Patent Abstract:
An improved paperboard beverage carrier, made from a unitary blank, is disclosed having an improved carrying handle. The carrying handle comprises a longitudinal strap having three plies of paperboard material extending longitudinally across the top of the carrier and downward over and affixed to the carrier end walls. Hand hold apertures are provided either side of the three ply strap and include tear directing cuts whereby inadvertent tear lines from the hand hold apertures are directed into the three ply strap.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a paperboard carton or carrier, made from a unitary paperboard blank, for carrying a multiplicity of beverage cans, or bottles. More particularly the present invention relates to an improved integral handle by which such carriers are carried by the end user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Beverage containing cans or bottles are typically sold in multiple quantities packaged in paperboard containers or cartons provided with a handle by which the consumer may conveniently carry the package. Such handles are typically formed by providing two, side by side, slots cut into the top wall of the container whereby the consumer typically inserts their fingers into the slots to pick up and carry the carton. 
     Such beverage carriers are typically formed from a unitary paperboard blank having predetermined score, cut, and perforated lines thereon whereby the blank may be formed into a flat preform, that is convenient for shipping, and which is later errected into a container for receipt of a multiplicity of beverage containing cans therein. Many differing types of paperboard containers and methods of preparing them are well known in the industry. 
     Typically such paperboard beverage carriers are designed for a one time use and therefore must be low cost. Thus a lightweight, relatively thin, paperboard stock is typically selected for such containers. However, such light weight material is easily torn. Therefore various structural designs including strategically placed score, cut, and perforated lines have been created to provide, and/or improve the structural integrity of such containers. 
     The one area of most vulnerability to tearing is the carrier handle by which the container is carried. Many prior art designs have been devised including various reinforcing structures, aperture configurations and positions, stress directing fold and/or score lines and stress reliving slits, cut lines and the like. For example see, U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,782 issued to James T. Stout, entitled “Carton And A Handle Therefore” on Oct. 27, 1998; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,313 issued to James R. Oliff, entitled “Carton And A Handle Therefore” on May 25, 1999. 
     Although many prior art handle designs have been previously proposed, a continuing need exists to develop improved handles having improved performance and reliability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved construction for a paperboard beverage carrier. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved paperboard beverage carrier made from a unitary paperboard blank. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a paperboard carrier having an improved carrying handle. 
     According to the invention, a carton is formed from a unitary sheet of paperboard material for carrying therein a multiplicity of beverage containers. The carton includes a rectangular bottom panel having opposed longitudinal edges and opposed lateral edges. A first and second rectangular side panel has opposed longitudinal edges and lateral edges. One of the side panels is attached to each longitudinal edge of the bottom panel at one of the longitudinal edges the one of the side panels. A first rectangular top panel portion has first and second opposing longitudinal edges and a pair of opposed lateral edges. The first top panel portion is attached to the longitudinal edge of the first side panel. A second rectangular top panel portion has first and second opposing longitudinal edges and a pair of opposed lateral edges. The second top panel portion is attached to the longitudinal edge of the second side panel. The second top panel portion has a longitudinal reinforcing strip attached to its second longitudinal edge whereby the reinforcing strip is folded back over the top panel portion and adhesively affixed thereto thereby providing a double ply of paperboard material along the second longitudinal edge of the second top portion. The first top panel portion overlies the second top panel portion and is adhesively affixed thereto thereby forming the top panel of the carton whereby a longitudinally extending strip of triple ply paperboard material is provided at the juncture of the first and second top panel portions. A hand-hold in the top panel has at least one aperture in the top panel disposed along one side of the triple ply strip. 
     Also according to the invention, the hand-hold comprises an oval shaped aperture longitudinally disposed along one side of the triple ply strip. The hand-hold comprises a pair of oval shaped apertures, adjacent one another and positioned such that the triple ply strip of paperboard material lies between the apertures. 
     Further according to the invention, the top panel includes arcuate score lines extending from each longitudinal end of the apertures and extending toward the nearest corner of the carton. Each arcuate score line terminates with a pair of diverging score lines one directed toward the nearest longitudinal edge of the top panel and the other directed toward the nearest lateral edge of the top panel. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in light of the following description thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are intended to be illustrative, and not limiting. Although the invention will be described in the context of these preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention to these specific embodiments. 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a paperboard blank for a beverage carrier according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is the blank as illustrated in FIG. 1 having the first fold wherein a handle reinforcing tab is turned over thereby forming a double layer of paperboard; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the container preform after a second fold is made thereby providing a triple layer of paperboard material in the handle area; 
     FIG. 4 presents a perspective view of the container preform, as illustrated in FIG. 3, opened and in its errected configuration, with end flaps open, to receive placement of a multiplicity of beverage cans therein; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container fully errected with the end flaps closed after a multiplicity of beverage containers have been inserted therein;, 
     FIG. 6 is a crossectional view taken along line  6 — 6  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the circled area in FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  8 — 8  in FIG.  4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As used herein, a “score line” is a rupturing of the surface of the blank paperboard sheet material, typically resulting in a depression on one side of the sheet and a welt on the other, which facilitates the paperboard material being folded or otherwise yield or deform along the line. 
     As used herein, a “cut line” is a cut which extends completely through the material of the paperboard. 
     As used herein, a “perforation” is a series of short, separated, cut lines, typically along a straight or curved line, extending completely through the material of the paperboard, facilitating tearing along the line by the end user. 
     As used herein, a “perforated score line” is a score line having intermediate cuts positioned along the score line, or may be further described as a perforated line having score line portions between the perforations. 
     As used herein the term “longitudinal” refers to the lengthwise “L” direction of the beverage carton as indicated in FIG.  5 . 
     As used herein the term “lateral” refers to the width direction “W” of the beverage carton as indicated in FIG.  5 . 
     Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 presents a paperboard blank  10  from which a beverage carrier embodying the present invention may be formed. Blank  10  typically comprises a bottom panel  12  (defined by lateral score line edges  24  and  36 , and longitudinal score line edges  19  and  48 ), two side panels  14  (defined by lateral score line edges  37  and  39 , and longitudinal score line edges  19  and  42 ) and  16  (defined by lateral score line edges  27  and  29 , and longitudinal score line edges  44  and  48 ). End closing flaps  20  and  22  are separated from side panel  16  and  14  by lateral perforated score lines  27  and  29 . Similarly bottom end closing flaps  28  and  30  are separated from bottom panel  12  by lateral score lines  24  and  26  respectively. End closing flaps  32  and  34  are separated from side panel  14  by lateral perforated score lines  37  and  39  respectively. Top panel portions  40 A (defined by lateral score line edges  17  and  23 , and longitudinal score line edge  42 ) and  40 B (defined by lateral score line edges  18  and  21 , and longitudinal score line edge  44 ) are separated from side panels  14  and  16  by longitudinal score lines  42  and  44  respectively. End closing flaps  50 ,  52 ,  54 , and  56  are separated from top panel portions  40 B and  40 A by lateral score lines  24  and  26  as illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     Top panel portion  40 A includes a fold over handle reinforcing strip  60  extending the full longitudinal length of top panel portion  40 A, plus flaps  54  and  56 , as illustrated in FIG.  1 . Further, top panel portions  40 A and  40 B include oval apertures  62  and  64 , which ultimately form the carton hand hold. Also included in top panel portions  40 A and  40 B are a pair of outwardly curved lines  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  extending from approximately the inner edge of apertures  62  and  64  toward the corners of top panel portions  40 A and  40 B respectively, as illustrated in FIG.  1 . Each of the curved lines  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  preferably terminate with a pair of short, diverging score lines each terminating short of the panel&#39;s intersecting edge lines. 
     Extending outwardly from each hand hold aperture  62  and  64  and along the extended line of the inner edge  61  and  63  of the apertures are a pair of cut lines  90 ,  92 ,  94  and  96  respectively as illustrated in the figures. For clarity, FIG. 7 presents an enlarged view of the circled area in FIG. 1 showing cut line  90  and the immediately surrounding area. Cut lines  92 ,  94 , and  96  are similar to that of cut line  90 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7, cut line  90  comprises a first portion  90 A extending outwardly and coincident with the extended line of aperture inner edge  61 . A second portion  90 B, of cut line  90 , diverges inwardly at an angle “A”. Angle “A” may be between thirty (30) and forty-five (45) degrees, however angle “A” is preferably set at thirty (30) degrees. The purpose and function of cut lines  90 ,  92 ,  94 , and  96  will be described further below. 
     End closing flaps  50 ,  52 ,  54 , and  56  are provided with a double perforated line  91 ,  93 ,  95 , and  97  as illustrated in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3 , and  4 . Double perforated lines  91 ,  93 ,  95 , and  97  extend from the end closing flap&#39;s outer edge, beyond score lines  17 ,  18 ,  21 , and  23  terminating at score lines  41 ,  43 ,  45 , and  47  respectively as illustrated in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 . The purpose and function of double perforated lines  91 ,  93 ,  95 , and  97  in conjunction with score lines  41 ,  43 ,  45 , and  47  will be further described below. 
     Side panel end closing flaps  20 ,  22 ,  32 , and  34  include single perforated lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  as illustrated in FIGS. 1,  2 , and  3 . The purpose and function of perforated lines  31 ,  33 ,  35 , and  37  will be described further below. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, as a first step in forming the carton, a first preform  11 , is madeby folding handle reinforcing strip  60  one hundred and eighty (180) degrees about fold line  49 , upward out of the plane of FIG. 1, and back over top of top panel portion  40 A, and is affixed thereto by any convenient adhesive. FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the reinforcing strip  60  in the folded double paperboard state. The first preform  11  is then folded one hundred and eighty degrees about score line  19 , upward out of the plane of FIG.  2  and over top panels  12  and  16 . Top panel portion  40 B is then folded about score line  44 , one hundred and eighty (180) degrees upward out of the plane so as to overlie the folded double paperboard portion  68 . Top panel portion  40 B is affixed to the double paperboard portion by any convenient adhesive, forming a triple paperboard laminated strip  75 , as illustrated in FIG.  8 . The triple paperboard laminated strip extends longitudinally from one end of the carton  83  to the other end  85 . 
     The carton preform  12 , as illustrated in FIG. 3 is the preferred carton configuration for shipment of the carton to the beverage supplier from which the beverage supplier opens and erects preform  12  into the open carton configuration  13  as illustrated in FIG.  4 . Once opened, preform  13  is loaded with the appropriate number of beverage cans or bottles and the ends closed and sealed to form the completed package  15  as illustrated in FIG.  5 . Preform  13 , after being loaded with beverage containers, is closed by first turning inward end closing flaps  20 ,  22 ,  32 , and  34 ; bottom flaps  28  and  30  are then turned upward and affixed to end closing flaps  20  and  32 , and  22  and  34 , respectively, by any convenient adhesive material. End closing flaps  50 ,  54 ,  52 , and  56  are then turned downward and affixed to end closing flaps  20 ,  22 ,  32 , and  34  by any convenient adhesive thereby completing the beverage package. 
     Double perforated lines  91  and  95 , and  93  and  97  provide a convenient tear-open flap that may be torn open by grasping the edge  83  and/or  85  and pulling upward ,whereby an access flap  87  and/or  89  is openingly hinged about score line  45  and/or  47  thereby providing easy access to the beverage containers within the package. For added convenience the corners of end closing flaps  20 ,  22 ,  32 , and  34  may be torn away along perforated lines  31 ,  33 ,  35  and/or  37  thereby providing an even more accessible package. 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, a triple laminated, paperboard, “strap”  75  is formed at the juncture of top panel portion  40 A and  40 B, see FIG. 8, extending longitudinally across the top of the completed package, between the hand hold apertures  62  and  64  and downward over each end of package  15 . 
     A purchaser of the packaged beverage lifts package  15  by inserting his/her fingers into one or both of the hand hold apertures  62  and  64 , grasps the triple ply strap  75  therebetween and lifts the package. Since the end flaps  50 ,  52 ,  54 , and  56  are adhesively affixed to end closing flaps  20 ,  22 ,  32 , and  34 , respectively, a large portion of the load carried by the triple laminated, longitudinal strap  75  is transferred to the end walls of the package. Further, as the package is lifted by triple ply strap  75 , curved score lines  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76  bow upward thereby directing additional stresses applied to the top panel of the package towards the four corners of the package. In the event the hand hold apertures  62  and  64  begin to teat in the longitudinal direction, cut lines  90 ,  92 ,  94  and  96  direct the tearing forces in the triple ply strap  75  by virtue of the angled portion  90 B thereof, thereby stopping the tear from advancing further. 
     Although the present invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, many variations and modification will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the following appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1