Patent Description:
Specifically, the invention relates to a particular eyelet for insertion and locking of the handle to said container, such as the bucket.

The use of containers such as buckets with handle has been known for decades in many fields and for many applications.

Buckets with handle vary from each other for the shape of the bucket, the volume of material that can be contained therein, the material of which they are made, etc..

Buckets with handle are used in construction, e.g., for transport of material such as sands and/or liquids.

Buckets are used in many other fields, for example in the field of painting or cleaning (buckets for water and wringing rags for floor cleaning).

Referring to <FIG> of the known art, a bucket <NUM> with handle <NUM> is outlined.

As well understood, the bucket can be of a generally cylindrical shape, and it is thus formed by a cylindrical wall delimiting an inner containment volume <NUM>.

The bucket can be made of several materials, including also and preferably plastic materials such as plastic.

The bucket is closed on the bottom by a base (preferably circular), and it forms on top an access opening to the containment volume <NUM>. The access opening is delimited by a top edge <NUM>.

Two eyelets <NUM>, diametrically opposite each other, are formed below said edge <NUM>, therefore in a portion of wall.

<FIG> shows only one of them given that the other is diametrically positioned on the opposite side in the isometric view.

The eyelet is nothing but an opening passing through a thickness, generally passing through the whole thickness of the portion in which the eyelet is formed, and of such a size as to enable the insertion and locking therein of the two ends of the handle, such that the handle remains connected to the bucket, moreover rotatably.

Thus, by means of handle <NUM>, the user can lift and move the bucket, and with the handle rotating from a position close to the bucket body to a transport position like the one of <FIG>.

As outlined in <FIG> of the known art, the handle is in the form of an elongated element, like a sort of rod, folded in a reverse U-shape.

The two end portions <NUM> of the handle <NUM> are further folded with respect to the remaining part of the "U" at an angle, which can be close to or greater than ninety degrees, as per <FIG>.

In fact, the end part <NUM> can be distinguished in <FIG> folded about ninety degrees (obviously other angles are possible) with respect to the remaining part of handle.

Such a folded end part <NUM> culminates with an enlarged end or head <NUM>, i.e., having an overall volume or size greater than the preceding portion.

This is not evident in <FIG> but it is equally shown, for example, in <FIG> or with a dotted line in <FIG> or <FIG>.

To this effect, it has therefore at least one diametrical dimension greater than the preceding portion from which it protrudes.

More specifically, this enlarged end (or enlarged head) can be in the form of a circle <NUM> (i.e., a sphere, for example) whose diameter is larger than the section of the preceding portion <NUM>.

Therefore, in the event of portion <NUM> having circular section, the diameter of the circle will be larger than the diameter of said portion <NUM>.

In the known art, therefore, the eyelet is shaped with a bottom part (<NUM>') provided with an opening such that portion <NUM> can be inserted into said bottom part by sliding from the bottom up through said opening.

Then the eyelet is closed with a top portion (<NUM>") which forms a top opening (<NUM>")in communication with the bottom opening and whose size is such as to prevent the enlarged head <NUM> from slipping out through it, abutting against the wall delimiting said opening (<NUM>").

Thus, by inserting portion <NUM> through the bottom opening <NUM>', it can be slid up to the top opening <NUM>", where it is prevented from slipping out.

A narrow groove can be provided between the two parts <NUM>' and <NUM>" which attempts to block the reverse return motion of portion <NUM>.

However, according to the just presented current solution of the known art, the configuration of the eyelet is such that handle portion <NUM> can slide from the top portion (<NUM>") towards the bottom portion (<NUM>') thereby returning to a position in correspondence of the wider opening.

This drawback may occur for example upon releasing the handle, e.g., by gravity under the action of its weight and/or due to wear of said groove of the eyelet and/or of the handle.

It is clear that, if this occurs, the enlarged head <NUM> could very likely come out of the opening <NUM>', thereby causing the handle to unhook.

When it occurs, the user is forced to reposition the handle with a considerable inconvenience.

In addition, if unhooking occurs on one side only, this might not be immediately visible to the user who could lift the bucket possibly even after having loaded it, thinking that the handle is duly fixed to the bucket.

In this situation it is clear that a high risk of full breakage of the handle could occur with a disastrous fall to the ground of the bucket which, if particularly heavy, could cause physical damages to the user.

<CIT> discloses an eyelet according to the preamble of appended claim <NUM>, where the stud of a handle is further retained by dimples located between a first and a second holes. <CIT> teaches the use of flexible tongues for snapping the stud into position.

Therefore, an aim of the present invention is to provide a new type of eyelet to connect a handle to a container (e.g., a bucket), and relative container (e.g., a bucket), which solves said technical disadvantages.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide an eyelet which allows for a safe and quick insertion of the end of the handle, preventing it from accidentally coming out of its seat.

It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a container with handle (e.g., a bucket), provided with an eyelet such that the mechanism for insertion and locking of the ends of the handle to the container is firm and irreversible.

These and other aims are achieved with the present eyelet (<NUM>) for a container (<NUM>), preferably a bucket (<NUM>), in accordance with claim <NUM>.

Such an eyelet is adapted to allow fixing of an end portion (<NUM>) of a handle (<NUM>) to said container, e.g., a bucket.

Such an eyelet in accordance with the invention comprises:.

In this way, the portion of handle can be inserted through the first loop (i.e., the first opening) and transition to the second loop (i.e., the second opening) being prevented from returning to the first loop.

More specifically, advantageously, said barrier element (<NUM>, 12d) which generates a blockade is interposed between said first and second opening.

Advantageously, said barrier element can comprise at least one first tongue (12d) and at least one second tongue (<NUM>), both said first and second tongue being elastically flexible such that, when they are stressed by a first force moving in a direction from the first opening (<NUM>) towards the second opening (<NUM>), they bend thus generating or increasing a pre-existing passage and such as to elastically return to the initial barring condition upon release of said first force and, when they are stressed by a second force in the direction from the second opening towards the first opening, they bend in a direction opposite to the previous one, thus maintaining the barring condition.

In this way, the elastic bend of the tongues is such as to generate a passage in a direction (or in any case to enlarge a pre-existing passage) and to maintain or even enhance a blockade in the opposite direction.

Thanks to the intrinsic configuration of the eyelet as a whole, this prevents the reverse transition of the handle from the second towards the first opening with an irreversible connection.

Therefore, with respect to the known art, the blockade created through said at least two tongues opposed to each other, well compensates for wearing of the handle and/or of the eyelet itself, thus making the system irreversible.

Advantageously, each one of said at least two tongues protrudes from an eyelet wall in such a way as to be positioned facing each other to form said blockade.

Advantageously, when stressed by said first force, said tongues bend thus mutually distancing their ends thereby generating or increasing said passage.

In fact, if the two ends are spaced from each other by a minimum distance that anyway does not allow the passage of the end portion of the handle, when stressed they move away from each other thus increasing the passage size, as mentioned above.

Instead, if the two tongues are positioned with ends contacting each other, then when they bend, they actually generate such an initially not present passage, because of the contact of said ends.

Advantageously, said tongues delimit above said first opening.

Advantageously, each one of said at least two tongues has a predetermined bending radius (r).

Preferably, advantageously, this bending radius is equal to the bending radius of the remaining part of said first opening in such a way that said first opening has a substantially circular shape as a whole.

Advantageously, said two tongues are positioned facing each other with their ends, opposing those protruding from the eyelet walls, that are positioned facing each other.

Advantageously, in this case, said two tongues can be of lengths different from each other, in such a way as to define a winding transition path.

Advantageously, said tongues are spaced from each other in such a way as to form a transition groove (g) which widens following bend of said tongues when they are stressed by said first force and with said transition groove which narrows after opposite bend thereof when they are stressed by said second force.

Advantageously, said two tongues have said ends provided with a bevel (sm1, sm2).

A chamfer for the passage of the end portion from the first towards the second opening is formed in this way.

Advantageously, in all the indicated configurations, at least said two tongues are of plastic material and preferably the whole eyelet is manufactured in plastic material with the tongues of plastic material.

A subject of the present invention is also a container preferably of plastic, preferably a bucket (preferably of plastic as mentioned), comprising at least one eyelet according to one or more of the previous features indicated above.

Advantageously, said container can comprise at least two eyelets diametrically opposite each other.

Advantageously, the container can be produced through mold casting in such a way as to integrate such eyelet(s).

The container can be a bucket or any other type of container (e.g., a basket) with a handle.

The subject of the present invention is also the combination of a handle for a container and an eyelet to connect the handle to the container, preferably a bucket, the handle (<NUM>) comprising:.

The subject of the present invention is also a method for restraining a handle (<NUM>) of a container, preferably a bucket, to said container (preferably a plastic container, such as a plastic bucket), the method involving the following operational steps:.

The subject of the present invention is also the use of an eyelet according to one or more of the features described above to lock in an irreversible way a handle to a container, e.g., a bucket.

The invention, in one of more of its embodiments, will be detailed as follows in accordance with the following drawings:.

It should be noted that what indicated in the known art with regard to the described container, in particular the bucket, with the relative handle shall obviously apply for the present invention, except for the configuration and structure of the eyelet which is the specific subject of the present invention.

Therefore, what has remained identical to the known art has been indicated in the figures with identical numbers whereas the new parts have been marked with new numbers.

Without prejudice to the description of <FIG> of the known art, <FIG> shows an eyelet <NUM> subject of the invention, which is applied to a portion of container <NUM>, for example a bucket <NUM>.

Therefore, the bucket or container is identical to the one in the known art as well as the handle, indeed but for the eyelet subject of the invention which is described below.

As already mentioned for the known art, the bucket can obviously be of any shape, size and constructive material, for example materials which can be cast in a mold, such as plastic materials.

As already indicated in known art, while the figures from <NUM> onward highlight a single eyelet, it is to be understood that this is generally present on the two opposite sides of the bucket exactly as indicated in <FIG>, just because the handle, generally folded in a reverse U-shape or the like, has the two ends that insert into said two opposite eyelets. In fact, this type of arrangement is illustrated in <FIG> of the known art.

The handle <NUM> may preferably consist of different materials such as metals (e.g., iron), plastic, wood, etc..

For example, the handle may preferably consist of metal (preferably iron) which is folded according to the desired shape, generally substantially in a U-shape as mentioned. The cross-section can be any cross-section, for example circular.

Turning to the structural description of the eyelet, this is in the form of an opening formed in a thickness of material of the bucket, for example in a part attached to the wall of the bucket or directly to the wall of the bucket.

<FIG>, for example, would show a sort of insert fixed (generally in a single piece) with the lateral wall in which the eyelet of the known art is formed. The eyelet subject of the invention could be formed in a sort of insert like the one of <FIG> as well as directly in the lateral wall or according to other equivalent solutions.

Preferably, the eyelet passes through the whole thickness of the wall in which it is formed.

If the bucket provides a double wall with interposed gap (see for example the case of insert in <FIG> - insert wall + lateral wall with which the insert is integral), the eyelet can pass through the first wall only, for example.

Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the eyelet is shaped in such a way as to provide a first opening <NUM> and a second opening <NUM>. Said two openings are also referred to, in the present invention, with the term "loop".

Between the first and the second opening (or, in other words, first and second loop) a sort of corridor <NUM> is arranged which connects and puts into communication the first opening with the second opening.

Actually, the first opening <NUM> has a substantially circular shape having a bottom part <NUM> delimited by material constituting the wall where the opening is formed, for example the wall of the bucket <NUM>. Therefore, it has a predetermined bending radius (r) as indicated in <FIG> which shows the eyelet subject of the invention but without, for descriptive clarity, said two tongues <NUM> and 12d which will be described immediately below.

Said first opening is delimited above by two elastically flexible tongues (12d, <NUM>).

The term "elastically flexible" means that they have a certain degree of flexibility (therefore they can be bent) and when they are released, they elastically return to their initial rest condition.

Therefore, a right tongue (12d) and a left tongue (<NUM>) are present.

Both are in the shape of a circumferential arch with a bending radius (r') which preferably coincides with the bending radius (r) on part <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In this way, in in its entirety, the first opening <NUM> acquires the shape of a circumference with radius r (r=r') except for an opening which represents a gap distance between the two ends of the tongues (<NUM>) and (12d) which face each other.

In fact, said two tongues, preferably do not touch each other but have such a length that, in the rest configuration, i.e., when they are not bent, they are spaced from each other forming a transition groove (g).

Therefore, in its entirety, the whole eyelet is perfectly symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal center axis as indicated in <FIG>.

This transition groove (g) gives access to and is therefore in communication with corridor <NUM>.

The corridor <NUM> provides in turn:
A first straight section <NUM> which puts groove (g) in communication with the second opening <NUM>.

Starting from the base of section <NUM> in correspondence of groove (g), two notches (27d) and (<NUM>) branch off, on the right and on the left, with a circumferential arch configuration and which actually create an airgap (i.e., devoid of material) between the respective tongues and the material constituting the wall of the bucket where the eyelet is formed.

These notches preferably follow the contour shape of the tongues.

In this way, as explained below, a space is created which allows the two tongues to bend.

In particular, as per <FIG>, indicating with references P1 and P2 part of the edge of the wall <NUM> (or other wall) which is generated from the formation of the eyelet, each tongue has actually a certain space to be able to elastically flex towards said walls P1 and P to then, when released, be able to return to the initial rest position of <FIG>.

In fact, the tongues (<NUM>, 12d) can be imagined as rods firmly fixed in a point (P).

For example, when a force directed from the first opening towards the second opening is applied, they elastically flex around their anchoring point (P) thereby actually distancing their ends and enlarging the size of the groove (g).

When they are released, they return to the rest position.

The degree of flexibility of the tongues can be adjusted as a function of their constructive material (for example, plastic), sizes of the tongues (for example, thickness and length) etc. The person skilled in the art will be able to assess the most suitable parameters in order to achieve the desired flexibility.

Therefore, the description above is outlined in the step sequence of <FIG>.

At step <NUM>, the end portion <NUM> of the handle is inserted by sliding it into the first opening delimited above, as mentioned, by the two elastically flexible tongues and facing each other.

Step <NUM> clearly shows cross-section (S1), circular in this example case (it could have other shapes) with respect to end portion <NUM>. The same figure then shows in dotted line the perimeter of maximum diameter with respect to the enlarged head <NUM>.

As can well be seen in <FIG> - step <NUM>, the size of the first opening is such that end part <NUM>, therefore including the enlarged head <NUM>, perfectly slidingly fits into said first opening thus allowing said first part or end portion to be slid through the first opening until it causes the enlarged head to pass through or over the opening itself (see also <FIG> the section in which the enlarged head is downstream of the wall).

Essentially, it is as if the enlarged head finds itself inside the containment volume of the bucket, as shown in <FIG>.

However, at this point, the operator can apply a force to the handle in such a way as to cause said end part <NUM> to slidingly transition towards the second opening.

To do this, section S1 must overstep the two tongues.

Therefore, section S1 generates a force F which bends the two tongues causing them to mutually move away (the right tongue rotates in a clockwise direction and the other tongue in a counterclockwise direction) thereby widening groove g.

In fact, step <NUM> shows the force component F1 acting on the two tongues which thus bend with respect to their anchoring point thereby mutually moving away and increasing the size of groove (g).

Essentially, with reference to <FIG>, the tongues rotate towards walls P1 and P2 respectively.

Once section S1 has transitioned over the tongues, as per step <NUM>, the tongues elastically return to their initial configuration in <FIG>, namely counterrotating to the rest condition, thus bringing groove (g) back to its original size.

At this point, section S1 slides until it reaches the second opening.

It should be noted that the diametrical dimension of the enlarged head <NUM> is larger than the size of the corridor and of the second opening.

This makes it possible for the stem of section S1 to slide from the first towards the second opening but the extraction of the enlarged head is prevented, i.e., a motion along the axis Z orthogonal to the plane of the sheet of <FIG> in the direction exiting from the sheet of <FIG> is prevented. This because the enlarged head abuts against the material delimiting the corridor and second opening.

Therefore, the condition in step <NUM> represents the final position reached.

As shown in step <NUM>, if the end part <NUM> of the handle accidentally tends to return towards the first opening <NUM>, this is prevented by the tongues themselves which flex in a direction opposite to the previous one, i.e., the right one rotates in a counterclockwise direction and the left one rotates in a clockwise direction (see forces F1_inv applied to the tongues in steps <NUM> and <NUM>).

These directions of rotation cause, as shown in step <NUM>, a further narrowing of groove (g) even bringing the two ends of the tongues to touch themselves or to almost touch themselves.

As well highlighted by step <NUM> and by step <NUM>, a real barrier is therefore created which blocks section S1 from returning to the first opening.

Essentially, therefore, once the handle has been inserted into the larger bottom loop, the handle portion will be slidingly pushed towards the smaller loop positioned on top, transitioning through the two "tongues" which will flare for the passage of the handle, but will return to their initial position immediately thereafter. Once the transition has occurred, returning to the starting position will no longer be possible, thanks to the shape and arrangement of the elastically flexible tongues.

Therefore, efficiently, the present eyelet allows for insertion and application of a handle to a bucket with an irreversible system, i.e., the handle will not accidentally detach from the bucket body.

The system well compensates wearing of the handle and of the eyelet itself thus preventing a reverse return motion.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the two ends of the tongues can further be provided with a bevel facilitating the transitioning of section S1 from the larger loop to the smaller loop positioned above.

A sort of chamfer is thus formed for the transition.

This bevel is indicated in <FIG> by references (sm1) and (sm2).

The bevel is therefore in the form of a slanted side such that groove (g) progressively narrows starting from a larger section towards a minimum distance section.

In this way, a chamfer is formed which facilitates and accommodates section s1, especially if this is circular.

The section pushes on said bevels better generating a force component which elastically flares the two tongues.

On the contrary, in the opposite direction, the tongues tend at most to flex according to a mutual approaching motion thereby closing the passage.

The beveled solution, although not essential, is anyway preferred and advantageous.

In fact, if present, it supports the handle towards the top reaching a "closing" and "safety" position, as mentioned above, causing the user to apply the minimum force necessary to achieve the purpose of the object.

Since they are symmetrical and with non-parallel end tips, the tongues will better support the handle during the transition towards the top in an easy way with the bevel facilitating the reciprocal flaring bend of the tongues. Vice versa, the transition from top to bottom will be impossible because of the thread diameter of the handle (section S1) which is too thick with respect to the narrower space between the "tongues" which in addition would tend to bend in the opposite direction thus closing further. In addition, the applied human force should be considerable to break the tongues.

The eyelet, as described, can be produced in various ways.

The realization of the eyelet is usually suggested by acting directly on the mold that produces the object. This solution is the most advantageous for the manufacturer, since no direct and precise intervention is required on the already formed container in which a greater risk of breakages, waste, etc. could occur. Since it has by its nature symmetrical shape and reduced dimensions, the eyelet affords an advantageous process to the manufacturer as well as to the final user. On the contrary, by acting in an artisanal manner on each single product, the risk would be its becoming unprofitable, unaesthetic and probably more importantly, it might not be functional and efficient for its purpose.

However, a variant would not exclude that the eyelet as described might be obtained by cutting and shaping the wall portion of the already formed bucket or container, thereby undergoing no mold processing.

The eyelet, as described, and without prejudice to the foregoing, is preferably of plastic material (i.e., it is formed in a plastic wall) and specifically, the flexible tongues can also be of plastic material.

This is more evident in the event of production of a container with an eyelet such as in accordance with the invention when the container, e.g., the bucket, is directly obtained by a plastic material injection molding process.

In this case, the tongues are of plastic material and integrated with the eyelet body.

Without prejudice to the foregoing, a further variant of the invention is described with reference to <FIG> and for which, as mentioned, everything described so far applies.

This variant differs from the other ones in that the opposing tongues (positioned facing each other) do not have equal length but rather two different lengths such that one is longer than the other.

Therefore, a symmetrical solution is no longer provided, with symmetry relative to the longitudinal axis of the eyelet, as shown in <FIG> or <FIG>, for example.

On the contrary, a tongue is longer than the other.

The example of <FIG> shows that the left tongue is longer in length than the right tongue but, obviously, also the contrary may be possible.

The figure then shows in dotted line the transition path to bring the handle end portion from the wider opening towards the narrower opening and that is obviously in this case a curved or winding path.

Therefore, without prejudice to the already described operation, the advantage of this solution is to ensure increased safety in order to prevent the accidental return of the handle end portion from the smaller opening <NUM> to the wider one <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An eyelet (<NUM>) for a container (<NUM>), preferably a bucket (<NUM>), adapted to allow fixing of an end portion (<NUM>) of a handle (<NUM>) to said container, said eyelet comprising:
- A first opening (<NUM>) for insertion of the end portion (<NUM>);
- A second opening (<NUM>) for locking against slip out of said end portion (<NUM>);
- wherein a barrier element (<NUM>, 12d) which generates a blockade is interposed between said first and second opening,
characterised in that said barrier element comprises at least one first tongue (12d) and at least one second tongue (<NUM>), both said first and second tongue being elastically flexible in such a way that, when they are stressed by a first force going in a direction from the first opening (<NUM>) towards the second opening (<NUM>), they bend thus generating or increasing a passage and such as to elastically return to the initial barring condition upon release of said first force and, when they are stressed by a second force in a direction from the second opening towards the first opening, they bend in the direction opposite to the previous one, thus maintaining the barring condition.