One-Piece Child-Resistant Closure with Integrated Lugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant container closures, such as push and turn and squeeze and turn types, are costly to manufacture and difficult for adults with impaired dexterity or arthritis to open, while also being ineffective in preventing access by children.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece child-resistant closure system featuring a cup-shaped inner member with a threaded sidewall and a ring-shaped outer member with inwardly facing lugs, which engages with container ramps to secure the cap, allowing for easy opening by adults with limited dexterity while maintaining child resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-piece push and turn closure is used, then child resistance is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inner cap and outer cap into a single integrated closure component. The inner cap features an integrated outer surface with engagement features that directly interact with the container neck, eliminating the need for a separate outer cap. This merging reduces manufacturing steps, material usage, and assembly complexity while maintaining the push-and-turn child-resistant functionality through the integrated engagement mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a two-piece push and turn closure is used, then child resistance is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the outer cap functions into the inner cap structure. The inner cap's outer surface includes integrated engagement features such as ribs or lugs that interact with the container neck, replacing the need for a separate outer cap with its own engagement features. This reduces the number of moving parts and simplifies the overall closure mechanism while preserving child-resistant operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner cap is designed to perform multiple functions that were previously distributed across two separate components. It provides both the sealing function (through its inner surface engagement with the container) and the child-resistant engagement function (through its outer surface features). This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by consolidating roles into a single component.
3Reliability
If a squeeze and turn closure is used, then child resistance is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates for adults with limited dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is designed with a dynamic push-and-turn mechanism where the inner cap can be pushed axially relative to the container neck to disengage the engagement features. This axial movement converts a potentially difficult squeezing motion into a simpler pushing motion that requires less hand strength and dexterity, making it easier for adults with limited capability while maintaining child-resistant properties through the required two-step operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A container and child-resistant closure assembly includes a cap formed from a single piece, a cup shaped inner member having a top wall, an outer wall, and a depending sidewall. The sidewall includes a threaded interior surface. The outside wall of the inner member includes connection members for securing to an outer member. The outer member has a ring-shape with a plurality of inwardly facing lugs. Each of the plurality of inwardly facing lugs is cylindrically-shaped and protrudes radially inwardly from the outer member. The container assembly also includes a container including a neck forming an opening. The neck has a threaded exterior surface and a plurality of ramps. Each of the plurality of ramps faces radially outwardly from the neck and has a gently sloping face and a steeply sloping face.