Tamper-Evident Container Neck with Metal Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers for liquid products lack effective mechanisms to prevent refilling with inferior products and to evidence tampering attempts, which can lead to counterfeiting and compromise the integrity of the container.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a non-removable anti-refill fitment and a tamper-evidencing component, where the fitment is composed of plastic and includes a metal ring in contact with the container neck, concentrating heat to cause discoloration or fracture upon tampering, ensuring the container remains non-refillable and tamper-evident.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a non-removable anti-refill fitment is used, then the container becomes non-refillable and product integrity is protected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct integrityVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The metal tamper-evidencing ring is nested within the plastic anti-refill fitment, which itself is inserted into the container neck. This nested configuration allows multiple protective functions to be integrated within a compact structure, achieving non-refillability and tamper-evidence without proportionally increasing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution combines different materials (metal ring, plastic fitment, glass container) with distinct properties to achieve multiple functions simultaneously. The metal ring provides thermal conductivity for heat concentration, the plastic fitment provides non-refillable mechanical engagement, and the glass container provides product containment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a tamper-evidencing component is added, then visible evidence of tampering is provided, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper evidenceVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tamper-evidencing function is merged with the anti-refill fitment structure by integrating the metal ring directly into the plastic fitment assembly. This combination means a single component performs both anti-refilling and tamper-evidence functions, reducing overall device complexity compared to separate independent systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal ring serves multiple functions: it concentrates heat during tampering attempts to cause visible discoloration or fracture, and it structurally reinforces the fitment assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If heat concentration is used to cause discoloration or fracture, then tamper evidence is enhanced, but the object-generated harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper evidenceVSAvoidheat concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The high thermal conductivity of the metal ring, which could potentially cause harmful heat concentration, is converted into a beneficial tamper-evidence mechanism. When tampering attempts apply heat, the metal ring concentrates it to create visible discoloration or fracture patterns that clearly indicate tampering, transforming a potential harm into a reliable detection mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively deters refilling with inferior products and provides visible evidence of tampering attempts, such as discoloration or fracture, thereby protecting the product's integrity and deterring counterfeiting.

Implementation Method 1

a metal ring carried in at least one of the neck of the container or the fitment and in direct contact with a corresponding portion of the container neck, such that heating of the product pursuant to tampering results in at least one of discoloration of the container neck or fracture of the container neck

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The container neck is thermally responsive to application of heat pursuant to efforts to tamper with the product by at least one of the following responses: an irreversible change in visual appearance of the corresponding portion of the container neck, or fracture of the container neck at the corresponding portion of the container neck

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal response: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10086971B2Container having a tamper-indicating component

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 OWENS BROCKWAY GLASS CONTAINER INC

AI summary

A tamper-evident product and related methods of production. A container includes a neck, and a tamper-evidencing component separate from the container and carried by the neck of the container in direct contact with a corresponding portion of the container neck. The component is composed of material that has higher thermal conductivity than that of a material of the container so as to concentrate heat in the corresponding portion of the container neck. The neck is thermally responsive to application of heat pursuant to tampering with the product by at least one of the following responses: an irreversible change in visual appearance of the corresponding portion of the container neck, or fracture of the container neck at the corresponding portion of the container neck.