Child Resistant Packaging Push Button Closure Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant container designs are difficult for individuals with limited dexterity, such as arthritic patients or the elderly, to open and close, and often fail to provide adequate protection against environmental factors like moisture and air, while also being vulnerable to deformation or damage from excessive force.
Innovation Solution
A child-resistant packaging system featuring a two-piece closure with flexible and fixed lugs, a cap with angled/tapered surfaces, and a depressor button that allows for easy opening and closing with minimal force, using thermoplastic materials and locking threads to secure the cap, while preventing unwanted opening by children.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multi-step child-resistant features with locking tabs are used, then child-resistant protection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for individuals with limited dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters from multi-step twisting and pressing to a single-step push motion. The closure mechanism transforms the required force application from rotational torque to linear pressure, making it accessible to individuals with limited dexterity while maintaining child-resistant properties through the push-to-open design that requires coordinated force application
Solution Approach 2:
The closure is segmented into distinct functional components: a push button for initiating opening, a cam mechanism for converting linear motion to rotational unlocking, and a seal interface for maintaining protection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall operation while preserving child-resistant capabilities
2Reliability
If excessive force is applied to open the container, then child-resistant protection is improved, but the risk of deformation or damage to the cap and container body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary that converts the user's pushing force into controlled rotational motion to disengage the locking tabs. This mechanical intermediary prevents direct application of excessive force to the cap and container body, distributing the stress through the cam's geometric transformation while maintaining the security lock during normal handling
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates a cam mechanism that gradually transitions the locking tabs from engaged to disengaged state during the pushing motion. This gradual transition cushions the structural components against sudden force spikes, preventing deformation while maintaining secure locking during normal use and providing controlled release during opening
3Reliability
If locking tabs and multi-step mechanisms are used, then child-resistant protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function and the child-resistant locking function into a single integrated closure component. The seal interface and locking tabs are combined in one piece that performs both functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate sealing mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining dual functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A child-resistant packaging is provided for storing and securing pharmaceuticals, drugs, nutraceutical products, medications, cannabis products and other hazardous materials which are vulnerable to access by the children. The packaging comprises a container, a cap and a depressor to lock the cap with the container or unlock the cap from the container. The container comprises a fixed circumferential ring along an elongated hollow neck having relief cut-outs and hinges to provide depression for a plurality of container lugs. The cap comprises an elongated hollow neck having a plurality of cap lugs towards its open end. The depressor is forced the container lugs inwards in the body of the container and the cap lugs are locked with the container lugs.