Packaging containers are used every day and everywhere in our lives, and this is exactly why they should never be a burden on anyone, mentally or physically. To create a product that many people can comfortably use, we need to understand consumers' lifestyles, the ways they use products, and the issues they face, and incorporate universal design perspectives specific to packaging into product design.
One such “universal design bottle” from Toyo Glass Co., Ltd. is the ultra-light returnable milk bottle. The glass bottle, designed based on human engineering principles, is such as easy to hold and pour. Using an easy-to-grip trunk design that narrows in the middle and special coating technology, we have achieved a 40% weight reduction from conventional bottles. The bottle is easy to handle by a child with small hands or someone with a weak grip, and the lighter weight saves on resources and energy while contributing to reduced GHG emissions.
In the future, our offering of products and services that incorporate the universal design viewpoint will allow more and more people to be supported on a daily basis.
By incorporating a waist in the body and applying a resin coating to the glass surface, we have achieved a reduction in weight of about 40% from the conventional bottle (460g), resulting in an ultra-lightweight returnable milk bottle (280g) that is easy to handle even for children with small palms and elderly people with weak grip strength. This product is also environmentally friendly due to resource saving, energy saving, and reduction of GHG emissions achieved by the weight reduction.
Compared to the traditional 200ml returnable milk bottle, which was heavier than its contents at 244g, we have achieved a 50% reduction in weight through resin coating. This has been a significant burden when transporting by the case for school lunches and home delivery, causing a great deal of strain on students and delivery service providers. However, it is expected that this burden will be reduced with the 'Z200'. In addition, the environmental impact has also been reduced due to the lighter weight.
Designed with a minimalist approach to eliminate any unnecessary elements, the "J230" is a beverage glass bottle aimed at being friendly to both people and the environment for the upcoming era. It is about 46% lighter than conventional drink bottles of the same capacity (110g compared to 205g), achieving a balance between design and functionality with its slim shape, a challenging feat for ultra-lightweight bottles.
Note: The general sale of "J230" ended in 2019.
■Ultra Lightweight Bottle for Milk “Z900”
・Good Design Universal Design Award (2000)
・Good Design Long Life Design Award (2010)
■Lightweight Bottle for Milk “A200KJ”
・Good Design Universal Design Award (2001)
■Universal Design Jars for Food
・GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2002
■Ultra Lightweight Bottle for drink “J230”
・GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2008
