RECLOSABLE TAMPER-EVIDENT FOLDING CARTON
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reclosable folding carton for packaging of pharmaceutical
dosage forms with a built-in tamper-evident feature.
Background of the Invention
Pharmaceutical dosage forms are developed and packed by manufacturers to be used by the
consumers. However, it is possible that the packaging may be tampered with during transport, and
this tampering may not be noticed by consumers. The prior art discloses various techniques to make
the tampering evident.
U.S. Patent No.7,717,319 discloses a folding carton with a tamper-evident closure. The
closure comprises an insertion tab with a tear-off tab. The tear-off tab is torn off when the carton is
opened for the first time. The tamper-evident closure of this carton is disadvantageous because it
has a complicated structure that engages the tear-off tab with the retaining carton.
U.S. Patent Number 8,408,451 discloses a folding carton with a tamper-evident closure. The
closure comprises a lid flap with an insertion tab, a cover tab, and a cut-out. The insertion tab
comprises one or more tear-off tabs. The tamper-evident closure is set up in such a way that when
the carton is opened for the first time, one or more tear-off tabs tear partially or completely. This
tamper-evident carton is complicated in structure, and the tamper-evident closure can be bypassed
easily by simple manipulations without leaving any visible evidence of tampering.
The tamper evident cartons disclosed in the prior art all have certain disadvantages. Hence,
there is a need to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art cartons and to make an improved
reclosable folding carton which is tamper-evident, simple in structure, and difficult to restore to its
original condition.
The inventors of the present invention have developed a reclosable folding carton with a
built-in tamper-evident feature. The carton of the present invention is difficult to restore to its
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Summary of the Invention
A first aspect of the present invention provides a reclosable folding carton for packaging of
pharmaceutical dosage forms with a built-in tamper-evident feature comprising: i) a tear-off
tamper-evident flap; and ii) a tear-off tamper-evident tab; wherein the tamper-evident flap is
connected to the carton arid the tamper-evident tab by at least one pre-determined break line.
According to one embodiment of this aspect, the tamper-evident flap and/or the tamperevident
tab tear-off completely along the pre-determined break lines upon tampering.
According to another embodiment of this aspect, the pre-determined break lines are formed
by perforation or scoring.
According to another embodiment of this aspect, the carton is made up of a single piece of
material.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing the
reclosable folding carton for packaging of pharmaceutical dosage forms; wherein the method
comprises:
i) folding the side, side-top, and side-bottom tabs to obtain a carton;
ii) tucking in the top and bottom tuck-in.flaps;
iii) folding the tear-off tamper-evident tab along the score lines; and
iv) folding the tear-off tamper-evident flap and the tear-off tamper-evident tabs along the
break lines and tucking in the tear-off tamper-evident tabs inside the tuck-in slots in the
top and bottom tuck-in flaps, to obtain a carton with a built-in tamper-evident feature.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The reclosable folding carton which constitutes the present invention is shown in the
accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiments in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective basic key line drawing of the carton.
Figure 2 is a perspective basic key line drawing of the carton showing the break lines in the
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tamper-evident flap.
Figure 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, and 3f) is a plan view of steps to form the carton.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a folded and sealed carton embodying the principles of the
invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the carton with torn-off tamper-evident flap (5a) and tornoff
tamper-evident tab (5b).
Detailed Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 depicts a reclosable folding carton according to the present invention comprising
an unprepared flattened carton with folding lines. It comprises side-tabsl and 2 which can be stuck
together with or without the help of glue, side-top and side-bottom tabs 9, 10, 11, and 12, top and
bottom tuck-in flaps3 and 6, tear-off tamper-evident flaps 4 and 7, tear-off tamper-evident tabs 5
and 8, and tuck-in slots in the top and bottom tuck-in flaps 13 and 14.
Figure 2 shows break lines present in the tear-off tamper-evident flaps and the score lines in
the tear-off tamper-evident tabs.
Figure 3 (3a to 3f) depicts the steps involved in the manufacturing of the reclosable folding .
carton with an inbuilt tamper-evident feature are clearly depicted. Figure 3a shows a partially
folded carton in which side-tabs 1 and 2 are attached with or without the help of glue. Figure 3b
shows a partially folded carton in which tuck-in flap 6, tear-off tamper-evident flap 4, and tear-off
tamper-evident tab 5 at the bottom are closed completely. Figures 3c and 3d show the folding of top
tuck-in flap 3. Figure 3e shows folding of tear-off tamper-evident flap 7 along the break line and
the folding of tear-off tamper-evident tab 8 along the score lines. Figure 3f shows the insertion of
tear-off tamper-evident tab 8 folded along the break line inside the tuck-in slot in top tuck-in flap
13.
Figure 4 shows the perspective view of the completely folded and sealed carton.
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evident tab being torn along the break line.
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Detailed Description of the Invention
In the following description, the function of the reclosable folding carton with an inbuilt
tamper-evident feature is described.
The reclosable folding carton with a built-in tamper-evident feature may be prepared from
any suitable material e.g., paperboard, cardboard, or the like.
During the manufacturing of the reclosable folding carton of the present invention, firstly, a
sufficient amount of glue is applied to the outside surface of side-tabs 1 or 2 and these tabs are
attached by folding along the folding lines. In the next step, side-top and side-bottom tabs 9, 10, 11,
and 12 are folded inwards. Then, both top and bottom tuck-in flaps 3 and 6 are folded along the
folding lines and inserted into the carton. In the final step, tear-off tamper-evident tabs are folded
along the score lines and inserted inside the tuck-in slots in top and bottom tuck-in flaps 13 and 14.
After the carton has been sealed, the carton with its contents is in its original condition.
In use, the user extends a thumbnail into tuck-in slot 13 or 14, pulls up tear-off tamperevident
flap 4 or 7, and as a consequence tear-off tamper-evident tab 5 or 8, resting against the
edges of tuck-in slots 13 or 14, moves outward in the opening direction. As a result, a force is
exerted on the tamper-evident flap and tear-off tab, and when the breaking point is exceeded, the
tamper-evident flap or tear-off tab starts to tear along the pre-determined break-lines and finally
becomes detached from the rest of the carton as shown in Figures 5a and Sb.This tearing, which
marks the change of status of the tamper-evident carton, is clearly identifiable by the user.
The tamper-evident carton can still be reclosed by closing tuck-in flaps 13 and 14.
While the present invention and its principles have been shown and described in connection
with certain exemplary or specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications, alternatives,
modifications, and equivalent arrangements as will be'apparent to person skilled in the art. Any
such changes, modifications, alternatives, modifications, -equivalents, and the like may be made
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WE CLAIM:
1. A reclosable folding carton for packaging of pharmaceutical dosage forms with a built-in
tamper-evident feature comprising: i) a tear-off tamper-evident flap; and ii) a tear-off
tamper-evident tab;, wherein the tamper-evident flap is connected to the carton and the
tamper-evident tab by at least one pre-determined break line.
2. The reclosable folding carton according to claim 1, wherein the tamper-evident flap and/or
the tamper-evident tab tear-off completely along the pre-determined break lines upon
tampering.
3. The reclosable folding carton according to claim 1, wherein the pre-determined break lines
are formed by perforation or scoring.
4. The reclosable folding carton according to claim 1, wherein the carton is made up of a
single piece of material.
5. A method for manufacturing the reclosable folding carton according to claim 1; wherein the
method comprises:
i) folding the side, side-top, and side-bottom tabs to obtain a carton;
ii) tucking in the top and bottom tuck-in flaps;
iii) folding the tear-off tamper-evident tab along the score lines; and
iv) folding the tear-off tamper-evident flap and the tear-off tamper-evident tabs
along the break lines and tucking in the tear-off tamper-evident tabs inside the
tuck-in slots in the top and bottom tuck-in flaps, to obtain a carton with a builtin
tamper-evident feature.
6. A reclosable folding carton for packaging of pharmaceutical dosage forms with a built-in .
tamper-evident feature and its method of manufacture substantially as described and
illustrated herein