Tamper-indicating food container lid

Abstract

A tamper-indicating wide-mouth food container including a thermoformed or injection molded lid having a downwardly-extending rim portion which engages the rim of the container, the rim portion separated by a tear strip along one or more slitted peripheral lines when the container is first opened. A slitting line extends downwardly from the peripheral line from the horizontal over a small area to form a manually-engageable tab which facilitates the tearing of the stilted peripheral line. When the tear strip is separated, that part of the rim portion below the tear strip falls free of engagement to provide an indication of a first opening of the container.

We claim:  
     
         1 . In a lid for a wide-mouth container including a plug-shaped central portion and an arcuate rim extending radially outward of said central portion, the improvement comprising: an outer arcuate rim member, and an interconnected flared portion extending downwardly from said outer rim member to engage a rim of said container; said outer rim having at least one horizontally-oriented lines of slitting, and a line of slitting extending downwardly over a limited arcuate area between said horizontally-oriented line to form a manually engageable tab above said flared portion; whereby upon the tearing of said lines of slitting using said tab, said flared portion is disconnected from said lid to permit removal of said lid from the mouth of an engaged container, and provide a visual indication that the container has been initially opened.  
     
     
         2 . The improvements set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said lid is formed commonly by thermoforming  
     
     
         3 . The improvement inset forth in  claim 1 , in which the lines of slitting are performed by a laser beam  
     
     
         4 . The improvements set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said lid is formed commonly by injection molding  
     
     
         5 . The improvement inset forth in  claim 1 , in which the lines of slitting are performed by a mechanical cutting knife  
     
     
         6 . A lid for a wide mouth container, said lid having a plug-shaped central wall and an arcuate member extending radially outward of said central wall; an interconnected flared member extending downwardly from said arcuate member for engaging a corresponding bead at a rim of a container, and flanged member forming a hook-like means for engaging a corresponding rim of said container; said flanged member having at least one horizontally-oriented parallel lines of slitting to form a manually-engageable tab above said flared member, whereby upon the tearing of said flared member employing said tab along said parallel line(s) of slitting, a gap is formed to provide visual tamper-indicating means.  
     
     
         7 . The lid as set forth in  claim 4 , in combination with a corresponding container having a bead-forming portion on an edge thereof selectively engaged with said hook-like means.