Pivoting Locking Member for Food Container Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food containers for transporting and preserving meals, especially for children, face issues with secure closure that is both durable and easy to operate, as current systems require significant force and can lead to leakage or breakage, particularly when used by young children.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a locking member with pivoting tabs and retaining wings that allow for easy and secure closure through a single operation, using a rotary locking mechanism that is low-force and suitable for children, with gasket seals for added security and ease of production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If clipping closure is used to close the container, then the container can be easily opened and closed, but the closure is not durable and the container can open during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ease of clipping closure with the security of locking closure by integrating a locking member that automatically engages when the cover is clipped onto the container body. The locking member comprises tabs that snap into recesses in the container body, merging the simplicity of clipping with the reliability of locking in a single integrated system.
2Reliability
If locking means comprising hooks are used, then firm and sealed closure is obtained, but significant activation forces are required and multiple operations are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking function of multiple hooks into a single integrated locking member that can be actuated by one simple clipping motion. The locking member comprises multiple tabs that simultaneously engage with recesses in the container body, providing firm closure at multiple points through a single operation rather than requiring sequential activation of individual hooks.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is designed to automatically engage and lock when the cover is clipped onto the container body. The tabs of the locking member snap into the recesses of the container body through the closing motion itself, without requiring additional manual intervention or activation forces, making the system self-locking.
3Reliability
If strong closure force is applied to prevent leakage, then the seal is improved, but the container becomes difficult to open and close
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light clipping force with strong sealing force by integrating a locking mechanism that multiplies the effect of the closing motion. The locking member's tabs engage with recesses in the container body, creating mechanical interlocking that provides strong sealing force while requiring only light initial clipping force to activate, rather than requiring continuously high force throughout the closing operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A container for food use is provided, including a container body; a cover configured to be coupled to the container body to close the container; and a locking member including at least two tabs, the locking member being mounted pivoting on the cover about an axis of rotation between an unlocked position and a locked position, the container body including at least two retaining wings extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, side faces of the at least two retaining wings falling within at least one circle of which a center passes through the axis of rotation, and each tab of the locking member including a side face complementary to a side face of a retaining wing, and a curved end configured to engage with a respective retaining wing of the container body to axially hold the cover coupled to the container body in the locked position.