HANDLE ARRANGEMENT FOR A CARTON

Abstract: There is provided a carton with a first top panel (15) having a lengthwise strap handle (22) and a second, underlying top panel (16) having partial strap handle portions (28) adhered to the strap handle (22). The strap handle (22) and the partial strap handle portions (28) extend into respective end panels (18, 19) which are also adhered to each other.

Description: HANDLE ARRANGEMENT FOR A CARTON This invention relates to a carton having a handle. According to the present invention there is provided a paperboard carton having a base, first and second side panels hingedly connected to opposite side edges of the base, first and second top panels hingedly connected to the first and second side panels respectively, the first and second side panels having at 0 each of their lengthwise edges end panels hingedly connected thereto, a part of said first top panel defining by means of cuts a lengthwise extending strap handle which extends at both ends into the end panels hingedly connected to the first top panel, the second top panel underlying the first top panel and 5 having a partial strap handle portion at each end spanning the junction between the end panels and the second top panel, the second top panel and its associated end panels underlying the first top panel and its associated end panels and being adhered thereto such that the strap handle is adhered to the two partial strap handle portions without adhesion of those parts of the second 0 top panel between the partial strap handle portions and below the strap handle of the first top panel, whereby, in use, said adhered end panels are folded downwardly and secured with respect to other end closure flaps hingedly connected to the side panels or the base. 5 Preferably the strap handle has a hingedly connected side flap cut from the first top panel on each lateral side of the strap handle, which side flaps are, in use, folded under the strap handle. Normally the side flaps are adhered to the underside of the strap handle and preferably do not overlap each other. 0 With preferred embodiments the strap handle has parallel sides along the length of the first top panel and extends substantially centrally therealong. It is a preferred feature that the cuts defining the parts of the strap handle in the end panels hingedly connected to the first top panel flare laterally J J outwards from the hinge between the first top panel and its associated end panels, the corresponding cuts defining the partial strap handle portions also flaring so as to be aligned with the strap handle cuts in the first top panel. Conveniently lines of weakening extend from at least one of the cuts defining the strap handle or the side flaps with corresponding lines of 5 weakening in those parts of the second top panel below said first lines of weakening. Preferably said lines of weakening on the or each side of the strap handle extend away from each other in the lengthwise direction of the first top panel and into the adjacent side panel where they meet. In some arrangements o the lines of weakening meet in a straight line section which is substantially parallel to the hinge between the side panel and the first top panel. In certain preferred embodiments the lateral side edges of the parts of the partial strap handle portions are spaced from the rest of the second top panel to prevent adhesion of the strap handle to the rest of the second top panel. 5 With some arrangements the carton is fully enclosed and the carton is adapted to carry a plurality of articles in an odd number of lengthwise extending rows with the strap handle extending over the articles of the central row. 0 Ideally frangible bridges retain the strap handle flush with respect to the first top panel until the handle is used. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail. The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in 5 which: Figure 1 shows a blank for producing a carton according to the present invention, Figure 2 shows the figure 1 blank with major areas for adhesive * application, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembled carton, and Figure 4 is a side view of the carton with the handle raised. 35 - J In figures 1 to 4 there is shown a blank 10 which when constructed forms a carton 1 1 for a plurality of bottles. In this embodiment twelve bottles are to be contained in three rows of four bottles but the blank could easily be adopted for any number of bottles, cans or other articles. The blank 10 has a base 13, side panels 14 hingedly connected thereto and first and second top panels 15, 16 hingedly connected to respective opposite side panels 14. The hinge connections could be by simple fold lines, o partially cut fold lines or other suitable means. The base 13 has end panels 17 which in use are folded up and the top panels 15, 16 have hingedly connected end panels 18, 19 respectively which when assembled are folded down. Hingedly connected to the side panels 14 are end closure flaps 20 which are folded inwardly and are adhesively secured to the end panels 17,18,19 so as to 5 fully enclose the ends of the carton 1 1. The first top panel 15 incorporates pairs of parallel cuts 21 which define a strap handle 22 therebetween. The cuts 21 are located such that the strap handle 22 is located centrally between the two side panels 14. Also, the cuts 0 21 extend into the first end panels 18 in the form of outwardly flared sections 23 which terminate in stress relieving rounded portions 24. Small, frangible bridges 25 retain the handle with respect to the first top panel 15 until the handle 22 is used. On each side of the handle, in a central 5 location, side flaps 26 are cut from the first top panel 15, which side flaps remain hingedly connected to the handle 22. The side flaps 26 are folded under the handle 22 and adhered thereto. When under the handle 22, the side flaps 26 do not overlap each other and render the handle more comfortable ° when in use. The second top panel 16 has cuts 27 defining partial strap handle portions 28. Those parts 29 of the cuts 27 in the second end panels 19 are flared and are of a similar length to the flared sections 23 of the cuts in the first end panels 18 for registration therewith in the assembled carton 1 1. The parts of the handle portions 28 in the second top panel 16 are spaced slightly from the rest of the second top panel 16 by small gaps 30. The partial strap handle portions 28 do not extend across the full length of the top panel but terminate at transverse cuts 31. Lines of weakening 32 are provided in the first and second top panels 15, 16 and in the side panels 14 and where the top panels 15, 16 overlap the lines of weakening 32 are aligned. The lines of weakening 32 allow the consumer to open the carton with ease so as to gain access to the contents of the carton. In the illustrated embodiments the lines of weakening flare outwardly from the end regions of the openings vacated by the side flaps 26 and into the adjacent side walls where they meet in a straight section 33 which is parallel to the folds between the side walls and the top panels. Other configurations are of course possible for the lines of weakening and they could also be omitted on one or both sides of the handle if desired. Assembly of the carton 1 1 is as follows. The side flaps 26 are folded and glued under the strap handle 22. The twelve bottles in this instance are positioned on the base 13 and the side walls 14 are folded up. The second top panel 16 is folded over the tops of the bottles and adhesive is applied to the shaded areas 34 shown in figure 2. The first top panel 15 is then folded over and adhered to the second top panel and the end panels 18 of the first top panel 15 are adhered to the end panels 19 of the second top panel, with the handle 22 aligned and adhered to the partial strap handle portions 28 and the various cuts 21 , 27 and lines of weakening 32 substantially in alignment. The end closure flaps 20 are folded inwardly, the base end panel 17 is folded upwardly and the adhered end panels 18, 19 are then folded down and secured to the base end panel so as to close off the ends of the carton which is thus fully enclosed. When assembled, the strap handle is centrally positioned across the top of the carton aligned with the central row of the three rows of bottles. Before use, the handle 22 lies flush with the top of the carton 1 1. However, when the handle is used, the bridges 25 break allowing the handle to move out of alignment with the top of the carton. The partial handle portions 28 of the second top panel are adhered to the strap handle and move inwards slightly and brace against the respective tops of the end bottles of the central row. The resulting handle arrangement provides sufficient strength and comfort without the necessity for additional reinforcing materials or layers. It will be appreciated that the provision of the gaps 30 ensures that the strap handle adheres only to the partial strap handle portions and not to the remainder of the second top panel 16. The gaps could be omitted if accurate gluing can be ensured. It is important that the partial strap handle and the strap handle move together independently of the top panels and end walls. The carton could of course be varied in a number of ways such as size and shape of the carton, handle, areas of weakening.

Claims: Claims 1. A paperboard carton having a base, first and second side panels hingedly connected to opposite side edges of the base, first and second top panels hingedly connected to the first and second side panels respectively, the first and second side panels having at each of their lengthwise edges end panels hingedly connected thereto, a part of said first top panel defining by means of cuts a lengthwise extending strap handle which extends at both ends into the end panels hingedly connected to the first top panel, the second top panel underlying the first top panel and having a partial 5 strap handle portion at each end spanning the junction between the end panels and the second top panel, the second top panel and its associated end panels underlying the first top panel and its associated end panels and being adhered thereto such that the strap handle is adhered to the two Q partial strap handle portions without adhesion of those parts of the second top panel between the partial strap handle portions and below the strap handle of the first top panel, whereby, in use, said adhered end panels are folded downwardly and secured with respect to other end closure flaps hingedly connected to the side panels or the base. 5 2. A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein the strap handle has a hingedly connected side flap cut from the first top panel on each lateral side of the strap handle, which side flaps are, in use, folded under the strap handle. 0 3. A carton as claimed in claim 2 wherein the side flaps are adhered to the underside of the strap handle. 5 4. A carton as claimed in claim 3 wherein the side flaps do not overlap each other. 5. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the strap handle has parallel sides along the length of the first top panel and extends 5 substantially centrally therealong. 6. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the cuts defining the parts of the strap handle in the end panels hingedly connected to the ' 0 first top panel flare laterally outwards from the hinge between the first top panel and its associated end panels, the corresponding cuts defining the partial strap handle portions also flaring so as to be aligned with the strap handle cuts in the first top panel. 1 5 7. A carton as claimed in claim 6 wherein lines of weakening extend from at least one of the cuts defining the strap handle or the side flaps with corresponding lines of weakening in those parts of the second top panel 2 Q below said first lines of weakening. 8. A carton as claimed in claim 7 wherein said lines of weakening on the or each side of the strap handle extend away from each other in the lengthwise direction of the first top panel and into the adjacent side panel 25 where they meet. 9. A carton as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the lines of weakening meet in a straight line section which is substantially parallel to the hinge 30 between the side panel and the first top panel. 10. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the lateral side edges of the parts of the partial strap handle portions are spaced from the 35 rest of the second top panel to prevent adhesion of the strap handle to the rest of the second top panel. , 1. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the carton is fully enclosed and the carton is adapted to carry a plurality of articles in an odd number of lengthwise extending rows with the strap handle extending over the articles of the central row. 12. A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 1 wherein frangible bridges retain the strap handle flush with respect to the first top panel until the handle is used. 13. A paperboard blank for producing a carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12.

Inventors: NEGELEN EMANUEL, NEGELEN, EMANUEL
Applicants: NEGELEN EMANUEL, RIVERWOOD INT CORP, RIVERWOOD INT LTD, NEGELEN, EMANUEL, RIVERWOOD INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, RIVERWOOD INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65D71
IPC codes: B65D5, B65D71