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Talstar's Bugged-Out Bottle Design

By Rain Noe - January 3, 2012

in Object Culture

The two-headed form factor of this Talstar Professional Insecticide bottle is almost disturbingly ugly, yet the physical design is meant to convey its specific manner of use:

The bottle contains a potent concentrate of bug-killing juice. The user is meant to squeeze the base of the bottle, causing a measured amount of product to be drawn up into the heart-shaped chamber, which is graduated. In order for the drawing action to work, air needs to come in from somewhere, and the other cap on the tower-like portion of the bottle serves as a valve. That side of the bottle is shaped like a handle while the other side curves like a spout, hopefully making it obvious that you're meant to pour one way but not the other.

And yes, I recognize that since I worked as a structural package designer (fancy-talk for bottle designer), I may be the only one geeking out over this thing.

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Django Sokoudjou

11 years ago

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I think we kind of lost track of the focus of this discussion. The shape of the bottle, however ugly may it be, is not important. The concentrate itself is effective at eliminating almost all insects you decide to use it on.

Now, if the bottles shape is really disconcerting, then buy the other model of talstar bottle

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dongzo

12 years ago

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a concentrated liquid is added to the graduated area, the jug is tilted in order to transfer the concentrate to the larger area, which is then filled, probably through the cap on the handle side. The cap is replaced on the measuring side, and a sprayer is screwed onto the long side with the handle.

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Tom Mc

12 years ago

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Looks like the Bettix oval only uglier.
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karlrover

12 years ago

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pretty much all the pesticide containers in the industry are in this model. It's NOT NEWS.
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Pat

12 years ago

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Hipstomp I think is a self proclaimed packaging designer because this bottle is not designed to be squeezed but rather tipped allowing the product to enter the dosing chamber. Very different from the other squeeze bottles referenced in the comments.
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b

12 years ago

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have you seen the larger sta-bil bottles?

http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/default.aspx
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-Joel-Kramka-

12 years ago

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If you geek out on that you should also look at the Act mouthwash bottle. You squeeze the bottle to fill a reservoir at the top. It really works well.
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Fred Schechter

12 years ago

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You are perfectly correct in geeking out.
Oh wait, I design packaging too.
#geekAway!
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Robnelp

12 years ago

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Nothing new really, other products have been coming in similar containers for years, I currently have 2 different bottles of this type, one is for 2 cycle engine oil and the other is also an insecticide for spraying on the lawn. Different bottle designs but both make it obvious which way you are supposed to pour from.
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