EP1855957A1

EP1855957A1 - Beverage carton with strap type carrying handle

Info

Publication number: EP1855957A1
Application number: EP06720129A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Philippe Marie
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2005-02-02
Filing date: 2006-02-02
Publication date: 2007-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-02
Also published as: US20090014508A1; ES2534485T3; DK1855957T3; GB2422819A; WO2006084009A1; GB0502089D0; EP1855957B1

Abstract

In a carton for beverage containers having a series of main panels (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) for forming a sleeve and having at least a pair of end closure panels (38, 40) for closing the opposed ends of a sleeve, a carrying handle (8) is formed from a strap (98) of material. Each end of the strap is secured between one of said end closure panels and an additional securing panel (65, 65a). Each securing panel is connected to an adjacent end closure panel and folded into overlapping relationship therewith to sandwich the end of the strap so that a strong reinforcement to the carrying handle is provided.

Description

BEVERAGE CARTON WITH STRAP TYPE CARRYING HANDLE

Field of Invention

This invention relates to a carton which is particularly but not only suitable for accommodating beverage containers such as cans and which incorporates a "strap-type" carrying handle which is automatically set up into a position of use as the carton is being closed after having been loaded.

Background of Invention

Beverage cartons which include carrying handles and indeed, strap type carrying handles are known. For example, US 4,166,570 (Lazerand et al) discloses a packaging carton for beverage cans which a strap type handle. The handle strap has a central user portion exposed to view in a handle access aperture in top wall of the carton, extends across the top wall and has opposite ends which terminate in respective ones of a pair of end closure flaps which are hinged to the top wall. The handle strap is reinforced by a separate strip of reinforcing material, for example, a fibrous tape.

WO 97/07031 (Riverwood International Corporation) discloses a packaging carton for beverage cans having a handle strap secured at each end thereof to an outer face of an end panel of the carton between a pair of cuts which extend across the hinge between the top panel and the respective end panel. As the carton is lifted via the handle, the provision of a fold line extend between the pairs of cuts on the top panel allows the portions bounded by the cut lines to deflect inwardly.

EP99945335 discloses a carton for beverage containers which comprises a strap handle wherein the strap is formed from material which is adhered to the inside surface of the carton. It is desirable to improve the adhesion of the strap to the carton, whilst allowing the strap to be free to slide through an aperture in the top panel of the carton. It is also desirable to achieve this using a minimum amount of material to manufacture the carton. The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.

Summary of Invention

A first aspect of the invention provides a carton for beverage containers which carton includes a series of hinged panels forming a sleeve and end closure panels hinged to at least one associated hinged panel for closing, at least in part, the opposite ends of a sleeve, wherein the carton includes handle means by which the carton can be carried, the handle means comprising a strap connected to opposed end panels having a user portion which is in substantially co-planar relationship with one of the hinged panels when in a stored condition, the strap being so connected at its opposite ends to the end closure panels as to provide a surplus of material to enable the user portion to be brought into a position of use wherein ends of the strap remote from the user portion are attached to inwardly dxsplaceable parts of the end closure panels spaced from the one hinged panel and in that intermediate parts between the user portion and the ends which are unattached to the one hinged panel are free to provide the surplus of material, wherein a securing panel is provided to sandwich the strap to provide means for securing the strap.

Preferably, the securing panel is hinged to an end closure panel.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the securing panel is adhered to the end closure panel and to the strap.

Alternatively, a portion of said inwardly displaceable parts is positioned to be located between upper portions of adjacent articles at that end of the carton to provide a stabilizing spacer therebetween.

A second aspect of the invention provides a carton for beverage containers which carton includes a series of hinged panels forming a sleeve and end closure panels hinged to at least one associated hinged panel for closing, at least in part, the opposite ends of a sleeve, wherein the carton includes handle means by which the carton can be carried, the handle means comprising a strap connected to opposed end panels having a user portion which is in substantially co-planar relationship with the one hinged panel when in a stored condition, the strap being so connected at its opposite ends to the end closure panels as to provide a surplus of material wherein ends of the strap remote from the user portion are attached to inwardly displaceable parts of the end closure panels and intermediate parts between the user portion and the ends which are unattached to the one hinged panel are free to provide the surplus of material to enable the user portion to be brought into a position of use, the inwardly displaceable parts each comprising a step, the tread and riser of the step being provided by an end closure panel, wherein a securing panel is provided to sandwich the strap to provide means for securing the strap.

Preferably, the step is positioned to be located between upper portions of adjacent articles at that end of the carton to provide a stabilizing spacer therebetween.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the ends of the strap are attached to inwardly displaceable parts of gusset and/or side panels.

Preferably, the tread abuts a side portion of the article and wherein the riser of the step extends inwardly of and beyond the abutment point between the tread and article side portion thereby to retain the step in a set up condition.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the strap abuts a side portion of the article, the strap being so constructed and arranged to improve the stability of the handle means.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the user portion of the handle strap is connected to a portion of a side wall of the carton.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the user portion is formed from material which is integral with the side wall.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the step is automatically put into its operative position when the gusset panel is folded into its end retaining position. Preferably, the step includes a fold line intermediate the fold lines by which it is hinged to the side panel and to the gusset panel, the step folding in a toggle action along the fold lines when the gusset panel is folded into its end retaining position.

A third aspect of the invention provides a carton for beverage containers which carton includes a series of hinged panels forming a sleeve and end closure panels hinged to at least one associated hinged panel for closing, at least in part, the opposite ends of a sleeve, wherein the carton includes handle means by which the carton can be carried, the handle means comprising a strap connected to opposed end panels having a user portion which is in substantially co-planar relationship with the one hinged panel when in a stored condition, the strap being so connected at its opposite ends to the end closure panels as to provide a surplus of material to enable the user portion to be brought into a position of use, wherein a securing panel is provided to sandwich the strap to provide means for securing the strap.

Preferably, ends of the strap remote from the user portion are attached to inwardly displaceable parts of the end panels and intermediate parts between the user portion and the ends which are unattached to the one hinged panel and free to provide the surplus of material.

Preferably, the inwardly displaceable parts each comprise a step, the tread of which is provided by an end panel and the riser of which is provided by the one hinged panel and wherein the step is positioned to be located between upper portions of adjacent articles at that end of the carton to provide a stabilizing spacer therebetween.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the user portion of the handle strap is connected to a portion of a top wall of the carton.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the central user portion is formed from material which is integral with the top wall. According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the stabilizing step automatically is put into its operative position when the end panel retention means is folded into its end retaining position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Three embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank of a carton according to one embodiment of the invention incorporating a handle strap;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the blank of the carton showing adhesive applied during construction;

FIGURE 3 a plan view of the blank of the carton illustrating sandwiching of the handle strap between two layers of material;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view illustrating folding of the blank during the construction of the carton;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view illustrating a further folding operation performed on the blank during the construction of the carton;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank shown FIGURE 1 ;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the carton shown in FIGURE 6 illustrating the handle structure in a set up condition;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the carton shown in FIGURE 6 illustrating the assess feature removed; FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a carton according to a second embodiment and

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a carton according to a third embodiment.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention

Referring to the drawings, and in particular Figure 1, an article carrier is formed from a unitary blank 10 made from paper board or other suitable foldable sheet material, which can be adapted to accommodate the variety of articles B, for example twenty-four bottles arranged in four rows of six bottles each. It is envisaged the carrier can be adapted to accommodate a different number of bottles according to user requirements.

Turning to the carton blank 10 illustrated in Figure 1, the blank includes a first base panel 12, lower side panel 14, upper side panel 16, top panel 18, second upper side panel 20, second lower side panel 22, hinged one to the next in a longitudinal plane along fold lines 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32 respectively. A glue flap 94 is hinged to base panel 12 along fold line 21.

The blank further comprises an end closure structure 34, 36 including a pair of opposed upper end closure panels (or "adpanels") 38, 40 hinged to top panel 18 along interrupted fold lines 44 and 44a respectively, positioned along the longitudinal edges of top panel 18 and a pair of lower end closure panels 39, 41 hinged to base panel 12 along fold line 43, 45 respectively.

The construction of the blank 10 along the opposing side of the top panel 18 and bottom panel 12 comprises an end closure structure 36 which is similar to end closure structure 34 and therefore like parts at one end of the top panel 18 are designated by reference numerals to like parts of the opposite end with the addition of suffix 'a' and are not described in any greater detail.

The end closure structure 34 includes gusset panels 46 and 48 connected together by panel portion 50 along fold line 55. Gusset panels 46, 48 extend outwardly from upper and lower side panels 20, 22 respectively and connected thereto by fold lines 52, 54. A further overlapping panel 56 is connected to end panel 38 by lateral fold line 30 and to gusset panel 46 along fold line 58. The gusset panels 46, 48 and overlapping panel 56 are adapted to form a corner structure as is well known in the art.

Likewise, the opposing corner of the end closure structure 34 also includes gusset panels 60 and 62 connected together by panel portion 64 along fold line 67. Gusset panels 60, 62 extend outwardly from lower and upper side panels 14, 16 and connected thereto by fold lines 66, 68. A further overlapping panel 70 is connected to upper end panel 38 by lateral fold line 28 and to gusset panel 62 along fold line 72.

The blank 10 further comprises a sandwich panel 65 hinged to upper end closure panel 38 along fold line 63. Whilst it is envisaged that the sandwich panel 65 could be hinged to any free edge of the upper end closure panel 38, the configuration illustrated in Figure 1 utilises material from within the perimeter of the blank 10 in this way the "footprint" of the blank is not increased and therefore does not increase the quantity of material required to form the blank. The sandwich panel 65 is formed from material which would typically be lost as waste and therefore additional paperboard or similar material is not required to form the sandwich panel 65. The sandwich panel 65 is arranged so that it can be secured to the inside face of the end closure panel 38 and thereby sandwich an end of a handle strap 98 so that the handle strap 98 is securely fastened to the carton 11. It is envisaged that the sandwich panel 65 could be connected by a frangible connection rather than a fold line, which frangible connection could be broken upon folding and subsequent adhesion of the sandwich panel 65 to the upper end closure panel 38.

The carton further comprises a handle structure 8 in which the top panel 18 may further comprise a central user portion 74, frangibly connected to the top panel 18. In this embodiment, the central user portion 74 is substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a pair of support panels 76, 78 extending into a central user aperture 79 and connected to the side edges of central user portion along fold lines 80, 82 respectively. The central user aperture 79 is defined by four substantially triangular tabs 79 hinged to the top panel 18, to form a parallelogram which is substantially diamond shaped, however other shapes could be employed. Two tabs 79 separated by a weakened line or cut line are located on opposed sides of a handle strap 98. The handle strap 98 is applied to the inner surface of the blank 10, preferably being secured to the central user portion 74 and the opposed upper end closure panels 38, 40 by glue at glue points G or by other means known in the art. It is further preferred that the handle strap 98 is formed from paper board, laminated paper board, fibrous tape or other suitable plastics material.

The central user portion 74 is connected at each end to support panels 81, 83 by weakened or frangible lines 85, 87 respectively, as shown in Figure 6.

In one class of embodiments, a stabilizing (or bottle neck spacer) flap 84 shown in Figure 1 is struck from the blank in the upper end closure panel 38 so that stabilizing the flap 84 is hinged to that panel, but otherwise cut out from the blank. Likewise, a second stabilizing flap 88 is struck from the other upper end closure panel 40 and is hinged thereto.

Turning to the construction of the carton 11, illustrated in Figures 2-5 the blank 10 requires a series of sequential folding and/or gluing operations which can be performed in a straight line machine so that the carton 11 is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and can be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.

The carton 11 is usually supplied to a bottler in a flat collapsed tubular condition. Glue is applied to upper end closure panels 38, 40 at glue points G as shown in Figure 2, the sandwich panels 65, 65a are folded inwardly of the carton 11 along fold lines 63, 63a respectively as shown in Figure 3; thus the sandwich panel 65 is secured to the handle strap 98 and to the respective upper end closure panel 38, 40. The handle strap 98 is therefore secured to the carton 11 on both sides, which increases the degree of security with which the handle strap 98 is fixed to the carton 11. The additional sandwich panel 65 makes the handle strap 98 more resistant to tearing and shearing forces when being employed by a user. It is envisaged that alternative suitable means, other than glue, could be used to secure the sandwich panels 65, 65a to the upper end closure panels 38, 40 and the handle strap 98. The base panel 12 is connected to lower side panel 22 by securing the glue flap 94 to the lower side panel 22 by glue or other suitable means. In order to set up the carton 11, the sides and top 18 and base 12 panels are separated to form a tubular structure, as is well known.

Thereafter, articles B are loaded into the part constructed carton 11 and the end closure structure 34, 36 is formed. In the first embodiment, the upper end closure panels 38 and 40 are folded downwardly at each end of the sleeve formed by the wrap around folding action. Gusset panels 46, 48, 56 and 60, 62, 70 are folded inwardly about fold lines 52, 54 and 66, 68 respectively whereby gusset panels 46, 48, 60, 62 come into face to face relationship with side panels 22, 20 and 14, 16 respectively. Panels 56, 70 come into face to face contact with their respective adjacent gusset panels 46, 62.

Optionally, the faces of gusset flaps 46, 62 in contact with upper side panels 16, 20 respectively may be secured together by means known in the art to hold the upper end closure panels 38, 40 in place. Thereafter, lower end closure panels 39, 41 are folded about fold lines 43, 45 and into abutment with upper end closure panels 38, 40 and are secured together by glue or other means known in the art. The end closure structures of the second and third embodiments are formed in a substantially identical manner and construction thereof is not therefore described in any greater detail.

The arrangement of the gusset panels 46, 48, 60 and 62 requires the ends of the carton 11 to be closed by first folding the upper end closure panel 38 before folding the lower end closure panel 39. The lower end closure panel 39 is therefore adhered or secured by other means to the outer laminated face of the upper end closure panel 38. Sandwiching of the end of the handle strap 98 between the upper and lower end closure panels cannot therefore be achieved which is why the arrangements of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, hence the provision of an additional securing sandwich panel 65 is advantageous. Adhering to a laminated face of paperboard material often provides a weaker bond, whereas in the arrangement of the present invention it is the plain inner faces of the upper end closure panel 38 and sandwich panel 65 that are secured together and this provides a stronger bond in which the handle strap 98 ends are secured. Additionally the present arrangements allow the carton 11 to be formed in a packaging machine where the upper and closure panels is folded prior to folding of the lower end closure panel.

The sandwich panel 65, 65a as shown in Figure 1, may be applied to cartons of alternative configurations. Figures 9 and 10 each illustrate a possible alternative embodiment. The second embodiment shown in Figure 9 corresponds substantially to the first embodiment and therefore like parts are designated by reference numerals which are prefixed with the numeral "2". Only those parts of the second embodiment which differ from the first embodiment are hereinafter described. Thus, a stabilizing (or bottle neck spacer) flap 284 shown in Figure 9 is struck from the blank, in the upper end closure panel 238 and the top panel 218 so that the flap 288 is hinged to the upper end closure panel 288 and to the top panel 218 about fold line 286a, but otherwise cut out from the blank. Flap 288, preferably comprises a tread panel 285a and a riser panel 287a, connected together along fold line 289a, which panels are adapted during carton construction to define a step (or keel element).

The carton further comprises a handle structure 208 in which the top panel 218 may further comprise a central user portion 274, frangibly connected to the top panel 218. In this embodiment, the central user portion 274 is substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a pair of support panels 276, 278 extending into a central user aperture 279 and connected to the side edges of central user portion along fold lines 280, 282 respectively. Additionally, a handle strap not shown in Figure 9 can be applied to the inner surface of the carton 211, being secured to the central user portion 274 and the opposed end closure panels 238, 240 by glue at glue points (not shown) or by other means known in the art. Preferably, the handle strap is also glued, or otherwise secured, to the tread panels 285a, 287a. It is further preferred the handle strap is formed from paper board, laminated paper board, fibrous tape or other suitable plastics material.

The third embodiment shown in Figure 10 corresponds substantially to the first and second embodiments in many respects and therefore, where possible, like parts are designated by numerals which are prefixed with the numeral "3". Turning to the carton 311 illustrated in

Figure 10, this carton includes a base panel, lower side panel 314 , upper side panel 316, top panel 318, second upper panel, second lower side panel, hinged one to the next in a longitudinal plane along fold lines.

The carton further comprises one or more end closure structures 334, 336 including a pair of opposed upper ends closure panels (or "adpanels"), 338 as shown in Figure 10, hinged to top panel 318 along fold lines, positioned along the opposing longitudinal edges of top panel 318. In this embodiment, the end closure structures 334, 336 also include a pair of lower end closure panels, 339 as shown in figure 10, hinged to the base panel by a fold line formed along the opposed longitudinal edges of base panel.

Each end closure structure 334, 336 may also include gusset panels 360, 362 connected together by panel portions. Gusset panels extend outwardly from lower 314 and upper side panels 316 respectively and are connected thereto by fold lines. A further overlapping panel is connected to upper end panels by a lateral fold line and to gusset panel along a further fold line. The gusset panels and overlapping panel are adapted to form a corner structure, as is well known in the art.

The construction along the opposing side of the top panel and bottom, which includes a second end closure structure, is similar and therefore, like parts at one end of the top panel are designated by reference numerals to like parts of the opposite end, but with the addition of suffix 'a' and are not therefore described in any greater detail.

One or more handle flaps 384, 388, shown in Figure 10, are struck from the carton, which in this embodiment is formed from the gusset panel 360 and/or side panel 314, so that the flap 384 is hinged to the gusset panel 360 and preferably to the side panel 314 about a fold line, but is otherwise cut out from the blank by opposed cut lines in substantially parallel spaced arrangement. Flap 384, preferably comprises a tread panel 387 and a riser panel 389, connected together along fold line 391, which panels are adapted during carton construction to define a step (or keel element). In this embodiment the tread panel 387 is separated from the gusset panel 360 by panel 385 and hinged thereto along fold line 390 described'in more detail below. Preferably, the handle flap 384 is separated from gusset panel 360 and lower side panel 314 by apertures 393, 395 to make it easier for the flaps to be folded out of alignment with the gusset panel 360 and lower side panel 314.

The side panel 314 may further comprise a user portion 374, frangibly connected to the side panel 314 along frangible lines 375 and positioned in a central region of the side panel. In this embodiment, the user portion 374 is substantially rectangular in shape and comprises a pair of support panels 376, 378 extending into a central user aperture 379 and connected to the side edges of central user portion by fold lines.

Additionally, a handle strap can be applied to the inner surface of the carton 310, preferably being secured to the user portion 374 and the opposed end closure panels by glue or other means known in the art. Preferably, the handle strap is also glued to the tread panels 385, 387 of each step. It is further preferred that the handle strap is formed from paper board, laminated paper board, fibrous tape or other suitable plastics material.

Along the opposed lateral edges of user portion 374, there may further comprise a handle tab 400 struck from lower side panel 314 by lateral cut lines 402, 404. In use the handle tabs 400 guide the handle strap when displaced outwardly.

Cut lines 406 struck from lower end panels 339 and 341 may be included to co-operate with handle flaps 384, 384a.

In another class of embodiments, the handle structure may comprise one or more handle flaps (not shown) struck from the gusset panel 360 or other suitable panel so that the flap is hinged to that panel along one edge but is otherwise cut out from the blank in a manner similar to the first embodiment. Likewise a second flap could be struck from the opposing gusset panel

360a or other suitable panels and be hingedly connected thereto. A handle strap would be secured to the opposing handle flaps and preferably a user portion, but would otherwise be unconnected to the blank. Thus, the cartons of the first, second and third embodiments are in a set up and loaded condition as shown in Figures 3, 9 and 10 respectively. The first embodiment advantageously allows the top and the end of the carton 11 to remain intact thereby improving the structural integrity of the carton 11 during handling and storage, caused in part because the fold lines connecting the top and upper side panels are continuous.

The embodiment shown in Figure 10 allows the top of the carton 311 to remain intact and thereby also improves the structural integrity of the carton during handling and storage, again caused in part because the fold lines connecting the top and upper side panels are continuous.

In order to form the handle structure 8 in the first embodiment, illustrated in figure 7, the central user portion 74 can be detached from the top panel 18 whereby at least a portion of the handle strap 98 stands proud of the top panel 18. The first and second end flaps 84, 88, to which handle strap 98 is connected are able to move inward of the end closure structures so that the central user portion 74 can be extended above the top panel 18. The sandwich panel 65 is sized such that it does not overlap the flaps 84, 88 which would restrict there movement and possibly prevent the extension of the central user portion 74 above the top panel 18. The support panels 76, 78 are folded under the handle strap, such that the central user portion 74 is wrapped around the strap, the central user portion 74 provides a cushion for the handle strap 98. Further, the central user portion 74 is designed for ease of use.

In the second embodiment, the handle is formed by folding each of the stabilising (or bottle neck spacer) flaps 288. Flaps 288 are formed with cut lines 292a, 294a preferably divergent from fold line 289a and cut lines 293a, 295a intermediate and substantially perpendicular to fold lines 286a and 289a about which flaps can fold in a toggle action to define a step at each end of the top panel 18. This action can occur automatically upon folding the end closure panels which brings the flaps into their operative position in which the flaps are displaced out of the plane of the top panel inwardly of the carton. Optionally, cut lines 292a, 294a; 293a, 295 a are shaped to define a shaped edge adapted to cooperate with a neck portion of an article. Once displaced the, or each, stabilizing flap 288 is disposed between neck portions of adjacent rows of articles within the package to assist in maintaining the articles in their correct upright positions within the package, particularly to prevent the articles topping inwardly whereas the end closure panels prevent the bottles toppling end wise of the package.

In order to form the handle of the third embodiment as illustrated in Figure 13 the user portion 374 can be detached from the side panel 314 and, the handle is then formed automatically by folding each of the handle flaps 384. More particularly, a keel structure is formed by folding panels 385, 387 and 389 inwardly of gusset panel 360 such that tread panel 385, 387 and riser panel 389 are substantially perpendicular or more preferably in an acute angular relationship. Thus, the flaps 384 can fold in a toggle action to define a step at each end of the lower side panel 314. This action can occur automatically when a user pulls on the handle strap which brings the flaps into their operative position by which the flaps are displaced out of the plane of the top panel inwardly of the carton. Once displaced, the or each panel 385 abuts the product. Advantageously, the strap is held between the carton and the sandwich panel by the product which permits additional resistance.

In other embodiments, the keel structures may be so formed to allow the tread panel 385, 387 to abut the article. Preferably, once the step is formed and the tread and riser panels are folded into perpendicular (or angular) relationship, they are so constructed to be held in place. More preferably, when the user forms the step, it is "overcentre" of a notional plane between the tangential point of contact between the article and strap and the fold line between the riser and side panel and therefore is prevented from collapsing back to a co-planar relationship with the side and gusset panels. In some embodiments, this is achieved because the tread panel 387 and/or riser panel 389 is greater in length than the distance "d" between the side panel 314 and the article A.

One advantage of this arrangement of handle structure is that the handle structure is more rigid and once the user portion has been separated from the side panel it continues to protrude beyond the side panel whilst providing a handle strap that can be shaped to the contour of the outermost article A carried by the carton.

When the carrier of any of the embodiments is in use there is a tendency for the handle strap to draw the end closure structures inwardly thereby to improve the integrity of the carton and providing a self tightening effect. Furthermore, in those embodiments where the strap and/or tread and riser flaps are positioned between neck portions of adjacent bottles, the stability of the carton is improved due to support from the articles.

Advantageously, the preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrate a carton having a strap handle type, the strap being reinforced by a separate strap formed from material at one end of the blank from which the carton is formed. The handle strap is connected to a handle and has a user portion exposed to view in a handle access aperture but which is otherwise disposed internally of the carton.

The carton is set up as an open-ended sleeve for loading and is then end-loaded where after the carton is completed by closure of the end closure panel. The end closure panel closing has an effect on the disposition of the handle strap. As the top end closure panels are folded into their closing positions the handle strap becomes slack into a position ready for use. When the carton is lifted by the central user portion of the handle strap, the strap bows upwardly and protrudes through the handle access aperture proud of the top/side wall. The load is transmitted from the handle strap to the end wall of the carton at each of the opposite ends of the handle access aperture and is distributed through the end wall. The sandwich panel 65,65a allows the load to be distributed across two layers of the carton material, each disposed on opposite side of the strap thereby increasing the security of the handle strap to the end closure panels.

The present invention and its preferred embodiment relate to an article carrier which is shaped to provide satisfactory strength to hold articles securely but with a degree of flexibility so that load transfer to the handle is absorbed by the carrier. The shape of the blank minimises the amount of paper board required and the carrier can be applied to an array of articles by hand or automatic machinery. It is anticipated that the invention can be applied to a variety of carrier and is not limited to the wrap around type. For example the top panel 18, side panels 14, 16, 20, 22 and end closure structure 34, 36 of the aforementioned carton can be applied to other carton types for example top gripping cartons, without departing from the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art the features of the three embodiments described may be used in any combination, for example the second embodiment may incorporate the keel structures disclosed in the first and third embodiments.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A carton for beverage containers, the carton including a series of hinged panels forming a sleeve, a pair of opposed end closure panels hinged to one of said hinged panels for closing, at least in part, opposed ends of said sleeve, and a handle structure by which the carton can be carried, said handle structure comprising a handle strap connected to said opposed end closure panels, the handle strap having a user portion which is in substantially co-planar relationship with said one hinged panel when in a stored condition, said user portion being disposed between opposite ends of the handle strap, the handle strap being so connected at said opposite ends to said opposed end closure panels as to provide a surplus of material to enable said user portion to be brought into a position of use, wherein the handle strap has intermediate parts between said user portion and said opposite ends, wherein said intermediate parts are unattached to said one hinged panel and are free to provide said surplus of material, and wherein a securing panel is provided for at least one of said opposite ends such that said at least one of said opposite ends is sandwiched by said securing panel and an adjacent one of said opposed end closure panels to be securely connected to said adjacent one of said opposed end closure panels.

2. A carton according to claim 1 wherein the securing panel is hinged to said adjacent one of said opposed end closure panels.

3. A carton according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the securing panel is adhered to said handle strap and to said adjacent one of said opposed end closure panels.

4. A carton according to claim 1 wherein said opposite ends of said handle strap are attached to inwardly displaceable parts of said opposed end closure panels.

5. A carton according to claim 4 wherein a portion of each of said inwardly displaceable parts is positioned to be located between adjacent articles at a respective one of said opposed ends of said sleeve to provide a stabilizing spacer between said adjacent articles.

6. A carton for beverage containers, wherein the carton includes a series of hinged panels forming a sleeve, a pair of opposed end closure panels hinged to one of said hinged panels for closing, at least in part, opposite ends of said sleeve, and handle means for facilitating lifting of the carton, said handle means comprising a strap connected to said opposed end closure panels, the strap having a user portion which is in substantially co- planar relationship with said one hinged panel when in a stored condition, the strap being so connected at its opposite ends to said opposed end closure panels as to provide a surplus of material, wherein opposite ends of the strap are remote from the user portion and are attached to inwardly displaceable parts of said opposed end closure panels, wherein the strap has intermediate parts between the user portion and said opposite ends, wherein said intermediate parts are unattached to said one hinged panel and are free to provide said surplus of material to enable said user portion to be brought into a position of use, said inwardly displaceable parts each comprising a step which includes a tread and a riser, the tread and riser each step being provided by a respective one of said opposed end closure panels, and wherein a securing panel is provided to sandwich the strap to provide means for securing the strap.

7. A carton according to claim 6 wherein each of the steps is positioned to be located between a pair of adjacent articles at a respective one of said opposed ends of said sleeve to provide a stabilizing spacer between said adjacent articles.

8. A carton according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said opposed end closure panels comprises a pair of opposed gusset panels.

9. A carton according to claim 8 wherein the tread of each of the steps abuts a side portion of an article and wherein the riser of said each step extends inwardly of the carton beyond an abutment point between the tread and the side portion thereby to retain said each step in a set up condition.

10. A carton according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the strap abuts a side portion of an article, the strap being so constructed and arranged to improve the stability of the handle means.

11. A carton according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said user portion of the strap is connected to a portion of said one hinged panel.

12. A carton according to any one of claims 10 to 11 wherein said user portion at least in part is formed from material which is integral with said one hinged panel.

13. A carton according to any one of claims 8 to 12 wherein said each step is automatically put into a operative position when the gusset panels are folded into an end retaining position.

14. A carton according to claim 13 wherein said each step includes a first fold line intermediate second and third fold lines by which said each step is hinged to said one hinged panel and to a respective one of said gusset panels, said each step folding in a toggle action along said first, second and third fold lines when said respective gusset panel is folded into an end retaining position.

15. A carton for beverage containers, wherein the carton includes a series of hinged panels forming a sleeve, a pair of opposed end closure walls for closing, at least in part, opposed ends of said sleeve, and handle means for facilitating lifting of the carton, said handle means comprising a strap connected to said end closure walls, the strap having a user portion which is in substantially co-planar relationship with one of said hinged panels when in a stored condition, the strap being so connected at opposite ends thereof to said end closure walls as to provide a surplus of material to enable said user portion to be brought into a position of use, wherein a securing panel is provided to sandwich the strap to provide means for securing the strap.

16. A carton according to claim 15 wherein said opposite ends of the strap are remote from said user portion and are attached to inwardly displaceable parts of said the end closure walls, the strap having intermediate parts between said user portion and said opposite ends, said intermediate parts are unattached to said one hinged panel and free to provide said surplus of material.

17. A carton according to claim 16 wherein said inwardly displaceable parts each comprises a step that include a tread and riser, the tread of each step is provided by an end panel of a respective one of said end closure walls and the riser of each step is provided by said one hinged panel, and wherein each step is positioned to be located between a pair of adjacent articles at a respective one of said opposed ends of said sleeve to provide a stabilizing spacer therebetween.

18. A carton according to any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein said user portion of the strap is connected to a portion of said one hinged panel that comprises a top wall of the carton.

19. A carton according to any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein said user portion is formed at least in part from material which is integral with said one hinged panel.

20. A carton according to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein said each step automatically is put into an operative position when said end panels are folded into an end retaining position.

21. A carton according to claim 20 wherein said each step includes a first fold line intermediate second and third fold lines by which said each step is hinged to said one hinged panel and to a respective one of said end panels, said each step folding in a toggle action along said first, second and third fold lines when said end panels are folded into an end retaining position.

22. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprises a series of hinged panels for forming a sleeve, a pair of opposed end closure panels hinged to one of said hinged panels, and handle means comprising a strap connected to said opposed end closure panels, the strap having a user portion which is in substantially co-planar relationship with said one hinged panel, the strap being connected at opposite ends thereof to said opposed end closure panels, wherein said opposite ends of the strap are remote from said user portion, wherein the strap has intermediate parts between said user portion and said opposite ends, said intermediate parts are unattached to said one hinged panel and are free to provide a surplus of material when the carton is in use, wherein a securing panel is provided as a means for securing the strap to the carton in a set up carton.

23. A blank according to claim 23 wherein said opposite ends of the strap are attached to inwardly displaceable parts of said opposed end closure panels, said inwardly displaceable parts being spaced from said one hinged panel.

24 A blank according to claim 23 wherein said securing panel is provided for at least one of said opposite ends of the strap such that said at least one of said opposite ends is sandwiched by said securing panel and an adjacent one of said opposed end closure panels to be securely connected to said adjacent one of said opposed end closure panels.