Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE APPLICATION 
       [0001]    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 INVENTION 
       [0002]    The 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 INVENTION 
       [0003]    Multinational 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. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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&#39;s poorest populations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In 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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a typical plastic soft drink bottle. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts a plastic soft drink bottle modified to facilitate its transformation into an open container or a hand-washing device, with a peripheral indentation and two circular indentations. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts the holding section of a soft drink bottle transformed into a hand-washing device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts the top portion of a soft drink bottle transformed into another kind of hand-washing device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  depicts a typical plastic container used for cosmetics or makeup that can also be transformed into an open container or hand-washing device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  depicts a plastic container modified to facilitate its transformation into an open container or hand-washing device, with a peripheral indentation and two circular indentations. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  depicts the holding section of a cosmetics container transformed into a hand-washing device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  depicts a typical plastic water bottle. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  depicts a modified plastic water bottle with a peripheral indentation, and a thickened sidewall portion just below the peripheral indentation to increase the strength and durability of the rim of the holding section to be used as an open container or hand-washing device after the top portion is removed by cutting. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  depicts a modified plastic water bottle with a peripheral indentation and a thickened sidewall portion below the peripheral indentation extending to the base to increase the strength and durability of the holding section to be used as an open container or hand-washing device after the top portion is removed by cutting. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    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. 
         [0021]    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. 
         [0022]    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. 
         [0023]    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&#39;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. 
         [0024]    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. 
         [0025]    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. 
         [0026]    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. 
         [0027]    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. 
         [0028]    The terms “a,” “an,” and “the,” as used herein, refer to the singular and plural. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  depicts a typical plastic bottle  1  used to hold soda or other liquids. The bottle comprises a base  2  and a sidewall  7  extending upwards from the base  2  and terminating in a neck  5 , which is typically modified to receive a cap (not shown). 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 2 , the bottle of  FIG. 1  is modified to facilitate its transformation into an open container or hand-washing device. A peripheral indentation  6 , parallel to the base  2 , divides the bottle into a top portion  4  and a holding section  3 . A first circular indentation  16  is positioned on the sidewall  7  just below the peripheral indentation  6  and a second circular indentation  17  is positioned on the sidewall  7  about 180 degrees from the first circular indentation  16 , just above the base  2 . 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 3 , the bottle of  FIG. 2  is transformed into a hand-washing device. The bottle is cut through the sidewall  7  along the peripheral indentation  6 , severing the top portion  4  from the holding section  3 . A first hole  10  is pierced through the first circular indentation  16  in the sidewall  7  just below the cut edge  23 . A second hole  11  is pierced through the second circular indentation  17  in the sidewall  7  about 180 degrees from the first hole  10 , just above the base  2 . A suitable hanging means  9  may be inserted through the first hole  10 , suspending the holding section  3 . The size of the second hole  11  near the base  2  is such that water  8  poured into the holding section  3  streams out at a rate suitable for hand-washing without excess waste. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 4 , the severed top portion  4  of the plastic bottle of  FIG. 2  is further transformed into an alternate hand-washing device. Two holes  13  are pierced through the sidewall  7  about 180 degrees apart and just below the cut edge  23  of the top portion  4 . A suitable hanging means  9  may be inserted through the holes  13 , suspending the top portion  4 . Water  8  is poured into the top portion  4 . A dispenser cap  12 , affixed to the neck  5 , allows the water  8  to stream out at a rate suitable for hand-washing without excess waste. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  depicts a substantially cylindrical plastic container typically used for cosmetics or makeup. The container has a base  2  and a sidewall  7  extending upwards from the base  2 . 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 6 , the container of  FIG. 5  is modified to facilitate its transformation into an open container or hand-washing device. A peripheral indentation  6 , parallel to the base, divides the container into a top portion  4  and a holding section  3 . A first circular indentation  16  is positioned on the sidewall  7  just below the peripheral indentation  6  and a second circular indentation  17  is positioned on the sidewall  7  about 180 degrees from the first circular indentation  16 , just above the base  2 . 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 7 , the plastic container of  FIG. 6  is transformed into a hand-washing device. The container is cut through the sidewall  7  along the peripheral indentation  6 , severing the top portion  4  from the holding section  3 . A first hole  10  is pierced through the first circular indentation  16  in the sidewall  7  just below the peripheral indentation  6 . A second hole  11  is pierced through the second circular indentation  17  in the sidewall  7  about 180 degrees from the first hole  10 , just above the base  2 . A suitable hanging means  9  may be inserted through the first hole  10 , suspending the holding section  3 . The size of the second hole  11  near the base  2  is such that water  8  poured into the holding section  3  streams out at a rate suitable for hand-washing without excess waste. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  depicts a typical plastic bottle  1  used to hold soda or other liquids. The bottle comprises a base  2  and a sidewall  7  extending upwards from the base  2  and terminating in a neck  5 , which is typically modified to receive a cap (not shown). 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 9 , the plastic bottle of  FIG. 8  is modified to facilitate its transformation into an open container or hand-washing device. The sidewall  7  is modified with a peripheral indentation  6  parallel to the base  2 , dividing the bottle into a top portion  4  and holding section  3 . A thickened sidewall portion  19  is located just below the peripheral indentation  6  to facilitate the severance of the top portion  4  and to increase the strength and durability of the holding section  3 . 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 10 , the plastic bottle of  FIG. 8  is modified by thickening the sidewall  7  of the holding section  3  from just below a peripheral indentation  6  to the base  2 . The thickened sidewall portion facilitates the severing of the top portion  4  and increases the strength and durability of the holding section  3 . 
         [0039]    The term “about,” as used herein, means plus or minus about 10%. 
         [0040]    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.