Instrument is specially designed for testing tamper-evident closures, which have more complex torque characteristics than conventional bottle and jar seals
Containers such as bottles or jars are generally sealed by screw or lug-style closures.
At various stages during the life cycle of such closures their performance can be characterised by a number of critical torques.
The original Orbis, a digital closure torque tester introduced by Mecmesin in June 2003, has proved extremely popular for measuring the peak torques associated with the first opening, resealing, and re-opening of a closure.
However the torque characteristics of tamper-evident closures are more complex.
Therefore at Total 2004 Mecmesin will be launching an additional instrument especially designed for testing tamper-evident closures.
Consider, for example, the roll-on pilfer-proof (Ropp) aluminium cap used for sealing bottles of alcoholic drink including spirits, and increasingly, wine. Alternatively consider the aluminium lid and tamper-evident drop-ring sealing a jar of baby food, or the plastic closure sealing a PET soft drink bottle.
When increasing release torque is applied to a closure, a peak torque value is associated with the point at which the closure begins to move.
However in the case of TE-closures, torque must continue to be applied both to overcome friction and to apply tensile load to the 'bridges' connecting the closure to the tamper-evident ring.
Eventually one bridge will fail, and a second (lower) torque peak will occur.
The Orbis-TE will capture both peaks.
A single button push will then allow both values to be recorded on a PC or printer.
