U.S. patent application number 11/390324 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for handle and finish attachment for a container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Graham Packaging Company, LP.. Invention is credited to Timothy P. Axe, Carlos U. Buron.
Application Number | 20070221608 11/390324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38532252 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070221608 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Axe; Timothy P. ; et
al. |
September 27, 2007 |
Handle and finish attachment for a container
Abstract
A container and handle assembly includes a container having a
neck, and an attachment formed separately from the container and
assembled thereto. The attachment includes a handle and an
integrally formed ring, the ring being split and having ring
portions adapted to be separated to fit the ring over the neck and
to be secured together to embrace the neck for mounting the handle
assembly to the container. The handle includes a pair of
overlapping handle portions, each secured to a respective ring
portion. The overlapping handle portions may be snap fit together
for securing the attachment to the container.
Inventors: |
Axe; Timothy P.;
(Perrysburg, OH) ; Buron; Carlos U.; (Toledo,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RISSMAN JOBSE HENDRICKS & OLIVERIO, LLP
ONE STATE STREET
SUITE 800
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Assignee: |
Graham Packaging Company,
LP.
York
PA
|
Family ID: |
38532252 |
Appl. No.: |
11/390324 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/396 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/2817
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/396 |
International
Class: |
B65D 23/10 20060101
B65D023/10 |
Claims
1. A container and handle assembly comprising: a container having a
neck, and an attachment assembled to the container and being formed
separately therefrom, the attachment including a handle having an
integrally formed attachment ring for embracing the neck and
mounting the handle to the container, the attachment ring being
split and having ring portions adapted to be separated to fit the
ring over the neck and to be secured together to embrace the
neck.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring is split at a position
overlying the handle.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle has two overlapping
handle portions, each handle portion being attached to a different
one of the ring portions.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the overlapping handle portions
have interengagement members for holding the ring in a closed
position.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the interengagement members are
snap fit together.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring portions are
resiliently movable to open and close the ring.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring portions have ends
with mating alignment members.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the alignment members comprise
a sloped projection slidable in a complimentary sloped recess.
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the ring includes an attachment
element for securing a closure or fitment.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the attachment element is at
least a portion of a thread, bead or flange.
11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the container neck has upper
and lower outwardly extending radial flanges, and the ring is
positioned between and engages the flanges.
12. The assembly of claim 3, wherein a channel is provided on one
ring portion for receiving, when the ring is closed, a part of the
handle portion attached to the other ring portion.
13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the container neck and the
split ring have engaging outer and inner cylindrical surfaces,
respectively.
14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the container neck is made of
one plastic material, and the attachment is made of a different
plastic material.
15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the plastic material of the
container neck is polyethylene terephthalate and the plastic
material of the attachment is polypropylene.
16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the container comprises a
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage container.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the container comprises an
integral blow-molded and substantially transparent PET beverage
container.
18. A method of assembling a handle attachment to a neck of a
container, comprising: providing a container having a neck;
providing an attachment formed separately from the container, the
attachment including a handle having an integrally formed
attachment ring, the attachment ring being split and having ring
portions adapted to be separated; opening the ring by separating
the ring portions and positioning the open ring over an external
surface of the container neck, closing the ring by bringing
together the ring portions to form a closed ring that embraces the
external surface of the neck.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: the handle having
overlapping handle portions with interengagement members; and
connecting the interengagement members on the overlapping handle
portions for securing the attachment to the container neck.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to plastic containers having
handles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Containers 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 to
provide an integral container body, neck finish and handle. Other
plastic containers have been formed with 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 integral handle and neck finish in a blow mold
(for a container body), whereby during blowing of the container
body (from a separate preform) the handle and the neck finish
become attached to the container body.
[0003] 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 (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 INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a
container and handle assembly is provided which includes a
container having a neck, and an attachment, formed separately from
the container, and assembled thereto. The attachment includes a
handle having an integrally formed attachment ring for embracing
the neck and mounting the handle to the container. The attachment
ring is split and has ring portions adapted to be separated to fit
the ring over the neck and to be secured together to embrace the
neck.
[0005] In various embodiments, the ring is split at a position
overlying the handle. The handle has two overlapping portions, each
handle portion being attached to a different one of the ring
portions. The ring portions preferably have ends with mating
alignment members, such as a sloped projection slidable in a
complementary sloped recess. The ring portions are resiliently
movable to allow opening and closing of the ring. The overlapping
handle portions have interengagement members, such as locking
snaps, for holding the ring in a closed position.
[0006] Preferably, the split ring has an attachment element for
securing a closure or fitment to the container, such as a portion
of a thread bead or flange. Also preferably, the split ring is
positioned between upper and lower radial neck flanges, which
prevent axial movement of the neck ring (with respect to the
vertical axis of the container) when the handle is grasped by a
user.
[0007] In one embodiment, a channel is provided on one ring
portion, for receiving a portion of the handle portion attached to
the other ring portion when the ring is closed. This also
facilitates alignment of the two ring portions.
[0008] The container neck and attachment may be made of any plastic
material, and it may be made of different plastic materials. For
example, the container neck, as well as the entire container, may
be made of polyethylene terephthalate, while the finish ring is
made of polypropylene. In one embodiment, an integral blow molded
and substantially transparent PET beverage container is provided
with the attached handle and finish attachment.
[0009] In another embodiment, a method is provided of assembling a
handle attachment to a neck of a container. The method includes
providing a container having a neck, providing an attachment formed
separately from the container, the attachment including a handle
having an integrally formed attachment ring, the attachment ring
being split and having ring portions adapted to be separated. The
method further includes opening the ring by separating the ring
portions and positioning the open ring over an external surface of
the container neck. The method further includes closing the ring by
bringing together the ring portions to form a closed ring that
embraces the external surface of the neck. Preferably, the handle
has overlapping portions with interengagement members on the
overlapping portions, and the method further includes connecting
the interengagement members on the overlapping portions for
securing the attachment to the container neck.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Various embodiments of the invention will be understood from
the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective and fragmentary view of a
container and handle assembly, showing a handle and finish
attachment assembled to the neck of a separate container, according
to one embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment
of FIG. 1, illustrating the handle and finish attachment in an open
condition and removed from the container neck;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the handle and finish
attachment, in an open condition;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the interior of the handle
and finish attachment in an open condition;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior of the handle
and finish attachment in a closed condition;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the
encircled area designated in FIG. 5, showing the finish ring and
upper handle portion in an open condition;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the
encircled area designated in FIG. 4, showing the finish ring and
upper handle portion in a closed condition;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a top view of the handle and finish attachment in
an open condition;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the handle and finish attachment
in a closed condition; and
[0020] FIG.10 is a sectional view taken along lines 10-10 in FIG.
1, showing the finish ring assembled to the container neck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Referring in more detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2
illustrate an embodiment of a container and handle assembly 20,
including a plastic container 22 that is formed separately from a
plastic handle and finish attachment 24, the latter being
attachable to the container 22 after the container is formed (e.g.,
post blow mold). The container 22 may be substantially of any shape
and material, such as a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage
bottle or the like, to define an interior volume in which a product
is to be received. The container 22 is preferably blow molded, but
may also be injection molded or the like. The handle and finish
attachment 24 is formed separately from the container 22, such as
by an injection molding operation or the like. The handle and
finish attachment 24 may be formed of a different plastic material
and/or color than the container 22, thereby increasing the choice
of materials available and potentially reducing the material cost
of the overall container and handle assembly. For example, the
handle and finish attachment 24 may be formed of any suitable
packaging material such as polypropylene or the like. Also,
providing the handle and finish attachment 24 separately from and
after the container 22 is formed, simplifies the design of the
container 22 and of the mold used to make it.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the handle and finish attachment
24 is shown in an open condition and separate from the container.
The attachment 24 includes a split ring 26 integral with a handle
28. The split ring and handle are movable between an open position
as shown in FIGS. 2-4, and a closed position as shown in FIG. 5.
The ability to open and close the handle and finish attachment is
due to the resiliency of the split ring 26, which allows relative
movement between opposed first and second ring portions 40, 42
respectively. The opposed ring portions 40, 42 terminate in first
and second ring ends 44 and 46 respectively, which preferably
include a mating alignment feature 56, 58 to facilitate closure of
the ring.
[0023] The handle 28 includes inner and outer overlapping handle
portions 30, 32 each connected to a different one of ring ends 44
and 46 (respectively). These overlapping handle portions 30, 32 are
provided at the upper end of the handle, adjacent to the respective
ring ends 44, 46. The outer handle portion 32 includes a lower end
34 extending beyond the length of the inner handle portion 30, and
forms a gripping portion by which a user grasps the handle 28. The
inner surface of gripping portion 34 may include ergonomic features
such as ribbed finger recesses 38.
[0024] The split ring 26 is substantially cylindrical and has an
inner cylindrical surface 25 which, when the ring is in the closed
condition (FIG. 5), has a diameter slightly greater than an outer
cylindrical surface 73 of the container neck 70. FIG. 10 shows a
cross section of the finish ring 26 assembled over the container
neck 70, with the engaging inner and outer cylindrical surfaces 25
and 73, respectively. The ring 26 preferably sits between and
engages a pair of spaced-apart upper and lower outwardly extending
radial flanges 76, 71 on the container neck. The upper neck flange
76 defines an open mouth of the container, while the lower neck
flange 71 defines a tamper indicating bead or the like. The finish
ring has an upper surface 21 which engages a lower surface 75 of
the upper neck flange 76, and a lower surface 23 that engages an
upper surface 77 of the lower neck flange 71. Thus positioned, the
ring will resist axial movement (with respect to the major vertical
axis of the container) when a user grasps the handle.
[0025] The split ring 26 has an outer cylindrical surface 27 with
an attachment element, such as a thread, bead, flange or some
portion thereof for securing a closure or fitment (not shown) to
the finish. The present embodiment has an external thread 50 for
securing a closure (e.g., cap) to the container neck.
[0026] As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6-9, the ends 44, 46 of
ring portions 40, 42 are engaged when the handle and finish
attachment 24 is closed (FIGS. 7 and 9). A pair of mating alignment
members, here a sloped projection 56 which fits within a
complimentary-shaped sloped recess 58, are provided on the first
and second ring ends 44, 46. These alignment members assist in
proper alignment and closure of the separate ring ends; proper
alignment may be of particular importance when the split in ring 26
also splits the thread 50 into two thread portions 52 and 54 on
ring portions 40 and 42 respectively.
[0027] The ring portions 40, 42 of split ring 26 are held together
in a closed condition by interengagement features on the first and
second handle portions 30, 32. The interengagement features may be
for example locking snaps, such as the two pairs of studs 37a, b,
shown here on the outer handle portion 32 which fit within
correspondingly shaped holes 35a, b, in the inner handle portion
30. The overlapping handle portions 30, 32 are positionable one
above the other in the closed position (see FIG. 5). A recess 33 is
provided on the interior side of the outer handle portion 32 to
accommodate the inner handle portion 30. In addition, a channel 41
is provided on an exterior surface of the ring near ring end 44,
the channel 41 extending between the lower neck flange 39 and the
top surface 31 of the lower handle portion 30 (see FIGS. 3 and 6).
This channel receives at least a portion 43 of the upper handle 32,
namely the portion 43 which extends circumferentially beyond the
second ring end 46 to which the upper handle portion is connected,
thus enabling portion 43 to be slidably positionable and engaged in
the channel 41 when the handle portions 32, 30 overlap. The studs
37 on upper handle portion 32 can then be pushed into the holes 35
on lower handle portion 30 to secure the first and second handle
portions together, and thereby hold together the first and second
ring ends 44, 46.
[0028] Referring again to FIGS. 1-2, the container 22 includes a
blow-molded body 68 of any suitable shape, and a substantially
cylindrical neck 70 defining an open upper end and mouth portion of
the container 22 through which a product may be added to or
discharged from the container 22. A shoulder 72 is provided between
the neck 70 and the body 68, and a cut-out or recess 74 is provided
in at least a portion of the body 68 and shoulder 72 to provide a
space for the user to grip the handle 28 when assembled to the
container. With the handle and finish attachment 24 in an open
condition and oriented with respect to the container 22 so that the
handle is centered in the recess 74, the ring portions 40, 42 of
the handle and finish attachment 24 are brought together around the
container neck 70, between the upper and lower neck flanges 76, 71.
The finish ring 26 is resiliently closed and held shut by the
studs/holes on the handle portions. Additional features may be
provided on the container and/or attachment to prevent rotation of
the handle and finish attachment 24 with respect to the container
22, to provide alignment of the attachment 24 and container 22,
and/or to further secure the attachment 24 to the container 22. For
example, mating projections and recesses may be provided on the
attachment and container, or portions of the attachment and
container may be attached by adhesive or ultrasonic welding.
[0029] There has thus been described an embodiment of a container
and handle assembly, and a handle and finish attachment for such
assembly, that provides various benefits. Forming a combined handle
and finish ring attachment separately from the container enables
the container to be of a simpler design and permits the use of the
standard blow molder. Providing a handle attachable to the
container neck, rather than to the container body, facilitates ease
of pouring and handling of the container assembly, e.g., one-handed
pouring. Also, the handle attachment may be clamped onto the
container with conventional packaging assembly equipment. The
material used for the container body can be different from the
material used for the handle and finish attachment. Desirably, a
less expensive material can be chosen for each part to provide a
more economical manufacture while still achieving the desired
functions. The handle and/or container finish may also be formed of
different colors and by different methods than the container body,
as desired for a wide range of applications.
[0030] A number of modifications and variations will readily
suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view
of the foregoing description. Directional words such as top,
bottom, upper, lower, radial, circumferential, lateral,
longitudinal and the like are employed by way of description and
not limitation. The invention is intended to embrace all
modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *