Container Frame Deformation Prevents Unintended Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers with locking devices fail to provide adequate child safety and protection against unintentional opening, as the connection between the frame and the container is often too easy to disengage, allowing the entire locking device to be removed.

Innovation Solution

The container features a frame connected to the container's edge via a rest connection with a holding force, where the side walls are designed to deform under force, preventing the transfer of sufficient power to overcome the holding force, and reinforced with a banderole for stability and protection, while maintaining low rigidity to prevent accidental opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the frame is securely connected to the container rim to prevent accidental detachment, then child safety is improved, but the container becomes difficult to open when intended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechild safetyVSAvoidease of opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is divided into two independent parts: a frame that remains permanently attached to the container rim, and a lid that can be removed. This segmentation allows the frame to provide secure attachment while the lid can be easily opened without requiring detachment of the entire locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid is extracted as a separate removable component from the frame. The frame stays attached to the container rim, while the lid can be independently removed and reattached. This allows the locking function to remain secure through the frame's permanent attachment, while the lid provides easy access when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If the side walls are made rigid to maintain container stability, then structural strength is improved, but the snap-fit connection becomes vulnerable to force transfer that could detach the frame

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer stabilityVSAvoidframe attachment security
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container rim is designed with locally enhanced properties: it has increased thickness and rigidity specifically at the rim area where the frame attaches, while the side walls maintain appropriate flexibility. This local quality enhancement ensures the frame attachment is secure without requiring the entire side wall structure to be overly rigid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The rim is designed with asymmetric thickness distribution - thicker at the attachment points for the frame and thinner in other areas. This asymmetric design concentrates structural strength where needed for frame attachment while maintaining overall container flexibility and preventing force transfer that could detach the frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If the side walls are made flexible to prevent force transfer to the rim, then child safety is improved, but the container wall thickness must be reduced which compromises structural stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against unintentional openingVSAvoidcontainer stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The container design implements local quality differentiation: the rim area has increased thickness and rigidity for frame attachment, while the side walls can be thinner and more flexible. This allows the side walls to be flexible enough to prevent force transfer to the rim, while the rim itself maintains sufficient structural strength through its localized enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design ensures the locking device remains securely attached to the container, providing enhanced child safety and protection against unintentional opening while allowing easy opening when intended, through the use of deep-drawn plastic and strategically placed reinforcement.

Implementation Method 1

the side walls of the container are so flexible that the container deforms when a force F1 is applied to the side walls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

the frame is connected to the circumferential rim of the container by means of a snap-fit connection, and the holding force of the frame on the circumferential rim is FH

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3655340B1Container
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP3655340B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3655340B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3655340B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a container (1) having a bottom (2), side walls (3), and an opening (4) surrounded by a peripheral edge (5), wherein the container (1) has a closure device (10) for the opening (4) having a frame (11) and a cover (12), wherein the frame (11) is connected by means of a latching connection to the peripheral edge (5) of the container (1), wherein a holding force of the frame (11) on the peripheral edge (5) equals FH, characterized in that the stiffness of the side walls (3) is so low that the container (1) is deformed under the influence of a force F1 on the side walls (3), such that a releasing force FL, caused by the influence of the force F1 on the side walls (3), on the latching connection does not exceed the holding force FH.