Container Closure Device Radial Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container closure devices are either easy for both adults and children to open, posing safety risks for hazardous pharmaceutical products, or require high physical force, making them difficult to use, especially for elderly or convalescent individuals.
Innovation Solution
A container closure device with a cap assembly that includes an internal cap member and an external cap member, where the external cap member transforms axial movement into radial movement of a locking abutment, requiring a specific sequence of gestures to separate the cap from the container, making it secure against accidental opening by children while maintaining moderate force requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional clipping means or screw threads are used, then the cap is easy to open for everyone including elderly persons, but children can also easily access the dispensing tip
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly is divided into two distinct parts: an internal cap member that interfaces with the container and an external cap member that carries the security element. This segmentation allows the security function to be isolated in the external member while the internal member maintains ease of operation for authorized users.
Solution Approach 2:
The security element with the locking abutment acts as an intermediary mechanism between the external cap member and the internal cap member. It transforms the simple axial removal motion into a controlled sequence requiring both axial pressure and rotation, thereby mediating between easy operation and child resistance.
2Reliability
If secure closure means requiring contradictory movements are used, then child access is prevented, but the cap requires relatively high physical force and is difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The locking abutment is designed to be mobile rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between a locked position (cooperating with the complementary locking abutment) and an unlocked position. This dynamic element enables the security mechanism to adapt to the user's actions while maintaining resistance to child manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The security element utilizes elastic biasing that can change its mechanical parameters (force, position) in response to user input. When the user applies the correct sequence of movements, the elastic biasing allows the locking abutment to move radially and disengage, reducing the force required at the critical moment of opening.
3Reliability
If a locking abutment mobile radially between cooperation and separation positions is used, then secure closure is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security element with the radially mobile locking abutment is nested within the external cap member, which itself is nested around the internal cap member. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple functions into a compact structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the secure closure mechanism.
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 device provides a secure closure that is intuitive and easy to use for adults while being resistant to accidental opening by children, with a moderate force requirement, addressing the safety and usability issues of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a so-called cooperation position, favored by elastic biasing, in which the locking abutment is intended to cooperate with a complementary locking abutment
Data Source
AI summary
An internal cap member intended to be placed on the container. The internal cap member carries a security ring including a security element including a locking abutment mobile radially between a cooperation position, favored by elastic biasing, in which the locking abutment cooperates with a complementary locking abutment carried by the container, and a separation position, in which the locking abutment is separated from the complementary locking abutment. The security ring is mobile axially on the cap. The closure device also includes an element for transforming the axial movement of the security ring into radial movement of the security element, making it possible for the radial position of the locking abutment to change from its cooperation position to its separation position.