Closure Cap Tamper-Evident Indicator Ring Mechanism
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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 reattached, leading to insecure tamper evidence and potential misuse.
Innovation Solution
A closure cap design featuring a closed sleeve with a sealing gasket, an open sleeve 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 when the bottle is closed, ensuring secure visual indication and protection against reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the indicator belt is connected to the cap by bridges, then visual indication of opening is achieved, but the connection can be destroyed before first opening during transportation or capping, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator system is divided into separate functional elements: the indicator belt remains attached to the cap while the indicator ring with annular belt stays on the bottle neck. This segmentation ensures that the visual indication function is maintained without requiring weak connecting bridges that could fail during transportation or capping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator ring is extracted as a separate element that remains on the bottle neck after cap removal. The annular belt is positioned in a cavity formed by the closed and open sleeves, allowing it to be released during first opening while the indicator ring stays fixed on the bottle, providing reliable visual indication without vulnerable connections.
2Reliability
If the indicator belt is released from under the shell upon opening, then opening indication is provided, but the cap moves up by the amount of the released indicator belt, preventing tight closure upon reclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is segmented into the cap assembly and the indicator ring assembly. The indicator ring with annular belt is positioned independently on the bottle neck, separated from the cap's sealing function. This allows the indicator belt to be released for visual indication without affecting the cap's position or sealing capability upon reclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity formed by the closed and open sleeves acts as an intermediary mechanism. The annular belt is positioned in this cavity during closing, and its release during opening provides visual indication without causing cap movement. The cavity structure mediates between the indicator function and the sealing function, ensuring both operate independently.
3Device complexity
If the indicator element is made as part of the cover, then structural simplicity is achieved, but the belt remains firmly attached to the cover and does not always rupture, failing to provide reliable indication
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator system is segmented into the indicator belt (attached to the cap) and the indicator ring (remaining on the bottle). The annular belt is positioned in the cavity between the closed and open sleeves, creating a clear separation between the cap assembly and the indication element. This segmentation ensures the annular belt can be reliably released during opening to provide visual indication, while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
4Reliability
If the cap design allows indicator belt release upon opening, then tamper evidence is provided, but protection against repeated misuse is insufficient as parts can be reinstalled
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into permanent and disposable elements. The indicator ring with the released annular belt remains on the bottle neck as a permanent tamper-evident marker. The cap can be removed and reinstalled, but the presence of the indicator ring with the released annular belt provides clear visual evidence of previous opening, preventing undetected reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular belt is designed to be discarded (released) during the first opening to provide tamper evidence. Once released, it remains on the bottle neck as a permanent indicator. The cap itself can be recovered and reused, but the discarded annular belt continues to provide verification of the bottle's opening history, maintaining protection against repeated misuse.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to closure devices with opening indication element for bottles with a threaded neck. The closure cap comprises a closed sleeve (1), a sealing means, an open sleeve (3) forming a cavity (4) with the closed sleeve (1), as well as an indicator ring (5) with annular belt (6) placed in the cavity (4) with the ability to be released during the first opening and preventing the indicator ring (5) from returning to its initial position when the bottle is closed again. Technical result - increased reliability and security of the closure cap indicating any opening by improving the visual indication of opening of the bottle and strengthening the protection against its bad-faith reuse.