Dispensing Container With Child-Resistant Locking And Sealing Tray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for solid consumable products lack effective child resistance, moisture protection, and metered dispensing features, particularly for products like pharmaceuticals and smokeless tobacco, which can lead to unintended access and product degradation.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a child-resistant locking mechanism, a dispensing tray with a sealing member for moisture protection, and a metered dispensing system that allows only one unit to be dispensed at a time, ensuring secure and controlled access to the product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional cap is used that can only be removed by applying downward pressure while twisting, then child resistance is provided, but immediate access is provided to the entire contents if a child manages to open it
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into an outer casing body and a removable dispensing tray assembly. The dispensing tray can be selectively removed from the outer casing body, separating the child-resistant locking function (outer casing) from the dispensing function (tray). This segmentation allows the tray to be accessed by adults while maintaining child resistance through the locked outer casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing tray acts as an intermediary component between the child-resistant outer casing and the product contents. The tray includes a dispensing aperture that metered dispenses products, providing an intermediate control mechanism that prevents both child access and unrestricted product dispensing while allowing controlled adult access.
2Ease of operation
If the container allows free access to products, then ease of operation is improved, but sanitation is compromised due to the need to touch numerous units within the container
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing tray with its designated dispensing aperture serves as an intermediary that eliminates direct contact with product units stored in the container. Products are metered through the aperture without requiring users to reach into and touch multiple units, thereby maintaining sanitation while preserving ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the container is designed to protect products from environmental effects, then product stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the dispensing tray structure itself. The tray includes integrated sealing surfaces that engage with corresponding surfaces in the outer casing body, combining the protective sealing function with the dispensing access function in a single component rather than requiring separate sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing tray serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides child-resistant access control through its removable design, enables metered dispensing through the aperture, and protects products from environmental effects through integrated sealing surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
4Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to enhance child resistance, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional steps required to access products
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is segmented into two distinct operational modes: child-resistant mode (locked outer casing preventing tray removal) and adult access mode (tray removal for dispensing). This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to provide reliable child resistance while not interfering with the simplified dispensing operation available to authorized users.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A container adapted for dispensing a product is provided. The container includes an outer casing body (100) for receiving a dispensing tray (200). The dispensing tray has an internal storage compartment (202) for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, and includes a cover portion (250) defining at least one dispensing aperture (214) through which a stored unit of product is accessible when the outer casing body is in a dispensing position. A sealing member (400) is engaged with one of the outer casing body and the dispensing tray, and is configured to interact with the other of the outer casing body and the dispensing tray to form a seal about an outer peripheral portion of the dispensing tray when the outer casing body is in a closed and locked position. The container includes a locking mechanism (500) that releasably locks the outer casing body in the closed and locked position.