Folding Extension Nozzle With Child-Resistant Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nozzle-type dispensing bottles are cumbersome for packaging and transport due to their extended design and often lack effective child-resistant locking mechanisms, posing difficulties for both children and elderly individuals.
Innovation Solution
A foldable nozzle extension with a child-resistant locking system that allows the nozzle to rotate between extended and folded positions, incorporating a child-resistant actuator and locking mechanism to prevent accidental dispensing, enabling secure and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the nozzle extends horizontally perpendicularly from the bottle, then the dispensing function is achieved, but the bottle occupies greater volume and becomes difficult to package and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed to be movable between an extended horizontal position for dispensing and a folded perpendicular position for storage. The connection joint with the arcuate slot and post allows the nozzle to rotate and fold, transforming it from a static structure to a dynamic one that adapts between operational and storage states.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle assembly is divided into separable components: the nozzle body, the connection joint with arcuate slot, and the post. This segmentation allows the nozzle to be folded back against the bottle body, reducing the overall volume when not in use while maintaining full dispensing functionality when extended.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a locking mechanism is included to prevent child access, then child safety is improved, but the mechanism becomes overly complicated and too difficult for elderly patients to open
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be automatically activated when the nozzle is folded into the perpendicular position. The tab engages with the raised wall on the cap automatically, providing child-resistant protection without requiring any additional user action. The system serves itself by using the nozzle's own movement to trigger the locking action.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab acts as an intermediary element between the nozzle and the cap. When the nozzle is folded, the tab moves into abutment with the raised wall on the cap, mediating the locking action. This simple intermediary mechanism provides effective child-resistant protection without adding complexity to the overall device.
3Volume of moving object
If the nozzle is made foldable for compact packaging, then the volume is reduced, but the complexity of the connection joint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection joint is segmented into distinct functional elements: the arcuate slot in the nozzle base and the post on the nozzle body. This segmentation allows for simple, modular manufacturing of each component while achieving the folding function through their interaction. The design avoids complex assemblies by using simple, well-defined parts.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a complex folding mechanism with multiple moving parts, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple arcuate slot and post arrangement that achieves folding through the natural geometry of the components. The arcuate slot's shape and orientation naturally guide the folding motion and provide the locking position.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing nozzle and a dispensing assembly incorporating the dispensing nozzle are provided. The dispensing assembly comprises a cap body, a dispenser actuator, and a dispensing nozzle. The dispensing nozzle comprises a nozzle base having a mounting end configured to be mounted to the dispenser actuator; and a nozzle body connected, at a connection joint, to a distal end of the nozzle base. The connection joint includes a first surface having an arcuate slot and a second surface opposing the first surface, which may include a post, the arcuate slot being configured to receive the post. The post is configured to pass through the arcuate slot such that the nozzle body is configured to rotate about the nozzle base.