FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement adapted to providing leak proof and tamper proof sealing of the container/pail ensuring safe and secured storing and transportation of contents inside the sealed pail. More particularly, the lid of the invention when fitted on the pail/container providing a locking system comprising inner lock and outer lock of the lid matched with corresponding lock portion of the pail and further involve a tamper evident peel off ring with tab ensuring a tamper evident sealing of the container. Advantageously, the tamper evident seal is provided such that after the first opening of the container by peeling of the tamper evident seal the lid is separated into two parts whereby the upper portion of the lid with its interlock provision with respect to the container body can continue to serve as a releasable leak-proof lid for the container. Importantly, lid and container securing is adapted to effectively provide leak proof sealing and also provide protection against temperature variations in the environment and is also obtained as shock absorber to ensure stable stacking of containers one above the other on store/transit. The locking system of the pail with lid according to the invention is thus capable of providing a leak proof, tamper evident inner and outer lock for safe and secured sealing while also simultaneously providing the easy and flexible detachability by means of the peel off ring with tab, ensuring wide industrial application for reliable packaging and transporting of a number of consumables/consumer-durable goods in liquid/powered/ or granular and other like forms.
BACKGROUND ART
The well known field of packaging using plastic containers with cap for a wide range of materials of regular consumption comprising the liquid and/or powdered contents, need safety, security and adulteration free storing/transporting of such items to the consumers/end users. It is thus known in the art that means for sealing plastic containers/pails with lids involve locking system to provide for a safe tamper proof/evident sealing of container with lid to avoid possibilities of unauthorized use/access to the container and its contents. Plastic containers with lid sealing arrangement for various products are known to be adapted to provide tampering and leak proof lid locking with respect to the container body in a number of ways. Such sealing need to be associated on

one hand with ease of dispensing avoiding waste of contents at the user end and on the other hand ensuring safe storage/transportation of contents. Moreover, to ensure reaching desired quality and quantity of the packed contents to the customers' satisfaction, it is required to provide tamper evident leak-free as well as weather resistant sealing of containers with lids which would not only ensure reliable locking means but also facilitate simple, quick and easy means for dispensing at the user end. Thus, the presently available container with lids locking means continue to suffer from some inherent limitations especially in ensuring a safe and leak-proof operative connection there between for easy and safe dispensing of contents. The present invention thus provide a solution by way of a novel lid locking system having an inner and an outer locking means ensuring reliable, safe, leak proof, tamper evident sealing of lid with pail while also ensuring safe, quick and easy dispensing as needed and to overcome the limitation of the related prior art.
The co-pending patent application no. 20/KOL/2009 dated 01-01-2009 of the applicants deals with one such variety of tamper proof lid with pull-up spout for containers providing leak proof packing transporting of contents in a safe manner and ensuring dispensing of desired quality and quantity at the consumer end.
There has been a continuing need to develop container with lid assembly involving a sealing/lid locking system that would be capable on one hand to ensure desired leak proof sealing performance in a simple capping/sealing operation with less complexity and in a cost effective manner and on the other hand providing a tamper-evident sealing/locking of lid with pail, favoring safe secured storing/transporting of contents adapted for ease of lid opening and simple dispensing of contents by end users. Thus the locking system of lid with container is thus required to favor not only leak proof tamper evident sealing in a simple and safe manner but also provide the flexibility and ease of detachability and dispensing without involving any additional component for dispensing of the contents while also ensuring providing all benefits for reliable and safe sealing and stable stacking during storing/transporting without spillage/spoilage.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide for a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement adapted to provide secured, safe, leak-proof and

tamper evident sealing/locking of lid on pail/container having the means for flexible detachability of lid portion for use of contents packed/carried inside in a safe and reliable manner so that guaranteed quality/quantity of contents is maintained at the user point.
A further object of the present invention is directed to providing a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement to provide secured, safe, leak proof sealing/locking wherein a peel off ring with tab is provided to ensure easy peeling off of the ring portion of the lid for opening of cap so that the lid is split into two parts favoring simple, easy and user friendly detachability of lid from the container/pail.
A still further object of the present invention is directed to providing a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement comprising inner lock and outer lock means for complete leak-proof tamper evident lid sealing with pail such that the lid is adapted to provide safe and secured storing and transit of contents packed inside.
A still further object of the present invention directed to providing a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement wherein said peel-off ring with tab provides means for tamper evident secured sealing of lid with flexibility and ease of lid opening by peeling off said ring by pulling an attached tab in a simple and safe manner for quick access to contents, while ensuring safe and secured lid closing during use.
A still further object of the present invention directed to providing a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement comprising of an inner and outer locking provision implemented during capping/sealing of the lid along with said peel off ring with tab ensuring the progressively implementing inner and then the outer locking at respective lock positions between the pail and lid.
A still further object of the present invention directed to providing a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement providing leak proof tamper evident sealing of lid with pail/container wherein the inner and outer locking provisions can be varied depending upon the size and capacity of the container and the contents therein.
A still further object of the present invention directed to provide a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement ensuring leak proof tamper evident sealing of

lid with container/pail adapted to ensure a complete leak proof sealing and further avoid damage of mating surfaces/edges of pail with lid during stacking for storing/transit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement comprising:
lid body portion comprising of two separable portions comprising an upper portion and a lower portion connected therebetween through a tamper proof peel off member such that after assembling of the lid with respect to the container the removal of the peel off member separates the said upper portion from the lower portion indicating the first opening of the lid, said upper portion of the lid having an internal lock region adapted to cooperate with a corresponding inter lock portion of the container body at the top to provide for a inner lock therebetween the lid upper portion and the container body,
the lower portion of the lid body having atleast one extended segment having an external lock region adapted to cooperate with a corresponding externally protruding flaps disposed in the container body and adapted such that during capping the said extended segment of the lid is pressed down through adjacent slotted regions formed in the container body in relation to the said flaps of the container body whereby finally the external lock region of the lid lower portion get arrested with respect to the flaps and the slots for a permanent securing of the lower portion with respect to the container body.
A further aspect of the present invention is directed to a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement comprising:
a circular lid body portion comprising of two separable portions comprising an upper portion and a lower portion connected therebetween through a tamper proof peel off member such that after assembling of the circular lid with respect to the circular top of the container the removal of the peel off member separates the said upper portion from the lower portion indicating the first opening of the lid, said upper portion of the lid having a

circular internal lock region adapted to cooperate with a corresponding circular inter lock portion of the container body at the top to provide for a inner lock therebetween the lid upper portion and the container body;
the lower circular portion of the lid body having plurality of spaced apart extended segments each having an external lock region adapted to counteract with plurality of spaced apart corresponding externally protruding hinged flaps disposed in the container body and adapted such that during capping the said extended segments of the lid lower portion are pressed down through correspondingly disposed and equally spaced apart slotted regions formed in the container body in relation to the said flaps of the container body whereby finally the plurality of the external lock regions of the lid lower portion get arrested with respect to the corresponding flaps and the slots for a permanent securing of the lid lower portion once assembled with respect to the container body.
A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to said container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement wherein a silicone gasket is provided internally inside the lid top region adjacent the container top such as to ensure the content packed are maintained in the container leak proof and free of contaminations from outside and also adapted as a semi shock absorber and stability in stacking while the containers are stacked one above other during transit and as well as in floor stacking condition.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention directed to said container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement wherein the number of the spaced apart extended segments of the lid lower region and the corresponding hinged flaps and slots in the container body is based on the container size and capacity preferably comprising 16 nos. or 8 nos or 4 nos with the numbers decreasing as per the decrease in the size and capacity of the container.
According to an important aspect of the present invention directed to a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement wherein said slots in the container body comprise plurality of correspondingly spaced apart slots provided on an external circular flanged extension of the container body disposed just above the said hinged flaps.
A further aspect of the present invention is directed to a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement wherein said internal lock is adapted such that after the

removal of the peel off tab, the detached upper lid portion can be press fitted with respect to the container top as a releasable lid for the container for subsequent uses.
A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement wherein both said internal lock and external locks comprise of corresponding mutually abutting inter-locking regions of the lid upper portion and the lid lower portion with respect to correspondingly disposed container body portions at the top and in the region of the extended segment of the lid lower portion respectively.
A still further aspect of the present invention a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement wherein the lid and the container body are obtained on polymeric material.
The present invention and its objects and advantages are described in greater details with reference to the accompanying non limiting illustrative drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
Figure 1: is the illustration of the container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement according to the present invention;
Figure 2: is the illustration of the perspective view of the container as per the container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement of the invention;
Figure 3: is the illustration of the perspective view of the lid as per the container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement according to the invention showing the corresponding provisions in the lid for effecting the said inner and outer locking in relation to the container of the invention along with the peel-off ring with tab adapted for the lid opening in simple and user friendly manner;
Figure 4: is the illustration of the lid according to an embodiment of the present invention clearly illustrating the provision of the peel off arrangement which enable separating the lid into two parts for first opening of the lid from its duly assembled position in relation to the container/pail;

Figure 5: is an illustration in the perspective view of the container/pail showing the provision of the 'Hinged Flap' alongwith its zoom in view showing the pail constructions adapted to facilitate the locking of the lid with the pail externally in relation to the hinged flap provision in the pail construction;
Figure 6: is the illustration in cross sectional view of the container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement in locked position showing clearly the operative connection therebetween the lid and the pail achieved by way of the inner and outer lock provision in the container locking and pilfer proof arrangement in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
Reference is first invited to the accompanying Figure 1 showing the container/pail (PL) and lid (LD) assembly of the invention in sealed/locked position providing a safe and secured pilfer proof locking as well as tamper evident sealing of contents according to the present invention.
Reference is next invited to the accompanying Figure 2 that illustrates the perspective view of the container/pail (PL) showing the series of selectively spaced rims near the top including the construction to favor leak proof, tamper evident sealing of the pail with lid for safe handling of the contents stored inside as per the invention. The extreme top edge of the pail forms a respective locking surface/projected notch on its outer wall surface to lock with the corresponding inner locking portion of the lid during capping/sealing. These projections at the top/near top location of the pail and the lid forms the first inner locking (ILK) in the locking system while capping/sealing with the pail. Advantageously also, there is disposed a rim (RM) of selective configuration and at preferred distance down ward from the top edge of pail wherein a plurality of slots (SL) of preferred dimensions are provided at spaced apart locations such that when the lid is pushed downward on the pail first the inner lock is engaged and then on further moving down, plurality of extended segments (ES) of the lid second lock segments or simply extended segments (ES) of the lid penetrate through the respective slots and get locked with respect to 'Hinged Flaps'(HF) located on said outer rim (RM) of the pail at corresponding matching height such that the

lid is fixed/sealed with the pail and cannot be removed by exerting simple upward pull on said lid in its locked position.
Reference is next invited to the accompanying Figure 3 which is the illustration of the perspective view of the lid (LD) according to the invention adapted to be assembled with container/pail(PL) to provide for the above discussed leak proof, pilfer proof/tamper evident sealing/locking. It is clearly apparent from the accompanying Figure 3 that the lid has a plurality of'Extended segments' (ES) which can be any preferred numbers of 4, 8 or 16 depending upon the size and capacity of the container to be capped , selectively disposed and extending downwards from the outer bottom periphery of the said lid. Each of these extended segments (ES) of lid is having an engaging portion for the second outer lock (OLK) provided on its outer wall which gets locked with the corresponding 'Hinged Flap'(HF) portion of the pail located within the slot portions corresponding to each of the extended segments on lid. The said slots and Hinged Flaps being located on to a projected rim(RM) on outer wall of the pail such as to achieve the desired locking system comprising a first inner lock and second outer lock means ensuring complete pilfer proof/ tamper evident, leak proof capping/sealing of the container with said lid.
Importantly, a peel off ring (PR) of selective width, preferably about 4mm wide with a peeling tab(T) forms an intermediate portion of the lid, having grooved inbuilt strip provided to function primarily to detach the lid from the jar/pail. If the tab(T) is pulled, the peel off ring(PR) is detached by peeling it off easily around the lid wall and thus separating the lid into two separate portions at the top and bottom. Thus the peel off ring (PR) with the tab (T) according to the present invention detachably connects a top portion and a bottom portion of the lid providing an distinctive aspect of the invention that allow flexible disconnection of the secured pilfer proof and tamper evident sealing of the pail and lid, for lid opening and accessing/use of contents packed inside.
Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 4, which illustrates in greater detail by way of sectional illustration the lid (LD) of the locking system comprising the inner lock and outer lock means along with the peel off ring with tab arrangement. It would be well apparent from the accompanying Figure 4 in said sectional view which shows that the lid has a first inner lock region (ILK) located on to the inner wall of the lid at a selective height near top edge such that on press fitting of the lid (LD) on to the pail (PL), there is a squeezing action on to the said wall portion of lid while pushed downward on to the

container and the first inner lock (ILK) of the lid locks against the corresponding lock portion provided on the outer wall of top most edge of pail of selective dimension and to thereby securing a first inner locking of the lid. As the lid is pressed downward during capping/sealing, the selective numbers of said Extended segments(ES) with equal spacing on the outer periphery of said lid(LD) are oriented/aligned so as to penetrate through the corresponding slot(SL) portions provided on to the outer rim(RM) of the pail at a corresponding fitting distance from the top edge of pail wall so as to match with the length of each such extended segments(ES) having locking means on the bottom outer surface thereon, which lock with respect to slot portions on container by means of respective Hinged Flaps(HF) of the pail to thereby providing the second outer locking of the lid on to the container/pail.
Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 5, which illustrates by way of the perspective view of the disposition of the 'Hinged Flap' with its enlarged view, below the selectively located slots on the annular rim (RM) on container/pail(PL) at selective height to provide means for second locking with the 'Extended segments' of the lid during capping according to the invention, favoring leak proof and tamper evident sealing. The enlarged partial view showing the slot opening with the selectively disposed 'Hinged Flaps' therein, in the accompanied Figure 5, further illustrates the functional contribution of the hinged flaps in the locking system comprising the inner and the outer locking arrangement of lid capping on pail directed to achieving a leak proof and tamper evident sealing. During capping, the extended segments (ES) of the lid push downwards penetrating through the slots provided in the pail (16nos. or 8nos.or 4nos.) to lock with the pail in respective slot portions by means of hinged flaps(HF), and thus the second outer locking is achieved, completing the implementation of the flexibly detachable locking system comprising inner lock and outer lock means and a peel off ring with tab according to the present invention.
Thus the lid is so secured against the container by way of this capping/sealing through said inner and outer locking means that when pull/effort is applied to remove/lift the lid from the pail, the hinged flaps will not allow the lid's second lock segments to come out of the pail's slots until the peel of ring is attached to lid in place.
Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 6, which illustrates the cross sectional view of lid locking of the container/pail achieved upon capping/sealing according to the present invention, showing the locking system comprising inner lock and outer lock

means comprising first inner lock(ILK) and the second outer lock(OLK) comprising the 'Extended segments'(ES) on the double-walled lid that are meshing with corresponding locking means including 'Hinged Flaps'(HF) on the pail wall with provision of silicone gasket in-between pail and lid. It is apparent from the accompanying Figure 6, that at the time of capping of lid on the pail, said cap is simply required to be gradually pushed downward on the pail such that the inner locks on lid and pail engages to form the first lock inside the double walled configuration of the lid having preferred gap such that the respective inner locks on lid and the pail securely engages against one another under squeezing action between said double walls of lid and the pail wall with lock at the top outer edge placed in between. Advantageously also, selective provisioning of a Silicone gasket (SG) between the top of the pail wall and the inner most ridge of the double walled lid is squeezed between the small gap left in between the circular top of pail wall and the lid and thus providing a complete leak proof sealing while implementing said locking system having the inner and outer locking during capping/sealing. The silicon gasket further ensure that the variation in the ambient temperature do not have any effect on the contents inside the pail. The silicon gasket also function as a shock absorber when the sealed pail with lid is stacked one above the other either for stable stacking on store or for transportation. As the lid is pushed down ward, the extended segments on said lid penetrates through the slot openings on the pail rim (RM) and gets locked inside said slot by means of Hinged Flaps on pail rim, selectively located inside the slot openings, such that the second locking between extended lid's second lock segment and the pail slot is achieved. The lid under this locked position will not open even if a substantial pull force is applied on the lid as the second locking will retain the lid in its position. The peel off ring with tab thus providing an anti-tamper sealing means till the manufacturer's guaranteed quality and quality of contents packed inside is reached to the hand of the ultimate customers.
When the user or customer needs to open the seal for use of contents packed inside the pail, the tab (T) attached with the peel off ring on the lid is pulled so that the ring is peeled off easily without much effort and thereby separating the lid into its top and bottom portions. While the top half can be removed easily without much difficulty and use of any additional gadgets to bring out the contents depending on its character and application/end use, the bottom portion of the lid is retained along with the pail by means of said second lock achieved in between the outer locks e.g. extended segments located on outer walls of the lid and the Hinged Flaps on pail slots. The top half of the lid can be used for temporary capping of the pail during use of contents.

It is thus possible by way of the present invention to achieve a container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement comprising inner and outer locking for assembly of pail/container with lid ensuring pilfer-proof, leak-proof sealing of lid on the pail in order to ensure safe and secured packing, storing, and transporting. Importantly, a peel off ring with tab provided on the lid is adapted to separate out the lid in two parts after desired sealing/capping of pail and lid is achieved and when pulling the tab peels off the ring attached to it. Thus, once a customer/consumer receives a sealed container with the peel off ring in place without any trace of tampering, he can rest assure about the as packed quality and quantity of contents as guaranteed by concerned manufacturer/packer. Once the peel off ring is peeled off, the top half of the lid comprising the inner lock, is detachably capped on the pail during the use/consumption of the contents and the lower part of the lid is securely attached/locked by means of the second outer locking with the pail and retained there itself all along. Thus, the lid locking arrangement comprising the inner and the outer lock and a peel off ring with tab according to the present invention is not only capable of providing safe and secured leak proof, tamper evident sealing/capping of the lid on pail but also provides means for easy and safe detachability of the lid for the use of contents packed inside in a simple, cost effective and user friendly manner without loss/damage of the materials. Such locking system for pail and lid assembly with desired sealing is thus having potential for wide industrial application in packaging of large variety of consumer durable items for safe and secured packing, storing or transporting and reaching to the end user with assured quality and quantity of materials as packed.

WE CLAIM:
l.A container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement comprising:
lid body portion comprising of two separable portions comprising an upper portion and a lower portion connected therebetween through a tamper evident peel off member such that after assembling of the lid with respect to the container the removal of the peel off member is adapted to separate the said upper portion from the lower portion indicating the first opening of the lid, said upper portion of the lid having an internal lock region adapted to cooperate with a corresponding inter lock portion of the container body at the top to provide for a inner lock therebetween the lid upper portion and the container body, the lower portion of the lid body having atleast one extended segment having an external lock region adapted to cooperate with a corresponding externally protruding flaps disposed in the container body and adapted such that during capping the said extended segment of the lid is pressed down through adjacent slotted regions formed in the container body in relation to the said flaps of the container body whereby finally the external lock region of the lid lower portion get arrested with respect to the flaps and the slots for a permanent securing of the lower portion with respect to the container body.
2. A container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement as claimed in claim 1 comprising:
a circular lid body portion comprising of two separable portions comprising an upper portion and a lower portion connected therebetween through a tamper proof peel off member such that after assembling of the circular lid with respect to the circular top of the container the removal of the peel off member separates the said upper portion from the lower portion indicating the first opening of the lid, said upper portion of the lid having a circular internal lock region adapted to cooperate with a corresponding circular inter lock

portion of the container body at the top to provide for a inner lock therebetween the lid upper portion and the container body,
the lower circular portion of the lid body having plurality of spaced apart extended segments each having an external lock region adapted to counteract with plurality of spaced apart corresponding externally protruding hinged flaps disposed in the container body and adapted such that during capping the said extended segments of the lid lower portion are pressed down through correspondingly disposed and equally spaced apart slotted regions formed in the container body in relation to the said flaps of the container body whereby finally the plurality of the external lock regions of the lid lower portion get arrested with respect to the corresponding flaps and the slots for a permanent securing of the lid lower portion once assembled with respect to the container body.
3. A container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2 wherein a silicone gasket is provided internally inside the lid top region adjacent the container top such as to ensure the content packed are maintained in the container leak proof and free of contaminations from outside and also adapted as a semi shock absorber and stability in stacking while the containers are stacked one above other during transit and as well as in floor stacking condition.
4. A container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein the number of the spaced apart extended segments of the lid lower region and the corresponding hinged flaps and slots in the container body is based on the container size and capacity preferably comprising 16 nos. or 8 nos or 4 nos with the numbers decreasing as per the decrease in the size and capacity of the container.
5. A container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein said slots in the container body comprise plurality of correspondingly

spaced apart slots provided on an external circular flanged extension of the container body disposed just above the said hinged flaps.
6. A container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5 wherein said internal lock is adapted such that after the removal of the peel off tab , the detached upper lid portion can be press fitted with respect to the container top as a releasable lid for the container for subsequent uses.
7. A container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein both said internal lock and external locks comprise of corresponding mutually abutting inter-locking regions of the lid upper portion and the lid lower portion with respect to correspondingly disposed container body portions at the top and in the region of the extended segment of the lid lower portion respectively.
8. A container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7 wherein the lid and the container body are obtained on polymeric material.
9. A container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement substantially as
hereindescribed and illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.

A container with lid locking involving pilfer proof arrangement adapted to providing leak proof and tamper evident sealing of the container/pail ensuring safe and secured storing transportation of contents inside the sealed pail. The locking system involves inner lock and outer lock on lid matched with corresponding lock portion of the container and a tamper evident peel off ring with tab ensuring sealing and means to detach the lid for opening when needed. Advantageously, the lid comprises a tab adapted to be pulled to tear off a tamper proof peel off ring to separate the lid in top and bottom parts. The lid upper portion opens in a user friendly manner for first opening as well as reuse. A gasket provided between container and lid, ensuring complete leak proof, shock absorbing sealing providing protection against ambient temperature variations and ensure stable stacking on store/transit.