Tamper-Evident Cap Design Eliminates Disposable Plastic Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for edible liquids, such as oil or vinegar, often require additional plastic parts for closure that need to be discarded, leading to environmental concerns and inconvenience in use.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a snap-fit inner element coupled to the bottle neck, which is immovable during normal use but can be detached by breaking, and a cap with a hinge that allows for one-time opening without separate plastic parts for closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cap with separate plastic parts is used, then the container can be closed and secured, but additional plastic parts need to be discarded leading to environmental concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the closure mechanism and the tamper-evident seal into a single integrated cap structure. The cap includes an internal element with external threads for screwing onto the bottle, and a seal element that is permanently coupled to the internal element, eliminating the need for separate plastic parts and tabs that would normally be discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the closure mechanism for securing the container, includes a tamper-evident seal to indicate if the container has been opened, and integrates the sealing function all in one component. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional separate parts.
2Reliability
If a conventional cap with separate plastic parts is used, then the container can be closed and secured, but the need to throw away tabs creates inconvenience in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the closure mechanism and the tamper-evident seal into a single integrated cap structure. The cap includes an internal element with external threads for screwing onto the bottle, and a seal element that is permanently coupled to the internal element, eliminating the need for separate plastic parts and tabs that would normally be discarded.
3Reliability
If a snap-fit inner element is used that can be detached by breaking, then the container cannot be refilled ensuring product integrity, but the breaking requirement is destructive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a breakable bridge or link as a preliminary tamper-evident mechanism. This bridge is designed to break under normal opening conditions to prevent refilling, and its breakage serves as permanent evidence that the container has been opened. The bridge is integrated into the cap structure and is meant to fail in a controlled manner to ensure product integrity.
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 environmentally friendly, convenient, and tamper-evident solution by eliminating the need for disposable plastic parts and ensuring the container cannot be refilled once the liquid is used.
Implementation Method 1
The inner element (4) is snap-fitted to neck (3) by pressing the said element onto the neck (3) during an assembly phase
Implementation Method 2
a cap (5) comprising a seal (5B) and a closure (5A), made as a single piece... The closure (5A) is permanently tethered to the seal (5B) by a hinge (12A, 12B)
Implementation Method 3
The closure (5A) is permanently tethered to the seal (5B) by a hinge (12A, 12B), even when open
Implementation Method 4
There may be breakable bridges (13) between the seal (5B) and the closure (5A) which break upon first opening of the cap (5)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~9
AI summary
Container (1) for a liquid, comprising a bottle (2) equipped with a neck (3), an inner element (4), and a cap (5), the inner element (4) being snap-fitted, irremovably, to the neck (3) of the bottle (2) and the said inner element (4) determining a passage (8) for dispensing the liquid and a tubular perimetral wall (10) which is equipped with a first tooth (11) and a thread (9) for fastening the cap (5), the thread (9) being positioned between the first tooth (11) and a free end of the tubular perimetral wall (10), the cap (5) comprising a seal (5B) and a closure (5A) made as a single piece, the closure (5A) being permanently tethered to the seal (5B) by a hinge (12A, 12B), there being breakable bridges (13) between the seal (5B) and the closure (5A) designed to break upon first opening of the cap (5), the seal (5B) being permanently engaged, rotatably and in an undercut manner, with the said first tooth (11) of the inner element (4) by at least one second tooth (21), the closure (5A) featuring a counterthread (14) which cooperates with the said thread (9) by screwing.