U.S. patent application number 11/440804 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-29 for handle attachment for a container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Graham Packaging Company, L.P.. Invention is credited to Jeffrey D. DiPasquale, Stephen R. Guerin, Frank W. Mahr, David P. Piccioli, Stephen D. Ream, Kirk W. Rudolph.
Application Number | 20070272651 11/440804 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38748581 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070272651 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DiPasquale; Jeffrey D. ; et
al. |
November 29, 2007 |
Handle attachment for a container
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a container and handle assembly comprising a
container having a neck, and handle attachment formed separately
from the container and assembled thereto. The attachment includes a
handle extending to a ring adapted to fit over and secure with the
container neck for mounting the handle attachment to the container.
The handle attachment ring includes internal threads along the
inner wall complementary with external threads positioned on a
shoulder of the neck. The ring also includes notches for receiving
radially extending projections on the neck shoulder to prevent
unthreading of the handle attachment from the container.
Inventors: |
DiPasquale; Jeffrey D.;
(Lititz, PA) ; Rudolph; Kirk W.; (Perrysburg,
OH) ; Mahr; Frank W.; (Toledo, OH) ; Ream;
Stephen D.; (Onstead, MI) ; Piccioli; David P.;
(Auburn, NH) ; Guerin; Stephen R.; (Milford,
NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RISSMAN JOBSE HENDRICKS & OLIVERIO, LLP
ONE STATE STREET, SUITE 800
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Assignee: |
Graham Packaging Company,
L.P.
York
PA
|
Family ID: |
38748581 |
Appl. No.: |
11/440804 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/396 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 23/104
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/396 |
International
Class: |
B65D 23/10 20060101
B65D023/10 |
Claims
1. A container and handle assembly comprising: a container
comprising a neck and a body, a portion of the neck being
surrounded by a radially outwardly extending shoulder proximal to
the body, the shoulder having at least one external thread and at
least one notch; and a handle attachment comprising a handle and a
ring, an inner wall of the ring having at least one internal thread
complementary with the at least one external thread of the
container shoulder, the inner wall further comprising at least one
radially extending projection for receipt by the at least one notch
of the container shoulder to prevent unthreading of the handle
attachment from the container.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one external and
internal threads comprise a segmented thread.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one notch is
positioned between the thread segments.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the neck further comprises a
mouth and at least one external closure thread proximal to the
mouth, for securing a threaded closure.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the neck further comprises a
detent positioned between the at least one external thread on the
shoulder and the body, the detent contacting a corresponding detent
on the handle adjacent and below the ring, to prevent rotation of
the ring through the shoulder.
6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the neck further comprises at
least one protuberance positioned on the shoulder which, when
contacting at least one corresponding lip on the ring, prevents
rotation of the ring through the shoulder.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one radially
extending projection of the ring is angulated with respect to the
circumferential direction of the inner wall.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one radially
extending projection comprises a plurality of projections equally
spaced around the circumference of the inner wall.
9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one notch
comprises a plurality of notches equally spaced around the
circumference of the shoulder, for engaging the plurality of
projections.
10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the neck is made of one
plastic material, and the handle attachment is made of a different
plastic material.
11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the plastic material of the
container neck is polyethylene terephthalate and the plastic
material of the attachment is polypropylene.
12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the container comprises a
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage container.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the container comprises an
integral blow-molded and substantially transparent PET beverage
container.
14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is integral with
the ring.
15. A container comprising a neck and a body, a portion of the neck
being surrounded by an annular shoulder proximal to the body, the
shoulder including a plurality of thread segments and a plurality
of notches on the circumference of the shoulder, each notch being
positioned between two thread segments, the neck encompassing a
mouth and further comprising at least one external closure thread
adjacent the mouth for securing a threaded closure, wherein the
shoulder thread segments provide a diameter greater than that
afforded by the at least one external closure thread.
16. A container comprising a neck portion surrounded by an annular
shoulder containing a plurality of thread segments and a plurality
of notches on a circumference of the shoulder, each notch
positioned between two thread segments, the neck further comprising
at least one external closure thread above the shoulder for
securing a threaded closure, and the shoulder thread segments
providing a diameter greater than that afforded by the at least one
external closure thread.
17. A handle attachment for a container, the handle attachment
comprising a handle integral with a ring, the ring having an inner
wall containing internal thread segments and a plurality of
radially extending projections on the circumference of the inner
wall, each projection being positioned between two internal thread
segments, the internal thread segments being complementary with
external thread segments of a shoulder of the container for
securing the handle attachment to the container, and wherein the
projections are capable of being received by notches in the
container shoulder to prevent unthreading of the handle attachment
from the container.
18. The attachment of claim 17, wherein the internal thread
segments are complementary with external thread segments of a
container.
19. A preform comprising a neck and a body, the neck comprising: an
annular shoulder surrounding the neck, the shoulder including at
least one external thread and at least one notch; and at least one
external closure thread above the shoulder, for securing a threaded
closure.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to plastic containers having
attachable 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 simpler 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 comprising a container
and a handle attachment. The container comprises a neck and a body
where a portion of the neck is surrounded by a radially outwardly
extending shoulder proximal to the body, the shoulder having at
least one external thread and at least one notch. The handle
attachment comprises a handle and a ring, an inner wall of the ring
having at least one internal thread complementary with the at least
one external thread of the container shoulder, the inner wall
further comprising at least one radially extending projection for
receipt by the at least one notch of the container shoulder to
prevent unthreading of the handle attachment from the
container.
[0005] The container neck and the handle attachment may be made of
any plastic material, and they 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
handle attachment can be made of polypropylene. In one embodiment,
an integral blow molded and substantially transparent PET beverage
container is provided with the handle attachment.
[0006] Another embodiment provides a container comprising a neck
and a body, where a portion of the neck is surrounded by an annular
shoulder proximal to the body. The shoulder includes a plurality of
thread segments and a plurality of notches on the circumference of
the shoulder, each notch being positioned between two thread
segments. The neck encompasses a mouth and further comprises at
least one external closure thread adjacent the mouth for securing a
threaded closure, wherein the shoulder thread segments provide a
diameter greater than that afforded by the at least one external
closure thread.
[0007] Another embodiment provides a container having a neck
portion surrounded by an annular shoulder containing a plurality
(two or more) of thread segments and a plurality of notches on a
circumference of the shoulder. Each notch is positioned between two
thread segments. The neck further comprises at least one external
closure thread above the shoulder for securing a threaded closure
(e.g., a cap). The shoulder thread segments provide a diameter
greater than that afforded by the at least one external closure
thread.
[0008] Another embodiment provides a handle attachment for a
container, the handle attachment comprising a handle integral with
a ring, the ring having an inner wall containing internal thread
segments and a plurality of radially extending projections on the
circumference of the inner wall, each projection being positioned
between two internal thread segments, the internal thread segments
being complementary with external thread segments of a shoulder of
the container for securing the handle attachment to the container,
and wherein the projections are capable of being received by
notches in the container shoulder to prevent unthreading of the
handle attachment from the container.
[0009] Another embodiment provides a preform comprising a neck and
a body, the neck comprising:
[0010] an annular shoulder surrounding the neck, the shoulder
including at least one external thread and at least one notch;
and
[0011] at least one external closure thread above the shoulder, for
securing a threaded closure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Various embodiments of the invention will be understood from
the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a ring of a handle attachment,
according to one embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the handle attachment,
taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a detailed side view of the neck of the
container;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container and handle
assembly showing the handle attachment secured to the
container;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container and handle
assembly, showing the handle attachment separate from the
container;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a detailed side view of another embodiment of a
container neck;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of a
handle attachment;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a detailed side view of another embodiment of a
container neck; and
[0021] FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of another embodiment of a
handle attachment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Referring in more detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show
a top plan view and sectional side view, respectively, of an
embodiment of the handle attachment. FIG. 3 provides a detailed
side view of an embodiment of the neck of the container. FIGS. 4
and 5 illustrate an embodiment of a container and handle assembly
10 in a secured and unsecured arrangement, respectively.
[0023] Referring in more detail to FIGS. 4 and 5, assembly 10
includes a container 12 that is formed separately from a handle
attachment 30, the latter being attachable to the container 12
after the container is formed (e.g., post blow mold).
Alternatively, the handle attachment can be secured to a preform
neck, prior to blow molding of the preform body (into a container
body). Container 12 is constructed to be secured to handle
attachment 30 by engaging matching threads (screw type threads) on
substantially cylindrical neck 20 of container 12 and ring 32 of
handle attachment 30.
[0024] The container 12 may be substantially of any shape and
material, e.g., a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage bottle
or the like, to define an interior volume in which a product is to
be received. The container 12 can be blow molded, injection molded,
extrusion blow molded, or the like. The handle attachment 30 is
formed separately from the container 12, and can be prepared by
injection molding, extrusion molding, compression molding, or the
like. The handle attachment 30 may be formed of a different plastic
material and/or color than the container 12, thereby increasing the
choice of materials available and potentially reducing the material
cost of the overall container and handle assembly. For example, the
handle attachment 30 may be formed of polypropylene or the like.
Providing the handle attachment 30 separately from the container
12, and attaching it after the container is formed, can simplify
the design of the container 12 and of the mold used to make it.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of neck 20, positioned adjacent
body 14 of the container. Neck 20 has at least one external closure
thread 21 proximal to container mouth 24 for securing a closure
(e.g., cap) to the container. Radially outwardly extending shoulder
25 is provided proximal to body 14. "Proximal to body" can mean a
shoulder abutting body 14 or displaced by a relatively small amount
(compared to the overall height of the neck), leaving a portion of
neck 20 abutting body 14. An external thread 26 is provided on
shoulder 25. Above the shoulder 25 is radially outwardly extending
annular bead 22 positioned between external threads 21 and 26. Bead
22 is designed to cooperate with a plastic closure (not shown).
When a plastic closure is removed by twisting upwards along the
threads 21, it tears along a perforation from an annular
tamper-evident band, which is retained on the container by bead 22.
Bead 22 is shown sloped outwardly towards body 14, but
alternatively, can be horizontal, e.g., flat.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows an optional recess 23 between bead 22 and
shoulder 25, having a diameter less than that of shoulder 25 and
bead 22. An external thread 26 and recessed notch 28 on shoulder 25
provide the features used to connect container 12 to handle
attachment 30.
[0027] The external thread 26 on shoulder 25 can be of the same
material as the neck and formed by injection molding and the like.
External thread 26 can be continuous or interrupted (segmented),
e.g., having two or more of sloped segments, which provide a
threaded pathway, like a continuous thread but with interrupted
sections. As used herein, "thread" includes a single continuous
thread, a portion thereof (e.g., segment), or multiple portions
(e.g., segments) of threads.
[0028] Shoulder 25 contains at least one notch 28 to ensure that
the container and handle assembly does not unthread, as discussed
in more detail below. Notch 28 is positioned in a manner that does
not interfere with the threaded engagement between shoulder 25 and
ring 32. FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of notch 28 positioned
between two external thread segments 26, although other
arrangements can be readily constructed. In one embodiment, a
plurality (two or more) of notches 28 can be positioned on the
circumference of shoulder 25, and can be equally spaced from each
other.
[0029] FIGS. 1 and 2 show top plan and side views, respectively, of
handle attachment 30, comprising ring 32 and handle 33. Ring 32 is
secured onto shoulder 25 of neck 20 while handle 33 provides a
gripping portion for grasping by a user. Ring 32 and handle 33 can
be formed integrally, or formed separately with subsequent
attachment. The inner surface of handle 33 may include ergonomic
features such as ribbed finger recesses (not shown).
[0030] Ring 32 comprises inner wall 34 having at least one internal
thread 36 and at least one internal radially extending projection
38. The at least one internal thread 36 can be segmented or
continuous and is complementary with external thread(s) 26 to allow
shoulder 25 to engage ring 32. After the engagement, the tip or end
of projection 38 is received by the recess of notch 28. Projection
38 can take any shape or form, e.g., a finger (as shown in FIG. 1)
or a tab, where notch 28 would have a corresponding shape. In one
embodiment, projection 38 is angulated with respect to the
circumference 35 of inner wall 34. The angle can be selected such
that when turning the ring in the screw direction, the projection
38 can slide in and out of notch 28. In contrast, turning the ring
in the unscrew direction locks projection 38 onto notch 28. In
another embodiment, notch 28 can likewise be angulated, or have a
conforming shape to catch projection 38 when the ring is turned in
the unscrew direction but not when the ring is turned in the screw
direction.
[0031] In one embodiment, the locking engagement between projection
38 and notch 28 can be further secured by the use of two or more
corresponding projections 38 and notches 28. In one embodiment, the
at least one projection 38 can comprise a plurality of projections
38 around the circumference of inner wall 34, e.g., each projection
38 can be equally spaced from another, in a manner that corresponds
to the number and spacing of notches 28.
[0032] Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the container 12 includes
a blow-molded body 14 of any suitable shape or length, as
illustrated by the cutaway 18. A substantially cylindrical neck 20
can define an open upper end and mouth portion 24 of the container
12 through which a product may be added to or discharged from the
container 12. Body 14 of container 12 may have an upper tapered
(e.g., conical) section 16 below neck 20 to provide a space 15 for
a user to grip the handle 33 when assembled to container 12.
Alternatively, handle 33 can be sufficiently drawn out and angled
to provide space 15.
[0033] When forming assembly 10, ring 32 of handle attachment 30 is
lowered around neck 20 of container 12, until positioned adjacent
shoulder 25, and then turned (screwed) into a locked position. The
diameter of internal thread(s) 36 (and thus, ring 32) is greater
than that of the external closure threads 21 to enable ring 32 to
access shoulder 25. Ring 32 is then turned to cooperatively fit
internal thread(s) 36 with external thread(s) 26 until
projection(s) 38 are retained and locked in the recess of notch(s)
28.
[0034] In one embodiment, locking mechanisms can be provided on
handle attachment 30 and/or container 12 to prevent ring 32 from
completely rotating down shoulder 25 and bottoming out onto
container 12. In one embodiment, ring 32 contains at least one lip
37. FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a handle attachment 30
containing two opposing lips 37 positioned on top of ring 32. In
another embodiment, it can be readily appreciated that one or more
such lips can be placed at various positions on ring 32. FIG. 6
shows a corresponding neck constructed to cooperate with the ring
attachment of FIG. 7, where neck 20 has at least one corresponding
protuberance 27 (two shown in FIG. 6) can be positioned along
shoulder 25. When ring 32 is rotated about external threads 26, lip
37 eventually butts against protuberance 27, and further rotation
is thereby prevented.
[0035] Alternatively, an appropriately designed lip or protrusion
can be placed along inner wall 34 of ring 32 (and corresponding
protuberance along wall of shoulder 25) so long as the lip or
protrusion does not substantially interfere with the rotation of
ring 32 to engage corresponding threads with shoulder 25 and
insertion of projection 38 into notch 28.
[0036] In another embodiment, FIG. 9 shows a handle attachment 30
fitted with a detent or notch 39 positioned on handle 33, the
detent 39 being immediately adjacent and below ring 32.
Correspondingly, FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of neck 20, which
can be provided with a corresponding detent or flange 29 lying
below shoulder 25. Rotating ring 32 eventually causes detent 39 to
contact the top of flange 29, which prevents further downward
movement of ring 32.
[0037] Another embodiment provides a preform having a neck 20 as
described above for container 12. The preform can be initially
prepared by injection molding, in which the neck features are
implemented, e.g., an annular shoulder including at least one
external thread and at least one notch. The neck further comprises
at least one external closure thread above the shoulder, for
securing a closure. The preform can be subsequently inserted into a
blow molding apparatus to form the blow molded container. Shoulder
25 (or flange 29, if present) can doubly function as a supporting
flange to facilitate handling the preform during blow molding.
[0038] There has thus been described embodiments of a container and
handle assembly that provides various benefits. Forming a handle
attachment separately from the container enables the container to
be of a simpler design and permits the use of a 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 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 container may
also be formed by different methods as desired for a wide range of
applications.
[0039] 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.
* * * * *