Tamper-Evident Closure With Integrated Holding Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing closures for containers with tamper-evident devices either generate waste or occupy space when the tear-off strip is not fully integrated, posing environmental and usability issues, and there is a risk of the tamper-evident element falling into the application area during use.

Innovation Solution

A closure design where the tamper-evident element is securely held by a holding device on one part even when separated from the other, preventing unintentional detachment and ensuring the element remains connected, with a rounded transition to prevent deposits and enhance hygiene, and a hinged or snap-fit mechanism for easy opening and resealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the tear-off strip is completely separated from the closure, then the waste is eliminated and environmental pollution is avoided, but the tamper-evident element may become detached unintentionally and fall into the application area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste eliminationVSAvoidsecure attachment of tamper-evident element
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the tamper-evident element from the tear-off strip and integrates it into the closure body. The element is positioned in a recess of the first part and secured by a holding device with retaining protrusions, allowing the tear-off strip to be completely removed without compromising the security of the tamper-evident element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tamper-evident element is nested within a recess of the closure body, specifically positioned in a cavity of the first part. This nesting arrangement ensures the element remains securely held within the closure structure even when the tear-off strip is completely separated, preventing unintentional detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the tear-off strip remains connected to the closure with one end, then the tamper-evident element is secured, but the strip takes up space and becomes a hindrance during subsequent use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of tamper-evident elementVSAvoidconvenience during subsequent use
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the tamper-evident element from the tear-off strip and secures it directly to the closure body. This extraction allows the tear-off strip to be completely removed after use, eliminating the space-occupying remnant that hinders subsequent usage while maintaining secure attachment of the essential tamper-evident element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows the tear-off strip to be completely discarded after serving its sealing function, while the tamper-evident element is recovered and retained within the closure body by the holding device. This separation enables complete removal of waste material while preserving the functional element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If the tear-off strip is completely removed, then space is saved and usability is improved, but the risk of the tamper-evident element becoming detached increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusability after openingVSAvoidprevention of unintentional detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the tamper-evident element from the removable tear-off strip and integrates it into the permanent closure structure. The element is positioned in a recess and secured by holding devices with retaining protrusions, enabling complete removal of the tear-off strip while maintaining reliable attachment of the tamper-evident element to the closure body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device with retaining protrusions is pre-configured in the closure body to secure the tamper-evident element before the tear-off strip is removed. This preliminary securing action ensures that when the tear-off strip is completely removed, the tamper-evident element remains firmly attached and cannot unintentionally detach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If a holding device with receiving section and holding section is used, then the tamper-evident element is securely held in the third position, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding of tamper-evident elementVSAvoidstructure of holding device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device utilizes a flexible membrane structure that forms the wall of the receiving section. The membrane can be deformed during assembly to receive the tamper-evident element and then returns to its original shape to create securing contact. This approach achieves reliable holding with minimal additional structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The holding mechanism utilizes elastic deformation of the membrane as a reversible phase transition. The membrane deforms during assembly to accommodate the tamper-evident element, then elastically recovers to secure the element in place. This elastic phase transition provides secure holding without requiring complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Data Source

PatentEP2084078B1Seal with security seal device
Publication Date: 2010.11.03 WEENER PLASTIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2084078B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2084078B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2084078B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a seal for a receptacle, particularly for liquid and highly viscous filling material, comprising: a first part which has an outer side wall; a second part; and a security seal device which has at least one security seal element. Furthermore, according to the invention, the first part has at least one holding device. According to the invention, in a first position the security seal element is connected to the second part by means of a connecting device and is not connected to the first part; in a second position the security seal element is connected to the second part by said connecting device and, moreover, is in this second position connected to the first part by means of the holding device; and the security seal element can be converted from this second position into a third position in which the security seal element is separated from the second part and is again connected to the first part by means of said holding device.