Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CARTON WITH GUSSETED HANDLE
BACKGROUND
[0001] Handle designs for cartons are well known in the art. Conventional
handle
designs, however, often suffer from many disadvantages. For example,
conventional
handle designs may fail during lifting of the carton due to lack of strength.
Lifting
may also cause conventional cartons to bow or to tear at or around the tear
lines
forming the handle.
SUMMARY
[0002] According to a first embodiment of the invention, a carton comprises a
handle having first and second gussets defined by an opening line and exterior
lines
that extend through multiple carton panels. Tear stops are spaced from ends of
the
exterior lines. The gussets can be accessed at the opening line and folded
into the
interior of the carton during use. The exterior lines can have inwardly
concave,
arcuate profiles.
[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, the handle provides
strength
to the carton by the arrangement and shape of the handle lines. The handle
also
allows for flexure of the upper handle surface while reducing the likelihood
of tearing
or excessive bowing, etc. The handle additionally allows the top or upper
panel to
flex outward or upward slightly while maintaining the adjacent side panels in
a
substantially unbowed position. This flexure enables the carton to maintain
contact
and/or support for articles disposed in the carton.
[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
blank for
erecting into a carton, the blank comprising a first panel; a second panel
foldably
connected to the first panel; a third panel foldably connected to the second
panel at a
first fold line; a fourth panel foldably connected to the third panel at a
second fold
line; at least one first end flap extending along a first marginal area of the
blank; at
least one second end flap extending along a second marginal area of the blank;
and a
handle having a first gusset, a second gusset, a first tear stop and a second
tear stop,
wherein the handle is defined at least in part by a first arcuate concave
exterior line, a
second arcuate concave exterior line, and an opening line extending between
the first
and second exterior lines, each of the first arcuate concave exterior line,
the second
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arcuate concave exterior line, and the opening line extends at least partially
across
each of the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel, the opening
line
comprising a tear line that terminates at a first end of the first and second
exterior
lines in the second panel and a second end of the first and second exterior
lines in the
fourth panel, the first gusset being at least partially defined by the first
arcuate
concave exterior line and the opening line, and the second gusset being at
least
partially defined by the second arcuate concave exterior line and the opening
line, the
first gusset comprises a first central panel in the third panel, a first edge
panel
foldably connected to the first central panel and comprising at least a
portion of the
second panel and the third panel, and a second edge panel foldably connected
to the
first central panel and comprising at least a portion of the third panel and
the fourth
panel, the second gusset comprises a second central panel in the third panel,
a third
edge panel foldably connected to the second central panel and comprising at
least a
portion of the second panel and the third panel, and a fourth edge panel
foldably
connected to the second central panel and comprising at least a portion of the
third
panel and the fourth panel, the first tear stop is spaced from the first end
of the first
and second exterior lines in the second panel, the carton comprising a space
of
material being free from any form of weakening between the first tear stop and
the
first end of the first and second exterior lines, and the second tear stop is
spaced from
the second end of the first and second exterior lines in the fourth panel, the
carton
comprising a space of material being free from any form of weakening between
the
second tear stop and the second end of the first and second exterior lines;
each of the
first and second tear stops comprises at least two cut lines forming a V shape
extending from a vertex in the respective second or fourth panel to respective
ends in
the second or fourth panel, the ends of the two cut lines being spaced apart
from a
respective first or second fold line.
[0004.1] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is
provided a
blank for erecting into a carton, the blank comprising a first panel; a second
panel
foldably connected to the first panel; a third panel foldably connected to the
second
panel at a first fold line; a fourth panel foldably connected to the third
panel at a
second fold line; at least one first end flap extending along a first marginal
area of the
blank; at least one second end flap extending along a second marginal area of
the
blank; and a handle having a first gusset, a second gusset, a first tear stop
and a
second tear stop, wherein the handle is defined at least in part by a first
concave
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CA 02597442 2010-10-25
exterior line, a second concave exterior line, an opening line extending
between the
first and second exterior lines, a first oblique line extending from a point
adjacent to
the opening line, and a second oblique line extending from a point adjacent to
the
opening line, each of the first arcuate concave exterior line, the second
arcuate
concave exterior line, and the opening line extends at least partially across
each of
the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel, the opening line
comprising a
tear line that terminates at a first end of the first and second exterior
lines in the
second side panel and a second end of the first and second exterior lines in
the fourth
panel, a first oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening
line and
foldably connecting the first edge panel to the first central panel; and a
second
oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line and foldably
connecting the second edge panel to the first central panel, the first gusset
being at
least partially defined by the first arcuate concave exterior line and the
opening line,
and the second gusset being at least partially 10 defined by the second
arcuate
concave exterior line and the opening line, the first gusset comprises a first
central
panel in the third panel, a first edge panel foldably connected to the first
central panel
and comprising at least a portion of the second panel and the third panel, and
a second
edge panel foldably connected to the first central panel and comprising at
least a
portion of the third panel and the fourth panel; and the second gusset
comprises a
second central panel in the third panel, a third edge panel foldably connected
to the
second central panel and comprising at least a portion of the second panel and
the
third panel, and a fourth edge panel foldably connected to the second central
panel
and comprising at least a portion of the third panel and the fourth panel, the
first tear
stop is spaced from the first end of the first and second exterior lines and
comprises a
first substantially V-shaped line and a first longitudinally extending line,
the carton
comprising a space of material being free from any form of weakening between
the
first tear stop and the first end of the first and second exterior lines, and
the second
tear stop is spaced from the second end of the first and second exterior
lines, the
carton comprising a space of material being free from any form of weakening
between the second tear stop and the second end of the first and second
exterior lines;
each of the first and second tear stops comprises at least two cut lines
forming a V
shape extending from a vertex in the respective second or fourth panel to
respective
ends in the second or fourth panel, the ends of the two cut lines being spaced
apart
from a respective first or second fold line.
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[0004.2] According to another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a
carton, comprising a first panel; a second panel adjacent to the first panel;
a third
panel adjacent to the second panel and foldably connected to the second panel
and a
first fold line; a fourth panel adjacent to the first and third panels and
foldably
connected to the third panel at a second fold line; a first end panel at a
first end of the
carton; a second end panel at a second end of the carton; and a handle having
a first
gusset, a second gusset, a first tear stop and a second tear stop, wherein the
handle is
defined at least in part by a first arcuate concave exterior line, a second
arcuate
concave exterior line, and an opening line extending between the first and
second
exterior lines, each of the first arcuate concave exterior line, the second
arcuate
concave exterior line, and the opening line extends at least partially across
each of the
second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel, the opening line
comprising a tear
line and terminates at a first end of the first and second exterior lines in
the second
side panel and a second end of the first and second exterior lines in the
fourth panel,
the first gusset being at least partially defined by the first arcuate concave
exterior
line and the opening line, and the second gusset being at least partially
defined by the
second arcuate concave exterior line and the opening line, the first gusset
comprises a
first central panel in the third panel, a first edge panel foldably connected
to the first
central panel and comprising at least a portion of the second panel and the
third panel,
and a second edge panel foldably connected to the first central panel and
comprising
at least a portion of the third panel and the fourth panel; and the second
gusset
comprises a second central panel in the third panel, a third edge panel
foldably
connected to the second central panel and comprising at least a portion of the
second
panel and the third panel, and a fourth edge panel foldably connected to the
second
central panel and comprising at least a portion of the third panel and the
fourth panel,
the first tear stop is spaced from the first end of the first and second
exterior lines in
the second panel, the carton comprising a space of material being free from
any form
of weakening between the first tear stop and the first end of the first and
second
exterior lines, and the second tear stop is spaced from the second end of the
first and
second exterior lines in the fourth panel, the carton comprising a space of
material
being free from any form of weakening between the second tear stop and the
second
end of the first and second exterior lines; each of the first and second tear
stops
comprises at least two cut lines forming a V shape extending from a vertex in
the
respective second or fourth panel to a respective end in the second or fourth
panel, the
ends of the two cuts being spaced apart from a respective first or second fold
line.
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[0005] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages
and
other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the
following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-
listed drawing figures.
[0006] According to common practice, the various features of the drawings
discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various
features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more
clearly illustrate the embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0007] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exterior side of a blank used to form a
carton
according to a first embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a handle of the carton according to the
first
embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates the carton in a partially erected configuration.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates the carton in a more fully erected configuration.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the erected carton.
[0012] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the erected carton.
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates opening of the handle.
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates further opening of the handle.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the carton with the handle opened and in a
carrying configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The handle of the present invention generally relates to a handle for a
carton or other vessels. The present invention can be used, for example, in
cartons that contain articles or products such as, for example, food and/or
beverages. The articles can include beverage containers such as cans, bottles,
PET containers, or other containers such as those used in packaging
foodstuffs.
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Further, the handle can be used in cartons that contain articles in boxes such
as
those used in packaging foodstuffs, household cleaners, and similar products.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank 8 used to form a carton 200
(illustrated
in FIGS. 5 and 6) according to a first embodiment of the invention. The blank
8
comprises a bottom panel 10 foldably connected to a top side panel 20 at a
transverse fold line 21, a top panel 30 foldably connected to the top side
panel 20
at a transverse fold line 31, and a bottom side panel 40 foldably connected to
the
top panel 30 at a transverse fold line 41. An adhesive panel 50 can be
foldably
attached to the bottom panel 10 at a transverse fold line 51. The top panel 30
may
include stress relief lines 36, 38.
[0018] First and second bottom end flaps 12, 14 may be foldably connected to
opposite ends of the bottom panel 10. First and second side end flaps 22, 24
may
be foldably connected to opposite ends of the top side panel 20. First and
second
top end flaps 32, 34 may be foldably connected to opposite ends of the top
panel
30. Third and fourth side end flaps 42, 44 may be foldably connected to
opposite
ends of the bottom side panel 40. The end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 extend along a
first
marginal area of the blank 8 and may be foldably connected along a first
longitudinal fold line 62. The end flaps 14, 24, 34, 44 extend along a second
marginal area of the blank 8 and may be foldably connected along a second
longitudinal fold line 64. The longitudinal fold lines 62, 64 may be straight
fold
lines, or may be offset at one or more locations to account for, for example,
blank
thickness. When the carton 200 is erected (FIG. 5), the end flaps 12, 22, 32,
42
close a first end of the carton 200, and the end flaps 14, 24, 34, 44 close a
second
end of the carton 200.
[0019] A dispenser 80 may be formed at one or more locations in the carton
blank S. The exemplary blank 8 is illustrated with a dispenser 80 at the
second
end of the blank. The dispenser 80 may be formed from, for example, a
combination of cut lines, crease lines, tear lines, fold lines, or other lines
of
disruption in the blank 8.
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[0020] A handle 100 is formed across the top side panel 20, the top panel 30,
and the bottom side panel 40. The handle 100 is discussed in detail below with
reference to FIG. 2.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, the handle 100 comprises a first arcuate, exterior
line 102, a second arcuate, exterior line 104, and an opening line 106
extending
between the first and second exterior lines 102, 104. First and second oblique
lines 112, 116 extend from points adjacent to, which includes contacting, the
opening line 106 to points adjacent to the first arcuate line 102. Third and
fourth
oblique lines 114, 118 extend from points adjacent to the opening line 106 to
points adjacent to the second arcuate line 104. The first and third oblique
lines
112, 114 may extend generally toward the intersections of the first and second
exterior lines 102, 104, respectively, and the transverse fold line 31. The
second
and fourth oblique lines 116, 118 may extend generally toward the
intersections
of the exterior lines 102, 104, respectively, and the transverse fold line 41.
[0022] The lines of the handle 100 define first and second foldable gussets
130,
132 on respective first and second sides of the opening line 106. The first
gusset
130 comprises a first central panel 141 and first and second edge panels 151,
161.
The second gusset 132 comprises a second central panel 142 and third and
fourth
edge panels 152, 162. The edge panels 151, 152 can extend from the top side
panel 20 to the top panel 30, and the edge panels 161, 162 can extend from the
top
panel 30 to the bottom side panel 40.
[0023] The arcuate exterior lines 102, 104 may terminate at their first and
second ends at first and second arcuate cuts 154, 164, respectively. The first
and
second arcuate cuts 154, 164 are disposed in the handle 100 to define end
edges of
the gussets 130, 132 when the handle is opened, and to inhibit tearing beyond
the
length of the opening line 106. . First and second tear stops 120, 121 may be
spaced from the first and second cuts 154, 156. The first tear stop 120
comprises
a first generally V-shaped line 122 and a first longitudinally extending line
124
spaced from the first end of the exterior lines 102, 104. The second tear stop
121
comprises a second generally V-shaped line 126 and a second longitudinally
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extending line 128 spaced from the second end of the first and second exterior
lines 102, 104. Generally, the tear stops 120, 121 are designed to limit or
control
the tear from the opening and/or use of the handle 100.
[0024] The first and second exterior lines 102, 104 may be, for example,
formed
by a series of cuts and creases (e.g., a cut/crease line) designed to allow
the first
and second gussets 130, 132 to fold inwardly when the handle 100 is accessed.
The opening line 106 can be, for example, formed by a series of spaced cuts
(e.g.,
a cut/space line). The opening line 106 is designed to be opened or torn upon
penetration and may be generally referred to as, for example, a `tear line.'
The
opening line 106 may also comprise an aperture extending along all or a part
of
the length of the opening line 106 to facilitate tearing and/or opening at the
line
106. The oblique lines 112, 114, 116, 118 may be, for example, cut/space lines
having smaller cut and space lengths than the opening line 106. The V-shaped
lines 122, 126 can be, for example, crease lines or score lines, and the
longitudinally extending lines 124, 128 can be, for example, cuts. Each of the
cuts in the handle 100 can extend through the blank 8 (100% cuts).
[0025] The first and second arcuate lines 102, 104 can have generally
continuously arcuate profiles, and can be described as generally continuously
inwardly concave toward the opening line 106, and facing each other at their
concave faces. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the first and second
exterior lines 102, 104 are continuously arcuate along the edge panels 151,
152,
161, 162 and along the central panels 141, 142. The lines 102, 104 generally
define a flattened oval or elliptical outline as shown in FIG. 2.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an initial step in erection of the carton 200, in
which
the blank 8 is folded so that the adhesive panel 50 is brought into contact
with the
bottom side panel 40 and secured by a suitable glue or other adhesive.
Referring
to FIG. 4, the blank 8 is partially opened so that it has a generally tubular
sleeve
shape, and the end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 are folded and adhered together so
that
they close the first end of the carton 200.
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[0027] Referring to FIG. 5, the end flaps 14, 24, 34, 44 may then be folded
and
adhered together so that they close the second end to complete erection of the
carton 200. Containers C (shown in FIG. 9) can be loaded into the partially
formed carton 200 at any time before closing both ends of the carton 200. The
end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 form a first end panel 210, and the end flaps 14, 24,
34,
44 form a second end panel 220. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the erected
carton 200 with the top side panel 20 facing upwardly.
[0028] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a user forming a handle opening from the
handle 100 to place the carton 200 into a carrying configuration. Referring to
FIG. 7, a user may insert one or more fingers into the handle 100 by pressing
into
and tearing at the opening line 106. Referring to FIG. 8, the second gusset
132
may then be tucked into the interior of the carton 200 as the opening line 106
tear
extends into the bottom side panel 40. Tucking of the second gusset 132 is
enabled in part by deformation of the gusset 132. Deformation of the second
gusset 132 can be facilitated by, for example, folding at the oblique lines
114,
118, which also allows the edge panels 152, 162 to fold inwardly during
tucking
of the gusset 132.
[0029] In a similar manner, the first gusset 130 may be tucked into the
interior
of the carton 200. FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the carton 200 with both sides
of
the handle 100 opened, and with both gussets 130, 132 tucked into the carton
interior. The locations of the folded first and second gussets 130, 132 are
indicated by hidden lines in FIG. 9. The carton 200 is now in a carrying
configuration in which a user may grasp the carton at either side of the
handle
100, with the user's fingers pressing against one of the tucked gussets 130,
132.
[0030] The double-sided handle 100 eases lifting and carrying of the carton
200
and allows for carrying from either side of the handle 100. For example, in at
least some configurations, the handle 100 provides comfort to a user carrying
the
carton 200 by allowing engagement of the handle 100 without the user's hand
contacting any raw or torn edge of the carton 200, while also providing
cushioning to the user's hands by virtue of the tucked gussets 130, 132. The
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handle 100 therefore provides cushioning on both of its sides, regardless of
which
side the user decides to access. While the handle 100 is double-sided, the
user
can elect to open a single side of the handle 100 at either of the gussets
130, 132
in order to carry the carton 200. Tucking of the gussets 130, 132 is
facilitated by
the oblique handle lines 112, 114, 116, 118.
[0031] The handle 100 also provides strength and resistance to tearing during
lifting and carrying of the carton 200. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7-9, the
handle
100, which may extend downwardly into one or both of the first and second side
panels 20, 40, allows some of the stress of lifting to be transferred along
the
vertically extending side panels 20, 40. Additionally, the profiles of the
exterior
lines 102, 104, which may be generally continuously inwardly concave and
arcuate, prevent stress concentrations in the top panel 30 and side panels 20,
40
along and about the periphery of the handle 100.
[0032] Additionally, the handle 100 can allow for flexure and bowing of the
top
panel 30 while reducing bowing in the first and second side panels 20, 40.
This
flexure enables the carton 200 to maintain contact and/or support for articles
disposed in the carton.
[0033] Example 1
[0034] A parallelepipedal carton 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 5-6 accommodated
eight 12 ounce petaloid. bottles in a 2x4 arrangement. Referring to FIG. 5,
the
carton 200 had a height H of about 6.75 in. and a width W of about 5.125 in.
The
carton 200 was constructed of solid unbleached sulfate (SUS) board. The fold
lines 62, 64 were cut/crease lines with the cuts extending through the blank 8
(i.e.,
100% cuts). The fold lines 21, 31, 41, 51 were crease lines. Referring to FIG.
2,
the handle 100 had a depth DH of about 1.5 in. and a width WH of about 10.375
in. The handle 100 was symmetric about the opening line 106. The first and
second arcuate exterior lines 102, 104 were formed from cut/crease lines with
100% cuts, and the opening line 106 was formed from a cut/space line with 100%
cuts. The oblique lines 112, 114, 116, 118 were also cuts/space lines with
100%
cuts.
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[0035] According to the embodiments discussed above, although the exterior
lines 102, 104 of the handle 100 are illustrated as continuously arcuate, the
general form of the handle 100 may be, for example, achieved by sequential
linear
cuts and/or creases in a concave arrangement, etc. For example, linear lines
or
segments may be used to define an outline that is relatively thick at a
central
portion (such as at dimension DH in FIG. 2), and relatively thin at the ends
or
outside edges of the gussets, with the exterior lines being generally
continuously
concave and arcuate across the length of the handle. Such as design could be
characterized as tapered at the edges of the gussets.
[0036] In the above embodiments, the carton 200 is described as
accommodating petaloid bottle containers C in 2x4 configuration. Other types
of
containers, packages, articles, and other items, however, can be accommodated
within a carton according to the present invention. The dimensions of the
blank 8
may also be altered, for example, to accommodate various container forms. For
example, the carton into which the handle of the present invention is placed
also
would work satisfactorily if the carton were sized and shaped to hold articles
in
other configurations, such as 3x4, 4x3, 3x6, 2x4, 2x5, etc.
[0037] The carton 200 is illustrated as having a dispenser 80 allowing access
to
the carton contents from an end of the carton. Other opening features, if
opening
features are desired, can be provided to provide easy access to the carton
contents.
Additionally, positioning assemblies that position the articles within the
carton
may be included.
[0038] The handle detailed herein can be provided or used with any container,
box, carton, etc. In fact, multiple handles, such as the one detailed herein,
can be
provided in alternate, opposite, or adjacent panels. Such multiple handles
could
be used to lift and/or carry larger, bulkier, or other cartons that would
benefit from
such multiple handles.
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[0039] The blank 8 according to the present invention can be, for example,
formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior
and/or exterior sides of the blank can be coated with a clay coating. The clay
coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and
other information or images. The blank may then be coated with a varnish to
protect any information printed on the blanks. The blank may also be coated
with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the
blank. In
accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the blank may be constructed of
paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary
paper.
The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard
paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the
handle 100
to function at least generally as described above. The blank can also be
laminated
to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel
sections.
[0040] In the present invention, a fold line can be any substantially linear,
although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding
therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope
of
the present invention, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed
with a
blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the
material
along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a
material
along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend
partially
into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of
weakness;
and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is
used to
create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a
manner
that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be
a tear
line.
[0041] The above embodiments may be described as having one or panels
adhered together by glue. The term "glue" is intended to encompass all manner
of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.
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[0042] The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes
the
present invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only
selected
embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is
capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments
and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive
concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or
within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art.
