Child Resistant Can Top With Segmented Frangible Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant container solutions fail to effectively prevent access by children while allowing easy opening by adults, particularly senior adults and disabled adults, and do not adequately address the need for secure packaging of harmful substances like alcoholic beverages and cannabis-based products.
Innovation Solution
A can lid design featuring a covering member with a recessed lower surface, a pivotal lever, a tab portion secured by a frangible seal, and apertures that require a specific sequence to open, making it difficult for children to access while allowing adults to open easily, with tapered and smooth edges to prevent prying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple can lid design is used, then ease of operation for adults is improved, but child access prevention capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The can lid is segmented into multiple functional components: a frangible seal layer, a foil layer with a specific opening mechanism, and a plastic rim. The frangible seal breaks into segments when opened properly, while the foil requires a specific tearing motion. This segmentation allows the lid to provide both adult ease of opening (through the frangible seal) and child resistance (through the complex foil mechanism that requires adult dexterity and force).
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible seal is pre-formed with predetermined break lines that guide the opening action. The seal is designed to break away in a specific manner when upward force is applied, preliminary preparing the path for foil opening. This preliminary action structure ensures that adults can open the can easily by following the pre-designed breaking pattern, while children cannot figure out the sequence of actions required. The tab is also pre-positioned to cover the pivotal lever, requiring the consumer to first break the seal and then manipulate the tab in a specific way to access the opening mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex child-resistant mechanism is added, then child access prevention is improved, but ease of operation for senior and disabled adults deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The complex child-resistant foil opening mechanism is extracted as a separate layer from the sealing function. The frangible seal handles the sealing and initial breaking function, while the foil layer handles the controlled opening. The pivotal lever and tab system are extracted as a separate manipulation mechanism. This extraction allows each component to be optimized independently: the frangible seal requires minimal force for adults, while the foil mechanism provides child resistance through its complex tearing pattern that requires adult dexterity but is still manageable for seniors and disabled adults.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab portion serves as an intermediary between the consumer and the pivotal lever opening mechanism. Instead of requiring direct manipulation of the pivotal lever (which would be difficult for children), the tab acts as a mediator that the consumer can easily grasp and manipulate. The tab is connected to the foil and lever system, translating simple tab manipulation into the complex foil tearing and lever activation sequence. This intermediary simplifies the user interface for adults while maintaining child resistance through the underlying complex mechanism.
3Reliability
If a frangible seal with tab portion is used, then evidence of tamper capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the frangible seal and tab assembly: sealing (keeping the can closed), tamper evidence (the seal breaks and remains visible), and opening initiation (the tab pulls the seal to start opening). The foil layer also merges sealing, tamper evidence (tearing pattern), and controlled opening functions. This merging of functions into integrated components provides reliable tamper evidence without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function. The single integrated lid structure performs all necessary functions while maintaining manufacturability through conventional lidding processes.
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 design effectively restricts child access to metal beverage cans while allowing adults to open them readily, enhancing safety and compliance with regulatory standards for child-resistant packaging.
Implementation Method 1
a frangible seal securing the tab portion to another portion of the covering member
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention may comprise a main tab, a tab shield, a rim, an interior rim guard, and a tab finger port. The invention may further comprise breakable connectors among the tab, tab shield, rim, interior rim guard, and other structures, such that breakage of the connectors indicates access to a container after preventing or inhibiting access to a container, such as a beverage can.