Slidable Container Top Safety Cover Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container sealing mechanisms, such as pull-tab and stay-on tab systems, are vulnerable to unauthorized access and tampering, as they allow exposure of the container's upper surface during opening and resealing, making it difficult to detect if the contents have been altered or tampered with.
Innovation Solution
A safety cover mechanism featuring a slidable member that moves along tracks on the container top, ensuring that the opening is always covered and leaving a visible trace of any access, using a curved slidable member to engage with the container's tracks and a press button sealer to securely open and reseal the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pull-tab or stay-on tab sealing mechanisms are used, then ease of opening is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the tab with a connecting stud that must be broken to access the container. This breaking action creates an irreversible visible trace that prevents unauthorized access while maintaining ease of opening through the simple pull-tab mechanism. The stud is designed to break at a predetermined weak point, ensuring that any attempt to open the container leaves permanent evidence.
2Ease of operation
If the tab can be rotated around the stud axis, then ease of operation for resealing is improved, but detectability of tampering deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-positioning the tab in a specific orientation where the opening aperture is covered. When the container is legitimately opened and resealed, the tab must be returned to this predetermined position. Any rotation or manipulation of the tab to conceal tampering is prevented because the connecting stud breaks upon any deviation from the intended opening path, leaving visible evidence of unauthorized access.
3Ease of manufacture
If soft connection of sealer to opening rim is used, then ease of sealing is improved, but security against penetration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a pre-designed weak point in the connecting stud that is positioned to break when force is applied from the outside. This allows the soft connection to maintain ease of sealing during normal operation, while the predetermined break point provides security by creating visible damage evidence when unauthorized penetration attempts occur. The stud's design ensures that external force applied to penetrate the container will cause the stud to break at this predetermined location.
Data Source
Figure 11A
Figure 11B~11D
Figure 11E~11F
AI summary
A container top comprising a container top member comprising tracks (110a, 110b) over an upper surface thereof and a sealer sealing an opening thereof; and a slidable member (120) having a sealing mechanism, the slidable member being slidable through the tracks and positioned such that sliding of the slidable member over the tracks to one direction unseals the sealer (12), forming an opening over the container top member, in the initial opening thereof and wherein sliding the slidable member back to its original position over the opening formed thereby covers and seals the opening. The opening formed by the unsealing of the sealer can be re-sealed at will by the sealing mechanism of the slidable member. The sealing mechanism may be for example a sealing material coating strip located over a periphery of the slidable member (120) or the physical configuration of the slidable member periphery edges.