Flip-Top Container with Co-Planar Flush Surfaces and Internal Opening Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flip-top containers used for pharmaceutical or diagnostic items often have protuberances that can get caught on objects, leading to accidental opening when carried, posing a risk of contents being exposed.
Innovation Solution
A container design with a body extension portion and lid extension portion that are co-planar when closed, featuring a window for accessing the underside of the lid extension to facilitate intentional opening, minimizing accidental opening by requiring internal access to apply upward pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a protuberance (thumb tab) is added to the lid to facilitate opening, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental opening increases due to the protuberance getting caught on objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external protuberance (thumb tab) from the lid and replaces it with an internal access mechanism. The opening tab is repositioned inside the container body, accessible through an opening in the base, eliminating the external feature that could catch on objects while maintaining the ability to easily open the container by pulling the internal tab.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the opening mechanism from an external horizontal feature (thumb tab on the lid) to an internal vertical feature (tab accessible through the base opening). This dimensional change allows users to access the opening mechanism from below the container rather than from the side, eliminating the catching problem while preserving ease of operation.
2Shape
If the lid extension portion is made flush with the body extension portion, then a sleek appearance and reduced catching risk are achieved, but access to the opening mechanism becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the container into distinct functional segments: the external sleek body with flush surfaces for aesthetic and safety purposes, and the internal opening mechanism accessible through a dedicated opening in the base. This segmentation allows the external surface to remain smooth and catching-free while providing internal access points for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary opening in the base that serves as a portal between the external environment and the internal opening mechanism. This opening allows users to access the lifting tab without compromising the flush, sleek external surfaces, effectively mediating between aesthetic requirements and operational needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A container (2) includes a container body (10) having a base (12), a sidewall (14), and a body extension portion (16), the body extension portion terminates at a body extension outer surface; a lid (40) connected to the container body and that is pivotable to move the container between a closed position and an open position, the lid comprising a cover portion (42) and a lid extension portion (44) extending therefrom and terminating at a lid extension outer surface, the lid extension portion having an underside. The body extension outer surface and the lid extension outer surface are generally co-planar when the container is in the closed position. The body extension portion hits n window (24) configured to provide access to the underside when the container is in the closed position to enable a user to apply upward pressure on the underside to move the container from the closed position to the open position.