Tamper-Evident Thermoformed Container With Detachable Retention Tab

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Solution Overview

Problem

Counterfeit high-value spare parts and consumables are difficult to distinguish from authentic products due to their similar appearance, leading to potential misuse and resale of tampered or reused packaging, which lacks evidence of opening and discourages quality control.

Innovation Solution

A thermoformed thermoplastic container with a retention tab and enclosure element that indicates tampering by separating from the base when opened, preventing reuse by securing the tab to the lid and interfering with removal of the enclosure element, thus providing evidence of opening and deterring counterfeit use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional packaging is used, then the product can be easily replaced and reused, but there is no evidence of tampering and counterfeit goods can be passed off as authentic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidpackaging structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is divided into separate components: a base, a lid, and a retention tab that can be detached. The retention tab is separated from the base by a weakened line, allowing it to be pulled away to provide tamper evidence while maintaining the overall packaging structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The weakened line is pre-formed in the retention tab during manufacturing, preparing the structure for future tamper detection. This preliminary preparation ensures that any attempt to open the packaging will naturally break the weakened line and provide visible evidence of tampering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the packaging can be easily opened, then customer convenience is improved, but the packaging can be reused with counterfeit goods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening convenienceVSAvoidcounterfeit risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The act of opening the packaging, which could potentially allow counterfeit goods to be introduced, is converted into a beneficial tamper-detecting action. When the packaging is opened, the retention tab is detached and provides visible evidence that the packaging has been compromised, preventing counterfeit goods from being passed off as authentic.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The retention tab serves as an intermediary element between the base and the lid. It provides a mechanical connection that can be easily broken to allow opening, while simultaneously serving as a visible indicator that the packaging has been tampered with, thus mediating between ease of opening and counterfeit prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the retention tab is easily removed from the base, then opening is simplified, but the tab can be transferred to counterfeit packaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening simplicityVSAvoidanti-counterfeiting reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retention tab is extracted from the base through the weakened line, allowing it to be separated and provide tamper evidence. The tab is designed to be removable from the base but remains attached to or associated with the genuine packaging components, making it difficult to transfer to counterfeit packaging without detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 container effectively prevents reuse and tampering by ensuring that once opened, the packaging cannot be easily resealed, providing a clear indication of use and discouraging the resale of counterfeit goods.

Implementation Method 1

secured to a lid upper wall such as by a weld formed by heat or electrosonic welding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat welding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

secured to a lid upper wall such as by a weld formed by heat or electrosonic welding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrosonic welding: Welding

Data Source

PatentUS9352886B2Trapped element security container

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 PLACON CORP

AI summary

A container has features to indicate tampering and to discourage reuse as a deterrent to use with counterfeit goods. A lid hinged to a thermoformed thermoplastic base defines a product compartment. A line of weakened material surrounds a retention tab within a base upper wall. The tab is secured to a lid upper wall such as by a weld. The retention tab is secured to the lid through an opening in an enclosure element such as a card of thermoformed sheet. When the lid is separated from the base the retention tab is detached from the base along the weakened line of material and retained by the secured connection to the lid with the enclosure element retained by the retention tab to the lid upper wall. The retention tab interferes with the removal of the enclosure element from the lid and its reuse with counterfeit goods.