Flexible Child-Resistant Enclosure With Zipper Tab Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant packages are often rigid and costly to manufacture, transport, and recycle, and may not be effectively accessible to children due to complex opening mechanisms that require strength or dexterity beyond a child's capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, reclosable enclosure with a front and back panel configuration and a user-accessible zipper mechanism that includes a grippable tab feature, allowing for easy opening and resealing while deterring children from accessing the contents without manipulating the tab feature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid containers with specially-designed lids are used for child-resistant packaging, then child resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost, transportation cost, and recycling cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by replacing rigid containers with flexible pouches that have a reclosable mechanism. The flexible pouch includes a front pouch wall and back pouch wall forming a pouch interior, with a reclosable mechanism attached to the front pouch wall. This flexible structure achieves child-resistant functionality while being less costly to manufacture, transport, and recycle compared to rigid containers.
2Reliability
If rigid containers with specially-designed lids are used for child-resistant packaging, then child resistance is improved, but transportation cost and recycling cost increase due to rigid structure and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy rigid containers with lightweight flexible pouches. The reclosable mechanism is integrated into the flexible pouch structure, which has significantly less weight than rigid containers with specialized lids, thereby reducing transportation costs and improving recycling efficiency.
3Reliability
If complex opening mechanisms requiring strength or dexterity beyond a child's capabilities are used, then child resistance is improved, but ease of operation for adults deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reclosable mechanism features a dynamic opening system with a tab that can be pulled to separate the front pouch wall from the back pouch wall. The mechanism includes a seal that can be broken by pulling the tab, allowing the front pouch wall to move away and expose the pouch interior. This dynamic design provides sufficient resistance for children while remaining operable for adults with normal strength and dexterity.
4Ease of manufacture
If reclosable mechanisms are integrated into flexible pouches, then manufacturing cost and recycling cost decrease, but child-resistant functionality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The reclosable mechanism is segmented into distinct components: a tab, a seal, and interlocking profiles. The tab is attached to the front pouch wall and can be pulled to initiate opening. The seal creates a barrier that requires deliberate action to break. The profiles include interlocking elements that engage when closed and can be separated when opened. This segmentation allows the mechanism to provide child-resistant functionality while being integrated into a cost-effective flexible pouch structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A reclosable enclosure includes front and back panels and a reclosable mechanism. The front panel and the back panel are coupled to each other and form an interior cavity therebetween. The front panel is configured to form an access slot that extends widthwise along the front panel. The reclosable mechanism is coupled to an interior side of the front panel along the access slot. The reclosable mechanism has a first profile and a second profile forming a zipper. The first profile includes a user tab that is accessible through the access slot. The user tab is configured to assist in separating the first and second profiles to provide an opening to the interior cavity of the reclosable enclosure.