Rotatable Handle Liquid Container for Easier Anal Irrigation Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of anal irrigation systems often have poor dexterity and face challenges in handling and positioning liquid containers due to their design, which complicates the preparation process and requires lifting a heavy pump base unit along with the container.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable handle on the liquid container allows users to lift and hold the container in different positions, aligning the center of gravity vertically, enabling stable handling and minimizing storage space, with features like a ratchet mechanism and flexible material for ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the liquid container has a fixed handle design, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot adjust the container to different positions and orientations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer positioning flexibilityVSAvoidhandle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed to be rotatable relative to the container body, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. The handle can rotate between a first position (extending from the side wall) and a second position (extending from the top part), allowing the container to be held in different orientations while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The handle structure is segmented into multiple parts: a handle body, a rotatable connection mechanism, and attachment points. This segmentation allows independent movement of the handle relative to the container while keeping each component simple in design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the user must lift the pump base unit along with the container, then the preparation process is simplified, but the physical effort required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer handling easeVSAvoidtotal weight to be lifted
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pump base unit is extracted from the lifting operation. The rotatable handle enables the user to lift only the lightweight liquid container separately from the heavier pump base unit, significantly reducing the weight that must be lifted during preparation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the handle is positioned fixedly, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the user cannot align the center of gravity vertically for stable handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling stabilityVSAvoidhandle positioning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The handle position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The rotatable connection allows the handle to be positioned at different angles, enabling the user to align the container's center of gravity vertically below the handle for stable handling in various orientations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The handle orientation parameter can be changed by rotation. This allows adjustment of the handle angle to achieve optimal balance and stability for different handling positions, from upright to horizontal orientations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the container requires specific positioning for use, then the irrigation process is optimized, but the storage space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer usabilityVSAvoidstorage space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable handle enables the container to be stored in compact positions (handle rotated to first position against the side wall) while allowing easy transition to optimal positioning for use (handle rotated to second position extending from top part), reducing storage space requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4251231B1Liquid container for an anal irrigation system
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 COLOPLAST AS
  • EP4251231B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4251231B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4251231B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid container (30) for an anal irrigation system, where the liquid container comprises a top part (33) and a bottom wall (32), at least one side wall (34) connecting the bottom wall (32) with the top part (33) forming a cavity for storage of liquid, where the liquid container (30) comprises a filling spout (41) located in the at least one side wall (34) such that the filling spout is closer to the top part than the bottom part, the filling spout (41) having a periphery, and where the liquid container further (30) comprises a handle (44), wherein in that the handle (44) is rotatable around the periphery of the filling spout (41), the liquid container (30) being configured for allowing the user to lift and hold the container in different positions.