Tamper Evident Packaging

Abstract

Disclosed is a tamper evident packaging that provides a packaging piece with a lid, a base section, and tamper evidencing means. The tamper evidencing means is provided on the base of the packaging piece by way of an internal and external rib structure with a perforated channel formed therebetween. The lid is configured with an engagement portion having a lid flange that is positioned within the perforated channel when the packaging is closed, thereby prohibiting access to the lid flange and preventing the opening of and tampering with the packaging piece. The perforated channel allows for the removal of the external rib structure from the interior rib structure, thereby granting access to the lid flange and allowing for the packaging to be opened, as well as providing the evidence that the packaging may have been tampered with.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A tamper-evident packaging comprising
 a base section having an interior rib structure;   a lid having a raised channel and a lid flange; and   a tamper evidencing means irreversibly removably attached to the interior rib structure;   the interior rib structure receivable within the raised channel of the lid, wherein the lid flange is substantially inaccessible by the location of the tamper evidencing means.   
     
     
         2 . The tamper-evident packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper evidencing means extends substantially along the periphery of the interior rib. 
     
     
         3 . The tamper-evident packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the raised channel and the interior rib structure are configured to provide a secure, snap-like engagement between the lid and the base. 
     
     
         4 . The tamper-evident packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the lid has at least one corner pull tab. 
     
     
         5 . The tamper-evident packaging of claim further comprising a connecting means joining the base section to the lid. 
     
     
         6 . The tamper-evident packaging of  claim 5 , wherein the tamper evidencing means extends substantially along the periphery of the interior rib. 
     
     
         7 . The tamper-evident packaging of  claim 5 , wherein the raised channel and the interior rib structure are configured to provide a secure, snap-like engagement between the lid and the base. 
     
     
         8 . The tamper-evident packaging of  claim 5 , wherein the lid has at least one corner pull tab. 
     
     
         9 . A tamper-evident packaging comprising
 a lid section having a main cover portion and an engagement portion located substantially near the outer perimeter of the main cover portion, the engagement portion having a lid flange extending therefrom;   a base section having at least one sidewall having a top end;   an interior rib structure formed at the top end of the at least one sidewall, said interior rib structure extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the base section;   at least one tamper evidencing means irreplaceably removably coupled to the perimeter of the base section, said at least one tamper evidencing means extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the base section; and   wherein the lid flange is receivable within the channel such that access to the lid flange is blocked by the at least one tamper evidencing means.   
     
     
         10 . The tamper-evident packaging of  claim 9  wherein the at least one tamper evidencing means further comprises
 an exterior rib structure disposed generally parallel to the interior rib structure; and 
 a channel formed between the interior rib structure and the exterior rib structure. 
 
     
     
         11 . The tamper-evident packaging of  claim 10  wherein the at least one tamper evidencing means further comprises a plurality of perforations extending along at least a portion of the channel, said perforations disposed generally parallel to the interior and exterior rib structures. 
     
     
         12 . The tamper-evident packaging of  claim 11  wherein the at least one tamper evidencing means is formed along substantially the entire perimeter of the base portion. 
     
     
         13 . The tamper-evident packaging of  claim 11  wherein at least a portion of the lid section is coupled to the base section by a connecting means. 
     
     
         14 . The tamper-evident packaging of  claim 9  further comprising a first tamper evidencing means and a second tamper evidencing means.