Bottle Handle Structure for Compact Storage and Stable Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plastic bottle handles occupy too much space when attached, making storage in limited spaces difficult, and are unstable on lightweight bottles, which can deform under the handle's attachment and pressure during use.

Innovation Solution

A handle design featuring a neck supporting part, a bottom supporting part, and a gripping part with adjustable engagement mechanisms that allow for compact storage and stable support, including a bottom supporting part that envelops the bottle's lower portion and a gripping part that changes orientation for easy handling and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the connecting part is designed to provide a hand insertion space for handling, then ease of operation is improved, but the volume occupied when attached increases making storage difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handlingVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping part is designed to change its orientation dynamically based on the engagement state. When the neck engages with the first engagement part, the gripping part extends vertically along the bottle body, minimizing space occupation for storage. When the neck engages with the second engagement part, the gripping part extends at an angle to create space for hand insertion, improving ease of handling. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between storage compactness and handling comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the insertion part hangs in the groove of the bottle body for attachment, then ease of manufacture is improved, but stability is worsened especially for lightweight bottles that deform readily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment simplicityVSAvoidsupport stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented into two independent engagement parts: the first engagement part provides stable support by having the neck engage within it, while the second engagement part enables easy attachment/detachment. This segmentation allows the stable support function to be separated from the attachment function, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and support stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The neck of the bottle acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the handle and the bottle body. By having the neck engage with the first engagement part, the load is distributed through the neck rather than concentrating pressure on a single groove, providing stable support for lightweight bottles while maintaining ease of attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Weight of moving object

If the bottle body is made lighter to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but the bottle becomes more flexible and deforms readily under handle pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebottle weightVSAvoidresistance to deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The first engagement part is designed with specific local qualities to distribute and disperse the pressure from the handle across a larger area of the neck. This local pressure distribution prevents concentration of force that would cause deformation in lightweight bottles, maintaining strength where needed while keeping the overall bottle weight low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2617656B1Handle for a plastic bottle
Publication Date: 2014.10.01 THE COCA COLA CO
  • EP2617656B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2617656B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2617656B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Handle 30 is provided with a bottom supporting part 32 that receives the bottom of a bottle 1 and supports the bottom portion of the bottle 1, a neck supporting part 34 that mates with the neck 3 of the bottle 1 and supports this, and a gripping part 36 that connects the bottom supporting part 32 and the neck supporting part 34. The neck supporting part 34 has a first engagement part 60 and a second engagement part 62 with which the neck 3 can engage and disengage. The gripping part 36 exists as an extension in the vertical direction in such a manner that it runs along the body 5 of the bottle 1 in the event that the neck 3 is engaged with the first engagement part 60, and exists as an extension that is slanted relative to the vertical direction in such a manner that it draws apart from the bottle 1 in the event that the neck 3 is engaged with the second engagement part 62. This provides a handle that can ensure the storability in a pocket, etc. of a refrigerator even in a state where it is attached to a bottle, and that in addition can provide stable support even for a bottle whose weight is to be lightened.