Push Button Tilt-Top Closure Child-Resistant Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard disk-top closures lack child-resistant locking mechanisms, making them accessible to children and potentially difficult for elderly users, as they often rely on complex locking systems that are hard to operate.
Innovation Solution
A child-resistant closure system integrating a push button mechanism that requires simultaneous actuation to pivot the disk top from a closed to an open configuration, utilizing a biased push button that must be depressed inwardly to prevent accidental opening, ensuring the system can only be opened with deliberate two-handed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard disk-top closure is used, then the closure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it lacks child-resistant locking capability and can be easily opened by children
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a standard disk-top closure mechanism with a push-button locking system into a single integrated unit. The disk top serves both as the closure element and as part of the locking mechanism, while the push button integrates directly into the disk top structure. This merging provides child-resistant functionality without requiring a separate locking device, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The disk top is designed to perform multiple functions: it seals the container, provides a dispensing interface, and incorporates the locking mechanism. The push button serves dual purposes as both a release mechanism and a structural component of the disk top. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional parts, keeping the device relatively simple while achieving child-resistant capabilities.
2Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is added to achieve child-resistant capability, then the locking reliability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates, making it difficult for elderly users to open
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into two distinct functional elements: the push button for releasing the lock and the actuator for opening the closure. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized for its specific function - the push button requires minimal force and simple pressing motion suitable for elderly users, while the actuator provides the mechanical action needed to open the closure. The separation of these functions improves ease of operation compared to a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including a spring-loaded push button that provides tactile feedback and automatic resetting, and a pivoting disk top that transitions between locked and unlocked positions. The spring mechanism ensures the button returns to its original position after pressing, providing a clear sensory signal to the user. The pivoting action of the disk top creates natural mechanical advantage, making the opening motion easier for elderly users while maintaining secure locking when closed.
3Reliability
If a push button mechanism is added to prevent accidental opening, then child-resistant capability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The push button is nested within the disk top structure, with the button housed in a recessed area of the disk top. The spring mechanism is contained within the button assembly itself. This nesting approach allows the locking mechanism to be integrated into the existing disk top form factor without significantly increasing the overall device volume or visual complexity. The components are arranged in concentric or layered configurations that maximize space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded push button provides self-service functionality by automatically returning to its locked position after being pressed, without requiring manual resetting. The mechanism self-regulates the locking state based on the button's position, eliminating the need for additional control systems or manual intervention to maintain the locked state. This self-service characteristic reduces the complexity of control mechanisms while maintaining reliable locking.
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 system effectively prevents accidental opening by children while being accessible to adults, providing a secure and user-friendly mechanism that is easy to operate with minimal complexity, thus addressing the need for a child-resistant and elderly-friendly closure.
Implementation Method 1
a push button member (120) arranged within the actuator wall (134) comprising a projecting button (122) biased outwardly through the wall opening (136)
Implementation Method 2
a disk top (131) comprising an actuating portion (133) configured to be depressed to pivot the disk top (131) between an open configuration providing access to the dispensing orifice (132) and a closed configuration concealing the dispensing orifice (132)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E~1G
AI summary
A child resistant closure and dispenser (100) for a container is provided including a pivoting tilt-top type closure (130) and an automatic locking element comprising a push button (122) that locks the disk top in a closed position. The closure mechanism includes an actuator (133) on the disk surface that can be depressed by the user to pivot the top to expose a dispensing orifice into the container for dispensing the substance. The closure mechanism also includes an opening through a body portion supporting the disk-top, through which the push button (122) extends outwardly and abuts an edge of a wall of a body of the closure mechanism. In order to open the dispenser, the button must be depressed into the opening, to bring the button out of abutment with edge, while pressing down on the actuator.