Child-Resistant Topical Dispenser Closure With Rotatable Base Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing topical dispensers fail to effectively prevent children from accessing and dispensing medications, particularly opioids and corticosteroids, while maintaining a low cost and intuitive operation.
Innovation Solution
A child-resistant closure system and rotatable base system are integrated into the dispenser, requiring specific actions like push-down-and-turn or push-in-and-turn to access the cap and rotate the base, respectively, using deflectable mechanisms and engagement mechanisms to prevent unauthorized use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple cap is used to cover the aperture, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but children can easily remove the cap and access the medication
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates deflectable portions that can be pushed inward by adult users to disengage engagement mechanisms. This dynamic element allows the cap to transition between locked and unlocked states, providing child resistance while maintaining simple manufacturing. The deflectable portions are integrated into the cap structure itself, avoiding complex separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement mechanisms act as intermediaries between the cap and applicator body. These mechanisms include protrusions on the cap that engage with recesses in the applicator, creating a mechanical linkage that requires specific adult actions to disengage. This intermediary system provides child resistance without requiring complex locking structures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If engagement mechanisms are added to prevent child access, then child safety is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanisms are merged directly into the cap structure rather than being separate components. The deflectable portions and engagement protrusions are integrated features of the cap itself, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms or separate child-resistant components. This merging approach maintains child safety while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the cap are modified to include deflectable portions with specific flexibility characteristics. By changing the physical parameters of the cap material and structure, the engagement mechanisms can be actuated by adult users through simple pushing motions without requiring complex mechanical linkages or multiple parts.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a child-resistant closure system is implemented, then child safety is improved, but the ease of operation for adult users may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable portions of the cap are designed to be easily actuated by adult users through natural pushing motions. The engagement mechanisms automatically disengage when the deflectable portions are pushed inward, and the cap can be removed without requiring tools or complex manipulation. The system serves itself by using the user's natural hand movements to trigger the child-resistant feature.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring adults to perform complex actions to open the cap, the design inverts the approach by making the cap responsive to simple pushing motions. The deflectable portions are positioned and dimensioned to be easily deflected by adult fingers, and the engagement mechanisms are designed to disengage automatically when deflected, rather than requiring adults to actively unlock them.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the cap structure is made more complex to enhance child resistance, then child safety is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is segmented into functional zones: a body portion, deflectable portions, and engagement protrusions. This segmentation allows each feature to be optimized independently for its specific function while being manufactured as an integrated piece. The deflectable portions are created through molding or forming techniques that divide the cap structure into functional segments without requiring multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing approach utilizes parameter changes in the cap material and structure to achieve child resistance. By modifying the thickness, flexibility, and geometry of specific portions of the cap during the molding process, the engagement mechanisms and deflectable features are created as integral parts of a single cap component, avoiding the need for additional manufacturing steps or assembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A topical dosing dispenser including a child resistant closure system and/or a child resistant rotatable base system.