Heat-shrinkable Plastic Capsule for Metal Screw Stopper Tamper Evidence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices with metal screw stoppers and prolonged security rings are costly to produce and do not effectively prevent tampering, as the security features can be easily compromised, making it difficult to ensure the integrity of the bottle contents.
Innovation Solution
A closure device comprising a metal screw stopper with a prolonged security ring is combined with a heat-shrinkable plastic capsule or tubular element that carries decorations and is glued to the stopper, ensuring that any tampering is evident due to residue left behind when the capsule is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If decorations are applied directly to the metal screw stopper with prolonged ring, then the product presents brand names and designs, but the production cost increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device is divided into two separate components: the metal screw stopper with prolonged ring and the plastic capsule with decorations. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using optimized processes, reducing overall production cost and complexity while maintaining the decorative function.
Solution Approach 2:
A plastic capsule is introduced as an intermediary element that carries the decorations. This capsule is then applied to the metal screw stopper, separating the decoration function from the metal forming process and enabling cost-effective production of both components.
2Reliability
If a prolonged security ring is used to cover a substantial part of the bottle neck, then the security coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prolonged security ring function is merged with the plastic capsule that covers the screw stopper. The capsule extends down the bottle neck to provide the same security coverage as a metal prolonged ring would, but with simpler construction and lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic capsule serves as a disposable security element that provides prolonged ring functionality at lower cost. Once the capsule is removed or damaged, it clearly indicates tampering, fulfilling the security function without the complexity of a metal prolonged ring structure.
3Reliability
If the security ring teeth are made integral to detect tampering, then the tamper detection capability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the ring adheres to the undercut and cannot follow the stopper movement
Solution Approach 1:
The security detection function is segmented from the mechanical unscrewing operation. The plastic capsule with its adhesive layer separates the tamper detection mechanism from the metal screw stopper teeth, allowing the stopper to unscrew freely while the capsule remains adhered to the bottle neck, providing clear tamper indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic capsule acts as an intermediary between the screw stopper and the bottle neck. It provides the adhesive bonding function that detects tampering, while allowing the metal stopper to perform its unscrewing operation without restriction.
4Reliability
If a plastic capsule with heat-shrinkable material is used to cover the stopper and bottle neck, then the security and decoration function is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The physical parameters of the plastic capsule are changed through heat treatment. The capsule is initially formed in a stretched state to facilitate assembly, then heat-shrunk to achieve the final fitted configuration. This parameter change allows tolerance compensation and reduces manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device combines metal (screw stopper) with heat-shrinkable plastic (capsule) to create a composite structure. The plastic material's ability to deform and shrink allows it to conform to slight variations in the metal stopper and bottle neck dimensions, reducing the need for high manufacturing precision.
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 significantly reduces production costs while providing maximum security against tampering, as the decorations on the plastic capsule are less costly to produce and ensure that any attempt to alter the bottle contents leaves visible evidence.
Implementation Method 1
a sleeve of heat-shrinkable material, covering the stopper and the adjacent portion of the relevant bottle
Implementation Method 2
among the sleeve and both the stopper and bottle being provided at least, one strip of adhesive material
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The device serves for closing bottles having an externally threaded circular mouth, and comprises a metal screw stopper (14) with ring of prolonged type, and a capsule (26) or tubular element (26A) of heat- shrinkable plastic. The capsule (26) or tubular element (26A) covers not only at least substantially the entire lateral surface of the actual screw stopper (16), but also at least the upper part of the prolonged ring (20). The capsule (26) or tubular element (26A) is fixed to the metal stopper (14) with prolonged ring both in correspondence with the actual screw stopper (16) and in correspondence with the prolonged ring (20), so that a trace thereof remains when the capsule (26) or the tubular element (26A) is removed. In addition to constituting a guarantee against tampering, the outer surface of the capsule (26) or tubular element (26A) can present required colorations and/or writings and/or brand names and/or designs and or reliefs, at a cost decidedly lower than if these latter were formed directly on the metal stopper (14).