Frangible Locking Clip for Tamper-Evident Delivery Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing popularity of prepared food and fresh grocery deliveries has led to concerns about intentional or accidental tampering and exposure of contents during transport, which affects safety, quality, and operational costs, with heightened awareness of chain of custody issues, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
Innovation Solution
A secure delivery mechanism using a clip system that secures bags or containers until they are opened by the intended recipient, preventing tampering and accidental exposure, featuring a removable tab that detaches to open the clip, ensuring contents remain sealed and protected during transit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional open delivery method is used, then delivery speed and simplicity are improved, but tampering and accidental exposure of contents occur
Solution Approach 1:
The clip system is divided into multiple functional segments: a first portion with a post and post base, a second portion with a receiving opening and retention feature, and a removable tab. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system integrity and security during delivery.
2Reliability
If secure clip system is implemented, then tampering prevention is improved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clip system is designed as a disposable, single-use component that is inexpensive to manufacture. The simple structure using basic plastic injection molding techniques allows for cost-effective production, making the security mechanism economically viable for widespread deployment in food delivery operations.
3Ease of operation
If clip remains closed, then contents are protected, but recipient cannot access contents
Solution Approach 1:
The removable tab is pre-positioned on the clip system, ready for removal by the recipient. This preliminary configuration allows the recipient to easily initiate the opening process by simply removing the tab, which then enables the clip to be opened and contents accessed without accidental exposure during normal delivery handling.
4Loss of information
If no secure mechanism is used, then operational costs are reduced, but accountability and customer service quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The removable tab provides a visual indicator system that changes state from attached to removed, clearly indicating whether the clip has been opened. This visual change helps maintain chain of custody information and provides clear evidence of delivery integrity, reducing disputes and improving customer service quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A securable clip includes a first elongated rectangular portion and a second elongated rectangular portion connected along a common edge. The clip includes at least one locking peg, at least one receiving hole configured to receive the at least one locking peg, and a frangible portion. The frangible portion provides a visual indication that the clip has been opened. The releasing of the locking peg prevents the clip from being reclosed, reused, or sealed again.