Spinning Collar Cap Assembly for Child-Resistant Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional child-resistant cap assemblies often fail to strike a balance between being intuitive and easy to use for adults while being difficult for children to open, and they are not cost-effective or easily integratable into existing manufacturing practices.

Innovation Solution

A child-resistant container with a spinning collar cap assembly that features a threaded interface between the spinning collar and overcap, allowing the overcap to be detached by rotation in one direction and reattached in the opposite direction, with a retention feature like a snap lug to secure the spinning collar around the container neck, enabling 360-degree rotation in the twist-off direction but restricted in the twist-on direction for easy reattachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional child-resistant cap assemblies use threaded interfaces with tabs or pressing mechanisms, then child deterrence is achieved, but adult ease of use deteriorates due to complex操作步骤

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild deterrenceVSAvoidadult ease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cap assembly is divided into functionally independent components: a spinning collar that rotates freely for child deterrence, and an overcap that threads onto the collar for adult opening. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spinning collar acts as an intermediary component between the container neck and the overcap. It provides a threaded interface for the overcap while maintaining free rotation capability, thereby mediating between the conflicting requirements of child deterrence and adult ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If child-resistant cap assemblies incorporate multiple components and mechanisms, then child deterrence improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild deterrenceVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spinning collar serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides child deterrence through free rotation, offers a threaded interface for the overcap, and acts as a retention mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the retention feature and the threaded interface into a single integrated spinning collar component, rather than using separate parts. This merging simplifies the overall structure while maintaining child-resistant functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional child-resistant caps require simultaneous actions or tab depression, then child access is prevented, but manufacturing cost and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild access preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spinning collar is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and integrated into existing production lines. Its simple structure allows for cost-effective production while maintaining effective child deterrence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If child-resistant cap assemblies are designed with restricted rotation in both directions, then child deterrence is maintained, but adult ease of reattachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild deterrenceVSAvoidease of reattachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational characteristics of the cap assembly are made asymmetric: the spinning collar allows free rotation in one direction (providing child deterrence), while the threaded interface between the overcap and collar allows easy rotation in the opposite direction for reattachment. This asymmetric design resolves the contradiction between child deterrence and ease of reattachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS11192700B2Child-resistant containers having spinning collar cap assemblies and methods for the manufacture thereof

Publication Date: 2021.12.07 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

Child-resistant containers or packages having spinning collar cap assemblies are provided, as are methods for manufacturing such containers. In various embodiments, the child-resistant container includes a container body having an inner cavity, an opening to the inner cavity, and a container neck circumscribing the opening. A spinning collar is retained around the container neck and is rotatable relative thereto in at least a first rotational direction. The child-resistant container further includes an overcap, which is sized and shaped to enclose the opening when attached to the spinning collar. Through the provision of a suitable threaded interface the overcap can be (i) detached from the spinning collar by rotation of the overcap relative to the spinning collar in the first rotational direction and (ii) removably attached to the spinning collar by rotation of the overcap relative to the spinning collar in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.