Child-Resistant Container with Hinged Cap and Annular Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current child-resistant containers are inadequate for elderly or disabled individuals due to difficulty in use and lack of features for easy inventory management, and they often fail to protect contents from environmental factors like moisture and bacteria, while also being inefficient for stacking and automation in storage and distribution systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular container system comprising a tray frame, tray insert, and child-resistant containers with a base, cap, and hinge, providing an air-tight, liquid-tight, and humidity-controlled environment, designed for easy use and efficient stacking, with features like annular sealing rings and ramps for secure closure, and a tamper-evident mechanism, allowing for easy identification and counting of contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw-cap or pop-top closure is used for child resistance, then child-resistant protection is improved, but ease of operation for elderly or disabled individuals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: a cap body, a hinge connection, and a latch mechanism. This segmentation allows the cap to be opened through a simple pulling motion on the hinge while maintaining secure child-resistant closure through the coordinated engagement of the latch and cap body, reducing the dexterity required compared to traditional screw-caps.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic opening state through hinge movement. The hinge allows the cap to pivot from a closed position (providing child-resistant protection) to an open position (providing easy access for elderly or disabled users through simple pulling motion), combining both protection and ease of operation in a single dynamic mechanism.
2Reliability
If traditional child-resistant containers are used, then child resistance is improved, but protection from environmental factors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the child-resistant closure mechanism with environmental protection features into a single integrated container system. The cap body incorporates both the latch mechanism for child resistance and sealing elements (gaskets, foils, or coatings) for environmental protection, so that one mechanism simultaneously achieves both child-resistant protection and protection from moisture, air, and bacteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs composite sealing structures combining different materials with complementary properties: rigid cap body materials for structural integrity and child-resistant latch engagement, plus flexible sealing materials (gaskets, foils, or coatings) for environmental barrier properties. This composite approach allows the container to maintain both child resistance and environmental protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional container designs are used, then basic storage function is provided, but adaptability for stacking and inventory management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container design incorporates universal features that enable multiple functions: standardized dimensions and shapes for stacking, integrated handles for carrying and automation, and labeling surfaces for inventory management. The cap body and base are designed with complementary geometries that allow secure stacking while maintaining the child-resistant closure function, creating a multi-functional container suitable for both basic storage and automated inventory systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The container transitions from a single-function storage vessel to a multi-dimensional system component by adding features in different spatial dimensions: vertical stacking capability through standardized heights and base geometries, horizontal arrangement through handle positions and base shapes, and information dimensions through labeling surfaces. This dimensional expansion enables the container to function in automated storage and distribution systems while maintaining basic storage capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modular container system enhances usability for elderly and disabled individuals, provides effective protection for contents, and facilitates efficient inventory management and automation in storage and distribution, ensuring secure and controlled storage of substances.
Implementation Method 1
The hinge attaches the base to the cap
Implementation Method 2
The container further comprises an annular sealing ring on an inner surface of the cap
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are modular container systems having child-resistant containers, tray inserts and tray frames. Also disclosed are methods using the modular container systems and methods of storing substances in containers. The containers have a container base and a container cap and provide for child-resistant containers. A user can releasably remove the container cap from container base with a squeeze and lift sequence. For example, the user squeezes opposite sides of the container base, which releases a locking mechanism and allows for removal of the cap by lifting or pulling the container cap off from the container base. The components of the modular container system are modular and stackable. The modular system allows for organized, efficient, accessible and storage of the child-resistant containers. The modular container system also allows for easy counting, sorting and processing of the containers.