Tamper-evident package

Abstract

A container includes a sidewall, a bottom and a rim portion, which are integrally formed or connected with each other. The rim portion includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner and outer walls are spaced from each other and connected to each other by an extension. An interior opening is defined by the inner wall of the rim portion, the sidewall and the bottom. An exterior opening is formed between the inner and outer walls and the extension. The exterior opening is sized and configured to receive a sidewall of a lid when the container is used with the lid to form a package. The outer wall has a tamper-evident foldable section with first and second ends. The first end is configured to fold back toward and secure to a second end so as to expose the sidewall of the lid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a sidewall, a bottom, and a rim or neck portion, the sidewall, the bottom, and the rim portion being integrally formed or connected with each other, at least a portion of the sidewall being located between the bottom and the rim portion, the rim portion including an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall and the outer wall being spaced from each other and connected to each other by an extension,   wherein an interior opening is defined by the inner wall of the rim portion, the sidewall and the bottom,   wherein an exterior opening is formed between the inner wall, the outer wall, and the extension, the exterior opening being sized and configured to receive a sidewall of a lid when the container is used with the lid to form a package,   wherein the outer wall has a tamper-evident foldable section, the tamper-evident foldable section having a first end and a second end, the first end of the tamper-evident foldable section being configured to fold back toward and secure to a second end of the tamper-evident foldable section so as to expose the sidewall of the lid.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper-evident foldable section has a projection extending outwardly therefrom and an opening formed therein, the opening sized and configured to receive the projection after the tamper-evident foldable section is folded. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the opening is a slot. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper-evident foldable section extends from about 2 to about 40 percent around a circumference of the rim portion. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the tamper-evident foldable section extends from about 2 to about 20 percent around the circumference of the rim portion. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the projection is located on the first end of the tamper-evident foldable section and the slot is formed on the second end of the tamper-evident foldable section. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall forms a frangible connection at the first end of the tamper-evident foldable section. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the inner wall includes a retention projection extending outwardly to initially assist in securing the lid and the container. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the retention projection is a snap-on retention projection. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the outer wall is from about 0.01 to about 0.10 inch. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the thickness of the outer wall is from about 0.02 to about 0.05 inch. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises an olefin. 
     
     
         13 . A package comprising:
 a container including a sidewall, a bottom, and a rim or neck portion, the sidewall of the container, the bottom, and the rim portion being integrally formed or connected with each other, at least a portion of the sidewall of the container being located between the bottom and the rim portion, the rim portion including an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall and the outer wall being spaced from each other and connected to each other by an extension; and   a lid including a top portion and a sidewall extending therefrom,   wherein an interior opening of the container is defined by the inner wall of the rim portion, the sidewall of the container, and the bottom,   wherein an exterior opening is formed between the inner wall, the outer wall and the extension, the exterior opening being sized and configured to receive the sidewall of the lid,   wherein the outer wall has a tamper-evident foldable section, the tamper-evident foldable section having a first end and a second end, the first end of the tamper-evident foldable section being configured to fold back toward and secure to a second end of the tamper-evident foldable section so as to expose the sidewall of the lid.   
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the sidewall of the lid includes a lid retention projection and wherein the sidewall of the container includes a container retention projection, the lid retention projection and the container retention projection being configured to be secured to each other when the container and the lid are in an initially closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the tamper-evident foldable section has a projection extending outwardly therefrom and an opening formed therein, the opening sized and configured to receive the projection after the tamper-evident foldable section is folded. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the tamper-evident foldable section extends from about 2 to about 40 percent around a circumference of the rim portion. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein the tamper-evident foldable section extends from about 2 to about 20 percent around the circumference of the rim portion. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the outer wall forms a frangible connection at the first end of the tamper-evident foldable section. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the thickness of the outer wall is from about 0.02 to about 0.05 inch. 
     
     
         20 . A process of opening a package, the process comprising:
 providing a package, the package including a container and a lid, the container including a sidewall, a bottom, and a rim or neck portion, the sidewall of the container, the bottom, and the rim portion being integrally formed or connected with each other, at least a portion of the sidewall of the container being located between the bottom and the rim portion, the rim portion including an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall and the outer wall being spaced from each other and connected to each other by an extension, the lid including a top portion and a sidewall extending therefrom, the inner wall of the rim portion, the sidewall of the container, and the bottom defining an interior opening of the container, the inner wall, the outer wall, and the extension forming an exterior opening, the exterior opening being sized and configured to receive the sidewall of the lid, the outer wall having a tamper-evident foldable section, the tamper-evident foldable section having a first end and a second end;   grasping the first end of the tamper-evident foldable section;   pulling the first end of the tamper-evident foldable section and folding the first end of the tamper-evident foldable section over the second end of the tamper-evident foldable section so as to expose a section of the lid;   securing the first and second ends of the tamper-evident foldable section to each other; and   grasping the exposed section of the lid and moving the lid from the container so as to gain access to the interior opening of the container.