EP1893498A1

EP1893498A1 - Carton with reinforced end handles

Info

Publication number: EP1893498A1
Application number: EP06773104A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Aaron Rates; Thomas A. MeadWestvaco Corporation BOSHINSKI
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2005-06-13
Filing date: 2006-06-13
Publication date: 2008-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-13
Also published as: ATE529343T1; RU2007149050A; ES2375638T3; EP1893498B1; WO2006135918A1

Abstract

A reinforced handle is provided in an end wall closure of a sleeve type carton by forming a handle aperture (636a) in a top end flap (620a), and by aligning the handle aperture with corresponding cutouts (644a, 652a) formed in respective side end flaps (624a, 632a). Each cutout is reinforced with one or more reinforcing panels (664a, 660a) that align with at least its weight bearing edge. Each reinforcing panel is hingedly attached to the respective side end flap to be foldable along the hinged connection (667a, 662a) and secured in a face contacting arrangement, whereby the reinforcing panel overlies the cutout as an overlay panel, or aligns its edge with the weight bearing edge of the cutout.

Description

CARTON WITH REINFORCED END HANDLES

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates generally to a carton having a reinforced integrated handle opening in an end wall, and particularly, to a carton formed from a single blank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Carton manufacturers often face the challenge of providing a carton having ergonomic handle openings that are sufficiently strong to withstand the stress generated by the weight of articles enclosed. This is particularly so when the handle is integral to the end wall of the carton and when the burst strength of the material comprising the end wall is insufficient to avoid failure of the handle and the end wall itself. One approach to resolving this quandary is to construct the carton from a stronger material such as corrugated board or from a sheet of material of a relatively higher caliper. As fully enclosed cartons typically have six walls (top, sides, bottom, and ends) that are formed from a single sheet of material, and cost tends to increase according to the strength and thickness of material used to construct the carton walls, this approach is an expensive one because it effectively amounts to reinforcing all of the walls of the carton irrespective of the relative magnitude of the forces borne by each wall.

[0003] According to another approach, additional material is applied to or around the handle as needed to its integrity as well as that of the end wall. For instance, a handle aperture in a carton end wall may be reinforced by outlining its edges with an additional layer of sheet material. However, it is often preferable to form a carton from a single sheet of material rather than to attach additional components to a carton or carton blank. [0004] What is needed is a carton that is formed from a single blank, and which provides a reinforced integrated handle opening disposed in an end wall, where the carton walls are efficiently constructed without wasting expensive material in carton walls that are less likely to fail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The various embodiments of the present invention overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a sleeve type carton formed from a single sheet of paperboard or other foldable sheet material, the carton having a handle opening disposed in an end wall, wherein at least the weight bearing portion of the periphery of the handle opening is reinforced by three layers of sheet material.

[0006] More specifically, the various embodiments of the exemplary carton include a top panel, a first side panel hingedly connected to the top panel, a bottom panel hingedly connected to the first side panel, a second side panel hingedly connected to the bottom panel, and at least one end closure. The end closure is formed from a top end flap hingedly connected to the top panel, the top end flap including a handle opening disposed therethrough. The end closure also includes side end flaps hingedly connected to the first and second side panels respectively, each side end flap including a cutout disposed at an outer edge or as an endless edged aperture, the cutout having dimensions complementary to the dimensions of at least part of the handle opening. Each side end flap also includes a reinforcing panel having a reinforcing edge, the reinforcing panel being foldable to place its reinforcing edge in reinforcing proximity to the respective cutout. The top end flap is foldable to at least partially overlie the first and second side end flaps so that the handle opening in the top end flap is in registry with the cutouts in the first and second side end flaps.

[0007] In one embodiment, each side end flap includes a notched cutout disposed at an outer edge, the notched cutout having dimensions complementary to the dimensions of at least part of the handle opening. An overlay panel hingedly connected along a transverse edge of each side end flap includes a complementary notched cutout. The overlay panel is foldable along the transverse edge into a face contacting arrangement with the side end flap, such that the cutout in the overlay panel is in registry with the cutout in the side end flap. Each side end flap also includes a reinforcing panel having a reinforcing edge, the reinforcing panel being foldable to place its reinforcing edge in reinforcing proximity to the cutouts in the respective side end flaps and overlay panels, thereby creating a notched cutout that is three plies thick along the hand-engaging portion. The side end flaps at an end of the erected carton are folded inwardly such that the outer edges abut one another and the respective three-ply notched cutouts align to approximate the shape of the handle opening. The top end flap is foldable to at least partially overlie the first and second side end flaps and overlay panels so that the handle opening in the top end flap is in registry with the three-ply notched cutouts in the first and second side end flaps, creating a handle section that is four plies thick along its hand engaging portion. [0008] In an alternative embodiment, each overlay panel is hingedly connected to the respective side end flap along the outer longitudinal edge of the side end flap and includes a cutout that is a mirror image of the cutout in the side end flap. Together, the cutouts in the overlay panel and the adjacent side end flap form an endless edged aperture that is bisected by the outer edge of the side end flap, which is defined by a fold line.

[0009] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the blank of FIG. 1 , with reinforcing panels folded over and secured to the side end flaps.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line Ill-Ill in FIG. 2, showing an exemplary reinforcing panel in face contacting arrangement with a side end flap.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a partially erected carton formed from the blank of FIGs. 1 and 2, prior to sealing one of its end closures. [0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 4, in fully erected condition.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a partially erected carton formed from the blank of FIG. 6.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the blank of FIG. 8, with overlay panels and reinforcing panels folded over and secured to the side end flaps. [0019] FIG. 10 is an end view taken along the line X-X in FIG. 9, showing an exemplary overlay panel and an exemplary reinforcing panel in face contacting arrangement with a side end flap.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a partially erected carton formed from the blank of FIG. 8, prior to sealing one of its end closures. [0021] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a fourth alternative embodiment of a blank for forming a carton with reinforced end handles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples to illustrate aspects of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0023] Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments of a carton having reinforced end handles. The exemplary embodiments of the carton of the present invention are for enclosing, carrying, and dispensing articles such as beverage cans or bottles, although the cartons of the present invention may be utilized to package any suitable article. Generally described, the exemplary cartons are formed from a foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, plastic, or the like. [0024] Referring now to FIG. 1 , to manufacture the first exemplary carton 200, blank 100 is cut from a single sheet of the foldable sheet material, although it is contemplated that the blank 100 may include several separate panels that are secured together. The inside surface the blank 100 is shown. The blank 100 includes four major panels, namely, a top panel 102, a first side panel 104, a bottom panel 106, and a second side panel 108. The panels 102, 104, 106, 108 are hingedly connected to one another along the length of the blank. More specifically, a side edge of top panel 102 is hingedly connected along fold line 110 to a side edge of first side panel 104. A side edge of first side panel 104 is hingedly connected along fold line 112 to a side edge of bottom panel 106. A side edge of bottom panel 106 is hingedly connected along fold line 114 to a side edge of second side panel 108. The other side edge of top panel 102 is hingedly connected along fold line 118 to an edge flap 116, although any means for securing the second side panel 108 to the top panel 102 together may be used.

[0025] Each of the panels 102, 104, 106, 108 is also hingedly attached at each end edge thereof to end flaps for forming end closures at each end of the erected carton 200, as will be described in greater detail below. Top panel 102 is hingedly connected to top end flaps 120a, 120b at end edges defined by fold lines 122a, 122b. First side panel 104 is hingedly connected to first side end flaps 124a, 124b along end edges defined by fold lines'! 26a, 126b. Bottom panel 106 is hingedly connected to bottom end flaps 128a, 128b along end edges defined by fold lines 130a, 130b. Second side end panel 108 is hingedly connected to second side end flaps 132a, 132b along end edges defined by fold lines 134a, 134b.

[0026] To provide the reinforced end handles H (best shown in FIG. 5) on each end of the carton 200, handle openings having complementary dimensions and positions are provided in at least some of the end flaps. More specifically: top end flaps 120a, 120b include handle openings 136a, 136b; first side end flaps 124a, 124b include handle openings 144a, 144b; and second side end flaps 132a, and 132b include handle openings 152a, 152b, respectively.

[0027] Each of the handle openings 136a, 136b, 144a, 144b, 152a, 152b is an aperture defined by an endless edge (138a, 138b, 150a, 150b, 154a, 154b, respectively) that defines an ergonomic shape suitable for receiving the fingers of a user's hand so that the carton 200 can be lifted and carried easily. In the embodiment shown, the shape chosen includes an upper arch that conforms to the fingers of a hand. As depicted, the upper arch is defined by fold lines 142a, 142b, 148a, 148b, 158a, 158b, which enable cushioning flaps 140a, 140b, 146a, 146b, 156a, 156b to fold inward to cushion the fingers of the user's hand. Each handle opening 136a, 136b, 144a, 144b, 152a, 152b is elongated so as to have an axis of elongation A, A', A". The axes of elongation A of the handle openings 136a, 136b in the top end flaps 120a, 120b are substantially parallel to the end edges of the top panel 102 as defined by fold lines 122a, 122b, although it is contemplated that axes A may be disposed at an angle with respect to fold lines 122a, 122b. The axes of elongation A' of the handle openings 144a, 144b in the first side end flaps 124a, 124b are substantially perpendicular to the axes of elongation A, and thus in the exemplary embodiment, are also perpendicular to the end edges of the first side panel 104 as defined by fold lines 126a, 126b. The axes of elongation A" of the handle openings 152a, 152b in the second side end flaps 132a, 132b are also substantially perpendicular to the axes of elongation A, and thus in the exemplary embodiment, are similarly perpendicular to the end edges of the second side panel 108 as defined by fold lines 134a, 134b.

[0028] Each set of handle openings 136, 144, 152 also has a lateral axis B, B', B" that is perpendicular to axis of elongation A, A', A", the handle openings being symmetrical about the lateral axes.

[0029] As mentioned above, the handle openings 136a, 144a, 152a have complementary shapes, dimensions, and positions so as to be placed in registry with one another when the end flaps 120a, 124a, 132a are folded to overlie, overlap, or abut one another to form a first end closure 210 (shown in FIG. 3). Similarly, handle openings 136b, 144b, 152b are complementarily shaped, dimensioned, and positioned so as to be placed in registry with one another when end flaps 120b, 124b, 132b are folded to overlie, overlap, or abut one another to form a second end closure 212 (shown in FIG. 3).

[0030] The dimensions and shapes of the end flaps 120a, 124a, 132a also correlate to be foldable to provide a composite end closure 210 with a reinforced end handle H. The width X of first side end flaps 124a, 124b and second side end flaps 132a, 132b, as defined by the distance from fold lines 126a, 126b, 134a, 134b to the outer edges of the respective end flap is no greater than the lesser of either the length Y of the end edges of top panel 102, as defined by fold lines 122a, 122b or the length Z of the end edges of the bottom panel 106, as defined by fold lines 130a, 130b. The end edges of the bottom panel 106 may be substantially equal in length to the end edges of the top panel 102, thereby creating a carton with a substantially rectangular tubular cross section. Alternatively, the end edges of top panel 102 may differ in length from the end edges of bottom panel 106, thereby creating an carton with a substantially trapezoidal cross section or a gabled tubular cross section (not shown) having shoulders, as is known in the art. The trapezoidal or gabled cross section with a relatively larger base is particularly useful to enclose tapered articles such as beer bottles.

[0031] The exemplary carton 200 may be erected around an article or group of articles, or may be at least partially erected and then loaded and sealed. To facilitate an understanding of the configuration of the carton 200, one of potentially many contemplated techniques for erecting the carton 200 will now be described as a series of steps that may be performed substantially simultaneously or in any practical order, with some or all of the steps being performed either manually or automatically, such as by a packaging machine. [0032] The exemplary process of erecting the carton is performed in two stages. The first stage is performed typically as part of the process of manufacturing the carton 200. In the first stage, a blank is cut, folded and then secured into a flattened tubular condition so that it can be shipped to a packing facility as a sleeve. The following are the details: In plant equipment (IPE) at the manufacturing site cuts the blank 100 from a single sheet of foldable sheet material as described above, and cut, scores, imprints or otherwise defines fold lines, severance lines, and cutout sections. For instance, the edges 138a, 138b, 150a, 150b, 154a, 154b of handle openings 136a, 136b, 144a, 144b, 152a, 152b may be defined by weakened severance lines enabling the center sections to be punched out, or the 138a, 138b, 150a, 150b, 154a, 154b may be defined by cut lines with the center sections being removed and discarded before the carton 200 is erected.

[0033] After the blank 100 is cut out in the form shown in FIG. 1, adhesive or other means for securing is applied to the inside surface of an portion 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b of side end flap 124a, 124b, 132a, 132b. The portions 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b will hereinafter be referred to as reinforcing panels 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b. Each reinforcing panel 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b is defined by the end edge of respective side end flap 124a, 124b, 132a, 132b, to which the reinforcing panel 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b is connected along the respective fold line 164a, 164b, 166a, 166, which bisects the respective handle opening 144a, 144b, 152a, 152b, coinciding with the lateral axes thereof. In alternative embodiments, reinforcing panels may be separate pieces of sheet material that are applied as laminates to the side end flaps. Then, at or about the same time: reinforcing panel 160a is folded so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the inside surface of side end flap 124a; reinforcing panel 160b is folded so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the inside surface of side end flap 124b; reinforcing panel 162a is folded so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the inside surface of side end flap 132a; and reinforcing panel 162b is folded so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the inside surface of side end flap 132b. By this means, the reinforcing panels 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b are secured to the underlying portions of the inside surfaces of side end flap 124a, 124b, 132a, 132b respectively. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing reinforcing panel 162a and side end flap 132a, to aid in understanding the relationship between each of the reinforcing panels and the respective side end flap.

[0034] At this point, the blank 100 is configured as shown in FIG. 2. By folding reinforcing panels 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b over onto respective side end flaps 124a, 124b, 132a, 132b, the handle openings 144a, 144b, 152a, 152b become doubly reinforced cutouts C. The doubling of the material around each cutout C is demonstrated by the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, which is taken along Ill-Ill in FIG. 2. The first phase of the process is completed by applying adhesive or other securing means to the outside surface of edge flap 116, folding edge flap 116 so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the inside surface of top panel 102, and folding the entire blank 100 along fold line 112 so that the inside surface of top panel 102 is in face contacting arrangement with the inside surface of second side panel 108 and the outside surface of edge flap 116 is secured to the inside surface of second side panel 108.

[0035] The second stage of erecting the carton 200 may be performed at a bottling or packaging facility. The flattened blanks 100 are loaded into a packaging machine, which in known fashion, disposes top panel 102 opposite bottom panel 106 and disposes first side panel 104 opposite second side panel 108 so that the carton 200 is configured as a tubular sleeve having a substantially rectangular as shown in FIG.4, although trapezoidal or gabled cross sections are also contemplated. Thus, top panel 102 becomes top wall 202, first side panel 104 becomes first side wall 204, bottom panel 106 becomes bottom wall 206, and second side panel 108 becomes second side wall 208.

[0036] Articles are loaded into the carton 200 through one or both of the now open ends, and then the ends are sealed. The ends of the carton 200 are substantially identical, with similar parts being identified using the same element number modified by the suffix "a" or "b", where element numbers ending in "a" are associated with end closure 210, and elements identified with "b" are associated with end closure 212. Accordingly, formation of only one of the end closures 210, 212 will be described in detail below.

[0037] As can be seen in FIG. 4, first side panel 124a and second side panel 132a are folded toward the interior of the carton 200 until fold lines 164a and 166a abut or overlap slightly. In this manner, the cutouts C corresponding to handle openings 144a and 152a come together to approximate the dimensions of handle opening 136a. It should be noted that handle opening 136a may be relatively larger or smaller to account for slight variations in alignment. Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of bottom end flap 128a, and bottom end flap 128a is folded toward the interior of the carton 200 so that its inside surface is secured in a face contacting arrangement to the lower portions of the outside surfaces of side end flaps 124a, 132a. Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of top end flap 128a, and top end flap 128a is folded toward the interior of the carton 200 so that its inside surface is secured in a face contacting arrangement to the upper portions of the outside surfaces of side end flaps 124a, 132a. Top end flap 120a may overlap bottom end flap 132a somewhat (as shown in FIG. 5), or conversely, bottom end flap 132a may overlap top end flap 120a.

[0038] Once the carton 200 is fully erected as shown in FIG. 5, each end closure 210, 212 includes a handle H, the edges of which are triply reinforced. In other words, a portion of the periphery of the handle H as defined by edge 138a is substantially aligned with and reinforced by the doubled over edge 150a of handle opening 144a, and the remainder of the periphery of the handle H is substantially aligned with and reinforced by the doubled over edge 154a of handle opening 152a, making the area at or near all of the edges of the handle three plies thick.

[0039] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that reinforcement is most needed along the weight-bearing portion of a handle opening in a carton. A second embodiment, carton 700 will now be described to exemplify the principles and teachings of the present invention. Carton 700 is formed from blank 600 (FIG. 6), and embodies an alternative configuration that provides triple reinforcement of the handle H, while consuming even less sheet material.

[0040] Generally, carton 700 differs from carton 200 principally by the substitution of cutouts 652a, 652b, 644a, 644b for handle openings in the side end flaps 632a, 632b, 624a, 624b, and by the alternative configuration of reinforcing panels 660a, 660b, 664a, 664b, which are partially detached along respective severance lines 663a, 663b, 666a, 666b, folded along respective fold lines 662a, 662b, 667a, 667b (which lie along the upper edges of the respective side end flap) and secured in a face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of respective side end panels 632a, 632b, 624a, 624b. A portion of the edge of each of the reinforcing panels 660a, 660b, 664a, 664b is thereby placed in reinforcing proximity to the weight-bearing portion of cutout 652a, 652b, 644a, 644b. In the embodiment shown, and with reference to FIG. 7, the weight-bearing portion of cutout 652a, 652b, 644a, 644b is defined by at least part of fold line 658a, 658b, 648a, 648b, respectively. When the end closures 710, 712 are sealed, the reinforcing panels 660a, 660b, 664a, 664b are also in reinforcing proximity to the weight-bearing portions of handle opening 636a, 636b, defined by at least part of respective fold lines 642a, 642b.

[0041] The elements of blank 600 and carton 700 are otherwise substantially identical to the corresponding elements of blank 100 and carton 200. For instance, bottom panel 206 is substantially identical to bottom panel 606, and top wall 202 is substantially identical to top wall 702.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 8, to manufacture the third exemplary carton 1100 (FIG. 11), blank 800 is cut from a single sheet of the foldable sheet material, although it is contemplated that the blank 800 may include several separate panels that are secured together. The inside surface the blank 800 is shown. The blank 800 includes four major panels, namely, a bottom panel 802, a first side panel 804, a top panel 806, and a second side panel 808. The panels 802, 804, 806, 808 are hingedly connected to one another along the length of the blank. More specifically, a transverse side edge of bottom panel 802 is hingedly connected along fold line 810 to a side edge of first side panel 804. A transverse side edge of first side panel 804 is hingedly connected along fold line 812 to a side edge of top panel 806. A transverse side edge of top panel 806 is hingedly connected along fold line 814 to a side edge of second side panel 808. The other side edge of bottom panel 802 is hingedly connected to an edge flap 816 along fold line 818, although any means for securing the second side panel 808 to the bottom panel 802 may be used.

[0043] Each of the panels 802, 804, 806, 808 is also hingedly attached at each end edge thereof to end flaps for forming end closures at each longitudinal end of the erected carton 1100, as will be described in greater detail below. Bottom panel 802 is hingedly connected to bottom end flaps 820a, 820b at end edges defined by fold lines 822a, 822b. First side panel 804 is hingedly connected to first side end flaps 824a, 824b along end edges defined by fold lines 826a, 826b. Top panel 806 is hingedly connected to bottom end flaps 828a, 828b along end edges defined by fold lines 830a, 830b. Second side end panel 808 is hingedly connected to second side end flaps 832a, 832b along end edges defined by fold lines 834a, 834b.

[0044] Each of the side end flaps 824a, 824b, 832a, 832b is hingedly connected at a transverse edge to an overlay panel and a reinforcing panel for forming the reinforced end handles, as will be described in greater detail below. First overlay panels 836a, 836b are hingedly connected to the lower edges of first side end flaps 824a, 824b along fold lines 838a, 838b, respectively. The first overlay panels 836a, 836b are formed at least in part from the first side end flaps 824a, 824b. The first overlay panels 836a, 836b are separated or separable from the first side end flaps 824a, 824b by severance lines 840a, 840b, respectively, and separated or separable from the bottom end flaps 820a, 820b by severance lines 842a, 842b, respectively. The blank 800 may include apertures 844a, 844b to facilitate folding the overlay panels 836a, 836b and reduce the amount of material used. Similarly, second overlay panels 846a, 846b are hingedly connected to the lower edges of the second side end flaps 832a, 832b along fold lines 848a, 848b, respectively. The second overlay panels 846a, 846b are formed at least in part from the second side end flaps 832a, 832b. The second overlay panels 846a, 846b are separated or separable from the second side end flaps 832a, 832b by severance lines 850a, 850b, respectively.

[0045] First reinforcing panels 852a, 852b are hingedly connected to the upper edges of first side end flaps 824a, 824b along fold lines 854a, 854b, respectively. The first reinforcing panels 852a, 852b are formed at least in part from the first side end flaps 824a, 824b respectively. The first reinforcing panels 852a, 852b are separated or separable from top end flaps 828a, 828b by severance lines 856a, 856b, respectively, and separated or separable from first side end flaps 824a, 824b by severance lines 858a, 858b, respectively. Similarly, second reinforcing panels 860a, 860b are hingedly connected to the upper edges of second side end flaps 832a, 832b along fold lines 862a, 862b, respectively. The second reinforcing panels 860a, 860b are formed at least in part from the second side end flaps 832a, 832b. The second reinforcing panels 860a, 860b are separated or separable from top end flaps 828a, 828b by severance lines 864a, 864b, respectively, and separated or separable from second side end flaps 832a, 832b by severance lines 866a, 866b, respectively. The blank 800 may include apertures 868a, 868b to facilitate folding the reinforcing panels 852a, 852b and may include apertures 870a, 870b to facilitate folding the reinforcing panels 860a, 860b, respectively. In alternative embodiments, overlay panels and reinforcing panels may be separate pieces of sheet material that are applied as laminates to the side end flaps. [0046] To provide the reinforced end handles (not shown) on each end of the carton 1100, handle openings and notched cutouts having complementary dimensions and positions are provided in at least some of the end flaps and overlay panels. More specifically: top end flaps 828a, 828b include handle openings 872a, 872b; first side end flaps 824a, 824b include notched cutouts 874a, 874b; first overlay panels 836a, 836b include notched cutouts 876a, 876b; second side end flaps 832a, 832b include notched cutouts 878a, 878b; and second overlay panels 846a, 846b include notched cutouts 880a, 880b, respectively.

[0047] As mentioned above, the handle opening 872a and notched cutouts, 874a, 876a, 878a, 880a have complementary shapes, dimensions, and positions so as to be placed in registry with one another when the overlay panels 836a, 846a and the end flaps 824a, 828a, 832a are folded to overlie, overlap, or abut one another to form a first end closure 1110 (not shown). Similarly, the handle opening 872b and notched cutouts, 874b, 876b, 878b, 880b are complementarily shaped, dimensioned, and positioned so as to be placed in registry with one another when the overlay panels 836b, 846b and the end flaps 824b, 828b, 832b are folded to overlie, overlap, or abut one another to form a second end closure 1112 (obstructed in FIG. 11).

[0048] The exemplary carton 1100 may be erected around an article or group of articles, or may be at least partially erected and then loaded and sealed. To facilitate an understanding of the configuration of the carton 1100, one of potentially many contemplated techniques for erecting the carton 1100 will now be described as a series of steps that may be performed substantially simultaneously or in any practical order, with some or all of the steps being performed either manually or automatically, such as by a packaging machine. [0049] The exemplary process of erecting the carton is performed in two stages. The first stage is performed typically as part of the process of manufacturing the carton 1100. In the first stage, a blank is cut, folded and then secured into a flattened tubular condition so that it can be shipped to a packing facility as a sleeve. The following are the details: In plant equipment (IPE) at the manufacturing site cuts the blank 800 from a single sheet of foldable sheet material as described above, and cut, scores, imprints or otherwise defines fold lines, severance lines, and cutout sections. For instance, the edges 873a, 873b, 875a, 875b, 877a, 877b, 879a, 879b, 881a, 881b of handle openings 872a, 872b and notched cutouts 874a, 874b, 876a, 876b, 878a, 878b, 880a, 880b may be defined by frangible lines or perforations enabling the center sections to be punched out, or may be defined by cut lines with the center sections being removed and discarded before the carton 1100 is erected. [0050] After the blank 800 is cut out in the form shown in FIG. 8, adhesive or other means for securing sheet material is applied to the inside surface of the overlay panels 836a, 836b, 846a, 846b and the reinforcing panels 852a, 852b, 860a, 860b. At or about the same time: overlay panel 836a is folded about fold line 838a so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the inside surface of first side end flap 824a; overlay panel 836b is folded about 838b so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the inside surface of first side end flap 824b; overlay panel 846a is folded about 848a so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the inside surface of second side end flap 832a; and overlay panel 846b is folded about fold line 848b so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the inside surface of second side end flap 832b. In this manner, the overlay panels 836a, 836b, 846a, 846b are secured to the underlying portions of the inside surfaces of side end flaps 824a, 824b, 832a, 832b, respectively, and the notched cutouts 876a, 876b, 880a, 880b align with the notched cutouts 874a, 874b, 878a, 878b, respectively.

[0051] Then, or about the same time: first reinforcing panel 852a is folded about fold line 854a so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the outside surface of first overlay panel 836a and the underlying portion of the inside surface of first side end flap 824a; first reinforcing panel 852b is folded about fold line 854b so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the outside surface of first overlay panel 836b and the underlying portion of the inside surface of first side end flap 824b; second reinforcing panel 860a is folded about fold line 862a so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the outside surface of second overlay panel 846a and the underlying portion the inside surface of the second side end flap 832a; second reinforcing panel 860b is folded about fold line 862b so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the underlying portion of the outside surface of second overlay panel 846b and the underlying portion of the inside surface of second side end flap 832b. By this means, the reinforcing panels 852a, 852b, 860a, 860b are secured to the underlying portions of the outside surfaces of overlay panels 836a, 836b, 846a, 846b and to the underlying portions of the inside surfaces of the inside surfaces of side end flaps 824a, 824b, 832a, 832b, respectively.

[0052] At this point, the blank 800 is configured as shown in FIG. 9. The overlay panels 836a, 836b, 846a, 846b are folded over onto respective side end flaps 824a, 824b, 832a, 832b to form two-ply cutouts C. By additionally folding the reinforcing panels 852a, 852b, 860a, 860b over onto respective overlay panels 836a, 836b, 846a, 846b, the coextensive edge of each cutout C is three-ply. FlG. 10 is an end view taken along X-X in FIG. 9, which shows the end edge of first side end flap 824a, first overlay panel 836a, and first reinforcing panel 852a, to aid in understanding the relationship between each of the reinforcing panels, overlay panels, and the respective side end flaps.

[0053] The first phase of the process is completed by applying adhesive or other securing means to the outside surface of edge flap 816, folding edge flap 816 so that its inside surface is in face contacting arrangement with the inside surface of bottom panel 802, and folding the entire blank 800 along fold line 812 so that the inside surface of top panel 802 is in face contacting arrangement with the inside surface of second side panel 808 and the outside surface of edge flap 816 is secured to the inside surface of second side panel 808. [0054] The second stage of erecting the carton 1100 may be performed at a bottling or packaging facility. The flattened blanks 800 are loaded into a packaging machine, which in known fashion, disposes top panel 806 opposite bottom panel 802 and disposes first side panel 804 opposite second side panel 808 so that the carton 1100 is configured as a tubular sleeve having a substantially rectangular as shown in FIG. 11, although trapezoidal or gabled cross sections are also contemplated. Thus, top panel 806 becomes top wall 1106, first side panel 804 becomes first side wall 1104, bottom panel 802 becomes bottom wall 1102, and second side panel 808 becomes second side wall 1108.

[0055] Articles are loaded into the carton 1100 through one or both of the now open ends, and then the ends are sealed. The ends of the carton 1100 are substantially identical, with similar parts being identified using the same element number modified by the suffix "a" or "b", where element numbers ending in "a" are associated with end closure 1110 (not shown) and elements identified with "b" are associated with end closure 1112. Accordingly, formation of only one of the end closures 1110, 1112 will be described in detail below.

[0056] As can be seen in FIG. 11, first side panel 824a and second side panel 832a are simultaneously or independently folded toward the interior of the carton 1100 until side end flaps 824a, 832a abut or overlap somewhat. In this manner, the cutouts C come together to approximate the dimensions of handle opening 872a. It should be noted that handle opening 872a may be relatively larger or smaller to account for slight variations in alignment. Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of bottom end flap 820a, and bottom end flap 820a is folded toward the interior of the carton 1100 so that its inside surface is secured in a face contacting arrangement to the lower portions of the outside surfaces of side end flaps 824a, 832a. Adhesive is applied to the inside surface of top end flap 828a, and top end flap 828a is folded toward the interior of the carton 1100 so that its inside surface is secured in a face contacting arrangement to the upper portions of the outside surfaces of side end flaps 824a, 832a. Top end flap 828a may overlap bottom end flap 820a somewhat, or conversely, bottom end flap 820a may overlap top end flap 828a. As another alternative, top end flap 828a may abut or be spaced apart from bottom end flap 820a with neither overlapping the other.

[0057] Once the carton 1100 is fully erected, each end closure 1110, 1112 includes a handle, the edges of which being triply reinforced. In other words, a portion of the periphery of the handle as defined by handle opening 872a is substantially aligned with and reinforced by the three-ply cutouts C to make the upper edge of the handle four plies thick. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that reinforcement is most needed along the weight-bearing or hand- engaging portion of a handle opening in a carton.

[0058] A fourth embodiment will now be described to exemplify the principles and teachings of the present invention. A carton (not shown) is formed from a blank 1200 (as shown in FIG. 12) and embodies an alternative configuration that provides triple reinforcement of the handle H. Generally, the blank 1200 differs from the blank 800 principally by the substitution of handle openings 1274a, 1274b, 1278a, 1278b that are disposed in an alternate configuration of the side end flaps 1224a, 1224b, 1232a, 1232b and overlay panels 1236a, 1236b, 1246a, 1246b. In the alternate configuration, each overlay panel 1236a, 1236b, 1246a, 1246b is hingedly connected to a respective side end flap 1224a, 1224b, 1232a, 1232b along a fold line 1238a, 1238b, 1248a, 1248b. Each handle opening 1274a, 1274b, 1278a, 1278b is symmetrically bisected by an imaginary line coextensive with the fold line 1238a, 1238b, 1248a, 1248b such that when the overlay panels 1236a, 1236b, 1246a, 1246 are folded along the respective fold line 1238a, 1238b, 1248a, 1248b to be in a face contacting relationship with the side end flaps 1224a, 1224b, 1232a, 1232b, notched cutouts (not shown) are formed. The reinforcing panels 1252a, 1252b, 1260a, 1260b may be secured beneath the overlay panels 1236a, 1236b, 1246a, 1246, but are preferably folded and secured after the overlay panels 1236a, 1236b, 1246a, 1246 have been secured to the side end flaps 1224a, 1224b, 1232a, 1232b.

[0059] The elements of blank 1200 and the carton (not shown) are otherwise substantially similar to the corresponding elements of blank 800 and carton 1100. For instance, the bottom panel 802 is substantially identical to bottom panel 1202. Further, the blank 1200 is erected to form the carton by substantially the same process as described above where blank 800 is erected to form the carton 1100.

[0060] The present invention has been illustrated in relation to a particular embodiment which is intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. For example, as used herein, directional references such as "top", "base", "bottom", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper", "middle", "lower", "front" and "rear" do not limit the respective walls of the carton to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these walls from one another. Furthermore, the various embodiments demonstrate that the top, sides, and bottom panels may be hingedly connected to one another and secured into a tubular sleeve in any order that provides a top panel opposing a bottom panel and opposing side panels. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a junction including a single hinge only; indeed, it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more potentially disparate means for hingedly connecting materials. The exemplary cartons preferably have handles at both ends, although it is contemplated to include only one handle disposed in one of the end closures. [0061] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that any suitable means for securing sheet material may be used, including magnets, non-permanent adhesives, or hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO^®, which is a trademark registered to Velcro Industries B.V. Additionally, although the handle openings of the invention are described as having removable centers, the centers may be only partially removable and may function as finger cushions after being partially detached from the edges of the handle openings.

[0062] It must be emphasized that the law does not require and it is economically prohibitive to illustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims. Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, all such modifications, combinations, and variations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.

Claims

1. A carton, comprising: a tubular structure including a top panel, a bottom panel and a pair of first and second opposed side panels; and at least one end closure that comprises: a top end flap hingedly connected to the top panel, the top end flap including a handle opening; a side end flap hingedly connected to each of the first and second side panels, each side end flap comprising: a cutout having dimensions complementary to the dimensions of at least part of the handle opening; and a reinforcing panel having a reinforcing edge, the reinforcing panel being foldable to place its reinforcing edge in reinforcing proximity to the cutout, wherein the top end flap is foldable to at least partially overlie the first and second side end flaps so that the handle opening in the top end flap is in registry with the cutouts in the first and second side end flaps.

2. The carton of Claim 1 , wherein the cutouts in the first and second side end flaps have endless edges when the carton is in a blank form.

3. The carton of Claim 1 , wherein said at least one end closure further comprises a bottom end flap hingedly connected to an end edge of the bottom panel, the bottom end flap at least partially overlying the first and second side end flaps of said at least one end closure.

4. The carton of Claim 3, wherein the top end flap of said at least one end closure at least partially overlaps the bottom end flap.

5. The carton of Claim 1 , wherein the side end flaps of said at least one end closure have end edges along which said cutouts are defined respectively, said end edges of said side end flaps being disposed adjacent to each other such that said side end flaps lie in the same plane without overlapping each other.

6. The carton of Claim 5, wherein the cutouts of said side end flaps of said at least one end closure are aligned to form an aperture that is disposed in registry with said handle opening.

7. The carton of Claim 1 , wherein said handle opening is defined by an endless edge.

8. The carton of Claim 5, wherein said end edges of said side end flaps are folded end edges along which said reinforcing panels are hingedly connected respectively.

9. The carton of Claim 5., wherein said end edges of said side end flaps are free end edges along which no carton parts are hingedly connected.

10. The carton of Claim 1 , wherein said reinforcing panels are hingedly connected to said side end flaps along upper edges of said side end flaps, respectively.

11. A carton, comprising: a tubular structure including a top panel, a bottom panel and a pair of first and second opposed side panels; and at least one end closure that comprises: a top end flap hingedly connected to the top panel, the top end flap including a handle opening; a first side end flap hingedly connected to the first side panel and a second side end flap hingedly connected to the second side panel, each side end flap comprising: a first cutout having dimensions complementary to the dimensions of at least part of the handle opening; an overlay panel having a second reinforcing cutout, the overlay panel hingedly connected to a first edge of the side end flap, the overlay panel being foldable about the hinged connection to place a reinforcing edge of the second cutout in reinforcing proximity to the cutout; and a reinforcing panel having a reinforcing edge, the reinforcing panel hingedly connected to a second edge of the side end flap, the reinforcing panel being foldable about the hinged connection to place a reinforcing edge in reinforcing proximity to the first and second cutouts; wherein the top end flap is foldable to at least partially overlie the first and second side end flaps so that the handle opening in the top end flap is in registry with the cutouts in the first and second side end flaps.

12. The carton of Claim 11 , wherein the first cutout in each of the first and second side end flaps combines with the respective second cutout to create an aperture having endless edges when the carton is in a blank form.

13. The carton of Claim 11 , said at least one end closure further comprises a bottom end flap hingedly connected to an end edge of the bottom panel, the bottom end flap at least partially overlying the first and second side end flaps of said at least one end closure.

14. The carton of Claim 13, wherein the top end flap of said at least one end closure at least partially overlaps the bottom end flap.

15. The carton of Claim 11 , wherein the side end flaps of said at least one end closure have end edges along which said first and second cutouts are defined respectively, said end edges of said side end flaps being disposed adjacent to each other such that said side end flaps lie in the same plane without overlapping each other.

16. The carton of Claim 15, wherein the cutouts of said side end flaps of said at least one end closure are aligned to form an aperture that is disposed in registry with said handle opening.

17. The carton of Claim 11 , wherein said handle opening is defined by an endless edge.

18. The carton of Claim 15, wherein said end edges of said side end flaps are folded end edges along which said overlay panels are hingedly connected respectively.

19. The carton of Claim 15, wherein said end edges of said side end flaps are free end edges along which no carton parts are hingedly connected.

20. The carton of Claim 11 , wherein: said first edge along which said overlay panel is hingedly connected to said side end flap comprises a lower edge with respect to said first cutout; and said second edge along which said reinforcing panel is hingedly connected to said side end flap comprises an upper edge with respect to said first cutout.

21. The carton of Claim 11 , wherein: said first edge along which said overlay panel is hingedly connected to said side end flap comprises an end edge of said side end flap; and said second edge along which said reinforcing panel is hingedly connected to said side end flap comprises an upper edge with respect to said first cutout.