Tamper-Evident Condom Packaging with Color-Changing Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional condom packaging lacks a reliable and obvious indication of tampering, making it difficult to determine if the package has been compromised.

Innovation Solution

The use of a damage indicating material in the packaging that changes color when exposed to oxygen, extreme heat, or excessive pressure, providing a clear visual indication that the package has been compromised, allowing users to discard the product immediately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional condom packaging is used with only expiration date labeling, then the packaging structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the ability to provide reliable tampering indication is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetampering indication reliabilityVSAvoidpackaging structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color-changing materials (oxygen-sensitive dyes, heat-sensitive dyes, pressure-sensitive dyes) to the packaging that change color when exposed to tampering conditions, providing visual indication of compromise without requiring complex electronic or mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in physical or chemical parameters (oxygen concentration, temperature, pressure) detected by sensitive materials that respond to tampering events, transforming invisible tampering into visible color changes that indicate package compromise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If air bubbles are used as tampering indication, then the indication mechanism is simple, but the reliability and obviousness of tampering detection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetampering indication reliabilityVSAvoidtampering indication detectability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subtle air bubble formation with prominent color-changing materials that provide obvious visual signals of tampering, making detection immediate and unambiguous rather than requiring careful observation of minor physical changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If no active indication system is used, then the packaging remains simple and低成本, but the ability to provide clear tampering evidence is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetampering detection easeVSAvoidtampering status information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging itself performs the detection function through integrated color-changing materials that automatically respond to tampering conditions, eliminating the need for separate detection devices or complex monitoring systems while providing clear visual information about package integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides a reliable and easy-to-identify indication of tampering, ensuring the product's safety and integrity by changing color upon exposure to specific conditions, thus ensuring the product is discarded if compromised.

Implementation Method 1

The use of a damage indicating material in the packaging that changes color when exposed to oxygen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

The use of a damage indicating material in the packaging that changes color when exposed to oxygen, extreme heat, or excessive pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal effect: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The use of a damage indicating material in the packaging that changes color when exposed to oxygen, extreme heat, or excessive pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure effect: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2994080B1Damage evident condom packaging
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 BABY BLUE BRAND
  • EP2994080B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2994080B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2994080B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Damage evident condom packaging is disclosed. A damage indicating material may be applied between inner and outer wrapper layers. When the damage indicating material is exposed to oxygen, excessive heat and/or excessive pressure, the material changes in appearance to thereby alert the user that the condom package may be compromised. Active and intelligent tamper-evident condom packaging is thus provided.