Latchable Package With Planar Tab For Child Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current child-resistant packaging designs are often complex and costly to manufacture, making them expensive for consumers, and may be inconvenient for adults with dexterity issues or impairments, while also lacking a clear indication of secure closure, which can lead to accidental poisonings.
Innovation Solution
A latchable package design featuring a support and a latchable insert with co-operating latch features, allowing easy assembly and low-cost production, while providing child-resistant functionality through a planar tab member that can be easily coupled to the support, ensuring secure closure and one-handed operation for adults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex child-resistant packaging designs are used, then child resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system is divided into separate functional components: a support structure, a structure for blocking access, and a latchable insert with tab member. These segmented parts can be manufactured independently using simple processes and assembled together, achieving child resistance without requiring complex integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The latchable insert acts as an intermediary component between the support and the blocking structure. This simple insert with co-operating latch features provides the child-resistant function without requiring the main packaging structures to be complex, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If complex child-resistant packaging designs are used, then child resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the packaging into simple, manufacturable components (support, blocking structure, latchable insert), each part can be produced using cost-effective processes. The simple tab member and co-operating latch features require minimal manufacturing steps, reducing overall production cost while maintaining child resistance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The latchable insert is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and disposed of if needed. This approach allows the use of low-cost materials and manufacturing methods for the insert, reducing the overall cost of the child-resistant packaging system while maintaining its effectiveness.
3Reliability
If two-handed operation is required for child resistance, then child resistance is improved, but ease of operation for adults with dexterity issues deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latchable insert is designed to be operated by a single hand through self-service mechanics. The tab member can be pushed or pulled by one hand to engage or disengage the co-operating latch features, eliminating the need for two-handed operation while maintaining child resistance. This allows adults with dexterity issues to easily open the packaging.
4Reliability
If the return-to-secured-position mechanism is complicated, then child resistance is maintained, but user compliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latchable insert automatically returns to its secured position through self-service mechanics. When the support or blocking structure is moved, the co-operating latch features naturally guide the tab member back to the latched position, eliminating the need for complex manual return mechanisms. This simple automatic return ensures secure closure while maintaining high user compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
A latchable package comprises: a support (200) for supporting one or more items; a structure (300) for selectively blocking access to the one or more items; and a latchable insert (400). The latchable insert comprises a substantially planar tab member that is coupled to the support such that the insert and support are movable together in an opening direction from a first position in which the structure blocks access to the one or more items to a second position in which the one or more items are accessibly clear of the structure. The structure and the latchable insert comprise co-operating latch features (380) configured to engage when the insert and support are arranged in the first position.