provision of a female annulus into which the distal region 8 of the lid 3 engages.

As can be seen the lid itself preferably includes a central region 9 that at the peripheral region dips at a frustoconical or like region 10 and then rises with a region 11 which is to lie inwardly once fitted of the inner rim 4 whilst the portion 12 overlies the upper extremity of the inner rim 4.

As shown by the progression of closure movements in Figures 9 through 12, the downwardly directed flange 13 with its inwardly directed nose 14 is adapted to snap fit over the nose 5 of the inner rim 4 whilst taking downward guidance from the inner rim 4.

Extending outwardly from the lid is the outer flange 15 with the outer extremity thereof being adapted to engage under the nose 7 of the outer rim 6.

Directed upwardly of the outwardly directed flange 15 is a region 16 which in the arrangement as shown in Figure 11 not only rigidifies the outwardly directed flange but renders insertion of a removal tool or other means between the outer rim 6 and the lid difficult without rupture of the flangible feature.

The preferred flangible feature is the feature 17 shown in Figure 1. Obviously multiples of such features can be provided about the outer flange or all of the outer flange can be of such features.

As shown however there are frangible lines 18 provided and possibly also a weakening at, for example, 19 to facilitate the downward hinging or rupture of the product from the remainder of the wall 1. ^ =_= - J In use therefore it can be seen that the closure provides for a location of the lid at its outwardly extremities inwardly of a tamper evident security rim which preferably applies an inward pressure on the peripheral regions of the lid to ensure the integrity of the snap lock and thus the seal of the lid with the inner rim.

As depicted it can be seen that any load on the region 20 of the lid 3 will have the effect of providing an outward pressure on the assembly of a favourable (rather than an unfavourable) kind, i.e., favourable in that it maintains the seal by virtue of the contact of the lid on the inner surface of the inner rim 4, over the upper extremity of the inner rim 4 and at the mated nose regions outwardly of the inner rim. Of course there is an inward reaction to any such forces from the association of the outwardly directed flange 15 with the outer rim 6.

Whilst lid fitment venting features are optional they are unnecessary as the full fluid movement preventing seal(s) occur only as the lid is pressed home.

Figures 14 to 16 provide still further options, that of Figure 14 being the most INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 3 AUG 1999 desired.

Unlike the disclosures of aforementioned New Zealand Patent Specification No. it can be seen that there can be a requisite seal provided with the combination and assembly of the present invention independently of the association of the outwardly directed flange 15 with the outer rim 6. This is not the case with the construction of NZ209031 which requires, for the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3 and 5 thereof, the presence of the outer rim to maintain the integrity of any seal that may result. The present invention provides for at least one and preferably multiple sealing contacts involving the inner rim independently of any seal aspect that might be provided by the outer rim. Moreover unlike the embodiment of Figure 4 of NZ209031, the present invention requires the engagement of the lid with the outer rim to be by an outwardly directed flange above the snap lock feature of the inner rim.

The embodiments of the present invention preferably have at least one vertical rim (preferably both or the outer rim) to provide a rigidity advantage over the aforementioned prior art forms.

The present invention, in any of its embodiments, renders lid removal easier than with the prior art options mentioned once a decision to open the container in a tamper evident manner is made.

It is believed that significant functional advantages arise from the designs inherent in the present invention over the aforementioned combinations of New Zealand Patent Specification referred to and the New Zealand Registered Design referred to. 2-^7? ?4 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 3 AUG 1999

Claims (16)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A tamper evident lidded container assembly (hereafter "apparatus") comprising or including (i) a container which includes or has an open mouth bounded by spaced inner and outer rims, the inner rim defining an outwardly directed "nose" and said outer rim having an upper extent above that of said inner rim, and (ii) a lid capable of closing said open mouth of said container from above, said lid having a periphery complementary to that of the container periphery at and about said mouth with such lid periphery having (i) a downwardly directed flange having an inwardly directed "nose" adapted to snap lock under the outwardly directed nose of said inner rim and (ii) an outwardly directed flange integral with the remainder of the lid from a position above said inwardly directed "nose" of said downwardly directed flange of said lid adapted to be positioned below an inwardly directed nose of said outer rim when said snap lock involving said inner rim is occurring and/or has occurred, wherein, when said lid closes the container, said lid is substantially flush with or underlies the upper extent of said outer rim yet overlies the upper extent of said inner rim, and wherein said outer rim includes at least one frangible feature capable of providing evidence of tampering should the lid be removed from the lid closed container, the closed container requiring one or both (a) rupture of at least part of said at least one frangible feature, and (b) an outward flaring of at least part of said outer rim in order to have allowed lid removal subsequent to closure.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein both or one of said container and/or lid are moulded.

3. Apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein said outer rim, on its inside face, includes a "nose".

4. Apparatus of claim 3 wherein said nose of the outer rim is above that of the inner rim.

5. Apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the nose/nose engagement of the inner rim is that of a snap fit of means providing a downwardly directed shoulder of the inner rim on top of means defining an upwardly directed shoulder of the lid.

6. Apparatus of claim 3 or 4 wherein the nose to nose engagement of the outer rim involves a positioning of means providing a downwardly directed shoulder of the outer rim (e.g. ridge, top of groove, etc) over the outer extremity of the lid. Intellectual Property Office, of NZ 21 NOV 2000 *31282

7. Apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein said )n 33 closure also snap engage on the outside of said inner rim.

8. Apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein said lid includes a cross-section adapted on closure to apply with part of the lid a force against the inside of said inner rim.

9. An assembly or combination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

10. A lid suitable for use with the combination or assembly in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

11. A lid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A container suitable for use with an assembly or combination of any one of claims

13. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A lid and/or container as claimed in any of claims 10 to 14 where both or either can be of any peripheral configuration when viewed in plan, i.e. it is not restricted to the round or annular interengagement described hereinbefore by reference to their drawings.

15. A method of packing a product which involves the operative use of a container, lid or combination of any one of claims 1 to 10 in the form of an assembly.

16. A packed consumable rendered secure against unauthorised opening without providing evidence of tampering, such consumable having been enclosed in a container of claim 13 by a lid of claim 11 to provide an assembly, the lid having been applied to the filled container with a provision of a downward pressure on at least the periphery thereof. 1 to 10. » c?kxX^ Intellectual Propertv Office of NZ - 8 NOV 2000 H:\library\patents\djj\specs\386784 RECEIVED