Tamper-Indicating Closure With Detachable Pin Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tamper-indicating closures for containers do not provide secure locking after initial opening, failing to ensure the integrity of contents and detect subsequent openings.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a hinged lid with a tab that engages a slot or pin to lock the closure, where the pin detaches upon reopening, serving as a tamper-indicator, and a recess on the base for mating with test equipment to ensure secure sealing and testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tamper-indicating closure is used to detect opening, then the ability to indicate tampering is improved, but the ability to securely lock after initial opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separate functional components: a first tamper-indicating mechanism (first tab) that detects initial opening, and a second locking mechanism (second tab with slot and pin) that enables secure re-closing. This segmentation allows each mechanism to specialize in its function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between tamper indication and secure locking capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If a re-sealable closure is used to allow re-closing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to indicate unauthorized opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The first tab is pre-configured to break upon initial opening, creating permanent evidence of tampering before the container is resealed. This preliminary action ensures that even though the container can be resealed for convenience, the initial unauthorized opening has already been recorded and cannot be undone, thus maintaining tamper detection accuracy despite re-sealability.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the container, then the reliability of containment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the hinge connection between the lid and closure body. When the lid is closed, the hinge automatically positions the second tab to engage with the slot and pin, creating a locked state without requiring additional actuators, motors, or complex control systems. This self-service approach achieves reliable locking while minimizing added complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A container, comprising: a body; and, a closure; wherein the closure has a lid hinged to a ring mounted on the body, the lid moveable from an open position to a closed position; wherein the lid has a tab hinged thereto for: inserting into and engaging a slot formed in the ring as the lid is moved to the closed position from the open position to thereby lock the lid in the closed position; or, receiving and engaging a pin head of a pin mounted on the ring in a hole formed in the tab to thereby hold the lid in the closed position, the pin configured to detach from the ring when the tab and lid are returned to the opened position.