Handle designs for cartons are well known in the art. For example, US-A-4,653,686 discloses a blank and carton according to the preamble of claims 1 and 16 wherein the carton is a can carton having interconnected top, bottom and side walls and end closure panels. The carton includes a perforated transverse slit extending completely across one carton wall and having end projections extending into the two carton walls interconnected therewith, together with a pair of transverse handle flaps struck from the top carton wall or from the top carton wall and from the side walls. The handle flaps are interconnected with the top carton wall or the top carton wall and the side walls, and is foldably joined respectively thereto by arcuate transverse fold lines. US-A-4,966,324 discloses a carrying handle for a carton for packaging a plurality of cans. The carton has interconnected top, bottom and side walls, and end closure panels. The carton also includes a transverse slit extending completely across one of the interconnected carton walls. The transverse slit has end projections extending into the two walls interconnected with the one of the carton walls. A transverse fold line extends completely across the one of the interconnected carton walls and is spaced from and disposed generally parallel to the transverse slit. The fold line has end projections extending into the two walls interconnected with the one of the carton walls. The projections of the fold line terminate adjacent to the corresponding end projection of the transverse slit. The transverse fold line and the transverse slit together define therebetween a foldable transverse handle flap struck from the one of the interconnected carton walls. Conventional handle designs, however, often suffer from many disadvantages. For example, conventional handle designs may fail during lifting of the carton due to lack of strength. Lifting may also cause conventional cartons to bow or tear at or around the tear lines forming the handle.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, a carton comprises a handle having first and second gussets defined by an opening line and exterior lines that extend through multiple carton panels. Tear stops are spaced from ends of the exterior lines. The gussets can be accessed at the opening line and folded into the interior of the carton during use. The exterior lines can have inwardly concave, arcuate profiles.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the handle provides strength to the carton by the arrangement and shape of the handle lines. The handle also allows for flexure of the upper handle surface while reducing the likelihood of tearing or excessive bowing, etc. The handle additionally allows the top or upper panel to flex outward or upward slightly while maintaining the adjacent side panels in a substantially unbowed position. This flexure enables the carton to maintain contact and/or support for articles disposed in the carton.

According to another aspect of the invention, a carton blank comprises a first panel, a second panel foldably connected to the first panel, a third panel foldably connected to the second panel, a fourth panel foldably connected to the third panel, at least one first endflap extending along a first marginal area of the blank, at least one second end flap extending along a second marginal area of the blank, and a handle having a first gusset, a second gusset, a first tear stop and a second tear stop. The handle is defined at least in part by a first concave exterior line, a second concave exterior line, an opening line extending between the first and second exterior lines, a first oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line, and a second oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line. The first and second gussets, the first and second exterior lines, and the opening line extend across the second, third and fourth panels, the first tear stop is spaced from a first end of the first exterior line and comprises a first substantially V-shaped line and a first longitudinally extending line, and the second tear stop is spaced from a second end of the first exterior line.

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.

According to common practice, 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 invention.

• FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exterior side of a blank used to form a carton according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a handle of the carton according to the first embodiment.
• FIG. 3 illustrates the carton in a partially erected configuration.
• FIG. 4 illustrates the carton in a more fully erected configuration.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the erected carton.
• FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the erected carton.
• FIG. 7 illustrates opening of the handle.
• FIG. 8 illustrates further opening of the handle.
• FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the carton with the handle opened and in a carrying configuration.

The handle of the present invention generally relates to a handle for a carton or other vessels. The present invention can be used, for example, in cartons that contain articles or products such as, for example, food and/or beverages. The articles can include beverage containers such as cans, bottles, PET containers, or other containers such as those used in packaging foodstuffs. Further, the handle can be used in cartons that contain articles in boxes such as those used in packaging foodstuffs, household cleaners, and similar products.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank 8 used to form a carton 200 (illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6) according to a first embodiment of the invention. The blank 8 comprises a bottom panel 10 foldably connected to a top side panel 20 at a transverse fold line 21, a top panel 30 foldably connected to the top side panel 20 at a transverse fold line 31, and a bottom side panel 40 foldably connected to the top panel 30 at a transverse fold line 41. An adhesive panel 50 can be foldably attached to the bottom panel 10 at a transverse fold line 51. The top panel 30 may include stress relief lines 36, 38.

First and second bottom end flaps 12, 14 may be foldably connected to opposite ends of the bottom panel 10. First and second side end flaps 22, 24 may be foldably connected to opposite ends of the top side panel 20. First and second top end flaps 32, 34 may be foldably connected to opposite ends of the top panel 30. Third and fourth side end flaps 42, 44 may be foldably connected to opposite ends of the bottom side panel 40. The end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 extend along a first marginal area of the blank 8 and may be foldably connected along a first longitudinal fold line 62. The end flaps 14, 24, 34, 44 extend along a second marginal area of the blank 8 and may be foldably connected along a second longitudinal fold line 64. The longitudinal fold lines 62, 64 may be straight fold lines, or may be offset at one or more locations to account for, for example, blank thickness. When the carton 200 is erected (FIG. 5), the end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 close a first end of the carton 200, and the end flaps 14, 24, 34, 44 close a second end of the carton 200.

A dispenser 80 may be formed at one or more locations in the carton blank 8. The exemplary blank 8 is illustrated with a dispenser 80 at the second end of the blank. The dispenser 80 may be formed from, for example, a combination of cut lines, crease lines, tear lines, fold lines, or other lines of disruption in the blank 8.

A handle 100 is formed across the top side panel 20, the top panel 30, and the bottom side panel 40. The handle 100 is discussed in detail below with reference to FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the handle 100 comprises a first arcuate, exterior line 102, a second arcuate, exterior line 104, and an opening line 106 extending between the first and second exterior lines 102, 104. First and second oblique lines 112, 116 extend from points adjacent to, which includes contacting, the opening line 106 to points adjacent to the first arcuate line 102. Third and fourth oblique lines 114, 118 extend from points adjacent to the opening line 106 to points adjacent to the second arcuate line 104. The first and third oblique lines 112, 114 may extend generally toward the intersections of the first and second exterior lines 102, 104, respectively, and the transverse fold line 31. The second and fourth oblique lines 116, 118 may extend generally toward the intersections of the exterior lines 102, 104, respectively, and the transverse fold line 41.

The lines of the handle 100 define first and second foldable gussets 130, 132 on respective first and second sides of the opening line 106. The first gusset 130 comprises a first central panel 141 and first and second edge panels 151, 161. The second gusset 132 comprises a second central panel 142 and third and fourth edge panels 152, 162. The edge panels 151, 152 can extend from the top side panel 20 to the top panel 30, and the edge panels 161, 162 can extend from the top panel 30 to the bottom side panel 40.

The arcuate exterior lines 102, 104 may terminate at their first and second ends at first and second arcuate cuts 154, 164, respectively. The first and second arcuate cuts 154, 164 are disposed in the handle 100 to define end edges of the gussets 130, 132 when the handle is opened, and to inhibit tearing beyond the length of the opening line 106. First and second tear stops 120, 121 may be spaced from the first and second cuts 154, 156. The first tear stop 120 comprises a first generally V-shaped line 122 and a first longitudinally extending line 124 spaced from the first end of the exterior lines 102, 104. The second tear stop 121 comprises a second generally V-shaped line 126 and a second longitudinally extending line 128 spaced from the second end of the first and second exterior lines 102, 104. Generally, the tear stops 120, 121 are designed to limit or control the tear from the opening and/or use of the handle 100.

The first and second exterior lines 102, 104 may be, for example, formed by a series of cuts and creases (e.g., a cut/crease line) designed to allow the first and second gussets 130, 132 to fold inwardly when the handle 100 is accessed. The opening line 106 can be, for example, formed by a series of spaced cuts (e.g., a cut/space line). The opening line 106 is designed to be opened or torn upon penetration and may be generally referred to as, for example, a 'tear line.' The opening line 106 may also comprise an aperture extending along all or a part of the length of the opening line 106 to facilitate tearing and/or opening at the line 106. The oblique lines 112, 114, 116, 118 may be, for example, cut/space lines having smaller cut and space lengths than the opening line 106. The V-shaped lines 122, 126 can be, for example, crease lines or score lines, and the longitudinally extending lines 124, 128 can be, for example, cuts. Each of the cuts in the handle 100 can extend through the blank 8 (100% cuts).

The first and second arcuate lines 102, 104 can have generally continuously arcuate profiles, and can be described as generally continuously inwardly concave toward the opening line 106, and facing each other at their concave faces. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the first and second exterior lines 102, 104 are continuously arcuate along the edge panels 151, 152, 161, 162 and along the central panels 141, 142. The lines 102, 104 generally define a flattened oval or elliptical outline as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates an initial step in erection of the carton 200, in which the blank 8 is folded so that the adhesive panel 50 is brought into contact with the bottom side panel 40 and secured by a suitable glue or other adhesive. Referring to FIG. 4, the blank 8 is partially opened so that it has a generally tubular sleeve shape, and the end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 are folded and adhered together so that they close the first end of the carton 200.

Referring to FIG. 5, the end flaps 14, 24, 34, 44 may then be folded and adhered together so that they close the second end to complete erection of the carton 200. Containers C (shown in FIG. 9) can be loaded into the partially formed carton 200 at any time before closing both ends of the carton 200. The end flaps 12, 22, 32, 42 form a first end panel 210, and the end flaps 14, 24, 34, 44 form a second end panel 220. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the erected carton 200 with the top side panel 20 facing upwardly.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a user forming a handle opening from the handle 100 to place the carton 200 into a carrying configuration. Referring to FIG. 7, a user may insert one or more fingers into the handle 100 by pressing into and tearing at the opening line 106. Referring to FIG. 8, the second gusset 132 may then be tucked into the interior of the carton 200 as the opening line 106 tear extends into the bottom side panel 40. Tucking of the second gusset 132 is enabled in part by deformation of the gusset 132. Deformation of the second gusset 132 can be facilitated by, for example, folding at the oblique lines 114, 118, which also allows the edge panels 152, 162 to fold inwardly during tucking of the gusset 132.

In a similar manner, the first gusset 130 may be tucked into the interior of the carton 200. FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the carton 200 with both sides of the handle 100 opened, and with both gussets 130, 132 tucked into the carton interior. The locations of the folded first and second gussets 130, 132 are indicated by hidden lines in FIG. 9. The carton 200 is now in a carrying configuration in which a user may grasp the carton at either side of the handle 100, with the user's fingers pressing against one of the tucked gussets 130, 132. The double-sided handle 100 eases lifting and carrying of the carton 200 and allows for carrying from either side of the handle 100. For example, in at least some configurations, the handle 100 provides comfort to a user carrying the carton 200 by allowing engagement of the handle 100 without the user's hand contacting any raw or tom edge of the carton 200, while also providing cushioning to the user's hands by virtue of the tucked gussets 130, 132. The handle 100 therefore provides cushioning on both of its sides, regardless of which side the user decides to access. While the handle 100 is double-sided, the user can elect to open a single side of the handle 100 at either of the gussets 130, 132 in order to carry the carton 200. Tucking of the gussets 130, 132 is facilitated by the oblique handle lines 112, 114, 116, 118.

The handle 100 also provides strength and resistance to tearing during lifting and carrying of the carton 200. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7-9, the handle 100, which may extend downwardly into one or both of the first and second side panels 20, 40, allows some of the stress of lifting to be transferred along the vertically extending side panels 20, 40. Additionally, the profiles of the exterior lines 102, 104, which may be generally continuously inwardly concave and arcuate, prevent stress concentrations in the top panel 30 and side panels 20, 40 along and about the periphery of the handle 100.
dditionally, the handle 100 can allow for flexure and bowing of the top panel 30 while reducing bowing in the first and second side panels 20, 40. This flexure enables the carton 200 to maintain contact and/or support for articles disposed in the carton.

A parallelepipedal carton 200 as illustrated in FIGS. 5-6 accommodated eight 0.355 liter (12 ounce) petaloid bottles in a 2x4 arrangement. Referring to FIG. 5, the carton 200 had a height H of about 17.145 cm (6.75 in.) and a width W of about 13.018 cm (5.125 in.) The carton 200 was constructed of solid unbleached sulfate (SUS) board. The fold lines 62, 64 were cut/crease lines with the cuts extending through the blank 8 (i.e., 100% cuts). The fold lines 21, 31, 41, 51 were crease lines. Referring to FIG. 2, the handle 100 had a depth D_H of about 3.81 cm (1.5 in.) and a width W_H of about 26.353 cm (10.375 in.) The handle 100 was symmetric about the opening line 106. The first and second arcuate exterior lines 102, 104 were formed from cut/crease lines with 100% cuts, and the opening line 106 was formed from a cut/space line with 100% cuts. The oblique lines 112, 114, 116,118 were also cuts/space lines with 100% cuts.

According to the embodiments discussed above, although the exterior lines 102, 104 of the handle 100 are illustrated as continuously arcuate, the general form of the handle 100 may be, for example, achieved by sequential linear cuts and/or creases in a concave arrangement, etc. For example, linear lines or segments may be used to define an outline that is relatively thick at a central portion (such as at dimension D_H in FIG. 2), and relatively thin at the ends or outside edges of the gussets, with the exterior lines being generally continuously concave and arcuate across the length of the handle. Such as design could be characterized as tapered at the edges of the gussets.

In the above embodiments, the carton 200 is described as accommodating petaloid bottle containers C in 2x4 configuration. Other types of containers, packages, articles, and other items, however, can be accommodated within a carton according to the present invention. The dimensions of the blank 8 may also be altered, for example, to accommodate various container forms. For example, the carton into which the handle of the present invention is placed also would work satisfactorily if the carton were sized and shaped to hold articles in other configurations, such as 3x4, 4x3, 3x6, 2x4, 2x5, etc.

The carton 200 is illustrated as having a dispenser 80 allowing access to the carton contents from an end of the carton. Other opening features, if opening features are desired, can be provided to provide easy access to the carton contents. Additionally, positioning assemblies that position the articles within the carton may be included.

The handle detailed herein can be provided or used with any container, box, carton, etc. In fact, multiple handles, such as the one detailed herein, can be provided in alternate, opposite, or adjacent panels. Such multiple handles could be used to lift and/or carry larger, bulkier, or other cartons that would benefit from such multiple handles.

The blank 8 according to the present invention can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blank can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect any 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 blank. In accordance with the exemplary embodiments, the blank may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the handle 100 to function at least generally as described above. The blank can also be laminated to or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

In the present invention, 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 invention, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed 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 panels adhered together by glue. The term "glue" is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.

The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and describes the present invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention 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.