FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a containers and in particular to containers
having tamper proof lid locking mechanism which would provide for an airtight,
pilfer proof, leak proof container such that the contents are safe and secured from
pilferage, being spoilt/adulterated, or spill over during transportation/handling even
in case of any angular tilt from vertical axis or fall of the container vertically on
ground. The airtight, leak-proof and anti-pilferage lid locking of the container
according to the invention with provide for a container with desired locking
mechanism which when attempted to be tampered would provide clear visible
indication of damage to the container and /or the lid. Apart from such tamper proof
sealing of the container of the invention, the same is further adapted for with
standing the thermal expansions of the inside of the product and hollage air during
any difference of the ambient temperatures during transportation of the container
from one place to another. The container lid which is adapted for safe sealing is also
provided with in mould sprout to facilitate the pouring free of any undesired gurgling
effect. Advantageously, the seal proof container with lid has also been obtained
involving a lid adapted to bear the stacking weight of the contents. The leak-proof
and pilfer-proof airtight container with lid according to the invention is thus provided
with a comprehensive sealing arrangement for the contents making such containers
more safe for transportation and against any unauthorized access.
BACKGROUND ART:
It is well known in the art of packaging of materials in plastic containers that during
the transportation or handling there remain possibilities of spillage or leakage due to
tilt or fall of the container, in the absence of proper sealing of the lid. When
transported in bulk by any freight service or during any interim stocking of a
consignment, there also remains the chance of pilferage by tampering the seal of the
lid or by some other unscrupulous means and purposes. The conventional means for
sealing the plastic containers/pails with locking mechanism involves locking
mechanism between the lid and the container which fail to provide for a complete
safe tamper proof locking and it has been possible in such containers to open the lid
without much damage which could again be resealed without traceable evidence of
such unauthorized access to the container and its contents. Erstwhile, products in
2

the similar category of containers with lid sealing arrangement could at best provide
leak proof lid and transfer feasibility of the contents filled therein. There was no
possible customer satisfaction as to the guarantee of the purity of the contents and
the quantity of the packed contents since even if there is any unauthorized access
the same could be attended without any detectable marks/signs on the container
and/or the lid. Thus the presently available containers with lid continue to suffer
from such serious problems of maintaining quality and quantity of its contents for
better customer satisfaction and confidence.
There has been therefore a continuing need for developing a container with lid
having comprehensive locking mechanism for lid with respect to the container body
such as to provide not only a leak proof and airtight sealing of the lid but would also
ensure guaranteed quality and quantity when packed during transportation and
until it reaches the user point by way of providing mechanism for protecting the
contents from unwanted pilferage/adulteration and making any tamper evident to
caution the end user/customer.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide for a leakproof and
airtight locking mechanism for plastic containers and lid thereof which would be
apart from such leak proof and airtight locking would also advantageously involve
mechanism which would clearly reveal and visibly indicate any unauthorized access
to the contents of the container for better customer satisfaction and confidence in
such packaging.
Another object of the present invention is directed to obtaining a container with lid
sealing/locking mechanism providing a leak-proof, airtight and pilfer-proof container
for protection of the contents packed therein such that any attempt to unauthorized
access to its contents would leave visible detectable damage to the sealing
arrangement container body and/or lid, and block any chance for reseating of the
container without any evidence.
A further object of the present invention is directed to obtaining said leakproof,
airtight and tamper proof container having locking mechanism of the container with
3

lid adapted to protect as packed quality and quantity of the contents filled in, which
would favor improving customer satisfaction and building brand reputation.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a container having body
and cover/lid/cap locking mechanism with stated pilfer proof characteristics which
would be further adapted to withstand thermal expansion of the inside
content/product and hollage air during the difference in temperatures from place to
place.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container having body
and cover/lid/cap locking mechanism with stated pilfer proof characteristics which
would be further adapted to be user friendly favouring simple and easy locking of the
lid with respect to the container with the afore discussed desired tamper evident
sealing to facilitate the wide scale application and use of such container and lid
locking mechanism to block against unauthorized tampering and /or
adulteration/theft of contents in such containers and making such plastic and like
packaging safer and widely acceptable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided an
airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers with lid
comprising:
container body having an open top all around for a corresponding lid thereof with an
interlocking mechanism;
said interlocking mechanism comprising of said container body provided with a
vertically extending container rim at the top and a container flap surrounding said
rim to define there between a V shaped opening with a narrow lower region and a
4

broader top and adapted for interlocking with said lid adjacent its top and lower
edges;
said lid having a downwardly extending wall and adapted such that when the lid is
forcefully applied with respect to the container top with said downwardly protruding
wall of said lid introduced there between said container rim and surrounding
container flap, said interlocking of the container and lid is attained at the top of the
lid alongwith the interlocking at the lower edge of the lid an external flange which is
adapted to get interlocked with respect to the adjacent internal face/contour in the
container flap to thereby provide for a tamper proof interlocking of the container and
lid.
According to a preferred aspect of the invention there is provided an airtight pilfer
proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers with lid comprising:
container body having an open top all around for a corresponding lid thereof with an
interlocking mechanism;
said interlocking mechanism comprising of said container body provided with a
vertically extending container rim at the top and a container flap surrounding said
rim to define there between an opening from the top for interlocking a lid;
said container rim and said container flap having flanged extension at the top facing
each other;
said lid having a downwardly extending wall with an externally protruding flap and an
internally protruding annular flange towards the top thereof and an externally
5

protruding flange adjacent its lower edge and adapted such that when the lid is
forcefully applied with respect to the container top with said downwardly protruding
wall of said lid introduced there between said container rim and surrounding
container flap , the interlocking of the container and lid is attained at the top of the
lid by the said lid flap adapted to get interlocked with said flange in the container flap
and the said internal annular flange of said lid adapted to get interlocked with
respect to said flange of the container rim and also at the lower edge of the lid by
said external flange adapted to get interlocked with respect to the adjacent internal
face/contour in the container flap to thereby provide for a tamper proof interlocking
of the container and lid.
A still further aspect of the present invention is directed to an airtight pilfer proof and
tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers with lid wherein said container
flap comprises of thin sections all around adapted such as to get detached in case of
external pressure is exerted for unauthorized releasing of the interlock therebetween
the container the and the lid.
According to a further aspect of the present invention the same is directed to said
airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers with lid
wherein said container comprises of a vertical rim and flap adapted to provide hinge
effect and lock the cap to withstand fall of the container from its vertical axis.
A still further aspect of the airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking
mechanism of containers with lid according to the present invention comprise
annular undulation on top of the cap adapted to withstand the thermal expansions of
6

the inside product and hollage air during the difference of the ambient temperatures
from place to place.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention said airtight pilfer proof and
tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers with lid wherein the container lid
comprises an in mould sprout to facilitate pouring of the contents without gurgling.
Another aspect of the present invention directed to an airtight pilfer proof and tamper
evident seal locking mechanism of containers with lid wherein the container lid
comprises a stacking ring adapted to bear the stacking weight of the contents.
A still further aspect of the present invention directed to said airtight pilfer proof and
tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers with lid wherein said lid
comprises of circular flap adapted to act as hinge and lock to lock the container.
The present invention and its objects and advantages are described in greater detail
in relation to non-limiting exemplary illustrations thereof with reference to the
following accompanying non-limiting illustrative drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1: is a perspective view of the container lid;
Figure 2 : is a perspective view of the container;
Figure 3: is the illustration of a vertical cross-section of the container;
Figure 4: is the illustration of a cross sectional view of the container lid;
Figure 5: is the illustration of the detailed and enlarged view of the container edge,
highlighting the location of annular flange on the rim and the flap, facilitating
achieving the leak-proof, airtight and pilfer-proof locking;
7

Figure 6: is the illustration of the detailed enlarged view of the container lid
highlighting the location of Flap and the Locks on the inner and outer surface of
outer wall; and
Figure 7: is the vertical cross-section of the container and the container lid in the
tightly closed locked position, highlighting the respective mating of the locks and
flanges on the container and the lid and thus providing the desired pilfer proof self
locking.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING
FIGURES
As discussed hereinbefore, the present invention is directed to providing plastic
container and its lid with seal locking mechanism such that the container is a
leakproof, airtight and tamper evident one, ensuring the quality and quantity of
contents to remain safe and secured and free of any adulteration/theft during
transportation/handling/stocking, prior to actual use.
The locking mechanism of the container of the present invention, on one hand
protects the content against any angular tilt of the container against vertical axis or
vertical fall on ground, without any leakage of contents and more, advantageously
on the other hand also ensures a tamper evident sealing between the container body
and lid such that in case of any attempted unauthorized tampering there is no
option for resealing the lid on container without evidence. The sealing/locking system
of the container is such that whenever there is any attempt to tamper/pilfer,
evidence of the same there is necessarily caused a visible /detectable damage to the
body/jar and/or lid/cap to caution the customer against such unathorised access.
Thus the container with airtight and pilfer/tamper proof locking mechanism provide
for total safe and secured storage and transfer of contents maintaining the as packed
quality and quantity and thereby protecting also the brand image/reputation of
products it contains.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is a container body
having circular section with narrower bottom and a container lid adapted to provide
said airtight sealing or anti-pilfer airtight sealing and locking. The container has an
8

open top with a Rim around which there is provision for the sealable lock. Such an
embodiment of the air tight, leak proof and tamper evident container and lid locking
mechanism of the invention is discussed hereunder in greater detail in relation to the
following accompanying figures.
Reference is first invited to Figure 1 and also Figure 2, showing the perspective
view of the container lid and the container respectively, highlighting the overall
configuration and shape of the two independent components providing the claimed
safe and secured lock/seal when fitted in matched position.
Reference is next invited to accompanying Figure 3, is the vertical cross sectional
view of the container symmetrical to the central axis, illustrating the truncated
conical shape of the jar. The top edge of the container is surrounded by said Rim
with a flange and a stiffening ring support just below the Rim to mount the container
carrying handle. The bottom surface of the jar is provided with desired rigidity by
selectively located embossing/joggle, for safe handling/storing.
Reference is further invited to accompanying Figure 4, illustrating the vertical cross
sectional view of the lid, showing the detailed configuration and multiple undulations
on the top surface provided to withstand and accommodate the thermal expansion of
the inside product and hollage air during the difference in the ambient temperature
from place to place.
The advantages residing in the tamper evident locking of container and lid in
accordance with the present invention is illustrated in greater detail in relation to
the following figures. Reference is now invited particularly to the accompanying
Figure 5 which shows the detailed enlarged view of the edge of the container
wherein the upper edge is surrounded by the Rim (2) and the Flap (1) selectively
spaced apart; The Rim is having a Flange (3) surrounding the Rim on top outside
edge and the Flap (1) is having a similar annular Flange (4) at top inside edge,
facilitating desired airtight and leak proof sealing when fitted and also provide means
for pilfer protection as well as detection of any attempt of pilfering by providing said
outer flap surrounding the container top which has a preferred thin section(5)
selectively located at an intermediate depth from top and spaced equally all around
9

the body, such that any attempt of pilfering by breaking the seal must leave
detectable damage to the flap and the Rim of the container and also the lid.
In the accompanying Figure 6 there is illustrated the detailed enlarged view of the
container lid. As shown in said figure, the container lid has a number of undulations
(14) at the top surface selectively spaced to accommodate the thermal expansion of
the contents and hollage air during the difference in ambient temperature from time
to time. The container lid has a vertical wall (11) all around the top surface to
accommodate the bottom of the container for better stacking, one above the
another, the wall being known as Stacking Ring. The lid is having also a pair of wall
surfaces e.g. an outer wall (9) and an inner wall (10) running substantially parallel
surrounding the wall (11).The lid also consists of an annular flange (6) around inner
surface of the outer wall(9) on the lid body which operatively seals to the container
lock/flange(3 in Fig. 5) in order to provide a leakproof and pilfer proof sealing/locking
when matched on closing the lid under pressure. The inner lid wall (10) acts as a
shield to the locking mechanism between the container and the lid. The lid Flap (7)
which is an inclined annular projection around the outer wall (9) of the lid at
selective depth from top of the lid such that it operatively gets locked with annular
flange (4) on the container flap (1) in figure 5. The lid is also having the ribs (12 and
13) which are provided to stiffening the walls, at selective angular spacing both on
top surface as well as on the reverse side of the lid to enable it to withstand the
stacking weight of the filled container.
Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 7 which illustrates the actual
locking mechanism of the lid with the container according to the invention, in
assembled condition with locks and flanges placed in position providing the desired
leakproof and pilfer proof airtight sealing. It is observed from the Figure F that the
annular flanges of both the container and the lid are tightly interlocked to provide
said leakproof and airtight container. When the lid is placed on the open mouth of
the container and pressed with force the locks/flanges gets engaged with each other
at the respective location e.g. annular flange (3) on Rim (2) of container gets locked
with the Flange (6) on the inner surface of outer wall (9) of the lid and similarly,
annular flange (4) on the inner top edge of the Flap (1) of the container gets
interlocked with the Flap (7) on the outer wall (9) of the lid and also the annular lock
flange/lock(8) on bottom outer edge of the outer wall(9) of the lid gets interlocked
10

with the inner annular recess(not shown in figure) provided on the bottom inner side
of the Flap(1) of the container.
Thus for the purpose of obtaining a leakproof airtight and more importantly pilfer
evident sealing according to the present invention, the lid is placed on the open
mouth of the container and pressed with force such that the locks or flanges 3 and 4
on the container, slip into the corresponding annular flanges 6, 7 and 8 on the lid
wall and engages slipping into each other and thereby inter-locking against one
another. Figure 7 also illustrates the placement of one container over another such
that the bottom portion of the top one is accommodated in the annular wall (11) of
the lid of the bottom container, favoring stacking of such containers in bulk for
transportation and storage.
It would be clearly observed from the above figures that the tamper evident locking
in the container with lid of the invention is attained as follows:
Importantly, the annular flanges of both "container and lid" as shown in Figure F
reference marking (3) are tightly interlocked such as to provide leak proof and air
tight container. When the lid is placed on the open mouth of the container and
pressed with the force the locks as shown in Figure 5 reference numerals (3) and (4)
and Figure 7 reference numerals (6) and (7) slip into each other and the self locking
is attained. The annular lock of the lid shown in Figure 7 reference (6) is adapted to
slip and lock underneath the lock of the container shown by reference (4) in Figure
5.Thus when these locks interlock each other the lid flap exerts pressure on the
container flap which in turn acts with the return pressure to lock the lid. The flap all
around the container as shown in Figure 5 reference (10 is fully pressurized and the
thin sections as shown in Figure 5 reference (5) around the container also get
pressurized.
Importantly, in the container and lid locking of the invention, any attempt to
pilferage /tamper the contents inside would result in breakage of the lid as shown in
Figure E reference (9) slips inside the gap between the container body, figure 5
reference (2) and the container flap, Figure 5 reference (1) and any sharp metallic
tool if inserted to lift the lid from the position of its locking would result in breakage
in thin sections all around the flap.
11

It is thus possible by way of this invention to provide a container with lid providing a
leak-proof, airtight and pilfer-proof (tamper evident) sealing/locking mechanism such
that the containers are capable to carry the content in a safe manner without any
damage or pilferage to the contents. Thus the container with lid locking mechanism
according to the invention provide not only desired airtight and leak proof storage of
contents but also ensures that any unauthorized attempts to open the lid is tamper
evident to caution the customer and thereby protect also the brand image/reputation
of the package /products contained therein. The container and lid locking of the
invention would thus facilitate better and more authentic utilization of plastic
containers for variety of packaging and like applications.
12

WE CLAIM:
1. An airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers
with lid comprising:
container body having an open top all around for a corresponding lid thereof with an
interlocking mechanism;
said interlocking mechanism comprising of said container body provided with a
vertically extending container rim at the top and a container flap surrounding said
rim to define there between a V shaped opening with a narrow lower region and a
broader top and adapted for interlocking with said lid adjacent its top and lower
edges;
said lid having a downwardly extending wall and adapted such that when the lid is
forcefully applied with respect to the container top with said downwardly protruding
wall of said lid introduced there between said container rim and surrounding
container flap, said interlocking of the container and lid is attained at the top of the
lid alongwith the interlocking at the lower edge of the lid an external flange which is
adapted to get interlocked with respect to the adjacent internal face/contour in the
container flap to thereby provide for a tamper proof interlocking of the container and
lid.
2.An airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers
with lid comprising:
container body having an open top all around for a corresponding lid thereof with an
interlocking mechanism;
13

said interlocking mechanism comprising of said container body provided with a
vertically extending container rim at the top and a container flap surrounding said
rim to define there between an opening from the top for interlocking a lid;
said container rim and said container flap having flanged extension at the top facing
each other;
said lid having a downwardly extending wall with an externally protruding flap and an
internally protruding annular flange towards the top thereof and an externally
protruding flange adjacent its lower edge and adapted such that when the lid is
forcefully applied with respect to the container top with said downwardly protruding
wall of said lid introduced there between said container rim and surrounding
container flap, the interlocking of the container and lid is attained at the top of the
lid by the said lid flap adapted to get interlocked with said flange in the container flap
and the said internal annular flange of said lid adapted to get interlocked with
respect to said flange of the container rim and also at the lower edge of the lid by
said external flange adapted to get interlocked with respect to the adjacent internal
face/contour in the container flap to thereby provide for a tamper proof interlocking
of the container and lid.
3. An airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers
with lid as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2 wherein said container flap comprises
of thin sections all around adapted such as to get detached in case of external
pressure is exerted for unauthorized releasing of the interlock therebetween the
container the and the lid.
14

4. An airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers
with lid as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein said container comprises of a
vertical rim and flap adapted to provide hinge effect and lock the cap to withstand
fall of the container from its vertical axis.
5. An airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers
with lid as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 comprising annular undulation on top
of the cap adapted to withstand the thermal expansions of the inside product and
hollage air during the difference of the ambient temperatures from place to place.
6. An airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers
with lid as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5 wherein the container lid comprises an
in mould sprout to facilitate pouring of the contents without gurgling.
7. An airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers
with lid as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein the container lid comprises a
stacking ring adapted to bear the stacking weight of the contents.
8. An airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers
with lid as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7 wherein said lid comprises of circular
flap adapted to act as hinge and lock to lock the container.
9. An airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers
with lid as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 8 wherein the said interlocks
therebetween the container body and the lid are adapted such that when interlocked,
the lid flap is adapted to exert pressure on the container flap which in turn is adapted
to act with return pressure to lock the lid.
15

10. An airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers
with lid as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 9 wherein the flap around the container
is fully pressurized and the thin sections around the container are also pressurized.
11. An airtight pilfer proof and tamper evident seal locking mechanism of containers
with lid substantially as hereindescribed and illustrated with reference to the
accompanying figures.


Dated this 6th day of September, 2007

16

The present invention relate to containers having tamper proof lid seal locking
mechanism ensuring an airtight, pilfer proof, leak proof container, ensuring not being
spoilt/adulterated, or loss due to spill over during transportation/handling even in
case of any angular tilt from vertical axis or fall of the container vertically on ground.
Importantly, said anti-pilferage container having desired locking mechanism,
achieved through selectively located flanges and flap means on the body as well as
the lid wall of said container, fitted under force, which when attempted to be
tampered would provide clear visible indication of damage to the container and /or
the lid. The container lid is adapted for withstanding the thermal expansions of the
inside of the product and hollage air due to variations in the ambient temperatures.
An in -mould sprout facilitates the pouring the content free of any undesired gurgling
effect. The seal proof container involving a lid adapted to bear the stacking weight of
the contents. The container with seal locking mechanism thus providing a
comprehensive sealing arrangement for the contents making such containers more
safe for transportation and against any unauthorized access.