Container with hang tab and method of forming the same

Abstract

Disclosed is a product container that includes, inter alia, a cover portion, a base portion, a hinge section and a hang tab. The hinge section joins the cover portion with the base portion and allows the cover portion to articulate between an open position and a closed position. The cover portion and the base portion are adapted and configured to engage about their periphery and form a product storage compartment when the container is closed. The hang tab projects from the base portion of the product container and enables the closed clamshell container to be suspended from a hook in a retail store. The hang tab is integrally formed, at least in part, from material that is scavenged from the hinge section of the container. In certain constructions, the container is tamper-evident / resistant and the hinge section includes a frangible strip for facilitating separation of the cover portion from the base portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The subject invention is directed to containers and packaging, and more particularly, to containers and packaging that include an integrally formed hang tab for use in suspending the container / package for display, and still more particularly to tamper-resistant containers or packages that include an integrally molded hang tab which can be removed when the package is initially opened by the consumer.[0003]2. Background of the Related Art[0004]Disposable containers for packaging, distributing, displaying or otherwise housing consumer items, especially perishable foods, are becoming increasingly important. Historically, perishable products had to be brought to market and sold quickly before exposure to the atmosphere caused the products to lose their freshness.[0005]The advent of plastics resulted in many products being wrapped or packaged in plastic, both in the form of flexible plastic bags and solid plastic containers. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]It is presently envisioned that the cover section includes an outwardly extending flange and the base portion includes an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about its perimeter and configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the cover is in the closed position.

[0021]In a preferred embodiment of the tamper-resistant / evident container, the hinge includes a frangible section, which upon severing facilitates the removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container. Preferably, the frangible section of the hinge is further delimited by a plurality of spaced apart notches associated with the score lines.

[0025]The container further includes a hinge joining the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion with the base portion, the hinge including a frangible section, which upon severing, provides an arm extending outwardly from the base portion for facilitating removal of the cover portion from the base portion to open the container.

[0027]It is envisioned that the container can further include an upwardly projecting bead extending substantially about the perimeter of the base portion configured to render the outwardly extending flange of the cover portion relatively inaccessible when the container is closed.

Problems solved by technology

Historically, perishable products had to be brought to market and sold quickly before exposure to the atmosphere caused the products to lose their freshness.

Typically, plastic containers will include a fairly rigid lid and base, although they may be subject to some amount of flexure.

Such a construction is considered disadvantageous for several reasons.

First, the container assembly is a two-part construction and therefore must be assembled prior to the insertion of the product, thereby increasing packaging costs.

Second, the cumbersome hang tag remains associated with the container even after the sale of the product to a consumer and the initial opening of the package.

Images