Carton with handle

• US 9,126,716 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2013
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC (Graphic Packaging International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Kohler, Karl A., Kastanek, Raymond S.
• Primary Examiner(s): REYNOLDS, STEVEN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US13/891,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20130302130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 206/427, 229/117.13, 229/117.14, 229/117.15, 414/800, 493/162
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00141 glued
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0045 for hands
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00469 Straps made between two handholes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00524 integral
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00549 consisting of fold lines
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00574 whereby contents can still be carried after the line has been torn
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/0058 The tear line defining a dispensing aperture provided with means for preventing the articles from freely exiting the wrapper, e.g. by rolling out
• 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 5/46072 integral with the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/36 having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls

Abstract

A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton includes a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. A handle extends in at least one panel of the plurality of panels. The handle can include a handle grip and at least one handle opening. The at least one handle opening can include a main portion extending adjacent the handle grip of the handle and an expanded portion that is for being generally aligned with a respective space at least partially defined by at least two adjacent articles of the plurality of articles. The expanded portion can allow access to the respective space via the at least one handle opening.

Claims

1. A carton for containing a plurality of articles, the carton comprising:

a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton;

a handle extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the handle comprising a handle grip and at least one handle opening, the at least one handle opening comprising a main portion extending adjacent the handle grip of the handle and an expanded portion that is for being generally aligned with a respective space at least partially defined by at least two adjacent articles of the plurality of articles, the expanded portion allowing access to the respective space via the at least one handle opening;

the main portion of the at least one handle opening comprises a grip edge generally extending in a lateral direction and at least partially defining the handle grip, a first curved edge and a second curved edge extending from respective ends of the grip edge, and the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening comprises two generally concave edges extending from the respective first curved edge and second curved edge of the main portion of the at least one handle opening, the concave edges of the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening intersecting at a point that is spaced apart from the grip edge in a longitudinal direction and

the handle grip comprises at least one grip portion that extends in the at least one panel from the main portion of the at least one handle opening to a free edge of the at least one panel.

2. The carton of claim 1, further comprising a handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the at least one panel, the at least one panel at least partially overlapping the handle reinforcement flap.

3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the handle reinforcement flap comprises a cutout that is aligned with at least a portion of the at least one handle opening.

4. The carton of claim 2, wherein the handle grip of the handle comprises at least one grip portion extending in the at least one panel and a grip reinforcement portion extending in the handle reinforcement flap, the at least one grip portion at least partially overlapping the grip reinforcement portion.

6. The carton of claim 1, wherein the at least one panel comprises at least a first panel and a second panel, the first panel at least partially overlaps the second panel, and at least a portion of the handle extends in each of the first panel and the second panel.

7. The carton of claim 6, wherein the at least one handle opening comprises a first handle opening extending in the first panel and a second handle opening extending in the second panel, the first handle opening being spaced apart from the second handle opening by at least a portion of the handle grip of the handle.

8. The carton of claim 7, wherein the handle grip comprises a first grip portion extending in the first panel and a second grip portion extending in the second panel, the first grip portion at least partially overlapping the second grip portion.

12. The carton of claim 6, further comprising a handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the second panel, wherein the handle grip comprises a first grip portion extending in the first panel, a second grip portion extending in the second panel, and a grip reinforcement portion extending in the handle reinforcement flap, the second grip portion at least partially overlaps the grip reinforcement portion, and the first grip portion at least partially overlaps the second grip portion.

5. A carton for containing a plurality of articles, the carton comprising:

a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton;

a handle extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the handle comprising a handle grip and at least one handle opening, the at least one handle opening comprising a main portion extending adjacent the handle grip of the handle and an expanded portion that is for being generally aligned with a respective space at least partially defined by at least two adjacent articles of the plurality of articles, the expanded portion allowing access to the respective space via the at least one handle opening;

the main portion of the at least one handle opening comprises a grip edge generally extending in a lateral direction and at least partially defining the handle grip, a first curved edge and a second curved edge extending from respective ends of the grip edge, and the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening comprises two generally concave edges extending from the respective first curved edge and second curved edge of the main portion of the at least one handle opening, the concave edges of the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening intersecting at a point that is spaced apart from the grip edge in a longitudinal direction;

a handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the at least one panel, the at least one panel at least partially overlapping the handle reinforcement flap;

the handle grip of the handle comprises at least one grip portion extending in the at least one panel and a grip reinforcement portion extending in the handle reinforcement flap, the at least one grip portion at least partially overlapping the grip reinforcement portion; and

the handle reinforcement flap is foldably connected to the at least one panel along a fold line, and the grip reinforcement portion extends at least from the fold line to the cutout of the handle reinforcement flap.

9. A carton for containing a plurality of articles, the carton comprising:

a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton;

a handle extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the handle comprising a handle grip and at least one handle opening, the at least one handle opening comprising a main portion extending adjacent the handle grip of the handle and an expanded portion that is for being generally aligned with a respective space at least partially defined by at least two adjacent articles of the plurality of articles, the expanded portion allowing access to the respective space via the at least one handle opening;

the main portion of the at least one handle opening comprises a grip edge generally extending in a lateral direction and at least partially defining the handle grip, a first curved edge and a second curved edge extending from respective ends of the grip edge, and the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening comprises two generally concave edges extending from the respective first curved edge and second curved edge of the main portion of the at least one handle opening, the concave edges of the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening intersecting at a point that is spaced apart from the grip edge in a longitudinal direction;

the at least one panel comprises at least a first panel and a second panel, the first panel at least partially overlaps the second panel, and at least a portion of the handle extends in each of the first panel and the second panel;

the at least one handle opening comprises a first handle opening extending in the first panel and a second handle opening panel the first handle in being spaced apart from the second handle opening by at least a portion of the handle grip of the handle;

the handle grip comprises a first grip portion extending in the first panel and a second grip portion extending in the second panel, the first grip portion at least partially overlapping the second grip portion; and

the second panel comprises a first projection, a second projection, and a recess extending from the first projection to the second projection adjacent at least a portion of the second grip portion, at least a portion of the first top panel overlapping the first projection and the second projection.

10. The carton of claim 9, further comprising a handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the second panel, the second panel at least partially overlapping the handle reinforcement flap, and the handle grip of the handle further comprises a grip reinforcement portion extending in the handle reinforcement flap, the second grip portion at least partially overlapping the grip reinforcement portion.

11. The carton of claim 10, wherein the recess of the second panel is generally aligned with at least the main portion of the first handle opening in the first panel, and the handle reinforcement flap comprises a cutout that is aligned with at least a portion of the second handle opening in the second panel.

13. A carton for containing a plurality of articles, the carton comprising:

a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton;

a handle extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the handle comprising a handle grip and at least one handle opening, the at least one handle opening comprising a main portion extending adjacent the handle grip of the handle and an expanded portion that is for being generally aligned with a respective space at least partially defined by at least two adjacent articles of the plurality of articles, the expanded portion allowing access to the respective space via the at least one handle opening,

wherein the main portion of the at least one handle opening comprises a grip edge generally extending in a lateral direction and at least partially defining the handle grip, and a first curved edge and a second curved edge extending from respective ends of the grip edge, and the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening comprises two generally convex edges extending from the respective first curved edge and second curved edge of the main portion of the at least one handle opening and a concave edge extending between the convex edges, the concave edge for being generally aligned with the respective space, and

wherein the handle grip comprises at least one grip portion that extends in the at least one panel from the main portion of the at least one handle opening to a free edge of the at least one panel.

14. A blank for forming a carton for containing a plurality of articles, the blank comprising:

a plurality of panels;

handle features extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels for forming a handle when the carton is formed from the blank, the handle features comprising at least one grip portion for forming a handle grip in the carton formed from the blank and at least one handle opening, the at least one handle opening comprising a main portion extending adjacent the at least one grip portion and an expanded portion that is for being generally aligned with a respective space at least partially defined by at least two adjacent articles of the plurality of articles when the carton is formed from the blank, the expanded portion allowing access to the respective space via the at least one handle opening in the carton formed from the blank;

the main portion of the at least one handle opening comprises a grip edge generally extending in a lateral direction and at least partially defining the handle grip, a first curved edge, a second curved edge extending from respective ends of the grip edge, and the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening comprises two generally concave edges extending from the respective first curved edge and second curved edge of the main portion of the at least one handle opening, the concave edges of the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening intersecting at a point that is spaced apart from the grip edge in a longitudinal direction, and

wherein the at least one grip portion extends in the at least one panel from the main portion of the at least one handle opening to a free edge of the at least one panel.

15. The blank of claim 14, further comprising a handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the at least one panel, the at least one panel at least partially overlapping the handle reinforcement flap.

16. The blank of claim 15, wherein each of the at least one handle opening and the handle reinforcement flap is generally aligned with a centerline.

17. The blank of claim 15, wherein the handle features comprise a grip reinforcement portion extending in the handle reinforcement flap, the at least one grip portion being for at least partially overlapping the grip reinforcement portion when the carton is formed from the blank.

18. The blank of claim 17, wherein the handle reinforcement flap is foldably connected to the at least one panel along a fold line, and the grip reinforcement portion extends at least from the fold line to the cutout of the handle reinforcement flap.

19. The blank of claim 14, wherein the at least one panel comprises at least a first panel and a second panel, the first panel is for at least partially overlapping the second panel when the carton is formed from the blank, and at least a portion of the handle extends in each of the first panel and the second panel.

20. The blank of claim 19, wherein the at least one handle opening comprises a first handle opening extending in the first panel and a second handle opening extending in the second panel.

21. The blank of claim 20, wherein the at least one grip portion comprises a first grip portion extending in the first panel and a second grip portion extending in the second panel, the first grip portion being for at least partially overlapping the second grip portion when the carton is formed from the blank.

22. The blank of claim 21, wherein the second panel comprises a first projection, a second projection, and a recess extending from the first projection to the second projection adjacent at least a portion of the second grip portion, at least a portion of the first top panel being for overlapping the first projection and the second projection when the carton is formed from the blank.

23. The blank of claim 22, further comprising a handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the second panel, and the handle features further comprises a grip reinforcement portion extending in the handle reinforcement flap, the second panel being for at least partially overlapping the handle reinforcement flap and the second grip portion being for at least partially overlapping the grip reinforcement portion when the carton is formed from the blank.

24. The blank of claim 23, wherein the handle reinforcement flap comprises a cutout, and each of the first handle opening, the second handle opening, the recess of the second panel, and the cutout of the handle reinforcement flap is generally aligned with a centerline.

25. The blank of claim 19, further comprising a handle reinforcement flap foldably connected to the second panel, wherein the at least one grip portion comprises a first grip portion extending in the first panel and a second grip portion extending in the second panel, and the handle features further comprise a grip reinforcement portion extending in the handle reinforcement flap, the second grip portion being for at least partially overlapping the grip reinforcement portion and the first grip portion being for at least partially overlapping the second grip portion when the carton is formed from the blank.

26. A blank for forming a carton for containing a plurality of articles, the blank comprising:

a plurality of panels;

handle features extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels for forming a handle when the carton is formed from the blank, the handle features comprising at least one grip portion for forming a handle grip in the carton formed from the blank and at least one handle opening, the at least one handle opening comprising a main portion extending adjacent the at least one grip portion and an expanded portion that is for being generally aligned with a respective space at least partially defined by at least two adjacent articles of the plurality of articles when the carton is formed from the blank, the expanded portion allowing access to the respective space via the at least one handle opening in the carton formed from the blank,

wherein the main portion of the at least one handle opening comprises a grip edge generally extending in a lateral direction and at least partially defining the handle grip, and a first curved edge and a second curved edge extending from respective ends of the grip edge, and the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening comprises two generally convex edges extending from the respective first curved edge and second curved edge of the main portion of the at least one handle opening and a concave edge extending between the convex edges, the concave edge for being generally aligned with the respective space when the carton is formed from the blank, and the at least one grip portion extends in the at least one panel from the main portion of the at least one handle opening to a free edge of the at least one panel.

27. A method of forming a carton for containing a plurality of articles, the method comprising:

obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels and handle features extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the handle features comprising at least one grip portion and at least one handle opening, the at least one handle opening comprising a main portion extending adjacent the at least one grip portion and an expanded portion;

the main portion of the at least one handle opening comprises a grip edge generally extending in a lateral direction and at least partially defining the handle grip, a first curved edge and a second curved edge extending from respective ends of the grip edge, and the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening comprises two generally concave edges extending from the respective first curved edge and second curved edge of the main portion of the at least one handle opening, the concave edges of the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening intersecting at a point that is spaced apart from the grip edge in a longitudinal direction, and the at least one grip portion extends in the at least one panel from the main portion of the at least one handle opening to a free edge of the at least one panel;

forming an interior of the carton at least partially defined by the plurality of panels, the forming the interior of the carton comprising forming an open-ended sleeve;

forming a handle from the handle features at least by forming a handle grip adjacent the at least one handle opening from the at least one grip portion and aligning the expanded portion with a respective space at least partially defined by at least two adjacent articles of the plurality of articles, the expanded portion allowing access to the respective space via the at least one handle opening.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the blank further comprises a handle reinforcement flap comprising a grip reinforcement portion and a cutout adjacent the grip reinforcement portion, the forming the open-ended sleeve comprises positioning the handle reinforcement flap to be overlapped by the at least one panel, and the forming the handle comprises positioning the at least one grip portion to overlap the grip reinforcement portion and at least partially aligning the at least one handle opening with the cutout.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one panel comprises at least a first panel and a second panel, the at least one grip portion comprises at least a first grip portion and a second grip portion, the at least one handle opening comprises at least a first handle opening and a second handle opening, the forming the open-ended sleeve comprises positioning the first panel to at least partially overlap the second panel, and the forming the handle comprises positioning the first grip portion to at least partially overlap the second grip portion.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the handle reinforcement flap is foldably connected to the second panel, the positioning the handle reinforcement flap comprises folding the handle reinforcement flap relative to the second panel so that a first projection and a second projection extending from the second panel are formed, a recess extending between the first projection and the second projection, and the forming the handle comprises at least partially aligning the recess with the first handle opening in the first panel.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one panel comprises at least a first panel and a second panel, the at least one grip portion comprises at least a first grip portion and a second grip portion, the at least one handle opening comprises at least a first handle opening and a second handle opening, the forming the open-ended sleeve comprises positioning the first panel to at least partially overlap the second panel, and the forming the handle comprises positioning the first grip portion to at least partially overlap the second grip portion so that the first handle opening is spaced apart from the second handle opening by the at least partially overlapped first grip portion and second grip portion.

32. A method of using a carton containing a plurality of articles, the method comprising:

obtaining a carton comprising a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and a handle extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the handle comprising a handle grip and at least one handle opening, the at least one handle opening comprising a main portion extending adjacent the handle grip of the handle and an expanded portion that is generally aligned with a respective space at least partially defined by at least two adjacent articles of the plurality of articles;

the main portion of the at least one handle opening comprises a grip edge generally extending in a lateral direction and at least partially defining the handle grip, a first curved edge and a second curved edge extending from respective ends of the grip edge, and the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening comprises two generally concave edges extending from the respective first curved edge and second curved edge of the main portion of the at least one handle opening, the concave edges of the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening intersecting at a point that is spaced apart from the grip edge in a longitudinal direction, and the handle grip comprises at least one grip portion that extends in the at least one panel from the main portion of the at least one handle opening to a free edge of the at least one panel;

gripping the carton at the handle by inserting at least a portion of a hand into the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening and into the respective space; and

moving the carton by applying at least a portion of a moving force against at least one of the articles of the plurality of articles.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the respective space is defined by four adjacent articles of the plurality of articles.

33. A method of using a carton containing a plurality of articles, the method comprising:

obtaining a carton comprising a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and a handle extending in at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the handle comprising a handle grip and at least one handle opening, the at least one handle opening comprising a main portion extending adjacent the handle grip of the handle and an expanded portion that is generally aligned with a respective space at least partially defined by at least two adjacent articles of the plurality of articles;

gripping the carton at the handle by inserting at least a portion of a hand into the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening and into the respective space; and

moving the carton by applying at least a portion of a moving force against at least one of the articles of the plurality of articles,

wherein the main portion of the at least one handle opening comprises a grip edge generally extending in a lateral direction and at least partially defining the handle grip, and a first curved edge and a second curved edge extending from respective ends of the grip edge, and the expanded portion of the at least one handle opening comprises two generally convex edges extending from the respective first curved edge and second curved edge of the main portion of the at least one handle opening and a concave edge extending between the convex edges, the concave edge being generally aligned with the respective space, and the handle grip comprises at least one grip portion that extends in the at least one panel from the main portion of the at least one handle opening to a free edge of the at least one panel.