Child Resistant Container With Segmented Locking Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant container designs, particularly those requiring alignment or squeezing mechanisms, face challenges in ease of assembly and use, and most are not easily recyclable or made from fiber-based materials like paper.
Innovation Solution
A child-resistant container design featuring a tubular body and cap with a separate locking ring that engages openings in the container body, requiring simultaneous squeezing of diametrically opposed tabs and lifting to open, made primarily from recyclable fiber-based materials such as spirally wound paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional child-resistant closures (bayonet, align-elements, or squeeze-tabs) are used, then child-proof security is achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a cap with squeeze tabs, a container with openings, and resilient arms with locking projections. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity. The locking projections are separate from the cap body, allowing them to engage with container openings without requiring complex internal mechanisms within the cap itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from the cap and implemented through separate resilient arms with locking projections that engage with openings in the container. This extraction simplifies the cap design to primarily a cover element with squeeze tabs, while the locking mechanism operates independently through the resilient arms that can be pushed inward to disengage from the container openings.
2Reliability
If traditional child-resistant closures are used, then child-proof security is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient arms automatically engage with the container openings to provide locking action without requiring any additional user action. When the cap is placed on the container, the resilient arms are compressed and automatically push outward to engage the openings, securing the cap in place. This self-service locking mechanism eliminates the need for twisting, aligning, or other complex operations required by traditional closures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to actively engage a locking mechanism (as in traditional bayonet or align-element closures), this invention inverts the approach by having the locking mechanism automatically engage through the resilient arms pushing outward against the container openings. The user simply needs to place the cap on the container, and the locking action occurs automatically, greatly simplifying operation.
3Reliability
If conventional plastic materials are used for child-resistant closures, then durability and security are improved, but recyclability and environmental friendliness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses homogeneous paper-based materials for both the container and cap, eliminating the need for plastic components. The entire closure system including the cap, squeeze tabs, and resilient arms can be made from paper or cardboard, allowing the entire container assembly to be recycled together as a single material type, significantly improving recyclability while maintaining structural integrity through clever mechanical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arms can be constructed using composite paperboard structures or paper with embedded elastic elements, combining the recyclability of paper with the elastic properties needed for the locking mechanism. This allows the closure to function effectively with paper-based materials that can be recycled, replacing conventional plastic components while maintaining durability and security.
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 provides a user-friendly and recyclable child-resistant container that is easier to assemble and use, with improved handling of the locking and release mechanism, and can be made from environmentally friendly paper-based materials while maintaining effective child-proof security.
Implementation Method 1
a locking lever comprising a resilient body having an upper end and a lower end
Implementation Method 2
inward radial movement of the squeeze tab causes the locking detent to disengage from the opening in the body
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
A child proof or child resistant container (10) made primarily from fiber based materials is provided. The container comprises a tubular body (12), a cap (14) that slides onto the body and a separate locking ring (16) that fits within the cap. The locking ring is provided with diametrically opposed squeeze tabs (38) that extend through openings in the cap and locking detents (54) that fit into openings (24) in the container body wall to lock the cap (14) onto the body. The container body and cap may both be made from fiber based materials such as paper and the locking ring (16) may be made from plastic. To open the container the user simultaneously squeezes the squeeze tabs (38) while lifting and rotating the cap (14).