Cap Closure With Integrated Tamper-Evident Ring Hooks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure assemblies with tamper-evident structures often require excessive plastic material and compromise the strength of the connection between the tamper-evident ring and the article, making them difficult to open and potentially allowing undesired release of the tamper-evident ring.
Innovation Solution
A closure assembly design featuring an integrated tamper-evident ring member with an annular flange portion and hook members that engage with the neck of the container, using minimal plastic material to create a strong and stable connection, with a protective rim that obstructs lateral access and hook members that absorb pulling forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tamper-evident ring is provided with a circumferential wall to shield the ring, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the circumferential wall from the closure assembly, extracting the shielding function while maintaining reliability through alternative means (hook members engaging with the article). This simplifies the overall structure by eliminating unnecessary components.
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper-evident ring is segmented into discrete hook members that can independently engage with the article. This segmentation allows the ring to maintain its shielding function while reducing overall structural complexity and material usage.
2Strength
If excessive plastic material is used to strengthen the connection, then the strength is improved, but the loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies plastic material locally only where needed for functional engagement - specifically in the hook members that engage with the article. This localized application maintains connection strength while minimizing overall material usage throughout the closure assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the hook members and engagement features to optimize the strength-to-material-ratio. By carefully designing the hook geometry and engagement interface, sufficient connection strength is achieved with minimal plastic material.
3Ease of operation
If the tamper-evident ring is made easily removable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic engagement system where the hook members can be easily disengaged during normal cap removal while maintaining secure retention during normal use. The engagement features are designed to allow controlled separation without requiring excessive force or damaging the structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure assembly comprises an article (10, 10′, 10″, 410) and a cap (40, 40′, 40″, 40′″, 440) provided with an integrated tamper-evident ring member (50, 50′, 50″, 450). The article further comprises a circumferential flange structure (20) with an annular flange portion and a peripheral protective rim portion (25) so that the top face (21a) of the flange portion and the protective rim define an annular recess (30) around the neck (14). The tamper-evident ring member is integrally formed to the lower edge of the skirt (42) of the cap via one or more breakable bridges (70). The ring member comprises an annular ring member flange portion (51) that has a top face (51a) and a bottom face (51b). Multiple hook members (53) are integrally formed to the bottom of the ring member flange portion, and the annular flange portion on the neck is provided with multiple hook member passages (1S). Each hook member passage is adapted to receive a hook member when the cap with the integrated tamper-evident ring member is axially mounted on the neck by means of an axial securing motion, wherein the hook portion (55) of each hook member snaps underneath the bottom face (21b) of the annular flange portion on the neck of the article. The periphery of the annular flange portion of the ring member is shaped to fit within the protective rim portion and the rim portion obstructs lateral access from outside to the interface between flange portions.