MXPA97008566A - Carrier with resistant handle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an article carrier, comprising: a top panel having opposite side edges and opposite end edges, the top panel being connected at its side edges to said panels, a handle connected to the top panel by a line of fold located substantially along a central line of the carrier, the handle being comprised of a plurality of folds, the fold line of the handle is substantially parallel to the side edges of the top panel, and has opposite ends terminating at spaced points of the end edges of the top panel: the top panel is comprised of a first top panel section that partially overlaps and adheres to a second top panel section, each upper panel section being connected by a fold line of the handle to a fold of the handle, the top panel includes openings extending from the ends of the fold line the handle toward the end edges of the top panel, and tabs extending downward at opposite ends of the handle extending through the openings in the top panel, inside the cover

Description

CARRIER WITH HANDLE RESISTANT TO WASTE Field of the Invention This invention relates to carriers that employ so-called bag type handles, ie, vertical handles, which have a transverse girdle that can be grasped by a person elevating the carrier. More particularly, it relates to carriers of this type, which are provided with tear-resistant handles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One type of carrier for packaging beverage bottles employs support tabs that are spaced at the edges of the neck openings of the bottles in a carrier support panel. When the panel is pushed down on the bottles aligned with the openings in the neck, the tabs pivot upwards, so that their end edges contact the lower side of the ridges or supports typically formed in these bottles. A handle, in many cases comprised of finger holes in the support panel, allows the carrier to be grasped and raised. Instead of finger holes, most consumers prefer a handle that extends upward, which can be grasped in the shape of a suitcase handle. A convenient arrangement from the standpoint of economics, ease of manufacture and ability to provide a two-layer handle or folds of adequate strength would be such a handle that would be foldably connected to the top panel. However, it has been found that the handle tends to tear at the ends of the folding connection, when it is subjected to heavy loads or when it rises in a sudden rapid movement. It would be highly desirable to strengthen the handle to resist tearing without interfering with the simplicity and economy of the carrier. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a carrier that uses a strong suitcase type handle, which meets these goals. Brief Summary of the Invention The invention is incorporated in an article carrier that includes an upper panel, connected to side panels, and a handle connected to the upper panel by a fold line, positioned substantially along a central line of the carrier. The fold line of the handle is substantially parallel to the side edges of the top panel and has opposite ends terminating at spaced points of the end edges of the top panel. This upper panel includes openings extending from the ends of the fold line of the handle, towards the end edges of the upper panel. Tabs, extending downward, at opposite ends of the handle, extend through the openings in the upper panel, inside the carrier, to strengthen the carrier against tearing, as discussed in more detail below. In the preferred embodiment, the handle is comprised of two layers or folds. each connected, in foldable form, to an upper panel section, and the upper panel sections are connected in a partially overlapped manner, to form this upper panel. The handle tabs are formed by slits in the upper panel sections, which, when the handles are folded into place, upon manufacture of the carrier, result in the openings through which the tabs of the handle extend. This handle is preferably of the suitcase type, with the fold line of the handle comprised of two spaced segments of fold line, separated by the handle opening. The top panel is strengthened in the handle opening by an arrangement in which the overlapping top panel section includes an integral tongue, which extends through the handle opening and adheres to the underlying top panel section. End panels can be provided, if desired. The carrier is obtained from a single preform of material and can be manufactured easily. The features of the invention that make it possible to provide the desired results are set forth in more detail in the description of the preferred embodiment, in which the above and other aspects and benefits of the invention will become apparent. Brief Description of the Drawing Figure 1 is an illustrative view of a carrier embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a preform for manufacturing the carrier of Figure 3; Figure 3 is a partial, enlarged plan view, showing the area within the oval 3 of a Figure 2; Figure 4 is a plan view of the preform of Figure 2, shown after performing the initial stages of bending and gumming; Figure 5 is an illustrative view of the partially formed preform of Figure 4 in place on a group of bottles to be packed; Figure 6 is an illustrative view of the partially formed preform of Figure 4, after performing the initial stages of bending; and Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the carrier taken along line 7-7 of Figure 1, with the bottles removed for clarity. Detailed Description of the Preferred Modality Referring to Figure 1, the package 10 is comprised of two rows of three bottles B and one carrier 12 for lifting and carrying the bottles. This carrier includes a top panel 14 that contains the openings 16, through which the neck of the bottles extend. The end edges of the tabs 18, which are connected to the panel 14 by the fold lines 20, extend around the periphery of the openings 16 of the bottle necks, in contact with the underside of the flanges F in the bottles, to support them when the carrier is lifted. The upper panel 16 is connected to the side panels 22 and the end panels 24 by fold lines, 26 and 28, respectively, which are connected to each other at the corners of the carrier by the upper edges 30 of the cut-outs 32. A line of folding 34, in the side panels 22, extends between the cutouts 32, forming short, inclined, side panel sections, 36, which are generally conformed to the relatively large inclination of the bottles in the upper portion of the transition area between the neck of the bottle and the cylinder of it. Another parallel bending line 38 in the side panels, below the fold line 34, extends between the lower portion of the cutouts 32, to form intermediate side panel sections 40 of smaller inclination than the panel sections 35. These sections of panel correspond to and follow the lower inclination of the bottles in the lower portion of their transition area. The end panels 24 include the fold line 37 spaced from the top panel by the same distance as the fold lines 34 on the side panels, thereby forming inclined end panel sections 39 which, like the sections 36 of the side panel, are they generally conform to the relatively large inclination of the end bottles in the upper portion of the transition area of the bottles. The side and end panels extend only partially down the length of the bottles, with rounded corner areas 42, which connect the side panels to the end panels to provide a narrow fit. Extending upwards from the upper panel 14 is a suitcase-type handle 44, which is connected to the upper panel along the longitudinal center line of the carrier, in the manner explained more fully below. The handle includes a horizontal strip 43, a pair of legs 45, which extend from the strip to the top panel, and a short flap 47, connected, in a foldable form, to the fascia portion of the handle. A preform 46, for manufacturing the carrier, is shown in Figure 2, in which reference numbers similar to those used in Figure 1 denote similar elements. The preform is preferably made of cardboard, but can be of any suitable material, having sufficient strength and flexibility to function in the cardboard form. This preform is comprised of two similar handle sections, 48 and 50, which are connected together by the fold line 52. The handle sections 48 and 50 are connected, foldably, to the upper panel sections, 54 and 56, respectively, with the legs 45 of the handle section 48 connected along the spaced segments 58 of the fold line and the legs of the handle section 50 are connected along spaced segments 60 of the fold line. Note that the segments 58 of the fold line are spaced from the inner edge 62 of the section 54 of the upper panel, while the segments 60 of the fold line coincide with the inner edge 64 of the upper panel section 56. As shown, the sections 20 of the side panel include the fold lines 34, which form the sections 38 of the sloping panel, and the fold lines 38 that form the sections 40 of the sloping panel.

Each upper panel section contains three bottleneck openings 16. Preferably, the support tabs 18 of the inner bottleneck openings are arranged so that the fold line 20 of the outer tongue coincides with the fold line 26. This gives an additional strength of support to the tabs. These support tabs of the external openings of bottle necks, however, are arranged so that the fold lines of the outer tabs form a diagonal with the fold lines 26 and 28. If the support tabs are arranged as internal support tabs, the recesses forming the tabs will be spaced too closely to the corner of the upper panel of a carrier, possibly weakening the corner areas of the upper panel. Connected to the opposite ends of the upper panel section 54 by the fold lines 28, are the fins 66 of the end panel. Similarly, the fins 68 of the end panel are connected to the opposite ends of the section 56 of the top panel by the fold lines 28. Each fin of the end panel includes a fold line 37 that forms the inclined sections 39 of the panels of end of a carrier. Extending from the opposite ends of the sections 20 of the side panel, are the extensions 42 of the side panel, which form the rounded corners of the carrier. Connected to the extensions 42 of the side panel, along the fold line 70 and to the fins 66 and 68 of the end panel, along the fold line 72, are the bracket panels 74. The fold lines 34 and the fold lines 72 form a 45 ° angle with the fold lines 28 and 34. The cutouts 30 are thus limited by the edges of the side panel sections 20, the extensions 42 of the side panel, the bracket panels. 74 and fins 66 and 68 of the end panel. Groups of marking lines 76, spaced parallel to the fold lines 28, are placed in the extensions 42 of the side panel to facilitate bending of these elements during the formation of the carrier. Still referring to Figure 2, and also to Figure 3, to show in more detail the handle sections, it can be seen that each handle section includes a handle opening 77, formed by the cutouts 78. The grip flap 47 of handle is connected to each handle section by bending line 82 and is separated at its ends from handle section by arched grooves 84. Each side panel section includes an integral tongue 86, centrally positioned, which extends in the cutouts 78 to the handle grip tab 47 and is separated from this tab 47 by the slit 88. Each handle section includes an extension or tongue 90, defined by arcuate slots 92. The tabs extend into the side panel section associated by a substantial distance beyond the fold lines 58 and 60. The outer ends of the fold lines 58 and 60 terminate in the slots 92. In addition, each handle section includes an intermediate fold line 94, which extends from the ends of the handle section to the slit 84. It can be seen in Figure 2, that the width of the fins 66 of the end panel, as measured along the fold line 28 , is greater than the width of the fins 68 of the end panel by an amount substantially equal to the distance that the fold lines 58 are spaced from the edge 62 of the upper panel section 54. The width of the upper panel section 54 , adjacent to the fold lines 28, as measured in the same direction as the fins of the end panel, is greater than the width of the section 56 of the top panel by a similar amount. To form a package, the preform first bends and gums to the condition shown in Figure 4. This is achieved by folding the handle sections 48 and 50 upwards around its fold lines 58 and 60, while, at the same time, they fold down around their common fold line 52, until the handle sections face each other. This moves the sections 54 and 56 of the top panel together, until the section 54 of the top panel and the fins 66 of the end panel partially overlap the section 56 of the top panel and the fins 68 of the end panel by an amount equal to the difference in width of the fins of the end panel. The rubber will be applied first to the handle sections to adhere them together and form a two-layer handle, the rubber will also be applied to the sections of the top panel and the fins of the end panel, so that they adhere to each other in overlapping areas. Note that when the handle sections are folded up around the fold lines 58 and 60, the portions of the top panel sections will be dislodged by the handle tabs 90, which become cutouts in the sections of the top panel. When the carrier preform is in the condition shown in Figure 4, the cutouts of the section 54 of the upper panel are adjacent to the cutouts of the section 56 of the upper panel, which form the openings 96. As shown in Figure 5 , the preform of the carrier, formed partially, is placed on a group of bottles to be packed, so that the openings of the bottle necks are aligned with the bottles. The preform then moves down on the upper parts of the bottles. As these upper parts of the bottles move relative to the opening tabs 18 of the bottles, they contact these bottle tabs and pivot them upwards until the flanges F of the bottles, of relatively large diameter, move passing the tabs. At that point, the tabs are pressed again into contact with the neck of the smaller diameter bottle, adjacent to the underside of the flanges of the bottles. Next, the reinforcement panels or bracket 74 are bent above the fold lines 72 to thereby make contact with the underside of the fins 66 and 68 of the end panel. This leads to the fold lines 70 substantially directly below the fold lines 28 and causes the extensions 42 of the side panel to bend downward around the fold lines 70 of the reinforcement panel. The sections of the side panel are also folded down around the fold lines 34, causing the extensions of the side panel to curve around adjacent bottles. The carrier at this intermediate manufacturing stage is illustrated in Figure 6. The fins, 66 and 68, of the end panel are then folded down and gummed to the underlying portions of the side panel extensions, to produce the final package, shown in Figure 1. As explained above, when the handle sections 48 and 50 are brought together to form the handle 44, they are bent upwardly around fold lines 58 and 60, respectively, and sections 54 and 56 of the top panel move relative to each other so that they are in overlapping relationship. As these steps take place, the tabs 90 at the ends of the handle sections move with the pivot handle sections, moving out of the plane of the upper panel sections. In the final vertical position of the handle, the tabs 90 extend down into the carrier through the openings 96. This arrangement is shown in Figure 7. The benefit of the arrangement is that it resists tearing of the handle at the outer ends. of the connections from the fold line to the top panel. The handles, which have external vertical edges, which meet in the fold line connecting the handle to the top panel, allow horizontal traction to be exerted on the upper panel, adjacent to the external vertical edges, when the carrier is raised. This tension can cause the handle layers to stretch and tear or tear the top panel in these critical areas. The invention overcomes the problem by causing the fold lines of the handle to end at the edges, extending downwards, of the tabs 90, thus not allowing the horizontal upper panel sections to be subjected to significant horizontal stresses. The handle is shown including the intermediate horizontal bending lines 94. Although not necessary in the invention, they are preferably supplied to allow the handle to be folded down along these fold lines, to enable the carriers to be stacked for transportation or display. The upper edge of the folded handle can then make contact with the underside of the flanges of adjacent bottles, which retain the handle in a lower position than that of the upper parts of the bottles. The handle of the invention is not limited to use in a carrier of the type described. It could also be supplied in carriers that extend over the upper parts of the packaged items. Placing the fold lines 58 of the handle section spaced from the inner edge of the section 54 of the upper panel and the fold lines 60 of the handle section on the inner edge of the section 56 of the upper panel, this section 54 of the The upper panel may be sufficiently wide to partially overlap the section 56 of the upper panel.

It will be understood that the integral tab 86 of the section 56 of the top panel adheres to the inner face of the section 54 of the top panel, while the tab 86 of the section 54 of the top panel overlaps and adheres to the section 56 of the top panel , thus forming a strong upper panel, making the width of the integral tongue 86 at the point where the tongue passes over the longitudinal center line of the carrier, substantially by the same distance between the legs 45 of the handle, the tongue is able to absorb the potential tear tensions at the inner ends of the handle legs and prevent tearing at these points. It can now be appreciated that the invention allows a carrier with heavy loads to be provided with a suitcase-type handle, without damaging the handle or tearing the top panel. This has been achieved, without complicating the carrier's manufacturing process or increasing the cost of the carrier or the process. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to all the specific details described in relation to the preferred embodiment, except as they may be found within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, changes in certain characteristics of the preferred embodiment are considered, which do not alter the general basic function and the concept of the invention.

Claims (18)

1. CLAIMS 1. An article carrier, comprising: a top panel, having opposite side edges and opposite end edges, this top panel is connected at its side edges to the side panels; a handle, connected to the upper panel by a fold line, positioned substantially along a central line of the carrier; the fold line of the handle is substantially parallel to the side edges of the top panel and has opposite ends terminating at points spaced from the end edges of the top panel; this upper panel includes openings, extending from the ends of the fold line of the handle, towards the end edges of the upper panel; and tabs, which extend downwards, at opposite ends of the handle, which extend through the openings in the upper panel to the interior of the carrier. An article carrier, as defined in claim 1, wherein the handle is comprised of a plurality of layers and the top panel is comprised of a first upper panel section, which overlaps partially, and adheres to a second section of upper panel, each section of upper panel is connected by the fold line of the handle to a layer or fold of the handle. 3. An article carrier, as defined in claim 2, wherein the handle includes a substantially horizontal belt and two spaced legs that form an opening adjacent to the belt, whereby a person elevating the belt. carrier by the handle can grab this belt. 4. An article carrier, as defined in claim 3, wherein the fold line of the handle is comprised of two spaced segments of fold line, separated by the handle opening. 5. An article carrier, as defined in claim 4, in which the first top panel section includes an integral tongue, extending through the handle opening, the width of this integral tongue on the center line is substantially the same as the distance between the spaced legs of the handle. 6. An article carrier, as defined in claim 1, wherein the carrier is adapted to carry beverage bottles and the top panel includes openings for the bottle necks on the opposite sides of the handle. An article carrier, as defined in claim 6, wherein a plurality of support tabs are connected to the upper panel by fold lines, which extend along portions each bottle neck opening, the tabs of support have end edges for contact with the bottom side of the flanges of the bottles. 8. An article carrier, as defined in claim 2, including end panels connected to the top panel. An article carrier, as defined in claim 8, wherein each end panel is comprised of a first end panel fin, which partially overlaps and adheres to a second end panel fin, the first of the end panel are connected to the first section of the upper panel and the second fins of the end panel are connected to the second section of the upper panel. An article carrier, as defined in claim 2, wherein each opening in the top panel is partially comprised of a cutout in the first section of the top panel and partially comprised of a cutout in the second section of the top panel, This cutout in the first section of the top panel is joined to the cutout in the second section of the top panel to form the opening. 11. An article carrier, as defined in claim 10, wherein the first section of the top panel includes additional integral tabs, which overlap the second section of the top panel to the outside of the handle, each additional tab having an edge extending from one of the cuts in the first section of the top panel. 12. A preform for manufacturing an article carrier, this preform comprises: a first handle section, connected to a second handle section, substantially similar, along a central fold line, each handle section having end edges opposites; a first upper panel section, connected to the first handle section along a first fold line and a second section of the top panel, connected to the second handle section, along a second fold line; a slit, extending from the end edge of the first handle section in the first section of the top panel, and a slit, extending from each end edge of the second handle section, in the second section of the panel higher; and each slit extends beyond the first or second associated fold line and includes a transverse portion, which ends in the first or second associated fold line to define a handle tab; the transverse portions of the cutouts forming the slits in the first and second sections of the top panel in a carrier manufactured from the preform, in order to receive the tabs of the handle of such a carrier. A carrier preform, as defined in claim 12, wherein the first section of the top panel is of greater width than the second section of the top panel and where the first and second sections of the top panel have internal edges, the second The fold line substantially coincides with the inner edge of the second section of the upper panel and the first fold line is spaced from the inner edge of the first section of the upper panel. A carrier preform, as defined in claim 12, wherein each handle section includes a girdle and an opening between the girdle and the inner edge of the associated upper panel section. A carrier preform, as defined in claim 14, wherein each top panel section includes a tab extending into the opening of the handle section, associated with the top panel section. 16. A carrier preform, as defined in claim 14, wherein each of the first and second fold lines is comprised of two spaced fold line segments, separated by the opening of the associated handle section. 17. A carrier preform, as defined in claim 12, wherein the first and second sections of the top panel include openings for the necks of the bottles. 18. A carrier preform, as defined in claim 12, including a fin of the end panel, connected to each of the first and second sections of the top panel at their opposite ends.