Severable Disconnection Line for Tamper-Evident Closure Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closures for container necks are difficult to remove for recycling purposes without damaging the container, as they often require tamper-evident mechanisms that prevent removal without causing damage.

Innovation Solution

A closure system with a retention member disconnection line that is severable, allowing the retention member to be released and the closure body to be removed without damaging the container, using tools like rotatable cutting heads or levering units to sever the disconnection lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the closure body is made non-removable with a permanent retention member to prevent tampering, then security and tamper-evident properties are improved, but the closure becomes difficult to remove for recycling purposes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper-evident propertyVSAvoidremovability for recycling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retention member is divided into two functional parts: a permanent engagement portion that secures the closure to the container neck, and a severable disconnection line that can be cleanly broken to release the retention member. This segmentation allows the closure to maintain its tamper-evident properties while enabling easy removal for recycling by severing the disconnection line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the retention member is designed to permanently engage the container neck shoulder, then the closure remains secure during use, but the closure body cannot be easily separated for waste recycling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention strengthVSAvoidrecycling processability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The closure body is pre-configured with a disconnection line that is positioned and designed to be easily severed by recycling equipment. This preliminary arrangement of the disconnection line enables automated recycling processes to efficiently separate the closure body from the retention member without requiring complex removal mechanisms or causing damage to the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the body defines a severable disconnection line to enable removal, then recycling becomes easier, but the structural integrity of the body may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecycling efficiencyVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The disconnection line is designed with localized reduced wall thickness or material properties specifically at the severable region, while the rest of the closure body maintains its full structural integrity. This local modification creates a predetermined weak point that is easy to sever for recycling purposes without compromising the overall strength and functionality of the closure body during its service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3455144B1Improvements in or relating to a closure for a container neck

Publication Date: 2020.11.18 GCL INT SARL

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AI summary

A dispensing closure for a container neck comprises a body (401) which has a retention member (402) for retaining the body (401) on a container neck. The body (401) is a pourer body, for housing a one-way float valve, and it also defines a retention member disconnection line (403) that is severable to release the retention member (402).