Tamper Resistant And Tamper Evident Monolithic Container

Abstract

A container has a base and a side wall defining a cavity with an opening and having a rim. A lid, integrally formed with the side wall, is hingedly connected adjacent the rim. Two weakened areas extending each along the side wall from the rim towards the base. A tab, integrally formed with the side wall, extends laterally from the side wall in a direction outwards of the side wall and is located between the two weakened areas. When the container is closed, the lid substantially fills the opening and a snap fit coupling secures the lid to the side wall. To open the container a user exerts pressure on the tab to sever the side wall in the region of the weakened areas and release the snap fit coupling. Since the wall is severed the container cannot be reclosed and is tamper evident.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for an item of personal care particularly a razor cartridge, the container comprising:
 a base,   a side wall extending from the base around a perimeter of the base and defining in combination with the base a cavity sized to receive the item of personal care, the cavity having an opening, the side wall further defining a rim around the opening;   a lid integrally formed with the side wall and hingedly connected to the side wall adjacent the rim, the lid being shaped to substantially fill the opening when the container is closed, the lid further comprising a first part of a snap fit coupling at an edge of the lid;   two weakened areas each extending along the side wall from the rim towards the base;   a tab integrally formed with the side wall and extending laterally from the side wall in a direction outwards of the side wall and located between the two weakened areas;   wherein an interior surface of the side wall between the two weakened areas includes a second part of the snap fit coupling;   whereby, when the container is closed, the lid substantially fills the opening and the first part of the snap fit coupling of the lid engages the second part of the snap fit coupling of the side wall to secure the lid;   wherein, to open the container, a user exerts pressure on the tab thereby severing the side wall in the region of the weakened areas, releasing the second part of the snap fit coupling of the side wall from the first part of the snap fit coupling of the lid wall and permanently deforming the base; and   wherein, the container thus opened cannot be reclosed and is tamper evident.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising retaining structure for the item of personal care integrally formed with at least one of the base and the side wall and located within the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein, when the container is closed no part of the lid extends outward of the rim. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein, when the container is closed, the lid is free of elements that can be used by the user to manually open the lid. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each weakened area comprises at least one of: a groove along an outer surface of the side wall; a groove along an inner surface of the side wall and a series of perforations along the side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each weakened area extends to the base. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the base has a groove extending between respective ends of each weakened area at the base. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the groove extends along an outer surface of the base, opposite the cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the hinged connection of the lid is opposed the second part of the snap fit coupling. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each weakened area includes a notch in the side wall adjacent the rim. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the notch is V-shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a first material. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the hinged connection comprises a second material that is different to the first material. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein each weakened area comprises a second material that is different to the first material.