Handbag Holder with Nested Hook Elements to Reduce Snagging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bag holders often get caught inside handbags or engage with other objects, making them difficult to remove and potentially causing damage, and they can be cumbersome when carried, either inside or attached outside.

Innovation Solution

The bag holder features two hook elements with arc-shaped contact surfaces of opposite curvatures that interlock to form a compact, 'yin-yang' design, equipped with a magnet arrangement and articulated connection allowing pivoting and twisting, which reduces interference with other objects and enhances usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the bag holder is carried inside the handbag, then it is readily available for use, but it risks getting caught inside the handbag or engaging with other objects, making it difficult to remove and potentially causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of bag holderVSAvoidrisk of getting caught or causing damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The two hook elements are designed to nest within each other when not in use, with the second hook element fitting inside the first hook element. This nesting configuration minimizes the overall volume of the bag holder, reducing the risk of it getting caught on objects inside the handbag while maintaining easy accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact surfaces of the hook elements are designed with arc-shaped curvatures that complement each other, creating a rounded, smooth profile. This curved design eliminates sharp edges and protrusions that could catch on fabric or other objects, allowing the bag holder to slide smoothly in and out of the handbag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If the bag holder is attached to the outside of the handbag, then it is visible and accessible, but it may be cumbersome and interfere with other objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility and accessibilityVSAvoidcumbersomeness when carried
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

When not attached to the handbag, the second hook element nests inside the first hook element, creating a compact, space-efficient configuration that does not interfere with other objects or add unnecessary bulk when carried separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The two hook elements are combined into a single integrated unit with an articulated connection, allowing them to function together as one compact component rather than two separate pieces, reducing overall complexity and ease of carrying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Shape

If the two hook elements are designed to fold together tightly, then the overall shape becomes compact and attractive, but the contact surfaces must be precisely shaped to ensure good engagement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompact overall shapeVSAvoidprecision of contact surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surfaces are designed as complementary arc-shaped surfaces with opposite curvatures. This curved geometry is inherently more tolerant of manufacturing variations than flat or angular surfaces, as small deviations in curvature do not significantly affect the ability of the surfaces to mate and engage properly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The two hook elements feature asymmetric contact surfaces with opposite curvatures - one convex and one concave. This asymmetric design creates a natural interlocking mechanism that ensures proper alignment and engagement without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

The compact, magnetically held design minimizes the risk of the bag holder getting caught and allows easy attachment and removal, providing a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution for carrying handbags while preventing damage.

Implementation Method 1

at least one hook element has a magnet arrangement which generates a holding force between the hook elements when the hook elements are in abutting condition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3430941B1Bag holder, in particular handbag holder
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 HODICKE FRANK
  • EP3430941B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4

AI summary

A bag holder, in particular a handbag holder (1), is described, comprising a first hook element (2) and a second hook element (3), wherein the first hook element (2) and the second hook element (3) are connected to each other via a hinge connection (12-14). The aim is to provide a bag holder that is practical to use. For this purpose, the first hook element (2) is designed to have a first contact surface (4) that is complementary to a second contact surface (5) on the second hook element (3), and the hinge connection (12-14) allows the first contact surface (4) to be placed against the second contact surface (5).