Hinged Zipper Assembly with Living Hinge for Child-Resistant Enclosures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resealable enclosures, such as bags and pouches, lack effective child-resistant mechanisms to prevent accidental opening by children, particularly when storing hazardous materials like pharmaceuticals.
Innovation Solution
A hinged zipper assembly is developed with interlocking members and living hinges that reduce the moment of force required to open the enclosure, making it difficult for children to separate the zipper members without using the slider, thereby enhancing child-resistant features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional zipper assemblies are used in resealable enclosures, then the enclosure can be easily opened and closed, but the enclosure lacks child-resistant features and can be accidentally opened by children
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing a living hinge that allows the zipper member to flex and rotate. The living hinge creates a dynamic mechanical advantage system where the zipper member can pivot at the hinge point, requiring significant force to separate the interlocking members when pulled from the free end. This dynamic mechanism transforms a simple pull action into a leveraged force system that resists child-induced opening while remaining operable by adults using the slider.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dimensionality change by extending the zipper member beyond the interlocking region to create a lever arm. The living hinge positioned at one end of the zipper member creates a rotational dimension, transforming linear pull force into rotational moment about the hinge. This dimensional extension and rotation capability create a mechanical advantage that significantly increases the force required to separate the zipper members, providing child-resistant functionality.
2Reliability
If the zipper members are made difficult to separate for child resistance, then child safety is improved, but the normal operation and resealability of the enclosure becomes compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the zipper member into distinct functional zones: the interlocking region with profile protrusions for sealing, the living hinge region for mechanical advantage, and the extended free end for operation. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function - the interlocking region maintains seal integrity, the living hinge provides child-resistant mechanical advantage, and the extended portion enables easy operation with the slider. The slider itself is segmented to interact with the profile protrusions, allowing controlled opening and closing while maintaining child resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the slider as an intermediary mechanism between the user's manual operation and the zipper members' interlocking engagement. The slider engages with the profile protrusions on the zipper members and translates linear motion into the separation or engagement of the interlocking teeth. This intermediary mechanism allows adults to easily open and close the enclosure by manipulating the slider, while children cannot directly separate the zipper members because the slider requires coordinated bimanual operation and understanding of its function.
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 hinged zipper assembly effectively prevents inadvertent opening by reducing the force needed to separate the zipper members, ensuring that the enclosure remains closed even when pulled from the outer panels, thus providing a secure storage solution for hazardous materials.
Implementation Method 1
reduce the moment of force applied to the zipper members
Implementation Method 2
profile protrusions that are shaped to mesh with each other to interlock the first and second zipper members
Data Source
AI summary
A hinged zipper assembly includes first and second zipper members each having a facing side, an opposite side, an upper edge, and an opposite lower edge. Each of the zipper members has a profile protrusion that extends from the facing sides and are located between the upper and lower edges. The profile protrusions mesh with each other to interlock with each other. A living hinge is formed in the first zipper member and/or the second zipper member between the lower edge and the profile protrusion. The zipper members are formed with flanges that extend from the lower edges. The flanges are configured to be affixed to panels of an enclosure that is closed by meshing of the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members with each other.