MODIFIED PLASTIC CONTAINERS
The present invention relates to methods of transforming plastic containers into second-use open containers and hand-washing devices. The invention also relates to plastic containers modified to facilitate their conversion into second-use open containers and hand-washing devices.
This application claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/076,172, filed Jun. 27, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to plastic containers, such as soda/water bottles or cosmetic/makeup containers, modified to facilitate a second use. The invention encompasses methods for transforming a plastic container after its initial use (e.g. holding liquid) into second-use device such as an open container or hand-washing device. The invention also encompasses a plastic container modified to facilitate its conversion into a second-use device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMultinational corporations increasingly target the developing world with products such as soft drinks or cosmetics. Because the cost of recovering glass containers for reuse is prohibitive, many of these companies increasingly use plastics. In poorer countries, however, modifying facilities do not exist, and the cost of processing used plastic containers is enormous. Furthermore, modifying laws are weakly enforced, if they exist at all. Even if modifying is practiced, the recycled goods must still be transported to other countries for processing. Consequently, most of these plastic containers enter the waste stream.
Each year, diarrheal disease kills roughly 2 million children in developing countries, most of them under five years of age. Approximately 50 percent of these cases could be avoided if these children and their caretakers undertook the simple act of washing their hands. As years of development interventions have demonstrated, education alone does not equate to the adoption of simple preventative behaviors such as hand-washing. By accompanying behavioral public health campaigns with material inputs such as hand-washing devices, the success of these campaigns becomes much more likely.
The developing world is materially impoverished with many people living on less than two U.S. dollars per day. In this context, all materials have utility. Though families may not spend resources on kitchenware (e.g. open containers such as cups, glasses, mugs, vases, etc.) or other material goods (e.g. hand-washing devices), research suggests that they do allocate resources towards items of personal satisfaction or “treats”, e.g. a soft drink, cosmetics/makeup, etc. Indeed, given this reality, secondary uses for manufactured items such as plastic soft drink or water bottles or cosmetic/makeup containers can increase material wealth and improve the health of some of the world's poorest populations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one embodiment, the invention is a method for transforming a plastic container with a base and a sidewall into a second-use device. The top is cut off, one hole is pierced in the sidewall below the cut, and another hole is pierced in the sidewall 180 degrees from the first hole and near the base. In another embodiment, the plastic container has four sidewalls where the holes are pierced on opposite sidewalls rather than 180 degrees apart.
In another embodiment, the invention is a method for transforming a plastic container terminating in a neck adapted to receive a cap into a second-use device. The top is cut off, two holes are pierced 180 degrees apart just above the cut, and a dispenser cap is attached. In another embodiment, the plastic container has four sidewalls, where the two holes are pierced on opposite sides rather than 180 degrees apart.
In another embodiment, the invention is a plastic container with a base and a sidewall modified to facilitate its transformation into a second-use device. The container has a peripheral indentation and at least two circular indentations, one just below the peripheral indentation, and one 180 degrees from the first hole and just above the base, to facilitate piercing. In another embodiment, the plastic container has four sidewalls, and the circular indentations are on opposite sidewalls.
In another embodiment, the invention is a plastic container that has a peripheral indentation and a thickened sidewall portion just below the peripheral indentation. In another embodiment, the thickened sidewall portion below the peripheral indentation extends down to the base.
The present invention relates to methods for modifying plastic containers such as soda/water bottles or cosmetic/makeup containers, for reuse. In one embodiment, a cut is made around the periphery of a plastic container parallel to the base, dividing the container into a top portion and a holding section. The holding section can be used as an open container such as a glass, cup, mug, vase, etc. The holding section can also be further transformed into a hand-washing device by piercing one hole right below the open end and a second hole just above the base of the holding section, about 180 degrees away from the first hole. The first hole facilitates hanging of the device; the second hole allows for the dispensing of water. The size of the second hole is such that water flows at a rate to allow hand-washing without wasting water.
In another embodiment, the top portion of a plastic container having a neck adapted to receive a cap is transformed into a hand-washing device. A cut is made around the periphery of the container parallel to the base, dividing the container into a top portion and a holding section. Two holes are pierced through the sidewall of the top portion, just below the open end and 180 degrees apart, and a dispenser cap is attach ed to the neck.
In another embodiment, a plastic container with four side walls, such as a milk jug,is modified into an open container or hand-washing device. A cut is made around the periphery of the container parallel to the base, dividing the container into a top portion and a holding section. The holding section can be used as an open container such as a glass, cup, mug, vase, etc. The holding section can also be further transformed into a hand-washing device by piercing one hole in a first sidewall just below the open end and piercing a second hole in a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, just above the base. The first hole is of a size suitable to receive a hanging device. The size of the second hole is such that water flows at a rate to allow hand-washing without wasting water.
The present invention also relates to plastic containers modified to facilitate their reuse as described herein. In one embodiment, a substantially cylindrical plastic container has a peripheral indentation around the middle that facilitates the severance of the container into two portions—a top portion and a holding section. The peripheral indentation is large enough to accommodate a cutting implement. For example, it can be about 1 mm to 5 mm in width. The container can also have a first circular indentation in the sidewall just below the peripheral indentation and a second circular indentation 180 degrees from the first circular indentation and just above the base. The circular indentations facilitate piercing holes through the sidewall. In another embodiment, the plastic container's peripheral indentation is just below the open end rather than in the middle. The first circular indentation is sized to accommodate implements for hanging, for example, about 5 to 20 mm in diameter. The second circular indentation is sized to allow water to flow at a rate to allow hand-washing without unnecessary waste of water when pierced. For example, the second hole can be about 2 to 10 mm in diameter.
In another embodiment, the plastic container has a base, four sides and a peripheral indentation as described above that facilitates the severance of the holding section of the container from the top portion. The container can also have a first circular indentation in a first sidewall just below the peripheral indentation and a second circular indentation in a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall and just above the base. The circular indentations are sized as described above.
In another embodiment, the plastic container has a peripheral indentation as described above and a thickened sidewall portion below the peripheral indentation. The sidewall is thickened to allow for greater strength and stability after cutting, for example, up to about 10 mm. The thickened sidewall portion can be about 2 to 20 mm in width, and it can extend to and through the base.
For purposes of illustration only, a 33 ml plastic soft-drink or water bottle and a cosmetic/makeup container are depicted in the figures. Neither the size nor exact shape of the container matters.
The term “substantially cylindrical,” as used herein, refers to containers that have a curved sidewall that approximates a cylinder, such as found in water bottles, and as distinguished from containers with four parallel sides.
The terms “a,” “an,” and “the,” as used herein, refer to the singular and plural.
In
In
In
In
In
In
In
The term “about,” as used herein, means plus or minus about 10%.
While this invention is disclosed with reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments and variations of this invention may be devised by others skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to be construed to include all such embodiments and equivalent variations.
Claims
1. A plastic container, comprising:
- a) a base and four sidewalls extending upward from the base and terminating in an open end;
- b) a peripheral indentation in the sidewalls of the container parallel to the base, dividing the container into a top portion and a holding section;
- c) a first circular indentation in a first sidewall below the peripheral indentation; and
- d) a second circular indentation in a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall and just above the base of the container.
2. The plastic container of claim 1, wherein the peripheral indentation is in the middle of the container.
3. The plastic container of claim 1, wherein the peripheral indentation is just below the open end of the container.
4. The plastic container of claim 1, wherein said container is substantially cylindrical.
5. A plastic container, comprising:
- a) a base and four sidewalls extending upward from the base and terminating in an open end;
- b) a peripheral indentation in the sidewall of the container parallel to the base, dividing the container into a top portion and a holding section;
- c) a thickened sidewall portion in the holding section below the peripheral indentation.
6. The plastic container of claim 5, wherein the peripheral indentation is in the middle of the container.
7. The plastic container of claim 5, wherein the peripheral indentation is just below the open end of the container.
8. The plastic container of claim 5, wherein the thickened sidewall portion is about 2-20 mm in width.
9. The plastic container of claim 5, wherein the thickened sidewall portion extends to the base.
10. The plastic container of claim 5, wherein said container is substantially cylindrical.
11. A plastic container, consisting essentially of:
- a) a base and four sidewalls extending upward from the base and terminating in an open end; and
- b) a peripheral indentation in the sidewall of the container parallel to the base, dividing the container into a top portion and holding section.
12. The plastic container of claim 11, wherein the peripheral indentation is in the middle of the container.
13. The plastic container of claim 11, wherein the peripheral indentation is just below the open end of the container.
14. The plastic container of claim 11, wherein said container is substantially cylindrical.
15. A method for transforming a plastic container, having a base and four sidewalls extending upward from the base and terminating in an opening, comprising the steps of:
- a) cutting through the sidewall of the container around the periphery parallel to the base to divide the container into a top portion and holding section;
- b) piercing a first hole through the sidewall of the holding section just below the cut; and
- c) piercing a second hole through the sidewall opposite the first hole just above the base of the holding section.
16. The method of claim 15, where the plastic container is a soft drink bottle, water bottle, milk container, or cosmetics container.
17. The method of claim 15, where the sidewall is cut in the middle of the container.
18. The method of claim 15, where the sidewall is cut just below the top of the container.
19. A method of transforming a plastic container comprising a base and four sidewalls extending upward from the base and terminating in a neck adapted to receive a cap, comprising the steps of:
- a) cutting through the sidewalls of the container around the periphery parallel to the base to divide the container into a top portion and a holding section;
- b) piercing a first hole through a sidewall of the top portion just above the cut;
- c) piercing a second hole through the sidewall of the top portion opposite the first hole just above the cut; and
- d) attaching a dispenser cap to the neck.
20. The method of claim 19, where the plastic container is a soft drink bottle, water bottle, milk container, or cosmetics container.
21. The method of claim 15, wherein the plastic container further comprises a peripheral indentation to facilitate cutting.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the plastic container further comprises a peripheral indentation to facilitate cutting.
23. The method of claim 15, wherein the plastic container farther comprises first and second circular indentation to facilitate piercing.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein the plastic container further comprises first and second circular indentations to facilitate piercing.
25. The method of claim 19, where the sidewall is cut in the middle of the container.
26. The method of claim 19, where the sidewall is cut just below the top of the container.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 26, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 31, 2009
Inventor: Ian Reed Moise (Herndon, VA)
Application Number: 12/492,230
International Classification: B21K 21/16 (20060101); B65D 23/00 (20060101);