Child-Resistant Package with Rotating Engagement and Slot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging solutions are not effective in preventing children from opening them, leading to potential hazardous contact, and are costly due to complex manufacturing requirements and the need for modified packaging equipment.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a simple, compact structure with a rotating engagement portion and occluding system made of paper sheet material, which prevents access and tampering while being easy to manufacture without modifying existing equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard open and close mechanism with an L-shaped tab is used, then the package is easy to open and close, but children can easily open it and access hazardous contents
Solution Approach 1:
The package is divided into two functional components: an outer casing with a standard tab mechanism and an inner tray with protrusions that engage with slots in the casing. This segmentation allows the outer casing to remain simple and easy to open while the inner tray provides the child-resistant feature through its engagement mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The slots and protrusions act as an intermediary mechanism between the outer casing and inner tray. The slots in the casing receive the protrusions of the tray, creating a child-resistant engagement system that requires specific manipulation (pressing and rotating) to disengage, while not interfering with the simplicity of the outer tab mechanism
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a tray with slots and protrusions is used to prevent child access, then child safety is improved, but the package structure becomes complex and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slots in the casing serve multiple functions: they provide structural support to the casing, define the engagement interface with the tray protrusions, and guide the tray during insertion and removal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional child-resistant components
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tray is nested within the outer casing, with the tray protrusions fitting into the casing slots. This nested arrangement allows the child-resistant feature to be integrated within the existing package structure without adding external complexity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a tray with slots and protrusions is used to prevent child access, then child safety is improved, but manufacturing costs and equipment modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement between the tray protrusions and casing slots is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid. The protrusions can be pressed into the slots during normal operation and rotated to disengage, allowing the same structure to serve both child-resistant and easy-manufacturing purposes
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a package (100) comprising: a casing (102) defining an inner volume (103) and exhibiting a predetermined number of lateral walls (104) defining at least one passage opening (105) delimited by a free edge (106) and comprising an engagement portion (107) emerging inside the inner volume (103), a container (1) configured for housing a product (P) and exhibiting a predetermined number of lateral walls (4) defining at least one respective passage opening (5) which is adapted to enable to insert and withdraw the product (P) from the container (1). The container (1) is at least configurable between: a first operative position wherein the container itself (1) is at least partially housed in the casing (2) which prevents the product (P) from being inserted and withdrawn from the container (1), a second operative position wherein the container itself (1) is at least partially disposed outside the inner volume (103) of the casing (102) in order to enable to insert and withdraw the product (P) from the container (1) through the passage opening of the same. The container comprises – at at least one lateral wall (4) - a stop element (90) configured for abutting, in the first operative position, against the engagement portion (107) for preventing the container (1) from switching from the first to the second operative positions. The package comprises a slot (150) –defined between at least one lateral wall (104) of the casing (102) and at least one lateral wall (4) of the container (1) – configured for enabling, at least in the first operative position, to insert at least one open device (160) adapted to enable to disengage the stop element (90) from the engagement portion (107) for enabling the container (1) to switch from the first to the second operative positions.