Vessel Sealing Closure With Tear-Off Tamper Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing devices for fluid product vessels face issues such as difficulty in removing metal capsules, risk of fluid loss, uncertainty about piercing, metal contamination, and complexity in high-rate assembly, while lacking tamper-proof indicators and environmental sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device comprising a stopper with a radial plate and axial drum, an attachment ring, a cover, and a blocking element, using snap-fitting and tearable tabs to ensure secure assembly, tamper-proof integrity, and metal-free construction, allowing high-rate assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal capsule is used to attach the stopper to the vessel collar, then the stopper can be securely held, but metal particles are generated during crimping which can contaminate the fluid product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the metal capsule with a disposable plastic attachment ring that is discarded after a single use. The ring is crimped onto the vessel collar like a traditional capsule but is designed to be removed and discarded after the stopper is accessed, eliminating metal particle contamination while maintaining secure attachment during storage and transport.
2Reliability
If a removable protective cover is used on the attachment ring, then the stopper can be protected until use, but the cover can be easily removed and replaced making it impossible to know if the product has already been sampled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-applied seal or closure on the attachment ring that is designed to be broken or removed only once. This preliminary protective measure ensures that any attempt to access the stopper will permanently alter the attachment ring's appearance, providing clear visual evidence of whether the product has been sampled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color-coded indicators or tamper-evident seals that change color or show visible damage when the attachment ring is opened or the stopper is accessed. This provides an immediate visual signal to consumers about the integrity of the sealed product.
3Reliability
If a complex multi-component sealing device is used to provide tamper-proof indicators, then fluid integrity can be guaranteed, but the device complexity prevents high-rate assembly in automated machines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated attachment ring component. The ring simultaneously provides secure attachment to the vessel collar, protection for the stopper, and tamper-evident indication through its design features. This consolidation maintains reliability while enabling simple, high-speed automated assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment ring is designed as a multi-functional component that performs attachment, protection, and indication functions all in one piece. This universal design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, simplifying both the device structure and the assembly process for high-rate manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for sealing a vessel, having a stopper for closing the vessel, the stopper including a sealing mechanism for sealing with the vessel; an attachment ring for attaching the stopper to the vessel, the ring has a sleeve provided with a radial flange with a central opening, and first attachment mechanism to be attached to the vessel; a cover having a radial disc and second attachment mechanism; a blocking element having an axial wall and a complementary attachment mechanism engaging in the assembled state with the second attachment mechanism. The axial wall has on one portion of its periphery a tearable tab defined between two grooves forming bridges of thin material, the tab having, on one side, a gripping portion and ending, on the opposite side, with a flared portion such that, once torn, the axial wall opens out along the entire height allowing removal of the blocking element.