Tamper Evident Tape Segmentation for Tobacco Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tamper evident labels on tobacco containers are either fully removable or require a wider, more expensive longitudinally separable design to provide sufficient tamper evidence, which is not cost-effective.

Innovation Solution

A tamper evident tape with a line of separation allowing the first portion to be easily removable and the second portion to remain adhered, using a combination of non-permanent and permanent adhesives, and optionally featuring perforations, notches, and pull-tabs, to indicate tampering without the need for excess material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional fully removable label is used, then the label can be completely removed to access the tobacco product, but no tamper evidence remains on the container

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to tobacco productVSAvoidtamper evidence
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The label is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion that is fully removable to allow product access, and a second portion that remains adhered to the container as tamper evidence. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling both complete removal for access and retention of evidence through separate functional segments of the same label structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a longitudinally separable label is used to provide tamper evidence, then the label can be separated to allow access while retaining evidence, but the label must be wider and is more expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper evidenceVSAvoidlabel material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different adhesive properties are applied to different portions of the label: the first portion uses a removable adhesive allowing complete removal, while the second portion uses a permanent adhesive to retain tamper evidence. This local differentiation of adhesive quality enables the label to provide both access and evidence functions without requiring excessive width or material quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a wider longitudinally separable label is used, then sufficient width is provided for both removable section and tamper evident section, but the material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetamper evidenceVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The label is segmented into two portions with different adhesive characteristics, allowing the first portion to be completely removed and the second portion to remain as compact tamper evidence. This segmentation eliminates the need for excessive label width that would be required if a single uniform adhesive type were used, thereby reducing material consumption and manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable tamper evidence functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides effective tamper evidence without the material costs associated with wider labels, allowing the container to be opened while maintaining tamper evidence integrity, even with repeated use.

Implementation Method 1

The tape may comprise a layer of non-permanent adhesive between a rear surface of the first portion of the tape and a surface of the container, and a layer of permanent adhesive between a rear surface of the second portion of the tape and a surface of the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2551212B1Container
Publication Date: 2016.02.10 BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (INVESTMENTS) LTD
  • EP2551212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2551212B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2551212B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A tape (200) for adhering to a container (100) and a container comprising the tape, the tape (200) comprising first and second longitudinal edges (211,212) defining a boundary of the tape (200) and a line of separation (300) extending between said edges to divide the tape into first (400) and second (500) portions, the first portion (400)being severable from the second portion (500) along the line of separation (300) such that the first portion (400) can be removed from the container (100) and the second portion (500) can remain adhered to the container (100) as tamper evidence.