EP0619234A1 - Container provided with a handle - Google Patents

Abstract

A plastic container has a pivotable handle (13) which is connected to said container by means of strip hinges (17) on two diametrically opposite carrying projections (14). Each of the carrying projections (14) is designed as a U-shaped, outwardly projecting web with two vertical bars (15a, 15b) connected by a bend (16), to whose horizontal part the strip hinge (17), designed as a strip-like flexible intermediate piece, is attached tangentially at the bottom. When the handle (13) is pivoted upwards, it rests against the outside of the bend (16) and the adjacent bar (15b). The container comprises a bin which is surrounded below the upper edge of its side wall by a reinforcing ring (7) which is injection-moulded integrally from plastic, is snapped releasably onto the bin (1), and onto which the handle (13) is formed. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a container according to the preamble of claim 1. Such containers are used for the transport and storage of liquids, pastes, granules and. a., z. B. paints, building materials or food.

Such a container is known from US-A-4 989 744, in which a molded pivotable handle is connected to carrying projections which protrude outwards at two opposite locations of the upper edge on the outside of the side wall. To ensure a connection that ensures the pivotability of the handle, the same with the carrying extensions via film hinges, i. H. weakened areas connected, which can be very strongly bent depending on the position of the handle. Due to the strong buckling and the frequent change of position, film hinges usually tire quickly, especially if they are exposed to relatively high tensile loads again and again, as in the case described here when the container is being carried.

The invention is intended to remedy this. The invention, as characterized in the claims, creates a container with a pivotable molded handle, in which strong kinks are avoided and the material load is thereby significantly reduced. In addition, the design of the container according to the invention allows the hinges to be applied more strongly, so that they are considerably more resistant, in particular to tensile loads, so Containers according to the invention can also carry larger loads.

Fig.

1 rechts eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemässen Behälters mit einem Henkel, welcher an einem Verstärkungsring gemäss einer ersten Ausführungsform angeformt ist und einem Deckel, links einen vertikalen Schnitt durch das Gefäss allein,

Fig. 2

eine vergrösserte Seitenansicht eines Ausschnitts des Verstärkungsrings gemäss Fig. 1 mit angeformtem Henkel,

Fig. 3

den Ausschnitt gemäss Fig. 2 in Draufsicht,

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht entsprechend Fig. 2 mit dem Henkel in aufrechter Position,

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht des Verstärkungsrings gemäss der ersten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 6

einen Draufblick auf den Verstärkungsring gemäss der ersten Ausführungsform, links von unten, rechts von oben,

Fig. 7

einen Schnitt durch den oberen Rand der Seitenwand des Behälters mit dem Verstärkungsring gemäss der ersten Ausführungsform und Deckel,

Fig. 8

eine Seitenansicht eines Verstärkungsrings gemäss einer zweiten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 9

einen Draufblick auf den Verstärkungsring gemäss der zweiten Ausführungsform, links von unten, rechts von oben,

Fig. 10

einen Schnitt durch den oberen Rand der Seitenwand des Behälters mit dem Verstärkungsring gemäss der zweiten Ausführungsform und Deckel,

Fig. 11

eine Seitenansicht eines Verstärkungsrings gemäss einer dritten Ausführungsform,

Fig. 12

einen Draufblick auf den Verstärkungsring gemäss der dritten Ausführungsform, links von unten, rechts von oben,

Fig. 13

einen Schnitt durch den oberen Rand der Seitenwand des Behälters mit dem Verstärkungsring gemäss der dritten Ausführungsform und Deckel,

Fig. 14

einen Schnitt entsprechend Fig. 7, wobei die Aussenfläche des Gefässes mit einer Aussenhülle aus Kunststoffolie überzogen ist,

Fig. 15

einen Schnitt entsprechend Fig. 10, wobei das Gefäss innen und aussen mit einer Hülle aus Kunststoffolie überzogen ist,

Fig. 16

einen Schnitt entsprechend Fig. 13, wobei die Innenfläche des Gefässes mit einer Innenhülle aus Kunststoffolie überzogen ist,

Fig. 1 zeigt einen Behälter, der ein Gefäss aus Kunststoff umfasst, das als Eimer 1 mit einem runden Boden 2 und einer umlaufenden, leicht nach aussen geneigten Seitenwand 3 ausgebildet ist, welche an ihrem oberen Rand eine nach aussen weisende konvexe Umbiegung 4 aufweist und am unteren Ende in eine den Boden 2 umgebende Randrippe 5 ausläuft. Etwas unterhalb des oberen Randes ist die Seitenwand 3 an der Aussenseite mit einer umlaufenden flachen Einbuchtung 6 versehen und trägt einen abnehmbaren umlaufenden Verstärkungsring 7 gemäss einer ersten Ausführungsform sowie einen Deckel 8.The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures which merely illustrate embodiments. Show it

Fig.

1 on the right a side view of a container according to the invention with a handle which is formed on a reinforcing ring according to a first embodiment and a lid, on the left a vertical section through the vessel alone,

Fig. 2

2 shows an enlarged side view of a section of the reinforcement ring according to FIG. 1 with a molded-on handle,

Fig. 3

2 in top view,

Fig. 4

2 with the handle in an upright position,

Fig. 5

a side view of the reinforcing ring according to the first embodiment,

Fig. 6

a top view of the reinforcement ring according to the first embodiment, left from below, right from above,

Fig. 7

2 shows a section through the upper edge of the side wall of the container with the reinforcing ring according to the first embodiment and cover,

Fig. 8

a side view of a reinforcement ring according to a second embodiment,

Fig. 9

a top view of the reinforcement ring according to the second embodiment, left from below, right from above,

Fig. 10

2 shows a section through the upper edge of the side wall of the container with the reinforcing ring according to the second embodiment and cover,

Fig. 11

a side view of a reinforcement ring according to a third embodiment,

Fig. 12

a plan view of the reinforcement ring according to the third embodiment, left from below, right from above,

Fig. 13

2 shows a section through the upper edge of the side wall of the container with the reinforcing ring according to the third embodiment and cover,

Fig. 14

7 a section corresponding to FIG. 7, the outer surface of the vessel being covered with an outer shell made of plastic film,

Fig. 15

10 a section corresponding to FIG. 10, the inside and outside of the vessel being covered with a plastic film envelope,

Fig. 16

13 a section corresponding to FIG. 13, the inner surface of the vessel being covered with an inner shell made of plastic film,

Fig. 1 shows a container which comprises a container made of plastic, which is designed as a bucket 1 with a round bottom 2 and a circumferential, slightly outwardly inclined side wall 3, which on its upper edge one after has outwardly facing convex bend 4 and at the bottom ends in an edge rib 5 surrounding the bottom 2. Slightly below the upper edge, the side wall 3 is provided on the outside with a circumferential flat indentation 6 and carries a removable circumferential reinforcing ring 7 according to a first embodiment and a cover 8.

The reinforcement ring 7, which is injection-molded in one piece from plastic, comprises (FIGS. 5-7) a ring-shaped circumferential sleeve 9, which widens slightly upwards and rests on the outer surface of the side wall 3. It carries an outwardly projecting, obliquely downward-pointing octagonal stabilization ring 10, to the outer edge of which a downward-facing apron 11 is connected. For reinforcement, a plurality of stabilizing ribs 12 connecting the cuff 9 to the apron 11 are formed on the underside of the stabilizing ring 10.

The apron 11 carries an integrally formed pivotable handle 13 and is provided for this purpose at two diametrically opposite points with carrying projections 14 which protrude outwards. They are (FIGS. 2-4) designed as U-shaped webs with a first vertical bar 15a and a second vertical bar 15b, which are connected by an arch 16. The handle 13 ends on both sides in a band hinge 17, which attaches to the horizontal part of the arch 16 and is also directed horizontally at the base, ie tangentially to the carrying extension 14. It is designed as a relatively thin band of approximately the same width as the carrying extension 14. The line along which the hinge 17 separates from the support extension 14 runs radially and horizontally, ie parallel to the pivot axis running through the support extensions 14 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hinge 17. At folded handle (Fig. 2, 3), the hinge 17 is bent downward, the curvature is slight.

If the handle 13 is folded up and the container is lifted (FIG. 4), the hinge 17 lies on the outside of the arch 16 and the adjoining vertical bar 15b, which forms a strip-shaped support surface. Here too the curvature remains relatively small. This not only avoids material fatigue, the belt can also be relatively strong so that it can withstand high tensile loads. Due to the described design of the carrying extension 14, the forces acting when carrying the container over the same on the band hinge 17 are not entirely concentrated at the base, but, for. T. transferred by friction on the beam 15b and the sheet 16, so that the approach is somewhat relieved.

At a short distance from the beam 15b, a holding cam 18 is formed on the reinforcement ring 7, which comprises a holding web 19 parallel to the beam 15b, which projects less far outwards than the carrying extension 14. On the side facing away from the carrying extension 14, the holding web 19 is of one also supported in a web-like manner from its lower end horizontal ramp 20. When the handle 13 is upright, the hinge 17 lies between the beam 15b and the retaining web 19, so that it is held in an at least approximately vertical position and can therefore always be gripped easily. When swiveling up into the vertical position, the ramp 20 ensures that the band hinge 17 is pulled over the holding web 19 into the position described and does not get caught on the holding web 19.

The handle 13 can of course be fastened in the same way to a reinforcement ring which is fixedly connected to the vessel, or else directly to the side wall of the vessel. That the handle attaches to a relatively stiff reinforcing ring, but has the advantage that the rather large forces acting on the handle are safely absorbed and do not lead to critical deformations of the vessel.

Conversely, the reinforcement ring need not have a handle. However, it can be prepared for hanging a separate handle, as shown in the second and third embodiments.

For better fixation on the bucket 1, the stabilizing ring 10 carries (FIGS. 5-7) four spacers 21 which are evenly distributed over its circumference and each consist of two connected, parallel ribs projecting radially outwards and projecting upwards. When the reinforcement ring 7 is attached, they abut the underside of the bend 4, so that the reinforcement ring is positioned somewhat below the upper edge of the side wall 3.

The cuff 9 is provided on its inside with the same as the spacers 21 distributed over the circumference of the reinforcement ring 7 flat projections 22 which engage in the recess 6 and form a snap lock with the same, which holds the reinforcement ring 7 on the bucket 1. At two diametrically opposed locations, the reinforcement ring 7 has stacking webs 23 projecting downwards along the outer surface of the side wall 3, via which the reinforcement ring 7 is supported on the bend of the underlying bucket in nested buckets.

A downwardly projecting edge 24 on the cover 8 engages around the bend 4 and engages with a circumferential indentation 25 under its edge, so that the cover 8 is secured by a snap lock. With the edge 24 are over a tear-off tape 26, which is delimited at the top and bottom by thin points, securing hooks 27 which engage in securing openings 28 in the stabilizing ring 10 of the reinforcing ring 7. The cover 8 can only be removed if the tear-off band 26 has been torn off beforehand by means of a tear-off ring 29 and the connection between the securing hook 27 and the remaining part of the cover 8 has thus been released. Unnoticed removal of material from bucket 1 is therefore not possible. Even after the tear-off tape 26 has been removed, the lid 8 is retained on the bucket 1 by the aforementioned snap lock. Thanks to a circumferential seal 30 in a groove of the cover 8, which presses against the bend 4, the bucket 1 is tightly closed by the cover 8.

While the first embodiment of a reinforcement ring was developed especially with regard to high mechanical loads, the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-10 is suitable for medium loads. The reinforcement ring 7 has two circular stabilization rings 10a, b molded onto a collar 9, which rests on the outside of the bucket 1 when the reinforcement ring is attached, the lower one of which carries an apron 11 which adjoins its outer edge and points downward. Reinforcing ribs, however, are not provided. Above the stacking webs 23 there are 11 handle openings 31 in the apron into which ends of a handle provided with locking cams can be inserted. Otherwise, the second embodiment largely corresponds to the first embodiment already described in detail.

A third embodiment of a reinforcement ring, as shown in FIGS. 11-13, is intended for light to medium mechanical loads. It also has a sleeve 9 for contacting the outside of the side wall 3 and an apron 11 concentric with it, which are connected to each other by a narrow stabilizing ring 10, the outer part of which slopes outwards and radial reinforcing ribs 12 arranged at regular intervals, and form a stable double ring. For the rest, the embodiment largely corresponds to the second one, only the lighter cover 8 is not secured, but is held in place exclusively by a snap connection which is effective between a bend 25 'at the edge of the cover and the edge of the bend 4.

In all three embodiments, the reinforcement ring 7 can be pushed onto the bucket 1 from below and is secured after the projections 22 have snapped into the indentation 6. Since the indentation 6 is circumferential, the angular position of the reinforcement ring 7 need not be checked. The reinforcement ring 7 not only stabilizes the upper edge region of the side wall 3 of the bucket and thus, inter alia, the seat of the lid 8, it also substantially absorbs the forces which act, for example, via a handle or the stacking webs 23. It can be designed and dimensioned according to the mechanical loads to be expected, and in particular can be made from the most suitable material, regardless of the material of the bucket. At very high mechanical loads to be expected, it can be made of a high-quality polymer such as polypropylene or even, possibly including the handle, made of metal, e.g. B. sheet, wire or both, while the less loaded bucket 1 is injected from regenerated material. Conversely, the reinforcement ring 7 can be made from regrind if the load to be expected is low, regardless of whether this is also permissible for the bucket 1 in view of the intended use. In general, different buckets with different reinforcement rings can be freely combined as long as the masses in the contact area match.

Apart from the choice of material, there are many different design options for the reinforcement ring. For example, the sleeve can be corrugated and resilient, or the reinforcing ring can otherwise only touch the bucket in places, for example by means of contact pieces projecting inwards. Instead of being snapped on, as described, it can simply be clamped on a widening one when pushed on, which would be facilitated and supported by a resilient cuff.

Since it is very desirable for buckets to be used several times in order to conserve resources and contain the flood of waste, attempts have recently been made to cover buckets outside, inside or both outside and inside with a thin plastic film. In the first case, the labeling required at least in retail does not have to be applied to the person himself, which both simplifies its manufacture and permits its multiple use for different purposes - for example first use in the food sector and further use in a less sensitive area - since the characteristic Outer shell can be easily replaced. In the second case, the bucket is protected from direct contact with the contents, so that after the inner casing has been removed, it is available for further use without having to be cleaned on the inside. Both advantages are achieved by a shell that completely encloses the one.

Now in buckets with a molded reinforcement ring, the attachment of an inner shell is difficult, the outer shell is only possible below the reinforcement ring, since the reinforcement ring and any parts attached to it, e.g. B. a handle are in the way. In contrast, the container according to the invention offers no difficulties in this regard, since the Cover can be applied to the bucket and the reinforcement ring can then be attached. A particular advantage can even be achieved by using the reinforcement ring to hold the shell to the bucket and in particular to protect its upper edge, where the outer shell easily tears.

14 shows a bucket 1 which is provided with an outer casing 32, the edge 33 of which extends just below the bend 4. The reinforcement ring 7 is pushed over the outer sleeve 32, so that the latter is clamped between the outside of the side wall 3 and the inside of the sleeve 9 and is reliably held in place. Similarly, in Fig. 15 a bucket 1 completely enclosing shell 32 'is shown, which is also through the sleeve 9 and also by the spacers 21 on the outside of the side wall 3 and additionally by the cover 8 on the bend 4 and the upper part of the Is clamped inside the side wall 3. The seal 30 is just as effective as a bucket without a cover. 16 finally shows the bucket 1 with an inner casing 32 ″, which is drawn to the underside of the bend 4, so that the edge strip lying between the edge thereof and the edge 33 ″ of the inner casing 32 ″ lies between the spacers 21 and the underside of the bend 4 is clamped.

Claims (24)

Container, with a plastic container with a bottom (2) and a circumferential side wall (3), provided with a handle (13) which is formed on the container at two anchoring points such that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis connecting the anchoring points, characterized in that the handle (13) is each connected to the container at the anchoring points by means of a band hinge (17) designed as a band-like flexible intermediate piece. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the band hinge (17) attaches to the container along a line parallel to the pivot axis. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the band hinge (17) attaches to a carrying extension (14) on the outside of the container. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the band hinge (17) extends approximately horizontally at the base. Container according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the carrying extension (14) has a strip-shaped support surface which is approximately parallel to the attachment of the band hinge (17) and which is bent further upward. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the carrying extension (14) as a U-shaped web is formed, on the underside of which the hinge (17) attaches. Container according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that a holding cam (18) is attached to the outside of the container next to the carrying extension (14) such that the handle (13) between the carrying extension (14) and the holding cam (18 ) is held in an approximately upright position. Container according to claim 7 , characterized in that the holding cam (18) forms a ramp (20) which rises outwards in the circumferential direction against the carrying extension (14). Container according to one of claims 1 to 8 , characterized in that the side wall (3) is approximately vertically or slightly inclined outwards and the container comprises a reinforcing ring (7) which is detachably attached to the vessel surrounding the side wall (3) and that the handle (13) is integrally formed on the reinforcing ring (7). Container according to claim 9, characterized in that the reinforcing ring (7) is fixed or clamped to the vessel by a snap lock. Container according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the reinforcing ring (7) comprises a circumferential sleeve (9) which at least in places rests on the outer surface of the side wall (3). Container according to claims 10 and 11 , characterized in that the sleeve (9) has a plurality of flat projections (22) on its inside, which engage in a circumferential indentation (6) on the outer wall of the vessel. Container according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the sleeve (9) carries at least one circumferential stabilizing ring (10; 10a, 10b) which projects outwards. A container according to claim 13, characterized in that a peripheral apron (11) pointing downwards adjoins the outer edge of the at least one stabilizing ring (10; 10b). Container according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the upper edge of the side wall (3) has a circumferential outward bend (4) and the reinforcing ring (7) is arranged below the bend (4) and abuts it. Container according to claim 15, characterized in that the reinforcing ring (7) has a plurality of spacers (21) which are distributed over its circumference and point upwards, each of which rests with its upper end on the underside of the bend (4). Container according to one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that the reinforcing ring (7) carries a plurality of downwardly projecting stacking webs (23) distributed over its circumference. Container according to one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that at least the outside of the side wall (3) of the vessel is covered by an outer shell (32) made of plastic film, which lies on its upper part within the reinforcing ring (7). Container according to one of claims 9 to 18, characterized in that at least the inner surface of the vessel is covered by an inner sleeve (32 '') made of plastic, which extends beyond its edge to the outside of the side wall (3) and there between the same and the reinforcement ring (7) is clamped. Container according to one of claims 9 to 19, characterized in that it is provided with a lid (8) which overlaps the upper edge of the side wall (3). Container according to claim 20, characterized in that the cover (8) is secured to the container by means of securing parts which engage with the reinforcing ring (7). Container according to claims 14 and 21, characterized in that the securing parts are designed as securing hooks (27) which engage in securing openings (28) in the at least one stabilizing ring (10). Container according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the securing parts are connected to the remaining part of the lid (8) by means of a circumferential tear-off band (26). Container according to claim 15 and one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the lid (8) engages with a circumferential recess under the bend (4) so that it is secured to the container by a snap lock.

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