Lockable Medication Case With Removable Child-Resistant Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Child-resistant or lockable containers for medications, such as blister packs, often expose all tablets when opened, posing a risk to children, and existing mechanisms require complex alignment and pressure to access contents, which can be inconvenient for adults.
Innovation Solution
A lockable container with a slideable member and engagement mechanisms, including posts, apertures, and a release button, that allows for easy insertion and removal of a slideable card, with an optional frangible line for deactivation of locking features, enabling selective engagement and disengagement of the locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional blister packs are used for medication packaging, then the packaging is simple and easy to manufacture, but children can easily access all tablets at once, creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into a stationary container body and a removable slideable insert. The insert contains multiple compartments for individual tablets, allowing controlled dispensing. This segmentation enables child safety through limited access while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
The slideable insert is nested within the container body, with the insert containing multiple smaller compartments for individual tablets. This nested structure allows the packaging to provide child safety through controlled access while maintaining a compact, manageable form factor that doesn't excessively increase complexity
2Reliability
If a lockable container with engagement mechanisms is used, then child safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanisms are designed to automatically engage when the slideable insert is placed in the container, and the release button provides simple self-service operation for adults. The mechanisms self-regulate through spring-loaded engagement arms that automatically lock into position, reducing the complexity burden on the user while maintaining high reliability for child safety
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring complex child-proof opening mechanisms, the design inverts the approach by using simple engagement mechanisms that automatically lock, with a single-button release system for adults. This inversion simplifies the user interface while maintaining security, addressing the complexity concern through intuitive operation
3Reliability
If the locking feature is always active, then child safety is maximized, but adult convenience is reduced when locking is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system transitions from a static always-locked state to a dynamic system where the locking feature can be activated or deactivated as needed. The release button mechanism allows adults to dynamically switch between locked and unlocked states, providing convenience when locking is not needed while maintaining child safety when activated, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A lockable container includes a lockable case and an insert. The insert can be stored in the lockable case. The lockable case and the insert can each have one or more engaging elements and receiving elements, with reciprocal elements for engaging or receiving being included in the case or insert. The engaging elements, the receiving elements, or both, can be made removable to provide selective removal of the locking feature of the lockable container. For example, the engaging elements can be a removable post that can be selectively removed from the lockable case.