Lid-Spout Tamper Band for Visible First-Open Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid-spout assemblies for pourable products do not provide a clear indication of whether the lid has been opened, leading to potential littering issues and consumer confusion.
Innovation Solution
A lid-spout assembly with a tamper evidence element that ruptures upon first use, ensuring a visible indication of opening and preventing reattachment, while maintaining a robust and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a lid-spout assembly is provided without a tamper evidence element, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the consumer cannot understand whether the lid has already been controlled from closed to open position
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper evidence element utilizes visual appearance changes (from intact to ruptured state) to indicate lid opening status. This provides clear visual information to consumers without requiring complex electronic or mechanical systems, resolving the contradiction between information provision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper evidence element is pre-configured in an intact state that provides visual information about the unused status. When the lid is first opened, the element automatically transitions to a ruptured state, providing preliminary indication of usage status before the consumer needs to check.
2Ease of operation
If the lid can be removed and reattached multiple times, then the ease of operation is improved for consumers, but the lid may be detached and discarded as unwanted litter
Solution Approach 1:
The tethering element is pre-configured to allow the lid to be removed and reattached a predetermined number of times (providing ease of operation), but automatically transitions to a ruptured state after the first removal, preventing further detachment and reducing littering harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The tethering element has different functional zones: an intact state allowing movement and reattachment, and a ruptured state preventing further removal. This local differentiation of properties enables both ease of operation and litter prevention.
3Ease of operation
If the tethering element allows multiple lid detachments, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of preventing unwanted littering is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tethering element is designed with predetermined rupture characteristics that allow controlled initial detachments for ease of operation, but automatically fail after the first complete removal to ensure reliability in preventing unwanted littering.
Data Source
AI summary
A lid-spout assembly including at least a spout having a pouring outlet, a lid configured to selectively close and open the pouring outlet, a tethering element fixed to the lid and the spout and a tamper evidence element rupturably fixed to one of the lid and the spout and fixedly connected to the other one of the lid and the spout.