Tamper Evident Closure with Downward Pull Tab

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tamper evident closures for containers, such as bottles, are difficult for inexperienced users to open due to the requirement of applying adequate tensile forces through a small tear off tab, making the opening process laborious.

Innovation Solution

The tear off tab is designed with two grooves that are spaced apart and end at a distance from the bottom rim of the indicator cap, allowing for a downward pulling motion that loads a breaking point, making it easier to tear off and remove the indicator cap, which can be further enhanced with a handle tab and actuating part for improved accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a small tear off tab is used on the indicator cap, then the tamper evident closure provides reliable tamper indication, but it becomes difficult and laborious for inexperienced users to apply adequate tensile forces to open it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper indication reliabilityVSAvoidopening ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a downward pulling motion dimension by positioning the tear-off tab at the top of the indicator cap, allowing users to pull vertically downward rather than horizontally. This dimensional change in the opening motion makes it easier for inexperienced users to apply adequate tensile forces while maintaining the reliability of the tamper indication system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the tear off tab is positioned at the top of the indicator cap, then users can easily grasp and pull it downwards, but the structural complexity of the indicator cap increases with grooves and breaking points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening easeVSAvoidindicator cap structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator cap is segmented into distinct functional zones: the tear-off tab portion, the grooves that guide the tearing motion, and the breaking point that provides the fracture location. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural integrity and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves and breaking points are pre-formed during manufacturing, preparing the indicator cap for the tearing action. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the user pulls the tab downward, the cap tears cleanly at the predetermined breaking point without requiring complex real-time structural adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3031743B1Tamper evident security closure to access opening of a container, in particular a bottle
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 HSIL LTD
  • EP3031743B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3031743B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3031743B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A tamper evident closure (10) for an access opening in a container (B), in particular a bottle, has a closure part (12) which is placeable onto the access opening in a sealing manner and has a bottom sleeve portion (13) and an upper cover portion (14), which are connected in one piece to each other via a first tamper evident indicator (15). Furthermore, a hood-like indicator cap (11) is provided which forms a second tamper evident indicator (20) and at least partially surrounds at least the cover portion (14) of the closure part (12), wherein access to the first tamper evident indicator is possible only when the indicator cap is destroyed. A tear off tab (16) is formed in the indicator cap (11), which tear off tab (16) is bounded by two grooves (17, 18) which are arranged at a distance and end at a distance from the bottom rim (11a) of the indicator cap (11), wherein at least one of the grooves (17, 18) is assigned a breaking point which extends as far as the bottom rim (11a) of the indicator cap (11).