ES2528893T3 - Handle structure for container - Google Patents

Abstract

A handle structure for packaging comprising; a first outer panel (4) articulated to a second outer panel (22) by a first articulated connection (24); and a first internal panel (82) articulated to a second internal panel (90) having a second articulated connection (94) in which; the first outer panel covers the first inner panel and the second outer panel covers the second inner panel; the structure further comprising a handle strip formed partly from the first outer panel and partly from the second outer panel; characterized by a reinforcement flap (86/92) formed partly from the first internal panel and partly from the second internal panel; wherein the reinforcing flap is secured to and reinforces a final portion (4/32) of the handle strip disposed, at least in part, on the second outer panel; wherein the handle strip and the reinforcing flap are deployed to a position where a portion of the handle strip is separated from the first inner panel thus exposing the first inner panel (82) and the final portion of the strip of the handle and the reinforcing flap can be moved into the container in use, and in which the handle strip comprises a central portion that is divisibly fixed, by means of a divisible connection (8) to the final portion of the handle strip , the handle strip comprising a reinforcing band (154) that couples the central portion to the final portions.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Handle structure for container

Field of the Invention 5

[0001] The present invention relates generally to handle structures for packaging. More specific but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a handle structure having a handle structure having a reinforcing strip member.

 10

Background of the Invention

[0002] Boxes are known that have handle structures from the prior art, and often require a thickness of multiple layers of material (such as cardboard) to gain sufficient mechanical strength to be able to support the weight of the box Once it has been fully loaded with items. fifteen

[0003] Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a box that requires less material and that could firmly support the weight of the items loaded in the box.

[0004] In order to provide space for a user's hand to be inserted under the handle, it is often necessary to oversize the handle panel itself. This additional material is a waste and increases the cost of the box.

[0005] There is, therefore, also a requirement that the handle structure provide space for a user's hand without requiring additional material to increase the length of the handle structure. 25

[0006] Smalley WO02 / 055393 describes a cardboard box having a base, side panels, end panels and first and second upper panels. The first upper panel defines a handle strip and is the base of the second upper panel that provides an access means for the handle strip. The handle strip extends to the first end panels and second end panels having reinforcing parts secured to those 30 parts of the handle strip in the first end panels.

[0007] The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the identified disadvantages associated with the prior art.

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Summary of the Invention

[0008] A first aspect of the invention provides a handle structure for a package comprising:

a first outer panel articulated to a second outer panel by a first articulated connection;

and a first internal panel articulated to a second internal panel having a second articulated connection, in which;

the first outer panel covers the first inner panel and the second outer panel covers the second inner panel;

the structure further comprising a handle strip formed partly from the first outer panel and partly from the second outer panel;

characterized by a reinforcement flap formed partly from the first internal panel and partly from the second internal panel;

wherein the reinforcing flap is secured to and reinforces a final portion of the handle strip disposed, at least in part, on the second outer panel;

in which the handle strip and the reinforcing flap are deployed to a position in which a portion of the handle strip is separated from the first inner panel thus exposing the first inner panel, and the final portion of the handle strip and the 50 reinforcement flap can move into the container in use, and

wherein the handle strip comprises a central portion that is fixed in a divisible manner, by means of a divisible connection to the final portion of the handle strip, the handle strip comprising a reinforcing band that couples the central portion to the final portions .

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[0009] Preferably, the handle strip is divisibly connected to the first outer panel by a second divisible connection.

[0010] Preferably, the handle strip is divisibly connected to the second outer panel by a second divisible connection. 60

[0011] Preferably, the central portion of the handle strip is formed from the first outer panel and the final portion of the handle strip is formed partly from the first and first outer panel and partly from the second outer panel.

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[0012] Preferably, the handle strip extends over an opening in the first inner panel.

[0013] Preferably, the handle structure comprises a third outer panel articulated to the first outer panel by means of an articulated connection.

 5

[0014] Preferably, the handle structure comprises a third panel articulated to the first internal panel by means of an articulated connection, the third outer panel covering the third internal panel.

[0015] Preferably, the handle strip is formed in part from the third outer panel.

 10

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

 fifteen

Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of an elementary piece for forming a first embodiment of a box comprising a handle structure according to an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a first preferred step of a sequence of folding and gluing operations to partially form the elementary part of Figure 1 in a box; twenty

Figure 3 illustrates a second stage of a preferred sequence of folding and gluing operations to partially form the elementary part of Figure 1 in a box;

Figure 4 illustrates a completely configured box formed from the elementary part of Figure 1; 25 and

Figure 5 illustrates the articulation movement of the handle structure of the box of Figure 4 when in use.

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Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Modes

[0017] Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an elementary piece 1 to form a box 162 shown in Figure 4. The elementary piece 1 is formed from a sheet or foldable sheet material, such as cardboard, corrugated cardboard or corrugated, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, or the like. A linear series 35 of panels comprising a gluing panel 2, a first side wall 54/60, a bottom panel 68, a second side wall 74/78 and an upper panel 82 articulated together to the following folding lines 18 is provided. , 66, 72, 80. Each of the side walls comprises an upper portion 54, 78 and a lower portion 60, 74, articulated together by a fold line 56, 76.

 40

[0018] The elementary piece 1 is completely symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the linear series of panels described above. The attached figures have been listed, therefore, along a single side, and this side has been described below. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the other side of the elementary piece has the same characteristics as those described.

 Four. Five

[0019] The handle structure comprises a grip panel in the form of an upper grip panel 6 that is connected so that it can be cut, by a weakened line of cut 8, to an upper portion of the handle flap 4 , at each end of it. Preferably, the grip panel 6 narrows slightly outward at these ends.

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[0020] The upper grip panel 6 has finger flaps 12, 10, which extend from the opposite side edges thereof. These finger flaps 12, 10 are articulated to the upper grip panel 6 by the folding lines 14, 16. Preferably, these finger flaps 12, 10 extend along most of the length of the panel. grab 6.

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[0021] The upper flap portion 4 is articulated to a final flap of the handle 22, along the folding line 24. The folding line 24 is facing the end of the upper flap portion 4 which is connected to the grip panel 6 so that it can be cut.

[0022] The flaps of article 26 are defined in the final flap of the handle 22 by a weakened curved line 30 of 60 cut extending from a point in the fold line 24, to said final flap of the handle 22, and again to another point in said folding line 24. Between the two intersections between the weakened curved cutting line 30 and the folding line 24 is a portion of cutting line 20. Extending between a central point in this cutting line 20 and the more distal point of the curved weakened cut line 30, there is also a weakened cut line 28 that divides the area into two flaps of article 26, each articulated to the final flap of the handle 22 by respective portions 65 of the curved weakened line 30 cutting

[0023] A weakened line of cut 34 extends to the final flap of the handle 22 from an end point in the fold line 24 that connects the upper portion 4 of the flap to the final flap of the handle 22. This weakened line of cut 34 extends away from the folding line 24 parallel to a longitudinal axis of the grip panel 6, and is coaxial with an edge of the upper portion of the handle flap 4. Between this weakened cutting line 34 and one more edge 5 away from the final flap of the handle 22, a lower portion of the flap of the handle 32 is defined within the final flap of the handle 22.

[0024] A transverse edge (relative to the longitudinal axis of the linear series of panels) of the lower portion 60 of the first lateral wall 54/60 is articulated by a fold line 62 to a lower lateral end flap 64. 10 This lower side end flap 64 is then articulated, along a fold line 50, to a lower band panel 48. This lower band panel 48 is articulated to an upper band panel 42 by a small intermediate band panel of articulation 44. An opening 46 is formed between the small panel of articulation band 44 and the edge of the upper portion 54 of the first side wall 54/60. This opening 46 separates the rest of the lower band panel 48 from the upper band panel 42. The upper band panel 42 is articulated to a portion of the final flap of the handle 22 by an articulated panel 38 defined between a fold line 40 which articulates the panels 38, 42 together and an opposite fold line 36 that articulates the panels 22, 40 together. An opening 58 separates the rest of the upper band panel 42 from the final flap of the handle 22. The upper band panel 42 is also articulated to the adjacent transverse edge of the upper portion 54 by a folding line 52. Optionally, this transverse edge it may be partially or totally narrowed so that it provides an altered box 162.

[0025] A transverse edge (relative to the linear series of panels) of the lower panel 68 is connected to a lower end flap 70, which extends to the entire length of the lower panel 68, by a fold line 71. The flap lower end 70 is free to fold over the fold line 71 and is not connected to the lower side 25 end flaps 64. It has been considered, however, that an intermediate articulation panel similar to panel 38 or 44 for articulating could also be provided the lower side end panel 64, or indeed the lower band panel 48 itself, to the lower end panel 70.

[0026] Except for the part 102 of the access means that can be separated 96, the second side wall 78/74 is identical to the first 54/60 because it comprises the same end flap and band arrangement as for the first side wall 54/60. The band arrangement for the second side wall 78/74 articulates the lower side end panel of the second side wall 78/74 to the upper end flap 90 described below.

[0027] In the upper panel 82, an upper portion of the reinforcing flap 86 is defined next to a transverse edge 35 along which an upper end flap 90 is articulated to the upper panel 82 by a folding line 94. The lateral edges of the upper portion of the reinforcing flap 86 are defined by a weakened curved cutting line 84 that extends perpendicularly from said fold line 94 to the upper panel 82 before curving on itself to return perpendicular to said line of folded 94 to form a "U" shape. This weakened curved cutting line 84 also extends through the folding line 94 and forms part 40 of the upper end flap 90, defining between them a lower portion 92 of the articulated reinforcement flap to the upper portion of the flap. reinforcement 86 in the upper panel 82.

[0028] The upper end flap 90 comprises an opening 88 of the defined article between the portions of the weakened curved cutting line 84 that extends to the upper final flap 90. Optionally, this opening of the article extends through the line folding 94, and interrupts it, articulating the upper end panel 90 to the upper panel 82. The upper end flap 90 is articulated to the second adjacent side wall 74/78 by a band arrangement identical to arrangement 38, 42, 44 , 48 which articulates the final flap of the handle 22 to the first side wall 54/60. Partly formed in the upper panel 82, and partly formed in the adjacent upper portion 78 of the second side wall 74/78, there is a detachable access means 96. This detachable access means 96 comprises a first separable portion 105 defined within the upper panel 82 between weakened lines of cut 103, 98. These weakened lines of cut 103, 98 are partially inclined towards each other and extend from the fold line 80 towards a longitudinal axis center of the upper panel 82. The end points of these two weakened lines of cut 103, 98 are connected by another weakened line of cut 112 along the central longitudinal axis mentioned above of the upper panel 55 82.

[0029] Another part 102 of the detachable access means 96 is defined in the upper portion 78 of the second side wall 74/78, between the weakened parallel cutting lines 104, 100. These weakened cutting lines 104, 100 they extend from the fold line 80 that connects the upper panel 82 to the upper portion 78 60 of the second side wall 74/78. The weakened parallel cut lines 104, 100 extend to the fold line 76 connecting the upper 78 and lower portions 74 of the second side wall 78/74. The folding line 76 connecting the upper portion 78 to the lower portion 74 also serves to articulate the access means that can be separated 96 to the lower portion 74 of the case 162 once the weakened cutting lines 98, 100, 103, 104, 112 that connect the detachable access means 96 to the box 162 have been cut. 65

[0030] Centered along the central axis mentioned above of the upper panel 82, and partially formed in the first portion 105 that can be separated, there are finger openings 108 and 106. These finger openings 108, 106 they are defined by weakened circular cut lines 114, 110. Portions of the weakened circular cut lines 114, 110 join terminal points of weakened cut lines 103, 98 in the upper panel 82 with the weakened cut line 112 extending between the two finger openings 106, 5 108.

[0031] To form the case 162 from the elementary piece 1, glue or glue is applied to a first area 120 of the upper portions of the flap 4 of the handle (as best shown in Figure 1) and to a second area 122 of the grip panel 6 in such a way that a strip member 154 is secured thereto (as best shown in Figure 2) spanning through the grip panel 6. The strip member 154 is a length of tape capable of supporting the weight of the box 162 and its contents. It is preferred that such a tape be formed of a material with a greater mechanical tensile strength than the material from which the elementary piece 1 is formed. Such material for the strip member 154 may also have a greater elasticity than the material for the elementary piece 1. The material useful for forming strip member 154 is not limited to, but includes, cardboard, laminated cardboard, laminated fabric, plastic, plastic fiber composite material (for example, fiber reinforced plastics) or the like. . The strip member 154 is secured to the grip panel 6, as well as to the upper portions of the flap 4 such that the grip panel 6 and the upper portions of the flap 4 extend continuously along the member of strip 154. Between the second area 122 and each of the first areas 120, there is a third area that is free of glue and thus both the grip panel 6 and the respective upper portion of 20 the flap of the handle 4 are free of restriction of strip member 154. Each weakened line of cut 8 is formed in the third respective area. In other words, the upper portions of the flap 4 include areas along the weakened cutting lines 8 respectively such that the areas are separated from the strip member 154. The grip panel 6 also includes areas along of the weakened lines of cut 8 such that such areas are separated from the strip member 154. 25

[0032] The upper portion 78 of the second side wall 78/74 is then folded over the lower portion 74 of the second side wall, thereby substantially arranging the upper panel 82 over the lower panel 68. This is best shown in the Figure 2. Once this folding has been achieved, a strip of glue 206 is then applied to the upper surface that runs proximally and to the entire length of the terminal edge of the upper panel 82 and 30 to the upper end flaps 90. The upper surfaces of the upper portions of the reinforcing flap 86 are then joined with glue in the bonding areas 208, 207. A portion of each gluing area 207 extends through the folding line 94 between the upper panel 82 and the panel upper end 90, over the lower portion of the reinforcing flap 92 and then to the upper upper end panel 90 itself.

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[0033] The upper portion 54 of the first side wall 54/60 is then folded over the lower portion 60 of the first side wall so as to bring the grip panel 6 in contact with the surface of the upper panel 82. This is best shown in figure 3. This also brings the end flaps of the handle 22 into contact with the flaps of the upper limb 90, which are therefore secured to each other. The upper and lower reinforcing flaps 86, 92 are secured to the lower side of the upper and lower portions of the flap 4, 32 thereby interleaving 40 portions of the strip member 154 therebetween. Also, the glue strip 206 secures the upper panel 82 to the glue panel 2, thus forming a tubular structure.

[0034] The size and position of the openings of article 88, and of the flaps of article 26, are such that they coincide with each other. Four. Five

[0035] The box 162 can then be erected by articulating the upper portions 78, 54 and the lower portions 74, 60 of each of the first 60/54 and second 74/78 side walls in a substantially coplanar orientation, thereby adjusting the side walls substantially perpendicular to the upper panel 82 and the lower panel 68. 50

[0036] The box 162 is thus prepared for loading with articles, which can take place now that the box is in a tubular configuration or once one of the two ends of the tubular structure has been closed.

[0037] To close the ends of the tubular structure, the lower band panels 42 fold inwardly 55 to the plane of the end of the tubular structure, which has the effect of automatically folding the end flap of the end handle 22 at least partially to that plane too. An additional folding is then applied when it is required to bring those closing closing flaps to contact with each other, so that they can preferably be secured to each other by some means known in the art such as glue. The lower end flap 70 is then folded up in the plane of the end of the tubular structure and secured to the final closing panels when necessary. 60

[0038] Both ends are closed in this manner to result in a fully enclosed box 162 loaded with articles, as shown in Figure 4.

[0039] During use, the user inserts his fingers below the grip panel 6, folding the flaps for the 65 fingers 12, 10, either upwards or downwards as preferred. In doing so, the flaps of the 4/32 handle and the

reinforcing flaps 86/92 to which they are secured, are attracted towards each other and the increasing tension, when the lifting force increases upwards in the handle, breaks the weakened lines of cut 34 that connect the lower portion of the flap 32 to the final flap of the handle 22 and also breaks the weakened curved cutting lines 84 that define the reinforcing flaps 86/92. Once completed, this tear releases these flaps to straighten them and articulate the ends of the box 162 in such a way that they protrude through a channel 130 (as shown better in Figure 5) left at the upper extremity edges of the box 162 by folding the reinforcing flaps 86/92 in the upper panel 82 and the upper end flaps 90.

[0040] Once the tension imposed on the weakened lines of cut 8 that connect the grip panel 6 to the upper portion of the flap 4, exceeds a certain threshold, these weakened lines of cut 8 also break 10 and the member of strip 154 takes the weight of the box 162.

[0041] If the items loaded in the box 162 are bottles, or have a similarly narrowed shape, the article openings 88 allow the narrowed upper portions thereof to protrude out of the box after breaking the weakened cutting lines 28 connecting the article flaps 26. Naturally, 15 more openings could be included side by side as needed to accommodate more than one article protruding through the article flaps.

[0042] To access the articles, the user's fingers are used to pierce the finger openings 106, 108 and to grasp a part of the terminal edge 112 of the detachable access means 96 that 20 coincide with parts of the edges of those openings 106, 108. Once caught, the user can tear the access means 96 along the weakened cutting lines 100, 104, 103, 98, 112, while allowing them to connect to the rest of the box 162 along the fold line 76. By this means, the user can access the articles. Optionally, the joint folding line 76 can be cut in such a way that the access means 96 is completely separated from the case 162. 25

[0043] The above exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to numerous directional terms such as "upper", "lower", "lateral", "final", "upper", "inward", "vertical" , etc. It should be understood that these directional terms have been used simply for the benefit of adding clarity to the description of the exemplary embodiment and are not in any way limiting the scope of the disclosure. 30

[0044] While the above description defines many characteristics of the specific embodiment in terms of "weakened lines of cut", it has been considered that there are many options for providing such lines including, but not exclusively, previously cut lines that include parts of Small notch, and marking lines. These options can also be used to provide the "folding lines" at which reference has been made above. The "cut lines", as previously mentioned, can be previously cut lines or they can be weakened cut lines that can be cut.

[0045] When the term "glue" has been used previously, it has been specifically considered that any other known form of adhesion or assurance can be employed, such as different forms of chemical adhesive 40, mechanical fastening, thermal or sonic welding, etc.

[0046] The boxes described above are specifically suitable for items such as bottles, but the description is not limited to said items and extends to any type of items that can be loaded in said box, including cans or other beverage containers among other possibilities. . Four. Five

Claims (8)

1. A handle structure for packaging comprising; a first outer panel (4) articulated to a second outer panel (22) by a first articulated connection (24); and a first internal panel (82) articulated to a second internal panel (90) having a second articulated connection (94) in which; 5 the first outer panel covers the first inner panel and the second outer panel covers the second inner panel; the structure further comprising a handle strip formed partly from the first outer panel and partly from the second outer panel; characterized by a reinforcement flap (86/92) formed partly from the first internal panel and partly from the second internal panel; 10 wherein the reinforcing flap is secured to and reinforces a final portion (4/32) of the handle strip disposed, at least in part, on the second outer panel; wherein the handle strip and the reinforcing flap are deployed to a position where a portion of the handle strip is separated from the first inner panel thus exposing the first inner panel (82) and the final portion of the strip of the handle and reinforcement flap can move into the container in use, and 15 wherein the handle strip comprises a central portion that is divisibly fixed, by means of a divisible connection (8) to the final portion of the handle strip, the handle strip comprising a reinforcing band (154) that couples the central portion to the final portions. 2. The handle structure according to claim 1, wherein the handle strip is divisibly connected to the first outer panel by a second divisible connection (34). 3. The handle structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the handle strip is divisibly connected to the second outer panel by a second divisible connection (34).  25 4. The handle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the central portion of the handle strip is formed from the first outer panel and the final portion of the handle strip is formed in part from the first and first outer panel and partly from the second outer panel. 5. The handle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the handle strip extends over an opening in the first inner panel. 6. The handle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising a third outer panel articulated to the first outer panel by means of an articulated connection.  35 7. The handle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising a third panel articulated to the first internal panel by means of an articulated connection, the third external panel covering the third internal panel. 8. The handle structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the handle strip is formed in part from the third outer panel.