Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 00/38998 PCT/US99/19883
BEVERAGE CARTON WITH STRAP TYPE CARRYING HANDLE
This invention relates to a carton which is particularly but not only suitable
for
accommodating beverage containers such as cans and which incorporates a "strap-
type"
carrying handle which is automatically set up into a position of use as the
carton is
being closed after having been loaded.
Beverage cartons which include carrying handles and indeed, str<~p type
carrying
handles are known. For example, US 4,166,570 (Lazerand et al) discloses a
packaging
carton for beverage cans with a strap type handle. The handle strap has a
central user
portion exposed to view in a handle access aperture in a top wall of the
carton, extends
across the top wall and has opposite ends which terminate in respective ones
of a pair of
end closure flaps which are hinged to the top wall. The handle strap is
reinforced by a
separate strip of reinforcing material, for example, a fibrous tape.
WO 97/07031 (Riverwood International Corporation) discloses a packaging
carton for beverage cans having a handle strap secured at each end thereof to
an outer
face of an end panel of the carton between a pair of cuts which extend across
the hinge
between the top panel and the respective end panel. As the carton is lifted
via the
handle, the provision of a fold line extending between the pairs of cuts on
the top panel
allows the portions bounded by the cut lines to deflect inwardly.
The present invention has sought to overcome or at least mitigate the problems
of the prior art.
CA 02342348 2001-02-28
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o
One aspect of the irwention provides a carton for beverage containers which
carton
includes a series of hinged wall panels forming a sleeve and end wall panels
hinged to at
least one associated hinged wall panel oor closing, at least in part, the
opposite ends of a
sleeve, wherein the carton includes handle means by which the carton can be
carried. The
handle means comprises a strap connected to opposed wall panels of the carton
so as to
provide a surplus of material wh,:rein ends of the strap a_f-e attached to
inwardly displaced
parts of tl-~e opposed v. all panels and intermediate parts between the ends
which are
unattach:d to one hinged panel are free to provide the surplus of material to
enable the
user part to be brought into a position of use. The strap has a user part
which is in
substantially co-planar relationship with one hinged wall panel when in a
stared condition
and in that the scrap is positioned under the hinged wall panel provided with
an opening to
allow the user to grasp the handle means.
According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the inwardly
displaced
parts may each comprise a step, the tread of v~.~hich is provided by one of
the opposed wall
panels and the riser of the step being provided by one hinged wall panel.
Preferably, the
step may be autornatically put into its aperati~re position when the opposed
wall panel is
folded into its set up position. More preferably, the step may include a fold
line
intermediate the fold lines by which it is hinged to the hinged panel and to
the opposed
wall panel, the step folding in a toggle action along the fold lines when the
opposed wall
panel. is folded into its set up position.
CA 02342348 2001-02-28 AMENDED SHEET
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According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention, a
portion of said
inwardly displaced part is positioned to be located between upper portions of
adjacent
articles at that end of the carton to provide a stabilizing spacer
therebetween.
According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention the
lunged panel is a
side u~al1 panel and the tread may abut a ,ide portion of the article and
wherein the riser of
the step may ek~tend inwardly of and beyond the abutment point between the
tread and
article side portion thereby to retain the step in a set up condition.
Optionally, the lengths
of the :read panel and/or riser panel are greater than the distance between
the side panel
and the article thereby substantially preventing the user portion from
caIlapcing back into
a co.-pEanar relationship with the top or side panel once the step has been
formed.
According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention the ends
of the strap
may be attached to inwardly displaced parts of gusset andlor side panels.
Prefer ably, the
1 S user part of the handle strap may be connected to a portion of a side wall
of the ca.~ton.
More preferably, t3:e user part may be formed from material which is integral
with the
side wxll_
Alternatively, the user portion of the handle strap may be cannected to a
portion of a top
wall of the carton. Preferably, the central user portion may be formed from
material
which is integral with the top wall.
A second aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton, which
blank
comprises a series of hinged panels for forming a sleeve and end closure
panels hinged to
at least one associated hinged panel, wherein the blank includes handy means
comprising
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4
a strap connected to opposed end closure paacls so as to provide a surplus of
material
wherein ends of the strap zemote from the user portion are attached tv
inwardly
displaceable parts of the end panels and intermediate parts between the user
portion and
the ends which are unattached to the one hinged paael are free to provide the
siuvlus of
rnaterial to enable the user pari to be brought into a position of use. The
strap has a user
part which is in substantia?Iy co-planar relationship with one hinged panel
and in that the
strap is positioned under the hinged panel provided with an opening to allow
the user to
grasp the handle in a set up carton.
According to an optional feature of the seaoxxd aspect of the invention the
inwardly
displacabie parts may each comprise a step. the tread of which is provided by
one of the
opposed wall panels and riser of the step being proi~ided by the hinged panel.
Preferable,
the step may include a fold line intermediate the. fold lines by which it is
hinged to the
hinged panel and to the end closure panel, the. step folding in a toggle
action along the
fold lines when the gusset panel is folded into its end retaining position.
More preferably,
the hinged panel may be a side wall panel and the tread abuts a side portion
of the article
and wherein the riser of the step extends inwardly of and beyond the abutment
point
between the tread and article side portion thereby to retain the step hi a set
up condition.
More pzeferably, the lengths of the tread panel andlor riser panel may be
greatLr than the
distance between the side panel and the article in a set up carton t:'tereby
substantially
preventing the user portion from collapsing back into a co-planar relationship
with the top
or side panel once the step has been formed.
CA 02342348 2001-02-28 AMENDED SHEET
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According t4 another optional feature of the second aspect of the invention
the ends of the
strap may be attached to inwardly displaceable parts of a gusset and/or side
panels.
Optionally, the user part of the handle strap xnay be struck from a portion
of the side ~~a11 of the carton. More preferably, the user part may be formed
from material
5 which is integral with the side wall_
Alternatively, the user portion oI' the handle strap may be connected to a
portion of a tap
arall of the carton. Preferably, !he central user portion may be formed from
;naterial
which is integral with the top wall.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of
example, with
reference to the following drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to one
embodiment of
1 ~ the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the blank shown in Figuxe 1 incorporating a handle
strap;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank shown in
Figure I;
fTG'~CIRE 4 is a perspective view of the carton shown in Figure 3 illustrating
the handle
structure in a set up condition;
CA 02342348 2001-02-28 AMENDED SHEET
WO 00/38998 PCT/US99/19883
6
More preferably, the stabilizing step may be automatically put into its
operative
position when the end panel retention means is folded into its end retaining
position.
According to another optional feature of the third aspect of the invention,
the
stabilizing step may include a fold line intermediate the fold lines by which
it is hinged
to the top panel and to the end closure panel, the stabilizing flap folding in
a toggle
action along the fold lines when the end closure panel is folded into its end
retaining
position.
A fourth aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton, which
blank comprises a series of hinged panels for forming a sleeve and end closure
panels
hinged to at least one associated hinged panel, wherein the blank includes
handle means
comprising a strap connected to opposed end panels having a user pan which is
in
substantially co-planar relationship with one of the hinged panels, the strap
being
connected at its opposite ends to the end closure panels wherein ends of the
strap
remote from the user portion are attached to inwardly displaceable parts of
the end
closure panels spaced from the one hinged panel and in that intermediate parts
between
the user portion and the ends which are unattached to the one hinged panel are
free to
provide the surplus of material when the carton is in use.
A fifth aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton, which
blank comprises a series of hinged panels for forming a sleeve and end closure
panels
hinged to at least one associated hinged panel, wherein the blank includes
handle means
comprising a strap connected to opposed end panels having a user part which is
in
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WO 00/38998 PCT/US99/19883
7
substantially co-planar relationship with the one hinged panel, the strap
being so
connected at its opposite ends to the end closure panels as to provide a
surplus of
material wherein ends of the strap remote from the user portion are attached
to inwardly
displaceable parts of the end closure panels and intermediate parts between
the user
portion and the ends which are unattached to the one hinged panel are free to
provide
the surplus of material to enable the user part to be brought into a position
of use, the
inwardly displaced parts each comprising a step, the tread and riser of the
step being
provided by an end panel.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with
reference to the following drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank of a wraparound carton according to one
embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the blank shown in Figure 1 incorporating a handle
strap;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank shown in
Figure I;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the carton shown in Figure 3 illustrating
the
handle structure in a set up condition;
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8
FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view of the carton shown in Figure 4 through "X
- x".
FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a blank of a wraparound canon according to a
second embodiment of the invention:
FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the blank shown in Figure 6 incorporating a handle
strap;
FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank shown in
Figure 6; and
FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the carton shown in Figure 8 illustrating
the
handle structure in a set up condition;
FIGURE 10 is a plan view of a blank for a wraparound carton according to a
third embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 11 is a plan view of the blank shown in Figure 10 incorporating a
handle strap;
FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank shown in
Figure 10;
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9
FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the carton shown in Figure 12 illustrating
the handle structure in a set up condition in one class of embodiments; and
FIGURE 14 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the carton and an article
showing the arrangement of handle flaps in another class of embodiments.
Referring to the drawings, and in particular Figures 1, 2, 6, 7, 10 and 11
thereof;
an article carrier is formed from a unitary blank 10, 210, 310 made from paper
board or
other suitable foldable sheet material, which can be adapted to accommodate
the variety
of articles, for example twelve bottles arranged in three rows of four bottles
each. It is
envisaged the carrier can be adapted to accommodate a different number of
bottles
according to user requirements.
Turning to the carton blank 10 illustrated in Figure l, this blank includes a
first
base panel 12, lower side panel 14, upper side panel 16, top panel 18, second
upper
panel 20, second lower side panel 22, hingedly connected one to the next in a
longitudinal plane along fold lines 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 respectively.
The blank further comprises an end closure structure 34, 36 including a pair
of
opposed upper ends closure panels (or "adpanels")38, 40 hingedly connected to
the top
panel along interrupted fold lines 42 and 44 respectively, positioned along
the end
edges of the top panel 18 and a pair of lower end closure panels 39, 41
hingedly
connected to base panel 12 along fold lines 43, 45 respectively.
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WO 00/38998 PCT/US99/19883
The end closure structure s4 includes gusset panels 46 and 48 connected
together by panel portion 50. Gusset panels 46, 48 extend outwardly from lower
and
upper side panels 22, 20 respectively and are connected thereto by fold lines
52, 54. A
further overlapping panel 56 is connected to end panel 38 by a lateral fold
line and to
5 gusset panel 46 along fold line 58. The gusset panels 46, 48 and overlapping
panel 56
are adapted to form a corner structure as is well known in the art.
Likewise, the opposing corner of the end closure structure 34 also includes
gusset panels 60 and 62 connected together by panel portion 64. Gusset panels
60, 62
10 extend outwardly from lower and upper side panels 14, 16 respectively and
are
connected thereto by fold lines 66, 68. A further overlapping panel 70 is
connected to
end panel 38 by lateral fold line 28 and to gusset panel along fold line 72.
The construction along the opposing side of the top panel and bottom comprises
an end closure structure 36 which is similar and therefore like parts at one
end of the
top panel are designated by reference numerals to like parts of the opposite
end with the
addition of suffix 'a' and are not described in any greater detail.
The top panel 18 can further comprise a central user portion 74, frangibly
connected to the top panel 18. In this embodiment, the central user portion 74
is
substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a pair of support panels 76,
78
extending into a central user aperture 79 and connected to the side edges of
central user
portion along fold lines 80, 82 respectively. Additionally, a handle strap 98,
shown in
the Figure 2 can be applied to the inner surface of the blank 10, preferably
being
CA 02342348 2001-02-28
WO 00/38998 PCT/US99/19883
secured to the central user portion 74 and the opposed end closure panels 38.
40 by glue
at glue points G or by other means known in the art. It is further preferred
that the
handle strap is formed from paper board, laminated paper board, fibrous tape
or other
suitable plastics material.
In one class of embodiments, a stabilizing (or bottle neck spacer) flap 84
shown
in Figure 1 is struck from the blank in the end closure panel 38 so that the
flap 84 is
hinged to that panel, but otherwise cut out from the blank. Likewise, a second
flap 88
is struck from the other end closure panel 40 and is hingedly connected
thereto.
The second embodiment shown in Figure 6 and 7 corresponds substantially to
the first embodiment and therefore like parts are designated by reference
numerals
which are prefixed with the numeral "2". Only those parts of the second
embodiment
which differ from the first embodiment are hereinafter described. Thus, a
stabilizing
(or bottle neck spacer} flap 284 shown in Figure 6 is struck from the blank in
the end
closure panel 238 so that the flap 284 is hinged to that panel and to the top
panel about
fold line 286, but otherwise cut out from the blank. Flap 284, preferably
comprises a
tread panel 285 and a riser panel 287, connected together along fold line 289,
which
panels are adapted during carton construction to define a step (or keel
element).
The top panel 218 can further comprise a central user portion 274, frangibly
connected to the top panel 218. In this embodiment, the central user portion
274 is
substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a pair of support panels 276,
278
extending into a central user aperture 279 and connected to the side edges of
central
CA 02342348 2001-02-28
WO 00/38998 PCT/US99/t9883
12
user portion along fold lines 28U, 28? respectively. Additionally, a handle
strap 29Q~,
shown in Figure 7 can be applied to the inner surface of the blank 210. being
secured to
the central user portion 274 and the opposed end closure panels 238, 240 by
glue at glue
points G or by other means known in the art. Preferably, the handle strap 2 4
B is also
glued, or otherwise secured, to the tread panels 285, 287 of each step as
shown in
Figure 7. It is further preferred that the handle strap is formed from paper
board,
laminated paper board, fibrous tape or other suitable plastics material.
The third embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 13 corresponds substantially to
the first and second embodiments in many respects and therefore, where
possible, like
parts are designated by numerals which are prefixed with the numeral "3".
Turning to
the carton blank 310 illustrated in Figure 10, this blank includes a base
panel 312, lower
side panel 314, upper side panel 316, top panel 318, second upper panel 320,
second
lower side panel 322, hingedly connected one to the next in a longitudinal
plane along
fold lines 321, 326, 328, 330 and 332 respectively.
The blank further comprises one or more end closure structures 334, 336
including a pair of opposed upper ends closure panels (or "adpanels") 338, 340
hingedly connected to the top panel along fold lines 342 and 344 respectively,
positioned along the opposing end edges of top panel 318. In this embodiment,
the end
closure structures 334, 336 also include a pair of lower end closure panels
339, 341
hingedly connected to base panel 312 by fold lines 343, 345 respectively
formed along
the opposed longitudinal edges of base panel 312.
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13
End closure structure 334 may also include gusset panels 346 and 348
connected together by panel portion 350. Gusset panels 346, 348 extend
outwardly
from lower and upper side panels 322, 320 respectively and are connected
thereto by
fold lines 352, 354. A further overlapping panel 356 is connected to upper end
panel
338 by a lateral fold line and to gusset panel 346 along fold line 358. The
gusset panels
346, 348 and overlapping panel 356 are adapted to form a corner structure, as
is well
known in the art.
Likewise, the opposing corner of the end closure structure 334 also includes
gusset panels 360 and 362 connected together by panel portion 364. Gusset
panels 360,
362 extend outwardly from lower and upper side panels 314, 316 and are
connected
thereto by fold lines 366, 368. A further overlapping panel 370 is connected
to upper
end panel 338 by a lateral fold line and to gusset panel along fold line 372.
The construction along the opposing side of the top panel and bottom, which
includes end closure structure 336, is similar and therefore, like parts at
one end of the
top panel are designated by reference numerals to like parts of the opposite
end, but
with the addition of suffix 'a' and are not therefore described in any greater
detail.
One or more handle flaps 384, 384a, shown in Figure 10, is struck from the
blank, which in this embodiment is formed from the gusset panel 360 and/or
side panel
314, so that the flap 384 is hinged to that panel 360 and preferably to the
side panel 314
about fold line 386, but is otherwise cut out from the blank by opposed cut
lines 392,
394 in substantially parallel spaced arrangement. Flap 384, preferably
comprises a
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WO 00/38998 PCT/US99/19883
14
tread panel 387 and a riser panel 389. connected together along a fold line,
which
panels are adapted during carton construction to def ne a step (or keel
element). In this
embodiment the tread panel 387 is separated from the gusset panel 360 by panel
385
and hingedly connected thereto along fold line 390 described in more detail
below.
Preferably, the handle flap 384 is separated from gusset panel 360 and lower
side panel 314 by apeutures 393, 395 to make it easier for the flaps to be
folded out of
alignment with the gusset panel 360 and lower side panel 314
The side panel 314 may further comprise a user portion 374, frangibly
connected to the side panel 314 along frangible lines 375 and positioned in a
central
region of the side panel. In this embodiment, the user portion 374 is
substantially
rectangular in shape and comprises a pair of support panels 376, 378 extending
into a
central user aperture 379 and connected to the side edges of central user
portion along
fold lines 380, 382 respectively.
Additionally, a handle strap 398, shown in the Figure 11 can be applied to the
inner surface of the blank 310, preferably being secured to the user portion
374 and the
opposed gussett panels 338, 340 by glue 416, 414 or other means known in the
art.
Preferably, the handle strap 398 is also glued to the tread panels 385, 387 of
each step.
It is further preferred that the handle strap is formed from paper board,
laminated paper
board, fibrous tape or other suitable plastics material.
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Along the opposed lateral edges of user portion 374, there may further
comprise
a handle tab 400 struck from lower side panel 314 by lateral cut lines 402,
404. In use
the handle tabs guide the handle strap when displaced outwardly.
5 Cut lines 406, 406a struck from lower end panels 339 and 341 may be included
to co-operate with handle flaps 384, 384a.
In another class of embodiments, the handle structure may comprise one or
more handle flaps (not shown) struck from the gusset panel 360 or other
suitable panel
IO so that the flap is hinged to that panel along one edge but is otherwise
cut out from the
blank in a manner similar to the first embodiment. Likewise a second flap
could be
struck from the opposing gusset panel 360a or other suitable panels and be
hingedly
connected thereto. A handle strap would be secured to the opposing handle
flaps and
preferably a user portion, but would otherwise be unconnected to the blank.
Turning to the construction of the carton, illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5, 8,
9 and
12, 13 the blank 10, 210, 310 requires a series of sequential folding and/or
gluing
operations which can be performed in a straight line machine so that the
carton is not
required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding
process is
not limited to that described below and can be altered according to particular
manufacturing requirements.
The carton is usually supplied to a bottler in a flat collapsed tubular
condition:
the base panel 12, 212, 312 already connected to lower side panel 22, 222, 322
by
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WO 00/38998
16
PCT/US99/19883
securing the glue flap 94, 294, 394 to the lower side panel 22, 222, 322 by
glue or other
suitable means. In order to set up the carton, the sides and top and base
panels are
separated to form a tubular structure, as is well known.
Thereafter, articles are introduced to the part constructed carton and the end
closure structure is formed. In the first embodiment, the end closure panels
38 and 48
are folded downwardly at each end of the sleeve formed by the wrap around
folding
action. Gusset panels 46, 48, 50 and 60, 62, 70 are folded inwardly about fold
lines 52,
54 and 66, 68 respectively whereby gusset panels 46, 48, 60, 62 come into face
to face
relationship with side panels 22, 20 and 14, 16 respectively. Panels 56, 70
come into
face to face contact with their respective adjacent gusset panels 46, 62.
Optionally, the faces of gusset flaps 46, 60 in contact with upper side panels
16,
respectively may be secured together by means known in the art to hold the end
15 closure panels in place. Thereafter, lower end closure panels are folded
about fold lines
and into abutment with upper end closure panels 38, 40 and are secured
together by
glue or other means known in the art. The end structures of the second and
third
embodiments are formed in a substantially identical manner and construction
thereof is
not therefore described in any greater detail.
Thus, the cartons of the first, second and third embodiments are in a set up
and
loaded condition as shown in Figures 3, 8 and 12 respectively. The first
embodiment
advantageously allows the top and the end of the carton to remain intact
thereby
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WO 00/38998 PCT/US99/19883
17
improving the structural integrity of the carton during handling and storage,
caused in
part because the fold lines connecting the top and upper side panels are
continuous.
The embodiment shown in Figure 12 allows the top of the carton to remain
intact and thereby also improves the structural integrity of the carton during
handling
and storage, again caused in part because the fold lines connecting the top
and upper
side panels are continuous.
In order to form the handle in the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 4
and
5, the central user portion 74 can be detached from the top panel I 8 whereby
at least a
portion of the handle strap stands proud of the top panel, shown in Figure 4.
It will be
seen from Figure 5 that the strap is so connected at the opposite ends of the
end closure
panels as to provide a surplus of material to enable the central user portion
74 to be
brought into a position of use. 'The support panels 76, 78 are folded under
the handle
1 S strap, such that the central user portion 74 is wrapped around the strap,
the central user
portion 74 provides a cushion for the strap, shown in Figure 4. Further, the
central user
portion 74 is designed for ease of use.
In the second embodiment, the handle is formed by folding each of the
stabilising (or bottle neck spacer) flaps 284 and 284a.. Flaps 284 and 284a
are formed
with cut lines 292, 294 preferably divergent from fold line 289 and cut lines
293, 295
intermediate and substantially perpendicular to fold lines 286 and 289 about
which
flaps can fold in a toggle action to define a step at each end of the top
panel 18. This
action can occur automatically upon folding the end closure panels which
brings the
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WO 00/38998 PCTNS99/19883
18
flaps into their operative position in which the flaps are displaced out of
the plane of the
top panel inwardly of the carton, as shown in Figure 9. Optionally, cut lines
292, 294;
293, 295 are shaped to define a shaped edge adapted to cooperate with a neck
portion of
an article. Once displaced the, or each, stabilizing flap 284 is disposed
between neck
portions of adjacent rows of articles within the package to assist in
maintaining the
articles in their correct upright positions within the package, particularly
to prevent the
articles topping inwardly whereas the end closure panels prevent the bottles
toppling
end wise of the package.
In order to form the handle of the third embodiment as illustrated in Figure
13
the user portion 374 can be detached from the side panel 314 and, the handle
is then
formed automatically by folding each of the handle flaps 384. More
particularly, a keel
structure is formed by folding panels 385, 387 and 389 inwardly of gusset
panel 360
such that tread panel 385, 387 and riser panel 389 are substantially
perpendicular or
more preferably in an acute angular relationship. Thus, the flaps 384 can fold
in a
toggle action to define a step at each end of the lower side panel 314. This
action can
occur automatically when a user pulls on the handle strap which brings the
flaps into
their operative position by which the flaps are displaced out of the plane of
the top
panel inwardly of the carton, as shown in Figure 13. Once displaced, the or
each panel
385 abuts the product. Advantageously, the strap 398 is held between the
product and
carton which permits additional resistance.
In other embodiments, the keel structures 418, 420 are so formed to allow the
tread panel 385, 387 to abut the article as shown in Figure 14. Preferably,
once the step
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WO 00/38998
19
PCT/US99/19883
is formed and the tread and riser panels are folded into perpendicular (or
angular)
relationship, they are so constructed to be held in place. More preferably.
when the user
forms the step, it is "overcentre" of the notional plane X-X between the
tangential point
of contact between the article and strap and the fold line between the riser
and side
panel and therefore is prevented from collapsing back to a co-planar
relationship with
the side and gusset panels. In some embodiments, this is achieved because the
tread
panel 387 and/or riser panel 389 is greater in length than the distance ''d"
between the
side panel 314 and the article A.
One advantage of this arrangement of handle structure is that the handle
structure is more rigid and once the user part has been separated from the
side panel it
continues to protrude beyond the side panel whilst providing a handle strap
that can be
shaped to the contour of the outermost article A carried by the carton.
When the carrier of any of the embodiments is in use there is a tendency for
the
handle strap to draw the end closure structures 34, 36, 234, 236, 334, 336
inwardly
thereby to improve the integrity of the carton and providing a self tightening
effect.
Furthermore, in those embodiments where the strap and/or tread and riser flaps
are
positioned between neck portions of adjacent bottles, the stability of the
carton is
improved due to support from the articles.
Advantageously, the preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrate
a
carton having a strap handle type, the strap being reinforced by a separate
strap formed
from material at one end of the blank from which the carton is formed. The
handle
CA 02342348 2001-02-28
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PCT/US99/19883
strap is connected to a handle and has a user portion exposed to view in a
handle access
aperture but which is otherwise disposed internally of the carton.
The carton is set up as an open-ended sleeve for loading and is then end-
loaded
5 whereafter the carton is completed by closure of the end closure panel. The
end closure
panel closing has an effect on the disposition of the handle strap. As the top
end
closure panels are folded into their closing positions the handle strap
becomes slack
into a position ready for use. When the carton is lifted by the central user
pant of the
handle strap, the strap bows upwardly and protrudes through the handle access
aperture
10 proud of the topside wall. The load is transmitted from the handle strap to
the end wall
of the carton at each of the opposite ends of the handle access aperture and
is
distributed through the end wall.
The present invention and its preferred embodiment relate to an article
carrier
15 which is shaped to provide satisfactory strength to hold articles securely
but with a
degree of flexibility so that load transfer to the handle is absorbed by the
carrier. The
shape of the blank minimises the amount of paper board required and the
carrier can be
applied to an array of articles by hand or automatic machinery. It is
anticipated that the
invention can be applied to a variety of carrier and is not limited to the
wrap around
20 type. For example the top panel 18, side panels 14, 16, 20, 22 and end
closure structure
34, 36 of the aforementioned carton can be applied. to other carton types for
example
top gripping cartons, without departing from the scope of the invention.
CA 02342348 2001-02-28
