Cooler box with handle

• US 8,191,761 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2009
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Brand, Kirsten L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Newhouse, Nathan J
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEMEREE, CHRISTOPHER R
• Application Number:
  US12/608,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20100108747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 229/117.12, 229/117.3, 229/117.17, 229/208, 229/221, 229/200, 220/592.17, 624/575
• US Class Current: 229/117.12
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00141 glued
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00462 Straps made by two slits in a wall
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00574 whereby contents can still be carried after the line has been torn
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0066 formed from one single sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00728 the end walls being closed by gluing
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/46192 formed by incisions in the container or blank forming straps used as handles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/36 having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/15 Sheet, web, or layer weakened to permit separation through thickness

Abstract

A carton for holding containers is disclosed. The carton can be converted from a first configuration for storing and shipping containers therein to a second configuration in which the carton forms an open-top cooler for chilling and serving the containers. According to an embodiment, a handle is formed in a top panel and end panels of the carton in the first configuration. Conversion of the carton from the first configuration to the second configuration can be accomplished by detaching the handle from the top panel and folding open portions of the top panel and end panels.

Claims

1. A carton for holding containers, wherein the carton is convertible from a first configuration, in which the carton forms a substantially parallelepipedal structure, to a second configuration, in which the carton forms an open-top structure, and wherein:

when the carton is in the first configuration, the carton comprises

a first side panel,

a second side panel opposite the first side panel,

a bottom panel,

a top panel comprising a first outer top panel section foldably connected to the first side panel, a second outer top panel section foldably connected to the second side panel, and at least one central top panel section extending between and detachably connected to the first outer top panel section and the second outer top panel section,

a first top attachment panel foldably connected to the at least one central top panel section,

a second top attachment panel foldably connected to the at least one central top panel section,

a first end panel comprising;

a first side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel,

a second side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel, and

a first upper end closure flap foldably connected to the top panel, the first upper end closure flap comprising;

a first top attachment flap foldably connected to the first top attachment panel and attached to the first and second side end flaps, and

a second top attachment flap foldably connected to the second top attachment panel and attached to the first and second side end flaps,

wherein the first and second top attachment flaps are attached to opposing sides of the first and second side end flaps, so that the first and second side end flaps are positioned between the first and second top attachment flaps, and

a second end panel opposite the first end panel; and

when the carton is in the second configuration

the at least one central top panel section is detached from the first outer top panel section and the second outer top panel section and forms a handle configured for carrying the carton,

the first outer top panel section and the second outer top panel section are folded outwardly to extend upwardly from the first side panel and the second side panel, respectively, thereby forming an open top of the carton, and

the handle extends across the open top.

2. The carton of claim 1, wherein, when the carton is in the second configuration, the first outer top panel section and the second outer top panel section are substantially coplanar with the first side panel and the second side panel, respectively.

3. The carton of claim 1, wherein, when the carton is in the first configuration:

the first end panel further comprises a first lower end closure flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the first upper end closure flap overlapping the first lower end closure flap;

the second end panel comprises a second upper end closure flap foldably connected to the top panel and a second lower end closure flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the second upper end closure flap overlapping the second lower end closure flap; and

the handle has a first end portion in the first upper end closure flap and a second end portion in the second upper end closure flap.

4. The carton of claim 3, wherein, when the carton is in the second configuration:

the first upper end closure flap is detached from the first lower end closure flap and a portion of the first upper end closure flap extends upwardly from the first lower end closure flap; and

the second upper end closure flap is detached from the second lower end closure flap and a portion of the second upper end closure flap extends upwardly from the first lower end closure flap.

5. The carton of claim 4, when the carton is in the second configuration, the portion of the first upper end flap and the portion of the second upper end flap are substantially coplanar with the first lower end closure flap and the second lower end closure flap, respectively.

6. The carton of claim 3, wherein, when the carton is in the first configuration:

the first lower end closure flap is attached to a first section of the first side end flap and a first section of the second side end flap; and

the second end panel comprises a third side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel, and a fourth side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel, the second lower end closure flap being attached to a first section of the third side end flap and a first section of the fourth side end flap.

7. The carton of claim 6, wherein, when the carton is in the first configuration:

the first upper end closure flap comprises

a second section of the first side end flap,

a second section of the second side end flap,

a first upper gusset, the first upper gusset being foldably connected to the first outer top panel section and the second section of the first side end flap, and the first upper gusset being detachably connected to the first end portion of the handle, and

a second upper gusset, the second upper gusset being foldably connected to the second outer top panel section and the second section of the second side end flap, and the second upper gusset being detachably connected to the first end portion of the handle; and

the second upper end closure flap comprises

a third upper gusset, the third upper gusset being foldably connected to the first outer top panel section and a second section of the third side end flap, and the third upper gusset being detachably connected to the second end portion of the handle, and

a fourth upper gusset, the fourth upper gusset being foldably connected to the second outer top panel section and a second section of the second side end flap, and the fourth upper gusset being detachably connected to the second end portion of the handle.

8. The carton of claim 7, wherein, when the carton is in the first configuration:

the at least one central top panel comprises

a first central top panel section detachably connected to the first outer top panel section, and

a second central top panel section detachably connected to the second outer top panel section, the second central top panel section overlapping the first central top panel section;

the first end portion of the handle comprises the first top attachment panel and the second top attachment panel, and

wherein the first top attachment panel is foldably connected to the first central top panel section and detachably connected to the first upper gusset, and

wherein the second top attachment panel foldably is connected to the second central top panel section and detachably connected to the second upper gusset, the second top attachment panel overlapping and being attached to the first top attachment panel; and

the second end portion of the handle comprises

a third top attachment panel foldably connected to the first central top panel section and detachably connected to the third upper gusset, and

a fourth top attachment panel foldably connected to the second central top panel section and detachably connected to the fourth upper gusset, the fourth top attachment panel overlapping and being attached to the third top attachment panel.

9. The carton of claim 8, wherein, when the carton is in the first configuration:

the second upper end closure flap comprises

a third top attachment flap foldably connected to the third top attachment panel and attached to the third and fourth side end flaps, and

a fourth top attachment flap foldably connected to the fourth top attachment panel and attached to the third and second fourth end panels,

wherein the third and fourth top attachment flaps are attached to opposing sides of the third and fourth side end flaps.

10. The carton of claim 9, wherein, when the carton is in the second configuration:

the first and second top attachment panels are detached from the first and second upper gussets, respectively;

the third and fourth top attachment panels are detached from the third and fourth upper gussets, respectively;

the first and second upper gussets, the first and second top attachment flaps, and the first and second side end flaps extend upwardly from and substantially coplanar with the lower end closure flap; and

the third and fourth upper gussets, the third and fourth top attachment flaps, and the third and fourth side end flaps extend upwardly from and substantially coplanar with the second lower end closure flap.

11. The carton of claim 6, wherein:

the first lower end closure flap comprises

a first bottom end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel,

a first lower gusset foldably connected to the first side end flap and the first bottom end panel, and

a second lower gusset foldably connected to the second side end flap and the first bottom end panel; and

the second lower end closure flap comprises

a second bottom end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel,

a third lower gusset foldably connected to the third side end flap and the second bottom end panel, and

a fourth lower gusset foldably connected to the fourth side end flap and the second bottom end panel.

12. The carton of claim 11, wherein:

the first lower end closure flap comprises a first bottom end flap foldably connected to the first bottom end panel and attached to the first and second side end flaps; and

the second lower end closure flap comprises a second bottom end flap foldably connected to the second bottom end panel and attached to the third and fourth side end flaps.

13. The carton of claim 1, wherein, when the carton is in the first configuration, the at least one central top panel section comprises:

a first central top panel section detachably connected to the first outer top panel section; and

a second central top panel section detachably connected to the second outer top panel section, the second central top panel section overlapping the first central top panel section.

14. The carton of claim 1, wherein:

when the carton is in the first configuration, the top panel comprises;

a first access panel disposed between the at least one central top panel section and the first outer top panel section, and

a second access panel disposed between the at least one central top panel section and the second outer top panel section; and

the first and second access panels are at least partially detachable from the top panel to provide access to the handle.

15. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising:

a first side panel;

a second side panel opposite the first side panel;

a bottom panel;

a first outer top panel section foldably connected to the first side panel;

a second outer top panel section foldably connected to the second side panel;

a first central top panel section connected to the first outer top panel section along a first tear line;

a second central top panel section connected to the second outer top panel section along a second tear line;

a first plurality of panels and flaps configured to form a first end panel of the carton, the first plurality of panels and flaps comprising;

a first side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel;

a second side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel;

a first top attachment panel foldably connected to the first central top panel section;

a second top attachment panel foldably connected to the second central top panel section;

a first top attachment flap foldably connected to the first top attachment panel; and

a second top attachment flap foldably connected to the second top attachment panel; and

a second plurality of panels and flaps configured to form a second end panel of the carton;

wherein the first and second top attachment flaps are configured to be attached to opposing sides of the first and second side end flaps in the first end panel when the blank is erected to form the carton, and

wherein the blank is configured to be erected such that

the first and second outer top panel sections and the first and second central top panel sections form a top panel of the carton,

the second central top panel section overlaps the first central top panel section in the carton, and

the first and second central top panel sections form a handle that is detachable from the first and second outer top panel sections for opening a top of the carton.

16. The blank of claim 15, wherein:

the second plurality of panels and flaps comprises

a third top attachment panel foldably connected to the first central top panel section, and

a fourth top attachment panel foldably connected to the second central top panel section;

the second top attachment panel is configured to overlap and be attached to the first top attachment panel; and

the fourth top attachment panel is configured to overlap and be attached to the third top attachment panel.

17. The blank of claim 16, wherein:

the second plurality of panels and flaps comprises

a third side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel, and

a fourth side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel.

18. The blank of claim 17, wherein:

the first plurality of panels and flaps comprises

a first upper gusset foldably connected to the first outer top panel section and the first side end flap, and

a second upper gusset foldably connected to the second outer top panel section and the second side end flap; and

the second plurality of panels and flaps comprises

a third upper gusset foldably connected to the first outer top panel section and the third side end flap, and

a fourth upper gusset foldably connected to the second outer top panel section and the fourth side end flap;

wherein the first upper gusset is detachably connected to the first top attachment flap, the second upper gusset is detachably connected to the second top attachment flap, the third upper gusset is detachably connected to the third top attachment flap, and the fourth upper gusset is detachably connected to the fourth top attachment flap.

19. The blank of claim 18, wherein:

the second plurality of panels and flaps comprises

a third top attachment flap foldably connected to the third top attachment panel, and

a fourth top attachment flap foldably connected to the fourth top attachment panel; and

wherein the third and fourth top attachment flaps are configured to be attached to opposing sides of the third and fourth side end flaps in the second end panel.

20. The blank of claim 18, wherein:

the first plurality of panels and flaps comprises

a first bottom end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel,

a first lower gusset foldably connected to the first side end flap and the first bottom end panel,

a second lower gusset foldably connected to the second side end flap and the first bottom end panel; and

the second plurality of panels and flaps comprises

a second bottom end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel,

a third lower gusset foldably connected to the first side end flap and the second bottom end panel, and

a fourth lower gusset foldably connected to the second side end flap and the second bottom end panel.

21. The blank of claim 20, wherein:

the first plurality of panels and flaps comprises a first bottom end flap foldably connected to the first bottom end panel and configured to be attached to the first and second side end flaps; and

the second plurality of panels and flaps comprises second bottom end flap foldably connected to the second bottom end panel and configured to be attached to the third and fourth side end flaps.

22. The blank of claim 21, wherein:

the first bottom end panel, the first bottom end flap, and the first and second lower gussets are configured to form a first lower end closure flap in the first end panel;

the first bottom end flap is configured to be attached to a first section of the first side end flap and a first section of the second side end flap;

the first and second top attachment panels, the first and second top attachment flaps, the first and second upper gussets, a second section of the first side end flap, and a second section of the second side end flap are configured to form a first upper end closure flap overlapping the first lower end closure flap in the first end panel;

the second bottom end panel, the second bottom end flap, and the third and fourth lower gussets are configured to form a second lower end closure flap in the second end panel;

the second bottom end flap is configured to be attached to a first section of the third side end flap and a first section of the fourth side end flap; and

the third and fourth top attachment panels, the third and fourth top attachment flaps, the third and fourth upper gussets, a second section of the third side end flap, and a second section of the fourth side end flap are configured to form a second upper end closure flap overlapping the second lower end closure flap in the second end panel.

23. The carton of claim 15, comprising:

a first access panel disposed between the first outer top panel section and the first central top panel section; and

a second access panel disposed between the second outer top panel section and the second central top panel section;

wherein the first and second access panels are detachable from the top panel in the carton to provide access to the handle.

24. A carton for holding containers, the carton comprising:

a first side panel;

a second side panel opposite the first side panel;

a bottom panel;

a top panel;

a first end panel comprising a first upper end closure flap overlapping a first lower end closure flap, the first upper end closure flap comprising;

a first side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel;

a second side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel;

a first top attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel;

a second top attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel;

a first top attachment flap foldably connected to the first top attachment panel; and

a second top attachment flap foldably connected to the second top attachment panel,

wherein the first and second top attachment flaps are configured to be attached to opposing sides of the first and second side end flaps;

a second end panel opposite the first end panel, the second end panel comprising a second upper end closure flap overlapping a second lower end closure flap; and

a handle extending in the top panel, the handle including a first end portion in the first upper end closure flap and a second end portion in the second upper end closure flap;

wherein the handle is detachable from the top panel, and wherein the first and second end portions of the handle are at least partially detachable from the first and second upper end closure flaps, respectively.

25. The carton of claim 24, wherein the second upper end closure flap comprises:

a third side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel;

a fourth side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel;

a third top attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel;

a fourth top attachment panel foldably connected to the top panel;

a third top attachment flap foldably connected to the third top attachment panel; and

a fourth top attachment flap foldably connected to the fourth top attachment panel,

wherein the third and fourth top attachment flaps are configured to be attached to opposing sides of the third and fourth side end flaps in the second end panel.

26. A carton for holding containers, the carton comprising:

a first side panel,

a second side panel opposite the first side panel,

a bottom panel,

a top panel comprising a first outer top panel section foldably connected to the first side panel, a second outer top panel section foldably connected to the second side panel, and at least one central top panel section extending between and detachably connected to the first outer top panel section and the second outer top panel section,

a first top attachment panel foldably connected to the at least one central top panel section,

a second top attachment panel foldably connected to the at least one central top panel section,

a first end panel comprising;

a first side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel,

a second side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel,

a first top attachment flap foldably connected to the first top attachment panel and attached to the first and second side end flaps, and

a second top attachment flap foldably connected to the second top attachment panel and attached to the first and second side end flaps, wherein the first and second side end flaps are positioned between the first and second top attachment flaps.

27. The carton of claim 26, wherein the at least one central top panel section comprises:

a first central top panel section detachably connected to the first outer top panel section; and

a second central top panel section detachably connected to the second outer top panel section, the second central top panel section overlapping the first central top panel section.

28. The carton of claim 26, wherein:

the top panel comprises;

a first access panel disposed between the at least one central top panel section and the first outer top panel section, and

a second access panel disposed between the at least one central top panel section and the second outer top panel section; and

the first and second access panels are at least partially detachable from the top panel to provide access to the handle.

29. The carton of claim 26, wherein:

the first end panel further comprises a first lower end closure flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the first upper end closure flap overlapping the first lower end closure flap;

the carton further comprises a second end panel, and the second end panel comprises a second upper end closure flap foldably connected to the top panel and a second lower end closure flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, the second upper end closure flap overlapping the second lower end closure flap; and

the handle has a first end portion in the first upper end closure flap and a second end portion in the second upper end closure flap.

30. The carton of claim 29, wherein:

the first lower end closure flap is attached to a first section of the first side end flap and a first section of the second side end flap; and

the second end panel comprises a third side end flap foldably connected to the first side panel, and a fourth side end flap foldably connected to the second side panel, the second lower end closure flap being attached to a first section of the third side end flap and a first section of the fourth side end flap.

31. The carton of claim 30, wherein:

the first upper end closure flap comprises

a second section of the first side end flap,

a second section of the second side end flap,

a first upper gusset, the first upper gusset being foldably connected to the first outer top panel section and the second section of the first side end flap, and the first upper gusset being detachably connected to the first end portion of the handle, and

a second upper gusset, the second upper gusset being foldably connected to the second outer top panel section and the second section of the second side end flap, and the second upper gusset being detachably connected to the first end portion of the handle; and

the second upper end closure flap comprises

a third upper gusset, the third upper gusset being foldably connected to the first outer top panel section and a second section of the third side end flap, and the third upper gusset being detachably connected to the second end portion of the handle, and

a fourth upper gusset, the fourth upper gusset being foldably connected to the second outer top panel section and a second section of the second side end flap, and the fourth upper gusset being detachably connected to the second end portion of the handle.

32. The carton of claim 31, wherein:

the at least one central top panel comprises

a first central top panel section detachably connected to the first outer top panel section, and

a second central top panel section detachably connected to the second outer top panel section, the second central top panel section overlapping the first central top panel section;

the first end portion of the handle comprises the first top attachment panel and the second top attachment panel, and

wherein the first top attachment panel is foldably connected to the first central top panel section and detachably connected to the first upper gusset, and

wherein the second top attachment panel foldably is connected to the second central top panel section and detachably connected to the second upper gusset, the second top attachment panel overlapping and being attached to the first top attachment panel; and

the second end portion of the handle comprises

a third top attachment panel foldably connected to the first central top panel section and detachably connected to the third upper gusset, and

a fourth top attachment panel foldably connected to the second central top panel section and detachably connected to the fourth upper gusset, the fourth top attachment panel overlapping and being attached to the third top attachment panel.

33. The carton of claim 32, wherein:

the second upper end closure flap comprises

a third top attachment flap foldably connected to the third top attachment panel and attached to the third and fourth side end flaps, and

a fourth top attachment flap foldably connected to the fourth top attachment panel and attached to the third and second fourth end panels, and

the third and fourth top attachment flaps are attached to opposing sides of the third and fourth side end flaps.

34. The carton of claim 30, wherein:

the first lower end closure flap comprises

a first bottom end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel,

a first lower gusset foldably connected to the first side end flap and the first bottom end panel, and

a second lower gusset foldably connected to the second side end flap and the first bottom end panel; and

the second lower end closure flap comprises

a second bottom end panel foldably connected to the bottom panel,

a third lower gusset foldably connected to the third side end flap and the second bottom end panel, and

a fourth lower gusset foldably connected to the fourth side end flap and the second bottom end panel.

35. The carton of claim 34, wherein:

the first lower end closure flap comprises a first bottom end flap foldably connected to the first bottom end panel and attached to the first and second side end flaps; and

the second lower end closure flap comprises a second bottom end flap foldably connected to the second bottom end panel and attached to the third and fourth side end flaps.