Tamper-Resistant Nozzle Assembly with Squeezable Tabs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper/child-resistant containers are often expensive, complex, and limited in application, while simpler constructions may not effectively prevent unintentional use across various products like medications, aerosols, creams, and liquids.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-resistant nozzle assembly requiring only two or three plastic parts, featuring a mechanism with diametrically opposed tabs that can be squeezed to unlock and allow rotation and dispensing, preventing unintentional use by locking the nozzle in place until activated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art tamper/child-resistant containers are used, then child-resistant properties are achieved, but the construction becomes expensive and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the tamper-resistant mechanism within the existing dispenser structure by nesting the tabs and tracks inside the nozzle assembly. The tabs are positioned within the nozzle body, and the tracks are formed within the base structure, allowing the child-resistant functionality to be embedded without adding external complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the child-resistant mechanism with the standard dispenser components by integrating the tabs into the nozzle and the tracks into the base. This merging approach allows the tamper-resistant functionality to be achieved using the same plastic parts that make up the dispenser, rather than adding separate complex locking mechanisms.
2Reliability
If prior art tamper/child-resistant containers are used, then child-resistant properties are achieved, but the application is limited to special purpose containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal child-resistant mechanism that can be applied to various dispenser types (aerosols, creams, gels, liquids) by using a standardized tab-and-track design that integrates with the base nozzle assembly structure common to these different product types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the child-resistant mechanism into separate functional elements (tabs on the nozzle, tracks on the base, projections and notches for locking) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled together, allowing the same mechanism to be adapted to different dispenser configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If simpler prior art constructions are used, then application versatility is improved, but effectiveness in preventing unintentional use is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric tab positioning and corresponding track geometry where the tabs can move freely along the tracks in the unlocked state but are blocked by projections in the locked state. This asymmetric design ensures that accidental activation is prevented while allowing intentional activation by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic locking mechanism where the tabs can transition between locked and unlocked positions along the tracks. The mechanism is designed to be static and locked during normal conditions, but can be dynamically activated when the user intentionally moves the tabs to the unlocked position.
Data Source
AI summary
A tamper-resistant nozzle assembly for preventing the unwanted or unintentional dispensing of a material from a container. The nozzle assembly may comprise a base adapted to fit on top of a container holding the material, a mechanism located within the base and configured to provide tamper-resistant properties for the nozzle assembly, a nozzle connected to the base and having a pair of diametrically opposed tabs extending downwardly therefrom into the base, the tabs being capable of travelling radially inward when squeezed by a user, whereby, in a locked state, the mechanism limits the travel of the tabs such that (1) the nozzle cannot rotate relative to the base, and (2) the nozzle cannot be depressed to release the material from the container. When a user squeezes the tabs, the mechanism is in an unlocked state and permits the rotation of the nozzle relative to the base, to thereby enable the nozzle to be depressed relative to the base to allow it to dispense the material from the container.