Child-Resistant Closure With Hinged Segmented Outer Sidewall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant closures for small over-the-counter medications are not effective in preventing accidental unscrewing by children due to insufficient engagement features that require significant force for manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A child-resistant container closure design featuring a segmented outer sidewall with hinged release tabs and internal engagement features that block unscrewing rotation unless sufficient force is applied, allowing for easy installation and removal by adults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional engagement features are used in child-resistant closures, then the closure can be easily opened by children, but the closure fails to provide adequate child resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The outer sidewall segments are designed to be movable relative to the inner sidewall through hinges, allowing the structure to transition from a locked state (preventing child access) to an unlocked state (allowing adult access). This dynamic mechanism enables the closure to adapt between providing strong child resistance and easy adult operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer sidewall is divided into multiple segments that can move independently relative to the inner sidewall. This segmentation allows the engagement features to be positioned in different configurations - engaged to block child access, or disengaged to allow adult removal - resolving the contradiction between child resistance and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If engagement features are positioned to block unscrewing rotation, then child resistance is improved, but the closure becomes difficult for adults to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge-connected outer sidewall segments create a dynamic system where adult manipulation can transition the engagement features from a blocking position to a non-blocking position. This dynamic mechanism maintains strong child resistance while enabling simple adult operation through a single unscrewing motion after tab depression.
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 prevents accidental opening by children while allowing adults to easily access the contents by applying necessary force to the release tabs, enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The second pair of segments are hinged to the inner sidewall for depressably flexing from relaxed condition to a flexed condition
Data Source
AI summary
A child-resistant container has a container body having an externally threaded neck (36) and a first pair of engagement features. A cap closes the container body in a closed condition and is removable from the closed condition. The cap comprising the unitary combination of an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall. The inner sidewall has an internal thread for engaging the neck external thread. An outer sidewall for gripping by a user has first and second pairs. The second pair of segments are hinged to the inner sidewall for depressably flexing from relaxed condition to a flexed condition and bear a second pair of engagement features. In the installed condition of the cap and relaxed condition of the second pair of segments, the first pair of engagement features and second pair of engagement features are positioned to collide to block an unscrewing rotation of the cap. An upper web joins the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall first pair of segments. A pair of respective hinges between the second pair of segments and the inner sidewall merge with the inner sidewall at a location recessed from an upper end of the inner sidewall.