Tamper-Resistant Storage Container

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a tamper-resistant storage container. The storage container includes a container and lid portion having formed channels and surfaces along their perimeters configured to interlock securely to each other to attach the lid to the container. The lid includes at least one open area spanned by a breakaway stringer defining an area of weakness along a perimeter of the lid such that removing or attempting to remove the lid from the container breaks the stringer to provide a visible indication that the container has been opened or tampered with.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates generally to storage containers, and more particularly to sealable storage containers having a tamper-resistant feature to indicate if the container has been opened since its original sealing.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART[0004]Storage containers are commonly used for the storage and distribution of numerous products, including food products. For example, grocery stores offer various pre-packaged food in storage containers having a receptacle portion covered by a lid that fits over the open top of the receptacle. Grocery stores and other food merchants also offer freshly prepared and ready to eat foods, placing those foods into storage containers for transport by the consumer. Merchants and consumers are concerned with the safety of their food products, particularly in the case of fo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention is directed to a tamper-resistant storage container comprising a container having an open top for receiving and storing contents, with a lid configured to mate securely with the container to seal the contents therein. The lid includes formed channels extending around its outer perimeter, those channels and surfaces conform to and mate with similarly shaped channels and surfaces formed on the upper perimeter of the container. The engagement between the channels and surfaces on the lid and container provide a seal between the two. In addition, a protruding lip on the upper perimeter of the container overlaps a setback portion of the lid to provide an interference fit so that removal of the lid is very difficult without severely deforming the container and / or lid.

[0008]The lid includes one or more tamper-resistant features, including open areas positioned along the perimeter, the open areas spanned by a relatively narrow stringer to provide one or more areas of weakness around the lid's perimeter. The stringers allow a portion of the lid to be broken away to relieve the interference fit between the lid and container at that area, thus allowing easy removal of the lid, with the broken stringers providing a visual indication that the lid has been removed since the original sealing of the container. Because the lid fits so tightly to the container the force of removing or attempting to remove the lid from the container breaks the stringer to provide a visual indication that the container has been opened or potentially tampered with since its original sealing.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, a protruding lip on the upper perimeter of the container overlaps a setback portion of the lid to provide an interference fit so that removal of the lid is very difficult without severely deforming the container and / or lid.

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