Bifurcated Handle for Container Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Container carriers in retail environments often have sharp caps that can cause discomfort when grasped, and the intended grasping location is not intuitive, leading to uneven weight distribution and uncomfortable carrying.
Innovation Solution
A container carrier with an integrally molded body featuring annular structures, a circumferential rib with flanges, and a bifurcated handle that flexes downward for comfortable grasping and to avoid sharp edges, allowing even weight distribution and vertical stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the container carrier uses a rigid handle structure, then the structural integrity is improved, but the handle interferes with vertical stacking of multiple container carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed with flexibility to bend downward when stacked, transitioning from a rigid structure to a dynamic one that can adapt its shape. This allows the handle to clear the container above during vertical stacking while maintaining structural integrity during carrying operations
Solution Approach 2:
The handle's physical state changes between two configurations: an extended upright position for carrying that provides structural support, and a bent downward position for stacking that clears obstructions. This parameter change in shape and position resolves the contradiction between maintaining strength and enabling stacking
2Ease of operation
If the handle extends upward from the container carrier, then users can easily grasp and carry the carrier, but the handle may contact sharp edges of container caps causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is extracted and positioned separately from the container caps, extending upward from the carrier body rather than being integrated with or near the cap structures. This spatial separation removes the harmful sharp edges from the user's grasping zone while maintaining carrying functionality
3Device complexity
If the grasping location is not intuitive, then the container carrier structure is simpler, but the weight distribution becomes uneven causing uncomfortable carrying
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is positioned at the top center of the container carrier, creating a balanced grasping point that distributes weight evenly across the user's hand and arm. This central, elevated position acts as an equipotential point for weight distribution, making the carrier comfortable to hold without complex adjustments
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and comfortable grasping and carrying of containers without contacting sharp edges, with a handle design that flexes to accommodate downward forces without interfering with vertical stacking.
Implementation Method 1
The pair of arms may flex to allow an intersection of the bifurcated region and graspable region to move, thereby accommodating a downward flexion of the graspable region of the handle when a downward biasing force is applied to the handle
Data Source
AI summary
A container carrier and manufacturing method therefor are provided. The container carrier may include an integrally molded body with a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of annular structures. Each annular structure may connect to at least one adjacent annular structure and may include a circumferential rib with a plurality of flanges, which are collectively configured to secure a container. An integrally formed handle may extend upward from the body of the container carrier. The handle may include a graspable region and a bifurcated region that forms a pair of arms that connect to the body and support the graspable region in an upright configuration in an unbiased state. The arms may flex such that an intersection of the bifurcated region and graspable region moves to accommodate a downward flexion of the handle when a downward biasing force is applied to the handle in a biased state.