Vaporizer Child-Resistant Cap Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional child-resistant packaging for vaporizers is inadequate, as it is difficult to automate in industrial manufacturing and not integrated into the apparatus, posing a risk of access by children.

Innovation Solution

A child-resistant device with an outer and inner cap mechanism that attaches to the vaporizer cartridge body, requiring a specific unlocking configuration to detach, thereby preventing access to the inhalation portion, cartridge cap, battery, and activation button.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional child-resistant packaging is used for vaporizers, then some level of child protection is provided, but the packaging is difficult to automate in industrial manufacturing and cannot be integrated into the apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild protection effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing automation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The child-resistant device is merged with the vaporizer cartridge body into a single integrated unit. The device includes an outer cap and inner cap assembly that attaches directly to the cartridge body, eliminating the need for separate packaging. This integration maintains child protection functionality while enabling automated manufacturing through standard assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The child-resistant device serves multiple functions: it protects against child access, provides a secure attachment mechanism for the cartridge, and offers a platform for additional features like dosing controls. The outer cap and inner cap design allows the same structure to fulfill both safety and functional roles, simplifying manufacturing while enhancing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional child-resistant packaging is used for vaporizers, then some level of child protection is provided, but it is not integrated into the apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechild protection effectivenessVSAvoidintegration level

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If an integrated child-resistant device is implemented, then manufacturing automation and integration are improved, but the device requires a specific unlocking configuration that may reduce ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing automation capabilityVSAvoidunlocking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The child-resistant device is divided into distinct segments: an outer cap, an inner cap, and a cartridge body. Each segment has a specific function and can be manufactured separately using automated processes. The segments are then assembled through a simple attachment mechanism that maintains security without requiring complex user operations for access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring complex unlocking actions, the design inverts the approach by using a simple cap removal mechanism. The outer cap can be easily removed by adults, while children cannot access the inner cap or cartridge contents. This inversion simplifies operation for authorized users while maintaining child resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12108799B2Vaporizer apparatus with child resistant device

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 CLEAR IP CORP

AI summary

A vaporizer apparatus is provided. The vaporizer apparatus includes a cartridge body and a child resistant device. The cartridge body includes an activation button and an inhalation portion. The inhalation portion is operable to allow a user to draw vapor from the cartridge body. The child resistant device includes an outer cap and an inner cap nestled within an inside chamber of the outer cap. The inner cap is coupled with the cartridge body to prevent access to the inhalation of the cartridge body. In a locked configuration, the outer cap and the inner cap are disengaged such that the outer cap is freely movable independent of the inner cap. In an unlocking configuration, the outer cap and the inner cap are engaged with one another such that movement of the outer cap detaches the child resistant device from the cartridge body.