Child Resistant Tip Closure with Finger Spring for Small Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional child resistant closures are not easily scalable for use on smaller containers, such as those with finish openings less than 20 mm, due to mechanical or living hinges and engagement systems that change operation when reduced in size, posing a challenge for compliance with regulatory requirements for ophthalmic and other small product packaging.
Innovation Solution
A child resistant closure assembly featuring an inner closure member with a threaded portion and inclined surface, coupled with an outer closure member that includes a finger spring system for axial translation, allowing selective engagement and operationally disengaged positions to prevent accidental opening, suitable for containers with small finish openings like 18 mm, 15 mm, and 13 mm sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional child resistant closures with mechanical hinges and engagement systems are used on large containers, then child resistant functionality is achieved, but the closures cannot be easily scaled down to small containers with finish openings less than 20 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex mechanical hinge system from traditional CRC designs and replaces it with a simplified tip closure mechanism. The inner closure member is directly inserted into the container opening without requiring living hinges or complex engagement features, enabling the closure to be scaled down to small containers with finish openings of 20 mm or less while maintaining child resistant functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different structural characteristics at different locations. The inner closure member has a simplified structure suitable for small openings, while the outer closure member maintains the child resistant engagement features. This localized differentiation allows the closure to function effectively on small containers without requiring the entire mechanism to be complex.
2Reliability
If traditional child resistant closures are designed for large containers, then operational effectiveness is maintained, but they cannot be reliably adapted to small containers with finish openings less than or equal to about 20 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the closure into two distinct members: an inner closure member that is inserted into the container opening and an outer closure member that provides the child resistant engagement feature. This segmentation allows each member to be optimized independently - the inner member can be sized to fit small openings reliably, while the outer member maintains the proven child resistant engagement mechanism, ensuring both reliability and adaptability.
3Length of moving object
If mechanical engagement systems are reduced in size for small containers, then the closure can fit small containers, but the operation of hinges and engagement systems changes and becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical hinge system with a direct insertion mechanism. The inner closure member is simply inserted into the container opening and held by friction and geometry rather than by living hinges. This substitution eliminates the operational reliability issues that arise when mechanical hinges are scaled down, as the simplified mechanism maintains consistent operation regardless of size.
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 solution provides a reliable and safe child resistant closure for small containers, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while maintaining operational effectiveness and ease of use for adult users, while also being adaptable for larger containers.
Implementation Method 1
A series of engagement features extend between the inner and outer closure to permit selective engagement of the outer closure to the inner closure to effect removal of the child resistant closure. The outer closure includes at least one finger spring member being inwardly directed and contacting the inclined surface of the inner closure member, thereby biasing the outer closure member into an operationally disengaged position.
Data Source
AI summary
A child resistant closure for use on a container that include an inner closure member having a threaded portion and an inclined surface, and an outer closure member coupled to the inner closure member for axial translation therebetween. A series of engagement features extend between the inner and outer closure to permit selective engagement of the outer closure to the inner closure to effect removal of the child resistant closure. The outer closure includes at least one finger spring member being inwardly directed and contacting the inclined surface of the inner closure member, thereby biasing the outer closure member into an operationally disengaged position. The finger spring member T-shaped in cross-section.