Abstract:
An ergonomic handling improvement for popular beverage-can cartons of the 12-pack and 20-pack paperboard sleeve type carton presenting six ad-graphics bearing panels extending in parallelpied manner around perifery of the internally enshrouded cans; a conventional perforated carry-handle typically located mid-way along the right/side-panel is intended to enable the shopper to lift the carton into their shopping-cart. However, in most instances a shopper finds this carry-handle is not initially accessible, owing the usually tightly packed array of the retail-store shelves. Disclosed is a novel finger-aperture grab-hole critically located atop the vertical spatial-void defined by the foremost quad-cluster of cans, conveniently enabling the shopper to readily snag the carton using one or two fingers, and thereby withdraw the carton from amongst the intimately packed array; whereupon the shopper is able to thereby access the existing carry-handle, and optionally use coordinated effort of both secured hand holds to lift the carton away to their  shopping-cart.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    This invention generally relates to packaged paperboard type containers, and more particularly to beverage-can cartons of the type featuring a panel surface punch-in carry-handle portion serving as a convenient means by which to lift and tote the carton; and furthermore this disclosure particularly relates to the popular elongated 12-pack and 20-pack configurations commonly seen nowadays stacked intimately upon the shelves of supermarket retail-store self-serve display-islands or kiosks. 
         [0003]    2. Relevant Prior Art 
         [0004]    Background research discovery provides some prior patent-art regarded as germane to this disclosure, chronologically for example U.S. Pat. No. 2,196,502 assigned to ‘Container Corp of America’ set forth a ruggedly fabricated die-cut and crease fold-scored paperboard case featuring an opposed pair of top-flaps (per  FIG. 4 ), one of which employing a factory punched circular finger-hole of a size suited to receiving a man&#39;s index-finger; thereby enabling the user to readily flip-open the top-flap to gain access to the beverage-bottles contained therein. However, as such, there was no need nor expressed contemplation of using the said finger-hole as to draw the case toward oneself, in order to more easily remove the case from amongst a group of stacked cases. 
         [0005]    In U.S. Pat. No. 2,718,301 assigned to ‘Package Machinery Co.’ is set forth the notion of a four-finger grab-hole for a factory-sealed paperboard beverage-can carton; wherein pressure applied by one&#39;s grouped finger-tips causes the factory perforated and fold-to scored aperture-flap to foldingly retract within the confines of the carton proximal the V&#39;d-cavity formed between two cans. However, other than resembling the integral carry-handle typically provided with the currently popular 12-pack carton, there is no correlation to the invention disclosure hereof. 
         [0006]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,186 assigned to ‘Riverwood Int&#39;al. Corp.’ is set forth the notion of a food carrier device simply comprised of two portions, a lower 4-cavity unit, and an upper substantially planar lid forming a cover over each of said cavities; plus centered between said 4-cavities is a semi-circular flap which folds down upon a shopper&#39;s inserting of their index-finger so as to lift the container upward from a retail-store&#39;s self-serve reach-down cooler. However, the finger-hole of this embodiment folds beneath the flange surround of the 4-cavity portion, and only serves to facilitate lifting of said container, not drawing it horizontally toward the shopper. 
         [0007]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,874 assigned to ‘FootStar Corp.’ is set forth a shoebox-carton with vertically opposed front-edge finger-holes facilitating much easier grasping and horizontal extraction of a selected shoebox from a vertically tiered stack of shoeboxes. However, there is no correlation with applicant&#39;s invention, in as much as beverage-can cartons are stacked one above an identical type of beverage, thus there is never a need to select a carton from those below, as the shopper always draws beverage-can cartons from the top of the stack. 
         [0008]    In U.S. Pat. No. 8,479,973 assigned to ‘Graphic Packaging Int&#39;al. Corp.’ is shown a currently popular 12-pack type of paperboard beverage-can carton, which is of the type featuring a centrally located integrally formed multi-finger grab-handle, in combination with the notion of an avolsable FrigPak® end-cover for refrigerator accessibility of individual beverage-cans. Plus an additional grasping means is set forth in this embodiment, comprising a pair of laterally opposed perforation avolsable finger-tip holds ( 162  &amp;  164  of  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 ) located at the forward-end of the carton (—subsequently becoming the aft-end when placed into one&#39;s home refrigerator). Although intended to enable the shopper to more conveniently withdraw a 12-pack from amongst an intimately stacked group of supermarket shelf-inventory cartons; this provision has not met with acceptance by the public, as consumer-studies indicate this configuration fails ‘intuitive usage’, and particularly among women,—it is regarded as a ‘fingernail breaker’ when attempting to aggressively penetrate the right and left perforated-tabs! It should be noted in usPat. . . . #973 that only  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5  actually represent the true shelf-stacked orientation of these access-flaps for a 12-pack carton, owing that the aluminum beverage-cans contained therein must of necessity have their axies arranged vertically in order to structurally sustain stacking-loads. 
       SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION DISCLOSURE 
       [0009]    A.) In view of the foregoing discussion about the earlier invention art, it is therefore important to make it pellucid to others interested in the art that the object of this invention is to provide a beverage-can carton of the sort much in common with that 12-pack configuration which particularly in the earlier mentioned usPat.#. . . 973 sought to address the pesky problem of accessibility from intimately stacked retail-store shelves, which are oft so closely or tightly packed that one cannot see an air-gap between them. The rather involved opposed right &amp; left access-tabs set forth in usPat.#. . . 973 fell short in its lacking an intuitive-usage quality necessary in consumer shopping convenience. 
         [0010]    Applicant hereof seeks to better satisfy the need for a more direct shopper friendly solution, which does not require the hurried shopper to spend time analytically contemplating what is required of them in the function of an intricate packaging feature, which at once must also satisfy the needs of packaging companies as to ease of reproduction, cost-effectiveness, and preserving sanitation of the packaged goods. 
         [0011]    B.) Another object of this invention disclosure is to set forth both a beverage-can 12-pack and 20-pack beverage-can carton in keeping with the popular existing configuration, which comprise a plurality of parallelpied panels, including a top-panel, an opposing bottom-panel, a right-side panel and an opposed left-side panel, and opposite end-panel closure-flaps, both said end-panels comprising at least two end-flaps which partially overlap as to substantially enclose the ends. Moreover, the disclosure hereof is directed to providing the likes of a substantially conventional die-cut paperboard or equivalent blank, which is easily imprinted upon as to facilitate attractive graphic information about the beverage product which the shopper generally needs to know. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect, it is herein preferred this invention disclosure be adapted to a beverage-can carton of the sort exemplified in earlier said usPat.#. . . 973, wherein is shown an existing integrally formed transversely oriented tote-handle or carry-handle, which is quite cost-effectively formed via conventional avulsably perforated-tab and fold-scoring means, and which is typically arranged upon the right-sidewall midway between the carton ends, and thus between two opposed cylinderical bodies of the transversely arranged beverage-cans, and whereto said 12-pack or 20-pack beverage-carton are manually rotated 90-degrees CCW (—from its normal shelf display orientation), by the shopper, whereby the carry-handle becomes upwardly facing, thereby providing a stable evenly-balanced fore/aft condition during handling by the shopper. Being that a full factory-sealed 12-pack weighs 10.6-lbs., and a 20-pack weighs 17.6-lbs., the proper handling of these somewhat slippery and ungainly cartons is of vital importance in effort to avoid incidence of shopper-strain, and floor-spillage owing to occasional opening of the factory-glued end-flaps by a frustrated shopper trying to obtain a means by which to slide a carton out from amongst the stack! 
         [0013]    Moreover, it is likewise desired that the instant disclosure preferred embodiment hereof also include the conventional avulsably perforated FrigPack® end-cover feature substantially as exhibited in said usPat.#. . . 973, owing that this is a popular convenience feature, enabling consumers to readily retrieve beverage-cans from the carton once it is lodged in its final refrigerator dispensing-mode of usage (ie: —which said end-cover is necessarily now facing toward the refrigerator-door, while it is always facing toward the rear when stacked upon retail-shelves, —yet once the end-cover is removed the resulting hand-access aperture is necessarily facing forward in order to use the FrigPack® access feature). Accordingly, it is to be understood that no novelty claim is made nor implied by the inventor of this instant disclosure regarding either the said carry-handle nor the avusable FrigPack® end-cover features. 
         [0014]    There remains however, need for a viably innovative solution to the problem of retail-store shelf retrieval by the customer, as the laterally-opposed finger-grips feature of said usPat.#. . . 973 which endeavored to address the problem, has been deemed to awkward for the average shopper to readily manipulate. Hence, the inventor hereof has devised and prototype-tested an entirely new manner of accessibility developed to facilitate quick and easy withdrawal of conventional beverage-can cartons, such as the popular 12-pack and 20-pack versions, from the often difficult to access tightly packed supermarket island-shelving. Notably, both beverage-can carton size iterations share the same somewhat awkward transitional-handling situation, wherein as the carton is slid partially outward by the shopper, for in order to properly use the carry-handle located on the right sidewall panel, it is necessary that the shopper maintain their left-hand someplace proximal the front of the carton as they grope around the right-side to press-in the existing perforated carry-handle provision. 
         [0015]    Accordingly, the notion as to to novelty being set forth herein is exclusively of a convenient top-panel finger-aperture, which in its most rudimentary form constitutes an ultimately simply, albeit very effective finger grab-hole, which is made unique by virtue of its critical placement; -whether provided from the factory as an elementary open-hole (—which is the inventor&#39;s preference owing that it is immediately visible by the shopper!), —or employed as a generic-variant in combination with a perforated closure-tab (—which retailers may prefer owing that it keeps the carton sealed from intrusion of dust or insects such as cockroaches). Regardless, either generic implementation efficiently overcomes this prevailing access difficulty by offering two human-factors engineering advantages . . . first, my finger-aperture initially enables the shopper to immediately without fuss, easily withdraw a selected beverage-carton without fumbling amongst the tightly clustered array; —then secondly, sliding the beverage-carton outwardly while still supported aftwardly upon the shelf, the shopper has only to then reach around via their right-hand to the once exposed carry-handle situated on the right side-wall, and while maintaining both the said front and side finger-holds, the shopper simply executes a coordinated lifting-upward via their right-hand relative to their prevailing finger-aperture stabilizing left-hand, whilst simultaneously rotating the beverage-carton 90-degrees counter-clockwise(CCW), whereupon the shopper may then optionally release their left-hand from the assisting finger-aperture while bodily transferring the beverage-carton into their adjacent shopping-cart basket. 
         [0016]    C.) Another object of this invention disclosure is to set forth a remarkably simple device by which to readily overcome the afore eluded to carton handling difficulty, commonly experienced by most supermarket shoppers, wherein the beverage-can cartons such as the popular 12-pack and 20-pack variety are often packed together so intimately as to confront the usual shopper with a dreaded accessibility problem! In what would at first glance seem insignificant, turns out to become a rather formidable task, for the customer finds to their dismay that the tops of the beverage-can cartons are all smoothly imperforate, providing no physical means by which to initially grab-hold of an individually selected carton. This is owing that with both 20-packs and particularly the 12-packs (having the FrigPak® perforated end-cover provision), the actual tote carry-handle provision mentioned in item-B is not usually visible nor accessible because it is necessarily arranged upon the right/side-panel of the carton, due to the necessity of the toting carry-handle having to be disposed in cooperation with the transverse-axes of the beverage-cans, yet the beverage-cans must always be stacked with their axes oriented vertically so as to naturally resist crushing-loads while the cartons are hurriedly stacked upon the shelves. 
         [0017]    Also, because supermarket shelf-space is at a premium as to cost per-cubic, surveys reveal that the non-chilled 12-packs and 20-packs are typically stacked to within an inch below the next above tiered shelf, whereby the shopper cannot even reach-in more than a few inches before the thickness of their hand becomes wedged to a stop! This situation becomes an even more exasperating experience when encountered by an estimated 10% of supermarket customers whom are afflicted by some hand emcumberace, or even worse, some of whom are shopping while sitting in a wheelchair (or electric-cart conveyance provided by the supermarket), and these folks will often have to call upon the store-manager for assistance in extracting one or more such beverage-can cartons which in this scenario, absent a means by which to initially snag a carton, are found by some shoppers impossible to transfer into their shopping-cart basket without assistance from a store-manager. 
         [0018]    While the conventional said 12-pack and 20-pack cartons are both designed for the popular thin-walled aluminum 12/fluid-ounce ‘PopTop’ beverage-cans, it is possible that beverage-company marketing-managers may elect to also offer similar cartons around the recently introduced 37%-smaller 7.5/fluid-ounce(222-mL) PopTop beverage-can, —which is visually proportional to the larger can, yet is only 2.25″-diam.×4.1″-height, as compared to 2.6″-diam.×5.84″-height for the 12-oz. beverage-can; —while both beverage-can versions employ a standard 2.125″-diam. upper-chime; —thus it is verily intended that this disclosure encompass possible variant beverage-can iterations, which would only primarily effect some differences in the surface-area of the carton, the principles of novelty being set forth in this disclosure remaining just as effective. 
         [0019]    D.) Therefore, my solution to his pesky initial shelf retrieval problem is simply the provision of a critically arranged finger-aperture&#39; located atop the beverage-can carton proximally 2½-inches (6.4 cm) from the front (ie: leading) edge of the stacked carton, and also precisely centered between the foremost four cans of a conventional 12-pack or similarly a 20-pack for example. This grab-hole finger-aperture preferably accommodates the insertion of two fingers, and is therefore generally of transversely oblong configuration, measuring approximately: 1½-inches long×¾-inch wide, and is preferably factory perforated around its aft portion as well around its transversely opposed ends, leaving the front portion merely scored, as to thereby become a provisional fold-down tab upon being readily punched-in by the shopper. Alternately, the finger-aperture can be simply be a circle (—providing a hold for one finger), or an oval (or ellipsoidal) formation, so as to accommodate only two 90%-tile fingers (as three adult-fingers will actually not fit into the spatial-void existing between a quad-cluster of 12-oz. beverage-cans). In any event, a minor forward portion of the finger-aperture tab is fold-scored, as to enable the avulsed-tab perforated portion to be downwardly pressed-inward as to thereby hingedly depend from the carton&#39;s top-panel, retracting submissively into the vertical spatial-void afforded by the consistent cluster of the foremost of four grouped cans. 
         [0020]    With the finger-aperture thereby provided, the shopper merely inserts their finger(s) just passed or proximal their second-knuckle, as to thereby momentarily act in the manner of an L-hook shaped finger-snag means by which the casual shopper may thus easily withdraw the selected beverage-can carton outward from amongst the heretofore problematically tightly-packed array of cartons, and outward from the shelf-front to which the carton front-panels are typically aligned. 
         [0021]    Moreover, the finger-aperture user will readily find they can employ a quasi ‘bowlers-grip’ relative to the upper leading-edge of the carton, —whereby their index-finger and small-finger may remain poised atop the carton on both sides of the finger-aperture, while their thumb is pressed down firmly against the front facing panel of the carton; —whereupon the user maintains the described secure bowler&#39;s-grip as they in combination with the existing perforated carry-handle located further aft upon the carton&#39;s right-sidewall, commence a coordinated two-hand hoisting of the carton away from the stacked carton array, and readily into their shopping-cart. Or if the shopper is handicapped and seated in a wheeled conveyance, the user would likely pull the beverage-can carton unto their lap using their left-hand to grip me EZ-grab finger-aperture, then using both hands (right-hand gripping the carry-handle) proceed to transfer the awkward carton into their cart-basket. 
         [0022]    E.) Hence, in light of the foregoing, it is increasingly understood now that the instant disclosure indeed offers a uniquely simple and efficient means by which to overcome a heretofore perplexing handling of an initially cumbersome form of packaging, which is however otherwise found by the shopping public to be quite user-friendly, particularly in the 12-pack configuration, —once it can be successfully withdrawn from the retail-store&#39;s oft tightly stacked array, and eventually becomes often placed into the shopper&#39;s home refrigerator in the customary manner so a to avail themselves of the handy conventional FrigPak® -dispenser feature. 
         [0023]    Therefore, in full consideration of the preceding patent review, there is determined a need for an improved form of finger-aperture device to which the afore mentioned prior-art patents have been largely addressed. The instant inventor hereof believes their newly improved beverage-can carton accessing device, commercially referred to as the—‘EZ-Grab™’, (aka: EZ-Grab N&#39;Carry) currently being developed for production under auspices of the ‘HighSierra Consulting—llc Mkt.Co.’, exhibits certain advantages as shall be revealed in the subsequent portion of this instant disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The foregoing and still other objects of this invention disclosure will become fully apparent, along with various advantages and features of novelty residing in the present embodiments, from study of the following description of the variant generic species embodiments and study of the ensuing description of these embodiments. Wherein indicia of reference are shown to match related matter stated in the text, as well as the Claims section annexed thereto; and accordingly a better understanding of the invention and the variant uses is intended, by reference to the drawings, —which are considered as primarily exemplary and therefore not to be construed as restrictive in nature, wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1 , is a pictorial perspective-view favoring the frontal upper-right portion of an exemplified paperboard 12-pack carton, showing the novel critically located finger-aperture centered directly above the four foremost beverage-cans phantom-outlined therein, and including the phantom-outlined left-hand of an exemplified shopper relative to the said finger-aperture, also showing the phantom-outlined right-hand of said shopper relative to the conventional carry-handle; —plus action ref.-arrows serve to demonstrate coordinated transitional usage of said shopper&#39;s hands in removing the carton from the intimately stacked array of cartons. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2 , is an oblique upper-right semi-diagrammatic pictorial-view exhibiting the relative physical configuration of a conventional 20-pack in comparison to a conventional 12-pack carton, both beverage-can carton iterations employ the popular conventional carry-handle, and are also shown with indications of respective 4×5 and 2×6 beverage-can arrangements to aid visual perception; plus the cartons are also shown adapted with the novel finger-aperture provision. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3A , is a plan-view of a substantially conventional factory die-cut paperboard blank, which is imprinted and becomes perforated in certain places, and fold-scored for close automated fitting around the beverage-cans; and whereto is precisely indicated the required EZ-Grab™ finger-aperture positioning thereto; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3B , is a 10× enlarged fragmentary portion of the plan-view according to 
           [0029]      FIG. 3A , wherein is depicted the most rudimentary factory pre-punched through-hole version of the finger-aperture for one finger; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3C , is a 10× enlarged fragmentary portion of the plan-view according to  FIG. 3A , wherein is depicted an also rudimentary factory pre-punched through-hole version of the finger-aperture albeit for two fingers; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3D , is a 10× enlarged fragmentary portion of the plan-view according to  FIG. 3A , wherein is depicted an alternate generic variant embodiment of the finger-aperture for one-finger which is factory perforated and fold-scored so as to remain sealed when placed upon the retail-shelf; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3E , is a 10× enlarged fragmentary portion of the plan-view according to  FIG. 3A , wherein is depicted an alternate generic variant embodiment of the finger-aperture for two-fingers which is transversely elongated, and is factory perforated and fold-scored so as to remain sealed when placed upon the retail-shelf; 
           [0033]    FIG/  3 F. is a 10× enlarged fragmentary portion of the plan-view according to  FIG. 3A , wherein is depicted an alternate generic variant embodiment of the finger-aperture for two-fingers, which is also transversely elongated, and is also factory perforated and fold-scored as to thereby remain sealed when placed upon the retail-shelf. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4A , is a semi-diagrammatic cross-sectional left/side-elevation view exhibiting the discovered heretofore unused spatial-void shown as a graphically cross-hatched vertical-column in relationship to the factory-sealed EZ-Grab™ finger-aperture during initial manual penetration by a store shopper; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4B , is a semi-diagrammatic cross-sectional upper/plan-view corresponding to  FIG. 4A  here showing the spatial-void as a graphically cross-hatched azimuth demarcation area relative to the juxtaposed quad-cluster of beverage-cans, and in critical relationship to the novel EZ-Grab™ finger-aperture. 
       
    
    
       [0036]    NOTE usPTO: —do not reduce the below Refs., must remain full-size for proper legibility) 
       ITEMIZED NOMENCLATURE QUICK-REFERENCE 
       [0037]    Exemplified conventional carton: 
         [0038]      10 ′,  10 ′ x ,  10   a,    10   p,    10   s— 12-pack, longitudinal-axis, carton array, perforation, fold-score 
         [0039]      10 ″,  10 ″ x— 20-pack, longitudinal-axis 
         [0040]      10   t,    10   b —top-panel, bottom-panel 
         [0041]      10 L,  10 R—left-side panel, right-side panel 
         [0042]      10 U—upper-frontal edge 
         [0043]      10   e/f —end-panel flaps: upper/lower 
         [0044]      10   p,    10   g,    10   z —die-cut blank, graphics imprintable exterior, glue application zone 
         [0045]      11 ,  11   a/b,    11   p —carry-handle, opposed fore/aft sealing-flaps, perforated-line 
         [0046]      12 ,  12   a/b,    12   p —end-cover, access-flaps: fore/aft, perforated-line 
         [0047]      13 ,  13   b —store shelf, pricing-data bracket 
         [0048]      14 ,  14   c,    14 D,  14 X,  14 V,  14 Q- beverage-can, can&#39;s chime, can&#39;s diameter, can&#39;s longitudinal-axis, spatial-void, quad-cluster 
         [0049]      15 L,  15   h,    15   bg;    15 R,  15   pg —shopper&#39;s hands: left-hand, L-hook, bowler&#39;s-grip; right-hand, paw-grip. 
         [0050]      16 X—finger-aperture: critical alignment centering point 
         [0051]      16 ′—finger-aperture: pre-punched through-hole 
         [0052]      16 ″,  16 ″ p,    16 ″ s —finger-aperture: post-punched through-hole, perforated-line, scored fold-line 
         [0053]      16 ″Tc/ 16 ″To—finger-aperture tab: closed-tab/open-tab 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0054]    Initial descriptive reference is given by way of  FIG. 1 , wherein is revealed how the novel EZ-Grab™ finger-aperture  16 ′/ 16 ″ (ie: -can be either of the two generic versions) located prominently upon the beverage-can carton&#39;s top-panel  10 T, enables the finger(s) of a store shopper&#39;s left-hand  15 L to conveniently snag and withdraw the exhibited conventional 12-pack carton  10 ′ from amongst a closely packed array  10 A of like cartons. Note that novel finger-aperture  16 ′/ 16 ″ is critically arranged precisely over the substantially X-shaped spatial-void  14 V interstitial to the intimately grouped foremost quad-cluster of beverage-cans  14 ; —for without this critical relationship the shopper&#39;s finger(s) would not align into the spatial-void  14 V, and instead merely abut down against the top of a beverage-can, —which event would defeat ability of the shopper to obtain a desired snagging action. 
         [0055]    This novel finger-aperture provision constitutes a significant device and method by which to obtain an otherwise oft quite difficult to assess beverage-can carton. Once the 12-pack carton  10 ′ becomes withdrawn at least half-way, the carton&#39;s factory-sealed conventional carry-handle  11  becomes exposed as shown in  FIG. 1 , enabling the shopper to readily thrust the finger-tips of their right-hand  15 R thereto as to thereby avolsedly penetrate the perforated opposed coincidental sealing-flaps  11   a  and  11   b  (ref.  FIG. 3A ), thus enabling the shopper to insert the paw-like four finger formation of their right-hand  15 R inward while curling their fingers under the inwardly folding sealing-flap  11   a  as enabled by proximity of the beverage-cans cylinderical bodies which form a receptive spatial declivity-pocket between two adjacent beverage-cans  14  and the inside-surface of right-side panel  10 R. 
         [0056]    Also revealed in  FIG. 1  is how the vital finger-aperture  16 ′/ 16 ″ functions in cooperation with existing carry-handle  11 ; as it is optionally preferred the shopper obtain the likeness of a bowler&#39;s-grip hand-stance, which is aptly demonstrated by the shopper&#39;s left-hand  15 L portrayed relative to the end-structure of carton  10 ′; —where it will be noted that at least one (albeit preferably two) fingers are inserted into the finger-aperture  16 ′/ 16 ″ as the stabilizing index-finger and little-finger are poised astrattle finger-aperture  16 ′/ 16 ″, whilst the shopper&#39;s thumb is pressed firmly against the carton&#39;s overlapping end-panel flaps  10   e  and  10   f.  At this juncture, with both hands firmly ensconced at their respective finger-holds, the shopper proceeds to lift with their right-hand  15 R as indicated by the action ref.-arrow marked ‘up’, then while maintaining their left-hand  15 L grip upon the carton&#39;s end-structure assured by finger-aperture  16 ′/ 16 ″, the shopper induces a transitional rotation along carton-axis  10 ′ x  as is indicated via progressive action ref.-arrows marked 45° and 90° (—whereto upon both arrows is also shown a likeness of carry-handle aperture  11  for added clarity). With this quickly executed CCW(counter-clockwise) PO rotation of the carton along its longitudinal-axis  10 ′ x,  the carry-handle  11  becomes facing upward, which orientation the carry-handle  11  will preferably continue, even while the carton  10 ′ is eventually turned in azimuth 180° when it is finally placed into the shopper&#39;s home refrigerator, and the conventional FrigPack® end-cover  12  is manually detached by avulsion along perforated-line  12   p  and discarded for access to the beverage-cans therein. A collateral advantage of the factory pre-punched finger-apertures  16 ′, is that it offers the hurried retail-store shelf-stocker a prominent point of reference, —for they need only visually glance at the top of the carton stacks down the line as in  FIG. 1  to notice if any were inadvertently loaded backwards relative to the shelf-front defined by the shelf&#39;s pricing-data bracket  13   b.    
         [0057]    Reference to  FIG. 2  exhibits the physical configuration differences between the conventional 12-pack carton  10 ′ and the conventional 20-pack carton  10 ″, wherein besides being bulkier the 20-pack version is made without a detachable FrigPack® end-cover  12 , yet both iterations feature a conventional laterally arranged carry-handle  11  upon their respective right-side panels  10 R. Note that  FIG. 2  is actually a rear aspect view, and with both cartons shown rotated with their handles facing upward, —which view is not at all normally seen on a retail-shelf, but serves here to show how the 12-pack appears when initially placed into the shopper&#39;s home refrigerator. Also shown is the basic relative location of the rudimentary factory pre-punched finger-aperture  16 ′ on both the 20-pack  10 ″ and 12-pack  10 ′ cartons. 
         [0058]    Study of the factory die-cut paperboard blank shown in  FIG. 3A  is significant in that it reveals the relative positioning of the adapted finger-aperture referenced at  16 X, which is thus centered in critical alignment with the spatial-void  14 V that is created by the quad-cluster  14 Q of the four foremost beverage-cans. Note also in  FIG. 3A  that the EZ-Grab™ finger-aperture is adapted to the existing paperboard packaging blank without imposing need for additional paperboard material usage. The rest of the indica shown on  FIG. 3A  relate to pre-existing features of the conventional 12-pack and 20-pack cartons, Further related FIGS.  3 B/ 3 C/ 3 D/ 3 E/ 3 F each reveal generic variant embodiments of the finger-aperture which are essentially exemplified options of engineering-design choice, which are each presented as enlarged portions of the beverage-can carton blank of  FIG. 3A . 
         [0059]    The carton&#39;s upper-frontal edge  10 U is also shown in  FIG. 2 , as well as in  FIG. 1  which accurately portrays the actual viewing aspect of the finger-aperture  16 ′ or  16 ″ as seen by the shopper. Note for example in  FIGS. 3A &amp; 3B  that the critical alignment centering point  16 X for exemplified finger-aperture  16 ′ is shown to be set-back from the upper-frontal edge  10 U an indicated distance of  14 D, that correlates to the diameter of a beverage-can, which in the case of a popular 12-fl.oz. can is nominally 2.6-inches (plus allowance for packaging tolerances). Accordingly, all five of the herein exemplified finger-aperture designs are shown in accordance with the essential premise of functioning in critical alignment with the spatial-void  14 V prevailing between the foremost quad-cluster  14 Q per  FIG. 3A . Accordingly,  FIGS. 3B &amp; 3C  represent the most rudimentary finger-aperture embodiments  16 ′ accepting of one and two fingers respectively, as they are both simply factory pre-punched through-holes having no closure tab; the version of  FIG. 3B  being an approximate 1-inch diameter hole (accommodating the index-finger of a 90%-tile man), while the version of  FIG. 3C  is an elliptical hole measuring approximately ¾-inch×1¾-inch (accommodating the fingers of an approximate 90%-tile person). Alternately, each of the remaining three design examples of finger-aperture  16 ″ are similar yet are not formed open at the factory, but rather remain closed on the retail-shelf, until punched-open by the shopper prior to removal of the carton from the retail-shelf. Although not mandatory, it is preferred that the tabs  16 ″ c  employ the neatly defined scoring of crease-line  16 ″ s  as to thereby enhance the tab&#39;s inward hinging action dependently down from top-panel when perforation  16 ″ p  is avulsed as shown in subsequent  FIG. 4A . 
         [0060]    There remain subtle, however vital other features and differences which are to become herein more evident and understood as important aspects. For example,  FIG. 4A  shows at least one of the fingers of shopper&#39;s left-hand  15 L has punched open finger-aperture tab  16 ″Tc and has now probed down into the juxtaposed quadrant of the four foremost vertical beverage-cans  14 Q and against open-tab  16 ″To which has become hinged down dependently from the carton&#39;s top-panel  10   t  into the heretofore unused spatial-void region  14 V. Note that the shopper&#39;s finger has effectively formed an L-shaped finger-snag L-hook  15   h  as to thereby ‘snag and drag’ the carton  10 ′/ 10 ″ (ie:  FIG. 4A  may be depicting either a 12-pack or a 20-pack) outward from supporting store-shelf  13 , thereby now leading us back to the earlier related action sequence of  FIG. 1 . Reference to companion  FIG. 4B  shows an exemplified finger-aperture  16 ″ p  which typically defines a loci-of-points precisely centered above the critical alignment centering point  16 X exhibited also in  FIG. 3A  Note also in  FIG. 4B  how the punched down finger-aperture tab  16 ″To yields somewhat compliantly to pressure of one or more of the shopper&#39;s fingers bearing against the upper chime-region  14   c  of the two foremost adjacent beverage-cans  14 , thereby making the tabbed versions of the EZ-Grab™ finger-aperture somewhat more comfortable to use than the simpler tabless examples of  FIG. 3B and 3C . 
         [0061]    Thus, it is readily understood how the preferred and generic-variant embodiments of this invention contemplate performing functions in a novel way not heretofore available nor realized. It is implicit that the utility of the foregoing adaptations of this invention are not necessarily dependent upon any prevailing invention patent; and, while the present invention has been well described hereinbefore by way of certain illustrated embodiments, it is to be expected that various changes, alterations, rearrangements, and obvious modifications may be resorted to by those skilled in the art to which it relates, without substantially departing from the implied spirit and scope of the instant invention. Therefore, the invention has been disclosed herein by way of example, and not as imposed limitation, while the appended Claims set out the scope of the invention sought, and are to be construed as broadly as the terminology therein employed permits, reckoning that the invention verily comprehends every use of which it is susceptible. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or proprietary privilege is claimed, are defined as follows.