Carton with handle

• US 9,598,202 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2014
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC (Graphic Packaging International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Inventors: Oliveira, Steven M., Fitzwater, Kelly R.
• Primary Examiner(s): ELKINS, GARY E
• Application Number:
  US14/337,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20150028087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 229/117.13, 229/117.14
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/0227 with end closures formed by inward folding of flaps and securing them by heat-sealing, by applying adhesive to the flaps or by staples
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/46096 two opposite closure flaps being provided with handle elements which are in contact with each other
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/46192 formed by incisions in the container or blank forming straps used as handles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/543 the container being provided with an internal frame or the like for maintaining the lid in the closed position by friction
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/743 Spouts formed by deforming or tearing scored or incised parts of the side-wall of containers

Abstract

A carton for containing a flowable material. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises at least a top panel. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The at least two end flaps comprise a top end flap foldably connected to the to panel. An integrated handle comprises a handle panel extending in the top panel and into the top end flap and a handle closure at least partially in face-to-face contact with at least the top panel. The handle panel overlaps at least a portion of the handle closure, and the handle closure at least partially forms a barrier in the top panel adjacent the handle panel for at least partially preventing flowable material from exiting the carton at the integrated handle.

Claims

1. A carton for containing a flowable material, the carton comprising:

a plurality of panels that extends around an interior of the carton to contain a flowable material therein, the plurality of panels comprising a first top panel, a second top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel, the first top panel at least partially overlaps the second top panel to form a top wall of the carton;

at least two end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels, wherein the at least two end flaps at least partially form an at least partially closed end of the carton, the at least two end flaps comprising a top end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; and

an integrated handle comprising a handle panel extending in the first top panel and into the top end flap, a handle flap foldably connected to the handle panel, an access feature in the top panel and adjacent the handle flap, and a handle closure comprising at least a portion of the second top panel at least partially in face-to-face contact with at least the first top panel, the access feature comprises an access opening in the first top panel, wherein the handle panel, the handle flap, and the access opening overlap at least a portion of the handle closure, and the handle closure at least partially forms a seal or barrier in the top wall adjacent the handle panel for at least partially preventing flowable material from exiting the carton at the integrated handle when the handle panel is in a flat position or in an actuated position, in the actuated position, the handle flap is grasped through the access opening and folded upwardly relative to the handle panel when the handle is pulled upwardly to carry the carton.

2. The carton of claim 1, wherein the handle panel is at least partially separable from the first top panel and the top end flap along a cut line extending from the handle flap and into the top end flap.

3. The carton of claim 2, wherein the handle flap is foldably connected to the handle panel along a fold line, and the cut line extends from an end of the fold line.

4. The carton of claim 1, wherein the top end flap is a first top end flap, the at least two end flaps further comprise a second top end flap foldably connected to the second top panel, and the first top end flap at least partially overlaps the second top end flap.

5. The carton of claim 4, wherein the handle closure comprises at least a portion of the second top panel and the second top end flap adjacent the handle panel.

6. The carton of claim 5, wherein the handle panel is at least partially separable from the first top panel and the first top end flap along a cut line, and the second top panel and the second top end flap are at least partially in face-to-face contact with the respective first top panel and first top end flap adjacent the cut line.

7. The carton of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the handle panel is separable from the top panel and the top end flap by two spaced apart cut lines extending in the first top panel and into the top end flap, and the handle closure is at least partially in face-to-face contact with the first top panel and the top end flap adjacent each of the cut lines.

8. The carton of claim 7, wherein each of the cut lines extends in a generally lateral direction in the first top panel, and at least a portion of each of the cut lines is oblique in the top end flap.

9. The carton of claim 7, wherein the handle flap is a first handle flap and an opposing second handle flap each foldably connected to the handle panel along a respective fold line, and each of the cut lines extends from a respective end of the respective fold lines.

10. The carton of claim 1, wherein the handle panel at least partially forms an opening in at least the first top panel when the handle panel is in the actuated position, and the handle closure at least partially forms the barrier between the opening in the first top panel and the interior of the carton.

11. The carton of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement flap foldably connected to the first top panel, wherein the first top panel at least partially overlaps the reinforcement flap, and the handle closure comprises at least a portion of the reinforcement flap adjacent the handle panel.

12. The carton of claim 11, wherein the handle panel is at least partially separable from the first top panel and the top end flap along a cut line extending from the access opening, and the handle closure is at least partially in face-to-face contact with the first top panel adjacent the access opening and at least a portion of the cut line.

13. The carton of claim 11, wherein the first top panel is an outer top panel at least partially overlapping the second top panel, the integrated handle comprises a handle opening in the outer top panel, and the handle opening is aligned with at least a portion of the handle panel.

14. The carton of claim 13, wherein the handle closure further comprises at least a portion of the outer top panel adjacent a portion of the handle panel.

15. The carton of claim 13, wherein the at least two end flaps further comprise an outer top end flap at least partially overlapping the top end flap, and the handle closure further comprises at least a portion of the outer top panel and the outer top end flap adjacent the handle panel in the top panel and the top end flap.

16. The carton of claim 13, wherein the integrated handle further comprises a first access opening and an opposing second access opening extending in the top panel adjacent the handle panel, and the handle opening in the outer top panel is generally aligned with the first access opening and the second access opening.

17. The carton of claim 16, wherein the handle panel is at least partially separable from the top panel and the top end flap along two spaced apart cut lines extending from the respective access openings, the outer top panel is at least partially in face-to-face contact with an exterior surface of the top panel adjacent at least a portion of the cut lines, and the reinforcement panel is at least partially in face-to-face contact with an interior surface of the top panel adjacent the first access opening, the second access opening, and at least a portion of the cut lines.

18. The carton of claim 1, wherein the access opening is smaller than the handle flap.

19. The carton of claim 1, wherein the handle flap is formed from a portion of the handle panel.

20. The carton of claim 1, wherein plurality of panels fully encloses the interior of the carton.

21. A blank for forming a carton for containing a flowable material, the blank comprising:

a plurality of panels comprising a first top panel, a second top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel that are arranged to extend around an interior to contain a flowable material when the carton is formed from the blank, the first top panel being for at least partially overlapping the second top panel when the carton is formed from the blank;

at least two end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels, wherein the at least two end flaps are for at least partially forming an at least partially closed end of the carton formed from the blank, the at least two end flaps comprising a top end flap foldably connected to the first top panel; and

handle features for forming an integrated handle comprising a handle panel extending in the first top panel and into the top end flap, a handle flap foldably connected to the handle panel, an access feature in the top panel and adjacent the handle flap, and a handle closure comprising at least a portion of the second top panel for being disposed at least partially in face-to-face contact with at least the first top panel when the carton is formed from the blank, the access feature comprises an access opening in the first top panel, wherein the handle panel, the handle flap, and the access opening are for overlapping at least a portion of the handle closure when the carton is formed from the blank, and the handle closure is for at least partially forming a seal or barrier adjacent the handle panel when the carton is formed from the blank for at least partially preventing flowable material from exiting the carton formed from the blank at the integrated handle, the handle flap is for being grasped through the access opening and being folded upwardly relative to the handle panel when the handle is pulled upwardly to carry the carton formed from the blank in an actuated position of the handle.

22. The blank of claim 21, wherein the handle panel is at least partially separable from the first top panel and the top end flap along a cut line extending from the handle flap and into the top end flap.

23. The blank of claim 22, wherein the handle flap is foldably connected to the handle panel along a fold line, and the cut line extends from an end of the fold line.

24. The blank of claim 21, wherein the top end flap is a first top end flap, the at least two end flaps further comprise a second top end flap foldably connected to the second top panel, and the first top end flap is for at least partially overlapping the second top end flap when the carton is formed from the blank.

25. The blank of claim 24, wherein the handle closure comprises at least a portion of the second top panel and the second top end flap adjacent the handle panel when the carton is formed from the blank.

26. The blank of claim 25, wherein the handle panel is at least partially separable from the first top panel and the first top end flap along a cut line.

27. The blank of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the handle panel is separable from the first top panel and the top end flap by two spaced apart cut lines extending in the first top panel and into the top end flap, and the handle closure is for being at least partially in face-to-face contact with the first top panel and the top end flap adjacent each of the cut lines when the carton is formed from the blank.

28. The blank of claim 27, wherein each of the cut lines extends in a generally lateral direction in the first top panel, and at least a portion of each of the cut lines is oblique in the top end flap.

29. The blank of claim 27, wherein the handle flap is a first handle flap and an opposing second handle flap each foldably connected to the handle panel along a respective fold line, and each of the cut lines extends from a respective end of the respective fold lines.

30. The blank of claim 21, further comprising a reinforcement flap foldably connected to the first top panel, wherein the first top panel is for at least partially overlapping the reinforcement flap when the carton is formed from the blank, and the handle closure comprises at least a portion of the reinforcement flap adjacent the handle panel when the carton is formed from the blank.

31. The blank of claim 30, wherein the handle panel is at least partially separable from the first top panel and the top end flap along a cut line extending from the access opening.

32. The blank of claim 30, wherein the-first top panel is an outer top panel for at least partially overlapping the second top panel when the carton is formed from the blank, the handle features comprise a handle opening in the outer top panel, and the handle opening is for being aligned with at least a portion of the handle panel when the carton is formed from the blank.

33. The blank of claim 32, wherein the handle closure further comprises at least a portion of the outer top panel for being disposed adjacent a portion of the handle panel when the carton is formed from the blank.

34. The blank of claim 32, wherein the at least two end flaps further comprise an outer top end flap for at least partially overlapping the top end flap when the carton is formed from the blank, and the handle closure further comprises at least a portion of the outer top panel and the outer top end flap for being disposed adjacent the handle panel in the top panel and the top end flap when the carton is formed from the blank.

35. The blank of claim 32, wherein the handle features further comprise a first access opening and an opposing second access opening extending in the top panel adjacent the handle panel, and the handle opening in the outer top panel is for being generally aligned with the first access opening and the second access opening when the carton is formed from the blank.

36. The blank of claim 35, wherein the handle panel is at least partially separable from the top panel and the top end flap along two spaced apart cut lines extending from the respective access openings, the outer top panel is for being at least partially in face-to-face contact with an exterior surface of the top panel adjacent at least a portion of the cut lines when the carton is formed from the blank, and the reinforcement panel is for being at least partially in face-to-face contact with an interior surface of the top panel adjacent the first access opening, the second access opening, and at least a portion of the cut lines when the carton is formed from the blank.

37. The blank of claim 21, wherein the access opening is smaller than the handle flap.

38. The blank of claim 21, wherein the handle flap is formed from a portion of the handle panel.

39. The blank of claim 21, wherein the plurality of panels fully encloses the interior when the carton is formed from the blank.

40. A method for forming a carton for containing a flowable material, the method comprising:

obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a first top panel, a second top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel, at least two end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels, the at least two end flaps comprising a top end flap foldably connected to the first top panel, and handle features comprising a handle panel extending in the first top panel and into the top end flap, a handle flap foldably connected to the handle panel, an access feature in the top panel and adjacent the handle flap, and a handle closure comprising at least a portion of the second top panel, the access feature comprises an access opening in the first top panel;

forming an interior of the carton defined by the plurality of panels extending therearound to contain a flowable material therein, the forming the interior of the carton comprising positioning the first top panel to at least partially overlap the second top panel to form a top wall and forming an integrated handle from the handle features by positioning the handle closure at least partially in face-to-face contact with at least the first top panel so that the handle panel, the handle flap, and the access opening overlap at least a portion of the handle closure, wherein the handle closure at least partially forms a seal or barrier in the top wall adjacent the handle panel for at least partially preventing flowable material from exiting the carton at the integrated handle;

forming an at least partially closed end of the carton by at least partially overlapping the at least two end flaps; and

positioning the handle to an actuated position by pulling the handle upwardly to carry the carton, in the actuated position, the handle flap is grasped through the access opening and folded upwardly relative to the handle panel.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the top end flap is a first top end flap, the at least two end flaps further comprise a second top end flap foldably connected to the second top panel, the handle closure comprises at least a portion of the second top panel and the second top end flap adjacent the handle panel, and the positioning the handle closure comprises positioning the first top end flap to at least partially overlap the second top end flap.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein at least a portion of the handle panel is separable from the first top panel and the top end flap by two spaced apart cut lines extending in the first top panel and into the top end flap, and the positioning the handle closure comprises positioning at least a portion of the handle closure to be at least partially in face-to-face contact with the first top panel and the top end flap adjacent each of the cut lines.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein the blank further comprises a reinforcement flap foldably connected to the first top panel, the handle closure comprises at least a portion of the reinforcement flap, and the positioning the handle closure comprises positioning the first top panel to at least partially overlap the reinforcement flap so that at least a portion of the handle panel overlaps the handle closure.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the first top panel is an outer top panel, the handle features further comprise a handle opening in the outer top panel, the handle closure further comprises at least a portion of the outer top panel, the forming the integrated handle comprising positioning the handle opening to be aligned with at least a portion of the handle panel, and the positioning the handle closure further comprises positioning the outer top panel to at least partially overlap the second top panel and the handle panel.

45. The method of claim 40, wherein the access opening is smaller than the handle flap.

46. The method of claim 40, wherein the handle flap is formed from a portion of the handle panel.

47. The method of claim 40, wherein the plurality of panels fully encloses the interior of the carton.