Tamper-Evident Seal With Segmented Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tamper-evident seals lack a clear indication of tampering, as they can be partially removed and resealed without evident signs, making it difficult to assure the integrity of contents in containers.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-evident seal design featuring a gripping portion with a fixed and free end, where the free end is sized for user grip to disconnect at least a portion from the container, and an indicator system that remains connected to the seal body when the gripping portion is uncoupled, providing a visible indication of tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seal is designed to be fully removable from the container, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the seal can be reattached with minimal indication of tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple independent components: a seal body that remains on the container, a gripping portion that is removed, and an indicator portion that provides tamper evidence. This segmentation allows the seal to be easily removed while maintaining reliability through the indicator that remains on the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator portion acts as an intermediary element that connects the gripping portion to the seal body during normal use, but remains attached to the seal body when the gripping portion is removed. This intermediary provides the tamper indication mechanism that resolves the contradiction between ease of removal and reliability.
2Reliability
If the seal is designed to be partially removable, then reliability is improved by providing some indication of tampering, but ease of operation deteriorates due to incomplete removal
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented into distinct functional portions that can be separately removed and retained. The gripping portion with attached indicator can be completely removed from the container, providing both ease of operation and reliability through the indicator mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If a gripping portion is added to enable easy removal, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping portion, indicator portion, and seal body are merged into a single integrated seal structure that can be manufactured as one piece or pre-assembled unit. This merging provides ease of operation through the gripping portion while managing device complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal structure serves multiple functions: the gripping portion enables easy removal, the indicator portion provides tamper evidence, and the seal body provides the sealing function. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component system.
Data Source
AI summary
A tamper-evident seal for use with a container includes a body that is sealably coupled to a boundary defining an opening providing access into the container. The seal includes a gripping portion having a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end extending from the body, wherein the free end is sized and shaped to be gripped by a user to enable the user to forcibly disconnect at least a portion of the body from the container. The seal further includes an indicator including an indicator body, a neck portion of the indicator is removably coupled to the gripping portion, such that when the body is at least partially removed from the boundary, at least a portion of the indicator body remains connected to the body, as the gripping portion is disconnected from the indicator when the neck portion is uncoupled from the gripping portion.