Retaining Key Mechanism for Secure Product Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging systems face challenges in securely retaining and easily releasing products, particularly delicate medical instruments, while also minimizing waste and user inconvenience due to cumbersome additional elements like covers and straps.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system featuring a container body with a retaining key that moves between locked and released configurations, utilizing a deformable portion, tab portion, and anchor portion, allowing for secure retention and effortless product removal, with a deformable portion that can be activated by a user's finger for easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional packaging uses additional elements like covers, straps, or adhesive tape to securely retain products, then product security during shipment is improved, but device complexity and user inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the retaining function and the release mechanism into a single integrated retaining key component. The key includes a tab portion for retention and a deformable portion with push target that enables release, eliminating the need for separate covers, straps, or adhesive tape elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining key serves multiple functions: it secures the product during shipment, provides a visible indication of product presence, and enables easy release through its deformable portion. This multi-functional design replaces multiple separate packaging elements.
2Reliability
If conventional packaging uses multiple separate elements to retain products, then product security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome removal processes
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining key transitions from a static retention structure to a dynamic system where the deformable portion can be easily actuated by finger pressure. This allows the key to move between locked and released states, enabling simple one-handed operation for product removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable portion with push target allows the user to directly actuate the release mechanism without requiring tools or complex manipulation. The key itself provides the release function through its built deformable structure.
3Reliability
If conventional packaging uses additional retaining elements, then product protection during shipment is improved, but loss of substance increases due to packaging waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the retention function directly into the container body through the key support structure, eliminating the need for separate retaining elements like straps, covers, or adhesive tape that would become waste after use.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining key and key support structure serve as permanent integral parts of the packaging system, providing ongoing retention functionality without requiring additional consumable materials that would be discarded after a single use.
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 retains products during shipment and storage while enabling quick and easy access, reducing packaging waste and user effort, and is suitable for sensitive items like medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable portion is suspended over a void defined by the key support when the retaining key is supported by the key support. The depression of the deformable portion into the void moves the retaining key from the locked configuration to the released configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A package for a product and method of retaining and releasing a product, where a container body is configured to support the product and includes a key support and a retaining key that is supported by the key support. The retaining key is movable between locked and released configurations, while in the locked configuration the retaining key retains a portion of the product and while in the released configuration the retaining key retracts to facilitate removal of the product from the container body.