Tamper-Evident Spout Cap Structure for Low-Temperature Seal Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tamper evident seals on spout caps for flexible packages can detach fragments at low temperatures, compromising the integrity of the seal and product preservation.

Innovation Solution

A cap design with a tamper evident seal featuring strong teeth and weakened functional segments that ensure the seal remains intact during unscrewing, even in low temperature conditions, and clearly indicates breakage upon reattachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tamper evident seal with breakable bridges is used to indicate first opening, then the seal provides clear indication of opening status, but at low temperatures the seal fragments may detach from the cap body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidfragment detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tamper evident seal is divided into multiple functional segments separated by breakable bridges. When the seal breaks, these segments remain constrained to the cap body through attachment means, preventing detachment while maintaining clear indication of opening status. The segmentation allows the seal to flex and break predictably without creating loose fragments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The functional segments of the tamper evident seal are nested within the cap body structure, with each segment attached to the cap through retention mechanisms. This nesting ensures that even when the seal breaks, the fragments remain contained within the cap assembly rather than detaching externally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the tamper evident seal is made strong to prevent detachment, then fragment retention improves, but the seal may not clearly indicate breakage upon opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefragment retentionVSAvoidbreakage indication clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the tamper evident seal have different mechanical properties. The breakable bridges are designed with reduced strength to ensure clean breaking, while the attachment means connecting segments to the cap body are designed with higher strength to prevent detachment. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between easy breakage and secure retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The seal structure transitions from an intact state to a broken state through controlled fracture of the breakable bridges. The functional segments dynamically change position upon breaking, moving from a continuous ring to separated arcs that remain attached to the cap, providing clear visual indication while maintaining retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12545477B2Cap provided with a tamper evident seal

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 GUALA PACK SPA

AI summary

A cap for a spout of a thin-walled flexible package having a tamper evident seal formed by a plurality of main sections is provided. Each main section of the plurality of main sections has a tooth for engaging a respective fixed ridge of the spout. The tooth radially projects inward and consists of a sharp solid element having a tooth height greater than a height of a remaining part of the main section.