Inverted Shrink Wrap Seal for Tamper-Evident Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper-proof seals for glass bottles, such as induction seals and shrink wrap seals, are not fully effective, as induction seals may not adhere optimally to glass and shrink wrap seals can be easily resealed without breaking the tampering indicator, leading to potential misinterpretation of tampering.
Innovation Solution
Placing a shrink wrap seal under the cap of a bottle instead of over it, using aligners to ensure consistent positioning, and applying heat to secure the shrink wrap in place, which enhances the tamper indication feature and improves the appearance of the bottle and cap assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shrink wrap seal is placed over the cap of the bottle, then the tamper indication is visible, but the seal can be easily resealed without breaking the tampering indicator
Solution Approach 1:
The shrink wrap seal is inverted from the conventional position (over the cap) to under the cap, where it is positioned to be covered by the cap when attached. This inversion prevents the seal from being easily removed and reattached without activation, as the cap itself becomes part of the sealing mechanism, while still providing visible tamper indication when the cap is removed.
2Reliability
If the shrink wrap seal is placed under the cap, then the appearance is improved and tamper indication is more reliable, but the positioning must be precise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces aligners as intermediary components that facilitate precise positioning of the shrink wrap seal under the cap. These aligners ensure consistent and accurate placement during manufacturing, eliminating the positioning precision requirement as a manufacturing challenge while maintaining the reliability benefits of the inverted seal configuration.
3Reliability
If the shrink wrap seal is visible when the bottle is displayed, then the security feature is apparent, but the aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shrink wrap seal is nested under the cap, with the cap serving as an outer layer that covers the seal during normal display. This nesting arrangement allows the security feature to be present and functional while remaining invisible during display, and becomes visible only when the cap is removed, providing tamper indication without compromising aesthetics.
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
This solution provides a more reliable tamper-proof security seal that is not visible when the bottle is displayed, ensuring that the tamper indication is only activated when the cap is unscrewed, thus enhancing both security and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a shrink wrap seal (110) shrunk around a container (102)
Implementation Method 2
The lining may be sealed to the glass bottle using an induction process that melts some of the bottle surface to the lining
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a container includes a cover placed on the container. Shrinkable material that is placed on the container where the shrinkable material is shrunk around the container and the cover. The shrinkable material includes a tamper indicator. A cap is placed over the shrinkable material where the cap covers the shrinkable material such that the shrinkable material is not shown below the cap.