Child-Resistant Paperboard Container Lid for Secure Stacking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing child-resistant containers made of eco-sustainable materials like paper or cardboard face challenges in meeting child-resistant opening standards and ensuring effective closure after repeated openings, while also lacking stability and ease of stacking.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a three-layer side wall structure with elastically deformable engagement tabs and a truncated pyramidal shape, allowing for enhanced resistance to forced opening and stable stacking, using cellulose-based materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If containers are made of paper or cardboard to be eco-sustainable, then environmental impact is reduced, but resistance to forced opening and effective closure after repeated openings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material structures combining paper or cardboard with plastic layers or coatings to create containers that are both eco-sustainable and mechanically robust. The multi-layer construction provides the necessary strength for child-resistant closure while maintaining the eco-sustainable core material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different material properties to different parts of the container - using stronger materials specifically at the lid and closure mechanisms while keeping the body made of eco-sustainable paper or cardboard. This localized reinforcement provides the needed mechanical strength only where required for child-resistant functionality.
2Ease of operation
If simple closure mechanisms are used for ease of operation, then accessibility by adults is improved, but resistance to child opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism uses dynamic elements such as elastic arms that can be depressed with adult finger pressure but require sustained force to overcome the spring resistance, creating a dynamic interaction that is easy for adults but difficult for children to manipulate successfully.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is divided into functionally separate components - an outer lid portion and an inner closure portion with the elastic arm mechanism. This segmentation allows the outer lid to be easily removed while the inner closure mechanism maintains child-resistant protection, separating the ease of opening function from the security function.
3Ease of operation
If engagement tabs are made flexible for repeated opening, then ease of operation is improved, but resistance to forced extraction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement tabs are designed with specific geometric parameters and material properties that allow controlled deformation during normal opening operations. The tabs can flex and return to their original position, accommodating repeated openings while maintaining sufficient strength to resist forced extraction attempts.
4Reliability
If containers are designed for child-resistant closure, then safety is improved, but stability and ease of stacking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container design incorporates asymmetric features such as non-circular cross-sections or uneven weight distribution that prevent containers from stacking in unstable orientations. The asymmetric geometry ensures that containers naturally settle into stable stacking configurations while maintaining the child-resistant closure functionality.
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 design provides improved resistance to child-opening attempts, maintains effective closure after repeated use, and facilitates stable stacking, meeting safety and retail display requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The lid comprises a pair of first side walls (26), each including an outer layer (34) and an inner layer (36), and a pair of second side walls (30)... each having respective engagement tabs (40) folded onto respective outer surfaces... The engagement tabs (40) are elastically deformable relative to the outer layer (34) between a rest position in which the engagement tab (40) protrudes from an outer surface of the outer layer (34) and an elastically deformed position in which the engagement tab (40) is flush with the outer surface of the outer layer (34).
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A container (10) for consumer articles, comprising a container body (12) and a lid equipped with a child-proof closure system and configured for the mutual interpenetration of stacked containers.