Child-Resistant Medication Container With Multi-Button Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant medication containers do not provide high enough security as they often require only two successive actions to open and expose the blister card, making it possible for unauthorized access using tools.
Innovation Solution
A medication container design with a housing that incorporates multiple locking mechanisms and buttons, requiring a sequence of three distinct actions to unlock and open, ensuring the blister card is fully encased until proper operation, thus enhancing child resistance without increasing the container's size significantly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple locking mechanisms and buttons are incorporated requiring three distinct actions to unlock, then child resistance is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: a first button for initial unlocking, a second button for maintaining engagement, and a third button for final disengagement. Each button controls a specific stage of the unlocking sequence, dividing the complex security function into manageable segments that collectively enhance child resistance while maintaining organizational clarity in the mechanism's structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism requires preliminary actions in a specific sequence: first pressing the first button to initiate unlocking, then pressing the second button to maintain engagement during the transition, and finally pressing the third button to complete disengagement. This preliminary action sequence ensures that each step must be deliberately performed in order, preventing accidental or unauthorized opening while managing the complexity through structured progression.
2Reliability
If the blister card is fully encased in the housing until proper operation, then security against tool access is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing acts as an intermediary structure that fully encases the blister card during storage and transport, providing security against unauthorized access with tools. The multiple buttons serve as intermediary control elements that mediate between the user's intent to open and the actual disengagement of the locking mechanism, ensuring that the encased structure is only opened through the proper sequential operation of these intermediary controls.
3Reliability
If a bulky locking/unlocking mechanism is placed at the rear part of the container, then child resistance is improved, but the container length increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The locking and unlocking mechanism is nested within the existing container structure, with the buttons and locking members integrated into the housing walls rather than adding external bulk. The first, second, and third buttons are positioned on the container surface, and their associated locking members are nested within the housing interior, allowing the mechanism to be contained within the overall container envelope without substantially increasing its length.
Data Source
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AI summary
Child-resistant medication container comprising: a housing (1; 40) having an open end (5;18), - a support (7; 46) for supporting medication, said support being slidably mounted in the housing, - first locking means (31,32; 59, 60, 61, 62; 91, 92) for locking the support in the housing and for unlocking the support so that the support may be slid to the outside of the housing through the open end, said first locking means comprising a first locking member (31; 59; 91) coupled to the housing and a second locking member (32; 61).coupled to the support, said first and second locking members being engageable with each other, and at least one button (13; 50, 51; 83, 84) operable to act on the first locking means, said at least one button comprising a first button (13; 50; 83) operable to disengage the first (31; 59; 91) and second (32; 61) locking members, second locking means (23, 30; 65, 69; 86, 89) for maintaining engagement between the first (31; 59; 91) and second (32; 61) locking members, and a second button (14; 52; 80) operable to act on the second locking means to permit disengaging the first (31; 59; 91) and second (32; 61) locking members by operating the first button (13; 50; 83).