Flip-top closure with locking tab for tamper-evident retention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Tamper-evident features in flip-top polymeric closures often separate from the rest of the closure, leading to environmental concerns due to non-recyclable components and increased tampering risks.

Innovation Solution

A flip-top closure design featuring a hinge connecting two closure portions, with a tamper-evident feature detachably connected via frangible connections, and an upwardly-extending locking tab that prevents the feature from falling off after opening, ensuring it remains with the closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the upper tamper-evident feature is separated from the remainder of the closure, then the tamper-evident functionality is achieved, but the likelihood of tampering increases and environmental concerns arise due to non-recyclability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper-evident functionalityVSAvoidtampering risk and environmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is divided into two portions (first closure portion with tamper-evident feature and second closure portion with locking tab) connected by a hinge, allowing the tamper-evident feature to be visually separated while remaining physically connected through the hinge mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tamper-evident feature is nested within the closure structure through the hinge connection, allowing it to move relative to the second closure portion while remaining contained within the overall closure assembly, preventing complete separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the tamper-evident feature is detachably connected via frangible connection, then the visual indication of tampering is provided, but the feature may fall off or be completely separated from the closure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual indication of tamperingVSAvoidattachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge provides a dynamic connection that allows controlled movement between open and closed positions while maintaining physical connection, transitioning the system from a static detachable connection to a dynamic articulated connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge acts as an intermediary element between the first closure portion and second closure portion, mediating the separation and connection forces while preventing complete detachment of the tamper-evident feature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10829274B2Flip-top closure

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 CLOSURE SYST INT INC

AI summary

A flip-top closure includes first and second closure polymeric portions. The first closure portion includes a top wall portion, a skirt portion and a tamper-evident feature being detachably connected to the annular skirt. The second closure portion includes a top wall portion, a skirt portion with an internal thread formation and an upwardly-extending locking tab, and a tamper-evident band. The first and second closure portions are attached via a hinge. The closure moves to an open position, resulting in the tamper-evident feature being detached from the remainder of the first closure portion and remaining adjacent to the skirt portion of the second closure portion in which the upwardly-extending locking tab assists in preventing or inhibiting the tamper-evident feature from falling off of the closure after the closure has been opened.