Tamper-Evident Container Lid Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generic containers with tamper-evident lids face challenges in maintaining tightness during deformation forces, such as those experienced during mixing processes on vibrating tables, leading to potential leaks and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for thicker walls or additional stabilization measures.
Innovation Solution
The container design incorporates friction and form-fitting means on the finger gripping area that extend only partially over the tamper-evident tab, allowing easy manual release of the lid while securing it against detachment, using additional non-positive and positive locking mechanisms to enhance tightness and ease of handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the container wall thickness is increased to provide greater rigidity and maintain tightness during shaking, then the tightness and reliability are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent friction and form-fitting means distributed around the container circumference, allowing the locking function to be achieved through multiple small features rather than requiring a single thick-walled structure. This segmentation enables adequate locking reliability while maintaining thin walls for cost-effectiveness and ease of manual unlatching.
2Reliability
If additional stabilization measures such as harnesses or vibrating plates are added to the container, then the tightness during shaking is improved, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The friction and form-fitting means are merged directly into the container wall structure and lid, integrating the locking function into the basic container components. This eliminates the need for separate harnesses or vibrating plates, reducing device complexity while maintaining tightness during shaking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure itself provides the locking function through the friction and form-fitting means built into its walls and lid. The container serves its own stabilization needs without requiring external accessories, thereby simplifying handling and reducing device complexity.
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
This design ensures high tightness and easy lid removal even under dynamic forces, without increasing material costs or complicating handling, by allowing elastic deformation and secure engagement of the lid, thus preventing leaks and simplifying the detachment process.
Implementation Method 1
at least one friction means is provided on the finger engagement area of the flange
Implementation Method 2
at least one form-fitting means is provided on the finger engagement area of the flange
Implementation Method 3
allowing elastic deformation and secure engagement of the lid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Container (1) with lid (5), wherein the container (1) has a circumferential side wall (2) which forms an upper container rim (3) and a container opening, wherein the container (1) and the lid (5) have corresponding first locking means (14, 15), wherein the side wall (2) has a circumferential flange (6) projecting outwards from the side wall (2) and the flange (6) comprises a flange area (7) extending downwards towards a base, which is provided with a tamper-evident tab (9) which, in the original state of the container (14, 1), covers a finger engagement area (10) of the flange (6) on the outside and which, when removed, exposes the finger engagement area (10) so that, by finger engagement in the engagement area (10), a lower lid rim (11) can be manually grasped to release the lid (5) from the container (1).wherein at least one force-locking and/or form-locking means (12, 13) is provided on the container (1) in the radial direction between the tamper-evident tab (9) in its position in the original state of the container (14, 1) and the container side wall (2), which, when the tamper-evident tab (9) is removed, interacts with a corresponding force-locking and/or form-locking means (12, 13) of the lid (5).