Tamper-Evident Closure Driver Device Torque Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper-evident closures for containers face issues with high braking torque on the tamper-evident ring during initial closure, leading to potential destruction of breaking webs and reliability concerns in detecting the first opening, as well as jamming of the ring on the transfer ring shoulder due to a narrower design, which impairs the operability and integrity of the closure.
Innovation Solution
An additional driver device is introduced between the closure cap and tamper-evident ring, featuring an undercut in the closure cap and a hooked projection on the tamper-evident ring for effective torque transmission and axial locking, along with stripping projections to ensure reliable separation and prevent jamming, without requiring changes to the container design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inner diameter of the tamper-evident ring is designed to be narrow to increase blocking effect, then the reliability of ring separation is improved, but the ring may get stuck on the transfer ring shoulder during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The solution divides the interaction between the closure cap and tamper-evident ring into two distinct functional segments: the driver device (undercut and hooked projection) for torque transmission during closing, and the stripping projections for ring removal during opening. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The stripping projections act as an intermediary mechanism between the closure cap and the tamper-evident ring. During opening, these projections actively engage with the ring and force it off the transfer ring shoulder, mediating the interaction to prevent the ring from getting stuck while maintaining the narrow design for reliable separation.
2Reliability
If the breaking webs are made sensitive to detect first opening, then the detection reliability is improved, but they may be destroyed by high braking torque during initial closure
Solution Approach 1:
The driver device serves as an intermediary torque transmission mechanism during initial closure. The hooked projection engaging in the undercut provides a robust mechanical connection that absorbs and transmits the high braking torque, shielding the sensitive breaking webs from direct torque exposure while still allowing them to function for detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver device provides beforehand cushioning by establishing a strong mechanical connection before the breaking webs are subjected to torque. This pre-established connection absorbs the initial shock and braking torque during closure, protecting the breaking webs from destruction before they need to perform their detection function.
3Reliability
If the driver device with undercut and hooked projection is added for torque transmission, then the risk of breaking webs destruction is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driver device merges two functions into a single integrated structure: the undercut in the closure cap and the hooked projection on the tamper-evident ring work together as one torque transmission system. This merging achieves effective torque transmission and axial locking without requiring multiple separate components, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver device exhibits multi-functionality by simultaneously providing torque transmission during closure and axial locking to prevent separation during the screwing process. This universal design achieves multiple protective functions with a single added mechanism, reducing the overall complexity increase compared to adding separate devices for each function.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The closure a tamper evident ring (12) fastened at the front edge of a screw cap by a breaking bar. A strip projection (15) is formed at the front edge of the screw cap and protruded towards the direction of the tamper evident ring. The tamper evident ring is stripped downward with the aid of the strip projection during clamping on the transferring shoulder, when the screw cap is relocked by the transferring shoulder, where clamping takes place during first opening of the closure. An independent claim is also included for a container with a threaded neck.