Stackable Cookware Handle with Nested Projection and Recess Fittings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cookware storage methods are cumbersome and unstable, especially when stacking vessels of varying dimensions, as they often lead to tilting and instability, and removable handles can be lost or damaged.

Innovation Solution

A stackable cookware system with handles featuring a longitudinally extending design, including a proximal flange and a distal grip portion with a high aspect ratio, which allows for contactless nesting and stable stacking through male and female fittings, preventing cosmetic damage and ensuring stability across different dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If cookware vessels are stacked for storage to save space, then storage efficiency is improved, but the stack becomes unstable and vessels tilt as the stack grows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidstack stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by placing one cookware vessel inside another, with the inner vessel's handle fitting into a recess of the outer vessel's handle. This nested configuration allows multiple vessels of varying dimensions to be stored compactly while maintaining stability, as each vessel is securely positioned within the next larger vessel rather than creating an unstable growing stack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If handles are made removable to facilitate nesting, then ease of nesting is improved, but handles can be lost or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenesting easeVSAvoidhandle retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is segmented into multiple components: a first handle portion attached to the vessel, a second handle portion that fits into a recess of the first portion, and a third handle portion that fits into a recess of the second portion. This segmentation allows the handle to be disassembled for nesting while each segment remains attached to its respective vessel, preventing loss or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple handle portions are used for nesting, then nesting capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenesting capabilityVSAvoidhandle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle structure is designed with universal recesses and protrusions that can accommodate multiple handle portions from different vessel sizes. The same recess configuration appears on multiple vessels, allowing any handle portion to fit into any compatible recess, providing versatile nesting capability without requiring unique complex structures for each vessel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10687671B2Cookware article and utensil handle

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 MEYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES LIMITED

AI summary

A stackable cookware article system may include a stackable handle having a grip portion including a projection and a hole configured for stacking with similarly configured handles. The hole may be adapted to receive in at least an upper inner surrounding portion a complimentary downward extending projection that extends from a substantially similar grip portion. When stacked, cookware articles, such as a series of vessels having progressively decreasing diameters, deploying the handle may stably stack in nested arrangements external portions of an inner nested vessel contacting the internal portion of an outer surrounding vessel in which it nests.