Anti-tamper Elastomeric Cap with Embedded Cage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cap solutions for wine and liquor bottles, particularly 'T-caps' made of synthetic elastomeric materials, lack integrated anti-tamper functionality and require additional post-production steps for anti-tamper devices, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic cap structure with a composite constitution featuring a pre-fracture line-tolerating plastic cage embedded in a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) body, where the cage is molded to project externally and incorporate decorative elements, providing a single-piece, tamper-evident solution without additional post-production interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anti-tamper devices are applied to synthetic T-caps according to prior art, then tamper-evident functionality is achieved, but production complexity and costs increase due to additional post-production steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the anti-tamper device with the cap body into a single integrated structure. The cage-like endoskeleton is embedded within the elastomeric mass during the injection molding process, eliminating the need for separate post-production assembly steps. This combining of components resolves the technical contradiction by achieving tamper-evident functionality without increasing production complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-tamper cage structure is prepared in advance as a pre-form within the injection mold before the elastomeric material is injected. This preliminary positioning allows the cage to be automatically trapped and fixed in the correct position during the molding process, eliminating the need for subsequent assembly operations and reducing production complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If anti-tamper devices are applied to synthetic T-caps according to prior art, then tamper-evident functionality is achieved, but production time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the anti-tamper cage and cap body into a single molded component, the production process is streamlined into one continuous operation. The cage is positioned in the mold and trapped during injection, eliminating separate assembly steps and reducing production time, thereby improving productivity while maintaining tamper-evident functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection molding process itself performs the function of assembling the anti-tamper device into the cap. The molten elastomeric material automatically flows around and traps the pre-positioned cage structure, fixing it in place without requiring additional assembly operations. This self-service mechanism reduces production time and improves efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If a monolithic cap structure with embedded cage is used, then production process is simplified and costs reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases during molding
Solution Approach 1:
The cage structure is prepared in advance as a pre-form that fits into a designated cavity within the injection mold. This preliminary preparation allows the complex multi-component structure to be manufactured in a single molding operation, as the cage is already positioned correctly before injection begins. The mold cavity design guides the molten material to automatically trap and fix the cage, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the complex final structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cage apex contacts the top wall of the mold, then decorative elements and figurative characters are effectively formed, but positioning precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The injection mold acts as an intermediary that mediates between the cage pre-form and the final cap structure. The mold cavity is designed with specific geometric features that guide and position the cage apex against the top wall during injection. This intermediary mechanism ensures that decorative elements and figurative characters are effectively formed while compensating for minor positioning variations, reducing the stringency of positioning precision requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution integrates anti-tamper functionality and decorative elements into a single, efficient, and cost-effective cap production process, ensuring secure use and proof of opening without additional machinery adaptations, while maintaining the benefits of thermoplastic elastomer caps.
Implementation Method 1
injection of the thermoplastic resin and ensuing trapping of the cage (5) in the monolithic elastomeric mass (1) thus obtained
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-tamper synthetic elastomeric cap structure, of the type having a dilated external head in abutment with an apex to form a “T-cap”, includes a composite structure having, embedded in the head, an endoskeleton with external appendages that provides a cage having a circumferential projection, with respect to a penetrating body under the head that defines a band having a notching therein and disposed about the neck of a bottle to provide a pre-fracture line and a grasping appendage.