Child-Resistant Container With Interlocking Tab And Release Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional childproof containers are often difficult for adults, especially the elderly or those with physical disabilities, to open, while being ineffective in preventing children from accessing medications and other harmful products.
Innovation Solution
Designs of containers that require specific adult-friendly mechanisms to open, such as pressing buttons or pivoting latching mechanisms, which are challenging for children but easy for adults, ensuring secure closure and easy access for necessary users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional childproof containers use push-and-turn or arrow-alignment closures, then child resistance is improved, but ease of operation for elderly or disabled adults deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate functional components: a child-resistant locking mechanism and an easy-open release mechanism. The locking mechanism uses interlocking tabs and slots that require coordinated pushing and rotating actions, while the release mechanism uses protrusions that can be简单地 pressed to unlock, separating the complex locking function from the simple opening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary release mechanism with protrusions that mediate between the user and the child-resistant locking mechanism. These protrusions can be easily pressed by elderly or disabled users to disengage the locking tabs, translating a simple pressing action into the complex motion needed to overcome the child-resistant closure without requiring the user to perform the difficult coordinated push-and-turn or arrow-alignment maneuvers.
2Volume of moving object
If the container is made small to fit in pockets, then portability is improved, but the complexity of the child-resistant mechanism must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the child-resistant locking function and the easy-open release function into a single integrated closure assembly. The locking tabs and release protrusions are combined in one mechanism that simultaneously provides both child resistance and easy opening, eliminating the need for separate complex mechanisms and allowing the container to remain compact for pocket carrying.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides child-resistant locking, easy opening for elderly users, and compact integration. The same structural elements (locking tabs, release protrusions, interlocking surfaces) simultaneously achieve child resistance, ease of operation, and space efficiency, making the mechanism universally suitable for portable containers.
Data Source
AI summary
A container (600) includes a base (650) having a floor portion (651) and an outer wall (652) extending upwardly therefrom. A lid (600) includes a ceiling portion (611) and an outer wall (612) extending downwardly therefrom, the lid being movable with respect to the base between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the combined lid and base define a cavity configured to enclose product. One of the base and the lid includes a first maintaining tab (656) extending upwardly from the floor portion or downwardly from the ceiling portion. The first maintaining tab being positioned inwardly of the outer wall of the one of the base and the lid. The other one of the base and the lid including a first opening (622) extending there through. At least a portion of the first maintaining tab extending through the first opening to maintaining the lid in the closed position.