Tamper-Evident Cap With Pivoting Locking Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current container caps, such as screw-on and snap-caps, face challenges in being easily opened and closed by individuals with limited strength or dexterity, and lack resilience to shocks and impacts, leading to leakage and increased manufacturing complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A cap design featuring a disc-shaped top section, an annular side section with a locking flange and mobile locking flap, and integrated tamper evidence means, including a partially frangible tab, which allows for secure attachment, easy opening, and tamper indication, while resisting dislodgment and impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw-on cap is used, then the seal is tight and leakage-resistant, but a large amount of force is required to open and close
Solution Approach 1:
The locking flange is divided into an immobile portion and a mobile portion that can pivot independently. The mobile portion acts as a lever arm that amplifies the user's opening force, allowing the cap to be opened with minimal effort while the immobile portion maintains the secure threaded connection for seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking flange transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the mobile portion can pivot between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic mechanism allows the cap to provide strong retention during normal use while enabling easy opening through slight manipulation of the mobile portion.
2Ease of operation
If a snap-cap is used, then the cap is easy to open and close, but the joint is weak and the cap may be easily dislodged by external shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of both screw-on and snap-caps by combining a threaded connection (for strength and shock resistance) with a snap-action locking flange (for ease of operation). The mobile portion of the locking flange provides snap-action engagement while the threads provide structural strength.
3Reliability
If traditional tamper evidence means are used, then tamper indication is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper evidence function is merged with the locking flange structure itself. The mobile portion of the locking flange serves dual purposes: it enables easy opening through its pivoting action and simultaneously provides tamper evidence through its frangible connection to the cap body. This eliminates the need for separate tamper-evident devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile portion of the locking flange is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a lever for easy opening, provides visual indication of opening status, and serves as a frangible tamper evidence element. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining security features.
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 cap is easier to open and close, resistant to shocks, cost-effective to produce, and provides efficient tamper evidence, enhancing user accessibility and container security without separate tamper-evident devices or complex manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
first tamper evident means comprising a tamper evidence member attached to the annular side section and to the locking flap, said locking flap being thereby immobilized in the locked first position when the tamper evidence is in place defining thereby its functional position, in which the tamper evident member is partially frangible when the cap is first opened
Implementation Method 2
the elasticity of the cap causes the groove to close around the seated bead, retaining the cap on the container
Data Source
AI summary
A cap (100) for a container comprises a disc-shaped top section (102), an annular side section (104) projecting from said disc-shaped top section (102), and a locking flange (111) disposed at an extremity of said annular side section (104) opposite said disc-shaped top section (102), and further comprises a locking flap (116) extending from said annular side section (104), which is mobile between a locked first position wherein a portion (114) of the locking flange (111) extends inwardly from the annular side section (104), and an unlocked second position wherein the locking flange (111) is at least partially recessed relative to the annular side section (104). First tamper evidence means formed as partially frangible tab (120) and second tamper evidence means (128) are proposed. A package comprising a container and proposed cap (100) is also proposed.