Tamper-Evident Closure With Nested Frangible Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flip-cap closures with traditional tamper-evident devices face issues such as contamination risks due to openings in the cap and require additional assembly steps, and the detached bands can become litter or choking hazards.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-evident closure design featuring a unified, frangible link between the cap and base, with a sealed void space that retains the tamper-evident device, eliminating external openings and assembly steps, and incorporating a viewing window for integrity verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional drop-band tamper-evident device is used on a flip-cap closure, then the device can indicate tampering, but the device requires additional assembly steps and creates openings that allow contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident device is integrated into the cap structure itself, merging the tamper indication function with the closure body. The frangible tab is moulded as part of the cap, eliminating separate assembly steps while maintaining the sealing integrity of the closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap structure serves multiple functions: it provides the sealing closure, the flip-open mechanism, and the tamper-evident indication all in one integrated component. The frangible tab既是 part of the cap structure than the tamper indication mechanism, reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If a frangible tab is torn free from the closure by the user, then tamper evidence is provided, but the detached band becomes litter or a choking hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible tab is nested within a cavity in the base of the closure. When the tab breaks during opening, the fragments fall into the cavity and remain contained within the closure structure, preventing them from becoming litter or choking hazards while still providing tamper evidence.
3Loss of information
If a window is provided in the cap wall for the frangible tab, then tamper status is visible, but contaminants can pass through to the mouth or nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible tab is positioned within a cavity in the base, nested within the closure structure. This allows the tamper status to be visible through the cap wall while the tab itself remains protected within the cavity, preventing contaminants from entering through the tab area.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure (100) for a container (104) comprises a base (106) and a spout (110) disposed upon a mouth of said container (104) and defining a void space (134) between them; a cap (118) which comprises an inner body (124) concentrically disposed within an outer body (122), said cap configured to be disposed on said base (106) so as to seal therewith; and at least one tamper-evident device (136) extending between and locking together said cap (118) and said base (106), said tamper-evident device (136) comprising a flattened member extending from an edge of said inner body member (124) over at least one frangible link (140) and engaging said base (106) such that when the cap (118) is opened said at least one frangible link (140) ruptures, said tamper-evident device (136) consequently falling into and being partially obscured by said void space (134).