Child resistant container
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for consumer goods, such as aerosol-generating articles, allow products to move freely, making them difficult to access and potentially damageable, and lack child-resistant features, which is a regulatory requirement for certain products.
Innovation Solution
A container with a tubular body and a movable retaining frame that engages with the storage units to prevent movement and includes a child-resistant mechanism, allowing easy access by adults while preventing children from accessing the contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple container design is used, then manufacturing cost and device complexity are reduced, but consumer goods can move freely causing damage and accessibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining frame is designed to be movable between a first configuration (engaging the storage unit to prevent movement) and a second configuration (releasing the storage unit for removal). This dynamic structure allows the container to adapt between securing and accessing states, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple lid design is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but children can easily access the contents
Solution Approach 1:
The lid incorporates a child-resistant opening mechanism that requires specific actions (pushing, twisting, or pulling) to open, while maintaining a simple hinged construction for ease of manufacture. The dynamic interaction between the lid and container body creates a barrier that prevents accidental access by children.
3Reliability
If the retaining frame is always engaged, then product stability is improved, but consumers cannot easily remove storage units
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining frame can be moved between an engaged state (securing the storage unit) and a disengaged state (allowing removal). This dynamic capability enables both secure retention during storage and easy access when needed, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If no product movement prevention is provided, then ease of manufacture is improved, but products move towards the bottom making them hard to access
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining frame is pre-configured to engage with the storage unit and prevent movement before the consumer attempts to access the product. This preliminary securing action keeps the storage unit in an accessible position, eliminating the need for complex structural modifications while improving accessibility.
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 container effectively keeps consumer goods stationary, preventing damage and ensuring easy access while providing a child-resistant design that complies with regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
at least one flexible tab depending from the supporting rim and projecting radially into the receptacle such that in the first configuration a distal end of the tab is adapted to engage the retaining surface of the at least one storage unit
Implementation Method 2
the retaining frame is movable between a first configuration, wherein the retaining frame is adapted to engage a retaining surface of the at least one storage unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A container (100)(200) for consumer goods comprises a tubular body (102)(202) having an open end (103)(203). The tubular body (102)(202) defines a receptacle for receiving an elongate storage unit (101)(201). The container further comprises a retaining frame (105) within the receptacle adapted to receive and retain the storage unit (101). The retaining frame (105) is movable between a first configuration, where the retaining frame (105) engages a retaining surface of the storage unit (101) to retain the storage unit (101) within the receptacle, and a second configuration, where the storage unit (101) is released from engagement with the retaining frame (105) to be removed from the container (100). The retaining frame (105) comprises a supporting rim (106) and a flexible tab (107a, 107b) depending from the supporting rim (106) and projecting radially into the receptacle. In the first configuration a distal end of the tab (107a, 107b) engages the retaining surface of the storage unit (101). When the retaining frame (105) is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration, the tab (107a, 107b) is bent towards a peripheral wall of the tubular body (102) and away from the retaining surface of the storage unit (101).