Hinged Flip-Top Cap With Integrated Tamper-Evident Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinged flip-top caps with tamper-evident inner rings require multiple moulding and assembly steps, increasing costs and complexity, and often result in multiple separate parts that can lead to environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A hinged flip-top cap design where the base portion, flip-top lid, and tamper-evident inner ring are moulded as a single piece, with the ring split into two parts that break upon opening, ensuring the cap remains assembled and preventing dispersion of plastic parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cap is produced with multiple separate parts (lid, base, pourer body, tamper-evident ring), then the tamper-evident function can be achieved, but the number of moulding and assembly steps increases, leading to higher costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lid and base into a single moulded piece, eliminating the need for separate assembly of these components. The tamper-evident ring is integrated into this unified structure, reducing the total number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining the tamper-evident function through the ring's design that separates upon opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper-evident ring is designed with frangible bridges that segment the ring into separate portions upon opening. This segmentation provides the tamper-evident function by creating visible separation that indicates the cap has been opened, while the ring itself remains a single integrated component during manufacturing.
2Reliability
If multiple separate parts are used in the cap design, then the tamper-evident mechanism can function, but the risk of plastic parts dispersing into the environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the lid and base into a single moulded piece, the patent eliminates loose connection points where small plastic parts could detach and disperse. The integrated structure ensures that all components remain contained within the unified cap assembly throughout its lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper-evident ring is nested within the integrated lid-base structure, with its frangible portions contained within the cap's overall form. When the ring separates, both portions remain within the bounded space of the cap, preventing dispersion into the environment.
3Ease of manufacture
If the lid and base are moulded as separate pieces, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lid and base are merged into a single moulded piece, eliminating the assembly step between these two components. This reduces manufacturing time and increases productivity, while the design maintains flexibility through the integrated tamper-evident ring mechanism that provides functional separation without requiring physical assembly steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hinged flip-top cap with a tamper-evident inner ring comprising: - a base portion (12) which extends into a pourer portion (27), - a flip-top lid (13), wherein said flip-top lid (13) is connected by means of a hinge arrangement (14) which is foldable with respect to said base portion (12) so that said lid (13) can be tilted with respect to the base portion (12) so that the lid can be moved between a closed position above said base portion (12) and an open position detached and rotated from the same, - an inner ring (11) with respect to both said lid (13) and said base portion (12) as a "tamper-evident" element which reveals whether a first opening between the parts has been effected.