Tamper-Evident Tethered Closure With V-Arm Cap Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closures for containers do not effectively prevent the complete separation of the cap from the container, lacking a mechanism to provide tamper evidence and maintain the cap tethered to the container after opening.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-evident closure system featuring a cap and retaining ring connected by non-frangible arms that allow axial separation, enabling the cap to be removed while remaining tethered to the ring, with features like frangible bridges for tamper evidence and elastic deformation for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cap is completely separated from the container for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the tamper evidence and security are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separable components (cap and container) connected by a tether, allowing the cap to be partially removed for access while maintaining a physical connection that provides tamper evidence
Solution Approach 2:
A tether acts as an intermediary element between the cap and container, enabling the cap to be pulled away for access while the tether remains attached to both components, providing both ease of operation and tamper evidence
2Reliability
If the cap is firmly attached to the container for security, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between cap and container transitions from a static firm attachment to a dynamic system where the cap can be partially removed along the tether, allowing both secure attachment and controlled removal
3Reliability
If the closure structure is made complex to prevent separation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanism for preventing separation is extracted into a simple tether element that naturally provides the required function through its physical connection, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
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 system provides tamper evidence and ensures the cap remains tethered to the container, allowing easy access while maintaining structural integrity and appealing handling characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
frangible bridges for tamper evidence
Implementation Method 2
made from an elastic material and are connected to one another by a tether comprising two arcuate arms
Data Source
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.