Sheet Metal Handle Recessed Into Lid Grid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handles for grid-like constructed lids of washing containers and sieve baskets occupy additional space, leading to inefficient use of container interior space and increased material requirements.

Innovation Solution

A flat, manually operated handle with a mounting structure that minimizes height increase on the lid, allowing the handle to recess partially into the lid and be easily manufactured from a sheet metal blank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional handle is attached to the lid of a wash basket, then the handle provides carrying functionality, but the handle occupies additional space inside the container and increases material requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrying functionalityVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is nested within the lid structure itself, with the handle bar formed by bending the lid sheet metal and the holding legs integrated into the lid grid. This nesting eliminates the need for separate handle components and reduces overall space occupation while maintaining carrying functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle and lid are merged into a single integrated structure. The handle bar is formed from the same sheet metal as the lid, and the holding legs are integrated with the lid grid structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components and minimizes space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a handle with significant height is used on the lid, then the handle provides adequate gripping surface, but the clearance between stacked sieve baskets is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping surfaceVSAvoidclearance between stacked baskets

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle structure varies its height locally: the handle bar provides adequate gripping height where needed, while the holding legs are designed to be low-profile and integrated into the lid grid. This local quality optimization allows adequate gripping surface while minimizing the overall height increase that would reduce clearance between stacked baskets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a complex handle suspension structure is used to attach the handle to the lid, then the handle can pivot properly, but the manufacturing complexity and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex handle suspension structure is extracted and replaced with a simplified attachment method. The holding legs are directly integrated into the lid grid structure, eliminating the need for separate suspension components. This extraction of unnecessary complexity maintains pivoting capability while reducing manufacturing complexity and material usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12214100B2Sheet metal handle, and cover with sheet metal handle

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 AESCULAP AG

AI summary

A handle, preferably for a lid of a medical sieve basket, and a method of forming a handle. The handle includes a base body having a handle bar and at least one holding portion adjoining the handle bar, and at least one eyelet-shaped or bent fixing lug arranged at an end of the holding portion opposite the handle bar for pivotal mounting of the handle. The base body is formed of a planar sheet metal that includes at least one lug-like projection at the end of the holding portion opposite the handle bar. The projection is bent to form the fixing lug. The handle can be pivotally secured to a lid.