Tamper Evident Closure With Segmented Polymer Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closures for containers with threaded necks fail to effectively indicate that the initial opening has taken place, as the sealing ring can be restored to its original appearance after use, making it difficult to distinguish between an intact and opened closure.
Innovation Solution
A closure design featuring a metal cap, a coaxial metal sleeve, and a polymer ring with a first portion of one diameter and a second portion of a smaller diameter, where the end portions of the metal cap and sleeve pass over the polymer ring during initial opening, creating a gap that prevents the closure from being easily resealed, thus visually indicating that the container has been opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing ring made of metal or polymer is used in existing closures, then the closure can be sealed, but the sealing ring can be restored to its original appearance after opening, making it difficult to indicate that the initial opening has taken place
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer ring is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion with diameter D1 that remains stationary, and a second portion with diameter D2 that passes through the end portions during opening. This segmentation creates irreversible visual indication while maintaining sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dimensional change by having the second portion of the polymer ring pass through the end portions from one dimension, creating a gap that provides visual indication in another dimension (the radial gap visible from the outside).
2Reliability
If the closure is designed to prevent extraction from the container, then security is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-prizing function is merged into the existing polymer ring structure through the inclusion of inner tongues that engage with the container neck. This combines the sealing function and the anti-prizing function into a single integrated component, avoiding additional complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing against the container, prevents closure extraction through inner tongues, and indicates opening through the dimensional difference between its two portions. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a closure preferably for containers which have a standard threaded neck, which comprises a metal cap to prevent liquid from escaping from the container, a metal sleeve and a polymer ring which are coaxial relative to the latter, wherein the polymer ring comprises a first portion which has a diameter D1 and a second portion which has a diameter D2<D1, the metal cap comprises an end portion which is disposed around the second portion before the initial opening takes place, the closure being able, during the initial opening, to allow said end portion to pass over the first portion.