Product container assembly having a security device

Abstract

A product package assembly formed from a blank has walls for containing contents and a printed circuit. The printed circuit is connected to more than one of the interior surfaces of the walls. When assembled, one wall of the product package can be moved between an open position allowing access to contents in the product package via an opening and a closed position. The printed circuit extends across the opening such that in the closed position the printed circuit is connected, and in the open position the printed circuit connection is broken. If a wall is severed or torn, the printed circuit can also be broken. A security device can be removably connected to the package and provided in electrical communication with the printed circuit. The security device has an alarm adapted to provide an alert when conductivity of the printed circuit is broken.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product package comprising:
 a plurality of walls configured to contain contents therein, each of the plurality of walls comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface;   a printed circuit connected to more than one of the interior surfaces of the plurality of walls;   score lines placed on the plurality of walls, at least one score line provided adjacent the printed circuit;   at least one of the plurality of walls of the product package configured to be moved between (a) an open position allowing access to contents in the product package via an opening and (b) a closed position substantially preventing access to the contents therein by closing the opening,   wherein the printed circuit extends across the opening such that in the closed position the printed circuit is connected and in the open position the printed circuit connection is broken, and   wherein the printed circuit is broken when the at least one score line on one of the plurality of walls is severed.   
     
     
         2 . The product package according to  claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit is provided in a pattern on the interior surfaces such that the printed circuit is interrupted and broken when at least one of the plurality of walls is ripped or torn. 
     
     
         3 . The product package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a security device configured to be in electrical communication with the printed circuit, the security device being removably connected to the product package and comprising an alarm or indicator adapted to provide an alert when conductivity of the printed circuit is broken. 
     
     
         4 . The product package according to  claim 3 , wherein unauthorized removal of the security device from the product package activates the alarm or indicator. 
     
     
         5 . The product package according to  claim 3 , wherein the security device comprises a battery therein. 
     
     
         6 . The product package according to  claim 3 , wherein the security device is removably connected to the printed circuit via a predetermined opening or area in the product package when assembled. 
     
     
         7 . The product package according to  claim 6 , wherein the security device comprises a pointed end or pin for insertion through the predetermined opening or area of the product package to connect the security device with the printed circuit. 
     
     
         8 . The product package according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of walls of the product package comprises at least a top wall that is pivotally attached to at least one other wall, the top wall being movable between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The product package according to  claim 8 , wherein the printed circuit is connected to the interior surface of the top wall, and wherein movement of the top wall to the open position breaks the printed circuit. 
     
     
         10 . The product package according to  claim 9 , wherein the printed circuit is further connected to at least a portion of the at least other wall on its interior surface. 
     
     
         11 . The product package according to  claim 8 , wherein the top wall is connected to the at least one other wall via a living hinge. 
     
     
         12 . The product package according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of walls of the product package comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls configured to form an enclosure with the opening, the top wall being configured to move between the open position and the closed position relative to the side walls, and wherein the printed circuit is connected to at least a portion of the interior surfaces of the side walls. 
     
     
         13 . The product package according to  claim 12 , wherein the printed circuit is further connected to at least a portion of the interior surfaces of the top wall and/or the bottom wall. 
     
     
         14 . The product package according to  claim 12 , wherein the top wall has at least part of the printed circuit thereon and wherein the at least one score line is provided on the top wall adjacent the printed circuit. 
     
     
         15 . The product package according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the side walls has at least part of the printed circuit thereon and wherein the at least one score line is provided on the at least one of the side walls adjacent the printed circuit. 
     
     
         16 . The product package according to  claim 12 , wherein the bottom wall has at least part of the printed circuit thereon and wherein the at least one score line is provided on the bottom wall adjacent the printed circuit. 
     
     
         17 . The product package according to  claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit comprises a conductive material. 
     
     
         18 . The product package according to  claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit comprises a pattern that has a density larger than the contents contained within the product package. 
     
     
         19 . The product package according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of walls comprises a flap that seals an area of the product package, the flap having at least part of the printed circuit thereon, and wherein the at least one score line is provided on the flap adjacent the printed circuit. 
     
     
         20 . A blank configured for assembly for forming an assembled product package, the blank comprising:
 a plurality of walls configured to contain contents therein upon assembly, each of the plurality of walls comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface;   a printed circuit connected to more than one of the interior surfaces of the plurality of walls;   score lines placed on the plurality of walls, at least one score line provided adjacent the printed circuit;   at least one of the plurality of walls of the assembled product package configured to be moved between (a) an open position allowing access to contents in the product package via an opening and (b) a closed position substantially preventing access to the contents therein by closing the opening,   wherein, when assembled, the printed circuit extends across the opening such that in the closed position the printed circuit is connected and in the open position the printed circuit connection is broken, and   wherein the printed circuit is broken when the at least one score line on one of the plurality of walls of the assembled product package is severed.   
     
     
         21 . The blank according to  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of walls of the product package comprises at least a top wall that is pivotally attached to at least one other wall, and wherein the printed circuit is connected to the interior surface of the top wall and to at least a portion of the at least other wall on its interior surface, and wherein the at least one score line is provided on the top wall and/or the at least other wall adjacent the printed circuit. 
     
     
         22 . The blank according to  claim 21 , wherein the top wall is connected to the at least one other wall via a living hinge. 
     
     
         23 . The blank according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one score line is provided on the top wall adjacent the printed circuit. 
     
     
         24 . The blank according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the side walls has at least part of the printed circuit thereon and wherein the at least one score line is provided on the at least one of the side walls adjacent the printed circuit. 
     
     
         25 . The blank according to  claim 21 , wherein the bottom wall has at least part of the printed circuit thereon and wherein the at least one score line is provided on the bottom wall adjacent the printed circuit. 
     
     
         26 . The blank according to  claim 20 , wherein the printed circuit comprises a conductive material. 
     
     
         27 . The blank according to  claim 20 , wherein the printed circuit comprises a pattern that has a density larger than the contents contained within the product package. 
     
     
         28 . The blank according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the plurality of walls comprises a flap that seals an area of the product package, the flap having at least part of the printed circuit thereon, and wherein at least one score line is provided on the flap adjacent the printed circuit. 
     
     
         29 . A product package comprising:
 a plurality of walls configured to contain contents therein, each of the plurality of walls comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface;   a printed circuit connected to more than one of the interior surfaces of the plurality of walls;   at least one of the plurality of walls of the product package configured to be moved between (a) an open position allowing access to contents in the product package via an opening and (b) a closed position substantially preventing access to the contents therein by closing the opening, and   a security device in electrical communication with the printed circuit, the security device being removably connected to the product package and the printed circuit via a predetermined opening or area in the product package, the security device comprising a pointed end or pin for insertion through the predetermined opening or area of the product package to connect the security device with the printed circuit, and the security device further comprising an alarm or indicator adapted to provide an alert when conductivity of the printed circuit is broken,   wherein the printed circuit extends across the opening such that in the closed position the printed circuit is connected and in the open position the printed circuit connection is broken.   
     
     
         30 . The product package according to  claim 29 , wherein the printed circuit is provided in a pattern on the interior surfaces such that the printed circuit is interrupted and broken when at least one of the plurality of walls is ripped or torn. 
     
     
         31 . The product package according to  claim 29 , further comprising score lines placed on the plurality of walls, at least one score line provided adjacent the printed circuit and wherein the printed circuit is broken when the at least one score line on one of the plurality of walls is severed. 
     
     
         32 . The product package according to  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the plurality of walls comprises a flap that seals an area of the product package, the flap having at least part of the printed circuit thereon, and wherein the at least one score line is provided on the flap adjacent the printed circuit. 
     
     
         33 . The product package according to  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of walls of the product package comprises at least a top wall that is pivotally attached to at least one other wall, the top wall being movable between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         34 . The product package according to  claim 33 , wherein the printed circuit is connected to the interior surface of the top wall, and wherein movement of the top wall to the open position breaks the printed circuit. 
     
     
         35 . The product package according to  claim 34 , wherein the printed circuit is further connected to at least a portion of the at least other wall on its interior surface. 
     
     
         36 . The product package according to  claim 33 , wherein the top wall is connected to the at least one other wall via a living hinge. 
     
     
         37 . The product package according to  claim 29 , wherein the printed circuit comprises a conductive material. 
     
     
         38 . The product package according to  claim 29 , wherein the printed circuit comprises a pattern that has a density larger than the contents contained within the product package.