Tamper-Evident Closure With Reciprocating Lock And Frangible Band
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper-evident closures for containers, such as beverages, face challenges in indicating initial opening, re-locking after opening, and cost-efficient production, particularly for gaseous or pressurized beverages, and are difficult to manufacture due to complex mold designs and long cycle times.
Innovation Solution
A hinged closure system with a snap-hinge mechanism and integrated tamper-locking means that allows secure re-locking after initial opening, featuring a locking element with frangible elements and a double acting locking mechanism, enabling secure engagement and disengagement to prevent unauthorized opening, while using a simple mold design for cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tamper-evident closure uses a locking mechanism that locks when initially closed, then tamper evidence is provided, but the closure cannot be re-locked after initial opening
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident closure is divided into separate functional components: a locking mechanism with locking element and counter-locking means for security, and a frangible element (tear-off band or breakable bridge) that separates upon first opening. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to remain functional for re-locking while the frangible element provides tamper evidence through its destruction during initial opening only.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible element is extracted as a separate component from the locking mechanism. The frangible element (tear-off band or breakable bridge) is connected to the locking mechanism but can be destroyed independently during initial opening, while the locking mechanism itself remains intact and functional for subsequent re-locking operations.
2Reliability
If a tamper-evident closure uses complex locking mechanisms, then security is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cycle time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element and counter-locking means are merged into a single integrated locking mechanism that operates through a simple reciprocating motion. The locking element reciprocates between locked and unlocked positions, engaging or disengaging the counter-locking means in a single motion, which simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining security functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed with dynamic, movable components that operate through simple reciprocating motion. The locking element can move between locked and unlocked positions, and the counter-locking means is designed to engage or disengage automatically through this motion, reducing the need for complex multi-step manufacturing processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If a hinge closure is molded in open position, then the interior can be made, but tamper evident means are difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into the locking mechanism and the frangible element, allowing the locking mechanism to be molded in the open position for ease of manufacturing the interior, while the frangible element (tear-off band or breakable bridge) is added as a separate component that provides tamper evidence functionality without complicating the main molding process.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a tamper evidence and locking means for a closure and a tamper evident closure. The tamper evidence and locking means indicate initial opening and allow relocking the closure after initial opening.