Tamper-evident Anti-refill Dispensing Fitment with Radially Expandable Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for liquid products lack effective mechanisms to prevent refilling with inferior or counterfeit products, and there is a need for a tamper-evident solution to detect any attempts to refill them.
Innovation Solution
A non-refillable container design featuring a detachable fitment with a radially expandable element and detent engagement element that engages a container detent, ensuring that if the fitment is removed, the detachable portion falls into the container, making it tamper-evident and preventing refilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fitment is used in the container neck, then the container can be refilled, but the product cannot detect or evidence tampering attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The fitment is divided into two separate portions: a dispensing portion that remains in the container neck, and a detachable portion containing the radially expandable element that falls into the container body when tampering occurs. This segmentation enables tamper evidence while maintaining dispensing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially expandable element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fitment and container. When the detachable portion is removed, this element expands to prevent refilling, serving as a mediator that translates the removal action into a protective response.
2Reliability
If a tamper-evident mechanism is added to the fitment, then tampering can be detected, but the fitment structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The radially expandable element is self-actuating and requires no external power source or complex control mechanism. It automatically expands when the detachable portion is removed, providing tamper evidence through its own structural response to the tampering action.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially expandable element changes its physical state from a compressed configuration (when attached) to an expanded configuration (when detached). This parameter change provides visible evidence of tampering without requiring additional sensors or mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the fitment is made non-refillable through a secure connection, then refilling is prevented, but the fitment cannot provide tamper evidence
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the fitment into dispensing and detachable portions, the design allows the detachable portion to be easily removed for tamper evidence, while the dispensing portion remains securely connected to prevent refilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable portion containing the radially expandable element is extracted from the fitment assembly. This extracted portion can be easily removed to provide tamper evidence, while the remaining dispensing portion maintains the anti-refill functionality.
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 renders the container non-refillable and tamper-evident, providing visible evidence of any attempts to refill it, thereby protecting the product integrity and preventing the use of inferior products.
Implementation Method 1
a radially expandable element to engage the container detent and detach from the fitment when the fitment is removed from the container neck, such that the radially expandable element falls into the container body and expands
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~6
AI summary
An anti-refill product 10, 110,210 includes a container 12 including a neck 24 with a neck finish 26, a fitment 14, 114, 214 received in the neck, and a radially expandable element 66 detachably coupled to the fitment. The radially expandable element is disposed to engage a detent 27 in the neck and detach from the fitment when the fitment is removed from the neck, such that the radially expandable element falls into a body 16 of the container and expands, preventing removal into and through the container neck.