U.S. patent application number 13/486311 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for beverage carton tear resistant handle.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE C.W. ZUMBIEL COMPANY. Invention is credited to Steven J. Block.
Application Number | 20120321754 13/486311 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47353874 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120321754 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Block; Steven J. |
December 20, 2012 |
BEVERAGE CARTON TEAR RESISTANT HANDLE
Abstract
Handle design for a beverage carton allows the handle feature to
lie directly next to the underlying reinforced handle feature and
provides tear resistance in that there is no single layer of board
being carried by either the person stocking the product, or the
consumer as they handle the package. This avoids any such tearing
due to the placement of the reinforcing strip relative to the
handle openings.
Inventors: |
Block; Steven J.; (Amelia,
OH) |
Assignee: |
THE C.W. ZUMBIEL COMPANY
Hebron
KY
|
Family ID: |
47353874 |
Appl. No.: |
13/486311 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61498093 |
Jun 17, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/108 ;
206/427; 229/117.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2571/00574
20130101; B65D 2571/00469 20130101; B65D 2571/00141 20130101; B65D
2571/00728 20130101; B65D 2571/0066 20130101; B65D 2571/00524
20130101; B65D 2571/00543 20130101; B65D 71/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/108 ;
206/427; 229/117.13 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/468 20060101
B65D005/468; B65D 85/72 20060101 B65D085/72; B65D 5/72 20060101
B65D005/72 |
Claims
1. A carton for beverage containers comprising: a top panel, a
bottom panel, two side panels and two end panels; a handle in the
top panel, the handle including at least one handle opening into
which a user may insert fingers to lift the carton; and a
reinforcing handle flap in the top panel juxtaposed immediately
adjacent to the handle opening so as to inhibit tearing of the
carton top panel when the carton is lifted by the handle.
2. The carton of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of end
flaps each extending from one of the top, bottom and side panels
wherein the end panels are each formed from selected end flaps.
3. The carton of claim 1 further comprising: first and second top
panel flaps each joined to one of the side panels, the first and
second top panel flaps overlapping one another to thereby combine
to form the top panel.
4. The carton of claim 3 wherein the reinforcing handle flap is
foldably coupled to the second top panel flap to thereby be folded
into face-to-face juxtaposition with the second top panel flap.
5. The carton of claim 4 wherein the reinforcing handle flap is
foldably coupled to a distal edge of the second top panel flap
along a fold line.
6. The carton of claim 5 wherein the reinforcing handle flap
extends substantially the entire length of the second top panel
flap.
7. The carton of claim 3 further comprising a pair of handle
openings, each of which is formed in one of the top panel flaps
with the reinforcing handle flap being located between the handle
openings.
8. The carton of claim 7 wherein a region between the pair of
handle openings has a thickness of at least three plies of carton
material.
9. The carton of claim 7 wherein the region of at least three plies
extends substantially the entire length of the top panel between
the end panels.
10. The carton of claim 9 wherein the region of at least three
plies extends beyond the length of the top panel and into each of
the end panels.
11. The carton of claim 1 further comprising: a dispenser formed in
the carton through which the containers can be removed from the
carton.
12. A carton for beverage containers comprising: a top panel, a
bottom panel, two side panels and two end panels; a plurality of
end flaps each extending from one of the top, bottom and side
panels, wherein the end panels are each formed from selected end
flaps; first and second top panel flaps each joined to one of the
side panels, the first and second top panel flaps overlapping one
another to thereby combine to form the top panel; a handle in the
top panel, the handle including at least two handle openings into
which a user may insert fingers to lift the carton, each of the
handle openings being formed in one of the top panel flaps; a
reinforcing handle flap in the top panel juxtaposed between the
handle openings so as to inhibit tearing of the carton top panel
when the carton is lifted by the handle; wherein the reinforcing
handle flap is foldably coupled to a distal edge of the second top
panel flap to thereby be folded into face-to-face juxtaposition
with the second top panel flap; wherein a region between the pair
of handle openings has a thickness of at least three plies of
carton material extending substantially the entire length of the
top panel between the end panels and into each of the end panels;
and a dispenser formed in the carton through which the containers
can be removed from the carton.
13. A package comprising: a plurality of beverage containers
arranged within a carton; the carton further comprising (a) a top
panel, a bottom panel, two side panels and two end panels; (b) a
handle in the top panel, the handle including at least one handle
opening into which a user may insert fingers to lift the carton;
and (c) a reinforcing handle flap in the top panel juxtaposed
immediately adjacent to the handle opening so as to inhibit tearing
of the carton top panel when the carton is lifted by the
handle.
14. The package of claim 1 further comprising: first and second top
panel flaps each joined to one of the side panels, the first and
second top panel flaps overlapping one another to thereby combine
to form the top panel.
15. The package of claim 14 wherein the reinforcing handle flap is
foldably coupled to a distal edge of the second top panel flap to
thereby be folded into face-to-face juxtaposition with the second
top panel flap.
16. The package of claim 14 further comprising a pair of handle
openings, each of which is formed in one of the top panel flaps
with the reinforcing handle flap being located between the handle
openings.
17. The package of claim 16 wherein a region between the pair of
handle openings has a thickness of at least three plies of carton
material extending substantially the entire length of the top panel
between the end panels and into each of the end panels.
18. A carton blank comprising: serially connected a top panel, a
first side panel, a bottom panel and a second side panel; a
plurality of end flaps each extending from one of the top, bottom
and side panels, wherein selected ones of the end flaps are adapted
to combine to form end panels of a carton formed from the carton
blank; a handle in the top panel, the handle including at least one
handle opening into which a user may insert fingers to lift the
carton; and a reinforcing handle flap coupled to the top panel
adjacent to the handle opening so as to inhibit tearing of the
carton top panel when the carton is lifted by the handle.
19. The carton blank of claim 18 further comprising: first and
second top panel flaps each joined to one of the side panels, the
first and second top panel flaps overlapping one another to thereby
combine to form the top panel in the formed carton, the reinforcing
handle flap being foldably coupled to a distal edge of the second
top panel flap to thereby be folded into face-to-face juxtaposition
with the second top panel flap in the formed carton.
20. The carton blank of claim 5 wherein the reinforcing handle flap
extends substantially the entire length of the second top panel
flap.
21. The carton blank of claim 19 further comprising a pair of
handle openings, each of which is formed in one of the top panel
flaps with the reinforcing handle flap being located between the
handle openings in the formed carton.
22. The carton blank of claim 18 further comprising: a dispenser
through which containers can be removed from the formed carton.
Description
[0001] This claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 61/498,093, filed Jun. 17, 2011 and hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to cartons. More particularly, this
invention relates to a carrying handle for a carton.
[0003] In the marketing of soft drinks, beer, water and other
beverages, it is well known to sell those retail consumer products
in cans or containers which are grouped together in six packs,
twelve packs, twenty-four packs or other arrangements. Particularly
in the case of twelve and twenty-four can packs it is common to
package the cans in cartons so as to make it easier to handle the
product for the wholesaler and the retailer, as well as the retail
consumer.
[0004] There are any number of different types of can cartons known
in the prior art. But one particular type that has found
significant commercial success over the years is a so-called
wraparound or sleeve style carton. In such a carton a number of
cans, e.g., twelve or twenty-four, are wrapped in a paperboard box
or carton comprised of top and bottom wall panels, side wall
panels, and end flaps on each end. The end flaps at each end are
sealed one to the other, thereby providing a closed or sealed
package or carton for the cans. Now with the wraparound carton
package so formed, it is desirable to provide a carrying handle so
the retail consumer can carry the carton. There is any number of
different carrying handles known in the wraparound carton art. One
example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,316, assigned to the
assignee of this invention and hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety. The overall purpose of such carton handles is to
provide an easy to use handle that is structurally sound so the
consumer can pick up and carry the carton simply through use of the
handle structure.
[0005] With the use of thinner, more lightweight paperboard to
construct the carton and the packaging of a greater number of
containers in the carton, the tendency for the handle or carton
structure surrounding the handle to tear has increased. Even if the
carton and handle remain functional and do not fail or rupture, the
torn carton or handle is unsightly and a distraction for the
consumer when considering to purchase the packaged containers. As
such, various cartons utilize reinforced handle constructions to
minimize the likelihood of such tears. Nevertheless, in some prior
art designs, the carton or handle material may tear of fail in
those areas that have not been reinforced while the reinforced
structure maintains the functionality of the carton as a whole. As
such the torn carton or handle remains unsightly and a deterrent
for the consumer when considering a purchase of the packaged
containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, a primary objective of this invention has been
to provide a novel carrying handle for a carton and, particularly,
for a wraparound type carton, where the handle's structural
components are formed directly from the top panel of the carton.
And with this type handle, it is one particular objective of this
invention to provide an improved, reinforced carrying handle
structure which maintains the structural integrity of the
wraparound carton through the distribution chain until it is chosen
by a retail consumer, which is very easy to render usable, and to
use, by the retail consumer once the carton has been so chosen, and
which does not adversely impact on the either the appearance or the
structural integrity of the carton when the handle is used by the
packager, retailer, or user.
[0007] In accord with these objectives, the carrying handle for a
carton of this invention is particularly adapted for use with a
wraparound type carton in which cans, e.g., soft drink, water,
beverage or beer cans, are sold. The handle in one embodiment is a
racetrack handle configuration and includes a handle reinforcing
strip defined in the carton's top panel which is in close proximity
to and in some embodiments, immediately adjacent to, the handle
openings such that use of the handle, even with larger packages
with thinner paperboard construction, will not result in any
tearing of the carton structure proximate to the handle or the
reinforcing strip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by
reference to the following description of embodiments of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank used to make a carton
according to one embodiment of this invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the top panel of a
carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 showing the handle design;
and
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the underside of the view in
FIG. 2 showing a reinforcing strip in proximity to the handle
openings according to one aspect of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The carrying handle 10 of this invention is adapted for use
with a wraparound carton 12 formed from a carton blank 14 (FIGS.
1-3). The wraparound carton 12 may be filled with, for example,
cans of soft drink, beer, water or another beverage or a
non-beverage contents in the carton 12.
[0013] The wraparound carton blank 14 basically includes opposed
side panels 16, 18, a top composite panel 20 formed from two top
panel flaps 20a, 20b and a bottom panel 22, these panels all being
foldably connected alongside fold lines 24-30. Also, the carton 12
includes, on each end 32, 34, overlapping end flaps 16a, 16b, 18a,
18b that hinge to end fold lines 36, 38 of the respective side
panels 16, 18. Each end flap cooperates with top and bottom dust
panels 22a, 22b, 20C, 20d, 20e, 20f that are hingedly connected to
fold lines 36, 38. The end flaps at each end 32, 34 of the
wraparound carton 12 are glued or otherwise fastened together so
that, in effect, the wraparound carton 12 provides a single closed
package for the cans there within.
[0014] The carrying handle 10 of this invention, with the carton in
blank or non-erected configuration, is illustrated in FIG. 1. As
there shown, the blank includes a U-shaped handle hole 40a, 40b
defined in each top panel flap 20a, 20b, respectively. Thus the
handle holes 40a, 40b in combination have a size sufficient to
permit a user's fingers to be received therein when a carton of
containers, e.g., cans is being carried by the user.
[0015] A racetrack handle 42 such as this handle extends
longitudinally towards each end 32, 34 of the carton 12. A
dispenser 44 of this carton can be used for both cans and other
types of cylindrical containers, including PET bottles having a
stubby configuration. One of the unique features of the dispenser
of this invention is that it provides easy access to the cans or
bottles in the carton but yet does not greatly diminish the
structural integrity of the carton. Any type of known dispenser can
be employed with this invention.
[0016] Carton 12 is designed to carry 24-12 ounce cans when packed.
The carton is constructed in accordance with the teachings of FIG.
1 with the racetrack handle. Handle 42 has been modified to include
a reinforced handle feature including a handle reinforcing flap 46,
which is joined to top flap 20b via fold line 48. The handle 42
affords tear resistance in that there is no single layer of board
being carried by either the person stocking the product, or the
consumer as they handle the package. Also, the handle 42 allows for
an average person to insert 4 fingers versus 3 fingers into handle
openings 40a, 40b, helping to displace and spread the forces that
may ultimately begin to rip the top 20 of the package.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 2-3, when the carton 12 is formed from the
blank 14, the top flaps 20a, 20b are glued together and the handle
flap 46 is folded into position between the handle holes 40a, 40b
on the underside of the top panel 20 (FIG. 3). In one aspect of
this invention, the outer longitudinal edges of each handle hole
40a, 40b are juxtaposed immediately adjacent to the handle
reinforcing flap 46 as shown by arrows A in FIG. 3. In this manner,
when the filled carton 12 is lifted by the handle 42, the top panel
20 does not tear from the handle holes 40a, 40b due to the
proximity of the handle reinforcing flap 46 at the locations of
arrows A. Handle flaps 50a, 50b formed within each U-shaped handle
hole 40a, 40b, respectively, may be folded onto the handle
reinforcing flap 46 when a user inserts his/her hand into the
opening 40a or 40b to lift the carton 12.
[0018] The handle 42 is referred to as a "racetrack" design as it
is oval in its die cut. The tear resistant handle 42 changes the
area between the handle corner at arrows A and the underlying
reinforcing flap 46. On the known designs, there is about 1/4''
area between the handle opening 40a, 40b and the reinforced flap 46
that allows the single layer of fibers in this area to begin to
tear. The conventional handle may not completely fail yet the top
of the carton looks less appealing to a consumer than a package
with no rips. Trade audits show that tears appear on about 50% of
conventional 24 can cartons in the trade. Also, it is notable that
many cartons recently utilize downgraded board caliper on this
package from 0.021'' to 0.020''. This may lead to tears with the
conventional handle and the handle 42 of this invention is a
solution to the tears.
[0019] From the above disclosure of the general principles of this
invention and the preceding detailed description of at least one
embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the
various modifications to which this invention is susceptible.
Therefore, I desire to be limited only by the scope of the
following claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *