Child-Resistant Locking Cap for Laminated Rollerball Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current containers for hazardous materials do not effectively prevent children from accessing the contents, as they lack a secure locking mechanism that is resistant to child manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A container made of rolled laminated plastic or metal with a flexible sidewall and a child-resistant locking assembly that includes a rollerball applicator, where the locking cap requires alignment and rotation of locking teeth with mating members to open, preventing easy access by children.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple cap is used on the container, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but child resistance is compromised and safety is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism changes the operational parameters by requiring a specific rotational movement and alignment action that differs from simple cap removal. The cap must be rotated to align locking teeth with slots, transforming the opening operation from a simple pull-off action to a controlled sequence of actions that children cannot perform instinctively
Solution Approach 2:
The locking teeth and slots act as an intermediary mechanism between the cap and container body. This intermediary component requires specific alignment and rotational movement to engage or disengage, creating a barrier that prevents direct cap removal while maintaining adult usability through proper alignment
2Reliability
If a locking assembly with alignment requirement is added, then child resistance is improved and safety is enhanced, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: locking teeth on the cap, corresponding slots on the container, and a rotational alignment requirement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity - the teeth provide locking, the slots provide guidance, and the rotation provides the child-resistant barrier
3Ease of operation
If the sidewall is made flexible and squeezable, then the applicator can dispense material effectively, but the structural strength and containment security are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container utilizes a flexible sidewall made of laminated material that can be squeezed to force precautionary material onto the applicator. The laminated construction provides necessary strength and containment security while the flexible nature allows easy dispensing through squeezing motion
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall is constructed from laminated material combining multiple layers that provide both flexibility for squeezing and sufficient structural strength for containment. The composite structure allows the material to be both strong enough to contain hazardous substances and flexible enough to enable easy dispensing through compression
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 solution provides a secure and safe dispensing mechanism for hazardous materials by ensuring that children cannot easily remove the cap, thereby reducing the risk of accidental exposure to harmful substances.
Implementation Method 1
The locking cap includes at least one, and preferably a pair, of locking teeth. The front wall of the container has at least one mating locking member to be engaged by the at least one locking tooth
Implementation Method 2
The plastic is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene or combinations including one or more of these plastics. An important feature of the present invention is for a sidewall of the container, regardless of shape, to be flexible and squeezable so that the precautionary material is forced onto (or into depending on the applicator) the applicator
Data Source
AI summary
A combination of a container made out of rolled laminated plastic or rolled laminated metal combined with a rollerball applicator, combined with a child-resistant locking assembly between the container and a cap removably affixed to the container. The container includes a closed rear end, a front wall and a flexible sidewall between the closed rear end and the front. The flexible sidewall is in a shape selected from the group consisting of oval-shaped, elliptical-shaped and cylindrical-shaped.