NZ758933A - Container with a handle - Google Patents

Abstract

A container with a handle, including four side panels coupled together in series such that first and third side panels in the series are opposed and second and fourth side panels in the series are opposed; a glue flap coupling the first and fourth side panels together; a plurality of flaps extending from bottom end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps overlap so as to form a base of the container; first and second locking members coupled to respective upper sections of the second and fourth side panels; and first and second handles extending between the locking members, wherein bridging sections of the handles are detached from upper sections of the side panels. from bottom end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps overlap so as to form a base of the container; first and second locking members coupled to respective upper sections of the second and fourth side panels; and first and second handles extending between the locking members, wherein bridging sections of the handles are detached from upper sections of the side panels.

Description

CONTAINER WITH A HANDLE Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container with a handle.

Background of the Invention It is generally desirable to include a handle on containers such as open top cartons, trays and punnets to facilitate carrying.

Previously, a separate handle has been applied to an erected container in a separate step in the process of assembly. The separate handle increases the amount of parts to be handled and adds to the processing steps.

Other container include a handle incorporated in a carton with a closed top, for TM TM example, the Mac Donald’s Happy Meal box. Product is enclosed in a closed top carton and tray. This type of container is useful when spillage can be an issue.

However, the customer is unable to see the contents of the closed top package.

Further, additional material is required on closed top designs to cover the top of the carton.

UK Patent application No. 2 259 908 A discloses a container with a single handle. In this design, the inside surface ends up on the outside when erected. This may not be aesthetically pleasing or comfortable in the hand of a user.

Built-in handles in 6-pack and 4-pack carriers are also available but these are commonly used in beverage carry packs for cans and bottles where the contents can or need to be kept separate from each other.

It is generally desirable to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above mentioned difficulties, or at least provide a useful alternative.

C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018 Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a container with a handle, including: (a) four side panels coupled together in series such that first and third side panels in the series are opposed and second and fourth side panels in the series are opposed; (b) a glue flap coupling the first and fourth side panels together; (c) a plurality of flaps extending from bottom end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps overlap so as to form a base of the container; (d) first and second locking members coupled to respective upper sections of the second and fourth side panels; and (e) first and second handles extending between the locking members, wherein bridging sections of the handles are detached from upper sections of the side panels.

Preferably, wherein locking members are generally triangular and opposite ends of each one of said handles are wrapped inwardly around respective sides of the triangular locking members. Preferably, wherein bottom sides of the triangular locking members are outwardly wrapped around upper sections of the second and fourth side panels so that their apexes are seated in fixing slots of the second and fourth side panels. Preferably, fixing slots are smile shaped cut lines extending through respective second and fourth side panels.

Preferably, the first one of said handles is formed in first and second parts coupled together by a glue flap.

Preferably, the bridging sections of the handles include outwardly facing detachment surfaces that correspond with upwardly facing detachment surfaces of the upper sections of the sides panels from which they were removed. Preferably, the detachment surfaces of the handles and the side panels are scalloped.

In accordance with the invention, there is also provided a blank for forming a container with a handle, including: C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018 (a) four side panels coupled together in series; (b) a glue flap for coupling the first and fourth side panels together so that first and third side panels in the series are opposed and second and fourth side panels in the series; (c) a plurality of flaps extending from bottom end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps are positionable to overlap so as to form a base of the container; (d) first and second locking members coupled to respective upper sections of the second and fourth side panels; and (e) first and second handles extending between the locking members, wherein bridging sections of the handles are detached from upper sections of the side panels.

Preferably, the locking members are generally triangular and opposite ends of each one of said handles are adapted to be wrapped inwardly around respective sides of the triangular locking members. Preferably, the bottom sides of the triangular locking members are adapted to be outwardly wrapped around upper sections of the second and fourth side panels so that their apexes can be seated in fixing slots of the second and fourth side panels. Preferably, the fixing slots are smile shaped cut lines extending through respective second and fourth side panels.

In accordance with the invention, there is also provided, a container with a handle, including: (a) four side panels coupled to and extending upwardly from respective sides of a base such that first and third side panels in the series are opposed and second and fourth side panels in the series are opposed; (b) pairs of flaps respectively coupled to opposite ends of the first and third side panels so as to at least partially overlie the second and fourth side panels; and (e) first and second handles extending between the flaps of each pair of flaps, wherein bridging sections of the handles are detached from upper sections of the first and third side panels.

Preferably, the flaps include generally triangular locking members that are wrapped C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018 outwardly over respective second and fourth side panels so that their apexes are seated in fixing slots of the second and fourth side panels. Preferably, the fixing slots are smile shaped cut lines extending through respective second and fourth side panels.

In accordance with the invention, there is also provided a blank for a container with a handle, including: (a) four side panels coupled to and extending outwardly from respective sides of a base such that first and third side panels in the series are opposed and second and fourth side panels in the series are opposed; (b) pairs of flaps respectively coupled to opposite ends of the first and third side panels, the flaps being arrangable so as to at least partially overlie the second and fourth side panels; and (e) first and second handles extending between the flaps of each pair of flaps, wherein bridging sections of the handles are detachable from upper sections of the first and third side panels.

Preferably, the flaps include generally triangular locking members that adapted to be wrapped outwardly over respective second and fourth side panels so that their apexes are seated in fixing slots of the second and fourth side panels. Preferably, the fixing slots are smile shaped cut lines extending through respective second and fourth side panels.

Advantageously, the container can be manufactured on existing folding carton gluing equipment, including punnet or try erector. Advantageously, the container removes the need for separate handles to be supplied and applied or fixed to cartons, trays and punnets in a separate process. Further, the container allows for efficient use of raw material. For example, cardboard or carton board. Further still, the container easily allows a variety of differently-shaped handles to be incorporated in the container without changing the process of manufacture and assembly.

C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018 Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a container; Figure 2 is a left end view of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a bottom view of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a top view of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank for forming the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a plan view of the blank shown in Figure 5 in a condition of assembly; Figures 7a to 7g are views of the blank shown in Figure 5 during different stages of assembly; Figure 8 is a side perspective view of another container; Figure 9 is a side view of the container shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a top view of the container shown in Figure 8; Figure 11 is a bottom view of the container shown in Figure 8; Figure 12 is a plan view of a blank for forming the container shown in Figure 8; Figure 13 is a bottom view of the blank shown in Figure 12; and Figures 14a to 14e are views of the blank shown in Figure 12 in different stages of assembly.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention The container 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is formed from the blank 100 shown in Figure 5 in the manner shown in Figures 6 and 7a to 7f. Like parts between the container 10 and the blank 100 are hereafter identified with like reference numbers.

The container 10 includes: (a) four side panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d coupled together in series such that first 12a and third 12c side panels in the series are opposed and second 12b and fourth 12d side panels in the series are opposed; (b) a glue flap 14 coupling the first 12a and fourth 12d side panels together; (c) a plurality of flaps 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d extending from bottom end sections 18 C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018 of each one of the side panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, wherein the flaps 18 overlap so as to form a base 20 of the container 10; (d) first and second locking members 22a, 22b coupled to respective upper sections 24a, 24b of the second 12b and fourth 12d side panels; and (e) first and second handles 26a, 26b extending between the locking members 22a, 22b.

Importantly, bridging sections 28a, 28b of the handles 26a, 26b are detached from upper sections 30 and 46 of the side panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d.

As particularly shown in Figures 5 and 6, the locking members 22a, 22b are generally triangular. Opposite ends 32a, 32b of each one of the handles 26a, 26b are wrapped inwardly in directions "A", "B", "C" and "D" around respective sides 34a, 34b of the triangular locking members 22a, 22b.

Bottom sides 34c of the triangular locking members 22a, 22b are outwardly wrapped in directions "E" and "F" around upper sections 24a, 24b of the second 12b and fourth 12d side panels so that their apexes 36a, 36b are seated in fixing slots 38a, 38b of the second 12b and fourth 12d side panels. As shown, the fixing slots 38a, 38b are smile shaped cut lines extending through respective second and fourth side panels.

Alternatively, the fixing slots 38a, 38b could be any other suitable shape for receiving the apexes 36a, 36b and locking them therein.

As particularly shown in Figure 6, the first handle 26a is formed in first and second parts coupled together by a glue flap 40.

The bridging sections 28a, 28b are detached from respective upper sections 30 of the side panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d by breaking a plurality of connector tabs 42. As a result, the bridging sections 28a, 28b include outwardly facing detachment surfaces 44 that correspond with upwardly facing detachment surfaces 46 of the upper sections of the sides panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d from which they were removed. The detachment surfaces 44 of the handles and the side panels 30 are preferably scalloped. However, any other suitable shape could be fashioned.

The connecting tabs 42 secure the handles 26a, 26b during manufacture and packing.

C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018 When required, the handles 26a, 26b are broken away from the top edge 46 but retained and secured by a the triangular locking members 22a, 22b which function as webbed hinges. When the locking members 22a, 22b are folded out in directions "E" and "F" the handles 26a, 26b erect and form on each side of the top. The handles can be secured in place with a locking feature if required.

As particularly shown in Figure 3, the flaps 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d overlap and interlock so as to form the base 20 of the container 10.

With reference to Figures 7a to 7f, the container 10 is assembled from the blank 100 by performing the following steps: (a) folding the flaps 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d up so as to overlie respective panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d; (b) folding minor flaps 17 down so that they overlie respective flaps 16a, 16c; (c) folding the first panel 12a over the second panel 12b in the manner shown in Figure 7b; (d) folding the fourth panel 12d over the third panel 12c in the manner shown in Figure 7c; (e) coupling the first panel 12a and the fourth 12d together with a fastener, such as an adhesive, and separating the panels 12a, 12b, 12b, 12c in the manner shown in Figure 7d so as to form a receptacle; (f) detaching the bridging sections 28a, 28b from respective side panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d in the manner shown in Figure 7e; and (g) pushing apexes 36a, 36b of the locking members 22a, 22b outwardly in directions "E" and "F" around upper sections 24a, 24b of the second 12b and fourth 12d side panels.

As a result of step (g), opposite ends 32a, 32b of each one of the handles 26a, 26b wrap inwardly in directions "A", "B", "C" and "D" around respective sides 34a, 34b of the triangular locking members 22a, 22b in the manner shown in Figures 7e and 7f.

Preferably, apexes 36a, 36b of the are seated in fixing slots 38a, 38b of the second 12b and fourth 12d side panels.

C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018 The container 10 and the blank 100 are used in fibre-based Packaging, including folding carton boards, fluted cardboard and corrugated cardboard. In addition, the container 10 and the blank 100 can be applied to other packaging materials like plastic sheets and corrugated plastic sheets.

The outside surface of the blank 100 remains external after it is folded in to the container 10. As such, if printed the printed surface remains on the outside. Lends itself easily to printing as all of the exterior of the handle and container base are on the same plane.

Advantageously, the container 10 can be formed from the blank 100 on typical standard erector machines. No additional processes required.

Simply shape handle, cut and nick in place, assemble as open container 10 or punnet 10. User then chooses to erect handle if required. The webbed base of the handles can be tucked in at the sides if required. Side slits allow the handles to be tucked in.

Open-mouth containers 10 are envisaged with various base designs eg crash-lock base, snap-lock base, tuck-in base and flat and single-piece bases.

The container 10 can be manufactured on existing folding carton gluing equipment, including punnet erector and tray erectors.

The blank 100 obviates the need for separate handles to be supplied and applied or fixed to cartons, trays and punnets in a separate process.

The design of the blank 100 easily allows a variety of differently-shaped handles to be incorporated in the container without changing the process of manufacture and assembly.

Preferably, the side panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d of the container 10 are tapered. The angle of tapering is, for example, around 85 degrees.

The container 200 shown in Figures 8 to 11 is formed from the blank shown in Figures 12 and 13 in the manner shown in Figures 14a to 14e. The container 200 includes: C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018 (a) four side panels 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d coupled to and extending upwardly from respective sides of a base 204 such that first 202a and third 202c side panels in the series are opposed and second 202b and fourth 202d side panels in the series are opposed; (b) pairs of flaps 206 respectively coupled to opposite ends 208a, 208b of the first 202a and third 202c side panels so as to at least partially overlie the second 202b and fourth 202d side panels; and (e) first and second handles 210a, 210b extending between the flaps of each pair of flaps 206.

Bridging sections 212 of the handles are detached from upper sections 214 of the first 202a and third 202c side panels.

As particularly shown in Figures 14a to 14e, the flaps 206 include generally triangular locking members 216 that are wrapped in direction "G" outwardly over respective second 202b and fourth 202d side panels so that their apexes 218 are seated in fixing slots 220 of the second 202b and fourth 202d side panels.

Fixing slots 220 are smile shaped cut lines extending through respective second 202b, and fourth 202d side panels.

As shown in Figure 12, the bridging sections 212 are detached from respective upper sections 214 of the first 202a and third 202c side panels by breaking a plurality of connector tabs 222. As shown in Figure 14d, the bridging sections 212 of the handles 210a, 210b include outwardly facing detachment surfaces 224 that correspond with upwardly facing detachment surfaces 226 of the upper sections 214 of the sides panels from which they were removed.

The container 200 also includes corner sections 228 coupling the pairs of flaps 206 to respective ends 208a, 208b of the first 202a and third 202c side panels.

With reference to Figures 14a to 14e, the container 200 is assembled from the blank 300 by performing the following steps: C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018 (a) folding the side panels 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d up from the base in the manner shown in Figures 14a and 14b so that flaps 206 overlie the second 202b and fourth 202d side panels; (b) detaching the bridging sections 212 from respective side panels 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d in the manner shown in Figure 14c; (g) pushing apexes 218 of the locking members 216 outwardly in directions "X" and "Y" around upper sections 214 of the second 202b and fourth 202d side panels.

In performing step (g), opposite ends 230 of each one of the handles 212 wrap inwardly around respective sides of the triangular locking members 216 in the manner shown in Figure 14c.

The apexes 218 are preferably seated in fixing slots 220 of the second 202b and fourth 202d side panels.

The flaps 206 each include a slot 207 positioned behind the fixing slots 220 when the container 200 is erected. The slots 207 facilitate easier insertion of apexes 218 into the fixing slots 220. That is, the slots 207 do not bear against the apexes 218 when they are inserted onto to the fixing slots 220.

Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

In this specification and the claims that follow, unless stated otherwise, the word "comprise" and its variations, such as "comprises" and "comprising", imply the inclusion of a stated integer, step, or group of integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

References in this specification to any prior publication, information derived from any said prior publication, or any known matter are not and should not be taken as an C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018 acknowledgement, admission or suggestion that said prior publication, or any information derived from this prior publication or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which the specification relates.

C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018 List of Parts , 200 Container 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d Side panel 14 Glue flap 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d Flap 18 Bottom end section Base 22a, 22b Locking member 24a, 24b Upper section 26a, 26b Handle 28a, 28b Bridging section Upper section 32a, 32b Ends of the handle 34a, 34b, 34c Side of triangular locking member 36a, 36b Apex 38a, 38b Fixing slot 40 Glue flap 42 Connector tab 44, 46 Detachment surface 100 Blank 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d Side panel 204 Base 206 Flaps 207 Slot 208a, 208b End 210a, 210b Handle 212 Bridging section 214 Upper section 216 locking member 220 Apex 220 Fixing slots 222 Connector tabs 224, 226 Detachment surface 228 Corner section C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-14/11/2018

Claims (6)

Claims Defining the Invention

1. A container with a handle, including: (a) four side panels coupled together in series such that first and third side 5 panels in the series are opposed and second and fourth side panels in the series are opposed; (b) a glue flap coupling the first and fourth side panels together; (c) a plurality of flaps extending from bottom end sections of each one of said side panels, wherein the flaps overlap so as to form a base of the 10 container; (d) first and second locking members coupled to respective upper sections of the second and fourth side panels; and (e) first and second handles extending between the locking members, wherein bridging sections of the handles are detached from upper sections of 15 the side panels.

2. The container claimed in claim 1, wherein locking members are generally triangular and opposite ends of each one of said handles are wrapped inwardly around respective sides of the triangular locking members.

3. The container claimed in claim 2, wherein bottom sides of the triangular locking members are outwardly wrapped around upper sections of the second and fourth side panels so that their apexes are seated in fixing slots of the second and fourth side panels.

4. The container claimed in claim 3, wherein fixing slots are smile shaped cut lines extending through respective second and fourth side panels.

5. The container claimed in claim any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein the first one of 30 said handles is formed in first and second parts coupled together by a glue flap.

6. The container claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein bridging sections are detached from respective upper sections of the side panels by breaking a plurality of connector tabs. C:\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TLD\17992382_1.doc-