Child-Resistant Package Slide Mechanism With Spring Extensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant packaging designs are not effective in preventing young children from opening packages while still allowing seniors to easily access the contents.
Innovation Solution
The package design incorporates a slide mechanism with at least two extensions that must be moved out of corresponding recesses and a passage for the slide to be pushed into an unlocked position, making it difficult for children to open but easy for seniors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple sliding mechanism is used, then seniors can easily open the package, but children can also easily open it
Solution Approach 1:
The opening mechanism is divided into multiple independent components: a slide with extensions, recesses in the housing walls, and a passage. The slide must be moved to a specific position while extensions are held in recesses, creating segmented functional elements that work together to prevent child access while maintaining ease of use for seniors.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism operates in multiple dimensional spaces: the slide moves along the front opening, extensions protrude from the slide, recesses are positioned in the top and bottom walls, and the passage is located in the side wall. This multi-dimensional arrangement creates a complex interlocking system that is difficult for children to manipulate but intuitive for seniors.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple extensions and passages are added to prevent child access, then child resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide serves multiple functions: it acts as a blocking element when in the closed position, provides extensions for locking engagement, and enables access through the passage when moved to the open position. The extensions simultaneously provide locking action and serve as handles for manipulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The extensions are received within recesses in the housing walls, creating a nested arrangement where the slide and its extensions fit within the housing structure. The passage is integrated into the side wall, and the slide itself is nested within the housing. This nesting approach consolidates multiple functional elements into a compact, integrated assembly that minimizes overall complexity.
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
This design effectively prevents young children from opening the package by requiring additional operations that are challenging for them, while allowing seniors to easily access the contents.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one extension is movable against spring force out of the recess to allow the slide to be movable to at least the intermediate position
Data Source
AI summary
A package comprising a housing and a slide being slidably in a sliding direction accommodated in the housing from a locked position wherein the slide is locked inside the housing and at least an intermediate position wherein the slide is partly located outside a front opening of the housing. The housing comprises at least a bottom wall, a top wall and longitudinal side walls extending in the sliding direction, whereby the bottom wall and the top wall are connected to each other by means of the side walls. The slide is provided with at least one extension lockable under spring force in the locked position in a blind recess located in the top wall of the housing near a rear end of the housing. The at least one extension is movable against spring force out of the recess to allow the slide to be movable to at least the intermediate position. The slide is provided with at least one other extension lockable under spring force in the locked position in a blind recess located in the bottom wall of the housing, whereby the at least one extension as well as the at least one other extension must be moved both out of the corresponding recess to allow the slide to be movable to at least the intermediate position and/or the bottom wall, the top wall and/or the side wall of the housing is provided with at least one passage, through which a rear side of the slide is reachable for pushing the slide from the locked position towards the intermediate position.