Hinged Capsule Integrity Indicator with Radial Tab Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hinged caps for containers lack an effective tamper-evident mechanism that is easily visible and does not hinder use, while also allowing for easy recycling of the indicator element.
Innovation Solution
A capsule with a radially projecting lug and a tab system connected by frangible and flexible bridges, where the tab pivots radially and is prevented from returning to its original position by a stretchable tab, providing visual indication of opening and avoiding protrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a frangible element is mounted on the cap and fitted into a housing in the base, then the element can be recycled, but the element is hidden in its housing and does not allow easy visual identification of first opening
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is made to pivot from a vertical position (when closed) to a horizontal position (when opened), changing its orientation from one dimension to another. This dimensional change allows the tab to be visible and indicate opening while remaining within the capsule structure, solving the contradiction between hiding the element for recycling and showing it for visibility.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a frangible element protrudes outwards from the capsule when broken, then it is perfectly visible, but it may hinder the user when gripping the tube
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of protruding radially outward from the capsule surface, the tab pivots around a radial axis, moving from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation that lies within the capsule's equatorial plane. This dimensional change maintains visibility while eliminating the protrusion that would interfere with gripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab is nested within the capsule structure, pivoting within the space defined by the capsule geometry. The tab remains contained within the capsule's overall footprint, allowing it to be visible without extending beyond the capsule's outer surface, thus not interfering with user grip on the tube.
3Loss of substance
If a small plastic element is used for the integrity indicator, then it can be recycled, but it has very small dimensions which do not allow for easy recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is merged with the cap as a single integrated component, formed together in one molding process. This merging eliminates the need for separate small plastic elements and ensures the entire capsule can be recycled as one unit, solving the contradiction between using small elements for recycling and the difficulty of recycling such small elements.
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 solution allows easy visual confirmation of opening and prevents the tab from obstructing use, while ensuring the indicator can be recycled, addressing the need for a user-friendly and recyclable tamper-evident mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a first end of the tab being connected to the second associated element by a frangible bridge of material... causes the frangible bridge to break
Implementation Method 2
the stretchable tab is designed to be plastically stretched under the effect of a tensile force produced by the pivoting of the tab during the first opening of the cap so as to prevent the tab from returning to its original position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a capsule (14) comprising a cap (18) pivotally attached to a base (16) by means of a hinge (20), and an integrity indicator (38) comprising: - a radial lug (40); - an orifice (48) for housing the lug (40) one contour of which is closed by a tab (50) one end of which is connected by a frangible bridge (52) and the other end of which is connected by a flexible bridge (54), so that during the first opening of the cap (18), a retention face (46) of the lug (40) catches the tab (50) and causes the frangible bridge (52) to break and the tab (50) to pivot around the flexible bridge (54); characterized in that the retention face (46) of the lug (40) extends radially so that the pivoting of the tongue (50) is carried out around a radial axis (C).