Monolithic Slide Card Ribs for Child-Resistant Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sleeve-and-insert type packaging systems face challenges in providing effective child-resistance and senior-friendliness while maintaining ease of use, durability, and cost-efficiency, particularly in preventing unintended access to items within the package.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a monolithically formed slide card with integral blisters, detachable locking panels, improved locking elements, ribs for strength and child-resistance, and a raised grip for easier access, along with fold-resisting abutments and fold-over panels to enhance lockability and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a monolithically formed slide card with integral blisters is used, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but structural strength and durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The slide card is segmented into multiple functional zones with integrated ribs at strategic locations. These ribs divide the monolithic structure into reinforced sections, providing structural strength while maintaining the single-piece manufacturing advantage. The ribs create a segmented internal architecture that prevents deformation without requiring multiple assembled components.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide card employs a composite structure combining the monolithic base material with integrated ribs and reinforcement elements. This composite design merges the manufacturing simplicity of a single piece with the structural integrity of multi-element construction, achieving both ease of manufacture and sufficient strength through the integrated rib framework.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If locking panels are added to prevent child access, then child-resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking panels are merged with the slide card as an integrated assembly rather than separate components. The locking mechanism is combined with the card body and blisters into a unified structure that can be manufactured together, reducing overall complexity while maintaining child-resistance functionality. The locking panels share structural elements with the slide card framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking panels serve multiple functions: they provide child-resistance through locking mechanisms, structural support through integrated ribs, and structural definition through panel separation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving enhanced child-safety.
3Strength
If ribs are added to improve strength and prevent biting access, then durability and child-resistance are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs are merged into the monolithic slide card structure as integral forming elements rather than separate attachments. This integration allows the ribs to be created during the primary molding process, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving the desired structural strength and child-resistance properties through the rib framework.
4Ease of operation
If detachable blisters are used for ease of access, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity and child-resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The blister units are segmented as detachable elements from the slide card, allowing individual or group removal for easy access to contents. This segmentation enables flexible dispensing while the remaining attached blisters continue to provide structural integrity and child-resistance protection. The separation mechanism is designed to maintain connection strength where needed while allowing detachment where required.
Data Source
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AI summary
An improved insert card (100, 200, 300, 500, 700, 1100, 1700, 1900, 2000, 2300) is provided. The various embodiments include improved hinges (120, 1975), locking tabs (215, 315, 515), ribs (235, 535, 536, 735, 736, 2035a, 2035b), detachable base panel (1710) with center bar (1755), grips (1140, 1340), fold-resisting abutments (1545, 1550), and fold-over panels (2070, 2370a, 2370b).