An eyelet with single barring tongue to connect a handle to a bucket

Abstract

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 a single elastically flexible tongue (12d) and protruding from a wall in such a way that, when it is stressed by a first force going in a direction from the first opening towards the second opening, it bends thus generating a passage and such as to elastically return to the initial barring condition upon release of said first force.

Description

Scope of the invention

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

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

[0003] More in particular, the eyelet provides a blockade element in form of single flexible tongue emerging from the wall of the eyelet.Brief overview of known art

[0004] The use of containers such as buckets with handle has been known for decades in many fields and for many applications.

[0005] Buckets with handle vary from each other in the shape of the bucket, the volume of material that can be contained therein, the material of which they are made, etc.

[0006] Buckets with handle are used in construction, e.g., for the transport of material such as sands and / or liquids.

[0007] Buckets are used in many other fields, for example in the field of paints.

[0008] Referring to figure 1 of the known art, a bucket 100 with handle 200 is outlined.

[0009] As well known, the bucket can be of a generally cylindrical shape, and it is thus formed by a cylindrical wall delimiting an inner containment volume 150.

[0010] The bucket is closed at the bottom by a base (preferably circular), and it forms at the top an opening of access 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 the handle 200, the user can lift and move the bucket, and with the handle rotating from a position close to the body of the bucket 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 into a 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 at about ninety degrees (obviously other angles are possible) with respect to the remaining part of handle.

[0018] This folded end part 201 culminates then 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 upwards through said opening.

[0024] Then the eyelet is closed with a top portion (110") which forms a top opening (110") communicating 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 the portion 201.

[0027] However, according to the just presented current solution of the known art, the configuration of the eyelet is such that the 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 pick up the bucket possibly even after having loaded it with load, 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 serious physical damages to the user.

[0033] In the prior art, WO 2013 / 160410 A1, AU 2015 246 064 A1 and WO 95 / 07845 A1 disclose eyelets as well as methods for constraining a handle of a container.Summary of the Invention

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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 end of the handle to the container is firm and irreversible.

[0037] These and other aims are achieved with the present eyelet (1) for a container (100), preferably a bucket (100), in accordance with claim 1.

[0038] This eyelet is adapted to allow fixing of an end portion (201) of a handle (200) to said container, e.g., a bucket.

[0039] This eyelet in accordance with the invention comprises: a first opening (10) adapted to allow insertion therein of the end portion (201); a second opening (20) adapted to allow locking therein of said end portion (201), preventing it from slipping out.

[0040] In accordance with the invention, a barrier element (12s, 12d) which generates a blockade is interposed between said first and second opening.

[0041] According to the invention, said barrier element comprises at least one tongue (12s) protruding from a wall of the eyelet.

[0042] Said at least one tongue is elastically flexible in such a way that, when it is stressed by a first force going in a direction from the first opening (10) towards the second opening (20), it bends thus generating or increasing a passage and such as to elastically return to an initial barring condition upon release of said first force and, when it is stressed by a second force in the direction from the second opening towards the first opening, it bends in a direction opposite to the previous one, thus maintaining a barring condition.

[0043] In this way, the elastic bend of the tongue 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.

[0044] Thanks to its intrinsic configuration of the eyelet as a whole, this prevents the reverse transition of the end portion of the handle from the second towards the first opening with an irreversible connection.

[0045] Therefore, with respect to the known art, the blockade created through said at least one tongue emerging from one wall only, well compensates for wearing of the handle and / or of the eyelet itself, thus making the system irreversible.

[0046] Said at least one tongue, starting from the wall of the eyelet from which it protrudes, extends towards the opposite wall of the eyelet, which opposite wall of the eyelet is without tongue.

[0047] This solution has the advantage of creating a passage path from the first opening towards the second opening which is winding and not symmetrical, just because of the fact that one of the two walls is without tongue, with the tongue which extends beyond the plane of symmetry of the eyelet and thus creating an asymmetry of the eyelet as a whole.

[0048] This winding path ensures a better safety against the accidental return of the handle portion towards the first opening.

[0049] Advantageously, the barrier element is consisting of, or is constituted by, a single tongue protruding from the wall of the eyelet and which extends towards said opposite wall without tongue.

[0050] Obviously, this solution is structurally simple because, actually, a single wall protruding from a wall is present.

[0051] Advantageously, the whole eyelet or at least said tongue can be made of plastic material.

[0052] Advantageously, according to the description above, said at least one tongue, when it is stressed by said first force, bends thus moving away from the wall where it faces thereby generating or increasing said passage.

[0053] In fact, the at least one tongue protruding from a wall, extends radially towards the opposite wall thereby generating a blockade. The end of the eyelet can touch the opposite wall or can have a minimal distance therefrom but, in any case, it creates a blockade. In fact, regardless of the fact that the end of the eyelet is spaced from the opposite wall or it comes into contact with it, anyway this tongue creates the blockade. However, when it is stressed as mentioned above with a bending force which goes from the first opening towards the second opening, then it bends by moving away from the wall and generating or increasing the size of a passage.

[0054] In the opposite stress direction, the tongue tends to close towards the wall thereby increasing or maintaining the barring condition.

[0055] This prevents the accidental return of the end portion of the handle from the second towards the first opening.

[0056] According to the invention, said first opening is delimited above by said tongue, said tongue having a predetermined bending radius (r') which is equal tc the bending radius (r) of the remaining part of said first opening in such a way that said first opening 10 has a substantially circular shape.

[0057] Advantageously, said tongue can have an end provided with a bevel (sm1).

[0058] Advantageously, said bevel provides a sloped side.

[0059] Advantageously, said sloped side faces towards the first opening.

[0060] In this way, a chamfer is created which facilitates transition from the first to the second opening but it facilitates preventing transition in the opposite direction, i.e. from the second towards the first opening.

[0061] Advantageously, said first and second opening can be communicating with each other through a transition corridor (25).

[0062] Advantageously, a hollow space (27s) is present between the tongue and a wall of the eyelet, this space allows the eyelet to bend when it is stressed by said force going from the first 10 to the second opening 20.

[0063] A subject of the present invention is also a container according to claim 7.

[0064] Advantageously, said container can comprise at least two eyelets diametrically opposite each other.

[0065] Advantageously, the container can be produced through mold casting in such a way as to integrate such eyelet(s).

[0066] The container can be a bucket or any other type of container (e.g., a basket) with a handle.

[0067] The eyelet and / or the container can be fully made of plastic material and / or produced / can be produced through mold casting.

[0068] Substantially, a container, e.g. a bucket, can be produced through mold casting made of plastic integrating an eyelet, as indicated above, made of plastic as well and in a single piece with the bucket.

[0069] The subject of the present invention is also the combination of a handle for a container and an eyelet for connection of the handle to the container, said combination being according to claim 8.

[0070] Eventually, the subject of the present invention is also a method for constraining a handle (200) of a container, preferably a bucket, to said container, said method being according to claim 9.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0071] 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; therefore, the figure shows a single eyelet protruding from a wall only and which extends towards the opposite wall without tongue; 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 with single tongue fully prevents a return of the end portion of the handle to the wider part of the eyelet, thereby fully eliminating the issue of a possible slip-out; Figure 4 further shows the eyelet with the single tongue in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 still shows the eyelet with the tongue according to the invention together with a view that shows the insertion of the end portion of the handle into the wider opening and which is followed by the sliding until reaching the first opening; at the first opening said end portion is prevented from slipping out, thanks to the enlarged end part which goes against the wall delimiting the smaller opening indeed. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0072] 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 shape and structure of the eyelet which is the specific subject of the present invention.

[0073] 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 a new numbering.

[0074] Without prejudice, therefore, to the description of figure 1 of the known art, figure 2 shows an eyelet 1 subject of the invention, which is in fact applied to a portion of container 100, for example a bucket 100 as per prior art.

[0075] Therefore, the bucket or container is identical to the one of the known art as well as the handle, except precisely for the eyelet subject of the invention which is described below.

[0076] As already anticipated for the known art, the bucket can obviously be of any shape, size and constructive materials, such as plastic materials and casted in a mold.

[0077] The production by casting in a mold allows also the eyelets subject of the invention to be produced in an integral way.

[0078] 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 (also called end portions) that are inserted into said two opposite eyelets. In fact, this type of arrangement is in fact indicated in figure 1 of the known art.

[0079] The handle 200 may be constituted by different materials such as metals (e.g., iron), plastic, wood, etc.

[0080] For example, the handle may preferably be constituted by 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.

[0081] 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 applied to the wall of the bucket or directly to the wall of the bucket.

[0082] Figure 1, for example, would show a sort of insert fixed (generally in a single piece) with the side wall of the bucket in which the eyelet of the known art is formed. The eyelet subject of the invention could therefore be formed in a sort of insert like the one of figure 1 as well as directly in the side wall or according to other equivalent solutions.

[0083] Preferably, the eyelet passes through the whole thickness of the wall in which it is formed.

[0084] If the bucket provides a double wall with interposed gap (see for example the case of the insert in figure 1 - insert wall + side wall with which the insert is integral), the eyelet can pass through the first wall only, for example.

[0085] Therefore, as shown in figure 4, 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 description, with the term "eyelet".

[0086] Between the first and the second opening (or, in other words, first and second eyelet) a sort of corridor 25 is arranged which connects and puts into communication the first opening with the second opening.

[0087] Therefore, the eyelet shapes a first opening for access of the end portion of the handle which then slides through the corridor 25 to reach the second opening 20 where the size of this opening is such as to prevent said end portion of handle from slipping out.

[0088] 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 determined bending radius (r) as indicated in figure 4 which shows the eyelet subject of the invention.

[0089] Said first opening is delimited above by a single elastically flexible tongue (12s).

[0090] The term "elastically flexible" means that it has a certain degree of flexibility (therefore it can be bent) and when it is released, it elastically returns to its initial rest condition.

[0091] Said tongue, for example as highlighted both in figure 4 and in figure 2, is emerging from a wall of the eyelet and extends by protruding towards the opposite wall.

[0092] The opposite wall is without any tongue and, as shown in figure 4, it is in the form of a wall, preferably flat.

[0093] Thus, a gap (g) is formed between the end of said tongue and the opposite flat wall towards which the tongue is protruding.

[0094] This tongue has preferably a shape of arc of a circumference with a bending radius (r') which preferably coincides with the bending radius (r) of the part 11 shown in figure 4. In this way, as a whole, the first opening 10 acquires the shape of a circumference with radius r (r=r') except for said gap (g) which represents a space of distance between the end of the tongue (12s) and the opposite flat wall.

[0095] A variant of invention does not exclude said gap (g) reduced to zero thereby with the tongue end in contact with the opposite part.

[0096] However, preferably, the tongue (12s) does not touch the opposite wall and therefore it has such a length that, in rest configuration, i.e. when it is not bent, this gap or transition groove (g) or whatever is formed.

[0097] Figure 4 also shows the transversal axis of the eyelet (dotted line) and it is evident that, by reason of the presence of the single tongue, as a whole, the whole eyelet is not symmetrical with respect to this axis depicted with dotted line.

[0098] Still as highlighted in figure 4, for example, the transition groove (g) gives access and is therefore communicating with the corridor 25.

[0099] Then the corridor 25 communicates with the opening 20.

[0100] The corridor 25 provides in turn: A first rectilinear segment 26 which puts into communication the groove (g) with the second opening 20.

[0101] Starting from the basis of the segment 26 a notch (27s) which stands above the tongue branches off at the groove (g).

[0102] This notch has preferably a shape of an arc of a circumference.

[0103] This notch actually creates a hollow space (i.e. without material) between the tongue and the material constituting a wall of the eyelet.

[0104] This notch, or removal of material, preferably retraces the shape of the profile of said tongue.

[0105] As explained below, this creates a gap which allows the tongue to be able to bend in the direction from the opening 10 to the opening 20.

[0106] Specifically, as per figure 4, by indicating with the indication P this wall of the eyelet which faces towards the notch (27s), actually the eyelet has a certain space to be able to bend elastically towards said wall P to then be able to return to the initial rest position when it is released.

[0107] The tongue (12s) can indeed be conceived like a rod steadily fixed to a point of the wall of the eyelet.

[0108] When a force is applied, for example directed from the first opening 10 towards the second opening 20, it bends elastically around the anchoring point thereby actually moving its ends away and enlarging the size of the groove (g).

[0109] When it is released, they return to the rest condition.

[0110] Therefore, this description is outlined in the sequence of steps of figure 3.

[0111] In step 1, the end portion 201 of the handle is inserted by sliding into the first opening 10 delimited above, as mentioned, by the single elastically flexible tongue.

[0112] Step 1 shows very clearly the section (S1), in this exemplifying case of circular shape (it could be of other shapes) relatively to the end portion 201 of the handle. The same figure then shows in dotted line the perimeter of maximum diameter relatively to the enlarged head 202.

[0113] As it is well inferable from figure 3 - step 1, the size of the first opening 10 is such that the part of end 201, therefore including the enlarged head 202, fits perfectly through insertion into said first opening. Therefore, said part or portion of end can be inserted through said first opening until bringing the enlarged head to transition through the opening itself (see also figure 5, the section where the enlarged head is downstream the thickness of the wall of the eyelet).

[0114] Essentially, it is like if the enlarged head is inside the containment volume of the bucket as shown in figure 1.

[0115] However, at this point the operator can apply a force to the handle in such a way as to slide said part of end 201 towards the second opening 20.

[0116] To do that, the section S1 must pass over the blockade consisting of the single tongue protruding from the wall described hereinbefore.

[0117] Therefore, the section S1 generates a force F which bends the tongue, making it move away from the wall (the tongue, if it is on the left as shown in the figure, rotates in a counterclockwise direction) thereby enlarging the groove g.

[0118] In fact, step 2 shows the component of force F1 acting on the tongue which thus bends with respect to its anchoring point thereby moving away from the opposite wall and increasing the size of the groove (g).

[0119] Once the section S1 has passed over the tongue, as per step 3, the tongue returns elastically to its initial configuration of figure 1, by counter-rotating, i.e. in rest condition, thus bringing the groove (g) to its original size.

[0120] At this point, the section S1 slides until it reaches the second opening 20.

[0121] It should be noted how the diametrical size of the enlarged head 202 is bigger than the size of the corridor and of the second opening.

[0122] This enables the stem of section S1 to be able to slide from the first towards the second opening but the extraction of the enlarged head is prevented, i.e. preventing 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. This is because the enlarged head abuts against the material delimiting the corridor and the second opening.

[0123] Therefore, the condition of step 4 depicts the final position reached.

[0124] As shown in step 5, if accidentally the end part 201 of the handle tends to return towards the first opening 10, this motion is prevented by the tongue itself which bends again, but this time in the opposite direction to the previous one (see force F1_inv applied to the tongue in step 5 and 6).

[0125] This generates a rotation direction of the tongue opposite to the previous one which tends to close further transition (g).

[0126] As shown in step 6, this rotation direction causes, a further narrowing of the groove (g) even bringing the end of tongue to be able to touch the opposite wall.

[0127] As well highlighted by step 5 and step 6, this creates a real barrier which obstructs the accidental return of the section S1 to the first opening.

[0128] Basically, therefore, once the handle has been inserted into the bigger eyelet below, the handle portion will be pushed to slide towards the smaller eyelet placed above, passing through the tongue which will bend because of transition of the handle, and which will return to the initial position immediately after passing over. Once the passage has occurred, returning to the initial position will no longer be possible, thanks to shape and arrangement of the elastically flexible tongue.

[0129] Therefore, in an efficient way, the present eyelet enables the insertion and application of a handle to a bucket with an irreversible system, that is the handle does not accidentally detach from the body of the bucket.

[0130] Therefore, the system well compensates for wear of the handle and of the eyelet itself thus preventing a reverse return motion.

[0131] With reference to the attached figures, preferably the tongue extends beyond the axis of symmetry of the eyelet indicated in figure 4, for example.

[0132] This entails a sort of "winding" path which makes difficult passing over from the second towards the first opening thereby increasing safety against the accidental return of the end portion of the handle towards the wider opening from which it could slip out.

[0133] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the end of tongue can further have a bevel which facilitates transition of section S from the eyelet of bigger size towards the eyelet placed above of smaller size.

[0134] Therefore, this forms a sort of chamfer for transition.

[0135] This bevel is indicated in figure 5 with the indications (sm1).

[0136] Therefore, the bevel is in form of a sloped side such that the groove (g) progressively narrows starting from a wider section towards a section of minimum distance.

[0137] As shown in figures, the wider section is the one facing towards the opening 10 while the one with minimal section faces towards the groove.

[0138] This forms a chamfer which facilitates and houses the section S1, especially if it is circular.

[0139] The section pushes on said bevel, better generating a force component which elastically bends the tongue.

[0140] In the opposite direction instead, the tongue tends to bend at the most according to an approaching motion towards the opposite wall which it faces, thereby tending to maintain or even mostly close transition.

[0141] The solution with bevel is anyway preferred and advantageous, even not essential.

[0142] In fact, if it is present, it accompanies the handle upward reaching a "closure" and "safety" position, as mentioned above, by enabling the user to apply minimal force necessary to reach the purpose of the object.

[0143] The bevel better accompanies the handle to transition upward in a simple way and facilitates the enlarging bend of the tongue. Vice versa, transition from top to bottom will be impossible because of the diameter of the edge of the handle (section S1) which is too big compared to the space between "tongue" and opposite wall, besides, this space would tend to close further due to the opposite bend of the tongue. In addition, human force applied should be high to break the tongue.

[0144] As described, the eyelet can be produced in many ways.

[0145] It is usually proposed to produce the eyelet by acting directly on the mold which produces the object.

[0146] Constructive material can preferably be plastic or its derivatives (for example recycled plastic or the like).

[0147] This solution is the most advantageous one for the producer, because there is no need for him to intervene directly and precisely on the container already formed in which a greater risk of breakages, waste, etc. would occur.

[0148] Obviously, other materials are not excluded.

[0149] On the contrary, by acting on each single product by hand, the risk is that it would become unprofitable, unaesthetic, and probably more importantly, it could not be functional and efficient for its purpose.

[0150] However, a variant does not exclude that the eyelet as described could be obtained by cutting and shaping the portion of wall of the bucket or container already formed, thereby excluding mold casting process.

[0151] Obviously, the figures report only a non-limiting example of a single tongue which protrudes from the left wall to then direct towards the opposite right wall without tongue. The opposite solution, i.e. the tongue protruding from the right wall and extending towards the left wall without tongue is obviously an equivalent solution to be considered as included in the present invention.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0072]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 shape and structure of the eyelet which is the specific subject of the present invention.

[0073]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 a new numbering.

[0074]Without prejudice, therefore, to the description of figure 1 of the known art, figure 2 shows an eyelet 1 subject of the invention, which is in fact applied to a portion of container 100, for example a bucket 100 as per prior art.

[0075]Therefore, the bucket or container is identical to the one of the known art as well as the handle, except precisely for the eyelet subject of the invention which is described below.

[0076]As already anticipated for the known art, the bucket can obviously be of any shape,...

Scope of the invention

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

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

[0003] More in particular, the eyelet provides a blockade element in form of single flexible tongue emerging from the wall of the eyelet.Brief overview of known art

[0004] The use of containers such as buckets with handle has been known for decades in many fields and for many applications.

[0005] Buckets with handle vary from each other in the shape of the bucket, the volume of material that can be contained therein, the material of which they are made, etc.

[0006] Buckets with handle are used in construction, e.g., for the transport of material such as sands and / or liquids.

[0007] Buckets are used in many other fields, for example in the field of paints.

[0008] Referring to figure 1 of the known art, a bucket 100 with handle 200 is outlined.

[0009] As well known, the bucket can be of a generally cylindrical shape, and it is thus formed by a cylindrical wall delimiting an inner containment volume 150.

[0010] The bucket is closed at the bottom by a base (preferably circular), and it forms at the top an opening of access 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 the handle 200, the user can lift and move the bucket, and with the handle rotating from a position close to the body of the bucket 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 into a 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 at about ninety degrees (obviously other angles are possible) with respect to the remaining part of handle.

[0018] This folded end part 201 culminates then 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 upwards through said opening.

[0024] Then the eyelet is closed with a top portion (110") which forms a top opening (110") communicating 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 the portion 201.

[0027] However, according to the just presented current solution of the known art, the configuration of the eyelet is such that the 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 pick up the bucket possibly even after having loaded it with load, 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 serious physical damages to the user.

[0033] In the prior art, WO 2013 / 160410 A1, AU 2015 246 064 A1 and WO 95 / 07845 A1 disclose eyelets as well as methods for constraining a handle of a container.Summary of the Invention

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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 end of the handle to the container is firm and irreversible.

[0037] These and other aims are achieved with the present eyelet (1) for a container (100), preferably a bucket (100), in accordance with claim 1.

[0038] This eyelet is adapted to allow fixing of an end portion (201) of a handle (200) to said container, e.g., a bucket.

[0039] This eyelet in accordance with the invention comprises: a first opening (10) adapted to allow insertion therein of the end portion (201); a second opening (20) adapted to allow locking therein of said end portion (201), preventing it from slipping out.

[0040] In accordance with the invention, a barrier element (12s, 12d) which generates a blockade is interposed between said first and second opening.

[0041] According to the invention, said barrier element comprises at least one tongue (12s) protruding from a wall of the eyelet.

[0042] Said at least one tongue is elastically flexible in such a way that, when it is stressed by a first force going in a direction from the first opening (10) towards the second opening (20), it bends thus generating or increasing a passage and such as to elastically return to an initial barring condition upon release of said first force and, when it is stressed by a second force in the direction from the second opening towards the first opening, it bends in a direction opposite to the previous one, thus maintaining a barring condition.

[0043] In this way, the elastic bend of the tongue 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.

[0044] Thanks to its intrinsic configuration of the eyelet as a whole, this prevents the reverse transition of the end portion of the handle from the second towards the first opening with an irreversible connection.

[0045] Therefore, with respect to the known art, the blockade created through said at least one tongue emerging from one wall only, well compensates for wearing of the handle and / or of the eyelet itself, thus making the system irreversible.

[0046] Said at least one tongue, starting from the wall of the eyelet from which it protrudes, extends towards the opposite wall of the eyelet, which opposite wall of the eyelet is without tongue.

[0047] This solution has the advantage of creating a passage path from the first opening towards the second opening which is winding and not symmetrical, just because of the fact that one of the two walls is without tongue, with the tongue which extends beyond the plane of symmetry of the eyelet and thus creating an asymmetry of the eyelet as a whole.

[0048] This winding path ensures a better safety against the accidental return of the handle portion towards the first opening.

[0049] Advantageously, the barrier element is consisting of, or is constituted by, a single tongue protruding from the wall of the eyelet and which extends towards said opposite wall without tongue.

[0050] Obviously, this solution is structurally simple because, actually, a single wall protruding from a wall is present.

[0051] Advantageously, the whole eyelet or at least said tongue can be made of plastic material.

[0052] Advantageously, according to the description above, said at least one tongue, when it is stressed by said first force, bends thus moving away from the wall where it faces thereby generating or increasing said passage.

[0053] In fact, the at least one tongue protruding from a wall, extends radially towards the opposite wall thereby generating a blockade. The end of the eyelet can touch the opposite wall or can have a minimal distance therefrom but, in any case, it creates a blockade. In fact, regardless of the fact that the end of the eyelet is spaced from the opposite wall or it comes into contact with it, anyway this tongue creates the blockade. However, when it is stressed as mentioned above with a bending force which goes from the first opening towards the second opening, then it bends by moving away from the wall and generating or increasing the size of a passage.

[0054] In the opposite stress direction, the tongue tends to close towards the wall thereby increasing or maintaining the barring condition.

[0055] This prevents the accidental return of the end portion of the handle from the second towards the first opening.

[0056] According to the invention, said first opening is delimited above by said tongue, said tongue having a predetermined bending radius (r') which is equal tc the bending radius (r) of the remaining part of said first opening in such a way that said first opening 10 has a substantially circular shape.

[0057] Advantageously, said tongue can have an end provided with a bevel (sm1).

[0058] Advantageously, said bevel provides a sloped side.

[0059] Advantageously, said sloped side faces towards the first opening.

[0060] In this way, a chamfer is created which facilitates transition from the first to the second opening but it facilitates preventing transition in the opposite direction, i.e. from the second towards the first opening.

[0061] Advantageously, said first and second opening can be communicating with each other through a transition corridor (25).

[0062] Advantageously, a hollow space (27s) is present between the tongue and a wall of the eyelet, this space allows the eyelet to bend when it is stressed by said force going from the first 10 to the second opening 20.

[0063] A subject of the present invention is also a container according to claim 7.

[0064] Advantageously, said container can comprise at least two eyelets diametrically opposite each other.

[0065] Advantageously, the container can be produced through mold casting in such a way as to integrate such eyelet(s).

[0066] The container can be a bucket or any other type of container (e.g., a basket) with a handle.

[0067] The eyelet and / or the container can be fully made of plastic material and / or produced / can be produced through mold casting.

[0068] Substantially, a container, e.g. a bucket, can be produced through mold casting made of plastic integrating an eyelet, as indicated above, made of plastic as well and in a single piece with the bucket.

[0069] The subject of the present invention is also the combination of a handle for a container and an eyelet for connection of the handle to the container, said combination being according to claim 8.

[0070] Eventually, the subject of the present invention is also a method for constraining a handle (200) of a container, preferably a bucket, to said container, said method being according to claim 9.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0071] 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; therefore, the figure shows a single eyelet protruding from a wall only and which extends towards the opposite wall without tongue; 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 with single tongue fully prevents a return of the end portion of the handle to the wider part of the eyelet, thereby fully eliminating the issue of a possible slip-out; Figure 4 further shows the eyelet with the single tongue in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 still shows the eyelet with the tongue according to the invention together with a view that shows the insertion of the end portion of the handle into the wider opening and which is followed by the sliding until reaching the first opening; at the first opening said end portion is prevented from slipping out, thanks to the enlarged end part which goes against the wall delimiting the smaller opening indeed. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0072] 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 shape and structure of the eyelet which is the specific subject of the present invention.

[0073] 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 a new numbering.

[0074] Without prejudice, therefore, to the description of figure 1 of the known art, figure 2 shows an eyelet 1 subject of the invention, which is in fact applied to a portion of container 100, for example a bucket 100 as per prior art.

[0075] Therefore, the bucket or container is identical to the one of the known art as well as the handle, except precisely for the eyelet subject of the invention which is described below.

[0076] As already anticipated for the known art, the bucket can obviously be of any shape, size and constructive materials, such as plastic materials and casted in a mold.

[0077] The production by casting in a mold allows also the eyelets subject of the invention to be produced in an integral way.

[0078] 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 (also called end portions) that are inserted into said two opposite eyelets. In fact, this type of arrangement is in fact indicated in figure 1 of the known art.

[0079] The handle 200 may be constituted by different materials such as metals (e.g., iron), plastic, wood, etc.

[0080] For example, the handle may preferably be constituted by 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.

[0081] 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 applied to the wall of the bucket or directly to the wall of the bucket.

[0082] Figure 1, for example, would show a sort of insert fixed (generally in a single piece) with the side wall of the bucket in which the eyelet of the known art is formed. The eyelet subject of the invention could therefore be formed in a sort of insert like the one of figure 1 as well as directly in the side wall or according to other equivalent solutions.

[0083] Preferably, the eyelet passes through the whole thickness of the wall in which it is formed.

[0084] If the bucket provides a double wall with interposed gap (see for example the case of the insert in figure 1 - insert wall + side wall with which the insert is integral), the eyelet can pass through the first wall only, for example.

[0085] Therefore, as shown in figure 4, 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 description, with the term "eyelet".

[0086] Between the first and the second opening (or, in other words, first and second eyelet) a sort of corridor 25 is arranged which connects and puts into communication the first opening with the second opening.

[0087] Therefore, the eyelet shapes a first opening for access of the end portion of the handle which then slides through the corridor 25 to reach the second opening 20 where the size of this opening is such as to prevent said end portion of handle from slipping out.

[0088] 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 determined bending radius (r) as indicated in figure 4 which shows the eyelet subject of the invention.

[0089] Said first opening is delimited above by a single elastically flexible tongue (12s).

[0090] The term "elastically flexible" means that it has a certain degree of flexibility (therefore it can be bent) and when it is released, it elastically returns to its initial rest condition.

[0091] Said tongue, for example as highlighted both in figure 4 and in figure 2, is emerging from a wall of the eyelet and extends by protruding towards the opposite wall.

[0092] The opposite wall is without any tongue and, as shown in figure 4, it is in the form of a wall, preferably flat.

[0093] Thus, a gap (g) is formed between the end of said tongue and the opposite flat wall towards which the tongue is protruding.

[0094] This tongue has preferably a shape of arc of a circumference with a bending radius (r') which preferably coincides with the bending radius (r) of the part 11 shown in figure 4. In this way, as a whole, the first opening 10 acquires the shape of a circumference with radius r (r=r') except for said gap (g) which represents a space of distance between the end of the tongue (12s) and the opposite flat wall.

[0095] A variant of invention does not exclude said gap (g) reduced to zero thereby with the tongue end in contact with the opposite part.

[0096] However, preferably, the tongue (12s) does not touch the opposite wall and therefore it has such a length that, in rest configuration, i.e. when it is not bent, this gap or transition groove (g) or whatever is formed.

[0097] Figure 4 also shows the transversal axis of the eyelet (dotted line) and it is evident that, by reason of the presence of the single tongue, as a whole, the whole eyelet is not symmetrical with respect to this axis depicted with dotted line.

[0098] Still as highlighted in figure 4, for example, the transition groove (g) gives access and is therefore communicating with the corridor 25.

[0099] Then the corridor 25 communicates with the opening 20.

[0100] The corridor 25 provides in turn: A first rectilinear segment 26 which puts into communication the groove (g) with the second opening 20.

[0101] Starting from the basis of the segment 26 a notch (27s) which stands above the tongue branches off at the groove (g).

[0102] This notch has preferably a shape of an arc of a circumference.

[0103] This notch actually creates a hollow space (i.e. without material) between the tongue and the material constituting a wall of the eyelet.

[0104] This notch, or removal of material, preferably retraces the shape of the profile of said tongue.

[0105] As explained below, this creates a gap which allows the tongue to be able to bend in the direction from the opening 10 to the opening 20.

[0106] Specifically, as per figure 4, by indicating with the indication P this wall of the eyelet which faces towards the notch (27s), actually the eyelet has a certain space to be able to bend elastically towards said wall P to then be able to return to the initial rest position when it is released.

[0107] The tongue (12s) can indeed be conceived like a rod steadily fixed to a point of the wall of the eyelet.

[0108] When a force is applied, for example directed from the first opening 10 towards the second opening 20, it bends elastically around the anchoring point thereby actually moving its ends away and enlarging the size of the groove (g).

[0109] When it is released, they return to the rest condition.

[0110] Therefore, this description is outlined in the sequence of steps of figure 3.

[0111] In step 1, the end portion 201 of the handle is inserted by sliding into the first opening 10 delimited above, as mentioned, by the single elastically flexible tongue.

[0112] Step 1 shows very clearly the section (S1), in this exemplifying case of circular shape (it could be of other shapes) relatively to the end portion 201 of the handle. The same figure then shows in dotted line the perimeter of maximum diameter relatively to the enlarged head 202.

[0113] As it is well inferable from figure 3 - step 1, the size of the first opening 10 is such that the part of end 201, therefore including the enlarged head 202, fits perfectly through insertion into said first opening. Therefore, said part or portion of end can be inserted through said first opening until bringing the enlarged head to transition through the opening itself (see also figure 5, the section where the enlarged head is downstream the thickness of the wall of the eyelet).

[0114] Essentially, it is like if the enlarged head is inside the containment volume of the bucket as shown in figure 1.

[0115] However, at this point the operator can apply a force to the handle in such a way as to slide said part of end 201 towards the second opening 20.

[0116] To do that, the section S1 must pass over the blockade consisting of the single tongue protruding from the wall described hereinbefore.

[0117] Therefore, the section S1 generates a force F which bends the tongue, making it move away from the wall (the tongue, if it is on the left as shown in the figure, rotates in a counterclockwise direction) thereby enlarging the groove g.

[0118] In fact, step 2 shows the component of force F1 acting on the tongue which thus bends with respect to its anchoring point thereby moving away from the opposite wall and increasing the size of the groove (g).

[0119] Once the section S1 has passed over the tongue, as per step 3, the tongue returns elastically to its initial configuration of figure 1, by counter-rotating, i.e. in rest condition, thus bringing the groove (g) to its original size.

[0120] At this point, the section S1 slides until it reaches the second opening 20.

[0121] It should be noted how the diametrical size of the enlarged head 202 is bigger than the size of the corridor and of the second opening.

[0122] This enables the stem of section S1 to be able to slide from the first towards the second opening but the extraction of the enlarged head is prevented, i.e. preventing 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. This is because the enlarged head abuts against the material delimiting the corridor and the second opening.

[0123] Therefore, the condition of step 4 depicts the final position reached.

[0124] As shown in step 5, if accidentally the end part 201 of the handle tends to return towards the first opening 10, this motion is prevented by the tongue itself which bends again, but this time in the opposite direction to the previous one (see force F1_inv applied to the tongue in step 5 and 6).

[0125] This generates a rotation direction of the tongue opposite to the previous one which tends to close further transition (g).

[0126] As shown in step 6, this rotation direction causes, a further narrowing of the groove (g) even bringing the end of tongue to be able to touch the opposite wall.

[0127] As well highlighted by step 5 and step 6, this creates a real barrier which obstructs the accidental return of the section S1 to the first opening.

[0128] Basically, therefore, once the handle has been inserted into the bigger eyelet below, the handle portion will be pushed to slide towards the smaller eyelet placed above, passing through the tongue which will bend because of transition of the handle, and which will return to the initial position immediately after passing over. Once the passage has occurred, returning to the initial position will no longer be possible, thanks to shape and arrangement of the elastically flexible tongue.

[0129] Therefore, in an efficient way, the present eyelet enables the insertion and application of a handle to a bucket with an irreversible system, that is the handle does not accidentally detach from the body of the bucket.

[0130] Therefore, the system well compensates for wear of the handle and of the eyelet itself thus preventing a reverse return motion.

[0131] With reference to the attached figures, preferably the tongue extends beyond the axis of symmetry of the eyelet indicated in figure 4, for example.

[0132] This entails a sort of "winding" path which makes difficult passing over from the second towards the first opening thereby increasing safety against the accidental return of the end portion of the handle towards the wider opening from which it could slip out.

[0133] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the end of tongue can further have a bevel which facilitates transition of section S from the eyelet of bigger size towards the eyelet placed above of smaller size.

[0134] Therefore, this forms a sort of chamfer for transition.

[0135] This bevel is indicated in figure 5 with the indications (sm1).

[0136] Therefore, the bevel is in form of a sloped side such that the groove (g) progressively narrows starting from a wider section towards a section of minimum distance.

[0137] As shown in figures, the wider section is the one facing towards the opening 10 while the one with minimal section faces towards the groove.

[0138] This forms a chamfer which facilitates and houses the section S1, especially if it is circular.

[0139] The section pushes on said bevel, better generating a force component which elastically bends the tongue.

[0140] In the opposite direction instead, the tongue tends to bend at the most according to an approaching motion towards the opposite wall which it faces, thereby tending to maintain or even mostly close transition.

[0141] The solution with bevel is anyway preferred and advantageous, even not essential.

[0142] In fact, if it is present, it accompanies the handle upward reaching a "closure" and "safety" position, as mentioned above, by enabling the user to apply minimal force necessary to reach the purpose of the object.

[0143] The bevel better accompanies the handle to transition upward in a simple way and facilitates the enlarging bend of the tongue. Vice versa, transition from top to bottom will be impossible because of the diameter of the edge of the handle (section S1) which is too big compared to the space between "tongue" and opposite wall, besides, this space would tend to close further due to the opposite bend of the tongue. In addition, human force applied should be high to break the tongue.

[0144] As described, the eyelet can be produced in many ways.

[0145] It is usually proposed to produce the eyelet by acting directly on the mold which produces the object.

[0146] Constructive material can preferably be plastic or its derivatives (for example recycled plastic or the like).

[0147] This solution is the most advantageous one for the producer, because there is no need for him to intervene directly and precisely on the container already formed in which a greater risk of breakages, waste, etc. would occur.

[0148] Obviously, other materials are not excluded.

[0149] On the contrary, by acting on each single product by hand, the risk is that it would become unprofitable, unaesthetic, and probably more importantly, it could not be functional and efficient for its purpose.

[0150] However, a variant does not exclude that the eyelet as described could be obtained by cutting and shaping the portion of wall of the bucket or container already formed, thereby excluding mold casting process.

[0151] Obviously, the figures report only a non-limiting example of a single tongue which protrudes from the left wall to then direct towards the opposite right wall without tongue. The opposite solution, i.e. the tongue protruding from the right wall and extending towards the left wall without tongue is obviously an equivalent solution to be considered as included in the present invention.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0072]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 shape and structure of the eyelet which is the specific subject of the present invention.

[0073]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 a new numbering.

[0074]Without prejudice, therefore, to the description of figure 1 of the known art, figure 2 shows an eyelet 1 subject of the invention, which is in fact applied to a portion of container 100, for example a bucket 100 as per prior art.

[0075]Therefore, the bucket or container is identical to the one of the known art as well as the handle, except precisely for the eyelet subject of the invention which is described below.

[0076]As already anticipated for the known art, the bucket can obviously be of any shape,...

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); wherein a barrier element (12s) which generates a blockade is arranged between said first and second opening; said barrier element comprising at least one tongue (12d) protruding from a wall of the eyelet, said at least one tongue being elastically flexible in such a way that, when it is stressed by a first force going in a direction from the first opening (10) towards the second opening (20), it bends thus generating or increasing a passage and such as to elastically return to an initial barring condition upon release of said first force and, when it is stressed by a second force in a direction from the second opening towards the first opening, it bends in the direction opposite to the previous one, thus maintaining the barring condition; said at least one tongue, starting from the wall of the eyelet from which it protrudes, extends towards the opposite wall of the eyelet, which opposite wall of the eyelet is without tongue; characterised in that: said first opening is delimited above by said tongue, said tongue having a predetermined bending radius (r') which is equal to the bending radius (r) of the remaining part of said first opening in such a way that said first opening has a substantially circular shape.

2. The eyelet (1), according to claim 1, wherein said barrier element is consisting of, or is constituted by, a single tongue protruding from the wall of the eyelet and which extends towards said opposite wall without tongue and preferably flat.

3. The eyelet (1), according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the whole eyelet or at least said tongue is of plastic material.

4. The eyelet (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said tongue, when it is stressed by said first force, bends thus moving away from the wall where it faces thereby generating or increasing said passage (g).

5. The eyelet (1), according to claim 1, wherein said tongue has an end provided with a bevel (sm1).

6. The eyelet (1), according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said first and second opening are communicating with each other through a transition corridor (25).

7. A container (100), preferably a bucket, comprising at least one eyelet (1) according to one or more of the previous claims; preferably two eyelets diametrically opposite each other.

8. The combination of a handle for a container, said container preferably being a bucket, and of an eyelet for connection of the handle to the container, 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) being in accordance with one or more of the previous claims from 1 to 6.

9. 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 6, 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 towards the second opening, said sliding with direction from the first to the second opening determining a bend of the tongue forming the barrier element, which stressed by a first force due to said transitional motion going in the direction from the first opening to the second opening, bends 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 has passed over said tongue.

Images