Biodegradable Seal Structure for Tamper-Evident Loop Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seals made of non-biodegradable materials contribute to environmental waste and are difficult to handle due to their irreversible destruction or unintentional size reduction, leading to environmental pollution and handling complications.
Innovation Solution
A seal made of biodegradable materials, comprising a seal body and a sealing band, where the seal body is detachably connected to the sealing band, forming a loop that can only be irreversibly destroyed, and features biodegradable components to minimize environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seals are made of non-biodegradable materials like metal or plastic to ensure durability and weather resistance, then the sealing reliability is improved, but environmental pollution increases due to waste accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from non-biodegradable (metal, plastic) to biodegradable materials (cardboard, paper, biodegradable plastics) while maintaining sealing functionality. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by allowing the seal to degrade environmentally after use, eliminating pollution while preserving the sealing reliability during its service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures, such as combining biodegradable materials with adhesive layers, or using multi-layer cardboard constructions. These composite structures maintain the mechanical strength and weather resistance needed for reliable sealing while ensuring the overall assembly remains biodegradable, thus resolving the contradiction between durability and environmental harm.
2Reliability
If the sealing strip is folded into a loop that must be irreversibly destroyed to be removed, then tamper evidence is improved, but handling complexity increases and environmental waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the seal into distinct components: a biodegradable loop structure and a separate seal body with adhesive properties. This segmentation allows the loop to be easily formed and attached during sealing operations, improving handling ease, while the irreversible destruction of the loop upon tampering maintains tamper evidence reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable biodegradable loop that is designed for single-use. The loop is easily formed and attached during sealing, simplifying handling operations. After use, the entire seal including the loop can be disposed of biodegradably, reducing environmental waste while maintaining the tamper-evident function during its service life.
3Strength
If adhesive layers are used to permanently seal the seal body to the sealing strip, then sealing strength is improved, but adhesive leakage occurs causing handling difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies adhesive layers only in specific localized areas where sealing is required, rather than coating the entire seal body. This localized application maintains strong bonding at the seal interface while preventing adhesive from spreading to other areas during handling, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing strength and handling ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element, such as a protective coating or barrier layer, that prevents adhesive leakage during handling while allowing the adhesive to bond effectively at the sealing interface. This intermediary maintains sealing strength where needed while preventing the handling difficulties caused by adhesive exposure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A description is given of a seal (01) comprising a seal body (02) and a seal strip (03). At least the seal body (02) consists of a biodegradable material. The seal body (02) can be releasably connected at least to two spaced-apart portions (31, 32) of the seal strip (03) and in an operating state can be unreleasably sealed. The seal body (02) consists of two parts (21, 22), which in an operating state can be unreleasably sealably connected at least to one another. One portion (32) is arranged between the two parts (21, 22) of the seal body (02), while the other portion (31) penetrates a first part (21) of the two parts (21, 22) and can be securely connected thereto.