Removable handle for cookware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable cookware handles often experience loose connections with the attachment point, leading to unwanted movement of the container, and the placement of lock/unlock buttons is inconvenient, causing accidental disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A removable handle design featuring an elongated handle section with a non-circular opening and a locking mechanism, where the locking bar is biased to a locked position and actuated by a trigger section located away from the thumb, preventing accidental disengagement, and providing a secure and easy attachment to the cookware container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable handle design is used for cookware, then storage efficiency and versatility are improved, but connection stability and reliability deteriorate due to loose connections with the attachment point
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into separate components: a body section with a thicker portion that fits into the flange opening, a tab section that extends under the flange, and a locking bar that secures the assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bar is positioned and engaged before the handle is fully attached to the container. The thicker portion of the body section is inserted into the flange opening first, with the tab extending under the flange, and then the locking bar is engaged to secure the connection, ensuring stability is established in advance.
2Ease of operation
If lock/unlock buttons are placed on top of the handle for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but accidental disengagement increases due to thumb placement
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is positioned asymmetrically on the handle, specifically at the second end away from the thumb placement area. This asymmetric positioning maintains ease of operation through the trigger mechanism while preventing accidental activation by the user's thumb during normal handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger section acts as an intermediary between the user's finger and the locking bar. The user must deliberately press the trigger section to move the locking bar to the unlocked position, providing a controlled intermediate step that prevents accidental disengagement while maintaining ease of intentional operation.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the handle, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bar is merged with the handle structure, and the actuator is integrated into the same assembly. The thicker portion of the body section and the tab section are combined into a single integrated component that fits into the flange opening. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bar is biased to automatically engage with the flange bottom surface, providing self-locking functionality. The spring bias ensures the locking bar moves to the locked position automatically when the handle is attached, eliminating the need for additional locking actions or complex control mechanisms.
4Volume of moving object
If the handle is made removable for compact storage, then space efficiency is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates due to unwanted movement
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into distinct functional parts: the body section with thicker portion and tab for insertion, the locking bar for securing, and the spring bias for maintaining force. This segmentation allows each part to contribute to connection reliability while maintaining the removable nature of the handle for compact storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bar is engaged in the locked position before the handle is subjected to use conditions. The spring bias is pre-loaded to maintain continuous locking force, ensuring connection reliability is established in advance and maintained throughout the cooking and storage cycles.
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 solution ensures a secure and user-friendly connection that prevents accidental disengagement and allows for easy removal, providing a versatile handle that can be used for cooking, serving, and storing, while minimizing space usage.
Implementation Method 1
The elongated locking bar is biased to the locking position
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a removable cookware handle having an elongated handle section. The elongated handle section has first and second ends, wherein at the first end of the handle section there is the means for removable attachment to the attachment point on a cookware container and a means for locking the removable handle to the attachment point. The attachment point in on the cookware container comprises a bracket that has a depending section attached to a side wall of the cookware container and a flange at the top edge of the depending section and extending outwardly from the side wall of the cookware container. A non-circular elongated opening is centrally located through the flange and generally orientated with its longitudinal axis generally parallel to the side wall of the cookware container. The opening is sized and shaped to engage with the means for removable attachment on the handle.