Hidden Flange Child Resistant Closure for Recloseable Pouch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reclosable zipper pouches are easily openable for children, posing a risk for harmful contents, while being difficult for adults and senior citizens to open securely.
Innovation Solution
A reclosable package design featuring a hidden grasping flange that can be adjusted between a hidden and closure-opening position, integrated with the attachment flange, and positioned to increase the difficulty for children to access while maintaining ease for adults and seniors, utilizing interlocking profiles and adjustable flanges to enhance security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reclosable zipper pouch is designed to be easily openable, then ease of operation is improved, but child safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grasping flange is made movable relative to the attachment flange, allowing it to transition between a hidden position (where it is recessed and difficult for children to access) and a closure-opening position (where it extends outward for easy grasping by adults). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by adapting the accessibility of the opening mechanism to different user groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system is divided into separate functional components: the attachment flange (fixed to the package), the grasping flange (movable), and the interlocking profile (providing the sealing mechanism). This segmentation allows the grasping flange to be independently positioned and manipulated, enabling it to remain hidden during storage while becoming accessible during intentional opening by adults.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a hidden grasping flange is used to increase child safety, then child safety is improved, but ease of operation for adults deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grasping flange's ability to move between hidden and extended positions ensures that while it remains inaccessible to children, it is easily accessible to adults who can manually position it for grasping. The movable design transforms the potential disadvantage of a hidden flange into an advantage by making it selectively accessible only to intended users.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable connection between the grasping flange and attachment flange acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the conflicting requirements of child safety and adult accessibility. This intermediary allows the system to satisfy both constraints by controlling when and how the grasping flange becomes accessible.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the grasping flange is made movable between hidden and closure-opening positions, then child safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the closure system into distinct components (attachment flange, grasping flange, interlocking profile) with defined movement relationships, the patent achieves child safety functionality without requiring a completely complex new mechanism. The movement is confined to a simple relative translation between two flange components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the grasping flange rather than introducing entirely new mechanisms. By allowing the grasping flange to move between defined positions (hidden vs. extended) through relatively simple means, the complexity increase is minimized while achieving the child safety objective.
Data Source
AI summary
A recloseable zipper pouch includes a recloseable zipper with interlocking profiles. At least one of the profiles has a grasping flange with a free end positionable both above and below the interlocking profile, and an attachment flange below the interlocking profile and attached to the wall of the pouch at an anchored portion on the attachment flange. The grasping flange is unattached to the first wall between opposite sidewall edges of the pouch. The complementary interlocking profile is attached to the opposite pouch wall. Some pouches can also include an opening in a side wall of the pouch to provide access to a portion of the grasping flange.