Child Resistant Container With Flexible Retaining Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for consumer goods, such as aerosol-generating articles, allow products to move freely, causing damage and accessibility issues, and lack child-resistant features required by regulations.
Innovation Solution
A container with a tubular body and a movable retaining frame that engages with elongate storage units to prevent movement and includes a child-resistant design, allowing easy access by adults while preventing children from accessing the contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple lid and open container design is used, then ease of access to consumer goods is improved, but child safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining frame is designed to be movable between a first configuration (retaining the storage unit) and a second configuration (releasing the storage unit). This dynamic mechanism requires deliberate action to change states, providing child resistance while allowing easy access to adults who can perform the required action.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable retaining frame acts as an intermediary mechanism between the container and the storage unit. It mediates access by requiring a specific action to transition between retained and released states, thereby protecting children while enabling adult access.
2Ease of manufacture
If consumer goods are stored loosely in the container, then ease of insertion is improved, but product stability and accessibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The container is pre-configured with a retaining frame that automatically engages with the storage unit upon insertion. This preliminary retaining action prevents movement and maintains stability without requiring complex insertion procedures, as the retaining frame is already in position to secure the product.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining frame automatically engages with the storage unit when inserted into the container, providing self-retention without requiring additional fastening actions. The frame's geometry and flexibility enable it to self-adjust and secure the product upon insertion.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a movable retaining frame is added to prevent product movement, then product stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining frame is constructed from flexible material that allows it to deform and adapt to the storage unit during insertion and retention. This flexibility enables the frame to provide effective retention with a simple, lightweight structure rather than requiring rigid complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining frame utilizes changes in its physical state (flexible deformation) to achieve retention and release functions. By changing its shape and configuration in response to insertion forces, the frame provides stable product retention without requiring complex mechanical components.
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 effectively keeps consumer goods stationary, preventing damage and ensuring easy access while providing a child-resistant mechanism to comply with safety regulations.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one tab is bent towards a peripheral wall of the tubular body and away from the retaining surface of the at least one storage unit
Data Source
AI summary
A container is provided, including a tubular body having an open first end and a second end defining a receptacle to receive an elongate storage unit; and a retaining frame within the receptacle to receive and retain the unit, movable between a first configuration to engage a retaining surface of the unit to retain it within the receptacle, and a second configuration in which it is released from engagement with the frame for removal from the container, the frame including a supporting rim circumscribing the first end; and a flexible tab depending from the rim and projecting radially into the receptacle, such that in the first configuration a distal end of the tab is configured to engage the retaining surface, and when the frame is moved from the first to the second configuration, the tab is bent towards a peripheral wall of the body and away from the retaining surface.