Child-Resistant Container With Flexible Locking Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant containers are difficult for seniors to open and lack a simple, safe unlocking mechanism, and they do not provide adequate protection against moisture or safety from sharp edges and corners.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a lid and bottom portion with inward protrusions on the exterior cover that align with indentation spaces on the bottom ring, requiring a specific pressing and twisting motion to open, ensuring secure access while being easy for seniors and preventing children from opening it, with a moisture-resistant and edge-free design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a child-resistant locking mechanism is implemented, then security against children is improved, but ease of operation for seniors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lid incorporates a flexible bottom ring that can dynamically change its rigidity state. When uniform pressure is applied by two hands, the ring flexes to allow opening. When pressure is applied to only one side, the ring maintains rigidity to prevent opening, thus adapting its mechanical properties based on the operation conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom ring's physical state changes from rigid to flexible based on the applied force distribution. This parameter change allows the same structure to provide both child resistance (rigid state) and senior accessibility (flexible state) without requiring separate mechanisms
2Reliability
If a complex latching mechanism is used, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex multi-component latching mechanisms from traditional designs and replaces them with a single integrated flexible bottom ring that performs the same security function through its unique flexibility property, significantly reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible bottom ring serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the locking mechanism, the opening mechanism, the seal, and the structural support, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device
Data Source
AI summary
A container with a security lock is provided. The container may have a lid (or “top”) portion and a bottom portion. The lid portion may be comprised of an exterior cover and a bottom ring acting as a single unit. Once inward protrusions on the exterior cover vertically aligns with indentation spaces on the bottom ring of the lid, a specific pressing and then twisting motion may be used to separate the lid from the bottom portion to gain access to the interior of the container. The bottom portion may receive contents such as medication.