Patent Publication Number: US-6905066-B2

Title: Carton having a strap handle

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Applications Nos. 60/347,968 and 60/332,455, filed Oct. 27, 2001 and Nov. 17, 2001, respectively. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to cartons having strap handles integrally formed with the cartons, and more particularly to a carton with an integral strap handle formed from a carton wall and having a relatively narrow medial grip portion and a pair of wider portions joined to the opposite ends of the medial grip portion. The invention also relates to an arrangement for reinforcing a strap handle of a carton and further to an arrangement for facilitating inward movement of the opposite end portions of a strap handle when the carton is lifted by the strap handle. 
   Cartons having integral strap handles are well known in the art. An example of the strap handle carton is disclosed in Canadian Patent No. 1,243,987 in which a carton is illustrated as having a strap handle that is formed primarily from a top wall. The strap handle includes a longitudinally elongated medial grip portion and a pair of wider portions located at opposite ends of the medial grip portion. Each wider portion is defined by a pair of cut lines that diverge from the medial grip portion toward the adjacent end edge of the top wall. To lift the carton, the strap handle is gripped at the medial grip portion and pulled upward, which displaces the handle from a stowed position where the handle lies in the plane of the top wall to a use position where it is arched upwardly from the plane of the top wall. During this displacement, the wider portions of the handle are inwardly moved toward each other while the respective parts of the wider portions near the end edges of the top wall are moved downwardly under the plane of the top wall. Such movements cause the wider portions to be wedged into narrower portions of an opening in the top wall defined by the handle itself. In the wedged condition, the opposite side edges of each wider portion are disposed transversely of the complementary edges of the opening and scraped against the complementary edges. This often results in tear in either or both of the handle strap and the top wall. This problem is even aggravated when the carton is actually carried by the handle. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,273 discloses another example of the strap handle carton wherein the top wall comprises a pair of inner and outer panels and the strap handle is formed in part from the inner top panel and in part from opposed inner end flaps that are hingedly connected the end edges of the inner top panel. The inner end flaps are glued to opposed outer end flaps that are hingedly connected to the end edges of the outer top panel. For this purpose, glue is applied typically along the lower edges of the end flaps such that the opposed end portions of the strap handle yet are free of restraint of the outer end flaps. This specific glue location is required in order to allow inward movement of the opposed end portions of the strap handle when the carton is lifted by the handle. If glued to the outer end flaps, the handle end portions would be forcibly peeled from the outer end flaps, which could damage the fibrous structure of the handle ends. Although the glue locations are almost precisely controllable by the use of modern packaging machines, having precautionary measures would always be warranted to prevent undesired rupture of the strap handle. 
   What is needed, therefore, is a carton having an integral, wide-ended strap handle wherein the interference of the strap handle with the top wall is effectively prevented or at least mitigated during the use of the strap handle. Such a carton should be provided with means for preventing the wider portions from being caught by complementary edges of the opening in the top wall. A carton having handle-reinforcing means that would compensate for a potential peeling damage of the strap handle is also needed. What is further needed is an arrangement wherein inward movement of the handle end portions is facilitated upon lifting of the carton by the strap handle. Such an arrangement should be provided particularly when the handle end portions are reinforced. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a carton including a first top panel, a pair of opposed end panels hingedly connected to the top panel, and an integral strap handle extending between the end panels across the top panel. The strap handle include a medial grip portion, a pair of wider portions joined to the opposite ends of the medial grip portion and opposed end portions connected to the wider portions respectively. The opposed end portions are formed from the end panels while the medial and wider portions are formed from the top panel. The strap handle is movable from a stowed position where the medial and wider portions lie in the plane of the top panel to a use position where the medial portion is arched upwardly from the plane of the top panel. The strap handle defines in the top panel an opening or cutout extending across the top panel. Means for defining a relief notch in the top panel is provided at the location directly adjoins each wider portion along a complementary side edge of the opening so that a part of the respective wider portion is extended through the relief notch when the strap handle is moved to the use position. This arrangement prevents the wider portions from being scraped against the complementary side edge of the opening. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the relief notch is defined by a hinged tab. Such tab may be defined by a slit in the top panel and by a fold line hingedly connecting the hinged tab to the top panel. 
   In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the relief notch is defined by a plurality of hinged tabs. The hinged tabs may be cut from the top panel by one or more slits such that when the strap handle is moved to the use position, the part of each wider portion moves into one of the slits to thrust one or more of the hinged tabs upward and the other tabs downward. The one or more slits for the relief notch may emanate from a fold line by which the hinged tabs are connected to the top panel and extend to the complementary side edge of the opening defined by the strap handle. 
   In a further preferred embodiment, the carton further includes a second top panel secured to the outside surface of the first top panel to form a composite top wall. The second top panel may have a handle access opening aligned in part with the medial grip portion of the strap handle and in part with the wider portions of the strap handle. The width of the access opening at its opposite extreme ends may be greater than the width of the wider portions at the positions aligned with the opposite extreme ends. 
   According to another aspect of the invention, a carton includes top and base panels interconnected by opposed side panels to form a tubular structure, opposed end closure structures for at least partially closing the opposite ends of the tubular structure, and an integral strap handle extending between the end closure structures across the top panel. Each end closure structure includes a pair of side end flaps hingedly connected to the side panels and a top end flap hingedly connected to the top panel and disposed on the outside surfaces of the adjacent side end flaps. The strap handle includes a medial grip portion formed from the top panel and opposed end portions formed respectively from the opposed top end flaps. The strap handle is movable from a stowed position where the end portions lie in the respective planes of the top end flaps to a use position where the end portions are disposed inwardly of the respective planes of the top end flaps. At least one yielding flap is formed from the side end flaps of each end closure structure and disposed along the adjacent end portion of the strap handle so as to be displaceable inwardly of the carton. These yielding flaps are inwardly displaced in response to inward movement of the handle end portions to the use position and thereby facilitate inward movement of the handle end portions. 
   In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the yielding flaps are secured to the end portions of the strap handle respectively to reinforce the strap handle. 
   In another preferred embodiment, each yielding flap is defined by a severance line in the respective side end flap and by the free end edge of the respective side end flap. The severance line may extend downwardly from the upper edge of the respective side end flap. The severance lines may be disposed and located such that the severance line of the respective side end flap is generally registered with the adjacent side edge of the adjacent end portion of the strap handle. 
   In a still another preferred embodiment, the size of the side end flaps is such that the side end flaps of each end closure structure overlap each other and as a whole extend entirely across the width of the carton. Each side end flap of each end closure structure may be provided at its upper end corner with a beveled edge. The beveled edges of the mating side end flaps may define a notch for receiving an article packaged in the carton. 
   According to a further aspect of the invention, a carton includes a pair of inner and outer top panels secured together in an overlapping relationship to form a composite top wall, a pair of opposed end flaps hingedly connected to the inner top panel, an integral strap handle extending between the end flaps across the inner top panel, and a handle-reinforcing strip disposed in face-contacting relationship with the strap handle. The strap handle includes a medial grip portion, a pair of wider portions joined to the opposite ends of the medial grip portion, and a pair of opposed end portions connected to the wider portions respectively. The opposed end portions of the strap handle are formed from the end flaps respectively while the medial and wider portions are formed from the inner top panel. The reinforcing strip is disposed entirely along the strap handle and is hingedly connected to the end flaps along first and second fold lines that are inset from the adjacent side edges of the end portions of the strap handle. 
   In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the reinforcing strip is hingedly connected to the medial grip portion of the strap handle along a third fold line that is aligned with the first and second fold lines. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the end portions of the strap handle are formed with article-receiving openings respectively. The reinforcing strip may be formed with windows disposed in registry with the openings respectively. Each opening of the strap handle may be defined by a pair of yieldable tabs formed from the respective end portion of the strap handle. The yieldable tabs of each opening may be hingedly connected to the respective end portion. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a blank as viewed from its inner surface, from which a carton according to this invention is formed; 
       FIGS. 2-4  are series of plan views showing the manner in which the blank of  FIG. 1  may be folded to form a completed collapsed carton; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a completed carton erected from the blank of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the carton of  FIG. 5 , showing the handle lifted upwardly; 
       FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view of the carton of  FIG. 5 , in which the tear flap is broke open to show the inside of the carton; 
       FIG. 8  is a plan view of the second embodiment of the present invention, showing a blank as viewed from its inner surface, from which a carton of the second embodiment is formed; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a completed carton erected from the blank of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a view taken along the line X—X in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a fragmentary perspective view of the carton of  FIG. 9 , in which the tear flap is broke open to show the inside of the carton; 
       FIG. 12  is a fragmentary plan view of another carton blank, showing a first variation of the relief notches shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a fragmentary plan view of a still another carton blank, showing a second variation of the relief notches shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a fragmentary plan view of a further carton blank, showing a third variation of the relief notches shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
       FIG. 15  is a fragmentary plan view of a further carton blank, showing a variation of the strap handle shown in FIG.  1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In  FIG. 1 , there is shown a blank  10  which when constructed, forms a carton  12  in  FIG. 5  for a plurality of bottles. In this embodiment, the carton  12  is a fully enclosed carton designed to accommodate twelve bottles arranged in three rows each containing four bottles, but the blank or carton may be modified for any number of bottles, cans or other articles. 
   The blank  10  has a base panel  14 , a pair of side panels  16  and  18  hingedly connected thereto along fold lines  20  and  22  respectively, and first and second top panels  26  and  24  hingedly connected to the side panels  18  and  16  along fold lines  30  and  28  respectively. The fold lines  20 ,  22 ,  28  and  30  may be simple score lines, partially cut score lines, perforated lines or other suitable means. The base panel  14  has lower end flaps  32  and  34  which in use are folded up, and the top panels  24  and  26  have upper end flaps  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  which in use are folded down. Hingedly connected to the side panels  16  and  18  are side end flaps  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  which are folded inwardly and are adhesively secured to the inside surfaces of the end flaps  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  so as to fully enclose the ends of the carton  12 . The side end flaps  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  each includes upper and lower portions  52  and  54 . The lower portion  54  of each side end flap is hingedly connected to the respective side panel along a vertical fold line  56  while the upper portion  52  of each side end flap is hingedly connected to the respective side panel along an inwardly inclined fold line  58 . The upper and lower portions  52  and  54  of each side end flap are interconnected by a short fold line  60 . 
   The first and second top panels  26  and  24  in this embodiment are adapted to be secured together in overlapping relationship to form a composite top wall  250  ( FIG. 5 ) of the carton  12 . The second top panel  24  forms an outer layer of the top wall while the first panel  26  forms an inner layer. Finger receiving apertures and an associated flap  61  of conventional construction are formed in the first or inner top panel  26 . The finger receiving aperture having the flap  61  is designated generally by the reference numeral  62  while the associated aperture with no flap is designated by reference numeral  64 . Similar finger receiving apertures and their associated flaps  65  and  67  are formed in the second or outer top panel  24  and are designated generally by the reference numerals  66  and  68 . A tear flap for creating an access opening is defined by tear lines  70  and  72  formed in the outer top panel  24  together with tear lines  74  and  76  in the side panel  16 . Another pair of tear lines  78  and  80  are formed in the outer top panel  24 . These tear lines  78  and  80  define another tear flap together with pairs of tear lines  81  and  82 ; and  84  and  86  in the side panel  18  and the inner top panel  26 , respectively. 
   The inner top panel  26  incorporates a series of tear lines  88 ,  90 ,  92  and  94  which define a strap handle  200  with the free side edge. More specifically, the tear line  88  is formed in the upper end flap  40  and connects with the tear line  90  formed in inner top panel  26  that extends to the finger receiving aperture  62 . Similarly the tear line  92  is formed in the upper end flap  42  and connects with the tear line  94  formed in the inner panel  26  that extends to the aperture  62 . The strap handle  200  is thus defined by the tear lines  88 ,  90 ,  92  and  94  in cooperation with the finger-receiving aperture  62 . The strap handle  200  includes a relatively narrow medial grip portion  202 , opposed wider portions  204  and  206  joined to the ends of the medial portion  200 , and opposed forked end portions  208  and  210  hingedly connected to the wider portions  204  and  206  along fold lines  212  and  214  respectively. Each wider portion has a pair of oblique side edges diverging from the medial portion  202  to the adjacent forked end portion. The medial portion  202  and the wider portions  204  and  206  are formed from the inner top panel  26  while the forked end portions  208  and  210  are formed from the upper end flaps  40  and  42  respectively. Upon formation of the top wall, the inner top panel  26  is folded across the top of the carton and the outer top panel  24  is folded over and is adhesively secured to the inner top panel  26 . The tear lines  88 ,  90 ,  92  and  94  and the finger aperture  62  are located such that the strap handle  200  is located generally centrally between the two side panels  16  and  18 . 
   The aforementioned flap  61  of the finger-receiving aperture  62  is hingedly connected to the medial grip portion  202  along a fold line  216 . An yieldable tab  96  is struck from the forked end portion  208  and foldably joined to the upper end flap  40  while a short stub tab  98  is struck from the wider portion  204  and is hingedly connected thereto along fold line  100 . The adjacent ends of the tabs  96  and  98  are initially interconnected by severable means such as half cut  102  that is aligned with the fold line  212 . At the opposed end of the strap handle  200 , an yieldable tab  104  is struck from the forked end portion  210  and foldably joined to the upper end flap  42  while a short stub tab  106  is struck from the wider portion  206  and hingedly connected thereto along fold line  108 . The adjacent ends of the tabs  104  and  106  are initially interconnected by severable half cut  110  that is aligned with the fold line  214 . 
   A relief notch  218  is defined in the inner top panel  26  at a location along the tear line  90 , thereby interrupting the tear line  90 . The location of the relief notch  218  is such that the wider portion  204  is directly flanked or adjoined at its oblique side edge along the tear line  90  by the relief notch  218 . In like manner, a relief notch  220  is defined in the inner top panel  26  at a location along the tear line  94 , thereby interrupting the tear line  94 . As a result, the wider portion  206  is directly adjoined at its oblique side edge along the tear line  94  by the relief notch  220 . The function of these relief notches  218  and  220  is described later. 
   A handle-reinforcing panel  112  is foldably joined to the medial grip portion  202  of the strap handle  200  along an interrupted fold line  114 . 
   The outer top panel  24  is further provided with a pair of C- or U-shaped tear lines  222  and  224 . The tear line  222  emanates from an end of the finger apertures  66  and terminates at the adjacent end of the finger aperture  68  while the tear line  224  emanates from the other end of the aperture  66  and terminates at the other end of the aperture  68 . These tear lines  222  and  224  are opposed to each other while curving concavely toward each other. As a result, a dust panel or cover strip  226  is defined at the central area of the outer top panel  24  surrounded by the tear lines  222  and  224  and the finger apertures  66  and  68 . The cover strip  226 , upon formation of the top wall, is located above the strap handle  200 . The middle portion  228  of the cover strip  226  disposed between the finger apertures  66  and  68  is to be vertically aligned with the medial grip portion  202  of the strap handle  200  while the opposed larger end portions  230  and  232  of the cover strip  226  are to be disposed on the wider portions  204  and  206  of the strap handle  200  respectively. The respective flaps  65  and  67  of the finger apertures  66  and  68  are hingedly connected to the middle portion  228  by fold lines  234  and  236 . 
   Turning to the construction of the carton  12  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the blank  10  requires a series of sequential folding and securing operations which can be performed in a straight line machine so that the carton is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and can be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. 
   Initially an application of glue is made to the inner surface of reinforcing panel  112  as indicated by the stippling in FIG.  1 . The reinforcing panel  112  is then folded upwardly and to the left along the interrupted fold line  114  so as to occupy the position shown in FIG.  2 . The side panel  18  together with the inner top panel  26  and the folded reinforcing panel  112  as viewed in  FIG. 2  are then elevated and folded to the left along fold line  22  together with their end flaps  48 ,  50 ,  40  and  42 . An application of glue is then made to the outside surface of the inner top panel  26  and to the upper end flaps  40  and  42  as shown by the stippling in  FIG. 3  wherein the forked end portions  208  and  210  of the strap handle  200  are shown as being free of glue. Thereafter, the outer top panel  24  and its associated upper end flaps  36  and  38  as viewed in  FIG. 3  are elevated and folded toward the right along the fold line  28 . This operation causes the stippled glue area  240  on the inner top panel  26  to become adhered to the inside surface of the free side edge area  242  of the outer top panel  24 . Simultaneously, the stippled area on the end flap  40  becomes adhered to the inside surface of the upper end flap  36  while the stippled area on the end flap  42  becomes adhered to the inside surface of the upper end flap  38 . Further, the stippled area of the strap handle becomes adhered to the inside surface of the cover strip  226 . The collapsed tubular carton then appears as shown in FIG.  4 . 
   With the carton formed as described above by the carrier manufacturer, it is then shipped to the bottler who sets the carton up into an erected tubular form (not shown) and loads filled bottles through the open ends of the tubular carton. Thereafter the end flaps are folded inwardly in the sequence of the side end flaps, the composite upper end flaps, and the lower end flaps and the carton when fully loaded and completed by the bottler appears as shown in  FIG. 5  with the upper edge of each lower end flap secured in overlapping glued contact with the lower edge of the associated upper end flap. 
   The consumer transports the completed carton package from its point of purchase. To carry the carton  12 , the strap handle  200  can be used. To use the handle  200 , the flaps  65  and  67  and the flap  61  underlying the flap  65  are pushed inwardly of the carton and folded downwardly about their respective fold lines  234 ,  236  and  216 . The fingers of the user can then be inserted into the finger apertures  66  and  68  and the underlying aperture  62  and grasp the medial portion  202  of the strap handle  200  together with the middle portion  228  of the cover strip  226 . Lifting the carton  12  by the strap handle  200  causes the cover strip  226  to be severed from the outer top panel  24  along the C-shaped tear lines  222  and  224  as well as the strap handle  200  to be severed from the inner top panel  26  and the end flaps  40  and  42  along the tear lines  88 ,  90 ,  92  and  94 . This, in turn, causes the strap handle  200  to arc out of the general plane of the top wall through the opening  251  defined by the cover strip  226 . This is best shown in  FIG. 6  where the strap handle  200  that is mostly hidden from view by the cover strip  226  and the top panel  24  is pulled out of the carton through the opening  251  and taking an arched use position. When the handle  200  is moved from its stowed position in  FIG. 5  into the use position of  FIG. 6 , the wider portions  204  and  206  of the strap handle  200  are pulled toward each other together with the adjacent forked end portions  208  and  210  so that a slack is available for the handle  200  to take the use position. Simultaneously, the respective areas of the wider portions  204  and  206  near the fold lines  212  and  214  are pulled downwardly under the plane of the top wall  250 . Such movements cause the respective oblique side edges of the wider portions  204  and  206  defined by the tear lines  90  and  94  to be received in, and extended through, the relief notches  218  and  220  respectively. This is best shown in  FIG. 7  wherein the oblique side edge  254  of the wider portion  206  is received in the relief notch  220  and extended through the notch  220 . By this means, abutting and scraping of the oblique side edge of each wider portion against the complementary edge of the opening (or cutout)  252  in the inner top panel  26  is prevented, which would otherwise be caused without the relief notches  218  and  220 . In addition, the width of the larger end portions  230  and  232  at their extreme ends may be arranged to be greater than the width at the registered positions of the wider portions  204  and  206 . Such an arrangement prevents abutting and scraping of the wider portions  204  and  206  against the complementary side edges of the opening  251  in the outer top panel  24 . 
   During the above operation, the yielding tabs  96  and  104  remain flat with the respective end flaps  40  and  42  so that the openings defined by the yielding tabs  96  and  104  receives the end bottles of the center row of the packaged bottle group to allow the forked end portions  208  and  210  to move toward each other. 
   In order to open the carrier, the user&#39;s fingers are simply inserted, for example, into the finger aperture  66  and an upward force is then applied. Such upward force severs the tear flap section  256  ( FIG. 7 ) defined by tear lines  78 ,  80 ,  81  and  82  from the carton walls and define an access opening  258  ( FIG. 7 ) that extends from the top wall  250  into the side panel  18 . The user&#39;s fingers may also be inserted into the finger aperture  68  to sever the tear flap section defined by tear lines  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  from the carton walls. 
   After the contents of the bottles have been consumed, the bottles may be replaced into the carton as shown in  FIG. 7  for easy return to the point of purchase. 
   A second embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 8  to  11 , where like parts have been designated by the same reference numeral with the suffix “A” and only the differences are discussed in any greater detail. As best shown in  FIG. 8 , the carton blank  10 A has rectangular side panels  16 A and  18 A each provided with a pair of large-sized side end flaps  44 A,  46 A,  48 A and  50 A. The side end flaps  44 A and  46 A are hingedly connected to the side panel  16 A along fold lines  58 A and  58 A while the side end flaps  48 A and  50 A are hingedly connected to the side panel  18 A along fold lines  58 A and  58 A. The size of these large side end flaps is such that upon erection of a carton, the mating pair of side end flaps (such as at  44 A and  48 A) at each end of the carton overlap each other and they as a whole extend entirely across the width of the carton. This condition is best shown in  FIG. 10  wherein the side end flaps  46 A and  50 A are viewed from the inside of a carton  12 A (shown in  FIG. 9 ) that is erected from the blank  10 A. Each side end flap is provided at the corner between its upper edge  310  and its free end edge  312  with a beveled edge  314 . The beveled edges  314  of the mating side end flaps define a notch  316  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) when the carton  12 A is erected. The notch  316  serves to receive an end bottle of the center row of the packaged bottle group when the carton  12 A is lifted by the strap handle, which is described later in more detail. 
   Each side end flap is further provided with a severance line  318  (e.g., a slit, a tear line or the like) emanating from the upper edge  310  of that side end flap and extending toward the lower edge  320  of the same side end flap. The severance lines  318  are disposed and located such that when the carton  12 A is erected, the severance line  318  of each side end flap is generally registered with the adjacent side edge of the adjacent forked end portion of the strap handle  200 A. In  FIG. 10 , for example, the severance line  318  of the side end flap  46 A is generally registered with, or slightly offset outwardly from, the side edge  322  of the forked end portion  210 A. In like manner, the severance line  318  of the side end flap  50 A is generally registered with, or slightly offset outwardly from, the other side edge (defined by the tear line  92 A) of the forked end portion  210 A. The length of each severance line  318  is generally equal to, or greater than, that of the handle-defining tear line in the adjacent inner upper end flap. In  FIG. 10 , for example, the severance line  318  of each of the side end flaps  46 A and  50 A is equal to, or greater in length than the tear line  92 A in the inner upper end flap  42 A. 
   Further, each side end flap is provided with a yielding flap  324  that is defined by the respective severance line  318 , the respective upper edge  310  and the adjacent beveled edge  314 . When the carton  12 A is completed, the yielding flaps  324  form respective portions of the side end flaps  44 A,  46 A,  48 A and  50 A that are movable inwardly of the carton along with the end portions of the strap handle  200 A. 
   The construction of the carton  12 A is carried out in virtually the same way as that of the carton  12  of the preceding embodiment except for the steps of closing the opposite ends of the carton  12 A. After filled bottles are loaded through the open ends of the tubular carton, the end flaps are folded inwardly in the sequence of the side end flaps, the lower end flaps, and the composite upper end flaps. During the above end-closing steps, glue is applied to either the outside surface of the yielding flaps  324  or the inside surface of the forked end portions  208 A and  210 A of the strap handle  200 A. An example of such glue areas is shown by the stippling in  FIG. 8  wherein the glue areas extends from the forked end portions  208 A and  210 A into the adjacent inner top end flaps  40 A and  42 . This glue application causes the stippled areas on the forked end portion  208 A to become adhered to the outside surface of the yielding flaps  324  of the side end flaps  44 A and  48 A. In like manner, the stippled areas on the forked end portion  210 A become adhered to the outside surface of the yielding flaps  324  of the side end flaps  46 A and  50 A. The completed carton  12 A is shown in  FIG. 9  wherein the upper and lower end flaps at each end of the carton  12 A is secured in overlapping glued contact with the outside surfaces of the associated side end flaps. 
   In the same way as described in the first embodiment, lifting the carton  12 A by the strap handle  200 A causes the handle  200 A to be moved from its stowed position in  FIG. 9  into the use position in FIG.  11 . During this movement, the forked end portions  208 A and  210 A of the strap handle  200 A are pulled toward each other so that a slack is available for the handle  200 A to take the use position. The inward movement of the end portions  208 A and  210 A is facilitated by the yielding flaps  324  and  324  that are easily displaced inwardly of the carton along with the inward movement of the end portions  208 A and  210 A. This is best shown in  FIG. 11  wherein the yielding flaps  324  are flexed out of the plane of the side end flaps  46 A and  50 A and thereby allowing the end portion  210 A of the strap handle  200 A to move inwardly of the carton  12 A. The notches  316  defined by the respective beveled edges  314  functions to receive the end bottles of the center row of the packaged bottle group to allow the end portions  208 A and  210 A to move toward each other. The yielding tabs  96 A and  104 A remain flat with the respective upper end flaps  40 A and  42 A to define openings that cooperate with the notches  316  to receive the end bottles. 
   During the inward movement of the end portions  208 A and  210 A, part of the end portions  208 A and  210 A and/or the adjacent portions of the inner upper end flaps  40 A and  42 A may be forcibly peeled from the associated upper end flaps  36 A and  38 A if they have been glued, either purposely or inadvertently, to the upper end flaps  36 A and  38 A. Upon such peeling, some constituent pulp or fiber of end portions  208 A and  210 A could be taken away to the extent that the strap handle  200 A is physically damaged or at least the structural strength of the handle  200 A is somewhat affected. In the present invention, however, the yielding flaps  324  reinforce the end portions  208 A and  210 A and provide a precautionary measure against undesired damage of the strap handle  200 A around the opposite end portions  208 A and  210 A. 
   Although it is not apparent from  FIG. 11 , relief notches  218 A and  220 A also function such that when the strap handle  200 A is in the use position, the respective oblique side edges of the wider portions  204 A and  206 A are received in the relief notches  218 A and  220 A and thereby abutting and scraping of the oblique side edge of each wider portion against the complementary edge of the opening  252 A in the inner top panel  26 A is prevented. 
     FIGS. 12-14  illustrate variations or alternative embodiments of the relief notches  218 A and  220 A in FIG.  8 . In  FIG. 12 , parts corresponding to those in  FIG. 8  have been designated by the same reference numeral with the suffix “B”. In like manner, parts in  FIG. 13  corresponding to those in  FIG. 8  have been denoted by the same reference numeral with suffix “C” while parts in  FIG. 14  corresponding to those in  FIG. 8  have been denoted by the same reference numeral with suffix “D”. 
     FIG. 12  shows the first variation wherein the relief notches are defined by hinged tabs  330  and  332 , respectively. The hinged tab  330  is cut from the inner top panel  26 B by means of a slit  338  and hingedly connected to the panel  26 B along a fold line  334 . The hinged tab  332  is also cut from the inner top panel  26 B by a slit  340  and hingedly connected to the panel  26 B along a fold line  336 . When the strap handle  200 B is pulled upward to lift a resultant carton, the respective parts of the wider portions  204 B and  206 B along tear lines  90 B and  94 B slide into the slits  338  and  340  while thrusting the tabs  330  and  332  downwardly. By this means, the slits  338  and  340  and/or the notches defined by the tabs  330  and  332  provide a similar effect to that of the relief notches in  FIGS. 1 and 8 . 
   In  FIG. 13  where the second variation is shown, each relief notch is defined by a pair of hinged tabs  350  and  352 . The hinged tabs  350  and  352  are cut from the inner top panel  26 C by means of a slit  354  and hingedly connected to the panel  26 C along convergent fold lines  356  and  358 . The slit  354  emanates from the converging point of the fold lines  356  and  358  and extends to the adjacent tear line  90 C or  94 C. When the strap handle  200 C is pulled upward, the respective parts of the wider portions  204 C and  206 C along tear lines  90 C and  94 C slide into the slits  354  and  354  while thrusting the tabs  350  upwardly and the tabs  352  downwardly. By this means, the slits  354  and/or the notches defined by the tabs  350  and  352  provide a similar effect to that of the relief notches in  FIGS. 1 and 8 . 
   Referring to the third variation in  FIG. 14 , each relief notch is defined by a plurality of hinged tabs  360 . The hinged tabs  360  are cut from the inner top panel  26 D by means of a plurality of slits  362  and hingedly connected to the panel  26 D along convergent fold lines  364  and  366 . The slits  362  emanate from the fold lines  364  and  366  and extend to the adjacent tear line  90 D or  94 D. When the strap handle  200 D is pulled upward, the respective parts of the wider portions  204 D and  206 D along tear lines  90 D and  94 D slide into one of the slits  362  while thrusting one or more of the tabs  360  upwardly and the other tabs  360  downwardly. By this means, the slits  362  and/or the notches defined by the tabs  360  provide a similar effect to that of the relief notches in  FIGS. 1 and 8   
     FIG. 15  illustrates a variation or alternative embodiment of the strap handle  200  in FIG.  1 . In  FIG. 15 , parts corresponding to those in  FIG. 1  have been designated by the same reference numeral with the suffix “E”. The inner top panel  26 E and the upper end flaps  40 E and  42 E incorporate a series of continuous tear lines  88 E,  90 E,  92 E and  94 E which in cooperation with the finger receiving aperture  62 E define one of the opposed longitudinal edges of the strap handle  200 E. The other longitudinal edge of the strap handle  200 E is defined by a pair of curved cut lines  370  and  372  and four spaced fold lines  374 ,  376 ,  378  and  380  that are aligned with one another. The strap handle  200 E is flanked entirely along the other longitudinal edge by a handle reinforcing strip  112 E. The reinforcing strip  112 E is foldably joined to the medial grip portion  202 E of the strap handle  200 E along the fold lines  374  and  376  and to the upper end flaps  40 E and  42 E along the fold lines  378  and  380  respectively. The fold lines  374 ,  376 ,  378  and  380  are inset from those sections of the cut lines  370  and  372  defining the forked end portions  208 E and  210 E of the strap handle  200 E. Stated differently, the fold lines  374 ,  376 ,  378  and  380  are offset from the sections of the cut lines  370  and  372  such that they are located closer the fold line  30 E than the sections. These inset fold lines contribute to reduction or minimization of the sheet material (e.g., paperboard) required for the carton. The wider portions  204 E and  206 E of the strap handle  200 E each has a pair of curved side edges defined by the respective ones of the tear lines  90 E and  92 E and cut lines  370  and  372 . 
   A pair of yieldable tabs  96 E and  96 E are struck from, and hingedly connected to, the forked end portion  208 E of the strap handle  200 E. The adjacent ends of the yieldable tabs  96 E and  96 E are defined by a cut  382 ; however, they may be initially interconnected by severable means such as a half cut. In like manner, a pair of yieldable tab  104 E and  104 E are struck from, and hingedly connected to, the forked end portion  210 E of the strap handle  200 E. The adjacent ends of the tabs  104 E and  104 E are defined by a cut  384  or a half cut. Bottle top-receiving windows  386  and  388  are formed in the reinforcing strip  112 E so that they are positioned astride the respective extensions of the fold lines  212 E and  214 E. Upon formation of the top wall, the reinforcing strip  112 E is folded along the fold lines  374 ,  376 ,  378  and  380  into face-contacting relationship with the underside of the strap handle  200 E, and then the outer top panel (see  FIG. 1 , at  24 ) is folded over and is adhesively secured to the inner top panel  26 E. The fold lines  374 ,  376 ,  378  and  380  are positioned such that the windows  386  and  388  are brought into registry respectively with the pairs of yieldable tabs  96 E and  104 E when the reinforcing strip  112 E is folded under the handle strap  200 E. 
   Whilst the above embodiments describes the strap handle formed from the inner top panel only, the handle may be formed from the outer top panel or from both the inner and outer top panels. In the arrangement where the outer top panel provides the handle, the relief notch should be formed at least in the outer top panel alongside the wider portions of the strap handle. The wider portions in the present invention are not limited to those defined by the straight tear lines or cut lines such as shown in the above embodiments but also include those defined by curved lines such that the width of each wider portion is increased toward the end edges of the associated carton wall from which the handle is formed. 
   It should be also appreciated that the precise closure of the ends of the carton is open to adaptation and could in fact be partially open. In addition, a single end closure flap could be provided at each end of the carton depending on design choice. Furthermore, the pack may incorporate part angled walls so as to follow better the contours of certain articles, such as bottles, being packaged. 
   It should be further appreciated that the strap handles useful in the present invention are not limited to those having forked end portions but include those having regular non-bifurcated opposite end portions. 
   It should be still further appreciated that the yielding flaps useful in the present invention are not limited to those glued to the associated handle end portions but include those separate from the associated handle end portions. Such unglued yielding flaps do not reinforce the handle ends but they still facilitate inward movement of the handle end portion. Therefore, unglued yielding flaps may also be useful in some situation where large-sized side end flaps are required in order for the cartons to run on a specific packaging machine. 
   It should be still further appreciated that the yielding flaps useful in the present invention are not limited to those formed from the large-sized side end flaps that extend entirely across the width of a carton. Any side end flap that overlaps a handle end may provide a yielding flap to facilitate inward movement of the associated strap handle. 
   It should be still further appreciated that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “base”, “end”, “side”, “upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. The orientation of the carton could be altered depending on, for example, the articles to be carried in the carton. Simple modifications could result in the handle being located on the side of the carton when the carton is in its standard stowed position. One of the side panels  16  and  18  would then effectively be the top panel of the carton. 
   It should be still further appreciated that 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 one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention.