DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970

(39 of 1970)

&

THE PATENT RULES, 2003

PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION

[See Section 10 and Rule 13]

TITLE:

“A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TAMPER EVIDENT PACKAGING”

APPLICANT:

MANIPAL TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
A company registered under Indian Companies Act, 1956 having address at
Press corner, Manipal-576104, Karnataka, India

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to a system and method for tamper evident packaging. More particularly, the invention relates to the method of folding a tamper evident carton and the system provides the means to secure tamper evident closures, therefore once folded and closed these cartons cannot be re-closed without providing tamper-evident indications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Packaging has always been a symbol of trust and authenticity. However, since its inception there have been profound changes in packaging industry. Now packaging has become more than wrapping, it is now used to extend the shelf life of products, make the product more attractive etc. Packaging uses a vast range of materials metals, glass, paper/board, plastics, films and wood either singly or in various combinations.
The functional aspect of packaging preservation and product security has always been of a paramount importance. Packaging that provides a perfect seal such as metal cans, wooden boxes etc are tough to negotiate, therefore provide little opportunity to counterfeit or adulterate the contents. This type of packaging is strong enough to withstand tampering and once tampered, the packaging shall show permanent abnormality. On the other hand for cardboard packaging the only protection is the glue that acts as the seal that can be easily manipulated. Therefore, there is a demand for tamper evident packaging for cardboard cartons, packaging which provides a barrier to entry and when breached or missing, provides visible evidence to consumers about occurrence of tampering.
Certain improvements in tamper evident labeling materials such as tamper indicating seals have recently been developed, such indicating seals may be employed in envelopes, security deposit bags, folding cartons. Advantageously, the seals, when opened, display a readily visible “flagging” message or signal indicating that the integrity of the sealed carton has been disrupted. However, the use of indicating seals is not practical when it comes to boxes as these require extra material and time to emboss or install such seals.
Therefore tamper evident boxes with one or flaps when disengaged show tamper evident signs have been developed,
In US4917288 a folding carton has an insertion flap attached to a crease line on a panel of a carton body is elucidated. The insertion flap has a second crease line parallel to the first within which lies a slot. The slot is used in conjunction with a second added flap attached to the carton body, which added flap is inserted, and attached in a permanent manner so that a portion of the insertion flap becomes a reusable closure means when the added flap is detached from the body.
In 369/MUM/2012 a tamper evident packaging box is described that includes a plurality of panels is elucidated. The box has at least one panel having a strip extension that is integrally formed out single black of sheet. The strip extension has a tearable tamper evident section tears-off when force is applied. The strip extension seals the length of the packaging box and also the height. The strip extension has an auxiliary flap at the end that is adapted to be folded and inserted into a transversal cut to lock the strip extension.
In US5507428 a box for containing goods during storing, mailing, or shipping is provided. The box has at least one end panel secured to a body panel by a locking tab extendable through a slit in a closure flap of an end panel, so that the end panel cannot be unsecured without providing visible evidence of tampering. The locking tab is foldable for insertion through the slit, after which a surface of the locking tab engages the underside of the flap to prevent withdrawing the locking tab through the slit. Flanges on the locking tab engage the locked box, further preventing withdrawal of the locking tab. The locking tab is joined to the remainder of the box by perforated lines of selective weakness, which tear to provide visible evidence of tampering with the locking tab.
All though these prior art provide the solution of tamper evident packaging the major drawback in all of these packaging is that the tamper evident mechanism are placed in accessible position, which allows people to fiddle with the system and potentially bypass the system.
Therefore, there is a technological gap wherein tamper evident packaging materials are required that can be implemented without modifying manufacturing process, without requiring any extra dexterity when assembling the box from the flat sheet and is completely tamper proof as the tamper proof mechanism or the locking mechanism is inaccessible.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the invention is to provide a system and method for tamper evident packaging including materials such as paper board.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system with at-least one structurally modified closure flap of folding carton having tamper-evident indicator such as anchor lock flap or arrow lock flap.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system tamper proof mechanism or the locking mechanism inaccessible.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system with locking mechanism that are not complicated and does not require any extra dexterity when assembling the box from the flat cardboard sheet.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system with locking mechanism that doesn’t require alteration to the existing process of manufacturing folding cartons.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system with simple design for tamper evident packaging.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system with tamper evident packaging having a locking mechanism that cannot be manipulated.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system with tamper evident packaging having a locking mechanism that if manipulated shall show the visible signs in the packaging and avoid counterfeiting.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tamper evident packaging that can be folded by machine or manually.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tamper evident packaging that can be manufactured in a cost effective manner.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide re-usable folding carton after opening with tamper evident indication.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide glue-less tamper evident folding carton.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide tamer evident carton which cannot be opened through side seam.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention provides In an embodiment of the current invention a tamper evident packaging for folding carton is provided comprising of: a carton with at least one tamper evident closure or anchor locking system or arrow locking system on at least on panel; at least one dust flap to support the anchor locking system; a locking flap, shaped as an anchor or arrow or other similar shapes, having perforations or break lines preferably located on the sides of the flap to extricate locking flap on applying force to release it from the lock; at least one tab preferably located at the front and rear panel; and at least one engaging flap, having a cut out that is just enough to engage the locking flap preferably located on the other end of the locking flap; perforations or break lines are strategically placed on the distal end of the locking flap, joining the panel; and the anchor or arrow shaped locking tab extricates from the carton on opening the locking flap of the carton once engaged in the cut out; wherein: the locking flap is wider in length than the length of the cut out; the locking flap require moving the area after the width of the cutout inwards for inserting the flap in the cut; and the locking flap inserted in the cut out, regains its shape thereby locking the carton.

In yet another embodiment a method of folding a tamper evident packaging comprising of: folding the dust flaps and closure panel at the rear panel of the carton; engaging the anchor or arrow lock into the cutout provided in the tuck in flap in the rear panel; folding the dust flaps and closure panel at the top side of the carton; engaging the anchor or arrow lock into the cutout provided in the tuck in flap in the rear panel in the front panel; and extricating an anchor or arrow shaped locking tab extricates from the carton on opening the locking flap of the carton once engaged through the cut out; wherein: engaging the anchor or arrow lock require moving the area after the width of the cutout inwards for inserting the flap in the cut which regains its original structure and locks the locking flap on insertion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A complete understanding of the system and method of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following drawings:
FIGURE 1 shows the re-closable folding carton with anchor locking system;
FIGURE 2 elucidates the folding of anchor lock flap inwards;
FIGURE 3 elucidates the method of inserting the anchor lock head from side panel to rear panel in the left side is folded inwards along the crease line;
FIGURE 4 shows the rear panel in the right side is folded inwards and insert the anchor lock system into the slot, which is present in between side seam) and left rear panel;
FIGURE 5 elucidates the method of engaging the anchor lock head once insert the anchor lock flap is inserted into the cut out and it gets opened automatically;
FIGURE 6 shows the re-closable folding carton with arrow locking system;
FIGURE 7 elucidates the folding of arrow lock flap inwards;
FIGURE 8 elucidates the method of inserting the arrow lock head from side panel to rear panel in the left side is folded inwards along the crease line;
FIGURE 9 shows the rear panel in the right side is folded inwards and insert the arrow lock system into the slot, which is present in between side seam) and left rear panel; and
FIGURE 10 elucidates the method of engaging the arrow lock head once insert the anchor lock flap is inserted into the cut out and it gets opened automatically.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
For the purpose of illustration a double-decker multitier condensation free box has been used. However, without departing from the scope of invention, the box can have more than two tiers.
This invention is related to the structural modification of at-least one closure flap of folding carton to have tamper-evident indications.
FIGURE 1 shows the flat paperboard box 100 of an inventive tamper evident folding box, comprising of side panels 110, 112 having dust flaps 101,104 on either end; front panel 111 with anchor lock flap 102 located on the front panel on one end with perforation or break line 103 at the posterior end of the anchor lock flap 102 and a bottom closure panel 113 with a tuck in flap 114; and a rear panel 109 having a top closure panel 107 with tuck in panel 105 , a slotting 106, side seam 108 and anchor lock flap 116 with side with perforation or break line 115 just below the anchor head.
The flat paperboard box 100 is folded to engage the anchor lock tab 102on slotting 106 provided in the tuck in flap 105 of top closure panel 107. The bottom closure panel 113 with tuck in flap 114 is folded in to the rear panel’s109 anchor lock flap 116 with perforation or break line 115.
FIGURE 2 elucidates the folding of anchor lock flap inwards.
FIGURE 3 elucidates the method of inserting the anchor lock head from side panel to rear panel in the left side is folded inwards along the crease line.
FIGURE 4 shows the rear panel in the right side is folded inwards and insert the anchor lock system into the slot, which is present in between side seam) and left rear panel.
FIGURE 5 elucidates the method of engaging the anchor lock head once insert the anchor lock flap is inserted into the cut out and it gets opened automatically.
FIGURE 6 shows the flat paperboard box 200 of an inventive folding box, comprising of side panels 213, 215 having dust flaps 201, 204 on either end; front panel 214 with arrow lock flap 202 connected to the front panel on one end with perforation or break line 203 and a bottom closure panel 219 on the opposite end with a tuck in flap 220 and a cut out 216; and a rear panel 209 having a top closure panel 206 with tuck in flap 205, a cut out207, side seam 208 and an arrow lock flap 211 connected to the opposite side of the top closure panel 206 with break line 212 just below the arrow head.
The flat paperboard box 200 is folded in a conventional manner to engage the anchor lock system for re-closable tamper evident packaging allowing the arrow lock flap 202 to be engaged on cut out 207 provided on the top closure panel 206. The bottom closure panel 219 with tucks in flap 220 is engaged into the arrow lock flap 211 on the rear panel 209.
FIGURE 7 elucidates the folding of arrow lock flap inwards.
FIGURE 8 elucidates the method of inserting the arrow lock head from side panel to rear panel in the left side is folded inwards along the crease line.
FIGURE 9 shows the rear panel in the right side is folded inwards and insert the arrow lock system into the slot, which is present in between side seam) and left rear panel.
FIGURE 10 elucidates the method of engaging the arrow lock head once insert the anchor lock flap is inserted into the cut out and it gets opened automatically.
In an embodiment of the current invention a tamper evident packaging for folding carton is provided comprising of: a carton with at least one tamper evident closure or anchor locking system or arrow locking system on at least on panel; at least one dust flap to support the anchor locking system; a locking flap, shaped as an anchor or arrow or other similar shapes, having perforations or break lines preferably located on the sides of the flap to extricate locking flap on applying force to release it from the lock; at least one tab preferably located at the front and rear panel; and at least one engaging flap, having a cut out that is just enough to engage the locking flap preferably located on the other end of the locking flap; perforations or break lines are strategically placed on the distal end of the locking flap, joining the panel; and the anchor or arrow shaped locking tab extricates from the carton on opening the locking flap of the carton once engaged in the cut out; wherein: the locking flap is wider in length than the length of the cut out; the locking flap require moving the area after the width of the cutout inwards for inserting the flap in the cut; and the locking flap inserted in the cut out, regains its shape thereby locking the carton.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention the locking flap may be located on any two sides of the panel. At least two closure or anchor locking system or arrow locking system are needed to completely secure the carton from tampering. The locking system is independent of the shape of the locking flap and only requires that the width of the locking flap is more than the width of the cut out. Any material which allows folding and regains its shape may be utilized preferably corrugated boxes or alike.
In yet another embodiment a method of folding a tamper evident packaging comprising of: folding the dust flaps and closure panel at the rear panel of the carton; engaging the anchor or arrow lock into the cutout provided in the tuck in flap in the rear panel; folding the dust flaps and closure panel at the top side of the carton; engaging the anchor or arrow lock into the cutout provided in the tuck in flap in the rear panel in the front panel; and extricating an anchor or arrow shaped locking tab extricates from the carton on opening the locking flap of the carton once engaged through the cut out; wherein: engaging the anchor or arrow lock require moving the area after the width of the cutout inwards for inserting the flap in the cut which regains its original structure and locks the locking flap on insertion.
The method is independent of the shape of the locking flap and only requires that the width of the locking flap is more than the width of the cut out. ,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A tamper evident packaging for folding carton comprising of:

a carton with at least one tamper evident closure or anchor locking system or arrow locking system on at least on panel;
at least one dust flap to support the anchor locking system;
a locking flap, shaped as an anchor or arrow or other similar shapes, having perforations or break lines preferably located on the sides of the flap to extricate locking flap on applying force to release it from the lock;
at least one tab preferably located at the front and rear panel; and
at least one engaging flap, having a cut out that is just enough to engage the locking flap preferably located on the other end of the locking flap;
perforations or break lines are strategically placed on the distal end of the locking flap, joining the panel; and
the anchor or arrow shaped locking tab extricates from the carton on opening the locking flap of the carton once engaged in the cut out;
wherein:
the locking flap is wider in length than the length of the cut out;
the locking flap require moving the area after the width of the cutout inwards for inserting the flap in the cut; and
the locking flap inserted in the cut out, regains its shape thereby locking the carton.

2. The tamper evident packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking flap may be located on any two sides of the panel.

3. The tamper evident packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two closure or anchor locking system or arrow locking system are needed to completely secure the carton from tampering.

4. The tamper evident packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking system is independent of the shape of the locking flap and only requires that the width of the locking flap is more than the width of the cut out.

5. The tamper evident packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein any material which allows folding and regains its shape may be utilized preferably corrugated boxes, paper board or material alike.

6. A method of folding a tamper evident packaging comprising of:
folding the dust flaps and closure panel at the rear panel of the carton;
engaging the anchor or arrow lock into the cutout provided in the tuck in flap in the rear panel;
folding the dust flaps and closure panel at the top side of the carton;
engaging the anchor or arrow lock into the cutout provided in the tuck in flap in the rear panel in the front panel; and
extricating an anchor or arrow shaped locking tab extricates from the carton on opening the locking flap of the carton once engaged through the cut out;
wherein:
engaging the anchor or arrow lock require moving the area after the width of the cutout inwards for inserting the flap in the cut which regains its original structure and locks the locking flap on insertion.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method is independent of the shape of the locking flap and only requires that the width of the locking flap to be more than the width of the cut out.