Inner Slide Locking Mechanism for Consumer Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for consumer goods, particularly aerosol generating articles, fail to ensure the inner slide remains enclosed within the outer shell during transportation, leading to accidental opening and potential loss or degradation of the contents.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring an outer sleeve and inner slide with a locking mechanism, where the inner slide front wall matches the outer sleeve's shape and size, and engages with an engaging element on the outer sleeve wall to prevent inadvertent opening, utilizing a distinct action for unlocking, and hidden locking mechanism to maintain closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inner slide is made slidable within the outer shell for easy access to consumer goods, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to accidental opening during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate components: an outer shell and an inner slide, which can move independently relative to each other. The inner slide can be pulled out for access while the outer shell remains stationary, allowing easy operation without compromising closure stability during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner slide is designed to be dynamically movable within the outer shell, transitioning between a retracted position (for secure closure during transport) and an extended position (for easy access to consumer goods). This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between security and accessibility.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental opening, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the inner slide. When the inner slide is retracted, the locking mechanism self-activates to secure the closure. When the inner slide is pulled out, the locking mechanism automatically releases, enabling easy access. This self-service approach improves reliability without requiring complex external locking systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A container (1) for consumer goods, the container comprising: an outer sleeve (20) and an inner slide (50) disposed within the outer sleeve (20), the inner slide (50) at least partially enclosing an interior space for housing consumer goods. The inner slide (50) is slidable with respect to the outer sleeve (20) between: a first position, in which the interior space of the inner slide (50) cannot be accessed by a user; and a second position, in which the interior space of the inner slide (50) can be accessed by a user. When the inner slide (50) is in the first position in the outer sleeve (20), an edge of an inner slide engagement flap (59) is configured to engage with a corresponding engaging element (31) on an outer sleeve wall, to form a locking mechanism for preventing the inner slide (50) from sliding from the first position to the second position.