Patent Publication Number: US-8985433-B2

Title: Carton with handle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/575,346, which was filed on Aug. 19, 2011. 
     INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/575,346, which was filed on Aug. 19, 2011, is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to cartons for holding beverage containers or other types of articles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to cartons that include handle features. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In general, one aspect of the disclosure is generally directed to a carton for holding a plurality of articles. In one example, the carton includes a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and a second side panel foldably connected to the top panel. The carton further includes a handle in at least the top panel. The handle comprises at least one handle flap foldably connected to the top panel at an arcuate fold line. The at least one handle flap is at least partially defined by a cut spaced apart from the arcuate fold line and extending across the top panel and into at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The at least one handle flap further comprises at least two arcuate cuts for facilitating positioning of the at least one handle flap and each of the arcuate cuts comprises an end that is proximate to and spaced apart from the cut line. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, a blank for forming a carton includes a plurality of panels comprising at least a top panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and a second side panel foldably connected to the top panel. The blank further includes features for forming a handle in at least the top panel. The features for forming the handle comprise at least one handle flap foldably connected to the top panel at an arcuate fold line. The at least one handle flap is at least partially defined by a cut spaced apart from the arcuate fold line and extending across the top panel and into at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The at least one handle flap further comprises at least two arcuate cuts for facilitating positioning of the at least one handle flap and each of the arcuate cuts comprises an end that is proximate to and spaced apart from the cut line. 
     According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method of forming a carton for carrying a plurality of articles includes obtaining a blank. The blank comprises a plurality of panels comprising at least a top panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the top panel, and a second side panel foldably connected to the top panel. The blank further comprises features for forming a handle in at least the top panel. The features for forming the handle comprise at least one handle flap foldably connected to the top panel at an arcuate fold line. The at least one handle flap is at least partially defined by a cut spaced apart from the arcuate fold line and extending across the top panel and into at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The at least one handle flap further comprises at least two arcuate cuts for facilitating positioning of the at least one handle flap and each of the arcuate cuts comprises an end that is proximate to and spaced apart from the cut line. According to this aspect of the disclosure, the method further includes forming at least a portion of an interior of the carton by folding the first side panel relative to top panel. 
     Other aspects, features, and details of the present disclosure can be more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings and from the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures. Further, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an exterior surface of a blank according to one embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a detail view showing handle features of the blank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3-5  are views showing steps of erecting a carton from the blank of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the erected carton. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the handle of the erected carton of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIGS. 9-11  are perspective views of the erected carton of  FIG. 6  showing activation of the handle according to one embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure generally relates to opening, dispensing, and handling features for cartons that contain articles such as containers, bottles, cans, etc. The articles can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The articles can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to, glass; aluminum and/or other metals; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like, or any combination thereof. 
     Cartons according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of any shape. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., aluminum beverage cans) as disposed within the carton embodiments. In this specification, the terms “lower,” “bottom,” “upper” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of the exterior side  102  of a blank, generally indicated at  104 , used to form a carton  106  ( FIG. 6 ) according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The carton  106  can be used to house a plurality of articles such as containers C (shown by way of example in  FIG. 5 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the containers C are generally cylindrical cans. In the illustrated embodiment, the carton  106  is sized to house twenty-four containers C in a single layer in a 4×6 arrangement, but it is understood that the carton  106  may be sized and shaped to hold containers C of a different or same quantity in more than one layer and/or in different row/column arrangements (e.g., 1×6, 2×4, 3×6, 2×6, 2×6×2, 3×4×2, 2×9, 4×3, etc.). The containers C could be otherwise shaped, arranged, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. For example, the containers C could be beverage bottles or other containers. In the illustrated embodiment, the carton  106  includes a handle, generally indicated at  108  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), for grasping and carrying the carton. Additionally, the carton  106  can include a dispenser  109  for dispensing the containers C from the carton. 
     The blank  104  has a longitudinal axis L 1  and a lateral axis L 2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the blank  104  comprises a first bottom panel  110  foldably connected to a first side panel  112  at a first lateral fold line  114 , a top panel  116  foldably connected to the first side panel  112  at a second lateral fold line  118 , a second side panel  120  foldably connected to the top panel  116  at a third lateral fold line  122 , and a second bottom panel  124  foldably connected to the second side panel  120  at a fourth lateral fold line  126 . 
     The first bottom panel  110  is foldably connected to a first bottom end flap  128  and a second bottom end flap  130 . The first side panel  112  is foldably connected to a first side end flap  132  and a second side end flap  134 . The top panel  116  is foldably connected to a first top end flap  136  and a second top end flap  138 . The second side panel  120  is foldably connected to a first side end flap  140  and a second side end flap  142 . The second bottom panel  124  is foldably connected to a first bottom end flap  144  and a second bottom end flap  146 . When the carton  106  is erected, the end flaps  128 ,  132 ,  136 ,  140 ,  144  close a first end  148  of the carton, and the end flaps  130 ,  134 ,  138 ,  142 ,  146  close a second end  150  of the carton ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, different flap arrangements can be used for closing the ends of the carton  106 . 
     The end flaps  128 ,  132 ,  136 ,  140 ,  144  extend along a first marginal area of the blank  104 , and are foldably connected at a first longitudinal fold line  152  that extends along the length of the blank. The end flaps  130 ,  134 ,  138 ,  142 ,  146  extend along a second marginal area of the blank  104 , and are foldably connected at a second longitudinal fold line  154  that also extends along the length of the blank. The longitudinal fold lines  152 ,  154  may be, for example, substantially straight, or offset at one or more locations to account for blank thickness or for other factors. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the blank  104  includes handle features for forming the handle  108  of the carton  106 . The handle features include two handle flaps  156  foldably connected to the top panel  116  at respective arcuate fold lines  158  and separable along longitudinal cut line  160 , which extends into the first side panel  112  and the second side panel  120 . The handle flaps  156  generally extend in the top panel  116  between the transverse fold lines  118 ,  122 . In the illustrated embodiment, a curved score  162  extends in each side panel  112 ,  120  at or near the respective end portions  164  of the longitudinal cut line  160 . The curved scores  162  can act as tear stops to help prevent the side panels  112 ,  120  from tearing below the curved scores  162  due to separation of the side panels at the end portions  164  of the longitudinal cut line  160  when the handle  108  is used. The end portions  164 , or any portion of the longitudinal cut line  160  alternatively can be a tear line or another line or area of weakening without departing from the disclosure. Alternatively, all of the longitudinal cut line  160  can be a tear line or another line or area of weakening without departing from the disclosure. Additionally, the curved scores  162  alternatively can be cuts, tear lines, or another line or area of weakening without departing from the disclosure. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate fold lines  158  are cut-crease fold lines, and an oblique cut line  166  extends from each end  157  and  159  of each arcuate fold line  158  to the lateral fold lines  118 ,  122  proximate the longitudinal cut line  160 . Alternatively, the arcuate fold lines  158  can be scores, creases, or another line or area of weakening without departing from the disclosure. Additionally, the oblique cut lines  166  can be tear lines, scores, or another line or area of weakening without departing from the disclosure. In one embodiment, the oblique cut lines  166  extend from respective ends  157  and  159  to a respective fold line  118 ,  122 . Alternatively, the oblique cuts  166  could be spaced from a respective adjacent fold line  118 ,  122  and/or spaced from respective ends  157 , 159 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the handle flaps  156  includes two arcuate cuts  168  and two oblique fold lines  170 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the arcuate cuts  168  has an end that is proximate to and spaced apart from the longitudinal cut line  160  and an opposing end that is proximate to and spaced apart from the respective arcuate fold line  158 . The oblique fold lines  170  are spaced apart from the transverse fold lines  118 ,  122  and the ends of the arcuate fold lines  158 . The oblique fold lines  170  can extend generally from the cut line  160  to the respective arcuate fold lines  158  away from the center of the handle  108 . In the illustrated embodiment, the oblique fold lines  170  are perforation lines. Alternatively, the arcuate cuts  168  and the oblique fold lines  170  can be scores, creases, tear lines or another line or area of weakening without departing from the disclosure. Additionally, the arcuate cuts  168  alternatively can intersect the longitudinal cut line  160  and/or the respective arcuate fold line  158 . In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate cuts  168  and the oblique fold lines  170  of one handle flap  158  are generally aligned with the respective arcuate cuts  168  and the oblique fold lines  170  of the other handle flap  156  so that the handle flaps  156  are generally symmetric. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate cuts  168  can help the handle flaps  156  fold along the arcuate fold lines  158  to form curved edges at the respective arcuate fold lines  158 . The curved edges can be more comfortable for a hand to grasp when the handle flaps are folded downwardly. The curve of the arcuate cuts  168  allows the top panel  116  to fold outwardly at the arcuate fold lines  158  while helping to avoid pinching of the handle flaps  156  or the top panel  116 . Additionally, the arcuate cuts  168  and the oblique fold lines  170  help to allow the handle flaps  156  to fold and bend around an adjacent container C as the handle flaps are folded inwardly and upwardly against the interior surface of the top panel  116 . In one embodiment, a middle portion  175  of one or both of the handle flaps  156  can separate from respective end portions  171  and  173  of the respective handle flap  156  along the arcuate cuts  168  so that the middle portion  175  of the handle flap can fold generally independently with respect to the end portions  171  and  173  of the handle flap. Therefore, the arcuate cuts  168  divide each handle flap into three independently foldable portions  171 ,  173 , and  175 . For example, the middle portion  175  of one of the handle flaps  156  can be folded inwardly and upwardly against the interior surface of the top panel  116  while the end portions  171  and  173  of the same handle flap are not folded against the interior surface of the top panel  116 . The handle  108  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, configured, or omitted without departing from the disclosure. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a dispenser  109  can extend in the second side panel  120  and the second bottom panel  124 . The dispenser  109  can include a dispenser panel  172 , which can be separable from the second side panel  120  and the second bottom panel  124  along a tear line  174  to form a dispenser opening (not shown) in the carton  106 . The dispenser  109  can include an access tab or finger panel  176  in the second side panel  120 . Alternatively, the access tab  176  could be replaced by an access flap foldably connected to the second side panel  120  or an access aperture for facilitating the initiation of the tearing of the dispenser along the tear line  174 . Further, the tear line  174  can be, for example, a single tear line, multiple segmented tear lines, or a series of cut lines. The dispenser  109  can be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, and/or configured without departing from the disclosure. Alternatively, the dispenser  108  can be omitted without departing from the disclosure. 
     In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, the blank  104  can be erected into the carton  106 , as shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , by folding the first bottom panel  110  along the first lateral fold line  114  so that the first bottom panel  110  is in face-to-face contact with the interior surface of the first side panel  112  and the second side panel  120  and the second bottom panel  124  are folded along the third lateral fold line  122  so that a portion of the second bottom panel is in face-to-face contact with the exterior surface of a portion of the first bottom panel  110  ( FIG. 3 ). The second bottom panel  124  can be glued or otherwise fastened to the first bottom panel  110  such as along a glue strip. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the blank  104  can be folded along fold lines  114 ,  118 ,  122 ,  126 , to form a partially-erected carton in the form of an open-ended sleeve  180  with an interior  182 . The sleeve  180  can be otherwise formed or arranged without departing from the disclosure. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the first end  148  of the carton  106  is closed by respectively overlapping and adhering the end flaps  128 ,  132 ,  136 ,  140 ,  144  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Similarly, the second end  150  of the carton  106  is closed by respectively overlapping the end flaps  130 ,  134 ,  138 ,  142 ,  146  after loading the containers C into the sleeve  180  ( FIG. 5 ). The closed second end  150  is shown in  FIG. 6 . Other closing and loading sequences can be used without departing from the disclosure. For example, the containers can be loaded into the carton  106  after closing the first end  148  or the second end  150  or before closing either end. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the containers C can be loaded into the sleeve  180  so that the tops or bottoms of the containers C are adjacent the first side panel  112  or the second side panel  120  and the cylindrical length of each container C is generally parallel to the top panel  116  and the bottom panels  110 ,  124 . The side panels  112 ,  120  and the ends  148 ,  150  of the carton  106  extend generally vertically between the top panel  116  and the bottom panels  110 ,  120 . Alternatively, the carton  106  can have tapered sides or ends where the bottom wall formed from the overlapped bottom panels  110 ,  124  is both longer and/or wider in the directions L 1 , L 2  than the top panel  116 . A three-sided taper carton, for example, can have ends  148 ,  150  angling inwardly and at least an upper portion of the first side panel  112  could be angled inwardly. In another alternative, the corners of the carton  106  between the top panel  116  and each end  148 ,  150 , and between the bottom panels  110 ,  124  and each end  148 ,  150  can be angled or curved to generally follow the contour of the containers C at the corners of the carton. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the handle  108 , shown in the erected carton  106  in  FIGS. 6-11 , can be generally centered in the top panel  116  along the lateral or L 2  direction so that the longitudinal cut line  160  is generally centered between two containers C in the carton  106  adjacent the top panel  116 . Accordingly, the handle flaps  156  can be folded along the arcuate fold lines  158  into the interior  182  of the carton  106  forming longitudinal free edges  184  of the handle flaps  156  and a handle opening  186  ( FIG. 10 ). As the handle flaps  156  are pushed inwardly, such as by a user&#39;s hand, the handle flaps  156  curve along the arcuate fold lines  158 . In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate cuts  168  and the oblique fold lines  170  allow the handle flaps  156  to bend and help avoid pinching of the handle flaps  156  and/or the top panel  116 . The arcuate cuts  168  and the oblique fold lines  170  can also help the handle flaps  156  pivot past the containers C adjacent the handle  108 . One or both of the folded handle flaps  156  can tear at the ends of one or more arcuate cuts  168  at the respective longitudinal free edges  184  of the handle flaps  156  so that the resulting segments of the handle flaps can fold relatively independently of one another along the arcuate fold lines  158 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , one or both of the handle flaps  156  can be folded inwardly against the interior surface of the top panel  116  to form a curved edge  188  in the top panel  116  at the fold line  158 . A user can grasp the handle  108  at the curved edge  188 , and the curved shape of the edge  188  is generally comfortable for the user&#39;s hand. As a hand is inserted into the handle opening  186  or as the top panel  116  is pulled upwardly at the handle  108  to carry the carton  106 , the side panels can separate at the end portions  164  of the longitudinal cut line  160 . However, the curved scores  162  can help prevent the side panels from tearing below the curved scores as the carton  106  is carried. The handle  108  could be otherwise shaped, arranged, positioned, configured, or omitted without departing from the disclosure. Additionally, the handle  108  can be otherwise used or activated without departing from the disclosure. 
     The configuration of the panels and flaps of the blank  104  and the carton  106  of the illustrated embodiment is included by way of example. The handle  108 , for example, can be included in a blank or carton having substantially any configuration. 
     In general, the blank may be constructed from paperboard having a caliper so that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described above. The blank can be coated with, for example, a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, and other information or images. The blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect information printed on the blanks. The blank may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blanks. The blank can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections. 
     As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure. 
     In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed or depressed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features. In situations where cutting is used to create a fold line, typically the cutting will not be overly extensive in a manner that might cause a reasonable user to incorrectly consider the fold line to be a tear line. 
     The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place. 
     The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.