Reclosable Stopper with Frangible Tamper Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reclosable stoppers for containers are not adequately sterile at manufacture, lack simplicity and ease of use, and fail to prevent unauthorized openings and product substitution, while also allowing liquids or sterilization products to come into contact with the contents, posing health risks.
Innovation Solution
A reclosable stopper with a single-piece design featuring a base body, pouring element, and closing cap connected by a strip bridge, incorporating a double connection system with frangible bridges and foldable flaps for tamper detection and an airtight chamber to prevent liquid contact, ensuring the stopper can be easily opened and closed while maintaining product integrity and user safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the stopper uses a single-piece design with base body and closing cap connected by a strip bridge, then the structural complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to provide tamper detection and sterility assurance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is segmented into a base body and a closing cap that can be separated. The closing cap is connected to the base body by frangible bridges that break upon opening, providing tamper detection. This segmentation allows the stopper to maintain simplicity while incorporating security features through the separable design and breakable connection elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible bridges are pre-positioned between the base body and closing cap in a connected state during manufacturing. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the stopper is first opened, the bridges break to provide immediate tamper detection. The preliminary action of connecting these elements before use enables the security function without adding complex mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the stopper includes frangible bridges and foldable flaps for tamper detection, then the reliability of detecting unauthorized openings is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The closing cap is designed with rotational movement capability around the connection bridge, transitioning between closed and open positions. The frangible bridges are positioned to break during this rotational opening motion, providing tamper detection without requiring complex mechanisms. The dynamic movement of the cap during normal operation naturally activates the security feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible bridges automatically break when the closing cap is rotated open, providing self-activating tamper detection without requiring additional user actions or complex mechanisms. The opening motion itself serves to activate the security feature, eliminating the need for separate detection mechanisms and simplifying operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the stopper allows liquids or sterilization products to contact the distributing element during sterilization, then the sterilization process is simplified, but health safety and product quality are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The distributing element (pouring element) is extracted and positioned within a protected chamber formed by the closing cap and base body. This chamber isolates the distributing element from direct contact with liquids or sterilization products during the sterilization process. The extraction and positioning of this critical element within a protected space prevents contamination while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber formed by the closing cap and base body acts as an intermediary barrier between sterilization products and the distributing element. This intermediate space allows sterilization to occur without direct contact, protecting the distributing element from harmful substances while still enabling effective sterilization of the stopper components.
4Ease of operation
If the stopper is designed to be fully reclosable after opening, then the ease of operation and user convenience are improved, but the ability to maintain sterility and detect tampering is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible bridges are pre-configured to break upon first opening, creating a permanent structural change that detects tampering. This preliminary action ensures that even if the stopper is reclosed, the broken state of the bridges provides ongoing evidence of unauthorized opening, maintaining sterility assurance through the permanent structural modification.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a mechanism that maintains sterility through continuous sealing, the invention inverts the approach by using breakable elements that permanently record opening events. The broken frangible bridges serve as irreversible indicators, ensuring that tampering detection is maintained even after reclosing, prioritizing sterility verification over continuous sealing integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A reclosable stopper revealing a first opening, (11) positioned on a threaded mouth (12) of a container (10) essentially comprises a base body, from which a pouring element (17) extends upwardly, and a protection and closing cap (19) produced integrally therewith in a single piece and connected to the base body by means of a connecting bridge (18) in the form of a strip, acting as a hinge, wherein the base body also comprises a guarantee ring (14) connected by means of frangible bridges (15) to a collar (16), provided in its interior with an internal threading (13), complementary to that of the threaded mouth (12), wherein the protection and closing cap (19) is firmly positioned on the base body for closure, wherein in said stopper, between the base body with the pouring element (17), and the protection and closing cap (19), a group is envisaged, which reveals that there has been a first opening, comprising a double frangible connection system (22, 23, 24; 25, 30, 29, 31).