Systems and methods for making tamper-resistant containers

Abstract

A container sealing system, comprising a container, wherein the container includes a closure mechanism configured to close an open end of the container; a strip of adhesive-bearing material separate from the container configured to cooperate with the closure mechanism of the container, wherein the adhesive is deposited on only one side of the strip of material and positioned to bind to itself; and a permanent seal created by the cooperation of the closure mechanism of the container and the strip of adhesive-bearing material, wherein the permanent seal cannot be broken without damaging the container, the trip of adhesive-bearing material, or both, thereby creating visual evidence of tampering with the container.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A container sealing system, comprising:
 (a) a container, wherein the container includes a closed lower portion and a closeable upper portion; and   (b) an adhesive deposited at predetermined locations on the upper portion of the container, wherein the adhesive is either a self-seal cohesive material or a pressure-seal cohesive material, and   (c) wherein the adhesive is positioned to adhere to itself when the upper portion of the container is closed, thereby forming a permanent seal that cannot be broken without damaging the container and creating visual evidence of tampering with the container.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the permanent seal is formed by applying hand pressure to the self-seal cohesive material when the upper portion of the container is closed; or wherein the permanent seal is formed by applying compressive mechanical pressure to the pressure-seal cohesive material when the upper portion of the container is closed. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the compressive mechanical pressure is provided by a mechanical embosser or the like. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a paper bag, wherein the closeable upper portion includes a flap extending above a top edge of the bag, and wherein the adhesive is deposited on an inner surface of the flap and an outer surface of the top edge. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a paper bag, wherein the closeable upper portion is square or rectangular in shape and includes four corner regions, and wherein the adhesive is deposited on each of the four corner regions. 
     
     
         6 . A container sealing system, comprising:
 (a) a container, wherein the container includes a closure mechanism configured to close an open end of the container;   (b) a strip of adhesive-bearing material separate from the container configured to cooperate with the closure mechanism of the container, wherein the adhesive is deposited on only one side of the strip of material and positioned to bind to itself; and   (c) a permanent seal created by the cooperation of the closure mechanism of the container and the strip of adhesive-bearing material,   (d) wherein the permanent seal cannot be broken without damaging the container, the strip of adhesive-bearing material, or both, thereby creating visual evidence of tampering with the container.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the strip of adhesive-bearing material is configured as a label having a front side and a back side opposite the front side, wherein a broken strip of adhesive has been deposited along the length of the label or receipt on the back side thereof, and wherein the adhesive is a self-seal cohesive material or a pressure-seal cohesive material. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , where in the strip of adhesive-bearing material is configured as a handle for carrying the container. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the container is a bag formed from paper or similar material, wherein the closure mechanism includes a foldable top edge and a slot formed in and through the bag below the top edge, wherein the slot is configured to receive the strip of adhesive-bearing material therein, wherein contacting the adhesive-bearing side of the strip of material with itself and applying pressure forms the permanent seal. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the permanent seal is formed by applying hand pressure to the self-seal cohesive material, or wherein the permanent seal is formed by applying compressive mechanical pressure to the pressure-seal cohesive material. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the container is a bag formed from paper or similar material, wherein the closure mechanism includes a foldable top edge and an aperture formed in and through the bag below the top edge, wherein the strip of adhesive-bearing material is looped over the aperture such that the adhesive sticks to itself through the aperture and the application of force to the strip of adhesive-bearing material through the aperture forms the permanent seal. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the permanent seal is formed by applying hand pressure to the self-seal cohesive material, or wherein the permanent seal is formed by applying compressive mechanical pressure to the pressure-seal cohesive material. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the container is a plastic bag having a closable end, wherein the closable end further includes handles that may be tied together to form a knot and a loop structure, wherein the knot and loop structure is configured to receive the strip of adhesive-bearing material therein, and wherein contacting the adhesive-bearing side of the strip of material with itself and applying pressure forms the permanent seal. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the permanent seal is formed by applying hand pressure to the self-seal cohesive material, or wherein the permanent seal is formed by applying compressive mechanical pressure to the pressure-seal cohesive material. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the container includes a detachable or separable handle component configured to securely hold or enclose a liquid-holding container and provide a carrying handle therefore, wherein the handle component further includes a foldable body having a centrally placed aperture configured to receive a cup, and first and second slots formed in opposing ends of the body, wherein when the body is folded, the slots cooperate to form a carrying handle configured to receive the strip of adhesive-bearing material therein, and wherein contacting the adhesive-bearing side of the strip of material with itself and applying pressure forms the permanent seal. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the permanent seal is formed by applying hand pressure to the self-seal cohesive material, or wherein the permanent seal is formed by applying compressive mechanical pressure to the pressure-seal cohesive material. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the strip of adhesive-bearing material is configured as a receipt having a front side and a back side opposite the front side, wherein a broken strip of a first type of adhesive has been deposited along the length of the receipt on a middle portion of the back side thereof, wherein two broken strips of a second type of adhesive have been deposited along the length of the receipt on the back side thereof on either side of the broken strip of the first type of adhesive, wherein the first type of adhesive is a repositionable adhesive or a permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive, and wherein the second type of adhesive is a self-seal cohesive material or a pressure-seal cohesive material. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the container is a bag formed from paper or similar material, wherein the closure mechanism includes a foldable top edge and a slot formed in and through the bag below the top edge, wherein the slot is configured to receive the strip of adhesive-bearing material therein, wherein contacting the adhesive-bearing side of the strip of material with itself and applying pressure forms the permanent seal. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the container is a bag formed from paper or similar material, wherein the closure mechanism includes a foldable top edge and an aperture formed in and through the bag below the top edge, wherein the strip of adhesive-bearing material is looped over the aperture such that the adhesive sticks to itself through the aperture and the application of force to the strip of adhesive-bearing material through the aperture forms the permanent seal. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the container is a plastic bag having a closable end, wherein the closable end further includes handles that may be tied together to form a knot and a loop structure, wherein the knot and loop structure is configured to receive the strip of adhesive-bearing material therein, and wherein contacting the adhesive-bearing side of the strip of material with itself and applying pressure forms the permanent seal.