Patent Publication Number: US-2022235906-A1

Title: Handle Spanning Two Cylinders

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention described herein pertains generally to a removable handle which spans the collars of two cylinders, preferably cylinders are non-refillable refrigerant disposal cylinders. The cylinders typically have diameters of 7½″, 9″, or 9½″, often weighing approximately 30-70 pounds when filled. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an improved detachable handle which spans the adjacent collars of two cylinders used to carry pressurized cylinders which house “A” isocyanate reactants and “B” polyol/catalyst/flame retardants/surfactants. Each cylinder is pressurized with a combination of inert gas(es)/propellants to achieve a gauge pressure of between 130-250 psig. The propellants can be HC (hydrocarbon), HFC (hydrofluorocarbon), HFO (hydrofluoroolefin), etc. The desired gases are environmentally friendly, i.e., are low-ozone-depleting and 
     The industry has long searched for an effective, economical way to allow end-users to life pairs of cylinders and has employed the arrangement illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . However, the Prior Art solution illustrated in  FIG. 1  often required metal fasteners, which are hard on the joints of a user&#39;s hand or required a combination of plastic parts as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A, 28, 3 &amp; 4 . These plastic connectors often came apart when lifting the cylinders. 
     What has been needed is a means by which the handle peripheral ends are matingly engaged with each other in a manner which is secure, safe and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a handle which spans adjacent collars of two cylinders with collars. 
     What is shown in  FIGS. 5-7  is a handle for spanning two adjacent cylinders, each cylinder having a pair of upwardly-extending collars having at least one aperture extending through a lower part of each collar, the handle further comprising: a middle segment with a first and a second peripheral arm at opposed ends of the middle segment; the first arm terminating with a male connector fitting; the second opposed arm terminating with a female connector fitting; and the first and second arms matingly engaging with each other after insertion of each arm through the at least one aperture in each collar by the male and female connector fittings. The handle will typically have a middle segment which is an expanded essentially oval or circular section; and wherein the middle segment has a plurality of vertical and upwardly-extending ribs from a longitudinal axis of the middle segment of the handle. In this aspect of the invention, the male connector fitting is at least one raised laterally-extending ridge; the female connector fitting is at least one laterally-extending opening for mating insertion of the male fitting laterally-extending ridge; and wherein mating engagement is by lateral engagement of the male and female connectors. The male connector fitting is at least two raised laterally-extending ridges; and the female connector fitting is at least two laterally-extending openings for mating insertion of the at least two male fitting laterally-extending ridges. In one embodiment, the at least one laterally-extending opening of the female connector is larger at one end than an opposed end; and mating insertion of the male fitting laterally-extending ridge is effected by one-way lateral insertion of the male connector into the larger opening of the female connector. 
     As better illustrated in  FIG. 11 , in another embodiment, the handle may have a male connector which is a projection having an expanded peripheral end and a narrower neck; and the female connector is a mating opening having a narrower exterior opening expanding to a larger interior opening; and wherein mating engagement is by lateral engagement of the male and female connectors. 
     As better illustrated in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the male connector is a projection having a terminal end and an expanded ramped section inward of the terminal end and a lip terminating the ramped section; the female connector is a mating opening with a raised section to match the ramped section of the male connector and an essentially oblique or parallel section essentially adjacent a plane of the lip of the male connector terminating the raised section; and mating engagement is by lateral engagement of the male and female connectors. 
     As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 13 , the male connector is a button terminating a transverse shaft at a terminal end of the male connector; and the female connector is a mating hook at a terminal end of the female connector, the transverse shaft of the male connector dimensioned to fit inside an inner diameter of the mating hook of the female connector. 
     As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 14 , the male connector is a split mirror-image half arrow at a terminal end of the male connector; and the female connector is a slot at a terminal end of the female connector dimensioned to permit insertion of the split mirror-image half arrow when the split half arrows are compressed in a sideways manner. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 16  illustrates the male connector is a button terminating a transverse shaft at a terminal end of the male connector; and the female connector has a pair of overlapping apertures along a longitudinal axis of the female connector and at a terminal end of the female connector, the distal aperture diametered to permit insertion of the button of the male connector therethrough and the proximal aperture diametered smaller than the distal aperture, but sufficiently large to permit the transverse shaft of the male connector button therethrough. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 17  shows the female connector being a yoke having coaligned lateral apertures at a terminal end; and the male connector is insertable into the yoke and having a lateral aperture at a terminal end of the male connector, said male connector aperture coaligning with the female connector apertures; and a retaining means comprising a shaft with an expanded button on one end of the shaft, the shaft dimensioned for insertion into the apertures of the female connector and the male connector when aligned. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 18  illustrates the male connector is a U-shaped segment having a pair of essentially parallel legs; the female connector is a split U-shaped segment having a pair of essentially parallel legs, the split occurring in one of the essentially parallel legs; and mating engagement is by insertion of the U-shaped male connector into the split U-shaped segment of the female connector. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates the male connector is an “X”-shaped connector affixed to a laterally-extending shaft; and the female connector is a mating “X”-shaped aperture, said female connector aperture offset from said male connector by approximately between 10° and 80° inclusive, preferably offset by approximately 45°. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates the female connector pair of generally opposed curvilinear slots with a terminal retention means, the female connector having an internal diameter; and the mating male connector has an outer diameter dimensioned to fit inside the internal diameter of the female connector, the male connector further having a mating projection dimensioned to fit within the opposed curvilinear slots. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates an embodiment wherein the female connector has an aperture at a peripheral end, the aperture containing a plurality of serrated receiving slots; the male connector has a peripherally extending projection having a plurality of serrations to matingly engage the serrated receiving slots. 
       FIG. 24  shows the male connector has a T-shaped projection at a peripheral end; and the female connector has a longitudinal axial slot dimensioned for insertion of the T-shaped projection. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates an embodiment wherein the male connector has a longitudinal axial extending projection at a peripheral end and at least one raised ridge positioned interiorly of the peripheral end of the male connector; and the female connector has a mating hole for insertion of the male connector projection, the hole having at least one circumferentially extending and a mating slot for engaging the at least one raised ridge. 
       FIG. 26  illustrates the male connector has a longitudinal axial extending projection at one end; and the female connector has a mating hole for insertion of the male connector projection, the female connector having a pair of parallel transverse slots which penetrate through the female connector and through at least a portion of the male connector projection; and a U-shaped locking means for insertion into the coaligned slots of the male and female connectors. 
       FIG. 27  shows an embodiment wherein the male connector is a hook; and the female connector is an aperture at one end of the female connector dimensioned for insertion of the hook. 
       FIG. 19  is exemplary of an embodiment where the male connector is a pair of mating straps with at least one notch on each lateral edge of the straps; and the second connector is a hollow rectangularly-shaped connector having a pair of lateral edges, and wherein each pair of lateral edges is at least partially inserted into each notch on each lateral edge of the pair of mating straps. 
       FIG. 23  is illustrative of an embodiment wherein the male connector is a pair of longitudinally axially extending projections having at least one raised ridge on each projection; and the female connector is a sleeve dimensioned for insertion onto the male connector projections, the sleeve having at least one inwardly-projecting slots for mating engagement with the at least one raised ridge. 
       FIG. 15  is an embodiment wherein the male and female connectors are a plurality of mating male projections and female receiving slots, the slots dimensioned to frictionally fit the male projections. 
       FIGS. 8-11  are an embodiment wherein a strap handle is illustrated for spanning two adjacent cylinders, each cylinder having a pair of upwardly-extending collars having at least one aperture extending through a lower part of each collar, the handle further comprising: a middle segment with a first and a second peripheral arm at opposed ends of the middle segment; the middle segment having a pair of mirror image triangular openings disposed therethrough; the first and second arms having an arrow-shaped peripheral end and a pair of inwardly-extending notches adjacent each arrow; each arrow-shaped peripheral end insertable into one of the pair of mirror image triangular openings; and securing engagement of the first and second peripheral arms effected by engagement of the inwardly-extending notches with the triangular opening. 
       FIGS. 28-30  are an embodiment wherein a strap handle is illustrated for a handle of for spanning two adjacent cylinders having a pair of upwardly-extending collars having at least one aperture extending through a lower part of each collar, the handle further comprising: a male connector that has a longitudinally axially extending protrusion followed by a recessed slot; and the female connector is a generally U-shaped receiver having a pair of parallel legs and a bottom connector connecting the pair of parallel legs, the generally U-shaped receiver positioned on top of a generally L-shaped component, wherein a bottom leg of the L-shaped component is positioned between an open side of the U-shaped receiver and a side leg of the L-shaped component is positioned underneath one of the parallel legs and extending into an opening created between the U-shaped receiver and L-shaped component, the opening dimensioned to permit removable attachment of the longitudinally axially extending protrusion therethrough, an underside of a proximal end of the protrusion positioned above an extending side of the side leg. 
     These and other objects of this invention will be evident when viewed in light of the drawings, detailed description and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of two cylinders positioned within a box container having a Prior Art handle affixed to adjacent collars of each cylinder; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a Prior Art top portion of a strap handle; 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a Prior Art bottom portion of a strap handle; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a Prior Art strap handle illustrating the top and bottom strap portions combined; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view in partial cut-away of a Prior Art strap handle of  FIG. 3  shown connecting two cylinders; 
         FIG. 5  is perspective view of a handle and connecting means of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a handle and connecting means illustrating the handle connecting adjacent collars of the cylinders; 
         FIG. 7  is is a perspective view of  FIG. 6  illustrating the handle flush with a top flap of the box container; 
         FIG. 8  is an alternative embodiment of a handle illustrating a different fastening means; 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of the handle of  FIG. 8  illustrating the fastening means being secured within the handle; 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of the handle of  FIG. 9  securing adjacent collars of cylinders; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 15  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 17  is a partial cross-sectional view in perspective of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 18  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 19  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 20  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 21  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 24  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 26 a    is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 26 b    is a partial perspective view in partial cross-section of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; 
         FIG. 27  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the fastening means in the handle; and 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the male/female fastening means for the handle; 
         FIG. 29  is an exploded view in partial perspective illustrating the female attachment component of  FIG. 28 ; and 
         FIG. 30  is an exploded view in partial perspective illustrating the male attachment component of  FIG. 28 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention will now be described for the purposes of illustrating the best mode known to the applicant at the time of the filing of this invention. The examples and figures are illustrative only and not meant to limit the invention, as measured by the scope and spirit of the claims. 
     Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: the word “and” indicates the conjunctive; the word “or” indicates the disjunctive; when the article is phrased in the disjunctive, followed by the words “or both” or “combinations thereof” both the conjunctive and disjunctive are intended. 
     As used in this application, the term “approximately” is within 10% of the stated value, except where noted. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a Prior Art two-component foam carrying system  10  which uses two-cylinders  18   a ,  18   b  positioned within a carrying container, often constructed of cardboard or other pressed board. The container will have at least front side  12 , a pair of lateral sides, a back and top flap  14 . Pivotal flap  16  is often included for ease of access of carrying handle  30 . Pivotable front flap portion  44  often includes a pair of egress openings for a pair of plastic hoses  24   a ,  24   b  and further often includes an arrowhead-shaped top portion for insertion into slot  46  positioned within top flap  14 . Positioned toward a crown dome of each cylinder are a pair of collars  20   a ,  20   b  on cylinder  18   a  and collars  22   a ,  22   b  on cylinder  18   b . Each cylinder has a metering valve positioned at an apex of the crown of the cylinder with a respective hose  24   a ,  24   b  leading to spray gun  26 . Metal strap  30  is affixed by a pair of hooks  32   a ,  32   b  which are located at the extremities of metal strap  30 . The hooks are typically “J-shaped” so as to be able to be affixed to the adjacent collars  20   b  and  22   a  as illustrated in the Figure. 
     In an alternative Prior Art configuration, plastic strap  42  is substituted for metal strap  30  as better illustrated in  FIGS. 2A, 28, 3 and 4 . Plastic strap  42  typically will have top half portion  44  and bottom half portion  46 . Top half portion  44  will have a thickened middle portion  34  and narrowed end portions  42   a ,  42   b , each terminating with an expanded laterally-extending tab  36   a ,  36   b  respectively. Bottom half portion  46  is generally rectangular with a pair of opposed slots  20   a ,  20   b . As better illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in combination, top  44  and bottom  46  portions are affixed together by insertion of laterally-extending tab  36   a  being inserted using a twisting motion into slot  42   a  with similar insertion of laterally-extending tab  36   b  into slot  40   b . In operation and better illustrated in  FIG. 4 , each peripheral end of bottom half portion  46  is inserted into the openings of each cylinder collar  20   b ,  22   a  prior to insertion of top half portion  44  into the slots of bottom half portion  46 . 
     The present invention improves on the Prior Art metal strap  30  or the flexible plastic strap  42  by recognizing that either of the Prior Art solutions are difficult for an end-user to hold for any extended period of time, recognizing that when the “A” and “B” cylinders are full of reactants, they can weigh approximately 90 pounds. As shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , handle  50  typically has a plurality of expanded reinforcing ribs  52  positioned on top portion  48  of the handle. On opposed ends of handle  50  are positioned downwardly-extending first leg  56  terminating with a male insertion connector  60  and second leg  54  terminating with a female receiving connector  58 . In a preferred aspect of the invention, the laterally extending male insertion,  66 ,  68  and the mating female receiving channels  62 ,  64  are designed for insertion only in one direction. This is achieved by having the receiving channels  62 ,  64  at the proximal end of second leg  54  of a larger width in contrast to the distal end, where they are narrower. Typically, this is achieved in combination with the laterally extending male insertions  66 ,  68  being larger on the proximal end in contrast to the distal end. This ensures a snug fit when the male insertion and the female receiving channels are in mating engagement. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , handle  50  is attached to cylinders “A” and “B” by threading each leg  54 ,  56  of the handle into the gap of adjacent cylinder collars  22   a ,  22   b  and inserting male insertion  60  into female receiver  58 .  FIG. 7  illustrates handle  50  essentially flush with top flap  14  thereby allowing stacking of containers. In each of  FIGS. 6-7 , it is noted that a user may access handle  50  when two cylinders are inside the box or container by a U-shaped slot in the upper lid of the box or container. 
     As better illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 , an alternative embodiment of the cylinder handle is illustrated. Hanger  70  is an elongated strap  72   a ,  72   b  terminating in a pair of arrowhead ends  74   a ,  74   b . Each arrowhead end has a pair of opposed notches or indentations  76  adjacent the arrowhead ends and inward thereof. Each elongated strap  72   a ,  72   b  has a mirror image triangular opening positioned approximately midway along the length of the strap, the size of the openings dimensioned so as to permit insertion of either arrowhead end  74   a ,  74   b  with twisting so as to permit notches  76  to become snugly positioned within the triangular opening  78 ,  80  at each triangular base as better illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Securing hanger  70  is achieved by threading each end of the strap through collar openings  22   a ,  22   b  as better illustrated in  FIG. 10  followed by insertion of each respective end  74   a ,  74   b  through mirror image triangular openings  78 ,  80 . 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 5-10 , but rather include additional attachment and fastening means. In  FIG. 11 , fastening means  84  includes mating segments on first and second strap ends  86 ,  88 . Strap end  86  includes an expended terminal segment  90  having a geometric-shaped hollow female segment (illustrated as trapezoid shaped in the Figure) in mating engagement with a male projection  92  as illustrated. Penetrating male projection  92  has shelf or ledge  94  positioned at a narrowed segment of second strap end  88 .  FIG. 12  illustrates yet another attachment and fastening means  100  which includes mating segments on first and second strap ends  102 ,  104 . Female strap end  102  includes an expanded end  110  having essentially laterally-extending tip portions  112 ,  114 . Strap end  104  includes a penetrating male portion  106  dimensioned to fit into the female strap end. Penetrating male portion  106  ramps post the distal end of second strap end  104  to frictionally engage laterally-extending tip portion  114  thereby forming a locking engagement. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , another mating combination  120  is illustrated by having mating male button  126  positioned on one of legs  122 ,  124  with partially closed female receiver  128 , illustrated as an incomplete “0”-shape in the figure. Depending on the degree of flexibility of the polymeric material that the straps are made from, female receiver  128  may be an enclosed circle into which mating male button  126  is pushed through. 
     In yet other embodiments and as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , closure means  130  of the pair of straps  132 ,  134  is affected by a pair of mirror-image split triangular shaped male insertion tabs  136   a ,  136   b  into an essentially rectangular opening  138 .  FIG. 15  illustrates yet another embodiment of effecting closure  140  between first and second strap ends  142 ,  144  by using a pair of mating depressions and raised ridges  146 . In  FIG. 16 , closure means  150  for a pair of straps  152 ,  154  is a combination of a overlapping apertures  158 ,  160  on first strap  154  and an insertable button  156 . First strap opening  158  is dimensioned so as to permit insertion of button  156  by its peripheral diameter whereas second strap opening  160  is dimensioned to be smaller than the first strap opening but still dimensioned so as to permit engagement about a diameter of a shaft which connects button  156  to second strap  152 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates yet another approach to connecting a pair of straps. Closure means  170  for ends  172 ,  174  is a combination of a yoke-shaped end on strap  172  in combination with a mating insertion end on strap  174 . When strap  174  is fully inserted into the yoke, apertures  176   a ,  176   b  and  182  align (recognizing that the Figure is in cross-section) thereby permitting insertion of shaft  184  upon which is affixed button-end  180  which is dimensioned to have a larger diameter than apertures  176   a ,  176   b  and  182 .  FIG. 18  illustrates an additional fastening means  190  for connecting a pair of straps, at least one of which is a split strap  194   a ,  194   b  and one illustrated as a non-split strap  192 , recognizing that this second strap could also be split as illustrated with split strap  194   a ,  194   b . As viewed in  FIG. 19 , a closure means  200  is illustrated for straps  202 ,  204 . Each strap has a notched indentation  208  at a peripheral end and a rectangular-shaped fastening means  206  is positioned at the notches. Yet another variation of a closure means  210  is illustrated in  FIG. 20  for straps  212 ,  214 . Strap  214  has a plurality of cut-outs toward peripheral end of first strap  214  while the peripheral end of second strap  212  has a mating set of raised projections to match the plurality of cut-outs. Specifically, in the Figure, four cut-outs,  218   a ,  218   b ,  218   c ,  218   d  are dimensioned for mating insertion of four raised projections  216   a ,  216   b ,  216   c  and  216   d . While the number illustrated is four, any number of mating cut-outs to raised projections greater than two would be sufficient to make a working connector. The raised projections and cut-outs are offset from each other by at least 10° and less than 80° inclusive. In a preferred configuration, the degree of offset is 45°.  FIG. 21  illustrates yet another connector means  230  in which each strap is tubular  232 ,  234 . The closure means  230  includes at least one curvilinear slot  236  in first tube  232  into which is inserted projection  238 . Curvilinear slot  236  has at least one locking indentation  242  for securing the inserted smaller outer diametered tube  234  into the larger inner diametered tube  232 . As illustrated in the figure, a second curvilinear slot  240  is illustrated with similar characteristics to that described for curvilinear slot  236 . 
       FIG. 22  illustrates yet another connector means  250  by which first strap  254  and second strap  252  are joined by a plurality of raised serrations  258  on an exterior surface which is inserted into a mating reverse serrated aperture  258  in first strap  254  adjacent a peripheral end thereof.  FIG. 23  illustrates another connector means  260  which connects first and second tubular straps  262 ,  264  by interfacing a plurality of raised ridges  270  with a plurality of mating indentations  272  on sleeve  268 .  FIG. 24  illustrates a further embodiment of connector  280  in which straps  282 ,  284  are joined. First strap  282  has a “T-shaped” distal end  286  which is inserted into slot  288  on second strap  284 . Still another connector means  290  is illustrated in  FIG. 25 . Tubular straps  292 ,  294  are affixed together by inserting projection  296  into mating aperture  300 . Projection  296  has a projecting annular ring  298  about a periphery for mating engagement with an inwardly extending indentation  302 . In one embodiment, the outwardly extending annular ring is discontinuous having at least one raised projection for mating engagement with at least one inwardly extending indentation. 
       FIGS. 26 a    &amp;  26   b  yet another fastening means  310  in which tubular connectors  316 ,  318  are securedly jointed by the insertion of male projection  320  into mating female receiver  322  into which the male projection is inserted. The fastening is secured by insertion of a pair of parallel legs  314   a ,  314   b  of U-shaped bar  312  into a mating pair of apertures  322  in tubular connector  316  as well as male projection  320 .  FIG. 27  illustrates a further fastening means  330  in which straps  332 ,  334  are connected by engagement of a projecting hook  340  having at least a partial opening on one side with mating aperture  336  on strap  332 . 
       FIGS. 28-30  illustrate yet another fastening means  350  in which a pair of arms  358 ,  356  are securedly and releasably fastened by insertion of male clasp  360  into female clasp  362 . In a manner like that shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , handle  350  has a plurality of expanded reinforcing ribs  352  positioned on top portion  354  of the handle. Securing attachment is affected by mating releasable engagement of clasps  360 ,  362 . As better illustrated in  FIG. 29 , female clasp  362  is secured to arm  356  typically by plastic molding processing, although other means of attachment are within the scope of this invention, namely gluing or friction fit or one-way insertion. The female clasp end is comprised of a U-shaped connector having a pair of parallel legs  370 ,  380  connected by bottom  386 . Within an opening created within the U-shaped connector, is a lowered L-shaped component which protrudes below leg  380  and underneath leg  370  connected by bottom leg  378 . The combination of legs  384 ,  378  of the L-shaped component in combination with bottom  386  and leg  370  of the U-shaped connector is open slot  374 . As illustrated in  FIG. 30 , male clasp  360  is dimensioned to fit into opening  374  of female clasp  362 . When the male clasp is inserted into the female clasp, underside  382  of male projection  364  is positioned to rest on upwardly protruding leg  384  of the L-shaped component and slot  366  is positioned to rest on a bottom  372  of leg  370  with raised projection  368  securing the attachment of the slotted area by a friction fit. 
     While the above discussion has been generally directed toward embodiments in which the two cylinders are contained within a cardboard box enclosure, there is no need to limit the scope of this invention to such. In fact, in one preferred aspect, the handle and various connection means could be used in any situation where a cylinder having at least one upwardly-extending collar on each of the cylinders is being employed and wherein it is desirable to connect the collars for ease of transport. 
     As stated in the previous paragraph, it is noted that these handles are not limited to a single use application. After the handle has been used in a cardboard box enclosure, the handles are designed to be re-used, whether that re-use is for the originally intended purpose or for a different purpose. It is the refastenable aspect illustrated in  FIGS. 5-30  that allow an end-user to repurpose the handle, or to re-use the handle a second time for the original purpose. Any application in which one strap portion of the handle can be inserted into an aperture (whether that aperture is a cylinder collar or some other aperture) is applicable to the instant invention. And there is no need for two apertures in adjacent cylinders for this second reusable embodiment of the invention. If desired by the end-user, the second use can be chosen to employ only one aperture into which the handle is inserted. In this application, the device having but one aperture, can more easily be transported with less stress concentrated on an end-user&#39;s finger joints by for example using the handle having a thicker middle segment, which spreads the downward forces about a larger surface area of the end-user&#39;s finger joints. 
     The handle is typically made of a polymer, either a thermoplastic or a thermoset and depending on the application, a thermoplastic elastomer. Low cost is often a factor in the composition of the polymer as the item is often, but not always, a throw-away item. An illustrative non-limiting set of examples of polymers which may be used in the molding of the handle include, but are not limited to: 
     Polymers of monoolefins and diolefins for example polypropylene, polyisobutylene, polybut-1-ene, poly-4-methylpent-1-ene, polyvinylcyclohexane, polyisoprene or polybutadiene, as well as polymers of cycloolefins, for instance of cyclopentene or norbornene, polyethylene (which optionally can be crosslinked), for example high density polyethylene (HDPE), high density and high molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-HMW), high density and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-UHMW), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), (VLDPE) and (ULDPE), and blends of the polymers described above, regardless of the method of preparation. Mixtures of the polymers above are also included, for example, mixtures of polypropylene with polyisobutylene, polypropylene with polyethylene (for example PP/HDPE, PP/LDPE) and mixtures of different types of polyethylene (for example LDPE/HDPE). Copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins with each other or with other vinyl monomers such as ethylene/propylene copolymers, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and mixtures thereof with low density polyethylene (LDPE), propylene/but-1-ene copolymers, propylene/isobutylene copolymers, ethylene/but-1-ene copolymers, ethylene/hexene copolymers, ethylene/methylpentene copolymers, ethylene/heptene copolymers, ethylene/octene copolymers, ethylene/vinylcyclohexane copolymers, ethylene/cycloolefin copolymers (e.g. ethylene/norbornene like COC), ethylene/1-olefins copolymers, where the 1-olefin is generated in-situ; propylene/butadiene copolymers, isobutylene/isoprene copolymers, ethylene/vinylcyclohexene copolymers, ethylene/alkyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene/alkyl methacrylate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers or ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers and their salts (ionomers) as well as terpolymers of ethylene with propylene and a diene such as hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene or ethylidene-norbornene; and mixtures of such copolymers with one another and with polymers mentioned previously, for example polypropylene/ethylene-propylene copolymers, LDPE/ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), LDPE/ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), LLDPE/EVA, LLDPE/EAA and alternating or random polyalkylene/carbon monoxide copolymers and mixtures thereof with other polymers, for example polyamides. 
     Polystyrene and poly(p-methylstyrene) and poly(a-methylstyene). Aromatic homopolymers and copolymers derived from vinyl aromatic monomers including styrene, α-methylstyrene, all isomers of vinyl toluene, especially p-vinyltoluene, all isomers of ethyl styrene, propyl styrene, vinyl biphenyl, vinyl naphthalene, and vinyl anthracene, and mixtures thereof. Homopolymers and copolymers may have any stereostructure including syndiotactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic. Stereoblock polymers are also included. Copolymers are included, such as vinyl aromatic monomers and comonomers selected from ethylene, propylene, dienes, nitriles, acids, maleic anhydrides, maleimides, vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride or acrylic derivatives and mixtures thereof, for example styrene/butadiene, styrene/acrylonitrile, styrene/ethylene (interpolymers), styrene/alkyl methacrylate, styrene/butadiene/alkyl acrylate, styrene/butadiene/alkyl methacrylate, styrene/maleic anhydride, styrene/acrylonitrile/methyl acrylate; mixtures of high impact strength of styrene copolymers and another polymer, for example a polyacrylate, a diene polymer or an ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer; and block copolymers of styrene such as styrene/butadiene/styrene, styrene/isoprene/styrene, styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrene or styrene/ethylene/propylene/styrene. Hydrogenated aromatic polymers derived from hydrogenation of polymers mentioned above are included, especially including polycyclohexylethylene (PCHE) prepared by hydrogenating atactic polystyrene, often referred to as polyvinylcyclohexane (PVCH). Further included are hydrogenated aromatic polymers derived from hydrogenation of polymers mentioned previously. The homopolymers and copolymers may have any stereostructure including syndiotactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic. Stereoblock polymers are also included. Graft copolymers of vinyl aromatic monomers, such as styrene or α-methylstyrene, for example styrene on polybutadiene, styrene on polybutadiene-styrene or polybutadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers; styrene and acrylonitrile (or methacrylonitrile) on polybutadiene; styrene, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate on polybutadiene; styrene and maleic anhydride on polybutadiene; styrene, acrylonitrile and maleic anhydride or maleimide on polybutadiene; styrene and maleimide on polybutadiene; styrene and alkyl acrylates or methacrylates on polybutadiene; styrene and acrylonitrile on ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymers; styrene and acrylonitrile on polyalkyl acrylates or polyalkyl methacrylates, styrene and acrylonitrile on acrylate/butadiene copolymers, as well as mixtures thereof with the copolymers listed above, for example the copolymer mixtures known as ABS, MBS, ASA or AES polymers. 
     Halogen-containing polymers such as polychloroprene, chlorinated rubbers, chlorinated and brominated copolymer of isobutylene-isoprene (halobutyl rubber), chlorinated or sulfo-chlorinated polyethylene, copolymers of ethylene and chlorinated ethylene, epichlorohydrin homo- and copolymers, especially polymers of halogen-containing vinyl compounds, for example polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, as well as copolymers thereof such as vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate or vinylidene chloride/vinyl acetate copolymers. such as styrene on polybutadiene, styrene and alkylacrylates or methacrylates on butadiene, styrene and acrylonitrile on ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymers, styrene and acrylonitrile on polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, styrene and acrylonitrile on acrylate/butadiene copolymers, and copolymer blends known as ABS, MBS, and AES polymers. 
     Polymers derived from α,β-unsaturated acids and derivatives thereof such as polyacrylates and polymethacrylates; polymethyl methacrylates, polyacrylamides and polyacrylonitriles, impact-modified with butyl acrylate. Copolymers of the monomers mentioned in the preceding paragraph with each other or with other unsaturated monomers, for example acrylonitrile/butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile/alkyl acrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile/alkoxyalkyl acrylate or acrylonitrile/vinyl halide copolymers or acrylonitrile/alkyl methacrylate/butadiene terpolymers. 
     Polymers derived from unsaturated alcohols and amines or the acyl derivatives or acetals thereof, for example polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl stearate, polyvinyl benzoate, polyvinyl maleate, polyvinyl butyral, polyallyl phthalate or polyallyl melamine; as well as their copolymers with olefins mentioned above. 
     Homopolymers and copolymers of cyclic ethers such as polyalkylene glycols, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide or copolymers thereof with bisglycidyl ethers. Polyacetals such as polyoxymethylene and those polyoxymethylenes which contain ethylene oxide as a comonomer; polyacetals modified with thermoplastic polyurethanes, acrylates or MBS. 
     Polyphenylene oxides and sulfides, and mixtures of polyphenylene oxides with styrene polymers or polyamides. 
     Polyamides and copolyamides derived from diamines and dicarboxylic acids and/or from aminocarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactams, for example polyamide 4, polyamide 6, polyamide 6/6, 6/10, 6/9, 6/12, 4/6, 12/12, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, aromatic polyamides starting from m-xylene diamine and adipic acid; polyamides prepared from hexamethylenediamine and isophthalic or/and terephthalic acid and with or without an elastomer as modifier, for example poly-2,4,4,-trimethylhexamethylene terephthalamide or poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide; and also block copolymers of the aforementioned polyamides with polyolefins, olefin copolymers, ionomers or chemically bonded or grafted elastomers; or with polyethers, e.g. with polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol or polytetramethylene glycol; as well as polyamides or copolyamides modified with EPDM or ABS; and polyamides condensed during processing (RIM polyamide systems). 
     Polyureas, polyimides, polyamide-imides, polyetherimids, polyesterimids, polyhydantoins and polybenzimidazoles. 
     Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and diols and/or from hydroxycarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactones, for example polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, poly-1,4-dimethylolcyclohexane terephthalate, polyalkylene naphthalate (PAN) and polyhydroxybenzoates, as well as block copolyether esters derived from hydroxyl-terminated polyethers; and also polyesters modified with polycarbonates or MBS. 
     Polycarbonates and polyester carbonates. 
     Polysulfones, polyether sulfones and polyether ketones. 
     Crosslinked polymers derived from aldehydes on the one hand and phenols, ureas and melamines on the other hand, such as phenol/formaldehyde resins, urea/formaldehyde resins and melamine/formaldehyde resins. 
     Unsaturated polyester resins derived from copolyesters of saturated and unsaturated dicarboxylic acids with polyhydric alcohols and vinyl compounds as crosslinking agents, and also halogen-containing modifications thereof of low flammability. 
     Crosslinkable acrylic resins derived from substituted acrylates, for example epoxy acrylates, urethane acrylates or polyester acrylates. 
     Alkyd resins, polyester resins and acrylate resins crosslinked with melamine resins, urea resins, isocyanates, isocyanurates, polyisocyanates or epoxy resins. 
     Crosslinked epoxy resins derived from aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic glycidyl compounds, e.g. products of diglycidyl ethers of bisphenol A and bisphenol F, which are crosslinked with customary hardeners such as anhydrides or amines, with or without accelerators. 
     Blends and alloys of the aforementioned polymers (polyblends), for example PP/EPDM, Polyamide/EPDM or ABS, PVC/EVA, PVC/ABS, PVC/MBS, PC/ABS, PC/Polyester, PBTP/ABS, PC/ASA, PC/PBT, PVC/CPE, PVC/acrylates, POM/thermoplastic PUR, PC/thermoplastic PUR, POM/acrylate, POM/MBS, PPO/HIPS, PPO/PA 6.6 and copolymers, PA/HDPE, PA/PP, PA/PPO, PBT/PC/ABS or PBT/PET/PC. 
     What is important is that the selected polymer have sufficient tensile strength to be capable of lifting the weight of the two cylinders, but not be brittle. The durometer of the polymer is of a sufficient value so as to permit the mating male/female connectors to remain in their connected position but have sufficient bending capabilities that insertion is possible. 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention has been described for purposes of illustrating the best mode known to the applicant at the time. The examples are illustrative only and not meant to limit the invention, as measured by the scope and merit of the claims. The invention has been described with reference to preferred and alternate embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of the specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.