Bottle Cap with Integrated Handle Bracket for Grip and Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottle caps do not provide a convenient and comfortable way for users to hold or attach bottles to other objects, such as backpacks, while maintaining a fluid-tight seal.
Innovation Solution
A cap with a bracket and a tab element forming a loop handle, where the tab element can be molded or made of flexible material with saw-tooth surfaces to securely lock within an aperture, providing a graspable handle and optional attachments like a strap or device, and a spout cover for easy fluid access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional cap design is used, then the sealing function is simple and reliable, but the user cannot comfortably hold or attach the bottle to other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single cap structure: the bracket provides both structural support and attachment capability, while the tab element serves as both a decorative feature and a functional handle for gripping and attaching the bottle. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction by improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is designed with multi-functionality: the bracket can serve as both a structural support and an attachment point for straps or carabiners, while the tab element can function as a grip handle, a decorative feature, or an attachment point depending on configuration. This universality allows the cap to provide enhanced user comfort while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a tab element is added to form a handle, then user grip comfort is improved, but the cap structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tab element is integrated with the bracket structure, combining what could be separate components into a unified assembly. The tab element can be molded as part of the bracket or attached using simple mechanical means, reducing the overall component count and assembly complexity while still providing the desired grip comfort.
3Reliability
If the tab element is made of flexible material with saw-tooth surfaces, then the locking mechanism is strengthened, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tab element utilizes material property changes by employing flexible material with varying thickness regions. The thinner regions provide flexibility for insertion and engagement, while thicker regions provide structural strength for locking. This parameter variation allows the locking mechanism to achieve high reliability through material design rather than complex manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A cap for a receptacle such as a bottle, the cap comprising:a sealing portion for forming a substantially fluid-tight seal with an open end of the receptacle;a bracket formed on or with the cap, the bracket having an aperture therethrough; andat least one tab element received in or through said aperture, at least one of said tab element or elements forming a handle to be grasped by a user.