Water Dispenser Container With Integral Side And Bottom Handles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water containers for water dispensers are cumbersome to handle due to their weight, typically exceeding 10 kg, and lack effective gripping solutions for easy transportation and installation, posing challenges in safety and hygiene during handling and washing cycles.

Innovation Solution

A thermoplastic water container with integral side and bottom handles formed during the production process, allowing for secure gripping and easy lifting and placement, featuring recessed areas for fingers to accommodate hands, facilitating both transportation and installation while preventing microorganism proliferation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a vertical handle is inserted in the blowing mold, then the container can be transported, but it is awkward for lifting the container from the ground and placing it on the dispenser

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling easeVSAvoidhandle configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single vertical handle is segmented into multiple handles: two side handles positioned vertically along the container body, and two bottom handles positioned on the base. This segmentation allows different grip configurations for different operations - side handles for transport and bottom handles for lifting from ground level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle configuration is extended from a single vertical dimension to multiple spatial dimensions. Side handles are positioned at different heights on the container body, while bottom handles are positioned on the base plane, creating a three-dimensional handle distribution that accommodates various lifting positions and user heights.

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

2Quantity of substance

If the container contains 12-25 liters of water, then it provides sufficient water supply, but it becomes particularly heavy and difficult to handle

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

Solution Approach 1:

The handling function is segmented across multiple handles distributed on the container body and base. This allows the user to distribute their grip force across multiple contact points, making it easier to control and maneuver the heavy container compared to using a single handle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom handles are pre-positioned on the base to facilitate lifting from ground level. This preliminary placement of handles at the optimal position for ground lifting reduces the effort required to lift the heavy container from storage racks or the floor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If handles are added to facilitate handling, then lifting and transportation become easier, but the container structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripping easeVSAvoidcontainer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handles are merged with the container body as integral features formed during the blowing mold process. Rather than being separate attached components, the side and bottom handles are directly molded into the container structure, eliminating the need for separate handle parts and their associated attachment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blowing mold process itself is used to create the handles, making the production process serve dual purposes: forming the container body and creating the handling features in a single operation. This self-service approach to handle formation reduces manufacturing complexity despite the increased structural complexity of the final product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3140206B1Plastic container with integral handles
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 SIPA SOCIETA INDUSTRIALIZZAZIONE PORGETTAZIONE E AUTOMAZIONE SPA
  • EP3140206B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3140206B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3140206B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A large container (100) for a water dispenser having side handles (8) formed as recesses in the side wall of the container (100) and bottom handles (9) formed as recesses in the central portion of the bottom (3) of the container (100). The side handles (8) and the bottom handles (9) are provided for facilitating the lifting and the transport.