Child-Resistant Snuff Container With Squeezable Lid Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant snuff containers are either too complex or compromise user-friendliness, particularly for adults with reduced manual dexterity, and lack efficient manufacturing methods.
Innovation Solution
A snuff container with a locking arrangement featuring ridges at different levels on the lid and base, allowing alignment and deformation at specific release positions for easy opening by adults while preventing access by children, utilizing resilient materials and simple manufacturing techniques like injection-moulding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a child resistant locking arrangement is implemented, then child safety is improved, but user friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arrangement is segmented into multiple independent ridge pairs (first pair and second pair) positioned at different locations on the lid and base. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to be broken down into simpler, more intuitive manipulation steps for users while maintaining child resistance through the combined effect of multiple locking points.
Solution Approach 2:
Different ridge pairs are positioned at different locations and orientations on the lid and base structure. The first pair of ridges and second pair of ridges have different spatial arrangements, creating localized locking zones that guide user manipulation while maintaining overall child safety. This local differentiation makes the opening process more intuitive for adults.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex double-walled container structure is used, then child resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arrangement merges the lid and base into a single integrated structure rather than using separate double-walled components. The locking features (ridge pairs) are directly formed on the lid and base surfaces, combining the containment and locking functions into a unified design that reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining child resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed as a disposable unit with simple locking features that can be efficiently manufactured using injection-moulding. This approach accepts the short-lived nature of the container to justify simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing methods rather than investing in complex reusable structures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple locking features requiring two-hand manipulation are implemented, then child resistance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is pre-positioned on the base during normal use, with the ridge pairs already aligned in their locking positions. This preliminary arrangement means that opening the container only requires a single intuitive manipulation action (pressing or rotating the lid) rather than requiring the user to first align multiple components, thereby maintaining ease of operation for adults.
4Volume of stationary object
If a slim locking arrangement is implemented, then packaging space is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking features are merged directly into the lid and base structures during the injection-moulding process, eliminating the need for separate locking components. This integration allows the ridge pairs to be formed as integral parts of the container, reducing the overall footprint of the locking mechanism while the moulding process itself ensures adequate alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arrangement uses ridges with varying lengths (first ridge length greater than second ridge length) and corresponding interruption lengths to create a tolerant alignment system. This parameter variation provides built-in alignment guidance that compensates for manufacturing tolerances, allowing the slim design to achieve reliable locking without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The container provides effective child resistance with user-friendly operation, maintaining a slim design and maximizing packaging space, while being cost-efficient to produce and easy to open with minimal manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
the lid side wall being resiliently deformable by manual force
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A snuff container (101), comprising a base part (102) and a lid part (103) and a snuff storage compartment (105) arranged in the base part (102). The snuff container comprises a locking arrangement for locking the lid part (103) on the base part (102), the locking arrangement comprising locking features in the form of ridges arranged at two different levels on an inner surface of a lid side wall (113) and on an outer surface (111) of a base side wall (109), the locking features co-operating to keep the snuff container in a locked configuration with the lid part (103) on the base part (102). The lid part (103) can be rotated on the base part (102) to any one of two release position in which the lid part (103) can be squeezed between two pressure areas on the side wall (113) to deform the lid and disengage locking features on the lid part (103) from locking features on the base part (102), whereafter the lid part (103) can be removed from the base part (102).