Tamper evident tuck end containers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11225354-B2
Application number	US-201816615270-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 25, 2018
Priority date	May 31, 2017
Publication date	Jan 18, 2022
Grant date	Jan 18, 2022

Abstract

A blank for forming a tamper evident container includes a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a bottom panel. A bottom flap is foldably connected to an edge of the bottom panel on the first end of the blank. A top flap is foldably connected to an edge of the top panel on the first end of the blank. The top flap includes a major flap and a minor flap. The major flap connects between the top panel and the minor flap. The major flap includes a tamper evident access feature.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A blank for forming a tamper evident container comprising: a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a bottom panel;
a first side flap foldably connected to an edge of the first side panel on a first end of the blank;
a bottom flap foldably connected to an edge of the bottom panel on the first end of the blank;
a second side flap foldably connected to an edge of the second side panel on the first end of the blank; and
a top flap foldably connected to an edge of the top panel on the first end of the blank, wherein the top flap includes a major flap and a minor flap, the major flap connecting between the top panel and the minor flap, wherein the major flap includes a tamper evident access feature; wherein the minor flap is configured to be disposed in face-contacting relationship with the major flap and in face-contacting relationship with the bottom flap so as to close a first container end of a formed container.

2. The blank as recited in claim 1 , wherein the major flap connects to the minor flap along a perforation line.

3. The blank as recited in claim 2 , wherein the tamper evident access feature of the major flap is positioned along the perforation line connecting the major and minor flaps.

4. The blank as recited in claim 1 , wherein the tamper evident access feature includes a portion of the major panel that is lunate shaped.

5. The blank as recited in claim 1 , wherein the tamper evident access feature is defined by an arced nick line.

6. The blank as recited in claim 1 , wherein the major flap includes at least one release area surrounded by a weakened periphery.

7. The blank as recited in claim 6 , wherein the major flap includes two release areas, one on each of two opposed sides of the tamper evident access feature.

8. A blank for forming a tamper evident container comprising:
a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a bottom panel;
a first side flap foldably connected to an edge of the first side panel on a first end of the blank;
a bottom flap foldably connected to an edge of the bottom panel on the first end of the blank;
a second side flap foldably connected to an edge of the second side panel on the first end of the blank; and
a top flap foldably connected to an edge of the top panel on the first end of the blank, wherein the top flap includes a major flap and a minor flap, the major flap connecting between the top panel and the minor flap, wherein the major flap includes a tamper evident access feature, the blank further comprising:
a side flap foldably connected to an edge of the first side panel on a second end of the blank opposite the first end;
a second bottom flap foldably connected to an edge of the bottom panel on the second end of the blank;
a side flap foldably connected to an edge of the second side panel on the second end of the blank; and
a second top flap foldably connected to an edge of the top panel on the second end of the blank, wherein the second top flap includes a major flap and a minor flap, the major flap connecting between the top panel and the minor flap, wherein the major flap includes a tamper evident access feature.

9. The blank as recited in claim 8 , wherein the major and minor flaps of the second top flap are connected along a perforation line.

10. The blank as recited in claim 8 , wherein the major flap of the second top flap includes at least one release area surrounded by a weakened periphery.

11. A tamper evident container comprising:
a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines and extending at least partially around an interior space, including a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a bottom panel;
a first side flap foldably connected to an edge of the first side panel on a first end of the blank;
a bottom flap foldably connected to an edge of the bottom panel on the first end of the blank;
a second side flap foldably connected to an edge of the second side panel on the first end of the blank; and
a top flap foldably connected to an edge of the top panel on the first end of the blank,
wherein the top flap includes a major flap and a minor flap, the major flap connecting between the top panel and the minor flap, wherein the major flap includes a tamper evident access feature, wherein the minor flap is disposed in face-contacting relationship with the major flap and in face-contacting relationship with the bottom flap to close a first container end when the tamper evident container is in a closed configuration.

12. The container as recited in claim 11 , wherein the major flap connects to the minor flap along a perforation line, wherein the tamper evident access feature of the major flap is positioned along the perforation line connecting the major and minor flaps and includes a portion of the major panel that is lunate shaped.

13. The container as recited in claim 11 , wherein the tamper evident access feature is defined by an arced nick line.

14. The container as recited in claim 11 , wherein the major flap includes at least one release area surrounded by a weakened periphery.

15. The container as recited in claim 14 , wherein the major and minor flaps are adhered together with adhesive on the at least one release area.

16. The container as recited in claim 15 , wherein the first and second side flaps, the top flap, and the bottom flap are left open for filling the interior space with product.

17. A tamper evident container comprising:
a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines and extending at least partially around an interior space, including a first side panel, a top panel, a second side panel and a bottom panel;
a first side flap foldably connected to an edge of the first side panel on a first end of the blank;
a bottom flap foldably connected to an edge of the bottom panel on the first end of the blank;
a second side flap foldably connected to an edge of the second side panel on the first end of the blank; and
a top flap foldably connected to an edge of the top panel on the first end of the blank,
wherein the top flap includes a major flap and a minor flap, the major flap connecting between the top panel and the minor flap, wherein the major flap includes a tamper evident access feature, further comprising:
a side flap foldably connected to an edge of the first side panel on a second end of the blank opposite the first end;
a second bottom flap foldably connected to an edge of the bottom panel on the second end of the blank; a side flap foldably connected to an edge of the second side panel on the second end of the blank; and
a second top flap foldably connected to an edge of the top panel on the second end of the blank, wherein the second top flap includes a major flap and a minor flap, the major flap connecting between the top panel and the minor flap, wherein the major flap includes a tamper evident access feature.

18. The container as recited in claim 17 , wherein the major and minor flaps of the second top flap are connected along a perforation line, wherein the major flap of the second top flap includes at least one release area surrounded by a weakened periphery that is adhered to the minor flap, wherein the flaps of the second end of the blank are adhered together to form a closed end of the container.

Assignees

• Westrock Mwv Llc

Inventors

• Dixon Rodney D

Classifications

• B65D5/20 Primary

  by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides to form a container body, e.g. of tray-like form (specially constructed to allow collapsing and re-erecting without disengagement of side or bottom connections B65D5/36) · CPC title

• B65D2401/00

  Tamper-indicating means · CPC title

• B65D5/541 Primary

  the lines of weakness being provided in one or more closure flaps · CPC title

• B65D2401/10

  Tearable part of the container (B65D2401/60 takes precedence) · CPC title