A tamper evident container includes a storage element having a flange extending outwardly from a top edge, and a lid having top and outer walls configured to fit over the flange of the storage element with the outer wall extending below a bottom edge of the flange. The outer wall may include an inwa
A tamper evident container includes a storage element having a flange extending outwardly from a top edge, and a lid having top and outer walls configured to fit over the flange of the storage element with the outer wall extending below a bottom edge of the flange. The outer wall may include an inwardly extending locking indentation engaging the bottom edge of the flange of the storage element to retain the lid on the storage element and prevent it from being removed without permanently deforming at least one of the lid and the storage element, The lid further includes a line of reduced strength extending along a portion of the top wall and/or outer wall to detach a portion of the outer wall and disengage the locking indentation from the flange to allow the lid to be disengaged from the flange without further permanent deformation of the lid or the storage element.
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1. A tamper evident container for storing a quantity of a product, comprising: a storage element having a top edge defining an opening of the storage element and having a flange extending outwardly therefrom; anda lid having a complimentary shape to the opening of the storage element and including a
1. A tamper evident container for storing a quantity of a product, comprising: a storage element having a top edge defining an opening of the storage element and having a flange extending outwardly therefrom; anda lid having a complimentary shape to the opening of the storage element and including a top wall and an outer wall defining configured to fit over the flange of the storage element with the outer wall extending below a bottom edge of the flange, the outer wall including at least one inwardly extending locking indentation engaging the bottom edge of the flange of the storage element when the lid is disposed on the storage element to retain the lid on the storage element such that the lid cannot be removed from the storage element without permanently deforming at least the storage element, the lid further including a pull tab and a line of reduced strength extending along a portion of the top wall and along the pull tab proximate the outer wall to detach a portion of the outer wall and disengage the corresponding portion of the at least one locking indentation from the flange to allow the lid to be disengaged from the flange without further permanent deformation of at least the storage element, the pull tab includes a surface having an end proximate the top wall and an opposing end proximate the bottom edge of the outer wall, the surface extending downwardly from the end to the opposing end at an angle in the range of 5° to 30° such that the pull tab may be grasped and pulled away from the lid to separate both the pull tab and the outer wall from the lid along the line of reduced strength. 2. The tamper evident container of claim 1, wherein the opening of the storage element is substantially rectangular and includes four corners, wherein the lid has a corresponding rectangular shape and the outer wall of the lid has four locking indentations each disposed at one of the corners and engaging the bottom edge of the flange at the corresponding corner, and wherein the line of reduced strength extends along the top wall around one of the corners such that the corresponding locking indentation disengages from the flange when the portion of the outer wall is separated from the lid along the line of reduced strength. 3. The tamper evident container of claim 1, wherein the opening of the storage element is a shape selected from the group consisting of a round shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, and a rounded rectangular shape, and wherein the lid has a corresponding shape. 4. The tamper evident container of claim 1, wherein the line of reduced strength extends circumferentially along the top wall of the lid to substantially define an arc in the range of 30° to 120° along the top wall when opening of the storage element and the lid have a round shape. 5. The tamper evident container of claim 3, wherein the lid comprises one locking indentation extending substantially the entire length of the outer wall. 6. The tamper evident container of claim 1, wherein the surface of the tab extends downwardly from the top wall at an approximate angle of 17°. 7. The tamper evident container of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a second pull tab extending outwardly from the outer wall and disposed opposite the pull tab, with the line of reduced strength extending along the second pull tab such that the second pull tab may be grasped and pulled away from the lid to separate the second pull tab and outer wall from the lid along the line of reduced strength. 8. The tamper evident container of claim 1, wherein the storage element further includes a side wall extending downwardly from the top edge with a portion of the side wall adjacent the top edge angled outwardly away from a center of the storage element as the portion extends downwardly from the top edge, and the lid further includes an inner wall extending downwardly from the top wall with a portion of the inner wall adjacent the top wall being angled outwardly away from a center of the lid as the portion extends downwardly from the top wall such that the angled portion of the inner wall engages the angled portion of the side wall of the storage element to retain the lid on the storage element. 9. The tamper evident container of claim 1, wherein the storage element further includes a side wall extending downwardly from the top edge and a ridge extending along the side wall, and the lid further includes an inner wall extending downwardly from the top wall and a slot extending along the inner wall and sized to receive and engage the ridge to retain the lid on the storage element. 10. The tamper evident container of claim 1, wherein the at least one locking indentation extends inwardly at approximately a 45° negative angle. 11. The tamper evident container of claim 1, wherein the line of reduced strength comprises one or more of a line of punctures, a score line, a line of reduced thickness, and a blade scoring line having punctures and bridges adjacent the puncture. 12. A lid for a container for storing a quantity of a product and having a storage element having a top edge defining an opening of the storage element and a flange extending outwardly therefrom, the lid comprising: a pull tab;a base wall having a complimentary shape to the opening of the storage element;an outer wall extending downwardly from the base wall, wherein the base wall and the outer wall are configured to fit over the flange of the storage element with the outer wall extending below a bottom edge of the flange, andwherein the outer wall includes at least one inwardly extending locking indentation engaging the bottom edge of the flange of the storage element when the lid is disposed on the storage element to retain the lid on the storage element such that the lid cannot be removed from the storage element without permanently deforming the storage element;and a line of reduced strength extending along a portion of the base wall and the pull tab proximate the outer wall to detach a portion of the outer wall and disengage the corresponding portion of the at least one locking indentation from the flange to allow the lid to be disengaged from the flange without further permanent deformation of at least the storage element, the pull tab includes a surface having an end proximate the base wall and an opposing end proximate the bottom edge of the outer wall, the surface extending downwardly from the end to the opposing end at an angle in the range of 5° to 30° such that the pull tab may be grasped and pulled away from the lid to separate both the pull tab and outer wall from the lid along the line of reduced strength. 13. The lid of claim 12, wherein the opening of the storage element is rectangular and includes four corners, wherein the lid has a corresponding rectangular shape and the outer wall of the lid has four locking indentations each disposed at one of the corners and engaging the bottom edge of the flange at the corresponding corner, and wherein the line of reduced strength extends along the top wall around one of the corners such that the corresponding locking indentation disengages from the flange when the portion of the outer wall is separated from the lid along the line of reduced strength. 14. The lid of claim 12, wherein the opening of the storage element is a shape selected from the group consisting of a round shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, and a rounded rectangular shape, and wherein the lid has a corresponding shape. 15. The lid of claim 14, wherein the line of reduced strength extends circumferentially along the base wall of the lid to define substantially an arc in the range of 30° to 120° along the top wall. 16. The lid of claim 14, wherein the lid comprises one locking indentation extending substantially the entire length of the outer wall. 17. The lid of claim 12, wherein the surface of the tab extends downwardly at an approximate angle of 17°. 18. The lid of claim 12, further comprises a second pull tab extending outwardly from the outer wall and disposed opposite the pull tab, with the line of reduced strength extending along the second pull tab proximate the outer wall such that the second pull tab may be grasped and pulled away from the lid to separate the second pull tab and outer wall from the lid along the line of reduced strength. 19. The lid of claim 12, wherein the at least one locking indentation extends inwardly at approximately a 45° negative angle. 20. The lid of claim 12, wherein the line of reduced strength comprises one or more of a line of punctures, a score line, a line of reduced thickness, and a blade scoring line having punctures and bridges adjacent the puncture. 21. The lid of claim 12, wherein the base wall comprises a side wall extending upwardly from the base wall and having a top edge with a complimentary shape to the opening of the storage element, and a top wall extending outwardly from the side wall at the top edge, a portion of the side wall adjacent the top edge angled outwardly away a center of the lid as the portion extends downwardly from the top wall such that the angled portion of the side wall of the lid corresponds to and engages a portion of a side wall of the storage element angled outwardly away from a center of the storage element as the portion extends downwardly from the top edge of the storage element to retain the lid on the storage element. 22. The lid of claim 12, wherein the base wall comprises a side wall extending upwardly from the base wall and having a top edge with a complimentary shape to the opening of the storage element, a top wall extending outwardly from the side wall at the top edge, and a ridge extending along the side wall, the ridge receiving and engaging a slot extending along a side wall of the storage element that downwardly extends from the top edge of the storage element to retain the lid on the storage element. 23. A lid for storing a quantity of a product and having a storage element having a top edge defining an opening of the storage element and a flange extending outwardly therefrom, the lid comprising: a base wall;a side wall extending upwardly from the base wall and having a top edge with a complimentary shape to the opening of the storage element;a top wall extending outwardly from the side wall at the top edge; an outer wall, wherein the side wall, the top wall and the outer wall are configured to fit over the flange of the storage element with the outer wall extending below a bottom edge of the flange, the outer wall including at least one inwardly extending locking indentation engaging the bottom edge of the flange of the storage element when the lid is disposed on the storage element to retain the lid on the storage element such that the lid cannot be removed from the storage element without permanently deforming at least the storage element;a pull tab disposed adjacent a corner of the outer wall and outwardly extending from the outer wall, the pull tab comprises a surface having an end proximate the top wall and an opposing end proximate the bottom edge of the outer wall, the surface extending downwardly 5° from the end to the opposing end at an angle in the range of 5° to 30° such that the pull tab may be grasped and pulled away from the lid to separate both the pull tab and outer wall from the lid along the line of reduced strength; andtwo lines of reduced strength each extending along a portion of the top wall to detach the corner of the outer wall and disengage the corresponding portion of the at least one locking indentation from the flange to allow the lid to be disengaged from the flange without further permanent deformation of at least the storage element. 24. The lid of claim 23, wherein the opening of the storage element is rectangular and includes four corners, wherein the lid has a corresponding rectangular shape and the outer wall of the lid has four locking indentations each disposed at one of the corners and engaging the bottom edge of the flange at the corresponding corner, and wherein the lines of reduced strength extends along the top wall adjacent opposite sides of one of the corners such that the corresponding locking indentation disengages from the flange when the portion of the outer wall is separated from the lid along the lines of reduced strength. 25. The lid of claim 23, wherein the surface of the tab extends downwardly at an approximate angle of 17°. 26. The lid of claim 23, wherein the at least one locking indentation extends inwardly at approximately a 45° negative angle. 27. The lid of claim 23, wherein the lines of reduced strength each comprise one or more of a line of punctures, a score line, a line of reduced thickness, and a blade scoring line having punctures and bridges adjacent the puncture. 28. The lid of claim 23, wherein a portion of the side wall adjacent the top edge is angled outwardly away from a center of the lid as the portion extends downwardly from the top edge such that the angled portion of the side wall of the lid corresponds to and engages a portion of a side wall of the storage element angled outwardly away from a center of the storage element as the portion extends downwardly from the top edge of the storage element to retain the lid on the storage element. 29. The lid of claim 23, wherein the side wall includes a ridge extending along the side wall, the ridge receiving and engaging a slot extending along a side wall of the storage element that downwardly extends from the top edge of the storage element to retain the lid on the storage element. 30. A tamper evident container for storing a quantity of a product, comprising: a storage element having a top edge defining an opening of the storage element and having a flange extending outwardly therefrom, and a side wall downwardly extending from the top edge, the sidewall including an inwardly extending ridge formed on the sidewall; anda lid having a complimentary shape to the opening of the storage element and including a top wall and an outer wall configured to fit over the flange of the storage element with the outer wall extending below a bottom edge of the flange, the lid further including an inner wall downwardly extending from the top wall, the inner wall including a slot configured to receive and engage the ridge of the storage element when the lid is disposed on the storage element to retain the lid on the storage element such that the lid cannot be removed from the storage element without permanently deforming at least the storage element, the lid further including a pull tab and a line of reduced strength extending along a portion of the top wall along the pull tab proximate the outer wall to detach a portion of the outer wall and allow a user to access a corresponding portion of the flange to separate the flange from the top wall and disengage a portion of the ridge from the slot to allow the lid to be disengaged from the storage element without further permanent deformation of at least the storage element, the pull tab includes a surface having an end proximate the top wall and an opposing end proximate the bottom edge of the outer wall, the surface extending downwardly from the end to the opposing end at an angle in the range of 5° to 30° such that the pull tab may be grasped and pulled away from the lid to separate both the pull tab and outer wall from the lid along the line of reduced strength. 31. The tamper evident container of claim 30, wherein the opening of the storage element is a shape selected from the group consisting of a round shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, and a rounded rectangular shape, and wherein the lid has a corresponding shape. 32. The tamper evident container of claim 30, wherein the surface of the tab extends downwardly at an approximate angle of 17°. 33. The tamper evident container of claim 30, wherein the lid further comprises a second pull tab extending outwardly from the outer wall and disposed opposite the pull tab, with the line of reduced strength extending along the second pull tab such that the second pull tab may be grasped and pulled away from the lid to separate the second pull tab and outer wall from the lid along the line of reduced strength. 34. The tamper evident container of claim 30, wherein the line of reduced strength comprises one or more of a line of punctures, a score line, a line of reduced thickness, and a blade scoring line having punctures and bridges adjacent the puncture. 35. The tamper evident container of claim 30, wherein the ridge has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of round, rectangular, and triangular, and the slot has a corresponding shape. 36. The tamper evident container of claim 30, wherein the slot extends outwardly from the side wall 18 of the storage element to a width in a range of 0.01″ to 0.2″, and the lid has a corresponding width.
Bruce Robert (Litchfield IL) Whitney Robert W. (Litchfield IL), Method for making a tamper-evident, differential pressure-thermoformed lidded plastic container.
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