Ergonomic integral handle assembly

Abstract

A method of controlling a preform for stretch blow-moulding a container with an integrally formed handle; the preform comprising, a body portion and the integrally formed handle; the preform transferred from a perform supply source to a blow moulding die for blowing the container; the method including the steps of passing the preform through a preform handle orientating apparatus, transferring the preform to a preform transportation system, maintaining orientation of the preform handle imposed by the perform handle orientating apparatus during transfer to the perform transportation system and transfer to the blow moulding die, rotating the preforms during transport along the transportation system past an array of preform heating elements while shielding the integrally formed handle from excessive exposure to the heating elements, transferring the preform from the transportation system to the blow moulding die, and wherein the handle comprises a loop of orientable material extending between an upper connection region and a lower connection region on the body portion of the preform; characterised in that the handle has a generally uniform cross section from proximate the lower connection region to a gradually widening cross section approaching the upper connection region; the cross section reaching and maintaining a maximum width proximate the upper connection region.

1 . A method of controlling a preform for stretch blow-moulding a container with an integrally formed handle; the preform comprising a body portion and the integrally formed handle; the preform transferred from a perform supply source to a blow moulding die for blowing the container; the method including the steps of
 passing the preform through a preform handle orientating apparatus,   transferring the preform to a preform transportation system,   maintaining orientation of the preform handle imposed by the perform handle orientating apparatus during transfer to the perform transportation system and transfer to the blow moulding die,   rotating the preforms during transport along the transportation system past an array of preform heating elements while shielding the integrally formed handle by receiving the integrally formed handle with a heat shield,   transferring the preform from the transportation system to the blow moulding die, and wherein the handle comprises orientable plastic material extending from at least an upper connection region on the body portion of the preform; characterised in that the handle includes a curved strengthening element at a lower end of the handle; the curved strengthening element conforming in width and cross section to the length of the width and the shape of the cross section of a straight section of the handle adjacent the curved strengthening element.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the handle extends from the upper connection region to a lower connection region on the body portion of the preform. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the curved strengthening element abuts the body portion of the preform and the body of the blow moulded container. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the curved strengthening element conforms in width and cross section to the length of the width and the shape of the cross section of the handle. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the handle has a gradually widening cross section approaching the upper connection region; the cross section reaching and maintaining a maximum width proximate the upper connection region cross section of the handle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the cross section extends from opposing outer edges towards a central line; the cross section increasing in thickness progressively from the outer edges to a maximum thickness at the central line. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , Wherein the handle includes a straight section angling downwardly from a lower connection region and an arcuate section extending from an end of the straight section to the upper connection region. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein integrally moulded first, second and third strengthening elements are provided respectively at each of the upper connection region and the lower connection region and at the junction between the straight section and the arcuate section. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first strengthening element at the upper connection region comprises a first curved element conforming in width and in cross section to the length of the width and the shape of the cross section of the handle proximate the upper connection region; the first curved element extending from a first separate connection region below the upper connection region to merge with the handle proximate to a first cud of the maximum width of the handle. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second strengthening element at the lower connection region comprises a straight element conforming in width and cross section with the length of the width and the shape of the cross section of the straight section of the handle; the straight element extending from a second separate connection region above the lower connection region to a merge with the straight section of the handle proximate the lower connection region. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the third strengthening element at the junction of the straight and arcuate sections of the handle comprises a fluffier curved element conforming in width and cross section with the length of the width and the shape of the cross section of the handle adjacent the junction of the straight and arcuate sections of the handle; respective outer ends of the curved element merging with the straight and arcuate sections of the handle. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein each strengthening element includes a web of orientable plastic material within boundaries formed respectively between the body of the preform and the first and second strengthening elements, and between the third strengthening element and the straight and arcuate sections; each web of orientable plastic material aligned with and extending equally in both directions from the central line. 
     
     
         13 . A method of reducing strain on a supporting finger of a hand lifting a blow-moulded container; the container provided with an integral handle; the method including:
 stretch blow-moulding the container from a preform which includes an orientable plastic material forming the handle: the orientable plastic material extending from at least an upper connection region, and   wherein the handle includes a curved strengthening element at a lower end of the handle; the curved strengthening element conforming in width and cross section to the length of the width and the shape of the cross section of a straight section of the handle adjacent the curved strengthening element.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the handle extends from the upper connection region to a lower connection region on the body portion of the preform. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the curved strengthening element abuts the body portion of the preform and the body of the blow moulded container. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the curved strengthening element conforms in width and cross section to the length of the width and the shape of the cross section of the handle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , includes providing a strengthening element proximate the upper connection region; the strengthening element comprises a first curved element conforming in width and in cross section to length of the width and the shape of the cross section of the handle proximate the upper connection region; the first curved element extending from a first separate connection region below the upper connection region to merge with the handle proximate to a first end of a maximum width of the handle. 
     
     
         18 . A handle of a stretch blow moulded container; the container blown from a preform including the handle extending from at least an upper connection region; the handle including a curved strengthening element at a lower end of the handle; the curved strengthening element conforming in width and cross section to the length of the width and the shape of the cross section of the handle. 
     
     
         19 . The handle of  claim 18 , Wherein the handle extends from the upper connection region to a lower connection region on the body portion of the preform. 
     
     
         20 . The handle of  claim 18 , wherein the curved strengthening element abuts the body portion of the preform and the body of the blow moulded container. 
     
     
         21 . The handle of  claim 18 , wherein the handle further includes a straight lower section and an arcuate section extending from an end of the straight lower section to the upper connection region; the handle having a gradually widening cross section approaching the upper connection region; the cross section reaching and maintaining a maximum width proximate the upper connection region. 
     
     
         22 . The handle of  claim 18 , wherein the cross section of the handle extends from opposing outer edges towards a central line; the cross section increasing in thickness progressively from the outer edges to a maximum thickness at the central line; the increased thickness at the central line acting as a further strengthening element. 
     
     
         23 . A blown container formed according to the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         24 . A blown container incorporating the handle  claim 1 . 
     
     
         25 . A preform having a handle: the preform being formed in a first production step of a stretch blow moulded container; the container blown from the preform including the handle extending from at least an upper connection region; the handle including a straight lower section and includes a curved strengthening element at a lower end of the handle; the curved strengthening, element conforming in width and cross section to the length of the width and the shape of the cross section of a straight section of the handle adjacent the curved strengthening element. 
     
     
         26 . The preform of  claim 25 , wherein the handle extends from the upper connection region to a lower connection region on the body portion of the preform. 
     
     
         27 . The preform of  claim 25 , wherein the curved strengthening element abuts the body portion of the preform and the body of the blow moulded container. 
     
     
         28 . The preform of  claim 25 , wherein the curved strengthening element conforms in width and cross section to the length of the width and the shape of the cross section of the handle.