Hidden Flange Child Resistant Closure for Recloseable Pouches
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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 access.
Innovation Solution
A reclosable zipper pouch design featuring a hidden flange mechanism that adjusts between a hidden and closure-opening position, making it harder for children to open while remaining accessible for adults and senior citizens, utilizing interlocking profiles and adjustable grasping flanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reclosable zipper pouch uses a standard press-to-close zipper closure, then it is easy to open for adults and senior citizens, but it is also easily openable for children, posing a risk for harmful contents
Solution Approach 1:
The grasping flange is designed to be movable relative to the attachment flange, transitioning between a hidden position (where it is attached to or adjacent to the attachment flange) and a closure-opening position (where it is pulled away from the attachment flange). This dynamic configuration allows the closure to adapt its accessibility: in the hidden position, it presents a child-resistant profile, while in the closure-opening position, it enables easy opening for adults. The movable nature of the grasping flange resolves the contradiction between child safety and adult accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The zipper track is segmented into distinct functional components: the attachment flange (secured to the pouch wall), the grasping flange (movable relative to the attachment flange), and the interlocking profile (for sealing). This segmentation allows the grasping flange to be independently positioned and manipulated. The attachment flange provides stable anchoring, while the separable grasping flange enables the child-resistant feature without compromising the overall closure function for adults.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a reclosable zipper pouch uses a hidden flange mechanism that requires specific actions to open, then it enhances child-resistant properties, but it may increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The grasping flange serves multiple functions: it acts as a child-resistant barrier when in the hidden position, provides a grasping surface for adults to pull, and maintains the structural integrity of the zipper track. The attachment flange simultaneously provides anchoring to the pouch wall and a base for the grasping flange movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving child-resistant properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The grasping flange and attachment flange are combined into a single integrated structure or closely associated components within the zipper track. The grasping flange is positioned relative to the attachment flange but remains part of the same functional assembly. This merging approach consolidates what could have been separate child-resistant and closure components into a unified structure, minimizing the increase in device complexity while maintaining child-resistant functionality.
3Device complexity
If the grasping flange is positioned in a hidden location attached to the attachment flange, then it maintains a clean appearance and simple structure, but it reduces accessibility for opening the closure
Solution Approach 1:
The grasping flange is designed to be movable from its hidden, attached position to an extended, accessible position. When the user needs to open the closure, they pull the grasping flange away from the attachment flange, transitioning it to the closure-opening position. This dynamic movement allows the grasping flange to maintain a hidden, structurally simple appearance during normal use while becoming easily accessible when needed, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable connection between the grasping flange and attachment flange acts as an intermediary mechanism. This connection allows the grasping flange to remain attached to the attachment flange in the hidden position (maintaining structural simplicity) while enabling it to be pulled away for opening (providing accessibility). The intermediary connection mechanism facilitates the transition between these two states without requiring complete separation or permanent fixation.
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.