Metallic-Composite Closure for Tamper-Evident Paint Containers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paint container closure systems either rely solely on metallic components, lacking tamper evidence, or incorporate plastic components without the durability and compatibility with existing manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

A closure system comprising a metallic crimp ring, a primary lid with a tamper-evident feature, and a secondary lid, all with contoured surfaces for secure coupling, allowing for durable, reusable, and tamper-evident sealing with compatibility to existing containers and manufacturing lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metallic components are used for closure systems, then durability and compatibility with existing manufacturing processes are improved, but tamper evidence capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidtamper evidence
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system combines metallic components (crimp ring, primary lid) with plastic components (secondary lid, tamper-evident features) to achieve both durability from metal and tamper evidence from plastic. The composite structure allows each material to contribute its advantageous properties in the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The closure system is divided into separate functional components: a metallic crimp ring for attachment, a primary lid for initial sealing, and a secondary plastic lid for tamper evidence and resealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If plastic components are used for closure systems, then tamper evidence capability is improved, but durability and compatibility with existing manufacturing processes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper evidenceVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses composite materials where plastic components provide tamper evidence functionality while metallic components provide structural durability. The plastic secondary lid and tamper-evident features are combined with the durable metallic crimp ring and primary lid to balance both requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the closure system have different material qualities tailored to their specific functions. The metallic portions are localized where structural strength and durability are needed (crimp ring, primary lid), while plastic portions are localized where tamper evidence and flexibility are needed (secondary lid, tamper-evident features).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single lid design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but functionality (tamper evidence and resealing) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure structureVSAvoidfunctionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is segmented into multiple functional lids: a primary lid for initial sealing and a secondary lid for tamper evidence and resealing operations. This segmentation enables the system to perform multiple functions that a single lid design could not achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure system is designed with multi-functionality where the primary lid handles initial sealing, the tamper-evident features provide security verification, and the secondary lid enables resealing. This universal design allows one closure system to fulfill multiple operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4371901B1Tamper-evident closure system with metallic container and plastic closure
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 RIEKE LLC
  • EP4371901B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4371901B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4371901B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A closure system can be attached to existing paint pails, cans, and other, similar metallic containers. It includes a crimped insert ring (10) attaching to the container and a primary lid (20) having a tamper-evident panel (24). A secondary lid (30) is seated on and seals to the primary lid, with the secondary lid possibly being made partially or completely from plastics, thereby facilitating its ability to reseal the paint container by way of a plug seal. The insert, primary lid, and secondary lid comprise means to facilitate their attachment to one another, in the form of annular grooves (12, 22, 32) and ridges (25).