Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PLASTIC CONTAINER AND SEPARATELY FORMED HANDLE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Serial No.
11/841,312, for PLASTIC CONTAINER AND SEPARATELY FORMED HANDLE, filed
08-20-2007, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. U.S.
Serial No.
11/841,312 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. design patent application Serial
No. 29/267,170,
filed 10-06-2006, now U.S. Patent No. D551,556, issued 09-25-2007.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to plastic containers, and plastic
containers
including containers that include a separately formed handle.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to an aspect of the invention, a plastic container is
disclosed that
includes a hollow container portion and a separately formed handle portion.
The container
portion includes a base portion, a sidewall portion, and an upper portion. The
handle includes
handle portion and an upper annular portion that is configured to engage a
portion of the
upper portion of the container portion. The invention further includes
additional features
with respect to the container portion and the handle that may be included and
combined in
various configurations to provide a desirable container and separately formed
handle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example,
with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a side view of a plastic container with a handle attached
thereto in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
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[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plastic container with a handle
attached thereto
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the container portion shown
in phantom;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a side view of a plastic container with a handle (shown in
phantom)
attached thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a top view of a container with a handle attached thereto in
accordance
with an embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a side view of a plastic container with a handle attached
thereto in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[00010] FIG. 6 is a side view of a plastic container with a handle attached
thereto in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[00011] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a plastic container shown in
accordance with an
embodiment of the invention;
[00012] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a plastic container with a handle
attached
thereto in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[00013] FIG. 8A is a side elevation view of a plastic container similar to
that illustrated
in FIG. 8;
[00014] FIG. 8B is a partial perspective view of the plastic container shown
in FIG. 8A;
[00015] FIG. 8C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower handle
connection area
illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B;
[00016] FIG. 8D is a partial side view of a portion of a plastic container as
generally
shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, illustrating an attachment of the handle to the
container portion;
[00017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an open handle according to an
embodiment of
the invention;
[00018] FIG. 10 is a top view of the handle of FIG. 9, shown in an open and a
closed
configuration;
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[00019] FIG. 11A is a front view of the handle of FIG. 9, shown in an open
configuration;
[00020] FIG. 11B is a side view of the handle of FIG. 9, shown in a closed
configuration;
[00021] FIG. 11C is a back view of the handle of FIG. 9, shown in a closed
configuration;
[00022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a closed handle according to an
embodiment of
the invention;
[00023] FIG. 13 is a top view of the handle of FIG. 12;
[00024] FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the handle of FIG. 12;
[00025] FIG. 15 is a front view of the handle of FIG. 12;
[00026] FIG. 16 is a back view of the handle of FIG. 12;
[00027] FIG. 17 is a left side view of the handle of FIG. 12;
[00028] FIG. 18 is a right side view of the handle of FIG. 12;
[00029] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a closed handle according to another
embodiment of the invention;
[00030] FIG. 20 is a top view of the handle of FIG. 19;
[00031] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the handle of FIG. 19;
[00032] FIG. 22 is a front view of the handle of FIG. 19;
[00033] FIG. 23 is a back view of the handle of FIG. 19;
[00034] FIG. 24 is a left side view of the handle of FIG. 19;
[00035] FIG. 25 is a right side view of the handle of FIG. 19;
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[00036] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a closed handle according to yet
another
embodiment of the invention;
[00037] FIG. 27 is a top view of the handle of FIG. 26;
[00038] FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the handle of FIG. 26;
[00039] FIG. 29 is a front view of the handle of FIG. 26;
[00040] FIG. 30 is a back view of the handle of FIG. 26;
[00041] FIG. 31 is a left side view of the handle of FIG. 26; and
[00042] FIG. 32 is a right side view of the handle of FIG. 26.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00043] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present
invention,
examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. While
the invention will be described in conjunction with embodiments, it will be
understood that
they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the
contrary, the
invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents,
which may be
included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
[00044] FIG. 1 generally illustrates a plastic container 10 according to an
embodiment
of the invention. As generally illustrated, plastic container includes a
container portion 12
and a separately formed handle 14 attached thereto.
[00045] Container portion 12 may comprise, for example, a hollow, blow molded
container. Further, container 12 may include a lower base portion 15 that is
configured to
support the container on a surface; a sidewall portion 16 that extends
upwardly from the base
portion 15; and an upper portion 18 above the sidewall portion 16 that
includes an opening
20.
[00046] The container portion 12 may comprise a deformable synthetic polymeric
material. For example, without limitation, container portion 12 may be made of
polyethylene,
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polypropylene, polycarbonate, or polyethylene terephthalate, or other plastic
material or
plastic materials in combination, including multi-layer combinations.
[00047] The handle 14 may also be comprised of a polymeric material, although
other
materials, including those comprising one or more different polymers that are
used to form
container portion 12, may also be used. Also, while the illustrated
embodiments show
containers of several sizes and configurations, the invention is not so
limited, and can be
employed effectively with containers having various sizes and configurations.
[00048] An upper region 22 (shown in FIG. 1 in phantom) generally represents
an upper
region of the upper portion 18. The upper region 22 may include threads (such
as
conventional threading) or other formations (such as those that receive a
portion of a cap) that
are adapted to receive a closure device. Moreover, for some embodiments of the
invention,
the upper region 22 can employ a foil seal or other means for covering opening
20.
[00049] Handle 14 includes an upper annular portion 30 that, at least in part,
surrounds
and engages the upper portion 18 of the container portion 12, and a handle
portion 32. In an
embodiment, the upper annular portion 30 engages the upper portion 18 below
upper region
22 and, in a preferred embodiment, the upper annular portion 30 is positioned
so that it does
not interfere with a means for providing a closure for the container portion
12, such as
threading. Handle portion 32 is connected to and generally extends downwardly
from the
upper annular portion 30. Handle portion 32 may include one or more curved
segments.
Moreover, as generally shown in FIG. 1, handle 14 may include at least one
radially-outward
curved segment 34 and at least one radially-inward curved segment 36. Such
radially-
outward curved segments and/or radially-inward curved segments may curve
toward or away
from container portion 12. For some embodiments, handle 14 may have a vertical
height Hl
that is at least 0.40 the total vertical height H2 of container portion 12.
[00050] FIG. 2 generally illustrates another embodiment of a handle 14 that is
shown
engaging a comparatively larger container portion 12 (shown in phantom). The
illustrated
handle 14 includes a handle portion 32 with an outwardly projecting thumb-
receiving
formation 38. Thumb-receiving formation 38, which can be formed integrally
with the
handle portion 32, may include one or more curved portions (see e.g., 39a,
39b) that are sized
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and shaped to receive a portion of a user's thumb. As further generally
illustrated, handle
portion 32 may additionally include one or more grip formations 40, such as
bumps or
relatively small ridges, that extend from the handle portion. The grip
formations can be
configured to facilitate gripping by a user.
[00051] Another embodiment of a container 10 is shown in FIG. 3. As generally
illustrated, container portion 12 can include a centerline (or central axis)
CL that coincides
with the central axis of opening 20. Line OD generally represents an offset
distance that runs
substantially parallel to the centerline CL. Line OD is offset a distance Dl
about the
centerline CL. In an embodiment, distance Dl is about 6 mm. As also generally
illustrated in
FIG. 3, a line TL generally represents a tangent line (perpendicular to the
plane of the base of
the container 10) of the furthest radially-outward portion of the container
portion 12 on the
handle-side of the container 10. As generally shown, in an embodiment, the
furthest radial
portion of handle portion 32 does not extend radially beyond the tangent line
TL. In the
illustrated embodiment, the furthest radial portion of the handle portion 32
is shown spaced a
distance D2 from the tangent line TL. For some embodiments, distance D2 is at
least 0.25
mm. Moreover, as also generally illustrated in FIG. 3, the sidewall portion 16
of the
container portion 12 does not extend radially inwardly as far as the offset
distance OD. For
example, point P, which generally represents the radially innermost point on
the sidewall
portion 16 is radially outward of offset distance OD, and for most
embodiments, should be no
closer than the offset distance OD. Additionally, as generally shown in FIG.
3, when viewed
in from the side, or in a similarly oriented cross section, portions of the
inner side of the
handle portion 32 and adjacent portions of the sidewall portion 16 of the
container portion 12
may include segments that, for at least a short distance (e.g., 0.5 mm), run
substantially
parallel one another. FIG. 4 represents a top view of the centerline CL and
offset distance
OD (shown here as a solid line) for a container portion 12 according to an
embodiment of the
invention.
[00052] FIGS. 5 and 6 generally illustrate an additional feature that may be
incorporated
into embodiments of the invention. In the embodiments shown, a portion 50 of
the sidewall
portion 16 of the container 10 that is generally adjacent handle portion 32
include one or
more recessed portions or indentations 52. The recessed portions or
indentations, which may
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be formed integrally with the container portion 12, can be sized and
configured to receive at
least a portion of the fingers (e.g., the portion more proximate to the palm)
and/or knuckles of
a user when the user grasps or grips handle portion 32. Such a feature can
permit the handle
portion 32 that is intended to be gripped to be provided closer to the
sidewall portion 16 of
the container portion 12, and, for some applications and embodiments, can
permit the user's
hand to be slightly closer to the centerline CL of the container portion 12.
FIG. 7 illustrates
another embodiment of a container portion 12 (without attached handle 14) that
includes a
different form of recessed portions or indentations 52, which may be formed in-
mold in the
sidewall portion 16 that are adjacent to portions where a handle may be
provided when
formed as a plastic container 10. Of course, the invention is not limited to
the illustrated
recessed portions and indentations, and various other size and configurations
of recessed
portions and indentations are contemplated by the invention.
[00053] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which a
lower portion
60 of handle portion 32 is connected or attached to a point in the lower one-
half of sidewall
portion 16. In other embodiments, a lower portion 60 of handle portion 32 may
be connected
or attached to a portion of the base portion 15. Moreover, for some
embodiments in which a
lower portion 60 of the handle 14 is secured to the sidewall portion 16 or the
base portion 15,
the handle 14 may have a vertical height Hi that is at least 0.70 the total
vertical height H2 of
container portion 12. For other embodiments, the handle 14 may have a vertical
height Hl
that is at least 0.75 the total vertical height H2 of container portion 12.
[00054] FIG. 8A generally illustrates a side elevation view of a plastic
container 10
similar to that illustrated in FIG. 8. The illustrated container 10 includes a
container portion
12 and handle 14 having a lower portion 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the
lower portion
60 of the handle 14 further includes a means for attachment to the container
portion 12, such
as a formation or barb. FIG. 8A provides a partial perspective view showing
the handle 14
connected to the sidewall portion 16 of the container portion 12. As generally
illustrated in
FIG. 8C, a portion of the container portion 12 (e.g., a portion of sidewall
portion 16) may be
configured to provide a receiving portion 16' for receiving an attachment
portion (e.g., barb
61) of the lower portion 60 of handle 14. FIG. 8D generally illustrates an
attachment of the
handle 14 to the container portion 12, wherein a barb 61 is mechanically
secured (e.g.,
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hooked or interference-fit) within a portion of receiving portion 16' of the
sidewall portion
16. Naturally, those of skill in the art will readily understand that the
means for attachment is
not limited to the illustrated embodiment and other forms of connection may be
employed
and still be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Moreover,
if desired for some
applications, lower portion 60 of the handle may be additionally secured to or
within a
portion of container portion 12, for example, by gluing, bonding, and/or by
employing a
secondary treatment process, such as heat treating.
[00055] FIGS. 9-11C are views of a separately formed handle 14 according to an
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the handle 14,
shown in an
open configuration. The open handle 70 includes upper annular portions 30a and
30b that
combine to comprise an upper annular portion 30, and handle portions 32a and
32b that
combine to form a handle portion 32. In the illustrated embodiment, upper
annular portions
32a and 32b comprise two semi-circular portions, which may be integrally
formed and
connected together by a hinge 60. While it is possible, and often preferable,
to form the
handle 14 as a single component (e.g., a single molded component), for some
embodiments,
the handle 14 could instead be formed by two separately-formed components that
are later
firmly secured or connected at a position at or about the position where the
hinge 60 is
provided in connection with a unitary handle.
[00056] Upper annular portions 30a, 30b are configured to be wrapped around an
upper
portion 18 of a container portion 12. As generally illustrated, handle
portions 32a and 32b
may include formations that can be connected (e.g., snapped together in a
positive, secured or
locked engagement) to permit the handle 14 to be easily closed around a
portion of the upper
portion 18 of container portion 12 in a positive secured or locked manner. In
an embodiment,
handle portion 32a may include one or more "male" or extending formations,
such as pins or
connectors. For example, as generally shown in FIG. 9, handle portion 32a
includes a
plurality of protruding connectors 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d that are provided at
different locations
along the extent of the handle portion 32. With such an embodiment, handle
portion 32b may
include one or more corresponding "female" holes or receiving formations. For
instance, as
generally illustrated in FIG. 9, handle portion 32b may include a plurality of
receiving
formations 64a, 64b, 64c, 64d that respectively match up with and engage
protruding
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connectors 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d provided in connection with handle portion 32a.
Naturally,
those of skill in the art will readily understand that the invention in not
limited to the
exemplary configurations shown, and other means for securing the handle
portions 32a, 32b,
such as alternating the protruding connectors and receiving formations on the
two handle
portions 32a, 32b, are also contemplated. Moreover, while mechanical means for
securing the
handle portions 32a, 32b are illustrated, for some embodiments, it may be
desirable, in lieu of
or in addition to the aforementioned means for securing, to bond portions of
the handle
portions together chemically, such as by employing an epoxy or glue, and/or by
heat-treating
a portion of the handle to further weld or meld one or more corresponding
handle portions
together.
[00057] Further, in an embodiment, an inside surface 31a, 31b of the upper
annular
portion 30 may include at least one formation, such as a notch or groove 66,
that is
configured to receive or engage a formation (such as a projection extending
from a portion of
the upper portion 18 that can be configured to engage a notch or groove),
which can act as a
locator to provide a means for orienting the handle 14 relative to the
container portion 12 and
can further serve to prevent undesirable rotation of the handle portion 32
about the container
portion 12 when the handle 14 is applied or secured to the container portion
12. The
invention is not limited to the aforementioned means for orienting the handle.
For example,
without limitation, the upper annular portion 30 may include a formation (such
as a
protrusion) that is configured to be received in a corresponding recess or
receiving portion in
the upper portion 18 of container portion 12.
[00058] FIG. 10 generally illustrates a top view of a handle of the type
illustrated in
FIG. 9 in both an open and a closed configuration. In the closed
configuration, handle
portions 32a, 32b are connected or otherwise secured together to form a single
handle portion
32, and the upper annular portions 30a, 30b are closed together (e.g., about
hinge 60) to form
an upper annular portion 30. Upper annular portion may be configured to
provide a desired
diameter (e.g., D3) to snuggly surround and engage a portion of the upper
portion 18 of
container portion 12. FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate different views of the handle
in both open
(FIG. 11A) and closed (FIGS. 11B and 11C) configurations.
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[00059] FIGS. 12-18 generally illustrate an embodiment of a handle 14 in a
closed
configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, handle 14 includes upper annular
portion 30
and a handle portion 32. Handle portion includes an outwardly projecting thumb-
receiving
formation 38. The thumb-receiving formation 38 can be formed integrally with
the handle
portion 32, and may include one or more curved portions, such as portions 39a,
39b that are
sized and shaped to receive a portion of a user's thumb. Handle portion 32 is
also shown
including a plurality of optional grip formations 40, such as bumps or
relatively small ridges
associated with a lower portion 70 of handle portion 32. Naturally, the grip
formations are
not limited to the illustrated grip formations 40, and one or more grip
formations may be
positioned and configured in a wide number of manners to facilitate the
gripping or grasping
of the handle by a user. FIGS. 19-25 generally illustrate an embodiment of a
handle that is
similar to that shown in FIGS. 12-18, but without the inclusion of all of the
aforementioned
exemplary gripping formations 40.
[00060] FIGS. 26-32 generally illustrate another embodiment of a handle 14 in
a closed
configuration. Handle 14 includes an upper annular portion 30 and a handle
portion 32. As
generally illustrated, handle portion 14 may include an outwardly projecting
thumb-receiving
formation 38 and, as general illustrated in FIGS. 26, 31 and 32, one or more
recesses 80 that
can be positioned and configured to receive a portion of a user's finger when
the handle 14 is
gripped.
[000611 The container 10 of the present invention thus includes a separately
formed
handle 14 that may be simply and conveniently and firmly secured to a
container portion 12.
The container portion 12 may be a lightweight plastic container that can be
optimized for
reheat stretch blow molding in conventional blow molding machines in a format
that can
permits a larger number of units to be prepared per cycle. Moreover, the
separately-formed
handles may also be formed using high-volume production techniques, including
injection
molding processes that permit large numbers of units to be prepared in an
efficient manner.
The assembled container is consumer friendly, easy to use and presents a
stable, desirable
final structure.
[00062] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present
invention
have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not
intended to be
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exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and
various modifications
and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments
were chosen and
described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its
practical application, to
thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various
embodiments with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is
intended that the
scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their
equivalents.
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