AN EYELET FOR CONNECTING A HANDLE TO A BUCKET

Abstract

 The present invention relates to an eyelet (1) for a container (100), preferably a bucket (100), adapted to allow fixing of an end portion (201) of a handle (200) to said container, said eyelet comprising:
- A first opening (10) for insertion of the end portion (201);
- A second opening (20) for locking against slipping out of said end portion (201);
- And wherein a barrier element (12s, 12d) which generates a blockade is interposed between said first and second opening, said barrier element comprising at least one first tongue (12d) and at least one second tongue (12s), 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 towards the second opening, 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 a direction opposite to the previous one, thus maintaining the barring condition.

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field generally pertaining production of containers having a handle in general, such as a bucket.

[0002] Specifically, the invention relates to a particular eyelet for insertion and locking of the handle to said container, such as the bucket.

Brief overview of known art

[0003] The use of containers such as buckets with handle has been known for decades in many fields and for many applications.

[0004] 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.

[0005] Buckets with handle are used in construction, e.g., for transport of material such as sands and/or liquids.

[0006] 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).

[0007] Referring to figure 1 of the known art, a bucket 100 with handle 200 is outlined.

[0008] 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 150.

[0009] The bucket can be made of several materials, including also and preferably plastic materials such as plastic.

[0010] The bucket is closed on the bottom by a base (preferably circular), and it forms on top an access opening to the containment volume 150. The access opening is delimited by a top edge 155.

[0011] Two eyelets 110, diametrically opposite each other, are formed below said edge 155, therefore in a portion of wall.

[0012] Figure 1 shows only one of them given that the other is diametrically positioned on the opposite side in the isometric view.

[0013] 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.

[0014] Thus, by means of handle 200, 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 figure 1.

[0015] As outlined in figure 1 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.

[0016] The two end portions 201 of the handle 200 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 figure 1.

[0017] In fact, the end part 201 can be distinguished in figure 1 folded about ninety degrees (obviously other angles are possible) with respect to the remaining part of handle.

[0018] Such a folded end part 201 culminates with an enlarged end or head 202, i.e., having an overall volume or size greater than the preceding portion.

[0019] This is not evident in figure 1 but it is equally shown, for example, in figure 5 or with a dotted line in figure 2 or 3.

[0020] To this effect, it has therefore at least one diametrical dimension greater than the preceding portion from which it protrudes.

[0021] More specifically, this enlarged end (or enlarged head) can be in the form of a circle 202 (i.e., a sphere, for example) whose diameter is larger than the section of the preceding portion 201.

[0022] Therefore, in the event of portion 201 having circular section, the diameter of the circle will be larger than the diameter of said portion 201.

[0023] In the known art, therefore, the eyelet is shaped with a bottom part (110') provided with an opening such that portion 201 can be inserted into said bottom part by sliding from the bottom up through said opening.

[0024] Then the eyelet is closed with a top portion (110'') which forms a top opening (110") in communication with the bottom opening and whose size is such as to prevent the enlarged head 202 from slipping out through it, abutting against the wall delimiting said opening (110").

[0025] Thus, by inserting portion 201 through the bottom opening 110', it can be slid up to the top opening 110'', where it is prevented from slipping out.

[0026] A narrow groove can be provided between the two parts 110' and 110'' which attempts to block the reverse return motion of portion 201.

[0027] However, according to the just presented current solution of the known art, the configuration of the eyelet is such that handle portion 201 can slide from the top portion (110'') towards the bottom portion (110') thereby returning to a position in correspondence of the wider opening.

[0028] 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.

[0029] It is clear that, if this occurs, the enlarged head 202 could very likely come out of the opening 110', thereby causing the handle to unhook.

[0030] When it occurs, the user is forced to reposition the handle with a considerable inconvenience.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

Summary of the Invention

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] These and other aims are achieved with the present eyelet (1) for a container (100), preferably a bucket (100), in accordance with claim 1.

[0037] Such an eyelet is adapted to allow fixing of an end portion (201) of a handle (200) to said container, e.g., a bucket.

[0038] Such an eyelet in accordance with the invention comprises:

• A first opening (10) adapted to allow insertion therein of end portion (201);
• A second opening (20) adapted to allow locking therein of said end portion (201), preventing it from slipping out;
• In accordance with the invention, a barrier element (12s, 12d) which generates a blockade is interposed between said first and second opening.
• This barrier element is configured in such a way as to distort elastically when stressed by a transition force due to a transition of a body, in particular of said end portion, from the first opening towards the second opening, thus enabling its passage to then return to a barring condition and, when stressed in the opposite direction, maintaining this barring condition.

[0039] 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.

[0040] More specifically, advantageously, said barrier element (12s, 12d) which generates a blockade is interposed between said first and second opening.

[0041] Advantageously, said barrier element can comprise at least one first tongue (12d) and at least one second tongue (12s), 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 (10) towards the second opening (20), 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] Advantageously, when stressed by said first force, said tongues bend thus mutually distancing their ends thereby generating or increasing said passage.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] Advantageously, said tongues delimit above said first opening.

[0050] Advantageously, each one of said at least two tongues has a predetermined bending radius (r).

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] Advantageously, said two tongues have said ends provided with a bevel (sm1, sm2).

[0057] A chamfer for the passage of the end portion from the first towards the second opening is formed in this way.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] Advantageously, said container can comprise at least two eyelets diametrically opposite each other.

[0061] Advantageously, the container can be produced through mold casting in such a way as to integrate such eyelet(s).

[0062] The container can be a bucket or any other type of container (e.g., a basket) with a handle.

[0063] 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 (200) comprising:

• At least one end portion (201) which culminates with an enlarged head (202) having at least one diametrical dimension larger than the end portion;
• Said eyelet (1) comprising:
• A first opening (10) of such a size as to allow insertion therein of the end portion (201) through the insertion of the enlarged head into the first opening;
• A second opening (20) of such a size as to lock against slipping out said end portion (201) through the enlarged head (202) of said end portion abutting against the walls delimiting said second opening (20);
• And wherein a barrier element (12s, 12d) which generates a blockade is interposed between said first and second opening, said barrier element comprising at least one first tongue (12d) and at least one second tongue (12s), both said first and second tongues being elastically flexible in such a way that, when they are stressed by a first force due, in use, to the transition of said end portion (201) of the handle from the first opening towards the second opening, they bend thus generating or increasing the size of 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 due to a possible return motion from the second opening towards the first opening of said end portion (201), they bend in a direction opposite to the previous one, thus maintaining the barring condition.

[0064] The subject of the present invention is also a method for restraining a handle (200) 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:

• Producing a container comprising at least two eyelets according to one or more of the previous features, said two eyelets being arranged in the container in such a way as to be diametrically opposite each other;
• Arranging a handle (200) having two end portions (201);
• Inserting each one of the two end portions (201) of the handle (200) inside a respective eyelet by inserting said end portion at the first opening (10) of the eyelet;
• Sliding the end portions inserted into the respective eyelet towards the second opening (20) of the eyelet;
• Said sliding operation comprising overstepping the barrier element during the sliding motion of the end portion in the transition motion from the first towards the second opening, said sliding in a direction from the first to the second opening determining a bend of the two tongues forming the barrier element which, when stressed by a first force due to said transition motion occurring in the direction from the first opening towards the second opening, bend thus generating or increasing a passage for the end portion to then elastically return to the initial barring condition upon release of said first force when said end portion has overstepped said tongues.

[0065] A subject of the present invention is also a mold casting process for a plastic container, e.g., a plastic bucket, which involves injection into the mold of the plastic material in such a way that a container, e.g., a bucket, is obtained by the molding, which incorporates two eyelets according to one or more of the features indicated above.

[0066] Therefore, the molding produces an eyelet delimited by plastic walls and with said flexible tongues of plastic material.

[0067] 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.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0068] The invention, in one of more of its embodiments, will be detailed as follows in accordance with the following drawings:

• Figure 1 shows a bucket in accordance with the known art;
• Figure 2 depicts a front view of a new eyelet configuration in accordance with the invention with the end part of the handle inserted and locked therein;
• Figure 3 outlines a succession of steps of insertion and lock of the end part of the handle into the eyelet in order to highlight not only the lock but also how the configuration of the present eyelet fully prevents a return of the end portion of the handle to the widest part of eyelet, thereby fully eliminating the issue of a possible slip-out;
• Figure 4A shows an enlargement of the eyelet subject of the invention whereas figure 4B also shows an enlargement of the same eyelet but without elastic tongues for descriptive clarity;
• Figure 5 further shows a front view and a cross-section which simulates the insertion path of the eyelet;
• Figure 6 shows a further embodiment which differs from the other described ones only in that the two tongues differ in length from each other thereby generating a winding path (the path is shown with a dotted line from the wider opening towards the smaller opening).

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] Without prejudice to the description of figure 1 of the known art, figure 2 shows an eyelet 1 subject of the invention, which is applied to a portion of container 100, for example a bucket 100.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] As already indicated in known art, while the figures from 2 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 figure 1, 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 figure 1 of the known art.

[0075] The handle 200 may preferably consist of different materials such as metals (e.g., iron), plastic, wood, etc.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] Figure 1, 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 figure 1 as well as directly in the lateral wall or according to other equivalent solutions.

[0079] Preferably, the eyelet passes through the whole thickness of the wall in which it is formed.

[0080] If the bucket provides a double wall with interposed gap (see for example the case of insert in figure 1 - insert wall + lateral wall with which the insert is integral), the eyelet can pass through the first wall only, for example.

[0081] Therefore, as shown in figure 4A, the eyelet is shaped in such a way as to provide a first opening 10 and a second opening 20. Said two openings are also referred to, in the present invention, with the term "loop".

[0082] Between the first and the second opening (or, in other words, first and second loop) a sort of corridor 25 is arranged which connects and puts into communication the first opening with the second opening.

[0083] Actually, the first opening 10 has a substantially circular shape having a bottom part 11 delimited by material constituting the wall where the opening is formed, for example the wall of the bucket 100. Therefore, it has a predetermined bending radius (r) as indicated in figure 4B which shows the eyelet subject of the invention but without, for descriptive clarity, said two tongues 12s and 12d which will be described immediately below.

[0084] Said first opening is delimited above by two elastically flexible tongues (12d, 12s).

[0085] 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.

[0086] Therefore, a right tongue (12d) and a left tongue (12s) are present.

[0087] Both are in the shape of a circumferential arch with a bending radius (r') which preferably coincides with the bending radius (r) on part 11 shown in figure 4B. In this way, in in its entirety, the first opening 10 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 (12s) and (12d) which face each other.

[0088] 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).

[0089] Therefore, in its entirety, the whole eyelet is perfectly symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal center axis as indicated in figure 4A.

[0090] This transition groove (g) gives access to and is therefore in communication with corridor 25.

[0091] The corridor 25 provides in turn:

[0092] A first straight section 26 which puts groove (g) in communication with the second opening 20.

[0093] Starting from the base of section 26 in correspondence of groove (g), two notches (27d) and (27s) 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.

[0094] These notches preferably follow the contour shape of the tongues.

[0095] In this way, as explained below, a space is created which allows the two tongues to bend.

[0096] In particular, as per figure 4B, indicating with references P1 and P2 part of the edge of the wall 100 (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 figure 4A.

[0097] In fact, the tongues (12s, 12d) can be imagined as rods firmly fixed in a point (P).

[0098] 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).

[0099] When they are released, they return to the rest position.

[0100] 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.

[0101] Therefore, the description above is outlined in the step sequence of figure 3.

[0102] At step 1, the end portion 201 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.

[0103] Step 1 clearly shows cross-section (S1), circular in this example case (it could have other shapes) with respect to end portion 201. The same figure then shows in dotted line the perimeter of maximum diameter with respect to the enlarged head 202.

[0104] As can well be seen in figure 3 - step 1, the size of the first opening is such that end part 201, therefore including the enlarged head 202, 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 figure 5 the section in which the enlarged head is downstream of the wall).

[0105] Essentially, it is as if the enlarged head finds itself inside the containment volume of the bucket, as shown in figure 1.

[0106] However, at this point, the operator can apply a force to the handle in such a way as to cause said end part 201 to slidingly transition towards the second opening.

[0107] To do this, section S1 must overstep the two tongues.

[0108] 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.

[0109] In fact, step 2 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).

[0110] Essentially, with reference to figure 4B, the tongues rotate towards walls P1 and P2 respectively.

[0111] Once section S1 has transitioned over the tongues, as per step 3, the tongues elastically return to their initial configuration in figure 1, namely counterrotating to the rest condition, thus bringing groove (g) back to its original size.

[0112] At this point, section S1 slides until it reaches the second opening.

[0113] It should be noted that the diametrical dimension of the enlarged head 202 is larger than the size of the corridor and of the second opening.

[0114] 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 figure 3 in the direction exiting from the sheet of figure 3 is prevented. This because the enlarged head abuts against the material delimiting the corridor and second opening.

[0115] Therefore, the condition in step 4 represents the final position reached.

[0116] As shown in step 5, if the end part 201 of the handle accidentally tends to return towards the first opening 10, 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 5 and 6) .

[0117] These directions of rotation cause, as shown in step 6, a further narrowing of groove (g) even bringing the two ends of the tongues to touch themselves or to almost touch themselves.

[0118] As well highlighted by step 5 and by step 6, a real barrier is therefore created which blocks section S1 from returning to the first opening.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] The system well compensates wearing of the handle and of the eyelet itself thus preventing a reverse return motion.

[0122] 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.

[0123] A sort of chamfer is thus formed for the transition.

[0124] This bevel is indicated in figure 5 by references (sm1) and (sm2).

[0125] 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.

[0126] In this way, a chamfer is formed which facilitates and accommodates section s1, especially if this is circular.

[0127] The section pushes on said bevels better generating a force component which elastically flares the two tongues.

[0128] On the contrary, in the opposite direction, the tongues tend at most to flex according to a mutual approaching motion thereby closing the passage.

[0129] The beveled solution, although not essential, is anyway preferred and advantageous.

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] The eyelet, as described, can be produced in various ways.

[0133] 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.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] In this case, the tongues are of plastic material and integrated with the eyelet body.

[0138] Without prejudice to the foregoing, a further variant of the invention is described with reference to figure 6 and for which, as mentioned, everything described so far applies.

[0139] 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.

[0140] Therefore, a symmetrical solution is no longer provided, with symmetry relative to the longitudinal axis of the eyelet, as shown in figure 4A or figure 5, for example.

[0141] On the contrary, a tongue is longer than the other.

[0142] The example of figure 6 shows that the left tongue is longer in length than the right tongue but, obviously, also the contrary may be possible.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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 20 to the wider one 10.

[0145] In fact, without prejudice to the foregoing description of the blockade generated by bending of the two tongues, adding the winding path optimizes this barring function to prevent the accidental return of the handle end from the smaller opening towards the wider one.

Claims

1. An eyelet (1) for a container (100), preferably a bucket (100), adapted to allow fixing of an end portion (201) of a handle (200) to said container, said eyelet comprising:

- A first opening (10) for insertion of the end portion (201);

- A second opening (20) for locking against slip out of said end portion (201);

- Characterized in that a barrier element (12s, 12d) which generates a blockade is interposed between said first and second opening, said barrier element comprising at least one first tongue (12d) and at least one second tongue (12s), 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 (10) towards the second opening (20), 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.

2. The eyelet (1), according to claim 1, wherein 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.

3. The eyelet (1), according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said tongues bend thus mutually distancing their ends thereby generating said passage, when they are stressed by said first force.

4. The eyelet (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said tongues delimit above said first opening, each one of said at least two tongues having a predetermined bending radius(r) which 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.

5. The eyelet (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said two tongues are positioned facing each other with their ends, opposite to the ones protruding from the eyelet walls, that are positioned facing each other and spaced from each other in such a way as to form a transition groove (g) which widens after bending of said tongues when stressed by said first force and with said transition groove which narrows after opposite bend thereof when they are stressed by said second force.

6. The eyelet (1), according to claim 5, wherein said two tongues have said ends provided with a bevel (sm1, sm2) .

7. The eyelet (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein both said first and second tongue are of plastic material.

8. The eyelet (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein each one of said at least two tongues protrudes from a wall of the eyelet in such a way as to be positioned facing each other and to form said blockade, said two tongues being of lengths different from one another, in such a way as to define a winding transition path.

9. A container, preferably a bucket, comprising at least one eyelet according to one or more of the previous claims.

10. The container, according to claim 9, comprising two eyelets diametrically opposite each other.

11. The container, according to claim 9 or 10, produced through mold casting.

12. The combination of a handle for a container and of an eyelet for connection of the handle to the container, preferably a bucket, the handle (200) comprising:

- At least one end portion (201) which culminates with an enlarged head (202) having at least one diametrical dimension larger than the end portion;

- Said eyelet (1) comprising:

- A first opening (10) of such a size as to enable insertion therein of the end portion (201) through insertion of the enlarged head into the first opening;

- A second opening (20) of such a size as to lock against slipping out said end portion (201) through the enlarged head (202) of said end portion abutting against the walls delimiting said second opening (20);

- And wherein a barrier element (12s, 12d) which generates a blockade is interposed between said first and second opening, said barrier element comprising at least one first tongue (12d) and at least one second tongue (12s), both said first and second tongues being elastically flexible in such a way that, when they are stressed by a first force due, in use, to the transition of said end portion (201) of the handle from the first opening towards the second opening, they bend thus generating or increasing the size of 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 due to a possible return motion from the second opening towards the first opening of said end portion (201), they bend in a direction opposite to the previous one, thus maintaining the barring condition.

13. The combination, according to claim 12, wherein both said first and second tongue are of plastic material.

14. The combination, according to claim 12 or 13, wherein each one of said at least two tongues protrudes from a wall of the eyelet in such a way as to be positioned facing each other and to form said blockade, said two tongues being of lengths different from one another, in such a way as to define a winding transition path.

15. A method for constraining a handle (200) of a container, preferably a bucket, to said container, the method providing the following operational steps:

- Producing a container comprising at least two eyelets according to one or more of the previous claims from 1 to 8, said two eyelets being arranged in the container in such a way as to be diametrically opposite each other;

- Arranging the handle (200) having two end portions (201) ;

- Inserting each one of the two end portions (201) of the handle (200) inside a respective eyelet by inserting said end portion at the first opening (10) of the eyelet;

- Sliding the end portions inserted into the respective eyelet towards the second opening (20) of the eyelet;

- Said sliding operation comprising passing over the barrier element during the sliding motion of the end portion in the transition from the first to the second opening, said sliding with direction from the first to the second opening determining a bend of the two tongues forming the barrier element, which stressed by a first force due to said transitional motion going in the direction of the first opening towards the second opening, bend thus generating or increasing a passage for the end portion to then elastically return to the initial barring condition upon release of said first force once said end portion overstepped said tongues.

Drawing