GB2157257A

GB2157257A - Handle for a container

Info

Publication number: GB2157257A
Application number: GB08502226A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henryk Dudzik
Original assignee: Mardon Illingworth Ltd
Current assignee: Impress Sutton Ltd
Priority date: 1984-04-12
Filing date: 1985-01-29
Publication date: 1985-10-23
Also published as: GB8502226D0; GB8409552D0; GB2157257B

Abstract

The handle has a sleeve 14 to which is attached a yoke 13 by hinge portions (19). The handle is a one-piece plastics moulding and is moulded in a flat state, the hinge portions (19) permitting bending of the yoke to an operative position. An annular projection 21 is joined to one axial end of the sleeve by a resilient annular hinge portion 20. The projection extends at an acute angle to the sleeve as viewed in cross-section. The sleeve is pushed over the neck 12 of a container with resilient deflection of the projection, so that the latter snaps behind a shoulder 23 on the neck to captivate the handle on the neck. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Handle for a container This invention relates to a handle for a container.

It is convenient to mould plastics carrying handles independently of containers, but some means of firmly securing the handle to the container is then required. Where the container has a neck,, this can be done by engaging a sleeve of the handle over the neck and the sleeve can be held on the neck by a cap or by a circumferential shoulder around the neck. The provision of a shoulder is much preferred, since otherwise the handle could be loose and unusable once the cap is removed.

The sleeve would have to be resilient to permit it to be expanded to snap over the shoulder for mounting the handle on the neck. This would be no problem with a small container, but for a large container, e.g. for carrying 5 or more litres of liquid, the sleeve needs to be strong and is, consequently, difficult to put onto the neck.

The present invention provides a handle which can readily be attached to a container neck and which is suitable for use with large containers.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a moulded plastics handle comprising a handle portion and an engagement portion for engagement over the neck of a container, the engagement portion comprising a sleeve integrally formed with projecting means comprising an annular inner projection of a plurality of inner projections angularly spaced relative to the sleeve, the or each projection being joined to the sleeve by a resilient hinge portion and extending, as viewed in cross-section, at an acute angle to the sleeve, whereby the projecting means can be resiliently outwardly displaced as the engagement portion is engaged over the neck and is resiliently biased inwardly in use for captivating the handle between shoulders of the container.

This arrangement provides a secure connection of the engagement portion to the neck and the engagement portion can easily be forced over the neck by means of a tool engaging with the sleeve, since the sleeve is spaced radially outwardly from the projecting means engaging the neck.

Where the projecting means comprises an annular projection, the hinge portion may also be annular or may comprise discrete portions. Where the hinge portion is annular, drainage holes are preferably provided in the hinge portion or the annular projection for draining spilled liquid.

The handle portion preferably comprises a yoke integrally formed at each end with the sleeve. To facilitate moulding, the yoke preferably lies in a diametral plane of the sleeve in the as-moulded state and the yoke, or portions thereof, are sufficiently flexible to permit bending of the yoke to bridge the sleeve. Reduced thickness portions may be provided at diametrically opposite sides of the sleeve to define hinge portions for bending the yoke.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of a handle according to the invention, in the as-moulded state; Figure 2 is an underside plan view of the handle; and Figure 3 is a sectional view of the handle shown in a position of use on the neck of a container.

The handle shown in a plastics moulding from resilient material such as high density polyethylene. The handle comprises an engagement portion 11, for engging over the neck 12 (Figure 3) of a container, and a yoke, or handle portion, 13.

The engagement portion 11 comprises a cyindri cal sleeve 14 having integrally formed external lugs 15, 16 at diametral opposite sides of the sleeve. The yoke 13 is integral at each end with a respective lug and, in the as-moulded state, lies in a diametral plane of the sleeve, so that the moulding is of shallow depth. Adjacent each lug 15, 16, the yoke has a reduced thickness portion 18, 19 and these portions serve as hinges to permit bending of the yoke to a position of use, bridging the sleeve, as shown in Figure 3.

At one axial end, the sleeve is integrally formed with an annular hinge portion 20 securing the sleeve to an inner annular projection 21 within the sleeve. This projection is of frusto-conical form and, as viewed in section, extends at an acute angle to the sleeve.

Drainage holes 22 are formed in the annular projection 21 adjacent the hinge portion 20.

As shown in Figure 3, the handle is intended for a container neck having an external circumferential shoulder 23. The shoulder lies adjacent an external screw thread 24 for receiving a cap.

In use, the sleeve can be engaged with a tool to push the engagement portion onto the neck 12.

The annular projection 21 is expanded resiliently by the screw threads, due to hinging at the hinge portion 20, and snaps over the shoulder 23. The projection is resiliently biased radially inwardly to grip the neck. As is apparent from Figure 3, the sleeve 14 is located radially outwardly of the projection 21 to a sufficient extent to facilitate engagement by a tool.

The projection, therefore, is captivated between the shoulder 23 and the body 10 of the container.

When the container is lifted by the handle, the end of the projection opposite to the hinge portion 20 engages the shoulder 23.

1. A moulded plastics handle comprising a handle portion and an engagement portion for engagement over the neck of a container, the engagement portion comprising a sleeve integrally formed with projecting means comprising an annular inner projection or a plurality of inner projections angularly spaced relative to the sleeve, the or each projection being joined to the sleeve by a resilient hinge portion and extending, as viewed in cross-section, at an acute angle to the sleeve, whereby the projecting means can be resiliently outwardly displaced as the engagement portion is engaged over the neck and is resiliently biased in

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Handle for a container This invention relates to a handle for a container. It is convenient to mould plastics carrying handles independently of containers, but some means of firmly securing the handle to the container is then required. Where the container has a neck,, this can be done by engaging a sleeve of the handle over the neck and the sleeve can be held on the neck by a cap or by a circumferential shoulder around the neck. The provision of a shoulder is much preferred, since otherwise the handle could be loose and unusable once the cap is removed. The sleeve would have to be resilient to permit it to be expanded to snap over the shoulder for mounting the handle on the neck. This would be no problem with a small container, but for a large container, e.g. for carrying 5 or more litres of liquid, the sleeve needs to be strong and is, consequently, difficult to put onto the neck. The present invention provides a handle which can readily be attached to a container neck and which is suitable for use with large containers. In accordance with this invention, there is provided a moulded plastics handle comprising a handle portion and an engagement portion for engagement over the neck of a container, the engagement portion comprising a sleeve integrally formed with projecting means comprising an annular inner projection of a plurality of inner projections angularly spaced relative to the sleeve, the or each projection being joined to the sleeve by a resilient hinge portion and extending, as viewed in cross-section, at an acute angle to the sleeve, whereby the projecting means can be resiliently outwardly displaced as the engagement portion is engaged over the neck and is resiliently biased inwardly in use for captivating the handle between shoulders of the container. This arrangement provides a secure connection of the engagement portion to the neck and the engagement portion can easily be forced over the neck by means of a tool engaging with the sleeve, since the sleeve is spaced radially outwardly from the projecting means engaging the neck. Where the projecting means comprises an annular projection, the hinge portion may also be annular or may comprise discrete portions. Where the hinge portion is annular, drainage holes are preferably provided in the hinge portion or the annular projection for draining spilled liquid. The handle portion preferably comprises a yoke integrally formed at each end with the sleeve. To facilitate moulding, the yoke preferably lies in a diametral plane of the sleeve in the as-moulded state and the yoke, or portions thereof, are sufficiently flexible to permit bending of the yoke to bridge the sleeve. Reduced thickness portions may be provided at diametrically opposite sides of the sleeve to define hinge portions for bending the yoke. Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of a handle according to the invention, in the as-moulded state; Figure 2 is an underside plan view of the handle; and Figure 3 is a sectional view of the handle shown in a position of use on the neck of a container. The handle shown in a plastics moulding from resilient material such as high density polyethylene. The handle comprises an engagement portion 11, for engging over the neck 12 (Figure 3) of a container, and a yoke, or handle portion, 13. The engagement portion 11 comprises a cyindri cal sleeve 14 having integrally formed external lugs 15, 16 at diametral opposite sides of the sleeve. The yoke 13 is integral at each end with a respective lug and, in the as-moulded state, lies in a diametral plane of the sleeve, so that the moulding is of shallow depth. Adjacent each lug 15, 16, the yoke has a reduced thickness portion 18, 19 and these portions serve as hinges to permit bending of the yoke to a position of use, bridging the sleeve, as shown in Figure 3. At one axial end, the sleeve is integrally formed with an annular hinge portion 20 securing the sleeve to an inner annular projection 21 within the sleeve. This projection is of frusto-conical form and, as viewed in section, extends at an acute angle to the sleeve. Drainage holes 22 are formed in the annular projection 21 adjacent the hinge portion 20. As shown in Figure 3, the handle is intended for a container neck having an external circumferential shoulder 23. The shoulder lies adjacent an external screw thread 24 for receiving a cap. In use, the sleeve can be engaged with a tool to push the engagement portion onto the neck 12. The annular projection 21 is expanded resiliently by the screw threads, due to hinging at the hinge portion 20, and snaps over the shoulder 23. The projection is resiliently biased radially inwardly to grip the neck. As is apparent from Figure 3, the sleeve 14 is located radially outwardly of the projection 21 to a sufficient extent to facilitate engagement by a tool. The projection, therefore, is captivated between the shoulder 23 and the body 10 of the container. When the container is lifted by the handle, the end of the projection opposite to the hinge portion 20 engages the shoulder 23. CLAIMS

1. A moulded plastics handle comprising a handle portion and an engagement portion for engagement over the neck of a container, the engagement portion comprising a sleeve integrally formed with projecting means comprising an annular inner projection or a plurality of inner projections angularly spaced relative to the sleeve, the or each projection being joined to the sleeve by a resilient hinge portion and extending, as viewed in cross-section, at an acute angle to the sleeve, whereby the projecting means can be resiliently outwardly displaced as the engagement portion is engaged over the neck and is resiliently biased in wardly in use for captivating the handle between shoulders of the container.

2. A moulded plastics handle according to Claim 1, wherein the projecting means comprises an annular projection joined to the sleeve by an annular hinge portion.

3. A moulded plastics handle according to Claim 1, wherein the projecting means comprises an annular projection joined to the sleeve by a plurality of discrete hinge portions.

4. A moulded plastics handle according to Claim 2, wherein drainage holes are provided in the hinge portion or the annular projection.

5. A moulded plastics handle according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle comprises a yoke integrally formed at each end with the sleeve.

6. A moulded plastics handle according to Claim 5, wherein, in the as-moulded state, the yoke lies in a diametral plane of the sleeve and the handle has portions which are sufficiantly flexiable to permit bending of the yoke into a position bridging the sleeve.

7. A moulded plastics handle according to Claim 6, wherein lugs project from opposite sides of the sleeve and are joined to the yoke by relatively reduced thickness portions at diametrically opposite sides of the sleeve, these reduced thickness portions defining hinges facilitating bending of the yoke.

8. A moulded plastics handle constructed substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A container haveing a neck provided externally within a shoulder, and a moulded plastics handle according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 engaged on the neck with the end of the projecting means remote from the resilient hinge portion facing said shoulder, the handle being captivated on the neck being the container body and the shoulder.