Container handle

Abstract

This invention relates to a strap handle 10, 110 for a packaging container 1, 100 formed from a resilient plastics material. The strap handle 10, 110 is formed with a neck 11, 111 and a head 12, 112 which are configured to interact with each other so that when positioned adjacent the container 1, 100 the head 12, 112 is urged to locate substantially parallel with an underside of the container 1, 100.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A strap handle for a packaging container that has at least two spaced apart strap handle mounting apertures, the strap handle comprising:
 an elongate strap handle of resilient plastics material having an aperture engaging section at each end, at least one aperture engaging section comprising:   a reduced width section forming a neck with a head outwardly thereof but set in from an end section of the strap handle, the end section comprising a tongue, both the tongue and the neck being of a width not more than the intended width of the aperture to which they are to engage,   wherein the head comprises an upper surface adapted to bear the load of the container.   
     
     
         2 . A strap handle according to  claim 1  wherein the head and the neck are configured to interact so as to assist the upper surface of the head to engage the container. 
     
     
         3 . A strap handle according to  claim 2  wherein the head has a proximal end and the neck intersects with the head at a location spaced from the proximal end. 
     
     
         4 . A strap handle according to  claim 3  wherein the head has a distal end associated with the tongue with a central zone between the proximal end and distal end, the said location of the intersection of the neck with the head is between the proximal end and the central zone. 
     
     
         5 . A strap handle according to  claim 4  wherein the said location is substantially midway between the proximal end and the central zone. 
     
     
         6 . A strap handle according to  claim 5  wherein a fold line is formed at said location of the intersection of the head with the neck, the fold line having a length that is no more than half of a width of the head. 
     
     
         7 . A strap handle according to  claim 7  wherein the fold line is centrally located between opposed sides of the head. 
     
     
         8 . A strap handle to  claim 1  wherein the neck includes at least one lug that projects laterally therefrom that inhibits movement of the neck through the handle mounting aperture when in use. 
     
     
         9 . A strap handle according to  claim 8  wherein the neck includes a pair of lugs on opposed sides of the neck. 
     
     
         10 . A strap handle according to  claim 9  wherein the or each lug is spaced from the head by a distance of no greater than twice a thickness of material forming the container adjacent the handle mounting aperture. 
     
     
         11 . A strap handle according to  claim 1  wherein the tongue includes a stop at a distal end thereof that projects laterally therefrom that inhibits movement of the tongue through the handle mounting aperture when in use. 
     
     
         12 . A strap handle according to  claim 11  wherein the stop projects laterally out of opposed sides of the tongue. 
     
     
         13 . A strap handle according to  claim 12  wherein the stop is spaced from the head by a distance of no greater than three times a thickness of material forming the container adjacent the handle mounting aperture. 
     
     
         14 . A strap handle according to  claim 1  wherein the strap handle is substantially planar. 
     
     
         15 . A strap handle according to  claim 1  wherein the neck and the head interact so that at least 30% of the upper surface of the head engages the container. 
     
     
         16 . A strap handle according to  claim 1  wherein the neck and the head interact so that the upper surface of the head is substantially parallel with an underside surface of the container adjacent the handle mounting aperture. 
     
     
         17 . A strap handle according to  claim 1  including a main body between each aperture engaging section, the main body being wider than the or each neck. 
     
     
         18 . A strap handle according to  claim 17  wherein the body includes a pair of shoulders at opposed ends of the main body adjacent the or each neck. 
     
     
         19 . A strap handle in combination with a packaging container, the strap handle being according to  claim 1 , and the packaging container formed from a plastics material, wherein the plastics material is less than 0.3 mm thick. 
     
     
         20 . A strap handle in combination with a packaging container according to  claim 19  wherein the packaging container is a vacuum formed container.