Detergent Container Rolling Base Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers for liquid detergent, especially those with large capacities, face challenges in user acceptance due to space requirements and difficulties in controlled dispensing, as they often require lifting and tilting, which can lead to spills and inefficient dosing.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a first and second standing base, a handle area extending from the first base towards the opening, and a rolling surface opposite the handle area, allowing the container to tilt and roll for dispensing without user support, facilitating controlled dosing through adjustable hand placement on the handle area and protruding elements on the rolling surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the container capacity is increased to several liters, then the storage capacity is improved, but the handling difficulty and space requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetergent capacityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container base is segmented into two distinct functional areas: a first standing base for stable storage and a second standing base for controlled dispensing. This segmentation allows the container to provide both large capacity stability and ease of operation during dispensing, resolving the contradiction between large capacity and handling ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container utilizes the horizontal dimension by extending a rolling surface from the second standing base toward the opening, allowing the container to tilt and roll horizontally for dispensing. This dimensional approach enables controlled detergent flow without requiring the user to lift or support the entire container weight, improving handling ease while maintaining large capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the container capacity is increased to several liters, then the storage capacity is improved, but the space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetergent capacityVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the base into two functional areas (first standing base for storage, second standing base for dispensing), the container optimizes its footprint. The rolling surface extends horizontally rather than requiring vertical space, allowing large capacity containers to be stored and used in limited space environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If a single standing base is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the dispensing control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase structure complexityVSAvoiddosing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The base is segmented into two distinct functional areas: a first standing base for stable storage and a second standing base for controlled dispensing. This segmentation enables precise dosing control during dispensing while maintaining overall structural simplicity, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and dosing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rolling surface provides a controlled path for the container to tilt and roll during dispensing, enabling precise metered dispensing through adjustable hand placement on the handle area. This approach achieves dosing precision without complex mechanisms, maintaining low device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If the user supports the container weight during dispensing, then the dispensing control is improved, but the user effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing controlVSAvoiduser effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling surface extends from the second standing base toward the opening, allowing the container to tilt and roll horizontally for dispensing. This enables the container to be supported by the rolling surface rather than the user, reducing user effort to minimal guiding forces while maintaining dispensing control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The container design enables self-supported dispensing through the rolling mechanism. The container's own weight and geometry facilitate controlled detergent flow through the rolling motion, eliminating the need for the user to support the container weight during dispensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3160854B1Container for liquid detergent and method for the metered dispensing of detergent from the container
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP3160854B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3160854B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3160854B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3e

AI summary

A container (1) for liquid detergent comprises a container basic body (2), an opening (12) for dispensing the detergent, a first standing base (6) opposite the opening (12) that defines a filling position of the container (1), a second standing base (7) next to the first standing base (6) that defines a bearing position of the container (1), a handle region (17) which extends in the direction of the opening (12) from a side of the first standing base (6) that is remote from the second standing base (7), and a rolling surface (9) arranged opposite the handle region (17) and extending substantially from the second standing base (7) to the opening (12). The handle region (17) has a portion (17a) which is arranged above the second standing base (7) when the container stands on the second standing base in the bearing position. The invention further relates to a method for the metered dispensing of detergent from the container.