The Infamous Juice Container

                    I think it’s borderline impossible to look at the picture above without remembering those epic battles you fought when you were in elementary school. This design was supposed to make opening a milk/chocolate milk/juice container fairly simple, however, I think the designers failed to realize that the term “usable” was also included in the features of good design. I’m certain that anyone who has came in contact with one of these containers knows the struggle of pushing the corners of the opening back, pulling the center, but not being able to pour out what’s inside.

                     This picture above has me reminiscing my childhood when I’d be sitting at the lunch table looking like the dork who couldn’t open his juice container. “No everyone, it’s the container not me.” I promise you when I looked for my milk or juice, I was feeling every possible container for the stiffest and sturdiest structure. I dread to remember those days where I was stuck with those soggy containers that I would have to perform an operation on just to quench my thirst.  I don’t know if it was the lunch ladies leaving the containers in ice until the ice turned to water, or if it was just that bad of a design. Although, I can’t even blame the designers for this because my school and I’m sure every other elementary school in the country were the ones keeping them in business!
                     You would think that this design wouldn’t be too much of a problem, but even till this day I have trouble with it. For every three containers I open, one of them decides to fight back. Sometimes I’ll have to use some sort of tool to pry it open and other times the thing will rip open and half the juice will end up on my clothes. I have my little cousin entering into elementary school this year and I say prayers hoping he’s not the laughing stock of the cafeteria.