Child-Resistant Slider Seal with Interlocking Fittings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing systems for resealable plastic bags are not child-resistant and lack a tamper-indicating feature, making them unsuitable for storing substances not suitable for consumption or handling by children.
Innovation Solution
A container sealing system featuring interlocking slider heads with reversible fittings and a tamper-indicating mechanism, where the slider heads are slidingly coupled to the seals, preventing them from moving apart and indicating if the container has been opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing systems are used for resealable plastic bags, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the system is easily opened and not child-resistant
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into separate slider heads that can be independently manipulated. Each slider head has distinct fittings (male and female) that interlock, creating segmented control points that require coordinated action to open, thereby preventing accidental opening by children while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider heads feature asymmetric male and female fittings with barbs that interlock in a specific orientation. This asymmetric design ensures that the sliders can only be pulled apart in one direction with sufficient force, preventing accidental opening while requiring intentional action for opening, thus achieving child-resistance without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional sealing systems are used for resealable plastic bags, then the system is simple in structure, but the system does not indicate if it has been tampered with
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system incorporates visual indicators (such as colored strips or markers) that change appearance or position when the seal is broken or tampered with. This allows immediate visual detection of tampering without adding complex mechanical detection systems, maintaining simplicity while providing reliable tamper indication.
3Reliability
If the slider heads are made to interlock securely, then the container is child-resistant, but the slider heads cannot move apart for resealing
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking mechanism incorporates dynamic elements that respond to applied force. The male and female fittings with barbs are designed to engage securely under normal conditions (providing child-resistance) but can be deliberately disengaged when sufficient force is applied in the correct direction (enabling resealing). This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between secure locking and easy opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A container sealing system and a container feature are disclosed. The container sealing system includes one or more seals encompassing a container opening, wherein the one or more seals are interlockable or otherwise engageable to seal the container when activated; a first slider head including a male fitting coupled to the one or more seals; and a second slider head coupled to the one or more seals and opposing the first slider head, and including a female fitting for receiving and coupling the male fitting. Actuation of at least one of the slider heads such that the male fitting contacts the female fitting couples the one or more seals encompassing the container opening, sealing the container. The container sealing system may be child-resistant, may be resealable, and/or may include a tamper-indicating feature. The container including the container sealing system may be used for containing, storing, or transporting materials that are not suitable for handling or consumption by a child.