Sliding Lid Container Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for consumer goods, particularly aerosol generating articles, face challenges in maintaining the lid in a closed position during transportation, leading to potential accidental opening and loss of freshness.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a locking mechanism with a lid locking component and a box locking component, allowing the container to remain locked until intentionally opened, utilizing a biasing mechanism to prevent inadvertent opening, and a method for manufacturing using folded laminar blanks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent opening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking component and release component are integrated into a single unit that forms part of the lid structure. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the locking function, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the lid is closed and to require a deliberate user action (pressing the release component) to disengage. The mechanism serves itself by using the lid's closing motion to activate the lock, reducing the need for additional actuating components.
2Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism is made visible, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of inadvertent unlocking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release component is designed with a specific localized feature (such as a button or tab) that is visible and accessible for intentional operation, while the rest of the locking mechanism remains concealed within the container structure. This allows users to easily locate and operate the release function without exposing the entire locking system.
Solution Approach 2:
The release component acts as an intermediary between the user and the locking mechanism. It requires a deliberate pressing action to transmit force to the locking component, providing a buffer that prevents accidental activation while maintaining ease of intentional operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A container (1) for consumer goods, the container comprises an outer housing comprising a box portion (60) and a lid portion (50). The lid portion (50) is linearly movable relative to the box portion between a closed position, in which the lid portion covers the access opening, and an open position, in which the access opening is exposed. The container (1) comprises a locking mechanism configured to transition between: a locked state, in which the lid portion (50) is prevented from moving linearly from the closed position to the open position; and an unlocked state, in which the lid portion (50) is able to move linearly from the closed position to the open position.