Closure Cap Locking Geometry to Prevent Tamper Band Detachment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper-evident bands on closure caps for containers, particularly large containers like canisters, often detach unintentionally when the container is tilted, leading to operational disruptions and potential contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A closure cap design featuring inwardly projecting locking elements on the tamper-evident band and outwardly projecting blocking elements on the container neck, which engage to prevent rotational and axial movement of the band, ensuring secure attachment even when the container is tilted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tamper-evident band is connected to the cap shell via tearable bridges, then the band provides tamper evidence functionality, but the band detaches unintentionally when the container is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into multiple independent components: locking elements on the cap, corresponding locking elements on the container neck, and tearable bridges connecting the band to the cap shell. This segmentation allows the band to remain securely locked during normal use while enabling controlled detachment when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are nested within the structural assembly of the cap and container neck, with the locking elements on the cap positioned to engage with corresponding locking elements on the container neck. This nested arrangement ensures the band remains secured during tilting while allowing intentional removal.
2Reliability
If locking elements are added to prevent band detachment, then the secure attachment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are integrated into the existing cap and container neck structures, merging the locking function with the closure mechanism. The locking elements on the cap are positioned to engage with corresponding features on the container neck, combining security functionality with the basic closure operation to minimize additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements serve multiple functions: they prevent band detachment during normal use, maintain the tamper-evident seal integrity, and allow controlled removal when the container is opened. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated locking mechanisms, thereby limiting complexity increase.
3Reliability
If the tamper-evident band is securely locked during normal use, then the closure remains intact, but the band cannot be easily removed when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are pre-positioned on the cap and container neck to engage automatically when the cap is closed. This preliminary positioning ensures the band is securely locked during normal use, while the design of the locking elements allows for controlled disengagement when intentional opening is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system transitions from a static locked state during normal use to a dynamic state that allows controlled removal. The locking elements are designed to maintain engagement under normal conditions but can be disengaged when force is applied in the opening direction, enabling easy removal when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A closure cap (1) having a top portion (2) and a cap skirt (3), wherein the cap skirt (3) has an internal thread (4), wherein an encircling tamper-evident strip (5) is arranged on an edge of the cap skirt (3) that faces away from the top portion (2), wherein at least one catch element (7) is arranged on the inner side of the tamper-evident strip (5), wherein the catch element (7) has a first stop surface (8) with a surface normal arranged at least partially tangentially to the cap skirt (3) such that the first stop surface (8), in an assembled state of the closure cap (1) with a container (11) having the container neck, is able to be brought into engagement with a first stop surface (15) of the container neck, wherein, as a result of the engagement of the two first stop surfaces (8, 15), a retaining moment counteracting an opening direction of the closure cap (1) is exerted on the tamper-evident strip (5) when the closure cap (1) is twisted in the opening direction for the first time, wherein a blocking element (9) is arranged on the tamper-evident strip (5), wherein the blocking element (9) has a second stop surface (10) with a surface normal pointing at least partially in an axial direction such that the second stop surface (10), in an assembled state of the closure cap (1) with the container (11), is able to be brought into engagement with a second stop surface (17) of the container neck, wherein, as a result of the engagement of the two second stop surfaces (10, 17), a retaining force acting in the axial direction is exerted on the tamper-evident strip (5) when the container (11) is tipped to pour out a filling material.