US20200247592A1

US20200247592A1 - Tamper Proof Container

Info

Publication number: US20200247592A1
Application number: US16/263,265
Authority: US
Inventors: Kevin Kantati
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-01-31
Filing date: 2019-01-31
Publication date: 2020-08-06
Also published as: CA3032642A1

Abstract

A tamper resistant container configured to receive and store substances for which restricted access is desired. The tamper resistant container includes a body having four walls and a bottom integrally formed to create an interior volume. The body includes an upper end and a lower end wherein the body includes three protrusions formed on the outer surface of three of the four walls proximate the upper end of the body. A lid is hingedly secured to the body and configured to hermetically seal the interior volume of the body. A plurality of receiving grooves are formed on two opposing walls of the body. At least one divider is provided to slidably engage with the plurality of receiving grooves in order to divide the interior volume into two sections. The lid is moved to its open position by a simultaneous action on all of the three protrusions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a container that is configured to provide restricted access to the interior volume thereof wherein the lid of the present invention requires simultaneous engagement at three different points in order to access the interior volume of the present invention.

BACKGROUND

Tamper proof containers are well known in the art and are utilized for various different substances. One of the most common tamper proof or child resistant container are prescription medicine containers. As is known in the art, conventional prescription medicine containers are designed to inhibit access to those individuals, typically those younger in age, from accessing the interior volume of the container and as such any substance that is disposed therein. The conventional prescription container has been utilized for decades and includes a rotational cap having a tab and block configuration that restricts normal rotational movement of the cap without the tab being engaged. While this container has proven somewhat effective, many children can operate the aforementioned type of container. Restricting access to the contents of containers is vitally important for the safety of children and others. There are numerous substances that need to be stored in containers that provide restricted access thereto.
One type of substance that needs restricted access is cannabis. The legalization of cannabis has begun to proliferate across North America. Recreational cannabis is legal in Canada and many states in the United States. Cannabis comes in many forms such as but not limited to edibles or smoking form. While cannabis is legal, there are still laws that are similar to alcohol wherein the prevention of access to cannabis by children is the focus. It is desirable for those utilizing cannabis to inhibit the ability for children and other individuals to access the cannabis. As such, storing the cannabis in a proper container is important. Additionally, storage of the smoking form of cannabis which is often tobacco like in manner that is rolled in a rolling paper is desired wherein the smoking form of cannabis is properly hermetically sealed so as to ensure the maintenance of the quality for a desired time period.
Accordingly, there is a need for a tamper proof container that is configured to receive and retain cannabis, particularly in the smoking form, wherein the interior volume of the tamper proof container is hermetically sealed and requires enhanced dexterity to engage the lid thereof so as to properly move to the open position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a tamper proof container that is configured to receive and store substances such as but not limited to the smoking form of cannabis wherein the container of the present invention has an interior volume that is hermetically sealed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tamper proof container that is configured to provide restricted access to the interior volume and the contents disposed therein wherein the tamper proof container includes a body having a bottom and four walls integrally formed to create an interior volume.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a tamper proof container that is configured to receive and store substances such as but not limited to the smoking form of cannabis wherein the interior volume has receiving grooves formed on the interior surface of two opposing walls thereof.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tamper proof container that is configured to provide restricted access to the interior volume and the contents disposed therein that further includes at least one divider wherein the divider is releasably secured within the receiving grooves so as to provide division of the interior volume of the container.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a tamper proof container that is configured to receive and store substances such as but not limited to the smoking form of cannabis wherein three of the four walls of the container include protrusions formed on the outer surface thereof proximate the upper edge of the container.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a tamper proof container that is configured to provide restricted access to the interior volume and the contents disposed therein that further includes a lid, wherein the lid is hingedly secured to the body of the container.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a tamper proof container that is configured to receive and store substances such as but not limited to the smoking form of cannabis wherein the lid includes three apertures wherein the three apertures are aligned and mateably coupled with the protrusions.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tamper proof container that is configured to provide restricted access to the interior volume and the contents disposed therein wherein in order to facilitate moving of the lid from a closed position to an open position, two of the three protrusions are subjected to one movement and the third protrusion is released from its corresponding aperture with an alternate movement.
An additional object of the present invention to provide a tamper proof container that is configured to receive and store substances such as but not limited to the smoking form of cannabis wherein the interior of the lid includes a material disposed thereon that facilitates the hermetic sealing of the interior volume of the container.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention showing an internal divider; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the lid of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a tamper proof container 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.
Referring in particular to FIG. 1, the tamper proof container 100 includes body 10 that is comprised of a plurality of walls 12 and a bottom 14 integrally formed to create an interior volume 16. The body 10 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic. The body includes an upper end 13 and a lower end 15. While the body is illustrated herein as being rectangular in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 could be formed in alternate shapes and sizes. Furthermore, while the body 10 is illustrated herein as having four walls 12, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 could have more or less than four walls 12. By way of example but not limitation the body 10 could have as few as one wall or more than four walls. As will be further discussed herein, it is important within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 be formed so as to have diametrically opposing points across the interior volume 16 so as to receive and retain therein at least one divider 60.
Referring in particular to FIG. 3 herein, the interior volume 16 has formed therein a plurality of receiving grooves 20. The receiving grooves 20 are formed on the inner surfaces 9,19 of walls 12 specifically on opposing walls 17,18. The receiving grooves 20 are formed utilizing suitable durable techniques and extend substantially the length intermediate the upper end 13 and lower end 15 of the body 10. The receiving grooves 20 are perpendicular to the bottom 14 and are formed in a parallel manner. The receiving grooves 20 are formed so as to extend the width of the body 10 and are operable to releasably receive and retain a divider 60. While the receiving grooves 20 are illustrated herein as being formed on the inner surfaces 9,19 substantially across the width of the body 10, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the receiving grooves 20 could be formed on only a portion of the inner surfaces 9,19.
The divider 60 is planar in manner and manufactured in a size so as to extend intermediate the walls 17,18 and engage the receiving grooves 20 formed thereon. The divider 60 is slidably introduced into the interior volume 16 of the body 10 and is releasably retained in position with the receiving grooves 20. The divider 60 is operable to divide the interior volume 16 into at least a first section 25 and a second section 26. It should be understood that the tamper proof container 100 could employ more than one divider 60 so as to create a plurality of sections within the interior volume 16 of the body 10 wherein the plurality of sections are sized by a user of the tamper proof container 100 in order to be of suitable size to receive a desired object such as but not limited to the smoking form of cannabis. The divider 60 is manufactured from a durable rigid material such as but not limited to plastic and extends substantially the length of the body 10 intermediate the upper end 13 and lower end 15.
Formed on the outer surface of the walls 12 proximate the upper end 13 of the body 10 are protrusions 40. The protrusions 40 are formed utilizing suitable techniques and are operable to extend outward from the outer surface of the walls 12. As will be further discussed herein, the protrusions 40 are configured to engage apertures 50 of lid 70 so as to inhibit movement of the lid 70 to an open position without engagement of the protrusions 40. While the protrusions 40 are illustrated herein as being square in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the protrusions 40 could be formed in numerous alternate shapes so as to mateably couple with apertures 50 of a similar shape.
The protrusions 40 are formed on the opposing walls 17, 18 and end wall 8. The arrangement of the three protrusions 40 require a particular action thereon in order to facilitate the movement of the lid 70 to the open position. Protrusions 41, 42 are positioned on walls 17, 18 across from each other and a user will depress protrusions 41,42 to release from their corresponding apertures 50 as part of the procedure for moving the lid 70 to the open position. Simultaneously with the aforementioned movement, protrusion 43 is depressed inward so as to release protrusion 43 from its corresponding aperture 50. The movement action on protrusion 43 could further include a pull motion on lid section 71 in addition to or in combination with the immediately aforementioned movement. The procedure to move the lid 50 to its open position requires a first movement wherein protrusions 41,42 are depressed towards each other and a simultaneous movement wherein protrusion 43 is moved inward and perpendicularly to the movement on protrusions 41, 42. The dexterity requirement of the aforementioned movements to move the lid 70 to its open position will typically require two hands from a user and as such be difficult for individuals having reduced dexterity to move the lid 70 to its open position. While three protrusions 40 are preferred, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the tamper proof container 100 could employ two protrusions wherein the movement thereon would be perpendicular so as to remove the lid 70.
The lid 70 is hingedly attached to the body 10 utilizing hinge 80. Hinge 80 is constructed to facilitate movement of the lid 70 from an open position to a closed position while maintaining engagement with the body 10. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the hinge 80 could be constructed in numerous alternate manners in order to achieve the desired objective herein. The lid 70 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic and is sized so as to provide coverage of the opening to the interior volume 16 of the body 10. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the lid 70 include a sealing element such as but not limited to silicon rubber on the inner surface thereof so as to facilitate a hermetic seal intermediate the interior volume 16 and the atmosphere. As one intended use of the tamper proof container 100 is to provide storage of cannabis in its smoking form, an ability to ensure a seal of the lid 70 is desirable so as to maintain the integrity of the contents disposed therein.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container that is designed to be substantially tamper proof comprising:

a body, said body having at least one wall and a bottom integrally formed to create an interior volume, said body having an upper end and a lower end, said at least one wall of said body having an inner surface and an outer surface;

at least two receiving grooves, said at least two receiving grooves being formed on said inner surface of said at least one wall of said body, said at least two receiving grooves located at a diametrically opposed location;

at least two protrusions, said least two protrusions being formed on said outer surface of said at least one wall of said body, said least two protrusions configured to extends outward from said at least one wall;

a lid, said lid configured to releasably secure to said body, said lid having at least two apertures, said at least two apertures configured to mateable couple with said least two protrusions; and

wherein said lid is removed from said body by performing an action on at least two protrusions, wherein said action is perpendicular in manner.

2. The container as recited in claim 1, and further including a divider, said divider configured to be slidably inserted into said at least two receiving grooves.

3. The container as recited in claim 2, wherein said lid is hingedly secured to said body proximate said upper end thereof.

4. The container as recited in claim 3, wherein said lid is configured to hermetically seal the interior volume of said body.

5. The container as recited in claim 4, wherein said at least two protrusions are perpendicularly oriented with respect to each other.

6. The container as recited in claim 5, wherein said at least two protrusions and said at least two apertures are formed in mateable shapes.

7. The container as recited in claim 6, wherein said body is manufactured from a rigid material.

8. A container configured to receive substances therein wherein restricted access is desired for the substances where the container comprises:

a body, said body having a plurality of walls and a bottom integrally formed to create an interior volume, said body having an upper end and a lower end, said plurality of walls of said body having an inner surface and an outer surface, said plurality of walls being configured so as to have two opposing walls;

a plurality of receiving grooves, said plurality of receiving grooves being formed on said inner surface of said two opposing walls of said body;

three protrusions, said three protrusions being formed on said outer surface of said plurality of walls of said body, said three protrusions configured to extend outward from said plurality of walls;

a lid, said lid configured to releasably secure to said body, said lid having three apertures, said three apertures being located on said lid so as to have a corresponding location with said three protrusions, said three apertures configured to mateable couple with said three protrusions; and

wherein said lid is removed from said body by performing an action on said three protrusions simultaneously.

9. The container as recited in claim 8, wherein two of said three protrusions are located on said two opposing walls of said body and one of said three protrusions is located on a wall having a perpendicular orientation thereto.

10. The container as recited in claim 9, and further including a plurality of receiving grooves, said plurality of receiving grooves formed on the inner surface of said at least two opposing walls.

11. The container as recited in claim 10, at least one divider, at least one divider configured to be slidably inserted within said plurality of receiving grooves, said at least one divider extending across the interior volume of said body, said at least one divider operable to divide said interior volume into a first section and a second section.

12. The container as recited in claim 11, wherein said two of said three protrusions are pressed against in a movement plane direction towards each other and the one of said three protrusions is biased against in a direction that is perpendicular to the movement plane direction of the two of said three protrusions so as to move the lid to an open position.

13. The container as recited in claim 12, wherein said three protrusions and said three apertures are formed in the same shape.

14. The container as recited in claim 13, wherein said lid in hingedly secured to said body and configured to hermetically seal the interior volume of said body.

15. A tamper proof container configured to receive and store therein substances for which restricted access is desired comprising:

a body, said body having four walls and a bottom integrally formed to create an interior volume, said body having an upper end and a lower end, said four walls of said body having an inner surface and an outer surface, said body being rectangular in shape;

a plurality of receiving grooves, said plurality of receiving grooves being formed on said inner surface on two opposing walls of said body, said plurality of receiving grooves extending intermediate said upper end and said lower end of said body;

three protrusions, said three protrusions being formed on said outer surface of said four walls of said body, said three protrusions configured to extend outward from said four walls, two of said three protrusions being formed on opposing walls of said body, one of said three protrusions being formed on a wall intermediate and perpendicular to the opposing walls;

wherein said lid is removed from said body by performing a simultaneous action on said three protrusions.

16. The tamper proof container as recited in claim 15, a plurality of dividers, said plurality of dividers configured to be slidably inserted within said plurality of receiving grooves, said plurality of dividers extending across the interior volume of said body, said plurality of dividers operable to divide said interior volume into plurality of sections.

17. The tamper proof container as recited in claim 16, wherein said two of said three protrusions on said opposing walls are pressed against in a movement plane direction towards each other and the one of said three protrusions is biased against in a direction that is perpendicular to the movement plane direction of the two of said three protrusions so as to move the lid to an open position.

18. The tamper proof container as recited in claim 17, rein said lid in hingedly secured to said body and configured to hermetically seal the interior volume of said body.

19. The tamper proof container as recited in claim 18, wherein said three protrusions and said three apertures are formed in a square shape.

20. The tamper proof container as recited in claim 19, wherein said body and said lid are manufactured from plastic.