Tethered Closure Arms for Tamper-Evident Cap Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems for containers do not effectively prevent the complete separation of the cap from the container, leading to potential loss and lack of tamper evidence.
Innovation Solution
A tethered closure system with a cap and retaining ring connected by flexible arms or hinges, allowing axial separation while remaining tethered, and featuring tamper-evident mechanisms such as frangible bridges and elastic deformation for secure attachment and tamper indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cap is completely separated from the container after opening, then the cap can be easily removed and replaced, but the cap may be lost and tamper evidence is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separate functional components: the cap body, the retaining ring with frangible bridges, and the flexible tether. This segmentation allows the cap to be easily removed from the container while the retaining ring remains on the container, preventing complete separation and loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tether acts as an intermediary element between the cap and the retaining ring, allowing the cap to move freely for easy removal and replacement while maintaining a connection that prevents complete separation. The tether mediates between the desire for easy access and the need for retention.
2Reliability
If the cap is tightly attached to the container, then tamper evidence is provided, but the cap cannot be easily removed for access
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system transitions from a static tight attachment to a dynamic system where the cap can be easily removed during use, then automatically retuned to the container after use. The flexible tether enables this dynamic behavior, allowing the cap to move freely for access while maintaining connection for tamper evidence.
3Reliability
If the cap remains tethered to the container after opening, then loss is prevented, but the cap cannot be docked with the container for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tether is designed with specific local properties - it is flexible enough to allow the cap to be docked with the container for storage, yet maintains sufficient connection to prevent complete separation and loss. The local flexibility of the tether enables both retention and adaptability.
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
Ensures the cap remains attached to the container after opening, providing tamper evidence and ease of use, particularly suitable for containers with short neck finishes.
Implementation Method 1
the arms may be plastically and/or elastically deformed
Implementation Method 2
In an unopened condition at least part of the arms may be frangibly connected to the ring and/or the cap, for example by frangible bridges
Implementation Method 3
the cap and ring are joined by a pair of arms
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A tamper-evident closure for a container mouth, comprising a cap and a retaining ring arranged under the cap for retaining the closure on the container, the cap is separable from the ring, the cap and ring are joined by a pair of arms, the arms are non-frangibly connected to a common root at one end, the other end one of the arms is non-frangibly connected at a circumferentially clockwise location from the root and the other end of the other arm is non-frangibly connected to a circumferentially anticlockwise location from the root, whereby the arms permit axial separation of the cap from the ring and assume a generally V-form configuration when doing so and whereby the cap remains tethered to the ring.