Flexible Container Handle Below Fitment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible containers lack sufficient strength in their handles, which limits their ability to effectively support the weight of contents in various orientations and handling scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A flexible container design featuring a panel structure with a rigid fitment and a handle configuration where the handle projects upward from the pouch at a juncture below the fitment, eliminating a continuous line of weight-supporting material from the handgrip to the fitment, allowing for enhanced strength and versatility in carrying and emptying the container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a continuous line of weight-supporting material extends from the handgrip to the fitment, then the handle provides adequate structural support, but the handle strength is insufficient to effectively support the weight of contents in various orientations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle strengthVSAvoidhandling effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the continuous line of weight-supporting material from the handgrip to the fitment, extracting the problematic element that limited handle strength. Instead, the handle projects upward from the pouch at a juncture below the fitment, allowing the handle to support weight more effectively without relying on a continuous material line that compromised strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than having the handle supported by a continuous material line extending upward to the fitment, the invention inverts the approach by having the handle project upward from a juncture below the fitment. This inversion allows the handle to function as the primary load-bearing element, with the pouch body supporting the handle rather than the handle being supported by a weak material line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the handle projects upward from the pouch at a juncture above the fitment bottom, then the handle provides easier access for carrying, but the weight distribution is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrying accessibilityVSAvoidweight distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the handle juncture at a specific location below the fitment bottom, where the pouch material can effectively support the handle's load. This localized positioning optimizes both carrying accessibility and weight distribution, as the handle projects upward from a point where the pouch structure provides adequate support without interfering with the fitment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If a continuous line of weight-supporting material is present from handgrip to fitment, then structural continuity is maintained, but collapsibility and ease of use are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural continuityVSAvoidcollapsibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the continuous line of weight-supporting material that prevented collapsibility. By removing this continuous material line and instead having the handle project upward from a juncture below the fitment, the pouch can collapse freely without being constrained by a continuous structural element, while still maintaining adequate strength through the handle's direct projection from the pouch body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2475595B1Flexible container with fitment and handle
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 SMART BOTTLE INC
  • EP2475595B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2475595B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2475595B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A flexible container includes a panel structure of flexible web material. The panel structure defines a pouch that has a top opening. A rigid fitment, in the top opening, has a surface section adjoining the pouch. The panel structure defines a handle. The pouch is configured to be carried by the handle in an upright orientation in which the handle projects upward from the pouch at a juncture that is not above the bottom of the pouch-adjoining surface section of the fitment.