Handle for a nestable container

Abstract

A handle (200) includes a strap (202), a first boss component (204), and a second boss component (206). The strap has a first end (208) and an opposing second end (209). The first boss component is positioned at the first end of the strap and has a first ledge (218) that extends in a first ledge direction. The second boss component is positioned at the second end of the strap and has a second ledge that extends in a second ledge direction. The first boss component and the second boss component are configured to couple to a first can such that when the first can is nested within a second can the first ledge and the second ledge lie on top of an upper contact surface (106′) of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are substantially parallel to the upper contact surface.

1 . A handle comprising:
 a strap having a first end and an opposing second end;   a first boss component being positioned at the first end of the strap, the first boss component having a first ledge that extends in a first ledge direction; and   a second boss component being positioned at the second end of the strap, the second boss component having a second ledge that extends in a second ledge direction,   wherein the first boss component and the second boss component are configured to couple to a first can such that when the first can is nested within a second can the first ledge and the second ledge are configured to lie on top of an upper contact surface of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are substantially parallel to the upper contact surface.   
     
     
         2 . The handle of  claim 1 , wherein when the first boss component and the second boss component are coupled to the first can the handle is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position,
 wherein in the first position the first ledge and the second ledge lie on top of the upper contact surface of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are substantially parallel to the upper contact surface, the first can being positioned within the second can by a first depth,   wherein in the second position the first ledge and the second ledge contact the upper contact surface of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are angularly offset from the upper contact surface, the first can being positioned within the second can by a second depth, and   wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth.   
     
     
         3 . The handle of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is configured such that rotation of the handle from the first position to the second position applies a force from the first boss component and the second boss component onto the upper contact surface that lifts the first can in a direction out of the second can from the first depth to the second depth. 
     
     
         4 . The handle of  claim 3 , wherein a difference between the first depth and the second depth is between approximately 2 mm and 10 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The handle of  claim 1 , wherein the first boss component defines a first cavity that extends in a first cavity direction, the first ledge direction being substantially perpendicular to the first cavity direction, and wherein the second boss component defines a second cavity that extends in a second cavity direction, the second ledge direction being substantially perpendicular to the second cavity direction. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The handle of  claim 5 , wherein the first ledge of the first boss component has a first leading portion and a first trailing portion, the first leading portion extending from one end of the first ledge to a point P on the first ledge, the point P being at a location on the first ledge that is closest to a center of the first cavity, the first trailing portion extending from the point P to an opposing end of the first ledge, the first leading portion having a length that is different from a length of the first trailing portion. 
     
     
         8 . The handle of  claim 7 , wherein the first leading portion is located closer to the strap than the first trailing portion. 
     
     
         9 . The handle of  claim 8 , wherein the first boss component further includes a first de-nesting ledge, the first de-nesting ledge being non-linear and located adjacent to the first trailing portion. 
     
     
         10 . The handle of  claim 7 , wherein the length of the first leading edge is greater than the length of the first trailing edge. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The handle of  claim 7 , wherein the length of the first trailing portion is less than about 15 mm. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The handle of  claim 1 , wherein the strap comprises plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The handle of  claim 1 , wherein when the strap is positioned to lie substantially flat such that the strap extends along an axial direction from the first end to the second end the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are angularly offset from the axial direction. 
     
     
         16 . The handle of  claim 15 , wherein the first boss component has an additional ledge in addition to the first ledge, the additional ledge extending in a direction that is angularly offset from the first ledge. 
     
     
         17 . The handle of  claim 16 , wherein the first ledge and the additional ledge are substantially symmetric about the axial direction. 
     
     
         18 . The handle of  claim 1 , wherein the strap, the first boss component, and the second boss component are integrally formed together defining a unitary component. 
     
     
         19 . The handle of  claim 1 , wherein when the handle is coupled to the first can the handle produces a positive leverage mechanism having a leverage ratio of approximately 14:1. 
     
     
         20 . A method of nesting a first can into a second can, the method comprising:
 positioning the first can within the second can, the first can including a handle that has a first boss component and a second boss component, the first boss component having a first ledge that extends in a first ledge direction, the second boss component having a second ledge that extends in a second ledge direction; and   aligning the first ledge and the second ledge with an upper contact surface of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are substantially parallel to the upper contact surface.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 coupling the first boss component to a first handle ear; and   coupling the second boss component to a second handle ear,   wherein the first and second handle ears are located on opposing sides of a sidewall of the first can.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 rotating the handle coupled to the first can from a first position to a second position,   wherein in the first position the first ledge and the second ledge lie on top of an upper contact surface of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are substantially parallel to the upper contact surface, the first can being positioned within the second can by a first depth,   wherein in the second position the first boss component and the second boss component contact the upper contact surface of the second can such that the first ledge direction and the second ledge direction are angularly offset from the upper contact surface, the first can being positioned within the second can by a second depth, and   wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein a difference between the first depth and the second depth is between approximately 2 mm and 10 mm. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled)