US4480749A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper-evident container and method for making the same
Assignee: Nordson Corp
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Filing: 1983-05-26
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Granted: 1984-11-06
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Expires: 2003-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A tamper-evident container and a method for making the same. The container includes at least one open end with integral flaps adjacent the open end. A thermoplastic material is applied to one flap with the other flap folded over onto the one flap. The flaps are thus sealed together with a thermoplastic material. A temperature-sensitive indicator is applied to the closed end so that the indicator visually indicates whether an excessive amount of heat has been applied to the seal of thermoplastic material.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter K. Laucis
- 👤 Robert Terry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:04
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/026; B65D5/00; B65D5/42; B65D77/00; B65D77/22; B65D79/00; B65D79/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A tamper-evident container comprising: a container body defining opposite open ends, a plurality of integral flaps extending from each open end, said flaps being sealed together with a thermoplastic material so as to close both open ends of the container; and a temperature sensitive indicator being on the exterior surface of each closed end so that said indicator visually indicates whether an excessive amount of heat has been applied to the seal of thermoplastic material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A tamper-evident container comprising: a container body defining opposite open ends, a plurality of integral flaps extending from each open end, said flaps being sealed together with a thermoplastic material so as to close both open ends of the container; and a temperature sensitive indicator being on the exterior surface of each closed end so that said indicator visually indicates whether an excessive amount of heat has been applied to the seal of thermoplastic material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The container of claim 1 wherein said indicator comprises a deposit of temperature sensitive liquid, said liquid irreversibly changing color from a first to a second color upon being placed at or above a first temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The container of claim 2 wherein the thermoplastic material melts at a temperature higher than said first temperature.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for sealing an open end of a container having a pair of upstanding integral flaps, the method comprising the steps of: folding one of the flaps over the open end; applying molten thermoplastic material to the exterior surface of said one flap; folding the other flap over said one flap so that the interior surface of said other flap contacts said thermoplastic material thereby closing the open end of the container; and applying a temperature-sensitive indicator to the exterior surface of said other flap so that said indicator visually indicates whether an excessive amount of heat has been applied to the seal of thermoplastic material.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for sealing an open end of a container having a pair of upstanding integral flaps, the method comprising the steps of: folding one of the flaps over the open end; applying molten thermoplastic material to the exterior surface of said one flap; folding the other flap over said one flap so that the interior surface of said other flap contacts said thermoplastic material thereby closing the open end of the container; and applying a temperature-sensitive indicator to the exterior surface of said other flap so that said indicator visually indicates whether an excessive amount of heat has been applied to the seal of thermoplastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said indicator comprises a deposit of temperature sensitive liquid, said liquid irreversibly changing color from a first to a second color upon being placed at or above a first temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the thermoplastic material melts at a temperature higher than said first temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
A tamper-evident container comprising: a container body defining opposite open ends, a plurality of integral flaps extending from each open end, said flaps being sealed together with a thermoplastic material so as to close both open ends of the container; and a temperature sensitive indicator at each closed end being proximate to the seal of the thermoplastic material so that said indicator visually indicates whether an excessive amount of heat has been applied to the seal of thermoplastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
A tamper-evident container comprising: a container body defining opposite open ends, a plurality of integral flaps extending from each open end, said flaps being sealed together with a thermoplastic material so as to close both open ends of the container; and a temperature sensitive indicator at each closed end being proximate to the seal of the thermoplastic material so that said indicator visually indicates whether an excessive amount of heat has been applied to the seal of thermoplastic material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-11-06 | 1988-05-07 | 1988-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-06 | 1992-05-07 | 1992-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-06 | 1996-05-07 | 1996-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |