Tamper-Evident Container With Blocking Wall And Separable Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disposable containers with both tamper-resistant and tamper-evident features, combined with resealability, increase complexity and make it difficult and time-consuming to open.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a tray, cover with a blocking wall and a tab that is separable along lines of weakness, including an interference element to prevent reattachment, allowing access to the cover lip for opening while providing evidence of opening attempts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tamper resistant and tamper evident features are added to a resealable container, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but the container complexity increases and opening becomes more difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into distinct functional components: a blocking wall that segments the opening path, tabs that are separable from the container body, and a cover lip that can be accessed only after tab removal. This segmentation allows each element to perform its security function independently while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking wall and tabs are pre-positioned to prevent access to the cover lip before intended use. The tabs are pre-attached to the container body and must be removed first, creating a preliminary action sequence that ensures tamper evidence before the main opening action occurs.
2Reliability
If tamper resistant and tamper evident features are added to a resealable container, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but opening becomes more difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The tabs are designed to be extracted or removed from the container body through separation at predetermined lines of weakness. This extraction provides a clear, simple action for the user to perform first, which then enables access to the cover lip without requiring complex manipulation of multiple security features simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking wall is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be moved or displaced once the tabs are removed. The blocking wall can shift to reveal the cover lip, transforming the static security barrier into a dynamic element that responds to the tab removal action, thereby simplifying the opening process.
3Reliability
If a blocking wall and tabs are used to prevent direct access to the cover lip, then tamper evidence is improved, but the number of components and structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking wall is merged with the container body structure, forming an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. The tabs are merged with the blocking wall, creating a unified structure where the tabs extend from the blocking wall. This merging reduces the number of discrete components and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the tamper evidence function.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking wall serves multiple functions: it provides structural support to the container opening, creates the tamper evidence mechanism through tab attachment, and physically blocks access to the cover lip. This multi-functionality consolidates several potential components into a single universal element, reducing overall structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A container having tamper evident and resistant features includes a tray, a cover, and a blocking wall that prevents direct access to a peripheral cover lip of the cover when the cover is in a closed position on the tray. The container includes at least one tab that prevents direct access to the peripheral cover lip and which is at least partially separable from the container along at least one line of weakness to provide access to the peripheral cover lip for removing the cover from the tray. The tab further includes an interference element that inhibits replacement of the tab into its original position with respect to the container after the at least one line of weakness have been severed.