Tamper-Evident Closure With Nested Desiccant Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper-evident closures for containers, especially those used for pharmaceutical substances, often require adaptations that prevent the integration of desiccant chambers and do not effectively combine tamper-evident and child-resistant features without protruding parts or specific container designs.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-evident closure system comprising an outer and inner cap with cooperating engagement means, a tamper-evident member connected by frangible means, and elastic elements for child resistance, allowing for desiccant integration and visible tamper evidence without requiring protruding parts or specific container geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tamper-evident ring connected by frangible bridges is used, then tamper evidence is provided, but the container requires protruding parts or peripheral grooves which complicates the container design
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the tamper-evident function from the container structure and relocates it to the closure system. The frangible bridges are integrated into the closure's top wall rather than requiring modifications to the container neck, thereby simplifying container design while maintaining tamper evidence capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides tamper evidence through frangible bridges, maintains child-resistant properties through elastic elements, and allows desiccant integration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized container features.
2Reliability
If a foil is welded on the container opening for tamper evidence, then tamper evidence is achieved, but desiccant chamber integration is no longer possible
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into distinct functional components: an outer cap providing structural support and tamper evidence, an inner cap housing the desiccant chamber, and elastic elements providing child resistance. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without interfering with others, enabling simultaneous tamper evidence and desiccant integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner cap with desiccant chamber is nested within the outer cap structure. The frangible bridges are positioned in the top wall of the outer cap, allowing the tamper-evident feature and desiccant chamber to coexist in a nested configuration without requiring foil welding that would block chamber access.
3Reliability
If child-resistant features are added to tamper-evident closure, then child resistance is improved, but the closure mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges child-resistant elastic elements with the tamper-evident frangible bridge structure within a unified closure design. The elastic elements are positioned to interact with the frangible bridges during opening, combining both safety functions into a single integrated mechanism rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure incorporates dynamic elastic elements that deform during the opening process to provide child resistance, then return to their original state. This dynamic behavior allows the closure to adapt during operation without requiring complex mechanical locking mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while achieving child resistance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The closure provides a secure, child-resistant, and tamper-evident solution that allows for desiccant integration while maintaining container shape flexibility, ensuring easy tamper evidence and preventing accidental opening during shipping and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a frangible means which breaks upon application of an axial force on the outer cap towards the inner cap so as to separate the tamper-evident member from the first top wall
Implementation Method 2
at least one elastic element which is arranged between the outer cap and the inner cap and which stores energy when the outer cap is shifted in an axial direction towards the inner cap against the biasing direction of the at least one elastic element
Data Source
AI summary
A tamper-evident closure for a container with an outer screw thread opening, including an outer cap with a first sidewall and a first top wall and an inner cap with a second sidewall and a second top wall. The inner cap is coaxially nested within the outer cap and has an inner thread. The outer and inner cap have cooperating engagement mechanisms arranged and shaped so when opening the closure for the first time, the inner cap is rotated by the outer cap. The first top wall has a tamper-evident member which is connected to a surrounding region of the first top wall by a frangible component. A protruding element, arranged for breaking the frangible component, is arranged at the first top wall facing the second top wall and/or the second top wall facing the first top wall so as to face the tamper-evident member.