Split-ring handle and container assembly
A plastic container and handle assembly includes a container having a neck, and an attachment formed separately from the container and assembled thereto, the attachment including a handle and an integrally formed attachment ring embracing the neck and mounting the handle to the container. The ring is split and has ends adapted to separate to fit the handle over the neck and adapted to be secured together to embrace the neck of the container. In various embodiments, the handle and/or ring have an integral folded hinge enabling the ring to be pivoted open and closed. In other embodiments, a projection and recess are provided on the attachment and container to provide alignment and prevent relative rotation thereof.
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The present invention relates to plastic containers having handles and methods of forming a container and handle assembly.
BACKGROUNDContainers for flowable products, such as liquids and granular products, have been formed of plastic by a variety of methods. For example, plastic containers have been blow molded from a preform into an integral container body, neck finish and handle. Other plastic containers have been formed comprising an integral container body and neck finish, and a separate handle attached to the container body and/or finish. Still other plastic containers have been formed by positioning an already formed handle and neck finish in a recess or pocket of a blow mold, and then blowing a container body (from a separate preform) whereby the handle and neck finish become attached to the container body.
In some instances, it may be desirable to form the container body in a blow mold without the handle being present so that the blow mold can be more simple in design, e.g., does not require recesses or pockets to form or hold the handle. It also may be desirable to use a different plastic material for the handle and/or neck finish (than for the container body) for reasons such as strength, color, aesthetics or cost. It may further be desirable to provide a handle attached at the neck rather than the body of the container, for ease of pouring and/or one-handed use of the container and handle assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a container and handle assembly is provided. The container includes a neck and, adjacent to the neck, a shoulder having an engaging recess. An attachment is formed separately from the container and assembled thereto. The attachment includes a handle and a split ring integral with the handle and sized to substantially circumscribe the container neck. A projection is provided on the attachment for engagement in the shoulder recess. The engagement of the projection in the recess may be by interference fit. Such engagement, at one or more shoulder locations around the container neck, provides alignment and prevents relative rotation of the attachment with respect to the ring.
In another embodiment, the attachment includes an integral folding hinge enabling the ring to be pivoted opened and closed. The ring may include the integral folding hinge, for example, at a location diametrically opposite the location of the handle/ring connection. Alternatively, the handle may include an integral folding hinge enabling the ring to be opened and closed.
In various embodiments, the split ring includes two ring portions having mating ring ends. The handle may also include two handle portions, each handle portion being attached to a different ring portion. The ring may be split at a position spaced from the handle, such as diametrically opposed to the handle, so that the ring ends and handle are positionable on opposite sides of the container neck. Two sets of engaging recesses and projections may be provided, one adjacent to the handle and the other adjacent the ring ends.
In one embodiment the split ring has two ring portions and the handle has two handle portions, each handle portion being integral with a different one of the ring portions. One or both of the ring portions and handle portions have interengagement features for connecting the respective handle or ring portions.
In another embodiment, the split ring has mating ring ends with a latching mechanism providing a plurality of interengagement positions such that the split ring is adjustable to fit a plurality of different neck sizes.
The split ring preferably includes a finish portion for attachment of a closure or fitment. The finish portion may include at least a portion of an external thread, bead or flange.
In other embodiments, an attachment is provided having one or more of the features previously described, to be assembled to a container. These and other features of the present invention are further described in the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSVarious embodiments of the invention will be understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring in more detail to the drawings,
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The container 422 includes a generally cylindrical body 468 having an upper conical portion, and a substantially cylindrical neck finish 470 defining an open upper end and mouth of the container 422 and to which a closure or fitment (not shown) may be attached using a securing means such as threads 471 or the like. The container 422 also includes a shoulder 472 adjacent the neck 470. At least one recess 474 is formed in the shoulder 472 for receiving an anti-rotation projection 456 extending from a lower surface of the ring end 486 of the handle body 430. The open handle attachment 424 is oriented with respect to the container 422 such that the projection 456 aligns and fits within the recess 474 when the ring portions 440, 442 of the handle attachment 424 are circumscribed around the neck finish 470 of the container 422. Again, the ring is disposed between a flange 473 on the container neck 470 (below the threads 471) and the shoulder 472.
As shown in
There have been described various embodiments of a container and handle assembly, and an attachment for a container assembly, that provide a number of benefits. Forming a combined handle and ring attachment separately from the container enables the container to be of a simpler design, and enables use of a standard blow molder (without a pocket or recess for the handle). Further, providing a handle disposed at the container neck, rather than the container body, can facilitate ease of pouring and handling of the container assembly, e.g., one-handed pouring. Also, the handle attachments may be clamped onto their respective containers, thereby enabling use of conventional packaging assembly equipment. The material used for the container body can be different from that used for the handle attachment. In the embodiments wherein the handle and finish are separate components, they may each be made from different materials. Desirably, the least expensive materials can be chosen for each part to provide a more economical manufacture while still achieving the desired function. For example, without limitation, if the container assembly is used to store a food or beverage product, the container can be made of a food-grade plastic, while the handle, which is not in contact with the product in the container, can be formed of substantially any material, including process regrind and post-consumer recycled materials. The handle and/or container finish may also be formed of a different color and by different methods than the container body as desired for a wide range of applications.
The present invention has been disclosed in conjunction with various embodiments thereof, and a number of modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations will readily suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing description. For example, the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with blow molded plastic containers. However, additional types of containers can be adapted for use with the attachment of the invention, without departing from the disclosure. The interengaging features of the handle and ring attachment may further be secured by ultrasonic welding. To save weight and cost, the handle may be produced with a hollow interior. Directional words such as top, bottom, upper, lower, radial, circumferential, lateral, longitudinal, and the like are employed by way of description and not limitation. Indeed, the invention is intended to embrace all modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A plastic container and handle assembly comprising:
- a container having a neck and a shoulder adjacent the neck with an engaging recess, and
- an attachment assembled to said container and being formed separately thereform, said attachment comprising a handle and a split ring integral with said handle sized to substantially circumscribe said container neck, and an anti-rotation projection on said attachment engaged in said recess.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said projection is engaged in said recess by interference fit.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said split ring includes two ring portions having mating ring ends.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said handle and said ring ends are diametrically opposed on opposite sides of the container neck.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein two sets of engaging recesses and projections are provided, one adjacent said handle and the other adjacent said ring ends.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said ring is split at a location spaced from said handle.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said split ring has two ring portions and said handle has two handle portions, each handle portion being integral with a different one of said ring portions.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said split ring has mating ring ends having a latching mechanism with a plurality of interengagement positions such that said split ring is adjustable to a plurality of different neck sizes.
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said ring includes an integral folding hinge enabling the ring to be pivoted open and closed.
10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said handle includes an integral folding hinge enabling the ring to be opened and closed.
11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said split ring includes two ring portions with mating ring ends and said hinge is spaced from said ring ends.
12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said ring and said handle each have two portions, each handle portion being integral with a different ring portion, and wherein said handle and/or ring portions include interengagement features for connecting said respective handle and/or ring portions.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said interengagement features are snap fit.
14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said split ring includes a finish portion for attachment of a closure or fitment.
15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said finish portion includes at least a portion of an external thread, bead or flange.
16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said finish portion includes at least one external thread portion.
17. A plastic attachment for a plastic container having a neck and a shoulder adjacent the neck with an engaging recess, the attachment comprising:
- a handle, and
- a split ring integral with said handle, said split ring being sized to substantially circumscribe the container neck, and an anti-rotation projection on said attachment adapted for engaging a container recess.
18. The attachment of claim 17, wherein said split ring is substantially cylindrical.
19. The attachment of claim 17, wherein said split ring includes a finish portion for attachment of a closure or fitment.
20. The attachment of claim 19, wherein said finish portion includes at least a portion of an external thread, bead or flange.
21. The attachment of claim 20, wherein said finish portion includes at least one external thread portion.
22. The attachment of claim 17, wherein said attachment includes an integral folding hinge enabling the ring to be pivoted open and closed.
23. The attachment of claim 22, wherein said integral hinge is part of said handle.
24. The attachment of claim 22 wherein said integral hinge is part of said split ring.
25. The attachment of claim 17, wherein said split ring includes two ring portions with mating ring ends.
26. The attachment of claim 25, wherein said handle is split into two handle portions, each connected to a different ring portion.
27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein said handle portions include interengagement features for connecting said handle portions.
28. The attachment of claim 27, wherein said interengagement features are snap fit.
29. The attachment of claim 25, wherein said ring portions include interengagement features for connecting said ring portions.
30. The attachment of claim 29, wherein said interengagement features are snap fit.
31. The attachment of claim 17, wherein said attachment is of two-piece construction, each piece including a ring portion and a handle portion and interengagement features for connecting the pieces.
32. The attachment of claim 17, wherein said attachment is of one-piece construction.
33. The attachment of claim 17, wherein said attachment includes a plurality of projections for engaging one or more container recesses.
34. The attachment of claim 33, including two projections diametrically opposed on opposite sides of the ring.
35. The attachment of claim 17, wherein said split ring has mating ring ends having a latching mechanism with a plurality of interengagement positions such that said split ring is adjustable to a plurality of different neck sizes.
36. A plastic container and handle assembly, including:
- a container having a neck, and
- an attachment assembled to said container and being formed separately therefrom, said attachment comprising a handle and a split ring integral with said handle sized to substantially circumscribe said container neck, said attachment including an integral folding hinge enabling the ring to be pivoted open and closed.
37. The assembly of claim 36, wherein said hinge is part of said split ring.
38. The assembly of claim 36, wherein said hinge is part of said handle.
39. The assembly of claim 36, wherein said handle includes two handle portions having interengagement features for connecting said handle portions.
40. The assembly of claim 36, wherein said split ring includes two ring portions having interengagement features for connecting said ring portions.
41. The assembly of claim 36, wherein said split ring has two ring portions and said handle has two handle portions, each handle portion being integral with a different one of said ring portions.
42. The assembly of claim 36, wherein said ring is split at a position spaced from said handle.
43. The assembly of claim 36, wherein said split ring includes two ring portions having mating ring ends.
44. The assembly of claim 36, wherein said neck of said container body and said split ring are substantially cyclindrical.
45. The assembly of claim 36, wherein said split ring includes a finish portion for attachment of a closure or fitment.
46. The assembly of claim 45, wherein said finish portion includes at least a portion of an external thread, bead or flange.
47. The assembly of claim 46, wherein said finish portion includes at least one external thread portion.
48. A plastic attachment for a plastic container having a neck, the attachment comprising:
- a handle, and
- a split ring integral with said handle, said split ring being sized to substantially circumscribe the container neck, said attachment including an integral folding hinge enabling the ring to be pivoted open and closed.
49. The attachment of claim 48, wherein said hinge is part of said split ring.
50. The attachment of claim 48, wherein said hinge is part of said handle.
51. The attachment of claim 48, wherein said handle includes two handle portions having interengagement features for connecting said handle portions.
52. The attachment of claim 48, wherein said split ring includes two ring portions having interengagement features for connecting said ring portions.
53. The attachment of claim 48, wherein said split ring has two ring portions and said handle has two handle portions, each handle portion being integral with a different one of said ring portions.
54. The attachment of claim 48, wherein said ring is split at a position spaced from said handle.
55. The attachment of claim 48, wherein said split ring includes two ring portions having mating ring ends.
56. The attachment of claim 48, wherein said split ring is substantially cyclindrical.
57. The attachment of claim 48, wherein said split ring includes a finish portion for attachment of a closure or fitment.
58. The attachment of claim 57, wherein said finish portion includes at least a portion of an external thread, bead or flange.
59. The attachment of claim 58, wherein said finish portion includes at least one external thread portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 27, 2006
Publication Date: Sep 27, 2007
Applicant: Graham Packaging PET Technologies Inc. (York, PA)
Inventors: David Piccioli (Auburn, NH), Amit Agrawal (Merrimack, NH), Tapan Patel (Nashua, NH), Stephen Guerin (Milford, NH)
Application Number: 11/389,822
International Classification: B65D 23/10 (20060101);