Carton handle assembly

A handle assembly is provided for use with cartons having vertical tabs extending above the carton. At least one elongated receiver structure has a longitudinal slot defined therethrough for receipt of the vertical tab. The longitudinal slot defines a plurality of side teeth extending into the slot transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof such that the side teeth lockingly engage the tab when the carton is suspended from the elongated receiver structure. A handle is attached to at least one elongated receiver structure. The handle is configured to be gripped by hand and to convey an upward force to at least one elongated receiver structure to in turn lift a carton or cartons engaged by the plural teeth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a handle assembly for use in securing and 
transporting cartons. More particularly, the invention relates to 
improvements in a handle assembly for use with cartons having vertical 
tabs extending above the carton. 
Presently, carton containers are used in packaging a variety of materials, 
for example liquids such as milk, juice or oil. Many of these cartons, 
particularly those having gabled tops, are closed at the tops with 
vertical tabs. 
Although such cartons may be efficiently packed, their combined bulk and 
weight often make them difficult to pick up, particularly from above. 
Accordingly, devices that are easily gripped by the human hand have been 
developed that are capable of securing one or more such cartons. In 
particular, devices are known which secure the carton about the vertical 
tab. Attachment to the vertical tab is preferable in some circumstances 
because the tab is a readily accessible carton feature. 
However, because the tab extends upward in the vertical plane, it is 
difficult to adequately grip the tab so that the carton with its load may 
be lifted upward. Accordingly, prior art handle devices that are applied 
to the tab, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,103, typically 
apply the lifting force so as to encourage the carton to tilt from a 
vertical orientation, thereby locking the tab between vertically offset 
horizontal forces. 
When multiple cartons are carried in such devices, however, the cartons 
tend to splay outward to some degree from the carrier. This may make 
carrying the cartons in the carrier clumsy and may make placement of the 
cartons in a confined space, for example in a crate or on a conveyor belt 
container, difficult. 
Furthermore, devices are known, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
2,860,000, that grip the vertical tab by a clip device. Such devices tend, 
however, to be clumsy in use and in application to the cartons. 
Based on the foregoing, it can be seen that a need exists for a carton 
carrier that can effectively engage a vertical carton tab. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing disadvantages, 
and others, of prior art construction and methods. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an 
improved carton carrier for cartons having vertical tabs. 
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a 
carton carrier capable of effectively engaging a vertical carton tab while 
the carton is being lifted and/or carried. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a carton carrier 
for simultaneously lifting two cartons. 
Some of these objects are achieved by a handle assembly for use with 
cartons having vertical tabs extending above the carton. The assembly 
includes at least one elongated receiver structure having a longitudinal 
slot defined therethrough for receipt of the vertical tab. The receiver 
structure defines a plurality of side teeth extending into the slot 
transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof such that the side teeth 
lockingly engage the tab when the carton is suspended from the receiver 
structure. 
A handle is attached to the at least one elongated receiver structure. The 
handle is configured to be gripped by hand and to convey the upward force 
to the at least one elongated receiver structure. 
In one exemplary preferred embodiment of the present invention, the 
assembly includes two such elongated receiver structures disposed parallel 
to each other. The elongated receiver structures are attached by two 
struts attached to corresponding ends of the elongated receiver structures 
such that the struts are parallel to one another. Thus, the struts and the 
receiver structures form a rectangular frame, the slots of the receiver 
structures being disposed at opposite parallel sides of the frame. 
Preferably, the assembly is configured such that the cartons do not splay 
outward when lifted. Thus, for example, each strut may be rigid in a plane 
that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the slots. That is, when 
the assembly is applied to lift a pair of cartons, the struts do not bend, 
and the cartons are maintained in a vertical orientation as they are 
lifted upwardly by the assembly. 
Those of ordinary skill in this art should understand that various 
configurations and constructions of the struts are possible. For example, 
the struts may be rod-like structures made of a rigid material. 
Furthermore, the struts made from a hard plastic material that is 
resilient yet constructed in a manner that provides rigidity in the 
necessary plane. This may be particularly preferable if the entire 
assembly is constructed from a hard plastic material. For example, a 
flange may extend from each strut in a perpendicular plane at least 
partially between the receiver structures, thereby preventing bending of 
each strut in the plane. Thus, "rigid" as used herein means that the strut 
will not bend in a particular direction under the load of the cartons 
supported by the assembly. Of course, if the assembly is constructed from 
a resilient material, it is possible the deformation of the strut could 
occur upon application of a sufficient force. The strut, however, need 
only be constructed to effectively bear the load of the full cartons 
without bending. 
Additionally, the assembly may be provided with one or a plurality of 
struts. For example, a strut may comprise a single piece entirely 
connecting the receiver structures such that the strut and the receiver 
structures appear as a single unitary structure having the longitudinal 
slots defined at the edges thereof. 
Similarly, the handle may be constructed in a variety of suitable fashions 
and may be attached to the receiver structures in a variety of manners, 
including via the struts. For example, the strut itself could define the 
handle if the strut is configured to be gripped by hand. 
Preferably, the side teeth are grouped in pairs. The teeth in each pair of 
side teeth are disposed opposite one another across the slot such that the 
opposing free edges of the teeth in each pair are separated by a distance 
less than the width of the tab. Accordingly, when the tab is inserted into 
the slot, the teeth apply pressure to the side of, and thereby lockingly 
engage, the tab. Preferably, the receiver structures are constructed from 
a resilient hard plastic material, such as high density polyethylene, 
which permits the elements of receiver structure on either side of the 
structure's slot to bend with the tab as the tab is inserted through the 
slot but which does not permit compression of the teeth. The insertion of 
the tab into the slot thus displaces, but does not compress, the teeth. 
The teeth are urged back toward the center of the slot and are therefore 
forced against the sides of the tab. 
In particular, one or both of the sets of teeth on either slot side will 
typically be displaced in an upward direction upon insertion of the tab. 
Thus, when the assembly is lifted, the downward force exerted on the 
teeth, and particularly on the upward facing teeth, by the fully loaded 
carton causes the teeth to lockingly engage the tab. 
In a preferred embodiment, each longitudinal slot defines a pair of 
opposing end teeth disposed on opposite longitudinal ends of the slot and 
extending into the slot. When the cartons are lifted by the assembly, 
these end teeth engage the ends of the carton tabs to help secure the 
cartons by the tabs. 
As indicated above, one object of the present invention is to effectively 
secure a plurality of cartons, having vertical tabs, by their vertical 
tabs while maintaining the cartons in a vertical position during lifting. 
Accordingly, one preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a 
pair of parallel elongated receiver structures. Each elongated receiver 
structure has a longitudinal slot defined therethrough for receipt of a 
vertical tab of a carton. Each longitudinal slot is configured to 
lockingly engage the tab when the carton is vertically suspended from the 
elongated receiver structure by its tab. At least one strut is attached to 
the elongated receiver structures. At least one of the struts is rigid in 
a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the slots. A 
handle is attached to the elongated receiver structures and is configured 
to be gripped by hand and to convey an upward force to the receiver 
structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments 
of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the 
accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of 
the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be 
apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can 
be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or 
spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of 
one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further 
embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such 
modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended 
claims and their equivalents. 
The present invention is concerned with an improved handle assembly for use 
with cartons having vertical tabs extending above the carton. Accordingly, 
FIG. 1 depicts a presently preferred embodiment of a handle assembly 10 
securing cartons 12. Each carton 12 has a gabled top 14 fastened at a 
vertical tab 16. 
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, handle assembly 10 includes a pair of parallel 
elongated receiver structures 18 connected by two struts 20 extending 
between the receiver structures 18. Struts 20 are attached to 
corresponding ends 22 and 24 of receiver structures 18, thereby 
maintaining parallel orientation of struts 20. 
Struts 20 are rigid in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of 
slots 26 defined by receiver structures 18. As is discussed above in the 
Summary of the Invention, the rigidity of the struts may be attributable 
to, for example, the material composition of the struts and/or to their 
mechanical construction. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in the 
figures, the handle assembly is constructed out of a resilient hard 
plastic such as high density polyethylene. Accordingly, each strut 20 
includes a support flange 28 extending between receiver structures 18 in a 
plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of slots 26. Flanges 28 
prevent bending of struts 20 in the perpendicular planes even though the 
assembly 10 is constructed from a resilient material and even though the 
struts 20 may bend in other directions. Those of ordinary skill in this 
art should understand that various suitable constructions are possible 
which would impart rigidity to flanges 20. All such suitable constructions 
are understood to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
The rigidity of struts 20 generally maintain the parallel relationship of 
elongated receiver structures 18 when cartons are received thereby. For 
example, referring to FIG. 1, cartons 12 are shown attached to carrier 10. 
Carrier 10 would be lifted, for example by hand (not shown for purposes of 
clarity), at a handle 30 extending between struts 20. Thus, when assembly 
10 is lifted by handle 30, rigid struts 20 maintain the generally parallel 
orientation of receiver structures 18 with respect to each other. This, in 
turn, generally maintains the vertical and parallel orientation of loaded 
cartons 12. That is, struts 20 do not bend upon application of the load 
from the cartons. Cartons 12 thus remain in a vertical orientation and do 
not splay outwards upon lifting of the handle assembly. 
Because the cartons are maintained in a vertical position when lifted and 
carried by the handle assembly 10, a vertical downward force is exerted 
upon tabs 16 tending to pull the tabs downward from assembly 10. However, 
receiver structures 18 are configured to lockingly engage the tabs while 
the cartons are vertically suspended from assembly 10. In the preferred 
embodiment illustrated in the figures, each receiver structure 18 includes 
a plurality of side teeth 32 extending into slot 26 (illustrated without 
the insertion of vertical tabs in FIGS. 2 and 3) transversely to the 
longitudinal axis thereof. Side teeth 32 lockingly engage their respective 
tab 16 when the carton is suspended from its receiver structure 18. 
FIG. 4 provides a bottom view illustration of a receiver structure 18. Side 
teeth 32 are beveled to present an acute angled edge to the tab 16 (FIG. 
1) when the tab is received by receiver structure 18. Free ends 34 of side 
teeth 32 are separated by a distance A (FIG. 5) that is less than the 
width of the tab 16 (FIG. 1). Accordingly, referring to FIG. 1, the 
insertion of tab 16 into slot 26 (FIGS. 2 through 4) causes side teeth 32 
to deflect upwards. Side teeth 32 are constructed from a resilient hard 
plastic which does not, however, compress under the force exerted by the 
cartons 12. Thus, the upward facing teeth 32 are forced into a locking 
engagement with the tab 16 when a downward force (i.e. gravity) is applied 
to the tab by the loaded carton 12 when assembly 10 is lifted. 
The displacement of side teeth 32 is illustrated (magnified) in 
cross-section in FIG. 6. After insertion of the tab 16, the side teeth 32 
may be displaced upwardly as indicated in phantom at 36. It is possible, 
however, that one but not both of the teeth in a pair of opposing side 
teeth 32 will be turned upward. Moreover, it has been found that although 
various displacements of the side teeth 32 may occur, the side teeth are 
generally urged back toward the longitudinal axis of the slot 26 and 
thereby lockingly engage the tab 16. 
When the cartons 12 held by assembly 10 are set to a rest position such 
that the downward force on side teeth 32 exerted by tab 16 is removed, the 
elongated receiver structure 18 (FIG. 1) may be removed by pulling upwards 
on the sides thereof. This may deflect the free ends of teeth 32 
downwards, as indicated at 38 in FIG. 6, thereby permitting the removal of 
the tab 16 from the receiver structure. 
It should be understood that the receiver structure may be configured in 
various suitable fashions to lockingly engage the tab 16 when the carton 
12 is vertically suspended from the receiver structure. For example, 
referring to FIG. 4, two pair of opposing side teeth 32 define ridges 40 
thereon to aid the side teeth 32 in engaging the tab 16. Ridges 40 on 
opposing side teeth 32 may be linearly offset so that they meet in an 
interlocking fashion. In such a construction, the opposing ridges may 
entirely bridge the distance A between the free ends. The ridges may be 
particularly preferable in the middle pairs of opposing side teeth. 
Additionally, end teeth 42 may be disposed on opposite longitudinal ends of 
slot 26 to lockingly engage ends 44 (FIG. 7) of tab 16 when carton 12 is 
suspended from the receiver structure 18. 
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it 
is to be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the 
present invention are included within the spirit and scope thereof. For 
example, various suitable configurations of the receiver structure are 
possible to lockingly engage the vertical tab of the carton as it is 
vertically suspended from the receiver structure. Also, the assembly may 
be configured to carry a single carton, or various pluralities of cartons. 
Additionally, various constructions and configurations are possible to 
maintain the rigidity of struts attached to the receiver structures. 
Furthermore, a variety of structures for the assembly may be achieved. For 
example, the assembly may be constructed from a single continuous sheet of 
hard plastic having one or more slots defined therein for receipt of a 
vertical tab. The handle may be attached to the assembly in a variety of 
fashions and, for example, may be embodied by the struts if the struts are 
configured to be gripped by hand. Therefore, it is contemplated that any 
and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall 
within the literal or equivalent scope of the appended claims.