Tamper Evident Closure Ring Stability via Segmented Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper evident closures, either with rings or tabs, fail to clearly indicate if a tube, container, or package has been opened, leading to unnecessary discarding of unopened items and the inconvenience of rings falling when their connecting webs are broken.
Innovation Solution
A closure design featuring a ring connected to a lid via a hinge and tear-off/tamper evident webs, where a tab is attached to both the ring and lid, requiring removal to access a 'window' for initial opening, ensuring the ring remains attached and preventing it from falling, while tear-off webs are strategically placed for ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tamper evident ring is used, then the closure provides tamper evidence, but the ring falls down when the connecting webs are broken
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into distinct functional components: a tamper-evident ring for security indication, a tab for user interaction, and a lid for closure. The ring is further segmented from the lid connection, allowing it to remain stable while the tab can be removed independently. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the ring to maintain its position through the hinge connection to the lid while the tab can be removed to provide tamper evidence.
Solution Approach 2:
A hinge acts as an intermediary element connecting the ring to the lid, allowing the ring to remain attached and stable while still permitting the lid to be opened. The hinge mediates between the need for ring stability and the need for lid accessibility, resolving the contradiction by providing a flexible connection that maintains ring position while allowing functional operation.
2Loss of information
If a tamper evident tab is used, then it is easier to recognize if the package has been opened, but the consumer may discard unopened packages unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is designed to be removed in advance as a preliminary action to access the lid. The tab's removal creates a visible indication that the package has been opened, while the lid itself remains the primary closure mechanism. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by providing clear tamper evidence through tab removal while maintaining the lid's integrity as the actual seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system transitions from a static tab connection to a dynamic state where the tab can be removed independently. The hinge allows the lid to remain connected to the ring while the tab can be dynamically removed to indicate opening. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by allowing the tab to serve as a removable indicator while the lid provides the actual secure closure.
3Ease of operation
If the tab is removed to open the package, then access to the lid is enabled, but the ring may fall down
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into distinct functional components: a tamper-evident ring for security indication, a tab for user interaction, and a lid for closure. The ring is further segmented from the lid connection, allowing it to remain stable while the tab can be removed independently. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the ring to maintain its position through the hinge connection to the lid while the tab can be removed to provide tamper evidence.
Solution Approach 2:
A hinge acts as an intermediary element connecting the ring to the lid, allowing the ring to remain attached and stable while still permitting the lid to be opened. The hinge mediates between the need for ring stability and the need for lid accessibility, resolving the contradiction by providing a flexible connection that maintains ring position while allowing functional operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Closure for tablet tubes comprising a ring connected to the tube, a lid, which is connected to the ring by means of a tab, wherein said tab is connected through tear-off/tamper evident webs with the ring and the lid, and tear-off/tamper evident webs between said ring and said lid.