Tamper-Evident Ring Snap Retention for Closure Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure assemblies lack effective tamper-evident mechanisms that are both secure and visually evident, while also requiring significant plastic material for manufacturing, which can lead to undesired release of tamper-evident rings and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A closure assembly featuring a tamper-evident ring with breakable bridges, integrated into the cap's skirt, which is secured by snap portions that engage with complementary formations on the article's circumferential wall, providing both axial and rotational retention, and visible displacement indicators through a window, reducing plastic usage and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tamper-evident ring is integrated into the cap with breakable bridges, then visible evidence of tampering is achieved, but the risk of undesired release increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident ring is divided into a base portion and a skirt portion connected by breakable bridges. The base portion remains on the bottle while the skirt portion stays with the cap after opening, providing clear visual evidence of tampering while preventing complete ring release through the segmented structure
Solution Approach 2:
The base portion of the tamper-evident ring is nested within the circumferential wall's inner space, which is open from above to receive the base portion. This nesting provides containment and visual evidence while the circumferential wall shields the nested base portion from external manipulation that could cause undesired release
2Reliability
If the tamper-evident ring is securely retained on the article, then security is enhanced, but plastic material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident ring is formed as a thin, flexible structure that can be securely retained through snap portions engaging with the circumferential wall while using minimal plastic material. The thin film structure provides adequate security through strategic engagement points rather than substantial material presence
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism is segmented into discrete snap portions at specific locations on the base portion, rather than requiring continuous engagement structures. This segmentation allows secure retention with reduced overall material usage by concentrating plastic only where structurally necessary
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the circumferential wall shields the tamper-evident ring, then undesired release is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential wall serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the cap, creates the inner space to receive and shield the tamper-evident ring base portion, and incorporates snap formations to secure the ring. This multi-functionality achieves tamper resistance without adding separate dedicated components, thereby limiting complexity increase
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Closure assembly comprising a spout (1) and a cap (2) including a tamper-evident ring (3). The spout (1) has a neck (14) around a product passage (15) and a wall (10). The wall is spaced from the neck (14) to form an inner space (11) which is open from above to receive the tamper-evident ring (3). The tamper-evident ring (3) is integrally moulded via breakable bridges (34) to the cap and comprises a base portion (32). The base portion of the tamper-evident ring has a base portion outer face (32a) and a base portion inner face (32b), wherein the at least one snap portion is positioned on the base portion outer face (32a) to cooperate with a complementary snap formation of the circumferential wall or on the base portion inner face (32b) to cooperate with a complementary snap formation on the neck. The at least one snap portion of the base portion cooperates to engage with the complementary snap formation to snap the tamper-evident ring to the article when the tamper-evident ring (3) is inserted into the inner space (11).