Patent Description:
In general, packing boxes for storing goods, such as coffee or food are usually made of a paper material for such reasons of ease in manufacturing and cost reduction. Most of packing boxes have handles at predetermined parts thereof, preferably, at upper parts of the packing boxes, in order to enhance portability.

Such packing boxes having handles at the upper portion are typically classified into two forms. One of the two forms is a form that both sides of a handle panel made of synthetic resin are temporarily fixed to an upper portion of the packing box. For instance, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> disclose such packing boxes. Because such technology requires not only a paper material but also a synthetic resin material, the conventional packing box has several disadvantages in that manufacturing costs increase, a process of assembling a handle is added, a user must separate the handle made of synthetic resin from the packing box made of paper in order to discard the packing box, and the handle made of synthetic resin pollutes environment when the handle is discarded. So, the handle made of synthetic resin is forbidden in use.

Moreover, the other form is a form that a packing box made of paper has a handle-shaped hole formed at an upper portion of the packing box and a covering surface having the handle-shaped hole is erected and fixed at right angles to the upper surface of the packing box so that a handle made of not synthetic resin but paper is formed orthogonally at the upper end of the packing box. For instance, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> disclose such packing boxes. Such conventional packing boxes achieve the purpose of reduction of manufacturing costs since excluding the handle made of synthetic resin. However, such conventional packing boxes have a disadvantage in that packing boxes cannot be loaded in multiple layers in the state where the handle is formed. Therefore, the packing boxes are delivered in a state where the handles are not formed in a packaging step which is a step before delivery of products, and then, a consumer who purchased the packing box has to make the handle. So, the conventional packing boxes have a negative effect of shifting a complex process of forming the handle to consumers.

Further paper handles for boxes are known from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior arts, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a paper handle for a box and a manufacturing method therefor, which can form a eco-friendly handle, which is made of paper and is formed by being folded with durability necessary for carrying a box, so that there is no need to separate the handle from the packing box in order to discard the packing box, thereby preventing environmental pollution since being recyclable.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the technical problem as mentioned above, and another technical problem, which is not mentioned, could be clearly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains based on the description below.

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a paper handle for a box according to claim <NUM>.

The paper handle comprises a body which has both long sides folded at a predetermined width to form at least two layers so that ends of the long sides face each other, and catching parts respectively formed at both short sides of the body. Each of the catching parts comprises a first wing part and a second wing part which are extended to each other. The first wing part and the second wing part are formed when a plurality of points spaced apart at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the long sides are folded to be at right angles to the long sides. The first wing part has inner surfaces which face each other and are bonded together. The second wing part has inner surfaces which face each other and are not bonded together.

In another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a manufacturing method of a paper handle for a box including:.

In the third step, inner surfaces of the short sides that face each other when the short sides are bent upwardly along the third folding line and bent downwardly along the fourth folding line are bonded together. In the third step, inner surfaces of the short sides that face each other when the short sides are bent upwardly along the fifth folding line and bent downwardly along the sixth folding line are not bonded together.

The paper handle for a box and the manufacturing method therefor according to the present invention have the following effects.

That is, since the handle necessary for carrying the paper box is made of paper, a user can discard the box and the handle together without needing to separate the handle from the paper box after using the box. Therefore, the paper handle for a box and the manufacturing method therefor according to the present invention is eco-friendly since being recyclable, is easy to manufacture by being simply folded, and allows the user to adjust strength of the handle in various ways according to weight of the box.

In addition, since the effect of the present invention described above is expected to be exerted by the constitution of the contents regardless of whether or not the inventor perceives it, the above-mentioned effect has several effects according to the contents described, and it should not be recognized that the inventor described all existing or grasped effects.

Furthermore, the effect of the present invention should be grasped further by the entire description of the specification, and even if it is not described in explicit sentences, a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the written description belongs, it should be seen as an effect described in this specification.

Hereinafter, a configuration and an operation according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Such embodiments of the present invention are to describe the present invention in detail such that those skilled in the art can implement the present invention easily, and the technical idea and scope of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Moreover, in assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, it shall be noted that like components have like reference numerals as much as possible even if illustrated in different drawings. Furthermore, the terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may be changed depending on the intention or practice of a user and an operator. The terms should be defined based on all contents in the specification.

A paper handle for a box according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body made of paper, a holding part which is formed at the center, and catching parts which are respectively formed at both facing sides thereof based on the holding part when the body is folded and which is fit and fixed into fitting holes formed in the box. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, as illustrated in <FIG>, the body <NUM> has a predetermined length, and is formed in a rectangular shape having long sides (L) and short sides (S).

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the body <NUM> is folded, the holding part <NUM> allowing a user to hold the handle in the user's hand is formed at the center, and the catching parts <NUM> are formed at both facing sides of the body <NUM> to be symmetric with each other. Such catching parts <NUM> are inserted into fitting holes <NUM> formed in any one side of a box <NUM>, and then, are fixed in the fitting holes <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may be made of synthetic resin with flexibility, but it is preferable to be made of an eco-friendly material with flexibility. The eco-friendly material may be biodegradable plastics, but may be paper with various forms which is capable of being easily put out together with paper boxes. Such paper has predetermined strength like craft paper or paper boards.

As illustrated in <FIG>, end portions of both long sides (L) of the body <NUM> are folded inwardly or outwardly at a predetermined width to form at least two layers when the body <NUM> is viewed from the side. When the end portions of both long sides (L) of the body <NUM> are folded inwardly or outwardly, they may be folded in a series of zigzags so as to form at least three layers when the body <NUM> is viewed from the side.

For reference, the paper has grain, which is an arrangement state of fiber shown in a progress direction of a machine when pulp is made into paper. The grain is divided into a machine direction (MD) which is a direction that paper is made and a cross direction (CD) which meets the machine direction at right angles.

Therefore, if the long sides (L) of the body <NUM> is determined in consideration of the grain of paper, the body <NUM> can have more strength.

When the end portions of both long sides (L) of the body <NUM> are folded inwardly or outwardly at the predetermined width, the ends of the long sides (L) of the body <NUM> are folded to coincide with each other so that strength of the body <NUM> is distributed evenly overall, are folded not to coincide with each other, namely, to be separated from each other so that the edge of the body <NUM> is stronger than the central part of the body <NUM>, or are folded in such a way that any one of the ends of the long sides is lapped over or below the other end so that the central part of the body <NUM> is stronger than the edge of the body <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example to increase strength of the body <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, a core <NUM> is put on the body <NUM>, and then, the ends of the long sides (L) of the body <NUM> are folded, so that the core <NUM> is accommodated between the body <NUM> and the folded long side ends. So, the core <NUM> reinforces the body <NUM>.

Here, the core <NUM> may be made of one of various materials with flexibility, such as rubber, synthetic resin, or a metal plate, but it is preferable to be made of an eco-friendly material with flexibility. The eco-friendly material may be biodegradable plastics, and the paper may be craft paper or paper boards like the body <NUM>.

One or more of the cores <NUM> which has length equal to or shorter than the long sides (L) of the body <NUM> are used, but the cores <NUM> may be longer than the long sides (L) of the body <NUM> to be used in a state where both ends are folded.

The core <NUM> may have a single layer as illustrated in <FIG>, but may have multiple layers by being repeatedly folded as illustrated in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, a lot of sheets of cores <NUM> may form multiple layers in a form that one is put on another.

Both edges of the holding part <NUM> may be formed in a straight line since both the long sides L of the body <NUM> are folded at the predetermined width in a straight line, but may be formed to be curved with a predetermined curvature or may be formed in a waveform.

The body <NUM> has the catching parts <NUM> formed at both the short sides (S) to be symmetric to each other. The catching parts <NUM> are inserted into fitting holes <NUM> formed in the box <NUM>, and are not easily separated from the fitting holes <NUM> in the reverse direction after being inserted into the fitting holes <NUM>.

Each of the catching parts <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention has a first wing part <NUM> and a second wing part <NUM> formed when a plurality of points formed at predetermined intervals along a longitudinal direction of the long sides (L) are folded at right angles to the long sides (L) in the state where the ends of the long sides (L) of the body <NUM> are folded at the predetermined width.

That is, both the long sides (L) are folded inwardly, and then, one of the short sides (S) of the body <NUM> is bent as illustrated in <FIG>. The short side (S) is bent upwardly at the first point which is close to the center of the body <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and is bent downwardly at the second point which has a uniform interval in the direction to go away from the center of the body <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Through the above, the first wing part <NUM> is formed. A support part <NUM> is formed from the second point to the third point which has a uniform interval in the direction to go away from the center of the body <NUM>. After that, the short side is bent upwardly at the third point as illustrated in <FIG>, and then, is bent downwardly at the fourth point which has a uniform interval in the direction to go away from the center of the body <NUM>. So, the second wing part <NUM> is formed as illustrated in <FIG>.

The first wing part <NUM>, the support part <NUM>, and the second wing part <NUM> are also formed at the other short side (S) of the body <NUM> to be symmetric.

Therefore, the support parts <NUM> of an approximately " |" shape, the first wing parts <NUM> of an approximately " L" shape located inside the support part <NUM>, and the second wing parts <NUM> of an approximately " r" shape are located at both sides of the body <NUM> to face each other. Over all, the catching parts <NUM> of an approximately " ├" shape are formed at both sides of the body <NUM>.

When the catching parts <NUM> are inserted into the fitting holes <NUM> of the box <NUM>, any one of the first wing part <NUM> and the second wing part <NUM> gets closer to the body <NUM> so that the catching part <NUM> is formed in a straight line. After that, when the catching parts <NUM> are fit into the fitting holes <NUM>, the first wing part <NUM> and the second wing part <NUM> go through the fitting holes <NUM>. After that, the catching parts <NUM> return to their original state and are caught to the inside of the fitting holes <NUM>. So, if the user does not pull the catching parts <NUM> by excessively external power, it is prevented that the catching parts <NUM> get out of the fitting holes <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, only the facing inner surfaces of the first wing part <NUM> are bonded but the facing inner surfaces of the second wing part <NUM> are not bonded, so that the second wing part <NUM> which has the unbonded inner surfaces serves as a buffer to disperse stress. So, it is prevented that the catching parts <NUM> are easily separated from the fitting holes <NUM>, and strength of the catching parts <NUM> is increased.

Now, a manufacturing process of the paper handle for a box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, as illustrated in <FIG>, a first step is carried out. In the first step, the body <NUM> of a rectangular shape having long sides (L) and short sides (S) is disposed in consideration of the grain direction. A first folding line <NUM> and a second folding line <NUM>, which are spaced apart inwardly from the ends of the long sides (L) are formed at both sides of the long sides (L) of the body <NUM>, and third folding lines <NUM>, fourth folding lines <NUM>, fifth folding lines <NUM>, and sixth folding lines <NUM> which are formed at both short sides (S) of the body <NUM> to be symmetric are formed toward the short sides (S) from the center of the body <NUM> at predetermined intervals in sequence to be at right angles to the long sides (L).

Here, intervals among the end of the long side (L), the first folding line <NUM> and the second folding line <NUM> are adjusted appropriately according to the strength, form or shape of the body <NUM> and according to a manufacturer's intension, so that the ends facing when the ends of the long sides (L) are folded coincide with each other, are overlapped with each other, or are spaced apart from each other.

Furthermore, an interval between the third folding line <NUM> and the fourth folding line <NUM> is equal to an interval between the fifth folding line <NUM> and the sixth folding line <NUM>, and the length of the first wing part <NUM> made along the third folding line <NUM> and the fourth folding line <NUM> is equal to the length of the second wing part <NUM> made along the fifth folding line <NUM> and the sixth folding line <NUM>. Alternatively, the interval between the third folding line <NUM> and the fourth folding line <NUM> is larger than the interval between the fifth folding line <NUM> and the sixth folding line <NUM>, and so, the first wing part <NUM> is longer than the second wing part <NUM>.

After the first step of forming the folding lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> on the body <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, a second step of folding the ends of the long sides (L) of the body <NUM> along the first folding line <NUM> and the second folding line <NUM> is carried out.

After the second step, a third step is carried out. after the ends of the long sides (L) of the body <NUM> are folded to face each other, in the third step, the short sides (S) of the body <NUM> are bent upwardly along the third folding lines <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, are bent downwardly along the fourth folding line <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, are bent upwardly along the fifth folding line <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and then, are bent downwardly along the sixth folding line <NUM>.

In the third step, the first wing part <NUM> is formed when the short side (S) is bent upwardly along the third folding line <NUM> and bent downwardly along the fourth folding line <NUM>, the support part <NUM> is formed between the fourth folding line <NUM> and the fifth folding line <NUM>, and the second wing part <NUM> is formed when the short side is bent upwardly along the fifth folding line <NUM> and bent downwardly along the sixth folding line <NUM>.

Additionally, in the third step, the inner surfaces facing when the short side (S) is bent upwardly along the third folding line <NUM> and bent downwardly along the fourth folding line <NUM> are bonded with each other in order to form the first wing part <NUM>.

Moreover, in the second step, when the long sides (L) are folded to the body <NUM>, the core <NUM> of a predetermined length is put on the surface of the body. Strength of the body <NUM> may be reinforced according to the installed condition and the structure of the core <NUM>.

As described above, the paper handle according to the present invention includes the holding part <NUM> formed when paper is folded several times and the catching parts <NUM>, which are formed at both sides of the holding part <NUM> and has the first wing part <NUM> and the second wing part <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the catching parts <NUM> are formed in a straight line when the first wing part <NUM> or the second wing part <NUM> gets in contact with the body <NUM> and is folded. After that, when the catching parts <NUM> are respectively inserted into the fitting holes <NUM> of the box <NUM>, the first wing part <NUM> and the second wing part <NUM> fit into the fitting holes <NUM> are returned to their original state and are widened as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, and then, are caught to the inner faces of the fitting holes <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Therefore, because the paper handle is not easily separated from the box <NUM>, the user can carry or move the box in safety.

Furthermore, because not only the box but also the handle is made of paper, the box and the handle can be discarded together without needing to separate the handle from the paper box after using the box.

Claim 1:
A paper handle for a box which is inserted and fixed into fitting holes (<NUM>) of a box (<NUM>), the paper handle comprising:
a body (<NUM>) which has both long sides (L) folded at a predetermined width to form at least two layers so that ends of the long sides face each other; and catching parts (<NUM>) respectively formed at both short sides (S) of the body (<NUM>),
wherein each of the catching parts comprises a first wing part (<NUM>) and a second wing part (<NUM>) which are extended to each other,
characterised in that the first wing part (<NUM>) and the second wing part (<NUM>) are formed when a plurality of points spaced apart at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the long sides (L) are folded to be at right angles to the long sides (L), the first wing part (<NUM>) has inner surfaces which face each other and are bonded together, and
the second wing part (<NUM>) has inner surfaces which face each other and are not bonded together.