US4782977A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper resistant container
Assignee: PII EVERGREEN LLC
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Filing: 1987-12-16
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Granted: 1988-11-08
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Expires: 2007-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A container defined by a base and cover, with the cover being formed to fit upon the base. The base and lid are formed so that when fitted together at least one wall of each overlaps a wall of the other. The overlapping walls are formed with an aperture which become aligned when the cover and base are fitted together. The container further includes a fastening hasp attached to either the cover or the base. One end of the hasp end is formed to pass through the aligned apertures in only one direction. Once the hasp end is positioned through the aligned aperture any attempt to remove the hasp therefrom brings a portion of the hasp into contact with the wall defining the aperture. This prevents the removal of the hasp from the aligned apertures. The hasp is further formed with a tab which can be grasped and pulled causing the hasp to tear along a pre-scored line.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary Watanabe
- 👤 Johnson N. S. Wong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/024; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A device comprising: a container defined by a cover and a base which can be fit together, said cover and said base each being formed with at least one wall which is placed adjacent to a wall of the other when said cover and base are fitted together, each of said adjacently disposed walls being formed with apertures which are brought into alignment when said walls are positioned adjacent to one another by the fitting of the cover and base together; and at least a first hasp means attached at one end to either said cover or said base, said hasp means having a second end to which is affixed a resiliently deflectable means, said deflectable means including a portion thereof which projects out along side said hasp means and is movable towards said hasp means to allow passage through said aligned apertures and which is movable away from said hasp means once through said aligned apertures to prevent removal therefrom, said hasp means further formed with a severance means which can be grasped and pulled to cause the tearing of a portion of said hasp means away from said container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A device comprising: a container defined by a cover and a base which can be fit together, said cover and said base each being formed with at least one wall which is placed adjacent to a wall of the other when said cover and base are fitted together, each of said adjacently disposed walls being formed with apertures which are brought into alignment when said walls are positioned adjacent to one another by the fitting of the cover and base together; and at least a first hasp means attached at one end to either said cover or said base, said hasp means having a second end to which is affixed a resiliently deflectable means, said deflectable means including a portion thereof which projects out along side said hasp means and is movable towards said hasp means to allow passage through said aligned apertures and which is movable away from said hasp means once through said aligned apertures to prevent removal therefrom, said hasp means further formed with a severance means which can be grasped and pulled to cause the tearing of a portion of said hasp means away from said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said severance means comprises forming said hasp body with a tab portion located adjacent said first end which can be gripped and pulled to sever said hasp body from said container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said tab portion defines an edge which is partially affixed to said container, said hasp body being severed from said container along said edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said tab portion defines an edge which is partially affixed to said container, said edge further defining a scoring along which said hasp body is severed from said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said tab portion is partially affixed along one side to said container by a joint and affixed to the remainder of said hasp means by a second joint, which joints are torn by grasping and pulling upon said hasp tab portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said cover and base are joined together along a first edge by a hinge joint.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
257 words
A device comprising: a container defined by a cover and a base which can be fit together, said cover and said base being a box like structure as defined by four peripheral walls connected to a common wall, said cover and said base being formed to ensure that at least one of said peripheral walls of cover becomes positioned adjacent to one of said peripheral walls of said base when said cover and base are fitted together, each of said adjacently disposed peripheral walls being formed with apertures which are brought into alignment when said peripheral walls are positioned adjacent to one another by the fitting of the cover and base together; and at least a first hasp means being affixed at one end to either said cover or said base, said hasp means being defined by a flexible body having a second opposite end which can be directed through said aligned apertures, said hasp means second end having two prong means affixed at opposing sides thereof, each of said prong means including a portion thereof which projects out along side and is spatially separated from said hasp means, each of said prong means being independently operable for movement towards said hasp means to allow passage through said aligned apertures and being movable away from said hasp means once through said aligned apertures to prevent removal therefrom, said hasp means further formed with a severance means which can be grasped and pulled to cause the tearing of a portion of said hasp means away from said container.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
257 words
A device comprising: a container defined by a cover and a base which can be fit together, said cover and said base being a box like structure as defined by four peripheral walls connected to a common wall, said cover and said base being formed to ensure that at least one of said peripheral walls of cover becomes positioned adjacent to one of said peripheral walls of said base when said cover and base are fitted together, each of said adjacently disposed peripheral walls being formed with apertures which are brought into alignment when said peripheral walls are positioned adjacent to one another by the fitting of the cover and base together; and at least a first hasp means being affixed at one end to either said cover or said base, said hasp means being defined by a flexible body having a second opposite end which can be directed through said aligned apertures, said hasp means second end having two prong means affixed at opposing sides thereof, each of said prong means including a portion thereof which projects out along side and is spatially separated from said hasp means, each of said prong means being independently operable for movement towards said hasp means to allow passage through said aligned apertures and being movable away from said hasp means once through said aligned apertures to prevent removal therefrom, said hasp means further formed with a severance means which can be grasped and pulled to cause the tearing of a portion of said hasp means away from said container.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
The device of claim 7 wherein each of said prong means is defined by a body which is attached at a first end to said hasp means second end and which remains spatially separated and disposed along side said hasp means, said hasp means second end in combination with said prong means defining a cross-sectional width larger than a cross-sectional width of either of said aligned apertures, with each of said prong means body being movable in a first direction towards said hasp means to allow passage of said second end through said aligned apertures, said prong means body being resiliently movable in a second opposite direction away from said hasp means after passage through said apertures to prevent removal therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said movement in said first direction is affected by the engagement of each of said prong means against said peripheral wall defining said aperture as said second end is being passed therethrough, which engagement exerts a force against said prong means forcing said movement, with passage of said prong means through said apertures causing the removal of said force to allow said prong means to move in said second opposite direction and prevent removal of said second end from said apertures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said severance means comprises forming said hasp body with a tab portion located adjacent said first end which can be gripped and pulled to sever said hasp body from said container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said tab portion is partially affixed along one side to said container, said hasp body being severed from said container along said side.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said tab portion is partially affixed along one side to said container, said side being defined by a scoring along which said hasp body is severed from said container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said tab portion is partially affixed along one side to said container by a joint and along an opposite side to prong bearing portion of said hasp by a second joint, said hasp being severable along either of said joints.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said tab portion is partially affixed along one side to said container and along an opposite side to prong bearing portion of said hasp, with each of said sides being scored, said hasp being severable along either of said scored sides.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 14 wherein said cover and base are joined together along a first edge by a hinge joint.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
327 words
A device comprising: a container defined by a cover and a base which can be fit together, said cover and said base being a box like structure as defined by four peripheral walls connected to a common wall, said peripheral walls of said cover being dimensioned to fit within said peripheral walls of said base, at least one of said peripheral walls of said cover being positioned adjacent to one of said peripheral walls of said base when said cover and base are fitted together, each of said adjacently positioned peripheral walls being formed with apertures which are brought into alignment when said peripheral walls are positioned adjacent to one another by the fitting of the cover and base together; and at least a first hasp means formed with a tab portion and a prong portion, with said tab portion and said prong portion being joined along a hinged joint, said tab portion being affixed along that side opposite said hinged joint to a peripheral wall of either said cover or said base to allow grasping thereof, which point of affixment of said tab portion is scored, said prong portion being defined by a body narrower that said tab portion to which is affixed on opposite sides two arms, each of said arms including a body portion which is unattached and spatially separated from said body to define a width gradually increasing in a direction away from the attached area larger than the width of either of said apertures, said arms being movable towards said body by the application of force against such arm to allow passage of said arms through said aligned apertures, with said arms resiliently moving in an opposite direction when said force is removed preventing the withdrawal of said arms through said aligned apertures; and wherein said hasp means is severed from said container by grasping and pulling of said tab portion away from said container to cause a tear along said scoring.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
327 words
A device comprising: a container defined by a cover and a base which can be fit together, said cover and said base being a box like structure as defined by four peripheral walls connected to a common wall, said peripheral walls of said cover being dimensioned to fit within said peripheral walls of said base, at least one of said peripheral walls of said cover being positioned adjacent to one of said peripheral walls of said base when said cover and base are fitted together, each of said adjacently positioned peripheral walls being formed with apertures which are brought into alignment when said peripheral walls are positioned adjacent to one another by the fitting of the cover and base together; and at least a first hasp means formed with a tab portion and a prong portion, with said tab portion and said prong portion being joined along a hinged joint, said tab portion being affixed along that side opposite said hinged joint to a peripheral wall of either said cover or said base to allow grasping thereof, which point of affixment of said tab portion is scored, said prong portion being defined by a body narrower that said tab portion to which is affixed on opposite sides two arms, each of said arms including a body portion which is unattached and spatially separated from said body to define a width gradually increasing in a direction away from the attached area larger than the width of either of said apertures, said arms being movable towards said body by the application of force against such arm to allow passage of said arms through said aligned apertures, with said arms resiliently moving in an opposite direction when said force is removed preventing the withdrawal of said arms through said aligned apertures; and wherein said hasp means is severed from said container by grasping and pulling of said tab portion away from said container to cause a tear along said scoring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 16 wherein said scoring is defined by a hinged joint connecting said tab portion to said container.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said base peripheral walls define a seat upon which said peripheral walls of said cover can be rested.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 18 wherein said base peripheral walls defining said seat are further formed with upwardly projecting lips which are spatially separated from said peripheral walls to define an area which receive said cover peripheral walls.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 19 wherein said arms are integrally formed with that end of said prong body opposite said tab portion, each of said arms project rearward from and in a substantially parallel direction to said prong body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said device comprises two hasp means positioned at opposite sides of said box like structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 21 wherein said cover and base a joined along a common side by a hinged joint.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3767110A
Cited
US4684024A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-08 | 1992-05-09 | 1992-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-08 | 1996-05-09 | 1996-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-08 | 2000-05-09 | 2000-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |