Heat-Reshaped Tamper-Evident Closures for Secure Neck Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic beverage closures with tamper evidence features face challenges in engaging securely with container necks, particularly when made from polyethylene terephthalate, due to mechanical stress during demolding and capping, and require improved methods for effective tamper evidence engagement.
Innovation Solution
A method involving reshaping or deforming parts of the closure or container neck using heat or laser irradiation to engage tamper evidence features securely with the container neck, utilizing polyethylene terephthalate material with controlled intrinsic viscosity and minimizing radial engagement features to reduce demolding complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tamper evidence features with multiple radial engagement features are used, then secure engagement with container neck is achieved, but demolding complexity and mechanical stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is pre-formed during molding with minimal radial features, and the tamper evidence band is engaged with the container neck before final closure installation. This preliminary engagement action avoids the need for complex post-molding operations and reduces demolding complexity while maintaining secure engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the tamper evidence band by controlling its material composition and thermal properties. The band is designed to deform at specific temperature ranges during the capping process, enabling secure engagement without requiring multiple rigid engagement features that would complicate demolding.
2Reliability
If multiple radial engagement features are provided on tamper evidence band, then engagement security is improved, but mechanical stress during demolding and capping increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper evidence band is designed with controlled material parameters including specific intrinsic viscosity ranges and thermal deformation characteristics. These parameter changes enable the band to engage securely through thermal deformation rather than mechanical interlocking, reducing mechanical stress during demolding and capping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical engagement features (multiple radial tabs and grooves) with a thermal deformation mechanism. The tamper evidence band uses heat-induced shaping to achieve secure engagement, substituting mechanical complexity with thermal processing that reduces stress on the closure structure.
3Reliability
If complex reshaping operations are applied to closure or container neck, then tamper evidence feature engagement is improved, but processing time and energy increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure and tamper evidence band are pre-formed during the molding process with the necessary geometric features and material properties. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex post-molding reshaping operations, reducing processing time while maintaining effective engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the tamper evidence band formation and closure molding into a single integrated process. The band is molded as an integral part of the closure assembly, combining multiple manufacturing steps into one operation, thereby reducing total processing time and energy consumption.
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
Enhances secure engagement of tamper evidence features with the container neck, reducing mechanical stress and improving the tamper evidence mechanism's effectiveness while allowing for easy demolding and capping.
Implementation Method 1
reshaping or deforming parts of the closure or container neck using heat or laser irradiation
Implementation Method 2
reshaping or deforming parts of the closure or container neck using heat or laser irradiation
Implementation Method 3
The method may, but need not, comprise deforming or shrinking part of the closure, e.g. to engage the tamper evidence feature(s) with the container neck
Implementation Method 4
The method may, but need not, comprise deforming or shrinking part of the closure, e.g. to engage the tamper evidence feature(s) with the container neck
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Closures (1) with a tamper evidence feature (5) that is reshaped to connect it to the container neck (2) are disclosed. Methods and systems (8) for carrying out the methods, and to mold stacks (102) for making the closures are also disclosed. The tamper evidence feature can be a band (5), a portion (505) of a cylindrical skirt (504) or a panel (705) formed in the cylindrical skirt (704). The application of heat may deform the band (5) inwardly to create a lip (52) for engaging a flange (20) on the container neck (2), or it may weld the tamper evidence feature (305) to the flange (220).