Container Lid Locking Mechanism for Unit Dose Packaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging for water-soluble unit dose articles faces issues with lid locking mechanisms being damaged during transport and being difficult for consumers to open comfortably, while also not effectively preventing access by children.
Innovation Solution
A container design with a locking mechanism that requires a pinching motion to disengage, ensuring the lid remains closed and is intuitive for adults to open, with the locking components positioned internally to reduce damage and enhance usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the locking means is located on the front outer surface of the container, then it is easy for consumers to operate, but it is prone to damage during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means is relocated from the front outer surface to the top outer surface of the container, changing its spatial position from a horizontal/vertical front-facing location to a top-facing location. This dimensional relocation protects the locking means from damage during transport while maintaining consumer accessibility from above.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the locking means on the front where it is accessible but vulnerable, the invention inverts the approach by placing it on the top surface, where it is both protected from side impacts during transport and remains accessible to consumers from above.
2Reliability
If the locking means is relocated to the top of the container wall, then damage during transport is reduced, but it becomes difficult for consumers to disengage
Solution Approach 1:
The lid component is designed to automatically engage with the wall component when the lid is placed on the container, and automatically disengage when the lid is removed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual manipulation while maintaining secure locking during transport.
3Reliability
If the locking means requires pushing the wall component away while lifting the lid, then the lid can be secured, but the operation becomes awkward and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to engage and disengage automatically based on the lid's position. When the lid is placed on the container, the lid component automatically engages with the wall component. When the lid is removed, the components automatically disengage. This eliminates the need for awkward manual pushing motions while maintaining secure locking.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the locking means is made secure to prevent child access, then child safety is improved, but it may become difficult for consumers to open
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism requires the lid to be completely removed from the container to disengage, which is a simple action that adults can perform easily. The secure locking during transport and when the lid is on provides child safety, while the simple remove-and-replace operation remains easy for consumers.
Data Source
AI summary
A consumer product that includes a container and at least one water-soluble unit dose article, the container including a lid able to move from an open to closed position via at least one hinge, where the container includes at least one locking device with a lid component and a wall component, where the wall component includes a support member and a hook member. The water-soluble unit dose articles may include a water-soluble film and a detergent composition.