U.S. patent application number 11/403482 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for plastic container with separately formed handle.
This patent application is currently assigned to PLASTIPAK PACKAGING, INC.. Invention is credited to Richard C. Darr, Christopher E. Kaminski, William C. Young.
Application Number | 20070158300 11/403482 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38188988 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070158300 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Young; William C. ; et
al. |
July 12, 2007 |
Plastic container with separately formed handle
Abstract
A hollow plastic container with a separately formed handle
engaging the sidewall of the container and supported thereby. The
handle includes an elongated portion extending upwardly over the
major portion of the longitudinal extent of the sidewall and arm
portions extending from the elongated portion towards the sidewall
for engagement with the sidewall, wherein the sidewall receives the
arm portions and holds the handle in place.
Inventors: |
Young; William C.;
(Ypsilanti, MI) ; Darr; Richard C.; (Medina,
OH) ; Kaminski; Christopher E.; (North Royalton,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT H. BACHMAN
59 RICHARD SWEET DRIVE
WOODBRIDGE
CT
06525
US
|
Assignee: |
PLASTIPAK PACKAGING, INC.
|
Family ID: |
38188988 |
Appl. No.: |
11/403482 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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29245347 |
Dec 22, 2005 |
D543463 |
|
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11403482 |
Apr 13, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
215/396 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 23/106
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/396 |
International
Class: |
B65D 23/10 20060101
B65D023/10 |
Claims
1. A plastic container with a separately formed handle, which
comprises: a hollow body of plastic material having a lower
supporting base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the base, and
an upper neck portion with an opening therein, said neck portion
extending upwardly from the sidewall; a separately formed handle
engaging said sidewall and supported thereby, said handle having an
elongated portion extending upwardly over the major portion of the
longitudinal extent of the sidewall, and two separate arm portions
spaced from each other and extending from the elongated portion
towards the sidewall for engagement with the sidewall; and means on
the sidewall to receive said arm portions and hold said handle in
place, wherein said sidewall includes a recessed portion to receive
said handle and wherein both of said arm portions extend towards
each other and towards the container, with each arm portion
including enlarged portions adjacent the end thereof which engage
the sidewall recessed portion and wherein each arm portion has a
length which terminates at the enlarged portion.
2. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said elongated
portion extends in a substantially straight line along said
sidewall.
3. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said arm
portions extend from the ends of the elongated portion.
4. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said elongated
portion extends upwardly over at least 75% of the longitudinal
extent of the sidewall.
5. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said handle is
a one-piece handle.
6. A plastic container according to claim 1, including a shoulder
portion extending upwardly from the sidewall between the neck
portion and the sidewall.
7. A plastic container according to claim 6, wherein said shoulder
portion extends inwardly between the neck portion and the
sidewall.
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said enlarged
portions comprise hook-like protrusions which seat in depressions
in said sidewall recessed portion.
11. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein the outer
extent of said upper neck portion extends inwardly of said
sidewall.
12. A plastic container according to claim 11, wherein the
container opening is essentially round.
13. A plastic container according to claim 12, wherein the outer
extent of said container base is essentially square with rounded
corners.
14. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said sidewall
extends upwardly above said handle and downwardly below said
handle.
15. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said handle
extends solely along said sidewall.
16. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said
separately formed handle is removable.
17. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein the elongated
portion of the handle is substantially flush with the outer extent
of the sidewall.
18. (canceled)
19. A plastic container according to claim, 1 wherein said recessed
portion forms an open space beneath the handle elongated
portion.
20. A plastic container according to claim 1, wherein said means on
the sidewall to receive said arm portions include wall portions
oriented at an angle towards the elongated portion of said handle
to engage said arm portions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 29/245,347, filed Dec. 22, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Plastic containers are widely used commercially for a
variety of products. These containers often include handles for
easy dispensing of product. The handles are generally integrally
formed with the container, as by a stretch blow molding procedure,
which is well known. Also, often the handles generally extend
outwardly from the container.
[0003] However, the integral handle configuration complicates the
stretch blow molding process. It would be highly desirable to
provide a container configuration which can be formed without an
integral handle, and separately form a handle for subsequent
attachment to the container. Particularly, it would be desirable to
provide such a separately formed handle which does not extend
outwardly from the container since an outwardly extending handle
would be subject to damage in processing and handling. Moreover,
the foregoing should be accomplished in a simple and convenient way
with a firm engagement between the separately formed handle
component and the separately formed container component. The
resulting product should be esthetically pleasing and easy to use
by the consumer.
[0004] It would be particularly desirable to provide such a
container-handle configuration wherein the handle is easily
engagable with the container, and wherein the handle can be easily
removed and re-engaged if desired.
[0005] In addition, it is desirable to provide a lightweight,
plastic container suitable for preparation by stretch blow molding
and which permits rigidity while handling and pouring, together
with a firm, rigid separately formed handle component.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to
provide an improved plastic container with a separately formed
handle, wherein the container portion can be conveniently prepared
by stretch blow molding.
[0007] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide a container as aforesaid wherein the separately formed
handle can be firmly engaged with the container, and is removable
from the container, if desired, and is easy to use by the
consumer.
[0008] It is a still further objective of the present invention to
provide a container as aforesaid which is lightweight, and wherein
the container with engaged handle has good product
characteristics.
[0009] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will
appear hereinbelow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with the present invention the foregoing
objects and advantages are readily obtained.
[0011] The plastic container of the present invention, including a
separately formed handle, comprises: a hollow body of plastic
material having a lower supporting base, a sidewall extending
upwardly from the base, and an upper neck portion with an opening
therein, said neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall; a
separately formed handle engaging said sidewall and supported
thereby, said handle having an elongated portion extending upwardly
over the major portion of the longitudinal extent of the sidewall,
and arm portions extending from the elongated portion towards the
sidewall for engagement with the sidewall; and means on the
sidewall to receive said arm portions and hold said handle in
place.
[0012] The container preferably includes a shoulder portion
extending upwardly and preferably inwardly from the sidewall
between the neck portion and the sidewall. The elongated portion of
the handle preferably extends in a substantially straight line
along the sidewall, and the arm portions preferably extend from the
ends of the elongated portion. The elongated portion desirably
extends upwardly over at least 75 percent of the longitudinal
extent of the sidewall. This provides an elongated handle for a
firm and secure grip.
[0013] The sidewall preferably includes a recessed portion to
receive the handle, with an open space beneath the elongated
portion for a positive grip. The arm portions include enlarged
portions on the end thereof which engage the sidewall recessed
portion. The enlarged portions desirable include hook-like
protrusions which seat in depressions in the sidewall.
[0014] The handle desirably extends solely along the sidewall and
the elongated portion of the handle is substantially flush with the
outer extent of the sidewall. Moreover, advantageously, the
separately formed handle is removable if desired.
[0015] Further features of the present invention will appear
hereinbelow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention will be more readily understandable
from a consideration of the following illustrative drawings,
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
plastic container of the present invention including separately
formed handle attached thereto showing the front, left side and top
thereof;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view thereof showing the left
side;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a partially broken away side elevation-view
thereof;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the separately formed handle
showing one side, the inside of the elongated portion and the arm
portions;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the separately formed handle
showing one side, the outside of the elongated portion and the arm
portions; and
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the plastic container of the
present invention without the separately formed handle showing
front, left side and bottom thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment
of the plastic container 10 of the present invention with container
portion 12 and the separately formed handle 14 attached
thereto.
[0024] The container 10 is a hollow, blow molded plastic container
having a lower supporting base 16, a sidewall 18 extending upwardly
from the base 16, a gradually inclined shoulder portion 20
extending upwardly from the sidewall, and an upper neck portion 22
with an opening 24 therein to the inside of the container extending
upwardly from the shoulder portion 20.
[0025] The containers of the present invention are preferably made
of a pliable, deformable synthetic plastic material, such as for
example, polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate
(PET), or other plastic material, although PET is generally used.
The specific embodiment shown in the drawings is for a 48 oz.
plastic container, as for powdered coffee or any other desired
product. However, the present invention can be effectively employed
for any plastic container where a handle is desirably employed.
[0026] The particular neck portion 22 shown in FIGS. 1-2 includes
an upper flange portion 25 for a snap-on closure and/or a foil
closure (not shown). However, other type neck finishes can be
readily employed, as a threaded section to accommodate a screw-on
closure. In addition, the embodiment shown provides an essentially
round opening 24 to the inside of the container, but other opening
shapes may be used if desired. Also, the outer extent of the upper
neck portion in the embodiment shown extends inwardly of the
sidewall, which is preferred.
[0027] FIGS. 4 and 5 show perspective views of the separately
formed handle 14, and FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the
container with attached handle and with the handle portion and
portions of the container partially broken away.
[0028] The separately formed handle 14 has an elongated portion 26
extending upwardly thereon and upper and lower arm portions 28 and
30, respectively, extending inwardly from the upper and lower ends
32 and 34, respectively, from the elongated portion. The handle is
desirably a one-piece handle. Container sidewall 18 includes a
recessed portion 36 to receive handle 14. The handle arm portions
28, 30 extend towards the container and seat in the recessed
portion 36. The handle arm portions may extend at a slight angle or
generally perpendicular with respect to the elongated portion 26.
The handle arm portions 28, 30 each include enlarged portions 38,
40 on the ends thereof which engage the sidewall recessed portion
36, preferably including hook-like protrusions 42, 44 which seat in
depressions 46, 48 in the sidewall recessed portion. The handle 14
can, therefore, be readily inserted and firmly held in place. In
addition, if desired, the handle can be easily removed. Naturally,
other handle-container engagement means can be readily
provided.
[0029] When handle 14 is fixed in place on the container sidewall
18 the handle elongated portion 26 extends upwardly over the major
portion of the longitudinal extent of the sidewall, extending
upwardly over at least 75 percent of the longitudinal extent of the
sidewall. Elongated handle portion 26 preferably extends in a
substantially straight line along the sidewall 18. The container
sidewall 18 includes a lower portion 50 thereof below handle 14 and
an upper portion thereof 52 above handle 14, so that the handle
conveniently extends solely along sidewall 18. Moreover, as can be
seen, the elongated handle portion 26 is substantially flush with
the outer extent of the sidewall. In addition, the container
sidewall recessed portion 36 forms an open space 54 beneath handle
14 for convenience and ease of grasping the handle.
[0030] The handle 14 elongated portion 26 may be solid or may have
an outer portion 56 and an inner portion 58 joined by central
portion 60, as clearly shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, if desired,
the elongated handle portion 26 may simply be a strip-like
portion.
[0031] An exemplificative base 16 is shown in FIG. 6, which shows a
perspective view of the container portion 12 without the handle
attached. Base 16 has a central, inwardly extending recessed area
62 and a peripheral rim 64, which makes the container suitable for
stacking. The outer extent of container base 16 is essentially
square with rounded corners. Naturally, other base configurations
may be conveniently employed.
[0032] Naturally, variations within the scope of the present
invention are contemplated herein. For example, one may alter the
handle or container configuration, and rib reinforcement
modifications may be added to the sidewall to facilitate handling
performance for particular applications.
[0033] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to
be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the
invention, and which are susceptible of modification of form, size,
arrangement of parts and details of operation. The invention rather
is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within
its spirit and scope as defined by the claims.
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