Frangible Vertex Hinge for Tamper-Evident Food Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resealable plastic food containers with tamper evident mechanisms, such as those with square-shaped hinges, are difficult to open and close reliably, tend to flop shut, and require excessive force or stabilization, while also generating non-recyclable tear strips.
Innovation Solution
A plastic food container design featuring a frangible vertex hinge that projects horizontally from the container, allowing for easy pinching to open and close, and incorporating a bead structure for enhanced frictional sealing and tamper resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a square-shaped hinge structure is used with frangible sections, then tamper evident functionality is achieved, but the container requires excessive force to open and needs stabilization during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is divided into a frangible section (for tamper evidence) and a non-frangible section (for structural support). The frangible section includes scored lines or perforations that allow clean breaking, while the non-frangible section maintains the hinge connection between lid and base, eliminating the need for stabilization during opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible section is extracted as a separate functional element from the hinge structure. This section is designed to break away cleanly upon opening, leaving the non-frangible hinge portion intact to maintain the structural connection and enable easy reopening without requiring stabilization.
2Reliability
If a square-shaped hinge structure is used, then tamper evident functionality is achieved, but the container tends to flop shut and requires stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge is segmented into frangible and non-frangible portions. The non-frangible section maintains structural integrity and provides stable support when the container is open, preventing the flop-shut tendency while preserving tamper evidence functionality through the frangible section.
3Reliability
If a square-shaped hinge structure is used with frangible sections, then tamper evident functionality is achieved, but excessive force is required to open the container
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is segmented to separate the force-required opening function from the tamper evidence function. The frangible section requires minimal force to break cleanly, while the non-frangible section provides structural support, eliminating the excessive force requirement associated with breaking entire square hinge structures.
4Strength
If traditional hinge structures are used, then structural support is provided, but separate tear strips are generated that are non-recyclable
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge structure is merged into a single integrated component that provides both structural support (non-frangible section) and tamper evidence functionality (frangible section). This eliminates the need for separate tear strips, as the frangible portion of the hinge itself serves as the tamper evidence element, improving recyclability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge structure serves multiple functions: providing structural support through the non-frangible section, enabling tamper evidence through the frangible section, and eliminating waste by integrating both functions into one component rather than requiring separate tear strips.
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 design provides a user-friendly, tamper-resistant, and aesthetically appealing container that remains open for filling, reduces material usage, and eliminates the need for separate tear strips, enhancing operational ease and recyclability.
Implementation Method 1
The hinge is formed between a top pinch segment that peripherally projects from the lid rim flange and a bottom pinch segment that peripherally projects from the base rim flange. The frangible hinge is configured to rupture when the container is in the first sealed arrangement by the application of a pinching force to the top pinch segment and bottom pinch segment that results in the relative vertical movement of the segments toward each other.
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a bead structure for enhanced frictional sealing and tamper resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A tamper evident container comprises a lid and a base. The lid includes a lid rim having a lid rim flange. The base includes a base rim having a base rim flange. A frangible hinge is formed between a top pinch segment peripherally projecting from the lid rim flange and a bottom pinch segment peripherally projecting from the base rim flange. The frangible hinge is configured to rupture when the container is in the initially sealed arrangement by the application of a pinching force to the top pinch segment and bottom pinch segment that results in the relative vertical movement of the segments toward each other. As compared to the prior art, the container hinges about a frangible vertex instead of hinging about a square-shaped structure.