Child-Resistant Paper Container Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing child-resistant containers are not sufficiently safe from children's attempts to open them while being easily accessible to adults, and they lack a flexible and cost-effective design for multiple uses.

Innovation Solution

A child-resistant container with a movable closure system featuring first and second coupling portions that engage to prevent opening by children, but can be easily opened by adults, made from sheet material like paper, with a support panel to prevent deformation and ensure safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking system is implemented to prevent children from opening the container, then child safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild safetyVSAvoidlocking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system is segmented into two distinct coupling portions: a first coupling portion carried by the closure system and a second coupling portion carried by the storage. These portions engage with each other to create the locking mechanism, allowing the safety function to be distributed across separate components rather than a single complex unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling portions are positioned outside the compartment in a spatial arrangement that creates a locking condition. The engagement occurs in a dimension external to the storage compartment, allowing the locking mechanism to function without interfering with the internal storage space or requiring complex internal mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If a stiffening panel made of paper material is added to prevent deformation, then structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing cost and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stiffening panel is merged with the support wings to form an integrated structural assembly. The panel is fixed by gluing to the support wings, creating a unified component that provides both stiffening and support functions simultaneously, rather than requiring separate attachment processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stiffening panel is made of paper material, which is homogeneous with the other paper components of the container (storage, closure system). This material consistency allows for simplified manufacturing processes and reduces the need for specialized handling or assembly procedures for different material types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentUS20240327063A1Child-resistant container and process of making the same

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 I G B SRL

AI summary

A child-resistant container including a storage lockable by a closure system. The container includes a first coupling portion carried by the closure system and a second coupling portion carried by the storage and configured to cooperate with the first coupling portion for locking the container in a closure condition. The container also includes a support panel carried by the storage which is configured, in the locking condition of the container, to contact at least one side wall of the storage directly carrying the second coupling portion.