Tamper-Evident Pouring Closure with Circumferential Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pouring devices with tamper-evident features pose safety risks, particularly for children, as the display element can be easily accessed and potentially ingested due to its radial displacement during opening and closing movements, leading to material stress and premature failure.
Innovation Solution
The display element is designed to move circumferentially around the axis of rotation, minimizing radial displacement and securing it within a cover wall, using a hinge mechanism and locking projections to maintain its position during closure, ensuring it remains hidden from access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the display element is pivoted about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation during opening, then the display element moves from its original position to indicate opening state, but the free end of the display element becomes freely accessible and can be torn off and swallowed by children
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the movement dimension of the display element from radial pivoting (parallel to rotation axis) to circumferential movement (perpendicular to rotation axis). The display element is guided to move along the inner circumference of the cap wall, which keeps it positioned away from the accessible radial space where children could grasp it, while still achieving the tamper-evident indication function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guide structure (guide wall or guide surface) as an intermediary element that constrains and directs the movement of the display element. This guide structure ensures the display element follows a safe circumferential path and prevents it from moving into positions where it could be accessed by children, while still allowing the necessary movement for tamper indication.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the display element is folded over by almost 180 degrees and held behind a projection, then access is reduced, but during reclosing the display element may be released and subsequently protrude freely radially inwards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the movement plane from radial folding to circumferential sliding. The display element moves along the inner circumference of the cap wall rather than folding radially behind a projection. This circumferential movement path ensures the display element remains positioned safely and does not create the risk of being released and protruding radially during reclosing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure (guide wall or guide surface) acts as an intermediary that continuously constrains the display element throughout the closing movement. This guidance ensures the display element follows the safe circumferential path and prevents any radial protrusion, maintaining position stability throughout the entire closing cycle.
3Loss of information
If the display element is pivoted radially inwards, then it indicates opening state, but this creates stress on the material in the joint area and can cause it to break quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the movement direction from radial pivoting (which creates bending stress at the joint) to circumferential sliding. The display element translates along the inner circumference of the cap wall, which creates primarily tensile or compressive forces along the length of the element rather than bending moments at the joint area, thereby reducing stress and preventing premature breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pivoting mechanical system (which creates high stress concentrations at the joint) with a sliding mechanical system guided by the guide wall. This substitution changes the stress distribution from concentrated bending stresses to more distributed axial forces, improving the durability of the joint area.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pouring device comprising a pourer, which is connected to a container, or at least can be connected to a container, and has a hollow pouring nozzle, and comprising a closure cap (2), by means of which the pouring nozzle (1b) is closed in an original state, and which comprises a cap wall (2a), which extends circumferentially around the pouring nozzle (1b) and around an axis of rotation (5), running through the pouring nozzle (1b), and which extends in the axial direction of the axis of rotation (5) between a cap top (2c) at the upper end and a cap edge (2b) at the lower, open end, and comprising at least a first closure element on the outer lateral surface of the pouring neck (1b) and at least a second closure element on the inner lateral surface of the cap wall (2a), by means of which the closure cap (2) and the pouring neck (1b) can be released from one another by the closure cap (2) being rotated about the axis of rotation (5), and comprising a tamper-evident arrangement (4, 6, 6a, 8, 10,11,12a, 12b, 12c), which is arranged on the closure cap (2) in the region of the cap edge (2b) and comprises at least one movable indicator element (4) which, in the original state, is releasably retained in an original position by means of a breakable bridge (11) and, by interacting with a stop element (8) on the pourer (1), can be separated from the bridge (11) and moved out of the original position, wherein the at least one indicator element (4) in the tamper-evident arrangement is mounted such that it can be displaced about the axis of rotation (5), in particular at least in a sub-region, in particular once it has been separated from the bridge (11).