WO2004080834A1

WO2004080834A1 - Clip-on handle for a container

Info

Publication number: WO2004080834A1
Application number: PCT/IE2004/000035
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Alec Milligan
Original assignee: Preton Limited
Priority date: 2003-03-14
Filing date: 2004-03-15
Publication date: 2004-09-23
Also published as: EP1608563B1; ATE407884T1; IES20030192A2; EP1608563A1; DE602004016476D1; IE20040159A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a clip-on handle system for mounting a plastics handle (8) on a plastics drum (1) after moulding the drum (1). A rectangular mounting block (3) is integrally moulded with a side wall (4) of the drum (1) and projects outwardly therefrom. A slide shoe (5) on which the handle (8) is mounted is slidably engagable with the mounting block (3). Spaced-apart parallel slide rails (12) on the mounting block (3) engage a pair of complementary slide channels (14) in the slide shoe (5). A pair of inwardly extending flexible locking lugs (6) on the slide shoe (5) snap into engagement with associated receiver slots (7) on the mounting block (3) to secure the slide shoe (5) in engagement with the mounting block (3).

Description

"Clip-on handle for a container"

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to clip-on handle assemblies for containers, and in particular for plastics drums.

The invention particularly relates to a clip-on handle system for mounting a handle on a container such as a drum, said system including a complementary pair of cooperating mounting elements on the handle and on the container which are engagable to mount the handle on the container.

In the manufacture of plastics drums it is known to provide this type of clip-on handle system in order to allow moulding of the plastics drum first with subsequent attachment of handles to the drum. During manufacture of the drums it is not always dear during assembly that the mounting elements have been fully engaged. If not properly engaged and in particular if the drums are subject to rough handling in use, as is common, the mounting elements may disengage during handling of the drums leading to spillage and associated problems. This is a particularly serious problem when the drums contain hazardous or corrosive materials. Also, even

property engaged these handles can often be removed without much difficulty and can disengage from the drum during use.

Further, the cooperating mounting elements in many of the known clip-on handle assemblies are rotatable relative to each other so that the handles can spin on the drum. These systems are not popular with those who handle the drums in use, as it is often necessary to orient the handles correctly on the drum before lifting the drum. If the handles are not property aligned before lifting the drum, movement of the handles relative to the drum, or in some cases disengagement of the handles from the drum, can occur causing spillages and other handling problems.

One clip-on handle system of this type is disclosed in US 5042676. A handle is mounted on a circular bracket plate which is releasably engagable with a complementary circular mushroom-like projection on a side wall of a container to mount the handle on the container. An undercut portion extending around an outer edge of the bracket plate engages with a circular outer edge of the mushroom-like projection to secure the handle on the container. At least one slit is provided in the bracket plate to allow spreading of the bracket plate for engagement with the mushroom-like projection on the container. A horizontal rib on an outer face of the projection on the container is engagable within an associated groove on an inside face of the bracket plate to correctly align the handle on the container. When fitting the handle on the container a certain amount of adjustment - by rotation of the bracket plate - may be necessary to properly engage the rib in the groove. This is undesirable from a production point of view. Further, as previously stated these containers are routinely handled roughly during use. If for example the handle is pulled outwardly and twisted at the same time, that is if not lifted vertically, this will tend to disengage the rib and groove and allow rotation of the bracket plate on the mushroom-like projection on the container which is undesirable from a handling point of view as mentioned before. In addition, with the single slit version, the bracket plate must first be attached to the container and then the handle attached to the bracket plate. This is time consuming and undesirable for production efficiency. Also, with the double slit version a pair of spaced-apart slits in the bracket plate define a flexible flap which hinges to facilitate engagement of the bracket plate with the circular mushroom-like projection on the container. The fad that the flap is relatively flexible to facilitate engagement of the bracket plate with the circular projection on the container means that there is also a danger of disengagement of the bracket plate from the circular projection when the container, and in particular the handle, is subjected to rough handling in use which is commonplace. Furthermore, when fitting the mounting bracket on the circular projection it may not be readily clear to the fitter that the flap has fully and securely engaged the circular projection on the container.

The present invention is directed towards overcoming these problems.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for the secure mechanical attachment of a handle onto a plastics container after moulding of the container.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for attachment of a handle onto a plastics container in a desired optimum orientation for use and to secure the handle in said optimum orientation and prevent rotation of the handle on the container.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a system for the attachment of a handle to a container with ready verification of correct and full mounting engagement of the handle on the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is characterised in that said pair of mounting elements include a first mounting element formed by a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slide rails which are engagable with a complementary pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slide channels forming a second mounting element. Thus advantageously the handle may be readily easily and securely attached to the container in a desired orientation and in a manner which excludes the possibility of any rotation of the handle on the container during use.

Conveniently the handle is pivotally mounted on the handle mounting element for rotation about a single pivot axis, and the mounting elements cooperate such that when the handle is mounted on the container and the container is standing in an upright position said pivot asas is substantially horizontal. Thus the handle simpiy pivots vertically between a lowered stored position against an outer side wall of the container and a raised lifting position.

In another embodiment means is provided for locking the two mounting elements together in an engaged position.

The locking means may be provided by one or more locking lugs on one of the mounting elements for snap engagement with associated receiver slots in the other mounting element.

In a particularly preferred embodiment a pair of lugs are provided on the mounting element carrying the handle for snap engagement within complementary receiver slots in the associated mounting element on a side wall of the container. The lugs are sufficiently resilient to deflect into a disengaged positton during engagement of the two mounting elements, and when said mounting elements are fully engaged the lugs align with and snap into the receiver slots.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the mounting elements comprise a mounting block and a complementary slide shoe which is slidably engagable with the mounting block, said mounting block being integrally formed with the container and projecting outwardly from a side wall of the container.

In one embodiment the locking means includes at least one spring-loaded lug on one mounting element and a complementary receiver slot in the other mounting element, said lug engaging within the slot to secure the mounting elements together in a fully engaged position, and said lug being resiliently defonmable between a normally extended position for engagement within the receiver slot and a collapsed position to allow sliding engagement of the two mounting elements.

In another embodiment a pair of spaced-apart lugs are provided on one mounting element for engagement with a pair of complementary receiver slots on the other mounting element.

In a further embodirr&nf each lug is mounted on the mounting element attached to the handle and the associated receiver slot is provided in the mounting element attached to the container.

In another embodiment the slide rails and slide channels are arranged in an upright orientation.

In another embodiment the slide rails are provided on the container and the slide channels are provided on the handle.

In a further embodiment the mounting elements comprise a rectangular mounting block and a complementary slide shoe which is slidably engagable with the mounting block, said mounting block being integrally formed with the container and projecting outwardly from a side wall of the container. In another embodiment the rails are formed at opposite outer side edges of the mounting block.

In another embodiment the mounting element to which the handle is attached comprises a slide shoe which is slidably engagable with the mounting block on the container, said slide shoe comprising an outer panel with an inwardly extending skirt extending around each side and a tower end of said outer panel leaving an opening at an upper end of said outer panel for reception of the mounting block, the slide channels being formed on an inner face of each side wall of the skirt for sliding engagement with the rails at each outer side edge of the mounting block.

In another embodiment each locking lug is mounted in an associated opening in the outer panel, said lug having an inner end attached to the outer panel and an outer free end which projects inwardly of the inner face of the outer panel.

In another aspect the invention provides a container incorporating the clip-on handle system described herein. Preferably the container is a plastics drum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example onϊy, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a plastics drum incorporating a clip-on handle system according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but with a handle of the system removed to illustrate a handle mounting element of the system;

Fig. 3 is a perspective detail view of cooperating handle mounting elements forming portion of the system, shown partially engaged; - β -

Fig.4 is an elevational view of a handle mounting element of the system;

Fig. 5 is a partially sectional end elevational view of the handle mounting elements; and

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a slide shoe forming portion of the mounting element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a plastics drum according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 incorporating a clip-on handle system, also of plastics material, according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 2. The system 2 comprises a complementary pair of cooperating mounting elements, namely a mounting block 3 (best seen in Fig. 3) integrally moulded with the plastics drum 1 and projecting outwardr from a side wall 4 of the drum 1 and a complementary slide shoe 5 which is slidably engagable with the mounting block 3. A pair of locking lugs 6 on the slide shoe 5 snap info engagement with associated receiver slots 7 in an outer face 15 of the mounting block 3 when the slide shoe 5 is engaged with the mounting block 3. A plastics handle 8 is pivotally mounted by a pivot pin 8 on a pivot eye 10 on the slide s oe 5. The handle 8 can pivot about a horizontal pivot axis between a lowered stored position against the side wall 4 of the drum 1 as shown in Fig. 1 and a raised lifting position.

Referring in particular to Fig. 3, the mounting block 3 is generally rectangular in shape. Slide rails 12 project outwardly at opposite sides of the mounting block 3 at outer side edges of the mounting block 3 for complementary sliding engagement with associated slide channel slots 14 formed in the slide shoe 5. The receiver slots 7 are provided spaced-apart in the outer face 15 of the mounting block 3.

Referring in particular to Figs. 2 and 4 the slide shoe 5 is also of plastics material and has an outer panel 16 with an inwardly extending skirt 17 extending around each side and a lower end of the panel 16 leaving an opening 18 at an upper end for reception of the mounting block 3. Channels 14 on an inside face of each side wall 19, 20 of the skirt 17 slidably receive the rails 12 at each side of the mounting block 3. The channels 14 are formed by an intumed flange on lip 36, 37 at an inner end of each side wall 19, 20. Thus it will be noted that the slide shoe 5 slides into engagement with the mounting block 3 in such a fashion as to prevent any rotation of the slide shoe 5 relative to the mounting block 3. That is once engaged it is in a fixed orientation on the drum 1. In this position the pivot pin 9 for the handle 8 is horizontal when the drum 1 is in its normal upright position. So the handle 8 is pivotable about a horizontal axis only, and cannot turn or swivel out of this position during use.

The locking lugs 6 are mounted in openings 22 in the outer panel 16. Each lug 6 has a fixed end 24 mounted at an upper end 25 of the panel 16. A free lower or inner end 26 of each lug 6 extends downwardly towards a bottom end 27 of the skirt 17 and also projects inwardly away from an inside face 28 of the panel 16. Thus as the slide shoe 5 is slid onto the mounting block 3 the fixed ends 24 are sufficiently resilient such that the inner ends 26 of the lugs 6 are initially deflected outwardly flush with the inner face 28 of the panel 16 as the inner face 28 slides over the outer face 15 of the mounting block 3. As the slide shoe 5 reaches the full engagement position the lugs 6 are freed and snap into engagement with the slots 7 in the outer face 15 of the mounting block 3 to securely lock the slide shoe 5 on the mounting block 3. Thus the lugs 6 are effectively spring-loaded for snap engagement with the receiver slots 7. It will be noted that during assembly the audible click as the lugs 6 engage will give an indication that the slide shoe 5 has been correctly and securely locked on the mounting block 3.

The pivot eye 10 projects outwardly from an outer face of the panel 16 as best seen in Fig. 2. A through hole 30 receives the pivot pin 9. The handle 8 has pivot arms 32 which embrace the pivot eye 10. Each arm 32 has a through hole for through passage of the pivot pin 9 to mount the handle 8 on the slide shoe 5.

An angled stop ramp 35 is positioned on the panel 16 above the pivot eye 10 and is engaged by and limits the upward movement of the handle 8 when the handle 8 is pivoted upwardly into the lifting position. Thus in the lifting position the handle 8 projects outwardly and upwardly at an angle from the side wall.4 of the drum 1.

In use, the mounting block 3 is integrally moulded with the drum 4 forming an outwardly projecting portion of the drum side wall 4. A pair of mounting blocks 3 are provided at opposite sides of the drum 1. Each of said mounting blocks 3 are engaged by an associated slide shoe 5 carrying a handle 8. The slide shoe 5 is simply slid upwardly into engagement with the mounting block 3 until the lugs 6 on the slide shoe 5 snap into engagement with the slots 7 on the mounting block 3 thus securing the slide shoe 5 on the mounting block 3. The drum 1 thereafter can be lifted using the handles 8 as required.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the mounting elements, that is the mounting block 3 and slide shoe 5 is such that the handle 8 cannot swivel on the drum 4 but rather is held in the desirable lifting position on the drum 1, being only able to pivot about the horizontal pivot axis between the stored position and the raised lifting position. The handle 8 can thus be immediately gripped and used to lift the drum 1 without any adjustment of the handle 8 being necessary.

It will further be appreciated that the locking lugs 6 provide secure engagement of the slide shoe 5 on the mounting block 3 and prevent any inadvertent disengagement during use. Also, the snap engagement of the lugs 6 when fitting ihe slide shoe 5 on the mounting block 3 gives a positive indication to assembly workers that the slide shoe 5 and handle assembly has been correctly and securely mounted on the mounting block 3.

It will also be noted that the slide shoe 5 is attached simply and in one upward movement into the engaged position. Positive, quick and accurate engagement is assured. Further, due to location of the mounting block 3 adjacent an outwardly projecting reinforcing flange 40 on the drum sidewall and below said flange, the slide shoe 5 can only be engaged with the mounting block 3 in one direction (from the bottom) which is the correct way. So correct engagement of the slide shoe 5 on the mounting block 3 is assured every time.

T e drum may conveniently be a 30 litre or 60 litre open topped drum, however any suitable drum size may be provided.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clip-on handle system for mounting a handle on a container such as a drum, said system comprising a complementary pair of cooperating mounting elements on the handle and on the container which are engagable to mount the handle on the container, characterised in that said pair of mounting elements include a first mounting element formed by a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slide rails which are engagable with a complementary pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slide channels forming a second mounting element.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 which further includes locking means for securing the two mounting elements together.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the locking means includes at least one spring-loaded lug on one mounting element and a complementary receiver slot in the other mounting element, said lug engaging within the slot to secure the mounting elements together in a fully engaged position, and said lug being resiliently deformable between a normally extended position for engagement within the receiver slot and a collapsed position to allow sliding engagement of the two mounting elements.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein a pair of spaced-apart lugs are provided on one mounting element for engagement with a pair of complementary receiver slots on the other mounting element.

5. A system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein each lug is mounted on the mounting element attached to the handle and the associated receiver slot is provided in the mounting element attached to the container.

6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the slide rails and slide channels are arranged in an upright orientation. • .

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the slide rails are provided on the container and the slide channels are provided on the handle.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mounting elements comprise a rectangular mounting block and a complementary slide shoe which is slidably engagable with the mounting block, said mounting block being integrally formed with the container and projecting outwardly from a side wall of the container.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the rails are formed at opposite outer side edges of the mounting block.

10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mounting element to which the handle is attached comprises a slide shoe which is slidably engagable with the mounting block on the container, said slide shoe comprising an outer panel with an inwardly extending skirt extending around each side and a Sower end of said outer panel leaving an opening at an upper end of said outer panel for reception of the mounting block, the slide channels being formed on an inner face of each side wall of the skirt for sliding engagement with the rails at each outer side edge of the mounting block.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein each locking lug is mounted in an associated opening in the outer panel, said lug having an inner end attached to the outer panel and an outer free end which projects inwardly of the inner face of the outer panel.

12. A container incorporating the clip-on handle system as claimed in any preceding claim.