Child-Resistant Container Compression Region Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional child-resistant containers often rely on foam layers for closure, which can be cumbersome to manufacture and may not meet updated regulatory standards, necessitating a more efficient and regulatory-compliant design.
Innovation Solution
The design features a container body with a base and sidewall that includes a compression region with cutouts or apertures, allowing for a cap to be secured and rotated using lugs and notches, eliminating the need for foam by storing potential energy through compression, which can be released to maintain the cap's position, preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If foam layers are used to create the child-resistant closure, then the closure can be achieved, but the manufacturing becomes cumbersome and additional materials are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the foam layer entirely from the child-resistant container system. Instead of using foam to create friction and resistance, the invention uses a pure mechanical engagement system where the cap's peripheral flange engages with the container's peripheral ledge through vertical and rotational movements, eliminating the need for foam materials and simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the foam-based friction mechanism with a mechanical engagement system. The cap and container feature complementary geometric features (peripheral flange and peripheral ledge) that create child-resistant closure through mechanical interlocking via push-down and rotation movements, substituting the need for foam materials with a purely mechanical solution
2Reliability
If foam layers are used to create the child-resistant closure, then the closure can be achieved, but additional materials like foam are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the foam layer entirely from the child-resistant container system. Instead of using foam to create friction and resistance, the invention uses a pure mechanical engagement system where the cap's peripheral flange engages with the container's peripheral ledge through vertical and rotational movements, eliminating the need for foam materials and simplifying manufacturing
3Reliability
If traditional push down and turn style cap is used, then child-resistant closure is achieved, but the design becomes utilitarian and complex with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cap and container into a simpler integrated system. The cap's peripheral flange and the container's peripheral ledge form a unified engagement mechanism that combines the closure function and child-resistant features into fewer components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral flange and peripheral ledge structures serve multiple functions: they provide the child-resistant engagement mechanism, guide the cap during placement and removal, and create the necessary friction and mechanical interlocking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall design
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
This solution provides a child-resistant container that is easier to manufacture, meets regulatory requirements, and eliminates the need for additional materials like foam, ensuring secure closure without complex assembly, while being adaptable to various materials including biodegradable options.
Implementation Method 1
an upper portion of the sidewall or cap comprises a compression region or living spring. In certain embodiments, the compression region comprises a plurality of cutouts or apertures... pushing the cap against the body, which thereby compresses the compression region
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of containers are described having child-resistant closures. The containers can include a body having at least one wall that at least partially defines a hollow interior portion into which goods or other products can be stored. A wall of at least one of the body and cap can include a set of apertures that collectively define a compression region, which acts a living spring to allow compression of the wall to permit seating of lugs or other projection within notches.