WO2012052837A1

WO2012052837A1 - Improved handle for the production of blown containers

Info

Publication number: WO2012052837A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/002523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lucia Comper
Original assignee: Siapi SRL
Current assignee: Siapi SRL
Priority date: 2010-10-21
Filing date: 2011-10-21
Publication date: 2012-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2013-04-21
Also published as: IT1403125B1; ITRM20100563A1

Abstract

Art improved handle (2) for the production of blown containers (1) incorporating at least one pre-inserted handle (2), is characterized in that it comprises: an elongated part (21) for gripping by a user during the transporting of said associated container (1), and two end regions (20) opposed one to each other; two connecting parts (22) for connecting to the container (1), said connecting parts (22) being not bound one the other, said connecting parts (22) being obtained at respective opposite end regions (20) of said handle (1), and coupling regions (23) for the mutual fixed coupling with respective coupling regions (12) formed onto said container (1).

Description

"IMPROVED HANDLE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BLOWN CONTAINERS"

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved handle for the production of containers by blow molding process of preforms, and which incorporate at least one pre-inserted handle therein and, more specifically, to an improved handle for containers that incorporate at least one pre-inserted handle during the forming of the container.

The present invention finds particular application in the field of PET blow- molded containers and/or polypropylene containers.

State of the Art

To date, several methods are known for molding / blow molding of containers starting from preforms that incorporate pre-inserted inserts in the blow molds such as, for example, handles or the like.

For example, the document WO 0107233 describes an apparatus for blow molding of containers starting from a "preform'' (i.e., the item which has been obtained by injection molding, and that will be subsequently blown into a mold to obtain a container). According to this document, the apparatus that carries out the molding of the container consists of two half-molds to be subsequently coupled in order to form the container and inside of which are previously inserted both the preform and the handle thereof.

Typically, according to this technology the handles may have different shapes but all have mating ends designed to be inserted through respective mating interlocking regions formed in the container, and during the forming process of the same.

With regard to the sizing of the handle and in order to ensure the best functionajity thereof, it is necessary that the same must satisfy certain requirements of shape, strength, and functional coupling associated with the container. For example, the handle must never be uncoupled from the container during the handling of the latter.

Furthermore, for what concerns the shaping requirements, it must be ensured that the container will be properly formed during the blowing of the same, even in the most critical areas such as, for example, the regions of coupling between the container and the handle.

Typically, there is a first problem to be solved due to the shapes that must have handles, so as to ensure their perfect functionality. In particular, when designing an insert for blow-molded containers, such as a handle for a container, it must be taken into consideration the following aspects: - The most appropriate geometry of the inserted part of the handle for the high- pressure molding process;

- The most appropriate geometry of the inserted part of the handle for its partial encapsulation inside the body of the formed container during the blow molding process;

- The geometry of the handle to be appropriate for grasping and transportation;

- The geometry of the most suitable container for the housing of the inserted handle, and

- The ergonomics of the whole system + container handle.

In addition, for the correct sizing of the coupling regions between the inserted handle and the container, the following problems must be solved:

- The thickness of the body of the container must be adequate for the encapsulation of the handle and at the same time for giving the necessary structural strength;

- The thickness of the body of the container must be designed and be suitable for transportation of material;

- The geometry of the coupling between the container and the handle corresponding to the regions of encapsulation must be such as not to interfere with the blowing process, and in order to guarantee the perfect shaping of the container, and at the same time, such as to cause the inclusion of the handle parts within the body of the container;

- The geometry of the handle grip must ensure maximization of the stiffness of the same;

- The geometry of coupling between the container and handle shall be such as to maintain proper distance between the handle and the container to ensure proper gripping, and minimizing the flexibility of the handle itself.

The problems listed above are even worst when the container is a large container to be formed, such as for example containers for mineral water, and the like and which reach large volumes and heavy weights.

Thus, the present invention aims to solve the problems outlined above by providing an improved handle for a container, and the blown container that includes at least one of such pre-inserted handle during the forming of the former.

One object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and disadvantages by providing an improved handle for the production of containers that incorporate at least one pre-inserted handle therein, which provides a minimum handle diameter and a high rigidity of the same, while ensuring functionality and reliability.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a handle for an improved production of containers that incorporate at least one pre'-inserted handle within the former, which is of a suitable size for the use for which it is intended, and which provides coupling regions with the container that are of extreme rationalization, and in order to guarantee the perfect shaping of the respective coupling regions of the associated container.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved handle for the production of containers that incorporate at least one pre-inserted handle within the former, which shows both small size and extreme rigidity, and provides a proper distance between the handle and container to allow for proper gripping, and minimizing the flexibility of the handle itself.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention relates to an improved handle for the production of blown containers that incorporate at least one pre-inserted handle within them according to the annexed claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the improved handle includes:

- elongated part having two ends, the elongated part being suitable for gripping by a user for the handling of the container to which it is associated;

- two connecting regions for connecting with the container, said two connecting regions being obtained at the respective opposite ends of the handle and are not mutually bound; and

- coupling means provided between said two regions for a fixed connection with respective coupling regions obtained in said container.

Detailed description of the invention

A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the improved handle for the production of containers that incorporate at least one pre-inserted handle within them will now be given, and according to the present invention, given by way of example and without limitation, with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a generic container that incorporates a pre- inserted handle during the shaping thereof;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the container with the handle inserted, and according to Figure 1 ;

Figures 3 to 5 are a respectively perspective views from one side, from another side, and side elevation view of the improved handle according to the present invention, and

Figure 6 is a partial longitudinal section view showing the coupling arrangement between the container and the improved handle according to the present invention, and when the latter is inserted into the container.

With reference now to figures 1 and 2, there is shown a container 1 obtained from a blowing process of a preform, and which incorporates an improved handle 2 according to the present invention.

As can be understood from the figures, the handle 2 is housed in a fixed manner in a region 10 of the container, the region 10 being shaped to cooperate with the handle 2 in order to create a region of gripping and handling of the container 1 by the user.

As is evident in the figures, the handle 2 has an elongated central portion 21 which ends with two end portions 20 such that when the handle is placed in the container 1 , the end portions are substantially in contact with respective edge regions 11 of the region 10 of the container 1.

As will be evident to men skilled in the relevant art, according to the present invention -the arrangement of the handle 2 on the region 10 has a profile which is very ergonomic, and a proper distance is maintained between the handle 2 and the container 1 in order to allow for proper gripping while minimizing the flexibility of the handle itself.

With reference now to Figures 3 to 5 perspective and elevation views of the improved handle are shown, and according to the present invention.

According to the invention, the handle cross section 2 has a substantially double T shape. Thanks to this construction of the handle 2, it can be maximized the stiffness of the structure of the handle 2 itself.

Furthermore, in order to allow access to washing and sanitizing of all surfaces, the side walls of the handle 2 are "open". In this way, can be achieved maximum penetration of cleansing liquid over the entire surface of the handle 2 , and at the same time, minimizing the drying times of the same.

Obviously, the sections thickness, and sizes of the handle may vary depending on the intended use.

According to the present invention, the handle has a pair of 22 stem parts at the end regions of the same. The length of each stem part 22 is defined by the compromise between the need to ensure easy of accessibility of the hand for grasping thereof in the region 10 of the container (the latter not shown in the figures), and the need to minimize the overall dimensions and radial stresses onto the "bridge" (i.e., the central region 21 of the handle 2) both during transportation and during the blowing step.

Typically, the length of the two stems 22 must be such as to guarantee a proper space between the region of the container 10 and the bridge 21 , which is usually within the range comprised between 20 and 35 mm.

On the other hand and according to the present invention, each stem part 22 ends with a coupling region 23 obtained on the end of the same, and shaped to cooperate when fitted within a respective complementary region 12 obtained on region 10 of the container 1 (not shown in figure and best illustrated here below).

The geometry of the coupling regions 23 must guarantee the possibility to the material of the container 1 to surround these ends 23 during the forming step of the former, and to ensure that uncoupling is prevented during handling of the container 1.

In addition, the geometry of the regions 23 must allow non-deformability of the same during the production step of the container 1.

The geometry of these coupling regions 23 may be trapezoidal, hammer headed, square, rectangular with rounded corners or edges, or round, or "mushroom" upside down.

It has been established by numerous experimental tests performed by the present applicant, that the transverse dimension of the end 23 should preferably be within the range of values between 20 and 30 mm.

Furthermore, it was found that the excellent results were achieved when the structure of the handle includes a mesh 24 arrangement. This provision has proved that it is good to increase the rigidity of the handle 2 and also to avoid the deformation of the cross section of the handle 2 (that is, the "wings" of the double T cross section of the handle 2).

The mesh structure improves the discharging of water during the washing cycles to which the container 1 is subjected when the same it is "refillable" type.

With reference now to Figure 6, it is shown the arrangement of the handle 2 within the region 10 of the container 1.

As can be seen in the figure, each stem part 22 of the handle 2 is completely housed within the region 10 of the container 1 , each coupling region 23 is inserted into the respective undercut region 12, the latter being complementary shaped after the resulting blow molding process of the preform inside the relevant mold (not shown in the figures).

It should be noted here that according to the present invention, the handle 2 is positioned in the container 1 in a condition in which the same it is fully seated in the region 10 of container 1 , and in such a way that the end regions 20 of the handle 2 are abutting on edge regions 1 1 of the region 10 of the container 1.

The geometry of the coupling between regions 23 and regions 12 is such that it is guaranteed a perfect molding of the latter during the blow molding process, allowing the material of the container 1 to completely enclose the end regions 23. In this way, it is guaranteed to be prevented uncoupling of the regions 23 from regions 12.

The handle 2 of the present invention can be produced with different materials depending on the use thereof, and the type of container 1 to which is intended for. Typically, among the preferred materials are indicated PET, Polypropylene, High Density Polyethylene.

The handle 2 of the present invention is particularly suitable for container applications with "one way" and / or "refillable" PET.

In addition, during the sizing of the handle 2, by varying the length of the stem regions 22 it is obtained a different grasping space for the handle 2.

Claims

1. Improved handle (2) for the production of blown containers (1 ) incorporating at least one pre-inserted handle (2),

characterized in that it comprises:

- an elongated part (21) for gripping by a user during the transporting of said associated container (1 ), and two end regions (20) opposed one to each other;

- two connecting parts (22) for connecting to the container (1), said connecting parts (22) being not bound one the other, said connecting parts (22) being obtained at respective opposite end regions (20) of said handle (1 ), and

- coupling regions (23) for the mutual fixed coupling with respective coupling regions (12) formed onto said container (1 ).

2. Improved handle (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cross section of the same has a substantially " " shape.

3. Improved handle (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the geometrical shape of said coupling regions (23) is chosen in the group of geometrical shapes that includes the following shapes: trapezoid, hammerhead, square, rectangular, square with rounded edges, square with sharp live round, "mushroom head" upside down.

4. Improved handle (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the transverse size of said coupling regions (23) is preferably comprised within the range of values between 20 and 30 mm.

5. Improved handle (2) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a mesh ladders structural embodiment (24).

6. Improved handle (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the material for the making of said handle (2) is preferably chosen in the group that includes: -PET, Polypropylene, High Density Polyethylene.

7. Container (1) obtained from the blowing of a preform in a mold, characterized in that it comprises at least one pre-inserted handle (2) according to previous claims.

8. Container (1 ) according to the preceding claim, further comprising a region (10) for the housing said handle (2) wherein said handle (2) is completely housed within said region (10) of the container (1 ), and wherein each coupling region (23) of said handle (2) is inserted in a respective undercut region (12) formed in said container (1), and wherein said end regions (20) of said handle (2) rest onto respective edge regions (1 1 ) of said housing region (10) of said container (1).

9. Container (1 ) according to claim 7 or 8, which is particularly addressed to be used as "one-way" and/or "refillable" in PET applications.