Child-Proof Hinged Lid Pack With Elastic Locking Wings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rigid packs for smoking articles with hinged lids are not child-proof, as they can be easily opened by children due to conventional and intuitive opening mechanisms, lacking sequences of unintuitive movements required for secure access.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a locking system with coupling wings and through openings that require a specific sequence of movements to disengage, allowing the lid to rotate from a closed to an open position, making it difficult for children to open while remaining simple for adults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional hinged lid mechanism is used, then the pack is simple to produce and easy to operate, but it is not child-proof as children can easily open it
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into distinct functional components: a locking means with coupling wings on the lid, corresponding coupling recesses on the collar, and a support element with elastic deformation capability. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively achieving child-proof capability without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking means is arranged in a central position and configured to engage the coupling recesses before the lid can be opened. This preliminary engagement creates an active barrier that prevents unintended opening by children while requiring a specific sequence of movements (pressing the locking means to deform the support element, then rotating the lid) to disengage, thereby achieving child-proof capability.
2Reliability
If a locking system is added to make the pack child-proof, then access is restricted to adults, but the ease of operation for adults may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing it to dynamically respond to user input. When an adult presses the locking means, the support element deforms elastically to disengage the coupling wings from the recesses, enabling lid rotation. This dynamic behavior maintains ease of operation for adults while preventing opening by children who cannot apply the necessary force or understand the sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system is designed to automatically reactivate when the lid is closed, as the coupling wings automatically engage with the coupling recesses without requiring manual intervention. This self-service feature simplifies the user experience by eliminating the need for adults to manually re-lock the pack after opening, maintaining ease of operation while preserving child-proof capability.
3Device complexity
If the locking means is directly connected to the collar, then the structure is simple, but the collar must deform elastically which may reduce structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into a locking means on the lid and a separate support element that is connected to the collar. This segmentation isolates the elastic deformation requirement to the support element rather than the collar itself, preserving the collar's structural integrity while still enabling the locking mechanism to function through the support element's controlled deformation.
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 pack is classified as child-proof, requiring non-intuitive movements to open, thus preventing access by children while maintaining ease of use for adults, and the locking system automatically reactivates when the lid is closed.
Implementation Method 1
the support element (22) being elastically deformable, the coupling wings (23) disengage the respective through opening (24)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A pack (1) for smoking articles comprising: a group (19) of smoking articles wrapped by an inner wrap (18) and housed in a rigid outer container (2) provided with a lid (4) hinged to the outer container (2); a collar (14) partially projecting from an open upper end (3); and a locking system (21) comprising: a support element (22), which is arranged in the outer container (2) in contact with the collar (14) and it is provided with two coupling wings (23), which project movably outwards so as to move closer to, or away from each other; and two first through openings (24), each of which, obtained through a wall (11, 13) of the lid (4), houses at least a portion of a corresponding coupling wing (23), to activate the locking system (21), preventing the lid (4) from rotating from the closed position to the open position, and releasing the corresponding coupling wing (23), through an external action of the user on the coupling wing (23) to deactivate the locking system (21). The locking system (21) can be reactivated by rotating the lid (4) from the open position to the closed position.