Tamper-Evident Stopper with Frangible Strand and Hook
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stopper devices with pivoting caps face challenges in providing clear and effective tamper-evident mechanisms, as the visual indication of first opening is often limited, and the separated tamper-evident means can pose safety and environmental hazards due to potential ingestion or improper disposal.
Innovation Solution
A two-step actuating system is integrated into the stopper device, where a hook and a strand cooperate to block the cap's movement from the closed to open position, requiring manual deformation of the strand to release the cap, which then remains altered, providing a clear physical indication of opening, even when the cap is returned to its closed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the tamper-evident means is designed to separate upon opening to provide clear visual indication, then the visibility of first opening indication is improved, but safety hazards and environmental problems arise due to potential ingestion or improper disposal of separated portions
Solution Approach 1:
The strand is divided into a first end with a manual stressing tab and a second end, with a frangible connection between them. This segmentation allows the tab to be manually stressed to break the frangible connection, initiating the tamper-evident sequence while keeping the main body intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual stressing tab is extracted as a separate functional element at the first end of the strand. This tab can be manually actuated to initiate the tamper-evident mechanism by breaking the frangible connection, separating the activation function from the main strand structure.
Solution Approach 3:
The strand is pre-configured in an unaltered state where the running portion extends transversely to block the hook. This preliminary blocking action prevents cap movement before opening, and the frangible connection is pre-positioned to break upon manual stressing, initiating the visible alteration sequence.
Solution Approach 4:
The frangible connection between the first and second ends of the strand is designed to break and be discarded upon manual stressing. This intentional discarding of the frangible portion creates the permanent alteration while the main strand body remains connected to the cap.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tamper-evident means is designed to remain connected to avoid safety hazards, then safety and environmental safety are improved, but the visibility of first opening indication becomes limited requiring meticulous inspection
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the strand have different properties: the first end has a frangible connection that breaks easily upon manual stressing, while the connection at the second end to the cap body is designed for plastic deformation that creates permanent visible alteration. This local differentiation of connection qualities enables both safety and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The strand undergoes parameter changes from an unaltered configuration where the running portion blocks the hook, to an altered configuration where the plastic deformation of the second end connection causes the running portion to no longer abut the hook. This parameter change provides visible indication while maintaining connection.
3Reliability
If a hook and strand system is used to block cap movement, then the tamper-evident mechanism effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases compared to simpler tamper-evident designs
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident means integrates multiple functions into a single strand structure: the running portion provides mechanical blocking of the hook, the frangible connection provides manual activation capability, and the plastic deformation connection provides permanent visible indication. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The strand serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a mechanical block (running portion abutting hook), an activation mechanism (frangible connection at first end), and a permanent indicator (plastic deformation at second end). This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances visibility of the first opening indication while preventing ingestion hazards and improving environmental safety by ensuring the tamper-evident means remain permanently connected, providing a clear and unambiguous indication of use.
Implementation Method 1
breaks the frangible connection provided between said first end and the cap
Implementation Method 2
causing the plastic deformation of the connection between the second end of the strand and the cap
Data Source
Figure 1~12
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The stopper device (1) according to the invention comprises a base (10) adapted to be fastened to a neck of a container (2) and a cap (20) movable relative to the base between closed and open positions. In order to make said device more tamper-evident, the invention proposes, on the one hand, a strand (50) which, in an unaltered configuration, extends lengthwise along the periphery of the cap and whereof the first (51) and second (52) longitudinal ends are connected to the cap frangibly and non-frangibly, respectively, and, on the other hand, a hook (60), which is secured integral with the base, protruding toward the outside of the base, and which is adapted so that, when the strand is in the unaltered configuration thereof, it retains the running longitudinal portion (56) of the strand, in a direction substantially parallel to the axis (X-X) of the base, so as to block the movement of the cap from its closed position to its open position. Furthermore, the first end of the strand is integrally provided with a tab (53) for manually driving the strand so as to detach the first end of the strand relative to the cap, by breaking the frangible connection between them, then for moving the running portion of the strand away toward the outside of the cap, by plastic deformation of the non-frangible connection between the second end of the strand and the cap, until the strand reaches an altered configuration in which the cap is free to be moved from its closed position to its open position without the running portion of the strand being retained by the hook.