Hexagonal Child-Resistant Pharmaceutical Packaging with Break Seal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional child-resistant medical packaging units are not economical to manufacture, are not lightweight, and do not provide sufficient security features to prevent children from accessing medications, while also being difficult for intended users to open without tools or extensive manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A child-resistant packaging unit with a lid that requires two independent operations to open, featuring a pivotally connected lid with a latching mechanism involving first and second release levers, and trapezoidal base panels, allowing for easy access by adults while preventing children from opening it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cylindrical child-resistant container with a rotatable cap is used, then the container is relatively simple to manufacture, but it does not provide sufficient child-resistant security features
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a body and a lid that are separable through a breakable seal, rather than using a rotatable cap design. This segmentation allows the container to achieve child-resistant security through a controlled break seal mechanism while simplifying the overall structure by eliminating complex rotating joint components.
Solution Approach 2:
A pre-applied break seal is positioned between the lid and body, requiring a specific breaking action to open. This preliminary security feature is built into the container before use, providing automatic child-resistant protection without requiring complex active locking mechanisms or user interaction with multiple components.
2Reliability
If child-resistant features are enhanced with multiple latches and release mechanisms, then security against children is improved, but the container becomes more difficult for intended users to open without tools
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-latch release mechanisms are removed entirely. Instead, a single break seal is used that requires a simple pulling or breaking motion accessible to both children and adults, but which provides sufficient security when properly designed. This extraction of unnecessary complexity maintains ease of operation while preserving child-resistant security.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal strength and breaking characteristics are optimized through material selection and geometric design. The break seal is engineered to require a force or motion that is difficult for children but easily performable by adults, achieving the security-ease balance through parameter optimization rather than mechanical complexity.
3Weight of stationary object
If conventional cylindrical containers are used, then manufacturing is relatively economical, but the containers are not lightweight
Solution Approach 1:
The container body and lid are constructed from lightweight composite materials or optimized polymer formulations that reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity and break seal performance. This allows the container to be significantly lighter than conventional designs without compromising manufacturing economy, as the composite structure can be formed using standard injection molding or similar processes.
4Reliability
If a break seal mechanism is implemented, then child-resistant security is improved, but the container requires more manipulation to open
Solution Approach 1:
The break seal is pre-positioned and pre-formed during manufacturing, requiring only a simple pulling, twisting, or breaking motion to activate. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex manipulation sequences during opening, as the seal is designed to fail in a predictable, single-action manner that is both secure and easy to operate.
Data Source
AI summary
The hexagonal packaging unit includes a container adapted to hold contents, wherein the contents are on or more of pharmaceutical composition or medical devices. The hexagonal packaging unit includes a lid pivotally connected and configured to slideably rotate on a pivot and engage a top of the container, wherein the lid is rotatable in a first direction between a closed position resulting in the lid covering an opening in the container, and an open position resulting in the opening of the container at least being partially open. The hexagonal packaging unit includes a first latch portion associated with the lid comprising a first release lever and a second release lever. The hexagonal packaging unit includes a second latch portion associated with the container positionable to engage the first latch portion when the lid is in the closed position, and disengage when the lid is in the open position.