Polygonal Sliding Packaging Twist-and-Push Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polygonal packaging containers require high torque to transition from a locked to an open position due to the need for flexible deformation of the outer sleeve, which is not feasible with rigid materials, limiting their usability with heavy objects and durability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating slideways on the outer sleeve at a radial distance from the latch notches allows for force-free sliding and locking of the inner and outer sleeves using a twist-and-push or pull movement, eliminating the need for flexible deformation and enabling use with rigid materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the outer sleeve is designed to be flexibly pliant to enable the latchway to slide along the inside during twisting, then the transition from locked to open position is achieved, but the packaging cannot withstand heavy objects and high impact due to the flexibility requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into two separate hollow bodies (inner and outer) that can slide relative to each other. The latch arrangement is segmented into latch notches on the inner body and corresponding notches on the outer body, allowing independent movement and engagement without requiring the entire outer sleeve to be flexible.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch arrangement acts as an intermediary mechanism between the inner and outer hollow bodies. During opening, the latch notches engage with the corresponding notches on the outer body, mediating the separation process and allowing the bodies to be pulled apart without requiring the outer sleeve to deform flexibly.
2Ease of operation
If a high torque is applied to twist the two parts against each other to achieve opening, then the latchway can be disengaged, but the container walls of the outer sleeve must move flexibly outward which is not desirable
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic opening process. The inner hollow body can slide telescopically within the outer body, and the latch arrangement dynamically engages and disengages during the twist-and-push movement, allowing controlled motion without excessive torque or wall deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch notches are pre-positioned on both the inner and outer hollow bodies at locations that facilitate easy engagement and disengagement. This preliminary arrangement of the latch elements allows the opening action to proceed with minimal torque by simply twisting the bodies counter to each other about their longitudinal axes.
3Strength
If rigid materials are used for the outer sleeve to withstand heavy objects, then the strength is improved, but the known latch does not work because the flexibility of the outer sleeve does not exist
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is segmented into discrete latch notches on both the inner and outer hollow bodies. This segmentation allows the latch elements to engage and disengage independently without requiring the outer sleeve material to be flexible, enabling the use of rigid materials while maintaining ease of opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch notches on the inner body and corresponding notches on the outer body serve as intermediary elements that facilitate the opening and closing actions. These intermediary latch elements allow rigid materials to be used while still enabling easy operation, as the latch notches provide the necessary movement interface without requiring the outer sleeve material itself to be flexible.
Data Source
AI summary
Polygonal sliding packaging having an inner hollow body (3) which slides telescopically within an outer hollow body (2) to form a variable length container which uses a twist-and-push or pull movement for closing and opening. The two hollow bodies are latched using assigned latchways (13-2 to 13-3), which are at least a first row of notches (6, 7) with at least one latch notch (5) disposed on one hollow body (3) and at least a second row of notches (9 through 12) with at least one latch notch (8) disposed on the other hollow body (2). Latchways are disengaged by twisting the two hollow bodies counter to one another about their longitudinal axes so that the latch notches of one latchway (13-3) reside within at least one slideway (14-2, 15-2), which is disposed on one hollow body (2) in a circumferential direction at a distance from the at least one latchway (13-2).