Tamper-Evident Closure Frangible Bridge Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polymeric beverage closures with tamper-evident features often allow closure pieces to fall into the consumer's beverage during use, compromising tamper-resistance and aesthetic appeal, while also being vulnerable to counterfeiting and reuse.

Innovation Solution

A tamper-evident closure design featuring a removable top wall and skirt portion with a fracturable line of weakness, allowing for a single opening event that prevents loose components from entering the container and includes features like cam followers and wedge-shaped tongues to enhance tamper-evidence and security, while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tamper-evident closure with removable components is used, then tamper-evidence is provided, but loose components may fall into the beverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper-evidenceVSAvoidloose components falling into beverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is divided into distinct segments: a removable top portion with tamper-evident features and a base portion that remains secured to the container. The top portion includes a frangible connection that allows clean separation, ensuring tamper-evident functionality while preventing loose components from falling into the beverage through proper design of the separation interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A frangible connection or breakable bridge serves as an intermediary element between the removable top portion and the base portion. This intermediary component is designed to fracture in a controlled manner during legitimate opening, providing tamper evidence while its design ensures that no loose fragments remain that could fall into the beverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional tamper-evident designs are used, then shelf-evident tamper-resistance is achieved, but closure pieces may incompletely separate and fall into the consumer's drinking vessel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf-evident tamper-resistanceVSAvoidcomplete separation of closure pieces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frangible connection is pre-designed and pre-positioned to ensure proper alignment and separation during opening. The breakable bridge is formed with specific geometric features that guide the separation process, ensuring that the top portion completely detaches from the base portion without leaving fragments behind, while still providing visible tamper evidence on the shelf

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If reusable closure components are used, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but vulnerability to counterfeiting and adulteration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidcounterfeiting and adulteration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is segmented into a single-use removable top portion containing unique tamper-evident features and a reusable base portion. The top portion can be discarded after one use, preventing counterfeiting, while the base portion remains for refilling. This segmentation allows cost-effective reuse of the main closure body while maintaining security through the disposable security seal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The top portion of the closure is designed as a disposable component with intricate tamper-evident features that are difficult to replicate. After providing security and tamper evidence, this portion is discarded, preventing its reuse for counterfeiting purposes. The reusable base portion is simpler in design, making it cost-effective to manufacture and refill multiple times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11273962B2Tamper-evident closure

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 CLOSURE SYST INT INC

AI summary

Embodiments of a tamper-evident closure are disclosed which prevent unauthorized access to a container and its contents, deterring adulteration or introduction of counterfeit product. In one embodiment the tamper-evident closure can be fitted to an associated container and closure, and includes a portion which is removed by fracture of the tamper-evident closure to gain access to the container closure. In another embodiment, an arrangement of wedge-like tongues permit fitment of the tamper-evident closure to associated container for temper-evidence. In another embodiment, the tamper-evident closure is joined by frangible bridges to the container closure to provide the desired tamper-evidence. In another embodiment, the tamper-evident closure is movable axially of the associated container closure to thereby provide evidence of removal.