Tamper-evident closure with folding lug for visual seal integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Re-sealable closures for containers lack a visual indication when the cap is partially or completely removed and reattached, posing safety hazards regarding the freshness and potential tampering of contents, especially in perishable food products like fruit juice containers, which is a concern for child safety regulations.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-evident closure system featuring a cap with a rib and a tamper-evident tab that extends from the rib, having an inwardly extending lug to engage with an outwardly extending projection on the straw, which folds outwardly to provide a visual indication when the cap is unsealed, and includes a break segment that breaks when a threshold force is applied, ensuring the seal is broken and tampering is evident.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a resealable closure is used to preserve contents, then the contents can be accessed multiple times, but there is no visual indication of tampering or unsealing
Solution Approach 1:
The tab changes its visual state (position/orientation) to indicate the sealing status. When the cap is properly sealed, the tab is in one position; when unsealed or tampered with, the tab moves to a different visible position, providing clear visual information about the integrity of the seal without requiring color changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab acts as an intermediary element between the cap and the user. It translates the mechanical state of the seal (sealed/unsealed) into a visible signal that the user can easily perceive, bridging the gap between the closure mechanism and the user's need for information.
2Reliability
If the cap is designed to re-seal the opening, then the contents are preserved, but the cap can be accidentally removed and reattached without breaking the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The lug and projection mechanism is designed to prevent the cap from being accidentally removed and reattached. The interlocking features create resistance that must be deliberately overcome to break the seal, and once broken, the tab provides visual confirmation that the seal is compromised, preventing accidental re-sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab provides immediate visual feedback to the user about the sealing status. When the cap is properly sealed, the tab is in a specific position; when the cap is removed or tampered with, the tab moves to indicate the compromised state, giving the user immediate information to take appropriate action.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tab is made rigid to maintain its position, then the visual indication is clear, but the tab cannot fold to indicate unsealing
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is designed with a hinge that allows it to rotate between different positions. The tab can rotate to a first position when the cap is sealed and to a second position when unsealed or tampered with. This dynamic capability allows the tab to adapt its position based on the sealing status while maintaining stability in each position through the hinge mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A tamper-evident closure for a container includes a straw having an outer edge with an outwardly extending projection. The closure includes a cap with a rib. A tamper-evident tab extends from the rib. The tab has an inwardly extending lug configured to engage with the outwardly extending projection of the straw as the cap rotates relative to the straw when the cap and the straw are secured together. The tab has a has a foldable portion configured to fold the lug inwardly to provide a visual indication when the cap is an unsealed configuration.