Patent Description:
The liquids can be, by way of example, food liquids (such as beverages or oil or others) or other liquids, either fluid or dense, having for example different applications, said different applications being in the field of hygiene, medicine, pharmaceuticals, health and/or hospitals or other.

The containers can be made, more specifically, of metal or plastic material; the present invention concerns containers made of plastic material.

The container in question is, preferably but not only, suitable to contain a wide range of liquids that in contact with the air would be damaged more or less seriously, and at worst become unusable.

The present invention also concerns the container for liquids associated with the gripping and closing device, advantageously though not exclusively, comprising an external container or drum, for containing and protection purposes, which in turn contains an internal container or bag, to contain the liquid.

The present invention also concerns a bottom base for a container, suitable to be possibly positioned above the gripping and closing device to allow the containers to be stacked.

Embodiments described here also concern a method to assemble the gripping and closing device and a method to assemble the container for liquids.

In the state of the art, containers for liquids are known, comprising two coaxial elements, which constitute an external container, or drum, with a function of support and protection, and an internal container, or bag, with the function of containing the liquid.

It is known that between the drum and the bag, when the bag is full of liquid, an interspace can be generated due to the effect of a fluid under pressure which, compressing the bag, causes the liquid to leak.

The liquid left in the bag is always isolated from the air, and is therefore not subject to oxidation or to the entry of foreign bodies, or contaminants, which can for example also be pathogenic.

For delivery operations, a specific valve unit is usually provided in the upper part in the mouth of the container, constrained to, or by, a cap or closing device, on which means for delivering the liquid can be attached for the time envisaged for all the liquid contained in the bag to be used up.

The valve unit is configured both for the introduction of the pressurized fluid into the drum and for the consequent delivery of the liquid present in the bag, which therefore must have a very reduced thickness.

Due to the way they are made, these containers usually have curved surfaces.

Furthermore, due to the presence of the bag inside, the drum cannot have any protrusions or recesses that could damage the bag.

It is also known that containers made of plastic material exist, the base of which is configured to allow a stable position when the container is placed vertically.

These known plastic containers cannot be stacked, nor can they be handled except by acting on the upper surface if associated with a gripping element.

In the most general and safest case for the bag, the bottom of the drum is shaped with a curved surface. It is therefore necessary to provide a bottom element that allows the drum to be supported vertically, when resting on the ground, and allows it to be stacked if the upper part is equipped for the purpose.

Furthermore, since these containers can be of various sizes, even to contain <NUM> or more liters of liquid, they can be unwieldy for a user, especially when they are full.

Generally, in order to allow the containers to be moved in a practical way, it is necessary at least to provide in association with them, either directly or indirectly, a gripping element that can be called a "handwheel", and possibly a lower gripping element.

Finally, it is necessary to ensure that the bottom element and the gripping handwheel can cooperate with each other, to allow the drums to be stacked on top of each other during storage operations.

One disadvantage of these known solutions is that they require both particular shapes of the container to allow the coupling of the gripping handwheel, and also a plurality of assembly operations, even complex ones, to obtain the finished product.

Furthermore, they do not guarantee a stable and safe coupling of the gripping handwheel and the container, in particular when the container is completely full.

Another disadvantage of known solutions is that they are not very versatile and do not allow to adapt the gripping and closing device to containers and/or types of dispensers of different types.

Another disadvantage is that the various components of the container can be made with materials, plastic or not, which are not compatible with each other, therefore the container has to be at least partly disassembled in order to be recycled through different channels.

This entails difficulties for the end user of the empty container who has to separate the various components and deliver them individually to the appropriate collection areas.

There are also additional labor costs, problems of differentiated transport, costs of differentiated storage with specific areas and with additional investment and management costs for recycling.

Document <CIT> describes a handle for a container for beverages, in particular wine. The handle comprises a gripping portion, an internal connection portion suitable to connect to a valve for the liquid to exit, and an external connection portion to connect and rest on the container. The solution described in this document provides to couple the handle directly with the valve for the liquid to exit installed in the neck portion of the container, without providing any closing cap.

Document <CIT> describes a gripping element for a container, which includes a gripping portion, and a central hole suitable to be positioned in correspondence with an aperture of a neck portion of the container. The coupling of the gripping element and the container occurs by means of protruding portions of the gripping element that couple with respective edges provided on the container.

The Applicant set himself the problem of how to improve the containers as above and, in particular, the closing devices for said containers.

He also set himself the problem of making everything recyclable without requiring any operation to separate the components.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic gripping and closing device which allows the containers to be easily moved even when they are full.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a gripping and closing device that is suitable to cooperate with different types of closing caps suitable for the various liquid delivery means on the market and in use, without needing to modify or adapt the solutions already available on the market.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a gripping and closing device which is simple to manufacture by assembling it with the closing cap, so that the whole can be easily assembled on the container.

Another purpose of the present invention is to make available a gripping and closing device which allows to obtain a solid and reliable coupling with the container.

Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a gripping and closing device that allows to close the container hermetically, guaranteeing the hygiene of the content both during its storage and also during delivery.

Another purpose is to make available a bottom element which allows to support the drum in the vertical direction.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a gripping and closing device suitable to cooperate with the bottom element to facilitate the stacking of the containers.

Another purpose of the invention is to reduce the costs of production, storage, management and assembly of the container.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a container, with the connected gripping and closing device, which can be recycled as a whole, thus simplifying its delivery, storage, transport and use for recycling.

In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention concerns a gripping and closing device for a keg-type container for liquids.

The container that can be used in association with the embodiments described here is advantageously suitable to contain food liquids or other liquids, whether fluid or dense, which for example have different applications, such applications can be linked to drinking or hygiene requirements, or other, in the domestic, commercial or industrial sector, and in the medical, pharmaceutical, health and/or hospital sectors or more.

According to some embodiments, the container for liquids of the type in question comprises, in its broadest formulation, the gripping and closing device as above, a valve unit, a drum and a bottom element.

The gripping and closing device according to the invention integrates a gripping handwheel to handle and move the container which cooperates, in a single body, by stable association, with a closing and tapping cap, suitable to selectively close the entrance of the container, allowing the tapping.

The closing cap can directly and stably couple with the valve unit.

In particular, the gripping handwheel, if it cooperates with the closing cap by stable association, can comprise attachment means configured to allow a stable reciprocal association.

Advantageously, the closing cap increases the strength of the container during use, since the delivery means cooperate both with the closing cap and also with the valve unit. For example, it is not possible to exert an excessive thrust directly on the valve unit during the operations of inserting the delivery means.

It also increases the level of hygiene of the container, since the presence of the closing cap prevents foreign substances from coming into direct contact with the valve unit.

Being able to directly couple the valve unit with the closing cap allows to facilitate the actions of assembling and closing the container, since it is possible to insert the valve unit inside a neck portion of the latter directly during the step of reciprocal connection between the gripping and closing device and the container.

It is also possible to use different models of valve units, even with smaller diameters than the entrance of the container, thanks to the adaptation that the cap can provide, for example by means of adaptor elements. Advantageously, it is therefore possible to use different models of valve units present on the market.

Practicality of use is also maintained, since it is possible to install the closing cap and the handwheel in a single operation, since the cap and the handwheel are configured in a single body.

According to some embodiments, the gripping handwheel can comprise gripping handle means, which advantageously have gripping elements suitable to facilitate the grip in order to handle the container without, for example, causing damage to the user's hands.

The gripping handle means can also advantageously comprise strengthening elements that can have a double function of facilitating the grip and increasing the mechanical strength of the gripping handwheel.

It is therefore an advantage to have a gripping and closing device that allows to easily manage the container during the transport steps, allowing to easily handle the containers even when they are full.

According to some embodiments, the upper part of the gripping handle means can be positioned, when applied to the drum, at a greater height than the upper edge of the closing cap, preventing the closing cap from being damaged, for example during stacking, transport or handling.

The gripping handwheel, if in stable association with the closing cap, can advantageously have shapes suitable for various types of closing cap or even provide intermediate adaptor means specialized for the various closing caps.

For example, it can allow to use closing caps of different thicknesses, sizes or shapes, without the bottom element of the upper container resting on the closing cap of the lower container, when the containers are stacked on top of each other.

One advantage is therefore the possibility of using the same gripping handwheel, directly or by using intermediate means, with closing caps of different thicknesses, for example adaptable to the different liquid delivery means available on the market.

This allows to reduce the models of gripping handwheels, thus reducing both production and also storage and management costs.

The configuration of the gripping and closing device, according to the invention, can be such as to be used in cooperation with a bottom element of the container in order to stack the containers on top of each other, without risk of them falling and without the closing cap being damaged.

Advantageously, the bottom element can have gripping means for handling.

According to some embodiments, the gripping handwheel has a plurality of connection elements that connect the grip handle means to the attachment means or to the closing cap.

According to some embodiments, the connection elements are shaped in such a way as to be coherent with the upper profile of the drum, generating a plurality of zones for the gripping and closing device to rest, so as to obtain the most stable connection possible.

The load can, in this way, be distributed over the plurality of support zones, thus allowing to stack multiple containers on top of each other.

Advantageously, the connection elements can therefore also have a support function during storage and transport operations.

Furthermore, the connection elements, in addition to having the required strength, according to the invention have shapes that are suitable to prevent breaking points and, or also, parts that can for example cause damage to the user's hands.

According to some embodiments, the gripping and closing device has interference members configured to cooperate with mating anti-tampering elements present in the neck portion of the drum and suitable to prevent tampering when the drum and the gripping and closing device are associated in a definitive manner.

It is therefore an advantage to be able to verify whether, after the container for liquids has been assembled, the latter has been reopened, causing for example the adulteration of the liquid contained inside it, or damage to its organoleptic characteristics due to exposure to air or removal of part or all of the liquid.

Embodiments described here also concern a bottom element to support a container, possibly suitable to cooperate with the gripping and closing device to allow a reciprocal stacking of the components and therefore of the containers associated therewith.

According to some embodiments, the bottom element can have a bottom base with a shape, advantageously though not necessarily, at least partly mating with the shape of the upper surface of the gripping and closing device, advantageously achieving a same-shape coupling in order to facilitate the storage of containers.

The gripping and closing device and the bottom element can thus confer upon the container characteristics that allow to stack a desired number of containers.

Embodiments described here also concern a container for liquids comprising a drum, a valve unit, a gripping and closing device and possibly a bottom element.

Embodiments described here also concern a method to assemble a gripping and closing device by assembling the gripping handwheel with the closing cap.

Embodiments described here also concern a method to assemble all or a part of a container.

According to further embodiments, the method to assemble a container can provide to associate in correspondence with the lower end of the drum, in a stable or removable manner, a bottom element suitable to support it in the vertical direction.

We will now refer in detail to the various embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, one or more characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other embodiments to produce another embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.

With reference to the attached drawings, there is described a gripping and closing device <NUM> applicable to a keg-type container <NUM> for liquids.

The container <NUM> has, in its most extensive formulation, the gripping and closing device <NUM>, a valve unit <NUM>, a drum, or external container, <NUM> and possibly a bottom element <NUM>.

The drum <NUM>, which has a support and protection function, can contain an internal container (not shown), or bag, into which the liquid is inserted.

The container <NUM> can be able to cooperate with a closing and tapping cap <NUM>, suitable to selectively close the entrance <NUM> of the container <NUM>, allowing tapping.

The container <NUM> can be able to advantageously cooperate with a gripping handwheel <NUM> suitable to handle and move the container <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the gripping and closing device <NUM> comprises the gripping handwheel <NUM> and the closing and tapping cap <NUM> which, when in the operative condition, are substantially conformed in a single body, obtained by stable association.

In some embodiments, the gripping handwheel <NUM> and the closing cap <NUM> can cooperate with each other since they are stabilized by association in a single body, possibly with an intermediate adaptor mean not shown.

In a variant not shown and not forming part of the invention, the gripping handwheel <NUM> and the closing cap <NUM> can be made directly in a single body.

The gripping handwheel <NUM> and the closing cap <NUM> are understood to be directly made in a single body when they are integrated in a fixed manner, for example when they are made in a single mold, or attached by means of welding or gluing, or other modes that do not allow them to be separated without them breaking.

The gripping handwheel <NUM> and the closing cap <NUM> are understood to be a single body by stable association when they are separated and are joined together, for example at the time of use, so as to form a single body.

According to the invention, and as shown in <FIG>, in which the gripping handwheel <NUM> and the closing cap <NUM> are in stable association, the gripping handwheel <NUM> and the closing cap <NUM> comprise respective coupling and guiding members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> configured to allow the reciprocal stable association, without play and so that they move together, during use, during the union with the drum <NUM>.

Such a condition is often necessary due to variations of the characteristics of the closing caps <NUM>, having to possibly also provide to use specialized intermediate adaptor means between the gripping handwheel <NUM> and the various closing caps <NUM>.

The closing cap <NUM> is suitable, during use, to selectively close the entrance <NUM> of the drum <NUM> in a stable and hermetic manner, allowing the tapping, in synergy with the valve unit <NUM>.

The closing cap <NUM> can couple directly and in a stable manner with the valve unit <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In the example shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the valve unit <NUM> is inserted in the entrance <NUM>, connected to the closing cap <NUM>.

The closing cap <NUM> can comprise, or cooperate with, elements to adapt to the valve unit <NUM>, not shown in the drawings.

The valve unit <NUM> shown, according to possible embodiments of the invention, is in itself known and already patented, and allows the flow of the liquid and gas under pressure in the container <NUM>.

The gripping handwheel <NUM> can be suitable to handle and move the container <NUM>.

The gripping and closing device <NUM> therefore performs a double function, both of closing the drum <NUM>, guaranteeing hygiene and preservation of the content, and also of gripping element in order to facilitate the movement of the container <NUM> by a user.

According to some embodiments, the gripping handwheel <NUM> can comprise gripping handle means <NUM>, externally, and attachment means <NUM>, internally.

According to some embodiments, the attachment means <NUM> can internally define an insertion and clamping seating <NUM> for the closing cap <NUM> or the intermediate adaptor means.

In some embodiments, the suitable coupling and guiding members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be provided in the attachment means <NUM> of the gripping handwheel <NUM>. In this way, the attachment means <NUM> can be suitable to allow the stable association of the gripping handwheel <NUM> with the specific and suitable closing cap <NUM>.

The coupling and guiding members <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are able to couple with the mating coupling members <NUM>, <NUM> present in the closing cap <NUM>.

According to possible solutions, the coupling members comprise guiding elements <NUM>, configured to define a correct positioning of the closing cap <NUM> during its insertion.

According to some embodiments, the coupling members comprise abutment elements <NUM> against which the edge of the closing cap <NUM> can be positioned in the assembled configuration of the gripping and closing device <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the coupling members comprise fastening elements <NUM> suitable to clamp the closing cap <NUM> into position and which cooperate with the possible coupling members <NUM> positioned on the closing cap <NUM>.

For example, the fastening elements <NUM> can be configured so as to have an inclined shape, acting as a lead-in in order to facilitate the insertion and stable positioning of the closing cap <NUM> in the desired position in the attachment means <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the attachment means <NUM> can comprise a collar <NUM> at the lower part, having a shape mating with the profile of the drum <NUM>, on which it is positioned resting during use.

The collar <NUM> can therefore contribute to form a surface to support and distribute the weight on the drum <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the gripping handle means <NUM> are suitable to be gripped by a user in order to move the container <NUM>.

The gripping handle means <NUM> advantageously have an annular shape and can be disposed coaxially to the attachment means <NUM> with respect to a central axis X of the drum <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the gripping handle means <NUM> can also have partly hollow sections, so as to lighten the gripping handwheel <NUM>. For example, a shape with a semicircular and hollow section can be provided in the lower part.

According to some embodiments, the gripping handle means <NUM> advantageously have, at least on part of the radial profile, gripping elements <NUM> suitable to facilitate gripping in order to move the container <NUM> without causing damage to the user's hands. For example, the gripping elements <NUM> can be grooves, knurls, hollows, or rough surfaces or suchlike.

According to possible variants, the gripping handle means <NUM> can comprise strengthening elements <NUM>, located on the lower part, for example ribs, which can have a double function of contributing to the grip and of increasing the mechanical strength of the gripping handwheel <NUM>.

The strengthening elements <NUM> can have a substantially radial development with respect to the central axis X.

According to some embodiments, the gripping handwheel <NUM> can have connection elements <NUM> configured to connect the attachment means <NUM> to the gripping handle means <NUM>.

The connection elements <NUM> can be for example angularly offset around the central axis X.

The connection elements <NUM> can for example extend in a radial or sub-radial direction with respect to the central axis X.

In a variant not shown, the connection elements <NUM> can connect the gripping handle means <NUM> to the closing cap <NUM> in a single body.

By way of example, <FIG> and <FIG> show four connection elements <NUM> offset by <NUM>° with respect to each other, but the number of said elements can also be lower or higher and have a positioning angle that can be, or not be, constant.

By way of example, the connection elements <NUM> can have a box-like structure and comprise two lateral walls <NUM> that extend facing each other, and one or more intermediate walls <NUM> that join the lateral walls <NUM> together.

In some embodiments, the connection elements <NUM> can also comprise external walls <NUM> which transversely join the lateral walls <NUM> on the opposite side to the attachment means <NUM> and which can be, or not be, joined to the intermediate walls <NUM>.

According to possible solutions, the connection elements <NUM> can have the upper part free and at least the lower part with through apertures <NUM>.

In particular, one or more of either the intermediate walls <NUM> and/or the lateral walls <NUM> and/or the external walls <NUM> can have apertures <NUM> suitable to lighten the gripping and closing device <NUM> and to allow possible liquids to exit, for example rain or liquids coming out of other containers which enter the gripping and closing device.

According to possible variants, however, it can also be provided that the walls as above are made solid, or also that the gripping handwheel <NUM> as a whole is made in solid form.

Advantageously, the lateral walls <NUM> and/or the intermediate walls <NUM> and/or the external walls <NUM> can cooperate in order to increase the strength of the connection elements <NUM> while at the same time maintaining their lightness, and to allow a good distribution of the loads in supporting the weight of the stacked containers <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the connection elements <NUM> can be shaped so as to be coherent with the upper profile of the drum <NUM>, so as to be associated resting with extended, or not extended, parts of the external surface of the drum <NUM> and distribute the loads in a uniform manner around the central axis X.

The gripping and closing device <NUM> can therefore be suitable to increase the strength of the whole and to allow the containers <NUM> filled with liquids to be stacked on top of each other.

In some embodiments, the gripping handle means <NUM> can comprise connection structures <NUM> configured to connect the gripping handle means <NUM> and the connection elements <NUM> together, and be suitable to increase the strength of the gripping and closing device <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the closing cap <NUM> is provided on the lower part with a compartment <NUM> suitable to house and cooperate with the valve unit <NUM> of a suitable type.

According to some embodiments, the closing cap <NUM> comprises on the upper part a cavity <NUM> that can be equipped to anchor delivery means (not shown in the drawings) stably and without leakages, for example by means of attachment zones, such as threadings or bayonet-type intakes.

In particular, the cavity <NUM> can be shaped so as to be compatible with the various liquid delivery means available on the market.

The closing cap <NUM> can be provided with fastening means <NUM> suitable to cooperate with fastening means <NUM> in the neck portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the fastening means <NUM>, <NUM> can comprise respective threaded portions suitable to be screwed to each other.

Alternatively, the fastening means <NUM>, <NUM> can be conformed in order to define a coupling of the bayonet or snap-in type.

In some embodiments, the closing cap <NUM> can be compatible with intermediate adaptor means, not shown in the drawings, specialized for the various closing caps, such intermediate means being suitable to stabilize the closing cap <NUM> with the gripping handwheel <NUM> by association, adapting them to each other.

According to a variant not shown which provides that the gripping handwheel <NUM> and the closing cap <NUM> are made in a single body, the connection elements <NUM> are connected to the closing cap <NUM>.

The closing cap <NUM> can also comprise a safety lid <NUM> configured to hermetically close the cavity <NUM> at the upper part, protecting it from dirt and impurities in order to safeguard the hygiene of the container <NUM> and its contents.

The safety lid <NUM> can be removed when using the container <NUM> in order to allow access to the cavity <NUM> and to install the delivery means. The safety lid <NUM> has a gripping tab <NUM> to remove the safety lid <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the upper part of the gripping handle means <NUM> of the gripping handwheel <NUM> can be positioned at a greater height than the upper edge of the closing cap <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the connection elements <NUM> can have, in correspondence with their outermost peripheral portion, a height greater than or equal to the longitudinal extension of the valve unit <NUM> inserted, during use, in the container <NUM>.

Advantageously, the gripping and closing device <NUM> can thus act as a protection for the closing cap <NUM> and for the valve unit <NUM>, thus making the container <NUM> more resistant to stresses, for example bending stresses, which could bear on the valve unit <NUM>, damaging or weakening it.

According to some embodiments, for example described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the gripping and closing device <NUM> comprises interference members <NUM> configured to cooperate with mating anti-tampering elements <NUM> present in a zone consistent with, or in proximity to, the neck portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the interference members <NUM> can be provided on the attachment means <NUM>.

According to a variant not shown, the interference members <NUM> can be provided on the closing cap <NUM> which is made in a single body with the gripping handwheel <NUM>.

The interference members <NUM> advantageously operate with the anti-tampering elements <NUM>, allowing to close the drum <NUM> correctly and clamping the gripping and closing device <NUM> in a position of non-return, since they are for example able to break and/or break the interference members <NUM> if the container <NUM> is reopened, indicating an attempt at tampering.

According to some embodiments, the gripping and closing device <NUM> can be made entirely of a single polymeric material, advantageously recyclable.

Embodiments described here also concern the bottom element <NUM> for the container <NUM>, configured to support the drum <NUM> in a stable positioning, keeping it in a vertical direction.

Embodiments described here, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, also concern a combination of the gripping and closing device <NUM> with the bottom element <NUM> possibly suitable to stack two or more containers <NUM> on top of each other.

In particular, the bottom element <NUM> can have a bottom base <NUM> with a shape, advantageously though not necessarily, at least partly mating with the upper surface of the gripping and closing device <NUM>, achieving a same-shape coupling with it.

In this way, the bottom element <NUM> and the gripping and closing device <NUM> can be reciprocally stacked in a stable manner.

According to some embodiments, the bottom element <NUM> comprises a circular wall <NUM> and support walls <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, advantageously the bottom element <NUM> also comprises gripping means for handling.

The support walls <NUM> extend in a radial direction with respect to the central axis X.

According to some embodiments, the lower edges of the support walls <NUM> and of the circular wall <NUM> lie on the same plane in order to guarantee a stable support surface of the bottom element <NUM>.

According to further embodiments, the bottom element <NUM> has a concave seating <NUM> at the upper part, configured to house a bottom portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM>.

According to some embodiments and as described in <FIG>, the concave seating <NUM> can be delimited by positioning elements <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the positioning elements <NUM> can be configured to rest on mating positioning elements <NUM> of the bottom portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM>.

In this way, an alignment of the container <NUM> with its own central axis X along a vertical axis is guaranteed, the containers <NUM> can be easily and safely stacked and, moreover, it is possible to stack the containers <NUM> on top of each other without using separator elements.

In some embodiments, the bottom base <NUM> can have a cavity <NUM> in correspondence with the closing cap <NUM>, so as to rest only on the gripping handwheel <NUM> and not on the closing cap <NUM>.

In this way, the bottom element <NUM> can be suitable to allow, together with the gripping handwheel <NUM>, to use closing caps <NUM> with different characteristics and adaptable to different liquid delivery means.

Advantageously, the possibility of using the same bottom element <NUM> with gripping and closing devices <NUM> which have closing caps <NUM> of different thicknesses can allow to reduce the number of models of bottom element <NUM>, thus reducing both production costs, and also storage and management costs.

In some embodiments, the components of the container <NUM> are advantageously made of the same recyclable polymeric material, allowing to recycle the container <NUM> as a whole and therefore simplifying its delivery, storage, transport and use for recycling.

Embodiments described here, and with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, concern a method to assemble a gripping and closing device <NUM> in which a gripping handwheel <NUM> and a closing cap <NUM> are configured to obtain the reciprocal stable association.

The method to assemble the gripping and closing device <NUM> can comprise the following steps:.

Embodiments described here also concern a method to assemble a container <NUM>, which can provide to make available a gripping and closing device <NUM> in which the gripping handwheel <NUM> and the closing cap <NUM> are operatively conformed substantially in a single body, obtained directly or by stable association, and integrate the gripping and closing device <NUM> with a neck portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM>.

For example, in order to integrate the gripping and closing device <NUM> and the container <NUM> with each other, it can be provided to screw the gripping and closing device <NUM> to the neck portion <NUM> by means of respective fastening means <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the method to assemble a container <NUM> provides, before integrating the gripping and closing device <NUM> with the drum <NUM>, to stably couple the valve unit <NUM> with the closing cap <NUM>.

According to other embodiments, the method to assemble a container <NUM> provides to insert the valve unit inside the neck portion <NUM> of the drum <NUM>, in the entrance <NUM>, resting on an upper edge thereof, and subsequently integrate the gripping and closing device <NUM> with the drum <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the method can provide to integrate the gripping and closing device <NUM> with the neck portion <NUM>, until interference members <NUM>, present on the gripping and closing device <NUM>, are positioned in abutment on mating anti-tampering elements <NUM>, provided in the neck portion <NUM>, so as to clamp the gripping and closing device <NUM> in a position of non-return.

Advantageously, if a user tries to remove the gripping and closing device <NUM> from the container <NUM>, the anti-tampering elements <NUM> against which the interference members <NUM> abut stop the gripping and closing device <NUM> in the integral position.

In the event the gripping and closing device <NUM> is removed from the container <NUM>, the interference members <NUM> and/or the anti-tampering elements <NUM> can break, providing a visual indication of the tampering.

According to further embodiments, the method to assemble the container <NUM> can provide to associate, in a stable or removable manner, in correspondence with a bottom portion <NUM> of a drum <NUM>, a bottom element <NUM> suitable to support it in the vertical direction.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the gripping and closing device <NUM>, to the container <NUM> and to the methods to assemble the gripping and closing device <NUM> and the container <NUM> as described heretofore, as long as they do not depart from the scope of the claims.

Claim 1:
Gripping and closing device for a keg-type container (<NUM>) for liquids comprising a drum (<NUM>), said gripping and closing device comprising a closing and tapping cap (<NUM>) suitable to selectively close an entrance (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>) allowing the tapping and a gripping handwheel (<NUM>) suitable to handle and move the container (<NUM>), wherein said closing cap (<NUM>) comprises coupling members (<NUM>, <NUM>) and said gripping handwheel (<NUM>) is provided, directly or by intermediate adaptor means, with an insertion and clamping seating (<NUM>) and with coupling and guiding members (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) characterized in that said coupling and guiding members (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are configured to axially couple with said coupling members (<NUM>, <NUM>) present in the closing cap (<NUM>) to allow a reciprocal stable association, without play, so that said gripping handwheel (<NUM>) and said closing cap (<NUM>) in an operative condition are substantially conformed in a single body, obtained by stable association and are configured to move together, during use, during the union with the drum (<NUM>).