Tamper-Evident Container Cover with Segmented Tongue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container designs with tongue-like elements for indicating previous opening are either tamper-proof but prone to accidental damage or lack clarity in indicating usage, as they can be easily damaged or misinterpreted during transport and re-closure.
Innovation Solution
A tongue-like element that engages the container edge from behind, preventing it from being guided back into its original position after use, ensuring a visible indication of previous opening without compromising the container's integrity or usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tongue-like element with deformable webs is used to indicate previous opening, then the container can be opened easily, but the webs can be detached unintentionally during transport, causing false indication of opening
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue-like element is divided into a rigid portion and a deformable portion. The rigid portion maintains structural integrity and provides reliable indication, while the deformable portion enables easy opening through controlled deformation during pivoting movement.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the tongue-like element have different mechanical properties. The rigid portion resists deformation to ensure reliable indication, while the deformable portion allows controlled movement during opening, creating localized functional differentiation within the same component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tongue-like element can be returned to its starting position after re-closure, then the container can be reused, but the indication of previous opening becomes ambiguous or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue-like element undergoes a permanent positional change during opening due to the pivoting movement that guides the deformable portion past the container edge. This dynamic repositioning creates a lasting indication state that persists through re-closure, allowing the container to be reused while maintaining opening history information.
3Loss of information
If the tongue-like element is made easily tearable to indicate opening, then opening indication is clear, but the element can be damaged accidentally during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue-like element is segmented into rigid and deformable portions. The rigid portion protects the element from accidental damage during transport, while the deformable portion provides clear opening indication when properly activated during opening operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid portion of the tongue-like element serves as a protective structure that cushions and protects the deformable portion from accidental damage during transport, while still allowing the deformable portion to function for indicating opening when intentionally activated.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a container (1), especially a bucket or similar, comprising an opening, which is orientated upwards and which can be closed by a cover (3), and a peripheral container edge (2), which is drawn outwards in a downward direction on the container wall (5), where the cover (3) is detachably connected thereto and whereon at least one tongue-like element (8) is connected in such a way that at least one part of the cover (3) is raised due to a pivoting movement away from a starting position on the container wall (5). According to the invention, the tongue-like element (8) engages with the container edge (2) from behind with part of said tongue-like element which can be guided outwards by the pivoting movement to a position in front of the container wall (2) and the part of said tongue-like element is prevented from being guided behind the container edge (2) when the tongue-like element (8) pivots back in the direction of the initial position.