Tamper-evident tab thermoformed packaging

Abstract

A package having a lid seated on a base where the edge of the seated lid is generally inaccessible due to contours in the base, and where the edge is made accessible by a tamper-evident tab arrangement. The base includes a tamper-evident tab and a fixed tab disposed on a flange extending about the base. The tamper-evident tab is joined to the base on opposite ends by a breakable land and a permanent land. The tamper-evident tab is movable by breaking the tamper-evident tab free from the base on one end by breaking the breakable land and bending the tamper-evident tab out of the way about the permanent land to provide access to the peripheral edge of the lid. The tamper-evident tab may include an extension adjacent to the breakable land and the fixed tab may include an extension adjacent to the tamper-evident tab extension opposite the breakable land.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to packaging and more particularly to tamper-evident thermoformed packaging.[0002]Thermoformed packaging is used in a wide variety of application. The design and construction of thermoformed packaging typically varies from application to application. One common application for thermoformed packaging is food packaging. For example, fruits and vegetables are now commonly sold in containers made from thermoformed parts. Although food packages may vary in design and construction, one type of common food package includes a thermoformed base and a thermoformed lid that can be closed to cooperatively define an article-receiving space. In some applications, the base and lid are formed from a single portion of thermoplastic material and are joined together along a living hinge. In other applications, the base and lid are separately formed.[0003]The base and lid can be secured together using a variety of different options. For exa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a tamper-evident tab that can be easily integrated into various thermoformed packages. The tab is securely attached to the base of the package and can be opened without leaving any waste material. The tab is also designed to provide a high degree of visual discontinuity, making it obvious that the tab has been opened. The invention can be used in both circular and rectangular packages, and the tabs are positioned in a way that allows the package to be stacked on a shelf without interfering with the placement of other packages.

Problems solved by technology

For example, the base and lid can be permanently sealed (e.g. welded) together to make it difficult to open and therefore tamper with the content of the package.

However, permanently sealed packaging has a number of disadvantages.

For example, permanently sealing the package can increase the cost of packaging because it may require the use of relatively expensive sealing equipment (e.g. a welder).

Permanently sealed packages can be difficult to open, thereby providing a source of frustration for consumers.

Tear strips provide some advantages, but they can increase the overall cost of the package, as well as present difficulties during use.

The rail prevents easy access to the edge of the lid and thereby makes it difficult to remove the lid from the base.

Although this configuration has some benefits, the movable portion of the base provides only limited access to the edge of the lid when folded down.

This can make it difficult to grasp the edge of the lid and open the container.

Further, even after opening it can be difficult to recognize that the container has been tampered with.

This is caused in part by the fact that the folded movable portion does not provide the container with sufficient visual discontinuity.

The problem can be compounded when, after the movable portion has been bent down, the hinge attempts to return to its original shape, thereby pulling the movable portion back into closer alignment with the peripheral edge of the lid.

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