Plastic container with tamper-evident closing system

Abstract

A container with a tamper-evident closing system is disclosed. A linker may connect a bottom lip extending from a storage area of the container and a top lip extending from the lid. A perforated region positioned between the linker and the bottom lip is severed upon application of pressure by a user's hand so as to open the tamper-evident closing system. The linker may include a tab that extends down from the linker when the container is in the closed position and is moved up by the user so as to first open the container. The lower lip may include a cutout region and designed to receive a finger of the user when in the closed position. The container may also include a scoring positioned between the linker and the top lip, and this scoring may facilitate bending of the linker in a vertical position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 774,774, filed Oct. 12, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a tamper-evident sealing system for containers, including plastic containers formed from a single plastic sheet.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0003]Consumer items, for example, those often seen in a retail establishments and used for food items, can preserve the freshness of merchandise and can provide convenient units for sale of bulk items. Often, wholesalers or retailers use such tamper-evident containers for items that come loose, for example, nuts, candy or seeds or the like. At the same time, customers often prefer containers that look and feel sealed and sanitary but also prefer containers that they can close after first opening.[0004]Typically, such conta...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about a container that has a scoring position between the linker and the top lip. This scoring helps to bend the linker in a vertical position. The technical effect of this invention is that it makes it easier to manipulate and use the container in a more efficient way.

Problems solved by technology

A challenge of such tamper-evident sealing mechanism containers has been to provide a tamper-evident sealing mechanism that is intuitive and easy to use for the user, even a user of average finger strength or limited manual dexterity, and without extensive instruction necessary for the user.

At the same time, such a container needs to be closeable after first opening, which entails breaking of the tamper-evident sealing mechanism.

Also, a challenge has been to provide a tamper-evident sealing mechanism that is not unduly messy in the sense of creating lots of extraneous pieces of plastic upon first opening and breaking of the tamper-evident sealing mechanism.

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