CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/138,134, filed January 15, 2021, the entire content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to plastic containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a handle of a plastic container that has an improved attachment configuration to provide for easier installation without an adverse impact on retention performance.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Plastic containers are an alternative to glass or metal containers. The present disclosure relates to plastic containers. A common plastic used in the manufacture of plastic containers is polyethylene terephthalate (or PET). Containers made of PET are generally transparent, thin walled, and can maintain their shape in response to force exerted on the walls by the contents of the container.

SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment, a bottle handle assembly includes a neck engagement portion including a neck ring defining a central aperture, a handle portion coupled to the neck engagement portion, and a plurality of tabs extending radially inward from the neck ring. The plurality of tabs includes a first grouping of tabs separated from a second grouping of tabs, each tab of the plurality of tabs having a width that is approximately five millimeters to approximately six millimeterss. [0005] In another embodiment, a bottle handle assembly includes a neck engagement portion including a neck ring defining a central aperture, a handle portion coupled to the neck engagement portion, and a plurality of tabs extending radially inward from the neck ring. The plurality of tabs includes a first grouping of tabs separated by a second grouping of tabs, wherein the first grouping of tabs includes seven total tabs, and the second grouping of tabs includes seven total tabs.

[0006] In another embodiment, a bottle handle assembly includes a neck engagement portion including a neck ring defining a central aperture, a handle portion coupled to the neck engagement portion, and a plurality of tabs extending radially inward from the neck ring, wherein the plurality of tabs includes at least ten tabs.

[0007] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an example of an embodiment of a handle for a bottle.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle shown in FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the handle shown in FIG. 1 coupled to a bottle.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view of the handle coupled to the bottle shown in

FIG. 3.

[0012] Before embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0013] The present disclosure illustrates a handle assembly 100 for a container 200. The container 200 illustrated in the figures is a bottle 200, and further an approximately one-gallon bottle. It should be appreciated that a bottle 200, and specifically a one-gallon bottle is provided for purposes of illustration and is not limiting. The handle assembly 100 can be used in association with any type of suitable container or vessel, or any size of suitable bottle that benefits from being carried by the handle assembly 100.

[0014] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an example of an embodiment of a handle assembly 100. The handle assembly 100 includes a neck engagement portion 104 and a handle portion 108.

[0015] The neck engagement portion 104 includes a neck ring 112 that defines a central aperture 116. The neck ring 112 is illustrated as an annular ring, but in other embodiments can be any suitable shape (e.g., triangular, square, rectangular, etc.). The neck ring 112 includes a first, outer circumference 120 (or an outer perimeter 120) and a second, inner circumference 124 (or an inner perimeter 124). The central aperture 116 is bordered by the inner circumference 124 such that the inner circumference defines a boundary of the central aperture 116. A plurality of tabs 128 are positioned on the neck ring 112. The tabs 128 radially extend from the neck ring 112 into a portion of the central aperture 116 (or towards the central aperture 116). The tabs 128 are positioned around a portion of the neck ring 112. Stated another way, the tabs 128 are not positioned around the entire inner circumference 124.

[0016] With specific reference to FIG. 2, a first grouping of tabs 132 is separated (or spaced) from a second grouping of tabs 136. Each grouping of tabs 132, 136 includes a plurality of tabs 128. More specifically, each grouping of tabs 132, 136 includes seven tabs 128. Thus, the total number of tabs 128 in the illustrated embodiment includes at least fourteen total tabs 128. The groupings of tabs 132, 136 are positioned on opposing sides of the neck ring 112. Each grouping of tabs 132, 136 is spaced by a portion of the inner circumference 124 of the neck ring 112 that does not include any tabs 128 (or is tabless). Providing at least fourteen total tabs 128 results in a desirable application force when the handle 100 is applied to the bottle 200. However, in other embodiments, each grouping of tabs 132, 136 can include any suitable number of tabs 128 suitable to form a plurality of tabs 128. In addition, in other embodiments, the neck ring 112 can include a plurality of groupings of tabs (e.g., at least two, three, or four or more groupings). In other examples of embodiments, the neck ring 112 can include at least ten tabs 128, at least twelve tabs 128, at least fourteen tabs 128, or fourteen or more tabs 128.

[0017] With reference back to FIG. 1, each tab 128 includes a width W. The width W is defined by the distance of opposing sides of each tab 128 in a circumferential direction of the neck ring 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs 128 can have different widths W. For example, tabs 128 can include a first width Wi and a second width W2. The first width W1 is approximately six millimeters (mm), while the second width W2 is approximately five mm. Providing tabs with a width W between approximately five mm and approximately six mm results in a desirable application force when the handle 100 is applied to the bottle 200, while also sufficiently retaining the bottle 200 once applied to prevent handle failure. In other embodiments, each tab 128 can include the same width W, which can be five mm, six mm, less than five mm, greater than five mm, approximately between five mm and six mm, or any suitable of desired width.

[0018] Each tab 128 also includes opposing shoulders 140. Each shoulder 140 defines a transition portion between a side of the tab 128 and a connecting face that extends between the opposing sides of the tab 128. In the illustrated embodiment, some tabs 128 include one shoulder 140 that is curved (or arcuate) and one shoulder that is angled. The angled shoulders generally form a right angle (or are orthogonal). In other examples of embodiments, both shoulders 140 of each tab 128 define an orthogonal angle, and further all of the tabs 128 include shoulders 140 that form an orthogonal angle. In other embodiments, the shoulders 140 of each tab 128 can define an arcuate angle, and further all the tabs 128 include shoulders 140 that form an arcuate angle. In yet other embodiments, the neck ring 112 can include at least one tab 128 that includes shoulders 140 that define orthogonal angles, and at least one tab 128 that includes arcuate angles. In yet other embodiments, the neck ring 112 can include a plurality of tabs 128, at least one of the tabs 128 (a first tab 128) includes shoulders 140 that define orthogonal angles, arcuate angles, or both an orthogonal angle and an arcuate angle, at least one other of the tabs 128 (a second tab 128) includes shoulders 140 that define orthogonal angles, arcuate angles, or both an orthogonal angle and an arcuate angle, and at least one other of the tabs 128 (a third tab 128) includes shoulders 140 that define orthogonal angles, arcuate angles, or both an orthogonal angle and an arcuate angle. [0019] With reference back to FIGS. 1-2, the handle portion 108 is coupled to the neck engagement portion 104. The handle position 108 includes a first elongated arm 144 and a second elongated arm 148. The elongated arms 144, 148 are each coupled to the neck ring 112, and more specifically to opposing ends of the neck ring 112. A cross-member 152 connects the elongated arms 144, 148. The cross-member 152 is coupled to the elongated arms 144, 148 at an end opposite to where the arms 144, 148 each connect to the neck ring 112. The opposing elongated arms 144, 148 and the cross-member 152, with a portion of the neck ring 112, collectively define a handle aperture 156. A user can utilize the handle portion 108 to grasp and carry an attached bottle 200. For example, the user can grasp the cross-member 152 alone, or in combination with a portion of one of the arms 144, 148. The user can then position fingers and a portion of a hand through the handle aperture 156. In other embodiments, a user can grasp one of the arms 144, 148 alone, or in combination with a portion of the cross-member 152.

[0020] The handle assembly 100 can be formed of high-density polyethylene (or HDPE). The HDPE can be the same grade used to form a bottle closure. In other embodiments, the HDPE can be a different grade than the bottle closure. For example, the HDPE can have improved strength properties, such as a greater tensile strength in order to provide improved strength and durability while a user grasps and carries an associated bottle 200 by the handle portion 108. In other embodiments, the handle assembly 100 can be formed of any suitable thermoplastic polymer, any suitable material, or can be formed of a plurality of materials (e.g., by multi-material injection molding, etc.)

[0021] The handle assembly 100 can be manufactured by die cutting (or punch cutting). In these embodiments, the handle assembly 100 can be die cut as a unitary assembly including all the described components. In other embodiments, the handle assembly 100 can be injection molded. In these embodiments, the handle assembly 100 can be molded as a unitary assembly including all the described components. In yet other embodiments, the handle assembly 100 can be manufactured using multiple-step injection molding, can molded by multi -material injection molding, or can be manufactured by any other suitable production process.

[0022] With reference now to FIGS. 3-4, the handle assembly 100 is shown attached to the bottle 200. With specific reference to FIG. 4, the bottle 200 includes a closure 204 coupled to a finish (not shown). A neck 208 is coupled to the finish (not shown). A transfer bead 212 (or a support ledge 212) circumferentially extends around the neck 208 and is positioned between the finish (not shown) and the neck 208.

[0023] The handle assembly 100 is configured to slide over closure 204 and the transfer bead 212 to engage the neck 208. For example, the closure 204 is received by the central aperture 116 of the neck engagement portion 104 of the handle 100. A downward force is applied to the handle 100, for example by equipment designed to install the handle 100 onto the bottle 200. The neck engagement portion 104 slides along closure 204 such that the closure 204 is received by the central aperture 116. The plurality of tabs 128 are configured to bend relative to the neck ring 112 to allow the transfer bead 212 pass through the central aperture 116. The neck 208 is then received by the central aperture 116. The plurality of tabs 128 actuate back to an unbent position to engage the neck 208. The transfer bead 212 is positioned on a closure 204 side of the neck engagement portion 104. The transfer bead 212 contacts a portion of the plurality of tabs 128 to assist with maintaining engagement of the tabs 128 with the neck 208. Stated another way, the transfer bead 212 assists to restrict sliding disengagement of the tabs 128 from the neck 208.

[0024] While FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of the handle assembly 100, in other embodiments the handle assembly can include alternative configurations. For example, the handle assembly can include a configuration with a plurality of neck engagement portions 104. In one embodiment, the handle assembly can include a first neck engagement portion 104 spaced from a second neck engagement portion 104 by the handle portion 108. In this embodiment, the handle assembly can be configured to facilitate carrying of a plurality of bottles 200, as each neck engagement portion 104 can engage a separate bottle 200. In another embodiment, the handle assembly can include four neck engagement portions 104 interconnected by the handle portion 108. The four neck engagement portions 104 can be arranged in a row, can be arranged in a square arrangement, can be arranged in a rectangular arrangement, or can be arranged in any suitable or desired arrangement. Each neck engagement portion 104 can engage a separate bottle 200. In another embodiment, the handle assembly can include six neck engagement portions 104 interconnected by the handle portion 108. The six neck engagement portions 104 can be arranged in a row, can be arranged in a hexagon arrangement, can be arranged in a rectangular arrangement, or can be arranged in any suitable or desired arrangement. In other embodiments, the handle assembly can include two, three, four, five, six, or seven or more neck engagement portions 104 to facilitate carrying of a plurality of bottles 200. The neck engagement portions 104 are connected (or interconnected) to at least one handle portion 108 (or a plurality of handle portions 108) to facilitate the carrying of the plurality of bottles 200. The neck engagement portions 104 can be arranged in any suitable or desired orientation relative to the handle portion 108, or to each other.

[0025] One or more aspects of the handle assembly 100 provides certain advantages. For example, the unique geometry, numbering, and/or positioning of the tabs 128 of the neck ring 112 assist with providing easier installation of the handle assembly 100 onto the bottle 200. More specifically, less force is required to install the handle assembly 100 onto the bottle 200, as the plurality of tabs 128 more readily bend as the closure 204 and transfer bead 212 pass through the central aperture 116. In addition, the unique geometry, numbering, and/or positioning of the tabs 128 maintains retention and performance attributes to facilitate operation of the handle assembly 100 when installed on the bottle 200. These and other advantages are realized by the disclosure provided herein.

[0026] Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.