Recessed Integral Handle for Stackable Container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional containers with handles on top pose difficulties in stacking, making them challenging to arrange on pallets or store shelves effectively.

Innovation Solution

Design of a container with a recessed integral handle that allows for stacking, utilizing score lines and panels to form a unitary hand hole and secure the handle beneath the container's top, enabling easy handling and stacking while maintaining structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If handles are placed on top of containers extending outwardly, then handling and carrying of containers is facilitated, but stacking of containers on pallets and shelves becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling and carryingVSAvoidstacking efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is inverted from the conventional external top position to an internal recessed position. The handle members extend downwardly from the top closure panel into the container interior, allowing the container to be grasped from the inside while maintaining a flat external top surface for efficient stacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle members are nested within the container body structure. The handle members extend into the container interior space, utilizing the existing container volume rather than adding external protrusions, thus enabling both handling functionality and stacking compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If handles are recessed into the container body, then stacking efficiency is improved, but ease of grasping and handling may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking efficiencyVSAvoidgrasping ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The top closure panel and handle members are configured with specific local geometric properties. The handle members have optimized dimensions and positioning within the recessed area to provide adequate grasping surface area and leverage, ensuring ease of handling despite the recessed configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If handle members extend downwardly into the container, then the handle can be secured beneath the top, but the handle members may interfere with container contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle securityVSAvoidcompatibility with contents

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The handle members extend downwardly only to the extent necessary to achieve secure attachment to the top closure panel, rather than extending fully to the bottom of the container. This partial extension provides sufficient structural security while minimizing interference with container contents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS7303114B2Handled container

Publication Date: 2007.12.04 INT PAPER CO

AI summary

A three part container having a bottom wall and two walls in one part, and a wall in each of the other parts. The heights of the walls are substantially equal. A closure member and a handle member are attached to the walls in each of the other parts. There is a hand hole in the handle member. At least one of the closure members has a length greater than one-half the width of one of the walls of the one part, and the combined length of the closure members is greater than the width of one of the walls of the one part. A closure panel is attached to each of the walls of the one part. Attachment flaps are attached to the sides of each of the closure panels.