Child Resistant Slider With Flexible Tab And Torpedo
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recloseable flexible packages pose a risk to young children due to ease of opening, while being accessible to adults and senior citizens, as they contain potentially harmful household products.
Innovation Solution
A child-resistant slider zipper closure system with a flexible tab and torpedo mechanism that separates interlocking profiles, requiring specific adult-level force and motion to open, while being difficult for children to operate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a recloseable flexible package uses a simple zipper closure, then ease of operation is improved, but child safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slider is segmented into a body and a separate tab component that can be flexed independently. The tab can be selectively positioned to either engage or disengage from the zipper tracks, creating distinct operational modes for child-resistant and adult access
Solution Approach 2:
The tab is made flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically change position. When flexed, the tab can be inserted between the zipper tracks to prevent engagement, and when released, it returns to its normal position allowing standard operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a child-resistant mechanism is added to the zipper closure, then child safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The child-resistant feature is merged with the existing slider by adding a flexible tab component that integrates with the slider body. This combines the standard zipper functionality with child-resistant protection in a single integrated closure system
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tab acts as an intermediary element between the user and the zipper tracks. It can be selectively positioned to either allow or prevent engagement with the tracks, providing a simple mechanical mediator for the child-resistant function
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
Effectively prevents young children from opening the package while allowing adults and senior citizens to easily access the contents, enhancing safety by increasing the difficulty of opening the zipper closure.
Implementation Method 1
The torpedo flexes toward and away from the first and second legs with the flexing of the tab
Data Source
AI summary
A child resistant zipper closure for a bag includes a slider having a flexible tab with a torpedo. To open a zipper closure, the tab must be held in a downward position to engage the torpedo between male and female tracks and result in separation of interlocked complementary profiles, while the slider is moved along the zipper closure.