Tamper-Evident Push-Button Closure With Low-Stress Frangible Snap

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tamper-evident closures with push-buttons face issues of damage during first-time use and unreliable snapping mechanisms due to excessive transverse forces or bending moments on frangible connections, leading to environmental pollution from loose plastic parts.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing closure design where the tamper-evident push-button is oriented to be inserted into a receiving recess during first-time closure, minimizing transverse forces on frangible connections, and utilizing a coupling member and retaining means to ensure secure positioning without deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the push-button is forced into the recess during first-time closing, then the tamper-evident feature is activated, but the frangible connections may get damaged due to excessive transverse forces or bending moments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper-evident feature activationVSAvoidfrangible connections durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The push-button is pre-oriented during molding so that upon first closing, it automatically inserts into the recess from the open deck-sided end, breaking frangible connections in a controlled manner before the lid is fully closed. This preliminary positioning action ensures the connections are broken safely without excessive force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The push-button is oriented transverse to the skirt of the lid in the molded state, requiring it to be swivelled to an orientation where it can be received in the recess. This dimensional reorientation allows the button to be inserted from above the recess, changing the force direction from transverse to axial, thereby reducing damage risk to frangible connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the push-button is swivelled to be received in the recess, then it can be securely positioned, but the snap mechanism may not work reliably due to push-button deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepush-button positioningVSAvoidsnap mechanism functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The push-button is pre-oriented during molding so that upon first closing, it automatically inserts into the recess from the open deck-sided end, breaking frangible connections in a controlled manner before the lid is fully closed. This preliminary positioning action ensures the connections are broken safely without excessive force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The push-button is oriented transverse to the skirt of the lid in the molded state, requiring it to be swivelled to an orientation where it can be received in the recess. This dimensional reorientation allows the button to be inserted from above the recess, changing the force direction from transverse to axial, thereby reducing damage risk to frangible connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If a tamper-evident strip is used to prevent opening, then tamper-evident functionality is achieved, but loose plastic parts are created causing environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper-evident functionalityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution from loose parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tamper-evident push-button is formed as an integral part of the lid structure, merging the tamper-evident feature with the main closure body. This eliminates separate loose plastic parts while maintaining tamper-evident functionality through the button's movement and positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The frangible connections are designed to break in a controlled manner during first-time use, allowing the push-button to be released from the lid and inserted into the recess. This controlled discarding of the connection elements eliminates loose plastic pollution while maintaining the tamper-evident function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS20260008597A1Dispensing closure with tamper-evident push-button

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 WEENER PLASTICS GRP BV

AI summary

A closure includes a closure body having a deck and a circumferential skirt. An opening is formed in the deck and a receiving recess is formed in the circumferential skirt or in the deck. A lid is hingedly connected to the closure body, and a tamper-evident push-button is formed in one piece with the lid. The lid and the push-button are connected by frangible connections. The tamper-evident push-button is received in the receiving recess upon first time closing of the lid. The receiving recess is adapted to allow the tamper-evident push-button to be pushed whilst in the receiving recess so as to break the frangible connections and allow opening of the lid. The push-button has a coupling member to couple the push-button to the closure body. The coupling member provides a tilting axis allowing tilting movement of the push-button with respect to the closure body when it is pushed in.