Tamper-Evident Container Seal Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closeable containers, such as zipped pouches and envelopes, lack full security as the connection between the seal and lock unit can be tampered with without breaking the seal, compromising tamper evidence.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a lock unit with a chamber that communicates between two openings, where the first part has a recess to retain the head of a breakable seal, ensuring it cannot be removed without breaking, enhancing security by preventing loose seal parts and reducing tampering risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a space is provided at the bottom of the chamber to receive the broken head of seal, then the seal can be easily removed from the chamber, but the container becomes vulnerable to tampering as pins can be inserted between the seal and the first part
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the vulnerable space from the chamber design by making the chamber communicate with the exterior through the second opening, allowing the broken seal head to be removed directly without creating a bottom receptacle space that would compromise security
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dimensional arrangement by positioning the second opening at the side of the chamber rather than providing a bottom space, allowing seal head removal through a lateral path that maintains security integrity while enabling easy disposal
2Ease of operation
If the seal head is allowed to be loose within the second part, then the seal can be easily broken and removed, but the seal head may drop on the floor and security is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces the communicating chamber as an intermediary structure that guides the seal head removal path, allowing the seal head to be easily disposed of through the second opening while preventing it from becoming loose and dropping to the floor
3Reliability
If a close fitting chamber is used to retain the seal head, then security is strengthened and tampering is prevented, but the seal head cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the chamber into two functional zones: a close-fitting region that maintains security by preventing tampering, and an opening pathway that enables easy seal head removal through the second opening
Data Source
AI summary
The application describes a container, bag, pouch or envelope which has a first part and a second part, the container, bag, pouch or envelope being closed by the first part locating within the second part, the second part having a first opening for receiving the first part and a second opening for receiving the head of a breakable and disposable seal which locks into the first part in such a manner that it cannot be removed without breaking the seal, the seal in its inserted position locking the first part in place inside the second part in a tamper evident fashion.