U.S. patent application number 11/570426 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for carton and carton blank with strap handle.
Invention is credited to Fabien Jego.
Application Number | 20080067223 11/570426 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32732333 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080067223 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jego; Fabien |
March 20, 2008 |
Carton and Carton Blank With Strap Handle
Abstract
A carton for containing cans which has a handle strap (H) by
which the carton can be carried. The handle strap is formed
integral with the carton and is moveable with respect to the top
wall (20) to enable the handle to be raised into a position of use.
One end (86) of the handle can engage a top wall of the carton to
restrict the extent of deployment of the handle strap above the top
wall.
Inventors: |
Jego; Fabien; (Troyes,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
1021 MAIN CAMPUS DRIVE, CENTENNIAL CAMPUS
RALEIGH
NC
27606
US
|
Family ID: |
32732333 |
Appl. No.: |
11/570426 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
June 7, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US05/19965 |
371 Date: |
September 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2571/00512
20130101; B65D 2571/00524 20130101; B65D 2571/00141 20130101; B65D
71/30 20130101; B65D 2571/00462 20130101; B65D 2571/0066 20130101;
B65D 2571/00759 20130101; B65D 2571/00277 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/117.13 |
International
Class: |
B65D 71/00 20060101
B65D071/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 11, 2004 |
GB |
0413062.1 |
Claims
1. A carton comprising a top wall formed of a plurality of panels,
and a handle strap formed from at least one of the top panels, at
least one end of the handle strap being disposed beneath the top
wall and being moveable with respect to the top wall such that the
handle strap can be raised from a first position wherein the handle
strap is substantially coplanar with the top wall into a second
position wherein at least a central user portion of the handle
strap stands proud of the top wall, the at least one end of the
handle strap being of multiply construction and being structured
such that the at least one end of the handle strap engage an edge
of each of the top panels to limits the travel of the at least one
end whereby restricting the extent of deployment of the handle
strap above the top wall.
2. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the at least one end of
the handle strap engages with each of the top panels at different
locations along a direction of travel of the at least one end.
3. A carton according to claim 1 wherein each ply of the at least
one end of the handle strap is offset from an adjacent ply such
that a ridge is formed along an edge of the at least one end which
is slidable against a complementary groove formed by the top
panels.
4. A carton according to either of claims 1 wherein an edge of at
least one ply of the at least one end of the handle strap is convex
shaped and an edge of a corresponding one of the top panels is
concave shaped.
5. A carton according to claim 1 wherein each ply of the at least
one end of the handle strap is struck from a respective one of the
top panels and wherein the each ply engages an edge formed by the
respective top panel.
6. A carton according to claim 1 wherein each ply of the at least
one end of the handle strap is disposed beneath upper adjoining one
of the top panels and engages an inner face of the upper adjoining
top panel.
7. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the top wall comprises
four top panels, the or at least one end being formed from three of
the four top panels.
8. A blank for forming a carton comprising a series of hinged
panels for forming a tubular structure, the blank including a
plurality of top panels for forming a top wall of the carton, at
least one strap panel formed from at least one of the top panels to
form a handle strap, and at least one end-forming panel formed from
another one of the top panels to be attached to the one strap panel
to provide at least one end of the handle strap that is of a
multiply construction, the at least one end of the handle strap
being disposed beneath the top wall when the blank is formed into a
carton and being moveable with respect to the top wall such that
the handle strap can be raised from a first position wherein the
handle strap is being substantially coplanar with the top wall into
a second position wherein at least a central user portion of the
handle strap stands proud of the top wall, the at least one
end-forming panel is greater in width than the at least one strap
panel such that when the blank is formed into a carton, each ply of
the at least one end of the handle strap is offset from an adjacent
ply whereby the of at least one end of the handle strap engages an
edge of each of the top panels.
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. A blank according to claim 8 where in an edge of the at least
one end-forming panel is convex shaped and an edge of a
corresponding one of the top panels is concave shaped.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. A blank according to claim 8 wherein four top panels are
include to provide the top wall of the carton, and the at least one
end is formed from three of the four top panels.
15. (canceled)
16. (Canceled)
17. A carton having a plurality of panels for forming the carton
walls including at least inner and outer panels for forming a
composite top wall, the carton comprising a handle strap formed
from the inner panel and comprising a handle access means in the
outer panel, the handle strap having opposed ends, one of the
opposed ends of the strap handle being integrally joined with the
inner panel and the other of the opposed ends being arranged such
that the other end is movable with respect to the composite top
wall to allow the handle strap to extend above the composite top
wall, wherein the other end of the strap handle is of multiply
construction formed from at least inner and outer members, wherein
the inner member has its width wider than the outer member.
18. A carton according to claim 17, further comprising a
reinforcing strap formed from the outer panel and secured to the
handle strap, the reinforcing strap being and integrally joined at
one end to the outer panel.
19. A carton according to claim 17 wherein the handle strap is
provided Hit said other end within an engaging portion for sliding
engaging with the composite top wall to limit the extent of the
handle strap above the composite top Wall, and said engaging
portion of the strap handle comprises a hook-shaped shoulder
portion for engagement with a complementary edge of the composite
top wall.
20. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a carton for containing a
plurality of similar articles, such as cans and a means for easily
lifting and carrying the carton.
[0002] Cartons for encasing multiple articles are useful for
enabling consumers to obtain and transport a desired quantity of
individual articles such as soft drinks or other beverages. Such
cartons need to be strong enough to support the articles,
especially if the articles are bottles, which are heavy and
fragile. It is desirable for such cartons to be easy to handle and
portable. It is therefore desirable to provide handles for carrying
the carton. The handles need to be easily accessible and strong
enough to support the load of the carton.
[0003] Cartons provided with carrying handles are known in the art.
WO 96/27538 discloses a carton having a strap handle which is
joined at either end to the side walls of the carton. When the
handle is deployed the load contained in the carton is transmitted
to these joints. This type of handle is not suitable for heavy
loads since the handle can become detached from the carton and
fail.
[0004] Another type of strap handle is disclosed in EP 0 098 903
(EP '903). In EP '903 a handle is disposed beneath a top wall of
the carton, the ends of which are free to slide towards each other.
This type of handle requires a means of restricting the extension
of the strap handle and a means for retaining the handle strap
within the carton. A problem with this type of carrying handle
therefore is that additional material is required to maintain the
handle within the carton yet this material does not provide any
strength to the handle. A further problem is that the ends of the
handle may be moveable when a significant load is applied to the
handle and this can result in the handle failing.
[0005] The present invention seeks to provide a handle to enable a
loaded carton to be easily lifted and carried. Since the upward
force applied to the handle of such a carton may be significant, a
strong handle with a secure attaching mechanism is required to
ensure that the handle does not fail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention a carton for
beverage containers have a handle strap by which the carton can be
carried, the carton including a top wall formed of two panels, the
handle strap being integral with the carton and including a central
user portion formed in one of the panels, at least one end of the
handle strap being disposed beneath the top wall and being moveable
with respect to the top wall such that the handle strap can be
raised from being substantially coplanar with the top wall into a
position of use whereby at least the central user portion stands
proud of the top wall, the or each end of the handle strap being of
multiply construction and being structured such that the or each
end of the handle strap engaging an exposed edge of each of the
panels limits the travel of the or each end thereby restricting the
extent of deployment of the handle strap above the top wall.
[0007] Preferably the or each end of the handle strap engages with
each of the panels at different locations along the direction of
travel of the or each end.
[0008] Preferably each ply of the or each end of the handle strap
is offset an adjacent ply such that a ridge is formed along an edge
of the or each composite end which is slidable against a
complementary groove formed by the top panels.
[0009] Preferably an edge of the or each handle strap is convex
shaped and the or each exposed edge of the panels is concave
shaped. Each ply of the or each end of the handle may be struck
from a top panel and each ply may engage an exposed edge formed in
that top panel.
[0010] Additionally each ply of the or each end of the handle strap
disposed beneath a top panel may engage an inner face of that top
panel. Preferably four top panels are provided, the handle strap
and the or each end being formed from three of the four top
panels.
[0011] According to a second aspect of the invention, a blank for
forming a carton comprises a series of hinge panels for forming a
tubular structure, the blank including at least two top panels, a
handle strap being formed integral with the carton includes a
central user portion formed in one of the panels, at least one end
of the handle strap being disposed beneath the top wall when the
blank is formed into a carton and being moveable with respect to
the top wall such that the handle strap can be raised from being
substantially coplanar with the top wall into a position of use
whereby at least the central user portion stands proud of the top
wall, the or each end of the handle strap being of multiply
construction and being structured such that the or each end of the
handle strap engaging an exposed edge of each of the panels limits
the travel of the or each end thereby restricting the extent of
deployment of the handle strap. above the top wall.
[0012] Preferably the or each end of the handle strap engages with
each of the panels at different locations along the direction of
travel of the or each end.
[0013] Additionally each ply of the or each end of the handle strap
is offset an adjacent ply such that a ridge is formed along an edge
of the or each composite end, which end is slidable against a
complementary groove formed by the top panels.
[0014] Preferably an edge of the or each handle strap is convex
shaped and the or each exposed edge of the panels is concave
shaped. Additionally each ply of the or each end of the handle is
struck from a top panel and wherein each ply engages an exposed
edge formed in that top panel.
[0015] Preferably each ply of the or each end of the handle strap
disposed beneath a top panel engages an inner face of that top
panel.
[0016] Alternatively wherein four top panels may be provided, the
handle strap and the or each end being formed from three of the
four top panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which;
[0018] FIG. 1. shows a blank for forming a carton according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2. shows a perspective view of a first step in the
folding and gluing process of the blank of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3. shows a perspective view of a second step in the
folding and gluing process of the blank of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4. shows a perspective view of a third step in the
folding and gluing process of the blank of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 5. shows a perspective view of a fourth step in the
folding and gluing process of the blank of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 6. shows a perspective view of a fifth step in the
folding and gluing process of the blank of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 7. shows a carton erected from the blank of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 8. shows a perspective view of the top wall of the
erected carton from the inside of the carton;
[0026] FIG. 9. shows a perspective view of the top wall of the
erected carton from the inside of the carton and demonstrates a
handle formed in the carton being moved into a position of use;
[0027] FIG. 10. shows a perspective view of the top wall of the
erected carton from the inside of the carton and demonstrates
movement of the handle;
[0028] FIG. 11. shows a top plan view of a portion of the
handle;
[0029] FIG. 12. shows a perspective view of the top side and end of
a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Referring to the drawings, an elongate carton blank 10
formed from paperboard or other suitable foldable sheet material
comprises a series of main panels hinged one to the next. The main
panels comprise a first top panel 20, a second top panel 22, a
first side wall panel 12, a base panel 14, a second side wall panel
16, a third top panel 24 and a fourth top panel 26, hinged one to
the next along transverse fold lines 60, 62a, 62b, 64, 66, 68a, 68b
and 70 respectively. The four top panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 together
form a single composite top wall in the completed carton when they
are secured together in overlapping relationship. The invention is
designed to receive similar articles, such as cans, but it is
envisaged that the present invention could be used to contain other
articles, such as bottles, without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0031] In order to at least partially close the ends of the carton,
end closure panels 72a, 72b are hinged along the opposed
longitudinal edges of the main panels. Since the carton blank is
symmetrical reference is now made to one end closure panel 72a, it
being understood that the opposite end closure panel is identical
and designated by like reference numerals with the addition of the
suffix `b` instead of `a`. Thus, an end closure panel 72a is hinged
to the first side wall panel 12, the base panel 14 and the second
side wall panel 16 along hinge line 79a. The end closure panel 72a
is intersected by a series of fold lines 71a, 73a, 75a and 77a. The
fold lines 71a, 73a, 75a and 77a enable the end closure panel 72a
to be folded into a position which provides partial closure of the
end of the carton.
[0032] The carton blank 10 is also provided with a bevelled panel
13 hinged between the first side wall 12 and first top panel 20
along the hinge lines 62a and 62b. Similarly a bevelled panel 15 is
also hinged between the second side wall 16 and third top panel 24
along hinge lines 68a and 68b. The bevelled panels 13, 15 comprise
crescent shaped slots 54 and cut lines 56. The bevelled panels 13,
15 are designed such that a secure package is created when the
blank 10 is wrapped around an assembly of articles. The crescent
shaped slots 54 are designed to allow the rims of articles, such as
cans, to protrude slightly from the carton and thus allow the
bevelled panels 13, 15 and the first and second side walls 12, 16
to securely contact the contained articles.
[0033] The first top panel 20 is provided with a reinforcing handle
strap 40 and an access aperture 50, which is formed to allow access
to the handle strap more readily. The reinforcing handle strap 40
is defined by a weakened line in the first top panel 20. One end of
the reinforcing handle strap 40 is provided with a pair of
divergent cut lines 30, the other end of the reinforcing handle
strap 40 is provided with a pair of convergent cut lines 90. The
reinforcing handle strap further includes a weakened line 38 which
can be separated when the handle is deployed. In this embodiment of
the invention the reinforcing handle strap 40 formed in the first
top panel 20 is integrally joined at its one end to the first top
panel 20.
[0034] The second and third top panels 22 and 24 are each provided
with a handle strap 42, 44, each of which is defined by a weakened
line. Each handle strap 42, 44 comprise a pair of divergent cut
lines 32, 34. A pair of divergent cut lines 36 is also provided in
the fourth top panel 26. The handle straps 42, 44 and reinforcing
handle strap 40 are similarly shaped and positioned such that when
the four top panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 are brought into overlapping
relationship the handle straps 40, 42 and 44 are brought into
registry with each other. The pairs of diverging cut lines 30, 32,
34 and 36 are shaped such that they are slightly offset from each
other once the four top panels 20, 22, 24 and 26 overlap. In other
embodiments of the invention the pairs of diverging cut lines 30,
32, 34 and 36 may not be offset.
[0035] An end portion or head 82, 84 is formed at one end of each
of the handle straps 42 and 44. An additional reinforcing head 86
is also provided in the fourth top panel 26. A recess is formed by
arcuate cut lines 92, 94 and 96, adjacent each end portion 82, 84,
86. The recess allows each end portion 82, 84, 86 to be displaced
from its starting position towards the centre of the carton to
facilitate movement of the handle into a position of use. The edge
of each recess, which is defined by the cut lines 92, 94 and 96, is
shaped to engage an edge of each end portion 82, 84 and 86. LI this
embodiment of the invention both the recess edge 92, 94 and 96 and
the edges of the end portions 82, 84, 86 are hook shaped to
facilitate engagement. In other embodiments it is envisaged that
the recess edge 92, 94, 96 and end portion 82, 84, 86 may be
straight or square shaped for example.
[0036] In this embodiment of the invention each of the end portions
82, 84, 86 are of similar shape but increase in width such that end
portion 86 is wider than end portion 84. Similarly the
corresponding recesses formed by cut lines 92, 94, 96 increase in
size and curvature. When the four top panels 20, 22, 24, 26 are
brought into overlapping relation, the end portions 82, 84, 86 are
also caused to overlap. The widest end portion 86 is disposed
beneath end portion 84 which is in turn disposed beneath the most
narrow end portion 82. In this way an offset arrangement of end
portions 82, 84, 86 can be formed. Similarly the edges of each
recess formed by cut lines 90, 92, 94 and 96 are offset from each
other when the four top panels 20, 22, 24, 26 overlap.
[0037] An additional aperture 52 is formed in the fourth top panel
26 which aligns with each access aperture 50 formed in the first,
second and third top panels 20, 22, 24 when the four top panels 20,
22, 24, 26 are caused to overlap. Furthermore the fourth top panel
26 comprises a reinforcing joint 88 defined by the diverging cut
lines 36. The reinforcing joint 88 can be secured to the end of the
handle strap 44 of the third top panel. The handle
access-facilitating opening or aperture 52 formed in the fourth top
panel 26 can define the reinforcing joint 88 or end portion 86.
[0038] Turning to the construction of the carton from blank 10, a
series of sequential folding and gluing operations are required,
which preferably can be performed in a straight line machine, so
that the carton and/or blank 10 are not required to be rotated or
inverted to complete the construction. The folding process is not
limited to that described below and can be altered according to
particular manufacturing requirements.
[0039] Reference is made to FIGS. 2-11. The first stage in the
folding and gluing process is to apply glue (G) to the inside faces
of top panels 22 and 26 as indicated by the hashed areas on the
blank 10 shown in FIG. 2. The top panels 22 and 26 are each then
folded inward 180.degree. about fold lines 60 and 70 respectively.
In this way the second top panel 22 is secured to the inside face
of the first top panel 20 and the fourth top panel 26 is secured to
the inside face of the third top panel 24 as shown in FIG. 3.
[0040] An assembled arrangement of articles, such as cans (C) is
then placed on the bottom panel 14, as shown in FIG. 4. The next
stage is to manipulate the end closure panels 72a and 72b so that
the ends of the carton can be partially closed. This is achieved by
folding each end closure panel 72a, 72b, inward of the blank 10, by
90.degree. about fold lines 79a and 79b respectively. By folding
the first and second side panels 12, 16 up out of the plane of the
elongate blank 10 about fold lines 64 and 66 respectively, the
intersecting fold lines 73a, 77a, 73b and 77b will be folded
further inward of the carton towards the assembled articles.
Portions of each of the end closure panels 72a and 72b will then be
tucked inside the carton and will come to rest in flat face contact
with the first and second side walls 12, 16. This stage of the
folding and gluing sequence is demonstrated in FIG. 5.
[0041] The next stage is to fold the third and fourth top panels
24, 26, which are secured together, about fold line 68b. The fold
line 68a may also be used to bring the bevelled panel 15 into close
contact with the assembled articles. The third and fourth top
panels 24, 26 are then brought into contact with the assembled
articles such that the outside face of the fourth top panel 26
contacts the articles and glue (G) can then be applied to the
outside face of the third top panel 24. The hashed areas designate
where glue (G) is applied, as shown in FIG. 6. To complete the
construction of the carton, the first and second top panels 20, 22
and the bevelled panel 13 are folded about fold lines 62a and 62b.
The outside face of the second top panel 22 is then secured to the
third top panel 24 and the first top panel 20 becomes the outer
most face of the erected carton. An erected carton is shown in FIG.
7.
[0042] As a result of the folding a gluing of the four top panels
20, 22, 24 and 26, a four ply composite top wall is formed. Handle
straps 40, 42 and 44, of the first, second and third top panels 20,
22, 24 are secured together to form a three-ply handle. The end
portions 82, 84 and 86 of the second, third and fourth top panels
22, 24, 26 are also secured together and form a three ply head at
that end of the three ply handle.
[0043] The three ply handle can be raised from being substantially
coplanar with the top wall into a position of use whereby at least
a central user portion (H) stands proud of the composite top wall.
In this embodiment of the invention the handle is anchored at one
end, the anchored end being defined by the pairs of diverging cut
lines 30, 32, 34, 36. The diverging cut lines 30, 32, 34, 36 help
to prevent the weakened lines which define the handle straps 40,
42, 44 from extended into the first and second top wall panels when
the handle is deployed. The pairs of diverging cut lines are also
offset from each other which can strengthen the connection between
the top wall panels and the three ply central user portion (H). The
reinforcing joint 88 in the fourth panel is secured to the end of
handle strap 44 which can further strengthen the connection between
the top wall panels 20, 22, 24, 26 and the three ply central user
portion (H).
[0044] To raise the central user portion (H) from being stowed
substantially coplanar with the top wall, the three ply head formed
from the end portions 82, 84, 86 is displaced toward the centre of
the carton. When a force substantially normal to the plane of the
top wall is applied to the central user portion (H) the three ply
head or composite end portion is pulled toward the centre of the
top wall.
[0045] FIG. 8 shows a view from inside the carton of the composite
top wall. The central user portion (H) can be seen through the
access aperture 50 which is formed in the fourth top panel 26. The
underside of the three ply head can also be seen, although only the
lower most end portion 86 is visible, the other end portions 82, 84
being obscured from view by end portion 86. The layered arrangement
of the end potions and top panels 20, 22, 24, 26 is shown in plan
form in FIG. 11. Dotted lines are used to represent the outlines of
the parts of the carton which would otherwise be obscured from view
due to the fourth top panel 26. The offset arrangement of the
recesses defined by cut lines 90, 92, and 94 can also be seen in
FIGS. 8-11.
[0046] A perspective view of the three ply head or composite end
portion being displaced towards the centre of the carton is shown
in FIG. 9. The central user portion (H) can be displaced out of the
plane of the top wall until the extent of displacement of the three
ply head or composite end portion is restricted by the head
engaging with the offset recess, an examples of which are shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10. The offset arrangement of the recesses defined by
the cut lines 90, 92, 94, 96 and the staggered arrangement of the
end portions 82, 82, 86 are designed such that the head and recess
can co-operatively engage. The moveable composite end portion
comprises a series of three parallel grooves on either of its sides
which are formed by the staggered arrangement of the assembled end
portions 82, 84, 86. The grooves terminate in a convex arc formed
by the three end portions 82, 84, 86 having an aligned convex edge.
A complementary track is formed in the composite top wall by the
cut lines which define the sides of the end portions 82, 84, 86.
The track comprises a series of three parallel ridges which
terminate in a concave arc adjacent the central user portion of the
handle (H). The concave arcs converge at a point defined by the
arcuate cut lines 92, 94 and 96. As the handle (H) is displaced
outward of the top wall the grooves of the three ply head slide
along the track formed in the top wall. As the handle (H) is
displaced further to facilitate lifting the carton the grooves of
the three ply head slide further along the track until the convex
edge of the grooves engages the concave edge of the track. Each end
portion 82, 84, 86 simultaneously engages a corresponding recesses
or exposed edge defined by cut lines 92, 94 and 96 in the second,
third and fourth top panels 22, 24, 26 respectively. The three ply
head is prevented from further traversing the tracks in a
horizontal direction. Each end portion 82, 84 and 86 of the three
ply head is also prevented from moving normal to the plane of the
top wall by the overlapping ridges formed in the top wall panels
20, 24 and 26 which are disposed above the end portions 82, 84,
86.
[0047] In this way a reinforced and strengthened engaging mechanism
is established. Since the upward force applied to the central user
portion (H) may be significant in order to lift a carton containing
12 beverage cans for example, a secure engaging mechanism is
required to ensure that the handle does not fail. The present
invention provides a handle structure and engaging mechanism which
operates by allowing an end of the handle (H) to be moveable with
respect to the top wall yet the extent of the horizontal and
vertical movement is restricted by the arrangement described.
[0048] It can be appreciated that various changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention, for
example, the size and shape of the panels may be adjusted to
accommodate articles of differing size or shape. The handle
arrangement may be accommodated by a variety of carton structures
for example a tubular carton instead of a wraparound style. Other
variations may also be made within the scope of the invention. For
example, the ends of the carton may be fully closed or the bevelled
panels may be omitted.
[0049] In other embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that
less than four top panels may be required for example only the
first and second top panels may be required. It is also envisaged
that in other embodiments the reinforcing handle strap 40 may be
omitted and instead a handle aperture provided to allow access to
the handle strap 42. In other embodiments it is envisaged that a
secure engaging mechanism could be achieved by the end portions
having a stepped arrangement and two or more pairs of recesses,
defined by cut lines 90 for example, being provided in the same top
panel. In this way additional points of engagement could be
achieved. It is also envisaged that moveable end portions could be
provided at both ends of the handle strap 42 if required. In this
embodiment it may be necessary to provide a means for maintaining
connection between the handle strap 42 and the top panel 22 for
example.
[0050] It will be recognised that as used herein, directional
references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side",
"inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective
panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these
panels from one another. 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 the following, a score line, a frangible line
or a fold line without departing from the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *