Tamper Evident Closure With Movable Inner Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper-evident closure systems for bottles are either complex in construction, prone to mechanical failures, or lack effectiveness in providing clear evidence of first opening, such as using chemical substances or being susceptible to sticking issues.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-evident closure assembly featuring a threaded outer cap with an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve connected by a flange, an inner element that moves longitudinally upon cap unscrewing, and locking mechanisms to irreversibly lock in a second position, ensuring visibility of a lateral portion to indicate opening without the need for chemical indicators or complex constructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical substances and containers are used to provide tamper evidence, then visible indication of opening is achieved, but construction becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex chemical indicator system and containers from the closure structure, replacing them with a simple mechanical indicator element that provides tamper evidence through physical displacement rather than chemical change
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator element is designed as a simple, disposable mechanical component that provides its evidential function through a single-use mechanical action, eliminating the need for complex reusable chemical systems
2Reliability
If a lower portion is designed to fall away during first opening, then clear indication of opening is provided, but the lower portion may get stuck and fail to fall
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing a portion to fall away downward, the patent employs an indicator element that moves upward relative to the cap during opening, inverting the traditional downward-falling mechanism to avoid sticking issues
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator element is designed with dynamic movement characteristics that allow it to slide or jump along the opening trajectory, ensuring reliable displacement without getting stuck in intermediate positions
3Reliability
If the outer part is movable relative to the inner part, then tamper evidence is provided, but the outer part cannot become locked if the inner part moves prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator element is pre-positioned in a specific location within the cap structure, ensuring that its evidential function is activated automatically when the cap is opened, without requiring complex locking sequences or premature movement detection
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator element automatically provides tamper evidence through its own displacement relative to the cap during normal opening operations, without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex interaction between multiple parts
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tamper evident closure (1) comprising a threaded outer cap (20), an inner element (30) longitudinally movable relative to the threaded outer cap (20) from a first lower position, corresponding to the position prior to first opening, to a second higher position, corresponding to the position after first opening, cam means (40) to cause longitudinal movement of the inner element (30) upon first opening, locking means (50) to lock the inner element (30) in the second position upon first opening. The threaded outer cap (20) is configured such that a lateral portion (31) of the inner element (30) is visible in the second position.