WO2013160410A1

WO2013160410A1 - Carrier collar provided with a handle

Info

Publication number: WO2013160410A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/058647
Authority: WO
Inventors: Per Svensson
Original assignee: Emballator Ulricehamns Bleck
Priority date: 2012-04-26
Filing date: 2013-04-25
Publication date: 2013-10-31

Abstract

A carrier collar (10) for a container (11), wherein said carrier collar (10) is adapted to be arranged at an opening edge (50) of said container (11). Said carrier collar (10) is provided with a handle (12, 112) and said handle (12, 112) is arranged to said carrier collar (10) in a first and a second pivot point (13), and extending between said first (13) and second pivot point (113) with a centre portion (14) essentially in the middle there between. Said first (13) and second pivot point (113) enabling that said handle (12, 112) can be pivoted at least between a resting position and a carrying position, wherein in said resting position; said handle is arranged along a periphery of said carrier collar; and in said carrying position; said handle is arranged in an upright position. The carrier collar is characterised in, that at least said first pivot point (13) comprises a joint coupling (18) having a collar member (301) and a handle member (302), wherein said handle member (302) comprises a pin (303), and said collar member (301) comprises a slot (304). Said joint coupling (18) is thereby adjustable, such that it enables sliding, of said pin (303) in said slot (304) relative said carrier collar (10), between a first and a second position. When the handle (12, 112) is positioned in its resting position a sliding of said pin (303) relative said carrier collar (10), from said first position to said second position, said centre portion (14) is displaced closer to the periphery of said carrier collar (10).

Description

TITLE

Carrier collar provided with a handle

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of carrier collars adapted to be arranged at an opening edge of a container. In particular, the invention relates to a carrier collar provided with a handle that is arranged to the carrier collar in a first and a second pivot point enabling that the handle can be pivoted between a resting position along the circumference of the carrier collar and an upright carrying position.

BACKGROUND ART

Most containers, such as paint pails, are fitted with a handle to facilitate manual lifting and carrying of the container. In the manufacture of metal containers, handles are commonly fitted to the container by attaching bosses to an outer surface of the container as attachment points for the handle. The bosses are produced separately and mounted to the container after production. The attachment is damaging to the coating of the inner surface of the container, and manufacturers often have to re-coat the inner surface. Another common method to fit the handles to the container is to punch a hole in the flanged steel edge of the container and hinge the handles there. This requires a complex bending process in order to get required stiffness of the flanged steel edge after the production of the container. Both these

procedures are costly, time-consuming and require additional equipment or even a rebuilt facility; hence manufacturers have tried to overcome these problems. One solution is the use of carrier collars fitted with a handle, such as the one described in US4357042.

There are many designs of carrier collars and handles attached to such. To efficiently carry a container using a handle the handle is positioned in an upright carrying position, and when not in use it is hanging down the outer side of the container in a resting position. The handle commonly moves between these positions by movement in pivot points through which it is attached to the carrier collar.

Containers are preferably stacked to save space when being transported. In such situations, handles are in the way of efficient stacking if they are hanging down the outer surface of the container when in resting position. They may also scratch the outer surface of the container. Attempts have been made to avoid these issues by configuring the resting position of handles such that the handle is positioned at the circumference of the carrier collar when not in use. One attempt to avoid this issue is presented in US3737069A, which is describing a carrier collar of plastic material to be fitted at the opening edge of a container. The carrier collar has a horizontal semi-cylindrical strap that is fitted at the circumference of the carrier ring in resting position and can be stretched up to an upright carrying position for use as a handle. However, the handle will face the issue described below.

Pouring from a container fitted with a carrier collar is done by tilting the container when the handle is in its upright carrying position. If the handle is configured to be positioned at the circumference of the carrier collar when in its resting position then it will eventually reach its resting position when the container is tilted for pouring. A hand holding the handle will interfere with the tilting because it will eventually hit the opening edge of the container. There is also a risk of squeezing the hand between the handle and the container when the container is being tilted. This results in suboptimal pouring from the container due to insufficient tilting. One way of avoiding this problem is to use a longer handle so that the handle can be moved beyond the opening edge of the container when the container is being tilted. However, a longer handle will protrude from the outer surface of the container in its resting position. This construction is bulky and containers fitted with such carrier collars can hence not be stored in a space efficient manner. Also, protruding handles may get caught in each other or other adjacent objects when being stored or transported. There is thus a need for an improved carrier collar with an integrated handle removing the above mentioned disadvantages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object among others of the present invention is to provide an inventive carrier collar with handle for a container that eliminates the problems of a bulky handle and the risk of squeezing a hand holding the handle while tilting the container. This object is achieved by providing a carrier collar with a handle that has at least one adjustable pivot point enabling the centre portion of a handle to be displaced between a position close to the periphery of the carrier collar and a position distanced from the periphery of the carrier collar.

The carrier collar of the present invention is adapted to be arranged at the opening edge of said container and can be either integrated at the opening edge of the container or non-integrated as a separate and removable carrier collar.

The carrier collar of the present invention is provided with a handle. The handle is arranged to the carrier collar in a first and second pivot point and is extending between the first and second pivot point with a centre portion essentially in the middle there between. The centre portion can be grip friendly but is essentially defined by its centred location upon the handle. The first and second pivot points enable the handle to be pivoted at least between a resting and a carrying position. The handle is arranged along the periphery of the carrier collar when the handle is in the resting position. The handle is arranged in an upright position when in the carrying position. The pivot points allow the handle to move freely between the resting and at least the upright carrying position, which is about perpendicular to the resting position. The inventive carrier collar is characterised in, that at least said first pivot point comprises a joint coupling having a collar member and a handle member wherein the handle member comprises a pin and the collar member comprises a slot. The joint coupling is thereby adjustable such that it enables sliding of said pin in said slot relative said carrier collar between a first and a second position. When the handle is positioned in its resting position a sliding of said pin relative said carrier collar from said first position to said second position, said centre portion is displaced closer to the periphery of said carrier collar. This displacement is advantageous because the handle will thereby not extend from the carrier collar when the handle is in a resting position, but rather rest close to the periphery of the carrier collar. The handle will take up less space in such a resting position, which is advantageous when storing the carrier collar and containers provided with such carrier collars. The sliding of the pin from the second to the first position also allows for space between the centre portion of handle and a container fitted with a carrier collar of the present invention. This is advantageous when pouring from the container because the risk of squeezing the hand is eliminated. Also, tilting a container fitted with a carrier collar can be done in a more comfortable way. Pouring from a container provided with a carrier collar is thereby optimized.

It is preferred that the first positions of the pin are positioned straight across from each other on the carrier collar. Hence, a balance is achieved between the two pivot points when the container fitted with the carrier collar is lifted in its handle in carrying position. This facilitates stability in the carrying position.

In one advantageous embodiment of the pivot point the first and second pivot point are enabled through a first and a second joint coupling, and wherein said first and second joint coupling having corresponding first and second collar members and first and second handle members respectively.

It is preferred that the second pivot point also is adjustable to allow sliding of the handle relative the carrier collar. Preferably both the first and second pivot points are adjustable. This allows for a symmetric sliding movement. The symmetric sliding makes it easier for the user to pull the handle straight when displacing the handle to/from the first to/from the second position in its resting position. Production of the carrier collar and the handle are simplified if they are symmetric i.e. that the joint couplings are of the same type.

One advantageous feature of the present invention is that the sliding of the pin of the handle is performed essentially in a plane parallel to a plane defined by said carrier collar. This allows for a compact carrier collar because the height of the carrier collar is not restricted by the sliding movement.

Likewise, the sliding movement is not restricted by the height of the carrier collar.

Another advantageous feature of the present invention is that the carrier collar has an upper edge portion with an outer, downwardly directed flange. The flange has a cut out between the first and second pivot point. The cut out is adapted to receive said handle when it is arranged in its resting position and the pin is arranged in its second position. As the handle is received by the cut out it is preferably arranged such that it will not protrude from the circumference of the carrier collar and therefore the outer perimeter of the flange of the carrier collar will have an even profile. Such an even outer flange is smooth and will reduce the risk of the handle getting caught in adjacent objects when in the resting position. Also, any plausible scratching on the outer surface of a container upon where the carrier collar is provided caused by the handle hanging down the side of the container is avoided.

Preferably the carrier collar is provided with an outer, downwardly directed flange and that is adapted to receive a cover adapted to seal against and/or secure upon the downwardly directed flange. The downwardly directed flange is provided with an upwardly foldable portion which is adapted to at least partially lift the cover from the carrier collar when it is folded upwards by engagement with an edge of the cover. When the cover is partly lifted from the carrier collar by said upwardly foldable portion it is easier to grip and pull. This facilitates the removal of the cover from the carrier collar. If the carrier collar is adapted to a container, the upwardly foldable portion facilitates the removal of the cover from the container.

One arrangement of the invention is that the carrier collar is made of a polymeric material and is thereby preferably injection moulded. Production of the carrier collar is easy if the carrier collar is made of polymeric material, as it can be injection moulded. Polymeric material is a light material; hence the carrier collar will be light. Polymeric material is also cost effective. The handle could also be made of a polymeric material. However, the material of the handle is independent of the material of the carrier collar.

In an arrangement where both the carrier collar and the handle is made of polymeric material the handle can be arranged in the resting position and the pin in its second position such that the handle partially forms an outer circumference surface of said carrier collar over more than half the

circumference of said carrier collar. The handle is therefore not protruding from the carrier collar in this position. The polymeric handle is a part of the perimeter of the carrier collar and hence enables a smooth perimeter. This creates an even outer circumference surface of the carrier collar and is hence space saving.

The handle can alternatively be made of a metallic material and preferably a metallic wire. A handle of metallic material is strong, sturdy and heat resistant. Metallic handles are easy to produce because it is a standard technique. The production is cost-effective and does not require extensive equipment.

An advantageous arrangement, if the handle is made of metallic material, is to provide the carrier collar with a grip portion, wherein the grip portion is of a polymeric material and is adapted to receive the handle and be loosened from said carrier collar together with the centre portion when said pin slides from its second position to its first position. In this arrangement, the grip portion is preferably attached to the carrier collar when the pin is in the second position. The grip portion will allow for a comfortable grip of the metallic handle, which is received in the polymeric grip portion. The shape of the grip portion can be adjusted to allow a comfortable grip. It will also allow for a sturdy grip about the handle made of metallic wire. The grip portion preferably receives the centre portion of the handle, and hence allows a stabile grip in the centre part of the handle when holding the handle. The grip portion is easily integrated in the carrier collar if it is made of polymeric material. The grip portion can be injection moulded as one piece with the carrier collar and the production is thereby simple.

One advantageous feature of the joint coupling according to the present invention is that the said slot on the collar member is narrower close to the second position than close to the first position such that the pin is squeezed in the slot when it approaches the second position. This feature prevents the pin from sliding back to the first position, and holds it tight in the second position. It also stabilises the handle in its resting position, which facilitates a stabile displacement of the handle closer to the periphery of the carrier collar when the pin is slid in its slot.

In one advantageous arrangement of the joint coupling on the carrier collar an upper and a lower compression space is provided above and below the slot such that the upper and lower compression spaces is separated from said slot by flexible tongues above and below the slot. This arrangement allows for flexibility and compression of the tongue when the pin is moved into its second position where the slot is narrower.

In one advantageous arrangement of the joint coupling the slot is provided with a lateral groove in said first position. This allows for the pin to be arranged in said lateral groove when said pin is arranged in its first position. The groove disables the sliding between the first and second position when the handle is in its carrying position. The pivot points of the handle are thus in a fixed position when the pin is arranged in the lateral groove and the handle is in its carrying position. In a further arrangement the said lateral groove have a narrow passage adapted such that said pin does not slid out from said lateral groove into the slot by a gravity force applied thereon. The handle can be pivoted between the carrying position and a tilted position without the pivot points being displaced from the first position when the pin is arranged in the lateral groove. This allows for a stabile carrying position. This sliding back motion can be prevented by means other than the narrow passage.

In a further arrangement the slot is provided with a downward directed groove adapted to receive the pin from below when assembling the pin into the slot. The downward directed groove is covered by a tongue having an attachment point to the carrier collar at one side of the downward directed groove such that the tongue can pivot about said attachment point. The none-attached side of the tongue is resting upon the carrier collar on the opposite side of the attachment point on the downwardly directed groove. Therefore, the tongue can only be pivoted inwards towards the slot. This arrangement allows the pin to enter the slot from below and prevents the pin to exit the slot from above. Thereby, the arrangement facilitates the fitting of the pin into the slot and hence the fitting of the handle to the carrier collar if the handle and the carrier collar are manufactured separately. It also simplifies a replacement of the handle if needed.

One advantageous feature of the carrier collar it that the pin is provided with a head arranged at its end, wherein a diameter of said head is greater than a widest part of said slot. This prevents the pin from exiting the slot in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the slot. The head of the pin is adapted to slide on a sliding surface essentially perpendicular to the depth of said slot. The sliding surface is closer to the outer circumference surface of said carrier collar at the first position of the pin than at the second position of the pin. When the pin is in its second position the head is positioned close to the inner circumference of the carrier collar because the depth of the slot is narrower at the second position. Accordingly, the handle is positioned adjacent to the outer circumference surface of the carrier collar when the pin is in its second position. Therefore, the handle can create an even outer circumference surface with the carrier collar when in resting position and the pin is in the second position. The handle is displaced away from the outer circumference surface when the pin is slid from the second to the first position, allowing space between the outer circumference surface and the handle. The effect of the space is that the handle can be pivoted freely without being obstructed by the outer circumference surface of the carrier collar.

Carrier collars as described above are adapted to be arranged at the opening edge of a container. Containers provided with a carrier collar have an opening edge provided with an edge collar. The carrier collar is arranged from below against said edge collar upon said container, such that by lifting said carrier collar said container is lifted. The carrier collar is easily arranged against the edge collar and easily removed from the container by sliding the carrier collar downwards from the edge collar unless it is fixed with fastening means. A non-integrated carrier collar can be produced separately from the container and fitted onto the container after production which simplifies the production of the two.

The edge collar of a container is commonly made by bending the metallic sheet material to create an edge collar profile. Fitting a container with a carrier collar allows for a simple edge collar of the container compared to when the edge collar have to facilitate the arrangement of the handle and/or the fastening of a cover. The simpler edge collar profile therefore simplifies the production of the container.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention a carrier collar adapted to a container as described above is provided with a lower edge which is adapted to receive said opening edge of another container or another carrier collar. This enable easy and compact stacking of containers fitted with carrier collars or the stacking of a container with a carrier collar in a container without carrier collar.

According to one arrangement of the present invention the carrier collar is attached to the container with glue, a shrink bond or a form bond. The carrier collar could be round or any other suitable shape. A container suitable to be used with the present invention may be round, square or any other suitable shape. Said container may be made of metal, polymeric material or any other suitable material. The nature of the container is not limiting for the invention which is suitable for any kind of container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, wherein:

Figure 1 a - c shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the carrier collar is made of polymeric material and handle is made of metallic wire.

Figure 2a - c shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the carrier collar and handle is made of polymeric material.

Figure 3a - e shows a joint coupling according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows a joint coupling according to the invention viewed from below. Figure 5 shows a cut out view of a container with a carrier collar adapted to it and a lid sealed upon it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, embodiments of the present invention is described. The invention is however not limited thereto.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown figures 1 a-c. The carrier collar 10 is arranged upon a cylindrical container 1 1 and is fitted with a metallic wire handle 12. A preferred material of the carrier collar 10 is polymeric material. A centre portion 14 of the handle 10 is defined as about the middle 1/3 part of the handle 12. The handle 12 is attached to the carrier collar 10 at a first pivot point 13 and a second pivot point 1 13 (not shown). The first pivot point 13 comprises a joint coupling 18 according to the present invention. Details of the joint coupling 18 are explained in conjunction with figures 3a-e below. The second pivot point 1 13 can be any kind of joint coupling; however preferably one according to the present invention. The joint coupling 18 enables the handle 12 to pivot between a resting position, as shown in figure 1 a and 1 b, and a carrying position, as shown in figure 1 c. The joint coupling 18 further enables the pin 303 to slide between a first position, as shown in figure 3d and 3e, and a second position, as shown in figure 3c. The pivot points 13, 1 13 of the joint couplings 18 are thus adjustable between the first and the second position of the pin 303. When the pin 303 is in its first position, as shown in figure 1 c, the pivot points 13, 1 13 are positioned straight across from each other on the carrier collar 10. This position of the pivot points 13, 1 13 relative each other facilitate a balance of the container 1 1 when the handle 12 is in its carrying position, as shown in figure 1 c. When the pin 303 is in its second position, as shown in figure 3 c, the distance between the pivot points 13, 1 13 along the circumference of the carrier collar 10 are shorter than when the pin 303 is positioned in its first postion, as shown in figure 3 d and e. The length of the handle 12 is thereby longer than half the circumference of said carrier collar 10. The centre portion 14 of the handle 12 is positioned closer to the

circumference of the carrier collar 10 in the resting position, shown in figure 1 a and 1 b, than when in its carrying position as shown in figure 1 c. When the handle 12 is in its resting position the pin 303 can be slid from its second position, shown in figure 1 a, to its first position, as shown in figure 1 b. The handle 12 is longer than half the circumference of the carrier collar 10, hence the sliding of the pin 303 from its second position to its first position displaces the grip portion 14 away from the periphery of the carrier collar 10. This creates space between the grip portion 20 and the outer circumference surface 19 of the carrier collar 10. When the pin 303 is in its first position the handle 12 can be pivoted into an upright position, as shown in figure 1 c, and the pin 303 can be moved from the slot 304 into the lateral groove 314. This is further depicted in figures 3a-e. The handle 12 in its carrying position is shown in figure 1 c, whereby the pin 303 is in its first position. The length of the handle 12 allows the handle 12 to pivot past its resting position when tilting the container 1 1 starting in its carrying position.

As shown in figure 1 a-c the carrier collar 10 has a grip portion 20 made of polymeric material and it is preferably injection moulded as a part of the carrier collar 10 and easily loosened from the carrier collar 10. The grip portion 20 is formed to receive the centre portion 14 of the metallic handle 12 when the handle 12 is fitted onto the carrier collar 10 during assembly. The grip portion 20 is loosened from the carrier collar 10 when the pin 303 moves from the second position to the first position for the first time. The grip portion leaves an empty space in the carrier collar 10, as shown in figure 1 b.

The carrier collar 10 has a cut out 17 to receive the handle 12 in its resting position when the pin 303 is in its second position. It is preferred that the handle 12 thereby can be arranged in the cut out 17 such that the handle does not protrude outside of the periphery of the carrier collar 10. The empty space created when loosening the grip portion 20 from the carrier collar 10 can receive the grip portion 20 when the handle 12 is in its resting position and received by the cut out 17 and the pin 303 is in its second position. This is advantageous when transporting carrier collars 10 because the handles 12 will not protrude and get caught in adjacent objects. It is also space saving.

Another embodiment is illustrated in figure 2a-c, in which the handle 1 12 is made of polymeric material. Also the embodiment in figure 2a-c is provided with joint coupling 18 according to the figure 3a-e. The embodiment disclosed in figure 2a-c differs from the embodiment disclosed in figure 1 a-c only in that the handle 1 12 is made of polymeric material . The use of a polymeric material in the handle 1 12 affect the carrier collar 10 such that the handle 1 12 is wider, and the cut out 1 17 is thereby also wider to accommodate the wider handle 1 12, and there is no separate grip portion 14. The grip portion 14 is instead integrated in the polymeric handle 1 12. The handle 1 12 has a flat outer periphery; therefore when the handle 1 12 is in its resting position, and the pin 303 is in its second position, shown in figure 2a, the handle 1 12 partially forms the outer circumference surface 19 of the carrier collar 10. This creates a smooth outer surface with the carrier collar 10, as shown in figure 2a.

A preferred embodiment of the joint coupling 18 according to the present invention is illustrated in figure 3a-e and 4a-b. A joint coupling 18 according to the present invention could be used in a variety of applications such as carrying objects of various shapes or pulling object in various directions. The purpose of the joint coupling 18 of the present invention is to prevent a protrusion of the handle 12, 1 12 from a surface of an object it arranged upon, when the handle 12, 1 12 is stowed in a resting position, but facilitate the handle 12 ,1 12 to pivot with an increased freedom of motion, when in carrying position. These purposes are achieved through a handle 12, 1 12, which can pivot between a resting and carrying position, and which also in at least one of the pivot points 13, 1 13 can slide between a first and a second position when the handle 12, 1 12 is arranged in its resting position. The inventive joint coupling 18 is exemplified in figure 3a-e with a carrier collar 10 of the present invention as a receiving object, however the joint coupling is not limited to the use with a carrier collar. The receiving object could be an object of various shapes. The joint coupling 18 shown in figure 3a-e has a collar member 301 and a handle member 302. The handle member 302 is exemplified by a metallic wire in figure 3a-e but could be of any suitable material. The collar member 301 has a slot 304 that is extending in the a first direction, here in the direction of the carrier collar 10, i.e.

perpendicular to the carrying position. The slot 304 is adapted to receive a handle member 302 in the form of a pin 303. Figure 3a shows the collar member 301 before slot has been fitted with the pin 303 of the handle member 302. To fit the handle member 302 onto the collar member 301 the pin 303 is moved, via an opening 31 1 , into the slot 304 as shown in figure 3b. A tongue 312 is covering the opening 31 1 . The tongue 312 is attaching to one side of the opening 31 1 at an attachment point 313. The none-attached side of the tongue 312 is resting upon the opposite side of the opening 31 1 . The tongue 312 can therefore be pivoted inwards towards the slot 304, but not in opposite direction. Hence, the pin 303 can enter the slot 304 via the opening 31 1 as illustrated in figure 3b, but not exit the slot 304 via the same.

Once the pin 303 has entered the slot 304, the pin 303 is allowed to slide back and forth in the slot 304 between the first position, shown in figure 3d and 3e, and the second position, shown in figure 3c. As shown in figure 3a-e, the slot has a lateral groove 314 that is adapted to receive the pin 303. The pin 303 is slid to its first position, as shown in figure 3d, and into the lateral groove 314, as shown in figure 3e, when the joint coupling 18 is arranged in its carrying position and loaded. This position is also illustrated in figure 1 c and 2c. The lateral groove 314 has a narrow passage 309 that prevents the pin 303 from unintentionally sliding out of carrying position when not loaded, back into the slot 304. The carrying position is thereby more stabile, and the handle does not have to be repositioned into the lateral groove 314 due to displacement of the pin 303 each time the load is removed from the handle 12. The load can be a lifting force, or any other load.

The slot 304 narrows at the direction of the pin 303 at its second position. The pin 303 is hence squeezed in the slot when it is slid towards its second position (shown in figure 3c). This enable the handle member 302 to be stabilised in its resting position once the sliding from first position to second position occurs. The handle member 302 is fixed already in an intermediate position when sliding the pin 303 between the first and the second position. As shown in figure 3a-e an upper and lower compression space 307 is provided above and below the end of the narrow part of the slot 304 where the pin is in its second position. The upper and lower compression spaces

307 are separated from the slot by flexible tongues 308. The flexible tongues

308 are compressed into the compression spaces 307 as the pin 303 are slide through and squeezed in the narrow parts of the slot 304. The compression spaces 307 and flexible tongues 308 thereby facilitate a heat expansion of the material in the carrier collar 10 and/or the handle 12/1 12, without affecting the function of the joint coupling 18. Further, the

compression spaces 307 and the flexible tongues 308 increase the tolerance in production of the narrow part of the slot 304, and of the pin 303, whereby a production process can be made more robust.

Figure 4 illustrates the inventive joint coupling in a view from below in which the second position of the pin 303 is shown in figure 4a and the first position of the pin 303 is shown in figure 4b. The pin 303 is provided with a head 40, which is adapted to slide along the inside of the slot 304, on the sliding surface 41 , when moving between the first and the second positions. The sliding surface 41 is essentially perpendicular to the depth direction of the slot 304. The sliding surface 41 is closer to the outer circumference surface 19 of the carrier collar 10 at the first position of the pin 303 than at said second position of said pin 303. The pin 303 is thereby displacing the handle member 302 closer to the outer circumference surface 19 when slid into its second position, shown in figure 1 a, 2a and 4b. This prevents the handle member 302 from protruding from the outer circumference surface 19. Also, when the pin 303 is in its first position, as shown in figure 1 b-c, 2b-c and 4b, there is space between the handle member 302 and the collar member 303 which allows the handle member 302 to pivot freely without interfering with a lid 21 or an outer periphery of a carrier collar 10.

Figure 5 illustrates a cut out view of a carrier collar 10 adapted to a container 1 1 and a lid 21 securely fitted thereon. The carrier collar 10 is adapted to a container 1 1 by sliding the carrier collar 10 upon the container 1 1 from below. The container has en opening edge 50 with an edge collar 51 that is adapted to receive the carrier collar 10. The container 1 1 is disclosed with a cylindrical cross section. The container 1 1 is slightly conical in shape, and widest at the opening edge 50, wherein the inner circumference of the carrier collar 10 is essentially equivalent to the outer circumference of the container 1 1 near the opening edge 50. Other shapes of the container and carrier collar 10 are just as compatible with the invention. The carrier collar 10 is tightly fitted at its position at the opening edge 50 on the container due to the conical shape of the container 1 1 . However, additional fastening means may be provided such as form fitting means and glue. A suitable form fitting is an upper edge 53 of the carrier collar 10. The upper edge 53 can be adapted such, that it grips around the edge collar 51 of the opening edge 50.

The lid 21 is secured against the downwardly directed flange 16 of the carrier collar 10, and tightly seals the container 1 1 against the opening edge 50.

Since the lid 21 is secured against the carrier collar 10 the edge collar 51 can be provided with a simple bending profile, which facilitates a simplified and effective manufacturing process. Preferably, the carrier collar 10 has a lower edge 52 that is adapted to receive the opening edge 50 of a container 1 1 or another carrier collar 10 when stacking containers 1 1 fitted with carrier collars 10. The invention is not limited to the specific figures presented, but includes all variations within the scope of the present claims. Reference signs mentioned in the claims should not be seen as limiting the extent of the matter protected by the claims, and their sole function is to make claims easier to understand.

As will be realised, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects, all without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Accordingly, the drawings and the description thereto are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive.

Claims

1 ) Carrier collar (10) for a container (1 1 ), wherein said carrier collar (10) is adapted to be arranged at an opening edge (50) of said container (1 1 ), wherein said carrier collar (10) is provided with a handle (12, 1 12), said handle (12, 1 12);

- is arranged to said carrier collar (10) in a first and a second pivot point (13), and

- extending between said first (13) and second pivot point (1 13) with a centre portion (14) essentially in the middle there between,

said first (13) and second pivot point (1 13) enabling that said handle (12, 1 12) can be pivoted at least between a resting position and a carrying position, wherein;

- in said resting position; said handle is arranged along a periphery of said carrier collar;

- in said carrying position; said handle is arranged in an upright position, characterised in, that

at least said first pivot point (13) comprises a joint coupling (18) having a collar member (301 ) and a handle member (302), wherein;

· said handle member (302) comprises a pin (303), and

• said collar member (301 ) comprises a slot (304), whereby

said joint coupling (18) thereby is adjustable, such that it enables sliding, of said pin (303) in said slot (304) relative said carrier collar (10), between a first and a second position, whereby when the handle (12, 1 12) is positioned in its resting position a sliding of said pin (303) relative said carrier collar (10), from said first position to said second position, said centre portion (14) is displaced closer to the periphery of said carrier collar (10).

2) Carrier collar (10) according to any one of the claims 1 , wherein said carrier collar (10) having an upper edge portion (15) with an outer,

downwardly directed flange (16), wherein said flange (16) having a cut out (17) between said first and second pivot point, wherein said cut out (17) is adapted to receive said handle (12, 1 12) when it is arranged in its resting position and said pin (303) is arranged in its second position. 3) Carrier collar (10) according to any one of the claims 1 or 2, wherein said carrier collar (10) is made of a polymeric material and is thereby preferably injection moulded.

4) Carrier collar according to claim 3, wherein said handle is made of a polymeric material and when said handle (1 12) is provided in said resting position, and said at pin (303) is arranged in its second position, said handle (1 12) partially forms an outer circumference surface (19) of said carrier collar (10) over more than half the circumference of said carrier collar (10). 5) Carrier collar according to any one of the claims 1 - 3, wherein said handle (12) is made of a metallic material and preferably a metallic wire.

6) Carrier collar (10) according to claim 5 wherein said carrier collar (10) is provided with a grip portion (20), said grip portion (20) is of a polymeric material and is adapted to

- receive said handle, and

- be loosened from said carrier collar (10), when said pin (303) slides from said second position to said first position. 7) Carrier collar (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said slot (304) is narrower close to said second position than close to said first position, such that said pin (303) is squeezed in said slot when it approaches said second position. 8) Carrier collar (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an upper and lower compression space (307) is provided above and below said slot (304), such that the upper and lower compression spaces (307) is separated from said slot by a flexible tongue (308).

9) Carrier collar (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said slot (304) is provided with a lateral groove (314) in said first position, such that said pin (303) can be arranged in said lateral groove (314) when said pin (303) is arranged in its first position.

10) Carrier collar (10) according to claim 9, wherein said lateral groove (314) having a narrow passage (309) adapted such that said pin (303) does not fall out from said lateral groove (314) by a gravity force applied thereon.

1 1 ) Carrier collar (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said slot (304) is provided with a downward directed groove (40) adapted to receive said pin (303) from below , when assembling said pin (303) into said slot (304), wherein said downward directed groove (31 1 ) is covered by a tongue (312) having an attachment point (313) to the carrier collar (10) at one side of said downward directed groove (16) such that said tongue (312) can pivot about said attachment point (313) and allow said pin (303) to enter said slot (304) from below and prevent said pin (303) to exit said slot from above.

12) Carrier collar (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pin is provided with a head (40) arranged at its end, wherein a diameter of said head is greater than a widest part of said slot (304).

13) Carrier collar (10) according to claim 12, wherein said head (40) is adapted to slide on a sliding surface (41 ) essentially perpendicular to the depth of said slot (304), wherein said sliding surface (41 ) is closer to said outer circumference surface (19) of said carrier collar (10) at said first position of said pin (303) than at said second position of said pin (303). 14) Container (1 1 ) provided with a separate carrier collar (10) according to any one of the claims 1 -16, wherein said container having an opening edge provided with an edge collar, and said carrier collar (10) is arranged from below against said edge collar (51 ) upon said container (1 1 ), such that by lifting said carrier collar (10) said container (1 1 ) is lifted.

15) Container (1 1 ) according to claim 14, wherein said carrier collar (10) is provided with a lower edge (52) which is adapted to receive said opening edge (50) of another container (1 1 ) or another carrier collar (10).