Integrated and unobtrusive handle for deformable hand-held bottles and containers

Abstract

This application describes a handle of simple concept, destined for use with deformable hand-held containers, particularly large soft-drink bottles, that does not change in any significant way the appearance of the container, that is easily integrated in the existing fabrication processes of the end product, and that does not interfere with the distribution or the customary end-use of the product. Said handle consists of a flexible strap, semi-permanently fastened at its ends to the exterior of the container in a lengthwise position. The handle is thin and resilient, such that its application requires minimal change in the existing production methods, and it is unobtrusive, so that its presence does not modify existing packaging methods of the products and does not require the end-user to modify his or her habitual method of using the product.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An integrated handle for handling deformable hand-held bottles or containers, which comprises 
 A strap that is positioned lengthwise along the exterior of the container, long enough to snuggly slip an adult hand between itself and the body of the bottle or container, that is held flush with the body of the container until it is expanded by the user, of width sufficient to support the weight of the filled container without causing discomfort to the user's hand, with the main characteristics that it is flexible, resilient, and resistant enough to satisfy all requirements of its function, that it can be integrated without undue cumbrance in the existing production lines of such containers to which it is destined, that it does not interfere with the existing storage and distribution systems of such containers, that it has a lifetime matching or exceeding that of the container to which it is destined, that it is easily absorbed in the existing waste-stream of said containers, and that it is useable as described in this document, and    means of semi-permanently affixing both extremities of said strap to the bottle, and    means of temporarily retaining said strap flush against the body of the bottle so as not to interfere with existing means of packaging, shipping, and distribution of the end-product, and    means of incorporating said strap into the wrapper or label of the bottle, as an alternative.    a) A handle as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said strap is made of flexible and resilient material, strong enough to withstand the weight of the full bottle or container when affixed at both ends, said strap that may or may not be adjustable or elastic but that is of length sufficient to allow the insertion of the fingers of an adult hand between itself and the body of the bottle or container, of width such that the effort of supporting the weight of the container and its contents will not cause undue discomfort to the user's hand or fingers, and with its extremities fastened in semi-permanent fashion to the body of the container.    b) A handle as in  claim 1  above, or  claim 2  hereunder, wherein said means of fastening semi-permanently the load-bearing extremities of the handle to the bottle may include spot-welding, the use of adhesives, the application of transversal retainers, shrink-wrap, elastic or semi-elastic materials working in friction or otherwise, said retainers which may or may not themselves be an extension of the strap and may or may not complete the circumference of the bottle, or any other suitable means that is easily integrated within the existing fabrication or labeling process of the container and its product, and that will withstand the effort of supporting the container and its contents.    c) A handle as in  claim 1 , in which said means for temporarily retaining the strap flush against the bottle may include spot-welding, the use of adhesives, elastic or semi-elastic materials, or any other suitable means to position it such that its presence is negligible until it reaches the end-user, thus requiring no changes in the existing packaging and transportation processes of the product, but said temporary binding being weak enough so that it can be easily released by the end-user.    d) A handle as in  claim 1  which may be incorporated as part of the wrapper or label of the bottle and which, in such case, may be of material identical to that of the wrapper, but not necessarily so.    e) A handle as in  claim 1  that is unobtrusive to existing packaging, shipping, and distribution processes of the containers and contents to which it is destined.    f) A handle as in  claim 1  that can be relatively easily and inexpensively integrated in the existing fabrication and labeling processes of soft-drink bottles.    g) A handle as in  claim 1  the use of which is optional to the end-user, such that its presence does not impose any change in the end-users' habitual fashion of using the bottle or container.    h) A handle as claimed in  claim 1 , which may or may not include printed material, whether instructions for use, disclaimers, advertising, or otherwise.    i) A handle as claimed in  claim 1  that is of a material that is easily absorbed in the standard waste stream along with the bottle or container upon which it is mounted.    j) A handle as claimed in  claim 1  the use of which is not limited to soft-drink bottles, but which may be adapted for use on other hand-held, deformable containers.    
     
     
         2 . A wrapper or label, as applicable to deformable hand-held containers or soft-drink bottles, characterized by its integration of a handle with properties as described in  claim 1  above, possibly but not necessarily requiring major changes in the existing label or wrapper materials and the apparatus for applying them to the containers in question.