Tamper-evident seal for a container

Abstract

A container is provided which includes body having a top portion and a bottom portion. Each of the top portion and bottom portion have lips which are affixed together at a first location. A perforation line is made in at least one of the top and bottom lips. The perforation line is between the first location and the container body. An adhesive member covers a portion of the perforation line between the top and bottom lip so that the adhesive member may be pulled through the perforation line to gain access inside the container body.

1 . A container comprising:
 a container body having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion and bottom portion forming a connection around their periphery;   a top lip extending from the top portion;   a bottom lip extending from the bottom portion, a portion of the top lip affixed to a portion of the bottom lip at a first location;   a perforation line in at least one of the top and bottom lips, the perforation line between the first location and the container body,   an adhesive member covering a portion of the perforation line between the top and bottom lip, whereby the adhesive member may be pulled through the perforation line to gain access inside the container body.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container body further includes a hinge joining the top portion and the bottom portion. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  further including a second perforation line in at least one of the top and bottom lips, the second perforation line between the first location and the container body and wherein the adhesive member covers a portion of the perforation line and the second perforation line. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the top and bottom lips are ultrasonically welded together. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the top and bottom lips are heat-staked together. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the perforation line comprises a weakening of a selected one of the top or bottom lips. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein the top or bottom lip other than the selected one lacks a perforation line. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 6  wherein the weakening comprises a series of aligned cuts in the selected lip. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the aligned cuts penetrate completely through the selected lip. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive member extends beyond one of the top and bottom lips. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the portion of the adhesive member which extends beyond one of the top and bottom lips is attached to a grasping tab of one of the top and bottom lips. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the top and bottom portions are made from thermoplastic material. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the top and bottom portions are made from polyethylene terephthalate. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the top and bottom portions are made from polystyrene. 
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the top and bottom portions are made from polypropylene. 
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the top and bottom portions are made polyethylene. 
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive member is made from polypropylene. 
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive member is made from polyethylene terephthalate. 
   
   
       19 . A container comprising:
 a container body having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion and bottom portion forming a connection around their periphery;   a first top lip extending from the top portion;   a first bottom lip extending from the bottom portion, a portion of the first top lip affixed to a portion of the first bottom lip at a first location;   a first perforation line in at least one of the first top and first bottom lips, the first perforation line between the first location and the container body;   a second perforation line in at least one of the first and second bottom lips, the second perforation line between the first location and the container body;   a second top lip extending from the top portion;   a second bottom lip extending from the bottom portion, the second top lip affixed to a portion of the second bottom lip at a second location;   a third perforation line in at least one of the second top and second bottom lips, the third perforation line between the second location and the container body;   a fourth perforation line in at least one of the second top and second bottom lips, the fourth perforation line between the second location and the container body;   a first adhesive member covering a portion of the first and second perforation lines between the top and bottom lips, whereby the adhesive member may be pulled through the first and second perforation lines to gain access inside the container body; and   a second adhesive member covering a portion of the third and fourth perforation lines between the second top and second bottom lips, whereby the second adhesive member may be pulled through the third and fourth perforation lines to gain access inside the container body.