Sliding Latch Packaging System for Secure Closure

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for packaging systems that are intuitive to use, easily reusable, and efficient to assemble, as existing systems often lack these features despite being designed to protect and preserve products.

Innovation Solution

A packaging system incorporating a sliding latch mechanism, where a first box part with an aperture and a latch is combined with a second box part featuring a channel, allowing the latch to slide into a locking position to secure the two parts together, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a packaging system uses a simple closure mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of securing the contents is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of openingVSAvoidsecurity of closure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic slidable position, allowing it to move between an engaged state (providing secure closure) and a disengaged state (allowing easy opening). The latch slides within the channel along the opening direction, enabling smooth transition between locked and unlocked states without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The latch is nested within the channel structure, where the channel provides a guided path for the latch movement. The latch is received by the channel and slides within its boundaries, creating a nested relationship that ensures the latch remains constrained to the correct movement path while providing secure engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a packaging system uses a secure locking mechanism, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of closureVSAvoidease of opening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic slidable position, allowing it to move between an engaged state (providing secure closure) and a disengaged state (allowing easy opening). The latch slides within the channel along the opening direction, enabling smooth transition between locked and unlocked states without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a packaging system uses a complex assembly structure, then the reliability is improved, but the productivity of assembly is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of closureVSAvoidassembly efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is segmented into distinct functional components: the latch element and the channel structure. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and then easily assembled together, improving assembly productivity while maintaining reliable closure through the specialized interaction between the latch and channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The latch mechanism transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic slidable position, allowing it to move between an engaged state (providing secure closure) and a disengaged state (allowing easy opening). The latch slides within the channel along the opening direction, enabling smooth transition between locked and unlocked states without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11479388B2Packaging system with slidable latch

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 SONOS INC

AI summary

An example packaging system includes a first box part with a first lid wall, the first lid wall including an aperture. The packaging system also includes a latch slidably disposed within the aperture, the latch having a body portion that extends perpendicularly into the first box part, where the latch is slidable in a direction parallel to the first lid wall. The packaging system also includes a second box part having a first tray wall, the first tray wall including a channel sized to slidably receive the latch, the channel including an assembly channel segment and a locking channel segment. When the first box part and the second box part are fitted together, a) the assembly channel segment is aligned with the latch when the latch is in a first position within the aperture, and b) the latch is slidable within the locking channel segment to a second position.