EP0273937A1

EP0273937A1 - Tamper-resistant security package

Info

Publication number: EP0273937A1
Application number: EP87904177A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert J. Schneider
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-07-03
Filing date: 1987-06-15
Publication date: 1988-07-13
Also published as: JPH01500184A; WO1988000168A1; EP0273937A4

Abstract

Un emballage mettant en évidence les tentatives d'ouvertures frauduleuses comprend une première partie (10) ayant une ouverture (13) et une deuxième partie (11) susceptible d'être placée à côté de l'ouverture (13) de la première partie (10). La première (10) et la deuxième (11) partie sont reliées par une pluralité d'agrafes (12). Chaque agrafe (12) a un dos (36), une première et une deuxième branche (33, 34); la première branche (33) est enfoncée dans la première partie (10) et la deuxième branche (34) est enfoncée dans la deuxième partie (11). Les branches (33, 34) des agrafes comprennent des moyens de rupture tels que des crochets (42) qui s'accrochent aux première (10) et deuxième (11) parties en les déchirant lorsque les agrafes (12) sont enlevées, en indiquant ainsi que l'emballage a été forcé.A package revealing fraudulent opening attempts comprises a first part (10) having an opening (13) and a second part (11) capable of being placed next to the opening (13) of the first part ( 10). The first (10) and the second (11) part are connected by a plurality of staples (12). Each clip (12) has a back (36), a first and a second branch (33, 34); the first branch (33) is pressed into the first part (10) and the second branch (34) is pressed into the second part (11). The branches (33, 34) of the staples comprise breaking means such as hooks (42) which hang on the first (10) and second (11) parts by tearing them when the staples (12) are removed, indicating as well as the packaging was forced.

Description

TAMPER-RESISTANT SECURITY PACKAGE

Field and Background of the Invention

This invention relates to a packaging system, and more particularly to a tamper-resistant package.

The use of tamper-resistant packages has become increasingly important in recent years. For example, in the sale of drugs, it is important that any tampering with the package be readily apparent to a store owner or to a prospective customer. Similarly for theft prevention purposes_/ it is useful if any tampering with a package or carton for the purpose of removing the contents of the package be readily apparent. Packages have been provided with seals to meet these requirements but nevertheless it has been found that tampering has occurred.even though there is no evidence of it on the packages. Further, as a general rule tamper-resistant packages in the prior art have not been suitable for use in shipping the articles.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved package structure which is lightweight, strong and moisture resistant, which can be used to ship articles and also to contain the articles while on display shelves in a store, and which is particularly adapted for use as a tamper-resistant package.

Brief Summary of the Invention A package structure in accordance with the present invention comprises a container or box having an opening therein designed to receive an article, a cover positioned on the container and shaped to cover the opening, and a plurality of plastic staples which interconnect the container and the cover. For tamper- resistant purposes the staples are specially designed so that they may easily be driven into the container and the cover, but any removal of the staples for the purpose of tampering with the contents would be easily apparent.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a package in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the package shown in

Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the package;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a part of the package shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing an alternative arrangement according to the invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a strip of staples for use in a package according to the invention; Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the assembly of the parts of the package; Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing the parts fully assembled;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing a different position of the parts;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 8 but showing an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 11-21 show staples according to alternative embodiments of the invention; and Figs. 22 and 23 are plan and side elevational views, respectively, illustrating a strip of staples in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention With reference first to Figs. 1-4, a package in accordance with the invention comprises a box or container part 10, a lid or cover part 11, and a plurality of staples 12 for fastening the cover 11 to the container 10. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the container 10 has a generally rectangular outer configuration and has an interior opening or receptacle 13 which is shaped to receive articles (not shown) to be contained within the package. The opening 13 extends to one end 14 of the container 10, and the cover 11 is shaped to sit tightly against the end 14 and thereby completely close the opening 13. The outer sides of the container 10 and the cover 11 are preferably flush as shown in Fig. 1.

A preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a seal 16 which is positioned between the container 10 and the cover 11. The seal 16 fits in a recess 17 formed in the container 10 around the opening 13. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the recess 17 forms a ledge 18 around the opening 13, and the seal 16 is shaped to fit snugly within the recess 17 and to seat on the ledge 18. After the article to be packaged is placed in the opening 13, the seal 16 is placed on the ledge 18 and the upper end surfaces of the seal 16 and the container 10 are substantially flush when the seal 16 is positioned in the recess 17. A plurality of staples 19 (Fig. 2) are then fastened in place to attach the seal 16 to the end 14 of container 10. The cover 11 is then placed over the seal 16 and the end 14 of the container 10, and the staples 12 are inserted.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the staples 12 bridge or extend across the junction line 20 between the container 10 and the cover 11, and the staples 19 extend across the junction line 21 between the end 14 of the container 10 and the seal 16, thereby securely fastening the parts together.

The container 10, the cover 11 and the seal 16 are preferably made of a cellular or foamed plastic material such as polystyrene. The cellular or foamed polystyrene for this purpose may be a rigid or semi¬ rigid material having a density suitable for meeting the requirements of the specific packaging application. A density of from about 4 to about 6 lbs/ft³ may be particularly useful. The material should also have sufficient toughness and durability to meet the requirements for use as an "outer packaging" for articles as displayed on a shelf in a store, or for use for an outer package for shipping purposes. Since the seal 16 is covered by the cover 11 and so constitutes inner packaging it may be made of material having a different density from that of the material of the container 10 and the cover 11. usually, the material of the seal 16 will be more fragile and of lesser density. The packaging material for the container 10 and the cover 11 may have any desired color.

The staples 12 and 19 have the general shape and construction described in my U.S. Patent No. 3,757,629 issued September 11, 1973, and the disclosure of this patent is incorporated herein by reference.

Such staples are preferably made of resilient plastic such as nylon or polypropylene and are formed by a conventional plastic injection molding process. The staples may be formed initially either as individual units or as molded strips. Individually formed staples can also be collated into strips with adhesive materials. The staples may also have any desired color which may be the same as or different from the color of the container and the cover. In the alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5, a seal 23 is shaped to be mounted in a recess 24 formed around an opening 26 formed in a container 27. The arrangement is similar to that shown in Fig. 4 except that the outer peripheral sides or edges of the cover 23 are bevelled or slanted, as indicated at 28, rather than square as shown in Fig. 4. The recess 24 also has a slanted shape and mates with the slanted sides 28 of the seal 23. As in the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 4, staples are placed through the seal 23 and into the upper edge of the container 27, and a cover is stapled to the container in order to secure the parts in place.

As described in the above-mentioned patent, the staples 12 and 19 are designed to be driven by a conventional stapler or powered stapling gun, and normally the staples are supplied in strips or sticks which are inserted into the stapler. Fig. 6 illustrates a stick 31 of staples 32, and adjacent staples are held together by a thin connecting section or web as described in the patent. For production line packaging, the staples may be driven by automated equipment, with such equipment multiloaded and with the strips joined together for continuous feeding.

Figs. 7 through 9 illustrate in more detail the use of the staples 32 of Fig. 6 for securing together the container and cover parts of a package. Each staple 32 includes a pair of legs 33 and 34 which extend generally non-parallel to each other, and a crown 36 which extends across and connects the upper ends of the two legs 33 and 34. In general, the length of the crown 36 may range from about 3/16 inch to about 2 inches. The legs 33 and 34 may diverge outwardly from a parallel position from about 1° to about 25°. Figs. 6 and 8 show the normal position of the two legs 33 and 34, and it will be noted that the legs angle outwardly and downwardly from the crown 36.

With specific reference to Fig. 7, staples 32 are mounted in a stapler 37, a part of which is shown in Fig. 7. The stapler 37 includes two side guide walls 38 and 39 which form a guide channel between them. A driver blade 41 of the stapler 37 moves downwardly as seen in Fig. 7 and engages the upper side of the crown 36 of a staple and drives the staple downwardly between the two guide walls 38 and 39. The upper ends of the guide walls 38 and 39 are angled downwardly and inwardly, as indicated at 40, and these angled portions cause the lower ends of the legs 33 and 34 to flex toward each other so that the legs assume a generally parallel position as shown in Fig. 7 while being driven. The lower edges of the guide walls 38 and 39 are placed on the "outer surfaces of the container 10 and the cover 11 adjacent the junction line 20 in a position where the staple bridges or extends across the junction line 20 in the same manner illustrated by the staples 12 in Fig. 1. Thus, one of the two staple legs is driven into the container 10 and the other leg is driven into the cover 11 on opposite sides of the junction line 20.

It will be noted in the example of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6-9 that a relatively rigid and reversely extending barb 42 is formed on the lower end of each leg 33 and 34 of each of the staples 32. As shown in the dashed line position indicated by the reference numeral 43 of the staple in Fig. 7, the outer ends 44 of the barbs 42 are shaped as elongated sharp edges. These outer ends or edges engage the guide walls 38 and 39 thereby causing the legs to cam inwardly as the staple is driven. The guide walls 38 and 39 hold the legs generally parallel during the driving operation. -The laterally outwardly extending ends or edges 44 of the barbs form channels or clearances above the barbs as the staple is being driven, this clearance being indicated by the reference numeral 46. Fig. 9 illustrates the situation where the leg 33 of the staple 32 has been completely driven into the material of the cover 11, and Fig. 9 also illustrates the difference between the parallel position of the legs and the normal position. The leg 33 in Fig. 9 is in the parallel position whereas the leg 34 is in the normal position. With reference to Fig. 8, after the staple has been driven into the container 10 and the cover 11, the elastic memory, or natural resilience, of the legs causes the legs to flex outwardly away from each other toward the normal position as the barbs 42 dig into the material of the container 10 and the cover 11. The clearance space 46 above each of the barbs facilitates the outward flexing of the two legs. Any attempted removal or withdrawal of the staple 32 from the position shown in Fig. 8 would of course result in the barbs 42 tearing loose the adjoining portions of the container 10 and the cover 11 so that any such attempt would be readily apparent to an observer. When a staple is pulled upwardly from the Fig. 8 position, the barbs 42 would^' dig into the ' material and cause the legs to spread even further apart, thereby increasing the size of the tear or disruption. Because of the existence of the clearances 46 above each of the barbs 42, it might be possible for a dedicated ta perer to insert a needle-like instrument through the clearances 46 and to press the legs 33 and 34 inwardly toward each other, and thereby remove a staple without having the barbs 42 tear the package material. The construction of the staple 51 shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is designed to eliminate this possi¬ bility. As best shown in Fig. 10, the upper ends of the two legs 52 of the staple 51 are thickened, as indicated at 53, by an amount that is substantially equal to the width of the clearance 46. Consequently, as shown in Fig. 10, when the staple is driven into the material and the clearance is formed, the thickened upper ends 53 of the legs 52 fill the upper ends of the clearances 46 and thereby prevent a potential tamperer from inserting a tool into the clearance space. Fig. 12 illustrates a staple 56 having the same general purpose as the staple 51. However, whereas the legs 52 in Figs. 10 and 11 gradually thicken or widen from the lower ends upwardly, the legs 57 of the staple 56 are relatively thin, and lateral protrusions 58 are formed at the ends of the crown 59 of the staple. These protrusions 58 fill the upper ends of the clearances 46 when the staple is fully driven.

Fig. 13 and 14 illustrate a staple 61 having the same general configuration as the staple 32. In other words, the staple 61 includes a crown 62, two legs 63, and barbs 64 on the lower ends of the two legs 63. The staple 61 differs from the previously described staples in that a series of cutting saw teeth 66 are formed along the outer sides of the two legs 63. This arrangement has the .advantage that, the cutting saw teeth 66 cause the legs to engage .and disrupt the adjoining portions of the packaging material more thoroughly and effectively. Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate cutting saw teeth which are alternately turned in one direction or the other like the teeth of a cross cut saw. The cutting edges of the cutting saw teeth may also be alternately bevelled in alternate directions'. The teeth may also be laterally narrower than the legs of the staple.

Upon withdrawal of the staple 61,. the cutting saw teeth 66 effect preliminary rending or tearing of the packaging material thereby increasing the efficiency of the barbs 64 to further rend or tear the material. The extensive rending or tearing of the packaging material upon withdrawal of the barb will provide easily observed evidence of tampering.

Fig. 15 illustrates a staple 70 having two legs 71 with barbs 72 and a crown 73. The crown 73 is laterally thickened to strengthen it and thereby permit greater outward flexing of the legs 71. The staple legs 71 are also provided with cutting saw teeth 74, but in this embodiment each saw tooth is bevelled to a point 74' at the outer side of the leg, as indicated by the triangular cross section 75. In this instance the saw teeth 74 are aligned along the staple leg so that the aligned points 74' provide a sharp outer edge along the length of the staple leg to assist in cutting into the packaging material. If desired, the barbs 72 may also be bevelled to an outermost point in a manner similar to the cutting saw teeth 74.

The staple 76 shown in Fig. 16 is a modification of the Fig. 15 staple and has a pair of legs 77 with barbs 78 and a laterally thickened crown 79, In this embodiment, however, the cutting saw teeth on the staple legs have a forked configuration, as indicated in the cross section 80, so as to provide a pair of sharp outer edges along each staple leg. In this case the barb 78 at the end of each staple leg also has a forked configuration. With reference to Figs. 17 and 18, there is shown a staple 82 having relatively thin legs 83 and a laterally thickened crown 84 which, in this embodiment, forms a T configuration as best shown in Fig. 18. Again, the thickened crown 84 permits greater outward flex of the legs 83. The legs 83 of the staple 82 have barbs 86 at the lower ends and cutting saw teeth 87 along the outer edges of the legs.

Fig. 19 shows a staple 91 having legs 92, a crown 93, barbs 94, and cutting saw teeth 95. The staple is shown in its driven position immediately after driving wherein the originally outwardly biased legs 92 have been deflected slightly inwardly beyond parallel during the driving. In this instance the clearances 96 formed by the barbs 94 are formed under the crown 93 of the staple and are covered by the crown of the staple when it is fully driven. After driving, the legs flex outwardly toward their normal position to engage the packaging material. Of course, in a relatively denser packaging material the staple would not be as effectively driven as when the legs are deflected to essentially parallel position. In this embodiment of the invention the staple legs may also be substantially parallel in their normal position instead of diverging outwardly, particularly if the staple is made of relatively stiffer or more rigid plastic material. Fig. 20 illustrates a portion of a strip of staples 100. Each staple has a crown 101 and a pair of legs 102, only one of which is shown in Fig. 20. The end of the staple leg 102 has a reversely extending barb 103 but the barb differs from the Fig. 6^' structure in that the outer end of the barb is shaped as a wedge-like point 104 instead of the elongated sharp edge 44 seen in Fig. 6. In cases where a tamper-resistant package is the primary objective, the pointed barb configuration of Fig. 20 may be the preferred construction because of the greater effectiveness of the wedge-like point 104 for rending or tearing the packaging material in a disruptive manner upon removal or attempted removal of the staple 100.

Although Fig. 20 shows only one leg 102 of the staple, normally the other leg of the staple would also have a similar pointed barb. However, in some cases it may be advantageous for one leg of the staple to have a barb that is shaped differently from the barb of the other leg. Where packaging materials of different types are being fastened together, the most efficient barb or disrupting element for the material involved would be provided on the staple leg driven into that material. Even where the packaging materials are similar, the use of a different barb configuration on each leg of the staple may enhance the tamper-resistant characteristics of the package by providing different types or degrees of visible disruption of the packaging material upon removal of the staple.

With reference to Fig. 21, the staple 106 shown therein includes legs 107 and a crown 108. In the normal position of the staple, the crown 108 is bowed downwardly and the legs 107 angle laterally away from each other. When the staple is driven by a stapler, the driver blade and the guide walls straighten the crown 108 and move the legs 107 into parallel positions. However, after the staple has been driven, the staple legs tend to return to their normal position with more force due to the normal bowed condition of the crown 108. Further, Fig. 21 illustrates an embodiment where barbs are not formed on the lower ends of the legs 107. Instead, the cutting saw teeth 109 extend to the lower ends of the legs 107, I

Although the foregoing illustrative figures show staples having legs^' that are relatively long in relation to the length of the crown, it should be understood that the staple legs may also be shorter than the length of the staple crown. In addition the legs of each staple may have different lengths or different configurations where appropriate. For example, in some instances only a single cutting saw tooth or only a single barb may be utilized. Also other types of tearing, cutting, or ripping elements such as needle points, scoops, rasps, and the like may be utilized on the staple legs instead of the cutting saw teeth. All of these devices, however, are designed so that removal of the staple results in maximum rending, ripping, or tearing of the packaging material to provide evidence of removal or tampering.

The staple as disclosed herein for securing together the container and cover parts of a package has its primary functional stress imposed longitudinally of the crown of the staple (e.g., as in staple 12 in Fig. 1 and staple 32 in Fig. 8) as opposed to the primary functional stress being imposed longitudinally of the legs of the staple in other applications. Therefore, in the present invention pertaining to a tamper-resistant package, the adaptive means on the legs of the staple, such as the barbs or cutting saw teeth, are not prima¬ rily or solely retaining means intended to resist withdrawal of the staple, but rather are primarily disrupting means intended to engage and rend or tear the packaging material upon withdrawal of the staple in a manner that readily indicates tampering.

Figs. 22 and 23 illustrate a stick 112 of staples 113 including means for interconnecting two sticks together for continuous feed -in a stapling machine. The staples 113 of the stick 112 are connected together by bridge portions 114. On opposite ends of the stick.112 are formed tabs 115 and 116. The tab 115 has a hook 117 formed on it, and the tab 116 has a detent 118 formed on it. The two tabs are interconnectable so that two or more sticks may be connected to form an elongated strip of staples which may provide a continuous feed in a stapling machine. The interconnecting tabs 115 and 116 may also extend from the legs of the staple instead of from the crown, or they may extend from both the legs and the crown.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that an improved and novel packaging system has been provided. The packages may be used as outer packaging for display on retail sales counters, or they may be used for shipping through the mail, or both. Further, since the plastic material is moisture resistant there is no danger of deterioration of the package due to contact with water. The qualities of light weight, temperature insulation, and shock absorption of the cellular or foamed plastic material are also important advantages over usual packaging materials. The staples form secure connections between the parts of the package, particularly when an inner seal is placed across the opening of the container.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to certain specific structural embodiments thereof it should be understood that other modifications and equivalent structures may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A package structure, comprising a first part having an opening formed therein, said opening being adapted to receive an article, a second part positionable closely adjacent said opening of said first part and when so positioned closing said opening, and a plurality of staples, each of said staples having a crown and first and second legs, said first legs being driven into said first part and said second legs being driven into said second part and said crowns bridging said first and second parts, said staples thereby securing said parts together and enclosing an article in said opening.

2. A_' package as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said legs of said staples include disrupting means thereon for digging into said first and second parts and rending or tearing said parts upon withdrawal of the staples so as to provide readily visible evidence of tampering.

3. A package as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said disrupting means comprises barbs on said legs.

4. A package as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said disrupting means comprises cutting saw teeth along said legs.

5. A package as set forth in Claim 2, wherein each of said staples has a normal position wherein said legs angle away from said crown and away from each other.

6. A package as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said disrupting means form clearance spaces in said first and second parts adjacent said legs during driving of the staples, and said staples include means for filling said clearance spaces when the staple is fully driven.

7. A package as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said means for filling said clearance spaces comprises enlarged portions of said legs adjacent said crowns.

8. A package as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said means for filling said clearance spaces comprises enlarged portions of said crowns adjacent said legs.

9. ;•'A package as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said first and second parts are made of a cellular or foamed plastic material.

10. A package as set forth in Claim 1, and further including a seal covering said opening, said seal being disposed between said first and second parts, and a second plurality of staples connecting said first part and said seal.

11. A package as set forth in Claim 10, wherein said first part has a recess formed therein around said opening, said seal being positioned in said recess.

12. A tamper-resistant package, comprising a container part and a cover part, said parts being made of rendible cellular or foamed plastic material, an opening formed in said container part and adapted to receive an article, said cover part being positioned closely adjacent said container part and covering said ' opening, and a plurality of staples, each of said staples including a crown and a pair of legs, the legs of said staples extending into said container and cover parts and thereby securing said parts together, and each, of said legs including disrupting means for rending or tearing said material upon withdrawal of the staples so as to provide readily visible evidence of tampering.

13. A package as set forth in Claim 12, and further including a seal between said container and cover parts, said seal closing said opening, and a second plurality of said staples extending into said seal and said container parts.

14. A package as set forth in Claim 13, wherein said seal is made of a cellular or foamed plastic material having a lesser density than the material of said container and cover parts.

15. A staple particularly adapted for use in a tamper-resistant package, comprising a crown, first and second legs, each of said legs having one end thereof joined to said crown, said crown and said legs being made of a plastic material, and disrupting means on said legs for rending or tearing the material of said package upon withdrawal of the staple.

16. A staple as set forth in Claim 15, wherein said disrupting means comprises barbs on said legs.

17. A staple as set forth in Claim 15, wherein said disrupting means comprises cutting saw teeth on said legs.

18. A staple as set forth in Claim 15, and further including enlargements where said legs join with said crown.

19. A staple as set forth in Claim 15, wherein said disrupting said means comprises barbs at the other ends of said legs and cutting elements on said legs intermediate the ends thereof.

20. A staple structure comprising a plurality of staples joined together to form a stick of staples, said stick having tab portions at the ends thereof, and said tab portions being connectable with similar tab portions of an adjoining stick of staples.