Tamper-Resistant Squeezable Bottle Closure for Cleaning Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable squeezable tabletop bottles face challenges in being both tamper-resistant and cleanable, as existing solutions either allow easy tampering or hinder dispensing and cleaning due to their design.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-resistant tabletop bottle design featuring a body with a collar and cap system that uses a combination of threaded and latch mechanisms, along with additional protrusions and recesses, to securely attach the cap and collar, preventing unauthorized access while allowing for easy cleaning and filling, and a specialized tool for disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a threaded lid is used to allow refilling of squeezable bottles, then the bottle can be reused, but the lid can be easily removed and tampering with contents becomes possible
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into multiple independent components: a collar that threads onto the bottle body, a cap that threads onto the collar, and latch tabs with latch ports that provide additional security. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively providing both reusability and tamper resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch tabs are designed to be deformable, allowing them to flex during the locking process and then maintain a secure locked position. The dynamic nature of the latch mechanism enables it to transition from an open state during cleaning/refilling to a securely locked state during storage and transport.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent tampering, then tamper resistance improves, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar and cap are merged into a single integrated closure assembly that functions as one unit. The latch tabs are integrated into the collar structure, and the latch ports are integrated into the cap structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall assembly and disassembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to be self-locking through the engagement of latch tabs with latch ports. Once the cap is threaded onto the collar, the latch tabs automatically engage with the latch ports, providing automatic locking without requiring additional steps or components. The system also allows easy self-service opening with the provided tool.
3Ease of operation
If the bottle is made squeezable for dispensing, then ease of operation improves, but the bottle becomes more susceptible to deformation that could compromise the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The bottle is segmented into a rigid closure assembly (collar and cap) and a flexible bottle body. This segmentation allows the body to be squeezable for easy dispensing while the closure assembly remains structurally stable and resistant to deformation. The rigid collar is positioned at the neck of the bottle where structural integrity is most critical.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the bottle have different mechanical properties: the collar and cap are made rigid to maintain structural stability and resist deformation, while the main body of the bottle is made flexible to enable easy squeezing for dispensing. This local differentiation of material properties allows both contradictory requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
4Reliability
If the cap is securely locked to prevent tampering, then tamper resistance improves, but cleaning and refilling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized opening tool is introduced as an intermediary device that mediates between the locked state (for tamper resistance) and the open state (for cleaning). The tool engages with the collar or cap mechanism to provide controlled access during cleaning operations without compromising the overall security of the closure system. This intermediary tool allows temporary, authorized access while maintaining permanent security.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system transitions dynamically between a securely locked state for normal storage and transport, and an accessible open state during cleaning and refilling operations. The latch mechanism can be temporarily disengaged with the opening tool to allow cleaning access, then re-engaged to restore security. This dynamic state change allows the system to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different times in its operational cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable tamper-resistant squeezable tabletop bottle comprises one or more openings sealed by one or more caps and one or more collars. The collars are rotatably secured relative to the body of the bottle by one or more collar receiving shoulders. The caps are axially secured relative to the body by a coupling and the caps are rotatably secured relative to the collars by a locking mechanism. The cap may be removed using a cap removal tool that releases the locking mechanism.