Pharmaceutical Closure System with Interlocking Driving Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pharmaceutical closure systems fail to effectively prevent children from opening containers while also being difficult for the elderly and those with arthritis to use, and they often require complex and costly designs that are impractical for manufacturing and automated dispensing systems.
Innovation Solution
A customizable closure system that includes a non-child resistant cap, a child resistant element, and a child proof element, allowing users to convert the cap between non-child resistant, child resistant, and child proof modes, with the child proof mode requiring a key for removal, and providing a key that can assist in opening and closing the cap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a push-down tab or visible locking feature is provided on the cap, then the closure system is easier to operate, but children can more easily figure out how to open it
Solution Approach 1:
A driving structure acts as an intermediary between the cap and container, providing the necessary torque transmission without visible external features. The driving structure is engaged by a tool (such as a coin or specialized opener) rather than direct manual manipulation, creating an indirect operation method that is both secure and operable.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking and unlocking features are extracted from the external cap surface and placed internally within the cap-container interface. This removes visible tabs or indicators that children could discover, while maintaining full functionality for authorized opening through the tool-driven mechanism.
2Reliability
If a lock-and-key type closure system is used to make it child proof, then child resistance is improved, but the design becomes complex and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with universal compatibility, allowing the same cap design to work with multiple types of tools (coins, specialized openers, etc.) for opening. This multi-functionality approach achieves child-proof security without requiring a unique complex key system, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and design complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accepts common, inexpensive objects like coins as opening tools. By using readily available items rather than specialized keys or complex mechanisms, the system achieves child-proof functionality while keeping manufacturing costs low and avoiding complex components.
3Ease of operation
If a key slot is provided on the cap surface, then the closure can be opened with a key, but household items can be inserted into the slot and used to open it
Solution Approach 1:
The driving structure has a specific geometric configuration with particular dimensions and features that match only the authorized tool. This localized precision design ensures that while the authorized tool can engage and operate the cap, common household items with different geometries cannot be inserted or effectively used to open it.
4Strength
If a screw mechanism is used to secure the inner cap, then the closure is more secure, but additional gaskets are needed which increase cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The screw mechanism and sealing function are merged into a single integrated design. The screw threads themselves provide both the mechanical securing function and the sealing interface, eliminating the need for separate gaskets. This combination reduces component count, manufacturing complexity, and cost while maintaining both security and seal integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure system includes an inner cap including a plurality of driving structures disposed proximate a periphery of a top surface of the inner cap, a child proof element separated from the inner cap configured to be assembled with the inner cap to form a child proof cap, and a key having a plurality of projections. The child proof element when assembled with the inner cap in a child proof mode is configured to require the plurality of projections of the key to engage at least a portion of the plurality of driving structures of the inner cap to remove the assembled child proof cap when the child proof cap is installed on the container.