Tamper-Evident Tap With Pivoting Cap Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper-evident taps for liquid containers face issues with detachable tamper-evident elements that can disperse plastic fragments into the environment, risking damage to the sealing mechanism and user safety, while also failing to comply with EU Directive 2019/904 on single-use plastic waste.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-evident tap design with tamper evident elements that are bent or pivoted inside the cap, remaining attached and not breaking on first use, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and user safety by minimizing plastic dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tamper-evident element is made detachable to provide visual evidence of first opening, then the tamper-evident function is improved, but the element can disperse plastic fragments into the environment and damage the sealing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident element is divided into two separate parts: a first tamper-evident element that remains attached to the tap and a second tamper-evident element that provides visual evidence. This segmentation allows the visual evidence function to be achieved without requiring the element to detach and disperse fragments into the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A visual indication mechanism serves as an intermediary between the driving member movement and environmental dispersion. The visual indication element provides tamper evidence through its position change or configuration change when the driving member moves, eliminating the need for the element to detach and potentially disperse plastic fragments.
2Reliability
If the tamper-evident element is broken by the driving element on first opening, then the tamper-evident evidence is provided, but the breakage may disperse plastic fragments and damage the elastic membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident function is extracted from the driving element itself and transferred to a separate visual indication element. This allows the driving element to operate without breaking plastic fragments, while the visual indication element provides tamper evidence through its own mechanism that does not require breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indication element is designed to provide tamper evidence through a safe mechanism that prevents fragment dispersion before any potential damage can occur. The element is configured to move or change configuration in response to driving member movement without requiring breakage that could harm the elastic membrane.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the tamper-evident element is fixed to the tap to prevent environmental dispersion, then plastic waste is reduced, but the element may interfere with the driving member operation
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indication element is designed with specific local properties: it is fixed to the tap in a location and configuration where it provides tamper evidence without interfering with the driving member's axial movement. The element's position and orientation are optimized to remain non-obstructive during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indication element is positioned in a spatial dimension that does not interfere with the driving member's primary axis of movement. By orienting the element perpendicular to or alongside the axial path, the design allows both the fixed attachment (for waste prevention) and free movement (for operation) to coexist.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4d
AI summary
Tamper-evident liquid-dispensing tap (1), comprising a containing body (2) having a dispensing opening (2a) for liquid passage, a valve element (3) located inside the containing body (2) and configured to engage the containing body (2) to close the dispensing opening (2a) in a closed configuration, a hollow cap (4) connected to the containing body (2) and defining an internal cavity (5); a driving member (6) movably located into the cap (4) and operatively connected to the valve element (3). The driving member (6) is configured to move into the cap (4) from a lower position to an upper position to bias the valve element (3) from the closed configuration to an open configuration. The cap (4) comprises tamper evident elements (7) configured to cooperate with the driving member (6) upon first opening and to be moved towards the internal cavity (5) of the cap (4) upon action of the driving member (6) moving from the lower position to the upper position.