Tamper resistant storage systems for food and other items

Abstract

A tamper-resistant, sealable container, comprising a container having a bottom portion, a top portion, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the bottom portion and the top portion, wherein the bottom and top portions and sidewalls define an interior of the container and an exterior of the container; and a plurality of strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on surfaces of the container, wherein the strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive do not engage one another when the container is in an open configuration, wherein the strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive do engage one another when the container is in a closed configuration, and wherein the engagement of the strips of self-sealing pressure-sensitive adhesive with one another seals the container closed in a tamper-resistant manner.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A tamper-resistant, sealable container, comprising:
 (a) a container having a bottom portion, a top portion, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the bottom portion and the top portion, wherein the bottom and top portions and sidewalls define an interior of the container and an exterior of the container; and   (b) a plurality of strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on surfaces of the container, wherein the strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive do not engage one another when the container is in an open configuration, wherein the strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive do engage one another when the container is in a closed configuration, and wherein the engagement of the strips of self-sealing pressure-sensitive adhesive with one another seals the container closed in a tamper-resistant manner.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying indicia printed across the sealed portion of the container. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a paper or plastic box of the type used for storing and transporting food, groceries, and other items. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is a rubber-based or latex-based adhesive capable of adhering to itself. 
     
     
         5 . A tamper-resistant, sealable container, comprising:
 (a) a container having a closeable bottom portion; a closeable top portion; a first sidewall extending between the bottom portion and the top portion, wherein the first sidewall includes a bottom flap and a top flap; a second sidewall extending between the bottom portion and the top portion, wherein the second sidewall includes a bottom flap and a top flap; a third sidewall extending between the bottom portion and the top portion, wherein the third sidewall includes a bottom flap and a top flap; and a fourth sidewall extending between the bottom portion and the top portion, wherein the fourth sidewall includes a bottom flap and a top flap, wherein the bottom portion, the top portion, and the sidewall portions define an interior of the container and an exterior of the container;   (b) a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the outer surface of the top flap on the first sidewall, and a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the outer surface of the top flap on the third sidewall, which is located opposite the first sidewall;   (c) a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the inner surface of the top flap on the second sidewall, and a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the inner surface of the top flap on the fourth sidewall, which is located opposite the second sidewall,   (d) wherein the engagement of the strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive with one another seals the container closed in a tamper-resistant manner.   
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , further comprising identifying indicia printed across the sealed portion of the container. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 (a) a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the outer surface of the bottom flap on the first sidewall, and a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the outer surface of the bottom flap on the third sidewall, which is located opposite the first sidewall; and   (b) a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the inner surface of the bottom flap on the second sidewall, and a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the inner surface of the bottom flap on the fourth sidewall, which is located opposite the second sidewall.   
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the container is a paper or plastic box of the type used for storing and transporting food, groceries, and other items. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the adhesive is a rubber-based or latex-based adhesive capable of adhering to itself.