Tamper-Evident Stopper with Opening Ring for Container Neck
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snap-on stoppers are difficult for certain users to open, especially when they incorporate tamper-evident means, and are vulnerable to tampering without leaving a trace.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a loop-shaped opening ring connected to the skirt by frangible bridges and a non-frangible strand, allowing the ring to be easily grasped and tilted to release the stopper, enhancing user accessibility and tamper resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a snap-on stopper incorporates tamper-evident means (frangible bridges), then anti-tampering safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because users have difficulty grasping and opening the stopper
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is segmented into functional zones: the frangible bridges provide tamper evidence, while the separate tab structure provides an dedicated opening interface. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab acts as an intermediary element between the user and the stopper's opening mechanism. It provides a grasping surface that transmits user force to the skirt, enabling easy opening without directly manipulating the frangible bridges or the jammed skirt.
2Ease of operation
If the opening strip is permanently connected to the skirt by a hinge (as in prior art), then ease of operation is improved, but anti-tampering safety deteriorates because tampering tools can easily unsnap the skirt without damaging the retaining strip
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the tab and skirt is segmented into frangible bridges rather than a continuous hinge. This segmentation ensures that any tampering attempt must break these bridges, providing clear evidence while maintaining the structural integrity needed for easy legitimate opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible bridges are designed to break under tampering forces, converting the harmful tampering action into a beneficial tamper-evident signal. The same bridges that could be vulnerable points are instead made to provide clear evidence of any unauthorized access.
3Ease of operation
If the lower end edge of the opening strip is positioned above the lower end edge of the skirt (as in prior art), then ease of operation is improved by accommodating the hinge, but anti-tampering safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the tab above the skirt end to accommodate a hinge, the invention inverts the approach by positioning the tab at or below the skirt end level. This inversion eliminates the vulnerability zone while maintaining opening functionality through the frangible bridge design.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab is positioned at a specific location (at or below the lower end edge of the skirt) where it provides optimal tamper resistance. This local positioning creates a flush or recessed configuration that prevents tool insertion while maintaining the structural connection through frangible bridges.
Data Source
AI summary
A stopper for a container neck, comprising: a skirt having a generally tubular shape and being centered on an axis, the skirt being adapted to surround a neck of a container, and being provided internally with a snap-on member adapted to fasten the skirt to the neck in a removable manner by jamming the snap-on member with an external projecting boss of the neck of the container; and an opening strip having a generally annular shape and including a peripheral portion that is permanently connected to a peripheral portion of the skirt, the strip being movable relative to the skirt between: a first position, in which the strip surrounds an external lateral surface of the skirt, by providing an annular space radially between the external lateral surface of the skirt and an inner surface of the strip; and a second position, in which the inside of the strip is substantially detached from the skirt in order to enable the strip to be manually grasped so that the skirt is unsnapped from the neck.