Hinged Lid Locking Arm Prevents Accidental Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers with hinged mating lids do not effectively prevent accidental opening while ensuring easy access when needed, particularly in multiple compartment pill containers.

Innovation Solution

A lid arrangement featuring a hinged mating lid configuration with a flexible living hinge, a locking arm, and a tab mechanism that prevents inadvertent opening by shielding the tab and using a locking arm with a hooked end to engage a catch, allowing easy opening when desired.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a hinged mating lid is used for easy opening, then ease of operation is improved, but the lid may open inadvertently causing reliability to worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of openingVSAvoidprevention of accidental opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid includes a locking arm that is preliminarily positioned to engage with a catch on the base, preventing the lid from opening before the user intentionally actuates the tab. This preliminary locking action ensures the lid remains secure during normal handling while allowing easy opening when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A tab mechanism serves as an intermediary element between the user's hand and the locking arm. The tab, when pressed, mediates the release of the locking arm from the catch, providing a controlled and intentional opening action that prevents accidental opening while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental opening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of accidental openingVSAvoidlid configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking arm is merged with the lid structure itself, forming an integrated component rather than a separate mechanism. The tab is also integrated into the lid, creating a unified structure that provides reliable locking without adding significant complexity to the overall device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking arm incorporates a flexible portion that allows it to deflect and engage with the catch on the base. This flexible element provides the necessary locking function while maintaining a simple, lightweight structure that does not significantly increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution ensures that the lid remains closed until intentionally opened, enhancing user safety and convenience by preventing accidental unlocking while maintaining easy access when required.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible living hinge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7624890B2Multiple compartment container

Publication Date: 2009.12.01 APOTHECARY PROD LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a lid arrangement for a container with a hinged mating lid. The disclosed lid arrangement avoids inadvertently opening the lid, while at the same time allows easy opening when opening the lid is desired. The lid arrangement is configured to be used with a wide variety of different types of containers with hinged lids. In some embodiments, the lid arrangement is incorporated into a multiple compartment pill container.