TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to handles for containers, including separately formed plastic handles for containers.
BACKGROUND
Plastic containers are widely used commercially for a variety of products. These containers often include handles to assist with the dispensing of product. For many applications, handles may be integrally formed with the container, such as by stretch blow molding. However, integral handle configurations can complicate the stretch blow molding process and some separately formed handles can be heavy and/or uncomfortable.
Consequently, for some applications, it can be desirable to provide a separately formed handle for subsequent attachment to the container. Some conventional flat bail handles can be uncomfortable to hold, particularly if the associated package is heavy. Comfort can sometimes be increased by providing thicker handles with the load spread over a wider area across a user's hand. However, providing comparatively thicker handles requires more material and increases the associate costs. Additionally, for some applications, the thickness of the handle can be limited, as it may need to fit within the available space between stacked containers.
As such, for some applications it can be desirable to provide a separately formed handle that can be easily engaged with a container, is comfortable to hold, and/or provides improved properties or function. Moreover, it can also be desirable to provide a separately formed and attachable handle that is plastic and lightweight.
SUMMARY
A separately formed handle for a container includes an annular portion, an extension portion, and a grip portion. In embodiments, the annular portion is configured to engage a portion of a separate container; the extension portion is connected to and extends from the annular portion; and the grip portion is connected to the extension portion. In embodiments, the grip portion may include a plurality of spaced apart fins having grooves on opposite surfaces thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a handle for a container;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of a handle shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment of a handle shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front view of the embodiment of a handle shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a back view of the embodiment of a handle shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a right side view of the embodiment of a handle shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a left side view of the embodiment of a handle shown in FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 are perspective, left side elevation, and top plan views, respectively, of an embodiment of a handle engaging a container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
An embodiment of a handle 10 for a container in accordance with aspects of the disclosure is generally illustrated in FIG. 1. The handle can be a unitary article that is separately formed from a container. In embodiments, the handle 10 may be comprised of a plastic material and may be formed using various known techniques, including injection and compression molding processes. By way of example, and without limitation, the handle 10 may be comprised of high density polyethylene (HDPE). Further, in some embodiments, and without limitation, the handle 10 may be comprised of other plastic materials, such as polypropylene (PP).
As generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, an embodiment of a handle 10 may include an annular portion 20, and extension portion 30, and a grip portion 40. The annular portion 20 may be shaped like, or generally form, a ring. In embodiments the annular portion 20 may be configured to engage a portion of a container, such as, for example, an upper or neck portion of a container. Without limitation, an embodiment of a handle 10 shown in engagement with a container 100 is generally illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10.
As generally illustrated in FIG. 2, an annular portion 20 may include an outer frame portion 50 and a flange portion 52. The flange portion 52 may be provided with an inner diameter D that is configured to fit over and engage an upper or neck portion of a separate container, such as a bottle. For example, and without limitation, diameter D may be about 1.030 inches for engaging a bottle with a common 28 mm PCO (plastic closure only) finish. As generally illustrated, in an embodiment, the flange portion 50 may optionally include a plurality of radial segments 60 that are at least partially separated by a plurality of radial grooves 62. The inclusion of such radial segments can permit a measure of flexibility for fitting the annular portion 20 over a portion of a container. Moreover, as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the annular portion 20 may optionally include a plurality of support formations 64 connected to portions of the flange portion 52. In the illustrated embodiment, two support formations 64 are shown in connection with each radial segment 60 of the flange portion 52. However, the disclosure is not limited to the depicted configuration, and more or less support formations (as well as support formations having different sizes (lengths and/or thicknesses) as well as shapes) may be employed as desired.
As generally illustrated in FIG. 2, in an embodiment the outer frame portion 50 of the annular portion 20 may be generally circular. Further, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the outer frame portion 50 can optionally include one or more segments (e.g., outer radial segment 70) that may be substantially linear or straight. With embodiments, a segment of an extension portion 30 may connect to a portion of the outer frame portion 50. In the illustrated embodiment, segments of the two illustrated extension portions 30 are shown connected to segments 70 provided at opposing sides of the annular portion 20. In embodiments the extension portions 30 may, as depicted, connect to the annular portion 20 at or about 180° relative to each another and generally in alignment with a central axis A of the annular portion. However, it is noted that the attachment may occur on opposing sides of the annular portion 20 at other angular positions that are offset from the central axis A.
As generally illustrated in FIG. 1, a grip portion 40 may include a plurality of spaced apart formations or “fins” (e.g., fins 80) with grooves 82 provided adjacent opposite surfaces of the fins 80. By providing frequent interruptions in the material comprising the grip portion 40, the grip portion 40 can have substantially similar overall (volume) dimensions to handles that are more comfortable for gripping, while employing significantly less material. Moreover, the distance between adjacent fins (associated with the grooves 82 therebetween) and the density of the fins (e.g., relative to the number of fins that would typically touch a single finger of a user when gripping the grip portion) may be such that a user's finger will not be pinched between fins 80, and the gripping of the grip portion 40 will be comfortable. For perspective, it is noted that an average width of an adult human finger (or fingerbreadth), measured below the finger tip, is approximately seven eights of an inch (or 2.2225 cm). Without limitation, in embodiments of the grip portion, each of a user's middle finger and ring finger will commonly contact at least four fins 80. For some embodiments, though, contact by one such finger (across the fingerbreadth) could be made with at least eight fins 80. Further, as generally illustrated in FIG. 2, a grip portion may include a plurality of curved grip segments 90. In the illustrated embodiment, four curved grip segments 90 are shown. However, more or less curved grip segments 90 may be provided as desired for a given application. The curved grip portions 90 may be configured to approximate a finger size, or range of finger sizes, for a user. The grip portion 40 may include a backbone 92 that generally runs the length of the grip portion 40 and provides a structure for support from which the plurality of fins 80 extend. Additionally, as generally shown in the FIG. 1, an optional inner segment 94 of the grip portion 40 (which may be a portion of the backbone 92) may be free of grooves and further may be generally flat or flush relative to a contact point on a user's finger when the grip portion 40 is engaged by a user's hand.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and various modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
Patent Application
20130008915
