Bottle Closure Indicator Ring Preventing Reclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for bottles with threaded necks lack reliable visual indication of opening and protection against reuse, as indicator elements can be hidden or easily destroyed, leading to unintentional or intentional reconnection and compromised bottle tightness.
Innovation Solution
A closure device featuring a pour sleeve, closed and open sleeves forming a cavity, and an indicator ring with an annular belt that remains released after the first opening, preventing the indicator ring from returning to its initial position upon reclosure, ensuring secure visual indication and protection against reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the indicator element is connected to the cap by bridges, then the indicator element remains attached to the cap, but the connection can be destroyed before the first opening during transportation or capping, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator element is pre-positioned in a hidden state within the cap structure, concealed by the rolled edges of the shell. This preliminary positioning ensures that the indicator is ready for visual display but remains protected and attached during transportation and capping operations, only becoming visible when the cap is intentionally opened.
2Loss of information
If the indicator element is released from under the shell, then visual indication of opening is provided, but the cap moves up and bottle tightness is not ensured upon reclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into functionally independent segments: the indicator element that provides visual information and the sealing elements (rolled edges of the shell and base) that ensure bottle tightness. This segmentation allows the indicator to be released for visual display while the sealing elements remain engaged with the bottle neck, maintaining bottle tightness upon reclosure.
3Strength
If the indicator belt is part of the cover, then it remains firmly attached, but destruction by radial force does not always occur and the belt may remain attached preventing proper indication
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator element is designed with differentiated local properties: it has sufficient attachment strength to remain firmly connected to the cap body during normal handling and transportation, but includes a specific rupture zone with controlled strength that allows reliable destruction under radial opening forces. This local quality differentiation ensures both secure attachment and reliable indication.
4Ease of operation
If the cap design allows easy opening, then ease of operation is improved, but protection against accidental or intentional reuse is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The design converts the potential harm of easy opening into a benefit by using the opening action itself to trigger the indicator element's release and visible display. The same mechanical action that provides ease of opening simultaneously destroys the indicator's concealed state, providing clear visual evidence of opening and protecting against accidental or intentional reuse.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to closure devices with opening indication element for bottles with a threaded neck. The closure device for bottle having a neck, comrising a pour sleeve (1) made with the ability to be installed on the neck, a closed sleeve (2) with means of fixation on the pour sleeve (1), a sealing means (5), an open sleeve (6) and an indicator ring (8), wherein the closed sleeve (2) and the open sleeve (6) form a cavity (7), and the indicator ring (8) is provided with an annular belt (9) placed in said cavity (7) before the first opening. The annular belt is made with the ability to be released from said cavity during the first opening and preventing the return of the indicator ring to its initial position when closing the bottle again.