Dual-Compartment Container With Child-Resistant Secondary Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers with two compartments do not effectively prevent children from accessing both compartments, particularly the secondary storage compartment, which may contain used consumer products or product information, lacking a secure closure mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a base with a flange and a cover that utilize offset peripheral walls and lips, protuberances and recesses, and a locking tab mechanism to ensure the secondary compartment is secured until the primary compartment is opened, incorporating a child-proof closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate lid is used for each compartment, then each compartment can be independently closed, but the secondary storage compartment lacks effective security against child access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the closure mechanisms of the primary and secondary compartments by making the cover for the secondary compartment dependent on the lid of the primary compartment. The peripheral lip of the cover extends towards the peripheral wall of the lid, and the offset positioning ensures that the secondary compartment remains secured until the primary compartment is opened, effectively merging the security functions of both compartments into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The design implements preliminary action by requiring the primary compartment to be opened first, which then enables access to the secondary compartment. The offset peripheral structures are positioned such that opening the lid automatically positions the cover to allow access to the secondary compartment, preparing the system for sequential access before the user actually needs to retrieve items from either compartment.
2Reliability
If the peripheral lip of the cover is offset from the peripheral wall of the lid, then the secondary compartment can be accessed only after opening the primary compartment, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by positioning the peripheral lip of the cover offset from the peripheral wall of the lid in a direction extending away from the base. This asymmetric positioning creates a deliberate structural relationship where the cover and lid interact in a specific sequence, ensuring that the secondary compartment remains secured until the primary compartment is opened, while avoiding the need for complex additional locking mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a locking tab mechanism is implemented, then the cover is securely retained on the base, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tab mechanism is designed to work in conjunction with the offset peripheral structures to create a preliminary action system. When the lid is opened, the peripheral wall moves relative to the peripheral lip, automatically positioning the locking tab to release from its retained position on the base. This preliminary positioning action occurs automatically as part of the opening motion, reducing the manual effort required to operate the closure while maintaining secure retention when closed.
Data Source
AI summary
A container comprising a base defining a primary storage compartment; a lid having a peripheral wall that locates over a first portion of the base to close the primary storage compartment; and a cover having a peripheral lip that locates over a second portion of the base so that the base and the cover together define a secondary storage compartment, is disclosed. The primary storage compartment is closed by the lid and the cover is received on the base with the peripheral wall of the lid and the peripheral lip of the cover extending towards each other.