Tamper-Evident Push-Pull Tether Closure Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing closures with liners often fail to provide clear tamper evidence, allowing users to potentially tamper with products without detection, and can be difficult to open, leading to user frustration.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing closure with a tamper-evident push-pull tether integrated into the design, where the tether is irreversibly removable, allowing for hermetic sealing and easy access to the container contents without a separate liner, using a spiral element that encloses a tab to create a secure and easy-to-open mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate liner is used for tamper evidence, then product protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the tamper-evident function directly into the closure structure by forming a tab and tether as integral parts of the closure body portion, eliminating the need for a separate liner. The tether is molded as one piece with the closure, combining the closure and tamper-evident features into a single unified structure.
2Reliability
If a secure closure mechanism is used, then product integrity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into distinct functional components: a body portion with an integrated tether, a separate lid portion, and a breakable tab. This segmentation allows the tab to be easily pulled to initiate opening while the lid portion can be flipped open and closed repeatedly, providing both security and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid portion is designed to be movable relative to the body portion, transitioning between closed and open positions. The flip-top mechanism allows dynamic operation for easy access while maintaining security when closed, resolving the contradiction between secure closure and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If a tamper-evident seal is integrated into the closure, then clear tamper evidence is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tab and tether are formed as integral parts of the closure body portion through a single molding process. The tether is molded with the body in one operation, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity while providing clear tamper evidence.
4Reliability
If an irreversible removal mechanism is used, then tamper evidence clarity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is designed with localized thin sections at specific points along its length, creating predetermined break points. These localized weak points allow the tab to break cleanly and easily when pulled, providing clear tamper evidence while requiring minimal force and effort from the user.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure comprising a main portion and a flip-top portion are provided. The main portion comprises a tab and at least one rib. The flip-top portion is operatively connected to the main portion and is movable with respect to the main portion. The tab can be configured to break at least partially away from the at least one rib as a result of downward force applied to the tab. The at least one rib can be configured to spiral partially away from the tab and the main portion when the tab is pulled in an upward direction away from the main portion. The tab and the at least one rib comprise a tamper evident seal.