Recyclable Cardboard Container with Depression Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medication containers lack effective waterproofing and secure dispensing mechanisms, particularly for recyclable materials like paper or cardboard, which can lead to environmental damage and accidental opening.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a recyclable outer cover and inner box with interlocking flaps and a depression button mechanism that allows controlled dispensing of contents, ensuring waterproofing and secure closure using cardboard or cardstock materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If recyclable materials like paper or cardboard are used for container fabrication, then environmental friendliness is improved, but waterproofing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining recyclable base materials (paper, cardboard, or cardstock) with waterproof coating layers. The container body is made from environmentally friendly materials while a specialized waterproof coating is applied to the surface to prevent water penetration, thus achieving both environmental friendliness and reliable waterproofing protection for medication contents.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional caps are used on recyclable containers, then ease of manufacture is improved, but security against accidental opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is segmented into multiple functional components: a cap portion, a flipper element, and an interlocking mechanism with flaps. The cap is divided into a cap body and a separate flipper that can be flipped to engage or disengage from the container opening. This segmentation allows the cap to provide both easy manufacturing (through modular assembly) and enhanced security (through the interlocking flap mechanism that prevents accidental opening).
Solution Approach 2:
The flipper mechanism introduces dynamic functionality to the otherwise static cap structure. The flipper can be actively flipped between engaged and disengaged positions, providing a simple user-operated locking mechanism that enhances security without complicating the overall manufacturing process. This dynamic element allows the cap to transition between open and locked states while maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Reliability
If interlocking flaps and locking mechanisms are added to recyclable containers, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism employs a nested structure where the inner box is inserted within the outer box, and the cap assembly is nested within the container opening. The flaps are folded and nested within the container structure, with the flipper element nested within the cap body. This nesting approach provides secure, multi-layered protection against unauthorized access while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes by utilizing the natural geometry of the container components.
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 solution provides a secure, waterproof, and recyclable container for medications and supplements, allowing controlled dispensing while preventing accidental opening, thus addressing the issues of environmental damage and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
The material may be coated or otherwise treated to provide waterproofing or otherwise prevent or reduce the ability of water or other external material to penetrate the container
Data Source
AI summary
A container device and methods of operation and assembly of the same are provided. The container device is formed from a foldable material and includes interior locking mechanisms that prevent an inner box from being removed from an outer cover unless a user depresses a portion of the outer box to disengage an internal locking mechanism. A secondary locking mechanism prevents the inner box from being removed entirely from the outer cover.