GB2056402A - A container handle - Google Patents

Abstract

The handle to be used in combination with a container having a rim extending along one peripheral end thereof, comprises: an endless band 22 of thermoplastic material which is resiliently stretchable and a bail 24 integrally molded with the band to generally diametrically opposite portions thereof; the band has a circumferentially constant cross- section that includes a concave inner face 36 which forces one of the peripheral edges of the band in tight engagement underneath the rim of the container when the band is in a stretched condition, flat against the body wall of the container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Container handle This invention is generally concerned with a container handle and, more particularly, with handles for holding and positioning cans or similar containers for a variety of products.

Presently used cans of this type, such as paint cans, are equipped with a metallic bail handle which is hooked to two diametrically opposite elements welded to the body wall of the can. One disadvantage of a metallic bail handle is that the wall of the can must first be treated and coated to avoid any welding with corrosion parts of the can.

Additionally, the label that goes on to the body wall must be so shaped as to fit the contour of the welded parts on the wall.

In Canadian patent No. 933,101 issued September 4, 1973 to Illinois Tool Works Inc.

there is disclosed a handle member which forms an integral part of a plastic sleeve that is interlocked with the peripherally seamed end of the can assembly. The sleeve includes a semicylindrical slit to form a semi-cylinrical strap which may be stretched to position above the can to serve as the handle member when used. One disadvantage of such a system is that the weight of the can combined with the effect of having a slit in the sleeve often results in the tearing off of the handle portion from the sleeve.

Other types of plastic bands presently used on the market consist of two piece elements which are interconnected together to form a handle member.

It is an object of this invention to provide for use in combination with a container, a unitary plastic handle which provides a tight engagement against the body wall of the container. This is achieved by providing the band portion of the handle with a configuration that includes a concave inner face which, when forced flat against the body wall of the container under stretched condition, causes one peripheral edge thereof to tightly engage beneath the rim of the can.

The present invention therefore pertains to a handle for use in combination with a container having a body wall and a rim extending along one peripheral end thereof, which comprises: an endless band of thermoplastic material which is resiliently stretchable so that, when inserted on the container, the band is in a stretched condition on and in tight engagement with the body wall; and a bail molded integrally with the band to form a unitary structure, the bail including a pair of arm portions joined respectively to generally diametrically opposite portions of the band; the band has a circumferentially constant crosssection with an inner face and upper and lower peripheral edges; the inner face is concave when in a non-stretched condition, the concavity causing one of the peripheral edges in tight engagement underneath the rim when the band is in the stretched condition and flat against the body wall.

In one form of the invention, the peripheral edge, or both, has a shape complementary to that of the rim to facilitate the pouring of the material inside the container.

In anohterform of the invention, the peripheral edge, or both, has a pointed extremity.

In another form of the invention, the peripheral edge,.or both, is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced notches for ease of band expansion and for providing sliding-off resistance to the band.

Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter; it should be understood however that this detailed description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, is given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a handle mounted on a container; Figure 2 is an enlarged partial view of the band portion of the handle in the non-stretched condition; Figure 3 is an enlarged partial view taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 1 and showing the band portion of the handle in the stretched condition, flat against the container wall; Figure 4 is an enlarged partial view of another embodiment of the band portion of a handle made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 is an elevational view showing another embodiment of a handle made in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a plastic handle, generally denoted 10, mounted to a metallic container generally denoted 12 The container 1 2 includes a cylindrical body wall 14 and a lid or cover 16. As shown in Fig. 3, the upper peripheral edge of the body wall projects outwardly to form a peripheral rim 1 8 spaced outwardly from the adjacent surface of the body wall. A similar peripheral rim 20 is, in most cases, provided at the lower peripheral edge of the body wall. Some containers may be constructed without a lower peripheral edge.

The handle 10 is formed of a thermoplastic material that is resilient, flexible and elastic. The handle consists of two portions: an endless band 22 and a bail 24 which are formed together as a unitary assembly by means of a plastic forming operation, such as by injection moulding. Although polyethylene is a preferred example of a suitable plastic material which is resistant to tearing, other functionally similar materials could be used satisfactorily for the handle 10.

The material of the handle must be resiliently stretchable for allowing the passage of its band portion 22 over the peripheral rim 18 or 20 of the container.

Bail 24 includes two arm sections 26 and 28; as shown in Fig. 6, these arm portions preferably have an H-shaped cross-section for most of its length. At an intermediate point of the bail, a notch 30 on the inner wall provides a seating arrangement for a support from which the container may be suspended. The arm sections 26, 28 are connected to generally diametrically opposite portions of the band by means of flat connection portions 32, 34, respectively. These portions are flat and extend in a plane parallel to the plane of the endless band 22. The crosssection of these portions 32, 34 are reduced compared to the cross-section of the arm sections 26, 28 to provide a hinged action when the bail is rotated relative to the band.

Referring to Fig. 2, the band 22 has an inner concave surface 36 and upper and lower peripheral edges 38 and 40. In the embodiment described, the upper edge 38 is slightly curved to fit the shape of the peripheral rim 1 8 of the container. The lower edge 40 is similarly shaped so that proper positioning of the band during insertion assembly of the band on a container is eliminated.

To insert the handle on the container, band 22 is radially expanded by a stretching device, such as described in applicant copending application.

Once the band is positioned on the metallic container, it takes the position shown in Fig. 3 where the concave inner face becomes flat since it remains on the body wall of the container under stretched condition. The concavity of the endless band forces the upper extremity 38 in tight engagement beneath the peripheral rim 18 of the container.

Fig. 4 shows another band 42 which also includes a concave inner face 44 but with pointed upper and lower extremities 46, 48. In this form of the invention, the pointed extremity is tightly engaged in the corner formed by the peripheral rim 18 of the container and the body wall 14.

Fig. 5 shows a handle 10' similarly .constructed to the handle 10 shown in Fig. 1. However, in this form of the invention, the band portion 22' of the handle is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced notches 50 which have a dual function: it serves to ease the expansion of the endless band during its insertion of the metallic container; secondly, it provides sliding resistance should the endless band become partially removed from the peripheral rim.

Claims (6)

1. For use in combination with a container having a body wall and a rim extending along one peripheral end thereof, a handle comprising: - an endless band of thermoplastic material, said material being resiliently stretchable so that, when inserted on said container, said band is in a stretched condition on and in tight engagement with said body wall; and - a bail molded integrally with said band to form a unitary structure, said bail including a pair of arm portions joined respectively to generally diametrically opposite portions of said band; -said band having a circumferentially constant cross-section including an inner face and upper and lower peripheral edges, said inner face being concave when said band is in a non stretched condition, the concavity of said inner face causing one of said peripheral edges to come in tight engagement underneath said rim when said band is in said stretched condition and flat against said body wall.

2. A handle as defined in Claim 1, wherein said one of said peripheral edges includes a curved recess having a shape complementary to that of said rim so as to snugly fit said rim.

3. A handle as defined in Claim 1, wherein said one of said peripheral edge is pointed.

4. A handle as defined in Claim 1 , wherein each of said peripheral edges includes circumferentially spaced notches.

5. A handle as defined in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said arm portions include flat connecting portions adjacent said diametrically opposite portions of said band, each said flat connecting portions having a reduced cross-section compared to the cross-section of the remaining arm portion, said reduced cross-section providing a twistable hinge allowing said bail to rotate 900 relative to the plane of said band to ensure vertical positioning of said container when suspended.

6. A handle as defined in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said arm portions have an H-shape cross section.