U.S. patent application number 11/093922 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for carton having a strap handle and light protective flaps.
Invention is credited to Holley,, John M. JR..
Application Number | 20050167478 11/093922 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27403146 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050167478 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Holley,, John M. JR. |
August 4, 2005 |
Carton having a strap handle and light protective flaps
Abstract
A carton includes a top panel, a pair of opposed end panels, and
an integral strap handle that defines in the top panel an opening
extending across the top panel, and has a medial grip portion, a
pair of wider portions and opposed end portions. The opposed end
portions are formed from the end panels while the medial and wider
portions are formed from the top panel. The strap handle is movable
from a stowed position where the medial and wider portions lie in
the plane of the top panel to a use position where the medial
portion is arched upwardly from the plane of the top panel. Light
protective flaps connected to the top panel fold inwardly defining
apertures for accessing the strap handle to place it in the use
position, and spring back into a light-protecting position when the
strap handle is in the stowed position.
Inventors: |
Holley,, John M. JR.;
(Lawrenceville, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PARKS KNOWLTON LLC
1117 PERIMETER CENTER WEST
SUITE W307
ATLANTA
GA
30338
US
|
Family ID: |
27403146 |
Appl. No.: |
11/093922 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11093922 |
Mar 30, 2005 |
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10280405 |
Oct 25, 2002 |
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6905066 |
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60347968 |
Oct 27, 2001 |
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60332455 |
Nov 17, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117.13 ;
229/243 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2571/00141
20130101; B65D 2571/00524 20130101; B65D 71/36 20130101; B65D
2571/00728 20130101; B65D 2571/00574 20130101; B65D 2571/00469
20130101; B65D 2571/00543 20130101; B65D 2571/0066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/117.13 ;
229/243 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/46; B65D
017/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A carton, comprising: an inner top panel; a pair of opposed end
panels hingedly connected to the inner top panel; an integral strap
handle extending between the end panels across the inner top panel,
said strap handle including: a medial grip portion; a pair of wider
portions joined to opposite ends of said medial grip portion; and
opposed end portions connected to said wider portions respectively;
each of said wider portions having a pair of oblique side edges
diverging from said medial grip portion toward an adjacent one of
said end portions; said opposed end portions being formed from said
end panels, said medial and wider portions being formed from said
inner top panel, said strap handle being connected at said opposed
end portions to said opposed end panels, such that said strap
handle is movable from a stowed position where said medial and
wider portions lie in a plane of said inner top panel to a use
position, where said medial portion is arched upwardly from said
plane of said inner top panel, said strap handle defining in said
inner top panel an internal opening extending across said inner top
panel; and an outer top panel secured to an outside surface of said
inner top panel to form a composite top wall, said outer top panel
having: a handle access opening defined within said outer top
panel, said handle access opening being vertically aligned in part
with said medial grip portion and in part with said wider portions,
said handle access opening having opposite end edges extending
respectively across said wider portions, the width of said handle
access opening along said opposite end edges being greater than the
width of said wider portions along said opposite end edges so that
a part of said each wider portion is extended through said handle
access opening when said strap handle is moved to said use
position; and at least one light protective flap hingedly connected
to said outer top panel, said light protective flap defining a
handle aperture when said strap handle is in said use position,
said handle aperture being adjacent to and free of restraint from
one of said end edges of said handle access opening.
2. The carton of claim 1, wherein said light protective flap covers
the handle aperture when the strap handle is in stowed
position.
3. A carton, comprising: a pair of inner and outer top panels
secured together in an overlapping relationship to form a composite
top wall; a base wall; a pair of side walls interconnecting said
top and base walls; a pair of opposed inner end flaps hingedly
connected to opposed end edges of said inner top panel and
extending toward said base wall; a pair of opposed outer end flaps
hingedly connected to opposed end edges of said outer top panel and
disposed respectively on outside surfaces of said inner end flaps;
and an integral strap handle disposed internally of the carton and
extending between said inner end flaps across said inner top panel,
said strap handle including: a medial grip portion; a pair of wider
portions joined to opposite ends of said medial grip portion; and a
pair of opposed forked-end portions connected to said wider
portions respectively, said forked-end portions being joined to
said inner end flaps respectively and being free of restraint of
said outer end flaps; said opposed end portions being formed from
said inner end flaps, and said medial and wider portions being
formed from said inner top panel; a handle access opening formed
within said outer top panel such that the periphery of said handle
access opening is provided entirely by said outer top panel, said
handle access opening being vertically aligned with said medial
grip portion of said strap handle; and at least one light
protective flap hingedly connected to said outer top panel, said
light protective flap defining a handle aperture when said strap
handle is in said use position, said handle aperture being adjacent
to and free of restraint from said handle access opening.
4. The carton of claim 3, wherein said light protective flap covers
the handle aperture when the strap handle is in stowed
position.
5. The carton according to claim 4, wherein a handle-reinforcing
strip is disposed in face-contacting relationship with said strap
handle, said reinforcing strip being disposed at least along said
medial grip portion of said strap handle and hingedly connected to
said strap handle.
6. The carding according to claim 5 wherein said outer top panel
includes a cover strip defined within said outer top panel, said
cover strip being severably connected to said outer top panel such
that said handle access opening is defined in said top panel upon
severance of said cover strip to allow access to said strap handle
through said handle access opening.
7. The carton according to claim 6 wherein said cover strip is
secured to said medial grip portion of said strap handle.
8. The carton according to claim 7 wherein a pair of hand flaps are
hingedly connected to said covers trip such that said hand flaps
are folded inwardly of the carton when said cover strip is grasped
together with said medial grip portion to lift the carton by said
strap handle.
9. The carton according to claim 8 wherein a yieldable tab is
formed from each forked end portion of said strap handle and is
foldably joined to a respective inner end flap.
10. The carton according to claim 9 wherein a short stub tab is
formed from each wider portion of said strap handle and is hingedly
connected to said each wider portion.
11. The carton according to claim 10 wherein adjacent ends of said
yieldable and stub tabs are initially interconnected by severable
line that is aligned with a fold line between an adjacent inner end
flap and said inner top panel.
Description
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/280,405, filed Oct. 25, 2002, which claims
the benefit of Provisional Applications No. 60/347,968 and
60/332,455, filed Oct. 27, 2001 and Nov. 17, 2001, respectively,
the entirety of each of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to cartons having strap
handles integrally formed from one or more carton walls, and more
particularly, to a carton with an integral strap handle and further
to an arrangement for protecting the user's hand when the carton is
lifted by the strap handle, and that protect the contents from
light when the carton is not being lifted by the strap handle.
[0003] Cartons having integral strap handles are well known in the
art. An example of the strap handle carton is disclosed in Canadian
Patent No. 1,243,987 in which a carton is illustrated as having a
strap handle that is formed primarily from a top wall. The strap
handle includes a longitudinally elongated medial grip portion and
a pair of wider portions located at opposite ends of the medial
grip portion. Each wider portion is defined by a pair of cut lines
that diverge from the medial grip portion toward the adjacent end
edge of the top wall. To lift the carton, the strap handle is
gripped at the medial grip portion and pulled upward, which
displaces the handle from a stowed position where the handle lies
in the plane of the top wall to a use position where it is arched
upwardly from the plane of the top wall. The carton is light tight
when the handle is in its stowed position. However, in lifting the
carton, it is necessary to fold the handle flaps inwardly to
underlie the elongated medial grip portion of the handle. The
apertures formed by this action provide finger access to permit the
elongated handle portion to be grasped and lifted.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,273 discloses another example of the
strap handle carton wherein the top wall comprises a pair of inner
and outer panels and the strap handle is formed in part from the
inner top panel and in part from opposed inner end flaps that are
hingedly connected the end edges of the inner top panel. The inner
end flaps are glued to opposed outer end flaps that are hingedly
connected to the end edges of the outer top panel. For this
purpose, glue is applied typically along the lower edges of the end
flaps such that the opposed end portions of the strap handle are
free of restraint from the outer end flaps. This specific glue
location is required in order to allow inward movement of the
opposed end portions of the strap handle when the carton is lifted
by the handle. If glued to the outer end flaps, the handle end
portions would be forcibly peeled from the outer end flaps, which
could damage the fibrous structure of the handle ends. Although the
glue locations are almost precisely controllable by the use of
modern packaging machines, having precautionary measures would
always be warranted to prevent undesired rupture of the strap
handle.
[0005] What is needed, therefore, is a carton having an integral,
wide-ended strap handle wherein the interference of the strap
handle with the top wall is effectively prevented or at least
mitigated during the use of the strap handle. Such a carton should
be provided with means for preventing the wider portions from being
caught by complementary edges of the opening in the top wall. A
carton having handle-reinforcing means that would compensate for a
potential peeling damage of the strap handle is also needed. What
is further needed is an arrangement wherein inward movement of the
handle end portions is facilitated upon lifting of the carton by
the strap handle. Such an arrangement should be provided
particularly when the handle end portions are reinforced.
[0006] What is further needed is a strap handle that provides light
protection whenever the carton is not being carried. Such strap
handle would provide light protection to the bottle, can or other
articles, thereby decreasing or preventing degradation of the
product contained within the carton. An example of light
degradation on certain bottled products is when light comes into
contact with beer/wine it can reduce the quality of the beer/wine.
The light protecting strap handle of this invention would ensure
that the contents of the carton, whether food or beverage, would be
preserved for an extended period of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a carton including a first
top panel, a pair of opposed end panels hingedly connected to the
first top panel, and an integral strap handle extending between the
end panels across the first top panel. The strap handle includes a
medial grip portion, a pair of wider portions joined to the
opposite ends of the medial grip portion and opposed end portions
connected to the wider portions, respectively. The opposed end
portions are formed from the end panels, while the medial and wider
portions are formed from the first top panel. The strap handle is
movable from a stowed position where the medial and wider portions
lie in the plane of the first top panel, to a use position, where
the medial portion is arched upwardly from the plane of the first
top panel. The strap handle defines in the first top panel an
opening or cutout extending across the first top panel. Means for
defining a relief notch in the first top panel is provided at the
location directly adjoining each wider portion along a
complementary side edge of the opening so that a part of the
respective wider portion is extended through the relief notch when
the strap handle is moved to the use position. This arrangement
prevents the wider portions from being scraped against the
complementary side edge of the opening.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the relief notch
is defined by a hinged tab. The hinged tab may be defined by a slit
in the first top panel and by a fold line hingedly connecting the
hinged tab to the first top panel.
[0009] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the relief
notch is defined by a plurality of hinged tabs. The hinged tabs may
be cut from the first top panel by one or more slits such that when
the strap handle is moved to the use position, the part of each
wider portion moves into one of the slits to thrust one or more of
the hinged tabs upward and the other tabs downward. The one or more
slits for the relief notch may emanate from a fold line by which
the hinged tabs are connected to the first top panel and extend to
the complementary side edge of the opening defined by the strap
handle.
[0010] In a further preferred embodiment, the carton further
includes a second top panel secured to the outside surface of the
first top panel to form a composite top wall. The second top panel
may have a handle access opening aligned in part with the medial
grip portion of the strap handle and in part with the wider
portions of the strap handle. The width of the access opening at
its opposite extreme ends may be greater than the width of the
wider portions at the positions aligned with the opposite extreme
ends.
[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, a carton
includes top and base panels interconnected by opposed side panels
to form a tubular structure, opposed end closure structures for at
least partially closing the opposite ends of the tubular structure,
and an integral strap handle extending between the end closure
structures across the top panel. Each end closure structure
includes a pair of side end flaps hingedly connected to the side
panels and a top end flap hingedly connected to the top panel and
disposed on the outside surfaces of the adjacent side end flaps.
The strap handle includes a medial grip portion formed from the top
panel and opposed end portions formed respectively from the opposed
top end flaps. The strap handle is movable from a stowed position
where the end portions lie in the respective planes of the top end
flaps to a use position where the end portions are disposed
inwardly of the respective planes of the top end flaps. At least
one yielding flap is formed from the side end flaps of each end
closure structure and disposed along the adjacent end portion of
the strap handle so as to be displaceable inwardly of the carton.
These yielding flaps are inwardly displaced in response to inward
movement of the handle end portions to the use position and thereby
facilitate inward movement of the handle end portions.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
the yielding flaps are secured to the end portions of the strap
handle respectively to reinforce the strap handle.
[0013] In another preferred embodiment, each yielding flap is
defined by a severance line in the respective side end flap and by
the free end edge of the respective side end flap. The severance
line may extend downwardly from the upper edge of the respective
side end flap. The severance lines may be disposed and located such
that the severance line of the respective side end flap is
generally registered with the adjacent side edge of the adjacent
end portion of the strap handle.
[0014] In yet another preferred embodiment, the size of the side
end flaps is such that the side end flaps of each end closure
structure overlap each other and as a whole extend entirely across
the width of the carton. Each side end flap of each end closure
structure may be provided at its upper end corner with a beveled
edge. The beveled edges of the mating side end flaps may define a
notch for receiving an article packaged in the carton.
[0015] According to a further aspect of the invention, a carton
includes a pair of inner and outer top panels secured together in
an overlapping relationship to form a composite top wall, a pair of
opposed end flaps hingedly connected to the inner top panel, an
integral strap handle extending between the end flaps across the
inner top panel, and a handle-reinforcing strip disposed in
face-contacting relationship with the strap handle. The strap
handle includes a medial grip portion, a pair of wider portions
joined to the opposite ends of the medial grip portion, and a pair
of opposed end portions connected to the wider portions
respectively. The opposed end portions of the strap handle are
formed from the end flaps respectively while the medial and wider
portions are formed from the inner top panel. The reinforcing strip
is disposed entirely along the strap handle and is hingedly
connected to the end flaps along first and second fold lines that
are inset from the adjacent side edges of the end portions of the
strap handle.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention,
the reinforcing strip is hingedly connected to the medial grip
portion of the strap handle along a third fold line that is aligned
with the first and second fold lines.
[0017] In another preferred embodiment, the end portions of the
strap handle are formed with article-receiving openings
respectively. The reinforcing strip may be formed with windows
disposed in registry with the openings respectively. Each opening
of the strap handle may be defined by a pair of yieldable tabs
formed from the respective end portion of the strap handle. The
yieldable tabs of each opening may be hingedly connected to the
respective end portion.
[0018] In yet another preferred embodiment, light protecting flaps
are hingedly connected to the outer top panel of the carton. The
light protecting flaps fold inward somewhat in response to the
strap handle being moved to a position of use, in order to
accommodate the fingers of a hand. When the strap handle is
returned to the stowed position, the light protecting flaps spring
substantially back to their original positions, thereby blocking
the infiltration of light into the interior of the carton.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a blank as viewed from its inner
surface, from which a carton according to this invention is
formed;
[0020] FIGS. 2-4 are series of plan views showing the manner in
which the blank of FIG. 1 may be folded to form a completed
collapsed carton;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a completed carton erected
from the blank of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 5,
showing the handle lifted upwardly;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carton of
FIG. 5, in which the tear flap is broke open to show the inside of
the carton;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the second embodiment of the
present invention, showing a blank as viewed from its inner
surface, from which a carton of the second embodiment is
formed;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a completed carton erected
from the blank of FIG. 8;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a view taken along the line X-X of FIG. 9;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carton of
FIG. 9, in which the tear flap is broke open to show the inside of
the carton;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of another carton blank,
showing a first variation of the relief notches shown in FIG.
8;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of a still another carton
blank, showing a second variation of the relief notches shown in
FIG. 8;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of a further carton
blank, showing a third variation of the relief notches shown in
FIG. 8;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a fragmentary plan view of a further carton
blank, showing a variation of the strap handle shown in FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a
blank, as viewed from its inner surface, from which a carton having
light protective flaps according to this invention is formed;
and
[0033] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 16,
showing the handle lifted upwardly and the light protection flaps
folding inwardly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] In FIG. 1, there is shown a blank 10 which when constructed,
forms a carton 12 in FIG. 5 for a plurality of bottles. In this
embodiment, the carton 12 is a fully enclosed carton designed to
accommodate twelve bottles arranged in three rows each containing
four bottles, but the blank or carton may be modified for any
number of bottles, cans or other articles.
[0035] The blank 10 has a base panel 14, a pair of side panels 16
and 18 hingedly connected thereto along fold lines 20 and 22
respectively, and first and second top panels 26 and 24 hingedly
connected to the side panels 18 and 16 along fold lines 30 and 28
respectively. The fold lines 20, 22, 28 and 30 may be simple score
lines, partially cut score lines, perforated lines or other
suitable means. The base panel 14 has lower end flaps 32 and 34
which in use are folded up, and the top panels 24 and 26 have upper
end flaps 36, 38, 40 and 42 which in use are folded down. Hingedly
connected to the side panels 16 and 18 are side end flaps 44, 46,
48 and 50 which are folded inwardly and are adhesively secured to
the inside surfaces of the end flaps 32, 34, 36 and 38 so as to
fully enclose the ends of the carton 12. The side end flaps 44, 46,
48 and 50 each includes upper and lower portions 52 and 54. The
lower portion 54 of each side end flap is hingedly connected to the
respective side panel along a vertical fold line 56 while the upper
portion 52 of each side end flap is hingedly connected to the
respective side panel along an inwardly inclined fold line 58. The
upper and lower portions 52 and 54 of each side end flap are
interconnected by a short fold line 60.
[0036] The first and second top panels 26 and 24 in this embodiment
are adapted to be secured together in overlapping relationship to
form a composite top wall 250 (FIG. 5) of the carton 12. The second
top panel 24 forms an outer layer of the top wall while the first
panel 26 forms an inner layer. Finger receiving apertures and
associated flaps 61 and 63 of conventional construction are formed
in the first or inner top panel 26. The finger receiving aperture
having the flap 61 is designated generally by the reference numeral
62 while the associated aperture having the flap 63 is designated
by reference numeral 64. Similar finger-receiving apertures and
their associated flaps 65 and 67 are formed in the second or outer
top panel 24 and are designated generally by the reference numerals
66 and 68. A tear flap for creating an access opening is defined by
tear lines 70 and 72 formed in the outer top panel 24 together with
tear lines 74 and 76 in the side panel 16. Another pair of tear
lines 78 and 80 is formed in the outer top panel 24. These tear
lines 78 and 80 define another tear flap together with pairs of
tear lines 81 and 82; and 84 and 86 in the side panel 18 and the
inner top panel 26, respectively.
[0037] The inner top panel 26 incorporates a series of tear lines
88, 90, 92 and 94 which define a strap handle 200 with the free
side edge. More specifically, the tear line 88 is formed in the
upper end flap 40 and connects with the tear line 90 formed in
inner top panel 26 that extends to the finger receiving aperture
62. Similarly the tear line 92 is formed in the upper end flap 42
and connects with the tear line 94 formed in the inner panel 26
that extends to the aperture 62. The strap handle 200 is thus
defined by the tear lines 88, 90, 92 and 94 in cooperation with the
finger-receiving apertures 62 and 64. The strap handle 200 includes
a relatively narrow medial grip portion 202, opposed wider portions
204 and 206 joined to the ends of the medial portion 200, and
opposed forked end portions 208 and 210 hingedly connected to the
wider portions 204 and 206 along fold lines 212 and 214
respectively. Each wider portion has a pair of oblique side edges
diverging from the medial portion 202 to the adjacent forked end
portion. The medial portion 202 and the wider portions 204 and 206
are formed from the inner top panel 26 while the forked end
portions 208 and 210 are formed from the upper end flaps 40 and 42
respectively. Upon formation of the top wall, the inner top panel
26 is folded across the top of the carton and the outer top panel
24 is folded over and is adhesively secured to the inner top panel
26. The tear lines 88, 90, 92 and 94 and the finger-receiving
apertures 62 and 64 are located such that the strap handle 200 is
located generally centrally between the two side panels 16 and
18.
[0038] The aforementioned flap 61 of the finger-receiving aperture
62 is hingedly connected to the medial grip portion 202 along a
fold line 216. An yieldable tab 96 is struck from the forked end
portion 208 and foldably joined to the upper end flap 40 while a
short stub tab 98 is struck from the wider portion 204 and is
hingedly connected thereto along fold line 100. The adjacent ends
of the tabs 96 and 98 are initially interconnected by severable
means such as half cut 102 that is aligned with the fold line 212.
At the opposed end of the strap handle 200, a yieldable tab 104 is
struck from the forked end portion 210 and foldably joined to the
upper end flap 42 while a short stub tab 106 is struck from the
wider portion 206 and hingedly connected thereto along fold line
108. The adjacent ends of the tabs 104 and 106 are initially
interconnected by severable half cut 110 that is aligned with the
fold line 214.
[0039] A relief notch 218 is defined in the inner top panel 26 at a
location along the tear line 90, thereby interrupting the tear line
90. The location of the relief notch 218 is such that the wider
portion 204 is directly flanked or adjoined at its oblique side
edge along the tear line 90 by the relief notch 218. In like
manner, a relief notch 220 is defined in the inner top panel 26 at
a location along the tear line 94, thereby interrupting the tear
line 94. As a result, the wider portion 206 is directly adjoined at
its oblique side edge along the tear line 94 by the relief notch
220. The function of these relief notches 218 and 220 is described
later.
[0040] A handle-reinforcing panel 112 is foldably joined to the
medial grip portion 202 of the strap handle 200 along an
interrupted fold line 114.
[0041] The outer top panel 24 is further provided with a pair of C-
or U-shaped tear lines 222 and 224. The tear line 222 emanates from
an end of the finger apertures 66 and terminates at the adjacent
end of the finger aperture 68 while the tear line 224 emanates from
the other end of the aperture 66 and terminates at the other end of
the aperture 68. These tear lines 222 and 224 are opposed to each
other while curving concavely toward each other. As a result, a
dust panel or cover strip 226 is defined at the central area of the
outer top panel 24 surrounded by the tear lines 222 and 224 and the
finger apertures 66 and 68. The cover strip 226, upon formation of
the top wall, is located above the strap handle 200. The middle
portion 228 of the cover strip 226 disposed between the finger
apertures 66 and 68 is to be vertically aligned with the medial
grip portion 202 of the strap handle 200 while the opposed larger
end portions 230 and 232 of the cover strip 226 are to be disposed
on the wider portions 204 and 206 of the strap handle 200
respectively. The respective flaps 65 and 67 of the finger
apertures 66 and 68 are hingedly connected to portion 228 by fold
lines 234 and 236.
[0042] Turning to the construction of the carton 12 illustrated in
FIG. 5, the blank 10 requires a series of sequential folding and
securing operations which can be performed in a straight line
machine so that the carton is not required to be rotated or
inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not
limited to that described below and can be altered according to
particular manufacturing requirements.
[0043] Initially, an application of glue is made to the inner
surface of reinforcing panel 112 as indicated by the stippling in
FIG. 1. The reinforcing panel 112 is then folded upwardly and to
the left along the interrupted fold line 114 so as to occupy the
position shown in FIG. 2. The side panel 18 together with the inner
top panel 26 and the folded reinforcing panel 112 as viewed in FIG.
2 are then elevated and folded to the left along fold line 22
together with their end flaps 48, 50, 40 and 42. An application of
glue is then made to the outside surface of the inner top panel 26
and to the upper end flaps 40 and 42 as shown by the stippling in
FIG. 3 wherein the forked end portions 208 and 210 of the strap
handle 200 are shown as being free of glue. Thereafter, the outer
top panel 24 and its associated upper end flaps 36 and 38 as viewed
in FIG. 3 are elevated and folded toward the right along the fold
line 28. This operation causes the stippled glue area 240 on the
inner top panel 26 to become adhered to the inside surface of the
free side edge area 242 of the outer top panel 24. Simultaneously,
the stippled area on the end flap 40 becomes adhered to the inside
surface of the upper end flap 36 while the stippled area on the end
flap 42 becomes adhered to the inside surface of the upper end flap
38. Further, the stippled area of the strap handle becomes adhered
to the inside surface of the cover strip 226. The collapsed tubular
carton then appears as shown in FIG. 4.
[0044] With the carton formed as described above by the carrier
manufacturer, it is then shipped to the bottler who sets the carton
up into an erected tubular form (not shown) and loads filled
bottles through the open ends of the tubular carton. Thereafter the
end flaps are folded inwardly in the sequence of the side end
flaps, the composite upper end flaps, and the lower end flaps and
the carton when fully loaded and completed by the bottler appears
as shown in FIG. 5 with the upper edge of each lower end flap
secured in overlapping glued contact with the lower edge of the
associated upper end flap.
[0045] The consumer transports the completed carton package from
its point of purchase. To carry the carton 12, the strap handle 200
can be used. To use the handle 200, the flaps 65 and 67 and the
flap 61 underlying the flap 65 are pushed inwardly of the carton
and folded downwardly about their respective fold lines 234, 236
and 216. The fingers of the user can then be inserted into the
finger apertures 66 and 68 and the underlying aperture 62 and grasp
the medial portion 202 of the strap handle 200 together with the
middle portion 228 of the cover strip 226. Lifting the carton 12 by
the strap handle 200 causes the cover strip 226 to be severed from
the outer top panel 24 along the C-shaped tear lines 222 and 224 as
well as the strap handle 200 to be severed from the inner top panel
26 and the end flaps 40 and 42 along the tear lines 88, 90, 92 and
94. This, in turn, causes the strap handle 200 to arc out of the
general plane of the top wall through the opening 251 defined by
the cover strip 226. This is best shown in FIG. 6 where the strap
handle 200 that is mostly hidden from view by the cover strip 226
and the top panel 24 is pulled out of the carton through the
opening 251 taking an arched use position. When the handle 200 is
moved from its stowed position in FIG. 5 into the use position of
FIG. 6, the wider portions 204 and 206 of the strap handle 200 are
pulled toward each other together with the adjacent forked end
portions 208 and 210 so that a slack is available for the handle
200 to take the use position. Simultaneously, the respective areas
of the wider portions 204 and 206 near the fold lines 212 and 214
are pulled downwardly under the plane of the top wall 250. Such
movements cause the respective oblique side edges of the wider
portions 204 and 206 defined by the tear lines 90 and 94 to be
received in, and extended through, the relief notches 218 and 220
respectively. This is best shown in FIG. 7 wherein the oblique side
edge 254 of the wider portion 206 is received in the relief notch
220 and extended through the notch 220. By this means, abutting and
scraping of the oblique side edge of each wider portion against the
complementary edge of the opening (or cutout) 252 in the inner top
panel 26 is prevented, which would otherwise be caused without the
relief notches 218 and 220. In addition, the width of the larger
end portions 230 and 232 at their extreme ends may be arranged to
be greater than the width at the registered positions of the wider
portions 204 and 206. Such an arrangement prevents abutting and
scraping of the wider portions 204 and 206 against the
complementary side edges of the opening 251 in the outer top panel
24.
[0046] During the above operation, the yielding tabs 96 and 104
remain flat with the respective end flaps 40 and 42 so that the
openings defined by the yielding tabs 96 and 104 receives the end
bottles of the center row of the packaged bottle group to allow the
forked end portions 208 and 210 to move toward each other.
[0047] In order to open the carrier, the user's fingers are simply
inserted, for example, into the finger aperture 66 and an upward
force is then applied. Such upward force severs the tear flap
section 256 (FIG. 7) defined by tear lines 78, 80, 81 and 82 from
the carton walls and define an access opening 258 (FIG. 7) that
extends from the top wall 250 into the side panel 18. The user's
fingers may also be inserted into the finger aperture 68 to sever
the tear flap section defined by tear lines 70, 72, 74 and 76 from
the carton walls.
[0048] After the contents of the bottles have been consumed, the
bottles may be replaced into the carton as shown in FIG. 7 for easy
return to the point of purchase.
[0049] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8 to
11, where like parts have been designated by the same reference
numeral with the suffix "A" and only the differences are discussed
in any greater detail. As best shown in FIG. 8, the carton blank
10A has rectangular side panels 16A and 18A each provided with a
pair of large-sized side end flaps 44A, 46A, 48A and 50A. The side
end flaps 44A and 46A are hingedly connected to the side panel 16A
along fold lines 58A and 58A while the side end flaps 48A and 50A
are hingedly connected to the side panel 18A along fold lines 58A
and 58A. The size of these large side end flaps is such that upon
erection of a carton, the mating pair of side end flaps (such as at
44A and 48A) at each end of the carton overlap each other and they
as a whole extend entirely across the width of the carton. This
condition is best shown in FIG. 10 wherein the side end flaps 46A
and 50A are viewed from the inside of a carton 12A (shown in FIG.
9) that is erected from the blank 10A. Each side end flap is
provided at the corner between its upper edge 310 and its free end
edge 312 with a beveled edge 314. The beveled edges 314 of the
mating side end flaps define a notch 316 (shown in FIG. 10) when
the carton 12A is erected. The notch 316 serves to receive an end
bottle of the center row of the packaged bottle group when the
carton 12A is lifted by the strap handle, which is described later
in more detail.
[0050] Each side end flap is further provided with a severance line
318 (e.g., a slit, a tear line or the like) emanating from the
upper edge 310 of that side end flap and extending toward the lower
edge 320 of the same side end flap. The severance lines 318 are
disposed and located such that when the carton 12A is erected, the
severance line 318 of each side end flap is generally registered
with the adjacent side edge of the adjacent forked end portion of
the strap handle 200A. In FIG. 10, for example, the severance line
318 of the side end flap 46A is generally registered with, or
slightly offset outwardly from, the side edge 322 of the forked end
portion 210A. In like manner, the severance line 318 of the side
end flap 50A is generally registered with, or slightly offset
outwardly from, the other side edge (defined by the tear line 92A)
of the forked end portion 210A. The length of each severance line
318 is generally equal to, or greater than, that of the
handle-defining tear line in the adjacent inner upper end flap. In
FIG. 10, for example, the severance line 318 of each of the side
end flaps 46A and 50A is equal to, or greater in length than the
tear line 92A in the inner upper end flap 42A.
[0051] Further, each side end flap is provided with a yielding flap
324 that is defined by the respective severance line 318, the
respective upper edge 310 and the adjacent beveled edge 314. When
the carton 12A is completed, the yielding flaps 324 form respective
portions of the side end flaps 44A, 46A, 48A and 50A that are
movable inwardly of the carton along with the end portions of the
strap handle 200A.
[0052] The construction of the carton 12A is carried out in
virtually the same way as that of the carton 12 of the preceding
embodiment except for the steps of closing the opposite ends of the
carton 12A. After filled bottles are loaded through the open ends
of the tubular carton, the end flaps are folded inwardly in the
sequence of the side end flaps, the lower end flaps, and the
composite upper end flaps. During the above end-closing steps, glue
is applied to either the outside surface of the yielding flaps 324
or the inside surface of the forked end portions 208A and 210A of
the strap handle 200A. An example of such glue areas is shown by
the stippling in FIG. 8 wherein the glue areas extends from the
forked end portions 208A and 210A into the adjacent inner top end
flaps 40A and 42. This glue application causes the stippled areas
on the forked end portion 208A to become adhered to the outside
surface of the yielding flaps 324 of the side end flaps 44A and
48A. In like manner, the stippled areas on the forked end portion
210A become adhered to the outside surface of the yielding flaps
324 of the side end flaps 46A and 50A. The completed carton 12A is
shown in FIG. 9 wherein the upper and lower end flaps at each end
of the carton 12A is secured in overlapping glued contact with the
outside surfaces of the associated side end flaps.
[0053] In the same way as described in the first embodiment,
lifting the carton 12A by the strap handle 200A causes the handle
200A to be moved from its stowed position in FIG. 9 into the use
position in FIG. 11. During this movement, the forked end portions
208A and 210A of the strap handle 200A are pulled toward each other
so that a slack is available for the handle 200A to take the use
position. The inward movement of the end portions 208A and 210A is
facilitated by the yielding flaps 324 and 324 that are easily
displaced inwardly of the carton along with the inward movement of
the end portions 208A and 210A. This is best shown in FIG. 11
wherein the yielding flaps 324 are flexed out of the plane of the
side end flaps 46A and 50A and thereby allowing the end portion
210A of the strap handle 200A to move inwardly of the carton 12A.
The notches 316 defined by the respective beveled edges 314
functions to receive the end bottles of the center row of the
packaged bottle group to allow the end portions 208A and 210A to
move toward each other. The yielding tabs 96A and 104A remain flat
with the respective upper end flaps 40A and 42A to define openings
that cooperate with the notches 316 to receive the end bottles.
[0054] During the inward movement of the end portions 208A and
210A, part of the end portions 208A and 210A and/or the adjacent
portions of the inner upper end flaps 40A and 42A may be forcibly
peeled from the associated upper end flaps 36A and 38A if they have
been glued, either purposely or inadvertently, to the upper end
flaps 36A and 38A. Upon such peeling, some constituent pulp or
fiber of end portions 208A and 210A could be taken away to the
extent that the strap handle 200A is physically damaged or at least
the structural strength of the handle 200A is somewhat affected. In
the present invention, however, the yielding flaps 324 reinforce
the end portions 208A and 210A and provide a precautionary measure
against undesired damage of the strap handle 200A around the
opposite end portions 208A and 210A.
[0055] Although it is not apparent from FIG. 11, relief notches
218A and 220A also function such that when the strap handle 200A is
in the use position, the respective oblique side edges of the wider
portions 204A and 206A are received in the relief notches 218A and
220A and thereby abutting and scraping of the oblique side edge of
each wider portion against the complementary edge of the opening
252A in the inner top panel 26A is prevented.
[0056] FIGS. 12-14 illustrate variations or alternative embodiments
of the relief notches 218A and 220A in FIG. 8. In FIG. 12, parts
corresponding to those in FIG. 8 have been designated by the same
reference numeral with the suffix "B". In like manner, parts in
FIG. 13 corresponding to those in FIG. 8 have been denoted by the
same reference numeral with suffix "C" while parts in FIG. 14
corresponding to those in FIG. 8 have been denoted by the same
reference numeral with suffix "D".
[0057] FIG. 12 shows the first variation wherein the relief notches
are defined by hinged tabs 330 and 332, respectively. The hinged
tab 330 is cut from the inner top panel 26B by means of a slit 338
and hingedly connected to the inner top panel 26B along a fold line
334. The hinged tab 332 is also cut from the inner top panel 26B by
a slit 340 and hingedly connected to the inner top panel 26B along
a fold line 336. When the strap handle 200B is pulled upward to
lift a resultant carton, the respective parts of the wider portions
204B and 206B along tear lines 90B and 94B slide into the slits 338
and 340 while thrusting the tabs 330 and 332 downwardly. By this
means, the slits 338 and 340 and/or the notches defined by the tabs
330 and 332 provide a similar effect to that of the relief notches
in FIGS. 1 and 8.
[0058] In FIG. 13 where the second variation is shown, each relief
notch is defined by a pair of hinged tabs 350 and 352. The hinged
tabs 350 and 352 are cut from the inner top panel 26C by means of a
slit 354 and hingedly connected to the inner top panel 26C along
convergent fold lines 356 and 358. The slit 354 emanates from the
converging point of the fold lines 356 and 358 and extends to the
adjacent tear line 90C or 94C. When the strap handle 200C is pulled
upward, the respective parts of the wider portions 204C and 206C
along tear lines 90C and 94C slide into the slits 354 and 354 while
thrusting the tabs 350 upwardly and the tabs 352 downwardly. By
this means, the slits 354 and/or the notches defined by the tabs
350 and 352 provide a similar effect to that of the relief notches
in FIGS. 1 and 8.
[0059] Referring to the third variation in FIG. 14, each relief
notch is defined by a plurality of hinged tabs 360. The hinged tabs
360 are cut from the inner top panel 26D by means of a plurality of
slits 362 and hingedly connected to the inner top panel 26D along
convergent fold lines 364 and 366. The slits 362 emanate from the
fold lines 364 and 366 and extend to the adjacent tear line 90D or
94D. When the strap handle 200D is pulled upward, the respective
parts of the wider portions 204D and 206D along tear lines 90D and
94D slide into one of the slits 362 while thrusting one or more of
the tabs 360 upwardly and the other tabs 360 downwardly. By this
means, the slits 362 and/or the notches defined by the tabs 360
provide a similar effect to that of the relief notches in FIGS. 1
and 8
[0060] FIG. 15 illustrates a variation or alternative embodiment of
the strap handle 200 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 15, parts corresponding to
those in FIG. 1 have been designated by the same reference numeral
with the suffix "E". The inner top panel 26E and the upper end
flaps 40E and 42E incorporate a series of continuous tear lines
88E, 90E, 92E and 94E which in cooperation with the finger
receiving aperture 62E define one of the opposed longitudinal edges
of the strap handle 200E. The other longitudinal edge of the strap
handle 200E is defined by a pair of curved cut lines 370 and 372
and four spaced fold lines 374, 376, 378 and 380 that are aligned
with one another. The strap handle 200E is flanked entirely along
the other longitudinal edge by a handle reinforcing strip 112E. The
reinforcing strip 112E is foldably joined to the medial grip
portion 202E of the strap handle 200E along the fold lines 374 and
376 and to the upper end flaps 40E and 42E along the fold lines 378
and 380 respectively. The fold lines 374, 376, 378 and 380 are
inset from those sections of the cut lines 370 and 372 defining the
forked end portions 208E and 210E of the strap handle 200E. Stated
differently, the fold lines 374, 376, 378 and 380 are offset from
the sections of the cut lines 370 and 372 such that they are
located closer to the fold line 30E than the sections. These inset
fold lines contribute to reduction or minimization of the sheet
material (e.g., paperboard) required for the carton. The wider
portions 204E and 206E of the strap handle 200E each has a pair of
curved side edges defined by the respective ones of the tear lines
90E and 92E and cut lines 370 and 372.
[0061] A pair of yieldable tabs 96E and 96E are struck from, and
hingedly connected to, the forked end portion 208E of the strap
handle 200E. The adjacent ends of the yieldable tabs 96E and 96E
are defined by a cut 382; however, they may be initially
interconnected by severable means such as a half cut. In like
manner, a pair of yieldable tab 104E and 104E are struck from, and
hingedly connected to, the forked end portion 210E of the strap
handle 200E. The adjacent ends of the tabs 104E and 104E are
defined by a cut 384 or a half cut. Bottle top-receiving windows
386 and 388 are formed in the reinforcing strip 112E so that they
are positioned astride the respective extensions of the fold lines
212E and 214E. Upon formation of the top wall, the reinforcing
strip 1 12E is folded along the fold lines 374, 376, 378 and 380
into face-contacting relationship with the underside of the strap
handle 200E, and then the outer top panel (see FIG. 1, at 24) is
folded over and is adhesively secured to the inner top panel 26E.
The fold lines 374, 376, 378 and 380 are positioned such that the
windows 386 and 388 are brought into registry respectively with the
pairs of yieldable tabs 96E and 104E when the reinforcing strip
112E is folded under the handle strap 200E.
[0062] FIG. 16 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a
blank 10F, as viewed from its inner surface. In FIG. 16, parts
corresponding to those in FIG. 1 have been designated by the same
reference numeral with the suffix "F". Blank 10F is for forming a
carton having a strap handle 200F with light protective flaps 65F
and 67F. Many of the components of blank 10F are common to blank
10, and perform the same functions in the same manner, and thus,
will not be discussed again in detail at this point.
[0063] Flap 63F of the finger-receiving aperture 64F is hingedly
connected to medial grip portion 202F along fold line 217F.
Together with flap 61F, flap 63F functions at least in part to
cushion fingers that have been received in the finger-receiving
apertures 62F and 64F. In contrast to the aforementioned
embodiments, the respective flaps 65F and 67F of the finger
apertures 66F and 68F are hingedly connected to the outer top panel
24F along fold lines F1 and F2, and are not hingedly connected to
portion 228F. Rather, the flaps 65F, 67F are detached or detachable
from portion 228F by means of respective severance lines S1 and S2,
each comprising cuts, half cuts, perforations, or the like. When
the user removes his fingers from the carton, flaps 65F and 67F
spring substantially back into place so as to block light from
entering the carton. Flaps 65F and 67F spring back into place due
in part to the memory inherent to the preferred sheet material,
such as the exemplary paperboard material. More specifically, when
paperboard is folded along a score line, it "remembers" its
original position and tends to spring back. This memory can be
weakened or negated by firmly folding the paperboard along the
score line. In this embodiment, flaps 65F and 67F are not firmly
folded down, as is shown in FIG. 17, but rather, are folded along
respective fold lines F1 and F2 only enough to permit access to the
strap handle 200F. In fact, the presence of bottles or other
articles inside the carton preferably prevent folding the flaps 65F
and 67F down firmly. Additionally, flaps 65F and 67F also spring
back because removal of the user's hand tends to catch the edge of
each flap 65F, 67F thereby pulling the flap back into its original
light-protective position.
[0064] Whilst the above embodiments describe the strap handle
formed from the inner top panel only, the handle may be formed from
the outer top panel or from both the inner and outer top panels. In
the arrangement where the outer top panel provides the handle, the
relief notch should be formed at least in the outer top panel
alongside the wider portions of the strap handle. The wider
portions in the present invention are not limited to those defined
by the straight tear lines or cut lines such as shown in the above
embodiments but also include those defined by curved lines such
that the width of each wider portion is increased toward the end
edges of the associated carton wall from which the handle is
formed.
[0065] It should be appreciated that, while the above embodiments
describe a strap handle having light protective flaps in the
context of the exemplary carton configuration, the handle could be
used with certain other carton configurations having handle
apertures disposed through carton panels.
[0066] It should be also appreciated that the precise closure of
the ends of the carton is open to adaptation and could in fact be
partially open. In addition, a single end closure flap could be
provided at each end of the carton depending on design choice.
Furthermore, the pack may incorporate part angled walls so as to
follow better the contours of certain articles, such as bottles,
being packaged.
[0067] It should be further appreciated that the strap handles
useful in the present invention are not limited to those having
forked end portions but include those having regular non-bifurcated
opposite end portions.
[0068] It should be still further appreciated that the yielding
flaps useful in the present invention are not limited to those
glued to the associated handle end portions but include those
separate from the associated handle end portions. Such unglued
yielding flaps do not reinforce the handle ends but they still
facilitate inward movement of the handle end portion. Therefore,
unglued yielding flaps may also be useful in some situation where
large-sized side end flaps are required in order for the cartons to
run on a specific packaging machine.
[0069] It should be still further appreciated that the yielding
flaps useful in the present invention are not limited to those
formed from the large-sized side end flaps that extend entirely
across the width of a carton. Any side end flap that overlaps a
handle end may provide a yielding flap to facilitate inward
movement of the associated strap handle.
[0070] It should be still further appreciated that as used herein,
directional references such as "top", "base", "end", "side",
"upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such
orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one
another. The orientation of the carton could be altered depending
on, for example, the articles to be carried in the carton. Simple
modifications could result in the handle being located on the side
of the carton when the carton is in its standard stowed position.
One of the side panels 16 and 18 would then effectively be the top
panel of the carton.
[0071] It should be still further appreciated that any reference to
hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring
to a single fold line only: indeed it is envisaged that hinged
connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following,
a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing
from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *