Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02214218 1997-08-28
W 096/27538 PCT/GB96/00463
HANDLE FOR A CARTON BOX
This invention relates to a carton having a handle.
According to the present invention there is provided a
carton having a base, side panels hingedly connected to the base,
first and second top panels hingedly connected to respective side
panels, the first top panel having at each of its lengthwise ends an
end panel hingedly connected to the first top panel which end
panels in use are folded dowllw~rdly and secured with respect to
end closure flaps hingedly connected to the side panels or the base,
a part of said first top panel defining by means of cuts a
o lengthwise extending strap handle which extends at both ends
into the end panels, the second panel overlapping the first top
panel and being adhered to the first top panel on the part of the first
top panel between the hinge with the side panel and the strap
handle and providing access means for enabling access to the strap
handle.
Preferably the strap handle is reinforced. In one
arrangement the reinforcement comprises a plastic strip extending
at leastthe length ofthe handle and bonded thereto. In another
arrangement the reinforcement comprises a lengthwise extending
free edge strip hingedly connected to said strap handle which
edge strip is in use folded under the strap handle and adhered
thereto. Both forms of reinforcement could also be combined.
Preferably the free edge strip extends the length of the first top
panel and the end panels.
Another feature is that said access means comprises a
central grip portion which is adhered to the strap handle, said grip
portion having laterally projecting flaps hingedly connected thereto
whereby in use the flaps are pushed inwardly of the pack and are
folded under the strap handle when the handle is gripped.
Ideally said flaps are defined by arcuate cuts in said second top
panel.
In addition there may be provided a pair of cover strips
which are formed in the second top panel and are oppositely
CA 02214218 1997-08-28
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disposed on either side of the grip portion and extend in the
lengthwise direction of the second top panel. Conveniently each
strip is constituted by a pair of lengthwise cuts e~çnrling
towards the lengthwise ends of the second top panel, but stopping
short of the ends.
A further ~lefel-ed feature is that lines of we~kenin~ are
provided inthe secondtop panel suchthat in use the grip portion
separates from the rem~incler of the second top panel to leave an
opening and said lengthwise cuts extend from said opening.
The second top panel may also be provided with end panels
at its lengthwise ends which end panels are adhesively secured to
the end panels of the first top panel. Further end panels are
preferably provided at the lengthwise ends of the base panel and
the end closure flaps are hingedly connected to the side walls.
In use the end closure flaps are adhesively secured to the end
panels so as to form a fully enclosedcarton.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described in
more detail. The description makes reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a blank for m~king a carton according to
the present invention,
Figure 2 is a plan view of the figure 1 arrangement in an
assembled form,
2 5 Figure 3 is a section on line III-III of the figure 2
arrangement with a handle extended,
Figure 4 shows a blank for m~king a dirreLc;llt carton
according to the present invention,
Figure S is aplan view of the figure 4 arrangement in an
assembled form,
Figure 6 is a section on line VI-VI of figure 5,
Figure 7 shows a further blank for m~kinp~ a dirreLellt
carton according to the present invention,
CA 02214218 1997-08-28
W 096127538 PCT/GB96/00463
Figure 8 is a plan view of the figure 7 blank assembled,
Figure 9 shows a blank for m~kin~; another carton
according to the present invention,
Figure 10 is a plan view of the figure 9 blank assembled,
Figure 11 shows a blank for m~king a still further carton
according to the present invention, and
Figure 12 shows a blank for m~king another carton
according to the present invention.
In figures 1 to 3 there is shown a blank 10 which when
0 constructed forrns a carton ll for aplurality of cans 12. Inthis
embodiment twelve cans are shown, but the blank could be easily
adapted for any number of cans, bottles or other articles.
The blank 10 has a base 13, side panels 14 hingedly
connectedtheretoandfirstand second toppanels lS, 16 hingedly
connected to respective opposite side panels 1 4. The hinge
connections could be by simple fold lines, partially cut fold lines
or other suitable means. The base 13 has end panels 17 which in
use are folded up and the top panels lS, 16 have end panels 18
which are folded down. Hingedly connected to the side panels 14
are end closure flaps 19 which are folded inwardly and are
adhesively secured to the end panels 17, 18 so as to fully
enclose the ends of the carton 1 1.
The first end panel 15 incorporates a parallel cut 20 which
defines with the free edge a strap handle 21. The first top panel lS
2 5 is folded across the top of the carton and the second top panel 16 is
folded over and is adhesively secured to the first top panel lS. The
cut 20 is located such that the strap handle 21 is located generally
centrally between the two side panels 14. Also, the cut 20 extends
into the end panels 18 which are hingedly connected to the first
top panel lS, but care should be taken when gluing the end closure
flaps 19 that the ends of the strap handle 21 in the end panels 18 are
not glued. A cut out 38 is also provided alongside the handle 21
in a generally central location.
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The second top panel 16 is provided with two sets of three
cuts 27 which define flaps or cover strips 28. These cover strips
28 are located above the handle 21. The central portion 29
between the strips is a&esively secured to the strap handle 21
below and the portion of the second top panel 16 is a&esively
secured to the first top panel 15 between the cut 19 and the side
panel 14. Hingedly connected to the central portion 29 by folds 30
are laterally projecting flaps 31 defined by arcuate cuts 32.
Ret~ining tabs keep the cover strips 28 and flaps 31 in the plane of
0 the second top panel 16 prior to the handle being used. ~hen
assembledthe end closure flaps engage the endpanels 17, 18 with
care being taken not to glue the ends of the strap handle 21
where the ends extend into the end panels 18.
Once loaded andsecured shutthe carton 11 fully encloses
the cans 12. To carrythe carton 11 the handle can be used. The
laterally projectingflaps 31 are pushedinwards thereby bre~king
any ret~inin~? tabs, one flap passing through the cut out 38. The
fingers of the user can then grasp the strap handle 21. Lifting the
carton 11 causes the handle to arc out of the general plane of the
top panel, the ends of the handle taking up the contours of the upper
end cans of the package. This improves the handling
characteristics durability and resistance to tearing of the carton.
The handle 21 is also comfortable by virtue of the flaps 31 which
fold around and under the handle 21.
2 5 It is also possible to incorporate reinforcement of the
handle by securing a polyester strip to the strap handle. Such a
strip extends the length of the handle and is secured using a
suitable adhesive.
Further reinforcement may be necess~ry depending on
the weight of the load in the carton and the strength of the
paperboard being used. Such an arrangement is shown in figures 4
to 6. Many features are comrnon to the arrangement shown in
figures 1 to 3 and so have been given like reference numerals.
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In figure 4 it will be seen in the blank 24 that at the free
edge of the handle 21 is a fold line 25 which extends right through
the end panels 18 to define a free edge strip 26. This strip 26 is of
a ~imil~r width as the strap handle 21 and is folded under the
handle 21 and a&esively secured thereto. A cut out 38 is again
provided adjacent the cut 20 generally halfway along the handle
21. Again a polyester reinforcing strip could also be included,
sandwiched between the handle 21 and the strip 26.
The handle 21, 26 in this arrangement is particularly
l o strong so as to cope with heavy loads whilst rem~inin~ flush with
the top of the carton 11 when not in use. The lack of projection
above the top panel assists in the stacking and palletising of the
cartons.
Figures 7 and 8 show a further embodiment and again, like
numerals have been given to like features. This embodiment is
.simil~r in many ways to that shown in figures 4 - 6 except that some
of the paperboard 35 of cut out 38 remains hingedly connected to
the handle 21 and is folded under the handle 21 when the carton is
being carried. In addition the flap 31 which in figures 4 - 6
overlays the cut out 38 has been omitted. Finger holes 36 are also
provided to assist the user in grasping the handle.
Figures 9 and 10 shows a still further embodiment and
again, like reference numerals have been given to like features.
Again, this embodiment is similar to that shown in figures 4 - 6
except the central portion 29 and the flaps 31 of the second top
panel 16 have been omitted whilst a flap 37 is hingedly
connected to the handle 21. In use, the handle 21 is highly visible
through the opening in the second top panel 16 and the flap 37 can
be folded under the strap handle 21, 26 for added comfort.
.
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The blank 10 in figure 11 is ~imil~r in many respects to that
shown in figure 4 in that the central portion 29 is secured to the strap
handle 21 below and has flaps 31 which fold around and under the
handle. E~ n~lin~ from the inner flap 31 of the figure 11 blank
are lines of weakening 40 which can be opened so as to gain
access to the COll~elll:j of the carton. Obviously the access panel
41 so created can be made of any shape or size.
The embodiment shown in figure 12 is very similar in many
respects to the arrangement of figure 4, and again like numerals
o have been given to like features. In figure 12, however, the strap
handle of the firs top panel incorporates a further edge strip 45
foldably connected to the strip 26. The handle thus formed by
portions 21, 26 and 45 is three-ply which gives greater strength and
could be used in any version of the carton. Also further strips could
be provided if desired to give the handle further strength.
Another feature shown in figure 12, and could also be
incorporated into other embodiments, is the transverse cuts 27, with
or without ret~inin~ tabs, are located at the other ends of the cover
strips 28, away from the central portion 29. The cover strips 28 are
also adhesively attached to the strap handle 21 such that when the
carton is lifted the central portion 29 and the cover strips 28 remain
attached to the strap handle thereby giving the handle greater
strength and comfort over a longer length.
Whilst the above arrangements show the handle in the top
panel, it will be appreciated that the orientation of the carton
could be altered depending on, for example, the articles to be
carried in the carton. Simple modifications could result in the
handle being located on the side of the carton when the carton is in
its standard stored position. One of the side panels 14 would then
3 o effectively be the top panel of the carton.
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Also the precise closure ofthe ends of the carton is open
to adaptation and could in fact be partially open. In addition a
single end closure flap could be provided at each end depending
on design choice. Furthermore the pack may incorporate part
angled walls so as to follow better the contours of certain articles,
such as bottles, being carried.
Certain panels of the carton could also incorporate
means for opening the carton in order to gain access to the contents
of the carton.
