Tamper-Evident Container Puller with Irreversible Curving Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plastic containers used for liquid foods are difficult to prevent illegal operation and cannot be easily identified after being tampered with, as they often break when staples are used to secure the cover, and the transparent, flexible design makes it hard to determine if the container has been opened.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a casing with a first abutting edge and a cover with a second abutting edge, a puller with a snapping device, and weakened portions that irreversibly curve when lifted, allowing easy identification of illegal operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If staples are used to secure the cover to prevent illegal operation, then the container can be secured, but the casing or cover may be broken when forcibly opened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the securing function into separate components: a puller element with a broken line that can be pulled to open the container, and a snap element that remains in the cover. This segmentation allows the container to be opened without breaking the casing or cover, as the puller is designed to be removed cleanly.
Solution Approach 2:
The broken line is pre-formed on the puller element during manufacturing, preparing it for clean removal. This preliminary action ensures that when the container is opened, the puller can be cleanly separated from the snap element without causing damage to the container structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the container is made transparent and flexible for visibility and sealing, then the container can show contents and provide water-tight seal, but it becomes difficult to identify illegal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses visual contrast through color or transparency differences between the puller element and the container. The puller can be made opaque or a different color than the transparent container, making it easily visible and distinguishable for identification of tampering.
Solution Approach 2:
The broken line is pre-formed on the puller element, creating a visible indicator of tampering before the container is even opened. This preliminary visual marker makes it easy to identify illegal operation without needing to examine the container contents or structure closely.
3Ease of operation
If a puller with pre-broken line is used for opening the cover, then the cover can be temporarily positioned and opened, but the container cannot be easily identified as illegally operated
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism is divided into a removable puller element and a stationary snap element. When the container is opened, the puller is removed and can be seen missing, providing clear visual evidence of tampering. The snap element remains in the cover, confirming that the opening mechanism was activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The puller element is made with different visual properties (color, transparency, or texture) compared to the container, making it easily distinguishable. This visual contrast ensures that when the puller is removed, the tampering is immediately apparent to store employees or customers.
Data Source
AI summary
A container includes a casing defining an opening and formed with a first abutting edge surrounding the opening. A cover is selectively mounted onto the casing for closing the opening, wherein the cover has a second abutting edge laterally extending therefrom and abutting against the first abutting edge when the cover closes the opening. A puller extends from the second abutting edge of the cover. A snapping device is formed between the casing and the puller. The snapping device includes a plug formed on the puller and a socket defined in the casing for receiving the plug. Two weakened portions are formed on the puller such that the puller is irreversibly curved after being lifted due to the weakened portion and the curved puller is used as a basis for easily identifying whether the container is illegally operated or not.