Spray Bottle Safety Top with Nested Child-Resistant Caps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensing systems, particularly small atomizers, lack effective mechanisms to prevent accidental or unauthorized access by minors, failing to meet child-resistant packaging regulations and posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical spray bottle design featuring an outer cap with resilient vanes and an interior cap that engages with a spray nozzle, secured by detaining bumps and L-shaped protrusions, along with a locking actuator mechanism that requires intentional rotation to dispense liquid, ensuring secure closure during shipping and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple cap design is used, then ease of manufacture and ease of operation are improved, but child-resistant capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly is divided into multiple functional components: an outer cap with detaining bumps for child-resistant closure, an interior cap with vanes for actuator engagement, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively providing child-resistant capability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interior cap is nested within the outer cap, with the interior cap sliding along the length of the outer cap. The detaining bumps on the outer cap engage with protrusions on the interior cap to secure the assembly. This nested structure provides child-resistant capability while maintaining a compact form factor.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental dispensing, then child-resistant capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detaining bumps are pre-positioned on the outer cap to engage with corresponding protrusions on the interior cap, creating a locked state that prevents accidental dispensing. The locking mechanism is built into the structure rather than added as a separate component, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates automatically through the interaction between the detaining bumps and protrusions. When the interior cap is inserted into the outer cap, the bumps engage with the protrusions to secure the assembly without requiring additional locking actions or complex mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the interior cap is made removable for cleaning access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of child-resistant capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The interior cap is designed to slide along the length of the outer cap, providing dynamic access for cleaning while maintaining secure engagement during normal use. The detaining bumps remain engaged with the protrusions throughout the sliding motion, preserving child-resistant capability even when the interior cap is partially removed for cleaning.
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
The design effectively deters access to harmful substances by minors while allowing easy use by adults, meeting regulatory standards for child-resistant packaging and preventing unintentional dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
12 vanes extending distally towards an axis shared with the outer cap, wherein the vanes are resilient and engage with a spray nozzle
Implementation Method 2
the interior cap is free to slide along the length of the outer cap but does not slide out of the outer cap due to four detaining bumps on the outer cap, and wherein the interior cap engages with four L-shaped protrusions such that the four bumps lock with the protrusions to secure the cap to the main body
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention may comprise a bottle with a top including an interior cap with 12 vanes extending distally towards an axis shared with an outer cap. The plastic cap's vanes are resilient, engaging with a spray nozzle. The interior cap is free to slide or “wiggle” along the length of the outer cap but does not slide out of the outer cap due to four detaining bumps. The outer cap, with the interior cap installed, engages with four L-shaped protrusions such that the four bumps lock with the protrusions to lock the cap to the main body of the cylindrical spray bottle, preventing access to the spray nozzle actuator. This device is designed to deter access to harmful or controlled substances delivered by the spray nozzle by children.