Tamper-Evident Container With Irreversible Puller Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plastic containers used for liquid foods are difficult to prevent illegal operation and cannot be easily identified after such operation due to broken staples or flexible covers, leading to reuse issues and identification challenges for managers and staff.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a casing with a snapping device, a puller with a weakened portion, and a pre-broken line that irreversibly curves when lifted, allowing easy identification of illegal operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If staples are used to position the cover, then the container is prevented from illegal operation, but the casing or cover breaks when forcedly opened
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into two independent parts: the snap ring that provides mechanical positioning and the cover that maintains structural integrity. The snap ring can be removed without damaging the cover or casing, while the cover itself remains intact for potential reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap ring acts as an intermediary component between the cover and the casing. It provides the securing function while being designed to fail or be removed without causing damage to the main structural components (cover and casing).
2Reliability
If the cover is made flexible for sealing, then the water-tight seal is improved, but the cover can be reinstated making illegal operation hard to identify
Solution Approach 1:
The pull tab incorporates a visual indicator (colored band or marking) that changes state when the seal is broken. This provides clear visual identification of illegal operation while maintaining the flexibility of the cover for proper sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull tab is pre-configured with a broken line or indicator that shows its initial sealed position. When the seal is broken and the pull tab is removed, the visual indicator clearly shows the change of state, making illegal operation easily identifiable.
3Strength
If the puller is made strong for repeated use, then the container can be reused, but the puller cannot serve as an identification basis for illegal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The pull tab has different properties in different regions: the main body is strong and flexible for potential reuse, while the indicator portion (broken line or colored band) is designed to show clear visual change when removed, providing identification capability without compromising overall strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A container includes a casing having an opening and a first abutting edge surrounding the opening. A cover is selectively mounted onto the casing for closing the opening, wherein the cover has a second abutting edge laterally extending therefrom and abutting against the first abutting edge when the cover closes the opening. A puller extends from the second abutting edge of the cover. A snapping device is formed between the casing and the puller. The snapping device includes a plug formed on the puller and a socket defined in the casing for temporarily receiving the plug and holding the plug in place. A weakened portion is formed on at least one place of the puller such that the puller is irreversibly curved after being lifted due to the weakened portion and the curved puller is used as a basis for easily identifying whether the container is illegally operated or not.