Container With Dynamic Center Of Gravity Handle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid containers pose ergonomic challenges due to handle placement, making them difficult to lift, carry, and dispense from, especially when full or being refilled, as they often require users to exert excessive effort and experience strain.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a handle angled to align with a user's grip axis, with a center of gravity that shifts to remain perpendicular to the carrying axis during use, minimizing torsional exertion and maintaining stability throughout filling and dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the handle is disposed on the top or side of the container, then the container can be lifted or poured, but the user experiences ergonomic problems causing difficulty for pouring and lifting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoiduser effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs dynamic center of gravity adjustment through an adjustable weight mechanism. The weight can be repositioned along the longitudinal axis to change the center of gravity location, allowing the container to adapt to different filling states (full, half-empty, empty) and maintain optimal ergonomic characteristics throughout use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of center of gravity position by allowing it to move along the longitudinal axis. This parameter change enables the container to maintain balanced handling characteristics whether full or empty, resolving the ergonomic difficulties associated with fixed center of gravity designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If the container is full, then it provides adequate liquid volume, but it becomes difficult to lift and pour due to weight distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid volumeVSAvoidease of lifting and pouring
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable weight mechanism allows the center of gravity to be dynamically repositioned. When the container is full, the weight can be positioned to balance the heavy contents, making it easy to lift and pour. As liquid is dispensed, the weight position can be adjusted to maintain proper balance, preventing the handling difficulties that occur with fixed center of gravity designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the handle is configured for multiple grip positions, then it accommodates different user preferences, but it cannot provide a single optimized grip position that coincides with the center of gravity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip position flexibilityVSAvoidergonomic efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than providing multiple fixed grip positions, the patent implements a dynamic center of gravity adjustment system. This allows a single handle position to remain optimal throughout use, as the center of gravity adapts to match the user's grip point regardless of the container's filling state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container automatically adjusts its center of gravity to maintain ergonomic balance during normal use. The adjustable weight mechanism enables the container to self-correct its balance characteristics without requiring user intervention or multiple grip position adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3068704B1container
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 SC JOHNSON & SON INC
  • EP3068704B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3068704B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP3068704B1 patent drawingFigure 8A~8D

AI summary

Containers are disclosed herein that include a reservoir, a handle disposed on the reservoir at an angle defined by a grip axis. The handle is configured for a single grip position and having a midpoint that coincides with a midpoint of a user's grip when the handle is gripped by a user. A first center of gravity (CG1) is coincident with a resting axis (C) which is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall when the bottom wall is placed on a horizontal surface. A second center of gravity (CG2 is) coincident with a carrying axis (E) which is substantially perpendicular to the grip axis when the container is carried by the handle.