Tamper-Evident Closure With Shear Members And Frangible Bridges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems lack a simple and effective way to indicate tampering while allowing easy operation and manufacturing, and often generate separate waste pieces during opening.
Innovation Solution
A closure system comprising a receiving structure with laterally projecting shear members and a closing element with frangible bridges, allowing relative rotation to permit communication while providing a tamper-evident indication through audible and tactile feedback without generating separate waste pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a closure system uses a simple closing element and receiving structure, then ease of operation and manufacturing is improved, but tamper-evident indication capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into distinct functional components: a receiving structure with shear members, a closing element with frangible bridges, and a spout. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity in manufacturing and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible bridges are pre-configured in a broken state before use, and the shear members are pre-positioned to engage with these bridges. When the closing element is rotated during opening, the shear members automatically shear the frangible bridges, providing immediate tamper evidence without requiring additional actions or components.
2Reliability
If a closure system incorporates tamper-evident features, then tamper indication capability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident function is merged with the opening mechanism itself. The frangible bridges are integrated into the closing element structure, and the shear members are integrated into the receiving structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate tamper-evident components while providing reliable indication through the shearing action that occurs during normal opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system performs its own tamper indication through the inherent mechanical interaction between shear members and frangible bridges during opening. The system self-records the opening event through the broken state of the frangible bridges, eliminating the need for external monitoring or additional indication mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a closure system uses frangible bridges that are severed during opening, then tamper evidence is improved, but waste generation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible bridges are nested within the closing element structure, and the shear members are nested within the receiving structure. When the bridges are sheared, the broken portions remain contained within the overall closure assembly rather than becoming separate waste pieces, thus reducing waste while maintaining tamper evidence.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents initial communication while allowing easy opening, providing a clear indication of tampering and minimizing waste, with components that are easy to manufacture and assemble.
Implementation Method 1
The closing element includes a plurality of frangible bridges extending across a portion of the aperture for being severed by the shear member during relative rotation between the closing element and receiving structure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A combination of a closing element (28) and a receiving structure (24) is provided wherein the closing element (28) and receiving structure (24) are in an initially assembled orientation which prevents, but which can be subsequently operated to permit, communication through the receiving structure (24). The receiving structure (24) includes at least one laterally projecting shear member (40) and a spout (30) defining (A) an access passage (32). The closing element (28) has an aperture (78) for receiving a shear member (40) of the receiving structure (24). At least one frangible bridge (78) extends across a portion of the aperture (74) for being severed by the shear member (40) during relative rotation between the closing element (28) and the receiving structure (24).