Child-Resistant Closure With Pinch-Actuated Locking Lugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems do not effectively prevent children from accessing and ingesting hazardous items, as they lack sufficient child-resistant mechanisms to secure lids and prevent unwanted opening.
Innovation Solution
A child-resistant closure system featuring a lid and base with locking lugs and pinching members that require a specific action, such as pinching or pressing, to disengage the lugs from the base, ensuring the lid cannot be opened unintentionally, and optionally includes a tamper-evident sticker for added security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple closure system is used, then ease of operation is improved, but child safety is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separate functional components: a lid, a base with locking lugs, and release members. The locking lugs are segmented into multiple engagement points that must be simultaneously disengaged by the pinching action, creating a mechanism that is simple to operate for adults but resistant to child access attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system employs dynamic elements including spring-loaded locking lugs that automatically engage when the lid is closed and can be disengaged by applying force through the release members. The spring mechanism provides automatic resetting after opening, maintaining child safety while allowing easy adult operation.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unwanted opening, then child safety is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The locking and releasing functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The release members are positioned such that the same pinching action that disengages the locking lugs also initiates the opening sequence, eliminating the need for separate locking and unlocking mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded locking lugs automatically engage with the base when the lid is closed, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the closing motion to trigger the locking action.
3Reliability
If locking lugs are used to secure the lid, then prevention of unwanted opening is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The release members act as intermediary elements between the user's fingers and the locking lugs. By pinching the release members, the user indirectly actuates the locking lugs through a mechanical linkage, making the opening action intuitive and easy to perform while maintaining strong security during normal use.
4Reliability
If a tamper-evident sticker is added, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident sticker is applied in advance to seal the closure and provide visual indication of tampering. This preliminary protective measure is simple to apply and remove, requiring no additional mechanical components or complex structures, yet effectively deters and detects unauthorized access attempts.
Data Source
AI summary
A child-resistant closure (10) is provided and comprises a lid (20) and a base (15). The closure comprises child-resistant locking means for preventing unwanted opening of the lid. The locking means comprising two locking members (23A, 23B) carried on or by a respective release member, the locking members engaging the base to prevent opening of the lid. The release members are movable towards each other to disengage the locking members from the base.