Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02455139 2003-10-24
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CARTON WITH TRANSVERSE STRAP HANDLE
S ~ The present invention relates generally to a product carton, and, more
particularly, to a carton with a strap handle.
Product cartons, such as those used for bottles and cans of beverages and
food supplements, are often equipped with hand holds or strap handles which
make the
cartons easier to carry.
Lifting a carton and its contents by a strap handle causes the weight of the
package to be concentrated at the handle, certain areas of the panel
(generally because
of orientation considered to be the, top panel) to which the handle is
attached and other
portions of the carton. The concentration of weight produces stress that can
cause
deformation and failure of the handle and various carton panels (particularly
the top
panel). Although the problems of deformation, failure and otherwise tearing
can
sometimes be addressed by using multiple plies of carton material andlor by
using
material of a higher caliper or thickness, such measures increase the cost of
cartons. It
can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a strap handle that does
not tear
easily, that does not require carton panels to be reinforced or made of
thicker material
and that does not otherwise diminish the structural integrity of the carton
while also
conserving the quantity of carton material used. The present invention is
directed to
overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
One aspect of the present invention provides a carton for beverage containers
has a center panel, a left side panel foldably connected to the center panel
along a fold
line, a right side panel foldably connected to the center panel along a fold
line, and a
strap handle provided by an integral part of the center panel and being hinged
to the
center panel by a plurality of web panels adjacent one or each end of the
strap handle
and a cut line extending in the center panel from each web panel and into the
adjacent
side panel, the arrangement being characterized in that the web panels are
foldable
.upwardly by hinging out of the plane of the center panel while portions of
said adjacent
side panel and said center panel between neighbouring ones of said cut lines
are
displaced inwardly of the carton which displacement, together with said upward
folding
of said web panels allow the strap handle itself to be raised above the plane
of the
center panel whereby load is encouraged to be transferred into and spread out
along said
side panels.
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According to a feature of this aspect of the invention, neighbouring ones of
said
cut lines, which extend from the center panel into the adjacent side panel,
may be
connected together in that adjacent side panel by a fold line extending
transversely of
the handle panel.
Preferably the connecting fold line is disposed adjacent the fold line which
connects together the center panel and one of the left or right side panels.
According to another feature of this aspect of the invention the connecting
fold
line may extend inwardly from the extremities of neighbouring ones of
neighbouring
ones of said cut lines towards the adjacent fold line which connects together
the center
panel and one of the left or right side panels.
According to a further feature of this aspect of the invention, the connecting
fold
line may have a portion which is coincident with the fold line which connects
together
the center panel and one of the left or right side panels.
According to a still further feature of this aspect of the invention the strap
I 5 handle rnay be hinged to the center panel by a pair of web panels disposed
at each end
of the strap handle adjacent respective ones of a pair of handle apertures
which
apertures together define, at least in part, said handle strap.
According.to yet another feature of this aspect of the invention the strap
handle
may be hinged to the center panel by two pairs of web panels, one pair of web
panels
being disposed at each end of the strap handle adjacent respective ones of a
pair of
handle apertures which apertures define, at least in part, said handle strap,
and the
second pair of web panels being disposed between said one pair of web panels
and the
adjacent fold line which connects together the center panel and the respective
left and
right side panels and wherein said cut line extends from each of the second
pair of web
panels into the adjacent left or right side panel.
Another aspect of the invention provides a blank provided by a single sheet
material for forming a carton according to any of the seven immediately
preceding
paragraphs.
. In some embodiments, the strap handle is formed in the top and side panels
and
extends transversely across the top panel between the side panels. The handle
is
integrally formed with the side panels and connects to the top panel using web
panels.
Web panels fold up spacing the handle from the top panel for easy gripping.
Load is
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distributed from the handle directly to the side panels, and is encouraged to
spread
throughout the side panels by the dimensions and positioning of the handle and
a score
line disposed at the connection of the handle and side panels.
In other embodiments, the strap handle is formed in the side and top and
bottom panels, and extends transversely across the side panel between the top
and
bottom panels. The carton is carried with the side panel facing upwardly. The
load is
transferred from the handle to the top and bottom panels to which the handle
connects.
The strap handle is also useful for cartons for longneck bottles. The handle
is formed in side and top panels. In such cases, the carton is earned with the
bottles
oriented horizontally instead of vertically.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a
perspective
view of a preferred embodiment of a set-up product carton with a transverse
strap
handle formed from a single blank according to the present invention.
1-5 Figure 2 illustrates the blank for the transverse strap handle of Figure
1.
Figure 3 illustrates a blank for a transverse strap handle carton similar to
Figure 2, but for another embodiment.
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a set-up product carton with
a transverse strap handle formed from a single blank similar to Figure 1, but
illustrating
another preferred embodiment.
Figure 5 illustrates the blank for the transverse strap handle of Figure 4.
Figure 6 illustrates a blank for a transverse strap handle carton similar to
Figure 4, but for another embodiment.
Figure 7 illustrates another blank for a transverse strap handle carton with a
frangible panel.
Figure 8 illustrates a blank for a transverse strap handle carton similar to
Figure 7, but for another embodiment. It is to be noted that throughout the
description and claims that follow, designation of panels as "top" or "side"
is for
convenience of reference with respect to the drawings in explaining the
invention. Use
of these terms does not and are not intended to place additional limitations
upon those
panels.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a carton 10 formed of side panels 12, 14, end
panels 13, 15, 16, 18, and top and bottom panels 20, 22. Carton 10 is equipped
with a
strap handle 24 that is oriented transversely as opposed to longitudinally.
Transverse
handle 24 is oriented so that a user grasps it with the users fingers extended
between
end panels 13/16 and 15/18 instead of extending between side panels 12 and 14.
As
illustrated, carton 10 holds twelve beverage containers A forming a 12-pack in
this
instance. In this embodiment, the cans or other articles packaged within the
carton are
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disposed with their longitudinal axis parallel to the transverse orientation
of the handle.
When lifted by transverse strap handle 24, the lifting force provided by
handle 24 is
directed to side panels 12 and 14 instead of top panel 20 or end panels 13/16
and 15/18
or corners of the carton as is the case with traditional longitudinal strap
handles. The
lifting force is thus spread over a wide area and there is no need to increase
the
thickness of the material of the carton to accommodate the load or prevent
tearing. A
number of strategic cuts and folds allows handle 24 to be raised up
sufficiently for a
user to insert a hand to grip the handle and thus carry the carton.
Figure 2 illustrates a blank 26 from which carton 10 can be formed. Blank
26 is preferably formed from a single piece of material provided with fold
lines 28 and
30 to define end panels and central panels. Top panel 20 is comprises the
central top
panel 20 and end portions. Similarly, side panels 12 and 14 comprise the
central panel
portions and end panel portions 13, 15 and 16, 18. Top panel 20 is connected
to side
panel 12 along fold line 32 and is also connected along fold line 34 to side
panel 14. .
Side panel 14 is connected along fold line 36 to bottom panel 22a, while
bottom panel
22b is connected along fold line 38 to side panel 12.
Blank 26 is scored along the side panels and attached end panels with
interrupted cut lines 40, 42 allowing material to be removed from those panels
forming
a dispenser for the cans. Bottom panel 22 contains score lines forming small
triangular
panels 44, 46 which flex tending to alter the shape of what would otherwise be
square
corners. This flexing accommodates the truncated corners of panel 14. Bottom
panel
22 may also contain score lines defining removable panels 48 and 50.
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Panel 14 has truncated corners giving it an octagonal configuration. A
cutout exists in the blank at each corner of panel 14, but the end portions of
panel 14
are connected to the adjoining end portions of panels 20 and 22 by connecting
webs that
are connected along fold lines to panels 20 and 22 and by score lines to the
end panels
16, 18 of panel 14. This allows the end panels to be neatly folded during
construction
of the carton. The octagonal panel may be more aesthetically appealing than
the square
cornered panel and thus may be used as a display panel. Octagonal corners also
tend to
compensate somewhat for shelf spaces that are not always exactly square.
Transverse handle strap 24 has its main strap portion defined between two
cutouts in top panel 20. Handle flaps 52, 54 are connected along score lines
to handle
24 to increase the thickness of the strap making for a more comfortable
handhole in the
assembled carton. The entire handle assembly extends across top panel 20 over
onto
side panels 12 and 14. The handle assembly thus extends across fold lines 32
and 34.
The handle assembly terminates at panel 12 along a fold line 56. Fold line 56
has a
central portion with end portions angled toward panel 12. This gives fold line
56 a
concave or inverted "C" configuration with the ends of the "C" terminating at
or near
top and bottom cut Lines 58 and 60. Cut line 58 extends diagonally downward
toward
fold line 32 then progresses horizontally onto panel 20. Similarly, cut Line
60 extends
diagonally upward across panel 12 to fold line 32 and then horizontally across
panel 20.
To prevent tearing and to fiuther direct lifting forces into the bulk of
panels 20 and 22,
the end portions of cut lines 58 and 60 are preferably J-shaped with the backs
of the J's
toward one another so that the end of the J's curve away from one another in
panel 12.
A shape other than a J-shape can be used as long as it curves away from the
stress areas
to prevent tearing and allow forces to spread to the bulk of the panel.
Preferably, cut
Lines 58 and 60 are not complete cut lines but are serrated to be easily
separated after
the carton is erected.
A web panel 62 exists between the top handhole cutout in panel 20 and the
horizontal portion of cut line 58 in panel 20. Panel 62 is defined by vertical
fold lines
and horizontal cut lines. When folded along the fold lines, main handle
portion 24 can
be lifted up out of the plane of panel 20. This makes room for a hand to be
inserted to
lift the carton. Similarly, along the bottom portion of handle 24 a second web
panel 64
is foldably connected to operate in concert with web panel 62. Panel 64
extends along
the horizontal portion of cut line 60 in panel 20. Panels 14 and 20 work in
concert
about the handle to form a mirror image of the stress-directing vertical fold
line and cut
lines. Vertical fold line 66 is thus the mirror image of vertical fold line 56
and serves to
direct lifting forces into the bulk of panel 14 to prevent tearing of the
panel when the
carton is lifted. Vertical fold Line 66 terminates at its top end at or near
top cut line 68
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and terminates its bottom end at or near bottom cut line 70. The fold lines
56, 66
optimally can be spaced a distance from associated corner edges 32, 34 so that
when the
carton is loaded with articles A such as cans having a shoulder B, the portion
of the
carton overlying the shoulder when the carton is lifted can be encouraged to
conform to
the slope of the shoulder. Because of this feature, cans or other articles
having
shoulders do not hamper the manner in which stress is directed by fold lines
56, 66.
Cut line 68 is a mirror image of cut line 58, while cut line 70 is the mirror
image of cut
line 60. A top web panel 72 that is associated with cut line 68 is the mirror
image of
web panel 62, while web panel 74 that is associated with cut line 70 is the
mirror image
of web panel 64. When blank 26 is erected into a carton, lifting forces
generated by
handle 24 are spread out along panels 12 and 14 and across bottom panel 22.
Top panel 20 also contains triangular panels 76 and ?8 similar to triangular
panels 44 and 46 and perform similar functions. In addition, these panels
compensate
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CA 02455139 2003-10-24
WO 02/085739 PCT/USO1/13199
somewhat for distorted cans or damage to the carton during shipment. They
allow for a
slight expansion or bulging of the carton without compromising the structural
integrity.
Also, by affixing the handle in the transverse direction, the lifting forces
are directed
into the bulk of the material and not directly at any cut, fold, corner or
weak point of the
5 carton. The lifting forces are directed such that they are spread out to be
carried by the
bulk of the material rather than relying upon a special construction feature
to provide
the necessary strength.
Refernng to Figure 3, another embodiment of a transverse handle strap
handle is illustrated in the form of a blank for forming a carton.
Figure 3 illustrates a blank 126 from which a carton similar to the carton 210
shown on Fig. 4 can be formed. Blank 126 is similar to blank 26 discussed
above and
blank 226 described below. Blank 26 yields a 12-pack carton with articles
(cans) A
disposed parallel to the handle strap 24 while blank 126 yields a 6-pack style
carton
wherein the articles such as cans are disposed within a package formed from
blank 126
with their tops or bottoms abutting the central top panel 120. Blank 126 is
divided by
fold lines 128 and 130 into end panels and central panels. Top panel 120 is
divided by
fold lines 128, 130 into the central top panel 120 and end portions 116 and
118. Side
panels 112 and 114 are divided into the central panel portions and end panel
portions.
Top panel 120 is connected to side panel 112 along fold line 132 while it is
connected
along fold line 134 to side panel 114. Bottom panel 122a is connected along
fold line
138 to side panel 112 and along fold line 136 to bottom panel flap 122b.
Side panel 122 contains score lines forming small triangular panels 144, 146
which flex to alter the shape of what would otherwise be perfectly square
corners.
Similarly, side panel 112 contains score lines forming small triangular panels
176 and
178.
Panel 120 has truncated corners giving it an octagonal configuration. A
cutout exists in the blank at each corner of panel 120, but the end portions
of panel 120
are connected to the adjoining end portions of panels 120 and 122 by
connecting webs
that are connected along fold lines to panels 112 and 114 and by score lines
to the end
panels 116, 118 of panel 120.
Transverse handle strap 124 has the main strap portion defined between two
cutouts in top panel 120. Handle flaps 152, 154 are foldably connected along
score
lines to handle 124 to increase the thickness of the strap making for a more
comfortable
handhole in the assembled carton. The entire handle assembly stretches across
top
panel 120 over onto side panels 112 and 114. It thus extends across fold lines
132 and
134. The handle assembly terminates at panel 112 along a fold line 156. Fold
line 156
has a vertical central portion with end portions angled toward side panel 112.
This
gives fold line 156 a concave or inverted "C" configuration with the ends of
the "C"
CA 02455139 2003-10-24
WO 02/085739 PCT/USO1/13199
6
terminating at or near top and bottom cut lines 158 and 160. Cut line 158
extends
diagonally downward toward fold line 132 then progresses horizontally onto
panel 120.
Similarly, cut line 160 extends diagonally upward across panel 112 to fold
line 132 and
then horizontally across panel 120. To prevent tearing and to further direct
lifting
forces into the bulk of the material of panel 112, the end portions of cut
lines 158 and
160 are preferably J-shaped with the backs of the J's toward one another so
that the end
of the J's curve away from one another in panel 112.
A web panel 162 exists between the top handhole cutout in panel 120 and
the horizontal portion of cut line 158 in panel 120. Panel 162 is defined by
vertical fold
lines and horizontal cut lines. When folded along the fold lines, main handle
portion
124 can be lifted up out of the plane of panel 120. This makes room for a hand
to be
inserted to lift the carton. Similarly, along the bottom portion of handle 124
a second
web panel 164 is foldably connected to operate in concert with web panel 162.
Panel
164 extends along the horizontal portion of cut line 160 in panel 120.
Panels 112 and 114 work in concert about the handle to form a mirror image
of the stress-directing vertical fold lines and cut lines. Vertical fold line
166 is thus the
mirror image of vertical fold line 156 and serves to direct lifting forces
into the bulk of
the material of panel 114 to prevent tearing of the panel when the carton is
lifted. Fold
line 166 terminates at its top end at or near top cut line 168 and terminates
its bottom
end at or near bottom cut line 170. Cut line 168 is a mirror image of cut line
158, while
cut line 170 is the mirror image of cut line 160. A top web panel 172 that is
associated
with cut line 168 is the mirror image of web panel 162, while web panel 174
that is
associated with cut line 170 is the minor image of web panel 164. When blank
126 is
erected into a carton, lifting forces generated by handle 124 are spread out
along panels
112 and 114 and across bottom panel 122 instead of the end panels 116, 118.
By affixing the handle in the transverse direction, the lifting forces are
directed into the bulk of the material and not directly at any cut, fold,
corner or weak
point of the carton. The lifting forces are directed such that they are spread
out to be
carried by the bulk of the material rather than relying upon a special
construction
feature such as corners to provide the necessary strength.
Refernng to Figure 4, a transverse handle assembly is illustrated wherein the
handle strap 224 is formed in what is oriented in the erected carton as a side
panel 214
of the carton 210 rather than a top panel of the carton. As stated above, the
designation
of a panel as "side" or "top" or otherwise is for convenience of discussion an
is not
intended to unduly limit the scope of the invention. The orientation of the
carton 210
shown in Figure 4 is based upon the location of the dispensing feature shown
in the
blank of Fig. 5. Figure 5 illustrates a blank 226 from which carton 210 can be
formed.
Blank 226 is preferably formed from a single piece of material divided by fold
lines 228
CA 02455139 2003-10-24
WO 02/085739 PCT/USO1/13199
7
and 230 into end panels and central panels. Top panel 220 is divided into the
central
top panel 220 and end portions 216 and 218. Side panels 212 and 214 are
divided into
the central panel portions and end panel portions. Top panel 120 is connected
to side
panel 212 along fold line 232 while it is connected along fold line 234 to
side panel
214. Side panel 214 is connected along fold line 236 to bottom panel 222a,
while
bottom panel 222b is connected along vertical fold line 238 to side panel 212.
Transverse handle strap 224 has the main strap portion defined between two
cutouts in side panel 214. Handle flaps 252, 254 are connected along score
lines to
handle 224 to increase the thickness of the strap making for a more
comfortable
handhole in the assembled carton. The entire handle assembly stretches across
side
panel 214 over onto top panel 220 and bottom panel 222. The handle assembly
thus
extends across fold lines 234 and 236. The handle assembly terminates at panel
220
along a fold line 256 terminating at or near top and bottom cut lines 258 and
260. Cut
line 258 extends horizontally across panel 220 toward fold line 234 then and
horizontally onto panel 214. Cut line 259 begins where cut line 258 ends and
continues
horizontally toward the main handle portion but is positioned closer to the
handle than
cut line 258 producing a discontinuity between cut lines 258 and 259.
Similarly, cut
line 260 extends horizontally across panel 220 toward fold line 234 and
horizontally
onto panel 214. Cut line 261 begins where cut line 260 ends and continues
horizontally
toward the main handle portion but is positioned closer to the handle than cut
line 260
producing a discontinuity between cut lines 260 and 261. To prevent tearing
and to
further direct lifting forces into the bulk of panels 220 and 222, the end
portions of cut
lines 258 and 260 are preferably J-shaped with the backs of the J's toward one
another
so that the ends of the J's curve away from one another.
A web panel 262 exists between cut lines 258 and 259 and an associated
web panel 263 extends between cut line 259 and the top handhole cutout in
panel 214.
Panels 262 and 263 are defined by vertical fold lines and horizontal cut
lines. When
folded along the fold lines main handle portion 224 can be lifted up out of
the plane of
panel 214. This makes room for a hand to be inserted to lift the carton.
Similarly,
along the bottom portion of handle 224, web panels 264 and 265 are foldably
connected
to operate in concert with web panels 262 and 263. Web panel 264 exists
between cut
lines 260 and 261 and associated web panel 265 extends between cut line 261
and the
bottom handhole cutout in panel 214.
Panels 214 and 220 work in concert about the handle to form a mirror image
of the stress-directing vertical fold lines and cut lines. Vertical fold line
266 is thus the
mirror image of vertical fold line 256 and serves to direct lifting forces
into the bulk of
panel 222 to prevent tearing of the panel when the carton is lifted. Vertical
fold line
266 terminates at its top end at or near top cut line 268 and terminates its
bottom at
CA 02455139 2003-10-24
WO 02/085739 PCT/USO1/13199
bottom cut line 270. As in the case of fold lines 56 and 66 in Figs. 1 and 2
above, fold
lines 256 and 266 are optimally spaced a distance from associated corner edges
234,
236 so that when the carton is loaded with articles A such as cans having a
shoulder B,
the portion of the carton overlying the shoulder when the carton is lifted can
be
encouraged to conform to the slope of the shoulder. Because of this feature,
cans or
other articles having shoulders do not hamper the manner in which stress is
directed by
fold lines 256, 266. Cut line 268 is a mirror image of cut line 258 and cut
line 269
mirrors cut line 259, while cut line 270 is the mirror image of cut line 260
and cut line
271 mirrors cut line 261. Top web panel 272 associated with cut line 268
mirrors web
panel 262 and web panel 273 mirrors web panel 263, while web panel 274
associated
with cut line 270 mirrors web panel 264 and web panel 275 mirrors web panel
265.
When blank 226 is erected into the carton, lifting forces generated by handle
224 are
spread out along panels 220 and 222.
Referring to Figure 6, another blank 326 for a transverse strap handle carton
is depicted for a bottle 12-pack. The transverse strap handle is similar to
the handle
shown in the blanks in Figures 2 and 5 except that vertical fold lines are
straight.
Transverse handle strap 324 has the main strap portion defined between two
cutouts in
top panel 320. Handle flaps 352, 354 are connected along score lines to handle
324.
The entire handle assembly stretches across top panel 320 over onto side
panels 312
and 314 thus extending across fold lines 332 and 334. It terminates at side
panel 312
along a fold line 356 and at side panel 314 along fold line 366. Fold line 366
terminates
at or near top and bottom cut lines 358 and 360. Fold lines 356 and 366 are
optimally
spaced a distance from associated corner edges so that when the carton is
loaded with
articles such as bottles having a shoulder (in the case of bottles, lower than
the
shoulders of cans), the portion of the carton overlying the shoulder when the
carton is
lifted can be encouraged to conform to the slope of the shoulder. Because of
this
feature, bottles or other articles having shoulders do not hamper the manner
in which
stress is directed by fold lines 356, 366. Cut line 358 extends diagonally
downward a
short distance toward fold line 332 then progresses horizontally onto panel
320.
Similarly, cut line 360 extends diagonally upward a short distance across
panel 312
toward vertical fold line 332 and then horizontally across panel 320. The end
portions
of cut lines 358 and 360 are preferably J-shaped with the backs of the J's
toward one
another so that the end of the J's curve away from one another in panel 312.
A web panel 362 exists between the top handhole cutout and horizontal
portion of cut line 358 in panel 320. Panel 362 is defined by vertical fold
lines and
horizontal cut lines. When folded along the fold lines, handle 324 can be
lifted up out
of the plane of top panel 320 making room for a hand to be inserted to lift
the carton.
Similarly, along the bottom portion of the handle, a second web panel 364 is
foldably
CA 02455139 2003-10-24
WO 02/085739 PCT/USO1/13199
9
connected to operate in concert with web panel 362. Panel 364 extends along
the
horizontal portion of cut line 360 in panel 320.
Panels 314 and 320 work in concert about the handle to form a minor image
of the stress-directing vertical fold line and cut lines. Vertical fold line
366 is thus the
mirror image of vertical fold line 356. Vertical fold line 366 terminates at
its top end at
or near top cut line 368 and terminates its bottom end at or near bottom cut
line 370.
Cut line 368 mirrors cut line 358 across the transverse axis of the handle and
mirrors
cut line 370 across the longitudinal axis, while cut line 370 mirrors cut line
360. A top
web panel 372, associated with cut line 368, mirrors web panel 362; while web
panel
374, associated with cut line 370, mirrors web panel 364. When blank 326 is
erected
into a carton, forces generated when lifting by the handle are spread out
along panels
312 and 314 and across bottom panel 322.
Figure 7 also illustrates a transverse handle for a 12-pack bottle container
with the transverse strap handle being formed in a side panel so that bottles
are carried
on their sides instead of upright. The handle is not symmetrical like the
handle in the
blank of Figure 2 but rather has its left side similar to the left side of the
handle of
Figure 2 and has its right side configured differently. The right side does
not have the
vertical fold line but rather has the handle strap connected directly to the
panel. The
side panel has a vertical fold line which bifurcates the side panel so that
one portion of
the side panel is perfectly vertical in the assembled carton with the other
panel of the
side panel assembly slanted inward to follow the contour of the bottles. The
vertical
fold line does not exist along the central portion of the handle so that when
the blank is
folded up into a carton a space is automatically created for insertion of the
hand. Or, if
the transverse portion of the handle follows the contour of the panels, then
space is
made for the insertion of the hand along the vertical fold line on the left
portion of the
blank.
Figure 7 illustrates a blank 426 from which carton can be formed. Blank
426 is preferably formed from a single piece of material divided by horizontal
fold lines
428 and 430 into end panels and central panels. Top panel 420 is thus divided
by fold
lines 428, 430 into the central top panel 420 and end portions 416 and 418.
Side panels
412a, 412b and 414a, 414b are divided into the central panel portions and into
end
panel portions. Top panel 420 is connected to side panel 412a along fold line
432.
Panel 412a is connected to panel 412b along fold line 433, and panel 412b
connects to
bottom panel 422 along fold line 438. Side panel 414b is connected along fold
line 436
to bottom panel 422 and to panel 414a. Top flap 439 connects to panel 414a
along fold
line 441.
A cutout exists in the blank at each corner where the end flaps 418 of
bottom panel 422 meets side panels 412a and 412b. The end portions of panel
422 are
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connected to the adjoining end portions of panels 412b and 414b by connecting
straps
that are connected along fold lines to their respective panels which allows
the end
panels to be neatly folded during erection of the carton.
During erection, the side panels are folded up first and the end panels last
so
that the connecting straps can be neatly folded between them. Side panel 414
is
provided with score lines 442 to form a tear open access panel. The erected
carton rests
on bottom panel 422 with bottles standing on bottom panel 422. Side panels
412b and
414b are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel. Side panels 412a and
414a
angle inward at their tops to follow the contour of long neck bottles 411
which are
10 narrower at the neck than the shoulder. Top flap 439 is folded over top
panel 420 and
glued in place. A cut out exists in top panel 420 to receive top flap 439 and
to conserve
material without sacrificing structural integrity. Panels 420 and 439 may
contain cut
outs 440 and frangible panels 441 to accommodate the tops of the bottles which
may
protrude therethrough.
Transverse handle strap 424 has the main strap portion defined between two
cutouts in side panels 412a, 412b. Handle flaps 452, 454 are connected along
score
lines to handle 424 to increase the thickness of the strap for comfort. The
handle
assembly stretches from panel 412b across top panel 412a over onto top panel
420. The
handle assembly thus extends across fold lines 432 and 434, but fold line 433
does not
intersect the handle so that the handle can fold out for gripping. The handle
assembly
terminates at panel 420 along a fold line 456 which has a central portion with
end
portions angled toward panel 420. This gives fold line 456 a concave or
inverted "C"
configuration with the ends of the "C" terminating at or near top and bottom
cut lines
458 and 460. Fold line 456 is optimally spaced a distance from its associated
corner
edge 432 so that when the carton is loaded with articles such as bottles
having a heel,
the portion of the carton overlying the heel when the carton is lifted can be
encouraged
to conform to the slope of the heel. Because of this feature, cans or other
articles
having heels do not hamper the manner in which stress is directed by fold line
456. Cut
line 458 extends diagonally downward toward fold line 432 then progresses
horizontally onto panel 412a. Similarly, cut line 460 extends diagonally
upward across
panel 432 to fold line 432 and then horizontally across panel 412a. To prevent
tearing
and to further direct lifting forces into the bulk of panel 420, the end
portions of cut
lines 458 and 460 are preferably J-shaped with the backs of the J's toward one
another
so that the end of the J's curve away from one another in panel 420.
A web panel 462 exists between the top handhole cutout in panel 412 and
the horizontal portion of cut line 458 in panel 412. Panel 462 is defined by
vertical fold
lines and horizontal cut lines. When folded along the fold lines, main handle
portion
424 can be lifted up out of the plane of panel 412. This makes room for a hand
to be
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11
inserted to lift the carton. Similarly, along the bottom portion of handle 424
a second
web panel 464 is foldably connected to operate in concert with web panel 462.
Panel
464 extends along the horizontal portion of cut line 460 in panel 412. When
blank 426
is erected into a carton, lifting forces generated by handle 424 are spread
out along
panels 412b and 420. When carried, the carton can be carried on its side with
the
bottles oriented horizontally instead of vertically.
Figure 8 illustrates a blank 526 from which a carton can be formed for a 6-
pack of articles such as one-liter bottles. Top panel 520 is connected to side
panel 512
along fold line 532 while it is connected along fold line 534 to side panel
514. Side
panel 514 is connected along fold line 536 to bottom panel 522a, while bottom
panel
522b is connected along fold line 538 to side panel 512.
Transverse handle strap 524 has the main strap portion defined between two
cutouts in top panel 520. The entire handle assembly stretches across top
panel 520
over onto side panels 512 and 514. The handle assembly thus extends across
fold lines
1 S 532 and 534. A cut line 558 extends horizontally and slightly downward
toward fold
line 532 then progresses onto panel 520. Similarly, cut line 560 extends
horizontally
and slightly upward across panel S 12 to fold line 532 and then horizontally
across panel
520. To prevent tearing and to further direct lifting forces into the bulk of
panel 512,
the end portions of cut lines 558 and 560 are preferably J-shaped with the
backs of the
J's toward one another so that the end of the J's curve away from one another
in panel
S 12.
A web panel 562 exists between the top handhole cutout in panel 520 and a
portion of cut line 558 in panel 520. Panel 562 is defined by vertical fold
lines and
horizontal cut lines. When folded along the fold lines, main handle portion
524 can be
lifted up out of the plane of panel 520. This makes room for a hand to be
inserted to lift
the carton. Similarly, along the bottom portion of handle 524 a second web
panel 564
is foldably connected to operate in concert with web panel 562. Panel 564
extends
along a portion of cut line 560 in panel 520. Cut line 568 is a mirror image
of cut line
558 across the transverse axis of the handle, while cut line 570 mirrors cut
line 560. A
top web panel 572 associated with cut line 568 mirrors web panel 562, while
web panel
574 associated with cut line 570 mirrors web panel 564. When blank 526 is
erected
into a carton, lifting forces generated by handle 524 are spread out along
panels S 12 and
514 and across bottom panels 522a and 522b.
Figure 8 illustrates a blank for a wrap-around type carton that is void of end
panels. Top panel 520 contains openings 576 for receiving the necks of the
bottles.
Each opening 576 is preferably circular with an adjacent frangible panel that
ruptures to
expand the opening for a larger bottle neck. As illustrated, there are six
openings. Side
panel 512 contains rows of serrations 578 forming a pull tab for accessing the
contents
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12
of the carton. Bottom panels 22a, 522b contain scored panels 580 that, when
erected,
engage the bottoms of the bottles to prevent shifting. The bottom panels also
contain
locking tabs.
As is illustrated by the embodiments shown and discussed above, the strap
portion of the handle 24, 124, 224, 324, 424, 524 of the carton is able to be
made wider
when it is transversely oriented with respect to the length and breadth of the
panel
which it traverses than if it was longitudinally oriented. A wider handle is
stronger than
one that is more narrow and thus can be made with a lesser thickness or
caliper of
material than a narrower handle. Similarly, the end portions of the handle
that form the
T-shaped connections to the carton can be made wider than if the handle was
oriented
longitudinally. The side panels to which stress is directed in each embodiment
typically
provides a maximum contiguous surface area for disbursement of stress. And,
typically, the side panel does not have a joint by which it is adhered to
another panel,
or, if there is a joint, the side panel that receives stress is of a
sufficient contiguous
1 S surface area to substantially disburse stress.
It can now be appreciated that a transverse strap handle carton and blank for
forming the carton have been presented. By positioning the strap handle
transversely
instead of longitudinally, lifting forces and weight of the package are spread
over the
wider area of the side panels. The carton has a center panel, a left panel
foldably
connected to the center panel along a left fold line, a right panel foldably
connected to
the center panel along a right fold line, and a strap handle formed from the
center, left
and right panels. The handle extends transversely across the center panel
between the
left and right panels. Web panels attached to the handle and the center panel
connect
the handle to the center panel. The web panels, typically and even set of four
or eight
web panels, are used and are placed symmetrically about the longitudinal and
transverse
axes of the handle. They are foldably connected to the handle and center
panel, and
fold out away from the center panel to position the handle at a higher
elevation than the
center panel. The handle folds along the left and right fold lines. In one
embodiment, a
left end portion of the handle has a concave curvature opening toward the left
panel,
and a right end portion of the handle has a concave curvature opening to the
right panel.
In another embodiment, a left end portion of the handle has a concave
curvature
opening toward the left panel, and a right end portion is integral with the
right panel.
Each embodiment of the left and right end portions of the handle evenly
distribute load
to the left and right panels, respectively. The left-center-right panel
combination may
be a side-top-side or a top-side-bottom combination of panels.
A blank for a product carton has a center panel with a left fold line along a
left edge of the panel and a right fold line along a right edge of the panel.
A left panel
is foldably connected to the center panel along the left fold line, and a
right panel is
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13
foldably connected to the center panel along the right fold line. A strap
handle is
formed from the center, left and right panels, and extends transversely across
the center
panel between the left and right panels. In a preferred embodiment, at least
four web
panels are foldably connected to the handle and the center panel and connect
the handle
to the center panel. The web panels are symmetrically position about a
longitudinal
axis and a transverse axis of the handle. The handle is foldable along the
left and right
fold lines. In one embodiment, a left end portion of the handle has a concave
curvature
opening toward the left panel, and a right end portion of the handle has a
concave
curvature opening toward the right panel. In another embodiment, a left end
portion of
the handle has a concave curvature opening toward the left panel, and a right
end
portion of the handle is integral with the right panel.
While the invention has been described with particular reference to the
preferred embodiments, it is evident that certain aspects of the invention are
not limited
to the particular details of the examples illustrated, and it is therefore
contemplated that
other modifications and applications will occur to those skilled in the art.
For example,
the carton can be assembled from the blank using a different sequence of steps
than
described, and, while a unitary blank is preferred, a mufti-piece blank can be
used. It is
accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and
applications
as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
