Recessed Integral Handle for Stackable Container Design

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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

Designing a container with a recessed integral handle that allows for stacking, using 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 a container has a handle on top, then it is easy to carry and handle, but it becomes difficult to stack the container on pallets or shelves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handlingVSAvoidstacking efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the handle on top of the container (conventional approach), the patent inverts the handle position to the bottom of the container. This inversion resolves the contradiction by allowing the handle to protrude outward for easy grasping while the recessed portion at the top enables stacking containers one on another without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If a container has an integral handle, then it provides secure gripping, but it prevents efficient stacking and storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping securityVSAvoidstacking space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is segmented into two functional parts: a protruding outer portion that extends downward for secure gripping, and a recessed inner portion at the top that creates stacking space. This segmentation allows the handle to simultaneously provide secure grasping while enabling containers to be stacked efficiently on pallets and shelves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If a container has a recessed handle, then it allows stacking, but it may reduce structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking capabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is merged with the container wall structure as an integral feature rather than a separate attachment. The handle forms part of the container wall itself, with the recessed portion integrated into the wall structure. This merging ensures that the recessed handle maintains the structural integrity of the container while still enabling stacking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7306137B2Handled container

Publication Date: 2007.12.11 INT PAPER CO

AI summary

A container blank comprising four walls. The first and third walls are one pair and the second and fourth are another pair. The heights of the walls are substantially equal. A closure member and handle member are attached to each of the walls of one pair of walls. There is a hand hole in each of the handle members. At least one of the closure members has a length greater than one-half the width of one of the walls of the other pair of walls, and the combined length of the closure members is greater than the width of one of the walls of the other pair of walls. A closure panel is attached to each of the other pair of walls. Attachment flaps are attached to the sides of each of the closure panels.