Tethered Plastic Stopper With Rotating Tamper Shell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tethered closures for containers require the entire stopper to be removed after opening, leading to waste and inconvenience, as the closure shell is typically discarded and cannot be reused to reseal the bottle.
Innovation Solution
A tethered plastic stopper design where the tamper shell remains attached to the closure shell and bottle neck, allowing for secure closure and opening without removing the stopper, utilizing a screw mechanism that keeps the roof linked via a hinge, enabling vertical movement of the sealing feature to prevent rotation and maintain a watertight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the closure shell is made removable for bottle opening, then the bottle can be opened and closed, but the closure shell must be discarded after opening preventing subsequent closure
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is divided into multiple functional components: a closure shell for sealing, a tamper band for securing to the bottle neck, and a linking feature connecting them. The closure shell can be opened and closed by rotating the tamper band, which moves vertically along the bottle neck while remaining attached through the linking feature. This segmentation allows the closure shell to be reusable while maintaining ease of opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper band is designed with dynamic movement capability - it can rotate around the bottle neck to open/close the closure shell and move vertically between a first position (secured to bottle neck) and a second position (disengaged). This dynamic behavior enables the closure shell to transition between sealed and open states while the tamper band remains attached via the linking feature, eliminating the need to discard the closure shell.
2Reliability
If the tamper band is secured around the bottle neck finish, then the stopper remains attached, but the closure shell cannot be completely removed for discarding
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the functions of securing (tamper band) and sealing (closure shell) while maintaining a linking feature between them. The tamper band remains attached to the bottle neck finish through friction or engagement features, while the closure shell can be opened and closed. The linking feature ensures the closure shell cannot be completely removed, preventing loss while allowing operational access.
Solution Approach 2:
The linking feature acts as an intermediary element between the tamper band and closure shell. It provides a controlled connection that prevents complete removal of the closure shell while allowing it to be opened and closed. This intermediary maintains reliability of attachment while enabling operational flexibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If bridges are used to connect closure shell and tamper band, then the stopper can be assembled, but the bridges form a weakness line that must be torn apart for opening
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the weakness line concept from the traditional bridge connection. Instead of relying on bridges that must be torn apart, the linking feature is designed to remain intact during normal operation. The connection between closure shell and tamper band is strengthened while still allowing the closure shell to be opened and closed by rotating the tamper band.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between closure shell and tamper band transitions from a static bridge structure to a dynamic system where the tamper band rotates and moves vertically. This dynamic mechanism allows the closure shell to be opened and closed repeatedly without breaking the connection, eliminating the weakness line problem while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tethered screw plastic stopper, comprising a tamper shell positioned around the stopper. The tamper shell includes a retaining feature operable to cooperate with a top ring extending outwardly around a bottle neck. The stopper also includes a roof connected to the tamper shell through a hinge and separably connected to the tamper shell through a weakness line, wherein the tamper shell may be moved downwardly in rotation into an opened position.