Tamper-Evident Plastic Closure With Easy-Open Breakaway Tab

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plastic containers with integral lids lack effective tamper evidence and are difficult to remove, especially for individuals with manual dexterity impairments, and there is a need for sustainable materials in food packaging.

Innovation Solution

A plastic closure with a tamper evident mechanism, including frangible portions and a tab portion, and made from recycled materials, which can be easily removed using tools or cutlery and provides a visual indication of use, while being reusable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a plastic closure with integral lid is used, then the container structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but tamper evidence is lacking and removal difficulty increases for individuals with dexterity impairments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtamper evidence

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is segmented into a main body and a separate tamper-evident portion that can break away. The frangible portion is divided into multiple segments (first frangible portion, second frangible portion) that can separate from the closure body, providing visual evidence of tampering while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through injection molding of integrated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tamper-evident portion includes visual indicators such as colored frangible portions that provide clear color contrast against the closure body. When the frangible portions break away, the color change or visual separation provides immediate tamper evidence. The tab portion may also include visual indicators to show removal status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If a secure locking mechanism is used, then the closure reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for individuals with manual dexterity impairments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure securityVSAvoidremoval ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A tab portion acts as an intermediary element that provides a large surface area for finger engagement. This tab is connected to the closure body through frangible portions, allowing users with dexterity impairments to easily grip and pull the tab to initiate closure removal. The tab serves as a mechanical advantage lever that translates small finger forces into effective removal action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If reusable materials are used, then sustainability is improved, but the need for effective tamper evidence in reusable containers is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereusabilityVSAvoidtamper evidence effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The frangible portions are pre-configured in an intact state during manufacturing, providing immediate tamper evidence capability from the outset. When the closure is first opened or tampered with, the frangible portions break away to provide visual evidence. This preliminary configuration ensures that even reusable containers provide reliable tamper evidence on their initial use, maintaining security while enabling reusability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The frangible tamper-evident portion is designed to be discarded after providing its tamper evidence function, while the main closure body is recovered and reused. The broken frangible portions remain attached to or near the container as evidence of opening, while the main closure can be removed, cleaned, and reused on the same or different containers, combining sustainability with security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP4474306B1Closures for containers and containers

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 BERRY SUPERFOS LA GENÊTE SAS

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AI summary

The invention relates to plastic closure for a tamper-evident lidded container, comprising a central portion, a sidewall surrounding said central portion and a tamper-evident portion, wherein said tamper-evident portion comprises a tab portion and at least one frangible portion and also to plastic container assembly including a plastic lid and a container having an upstanding sidewall, a bottom wall and an open top defined by said upstanding sidewall.