Child Resistant Cap with Radial Key Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing concern of accidental poisonings in children due to their access to small-sized containers holding toxic substances like cannabis and tobacco, as existing child-resistant designs often require 360-degree rotation for disconnection, which is not effective in preventing unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A child-resistant cap that requires 180 degrees or less rotation to remove, featuring radially inward keys that interlock with a dispensing tip's groove or keyway, preventing axial removal unless properly aligned, thus adhering to 16 CFR § 1700 Poison Prevention Packaging regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing child-resistant designs require 360-degree rotation for disconnection, then the device provides resistance to children's access, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into a body portion and a separate closure portion that can be independently manipulated. The closure portion contains the child-resistant mechanism while the body portion provides the sealing function, allowing the child-resistant feature to be implemented without complicating the overall cap structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring rotation to lock the cap in place, the design uses a push-to-release mechanism where the cap is locked by default and releases when pushed. This inverts the conventional approach, simplifying the removal operation while maintaining child resistance.
2Reliability
If existing child-resistant designs require 360-degree rotation for disconnection, then the device provides resistance to children's access, but the ease of operation for authorized users decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with a pre-aligned keyway and key configuration that automatically positions the components correctly during the pushing motion. This preliminary alignment eliminates the need for users to manually rotate or search for the correct orientation, simplifying the removal process while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The child-resistant function is extracted into a separate closure portion that can be independently actuated. This allows the main cap body to remain simple and easy to handle, while the security feature is isolated in a component that requires the specific pushing motion for release.
3Reliability
If the cap requires proper alignment and motion sequence for removal, then child access is restricted, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The key and keyway are designed with asymmetric features that provide self-alignment during assembly. The asymmetric geometry ensures that the components can only mate in the correct orientation, automatically achieving proper alignment without requiring high-precision manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The design creates a state where the aligned position is the natural, stable position for the key and keyway. The geometric features are configured so that when the components are assembled, they automatically settle into the correct alignment position, eliminating the need for precision control during assembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a child resistant cap configured to seal a container while keeping the contents secure therein. The child resistant cap disclosed herein is intended to allow access to those instructed on the manner of removal to allow the dispensing of a container's contents while providing suitable resistance to the efforts of children to gain access. The manner of removal requires multiple steps intended to resist the efforts of children in accordance with current poison prevention packaging regulations.