Polymeric Closure Assembly With Separable Liner and Child Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polymeric closures lack a combination of tamper-evidence, child-resistance, and adult-friendly features while being lightweight and recyclable.
Innovation Solution
A polymeric closure assembly comprising a polymeric outer and inner shell with torque-transfer ribs and projections, along with a multi-layer liner providing tamper-evidence and a separable design, ensuring child-resistant operation and recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a polymeric closure is designed to be lightweight and recyclable, then weight reduction and environmental friendliness are improved, but tamper-evidence and child-resistance features may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is divided into two separate shells: an outer shell that remains on the container and an inner shell that is removed during opening. This segmentation allows the outer shell to provide tamper-evidence features while the inner shell provides child-resistance features, maintaining security functionality while using lightweight polymeric materials for both components.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner shell is nested within the outer shell during storage and transport. This nesting arrangement allows both shells to be compactly packaged together, reducing overall material usage and weight while ensuring both tamper-evidence and child-resistance features are present in the final closure assembly.
2Reliability
If torque-transfer ribs and projections are added to provide child-resistance, then child-resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torque-transfer mechanism uses dynamic interaction between the ribs and projections that engage during twisting motion. The ribs on the outer shell interact with corresponding projections on the inner shell to prevent rotational movement, providing child-resistance. This dynamic engagement mechanism is integrated into the basic two-shell structure without requiring additional complex components.
3Reliability
If a multi-layer liner with separable layer is used for tamper-evidence, then tamper-evidence is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is pre-assembled with the separable layer positioned between the inner shell and the foil layer before the closure is put into service. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the closure is opened, the liner automatically separates into two pieces, providing immediate tamper-evidence. The pre-positioned separable layer simplifies the opening action and ensures consistent tamper-evidence functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A polymeric closure assembly includes inner and outer shells, and a liner. The inner shell includes a top wall portion and a skirt portion. The top wall portion of the inner shell forms an opening therein. The skirt portion of the inner shell includes a thread formation. The outer shell includes a top wall portion and a skirt portion. The top wall portion of the outer shell forms an opening therein. The liner attaches to an interior surface of the top wall portion of the inner shell and a finish of the container. The liner includes a substrate layer, a separable layer, a foil layer, and an adhesive layer. The separable layer assists in separating the liner into two pieces.