US3826420A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-locking tamperproof container
Assignee: Georgia-Pacific LLC
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Filing: 1972-05-17
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Granted: 1974-07-30
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Expires: 1992-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A container having unique tamperproof properties, in that, after the container is filled, the lid of the container may be permanently locked in place so that it may not be removed without destroying the integrity of the container. In order to remove the lid of the container, it must either be physically torn from the container or cut open along a cut scoreline provided in the lid for that purpose and for easy removal of the contents of the container. As a result, the contents may not be tampered with by someone not authorized access to the container without the container visibly showing that tampering has occurred. The permanent locking of the lid to the container is accomplished by at least one locking flap which engages locking means formed on one of the sides of the container.
Inventors
- 👤 R Bamburg
- 👤 F Duncan
- 👤 R Floyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:22
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D5/00; B65D5/42; B65D5/64; B65D5/66; B65D5/6626; B65D5/665; B65D5/6661; B65D5/6664; B65D5/20; B65D5/22; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/807; Y10S229/00; Y10S229/939
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
In a paperboard container blank of the type having a bottom, a plurality of side panels, hingedly attached to the bottom, and a top panel, hingedly attached to one of the side panels, the improvement comprising: a. the top panel having formed thereon a top panel flap for folding down over one of the sides of the container; b. the top panel flap having formed thereon at least one locking flap for insertion into the container; c. the locking flap having formed thereon at least one locking tab, said locking tab having formed thereon a contact edge; and d. at least one of the sides having formed thereon means for engaging the locking tab, said engaging means having formed thereon a contact edge substantially parallel with the contact edge formed on the locking tab, said locking tab and said engaging means dimensioned to lie in the same plane and to abut each other at said contact edges in an edge-on-edge relationship when folded, said engaging means and said locking tab and their respective contact edges co-operating to lock the locking flap within the container and to prevent its withdrawal without destroying the container thereby providing a container wherein the contents cannot be easily stolen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a paperboard container blank of the type having a bottom, a plurality of side panels, hingedly attached to the bottom, and a top panel, hingedly attached to one of the side panels, the improvement comprising: a. the top panel having formed thereon a top panel flap for folding down over one of the sides of the container; b. the top panel flap having formed thereon at least one locking flap for insertion into the container; c. the locking flap having formed thereon at least one locking tab, said locking tab having formed thereon a contact edge; and d. at least one of the sides having formed thereon means for engaging the locking tab, said engaging means having formed thereon a contact edge substantially parallel with the contact edge formed on the locking tab, said locking tab and said engaging means dimensioned to lie in the same plane and to abut each other at said contact edges in an edge-on-edge relationship when folded, said engaging means and said locking tab and their respective contact edges co-operating to lock the locking flap within the container and to prevent its withdrawal without destroying the container thereby providing a container wherein the contents cannot be easily stolen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 further comprising the top panel flap having formed thereon two locking flaps and each locking flap having formed thereon one locking tab.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement as defined in claim 2 further comprising the top panel having formed therein means for removing the contents of the container without unlocking the locking flaps, said means for removing serving as a positive identification that the contents of the container have been tampered with.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said locking flap has formed along at least a portion of the outer edges thereof and in proximity to said locking tab a crushed portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
A self locking container blank comprising: a. a bottom panel; b. a plurality of side panels, hingedly attached to said bottom panel; c. a plurality of side panel flaps, hingedly attached to said side panels, at least one of said side panel flaps being shorter than the remaining side panel flaps and having formed thereon a contact edge; d. a top panel, hingedly attached to said bottom panel; e. at least one top panel flap, hingedly attached to said top panel; and f. means, formed on said top panel flap, for locking said flap in engagement with the shorter side of the panel flaps whenever the blank is folded into a container, said locking means having formed thereon a contact edge formed in substantially the same direction as the contact edge formed on the shorter side flap, said shorter flap and said locking means dimensioned to lie in the same plane and to abut each other at said contact edges in an edge-to-edge relationship when folded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
A self locking container blank comprising: a. a bottom panel; b. a plurality of side panels, hingedly attached to said bottom panel; c. a plurality of side panel flaps, hingedly attached to said side panels, at least one of said side panel flaps being shorter than the remaining side panel flaps and having formed thereon a contact edge; d. a top panel, hingedly attached to said bottom panel; e. at least one top panel flap, hingedly attached to said top panel; and f. means, formed on said top panel flap, for locking said flap in engagement with the shorter side of the panel flaps whenever the blank is folded into a container, said locking means having formed thereon a contact edge formed in substantially the same direction as the contact edge formed on the shorter side flap, said shorter flap and said locking means dimensioned to lie in the same plane and to abut each other at said contact edges in an edge-to-edge relationship when folded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The container blank as defined in claim 5 further comprising: g. said locking means having formed thereon means for easily inserting said locking means in engagement with the shorter side of the panel flaps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The container blank as defined in claim 6 further comprising said insertion means comprising a crushed edge formed on at least a portion of said locking means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-29 | 1978-01-28 | 1978-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-29 | 1982-01-28 | 1982-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-29 | 1986-01-28 | 1986-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |