Child-Resistant Pump Actuator with Rotational Locking Collar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container assemblies with child-resistant closures and pump actuators often require complex mechanisms that are difficult for adults to open while maintaining child resistance, and fail to allow easy dispensing of contents.

Innovation Solution

A child-resistant, adult-friendly container assembly with a dispensing mechanism that includes a collar with locked, unlocked, and intermediate orientations, a housing sleeve, and a shoulder spring sleeve, allowing for easy actuation and dispensing while preventing unauthorized access by children.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex child-resistant mechanism is used to prevent children from opening the container, then child resistance is improved, but the ease of operation for adults deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild resistanceVSAvoidease of opening for adults

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is segmented into distinct functional components: a collar for child-resistant locking, a pump actuator for dispensing, and a valve mechanism for controlled release. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the collar provides simple child resistance while the pump mechanism provides easy adult operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring adults to perform complex manipulation to open the container, the design inverts the approach by allowing the container to be opened through simple downward pressure on the pump actuator. The child-resistant feature prevents rotation and opening, while the pump mechanism provides an alternative, simpler opening path for adults.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a pump actuator is added to retrieve contents from the container, then dispensing functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing functionalityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump actuator and child-resistant collar are merged into a single integrated closure assembly. The pump actuator serves dual purposes: it acts as the opening mechanism for adults and simultaneously serves as the pump mechanism for dispensing contents. This eliminates the need for separate pump components, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar assembly serves multiple functions: it provides child-resistant locking by preventing rotation, acts as a pump actuator when pressed downward, and controls valve operation for dispensing. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the closure is made difficult for children to turn to ensure child resistance, then child safety is improved, but the ease of operation for seniors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild safetyVSAvoidease of opening for seniors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The design provides two distinct opening paths: one that requires rotation (which children cannot perform due to the locked collar) and another that requires only downward pressure (which seniors can easily perform). This inversion of the opening mechanism allows seniors to bypass the child-resistant locking feature through the pump actuator path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the child-resistant collar and the valve system. Seniors can operate the pump actuator without needing to manipulate the child-resistant collar, while children are prevented from accessing the contents by both the collar locking and the pump mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 container assembly provides a simple and effective mechanism for adults to open and dispense liquid while maintaining child resistance, ensuring safe and easy access to the contents while preventing accidental opening by children.

Implementation Method 1

a compression spring configured to force the head piece back to the resting position when pressed downwardly to eject liquid from the bottle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a shoulder spring sleeve fitted around the second portion of the housing sleeve and configured to rotate in relation to the housing sleeve. The shoulder spring sleeve is secured to the collar such that movement of the collar causes movement of the shoulder spring sleeve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical coupling:

Data Source

PatentUS10752412B1Child resistant container with pump actuator

Publication Date: 2020.08.25 BERLIN PACKAGING LLC

AI summary

In one embodiment there is provided a child-resistant container assembly. The assembly includes a bottle with a dispensing mechanism and a collar. The dispensing mechanism draws and ejects a liquid out of the bottle when the actuator is pressed down. To unlock the container, the collar is pressed downwardly and then turned to unlock the dispensing mechanism.