U.S. patent application number 12/608225 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-23 for ergonomic container.
Invention is credited to Hiroaki Kuwano, Satoshi MATSUMURA, Michiko OYA.
Application Number | 20100237086 12/608225 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41581186 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100237086 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATSUMURA; Satoshi ; et
al. |
September 23, 2010 |
ERGONOMIC CONTAINER
Abstract
A container has a side wall defining therein a hollow space, a
bottom connected to the side wall, a top opposite the bottom, and a
handle. The side wall has an exterior surface. The top connects to
the side wall and has a dispensing orifice. The handle has a first
end and a second end opposite the first end, and the first end is
connected to the exterior surface of the side wall. When the
container is completely filled to form a filled container, the
filled container has a center of gravity. A line drawn from the
first end to the center of gravity and a line drawn from the second
end to the center of gravity form therebetween a handle angle of
from about 80.degree. to about 150.degree..
Inventors: |
MATSUMURA; Satoshi; (Kyoto,
JP) ; OYA; Michiko; (Kobe, JP) ; Kuwano;
Hiroaki; (Nishinomiya, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;Global Legal Department - IP
Sycamore Building - 4th Floor, 299 East Sixth Street
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
41581186 |
Appl. No.: |
12/608225 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61160720 |
Mar 17, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/752 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 23/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/752 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/28 20060101
B65D025/28 |
Claims
1. A container for containing a pourable product, the container
comprising: A. a side wall defining therein a hollow space, the
side wall having an exterior surface; B. a bottom connected to the
side wall; C. a top opposite the bottom, the top connected to the
side wall, the top comprising a dispensing orifice; and D. a handle
comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the
first end connected to the exterior surface of the side wall,
wherein when the container is completely filled to form a filled
container, the filled container has a center of gravity, wherein a
line drawn from the first end to the center of gravity and a line
from the second end to the center of gravity form a handle angle of
from about 80.degree. to about 150.degree..
2. The container according to claim 1 wherein the handle angle is
from about 85.degree. to about 120.degree..
3. The container according to claim 1, the handle having an inner
handle midpoint half way between the first end and the second end,
wherein a tilt angle is formed by a first tilt line perpendicular
to a plane formed by the bottom extending toward the top from the
center of gravity and a second tilt line connecting the inner
handle midpoint and the center of gravity, wherein the tilt angle
is from about 5.degree. to about 65.degree..
4. The container according to claim 3 wherein the tilt angle is
from about 10.degree. to about 55.degree..
5. The container according to claim 1, the handle comprising an
inner handle surface extending from the first end to the second
end, the inner handle surface proximal to the exterior surface of
the container, wherein there is defined (i) a first end distance;
(ii) a midpoint distance; and (iii) a second end distance, wherein
there is a minimum distance among the first end distance, the
midpoint distance, and the second end distance, and wherein the
minimum distance is less than or equal to about 75 mm, and wherein
there is a maximum distance among the first end distance, the
midpoint distance, and the second end distance, and wherein the
maximum distance is from about 100% to about 125% of the minimum
distance.
6. The container according to claim 1, the handle having an inner
handle midpoint half way between the first end and the second end,
wherein a cross-section of the handle taken by a line connecting
the center of gravity and the inner handle midpoint has a
circumference of from about 60 mm to about 90 mm.
7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the handle comprises
a cross-section shape selected from the group consisting of a
circle and an oval.
8. The container according to claim 1, the handle having an inner
handle midpoint half way between the first end and the second end,
wherein when the handle is gripped with adjacent fingers contacting
each other; wherein there is defined (1) a first end muscle force;
(2) a second end muscle force; and (3) a midpoint muscle force,
wherein the first end muscle force, the second end muscle force and
the midpoint muscle force are each .ltoreq.about 0.50 mV/kg.
9. The container according to claim 8, wherein difference between
the first end muscle force and the second end muscle force is less
than about 25%.
10. The container according to claim 1, wherein a straight distance
between the first end and the second end is from about 80 mm to
about 120 mm.
11. The container according to claim 1, wherein the handle
comprises a frictional surface.
12. The container according to claim 1, the handle having an inner
handle surface, wherein the inner handle surface further comprises
a soft material selected from the group consisting of a rubber, a
flexible polymeric film, a paper and a mixture thereof.
13. The container according to claim 1, wherein the second end
connects to the exterior surface.
14. The container according to claim 1, wherein the handle
protrudes from the external surface at the first end and wherein
the second end is a free end.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/160,720 filed on Mar. 17, 2009.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an ergonomic container.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a container
having easy dispensing properties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many containers are created for containing and dispensing a
pourable product such as a liquid and a granule. Some containers
have a handle for lifting and holding the container.
[0004] Large containers may be heavy and difficult to operate.
Generally, in order to dispense the product, the container needs to
be lifted, carried to the ultimate dispensing point and tilted so
that the products flow out. However, the handle may not be
constructed to assist the user to easily grip and balance the
container when it is full.
[0005] For example, many liquid detergent containers are provided
on one side with a handle which is gripped by a hand. When the
container is filled, it is sometimes hard to lift and hold the
container upright due to its weight and the torque caused on the
wrist. If a user fails to hold the container upright, the product
inside the container may be mistakenly spilled. If a user finds it
hard to control the tilt angle of the container, too much product
may be dispensed, especially when people have reduced physical
strength such as some aged persons. Container is too heavy to hold
upright and/or with a large tilt angle may cause uncomfortable
stress and/or torque to the wrist may, result in potential
difficulties using the container.
[0006] In addition, where a container is stored at home and where
it is used often varies. For example, some people store laundry
detergents and/or fabric enhancers at a higher-than-waist-level
location such as on the top of a shelf and/or above a washing
machine. Other people store such containers at a lower position
such as on the floor. When the container is taken off of a top
shelf, a user may grip a relatively lower portion of the handle.
When the container is taken off of the floor, a consumer may grip a
relatively upper portion of the handle. In this way, the position
where each user grips in the handle may vary. When a user grips the
typical container in a position not perfectly centered on the
handle, then this may also cause undesirable torque and stress on
the hand and/or wrist. Therefore, the need exists for a container
which reduces hand and/or wrist stress even if the container
contains a large amount of or a heavy product inside. It is
therefore desirable to provide a container having a handle designed
to reduce hand stress when lifting and moving from various
locations. It is desirable to provide a container with a more
comfortable and ergonomic handle.
[0007] Accordingly, it is one of the objectives of the present
invention to provide a container for providing improved ergonomic
lifting, tilting and dispensing. More specifically, it is one of
the objectives of the present invention is to provide a container
which requires reduced muscle force to lift, tilt and/or dispense.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
container that has such a shape which gives lower approximated
force on the wrist regardless of what portion of the handle is
gripped. The inventors have surprisingly found that muscle force
and wrist torque can be reduced by designing an ergonomic
container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention relates to a container for containing
a pourable product. The container has a side wall defining therein
a hollow space, a bottom connected to the side wall, a top opposite
the bottom, and a handle. The side wall has an exterior surface.
The top connects to the side wall and has a dispensing orifice. The
handle has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and
the first end is connected to the exterior surface of the side
wall. When the container is completely filled to form a filled
container, the filled container has a center of gravity. A line
drawn from the first end to the center of gravity and a line drawn
from the second end to the center of gravity form there between a
handle angle of from about 80.degree. to about 150.degree..
[0009] It has now surprisingly been discovered that the container
of the present invention may be more easily utilized and operated.
Further, the container provides for better gripping ability.
Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that
compared to current containers, the container herein is easier to
hold and use, and/or to hold the container herein stably and
complete the dispensing actions even when the container is full and
at its heaviest.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing container
according to the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the dispensing container of
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a dispensing container
according to the invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a handle's cross-section view as seen along Line
5-5' in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 6 is another embodiment of a handle's
cross-section;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the dispensing container of
Comparative Example I; and
[0017] FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the dispensing container of
Comparative Example II.
[0018] The figures herein are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] As used herein, "comprise" means that other elements and/or
other steps which do not affect the end result can be added. This
term encompasses the terms "consisting of" and "consisting
essentially of". All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius
(.degree. C.) unless otherwise indicated. All conditions herein,
including testing conditions, are at 20.degree. C., and atmospheric
pressure unless otherwise specifically stated. Unless specifically
stated, all ratios, percentages, etc. are by weight. Unless
specifically stated, the ingredients and/or equipment herein are
believed to be widely available from multiple worldwide
suppliers/sources.
[0020] While the specification concludes with the claims
particularly pointing and distinctly claiming the invention, it is
believed that the present invention will be better understood from
the following description.
[0021] The present invention relates to a container for containing
a pourable product. The container has a side wall defining therein
a hollow space, a bottom connected to the side wall, a top opposite
the bottom, and a handle. The side wall has an exterior surface.
The top connects to the side wall and has a dispensing orifice. The
handle has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and
the first end is connected to the exterior surface of the side
wall. When the container is completely filled to form a filled
container, the filled container has a center of gravity. A line
drawn from the first end to the center of gravity and a line drawn
from the second end to the center of gravity form therebetween a
handle angle of from about 80.degree. to about 150.degree..
[0022] The container herein is a hollow or partially hollow vessel
capable of holding a pourable product such as a liquid or a granule
for an indefinite period of time. The container may be air and/or
water-tight. The container may be self-standing and/or
substantially rigid such as a free-standing container. The
container can typically be opened and closed repeatedly; or, the
container may be designed for a single use.
[0023] The present invention is more readily understood by the
attached non-limiting drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective
view of a container according to the invention. The container, 10,
has a side wall, 12, defining therein a hollow space, 13. The side
wall, 12, has an exterior surface, 14. The container, 10, has a
bottom 16, connected to the side wall, 12. The bottom, 16, may be
separately formed and then connected to the side wall, 12, or it
may be integrally-formed with the side wall, 12. The container, 10,
has a top, 18, opposite the bottom, 16. The top, 18, connects to
the side wall, 12, and contains a dispensing orifice, 20. A
pourable product can be poured out of the container, 10, via the
orifice, 20. The container, 10, has a handle, 22, which is a
portion of the container, 10, to be gripped by a user's hand. When
sold, the container, 10, typically also has a cap, 21,
removably-sealing the orifice, 20.
[0024] The container may be made of any material known in the art
solid enough to stand an external force. Such materials include,
but are not limited to, metals, woods, plastics, ceramics, and a
combination thereof, or a plastic such as a thermoform plastic
and/or a thermoset plastic. Useful plastics include polyethylene,
polypropylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate,
diethyleneglycol bisarylcarbonate, polystyrene, polyethylene
naphthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, epoxy resin,
polyamide-based resin, styrene butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile,
acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, cellulose acetate butyrate, low
density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate,
polyethylene-polypropylene, and a mixture thereof.
[0025] In an embodiment herein, a substantially transparent or
translucent plastic having a light transmission of from about 60%
to about 100%, or from about 70% to about 97%, or from about 80% to
about 95%, may be used. Alternatively, the container may be opaque.
In addition, the container material can possess wide range of
colors and hues. The container may be produced by, for example,
blow molding, injection molding, injection blow molding, vacuum
forming, thermoforming, and combinations thereof. The various
individual container portions may be formed with different
materials, and/or by different processes, as desired.
[0026] In the front plan view of FIG. 2, a center of gravity
(hereinafter referred to as COG), 28, is located on the side wall,
12. The COG is a specific point at which an object's mass behaves
as if it were concentrated. The inventors recognize that the COG,
28, is in reality in the center of the 3D object, but herein, it is
considered to be on the side wall, 12. Generally, the COG of a
rigid object is fixed in a single point, but the COG of a container
will change as the product level changes. So in the present
invention, the container is first filled with water until it is
full and then the COG is determined at a single point on the side
wall, as viewed from the front plan view. The term "full" refers to
when the container contains products to the top of the container's
hollow space so that the container has no headspace (with any
appropriate transition piece, but no cap connected thereto). For
the purposes of determining the COG, container is filled with
deionized water. For example, a full container may be prepared by
sinking the container (including any attached transition piece,
etc. but no cap) into a container of deionized water completely so
that all the air inside the closed container is let out and
replaced with deionized water. A water-tight cap is then affixed to
the container so as to prevent any water from spilling out. In the
measurements herein, the mass of the cap and any additional
air/water associated therewith is considered negligible in the
overall measurement. To determine the COG, the full container is
hung at two points and a vertical line is drawn across the side
wall from each point. The two vertical lines should cross at a
single point, the COG, 28.
[0027] In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the handle, 22, has a first
end, 24, and a second end, 26, opposite the first end, 24. The
first end, 24, is connected to the exterior surface, 14, of the
side wall, 12, and begins at the point where the exterior surface,
14, meets the handle, 22, closest to the dispensing orifice, 20, on
the inner handle surface, 36. The second end, 26, also connects to
the exterior surface, 14, of the side wall, 12. "The first end" and
"the second end" of the handle relate to the opposing ends of a
graspable region of the handle. "First end" and "second end" can be
defined as follows; when a straight line is drawn from the COG, the
intersections of the straight line and the tangential ends of the
handle are the first end and the second end.
[0028] At a given weight the force on the wrist can vary depending
on, for example, the design of the whole shape of the container,
the size of the handle, the position of the handle, etc. In an
embodiment herein, the distance from the COG to the handle ends
hardly varies, leading to reduced wrist strain when the container
is held, so that the muscle force on the wrist differs only a
little regardless of the gripping position. Thus, it is believed
that a user can hold the container from any position on the handle
with a similar force. It has now been found that the relationship
between the COG and the grip position influences the force/torque
exerted on the wrist. As the grip position approaches the COG, the
user can hold the container more easily and stably. This is
especially important in cases such as some elderly people, whose
wrist and/or hand muscles may be weaker than average. Accordingly,
it has now been found that a container may be more ergonomic if the
distance from the COG to the first end is less than or equal to
about 75 mm, or from about 30 mm to about 75 mm, or from about 40
mm to about 65 mm. The distance from the COG to the inner handle
midpoint may be less than or equal to about 80 mm, or from about 30
mm to about 80 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 75 mm. The distance
from the COG to the second end may be less than or equal to about
100 mm, or from about 30 mm to about 95 mm, or from about 40 mm to
about 90 mm.
[0029] The distance from the inner handle surface (the position to
support the container) to the COG may be significant. In FIG. 2, in
the holding posture of the container 10, as the distance from the
COG, 28, to the inner handle surface, 36, is closer, the container,
10, can be held more stably. Table 1 shows the comparison among the
container of the present invention (right) over containers
distributed in Japanese market (left and center).
[0030] In FIG. 2, the side wall, 12, is offset from the inner
handle surface, 36, by for example from about 2 cm to about 4 cm to
form a handle void, 27. The handle, 22, is long enough to
accommodate a typical consumer's hand width (from forefinger to
little finger, inclusive). For example, the average hand width of a
Japanese female (age 18-69) is .about.71 mm (Body Size Data, issued
by Research Institute of Human Engineering for Quality Life,
Japan). Therefore, a straight line between the first end, 24, and
the second end, 26, may be from about 70 mm to about 150 mm, or
from about 80 mm to about 120 mm. The handle, 22, has an inner
handle midpoint, 30, half way between the first end, 24, and the
second end, 26, as measured along the distance of the inner handle
surface, 36. The circumference of the handle, 22, at the inner
handle midpoint, 30, may be from about 5 cm to about 9 cm. A first
end line, 23, connects the COG, 28, and the first end, 24, and a
second end line, 25, connects the COG, 28, and the second end, 25.
The first end line, 23, the COG, 28, and the second end line, 25,
form a handle angle, .alpha.. For a given handle void, 27, length,
as the handle angle, .alpha., becomes larger, the grip position
moves closer to the COG, 28. Consequently, the larger the handle
angle, .alpha., the more stably the container, 10, can be held. The
handle angle, .alpha. may be from about 80.degree. to about
150.degree., or from about 85.degree. to about 120.degree., or from
about 85.degree. to about 100.degree.. The handle angle, .alpha. of
the container, 10, in FIG. 2 is about 86.degree..
[0031] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment, wherein a first tilt line, 32,
is a vertical line perpendicular (90.degree.) to a horizontal
plane, 40, defined as being parallel to the ground. The first tile
line, 32, also goes through the COG, 28. A second tilt line, 34,
connects the COG, 28, and the inner handle midpoint, 30. The inner
handle midpoint, 30, is considered to be the average position at
which the container, 10, is supported when gripped by a user. The
first tilt line, 32, the COG, 28, and the second tilt line, 34,
form a tilt angle, .beta.. Without intending to be limited by
theory, it is believed that the greater the tilt angle, .beta., the
greater the burden a wrist receives when the container, 10, is held
upright, because the more the tilt angle, the more torque is
exerted on the wrist joint of the user's hand. Without intending to
be limited by theory, it is believed that locating the handle close
to the COG, 28, and closer to the top, 18, of the container
provides an optimum mechanical advantage resulting in a tilt angle,
.beta., from about 5.degree. to about 65.degree., or from about
10.degree. to about 60.degree., or from about 20.degree. to about
55.degree., while allowing ergonomic dispensing. Thus, the
container may provide easy lifting, holding and/or product
dispensing.
[0032] Generally, when a handle is positioned on a side of the
container and when the container is held, as the tilt angle,
.beta., shrinks, the container requires less wrist and/or arm force
to return the container back to an upright position. Furthermore,
with a large tilt angle, the products contained in the container
may be mistakenly spilt out of the top when the container is tilted
due to its weight or due to reduced physical strength of a
user.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a close-up view of FIG. 2 and shows that a first
end distance, f, which is the distance from the first end, 24, to
the COG, 28, along the first end line, 23, a midpoint distance, m,
which is the distance from the inner handle midpoint, 30, to the
COG, 28, along the midpoint line, 34, and a second end distance, s,
which is the distance from the second end, 26, to the COG, 28,
along the second end line, 25. In an embodiment herein, the minimum
distance among the first end distance, f, the midpoint distance, m,
and the second end distance, s, may be less than or equal to about
75 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 75 mm, or from about 15 mm to
about 72 mm. The maximum distance among the first end distance, f,
the midpoint distance, m, and the second end distance, s, is
.ltoreq.125% of the minimum distance. In one embodiment, there is a
minimum distance.ltoreq.about 75 mm among the first end distance,
f, the midpoint distance, m, and the second end distance, s. There
is also maximum distance among the first end distance, f, the
midpoint distance, m, and the second end distance, s, and the
maximum distance is from about 100% to about 125%, or from about
100% to about 120%, or from about 100% to about 115% of the minimum
distance.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the container, 10,
of the present invention. The handle, 22, protrudes from the
exterior surface 14, of the side wall, 12, at the first end 24. The
second end, 26, is a free end and does not connect to the exterior
surface, 14, and therefore the handle void, 27, is open. As seen
previously, the first end line, 23, is defined by the COG, 28, and
the first end, 24, while the second end line, 25, is defined by the
COG, 28, and the second end, 26. The handle, 22, may have a
frictional surface, 42, to further prevent slipping and help the
consumer grip the handle grip stably. The frictional surface may
include one or more of embossment, undulation, regular texture,
irregular texture, and the like. The frictional surface may be
integrally-formed or separately-formed with the container. The
frictional surface, 42, may contain a soft material selected from
the group consisting of rubber, flexible polymeric film, paper and
a mixture thereof. The soft material may coat substantially the
whole circumference of the handle, or only a part thereof such as
the inner handle surface, 36.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a handle's cross-section view as seen along Line
5-5' in FIG. 2 where the handle's cross-section is oval. The shape
of the handle should fit a hand and be comfortable to hold in the
end, and therefore cross-section may include, but is not limited
to, a circle, and/or an oval. The circumference of the handle may
be designed so that the circumference accords with the average hand
size of Japanese women whose age ranges from 20 to 60 years old.
The circumference at the handle midpoint may be from about 50 to
about 100 mm, or from about 60 mm to about 90 mm. The circumference
may be from about 50 mm to about 100 mm at the inner handle
midpoint, or from about 60 mm to about 90 mm.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment wherein the handle's
cross-section is circular.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a front plan view of Comparative Example I, a
container, 110, distributed in Japan market. The container, 110,
has a COG, 128, is located on the side wall, 112. It can be seen
that the handle, 122, has a first end, 124, and a second end, 126,
opposite the first end, 124. The first end, 124, connects the
exterior surface, 114, where it meets the handle, 122, on the inner
handle surface, 136, closest to the dispensing orifice, 120. The
second end, 126, also connects to the exterior surface, 114. The
first end line, 123, the COG, 128, and the second end line, 125,
form a handle angle, .alpha..sub.1 of 70.degree.. The first tilt
line, 132, is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, 140, and goes
through the COG, 128. The second tilt line, 134, connects the COG,
128, and the inner handle midpoint, 130. The first tilt line, 132,
and the second tilt line, 134, form a tilt angle, .beta..sub.1 of
84.degree..
[0038] Similarly, FIG. 8 is a front plan view of Comparative
Example II, a container, 210, distributed in Japan market. The
container, 210, has a COG, 228, is located on the side wall, 212.
It can be seen that the handle, 222, has a first end, 224, and a
second end, 226, opposite the first end, 224. The first end, 224,
connects the exterior surface, 214, where it meets the handle, 222,
on the inner handle surface, 236, closest to the dispensing
orifice, 220. The second end, 226, also connects to the exterior
surface, 214. The first end line, 223, the COG, 228, and the second
end line, 225, form a handle angle, .alpha..sub.2 of 79.degree..
The first tilt line, 232, is perpendicular to the horizontal plane,
240, and goes through the COG, 228. The second tilt line, 234,
connects the COG, 228, and the inner handle midpoint, 230. The
first tilt line, 232, and the second tilt line, 234, form a tilt
angle, .beta..sub.2 of 69.degree..
[0039] The hollow space's volume is typically from about 100 ml to
about 3000 ml, from about 600 ml to about 1500 ml, or from about
700 ml to about 1200 ml. The product to be filled in the container
herein is typically a fabric care product (e.g., a fabric
detergent, a fabric enhancer, a bleach, etc.), a dish detergent, a
hard surface cleaner, a beverage, a food, a drug, a research
reagent, a research solvent, etc, or a fabric care product. The
product form to be filled in the container herein may include, but
not limited to, a granule, a gel, a liquid, etc.
[0040] In an embodiment herein, when the handle is gripped with
adjacent fingers contacting each other; there is defined a first
end muscle force which is the muscle force when the handle is
gripped so that the forefinger contacts the first end; a second end
muscle force which is the muscle force when the handle is gripped
so that the little finger contacts the second end and the midpoint
muscle force which is the muscle force when the handle is gripped
so that the inner handle midpoint is half way between the
forefinger and the little finger. In such a case the first end
muscle force, the second end muscle force, and the midpoint muscle
force may each be .ltoreq.about 0.50 mV/kg, or from about 0.001
mV/kg to about 0.45 mV/kg, or from about 0.05 mV/kg to about 0.40
mV/kg.
[0041] In one embodiment, when the handle is gripped by a hand with
its adjacent fingers contacted to each other; the ratio of first
end muscle force vs. the second end muscle force is from about 5:4
to about 4:5. Such a container may be easier to hold regardless of
the grip position on the handle.
[0042] The optional cap, 21, may be detachably attached to the top
of the container. The cap may be attached to the top of the
container or transition piece, if present with a screwing closing
device. The cap may be a dispensing cap as is known in the art,
and/or may be a flip-top cap.
[0043] Test Methods
[0044] Muscle force was examined according to the following method.
A clean, dry container was filled with water by sinking it into a
water bath completely to replace the air with water. Then the
container was removed from the water and the container was wiped
with a towel, and the cap was screwed on to seal it. The panelists
held the handle of the container, and then lifted it with the wrist
kept unbent. The muscle force was measured on the wrist. Muscular
sensor "Universal-EMG" (lot#: EMG-U04-03A-0013, supplied by Oisaka
Development Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan;
http://www.oisaka.co.jp/index.html) was used.
[0045] In order to evaluate the influence on the force on the
wrist, a muscle force was measured based on electromyography (EMG)
that measures slight electric signals when muscles contract. An
electrocardiogram that observes heart behavior is a type of EMG
which measures the electric signal observed when heart muscles
move. The EMG magnitude is directly related to how actively the
muscle moves. EMG is utilized as index of exercise or workload in
the field of sports, welfare and human engineering. The muscle
force reflects the force on the wrist when a user lifts and holds
the container. A higher muscle force value means that the wrist
receives more force when a user lifts and holds the container. A
lower muscle force value means that the container exerts less force
when a user lifts and holds the container.
[0046] Electric cords with sensors and grounds were connected to
muscular sensor. The muscular sensor was connected to a computer.
The ground was put onto the bone area on the arm (an elbow). The
sensor was put onto the arm, to bridge the same muscle. The
containers were put on a table whose height is 89 cm above the
floor and located so that the handle faced perpendicular to the
panelists. Each panelist reached their arms to grip the handles.
The panelists gripped three positions of the handles (i.e., upper,
middle, and lower) to measure the difference of COG at each
position (n=3, each 3 times repetition was conducted at each
position of handle). The panelists gripped and lifted up the
containers to their chest position, and paused for three (3)
seconds. The panelists lifted down the container to the original
position. A muscular signal was measured during the action from the
condition before gripping the containers till the condition of
lifting the container. This signal was amplified and converted via
"Universal EMG". The installed software (Universal EMG) analyzed
with the graph of wave.
EXAMPLES
[0047] Three types of containers indicated as (i) the container of
the present invention which was made in a test mold, while (ii) the
container of Comparative Example I (Kao Attack Biogel; FIG. 7) and
(iii) the container of Comparative Example II (Lion Scent-lasting
Liquid Top; FIG. 8) were purchased. The three types of containers
are all made of opaque plastic. They have the similar handles and
dispensing caps on the top.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Distance from the handle to the COG of the
containers Comparative Comparative Example I Example II Present
invention (Unit: mm) of FIG. 7 of FIG. 8 of FIG. 2 First end
distance, f 74 77 72 Midpoint distance, m 86 85 76 Second end
distance, s 100 95 88 % difference between (100 - 74)/ (95 - 77)/
(88 - 72)/ minimum and maximum 74 = 35% 77 = 23% 72 = 22% distances
Wrist muscle force when 0.74 0.41 0.28 held at the first end Wrist
muscle force when 0.64 0.83 0.38 held at the second end Wrist
muscle force when 0.65 0.40 0.35 held at the midpoint
[0048] As shown in Table 1, the Comparative Examples I and II have
either a larger difference in the distance from the COG to the
handle, or a % difference between the minimum distance and maximum
distances of more than 25%. In contrast, the container of the
present invention has a minimum distance of less than 75 mm and a %
difference between the minimum distance and the maximum distance of
less than 25%. In general, as the distance from the COG to the
handle increases, the burden on the wrist increases. Therefore, the
container of the present invention provides reduced wrist strain
and easier usability.
[0049] The muscle force on the wrist (described hereafter) may
depend on the distance from the COG, 28, to the inner handle
surface, 36. The container, 10, provides the smaller distance from
the COG, 28, to the handle, 22, than the containers currently
available in the Japanese market (see Comparative Examples I (FIG.
6) and II (FIG. 7).
[0050] The container of the present invention is as depicted in
FIG. 2. Comparative example I is available in the Japanese market
as Attack Bio Gel (manufactured by Kao Corporation, Tokyo, Japan).
Comparative example II is also available in the Japanese market as
Scent-lasting Liquid Top (Kaori-Tsuzuku-Top, manufactured by Lion
Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). The container of the present invention
contains 0.9 kg liquid laundry detergent, while the comparative
examples I and II each contain 1.0 kg liquid laundry detergent.
Sixty (60) Japanese female panelists whose height ranges from 150
cm to 160 cm, used and held each of the containers separately. The
panelists used and dosed them according to their usual ways.
[0051] It was observed that some panelists picked up the containers
from the storage place and held the container with one hand while
completing the dosing action with the other hand. Some panelists
opened the cap, poured the liquid detergent into the dispensing
cap, dosed the liquid detergent, put the dispensing cap back to the
container and closed the cap, and then put the container back to
the storage place. Some panelists opened the cap, dosed the liquid
detergent directly without using the dispensing cap, put the
dispensing cap back to the container and closed the cap, and then
put the container back to the storage place. The liquid detergent
can be dosed into a receiving cap equipped with a washing machine,
or dosed into a washing basin of a washing machine.
[0052] Table 2 shows weights of full containers and muscular force
results with full volume of water in the containers (the maximum
muscle force minus the minimum muscle force during the action). The
values show the average of three replications.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Weight and Muscle force on the wrist
(standardized by the weight) Container of the Comparative
Comparative present invention of Example I Example II FIG. 2 Weight
(kg) 1.264 1.392 1.154 Muscle force (mV/kg) (i) Upper position 0.74
0.41 0.28 (held at the first end) (ii) Middle position 0.65 0.40
0.35 (held at the midpoint) (iii) Lower position 0.64 0.83 0.38
(held at the second end)
[0053] The result shows that the container of the present invention
provides significantly less muscle forces than any other container
of comparative examples at upper, middle and lower positions of
handle, even when normalized for the differences in weight.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Container tilt angles .beta..sub.1
(Comparative .beta..sub.2 (Comparative .beta. (Container of the
Example I Example II present invention of of FIG. 7) of FIG. 8)
FIG. 2) Tilt angle 84.degree. 69.degree. 49.degree.
[0054] As seen, the tilt angle, .beta., of the container of the
present invention is the smallest of these three containers.
Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that a
smaller tilt angle reduces the muscle force on the wrist because it
requires less force to bring to the upright position. Since a user
tends to put the container to the upright position after dispensing
the product contained, a smaller tilt angle can reduce hand and/or
wrist strain.
[0055] The container of the present invention showed a significant
difference vs. the comparative examples. Without intending to be
limited by theory it is believed that the significant ergonomic
benefits may result from the short distance from the COG to the
handle. Thus, it was observed that the container herein requires
the least force to hold and lift over the other two containers
available in the Japanese market.
[0056] It is understood that the examples and embodiments described
herein are for illustrative purpose only and that various
modifications or changes will be suggested to one skilled in the
art without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0057] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".
[0058] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it
is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed
herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of
a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of
the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning
or definition assigned to that term in this document shall
govern.
[0059] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *
References