Bottle Closing Device with Removable Security Tab

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bottle closing devices with removable tabs require manual operations to open and lack clear visual evidence of first opening, making them inconvenient and difficult to use.

Innovation Solution

A closing device with a ring-shaped removable tab that runs along the circumference, featuring breakage lines, a horizontal gripping portion, and inclined teeth, allowing for easy removal and rotation prevention, facilitating opening without manual operations and providing visual evidence of first use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a removable tab is added to provide visual evidence of first opening, then the reliability of indicating first opening is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual evidence of first openingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the security tab function with the sealing cap function into a single integrated component. The tab is formed as part of the sealing cap structure, eliminating the need for separate tab elements and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the visual evidence function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing cap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the bottle opening, provides the removable tab for visual evidence of first opening, and includes the breaking line feature. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If manual operations are required to open the bottle, then the ease of operation deteriorates, but the reliability of controlled opening improves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening convenienceVSAvoidcontrolled opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The breaking line is pre-formed in the sealing cap structure during manufacturing, preparing the path for easy removal. This preliminary preparation allows the user to simply pull the tab without requiring complex manual operations, while the pre-designed breaking line ensures controlled and clean separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing cap is designed with a breaking line that segments the structure into removable and stationary portions. This segmentation allows the tab portion to be easily separated from the main cap body through a simple pulling motion, improving ease of operation while maintaining controlled opening through the pre-designed break path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the tab is made easily removable, then the ease of operation improves, but the strength of the connection between tab and cap deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetab removalVSAvoidtab connection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The breaking line creates a localized weak point in the sealing cap structure where the material thickness or density is reduced. This local quality change allows the tab to be easily removed by pulling, while the rest of the cap maintains its full strength and integrity for sealing purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3397567B1Closing device for bottles with easily removable security tab
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 HSIL LTD
  • EP3397567B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3397567B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3397567B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Closing device for bottles (50) comprising a pourer (14), constrainable to the mouth of the bottle (50) and having an upper portion (15) provided with an outer thread (16) and a lower portion (18), a stopper (11), having a side portion (13) internally provided with a thread (17) for coupling with the outer thread (16) of the upper portion (15) of the pourer (14), a cylindrical jacket (20) for covering a lower portion (18) of the pourer (14), wherein the cylindrical jacket (20) is constrained both in rotation and in pulling off with respect to the pourer (14), and an annular removable tab (19) arranged between the stopper (11) and the cylindrical jacket (20) so that, before the first opening of the closing device, the jacket (20) is integral with the stopper (11), thereby preventing the rotation thereof. The removable tab (19) is in the shape of a ring which runs along the entire circumference of the closing device and is delimited by a first upper breakage line (21) of connection with the stopper (11) and by a lower breakage line (22) of connection with the jacket (20). The jacket (20) comprises a first upper abutment portion (28) for coupling with a seat formed in the pourer (14), at the bottle (50) neck, and a second lower abutment portion (29) for housing the lower (22, 29) edge of the pourer (14).