Container With Offset Handles And Recessed Grips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial containers with carrying handles face difficulties in user handling, particularly with heavy materials like pet food, and the handles often interfere with each other when optimally arranged for shipment.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring upper and lower handles with a bumper assembly and offset upper handles, along with lower hand-grips that extend inwardly from the sidewall, allowing for easier lifting and pouring while minimizing interference between containers during storage and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If handles are added to containers to assist end users with pouring or controlling the container, then ease of operation is improved, but the handles interfere with each other when multiple containers are optimally arranged for shipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal handles to a vertical handle configuration that extends upward from the container shoulder. This dimensional change allows handles to be positioned in the vertical space above the container rather than extending horizontally outward, enabling closer horizontal stacking of containers during shipment while maintaining pouring control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is segmented into distinct functional portions: a user-grippable upper portion extending vertically for pouring control, and a lower attachment portion integrated into the container structure. This segmentation allows the handle to fulfill multiple functions (lifting, pouring control) while minimizing interference with adjacent containers through its vertical orientation.
2Ease of operation
If a carrying handle is added to the container, then ease of operation is improved, but the handle may interfere with adjacent containers when optimally arranged for shipment
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is repositioned from a horizontal extension to a vertical extension that rises from the container shoulder. This vertical orientation utilizes the vertical dimension for the lifting function, allowing containers to be stacked or arranged closer together horizontally without the handles of adjacent containers interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is positioned asymmetrically on the container shoulder rather than centrally or symmetrically. This asymmetric placement optimizes the handle's position for lifting ergonomics while minimizing the horizontal space occupied, thereby reducing interference with adjacent containers in shipping arrangements.
3Productivity
If upper handles are positioned closer together to minimize footprint, then storage efficiency is improved, but user handling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the handle functionality to the vertical dimension rather than horizontal placement, the patent allows containers to be positioned closer together horizontally (improving storage efficiency) while the vertical handle extension remains accessible to users for pouring and handling operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary container for storing and transporting materials is disclosed. In various embodiments, the exemplary container includes one or more handles for assisting a user with lifting the exemplary container and/or controlling the exemplary container when pouring the exemplary container's contents. The one or more handles, in particular embodiments, are designed for minimum interference with other similar containers during transport. In some embodiments, certain handles are recessed within a cavity of a sidewall of the exemplary container.