Removable handle, particularly for cooking containers
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable handles for cooking containers are complex to manufacture and use, prone to durability issues due to numerous components, and often require specific attachment means, making them unsafe and not economically competitive.
Innovation Solution
A simplified removable handle design with a reduced number of components, featuring a base portion, a handle portion, and a locking and unlocking lever that uses reliefs and an elastically deformable portion for secure attachment to cooking vessels, allowing easy adaptation to standard market containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable handle with coupling and uncoupling systems is used for cooking containers, then the total space occupied by the containers is reduced and versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases and durability decreases due to numerous components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coupling body and uncoupling lever into a single integrated base portion, eliminating the need for separate coupling mechanisms. The lever itself performs both the coupling and uncoupling functions, reducing the number of components while maintaining versatility for different cooking containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The base portion with its integrated lever mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the coupling interface, the locking mechanism, and the uncoupling action all in one component. This multi-functional design allows the handle to be adapted to various cooking containers without requiring container-specific coupling systems.
2Ease of operation
If a removable handle with numerous components is used, then coupling and uncoupling functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the coupling body and uncoupling lever into one base portion, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the ease of operation for coupling and uncoupling the handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is divided into two main segments: the base portion (with integrated coupling and uncoupling mechanisms) and the handle portion. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of each part while maintaining overall functionality, reducing assembly complexity compared to having multiple small components.
3Ease of operation
If a removable handle with complex coupling systems is used, then attachment functionality is achieved, but reliability decreases due to damage to weaker components
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the coupling body and uncoupling lever into a single base portion eliminates weak points that would exist at junctions between separate components. The unified structure reduces the risk of component failure while maintaining ease of operation for coupling and uncoupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The base portion is designed with reinforced structures and proper material selection to prevent damage before it occurs. The integration of components allows for better load distribution and stress management, preventing premature failure of weaker elements.
4Reliability
If handles requiring especially constructed cooking containers are used, then secure coupling is achieved, but adaptability to standard market containers decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The base portion with its integrated lever mechanism is designed as a universal coupling system that can attach to various types of cooking containers. The lever provides secure locking while the overall design accommodates standard market containers, eliminating the need for container-specific modifications.
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 provides a safe, durable, and economically competitive handle that is easy to assemble and use, with a reduced component count, ensuring secure fixation and resistance to traction forces, while being adaptable to various cooking vessels without modifications.
Implementation Method 1
The locking and unlocking lever (7) comprises an elastically deformable portion (72) configured to snap engage a corresponding rigid portion (52) of the handle portion (5)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a removable handle (1), particularly for cooking containers for food, comprising: - a base portion (3) adapted to be fixed immovably to a wall of a cooking vessel and comprising a coupling body (30); - a handle portion (5) adapted to be detachably fixed to said base portion (3) and comprising a coupling cavity (50) configured to receive said coupling body (30) of said base portion (3), said coupling body (30) being insertable in said coupling cavity (50) along a main coupling direction (D), - a locking and unlocking lever (7) which can be activated to lock and unlock said coupling body (30) inside said coupling cavity (50). According to the invention, said locking and unlocking lever (7) is hinged to said handle portion (5) about an axis of rotation (A) substantially parallel to said main coupling direction (D), said locking and unlocking lever (7) comprising at least a first relief (71), said coupling body (30) comprising at least a second relief (31) configured to engage with said first relief (71) of said locking and unlocking lever (7), said locking and unlocking lever (7) being rotatable about said axis of rotation (A) between a locking position in which said first relief (71) of said locking and unlocking button (7) holds said second relief (31) of said coupling body (30) so that said coupling body (30) is locked inside said coupling cavity (50) and an unlocking position in which said first relief (71) and said second relief (31) are not mutually engaged so that said coupling body (30) is free to move with respect to said coupling cavity (50), said locking and unlocking lever (7) comprising an elastically deformable portion (72) configured to snap engage a corresponding rigid portion (52) of said handle portion (5) when the locking and unlocking lever (7) is in said locking position.