Tear-Away Tamper-Evident Packaging

Abstract

A packaging container that has a tamper-evident feature is described whereby an effort to tamper with the packaging is evident to a later consumer. The packaging includes a lid that is securely attached to a tub. The lid includes an inner portion and an outer portion which are connected by a line which will tear when force is applied to the lid to remove it, thus causing the outer portion to separate from the inner portion of the lid, and thus indicating that an attempt was made to open the packaging. The force required to remove the outer portion of the lid from the inner portion of the lid is preferably less than the force required to remove the inner portion of the lid from the tub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tamper-evident packaging, comprising:
 a tub; and   a lid having an inner portion engaging the tub, and an outer portion that is joined to the inner portion by a line such that when the outer portion is lifted in an attempt to remove the lid from the tub, the line tears, thereby allowing the outer portion to partially or completely separate from the inner portion;   wherein the remaining inner portion of the lid is appropriately sized and shaped to provide a seal with the tub; and   wherein after the outer portion of the lid is completely separated from the inner portion of the lid, the remaining inner portion of the lid is then removable from the tub by pulling up on a tab that protrudes from one corner of the inner portion.   
     
     
         2 . A tamper-evident packaging, comprising:
 a tub; and   a lid having an inner portion engaging the tub and an outer portion that is joined to the inner portion by a line;   wherein the amount of force required to remove the outer portion from the inner portion along the line is less than the amount of force required to remove the inner portion from the tub.