Metered Dispensing Container With Child-Resistant Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for dispensing solid products, particularly pharmaceuticals and tobacco products, lack effective child resistance and metered dispensing mechanisms, allowing unrestricted access and compromising sanitation.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a child-resistant locking mechanism and metered dispensing system, where a depressible button unlocks the inner tray to allow single-unit dispensing through a trough, preventing complete access to the product and ensuring only one unit is dispensed at a time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional cap is used that can only be removed by applying downward pressure while twisting, then child resistance is provided, but immediate access is provided to the entire contents if a child manages to open it
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two functional components: a child-resistant cap for secure closure and a metered dispensing mechanism for controlled product release. This segmentation allows the cap to provide reliable child resistance while the dispensing mechanism ensures that even if opened, only a limited amount of product can be accessed at a time.
Solution Approach 2:
The metered dispensing mechanism is pre-configured to limit product access to a predetermined amount before the cap can be fully opened. This preliminary action of controlled dispensing occurs before complete access is granted, preventing a child from immediately accessing all contents even if they manage to open the cap.
2Ease of operation
If the container allows free access to all product units, then ease of dispensing is improved, but sanitation is compromised due to the need to touch numerous units
Solution Approach 1:
The metered dispensing mechanism automatically controls the dispensing of product units without requiring the user to manually handle multiple units. The mechanism self-regulates to release only the required amount, eliminating the need for users to touch and sort through numerous product units, thereby maintaining sanitation while preserving dispensing convenience.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to enhance child resistance, then device complexity increases, but metered dispensing capability is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The child-resistant locking mechanism and metered dispensing functionality are merged into a single integrated system. The cap assembly incorporates both the locking feature for child resistance and the metered dispensing mechanism, allowing both functions to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall device complexity. The components work together as a unified mechanism rather than separate add-ons.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A dispensing container is provided, including an outer casing having an open end, a top, a bottom, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom, and an interior compartment; an inner tray slidably received within the interior compartment of the outer casing and including a storage compartment configured to store a plurality of units of product to be dispensed, and a dispensing trough in communication with the storage compartment, the inner tray extending outwardly from the open end of the outer casing and configured for sliding movement between a closed and locked position and a dispensing position, wherein the dispensing trough includes an aperture sized to allow a single unit of product exit the dispensing trough at one end thereof and a slot at the opposing end thereof; and the outer casing further includes a rib extending into the interior compartment and positioned to enter the slot of the dispensing trough.