AU2004100329A4 - Carton with internalised handle - Google Patents

Description

CARTON WITH INTERNALISED HANDLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cartons for bottles in particular but not limited to a cardboard carton for carrying objects, typically wine bottles, having an internalised handle, which additionally reinforces the top of the carton to facilitate stacking of cartons for storage or transport services.

BACKGROUND ART Prior art cartons which are designed for transport or stacking of beverage containers such as wine bottles are bulky and heavy depending on the number of bottles contained but importantly, they are difficult to handle using one hand.

There is a further problem with such prior art cartons due to the fact that the handle section which is often formed from a flap development folded to form the handle section often gets damaged and the handle can easily be separated from the carton. In addition, where prior art cartons have foldable handles which fold flat to the top of the carton, the constant folding and refolding when the cartons are moved or transported results in a weakening of the portion where the handle is joined to the carton.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore the object of the present invention to seek or ameliorate the disadvantages or limitations from prior art or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention resides in a carton for objects, typically bottles, having a base and sides and a reinforced top and handle, the carton formed by folding from a flat development of sheet material, the top formed by opposed upper end tabs and handle sections, the end tabs and handle sections interlocking together and insertable into the confines of the carton whereby the handle sections are locked into place by the end tabs and a reinforced level surface is presented to enable stacking of cartons atop one another for storage and transport purposes.

Preferably the sheet material is cardboard. In the alternative, other suitable sheet materials such as plastic may be used.

Preferably the handle sections are locked into place by means of end tabs of double thickness of sheet material inserted into slots of single thickness in width in the handle sections.

The objects are typically beverage containers for example bottles of wine or cans or bottles of beer or other beverage, however, the carton can also contain and carry other objects.

Preferably where required further panels of sheet material may be added to reinforce different sections of the carton, for example in the handle section or the base.

Preferably where further reinforcement of the carton is required, fastening means such as staples or a hot mix glue may be used to join the sections of the relevant sheet material together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention be better understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows the folding of the top end flap and handle sections of the carton of Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows a completely folded carton according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown a carton 10 for objects according to the invention. The carton is preferably constructed from sheet material, typically cardboard. The carton preferably has an interlocking base 12 with opposed end flap sections 14, 16 and handle sections 18, 20 which fold together to form the handle. The handle 22 is preferably reinforced by double thickness of cardboard which can be folded over from the original flat sheet development or can be reinforced panels stapled or glued on for greater structural rigidity. The sections 18, 20 forming the handle have slots 18a, 20a for the insertion of the tabs 14a, 16a of end flaps 14, 16.

Figure 2 shows the carton 10 of Figure 1 wherein the sections of the handles 18, 20 have been folded as shown by arrows 1, 2, 3 into the confines of the carton and the tabs 14a, 16a of the end flaps 14, 16 inserted into the slots 18a, thereby further reinforcing the handle and providing a reinforced level surface for stacking cartons top of each other.

Figure 3 shows the completely folded carton 10 wherein the end tabs 14a, 16a have been inserted into the slots 18a, 20a and whereby the top of the carton presents a reinforced level surface for stacking purposes.

Preferably the slots in the tops of the carton are of a width so that the thicknesses of the end tabs when inserted into the slots, lock the handle into position, thereby enabling the weight of at least six bottles to be carried by the carton.

Typically the sheet material used in constructing the carton is cardboard which can be recycled. In the alternative, plastic sheet material may also be used such as corflute to construct the carton.

VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (6)

1. The invention resides in a carton for objects, typically bottles, having a base and sides and a reinforced top and handle, the carton formed by folding from a flat development of sheet material, the top formed by opposed upper end tabs and handle sections, the end tabs and handle sections interlocking together and insertable into the confines of the carton whereby the handle sections are locked into place by the end tabs and a reinforced level surface is presented to enable stacking of cartons atop one another for storage and transport purposes.

2. A carton for objects according to claim 1 wherein the sheet material is cardboard or plastic.

3. A carton for objects according to claim 1 wherein the handle sections are locked into place by means of end tabs of double thickness of sheet material inserted into slots of single thickness in width in the handle sections.

4. A carton for objects according to any of the above claims wherein the objects are typically beverage containers for example bottles of wine or cans or bottles of beer or other beverage.

A carton for objects according to claim 4 wherein further panels of sheet material may be added to reinforce different sections of the carton, for example the handle or the base.

6. A carton for objects according to claim 5 wherein where further reinforcement of the carton is required, fastening means such as staples 7 or a hot mix glue may be used to join the sections of the relevant sheet material together.