Tamper-Evident Cap With Deformable Abutment Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper-evident container designs are often unintuitive and pose manufacturing challenges, making them difficult to use and produce effectively.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a cap with a tamper-evident member that includes a projection and an abutment member, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement by permanent deformation, enhancing user experience and manufacturability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional tamper-evident members are used, then tamper evidence function is provided, but ease of operation deteriorates (difficult to use and unintuitive)
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into distinct components: an inner member with threading for attachment to the container, and an outer member that rotates relative to the inner member. The tamper-evident member is segmented into a stationary portion on the inner member and a movable portion on the outer member, allowing independent movement of each component during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer member is designed to rotate dynamically relative to the inner member during normal cap removal. The tamper-evident member incorporates movable elements that shift position during rotation, providing visual indication of tampering while allowing intuitive user interaction. The system transitions from a static traditional design to a dynamic multi-position system.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional tamper-evident members are used, then tamper evidence function is provided, but device complexity increases (manufacturing challenges)
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly is segmented into manufactureable components: inner member, outer member, and tamper-evident member as separate elements that can be produced independently using standard molding and machining processes, then assembled through straightforward operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer member serves multiple functions: it provides the rotating interface for cap removal, houses the movable portion of the tamper-evident member, and offers visual indication of tampering status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying manufacturing.
3Reliability
If the cap is securely attached, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens (difficult to remove)
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded connection between inner and outer members creates a secure static attachment when closed, but allows controlled dynamic rotation during removal. The tamper-evident member's movable portion rotates with the outer member, providing continuous visual feedback that guides the user through the removal process, making secure attachment not an obstacle but a feature that enhances operational clarity.
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 design provides an intuitive and easy-to-use tamper-evident mechanism while improving manufacturing efficiency, ensuring the cap can be securely attached and detached, indicating opening and offering child-resistant features.
Implementation Method 1
the tamper-evident member is permanently deformable to disengage the projection and allow movement of the cap from the first threaded position to the second threaded position
Data Source
AI summary
A container includes a container body with a projection and a cap with a cover member, an inner member, and an outer member. The inner member is threadably engaged to the neck of the container body and is supported for movement between a first threaded position and a second threaded position relative to the container body. The outer member depends from the cover member and extends at least partly about the inner member and an axis. The outer member includes a tamper-evident member that includes an abutment member configured to engage with the projection to limit movement of the cap from the first threaded position to the second threaded position. Also, the tamper-evident member is permanently deformable to disengage the projection and allow movement of the cap from the first threaded position to the second threaded position.