Tethered Closure Cap With Arcuate Hinge Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tethered closure caps for containers lack a secure and tamper-evident mechanism that prevents complete separation of the cap from the container, leading to potential misplacement or unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A closure system featuring a cap and retaining ring joined by arcuate arms that provide a hinge-like function, allowing the cap to tilt away from the ring while remaining tethered, generating tension and ensuring the cap remains connected to the container, with the arms positioned entirely within the tamper-evident band to maintain security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cap is completely separated from the container during opening, then the cap can be easily removed and accessed, but the cap may be mislaid or discarded separately and tamper-evident security is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is divided into two separable parts: the cap portion that can be removed for opening and the retaining ring that remains on the container. This segmentation allows the cap to be easily removed while the retaining ring maintains security connection to the container, preventing complete separation and tamper-evident loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether connecting the cap to the retaining ring acts as an intermediary element that maintains a secure connection between the separable cap and the container-mounted ring. This intermediary prevents the cap from being completely separated or mislaid, while still allowing easy removal for opening operations.
2Reliability
If the retaining ring is firmly connected to the container mouth, then the closure remains securely retained, but the cap cannot be easily removed for opening
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is segmented into the cap portion and the retaining ring portion that remains on the container. This allows the retaining ring to maintain firm connection to the container mouth for secure retention, while the cap can be easily removed for opening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system transitions from a static firmly-connected state to a dynamic separable state during opening. The cap can be removed while the retaining ring remains firmly connected, and the tether provides a hinge-like function allowing controlled movement and separation during the opening operation.
3Reliability
If the cap and ring are firmly joined, then complete separation is prevented, but the cap cannot tilt away from the ring during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the cap and ring transitions from a rigid firm joint to a dynamic hinge-like connection through the tether. This allows the cap to tilt away from the ring during opening operations while maintaining connection integrity through the flexible tether that accommodates movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether acts as a flexible element connecting the cap to the retaining ring, allowing the cap to tilt and move during opening while maintaining connection integrity. The flexible nature of the tether enables controlled movement without complete separation.
4Ease of operation
If the arms are positioned outside the tamper-evident band, then the hinge function is accessible, but security and tamper-evident protection are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are positioned within the tamper-evident band structure, nesting the hinge function within the secure boundary. This allows the hinge function to be accessible for operation while maintaining tamper-evident security, as the arms remain contained within the protected area defined by the tamper-evident band.
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 ensures the cap remains securely attached to the container during opening and closing, providing a tamper-evident mechanism that prevents complete separation and maintains connection, enhancing user safety and product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
each of the arms twists between its cap tether end and its ring root end, whereby tension is generated in the arms
Implementation Method 2
the cap can be tilted away from the ring with the arms providing a hinge-like function
Data Source
AI summary
A closure for a container is provided. The closure comprises a cap and a retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on the container in use. The cap and ring are joined by a pair of connecting arms. A first arm is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially anticlockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end. A second arm is non-frangibly connected to the cap at a cap tether end and circumferentially clockwise therefrom is non-frangibly connected to the ring at a ring root end. The cap can be tilted away from the ring with the arms providing a hinge-like function, and each of the arms twists between its cap tether end and its ring root end, whereby tension is generated in the arms.