Tamper-evident container lock

Abstract

A locking mechanism for a container having a lid pivotally attached to a base includes a flap, the flap having a first end pivotally attached to the lid at a periphery of the lid. The flap has a tab projecting laterally from a second end of the flap. A weakened portion of the lid is defined by a perforation terminating around the first end of the flap. A slot is formed through the upwardly projecting peripheral wall of the container base. Thus, when the container lid is moved toward the closed position and the tab is in the folded position, the flap and tab are inserted through the slot in the peripheral wall of the base. Later, when the tab passes through the slot, a resilient material biases the tab to an extended position, locking the container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a corrugated and foldable container, and more specifically, to a tamper-evident lock for such a container.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 053,216, filed Jul. 17, 2020, and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 379,023, filed Jul. 19, 2021, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0003] Food delivery is widespread globally not only in the United States but also in industrially advanced countries. However, the convenience of having pizza or other meals delivered to one's home or office is offset by the risk of entrusting the delivery to a delivery person and thereby losing the chain of protection and control. Currently, there is no easy way for a consumer to determine whether their food has been tasted, nibbled, or touched by the delivery person. This is true regardless of whether the delivery person is an employee of the food provider. The emergence of third-party delivery services such as Uber Eats® and Grubhub® has further increased the need to seal food containers with tamper-evident methods so that consumers can easily determine whether their food has been tampered with (fraudulently altered).

[0004] Simply sealing food containers with adhesive tape or stickers is ineffective. This is because hot containers, especially those containing hot food that generates steam, often allow the tape's adhesive to easily peel off. Furthermore, there is no way to ensure the tape adheres properly to the container other than manually opening it and continuously pressing the tape against the container to check that the adhesive has properly set. This means that the tape may be applied incorrectly or poorly by restaurant staff, which is time-consuming.

[0005] Wrapping food containers in bags and stapling them shut is a quick solution for delivery drivers who have a spare stapler in their vehicle. Heat sealing bags takes time, requires heat-sealable bags, and necessitates sealing equipment at the restaurant. All of these make it a costly option. [Overview of the project]

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for pizza boxes and other food containers that can be quickly locked in a manner that prevents tampering. Such a needed invention would allow the user to seal the container by simply folding a locking element, formed in the lid of the container, through a slot on the front or side of the container. This would require breaking or tearing in a clearly defined manner to open the container. Such a needed invention would be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, intuitive to use, and provide visual confirmation of whether the container is locked, has never been locked, or has been opened after being locked. Furthermore, such a needed invention would deter any part of the container from separating from the container. This invention achieves these objectives.

[0007] This device is a locking structure for a container having a lid with at least one rim. The lid is attached to a base. The base includes at least one upwardly projecting periphery wall having an outer surface and an inner surface. The container is a pizza box, corrugated box, or other container made of an elastic material such as cardboard.

[0008] The flap is attached to the lid at its first end and pivotally at at least one periphery of the lid. The flap has a tab projecting laterally from its second end. The tab is movable between an extended position and a folded position. The vulnerable portion of the lid is defined by a perforation that terminates around the first end of the flap.

[0009] The slot is formed through at least one upwardly projecting peripheral wall of the container. Preferably, the lid is attached to the base at its rear periphery, and the flap, tab, and fragile portion are formed at the front periphery of the lid. Thus, the slot is formed in the forwardly upward projecting peripheral wall and corresponds to the position of the tab into which the tab is inserted.

[0010] Thus, during use, the container lid moves toward the closed position, the tab is folded, and the flap and tab are inserted through the slot from the outer surface to the inner surface of the peripheral wall. Later, when the tab exits the slot, the elastic material biases the tab toward the expanded position. The width of the flap and tab is greater than the width of the slot to prevent subsequent removal of the flap and tab from the slot; the container lid can be opened if the fragile portion of the lid is separated from the lid by perforation; and the fragile portion, flap, and tab are captured by the slot when the lid is opened.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least one upwardly projecting wall is a folded peripheral wall having an outer section, an upper end section, and an inner section. In such embodiments, an opening is formed through the inner section, allowing the tab to expand through it as it passes through a slot formed through the outer section. Thus, the tab catches in the inner section of the folded peripheral wall, preventing the flap and tab from being pulled back out of the slot.

[0012] Similarly, other embodiments further having a folded peripheral wall and an opening include a slot formed in the upper end section, which prevents the flap and tab from being pulled out of the slot, as the tab, after being inserted through the slot, then catches again in the inner section of the folded peripheral wall.

[0013] In some embodiments, the container may include two or more locking structures. That is, a first locking structure, indicated in a locked position to lock the lid of the box in a closed position, and an additional (second) locking structure, indicated hidden inside the box for future use. For example, in the case of food delivery with the first locking structure locked, such a second locking structure would be useful if the container is opened and some of the food is eaten. That is, the second locking structure can be engaged in a slot to relock the box, preventing a cohabitant or others from accessing the remaining food in the box without leaving evidence. This evidence would include the vulnerable part of the second locking structure from being removed.

[0014] The present invention relates to a pizza box or other food container that can be quickly locked in a manner that prevents tampering. This configuration allows the user to seal the container by simply folding a locking element, formed in the lid of the container, through a slot on the front or side of the container. This requires breaking or tearing in a clearly defined manner to open the container. This configuration can be manufactured relatively inexpensively, is intuitive to use, and provides visual confirmation of whether the container is locked, has never been locked, or has been opened after being locked. Furthermore, this configuration deters any part of the container from separating from the container, reducing the possibility of choking hazards from accidentally dropping pizza or other food. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description in combination with the accompanying drawings illustrating the principles of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a container with the lid in the open position. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the embodiment, showing a person folding the tabs of the flap inward so that they can be inserted into the slots on the front wall of the base of the container. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment showing the flap and tab fully inserted into the slot to lock the container in the closed position. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the embodiment, showing the vulnerable portion after a perforation has opened and separated from the container lid, allowing the lid to be opened and leaving evidence that the container was opened after it had been previously locked. [Figure 5] This is a partial rear view of the front wall of the base, showing the tab in the folded position, inserted through a slot with a flap. [Figure 6] This is a partial rear view of the front wall of the base, showing that after the flap and tab are fully inserted through the slot, the tab extends laterally from the flap to prevent subsequent removal of the flap from the slot. [Figure 7]Perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention, in which the front wall of the container is a folded peripheral wall having an outer section, an upper end section, and an inner section. [Figure 8] Partial rear view of the front wall of the base of FIG. 7, showing the tab in the extended position after the flap and tab have been fully inserted through the slot, the tab extending laterally from the flap and extending through the opening in the inner section of the peripheral wall to prevent subsequent removal from the slot of the flap. [Figure 9] Perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention, in which the front wall of the container is a folded peripheral wall having an outer section, an upper end section, and an inner section, a slot being formed in the upper end section, and the rear view of the third embodiment being the same as that shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] Perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention, showing a container having two locking structures, the first locking structure being shown in the locked position to lock the lid of the box in the closed position, and the second locking structure being shown hidden inside the box for future use. [Figure 11] Perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention, showing the first locking structure and the second locking structure, the first locking structure being unlocked by separating the weak part from the lid of the container by perforation, and the second locking structure being able to be used subsequently if it is desired to lock the lid of the container in the closed position again. [Figure 12] Front perspective view of an embodiment in which the container is a paper bag, shown in an open configuration. [Figure 13] Rear perspective view of the embodiment. [Figure 14] Rear perspective view of the embodiment, showing the first part and the second part of the container folded together such that the tab and the two flaps of the first part remain flat with the first part. [Figure 15] Rear perspective view of the embodiment, showing the flap and the tab folded and inserted into the slot of the second part of the container. [Figure 16] Rear perspective view of the embodiment, showing the paper bag locked in the closed configuration. [Figure 17]It is a top view of an embodiment in which the container is a packing box, and the packing box is shown in a flat configuration before assembly. [Figure 18] It is a top view of an embodiment, showing a folding packing box having an open upper end partially closed by a panel of the packing box. [Figure 19] It is a top view of an embodiment, showing a tab and a flap of a first panel inserted through a through-hole of a third panel. [Figure 20] It is a top view of an embodiment, showing a tab and a flap of a first panel inserted into a slot of a second panel to lock the packing box in a closed configuration. [Figure 21] It is a top view of an embodiment in which the container is a food container, and the food container is shown in a flat configuration before assembly. [Figure 22] It is a top perspective view of an embodiment, showing one of two flaps, and one of the two flaps is prepared to be inserted into a through-hole of a third panel and later into one of slots of a fourth panel. [Figure 23] It is a top perspective view of a second flap and a tab inserted into a through-hole of a third panel and a slot of a second panel. [Figure 24] It is a top perspective view, showing a food container in a closed configuration locked by a tab and a flap.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. The following description provides specific details to fully understand these embodiments and enable the explanation. Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can be implemented without such details. In other examples, well-known structures and functions are not illustrated or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

[0017] Unless the context explicitly requires a different meaning, throughout the description and claims, terms such as “equipped with,” “equipped with,” and so on shall be interpreted in a comprehensive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is, “including, but not limited to.” Terms that use the singular or plural further include the plural or singular, respectively. Furthermore, terms such as “here,” “above,” “below,” and terms of similar importance, when used in this application, shall refer to the entire application, not to any particular part of this application. Where a claim uses the term “or” in relation to a list of two or more items, that term includes all of the following interpretations of the term: any item in the list, all items in the list, and any combination of items in the list. Where the term “each” is used to refer to an element previously introduced as at least one, “each” may mean a single element, not necessarily multiple elements.

[0018] Figures 1 to 6 show a locking structure 10 for a box or container 20 having a lid 28 with at least one periphery 25. The lid 28 is attached to a base 21, which includes at least one upwardly projecting periphery wall 22 having an outer surface 23 and an inner surface 24. The container 20 may be a pizza box 90 (Figures 1 to 9), a cardboard box 20 (Figures 10 and 11), or other containers 20 made of cardboard, paperboard or card material, vinyl sheet material, paper sheet material, resilient plastic or other elastic material. Preferably, the base 21 includes at least four upwardly projecting periphery walls 22, namely one rear periphery wall, a front periphery wall 29, and two lateral periphery walls. Furthermore, other shapes of containers may utilize the locking structure 10, for example, a circular container having a circular shape in a front plan view and having only a single cylindrical periphery wall 22, a hexagonal container having six upwardly projecting periphery walls 22, and so on.

[0019] The locking structure 10 is preferably formed together with the container 20. The container 20 is generally die-cut from a web of elastic material. The locking structure 10 may preferably be formed at the same time as the container 20, or it may be formed by a subsequent cutting operation after the container 20 has been formed. The flap 30 is pivotally attached to the lid 28 at its first end 32 by at least one periphery 25 of the lid 28. The flap 30 has a tab 40 that projects laterally from its second end 38. The tab 40 is movable between an extended position 50 and a folded position 60. In the folded position 60, the tab 40 is folded backward or inward towards the container 20, and conversely, when the tab 40 is released to snap back to the extended position 50, the lid 28 covers the flap 40, so that it cannot be folded back to the folded position 60 from the outside of the sealed container 20.

[0020] The fragile portion 70 of the lid 28 is defined by perforations 75 terminating around the first end 32 of the flap 30 (Figure 5). Preferably, the perforations 75 of the fragile portion 70 are U-shaped as shown, or semicircular (not shown), or arranged in any other suitable shape, indicating that a person (user) (16) should push down on the fragile portion 70 to remove it from the lid 28 and open the lid 28. For example, a star shape (not shown) can draw attention to the fragile portion 70, as can any marking (not shown) on the container lid 28 that is appropriately printed or otherwise affixed. Preferably, the perforations 75 produce an audible popping sound when the fragile portion 70 is pushed down into the container 20 and the perforations 75 are separated, with each perforation popping substantially simultaneously.

[0021] The slot 80 is formed by penetrating at least one of the upwardly projecting peripheral walls 22 of the container 20. Preferably, the lid 28 is attached to the base 21 at its rear peripheral edge 26, and the flap 30, tab 40, and fragile portion 70 are formed on the front peripheral edge 27 of the lid 28. Thus, the slot 80 is formed on the forwardly upward projecting peripheral wall 29.

[0022] When used in this manner, the lid 28 of the container 20 moves toward the closed position (Figure 3), and with the tab 40 in the folded position 60, the flap 30 and tab 40 are inserted through the slot 80 from the outer surface 23 of the peripheral wall 25 to the inner surface 24 of the peripheral wall 25 (Figure 5). After the tab 30 clears out of the slot 80, the elastic material biases the tab 30 toward the expanded position 50. The width W of the flap 30 and tab 40. F+T (Figure 1) shows the width W of slot 80. S It is larger and prevents the subsequent removal of the flap 30 and tab 40 from slot 80.

[0023] The container lid 28 is openable when the fragile portion 70 of the lid 28 is separated from the lid 28 by the perforation 75. When the lid 28 is opened, the fragile portion 70, the flap 30, and the tab 40 are captured in the slot 80. In some embodiments, the tab 30 is located within the width W of the slot 80. S It includes a wider, broader waist region 160 (Figure 10) that actively captures the vulnerable portion 70, the flap 30, and the tab 40. Furthermore, the flap 30 may include an indicia or text (not shown), such as "LOCKED" or an icon of a locked padlock, to give a quick visual indication that the container 20 is locked.

[0024] In some embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 8, at least one upwardly projecting wall 22 is a folded peripheral wall 120, which has an outer section 130, an upper section 140, and an inner section 150. In such embodiments, the opening 85 is formed through the inner section 150 (Figure 8). The inner section 150 allows the tab 40 to expand through it as it exits the slot 80 formed through the outer section 130. In this way, the tab 40 catches on the inner section 150 of the folded peripheral wall 120, preventing the flap 30 and the tab 40 from being pulled back out of the slot 80.

[0025] Similarly, other embodiments further having a folded peripheral wall 120 and an opening 85 include a slot 80 formed through the upper end section 140 (Figure 9). After being inserted through the slot 80, the tab 40 catches again in the inner section 150 of the folded peripheral wall 120, thus preventing the flap 30 and tab 40 from being pulled out of the slot 80 (Figure 8).

[0026] Figure 10 shows another embodiment different from the pizza box 29 in this case. The container 20 includes two locking structures 10: a first locking structure of the locking structure 10 shown in the locked position to lock the lid 28 of the box in the closed position, and a second locking structure of the locking structure 10 shown hidden inside the box 20 for future use. Figure 11 shows that the first locking structure of the locking structure 10 is unlocked by separating the vulnerable portion 70 from the lid 28 of the container 20 by perforation 75. It also shows that the second locking structure of the locking structure 10 can be used if it is desired to lock the lid 28 of the container 20 again in the closed position.

[0027] For example, in the case of food delivery (not shown) with the first locking structure 10 locked, if the container 20 is opened and some of the food is eaten, such a second locking structure 10 is useful. That is, the second locking structure 10 can be engaged with the slot 80, after which the box 20 can be locked again, preventing roommates or others from accessing the remaining food in the box 20 without leaving any evidence. This evidence includes the removed vulnerable portion 70 of the second locking structure 10.

[0028] In its most common form, the locking structure 10 includes a container 20 having an internal space 200, an opening 210, and a closure 220 having a first portion 221 and a second portion 222 for the opening 210. The closure 220 is movable between an open configuration 230 that allows access to the internal space 200 of the container 20 and a closed configuration 240 for sealing the container 20. In an embodiment where the container 20 is a pizza box 90, the first portion 221 of the pizza box 90 is a lid 28. The second portion 222 of the pizza box 90 is a peripheral wall 22.

[0029] The flap 30 is pivotally attached to the first portion 221 at its first end 32. The flap 30 has at least one tab 40 projecting laterally from its second end 38. The flap 30 and the at least one tab 40 are formed from the first portion 221 of the container 20.

[0030] The slot 80 is formed through the second portion 222 of the container 20. The slot 80 is aligned and sized to receive the second end 38 of the flap 30 when at least one tab 40 is in the folded position 60 and the closing portion 220 is in the closed configuration 240.

[0031] Therefore, when the closing portion 220 of the container 20 is in a closed configuration 240 and at least one tab 40 is in the folded position 60, the flap 30 and at least one tab 40 can be inserted through the slot 80 from the outer surface 23 of the container 20 to the internal space 200 of the container 20. Later, when at least one tab 40 exits the slot 80, the elastic material of the container 20 biases at least one tab 40 to the expanded position 50. To prevent subsequent removal of the flap 30 and at least one tab 40 from the slot 80, the width W of the flap 30 and at least one tab 40 is F+T The width of slot 80 is W S Larger than. When at least one tab 40, along with possibly part of the flap 30, is separated from the first part 221 of the container 20, the closure 220 can be opened in an open configuration 230.

[0032] Figures 12 to 16 show an embodiment in which the container is a paper bag 300, which has an open upper end 31 with four sides. Here, the first portion 221 of the container 20 is the first side 301 of the paper bag 300, and the second portion 222 of the container 20 is the second side 302 on the opposite side of the paper bag 300. In this way, the first side 301 and the second side 302 of the paper bag 300 are folded together downward to form a closure portion 220 (Figure 14), which allows at least one tab 40 to be temporarily folded to a folded position 60. The flap 30, together with at least one tab 40, is insertable into a slot 80 in the second side 302 of the paper bag 300 (Figures 15 and 16). This is because the elastic material of the paper bag 300 locks the paper bag 300 into a closed configuration 240 when at least one tab 40 expands to an expanded position 50 within the internal space 200 of the paper bag 300. The flap 30 may include a perforation 75. Breaking the flap 30 at the perforation 75 allows at least one tab 40 to be released from the first portion 221 of the container 20, thereby opening the paper bag 300.

[0033] Figures 17 to 20 show one embodiment in which the container 20 is a packing box 400 having an open upper end 410. The open upper end 410 has a first panel 401, a second panel 402 adjacent to the first panel 401, a third panel 403 adjacent to the first panel 401 and facing the second panel 402, and a fourth panel 404 facing the first panel 401. The first portion 221 of the container 20 is the first panel 401 of the packing box 400 and includes a flap 30 and at least one tab 40. The second portion 222 of the packing box 400 is the second panel 402 of the packing box 400 and includes a slot 80. A through hole 420 is formed in the third panel 403.

[0034] In this way, with the first panel 401 and the fourth panel 404 folded to cover the open upper end 410 of the packaging box 400, the flap 30, with at least one tab 40 in the folded position 60, is inserted from the inner surface 24 to the outer surface 23 into the through hole 420 of the third panel 403. The third panel 403 is folded downward to cover the open upper end 410 of the packaging box 400 (Figure 18). Next, the second panel 402 is folded so that the flap 30 and at least one tab 40 can be inserted into the slot 80 of the second panel 402 (Figures 19 and 20). As a result, when at least one tab 40 is expanded to the expanded position 50 in the internal space 200, the packaging box 400 is locked into a closed configuration 240. Later, the packaging box 400 can be opened by breaking the flap 30. The flap 30 may include a perforation 75. By rupturing the flap 30 with the perforation 75, at least one tab 40 is released from the first part 221 of the container 20, allowing the packaging box 400 to be placed in an open configuration 230.

[0035] Figures 21 to 24 show an embodiment in which the container 20 is a food container 500. The food container 500 has an open upper end. The open upper end has a first panel 501, a second panel 502 adjacent to the first panel 501, a third panel 503 facing the first panel 501, and a fourth panel 504 facing the second panel 502. The first portion 221 of the container 20 is the first panel 501 of the food container 500. The second portion 222 of the container 20 is the second panel 502 and the fourth panel 504 of the food container 500. A through hole 520 is formed in the third panel 503.

[0036] In this way, after folding the second panel 502 and the fourth panel 504 so as to cover at least a portion of the open upper end of the food container 500, and with the third panel 503 and the first panel 501 folded, the two flaps 30 of the first panel 501, each having at least one tab 40 at the folded position 60, are inserted into one of the through holes 520 of the third panel 503. Subsequently, the two flaps 30 are inserted into either the slot 80 of the second panel 502 or the fourth panel 504, which is directly below the through hole 520. This locks the food container 500 into a closed configuration 240, and it can be opened by breaking each of the flaps 30.

[0037] While specific embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described, it is clear that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although a rectangular container 20 is generally shown in the figures, containers 20 of other shapes can also be locked with the locking structure 10. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited except by the appended claims.

[0038] Any specific terminology used in describing the features or aspects of the invention shall not be construed as meaning that the terminology is redefined herein to limit it to any particular characteristic, feature, or aspect of the invention relating to it. In general, any terminology used in the following claims shall not be construed as limiting the invention to any particular embodiment disclosed herein unless such terminology is expressly defined in the preceding section of the detailed description. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention includes not only the disclosed embodiments but also all equivalent methods of realizing or carrying out the invention.

[0039] The above detailed description of embodiments of the present invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the exact forms disclosed above or to any particular field of use described herein. Specific embodiments and examples of the present invention are described above for illustrative purposes, but various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the teachings of the present invention provided herein may be applied to other systems, not necessarily the systems described above. Other embodiments may be provided by combining elements and functions of the various embodiments described above.

[0040] All of the above-mentioned patents, applications, and other references, including those listed in the attached application documents, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0041] Aspects of the present invention may be modified, if necessary, to use systems, functions, and concepts from the various references described above to provide other embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] Modifications to the invention may be made in consideration of the “Detailed Description” above. While the above description details specific embodiments of the invention and explains the assumed best mode, the invention may be carried out in many ways, regardless of how detailed the above description may be. Accordingly, the details of the implementation may differ considerably, while still being encompassed within the invention disclosed herein. As stated above, any specific terminology used in describing certain features or aspects of the invention shall not be construed as meaning that the terminology is redefined herein to the extent that it is limited to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention relating to it.

[0043] While specific embodiments of the present invention are presented below in the form of specific claims, the inventor intends various embodiments of the invention in the form of any number of claims. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing and to assume such additional claim forms for other embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A locking structure for a container, configured to be included in the container, wherein the container includes an outer surface, an inner surface, an internal space, an opening, and a closing portion having at least a first and a second portion for the opening, the closing portion being movable between an open configuration allowing access to the internal space of the container and a closed configuration for sealing the container, the container being configured to contain food, and formed of an elastic material, A flap pivotally attached to the first portion at its first end, having at least one tab projecting laterally from its second end, the at least one tab being movable between an extended position and a folded position, and the flap being formed from the first portion, The second portion comprises a slot formed through the second portion, which is aligned and sized to receive the second end of the flap when the tab is in the folded position and the closing portion is in the closed configuration, As a result, the closing portion of the container is configured to be closed, and with at least one of the tabs in the folded position, the flap and at least one of the tabs can be inserted through the slot from the outer surface of the container to the internal space of the container, and later, when at least one of the tabs exits the slot, the elastic material biases at least one of the tabs to the expanded position, the width of the flap and at least one of the tabs is greater than the width of the slot, preventing subsequent removal of the flap and at least one of the tabs from the slot, and the closing portion is openable when at least one of the tabs is separated from the first portion of the container. The flap is connected to the first portion of the container in a way that it can be broken by perforation, so that the flap and at least one of the tabs can be removed from the first portion of the container by breaking the perforation. Furthermore, the pivot line extends between the flap and the first portion and is located at the first end, and comprises a pivot line corresponding to the width of the flap, The flap protrudes from the first portion by a flap protrusion length, The width of the flap at the pivot line is smaller than the flap projection length. The container is a pizza box, the first portion of the pizza box is a lid having at least one periphery, the lid is pivotally attached to a base including at least one upwardly projecting periphery wall, The peripheral wall is the second part of the container, and the fragile portion of the lid is defined by the perforation surrounding the first end of the flap. As a result, when the fragile portion of the lid is separated from the lid by the perforation, the lid of the container can be opened, and the fragile portion, the flap, and the tab are captured by the slot when the lid is opened. The lid is pivotally attached to the base at its rear periphery, the flap, at least one of the tabs, and the vulnerable portion are formed on the front periphery of the lid, and the slot is formed on the periphery wall projecting forward and upward. The container is one type of container, the type comprising: the base comprising at least one upwardly projecting folded peripheral wall having an outer section, an upper section, and an inner section; the slot formed through the upper section of at least one upwardly projecting folded peripheral wall; and an opening formed through the inner section of at least one upwardly projecting folded peripheral wall, wherein the opening is larger than the tab in at least one dimension. This allows the lid of the container to be placed in the closed position, the tab to be placed in the folded position, and the flap and the tab to be inserted through the slot. Later, when the tab exits the opening in the inner section of the folded peripheral wall, at least one upwardly projecting section, the elastic material biases the tab to the extended position through the opening, and the width of the flap and the tab is greater than the width of the slot, preventing the flap and the tab from being subsequently removed from the slot. A locking structure wherein the lid of the container can be opened when the vulnerable portion of the lid is separated from the lid by the perforation, and the vulnerable portion, the flap, and the tab are captured by the slot when the lid is opened.

2. The lock structure according to claim 1, wherein the perforations in the vulnerable portion are arranged in a U-shape.

3. The lock structure according to claim 1, wherein the perforations in the vulnerable portion are arranged in a semicircular shape.

4. The locking structure according to claim 1, wherein the fragile portion of the lid is separated from the lid by the perforation when the fragile portion is pushed into the container.

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