Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CARTON AND CARTON BLANK
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a carton and to a blank for forming the
carton more
specifically, but not exclusively, to a carton having a carrying handle for
carrying the carton.
BACKGROUND
In the field of packaging it is often required to provide consumers with a
package comprising
multiple primary product containers. Such multi-packs are desirable for
shipping and
distribution and for display of promotional information. For cost and
environmental
considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little
material as possible
and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as
possible. Another
consideration is the strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding
and transporting
large weights of articles.
It is desirable to provide a carton with a carrying handle for carrying the
carton and its
contents; it is an object of the present invention to provide a carrying
handle which is robust
and strong and is comfortable for a user. A further object of the invention is
to provide a
carrying handle which is readily deployed by the user.
The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of
the prior art.
SUMMARY
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a
handle structure for a
carton, the handle structure comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps
hingedly connected to
a handle panel by a pair of hinged connections, each hinged connection having
a
longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to the vertical, the
longitudinal axes
of the hinged connections defining an obtuse angle therebetween and extending
divergently
downwards.
Optionally, a first one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps is separated from
a second one of
the pair of adjoining hand flaps by a severance line.
Optionally, the handle panel is a unitary, substantially upright handle panel.
Optionally, each hinged connection comprises at least one linear fold line.
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Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends coincidentally with one of the at
least one linear
fold lines.
Optionally, each hinged connection comprises a pair of opposed arcuate fold
lines
intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel
therebetween.
Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends through each of two intersecting
points of a
respective one of the elliptical panels.
Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends through each of two pointed ends of
a respective
one of the elliptical panels.
Optionally, each hand flap comprises a flap fold line therein for facilitating
folding of a first
portion of the hand flap with respect to a second portion of the handle flap.
Optionally, the flap fold lines in the hand flaps together define an inverted
V shape.
Optionally, a first hand flap comprises a first fold line therein for
facilitating folding of a first
portion of the first hand flap with respect to a second portion of the first
handle flap and a
second hand flap comprises a second fold line therein for facilitating folding
of a first portion
of the second hand flap with respect to a second portion of the second handle
flap.
Optionally, the first portion of the first hand flap is disposed adjacent to
the first portion of the
second hand flap.
Optionally, the handle structure comprises an aperture defining in part at
least a portion of
each of the pair of adjoining hand flaps.
Optionally, the handle structure comprises at least one inner panel, the at
least one inner
panel comprising a cutaway or recess configured and arranged to be in registry
with at least
a portion of a hand opening defined at least in part by the pair of adjoining
hand flaps.
Optionally, the at least one inner panel comprises at least one inner flap
hinged thereto by
an inner hinged connection and the at least one inner flap defining at least a
portion of the
cutaway.
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Optionally, the handle structure comprises a pair of inner flaps each having
an inner hinged
connection.
Optionally, each of the pair of inner flaps partially overlaps with a
respective one of the pair
of adjoining hand flaps.
Optionally, the inner hinged connection of each of the pair of inner flaps is
disposed above
the hinged connection of the respective one of the pair of adjoining hand
flaps with which it is
in partially overlapping relationship.
Optionally, the inner hinged connection of each of the pair of inner flaps is
spaced apart from
the hinged connection of the respective one of the pair of adjoining hand
flaps with which it is
in partially overlapping relationship.
Optionally, the inner hinged connection of each of the pair of inner flaps is
convergently
arranged with respect to the hinged connection of the respective one of the
pair of adjoining
hand flaps with which it is in partially overlapping relationship, so as to
define an acute angle
therebetween.
Optionally, the handle structure comprises a pair of inner flaps provided by
at least one inner
panel.
Optionally, the handle structure comprises a pair of inner flaps each having
pair of lobes
configured and arranged for facilitating folding of the elliptical panel
substantially
transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis.
Optionally, each elliptical panel comprises a fold line for facilitating
folding of the elliptical
panel substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a
carton for
packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising a plurality of panels
including a top
panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel forming a
tubular structure,
a first end panel for at least partially closing a first end of the tubular
structure, a second end
panel for at least partially closing a second end of the tubular structure,
wherein the carton
comprises a handle structure comprising a handle panel formed by one of said
plurality of
panels, the handle structure comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps
hingedly connected to
the handle panel by a pair of hinged connections, each hinged connection
having a
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longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to the vertical, the
longitudinal axes
of the hinged connections defining an obtuse angle therebetween and extending
divergently
downwards.
Optionally, the handle panel is a unitary, substantially upright handle panel.
Optionally, each hinged connection comprises at least one linear fold line.
Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends coincidentally with one of the at
least one linear
fold lines.
Optionally, each hinged connection comprises a pair of opposed arcuate fold
lines
intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel
therebetween.
Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends through each of two intersecting
points of a
respective one of the elliptical panels.
Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends through each of two pointed ends of
a respective
one of the elliptical panels.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank
for forming a
carton, the blank comprising a plurality of panels including a top panel, a
bottom panel, a first
side panel and a second side panel for forming a tubular structure, a first
end panel for at
least partially closing a first end of the tubular structure, a second end
panel for at least
partially closing a second end of the tubular structure, wherein the blank
comprises a handle
structure comprising a handle panel formed by one of said plurality of panels,
the handle
structure comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps hingedly connected to the
handle panel
by a pair of hinged connections, each hinged connection having a longitudinal
axis disposed
at an acute angle with respect to the vertical, the longitudinal axes of the
hinged connections
defining an obtuse angle therebetween and extending divergently downwards in a
set-up
carton.
Within the scope of this application it is intended that the various aspects,
embodiments,
examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in
the claims and/or
in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any
combination
thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are
applicable
to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to
the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a first
embodiment;
Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of a carton formed from the blank of
Figure
1;
Figure 3 is an internal elevation, partially cut away, of an end portion of
the carton of
Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a perspective view, from above, of an end of the carton of Figure
3
showing the carrying handle in a deployed condition;
Figure 5 is an internal elevation, partially cut away, of an end portion of
the carton of
Figure 2 showing the carrying handle in a deployed condition;
Figure 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a second
embodiment;
Figure 7A is a fragmentary external elevation of a carrying handle of a carton
formed
from the blank of Figure 6 showing the carrying handle in a first stowed
position;
Figure 7B is a fragmentary external elevation of a carrying handle of a carton
formed
from the blank of Figure 6 showing the outer cushioning tabs of the carrying
handle folded
outwardly of the carton so as to illustrate the position of the inner tabs
with respect thereto;
Figure 8 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a third
embodiment;
Figure 9 is a perspective view, from above, of a carton formed from the blank
of
Figure 8;
Figure 9A is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of a carrying handle of
the
carton of Figure 9;
Figure 10 is a fragmentary internal elevation of an end portion of the carton
of Figure
9, showing the carrying handle in a stowed or undeployed condition;
Figure 11 is a fragmentary internal elevation of the carrying handle of the
carton of
Figure 9, showing the carrying handle in a deployed condition;
Figure 12 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a fourth
embodiment;
Figure 13 is an end elevation of a carton showing a carrying handle according
to a
fifth embodiment;
Figure 14 is a fragmentally internal elevation of a carrying handle of a
carton
according to a sixth embodiment; and
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Figure 15 is a fragmentally internal elevation of a carrying handle of a
carton
according to a seventh embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and
cartons are
disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are
merely examples
of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do
not
represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied.
As used
herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively to refer to embodiments that
serve as
illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood
that the packages,
blanks and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative
forms. The
Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or
minimised to
show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or
methods are
not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the
present disclosure.
Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis
for teaching one
skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.
Figure 1 shows a plan view of a blank 10 capable of forming a carton 90, as
shown in Figure
2, for primary products such as, but not limited to, bottles, hereinafter
referred to as articles
B.
In the embodiments detailed herein, the terms "carton" and "carrier" refer,
for the non-limiting
purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container
for engaging,
carrying, and/or dispensing articles, such as product containers. It is
contemplated that the
teachings of the invention can be applied to various product containers, which
may or may
not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Exemplary containers include bottles (for
example metallic,
glass or plastics bottles), cans (for example aluminium cans), tins, pouches,
packets and the
like.
The blanks are formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. It is to be
understood that, as used
herein, the term "suitable substrate" includes all manner of foldable sheet
material such as
paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and
the like. It
should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed,
where suitable,
for example, to provide the carrier structure described in more detail below.
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In the exemplary embodiment, the blanks are configured to form a carton or
carrier for
packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles. In a first
illustrated exemplary
embodiment, the arrangement is a 3 x 4 matrix or array and the articles are
bottles. The
blank can be alternatively configured to form a carrier for packaging other
types, number and
size of article and/or for packaging articles in a different arrangement or
configuration.
The blank 10 comprises a plurality of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 hinged
one to the next
in a linear series. The blank 10 comprises a glue panel 12 hinged to a top
panel 14 by a fold
line 13. The top panel 14 is hinged to a first side panel 16 by a fold line
15. The first side
panel 16 is hinged to a bottom panel 18 by a fold line 17. The bottom panel 18
is hinged to a
second side panel 20 by a fold line 19.
The plurality of main panels 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 of the blank 10 form an open-
ended tubular
structure when in a set-up condition.
Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end
closure panels. In
the illustrated embodiment the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed
by end closure
panels 26A, 28A, 30A, 32A, 26b, 28B, 30B, 32B.
End closure panels 26A, 28A, 30A, 32A are configured to close a first end of
the tubular
structure and end panels 26b, 28B, 30B, 32B are configured to close a second
end of the
tubular structure.
A first top end closure panel 26A is hinged to a first end of top panel 14 by
a fold line 27a. A
first side end closure panel 28A is hinged to a first end of first side panel
16 by a pair of fold
lines 29a, 29B. A first bottom end closure panel 30A is hinged to a first end
of bottom panel
18 by a fold line 31A. A second side end closure panel 32A is hinged to a
first end of the
second side panel 20 by a pair of fold lines 33A, 33B. The pair of fold lines
29a, 29B define a
first corner panel 16A disposed between the first side panel 16 and the first
side end closure
panel 28A. The pair of fold lines 33A, 33B define a second corner panel 20A
disposed
between the second side panel 20 and the second side end closure panel 32A.
A second top end closure panel 26b is hinged to a second end of top panel 14
by a fold line
27B. A third side end closure panel 28B is hinged to a second end of the first
side panel 16
by a pair of fold lines 29c, 29d. A second bottom end closure panel 30B is
hinged to a
second end of bottom panel 18 by a fold line 31B. A fourth side end closure
panel 32B is
hinged to a second end of second side panel 20 by a pair of fold lines 33c,
33d.
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The pair of fold lines 29c, 29d define a third corner panel 16B disposed
between the first
side panel 16 and the third side end closure panel 28B. The pair of fold lines
33c, 33d define
a fourth corner panel 20B disposed between the second side panel 20 and the
fourth side
end closure panel 32B.
The first side end closure panel 28A and the second side end closure panel 32A
each form a
minor side end closure panel. The third side end closure panel 28B and the
fourth side end
closure panel 32B form a minor side end closure panel.
The first top end closure panel 26A and the second top end closure panel 26B
each form a
major upper end closure panel. The first bottom end closure panel 30A and the
second
bottom end closure panel 30B each form a major lower end closure panel.
The first side end closure panel 28A comprises a fold line 21A extending
between fold line
29a and a free end edge of the first side end closure panel 28A. The first
side end closure
panel 28A can be folded about fold line 21A when closing the end of the carton
90.
The second side end closure panel 32A comprises a fold line 25A extending
between fold
line 33A and a free end edge of the second side end closure panel 32A. The
second side
end closure panel 32A can be folded about fold line 25A when closing the end
of the carton
90.
The third side end closure panel 28B comprises a fold line 21B extending
between fold line
29d and a free end edge of the third side end closure panel 28B. The third
side end closure
panel 28B can be folded about fold line 21B when closing the end of the carton
90.
The fourth side end closure panel 32B comprises a fold line 25B extending
between fold line
33d and a free end edge of the fourth side end closure panel 32B. The fourth
side end
closure panel 32B can be folded about fold line 25B when closing the end of
the carton 90.
The top panel 14 comprises an access device Z. The access device Z comprises a
first gate
panel 24A and a second gate panel 24B. The first gate panel 24A is hinged to
the top panel
14 by a fold line 23A. The second gate panel 24B is hinged to the top panel 14
by a fold line
23B. The first and second gate panels 24A, 24B are arranged in opposition to
one another.
Optionally the first and second gate panels 24A, 24B are severably coupled to
one another;
the first and second gate panels 24A, 24B share a common inner edge defined by
a
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severance line 23c. The first gate panel 24A and the second gate panel 24B are
further
defined by a first severance line 23d and a second severance line 23e. The
first severance
line 23d extends between a first end of the fold line 23A and a first end of
the fold line 23B.
The second severance line 23e extends between a second end of the fold line
23A and a
second end of the fold line 23B. The common severance line 23c extends between
the first
severance line 23d and the second severance line 23e.
The blank 10 comprises a first handle structure H1 in the first top end
closure panel 26A,
and a second handle structure H2 in the second top end closure panel 26B. Each
of the
handle structures H1, H2 is substantially the same in construction, and
comprises a pair of
adjoining hand flaps or tabs; a first hand tab 42A and a second hand tab 42B
are struck from
the respective one of the first top end closure panel 26A or second top end
closure panel
26B. The first top end closure panel 26A and/or second top end closure panel
26B each
form a substantially upright handle panel.
The first hand tab 42A is hinged along an upper edge to the respective one of
the first top
end closure panel 26A or second top end closure panel 26B by a hinged
connection in the
form of a first fold line 41A. The second hand tab 42B is hinged along an
upper edge to the
respective one of the first top end closure panel 26A or second top end
closure panel 26B by
a hinged connection in the form of a second fold line 41B. The first and
second fold lines
41A, 41B are arranged to form an inverted V shape. The first and second fold
lines 41A, 41B
are convergently arranged with respect to one another and define an obtuse
angle
therebetween. Each of the first and second hand tabs 42A, 42B is defined in
part by a
portion of a U-shaped cutline or severance line 48. The first hand tab 42A is
disposed
adjacent to the second hand tab 42B. The first hand tab 42A and the second
hand tab 42B
share a common edge defined by a severance line or cut line 43.
Each of the hinged connections, first and second fold lines 41A, 41B, have a
longitudinal
axis which, in the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1-5, is coincidental with
that fold line.
The longitudinal axis of each hinged connection 41A, 41B is disposed at an
acute angle
(a-F13), less than 90 , with respect to a notional vertical axis N2 (Figure
3). The longitudinal
axes of the hinged connections define an obtuse angle A therebetween and
extend
divergently downwards from the converging point of the hinged connections 41A,
41B
(Figure 2).
The first hand tab 42A comprises a first flap fold line 45A and the second
hand tab 42B
comprises a second flap fold line 45B. The first and second flap fold lines
45A, 45B facilitate
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folding of a first portion of the respective first or second hand tab 42A, 42B
with respect to a
second portion of the first or second hand tabs 42A, 42B. The first and second
flap fold lines
45A, 45B are arranged to form an inverted V shape. The first and second flap
fold lines 45A,
45B are convergently arranged with respect to one another and define an acute
or obtuse
angle therebetween. The first and second flap fold lines 45A, 45B provide that
adjacent
lower corners of the first and second hand tabs 42A, 42B can be folded with
respect to the
rest of the respective one of the first or second hand tabs 42A, 42B.
In the illustrated embodiment the first hand tab 42A and the second hand tab
42B together
define a single hand opening HA (Figures 4 and 5) when the first and second
hand tabs 42A,
42B are folded inward of the carton, out of the plane of the first top end
closure panel 26A or
the second top end closure panel 26B.
The hand opening HA provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand
into the
carton 90. The first and second hand tabs 42A, 42B provide cushioning flaps
when folded
internally of the carton 90 so as to provide a comfortable handle.
The first side end closure panel 28A comprises a first inner opening such as a
cutaway or
recess R1 struck from an end edge thereof. The first recess R1 is configured
such that it is in
alignment or registry with the second hand tab 42B of the first handle
structure H1 or the
hand opening HA of the first handle structure H1. The first recess R1 is
defined in part by a
first inner tab 52A hinged to the first side end closure panel 28A by a fold
line 51A.
The second side end closure panel 32A comprises a second inner opening such as
a
cutaway or recess R2 struck from an end edge thereof. The second recess R2 is
configured
such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 42A of the
first handle structure
H1, or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H1. The second recess
R2 is
defined in part by a second inner tab 52B hinged to the second side end
closure panel 32A
by a fold line 51B.
The third side end closure panel 28B comprises a third inner opening such as a
cutaway or
recess R3 struck from an end edge thereof. The third recess R3 is configured
such that it is
in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 42B of the second handle
structure H2, or
the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2. The third recess R3 is
defined in
part by a first inner tab 52A hinged to the third side end closure panel 28B
by a fold line 51A.
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The fourth side end closure panel 32B comprises a fourth inner opening such as
a cutaway
or recess R4 struck from an end edge thereof. The fourth recess R4 is
configured such that
it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 42A of the second
handle structure H2, or
the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2. The fourth recess R4 is
defined in
part by a second inner tab 52B hinged to the fourth side end closure panel 32B
by a fold line
51B.
Turning to the construction of the carton 90 as illustrated in Figure 2, the
carton 90 may be
formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine
such that the
carton 90 is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its
construction. The folding
process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to
particular
manufacturing requirements.
The blank 10 is folded about fold line 15, such that the glue panel 12 and top
panel 14 are
folded thereabouts. The top panel 14 is brought into face contacting
relationship with the first
side panel 16; the glue panel 12 is brought into face contacting relationship
with the first side
panel 16 and/or bottom panel 18.
Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to the glue panel 12 or, in
alternative
embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the second side panel 20.
The second side panel 20 is folded about the fold line 19 such that the second
side panel 20
overlies the glue panel 12.
The second side panel 20 is secured to the glue panel 12 to form a flat
collapsed carton. The
carton may be shipped or distributed in this flat collapsed form.
In alternative embodiments the second side panel 20 may be secured to the glue
panel 12
by alternative securing means for example, but not limited to, staples or
other mechanical
fixing means.
The flat collapsed carton may be erected into a tubular structure by
separating the top panel
14 from the bottom panel 18.
The carton 90, in its open-ended tubular form, may be loaded with articles B
through one or
both open ends. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments one of the
open ends of the
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carton 90 may be closed before loading the carton 90 with articles B through
the remaining
open end.
In some embodiments, one or more of the end closure panels 26A, 28A, 30A, 32A,
26B,
28B, 30B, 32B are folded outwardly so as to create a funnel at one or both of
the open ends
of the tubular structure for facilitating loading of the carton with articles
B.
Once the carton 90 is loaded with articles B the ends of the tubular structure
are closed.
A first end of the tubular structure is closed by folding the second and
second side end
closure panels 28A, 32A about fold lines 29A, 33A respectively.
Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the first side end closure
panel 28A, or
in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first top end
closure panel 26A.
Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the second side end closure
panel 32A,
or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first top end
closure panel
26A.
The first top end closure panel 26A is then folded about the fold line 27A to
be brought into
contact with the second and second side end closure panels 28A, 32A and
optionally
secured thereto.
Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the first side end closure
panel 28A, or
in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first bottom end
closure panel
30A.
Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the second side end closure
panel 32A,
or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first bottom
end closure
panel 30A.
Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to an inner surface of the first
bottom end
closure panel 30A, or in alternative embodiments, to an outer surface of the
first top end
closure panel 26A.
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The first bottom end closure panel 30A is then folded about the fold line 31A
to be brought
into contact with the second and second side end closure panels 28A, 32A and
the first top
end closure panel 26A.
The first bottom end closure panel 30A is secured to the first top end closure
panel 26A.
Optionally, the first bottom end closure panel 30A is secured to the second
and second side
end closure panels 28A, 32A.
In alternative embodiments the first bottom end closure panel 30A may be
folded about fold
line 31A prior to folding the first top end closure panel 26A about fold line
27A. It will be
appreciated that in such embodiments the first top end closure panel 26A is
disposed
outermost.
A second end of the tubular structure is closed by folding the sixth and
fourth side end
closure panels 28B, 32B about fold lines 29d, 33d respectively.
Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the third side end closure
panel 28B, or
in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the second top end
closure panel
26B.
Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the fourth side end closure
panel 32B,
or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the second top
end closure
panel 26B.
The second top end closure panel 26B is then folded about the fold line 27B to
be brought
into contact with the sixth and fourth side end closure panels 28B, 32B and
optionally
secured thereto.
Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the third side end closure
panel 28B, or
in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the second bottom
end closure
panel 30B.
Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the fourth side end closure
panel 32B,
or in alternative embodiments to a corresponding portion of the second bottom
end closure
panel 30B.
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Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to an inner surface of the second
bottom end
closure panel 30B, or in alternative embodiments, to an outer surface of the
second top end
closure panel 26B.
The second bottom end closure panel 30B is then folded about the fold line 31B
to be
brought into contact with the sixth and fourth side end closure panels 28B,
32B and the
second top end closure panel 26B.
The second bottom end closure panel 30B is secured to the second top end
closure panel
26B. Optionally, the second bottom end closure panel 30B is secured to the
sixth and fourth
side end closure panels 28B, 32B.
In alternative embodiments the second bottom end closure panel 30B may be
folded about
fold line 31B prior to folding the second top end closure panel 26B about fold
line 27B. It will
be appreciated that in such embodiments the second top end closure panel 26B
is disposed
outermost.
In order to deploy the carrying handle, a user inserts at least a portion of
their hand into a
hand opening HA created by folding the first and second hand tabs 42A, 42B of
the first
handle structure H1 and/or second handle structure H2 internally of the carton
90 as shown
in Figures 4 and 5. As a consequence of folding the first and second hand tabs
42A, 42B,
the first and second inner tabs 52A, 52B of the respective one of the first
and second handle
structures H1, H2 are folded internally of the carton about fold lines 51A,
51B.
Referring to Figure 3, the fold line 51A and the fold line 41A are arranged
divergently with
respect to each other. The fold line 51A is arranged such that it does not
overlie, or intersect
with, the fold line 41A. The fold line 51A is disposed above the fold line 41A
with their
respective lower ends positioned on a notional horizontal line Ni and spaced
from each
other. The fold lines 51A, 41A extend upwardly divergently from their
respective lower ends
toward the top panel 14. The fold line 51A and the fold line 41A are arranged
to define an
acute angle [3 with respect to each other. The fold line 51A is arranged to
define an acute
angle y with respect to the notional horizontal line Ni. The acute angle y is
substantially
greater than the acute angle [3 . The fold line 51A is arranged to define an
acute angle a with
respect to a notional vertical line N2 perpendicular to the notional
horizontal line Ni.
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The fold line 41A is arranged to define an acute angle 0 with respect to the
notional
horizontal line Ni. The angle 0 is less than the angle y and may optionally be
less than angle
R.
The angle [3 may be between approximately 25 to 300; for example, in one
embodiment the
angle [3 is approximately 28.5 . The angle y may be between approximately 40
to 60 for
example, in one embodiment the angle y is approximately 50 . The angle 0 may
be between
approximately 10 to 35 ; for example, in one embodiment the angle 0 is
approximately
21.5 .
As best shown in Figure 3, the first hand tab 42A is arranged in a partially
overlapping or
overlying relationship with the first inner tab 52A. The second hand tab 42B
is arranged in a
partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the second inner tab 52B.
The fold line
51A is disposed above the fold line 41A. The fold line 51B is disposed above
the fold line
41B.
The arrangement of the second hand tab 42B with respect to the second inner
tab 52B is
substantially the same as the arrangement of the first hand tab 42A with
respect to the first
inner tab 52A described above, albeit a mirror image of the arrangement of the
first hand tab
42A and the first inner tab 52A.
The fold line 51B and the fold line 41B are arranged divergently with respect
to each other.
The fold line 51B is arranged such that it does not overlie, or intersect
with, the fold line 41B.
The fold line 51B is disposed above the fold line 41B with their respective
lower ends
positioned on a notional horizontal line and spaced from each other. The fold
lines 51B, 41B
extend upwardly divergently from their respective lower ends toward the top
panel 14. The
fold line 51B and the fold line 41B are arranged to define an acute angle with
respect to each
other, as shown in Figure 3. The fold line 51B is arranged to define an acute
angle with
respect to a notional horizontal line. The fold line 51B is arranged to define
an acute angle
with respect to a notional horizontal line. The fold line 41B is arranged to
define an acute
angle with respect to a notional horizontal line.
As shown in Figure 4 the carton 90 comprises rows of articles B, optionally
three articles B.
A central article B is disposed substantially in the middle of the carton 90,
and the handle
structures H1, H2 are also disposed centrally between the side walls 16, 20.
In this way an
article B is disposed centrally with respect to the hand opening HA created by
folding the first
and second hand tabs 42A, 42B. The arrangement of the handle structures H1, H2
allows
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the first and second hand tabs 42A, 42B to be folded on opposing sides of the
centrally
located article B. Figure 5 shows an internal view of the carton 90; a user U
has partially
inserted a hand through the hand opening HA created by folding the first and
second hand
tabs 42A, 42B of the first handle structure H1. The fold lines 45A, 45B
facilitate folding of the
first and second hand tabs 42A, 42B respectively about the central article B.
The corner
portions C1, 02 of the first and second hand tabs 42A, 42B fold about fold
lines 45A, 45B
when the corner portions C1, 02 come into contact with the central article B,
best shown in
the internal view of Figure 5, in which the articles B have been omitted for
clarity.
Referring now to Figures 6 to 15, there is shown alternative embodiments of
the present
invention. In the further illustrated embodiments like numerals have, where
possible, been
used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix "100",
"200", "300", "400", "500"
or "600" to indicate that these features belong to the second, third, fourth,
fifth, sixth or
seventh embodiments, respectively. The alternative embodiments share many
common
features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the
embodiment
illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 will be described in any greater detail.
Figure 6 shows a plan view of a blank 110 according to a second embodiment.
The blank
110 comprises a plurality of main panels 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 hinged one to
the next in a
linear series. The blank 110 comprises a glue panel 112 hinged to a top panel
114 by a fold
line 113. The top panel 114 is hinged to a first side panel 116 by a fold line
115. The first
side panel 116 is hinged to a bottom panel 118 by a fold line 117. The bottom
panel 118 is
hinged to a second side panel 120 by a fold line 119.
The plurality of main panels 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 of the blank 110 form an
open-ended
tubular structure when in a set-up condition.
Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end
closure panels. In
the illustrated embodiment the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed
by end closure
panels 126A, 128A, 130A, 132A, 126B, 128B, 130B, 132B.
End closure panels 126A, 128A, 130A, 132A are configured to close a first end
of the tubular
structure and end panels 126B, 128B, 130B, 132B are configured to close a
second end of
the tubular structure.
The blank 110 comprises a first handle structure H1 in a first top end closure
panel 126A,
and a second handle structure H2 in a second top end closure panel 126B. Each
of the
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handle structures H1, H2 is substantially the same in construction, and
comprises a first
hand tab 142A and a second hand tab 142B struck from the respective one of the
first top
end closure panel 126A or second top end closure panel 126B.
The first hand tab 142A is hinged along an upper edge to the respective one of
the first top
end closure panel 126A or second top end closure panel 126B by a first fold
line 141A. The
second hand tab 142B is hinged along an upper edge to the respective one of
the first top
end closure panel 126A or second top end closure panel 126B by a second fold
line 141B.
The first and second fold lines 141A, 141B are arranged to form an inverted V-
shape. The
first and second fold lines 141A, 141B are convergently arranged with respect
to one
another and define an obtuse angle therebetween. Each of the first and second
hand tabs
142A, 142B is defined in part by cut lines or severance lines 148A, 148B and
in part by an
aperture Ai. The aperture Al is substantially triangular in shape, although
other shapes may
be employed in alternative embodiments. The first hand tab 142A is disposed
adjacent to the
second hand tab 142B. The first hand tab 142A and the second hand tab 142B
share a
common edge defined by a severance line or cut line 143. The common severance
line or
cut line 143 extends from the aperture Al to a vertex at which first and
second fold lines
141A, 141B meet.
In the illustrated embodiment the first hand tab 142A, second hand tab 142B
and aperture
Al define a hand opening HA when the first and second hand tabs 142A, 142B are
folded
out of the plane of the first top end closure panel 126A or the second top end
closure panel
126B.
The hand opening HA provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand
into a carton
190, see Figure 7A. The first and second hand tabs 142A, 142B provide
cushioning flaps
when folded internally of the carton 190 so as to provide a comfortable
handle.
The first side end closure panel 128A comprises a first inner opening such as
a cutaway or
recess R1 struck from an end edge thereof. The first recess R1 is configured
such that it is in
alignment or registry with the second hand tab 142B of the first handle
structure H1 or the
hand opening defined by the tabs 142A, 142B of the first handle structure Hi.
The first
recess R1 is defined in part by a first inner tab 152A hinged to the first
side end closure
panel 128A by a fold line 151A.
The second side end closure panel 132A comprises a second inner opening such
as a
cutaway or recess R2 struck from an end edge thereof. The second recess R2 is
configured
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such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 142A of the
first handle structure
H1, or the hand opening HA (Figure 7B) defined by the tabs 142A, 142B of the
first handle
structure H1. The second recess R2 is defined in part by a second inner tab
152B hinged to
the second side end closure panel 132A by a fold line 151B.
The third side end closure panel 128B comprises a third inner opening such as
a cutaway or
recess R3 struck from an end edge thereof. The third recess R3 is configured
such that it is
in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 142B of the second handle
structure H2, or
the hand opening HA defined by the tabs 142A, 142B of the second handle
structure H2.
The third recess R3 is defined in part by a first inner tab 152A hinged to the
third side end
closure panel 128B by a fold line 151A.
The fourth side end closure panel 132B comprises a fourth inner opening such
as a cutaway
or recess R4 struck from an end edge thereof. The fourth recess R4 is
configured such that
it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 142A of the second
handle structure H2 or
the hand opening HA defined by the tabs 142A, 142B of the second handle
structure H2.
The fourth recess R4 is defined in part by a second inner tab 152B hinged to
the fourth side
end closure panel 132B by a fold line 151B.
Figure 7A shows a partial view of an end of a carton 190 in which the carrying
handle is in a
stowed or undeployed condition.
Figure 7B shows a partial view of an end of the carton 190 in which the first
and second
hand tabs 142A, 142B of the carrying handle have been folded outwardly of the
carton 190
as indicated by direction arrows D1, D2 respectively. The first and second
hand tabs 142A,
142B have been folded outwardly for illustrative purposes only; in use the
first and second
hand tabs 142A, 142B of the carrying handle will be folded internally or
inwardly of the
carton 190. Figure 7B illustrates the position and orientation of the first
and second inner
tabs 152A, 152B. The first and second inner tabs 152A, 152B are located
internally with
respect to first and second inner tabs 152A, 152B. It will be appreciated from
Figure 7B that
the first hand tab 142A partially overlaps or overlays the first inner tab
152A, and that the
second hand tab 142B partially overlaps or overlays the second inner tab 152B.
Figure 8 shows a plan view of a blank 210 according to a third embodiment. The
blank 210
comprises a plurality of main panels 212, 214, 216, 218, 220 hinged one to the
next in a
linear series. The blank 210 comprises a glue panel 212 hinged to a top panel
214 by a fold
line 213. The top panel 214 is hinged to a first side panel 216 by a fold line
215. The first
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side panel 216 is hinged to a bottom panel 218 by a fold line 217. The bottom
panel 218 is
hinged to a second side panel 220 by a fold line 219.
The plurality of main panels 212, 214, 216, 218, 220 of the blank 210 form an
open-ended
tubular structure when in a set-up condition.
Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end
closure panels. In
the illustrated embodiment the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed
by end closure
panels 226A, 228A, 230A, 232A, 226B, 228B, 230B, 232B.
End closure panels 226A, 228A, 230A, 232A are configured to close a first end
of the tubular
structure and end panels 226B, 228B, 230B, 232B are configured to close a
second end of
the tubular structure.
The blank 210 comprises a first handle structure H1 in a first top end closure
panel 226A
and a second handle structure H2 in a second top end closure panel 226B. Each
of the
handle structures H1, H2 is substantially the same in construction, and
comprises a first
hand tab 242A and a second hand tab 242B struck from the respective one of the
first top
end closure panel 226A or second top end closure panel 226B.
The first hand tab 242A is hinged to the respective one of the first top end
closure panel
226A or second top end closure panel 226B by a pair of fold lines 270A, 270B.
The second
hand tab 242B is hinged the respective one of the first top end closure panel
226A or second
top end closure panel 226B by a pair of fold lines 270A, 270B. The pairs of
fold lines 270A,
270B are non-linear in shape; in the illustrated embodiment the fold lines
270A, 270B are
arcuate in shape. The fold lines 270A, 207B converge towards each other at
both ends
thereof to form a vertex or point of intersection at each end. The fold lines
270A, 207B
together define web panel 276 which in the illustrated embodiment has a
pointed oval or
pointed elliptical shape. Optionally, the web panel 276 comprises a fold line
272 which
bisects the web panel 276 into a first part 274A and a second part 274B. The
web panel 276
comprises a first vertex defined by first ends of the fold lines 270A, 270B.
The web panel
276 comprises a second vertex defined by second ends of the fold lines 270A,
270B. The
first and second vertices of the web panel 276 hinged to the first hand tab
242A define a first
notional linear line L1 as shown in Figure 9. The first and second vertices of
the web panel
276 hinged to the second hand tab 242B define a second notional linear line
L2.
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The first and second notional linear lines Li, L2 are arranged to form an
inverted V-shape.
The first and second notional linear lines Li, L2 define an obtuse angle c
therebetween.
The first hand tab 242A is defined in part by cut lines or severance lines
248A, 248c, fold line
270B and in part by an aperture Al. The second hand tab 242B is defined in
part by cut lines
or severance lines 248B, 248d, fold line 270B and in part by an aperture Al.
The aperture
Al is substantially triangular in shape, although other shapes may be employed
in
alternative embodiments. The first hand tab 242A is disposed adjacent to the
second hand
tab 242B. The first hand tab 242A and the second hand tab 242B share a common
edge
defined by a severance line or cut line 243. The common severance line or cut
line 243
extends from the aperture Al to a vertex at which first and second fold lines
241A, 241B
meet.
The cut lines or severance lines 248A, 248B are interrupted by nick portions
or connecting
portions Ni, N2 respectively. The connecting portions Ni, N2 facilitate
maintenance of the
first and second hand tabs 242A, 242B in the plane of the first top end
closure panel 226A or
second top end closure panel 226B until the carrying handle is employed.
It will be appreciated that the web panel 276 and the fold lines 270A, 270B
are substantially
equivalent to the linear fold lines 41A, 41B; 141A, 141B used in the
previously described
embodiments, providing means for the first and second hand tabs 242A, 242B to
fold when
the carrying handle is employed. The first and second hand tabs 242A, 242B are
foldable
about the first and second notional linear lines Li, L2.
In the illustrated embodiment, the area occupied by the first hand tab 242A,
second hand tab
242B and aperture Al defines a hand opening HA when the first and second hand
tabs
242A, 242B are folded out of the plane of the first top end closure panel 226A
or the second
top end closure panel 226B.
The hand opening HA provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand
into a carton
290. The first and second hand tabs 242A, 242B provide cushioning flaps when
folded
internally of the carton 290 so as to provide a comfortable handle.
The first side end closure panel 228A comprises a first inner opening such as
a cutaway or
recess R1 struck from an end edge thereof. The first recess R1 is configured
such that it is in
alignment or registry with the second hand tab 242B of the first handle
structure H1, or the
hand opening HA the first handle structure Hl. The first recess R1 is defined
in part by a pair
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of conjoined first inner tabs 262A, 264A which are hinged to the first side
end closure panel
228A by a common fold line 261A. Optionally, the fold line 261A is non-linear
in shape, and
may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or curvilinear in shape. The two
first hand tabs
262A, 264A, as best shown in Figure 11, are joined together through a narrowed
portion
having a concaved outline which is spaced apart from the common fold line
261A.
Optionally, however, the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may in
contact or intersect
with the fold line 261A to divide the inner tabs 262A, 264A into two
substantially separated
tabs.
The second side end closure panel 232A comprises a second inner opening such
as a
cutaway or recess R2 struck from an end edge thereof. The second recess R2 is
configured
such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 242A of the
first handle structure
H1, or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H1. The second recess
R2 is
defined in part by a pair of second inner tabs 262B, 264B which are hinged to
the first side
end closure panel 232A by a common fold line 261B. Optionally, the fold lines
261B is non-
linear in shape, and may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or
curvilinear in shape. The
two first hand tabs 262B, 264B, as best shown in Figure 11, are joined
together through a
narrowed portion having a concaved outline which is spaced apart from the
common fold line
261B. Optionally, however, the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may
contact or
intersect with the fold line 261B to divide the inner tabs 262B, 264B into two
substantially
separated tabs.
The third side end closure panel 228B comprises a third inner opening such as
a cutaway or
recess R3 struck from an end edge thereof. The third recess R3 is configured
such that it is
in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 242B of the second handle
structure H2, or
the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2. The third recess R3 is
defined in
part by a pair of first inner tabs 262A, 264A which are hinged to the first
side end closure
panel 228B by a common fold line 261A. Optionally, the fold line 261A is non-
linear in shape,
and may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or curvilinear in shape. The
two first hand
tabs 262A, 264A of the second handle structure H2 are joined together through
a narrowed
portion having a concaved outline which is spaced apart from the common fold
line 261A.
Optionally, however, the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may contact
or intersect
with the fold line 261A6 to divide the inner tabs 262A, 264A into two
substantially separated
tabs.
The fourth side end closure panel 232B comprises a fourth inner opening such
as a cutaway
or recess R4 struck from an end edge thereof. The fourth recess R4 is
configured such that
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it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 242A of the second
handle structure H2, or
the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2. The fourth recess R4 is
defined in
part by a pair of second inner tabs 262B, 264B which is hinged to the first
side end closure
panel 232B by a common fold line 261B. Optionally, the fold line 261B is non-
linear in shape,
and may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or curvilinear in shape. The
two first hand
tabs 262B, 264B of the second handle structure H2 are joined together through
a narrowed
portion having a concaved outline which is spaced apart from the common fold
line 261B.
Optionally, however, the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may contact
or intersect
with the fold lines 261B to divide the inner tabs 262B, 264B into two
substantially separated
tabs.
In the illustrated embodiment, each of the pair of first inner tabs 262A, 264A
comprises a
substantially oval shape having one pointed end as best shown in Figures 10
and 11,
although in other embodiments other shapes may be employed. In some
embodiments,
each of the first inner tabs 262A, 264A may have a substantially oval shape
having a pair of
opposed pointed ends such that the first inner tabs 262A, 264A are not coupled
together but
in contact with each other at their adjacent pointed ends. In Figures 10 and
11, the pair of
the first inner tabs 262A, 264A together form a single tab having a pair of
lobes 262A, 264A,
each of the lobes having a substantially oval shape having one pointed end.
In the illustrated embodiment the each of the pair of second inner tabs 262B,
264B
comprises a substantially oval shape having one pointed end as best shown in
Figures 10
and 11, although in other embodiments other shapes may be employed. In some
embodiments, each of the first inner tabs 262B, 264B may have a substantially
oval shape
having a pair of opposed pointed ends such that the second inner tabs 262B,
264B are not
coupled together but in contact with each other at their adjacent pointed
ends. In Figures 10
and 11, the pair of the second inner tabs 262B, 264B form a single tab having
a pair of lobes
262B, 264B, each of the lobes having a substantially oval shape having one
pointed end.
Figure 10 shows an internal view of the carrying handle structure. The pair of
second inner
tabs 262B, 264B are in overlapping or overlaying relationship with the web
panel 276 hinged
to the first hand tab 242A. The pair of first inner tabs 262A, 264A is in
overlapping or
overlaying relationship with the web panel 276 hinged to the first hand tab
242B. The pair of
first inner tabs 262A, 264A and the pair of second inner tabs 262B, 264B each
provide a
mandrel for guiding or facilitating folding of the respective web panel 276
when the carrying
handle is deployed. The first inner tabs 262A, 264A and the second inner tabs
262B, 264B
encourage the web panel 276 to bend about the fold line 272 such that it takes
a convex
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shape when viewed from an internal vantage point above the carrying handle
structure, as
shown in Figure 11. In this way the web panel 276 adopts a non-planar form.
When viewing
the outer external surface of the sheet material from which the carton 290 is
formed, the web
panel 276 will have a concave shape; the web panel 276 may, in some
embodiments, be
valley shaped, that is to say forming a trough having a "V"-shaped cross
section. This
enhances the strength of the web panel 276 and prevents or mitigates against
the web panel
276 folding about itself about a longitudinal axis of the web panel 276
defined by the first or
second linear notional line L1, L2.
Figure 12 shows a plan view of a blank 310 according to a third embodiment.
The blank 310
comprises a plurality of main panels 312, 314, 316, 318, 320 hinged one to the
next in a
linear series. The blank 310 comprises a glue panel 312 hinged to a top panel
314 by a fold
line 313. The top panel 314 is hinged to a first side panel 316 by a fold line
315. The first
side panel 316 is hinged to a bottom panel 318 by a fold line 317. The bottom
panel 318 is
hinged to a second side panel 320 by a fold line 319.
The plurality of main panels 312, 314, 316, 318, 320 of the blank 310 form an
open-ended
tubular structure when in a set-up condition.
Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end
closure panels. In
the illustrated embodiment the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed
by end closure
panels 326A, 328A, 330A, 332A, 326B, 328B, 330B, 332B.
End closure panels 326A, 328A, 330A, 332A are configured to close a first end
of the tubular
structure and end panels 326B, 328B, 330B, 332B are configured to close a
second end of
the tubular structure.
The blank 310 comprises a first handle structure H1 in a first top end closure
panel 326A
and a second handle structure H2 in a second top end closure panel 326B. Each
of the
handle structures H1, H2 is substantially the same in construction, and
comprises a first
hand tab 342A and a second hand tab 342B struck from the respective one of the
first top
end closure panel 326A or second top end closure panel 326B.
The first hand tab 342A is hinged to the respective one of the first top end
closure panel
326A or second top end closure panel 326B by a first pair of fold lines 381A,
383A. The
second hand tab 342B is hinged to the respective one of the first top end
closure panel 326A
or second top end closure panel 326B by a second pair of fold lines 381B,
383B.
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Each of the first pair of fold lines 381A, 383A are non-linear in shape; in
the illustrated
embodiment the fold lines 381A, 383A are arcuate in shape. The fold lines
381A, 383A
converge towards each other at both ends thereof to form a vertex or point of
intersection at
each end. The fold lines 381A, 383A together define first web panel 376A which
in the
illustrated embodiment has a pointed oval shape. The first web panel 376A
comprises a first
vertex defined by first ends of the fold lines 381A, 383A. The first web panel
376A comprises
a second vertex defined by second ends of the fold lines 381A, 383A. The first
and second
vertices of the first web panel 376A hinged to the first hand tab 342A define
a first notional
linear line L1.
Each of the second pair of fold lines 381B, 383B are non-linear in shape; in
the illustrated
embodiment the fold lines 381B, 383B are arcuate in shape. The fold lines
381B, 383B
converge towards each other at both ends thereof to form a vertex or point of
intersection at
each end. The fold lines 381B, 383B together define second web panel 376B
which in the
illustrated embodiment has a pointed oval shape. The second web panel 376B
comprises a
first vertex defined by first ends of the fold lines 381B, 383B. The second
web panel 376B
comprises a second vertex defined by second ends of the fold lines 381B, 383B.
The first
and second vertices of the second web panel 376B hinged to the second hand tab
342B
define a second notional linear line L2.
The first and second notional linear lines L1, L2 are arranged to form an
inverted V shape.
The first and second notional linear lines L1, L2 define an obtuse angle (j)
therebetween.
The first hand tab 342A is defined in part by fold line 383A and in part by a
portion of a U-
shaped cut line or severance line 348. The second hand tab 342B is defined in
part by fold
line 383B and in part by a portion of the U-shaped cut line or severance line
348. The first
hand tab 342A is disposed adjacent to the second hand tab 342B. The first hand
tab 342A
and the second hand tab 342B share a common edge defined by a severance line
or cut line
343. The common severance line or cut line 343 extends from the U-shaped cut
line or
severance line 348 to a vertex at which fold line 383A meets fold line 383B.
The first hand tab 342A comprises a first flap fold line 345A and the second
hand tab 342B
comprises a second flap fold line 345B. The first and second flap fold lines
345A, 345B
facilitate folding of a first portion of the respective first or second hand
tab 342A, 342B with
respect to a second portion of the first or second hand tab 342A, 342B. The
first flap fold line
345A extends between the fold line 383A and the U-shaped cutline 348. The
second flap
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fold line 345B extends between the fold line 383B and the U-shaped cutline
348. The first
and second flap fold lines 345A, 345B are divergently arranged with respect to
one another
and define an acute angle therebetween. The first and second flap fold lines
345A, 345B
provide that outermost portions of the first and second hand tabs 342A, 342B
can be folded
with respect to the rest of the respective one of the first or second hand tab
342A, 342B.
In the illustrated embodiment the first hand tab 342A and the second hand tab
342B together
define a hand opening when the first and second hand tabs 342A, 342B are
folded out of the
plane of the first top end closure panel 326A or the second top end closure
panel 326B.
The hand opening provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand
into the carton.
The first and second hand tabs 342A, 342B provide cushioning flaps when folded
internally
of the carton so as to provide a comfortable handle.
The first side end closure panel 328A comprises a first inner cut away such as
a cutaway or
recess R1 struck from an end edge thereof. The first recess R1 is configured
such that it is in
alignment or registry with the second hand tab 342B of the first handle
structure H1, or the
hand opening HA of the first handle structure H1.
The second side end closure panel 332A comprises a second inner opening such
as a
cutaway or recess R2 struck from an end edge thereof. The second recess R2 is
configured
such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 342A of the
first handle structure
H1, or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H1.
The third side end closure panel 328B comprises a third inner opening such as
a cutaway or
recess R3 struck from an end edge thereof. The third recess R3 is configured
such that it is
in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 342B of the second handle
structure H2, or
the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2.
The fourth side end closure panel 332B comprises a fourth inner opening such
as a cutaway
or recess R4 struck from an end edge thereof. The fourth recess R4 is
configured such that
it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 342A of the second
handle structure H2, or
the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2.
In the embodiment of Figure 12 the inner tabs, such as 52A, 52B, have been
omitted from
the first, second, third and fourth recesses R1, R2, R3, R4.
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Figure 13 shows an end view of a carton 490 according to a fifth embodiment.
The carton
490 comprises a plurality of main panels forming a tubular structure. The
tubular structure is
closed at each end by end closure panels 416A, 420A, 426A, 430A. The carton
490
comprises an upper end closure panel 426A having a handle structure defined
therein. The
handle structure comprises a first hand tab 442A and a second hand tab 442B.
The first
hand tab 442A is hinged to the upper end closure panel 426A by a pair of non-
linear fold
lines 491A, 493A. The fold lines 491A, 493A are arcuate in shape. The fold
lines 491A, 493A
converge towards each other at both ends thereof to form a vertex or point of
intersection at
each end. The fold lines 491A, 493A together define web panel 476A which, in
the illustrated
embodiment, has a pointed oval shape. The web panel 476A comprises a first
vertex defined
by first ends of the fold lines 491A, 493A. The web panel 476A comprises a
second vertex
defined by second ends of the fold lines 491A, 493A. The first and second
vertices of the
web panel 476A hinged to the first hand tab 442A define a first notional
linear line L1.
The second hand tab 442B is hinged to the upper end closure panel 426A by a
pair of non-
linear fold lines 491B, 493B. The fold lines 491B, 493B are arcuate in shape.
The fold lines
491B, 493B converge towards each other at both ends thereof to form a vertex
or point of
intersection at each end. The fold lines 491B, 493B together define web panel
476B which,
in the illustrated embodiment, has a pointed oval shape. The web panel 476B
comprises a
first vertex defined by first ends of the fold lines 491B, 493B. The web panel
476B comprises
a second vertex defined by second ends of the fold lines 491B, 493B. The first
and second
vertices of the web panel 476B hinged to the second hand tab 442B define a
second
notional linear line L2.
The first and second notional linear lines L1, L2 are arranged to form an
inverted V-shape.
The first and second notional linear lines L1, L2 define an obtuse angle Lp
therebetween.
The first hand tab 442A is separated from the second hand tab 442B by a
portion of an
aperture A3, which portion has an inverted "V" shape.
A first side end closure panel 416A comprises a first inner opening such as a
cutaway or
recess (not shown) struck from an end edge thereof. The first recess is
configured such that
it is in alignment or registry with a portion of a hand opening defined by the
first hand tab
442A, second hand tab 442B and the aperture A3.
A second side end closure panel 420A comprises a second inner opening such as
a
cutaway or recess (not shown) struck from an end edge thereof. The second
recess is
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configured such that it is in alignment or registry with a portion of the hand
opening defined
by the first hand tab 442A, second hand tab 442B and the aperture A3.
Figure 14 shows a fragmentary internal end elevation of a carton according to
a sixth
embodiment. The carton of the sixth embodiment shares many common features
with that of
the first embodiment shown in Figures 1-5 and therefore only the differences
from the
embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 will be described in any greater
detail. In Figure 14,
like numerals, where possible, are used to denote like parts which are also
present in
Figures 1-5, albeit with the addition of the prefix "500" to indicate that
these features belong
to the sixth embodiment, respectively.
The carton of the sixth embodiment includes a top panel, a bottom panel, a
first side panel
and a second side panel forming a tubular structure. Figure 14 shows a third
side end
closure panel 528B hingedly connected to the first side panel and a fourth
side end closure
panel 532B hingedly connected to the second side panel. The third and fourth
side end
closure panels 528B, 532B close a second end of the tubular structure in
cooperation with
the second top and bottom end closure panels. Stated differently, the third
and fourth side
end closure panels 528B, 532B and the second top and bottom end closure panels
together
provide an upright, composite end wall of the carton, which closes the second
end of the
tubular structure. In Figure 14, which is a fragmentary internal elevation of
the composite
end wall, the third side end closure panel 528B is the innermost layer of the
composite end
wall while the fourth side end closure panel 532B is the second innermost
layer of the
composite end wall wherein the respective free end portions of the third and
fourth side end
closure panels 528B, 532B are shown as overlapping with each other. The top
end closure
panel provides either the outermost or second outermost layer of the composite
wall in the
manner similar to what are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. A handle structure
is provided by a
pair of adjoining hand flaps 542A, 542B which are hingedly connected to the
top end closure
panel by a pair of hinged connections 541A, 541B such that the hand flaps
542A, 542B
together define a single hand opening in the top end closure panel when the
hand flaps
542A, 542B are folded out of the plane of the top end closure panel. Each of
the hinged
connections 541A, 541B in this embodiment is provided by a linear fold line.
The
longitudinal axis of each hinged connection is disposed at an acute angle with
respect to a
notional horizontal line. Such longitudinal axes of the hinged connections are
coincidental
with the fold lines 541A, 541B, respectively. The fold lines 541A, 541B meet
at their
common upper end and downwardly extend from the common upper end divergently
from
each other. An obtuse angle is defined between the fold lines 541A, 541B.
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The first hand tab 542A is defined in part by fold line 541A and in part by a
portion of a U-
shaped cut line or severance line 548. The second hand tab 542B is defined in
part by fold
line 541B and in part by a portion of the U-shaped cut line or severance line
548. The first
hand tab 542A is disposed adjacent to the second hand tab 542B. The first hand
tab 542A
and the second hand tab 542B share a common edge defined by a severance line
or cut line
543. The severance line or cut line 543 extends from the U-shaped cut line or
severance line
548 to a vertex at which fold line 541A meets fold line 541B.
The first hand tab 542A comprises a first flap fold line 545A while the second
hand tab 542B
comprises a second flap fold line 545B. The first and second flap fold lines
545A, 545B
facilitate folding of a first portion of the respective first or second hand
tab 542A, 542B with
respect to a second portion of the first or second hand tab 542A, 542B. The
first flap fold line
545A extends between the severance line 543 and the U-shaped cutline 548. The
second
flap fold line 545B extends between the severance line 543 and the U-shaped
cutline 548.
The first and second flap fold lines 545A, 545B converge on the severance line
453 and
define an obtuse angle therebetween. The first and second flap fold lines
545A, 545B an
apex on the severance line 543 from which the flap fold lines 545A, 545B
downwardly
extend divergently from each other.
The hand opening defined by the hand flaps 542A, 542B provides a carrying
handle for a
user to insert their hand into the carton. The first and second hand tabs
542A, 542B provide
cushioning flaps when folded internally of the carton so as to provide a
comfortable handle.
The third side end closure panel 528B comprises a third inner opening such as
a cutaway or
recess struck from an end edge thereof. The third inner opening is configured
such that it is
in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 542A, or the hand opening of
the handle
structure. The fourth side end closure panel 532B comprises a fourth inner
opening such as
a cutaway or recess struck from an end edge thereof. The fourth inner opening
is configured
such that it is in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 542B, or the
hand opening of
the handle structure. The third inner opening is defined in part by a first
inner tab 552A
hinged to the third side end closure panel 528B by a fold line 551A. The
fourth inner
opening is defined in part by a second inner tab 552B hinged to the fourth
side end closure
panel 532B by a fold line 551B.
As viewed in Figure 14, the lower end of the inner flap fold line 551A is
located below the
lower end of the flap fold line 541A. The inner flap fold line 551A extends
upward from its
lower end, intersects with the flap fold line 541A of the hand flap 542A and
extends above
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the flap fold line 541A. The fold lines 551A, 541A are arranged to define an
acute angle with
respect to each other. The inner flap fold line 551A is arranged to define an
acute angle with
respect to a notional horizontal line. The flap fold line 541A is arranged to
define an acute
angle with respect to a notional horizontal line. The acute angle between the
flap fold line
541A and the notional horizontal line is less than that between the inner flap
fold line 551A
and the notional horizontal line. The flap fold line 541A is arranged to
define an acute angle
with respect to a notional vertical line.
As shown in Figure 14, the first hand tab 542A is arranged in a partially
overlapping or
overlying relationship with the first inner tab 552A. The second hand tab 542B
is arranged in
a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the second inner tab
552B.
The arrangement of the second hand tab 542B with respect to the second inner
tab 552B is
substantially the same as the arrangement of the first hand tab 542A with
respect to the first
inner tab 552A described above, albeit a mirror image of the arrangement of
the first hand
tab 542A and the first inner tab 552A.
Figure 15 shows a fragmentary internal end elevation of a carton according to
a seventh
embodiment. The carton of the seventh embodiment shares many common features
with
that of the first and sixth embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5 and 14 and
therefore only the
differences from the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 and 14 will be
described in
any greater detail. In Figure 15, like numerals, where possible, are used to
denote like parts
which are also present in Figure 14, albeit with the addition of the prefix
"600" to indicate that
these features belong to the seventh embodiment, respectively.
As viewed in Figure 15, the lower end of the inner flap fold line 651A is
located below the
lower end of the flap fold line 641A. The inner flap fold line 651A extends
upward from its
lower end, passes through the lower end of the flap fold line 641A of the hand
flap 642A and
extends above the flap fold line 641A. Stated differently, the lower end of
the flap fold line
641A is located on the inner flap fold line 651A such that the flap fold line
641A extends
upwardly and divergently from the inner flap fold line 651A. The fold lines
651A, 641A are
arranged to define an acute angle with respect to each other. The inner flap
fold line 651A is
arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line.
The flap fold line
641A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional
horizontal line. The
acute angle between the flap fold line 641A and the notional horizontal line
is less than that
between the inner flap fold line and the notional horizontal line. The flap
fold line 641A is
arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional vertical line.
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As shown in Figure 15, the first hand tab 642A is arranged in a partially
overlapping or
overlying relationship with the first inner tab 652A. The second hand tab 642B
is arranged in
a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the second inner tab
652B.
The arrangement of the second hand tab 642B with respect to the second inner
tab 652B is
substantially the same as the arrangement of the first hand tab 642A with
respect to the first
inner tab 652A described above, albeit a mirror image of the arrangement of
the first hand
tab 642A and the first inner tab 652A.
It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the
present
invention. For example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be
adjusted to
accommodate articles of differing size or shape. The handle structures
disclosed herein may
be used in a variety of carton styles and are not limited to use in end-
loading cartons as
shown in the illustrated embodiments. The handle structures may be employed in
bottom or
top loading cartons or any carton style including a vertical/upright handle
panel in which a
hand opening may be defined; the handle structure of the invention may be
employed in a
basket carrier, a wraparound carrier or a top engaging carrier having upright
handle panels.
Each of the foregoing described and/or illustrated embodiments may be employed
on a
single panel wall or on a double panel wall (two at least partially
overlapping panels). When
employed with a double panel wall, the hand flaps are formed from the outer
panel while the
inner panel wall may be provided with inner hand flaps or no hand flaps. When
provided with
inner hand flaps at least one inner hand flap is associated with a respective
one of the outer
hand flaps of the outer panel.
It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as
"top", "bottom",
"front", "back", "rear", "end", "side", "inner, "outer, "upper" and "lower" do
not necessarily
limit the respective panels to such orientation, but may merely serve to
distinguish these
panels from one another.
As used herein, the term "inner opening" refers to all manner of openings
including holes
and apertures which may be a part of the handle structure of the invention.
More
particularly, the term "inner opening" may refer to one of the following: a
cutaway, a recess,
a notch, a hole and an aperture. A cutaway, recess or notch may be formed
along the free
end edge of an end closure panel while a hole or aperture may be formed within
an end
closure panel, such as shown at "28A", "28B, "32A" or "32B" in Figure 1, such
that the hole
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or aperture is surrounded entirely by the material of the end closure panel
which provides an
endless perimeter of the hole or aperture.
As used herein, the term "hinged connection" refers to all manner of lines
that define hinge
features in a substrate of sheet material, for facilitating folding portions
of the substrate with
respect to one another, or otherwise for indicating optimal folding locations
in the substrate.
For example, a hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily
referring to a
single fold line only: indeed a hinged connection can be formed from two or
more fold lines
wherein each of the two or more fold lines may be either straight/linear or
curved/curvilinear
in shape. When linear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may be
disposed parallel
with each other or slightly angled with respect to each other. When
curvilinear fold lines
form a hinged connection, they may intersect each other to define a shaped
panel within the
area surrounded by the curvilinear fold lines. Atypical example of such a
hinged connection
may comprise a pair of arched or arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points
such that they
define an elliptical panel therebetween. A hinged connection may be formed
from one or
more linear fold lines and one or more curvilinear fold lines. A typical
example of such a
hinged connection may comprise a combination of a linear fold line and an
arched or arcuate
fold line which intersect at two points such that they define a half moon-
shaped panel
therebetween.
As used herein, the term "fold line" may refer to one of the following: a
scored line, an
embossed line, a debossed line, a line of perforations, a line of short slits,
a line of half-cuts,
a single half-cut, an interrupted cut line, a line of aligned slits, a line of
scores and any
combination of the aforesaid options.
As used herein, the terms "severance line" refers to all manner of lines
formed in a substrate
of sheet material which facilitate separating portions of the substrate on the
opposite sides of
that line from one another, or otherwise indicate optimal separation locations
on the
substrate. For example, a severance line in a substrate of sheet material is
predisposed to
allow a tear to propagate there along. A severance line may be one of the
following: a single
cut, a single half-cut, a single slit, an interrupted cut, a score line, an
interrupted score line, a
line of perforations, a line of short cuts, a line of short slits, a line of
short half cuts, and any
combination of the aforementioned options.
Those elements of a fold line or those of a severance line, such as cuts,
perforations and
scores, can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality.
For example,
a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness
to define a
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fold line or a severance line. The line of perforations can be designed to
facilitate folding and
resist breaking to provide a fold line, or to facilitate breaking with little
effort to provide a
severance line.
