EP0318573A1 - Sleeve-type article carrier. - Google Patents

Sleeve-type article carrier.

Info

Publication number
EP0318573A1
EP0318573A1 EP88906259A EP88906259A EP0318573A1 EP 0318573 A1 EP0318573 A1 EP 0318573A1 EP 88906259 A EP88906259 A EP 88906259A EP 88906259 A EP88906259 A EP 88906259A EP 0318573 A1 EP0318573 A1 EP 0318573A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
top panel
handle opening
sleeve
spaced
panel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP88906259A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0318573B1 (en
EP0318573A4 (en
Inventor
Richard Lee Schuster
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Johns Manville Corp
Original Assignee
Manville Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Manville Corp filed Critical Manville Corp
Priority to AT88906259T priority Critical patent/ATE95483T1/en
Publication of EP0318573A1 publication Critical patent/EP0318573A1/en
Publication of EP0318573A4 publication Critical patent/EP0318573A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0318573B1 publication Critical patent/EP0318573B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/44—Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
    • B65D5/46—Handles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
    • B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
    • B65D71/36—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
    • B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00141—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper glued
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
    • B65D2571/00438—Holes
    • B65D2571/0045—Holes for hands
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
    • B65D2571/00537—Handles or suspending means with stress relieving means
    • B65D2571/00543—Handles or suspending means with stress relieving means consisting of cut-outs, slits, or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
    • B65D2571/00654—Blanks
    • B65D2571/0066—Blanks formed from one single sheet
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
    • B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
    • B65D2571/00722—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface
    • B65D2571/00728—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface the end walls being closed by gluing

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a sleeve-type article carrier, and more particularly to a sleeve-type article carrier having an improved handle.
  • Sleeve-type carriers used to package beverage cans are typically formed from paperboard blanks which are opened into sleeve form in order to receive the cans, after which the end panels of the blanks are folded and glued together. The resulting package completely encloses the cans and has a handle incorporated in the top panel to allow a user to more readily lift and carry the package.
  • Many different handle designs have been used in sleevetype carriers over the years, the most common probably being the suitcase type of handle. This comprises two handle openings in the top panel extending lengthwise of the carrier and being spaced from each other so that the top panel portion between them forms a strap. The carrier is lifted by inserting the fingers in one of the openings and lifting up on the strap portion.
  • edges of the strap are often uncomfortable to the hand, particularly if the package is carried for any length of time.
  • concentration of lifting stresses at the ends of the strap has necessitated the use of relatively thick paperboard to prevent tearing at these locations.
  • a transversely extending handle instead of a transversely extending handle.
  • a handle comprises a transverse opening in the top panel of the carrier through which the fingers are inserted. The user then lifts up against the underside of the top panel to lift and carry the package.
  • this arrangement makes the lifting and carrying process more comfortable, packages still need some provision to distribute the lifting stresses in order to prevent tearing. If no provision is made, such as in the handle arrangement disclosed in U.S. Patent Number 2,718,301, issued to F. D. Palmer, the package is susceptible to tearing at the ends of the handle opening. Since the only way to prevent tearing in a design such as Palmer's is to use relatively- thick paperboard, the production costs increase as a result.
  • U.S. Patent Number 4,558,816, issued to P.J. Wood incorporates a centrally located slit that extends into the side panels of the carrier and also contains a series of fold lines connected to the slit. This arrangement is for the purpose of distributing the lifting stresses generated when the package is lifted by its handle. Even this design, however, permits more concentration of lifting stresses adjacent the ends of the transverse slit than desired, forcing relatively rigid design parameters to be followed and causing the top panel to be pulled up too abruptly when lifted. It would be desirable to provide a carrier having a transverse handle design which resists the tendency to tear at the ends of the handle and which permits a reduction in the caliper of the paperboard without resulting in an excessively flexible handle structure.
  • the top panel contains a handle opening comprising two spaced edges extending transversely of the folds connecting the side panels to the top panel. Each spaced edge of the handle opening is foldably connected to a flap or tab covering a portion of the handle opening, and one of the spaced edges is located between the midpoint of the top panel and one of the end panels.
  • the top panel further contains slits extending from the ends of the latter mentioned spaced edge, through the folds connecting the side panels to the top panel, and terminating in the upper portions of the side panels.
  • the slits are offset from the midpoint of the top panel but are still close enough to the midpoint so that the handle opening is generally centrally located.
  • the offset slit arrangement acts to decrease the lifting stresses, thus reducing the tendency to tear and permitting the use of thinner paperboard.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a production blank used to form the carrier of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of a carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial plan view of the handle portion of the top panel of the carrier of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along the length of the carrier through the handle portion, along line 4-4 of FIG. 2, showing the fingers of a user pushing down the tabs covering the handle opening;
  • FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, but showing the fingers lifting up on the package after the tab adjacent the fingers has been folded back;
  • FIG. 6 is a pictorial representation of the upper portion of the carrier of the present invention, showing the distortion of the handle portion and the upper portions of the side panels when the carrier is lifted along one of the edges of the handle opening;
  • FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation similar to that of FIG. 6, but showing the carrier being lifted along the other edge of the handle opening.
  • a production blank 10 has a central section 12 connected to intermediate sections 14 by score lines 16. End sections 18 are connected to the intermediate sections 14 by score lines 20. When the blank is folded about the score lines 16, the central section 12 becomes the top panel of the carrier and the intermediate sections 14 become the side panels of the carrier. The end sections are dimensioned so that upon being folded about the score lines 20, they overlap each other. Upon being glued in the overlapping region, the attached end sections become the bottom panel of the carrier. Dust flaps 22 are connected to the central section 12 by score lines 24 , and dust flaps 26 are connected to the end sections 18 by score lines 28.
  • End flaps 30 are connected to the intermediate sections 14 by score lines 32 which are aligned with and form a continuation of the score lines 24 and 28.
  • the dust flaps 22 and 26 are folded toward each other after the blank has been folded about score lines 16 and 20. Then the end flaps 30 are folded toward each other and adhered by glue to the dust flaps to form the end panels of the carrier.
  • the resulting carrier 34 is shown in FIG. 2, wherein the top panel 12 corresponds to the central section 12 of the blank 10, the side panels 14 correspond to the intermediate sections 14, and the end panel is formed from end flaps 30.
  • the folds 16, 20, 24 and 32 correspond to score lines 16, 20, 24 and 32 of the blank 10.
  • the bottom panel corresponding to the end sections 18 is not visible in this view.
  • the top panel is provided with a handle opening 36 .
  • the opening Prior to the carrier being lifted by the handle, the opening is covered by flaps or tabs 38 and 40 which are joined to the top panel by fold lines 42 and 44, respectively.
  • the adjacent edges of the tabs 38 and 40 are connected by spaced narrow segments of paperboard 46 which are adapted to be readily broken by downward pressure of the fingers of a user so as to fold the tabs downwardly into the interior of the carrier about their fold lines 42 and 44.
  • the handle opening is thus preferably covered by the combined tabs to prevent entry of dust and dirt into the carrier.
  • the ends of the fold lines 42 and 44 are connected by slits 48 extending transversely of the handle opening 36.
  • the handle opening is thus defined by the fold lines 42 and 44 and the slits 48.
  • Extending from the ends of the fold line 42 and connected to the adjacent ends of the slits 48 are slits 50.
  • the slits 50 extend through the folds 16 and terminate in the upper portions of the side panels 14. If desired, the ends of the slits 50 may terminate in a small arcuate portion, as indicated at 52 in FIGS. 1 and 2, to resist any tendency of the side panels to tear at the ends of the slits 50 upon lifting and carrying the carrier.
  • the adjacent edges of the flaps or tabs 38 and 40 are substantially aligned with the transverse centerline of the carrier. In other words, the adjacent edges of the tabs pass through the midpoint of the top panel 12.
  • the edge 42 of the handle opening and the slits 50 extending therefrom are offset from the midpoint of the top panel, as is the edge 44 of the handle opening.
  • the interior of the carrier 34 is shown as containing beverage cans C. Since the handle opening 36 is located centrally of the carrier, it can be understood that the carrier should be designed so that the row of cans immediately beneath the top panel 12 contains an even number of cans. In this way the handle opening is assured of being located between cans to permit the fingers of a user to penetrate into the space between adjacent cans.
  • the carrier of FIG. 4 could be designed to hold twelve cans arranged in three rows of four cans each, or twenty-four cans arranged in four rows of six cans each. The two cans shown immediately subjacent the handle opening 36 would thus be the two innermost cans in the top row immediately beneath the top panel 12.
  • the fingers of a user have pressed down against the tabs 38 and 40 sufficiently to break the weak connection between them, resulting in the tab 38 being folded down about its fold line 42 by the tips of the fingers.
  • the backs of the fingers have folded the tab 40 down about its fold line 44.
  • the tab 38 would strike the nearest can C as the tab is being pivoted about its fold line.
  • the user lifts upward while at the same time continuing the tab folding action. This produces the result shown in FIG. 5, wherein the top panel adjacent the fold line 42 has been raised and the tab 38, in the space created by the raised panel, has been folded back under the panel 12.
  • the fingers are cushioned by the double thickness of paperboard created by the top panel 12 and the tab 38.
  • the tab 40 simply remains bent down out of the plane of the top panel.
  • FIG. 6 when the carrier is lifted in the manner shown in FIG. 5, the lifting stresses cause the folds 16 in the portion of the top panel being upwardly bowed to move inwardly toward each other. This inward movement is made possible by the slits 50 in the side panels 14. Stresses caused by lifting are thus uniformly distributed into the side panels 14 and the folds 16 as evidenced by the upper panel 12 being bowed upwardly in a smooth and uniform manner between the slits 50 and the end panel nearest to the edge 42.
  • the adjacent edges of the handle flaps are centrally located in the top panel
  • the handle arrangement of the present invention in carriers designed to hold an odd number of containers immediately beneath the top panel.
  • the adjacent flap edges would be located above the space between the cylindrical side walls of adjacent containers and would therefore be offset from the centerline of the top panel. The normal way of lifting the carrier would thus be by the edge which is closest to the end panel nearest the handle opening.

Abstract

Un emballage type manchon (34) pour transporter des boîtes de boisson comporte une ouverture servant de poignée (36) ménagée dans le panneau supérieur (12) s'étendant transversalement aux pliures (16) reliant le panneau supérieur et les panneaux latéraux (14). Des pattes (38, 40) reliées de manière pliable aux bords transversaux de l'ouverture-poignée se rencontrent au centre du panneau supérieur, et des fentes (50) s'étendent depuis l'un des bords de l'ouverture-poignée pour passer par les pliures et déboucher dans les parties supérieures des panneaux latéraux. Lorsque l'on soulève ledit emballage, le panneau supérieur entre les fentes et le panneau terminal le plus proche du bord de la poignée étant saisi se courbe vers le haut, et les contraintes de levage sont réparties à travers les panneaux supérieur et latéraux afin d'empêcher la déchirure.A sleeve-type package (34) for transporting beverage cans has an opening serving as a handle (36) formed in the upper panel (12) extending transversely to the folds (16) connecting the upper panel and the side panels (14). . Legs (38, 40) foldably connected to the transverse edges of the handle opening meet in the center of the top panel, and slots (50) extend from one of the edges of the handle opening for go through the folds and lead into the upper parts of the side panels. When lifting said packaging, the upper panel between the slots and the terminal panel closest to the edge of the handle being grasped curves upward, and the lifting stresses are distributed through the upper and side panels in order to '' prevent tearing.

Description

"SLEEVE-TYPE ARTICLE CARRIER"
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a sleeve-type article carrier, and more particularly to a sleeve-type article carrier having an improved handle. Background of the Invention
Sleeve-type carriers used to package beverage cans are typically formed from paperboard blanks which are opened into sleeve form in order to receive the cans, after which the end panels of the blanks are folded and glued together. The resulting package completely encloses the cans and has a handle incorporated in the top panel to allow a user to more readily lift and carry the package. Many different handle designs have been used in sleevetype carriers over the years, the most common probably being the suitcase type of handle. This comprises two handle openings in the top panel extending lengthwise of the carrier and being spaced from each other so that the top panel portion between them forms a strap. The carrier is lifted by inserting the fingers in one of the openings and lifting up on the strap portion. One problem with this design is that the edges of the strap are often uncomfortable to the hand, particularly if the package is carried for any length of time. Another problem is that the concentration of lifting stresses at the ends of the strap has necessitated the use of relatively thick paperboard to prevent tearing at these locations.
To overcome these problems it has been suggested to employ a transversely extending handle instead. Such a handle comprises a transverse opening in the top panel of the carrier through which the fingers are inserted. The user then lifts up against the underside of the top panel to lift and carry the package. Although this arrangement makes the lifting and carrying process more comfortable, packages still need some provision to distribute the lifting stresses in order to prevent tearing. If no provision is made, such as in the handle arrangement disclosed in U.S. Patent Number 2,718,301, issued to F. D. Palmer, the package is susceptible to tearing at the ends of the handle opening. Since the only way to prevent tearing in a design such as Palmer's is to use relatively- thick paperboard, the production costs increase as a result. To combat the tendency to tear, the carrier disclosed in
U.S. Patent Number 4,558,816, issued to P.J. Wood, incorporates a centrally located slit that extends into the side panels of the carrier and also contains a series of fold lines connected to the slit. This arrangement is for the purpose of distributing the lifting stresses generated when the package is lifted by its handle. Even this design, however, permits more concentration of lifting stresses adjacent the ends of the transverse slit than desired, forcing relatively rigid design parameters to be followed and causing the top panel to be pulled up too abruptly when lifted. It would be desirable to provide a carrier having a transverse handle design which resists the tendency to tear at the ends of the handle and which permits a reduction in the caliper of the paperboard without resulting in an excessively flexible handle structure. Brief Summary of the Invention
This invention provides an improved handle design which overcomes the problems discussed above. The top panel contains a handle opening comprising two spaced edges extending transversely of the folds connecting the side panels to the top panel. Each spaced edge of the handle opening is foldably connected to a flap or tab covering a portion of the handle opening, and one of the spaced edges is located between the midpoint of the top panel and one of the end panels. The top panel further contains slits extending from the ends of the latter mentioned spaced edge, through the folds connecting the side panels to the top panel, and terminating in the upper portions of the side panels.
By this arrangement the slits are offset from the midpoint of the top panel but are still close enough to the midpoint so that the handle opening is generally centrally located. When the carrier is lifted the weight is thus substantially evenly distributed on either side of the handle opening, but the offset slit arrangement acts to decrease the lifting stresses, thus reducing the tendency to tear and permitting the use of thinner paperboard.
These design features can readily be implemented in the standard type of sleeve-type carrier production blank, requiring only minor changes to the blank forming die to provide for new slit and fold lines.
Other features and aspects of the invention will be made clear, as well as the various benefits of the invention, in the more detailed description of the invention which follows.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a plan view of a production blank used to form the carrier of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of a carrier formed from the blank of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial plan view of the handle portion of the top panel of the carrier of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along the length of the carrier through the handle portion, along line 4-4 of FIG. 2, showing the fingers of a user pushing down the tabs covering the handle opening; FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, but showing the fingers lifting up on the package after the tab adjacent the fingers has been folded back;
FIG. 6 is a pictorial representation of the upper portion of the carrier of the present invention, showing the distortion of the handle portion and the upper portions of the side panels when the carrier is lifted along one of the edges of the handle opening; and
FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation similar to that of FIG. 6, but showing the carrier being lifted along the other edge of the handle opening.
Description of the Invention Referring to FIG. 1, a production blank 10 has a central section 12 connected to intermediate sections 14 by score lines 16. End sections 18 are connected to the intermediate sections 14 by score lines 20. When the blank is folded about the score lines 16, the central section 12 becomes the top panel of the carrier and the intermediate sections 14 become the side panels of the carrier. The end sections are dimensioned so that upon being folded about the score lines 20, they overlap each other. Upon being glued in the overlapping region, the attached end sections become the bottom panel of the carrier. Dust flaps 22 are connected to the central section 12 by score lines 24 , and dust flaps 26 are connected to the end sections 18 by score lines 28. End flaps 30 are connected to the intermediate sections 14 by score lines 32 which are aligned with and form a continuation of the score lines 24 and 28. In forming the carrier, the dust flaps 22 and 26 are folded toward each other after the blank has been folded about score lines 16 and 20. Then the end flaps 30 are folded toward each other and adhered by glue to the dust flaps to form the end panels of the carrier.
The resulting carrier 34 is shown in FIG. 2, wherein the top panel 12 corresponds to the central section 12 of the blank 10, the side panels 14 correspond to the intermediate sections 14, and the end panel is formed from end flaps 30. The folds 16, 20, 24 and 32 correspond to score lines 16, 20, 24 and 32 of the blank 10. The bottom panel corresponding to the end sections 18 is not visible in this view.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the top panel is provided with a handle opening 36 . Prior to the carrier being lifted by the handle, the opening is covered by flaps or tabs 38 and 40 which are joined to the top panel by fold lines 42 and 44, respectively. As shown best in FIG. 3, the adjacent edges of the tabs 38 and 40 are connected by spaced narrow segments of paperboard 46 which are adapted to be readily broken by downward pressure of the fingers of a user so as to fold the tabs downwardly into the interior of the carrier about their fold lines 42 and 44. The handle opening is thus preferably covered by the combined tabs to prevent entry of dust and dirt into the carrier.
Still referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and particularly to FIG. 3, the ends of the fold lines 42 and 44 are connected by slits 48 extending transversely of the handle opening 36. The handle opening is thus defined by the fold lines 42 and 44 and the slits 48. Extending from the ends of the fold line 42 and connected to the adjacent ends of the slits 48 are slits 50. The slits 50 extend through the folds 16 and terminate in the upper portions of the side panels 14. If desired, the ends of the slits 50 may terminate in a small arcuate portion, as indicated at 52 in FIGS. 1 and 2, to resist any tendency of the side panels to tear at the ends of the slits 50 upon lifting and carrying the carrier.
As shown in FIG. 1, the adjacent edges of the flaps or tabs 38 and 40 are substantially aligned with the transverse centerline of the carrier. In other words, the adjacent edges of the tabs pass through the midpoint of the top panel 12. Thus the edge 42 of the handle opening and the slits 50 extending therefrom are offset from the midpoint of the top panel, as is the edge 44 of the handle opening.
Referring to FIG. 4, the interior of the carrier 34 is shown as containing beverage cans C. Since the handle opening 36 is located centrally of the carrier, it can be understood that the carrier should be designed so that the row of cans immediately beneath the top panel 12 contains an even number of cans. In this way the handle opening is assured of being located between cans to permit the fingers of a user to penetrate into the space between adjacent cans. For example, the carrier of FIG. 4 could be designed to hold twelve cans arranged in three rows of four cans each, or twenty-four cans arranged in four rows of six cans each. The two cans shown immediately subjacent the handle opening 36 would thus be the two innermost cans in the top row immediately beneath the top panel 12.
Still referring to FIG. 4, the fingers of a user have pressed down against the tabs 38 and 40 sufficiently to break the weak connection between them, resulting in the tab 38 being folded down about its fold line 42 by the tips of the fingers. At .the same time the backs of the fingers have folded the tab 40 down about its fold line 44. As can be seen, because of the offset location of the fold line 42 the tab 38 would strike the nearest can C as the tab is being pivoted about its fold line. At about this point, however, the user lifts upward while at the same time continuing the tab folding action. This produces the result shown in FIG. 5, wherein the top panel adjacent the fold line 42 has been raised and the tab 38, in the space created by the raised panel, has been folded back under the panel 12. The fingers are cushioned by the double thickness of paperboard created by the top panel 12 and the tab 38. The tab 40 simply remains bent down out of the plane of the top panel. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the carrier is lifted in the manner shown in FIG. 5, the lifting stresses cause the folds 16 in the portion of the top panel being upwardly bowed to move inwardly toward each other. This inward movement is made possible by the slits 50 in the side panels 14. Stresses caused by lifting are thus uniformly distributed into the side panels 14 and the folds 16 as evidenced by the upper panel 12 being bowed upwardly in a smooth and uniform manner between the slits 50 and the end panel nearest to the edge 42.
Although it is easier to lift the carrier from the edge 42 than from the edge 44, because the distance from the slits 50 to the nearest end panel is less than the distance from the slits 50 to the opposite end panel, it is of course possible to lift the carrier from the edge 44 as well. In such case, as shown in FIG. 7, the fingers of the user would engage the edge 44, and the folds 16 between the slits 50 and the end panel nearest the edge 44 would be drawn toward each other by the stresses of lifting. In a manner similar to the bowing of the top panel in the example described above, the top panel 12 between the slits 50 and the end panel nearest to the edge 44 would be bowed upwardly, and the stresses of lifting would be distributed throughout the side panels 14 and the folds 16. In the event the carrier is lifted at the edge 44 , the action of the fingers of the user in first depressing the tabs or flaps 40 and 38, then folding tab 40 back up against the underside of the top panel 12 is the same as explained in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5, except that tab 40 is the main tab involved instead of tab 38. In either case, the smooth uniform upward bowing of the top panel indicates a uniform distribution of the lifting stresses, avoiding a concentration of stresses in any one area or point and thus avoiding tearing of the paperboard.
Note that score lines such as those disclosed in the Wood patent need not be included. The slits extending from the offset edge of the handle opening into the upper portions of the side panels permit the uniform distribution of stresses to a degree which makes the use of stress distribution score lines unnecessary.
Although in the preferred embodiment of the invention the adjacent edges of the handle flaps are centrally located in the top panel, it is possible to incorporate the handle arrangement of the present invention in carriers designed to hold an odd number of containers immediately beneath the top panel. In such a case the adjacent flap edges would be located above the space between the cylindrical side walls of adjacent containers and would therefore be offset from the centerline of the top panel. The normal way of lifting the carrier would thus be by the edge which is closest to the end panel nearest the handle opening.
It should now be obvious, after reading the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, that changes to certain specific features of the preferred embodiment can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A sleeve-type article carrier, comprising: a top panel; a bottom panel; side panels foldably connected to the top and bottom panels; end panels closing the opening between the top, bottom and side panels; the top panel containing a handle opening comprising two spaced edges extending transversely of the folds connecting the side panels to the top panel; each spaced edge of the handle opening being foldably connected to a tab covering a portion of the handle opening; one of the spaced edges of the handle opening being located between the midpoint of the top panel and one of the end panels; and the top panel containing slits extending from the ends of said one spaced edge, each slit extending transversely of and through the nearest of the folds connecting the side panels to the top panel, and terminating in the upper portion of the nearest side panel.
2. A sleeve-type article carrier according to claim 1, wherein the other spaced edge of the handle opening is located between the midpoint of the top panel and the other end panel.
3. A sleeve-type article carrier according to claim 2, wherein the spaced edges of the handle opening are substantially equidistant from the midpoint of the top panel.
4. A sleeve-type article carrier according to claim 3, wherein each tab has an edge opposite its folded connection, the tab edges being adjacent each other so that the tabs cover substantially the entire handle opening.
5. A sleeve-type article carrier according to claim 4, wherein the adjacent edges of the tabs are weakly connected to each other so as to be readily separated when the- fingers of a user press down against one of the tabs.
6. A sleeve-type article carrier according to claim 1, wherein the ends of the other spaced edge terminate in the top panel, the top panel containing additional slits extending from the ends of the other spaced edge to the aforesaid transversely extending slits.
7. A sleeve-type article carrier according to claim 6, wherein the additional slits connect the transversely extending slits adjacent the ends of the one spaced edge.
8. A production blank adapted to be formed into a sleeve-type article carrier, comprising: a sheet of generally rectangular shape; the sheet having a central section intended to become the top panel of the carrier, end sections adapted to be connected together to form the bottom panel of the carrier, intermediate sections connected to the central and end sections by score lines and intended to become the side panels of the carrier, and flap sections connected to the intermediate sections by score lines and intended to become the end panels of the carrier; the central section containing a handle opening comprising two spaced edges extending transversely of the score lines connecting the intermediate sections to the central section; each spaced edge of the handle opening being foldably connected to a tab covering a portion of the handle opening; one of the spaced edges of the handle opening being located between the midpoint of the central section and one of the flap sections; and the central section containing slits extending from the ends of said one spaced edge, each slit extending transversely of and through the nearest of the score lines connecting the intermediate sections to the central section, and terminating in the nearest intermediate section.
9. A production blank according to claim 8, wherein the spaced edges of the handle opening are substantially equidistant from the midpoint of the top panel.
10. A production blank according to claim 8, wherein the ends of the other spaced edge terminate in the top panel, the top panel containing additional slits extending from the ends of the other spaced edge to the aforesaid transversely extending slits.
EP88906259A 1987-06-11 1988-05-16 Sleeve-type article carrier Expired - Lifetime EP0318573B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT88906259T ATE95483T1 (en) 1987-06-11 1988-05-16 COVER FOR CARRYING OBJECTS.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US6059387A 1987-06-11 1987-06-11
US60593 1987-06-11

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0318573A1 true EP0318573A1 (en) 1989-06-07
EP0318573A4 EP0318573A4 (en) 1989-10-04
EP0318573B1 EP0318573B1 (en) 1993-10-06

Family

ID=22030501

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88906259A Expired - Lifetime EP0318573B1 (en) 1987-06-11 1988-05-16 Sleeve-type article carrier

Country Status (15)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0318573B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH0755706B2 (en)
KR (1) KR930004965B1 (en)
AU (1) AU600152B2 (en)
BR (1) BR8807091A (en)
CA (1) CA1320183C (en)
DE (1) DE3884764T2 (en)
DK (1) DK173895B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2010766A6 (en)
FI (1) FI93935C (en)
IE (1) IE63024B1 (en)
NO (1) NO174541C (en)
NZ (1) NZ224704A (en)
WO (1) WO1988009750A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA884009B (en)

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SE8900113D0 (en) * 1989-01-13 1989-01-13 Alfa-Laval Separation Ab DEVICE FOR CONVERSION OF KINETIC ENERGY TO PRESSURE ENERGY
US4941624A (en) * 1989-10-05 1990-07-17 Manville Corporation Wrap-around carrier with handle
US4972991A (en) * 1990-03-09 1990-11-27 Manville Corporation Handle for article carrier
IT230548Y1 (en) * 1993-12-03 1999-06-07 Cartotecnica Poligrafica A & G PERFECTED TYPE CARDBOARD BOX
KR970007012Y1 (en) * 1993-12-30 1997-07-11 엘지전자 주식회사 Packing box
US6578736B2 (en) 2001-01-09 2003-06-17 Riverwood International Corporation Carton with an improved dispensing feature
US20040089671A1 (en) 2002-11-07 2004-05-13 The C.W. Zumbiel Company Carton with dispenser
US6918487B2 (en) 2003-02-12 2005-07-19 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Dispensing system for double stack carton
US7614497B2 (en) 2003-10-15 2009-11-10 Graphic Packaging International, Inc. Display/vending carton
GB0510467D0 (en) * 2005-05-23 2005-06-29 Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems Improved carton handle
AU2013299497B2 (en) 2012-08-10 2016-10-27 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Carton with dispenser
AU2013203899A1 (en) * 2012-09-03 2014-03-20 Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc Carton with carrying handle and blank therefor
NZ713710A (en) 2013-05-24 2018-05-25 Graphic Packaging Int Llc Carton for articles
US10384846B2 (en) 2013-05-24 2019-08-20 Graphic Packaging International, Llc Arrangement of containers in a carton
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FI93935B (en) 1995-03-15
EP0318573B1 (en) 1993-10-06
DK173895B1 (en) 2002-02-04
JPH0755706B2 (en) 1995-06-14
NO174541C (en) 1994-05-25
AU600152B2 (en) 1990-08-02
DE3884764T2 (en) 1994-01-27
IE63024B1 (en) 1995-03-22
DK56589D0 (en) 1989-02-08
WO1988009750A1 (en) 1988-12-15
CA1320183C (en) 1993-07-13
NZ224704A (en) 1989-12-21
DK56589A (en) 1989-02-08
FI890636A0 (en) 1989-02-09
KR890701430A (en) 1989-12-20
AU1960188A (en) 1989-01-04
NO174541B (en) 1994-02-14
DE3884764D1 (en) 1993-11-11
NO890512D0 (en) 1989-02-07
JPH02500663A (en) 1990-03-08
FI890636A (en) 1989-02-09
NO890512L (en) 1989-02-07
KR930004965B1 (en) 1993-06-11
ES2010766A6 (en) 1989-12-01
IE881481L (en) 1988-12-11
EP0318573A4 (en) 1989-10-04
BR8807091A (en) 1989-10-17
FI93935C (en) 1995-06-26
ZA884009B (en) 1989-02-22

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