Tamper-Evident Closure Band Structure for Secure Package Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packages lack effective tamper-evident mechanisms that securely indicate opening while allowing for easy assembly and stacking, particularly for larger sizes, and often compromise on structural integrity or ease of manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a tamper-evident band with a band anchor that transitions from a molded, unlocking position to an attached, locking position, incorporating notches for flexibility and increased hoop strength, and a frangible connector to ensure secure attachment to the container, along with a stacking mechanism for efficient closure stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tamper-evident band is added to indicate opening, then security and tamper indication are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident band is divided into distinct functional segments: a frangible connector portion that breaks upon opening, a band portion that remains visible, and a band anchor with notches that provides structural attachment. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall design and manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The band anchor integrates multiple functions into a single molded component: it provides attachment to the band, includes notches for flexibility and strength, and features a distal end that engages with the closure structure. This merging reduces the number of separate parts needed and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining reliability.
2Volume of stationary object
If the package size is increased for larger capacities, then storage volume is improved, but structural integrity and stacking stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The band anchor includes strategically placed notches that concentrate flexibility and strength where needed. The notches are positioned to allow the band to flex during assembly while maintaining hoop strength in the critical regions. This local optimization of structural properties allows larger packages to maintain integrity without requiring proportional increases in material thickness throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure structure utilizes polymeric materials with optimized molecular structures and cross-linking patterns that provide high strength-to-weight ratios. The band anchor and closure body use composite polymer formulations that combine rigidity for structural support with flexibility for assembly, enabling larger packages to maintain structural integrity while remaining manufacturable.
3Reliability
If the band anchor is made rigid for secure locking, then tamper evidence reliability is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates due to difficulty in positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The band anchor transitions from a flexible state during assembly to a rigid locked state during use. The notches allow the band anchor to flex and adapt during positioning, making assembly easy. Once positioned, the same notches engage with the closure structure to create a rigid, secure locking mechanism that provides reliable tamper evidence. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between rigidity and ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the band anchor change based on its position and engagement state. During assembly, the notches allow high flexibility for easy positioning. Upon engagement with the closure, the band anchor transitions to a rigid locked position where the notches provide precise positioning and secure attachment. This parameter change from flexible to rigid state resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and locking security.
Data Source
AI summary
A package includes a container and a closure. The container includes a floor and a sidewall coupled to the floor and extending in an upward direction away from the floor to at least partially define a product storage region. The closure is configured to mount selectively to the container to block access to the product storage region. The closure includes a cover extending across the second end of the container, a skirt coupled to a periphery of the cover and extending in a downward direction away from the cover to engage with the closure mount of the container, and a tamper-evident band coupled to a lower end of the skirt.