Tamper-Evident Liquid Closure With Concentric Vent and Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid containers lack a tamper-proof or tamper-evident closure system that allows for multiple uses with minimal processing and waste, as suppliers have limited control over their use and face contamination risks, leading to increased costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A closure system with separate liquid and air flow paths, allowing gravity-driven dispensing and pressure equalization without removing the closure, featuring a concentric vent and liquid passage design with biased valves to ensure tamper-proof or tamper-evident operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tamper-proof or tamper-evident closure is implemented, then container security and contamination prevention are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separate functional components: a vent passage for air flow, a liquid passage for liquid flow, and a valve arrangement with separate vent and liquid valves. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, maintaining security while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The vent valve is housed within the liquid valve, creating a nested structure where the vent passage is located radially inwardly of the liquid passage. This nesting approach consolidates multiple functions into a compact arrangement, improving security without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
2Ease of operation
If separate liquid and air flow paths are implemented, then gravity-driven dispensing is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow paths are segmented into distinct vent and liquid passages with separate valves controlling each. This allows gravity-driven dispensing to occur through the liquid passage while air equalization occurs through the vent passage, enabling easy operation without requiring complex pump or pressurization systems
Solution Approach 2:
The separate flow paths allow the liquid and air to move independently under gravity and pressure equalization conditions, creating an equipotential system where no additional energy input is required for dispensing operation
3Productivity
If containers are reused without decontamination, then productivity increases, but object-affected harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident closure system performs preliminary protection by preventing unauthorized access and contamination during transport and storage. The seal maintains container integrity until the moment of intended use, allowing containers to be reused without intermediate decontamination while eliminating contamination risks
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system acts as an intermediary barrier between the container contents and the external environment. This mediator prevents contamination during transport and storage, enabling safe container reuse without decontamination processing
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
Enables containers to be reused with minimal supplier processing, prevents contamination, and reduces waste by allowing gravity-driven dispensing, maintaining control over container contents and ensuring easy refilling without decontamination.
Implementation Method 1
liquid can be dispensed and pressure within the container can be equalised, without the need to remove the closure
Implementation Method 2
pressure within the container can be equalised
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device, system and method for tamper-proof or tamper-evident liquid supply. In particular, the disclosure relates to a closure (1) for a liquid container (2), wherein the closure (1) is a tamper-proof or tamper-evident closure arranged to deter or prevent removal of the closure by an unauthorised person, the closure comprising a vent passage (12) arranged to permit air flow through the closure (1), in use, and a vent valve (14) moveable between an open position and a closed position to control the passage of air through the vent passage (12), and a liquid passage (26) arranged to permit the passage of liquid through the closure (1), in use, and a liquid valve (28) moveable between an open position and a closed position to control the passage of liquid through the liquid passage (26), wherein the liquid passage (26) is arranged to permit the flow of liquid therethrough under the action of gravity when the liquid valve (28) is in the open position, and wherein the liquid passage (26) at least partially surrounds the vent passage (12).