Plastic Container With Integrated Sidewall Handles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large plastic containers are difficult to handle and use, especially for dispensing liquids, as they lack convenient handling features and aesthetic appeal, making them less user-friendly for both home and commercial use.

Innovation Solution

A plastic container design featuring a hollow body with a lower base, upwardly extending sidewall, shoulder portion, and a centrally located neck with two handle portions on opposed sides, allowing easy dispensing and handling, with a sloped shoulder and longer neck for clearance and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If large plastic containers are designed without handles, then the container structure remains simple and manufacturing cost is reduced, but the container becomes difficult to handle and dispense from

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handlingVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is segmented by adding handle portions that are integrated into the sidewall structure. These handles create distinct gripping zones that allow users to easily hold and maneuver the large container without requiring separate handle components, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If the container has a short neck, then the container height is reduced and storage space is optimized, but clearance with obstacles is insufficient during dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneck lengthVSAvoidcontainer height

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The neck portion is designed with localized extended length specifically in the vertical direction where clearance is needed during dispensing operations. This targeted extension provides necessary clearance with obstacles like automobile hoods while minimizing the overall volume increase of the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Shape

If the shoulder portion is vertical, then the container structure is simpler and manufacturing is easier, but the user cannot get closer to the receptacle during dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshoulder configurationVSAvoiddispensing convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shoulder portion is designed with a sloped, curved configuration that transitions smoothly from the vertical sidewall to the neck portion. This curved shoulder allows the user to position the container closer to the receptacle during dispensing operations, improving ease of operation while maintaining structural simplicity suitable for manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS7611028B2Plastic container including handle portions

Publication Date: 2009.11.03 PLASTIPAK PACKAGING INC

AI summary

The plastic container includes a hollow body of plastic material having a lower supporting base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, a shoulder extending upwardly from the sidewall, and an upper neck portion with an opening therein extending upwardly from the shoulder. The sidewall includes two handle portions on opposed sides thereof, and the neck portion is generally centrally located, whereby, the contents of the container can be dispensed by holding either of the handle portions.