US20170197770A1 - Carton and carton blank - Google Patents
Carton and carton blank Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170197770A1 US20170197770A1 US15/326,092 US201515326092A US2017197770A1 US 20170197770 A1 US20170197770 A1 US 20170197770A1 US 201515326092 A US201515326092 A US 201515326092A US 2017197770 A1 US2017197770 A1 US 2017197770A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- hand
- flaps
- handle
- hinged
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
- B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
- B65D71/36—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers, with end walls
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
- B65D5/0227—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end closures formed by inward folding of flaps and securing them by heat-sealing, by applying adhesive to the flaps or by staples
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/44—Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
- B65D5/46—Handles
- B65D5/46072—Handles integral with the container
- B65D5/4608—Handgrip holes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
- B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00141—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper glued
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00432—Handles or suspending means
- B65D2571/00438—Holes
- B65D2571/0045—Holes for hands
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00555—Wrapper opening devices
- B65D2571/00561—Lines of weakness
- B65D2571/00574—Lines of weakness whereby contents can still be carried after the line has been torn
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
- B65D2571/00654—Blanks
- B65D2571/0066—Blanks formed from one single sheet
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
- B65D2571/00722—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
- B65D2571/00722—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface
- B65D2571/00728—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular with end walls, e.g. walls not extending on the whole end surface the end walls being closed by gluing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a carton and to a blank for forming the carton more specifically, but not exclusively, to a carton having a carrying handle for carrying the carton.
- the present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.
- a handle structure for a carton comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps hingedly connected to a handle panel by a pair of hinged connections, each hinged connection having a longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to the vertical, the longitudinal axes of the hinged connections defining an obtuse angle therebetween and extending divergently downwards.
- a first one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps is separated from a second one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps by a severance line.
- the handle panel is a unitary, substantially upright handle panel.
- each hinged connection comprises at least one linear fold line.
- each longitudinal axis extends coincidentally with one of the at least one linear fold lines.
- each hinged connection comprises a pair of opposed arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel therebetween.
- each longitudinal axis extends through each of two intersecting points of a respective one of the elliptical panels.
- each longitudinal axis extends through each of two pointed ends of a respective one of the elliptical panels.
- each hand flap comprises a flap fold line therein for facilitating folding of a first portion of the hand flap with respect to a second portion of the handle flap.
- the flap fold lines in the hand flaps together define an inverted V shape.
- a first hand flap comprises a first fold line therein for facilitating folding of a first portion of the first hand flap with respect to a second portion of the first handle flap and a second hand flap comprises a second fold line therein for facilitating folding of a first portion of the second hand flap with respect to a second portion of the second handle flap.
- the first portion of the first hand flap is disposed adjacent to the first portion of the second hand flap.
- the handle structure comprises an aperture defining in part at least a portion of each of the pair of adjoining hand flaps.
- the handle structure comprises at least one inner panel, the at least one inner panel comprising a cutaway or recess configured and arranged to be in registry with at least a portion of a hand opening defined at least in part by the pair of adjoining hand flaps.
- the at least one inner panel comprises at least one inner flap hinged thereto by an inner hinged connection and the at least one inner flap defining at least a portion of the cutaway.
- the handle structure comprises a pair of inner flaps each having an inner hinged connection.
- each of the pair of inner flaps partially overlaps with a respective one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps.
- each of the pair of inner flaps is disposed above the hinged connection of the respective one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps with which it is in partially overlapping relationship.
- each of the pair of inner flaps is spaced apart from the hinged connection of the respective one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps with which it is in partially overlapping relationship.
- each of the pair of inner flaps is convergently arranged with respect to the hinged connection of the respective one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps with which it is in partially overlapping relationship, so as to define an acute angle therebetween.
- the handle structure comprises a pair of inner flaps provided by at least one inner panel.
- the handle structure comprises a pair of inner flaps each having pair of lobes configured and arranged for facilitating folding of the elliptical panel substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis.
- each elliptical panel comprises a fold line for facilitating folding of the elliptical panel substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis.
- a carton for packaging one or more articles comprising a plurality of panels including a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel forming a tubular structure, a first end panel for at least partially closing a first end of the tubular structure, a second end panel for at least partially closing a second end of the tubular structure, wherein the carton comprises a handle structure comprising a handle panel formed by one of said plurality of panels, the handle structure comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps hingedly connected to the handle panel by a pair of hinged connections, each hinged connection having a longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to the vertical, the longitudinal axes of the hinged connections defining an obtuse angle therebetween and extending divergently downwards.
- the handle panel is a unitary, substantially upright handle panel.
- each hinged connection comprises at least one linear fold line.
- each longitudinal axis extends coincidentally with one of the at least one linear fold lines.
- each hinged connection comprises a pair of opposed arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel therebetween.
- each longitudinal axis extends through each of two intersecting points of a respective one of the elliptical panels.
- each longitudinal axis extends through each of two pointed ends of a respective one of the elliptical panels.
- a blank for forming a carton comprising a plurality of panels including a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel for forming a tubular structure, a first end panel for at least partially closing a first end of the tubular structure, a second end panel for at least partially closing a second end of the tubular structure, wherein the blank comprises a handle structure comprising a handle panel formed by one of said plurality of panels, the handle structure comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps hingedly connected to the handle panel by a pair of hinged connections, each hinged connection having a longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to the vertical, the longitudinal axes of the hinged connections defining an obtuse angle therebetween and extending divergently downwards in a set-up carton.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a first embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is an internal elevation, partially cut away, of an end portion of the carton of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view, from above, of an end of the carton of FIG. 3 showing the carrying handle in a deployed condition;
- FIG. 5 is an internal elevation, partially cut away, of an end portion of the carton of FIG. 2 showing the carrying handle in a deployed condition;
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a second embodiment
- FIG. 7A is a fragmentary external elevation of a carrying handle of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 6 showing the carrying handle in a first stowed position;
- FIG. 7B is a fragmentary external elevation of a carrying handle of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 6 showing the outer cushioning tabs of the carrying handle folded outwardly of the carton so as to illustrate the position of the inner tabs with respect thereto;
- FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a third embodiment
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view, from above, of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 8 ;
- FIG. 9A is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of a carrying handle of the carton of FIG. 9 ;
- FIG. 10 is a fragmentary internal elevation of an end portion of the carton of FIG. 9 , showing the carrying handle in a stowed or undeployed condition;
- FIG. 11 is a fragmentary internal elevation of the carrying handle of the carton of FIG. 9 , showing the carrying handle in a deployed condition;
- FIG. 12 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a fourth embodiment
- FIG. 13 is an end elevation of a carton showing a carrying handle according to a fifth embodiment
- FIG. 14 is a fragmentally internal elevation of a carrying handle of a carton according to a sixth embodiment.
- FIG. 15 is a fragmentally internal elevation of a carrying handle of a carton according to a seventh embodiment.
- FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a blank 10 capable of forming a carton 90 , as shown in FIG. 2 , for primary products such as, but not limited to, bottles, hereinafter referred to as articles B.
- the terms “carton” and “carrier” refer, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container for engaging, carrying, and/or dispensing articles, such as product containers. It is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various product containers, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Exemplary containers include bottles (for example metallic, glass or plastics bottles), cans (for example aluminium cans), tins, pouches, packets and the like.
- suitable substrate includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed, where suitable, for example, to provide the carrier structure described in more detail below.
- the blanks are configured to form a carton or carrier for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles.
- the arrangement is a 3 ⁇ 4 matrix or array and the articles are bottles.
- the blank can be alternatively configured to form a carrier for packaging other types, number and size of article and/or for packaging articles in a different arrangement or configuration.
- the blank 10 comprises a plurality of main panels 12 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 hinged one to the next in a linear series.
- the blank 10 comprises a glue panel 12 hinged to a top panel 14 by a fold line 13 .
- the top panel 14 is hinged to a first side panel 16 by a fold line 15 .
- the first side panel 16 is hinged to a bottom panel 18 by a fold line 17 .
- the bottom panel 18 is hinged to a second side panel 20 by a fold line 19 .
- the plurality of main panels 12 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 of the blank 10 form an open-ended tubular structure when in a set-up condition.
- Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end closure panels.
- the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed by end closure panels 26 A, 28 A, 30 A, 32 A, 26 b, 28 B, 30 B, 32 B.
- End closure panels 26 A, 28 A, 30 A, 32 A are configured to close a first end of the tubular structure and end panels 26 b, 28 B, 30 B, 32 B are configured to close a second end of the tubular structure.
- a first top end closure panel 26 A is hinged to a first end of top panel 14 by a fold line 27 a.
- a first side end closure panel 28 A is hinged to a first end of first side panel 16 by a pair of fold lines 29 a, 29 B.
- a first bottom end closure panel 30 A is hinged to a first end of bottom panel 18 by a fold line 31 A.
- a second side end closure panel 32 A is hinged to a first end of the second side panel 20 by a pair of fold lines 33 A, 33 B.
- the pair of fold lines 29 a, 29 B define a first corner panel 16 A disposed between the first side panel 16 and the first side end closure panel 28 A.
- the pair of fold lines 33 A, 33 B define a second corner panel 20 A disposed between the second side panel 20 and the second side end closure panel 32 A.
- a second top end closure panel 26 b is hinged to a second end of top panel 14 by a fold line 27 B.
- a third side end closure panel 28 B is hinged to a second end of the first side panel 16 by a pair of fold lines 29 c, 29 d.
- a second bottom end closure panel 30 B is hinged to a second end of bottom panel 18 by a fold line 31 B.
- a fourth side end closure panel 32 B is hinged to a second end of second side panel 20 by a pair of fold lines 33 c, 33 d.
- the pair of fold lines 29 c, 29 d define a third corner panel 16 B disposed between the first side panel 16 and the third side end closure panel 28 B.
- the pair of fold lines 33 c, 33 d define a fourth corner panel 20 B disposed between the second side panel 20 and the fourth side end closure panel 32 B.
- the first side end closure panel 28 A and the second side end closure panel 32 A each form a minor side end closure panel.
- the third side end closure panel 28 B and the fourth side end closure panel 32 B form a minor side end closure panel.
- the first top end closure panel 26 A and the second top end closure panel 26 B each form a major upper end closure panel.
- the first bottom end closure panel 30 A and the second bottom end closure panel 30 B each form a major lower end closure panel.
- the first side end closure panel 28 A comprises a fold line 21 A extending between fold line 29 a and a free end edge of the first side end closure panel 28 A.
- the first side end closure panel 28 A can be folded about fold line 21 A when closing the end of the carton 90 .
- the second side end closure panel 32 A comprises a fold line 25 A extending between fold line 33 A and a free end edge of the second side end closure panel 32 A.
- the second side end closure panel 32 A can be folded about fold line 25 A when closing the end of the carton 90 .
- the third side end closure panel 28 B comprises a fold line 21 B extending between fold line 29 d and a free end edge of the third side end closure panel 28 B.
- the third side end closure panel 28 B can be folded about fold line 21 B when closing the end of the carton 90 .
- the fourth side end closure panel 32 B comprises a fold line 25 B extending between fold line 33 d and a free end edge of the fourth side end closure panel 32 B.
- the fourth side end closure panel 32 B can be folded about fold line 25 B when closing the end of the carton 90 .
- the top panel 14 comprises an access device Z.
- the access device Z comprises a first gate panel 24 A and a second gate panel 24 B.
- the first gate panel 24 A is hinged to the top panel 14 by a fold line 23 A.
- the second gate panel 24 B is hinged to the top panel 14 by a fold line 23 B.
- the first and second gate panels 24 A, 24 B are arranged in opposition to one another.
- the first and second gate panels 24 A, 24 B are severably coupled to one another; the first and second gate panels 24 A, 24 B share a common inner edge defined by a severance line 23 c.
- the first gate panel 24 A and the second gate panel 24 B are further defined by a first severance line 23 d and a second severance line 23 e.
- the first severance line 23 d extends between a first end of the fold line 23 A and a first end of the fold line 23 B.
- the second severance line 23 e extends between a second end of the fold line 23 A and a second end of the fold line 23 B.
- the common severance line 23 c extends between the first severance line 23 d and the second severance line 23 e.
- the blank 10 comprises a first handle structure H 1 in the first top end closure panel 26 A, and a second handle structure H 2 in the second top end closure panel 26 B.
- Each of the handle structures H 1 , H 2 is substantially the same in construction, and comprises a pair of adjoining hand flaps or tabs; a first hand tab 42 A and a second hand tab 42 B are struck from the respective one of the first top end closure panel 26 A or second top end closure panel 26 B.
- the first top end closure panel 26 A and/or second top end closure panel 26 B each form a substantially upright handle panel.
- the first hand tab 42 A is hinged along an upper edge to the respective one of the first top end closure panel 26 A or second top end closure panel 26 B by a hinged connection in the form of a first fold line 41 A.
- the second hand tab 42 B is hinged along an upper edge to the respective one of the first top end closure panel 26 A or second top end closure panel 26 B by a hinged connection in the form of a second fold line 41 B.
- the first and second fold lines 41 A, 41 B are arranged to form an inverted V shape.
- the first and second fold lines 41 A, 41 B are convergently arranged with respect to one another and define an obtuse angle therebetween.
- Each of the first and second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B is defined in part by a portion of a U-shaped cutline or severance line 48 .
- the first hand tab 42 A is disposed adjacent to the second hand tab 42 B.
- the first hand tab 42 A and the second hand tab 42 B share a common edge defined by a severance line or cut line 43 .
- Each of the hinged connections, first and second fold lines 41 A, 41 B have a longitudinal axis which, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 , is coincidental with that fold line.
- the longitudinal axis of each hinged connection 41 A, 41 B is disposed at an acute angle ( ⁇ + ⁇ ), less than 90°, with respect to a notional vertical axis N 2 ( FIG. 3 ).
- the longitudinal axes of the hinged connections define an obtuse angle ⁇ therebetween and extend divergently downwards from the converging point of the hinged connections 41 A, 41 B ( FIG. 2 ).
- the first hand tab 42 A comprises a first flap fold line 45 A and the second hand tab 42 B comprises a second flap fold line 45 B.
- the first and second flap fold lines 45 A, 45 B facilitate folding of a first portion of the respective first or second hand tab 42 A, 42 B with respect to a second portion of the first or second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B.
- the first and second flap fold lines 45 A, 45 B are arranged to form an inverted V shape.
- the first and second flap fold lines 45 A, 45 B are convergently arranged with respect to one another and define an acute or obtuse angle therebetween.
- the first and second flap fold lines 45 A, 45 B provide that adjacent lower corners of the first and second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B can be folded with respect to the rest of the respective one of the first or second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B.
- first hand tab 42 A and the second hand tab 42 B together define a single hand opening HA ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) when the first and second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B are folded inward of the carton, out of the plane of the first top end closure panel 26 A or the second top end closure panel 26 B.
- the hand opening HA provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand into the carton 90 .
- the first and second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B provide cushioning flaps when folded internally of the carton 90 so as to provide a comfortable handle.
- the first side end closure panel 28 A comprises a first inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 1 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the first recess R 1 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 42 B of the first handle structure H 1 or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H 1 .
- the first recess R 1 is defined in part by a first inner tab 52 A hinged to the first side end closure panel 28 A by a fold line 51 A.
- the second side end closure panel 32 A comprises a second inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 2 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the second recess R 2 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 42 A of the first handle structure H 1 , or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H 1 .
- the second recess R 2 is defined in part by a second inner tab 52 B hinged to the second side end closure panel 32 A by a fold line 51 B.
- the third side end closure panel 28 B comprises a third inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 3 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the third recess R 3 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 42 B of the second handle structure H 2 , or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H 2 .
- the third recess R 3 is defined in part by a first inner tab 52 A hinged to the third side end closure panel 28 B by a fold line 51 A.
- the fourth side end closure panel 32 B comprises a fourth inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 4 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the fourth recess R 4 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 42 A of the second handle structure H 2 , or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H 2 .
- the fourth recess R 4 is defined in part by a second inner tab 52 B hinged to the fourth side end closure panel 32 B by a fold line 51 B.
- the carton 90 may be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine such that the carton 90 is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction.
- the folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.
- the blank 10 is folded about fold line 15 , such that the glue panel 12 and top panel 14 are folded thereabouts.
- the top panel 14 is brought into face contacting relationship with the first side panel 16 ; the glue panel 12 is brought into face contacting relationship with the first side panel 16 and/or bottom panel 18 .
- Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to the glue panel 12 or, in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the second side panel 20 .
- the second side panel 20 is folded about the fold line 19 such that the second side panel 20 overlies the glue panel 12 .
- the second side panel 20 is secured to the glue panel 12 to form a flat collapsed carton.
- the carton may be shipped or distributed in this flat collapsed form.
- the second side panel 20 may be secured to the glue panel 12 by alternative securing means for example, but not limited to, staples or other mechanical fixing means.
- the flat collapsed carton may be erected into a tubular structure by separating the top panel 14 from the bottom panel 18 .
- the carton 90 in its open-ended tubular form, may be loaded with articles B through one or both open ends. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments one of the open ends of the carton 90 may be closed before loading the carton 90 with articles B through the remaining open end.
- one or more of the end closure panels 26 A, 28 A, 30 A, 32 A, 26 B, 28 B, 30 B, 32 B are folded outwardly so as to create a funnel at one or both of the open ends of the tubular structure for facilitating loading of the carton with articles B.
- a first end of the tubular structure is closed by folding the second and second side end closure panels 28 A, 32 A about fold lines 29 A, 33 A respectively.
- Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the first side end closure panel 28 A, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first top end closure panel 26 A.
- Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the second side end closure panel 32 A, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first top end closure panel 26 A.
- the first top end closure panel 26 A is then folded about the fold line 27 A to be brought into contact with the second and second side end closure panels 28 A, 32 A and optionally secured thereto.
- Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the first side end closure panel 28 A, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first bottom end closure panel 30 A.
- Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the second side end closure panel 32 A, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first bottom end closure panel 30 A.
- Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to an inner surface of the first bottom end closure panel 30 A, or in alternative embodiments, to an outer surface of the first top end closure panel 26 A.
- the first bottom end closure panel 30 A is then folded about the fold line 31 A to be brought into contact with the second and second side end closure panels 28 A, 32 A and the first top end closure panel 26 A.
- the first bottom end closure panel 30 A is secured to the first top end closure panel 26 A.
- the first bottom end closure panel 30 A is secured to the second and second side end closure panels 28 A, 32 A.
- first bottom end closure panel 30 A may be folded about fold line 31 A prior to folding the first top end closure panel 26 A about fold line 27 A. It will be appreciated that in such embodiments the first top end closure panel 26 A is disposed outermost.
- a second end of the tubular structure is closed by folding the sixth and fourth side end closure panels 28 B, 32 B about fold lines 29 d, 33 d respectively.
- Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the third side end closure panel 28 B, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the second top end closure panel 26 B.
- Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the fourth side end closure panel 32 B, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the second top end closure panel 26 B.
- the second top end closure panel 26 B is then folded about the fold line 27 B to be brought into contact with the sixth and fourth side end closure panels 28 B, 32 B and optionally secured thereto.
- Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the third side end closure panel 28 B, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the second bottom end closure panel 30 B.
- Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the fourth side end closure panel 32 B, or in alternative embodiments to a corresponding portion of the second bottom end closure panel 30 B.
- Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to an inner surface of the second bottom end closure panel 30 B, or in alternative embodiments, to an outer surface of the second top end closure panel 26 B.
- the second bottom end closure panel 30 B is then folded about the fold line 31 B to be brought into contact with the sixth and fourth side end closure panels 28 B, 32 B and the second top end closure panel 26 B.
- the second bottom end closure panel 30 B is secured to the second top end closure panel 26 B.
- the second bottom end closure panel 30 B is secured to the sixth and fourth side end closure panels 28 B, 32 B.
- the second bottom end closure panel 30 B may be folded about fold line 31 B prior to folding the second top end closure panel 26 B about fold line 27 B. It will be appreciated that in such embodiments the second top end closure panel 26 B is disposed outermost.
- a user inserts at least a portion of their hand into a hand opening HA created by folding the first and second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B of the first handle structure H 1 and/or second handle structure H 2 internally of the carton 90 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
- the first and second inner tabs 52 A, 52 B of the respective one of the first and second handle structures H 1 , H 2 are folded internally of the carton about fold lines 51 A, 51 B.
- the fold line 51 A and the fold line 41 A are arranged divergently with respect to each other.
- the fold line 51 A is arranged such that it does not overlie, or intersect with, the fold line 41 A.
- the fold line 51 A is disposed above the fold line 41 A with their respective lower ends positioned on a notional horizontal line N 1 and spaced from each other.
- the fold lines 51 A, 41 A extend upwardly divergently from their respective lower ends toward the top panel 14 .
- the fold line 51 A and the fold line 41 A are arranged to define an acute angle ⁇ with respect to each other.
- the fold line 51 A is arranged to define an acute angle ⁇ with respect to the notional horizontal line N 1 .
- the acute angle ⁇ is substantially greater than the acute angle ⁇ .
- the fold line 51 A is arranged to define an acute angle ⁇ with respect to a notional vertical line N 2 perpendicular to the notional horizontal line N 1 .
- the fold line 41 A is arranged to define an acute angle ⁇ with respect to the notional horizontal line N 1 .
- the angle ⁇ is less than the angle ⁇ and may optionally be less than angle ⁇ .
- the angle ⁇ may be between approximately 25° to 30°; for example, in one embodiment the angle ⁇ is approximately 28.5°.
- the angle ⁇ may be between approximately 40° to 60°; for example, in one embodiment the angle ⁇ is approximately 50°.
- the angle ⁇ may be between approximately 10° to 35°; for example, in one embodiment the angle ⁇ is approximately 21.5°.
- the first hand tab 42 A is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the first inner tab 52 A.
- the second hand tab 42 B is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the second inner tab 52 B.
- the fold line 51 A is disposed above the fold line 41 A.
- the fold line 51 B is disposed above the fold line 41 B.
- the arrangement of the second hand tab 42 B with respect to the second inner tab 52 B is substantially the same as the arrangement of the first hand tab 42 A with respect to the first inner tab 52 A described above, albeit a mirror image of the arrangement of the first hand tab 42 A and the first inner tab 52 A.
- the fold line 51 B and the fold line 41 B are arranged divergently with respect to each other.
- the fold line 51 B is arranged such that it does not overlie, or intersect with, the fold line 41 B.
- the fold line 51 B is disposed above the fold line 41 B with their respective lower ends positioned on a notional horizontal line and spaced from each other.
- the fold lines 51 B, 41 B extend upwardly divergently from their respective lower ends toward the top panel 14 .
- the fold line 51 B and the fold line 41 B are arranged to define an acute angle with respect to each other, as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the fold line 51 B is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line.
- the fold line 51 B is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line.
- the fold line 41 B is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line.
- the carton 90 comprises rows of articles B, optionally three articles B.
- a central article B is disposed substantially in the middle of the carton 90
- the handle structures H 1 , H 2 are also disposed centrally between the side walls 16 , 20 .
- an article B is disposed centrally with respect to the hand opening HA created by folding the first and second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B.
- the arrangement of the handle structures H 1 , H 2 allows the first and second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B to be folded on opposing sides of the centrally located article B.
- FIG. 5 shows an internal view of the carton 90 ; a user U has partially inserted a hand through the hand opening HA created by folding the first and second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B of the first handle structure H 1 .
- the fold lines 45 A, 45 B facilitate folding of the first and second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B respectively about the central article B.
- the corner portions C 1 , C 2 of the first and second hand tabs 42 A, 42 B fold about fold lines 45 A, 45 B when the corner portions C 1 , C 2 come into contact with the central article B, best shown in the internal view of FIG. 5 , in which the articles B have been omitted for clarity.
- FIGS. 6 to 15 there is shown alternative embodiments of the present invention.
- like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix “100”, “200”, “300”, “400”, “500” or “600” to indicate that these features belong to the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh embodiments, respectively.
- the alternative embodiments share many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described in any greater detail.
- FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a blank 110 according to a second embodiment.
- the blank 110 comprises a plurality of main panels 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 , 120 hinged one to the next in a linear series.
- the blank 110 comprises a glue panel 112 hinged to a top panel 114 by a fold line 113 .
- the top panel 114 is hinged to a first side panel 116 by a fold line 115 .
- the first side panel 116 is hinged to a bottom panel 118 by a fold line 117 .
- the bottom panel 118 is hinged to a second side panel 120 by a fold line 119 .
- the plurality of main panels 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 , 120 of the blank 110 form an open-ended tubular structure when in a set-up condition.
- Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end closure panels.
- the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed by end closure panels 126 A, 128 A, 130 A, 132 A, 126 B, 128 B, 130 B, 132 B.
- End closure panels 126 A, 128 A, 130 A, 132 A are configured to close a first end of the tubular structure and end panels 126 B, 128 B, 130 B, 132 B are configured to close a second end of the tubular structure.
- the blank 110 comprises a first handle structure H 1 in a first top end closure panel 126 A, and a second handle structure H 2 in a second top end closure panel 126 B.
- Each of the handle structures H 1 , H 2 is substantially the same in construction, and comprises a first hand tab 142 A and a second hand tab 142 B struck from the respective one of the first top end closure panel 126 A or second top end closure panel 126 B.
- the first hand tab 142 A is hinged along an upper edge to the respective one of the first top end closure panel 126 A or second top end closure panel 126 B by a first fold line 141 A.
- the second hand tab 142 B is hinged along an upper edge to the respective one of the first top end closure panel 126 A or second top end closure panel 126 B by a second fold line 141 B.
- the first and second fold lines 141 A, 141 B are arranged to form an inverted V-shape.
- the first and second fold lines 141 A, 141 B are convergently arranged with respect to one another and define an obtuse angle therebetween.
- Each of the first and second hand tabs 142 A, 142 B is defined in part by cut lines or severance lines 148 A, 148 B and in part by an aperture A 1 .
- the aperture A 1 is substantially triangular in shape, although other shapes may be employed in alternative embodiments.
- the first hand tab 142 A is disposed adjacent to the second hand tab 142 B.
- the first hand tab 142 A and the second hand tab 142 B share a common edge defined by a severance line or cut line 143 .
- the common severance line or cut line 143 extends from the aperture A 1 to a vertex at which first and second fold lines 141 A, 141 B meet.
- first hand tab 142 A, second hand tab 142 B and aperture A 1 define a hand opening HA when the first and second hand tabs 142 A, 142 B are folded out of the plane of the first top end closure panel 126 A or the second top end closure panel 126 B.
- the hand opening HA provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand into a carton 190 , see FIG. 7A .
- the first and second hand tabs 142 A, 142 B provide cushioning flaps when folded internally of the carton 190 so as to provide a comfortable handle.
- the first side end closure panel 128 A comprises a first inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 1 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the first recess R 1 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 142 B of the first handle structure H 1 or the hand opening defined by the tabs 142 A, 142 B of the first handle structure H 1 .
- the first recess R 1 is defined in part by a first inner tab 152 A hinged to the first side end closure panel 128 A by a fold line 151 A.
- the second side end closure panel 132 A comprises a second inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 2 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the second recess R 2 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 142 A of the first handle structure H 1 , or the hand opening HA ( FIG. 7B ) defined by the tabs 142 A, 142 B of the first handle structure H 1 .
- the second recess R 2 is defined in part by a second inner tab 152 B hinged to the second side end closure panel 132 A by a fold line 151 B.
- the third side end closure panel 128 B comprises a third inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 3 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the third recess R 3 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 142 B of the second handle structure H 2 , or the hand opening HA defined by the tabs 142 A, 142 B of the second handle structure H 2 .
- the third recess R 3 is defined in part by a first inner tab 152 A hinged to the third side end closure panel 128 B by a fold line 151 A.
- the fourth side end closure panel 132 B comprises a fourth inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 4 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the fourth recess R 4 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 142 A of the second handle structure H 2 or the hand opening HA defined by the tabs 142 A, 142 B of the second handle structure H 2 .
- the fourth recess R 4 is defined in part by a second inner tab 152 B hinged to the fourth side end closure panel 132 B by a fold line 151 B.
- FIG. 7A shows a partial view of an end of a carton 190 in which the carrying handle is in a stowed or undeployed condition.
- FIG. 7B shows a partial view of an end of the carton 190 in which the first and second hand tabs 142 A, 142 B of the carrying handle have been folded outwardly of the carton 190 as indicated by direction arrows D 1 , D 2 respectively.
- the first and second hand tabs 142 A, 142 B have been folded outwardly for illustrative purposes only; in use the first and second hand tabs 142 A, 142 B of the carrying handle will be folded internally or inwardly of the carton 190 .
- FIG. 7B illustrates the position and orientation of the first and second inner tabs 152 A, 152 B.
- the first and second inner tabs 152 A, 152 B are located internally with respect to first and second inner tabs 152 A, 152 B. It will be appreciated from FIG. 7B that the first hand tab 142 A partially overlaps or overlays the first inner tab 152 A, and that the second hand tab 142 B partially overlaps or overlays the second inner tab 152 B.
- FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a blank 210 according to a third embodiment.
- the blank 210 comprises a plurality of main panels 212 , 214 , 216 , 218 , 220 hinged one to the next in a linear series.
- the blank 210 comprises a glue panel 212 hinged to a top panel 214 by a fold line 213 .
- the top panel 214 is hinged to a first side panel 216 by a fold line 215 .
- the first side panel 216 is hinged to a bottom panel 218 by a fold line 217 .
- the bottom panel 218 is hinged to a second side panel 220 by a fold line 219 .
- the plurality of main panels 212 , 214 , 216 , 218 , 220 of the blank 210 form an open-ended tubular structure when in a set-up condition.
- Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end closure panels.
- the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed by end closure panels 226 A, 228 A, 230 A, 232 A, 226 B, 228 B, 230 B, 232 B.
- End closure panels 226 A, 228 A, 230 A, 232 A are configured to close a first end of the tubular structure and end panels 226 B, 228 B, 230 B, 232 B are configured to close a second end of the tubular structure.
- the blank 210 comprises a first handle structure H 1 in a first top end closure panel 226 A and a second handle structure H 2 in a second top end closure panel 226 B.
- Each of the handle structures H 1 , H 2 is substantially the same in construction, and comprises a first hand tab 242 A and a second hand tab 242 B struck from the respective one of the first top end closure panel 226 A or second top end closure panel 226 B.
- the first hand tab 242 A is hinged to the respective one of the first top end closure panel 226 A or second top end closure panel 226 B by a pair of fold lines 270 A, 270 B.
- the second hand tab 242 B is hinged the respective one of the first top end closure panel 226 A or second top end closure panel 226 B by a pair of fold lines 270 A, 270 B.
- the pairs of fold lines 270 A, 270 B are non-linear in shape; in the illustrated embodiment the fold lines 270 A, 270 B are arcuate in shape.
- the fold lines 270 A, 207 B converge towards each other at both ends thereof to form a vertex or point of intersection at each end.
- the fold lines 270 A, 207 B together define web panel 276 which in the illustrated embodiment has a pointed oval or pointed elliptical shape.
- the web panel 276 comprises a fold line 272 which bisects the web panel 276 into a first part 274 A and a second part 274 B.
- the web panel 276 comprises a first vertex defined by first ends of the fold lines 270 A, 270 B.
- the web panel 276 comprises a second vertex defined by second ends of the fold lines 270 A, 270 B.
- the first and second vertices of the web panel 276 hinged to the first hand tab 242 A define a first notional linear line L 1 as shown in FIG. 9 .
- the first and second vertices of the web panel 276 hinged to the second hand tab 242 B define a second notional linear line L 2 .
- the first and second notional linear lines L 1 , L 2 are arranged to form an inverted V-shape.
- the first and second notional linear lines L 1 , L 2 define an obtuse angle ⁇ therebetween.
- the first hand tab 242 A is defined in part by cut lines or severance lines 248 A, 248 c, fold line 270 B and in part by an aperture A 1 .
- the second hand tab 242 B is defined in part by cut lines or severance lines 248 B, 248 d, fold line 270 B and in part by an aperture A 1 .
- the aperture A 1 is substantially triangular in shape, although other shapes may be employed in alternative embodiments.
- the first hand tab 242 A is disposed adjacent to the second hand tab 242 B.
- the first hand tab 242 A and the second hand tab 242 B share a common edge defined by a severance line or cut line 243 .
- the common severance line or cut line 243 extends from the aperture A 1 to a vertex at which first and second fold lines 241 A, 241 B meet.
- the cut lines or severance lines 248 A, 248 B are interrupted by nick portions or connecting portions N 1 , N 2 respectively.
- the connecting portions N 1 , N 2 facilitate maintenance of the first and second hand tabs 242 A, 242 B in the plane of the first top end closure panel 226 A or second top end closure panel 226 B until the carrying handle is employed.
- the web panel 276 and the fold lines 270 A, 270 B are substantially equivalent to the linear fold lines 41 A, 41 B; 141 A, 141 B used in the previously described embodiments, providing means for the first and second hand tabs 242 A, 242 B to fold when the carrying handle is employed.
- the first and second hand tabs 242 A, 242 B are foldable about the first and second notional linear lines L 1 , L 2 .
- the area occupied by the first hand tab 242 A, second hand tab 242 B and aperture A 1 defines a hand opening HA when the first and second hand tabs 242 A, 242 B are folded out of the plane of the first top end closure panel 226 A or the second top end closure panel 226 B.
- the hand opening HA provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand into a carton 290 .
- the first and second hand tabs 242 A, 242 B provide cushioning flaps when folded internally of the carton 290 so as to provide a comfortable handle.
- the first side end closure panel 228 A comprises a first inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 1 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the first recess R 1 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 242 B of the first handle structure H 1 , or the hand opening HA the first handle structure H 1 .
- the first recess R 1 is defined in part by a pair of conjoined first inner tabs 262 A, 264 A which are hinged to the first side end closure panel 228 A by a common fold line 261 A.
- the fold line 261 A is non-linear in shape, and may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or curvilinear in shape.
- the two first hand tabs 262 A, 264 A as best shown in FIG. 11 , are joined together through a narrowed portion having a concaved outline which is spaced apart from the common fold line 261 A.
- the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may in contact or intersect with the fold line 261 A to divide the inner tabs 262 A, 264 A into two substantially separated tabs.
- the second side end closure panel 232 A comprises a second inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 2 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the second recess R 2 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 242 A of the first handle structure H 1 , or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H 1 .
- the second recess R 2 is defined in part by a pair of second inner tabs 262 B, 264 B which are hinged to the first side end closure panel 232 A by a common fold line 261 B.
- the fold lines 261 B is non-linear in shape, and may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or curvilinear in shape.
- the two first hand tabs 262 B, 264 B as best shown in FIG.
- the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may contact or intersect with the fold line 261 B to divide the inner tabs 262 B, 264 B into two substantially separated tabs.
- the third side end closure panel 228 B comprises a third inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 3 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the third recess R 3 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 242 B of the second handle structure H 2 , or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H 2 .
- the third recess R 3 is defined in part by a pair of first inner tabs 262 A, 264 A which are hinged to the first side end closure panel 228 B by a common fold line 261 A.
- the fold line 261 A is non-linear in shape, and may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or curvilinear in shape.
- the two first hand tabs 262 A, 264 A of the second handle structure H 2 are joined together through a narrowed portion having a concaved outline which is spaced apart from the common fold line 261 A.
- the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may contact or intersect with the fold line 261 A 6 to divide the inner tabs 262 A, 264 A into two substantially separated tabs.
- the fourth side end closure panel 232 B comprises a fourth inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 4 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the fourth recess R 4 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 242 A of the second handle structure H 2 , or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H 2 .
- the fourth recess R 4 is defined in part by a pair of second inner tabs 262 B, 264 B which is hinged to the first side end closure panel 232 B by a common fold line 261 B.
- the fold line 261 B is non-linear in shape, and may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or curvilinear in shape.
- the two first hand tabs 262 B, 264 B of the second handle structure H 2 are joined together through a narrowed portion having a concaved outline which is spaced apart from the common fold line 261 B.
- the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may contact or intersect with the fold lines 261 B to divide the inner tabs 262 B, 264 B into two substantially separated tabs.
- each of the pair of first inner tabs 262 A, 264 A comprises a substantially oval shape having one pointed end as best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , although in other embodiments other shapes may be employed.
- each of the first inner tabs 262 A, 264 A may have a substantially oval shape having a pair of opposed pointed ends such that the first inner tabs 262 A, 264 A are not coupled together but in contact with each other at their adjacent pointed ends.
- the pair of the first inner tabs 262 A, 264 A together form a single tab having a pair of lobes 262 A, 264 A, each of the lobes having a substantially oval shape having one pointed end.
- each of the pair of second inner tabs 262 B, 264 B comprises a substantially oval shape having one pointed end as best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , although in other embodiments other shapes may be employed.
- each of the first inner tabs 262 B, 264 B may have a substantially oval shape having a pair of opposed pointed ends such that the second inner tabs 262 B, 264 B are not coupled together but in contact with each other at their adjacent pointed ends.
- the pair of the second inner tabs 262 B, 264 B form a single tab having a pair of lobes 262 B, 264 B, each of the lobes having a substantially oval shape having one pointed end.
- FIG. 10 shows an internal view of the carrying handle structure.
- the pair of second inner tabs 262 B, 264 B are in overlapping or overlaying relationship with the web panel 276 hinged to the first hand tab 242 A.
- the pair of first inner tabs 262 A, 264 A is in overlapping or overlaying relationship with the web panel 276 hinged to the first hand tab 242 B.
- the pair of first inner tabs 262 A, 264 A and the pair of second inner tabs 262 B, 264 B each provide a mandrel for guiding or facilitating folding of the respective web panel 276 when the carrying handle is deployed.
- the first inner tabs 262 A, 264 A and the second inner tabs 262 B, 264 B encourage the web panel 276 to bend about the fold line 272 such that it takes a convex shape when viewed from an internal vantage point above the carrying handle structure, as shown in FIG. 11 .
- the web panel 276 adopts a non-planar form.
- the web panel 276 When viewing the outer external surface of the sheet material from which the carton 290 is formed, the web panel 276 will have a concave shape; the web panel 276 may, in some embodiments, be valley shaped, that is to say forming a trough having a “V”-shaped cross section. This enhances the strength of the web panel 276 and prevents or mitigates against the web panel 276 folding about itself about a longitudinal axis of the web panel 276 defined by the first or second linear notional line L 1 , L 2 .
- FIG. 12 shows a plan view of a blank 310 according to a third embodiment.
- the blank 310 comprises a plurality of main panels 312 , 314 , 316 , 318 , 320 hinged one to the next in a linear series.
- the blank 310 comprises a glue panel 312 hinged to a top panel 314 by a fold line 313 .
- the top panel 314 is hinged to a first side panel 316 by a fold line 315 .
- the first side panel 316 is hinged to a bottom panel 318 by a fold line 317 .
- the bottom panel 318 is hinged to a second side panel 320 by a fold line 319 .
- the plurality of main panels 312 , 314 , 316 , 318 , 320 of the blank 310 form an open-ended tubular structure when in a set-up condition.
- Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end closure panels.
- the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed by end closure panels 326 A, 328 A, 330 A, 332 A, 326 B, 328 B, 330 B, 332 B.
- End closure panels 326 A, 328 A, 330 A, 332 A are configured to close a first end of the tubular structure and end panels 326 B, 328 B, 330 B, 332 B are configured to close a second end of the tubular structure.
- the blank 310 comprises a first handle structure H 1 in a first top end closure panel 326 A and a second handle structure H 2 in a second top end closure panel 326 B.
- Each of the handle structures H 1 , H 2 is substantially the same in construction, and comprises a first hand tab 342 A and a second hand tab 342 B struck from the respective one of the first top end closure panel 326 A or second top end closure panel 326 B.
- the first hand tab 342 A is hinged to the respective one of the first top end closure panel 326 A or second top end closure panel 326 B by a first pair of fold lines 381 A, 383 A.
- the second hand tab 342 B is hinged to the respective one of the first top end closure panel 326 A or second top end closure panel 326 B by a second pair of fold lines 381 B, 383 B.
- Each of the first pair of fold lines 381 A, 383 A are non-linear in shape; in the illustrated embodiment the fold lines 381 A, 383 A are arcuate in shape.
- the fold lines 381 A, 383 A converge towards each other at both ends thereof to form a vertex or point of intersection at each end.
- the fold lines 381 A, 383 A together define first web panel 376 A which in the illustrated embodiment has a pointed oval shape.
- the first web panel 376 A comprises a first vertex defined by first ends of the fold lines 381 A, 383 A.
- the first web panel 376 A comprises a second vertex defined by second ends of the fold lines 381 A, 383 A.
- the first and second vertices of the first web panel 376 A hinged to the first hand tab 342 A define a first notional linear line L 1 .
- Each of the second pair of fold lines 381 B, 383 B are non-linear in shape; in the illustrated embodiment the fold lines 381 B, 383 B are arcuate in shape.
- the fold lines 381 B, 383 B converge towards each other at both ends thereof to form a vertex or point of intersection at each end.
- the fold lines 381 B, 383 B together define second web panel 376 B which in the illustrated embodiment has a pointed oval shape.
- the second web panel 376 B comprises a first vertex defined by first ends of the fold lines 381 B, 383 B.
- the second web panel 376 B comprises a second vertex defined by second ends of the fold lines 381 B, 383 B.
- the first and second vertices of the second web panel 376 B hinged to the second hand tab 342 B define a second notional linear line L 2 .
- the first and second notional linear lines L 1 , L 2 are arranged to form an inverted V shape.
- the first and second notional linear lines L 1 , L 2 define an obtuse angle ⁇ therebetween.
- the first hand tab 342 A is defined in part by fold line 383 A and in part by a portion of a U-shaped cut line or severance line 348 .
- the second hand tab 342 B is defined in part by fold line 383 B and in part by a portion of the U-shaped cut line or severance line 348 .
- the first hand tab 342 A is disposed adjacent to the second hand tab 342 B.
- the first hand tab 342 A and the second hand tab 342 B share a common edge defined by a severance line or cut line 343 .
- the common severance line or cut line 343 extends from the U-shaped cut line or severance line 348 to a vertex at which fold line 383 A meets fold line 383 B.
- the first hand tab 342 A comprises a first flap fold line 345 A and the second hand tab 342 B comprises a second flap fold line 345 B.
- the first and second flap fold lines 345 A, 345 B facilitate folding of a first portion of the respective first or second hand tab 342 A, 342 B with respect to a second portion of the first or second hand tab 342 A, 342 B.
- the first flap fold line 345 A extends between the fold line 383 A and the U-shaped cutline 348 .
- the second flap fold line 345 B extends between the fold line 383 B and the U-shaped cutline 348 .
- the first and second flap fold lines 345 A, 345 B are divergently arranged with respect to one another and define an acute angle therebetween.
- the first and second flap fold lines 345 A, 345 B provide that outermost portions of the first and second hand tabs 342 A, 342 B can be folded with respect to the rest of the respective one of the first or second hand tab 342 A, 342 B.
- first hand tab 342 A and the second hand tab 342 B together define a hand opening when the first and second hand tabs 342 A, 342 B are folded out of the plane of the first top end closure panel 326 A or the second top end closure panel 326 B.
- the hand opening provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand into the carton.
- the first and second hand tabs 342 A, 342 B provide cushioning flaps when folded internally of the carton so as to provide a comfortable handle.
- the first side end closure panel 328 A comprises a first inner cut away such as a cutaway or recess R 1 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the first recess R 1 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 342 B of the first handle structure H 1 , or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H 1 .
- the second side end closure panel 332 A comprises a second inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 2 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the second recess R 2 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 342 A of the first handle structure H 1 , or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H 1 .
- the third side end closure panel 328 B comprises a third inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 3 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the third recess R 3 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 342 B of the second handle structure H 2 , or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H 2 .
- the fourth side end closure panel 332 B comprises a fourth inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R 4 struck from an end edge thereof.
- the fourth recess R 4 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 342 A of the second handle structure H 2 , or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H 2 .
- the inner tabs such as 52 A, 52 B, have been omitted from the first, second, third and fourth recesses R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 .
- FIG. 13 shows an end view of a carton 490 according to a fifth embodiment.
- the carton 490 comprises a plurality of main panels forming a tubular structure.
- the tubular structure is closed at each end by end closure panels 416 A, 420 A, 426 A, 430 A.
- the carton 490 comprises an upper end closure panel 426 A having a handle structure defined therein.
- the handle structure comprises a first hand tab 442 A and a second hand tab 442 B.
- the first hand tab 442 A is hinged to the upper end closure panel 426 A by a pair of non-linear fold lines 491 A, 493 A.
- the fold lines 491 A, 493 A are arcuate in shape.
- the fold lines 491 A, 493 A converge towards each other at both ends thereof to form a vertex or point of intersection at each end.
- the fold lines 491 A, 493 A together define web panel 476 A which, in the illustrated embodiment, has a pointed oval shape.
- the web panel 476 A comprises a first vertex defined by first ends of the fold lines 491 A, 493 A.
- the web panel 476 A comprises a second vertex defined by second ends of the fold lines 491 A, 493 A.
- the first and second vertices of the web panel 476 A hinged to the first hand tab 442 A define a first notional linear line L 1 .
- the second hand tab 442 B is hinged to the upper end closure panel 426 A by a pair of non-linear fold lines 491 B, 493 B.
- the fold lines 491 B, 493 B are arcuate in shape.
- the fold lines 491 B, 493 B converge towards each other at both ends thereof to form a vertex or point of intersection at each end.
- the fold lines 491 B, 493 B together define web panel 476 B which, in the illustrated embodiment, has a pointed oval shape.
- the web panel 476 B comprises a first vertex defined by first ends of the fold lines 491 B, 493 B.
- the web panel 476 B comprises a second vertex defined by second ends of the fold lines 491 B, 493 B.
- the first and second vertices of the web panel 476 B hinged to the second hand tab 442 B define a second notional linear line L 2 .
- the first and second notional linear lines L 1 , L 2 are arranged to form an inverted V-shape.
- the first and second notional linear lines L 1 , L 2 define an obtuse angle ⁇ therebetween.
- the first hand tab 442 A is separated from the second hand tab 442 B by a portion of an aperture A 3 , which portion has an inverted “V” shape.
- a first side end closure panel 416 A comprises a first inner opening such as a cutaway or recess (not shown) struck from an end edge thereof.
- the first recess is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with a portion of a hand opening defined by the first hand tab 442 A, second hand tab 442 B and the aperture A 3 .
- a second side end closure panel 420 A comprises a second inner opening such as a cutaway or recess (not shown) struck from an end edge thereof.
- the second recess is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with a portion of the hand opening defined by the first hand tab 442 A, second hand tab 442 B and the aperture A 3 .
- FIG. 14 shows a fragmentary internal end elevation of a carton according to a sixth embodiment.
- the carton of the sixth embodiment shares many common features with that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5 and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described in any greater detail.
- like numerals, where possible, are used to denote like parts which are also present in FIGS. 1-5 , albeit with the addition of the prefix “500” to indicate that these features belong to the sixth embodiment, respectively.
- the carton of the sixth embodiment includes a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel forming a tubular structure.
- FIG. 14 shows a third side end closure panel 528 B hingedly connected to the first side panel and a fourth side end closure panel 532 B hingedly connected to the second side panel.
- the third and fourth side end closure panels 528 B, 532 B close a second end of the tubular structure in cooperation with the second top and bottom end closure panels. Stated differently, the third and fourth side end closure panels 528 B, 532 B and the second top and bottom end closure panels together provide an upright, composite end wall of the carton, which closes the second end of the tubular structure.
- FIG. 14 shows a third side end closure panel 528 B hingedly connected to the first side panel and a fourth side end closure panel 532 B hingedly connected to the second side panel.
- the third and fourth side end closure panels 528 B, 532 B close a second end of the tubular structure in cooperation with the second top and bottom
- the third side end closure panel 528 B is the innermost layer of the composite end wall while the fourth side end closure panel 532 B is the second innermost layer of the composite end wall wherein the respective free end portions of the third and fourth side end closure panels 528 B, 532 B are shown as overlapping with each other.
- the top end closure panel provides either the outermost or second outermost layer of the composite wall in the manner similar to what are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- a handle structure is provided by a pair of adjoining hand flaps 542 A, 542 B which are hingedly connected to the top end closure panel by a pair of hinged connections 541 A, 541 B such that the hand flaps 542 A, 542 B together define a single hand opening in the top end closure panel when the hand flaps 542 A, 542 B are folded out of the plane of the top end closure panel.
- Each of the hinged connections 541 A, 541 B in this embodiment is provided by a linear fold line.
- the longitudinal axis of each hinged connection is disposed at an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line. Such longitudinal axes of the hinged connections are coincidental with the fold lines 541 A, 541 B, respectively.
- the fold lines 541 A, 541 B meet at their common upper end and downwardly extend from the common upper end divergently from each other. An obtuse angle is defined between the fold lines 541 A, 541 B.
- the first hand tab 542 A is defined in part by fold line 541 A and in part by a portion of a U-shaped cut line or severance line 548 .
- the second hand tab 542 B is defined in part by fold line 541 B and in part by a portion of the U-shaped cut line or severance line 548 .
- the first hand tab 542 A is disposed adjacent to the second hand tab 542 B.
- the first hand tab 542 A and the second hand tab 542 B share a common edge defined by a severance line or cut line 543 .
- the severance line or cut line 543 extends from the U-shaped cut line or severance line 548 to a vertex at which fold line 541 A meets fold line 541 B.
- the first hand tab 542 A comprises a first flap fold line 545 A while the second hand tab 542 B comprises a second flap fold line 545 B.
- the first and second flap fold lines 545 A, 545 B facilitate folding of a first portion of the respective first or second hand tab 542 A, 542 B with respect to a second portion of the first or second hand tab 542 A, 542 B.
- the first flap fold line 545 A extends between the severance line 543 and the U-shaped cutline 548 .
- the second flap fold line 545 B extends between the severance line 543 and the U-shaped cutline 548 .
- the first and second flap fold lines 545 A, 545 B converge on the severance line 453 and define an obtuse angle therebetween.
- the first and second flap fold lines 545 A, 545 B an apex on the severance line 543 from which the flap fold lines 545 A, 545 B downwardly extend divergently from each other.
- the hand opening defined by the hand flaps 542 A, 542 B provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand into the carton.
- the first and second hand tabs 542 A, 542 B provide cushioning flaps when folded internally of the carton so as to provide a comfortable handle.
- the third side end closure panel 528 B comprises a third inner opening such as a cutaway or recess struck from an end edge thereof.
- the third inner opening is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the first hand tab 542 A, or the hand opening of the handle structure.
- the fourth side end closure panel 532 B comprises a fourth inner opening such as a cutaway or recess struck from an end edge thereof.
- the fourth inner opening is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 542 B, or the hand opening of the handle structure.
- the third inner opening is defined in part by a first inner tab 552 A hinged to the third side end closure panel 528 B by a fold line 551 A.
- the fourth inner opening is defined in part by a second inner tab 552 B hinged to the fourth side end closure panel 532 B by a fold line 551 B.
- the lower end of the inner flap fold line 551 A is located below the lower end of the flap fold line 541 A.
- the inner flap fold line 551 A extends upward from its lower end, intersects with the flap fold line 541 A of the hand flap 542 A and extends above the flap fold line 541 A.
- the fold lines 551 A, 541 A are arranged to define an acute angle with respect to each other.
- the inner flap fold line 551 A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line.
- the flap fold line 541 A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line.
- the acute angle between the flap fold line 541 A and the notional horizontal line is less than that between the inner flap fold line 551 A and the notional horizontal line.
- the flap fold line 541 A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional vertical line.
- the first hand tab 542 A is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the first inner tab 552 A.
- the second hand tab 542 B is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the second inner tab 552 B.
- the arrangement of the second hand tab 542 B with respect to the second inner tab 552 B is substantially the same as the arrangement of the first hand tab 542 A with respect to the first inner tab 552 A described above, albeit a mirror image of the arrangement of the first hand tab 542 A and the first inner tab 552 A.
- FIG. 15 shows a fragmentary internal end elevation of a carton according to a seventh embodiment.
- the carton of the seventh embodiment shares many common features with that of the first and sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 14 and therefore only the differences from the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 and 14 will be described in any greater detail.
- like numerals, where possible, are used to denote like parts which are also present in FIG. 14 , albeit with the addition of the prefix “600” to indicate that these features belong to the seventh embodiment, respectively.
- the lower end of the inner flap fold line 651 A is located below the lower end of the flap fold line 641 A.
- the inner flap fold line 651 A extends upward from its lower end, passes through the lower end of the flap fold line 641 A of the hand flap 642 A and extends above the flap fold line 641 A.
- the lower end of the flap fold line 641 A is located on the inner flap fold line 651 A such that the flap fold line 641 A extends upwardly and divergently from the inner flap fold line 651 A.
- the fold lines 651 A, 641 A are arranged to define an acute angle with respect to each other.
- the inner flap fold line 651 A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line.
- the flap fold line 641 A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line.
- the acute angle between the flap fold line 641 A and the notional horizontal line is less than that between the inner flap fold line and the notional horizontal line.
- the flap fold line 641 A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional vertical line.
- the first hand tab 642 A is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the first inner tab 652 A.
- the second hand tab 642 B is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the second inner tab 652 B.
- the arrangement of the second hand tab 642 B with respect to the second inner tab 652 B is substantially the same as the arrangement of the first hand tab 642 A with respect to the first inner tab 652 A described above, albeit a mirror image of the arrangement of the first hand tab 642 A and the first inner tab 652 A.
- the handle structures disclosed herein may be used in a variety of carton styles and are not limited to use in end-loading cartons as shown in the illustrated embodiments.
- the handle structures may be employed in bottom or top loading cartons or any carton style including a vertical/upright handle panel in which a hand opening may be defined; the handle structure of the invention may be employed in a basket carrier, a wraparound carrier or a top engaging carrier having upright handle panels.
- each of the foregoing described and/or illustrated embodiments may be employed on a single panel wall or on a double panel wall (two at least partially overlapping panels).
- the hand flaps are formed from the outer panel while the inner panel wall may be provided with inner hand flaps or no hand flaps.
- at least one inner hand flap is associated with a respective one of the outer hand flaps of the outer panel.
- the term “inner opening” refers to all manner of openings including holes and apertures which may be a part of the handle structure of the invention. More particularly, the term “inner opening” may refer to one of the following: a cutaway, a recess, a notch, a hole and an aperture. A cutaway, recess or notch may be formed along the free end edge of an end closure panel while a hole or aperture may be formed within an end closure panel, such as shown at “ 28 A”, “ 28 B, “ 32 A” or “ 32 B” in FIG. 1 , such that the hole or aperture is surrounded entirely by the material of the end closure panel which provides an endless perimeter of the hole or aperture.
- a hinged connection refers to all manner of lines that define hinge features in a substrate of sheet material, for facilitating folding portions of the substrate with respect to one another, or otherwise for indicating optimal folding locations in the substrate.
- a hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed a hinged connection can be formed from two or more fold lines wherein each of the two or more fold lines may be either straight/linear or curved/curvilinear in shape.
- linear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may be disposed parallel with each other or slightly angled with respect to each other.
- curvilinear fold lines When curvilinear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may intersect each other to define a shaped panel within the area surrounded by the curvilinear fold lines.
- a typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a pair of arched or arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel therebetween.
- a hinged connection may be formed from one or more linear fold lines and one or more curvilinear fold lines.
- a typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a combination of a linear fold line and an arched or arcuate fold line which intersect at two points such that they define a half moon-shaped panel therebetween.
- fold line may refer to one of the following: a scored line, an embossed line, a debossed line, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, an interrupted cut line, a line of aligned slits, a line of scores and any combination of the aforesaid options.
- severance line refers to all manner of lines formed in a substrate of sheet material which facilitate separating portions of the substrate on the opposite sides of that line from one another, or otherwise indicate optimal separation locations on the substrate.
- a severance line in a substrate of sheet material is predisposed to allow a tear to propagate there along.
- a severance line may be one of the following: a single cut, a single half-cut, a single slit, an interrupted cut, a score line, an interrupted score line, a line of perforations, a line of short cuts, a line of short slits, a line of short half cuts, and any combination of the aforementioned options.
- a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line or a severance line.
- the line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking to provide a fold line, or to facilitate breaking with little effort to provide a severance line.
Abstract
A handle structure (H1, H2) for a carton includes a pair of adjoining hand flaps (42A, 42B) hingedly connected to a handle panel (26A, 26B) by a pair of hinged connections (41A, 41B). Each hinged connection has a longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle (α+β) with respect to the vertical (N2). The longitudinal axes of the hinged connections define an obtuse angle (λ) therebetween and extending divergently downwards.
Description
- The present invention relates to a carton and to a blank for forming the carton more specifically, but not exclusively, to a carton having a carrying handle for carrying the carton.
- In the field of packaging it is often required to provide consumers with a package comprising multiple primary product containers. Such multi-packs are desirable for shipping and distribution and for display of promotional information. For cost and environmental considerations, such cartons or carriers need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Another consideration is the strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles.
- It is desirable to provide a carton with a carrying handle for carrying the carton and its contents; it is an object of the present invention to provide a carrying handle which is robust and strong and is comfortable for a user. A further object of the invention is to provide a carrying handle which is readily deployed by the user.
- The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.
- According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a handle structure for a carton, the handle structure comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps hingedly connected to a handle panel by a pair of hinged connections, each hinged connection having a longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to the vertical, the longitudinal axes of the hinged connections defining an obtuse angle therebetween and extending divergently downwards.
- Optionally, a first one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps is separated from a second one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps by a severance line.
- Optionally, the handle panel is a unitary, substantially upright handle panel.
- Optionally, each hinged connection comprises at least one linear fold line.
- Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends coincidentally with one of the at least one linear fold lines.
- Optionally, each hinged connection comprises a pair of opposed arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel therebetween.
- Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends through each of two intersecting points of a respective one of the elliptical panels.
- Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends through each of two pointed ends of a respective one of the elliptical panels.
- Optionally, each hand flap comprises a flap fold line therein for facilitating folding of a first portion of the hand flap with respect to a second portion of the handle flap.
- Optionally, the flap fold lines in the hand flaps together define an inverted V shape.
- Optionally, a first hand flap comprises a first fold line therein for facilitating folding of a first portion of the first hand flap with respect to a second portion of the first handle flap and a second hand flap comprises a second fold line therein for facilitating folding of a first portion of the second hand flap with respect to a second portion of the second handle flap.
- Optionally, the first portion of the first hand flap is disposed adjacent to the first portion of the second hand flap.
- Optionally, the handle structure comprises an aperture defining in part at least a portion of each of the pair of adjoining hand flaps.
- Optionally, the handle structure comprises at least one inner panel, the at least one inner panel comprising a cutaway or recess configured and arranged to be in registry with at least a portion of a hand opening defined at least in part by the pair of adjoining hand flaps.
- Optionally, the at least one inner panel comprises at least one inner flap hinged thereto by an inner hinged connection and the at least one inner flap defining at least a portion of the cutaway.
- Optionally, the handle structure comprises a pair of inner flaps each having an inner hinged connection.
- Optionally, each of the pair of inner flaps partially overlaps with a respective one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps.
- Optionally, the inner hinged connection of each of the pair of inner flaps is disposed above the hinged connection of the respective one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps with which it is in partially overlapping relationship.
- Optionally, the inner hinged connection of each of the pair of inner flaps is spaced apart from the hinged connection of the respective one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps with which it is in partially overlapping relationship.
- Optionally, the inner hinged connection of each of the pair of inner flaps is convergently arranged with respect to the hinged connection of the respective one of the pair of adjoining hand flaps with which it is in partially overlapping relationship, so as to define an acute angle therebetween.
- Optionally, the handle structure comprises a pair of inner flaps provided by at least one inner panel.
- Optionally, the handle structure comprises a pair of inner flaps each having pair of lobes configured and arranged for facilitating folding of the elliptical panel substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis.
- Optionally, each elliptical panel comprises a fold line for facilitating folding of the elliptical panel substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis.
- According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising a plurality of panels including a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel forming a tubular structure, a first end panel for at least partially closing a first end of the tubular structure, a second end panel for at least partially closing a second end of the tubular structure, wherein the carton comprises a handle structure comprising a handle panel formed by one of said plurality of panels, the handle structure comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps hingedly connected to the handle panel by a pair of hinged connections, each hinged connection having a longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to the vertical, the longitudinal axes of the hinged connections defining an obtuse angle therebetween and extending divergently downwards.
- Optionally, the handle panel is a unitary, substantially upright handle panel.
- Optionally, each hinged connection comprises at least one linear fold line.
- Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends coincidentally with one of the at least one linear fold lines.
- Optionally, each hinged connection comprises a pair of opposed arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel therebetween.
- Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends through each of two intersecting points of a respective one of the elliptical panels.
- Optionally, each longitudinal axis extends through each of two pointed ends of a respective one of the elliptical panels.
- According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a plurality of panels including a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel for forming a tubular structure, a first end panel for at least partially closing a first end of the tubular structure, a second end panel for at least partially closing a second end of the tubular structure, wherein the blank comprises a handle structure comprising a handle panel formed by one of said plurality of panels, the handle structure comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps hingedly connected to the handle panel by a pair of hinged connections, each hinged connection having a longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to the vertical, the longitudinal axes of the hinged connections defining an obtuse angle therebetween and extending divergently downwards in a set-up carton.
- Within the scope of this application it is intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features.
- Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a first embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view from above of a carton formed from the blank ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an internal elevation, partially cut away, of an end portion of the carton ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, from above, of an end of the carton ofFIG. 3 showing the carrying handle in a deployed condition; -
FIG. 5 is an internal elevation, partially cut away, of an end portion of the carton ofFIG. 2 showing the carrying handle in a deployed condition; -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a second embodiment; -
FIG. 7A is a fragmentary external elevation of a carrying handle of a carton formed from the blank ofFIG. 6 showing the carrying handle in a first stowed position; -
FIG. 7B is a fragmentary external elevation of a carrying handle of a carton formed from the blank ofFIG. 6 showing the outer cushioning tabs of the carrying handle folded outwardly of the carton so as to illustrate the position of the inner tabs with respect thereto; -
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a third embodiment; -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view, from above, of a carton formed from the blank ofFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 9A is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of a carrying handle of the carton ofFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary internal elevation of an end portion of the carton ofFIG. 9 , showing the carrying handle in a stowed or undeployed condition; -
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary internal elevation of the carrying handle of the carton ofFIG. 9 , showing the carrying handle in a deployed condition; -
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton according to a fourth embodiment; -
FIG. 13 is an end elevation of a carton showing a carrying handle according to a fifth embodiment; -
FIG. 14 is a fragmentally internal elevation of a carrying handle of a carton according to a sixth embodiment; and -
FIG. 15 is a fragmentally internal elevation of a carrying handle of a carton according to a seventh embodiment. - Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the package, blanks and cartons are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood that the packages, blanks and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.
-
FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a blank 10 capable of forming acarton 90, as shown inFIG. 2 , for primary products such as, but not limited to, bottles, hereinafter referred to as articles B. - In the embodiments detailed herein, the terms “carton” and “carrier” refer, for the non-limiting purpose of illustrating the various features of the invention, to a container for engaging, carrying, and/or dispensing articles, such as product containers. It is contemplated that the teachings of the invention can be applied to various product containers, which may or may not be tapered and/or cylindrical. Exemplary containers include bottles (for example metallic, glass or plastics bottles), cans (for example aluminium cans), tins, pouches, packets and the like.
- The blanks are formed from a sheet of suitable substrate. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term “suitable substrate” includes all manner of foldable sheet material such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be recognized that one or other numbers of blanks may be employed, where suitable, for example, to provide the carrier structure described in more detail below.
- In the exemplary embodiment, the blanks are configured to form a carton or carrier for packaging an exemplary arrangement of exemplary articles. In a first illustrated exemplary embodiment, the arrangement is a 3×4 matrix or array and the articles are bottles. The blank can be alternatively configured to form a carrier for packaging other types, number and size of article and/or for packaging articles in a different arrangement or configuration.
- The blank 10 comprises a plurality of
main panels glue panel 12 hinged to atop panel 14 by afold line 13. Thetop panel 14 is hinged to afirst side panel 16 by afold line 15. Thefirst side panel 16 is hinged to abottom panel 18 by afold line 17. Thebottom panel 18 is hinged to asecond side panel 20 by afold line 19. - The plurality of
main panels - Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end closure panels. In the illustrated embodiment the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed by
end closure panels -
End closure panels panels - A first top
end closure panel 26A is hinged to a first end oftop panel 14 by a fold line 27 a. A first sideend closure panel 28A is hinged to a first end offirst side panel 16 by a pair offold lines 29 a, 29B. A first bottomend closure panel 30A is hinged to a first end ofbottom panel 18 by afold line 31A. A second sideend closure panel 32A is hinged to a first end of thesecond side panel 20 by a pair offold lines fold lines 29 a, 29B define afirst corner panel 16A disposed between thefirst side panel 16 and the first sideend closure panel 28A. The pair offold lines second corner panel 20A disposed between thesecond side panel 20 and the second sideend closure panel 32A. - A second top end closure panel 26 b is hinged to a second end of
top panel 14 by afold line 27B. A third sideend closure panel 28B is hinged to a second end of thefirst side panel 16 by a pair of fold lines 29 c, 29 d. A second bottomend closure panel 30B is hinged to a second end ofbottom panel 18 by afold line 31B. A fourth sideend closure panel 32B is hinged to a second end ofsecond side panel 20 by a pair of fold lines 33 c, 33 d. - The pair of fold lines 29 c, 29 d define a
third corner panel 16B disposed between thefirst side panel 16 and the third sideend closure panel 28B. The pair of fold lines 33 c, 33 d define afourth corner panel 20B disposed between thesecond side panel 20 and the fourth sideend closure panel 32B. - The first side
end closure panel 28A and the second sideend closure panel 32A each form a minor side end closure panel. The third sideend closure panel 28B and the fourth sideend closure panel 32B form a minor side end closure panel. - The first top
end closure panel 26A and the second topend closure panel 26B each form a major upper end closure panel. The first bottomend closure panel 30A and the second bottomend closure panel 30B each form a major lower end closure panel. - The first side
end closure panel 28A comprises afold line 21A extending between fold line 29 a and a free end edge of the first sideend closure panel 28A. The first sideend closure panel 28A can be folded aboutfold line 21A when closing the end of thecarton 90. - The second side
end closure panel 32A comprises afold line 25A extending betweenfold line 33A and a free end edge of the second sideend closure panel 32A. The second sideend closure panel 32A can be folded aboutfold line 25A when closing the end of thecarton 90. - The third side
end closure panel 28B comprises afold line 21B extending between fold line 29 d and a free end edge of the third sideend closure panel 28B. The third sideend closure panel 28B can be folded aboutfold line 21B when closing the end of thecarton 90. - The fourth side
end closure panel 32B comprises afold line 25B extending between fold line 33 d and a free end edge of the fourth sideend closure panel 32B. The fourth sideend closure panel 32B can be folded aboutfold line 25B when closing the end of thecarton 90. - The
top panel 14 comprises an access device Z. The access device Z comprises afirst gate panel 24A and asecond gate panel 24B. Thefirst gate panel 24A is hinged to thetop panel 14 by afold line 23A. Thesecond gate panel 24B is hinged to thetop panel 14 by a fold line 23B. The first andsecond gate panels second gate panels second gate panels first gate panel 24A and thesecond gate panel 24B are further defined by a first severance line 23 d and a second severance line 23 e. The first severance line 23 d extends between a first end of thefold line 23A and a first end of the fold line 23B. The second severance line 23 e extends between a second end of thefold line 23A and a second end of the fold line 23B. The common severance line 23 c extends between the first severance line 23 d and the second severance line 23 e. - The blank 10 comprises a first handle structure H1 in the first top
end closure panel 26A, and a second handle structure H2 in the second topend closure panel 26B. Each of the handle structures H1, H2 is substantially the same in construction, and comprises a pair of adjoining hand flaps or tabs; afirst hand tab 42A and asecond hand tab 42B are struck from the respective one of the first topend closure panel 26A or second topend closure panel 26B. The first topend closure panel 26A and/or second topend closure panel 26B each form a substantially upright handle panel. - The
first hand tab 42A is hinged along an upper edge to the respective one of the first topend closure panel 26A or second topend closure panel 26B by a hinged connection in the form of afirst fold line 41A. Thesecond hand tab 42B is hinged along an upper edge to the respective one of the first topend closure panel 26A or second topend closure panel 26B by a hinged connection in the form of asecond fold line 41B. The first andsecond fold lines second fold lines second hand tabs severance line 48. Thefirst hand tab 42A is disposed adjacent to thesecond hand tab 42B. Thefirst hand tab 42A and thesecond hand tab 42B share a common edge defined by a severance line or cutline 43. - Each of the hinged connections, first and
second fold lines FIGS. 1-5 , is coincidental with that fold line. The longitudinal axis of each hingedconnection FIG. 3 ). The longitudinal axes of the hinged connections define an obtuse angle λ therebetween and extend divergently downwards from the converging point of the hingedconnections FIG. 2 ). - The
first hand tab 42A comprises a firstflap fold line 45A and thesecond hand tab 42B comprises a secondflap fold line 45B. The first and secondflap fold lines second hand tab second hand tabs flap fold lines flap fold lines flap fold lines second hand tabs second hand tabs - In the illustrated embodiment the
first hand tab 42A and thesecond hand tab 42B together define a single hand opening HA (FIGS. 4 and 5 ) when the first andsecond hand tabs end closure panel 26A or the second topend closure panel 26B. - The hand opening HA provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand into the
carton 90. The first andsecond hand tabs carton 90 so as to provide a comfortable handle. - The first side
end closure panel 28A comprises a first inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R1 struck from an end edge thereof. The first recess R1 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thesecond hand tab 42B of the first handle structure H1 or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H1. The first recess R1 is defined in part by a firstinner tab 52A hinged to the first sideend closure panel 28A by afold line 51A. - The second side
end closure panel 32A comprises a second inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R2 struck from an end edge thereof. The second recess R2 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thefirst hand tab 42A of the first handle structure H1, or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H1. The second recess R2 is defined in part by a secondinner tab 52B hinged to the second sideend closure panel 32A by afold line 51B. - The third side
end closure panel 28B comprises a third inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R3 struck from an end edge thereof. The third recess R3 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thesecond hand tab 42B of the second handle structure H2, or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2. The third recess R3 is defined in part by a firstinner tab 52A hinged to the third sideend closure panel 28B by afold line 51A. - The fourth side
end closure panel 32B comprises a fourth inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R4 struck from an end edge thereof. The fourth recess R4 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thefirst hand tab 42A of the second handle structure H2, or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2. The fourth recess R4 is defined in part by a secondinner tab 52B hinged to the fourth sideend closure panel 32B by afold line 51B. - Turning to the construction of the
carton 90 as illustrated inFIG. 2 , thecarton 90 may be formed by a series of sequential folding operations in a straight line machine such that thecarton 90 is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements. - The blank 10 is folded about
fold line 15, such that theglue panel 12 andtop panel 14 are folded thereabouts. Thetop panel 14 is brought into face contacting relationship with thefirst side panel 16; theglue panel 12 is brought into face contacting relationship with thefirst side panel 16 and/orbottom panel 18. - Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to the
glue panel 12 or, in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of thesecond side panel 20. - The
second side panel 20 is folded about thefold line 19 such that thesecond side panel 20 overlies theglue panel 12. - The
second side panel 20 is secured to theglue panel 12 to form a flat collapsed carton. The carton may be shipped or distributed in this flat collapsed form. - In alternative embodiments the
second side panel 20 may be secured to theglue panel 12 by alternative securing means for example, but not limited to, staples or other mechanical fixing means. - The flat collapsed carton may be erected into a tubular structure by separating the
top panel 14 from thebottom panel 18. - The
carton 90, in its open-ended tubular form, may be loaded with articles B through one or both open ends. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments one of the open ends of thecarton 90 may be closed before loading thecarton 90 with articles B through the remaining open end. - In some embodiments, one or more of the
end closure panels - Once the
carton 90 is loaded with articles B the ends of the tubular structure are closed. - A first end of the tubular structure is closed by folding the second and second side
end closure panels fold lines - Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the first side
end closure panel 28A, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first topend closure panel 26A. - Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the second side
end closure panel 32A, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first topend closure panel 26A. - The first top
end closure panel 26A is then folded about thefold line 27A to be brought into contact with the second and second sideend closure panels - Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the first side
end closure panel 28A, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first bottomend closure panel 30A. - Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the second side
end closure panel 32A, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the first bottomend closure panel 30A. - Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to an inner surface of the first bottom
end closure panel 30A, or in alternative embodiments, to an outer surface of the first topend closure panel 26A. - The first bottom
end closure panel 30A is then folded about thefold line 31A to be brought into contact with the second and second sideend closure panels end closure panel 26A. - The first bottom
end closure panel 30A is secured to the first topend closure panel 26A. Optionally, the first bottomend closure panel 30A is secured to the second and second sideend closure panels - In alternative embodiments the first bottom
end closure panel 30A may be folded aboutfold line 31A prior to folding the first topend closure panel 26A aboutfold line 27A. It will be appreciated that in such embodiments the first topend closure panel 26A is disposed outermost. - A second end of the tubular structure is closed by folding the sixth and fourth side
end closure panels - Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the third side
end closure panel 28B, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the second topend closure panel 26B. - Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the fourth side
end closure panel 32B, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the second topend closure panel 26B. - The second top
end closure panel 26B is then folded about thefold line 27B to be brought into contact with the sixth and fourth sideend closure panels - Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the third side
end closure panel 28B, or in alternative embodiments, to a corresponding portion of the second bottomend closure panel 30B. - Glue or other adhesive treatment may be applied to the fourth side
end closure panel 32B, or in alternative embodiments to a corresponding portion of the second bottomend closure panel 30B. - Glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to an inner surface of the second bottom
end closure panel 30B, or in alternative embodiments, to an outer surface of the second topend closure panel 26B. - The second bottom
end closure panel 30B is then folded about thefold line 31B to be brought into contact with the sixth and fourth sideend closure panels end closure panel 26B. - The second bottom
end closure panel 30B is secured to the second topend closure panel 26B. Optionally, the second bottomend closure panel 30B is secured to the sixth and fourth sideend closure panels - In alternative embodiments the second bottom
end closure panel 30B may be folded aboutfold line 31B prior to folding the second topend closure panel 26B aboutfold line 27B. It will be appreciated that in such embodiments the second topend closure panel 26B is disposed outermost. - In order to deploy the carrying handle, a user inserts at least a portion of their hand into a hand opening HA created by folding the first and
second hand tabs carton 90 as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 . As a consequence of folding the first andsecond hand tabs inner tabs fold lines - Referring to
FIG. 3 , thefold line 51A and thefold line 41A are arranged divergently with respect to each other. Thefold line 51A is arranged such that it does not overlie, or intersect with, thefold line 41A. Thefold line 51A is disposed above thefold line 41A with their respective lower ends positioned on a notional horizontal line N1 and spaced from each other. The fold lines 51A, 41A extend upwardly divergently from their respective lower ends toward thetop panel 14. Thefold line 51A and thefold line 41A are arranged to define an acute angle β with respect to each other. Thefold line 51A is arranged to define an acute angle γ with respect to the notional horizontal line N1. The acute angle γ is substantially greater than the acute angle β. Thefold line 51A is arranged to define an acute angle α with respect to a notional vertical line N2 perpendicular to the notional horizontal line N1. - The
fold line 41A is arranged to define an acute angle θ with respect to the notional horizontal line N1. The angle θ is less than the angle γ and may optionally be less than angle β. - The angle β may be between approximately 25° to 30°; for example, in one embodiment the angle β is approximately 28.5°. The angle γ may be between approximately 40° to 60°; for example, in one embodiment the angle γ is approximately 50°. The angle θ may be between approximately 10° to 35°; for example, in one embodiment the angle θ is approximately 21.5°.
- As best shown in
FIG. 3 , thefirst hand tab 42A is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the firstinner tab 52A. Thesecond hand tab 42B is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the secondinner tab 52B. Thefold line 51A is disposed above thefold line 41A. Thefold line 51B is disposed above thefold line 41B. - The arrangement of the
second hand tab 42B with respect to the secondinner tab 52B is substantially the same as the arrangement of thefirst hand tab 42A with respect to the firstinner tab 52A described above, albeit a mirror image of the arrangement of thefirst hand tab 42A and the firstinner tab 52A. - The
fold line 51B and thefold line 41B are arranged divergently with respect to each other. Thefold line 51B is arranged such that it does not overlie, or intersect with, thefold line 41B. Thefold line 51B is disposed above thefold line 41B with their respective lower ends positioned on a notional horizontal line and spaced from each other. The fold lines 51B, 41B extend upwardly divergently from their respective lower ends toward thetop panel 14. Thefold line 51B and thefold line 41B are arranged to define an acute angle with respect to each other, as shown inFIG. 3 . Thefold line 51B is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line. Thefold line 51B is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line. Thefold line 41B is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line. - As shown in
FIG. 4 thecarton 90 comprises rows of articles B, optionally three articles B. A central article B is disposed substantially in the middle of thecarton 90, and the handle structures H1, H2 are also disposed centrally between theside walls second hand tabs second hand tabs FIG. 5 shows an internal view of thecarton 90; a user U has partially inserted a hand through the hand opening HA created by folding the first andsecond hand tabs second hand tabs second hand tabs fold lines FIG. 5 , in which the articles B have been omitted for clarity. - Referring now to
FIGS. 6 to 15 , there is shown alternative embodiments of the present invention. In the further illustrated embodiments like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix “100”, “200”, “300”, “400”, “500” or “600” to indicate that these features belong to the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh embodiments, respectively. The alternative embodiments share many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 5 will be described in any greater detail. -
FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a blank 110 according to a second embodiment. The blank 110 comprises a plurality ofmain panels glue panel 112 hinged to atop panel 114 by afold line 113. Thetop panel 114 is hinged to afirst side panel 116 by afold line 115. Thefirst side panel 116 is hinged to abottom panel 118 by afold line 117. Thebottom panel 118 is hinged to asecond side panel 120 by afold line 119. - The plurality of
main panels - Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end closure panels. In the illustrated embodiment the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed by
end closure panels -
End closure panels panels - The blank 110 comprises a first handle structure H1 in a first top
end closure panel 126A, and a second handle structure H2 in a second topend closure panel 126B. Each of the handle structures H1, H2 is substantially the same in construction, and comprises afirst hand tab 142A and asecond hand tab 142B struck from the respective one of the first topend closure panel 126A or second topend closure panel 126B. - The
first hand tab 142A is hinged along an upper edge to the respective one of the first topend closure panel 126A or second topend closure panel 126B by afirst fold line 141A. Thesecond hand tab 142B is hinged along an upper edge to the respective one of the first topend closure panel 126A or second topend closure panel 126B by asecond fold line 141B. The first andsecond fold lines second fold lines second hand tabs severance lines first hand tab 142A is disposed adjacent to thesecond hand tab 142B. Thefirst hand tab 142A and thesecond hand tab 142B share a common edge defined by a severance line or cutline 143. The common severance line or cutline 143 extends from the aperture A1 to a vertex at which first andsecond fold lines - In the illustrated embodiment the
first hand tab 142A,second hand tab 142B and aperture A1 define a hand opening HA when the first andsecond hand tabs end closure panel 126A or the second topend closure panel 126B. - The hand opening HA provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand into a
carton 190, seeFIG. 7A . The first andsecond hand tabs carton 190 so as to provide a comfortable handle. - The first side
end closure panel 128A comprises a first inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R1 struck from an end edge thereof. The first recess R1 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thesecond hand tab 142B of the first handle structure H1 or the hand opening defined by thetabs inner tab 152A hinged to the first sideend closure panel 128A by afold line 151A. - The second side
end closure panel 132A comprises a second inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R2 struck from an end edge thereof. The second recess R2 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thefirst hand tab 142A of the first handle structure H1, or the hand opening HA (FIG. 7B ) defined by thetabs inner tab 152B hinged to the second sideend closure panel 132A by afold line 151B. - The third side
end closure panel 128B comprises a third inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R3 struck from an end edge thereof. The third recess R3 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thesecond hand tab 142B of the second handle structure H2, or the hand opening HA defined by thetabs inner tab 152A hinged to the third sideend closure panel 128B by afold line 151A. - The fourth side
end closure panel 132B comprises a fourth inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R4 struck from an end edge thereof. The fourth recess R4 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thefirst hand tab 142A of the second handle structure H2 or the hand opening HA defined by thetabs inner tab 152B hinged to the fourth sideend closure panel 132B by afold line 151B. -
FIG. 7A shows a partial view of an end of acarton 190 in which the carrying handle is in a stowed or undeployed condition. -
FIG. 7B shows a partial view of an end of thecarton 190 in which the first andsecond hand tabs carton 190 as indicated by direction arrows D1, D2 respectively. The first andsecond hand tabs second hand tabs carton 190.FIG. 7B illustrates the position and orientation of the first and secondinner tabs inner tabs inner tabs FIG. 7B that thefirst hand tab 142A partially overlaps or overlays the firstinner tab 152A, and that thesecond hand tab 142B partially overlaps or overlays the secondinner tab 152B. -
FIG. 8 shows a plan view of a blank 210 according to a third embodiment. The blank 210 comprises a plurality ofmain panels glue panel 212 hinged to atop panel 214 by afold line 213. Thetop panel 214 is hinged to afirst side panel 216 by afold line 215. Thefirst side panel 216 is hinged to abottom panel 218 by afold line 217. Thebottom panel 218 is hinged to asecond side panel 220 by afold line 219. - The plurality of
main panels - Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end closure panels. In the illustrated embodiment the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed by
end closure panels -
End closure panels panels - The blank 210 comprises a first handle structure H1 in a first top
end closure panel 226A and a second handle structure H2 in a second topend closure panel 226B. Each of the handle structures H1, H2 is substantially the same in construction, and comprises afirst hand tab 242A and asecond hand tab 242B struck from the respective one of the first topend closure panel 226A or second topend closure panel 226B. - The
first hand tab 242A is hinged to the respective one of the first topend closure panel 226A or second topend closure panel 226B by a pair offold lines second hand tab 242B is hinged the respective one of the first topend closure panel 226A or second topend closure panel 226B by a pair offold lines fold lines fold lines web panel 276 which in the illustrated embodiment has a pointed oval or pointed elliptical shape. Optionally, theweb panel 276 comprises afold line 272 which bisects theweb panel 276 into afirst part 274A and asecond part 274B. Theweb panel 276 comprises a first vertex defined by first ends of thefold lines web panel 276 comprises a second vertex defined by second ends of thefold lines web panel 276 hinged to thefirst hand tab 242A define a first notional linear line L1 as shown inFIG. 9 . The first and second vertices of theweb panel 276 hinged to thesecond hand tab 242B define a second notional linear line L2. - The first and second notional linear lines L1, L2 are arranged to form an inverted V-shape. The first and second notional linear lines L1, L2 define an obtuse angle ε therebetween.
- The
first hand tab 242A is defined in part by cut lines orseverance lines 248A, 248 c, foldline 270B and in part by an aperture A1. Thesecond hand tab 242B is defined in part by cut lines orseverance lines 248B, 248 d, foldline 270B and in part by an aperture A1. The aperture A1 is substantially triangular in shape, although other shapes may be employed in alternative embodiments. Thefirst hand tab 242A is disposed adjacent to thesecond hand tab 242B. Thefirst hand tab 242A and thesecond hand tab 242B share a common edge defined by a severance line or cutline 243. The common severance line or cutline 243 extends from the aperture A1 to a vertex at which first and second fold lines 241A, 241B meet. - The cut lines or
severance lines second hand tabs end closure panel 226A or second topend closure panel 226B until the carrying handle is employed. - It will be appreciated that the
web panel 276 and thefold lines linear fold lines second hand tabs second hand tabs - In the illustrated embodiment, the area occupied by the
first hand tab 242A,second hand tab 242B and aperture A1 defines a hand opening HA when the first andsecond hand tabs end closure panel 226A or the second topend closure panel 226B. - The hand opening HA provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand into a
carton 290. The first andsecond hand tabs carton 290 so as to provide a comfortable handle. - The first side
end closure panel 228A comprises a first inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R1 struck from an end edge thereof. The first recess R1 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thesecond hand tab 242B of the first handle structure H1, or the hand opening HA the first handle structure H1. The first recess R1 is defined in part by a pair of conjoined firstinner tabs end closure panel 228A by acommon fold line 261A. Optionally, thefold line 261A is non-linear in shape, and may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or curvilinear in shape. The twofirst hand tabs FIG. 11 , are joined together through a narrowed portion having a concaved outline which is spaced apart from thecommon fold line 261A. - Optionally, however, the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may in contact or intersect with the
fold line 261A to divide theinner tabs - The second side
end closure panel 232A comprises a second inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R2 struck from an end edge thereof. The second recess R2 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thefirst hand tab 242A of the first handle structure H1, or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H1. The second recess R2 is defined in part by a pair of secondinner tabs end closure panel 232A by acommon fold line 261B. Optionally, thefold lines 261B is non-linear in shape, and may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or curvilinear in shape. The twofirst hand tabs FIG. 11 , are joined together through a narrowed portion having a concaved outline which is spaced apart from thecommon fold line 261B. Optionally, however, the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may contact or intersect with thefold line 261B to divide theinner tabs - The third side
end closure panel 228B comprises a third inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R3 struck from an end edge thereof. The third recess R3 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thesecond hand tab 242B of the second handle structure H2, or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2. The third recess R3 is defined in part by a pair of firstinner tabs end closure panel 228B by acommon fold line 261A. Optionally, thefold line 261A is non-linear in shape, and may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or curvilinear in shape. The twofirst hand tabs common fold line 261A. Optionally, however, the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may contact or intersect with the fold line 261A6 to divide theinner tabs - The fourth side
end closure panel 232B comprises a fourth inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R4 struck from an end edge thereof. The fourth recess R4 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thefirst hand tab 242A of the second handle structure H2, or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2. The fourth recess R4 is defined in part by a pair of secondinner tabs end closure panel 232B by acommon fold line 261B. Optionally, thefold line 261B is non-linear in shape, and may, for example as illustrated, be arcuate or curvilinear in shape. The twofirst hand tabs common fold line 261B. Optionally, however, the concaved outline of the narrowed portion may contact or intersect with the fold lines 261B to divide theinner tabs - In the illustrated embodiment, each of the pair of first
inner tabs FIGS. 10 and 11 , although in other embodiments other shapes may be employed. In some embodiments, each of the firstinner tabs inner tabs FIGS. 10 and 11 , the pair of the firstinner tabs lobes - In the illustrated embodiment the each of the pair of second
inner tabs FIGS. 10 and 11 , although in other embodiments other shapes may be employed. In some embodiments, each of the firstinner tabs inner tabs FIGS. 10 and 11 , the pair of the secondinner tabs lobes -
FIG. 10 shows an internal view of the carrying handle structure. The pair of secondinner tabs web panel 276 hinged to thefirst hand tab 242A. The pair of firstinner tabs web panel 276 hinged to thefirst hand tab 242B. The pair of firstinner tabs inner tabs respective web panel 276 when the carrying handle is deployed. The firstinner tabs inner tabs web panel 276 to bend about thefold line 272 such that it takes a convex shape when viewed from an internal vantage point above the carrying handle structure, as shown inFIG. 11 . In this way theweb panel 276 adopts a non-planar form. When viewing the outer external surface of the sheet material from which thecarton 290 is formed, theweb panel 276 will have a concave shape; theweb panel 276 may, in some embodiments, be valley shaped, that is to say forming a trough having a “V”-shaped cross section. This enhances the strength of theweb panel 276 and prevents or mitigates against theweb panel 276 folding about itself about a longitudinal axis of theweb panel 276 defined by the first or second linear notional line L1, L2. -
FIG. 12 shows a plan view of a blank 310 according to a third embodiment. The blank 310 comprises a plurality ofmain panels glue panel 312 hinged to atop panel 314 by afold line 313. Thetop panel 314 is hinged to afirst side panel 316 by afold line 315. Thefirst side panel 316 is hinged to abottom panel 318 by afold line 317. Thebottom panel 318 is hinged to asecond side panel 320 by afold line 319. - The plurality of
main panels - Each of the ends of the tubular structure is at least partially closed by end closure panels. In the illustrated embodiment the ends of the tubular structure are fully closed by
end closure panels -
End closure panels panels - The blank 310 comprises a first handle structure H1 in a first top
end closure panel 326A and a second handle structure H2 in a second topend closure panel 326B. Each of the handle structures H1, H2 is substantially the same in construction, and comprises afirst hand tab 342A and asecond hand tab 342B struck from the respective one of the first topend closure panel 326A or second topend closure panel 326B. - The
first hand tab 342A is hinged to the respective one of the first topend closure panel 326A or second topend closure panel 326B by a first pair offold lines second hand tab 342B is hinged to the respective one of the first topend closure panel 326A or second topend closure panel 326B by a second pair offold lines - Each of the first pair of
fold lines fold lines first web panel 376A which in the illustrated embodiment has a pointed oval shape. Thefirst web panel 376A comprises a first vertex defined by first ends of thefold lines first web panel 376A comprises a second vertex defined by second ends of thefold lines first web panel 376A hinged to thefirst hand tab 342A define a first notional linear line L1. - Each of the second pair of
fold lines second hand tab 342B define a second notional linear line L2. - The first and second notional linear lines L1, L2 are arranged to form an inverted V shape. The first and second notional linear lines L1, L2 define an obtuse angle φ therebetween.
- The
first hand tab 342A is defined in part byfold line 383A and in part by a portion of a U-shaped cut line orseverance line 348. Thesecond hand tab 342B is defined in part byfold line 383B and in part by a portion of the U-shaped cut line orseverance line 348. Thefirst hand tab 342A is disposed adjacent to thesecond hand tab 342B. Thefirst hand tab 342A and thesecond hand tab 342B share a common edge defined by a severance line or cutline 343. The common severance line or cutline 343 extends from the U-shaped cut line orseverance line 348 to a vertex at which foldline 383A meetsfold line 383B. - The
first hand tab 342A comprises a firstflap fold line 345A and thesecond hand tab 342B comprises a secondflap fold line 345B. The first and secondflap fold lines second hand tab second hand tab flap fold line 345A extends between thefold line 383A and theU-shaped cutline 348. The secondflap fold line 345B extends between thefold line 383B and theU-shaped cutline 348. The first and secondflap fold lines flap fold lines second hand tabs second hand tab - In the illustrated embodiment the
first hand tab 342A and thesecond hand tab 342B together define a hand opening when the first andsecond hand tabs end closure panel 326A or the second topend closure panel 326B. - The hand opening provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand into the carton. The first and
second hand tabs - The first side
end closure panel 328A comprises a first inner cut away such as a cutaway or recess R1 struck from an end edge thereof. The first recess R1 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thesecond hand tab 342B of the first handle structure H1, or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H1. - The second side
end closure panel 332A comprises a second inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R2 struck from an end edge thereof. The second recess R2 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thefirst hand tab 342A of the first handle structure H1, or the hand opening HA of the first handle structure H1. - The third side
end closure panel 328B comprises a third inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R3 struck from an end edge thereof. The third recess R3 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thesecond hand tab 342B of the second handle structure H2, or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2. - The fourth side
end closure panel 332B comprises a fourth inner opening such as a cutaway or recess R4 struck from an end edge thereof. The fourth recess R4 is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with thefirst hand tab 342A of the second handle structure H2, or the hand opening HA of the second handle structure H2. - In the embodiment of
FIG. 12 the inner tabs, such as 52A, 52B, have been omitted from the first, second, third and fourth recesses R1, R2, R3, R4. -
FIG. 13 shows an end view of acarton 490 according to a fifth embodiment. Thecarton 490 comprises a plurality of main panels forming a tubular structure. The tubular structure is closed at each end byend closure panels carton 490 comprises an upperend closure panel 426A having a handle structure defined therein. The handle structure comprises afirst hand tab 442A and asecond hand tab 442B. Thefirst hand tab 442A is hinged to the upperend closure panel 426A by a pair ofnon-linear fold lines web panel 476A which, in the illustrated embodiment, has a pointed oval shape. Theweb panel 476A comprises a first vertex defined by first ends of thefold lines web panel 476A comprises a second vertex defined by second ends of thefold lines web panel 476A hinged to thefirst hand tab 442A define a first notional linear line L1. - The
second hand tab 442B is hinged to the upperend closure panel 426A by a pair ofnon-linear fold lines web panel 476B which, in the illustrated embodiment, has a pointed oval shape. Theweb panel 476B comprises a first vertex defined by first ends of the fold lines 491B, 493B. Theweb panel 476B comprises a second vertex defined by second ends of the fold lines 491B, 493B. The first and second vertices of theweb panel 476B hinged to thesecond hand tab 442B define a second notional linear line L2. - The first and second notional linear lines L1, L2 are arranged to form an inverted V-shape. The first and second notional linear lines L1, L2 define an obtuse angle ψ therebetween.
- The
first hand tab 442A is separated from thesecond hand tab 442B by a portion of an aperture A3, which portion has an inverted “V” shape. - A first side
end closure panel 416A comprises a first inner opening such as a cutaway or recess (not shown) struck from an end edge thereof. The first recess is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with a portion of a hand opening defined by thefirst hand tab 442A,second hand tab 442B and the aperture A3. - A second side
end closure panel 420A comprises a second inner opening such as a cutaway or recess (not shown) struck from an end edge thereof. The second recess is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with a portion of the hand opening defined by thefirst hand tab 442A,second hand tab 442B and the aperture A3. -
FIG. 14 shows a fragmentary internal end elevation of a carton according to a sixth embodiment. The carton of the sixth embodiment shares many common features with that of the first embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-5 and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 5 will be described in any greater detail. InFIG. 14 , like numerals, where possible, are used to denote like parts which are also present inFIGS. 1-5 , albeit with the addition of the prefix “500” to indicate that these features belong to the sixth embodiment, respectively. - The carton of the sixth embodiment includes a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel forming a tubular structure.
FIG. 14 shows a third side end closure panel 528B hingedly connected to the first side panel and a fourth sideend closure panel 532B hingedly connected to the second side panel. The third and fourth sideend closure panels 528B, 532B close a second end of the tubular structure in cooperation with the second top and bottom end closure panels. Stated differently, the third and fourth sideend closure panels 528B, 532B and the second top and bottom end closure panels together provide an upright, composite end wall of the carton, which closes the second end of the tubular structure. InFIG. 14 , which is a fragmentary internal elevation of the composite end wall, the third side end closure panel 528B is the innermost layer of the composite end wall while the fourth sideend closure panel 532B is the second innermost layer of the composite end wall wherein the respective free end portions of the third and fourth sideend closure panels 528B, 532B are shown as overlapping with each other. The top end closure panel provides either the outermost or second outermost layer of the composite wall in the manner similar to what are illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 . A handle structure is provided by a pair of adjoining hand flaps 542A, 542B which are hingedly connected to the top end closure panel by a pair of hingedconnections connections fold lines fold lines - The
first hand tab 542A is defined in part byfold line 541A and in part by a portion of a U-shaped cut line orseverance line 548. The second hand tab 542B is defined in part byfold line 541B and in part by a portion of the U-shaped cut line orseverance line 548. Thefirst hand tab 542A is disposed adjacent to the second hand tab 542B. Thefirst hand tab 542A and the second hand tab 542B share a common edge defined by a severance line or cutline 543. The severance line or cutline 543 extends from the U-shaped cut line orseverance line 548 to a vertex at which foldline 541A meetsfold line 541B. - The
first hand tab 542A comprises a firstflap fold line 545A while the second hand tab 542B comprises a secondflap fold line 545B. The first and secondflap fold lines second hand tab 542A, 542B with respect to a second portion of the first orsecond hand tab 542A, 542B. The firstflap fold line 545A extends between theseverance line 543 and theU-shaped cutline 548. The secondflap fold line 545B extends between theseverance line 543 and theU-shaped cutline 548. The first and secondflap fold lines flap fold lines severance line 543 from which theflap fold lines - The hand opening defined by the hand flaps 542A, 542B provides a carrying handle for a user to insert their hand into the carton. The first and
second hand tabs 542A, 542B provide cushioning flaps when folded internally of the carton so as to provide a comfortable handle. - The third side end closure panel 528B comprises a third inner opening such as a cutaway or recess struck from an end edge thereof. The third inner opening is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the
first hand tab 542A, or the hand opening of the handle structure. The fourth sideend closure panel 532B comprises a fourth inner opening such as a cutaway or recess struck from an end edge thereof. The fourth inner opening is configured such that it is in alignment or registry with the second hand tab 542B, or the hand opening of the handle structure. The third inner opening is defined in part by a firstinner tab 552A hinged to the third side end closure panel 528B by afold line 551A. The fourth inner opening is defined in part by a second inner tab 552B hinged to the fourth sideend closure panel 532B by afold line 551B. - As viewed in
FIG. 14 , the lower end of the innerflap fold line 551A is located below the lower end of theflap fold line 541A. The innerflap fold line 551A extends upward from its lower end, intersects with theflap fold line 541A of thehand flap 542A and extends above theflap fold line 541A. The fold lines 551A, 541A are arranged to define an acute angle with respect to each other. The innerflap fold line 551A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line. Theflap fold line 541A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line. The acute angle between theflap fold line 541A and the notional horizontal line is less than that between the innerflap fold line 551A and the notional horizontal line. Theflap fold line 541A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional vertical line. - As shown in
FIG. 14 , thefirst hand tab 542A is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the firstinner tab 552A. The second hand tab 542B is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the second inner tab 552B. - The arrangement of the second hand tab 542B with respect to the second inner tab 552B is substantially the same as the arrangement of the
first hand tab 542A with respect to the firstinner tab 552A described above, albeit a mirror image of the arrangement of thefirst hand tab 542A and the firstinner tab 552A. -
FIG. 15 shows a fragmentary internal end elevation of a carton according to a seventh embodiment. The carton of the seventh embodiment shares many common features with that of the first and sixth embodiment shown inFIGS. 1 to 5 and 14 and therefore only the differences from the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 5 and 14 will be described in any greater detail. InFIG. 15 , like numerals, where possible, are used to denote like parts which are also present inFIG. 14 , albeit with the addition of the prefix “600” to indicate that these features belong to the seventh embodiment, respectively. - As viewed in
FIG. 15 , the lower end of the innerflap fold line 651A is located below the lower end of theflap fold line 641A. The innerflap fold line 651A extends upward from its lower end, passes through the lower end of theflap fold line 641A of thehand flap 642A and extends above theflap fold line 641A. Stated differently, the lower end of theflap fold line 641A is located on the innerflap fold line 651A such that theflap fold line 641A extends upwardly and divergently from the innerflap fold line 651A. The fold lines 651A, 641A are arranged to define an acute angle with respect to each other. The innerflap fold line 651A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line. Theflap fold line 641A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line. The acute angle between theflap fold line 641A and the notional horizontal line is less than that between the inner flap fold line and the notional horizontal line. Theflap fold line 641A is arranged to define an acute angle with respect to a notional vertical line. - As shown in
FIG. 15 , thefirst hand tab 642A is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the firstinner tab 652A. The second hand tab 642B is arranged in a partially overlapping or overlying relationship with the secondinner tab 652B. - The arrangement of the second hand tab 642B with respect to the second
inner tab 652B is substantially the same as the arrangement of thefirst hand tab 642A with respect to the firstinner tab 652A described above, albeit a mirror image of the arrangement of thefirst hand tab 642A and the firstinner tab 652A. - It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. The handle structures disclosed herein may be used in a variety of carton styles and are not limited to use in end-loading cartons as shown in the illustrated embodiments. The handle structures may be employed in bottom or top loading cartons or any carton style including a vertical/upright handle panel in which a hand opening may be defined; the handle structure of the invention may be employed in a basket carrier, a wraparound carrier or a top engaging carrier having upright handle panels.
- Each of the foregoing described and/or illustrated embodiments may be employed on a single panel wall or on a double panel wall (two at least partially overlapping panels). When employed with a double panel wall, the hand flaps are formed from the outer panel while the inner panel wall may be provided with inner hand flaps or no hand flaps. When provided with inner hand flaps at least one inner hand flap is associated with a respective one of the outer hand flaps of the outer panel.
- It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “rear”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not necessarily limit the respective panels to such orientation, but may merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.
- As used herein, the term “inner opening” refers to all manner of openings including holes and apertures which may be a part of the handle structure of the invention. More particularly, the term “inner opening” may refer to one of the following: a cutaway, a recess, a notch, a hole and an aperture. A cutaway, recess or notch may be formed along the free end edge of an end closure panel while a hole or aperture may be formed within an end closure panel, such as shown at “28A”, “28B, “32A” or “32B” in
FIG. 1 , such that the hole or aperture is surrounded entirely by the material of the end closure panel which provides an endless perimeter of the hole or aperture. - As used herein, the term “hinged connection” refers to all manner of lines that define hinge features in a substrate of sheet material, for facilitating folding portions of the substrate with respect to one another, or otherwise for indicating optimal folding locations in the substrate. For example, a hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed a hinged connection can be formed from two or more fold lines wherein each of the two or more fold lines may be either straight/linear or curved/curvilinear in shape. When linear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may be disposed parallel with each other or slightly angled with respect to each other. When curvilinear fold lines form a hinged connection, they may intersect each other to define a shaped panel within the area surrounded by the curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a pair of arched or arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that they define an elliptical panel therebetween. A hinged connection may be formed from one or more linear fold lines and one or more curvilinear fold lines. A typical example of such a hinged connection may comprise a combination of a linear fold line and an arched or arcuate fold line which intersect at two points such that they define a half moon-shaped panel therebetween.
- As used herein, the term “fold line” may refer to one of the following: a scored line, an embossed line, a debossed line, a line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a single half-cut, an interrupted cut line, a line of aligned slits, a line of scores and any combination of the aforesaid options.
- As used herein, the terms “severance line” refers to all manner of lines formed in a substrate of sheet material which facilitate separating portions of the substrate on the opposite sides of that line from one another, or otherwise indicate optimal separation locations on the substrate. For example, a severance line in a substrate of sheet material is predisposed to allow a tear to propagate there along. A severance line may be one of the following: a single cut, a single half-cut, a single slit, an interrupted cut, a score line, an interrupted score line, a line of perforations, a line of short cuts, a line of short slits, a line of short half cuts, and any combination of the aforementioned options.
- Those elements of a fold line or those of a severance line, such as cuts, perforations and scores, can be dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with degrees of weakness to define a fold line or a severance line. The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and resist breaking to provide a fold line, or to facilitate breaking with little effort to provide a severance line.
Claims (30)
1. A handle structure for a carton, the handle structure comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps hingedly connected to a handle panel by a pair of hinged connections such that the hand flaps together define a single hand opening in the handle panel when the hand flaps are folded out of a plane of the handle panel, each of the hinged connections having a longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line, the longitudinal axes of the hinged connections defining an obtuse angle therebetween and downwardly extending divergently from each other.
2. The handle structure according to claim 1 wherein the handle panel is a unitary, substantially upright handle panel.
3. The handle structure according to claim 2 wherein a first one of the hand flaps is separated from a second one of the hand flaps by a severance line.
4. The handle structure according to claim 2 wherein each of the hinged connections comprises at least one linear fold line, and the hinged connections of the hand flaps together define an inverted V shape.
5. The handle structure according to claim 4 wherein the longitudinal axis of each of the hinged connection extends coincidentally with the at least one linear fold lines.
6. The handle structure according to claim 2 wherein each of the hinged connections comprises a pair of opposed arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that the arcuate fold lines define an elliptical panel therebetween, and wherein the longitudinal axis of each of the hinged connections extends through the two points of a respective one of the elliptical panels.
7. The handle structure according to claim 2 wherein each of the hand flaps comprises a flap fold line therein for facilitating folding of a first portion of the each hand flap with respect to a second portion of the each handle flap.
8. The handle structure according to claim 7 wherein the flap fold lines in the hand flaps together define an inverted V shape.
9. The handle structure according to claim 7 wherein the first portion of one of the hand flaps is disposed adjacent to the first portion of the other of the hand flaps.
10. The handle structure according to claim 2 comprising an aperture defining at least a portion of each of the hand flaps.
11. The handle structure according to claim 2 comprising at least one inner panel disposed in a face-contacting relationship with the handle panel, the at least one inner panel comprising at least one inner opening configured and arranged to be in registry with at least a portion of the hand opening.
12. The handle structure according to claim 11 wherein the at least one inner panel comprises a pair of inner flaps hinged to the at least one inner panel by a pair of inner hinged connections respectively, the inner flaps defining at least a portion of the at least one inner opening.
13. The handle structure according to claim 12 wherein each of the inner flaps partially overlaps with a respective one of the hand flaps.
14. The handle structure according to claim 13 wherein the inner hinged connection of each of the inner flaps is disposed at least in part above the hinged connection of a respective one of the hand flaps.
15. The handle structure according to claim 14 wherein the inner hinged connection of each of the inner flaps is spaced apart from the hinged connection of the respective one of the hand flaps.
16. The handle structure according to claim 13 wherein the inner hinged connection of each of the inner flaps is divergently arranged with respect to the hinged connection of the respective one of the hand flaps so as to define an acute angle therebetween.
17. The handle structure according to claim 6 further comprising at least one inner panel disposed in a face-contacting relationship with the handle panel, and a pair of inner flaps provided by the at least one inner panel.
18. The handle structure according to claim 17 wherein each of the inner flaps has a pair of lobes configured and arranged for facilitating folding of a respective one of the elliptical panels substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the respective one of the elliptical panels.
19. The handle structure according to claim 18 wherein each of the elliptical panels comprises a fold line for facilitating folding thereof substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis.
20. The handle structure according to claim 14 wherein the lower end of the inner hinged connection of each of the inner flaps, as viewed in an elevation of the at least one inner panel, is positioned below the lower end of the hinged connection of the respective one of the hand flaps
21. The handle structure according to claim 20 wherein the inner hinged connection of each of the inner flaps, as viewed in the elevation of the at least one inner panel, intersects with the hinged connection of the respective one of the hand flaps.
22. The handle structure according to claim 20 wherein the lower end of the hinged connection of each of the hand flaps, as viewed in the elevation of the at least one inner panel, is located on the inner hinged connection of the respective one of the inner flaps such that the hinged connection of the each of the hand flaps extends upwardly and divergently from the inner hinged connection of the respective one of the inner flaps.
23. The handle structure according to claim 20 wherein the inner hinged connection of each of the inner flaps, as viewed in the elevation of the at least one inner panel, defines an acute angle with respect to the hinged connection of the respective one of the hand flaps.
24. A carton for packaging one or more articles, the carton comprising a plurality of panels including a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel forming a tubular structure, a first end panel for at least partially closing a first end of the tubular structure, and a second end panel for at least partially closing a second end of the tubular structure, wherein the carton comprises a handle structure comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps hingedly connected to each of the first and second end panels by a pair of hinged connections such that the hand flaps together define a single hand opening in each of the first and second end panels when the hand flaps are folded out of a plane of each of the first and second end panels, each of the hinged connections having a longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to a notional horizontal line, the longitudinal axes of the hinged connections defining an obtuse angle therebetween and downwardly extending divergently from each other.
25. The carton according to claim 24 wherein each of the first and second panels is a unitary, substantially upright handle panel.
26. The carton according to claim 24 wherein each hinged connection comprises at least one linear fold line.
27. The carton according to claim 26 wherein the longitudinal axis of each of the hinged connections extends coincidentally with the at least one linear fold lines.
28. The carton according to claim 24 wherein each of the hinged connections comprises a pair of opposed arcuate fold lines intersecting at two points such that the arcuate fold lines define an elliptical panel therebetween.
29. The carton according to claim 28 wherein the longitudinal axis of each of the hinged connections extends through the two points of a respective one of the elliptical panels.
30. A blank for forming a carton, the blank comprising a plurality of panels including a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel for forming a tubular structure, a first end panel for at least partially closing a first end of the tubular structure, and a second end panel for at least partially closing a second end of the tubular structure, wherein the blank comprises a handle structure comprising a handle panel formed by one of said first and second end panels, the handle structure comprising a pair of adjoining hand flaps hingedly connected to the handle panel by a pair of hinged connections such that the hand flaps together define a single hand opening in the handle panel when the hand flaps are folded out of a plane of the handle panel, each of the hinged connections having a longitudinal axis disposed at an acute angle with respect to a severance line which separates the hand flaps from each other, the longitudinal axes of the hinged connections defining an obtuse angle therebetween such that the obtuse angle is divided by the severance line generally into halves.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/326,092 US20170197770A1 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2015-06-19 | Carton and carton blank |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201462025144P | 2014-07-16 | 2014-07-16 | |
PCT/US2015/036573 WO2016032601A1 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2015-06-19 | Carton and carton blank |
US15/326,092 US20170197770A1 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2015-06-19 | Carton and carton blank |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20170197770A1 true US20170197770A1 (en) | 2017-07-13 |
Family
ID=54545476
Family Applications (1)
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US15/326,092 Abandoned US20170197770A1 (en) | 2014-07-16 | 2015-06-19 | Carton and carton blank |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20170197770A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3169602B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2955162A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2017000649A (en) |
TW (1) | TW201604093A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016032601A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2022095519A (en) * | 2020-12-16 | 2022-06-28 | 王子ホールディングス株式会社 | Packaging box |
USD980069S1 (en) | 2020-07-14 | 2023-03-07 | Ball Corporation | Metallic dispensing lid |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA3061951A1 (en) * | 2017-05-03 | 2018-11-08 | Westrock Packaging Systems, Llc | Carton and blank therefor |
MX2019013658A (en) * | 2017-05-18 | 2020-01-27 | Westrock Packaging Systems Llc | Carton and blank therefor. |
US20210155389A1 (en) * | 2017-06-30 | 2021-05-27 | Westrock Packaging Systems, Llc | Carton and blank therefor |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4706846A (en) * | 1986-07-28 | 1987-11-17 | Bernard Engelhardt | Tag dispenser |
US5106014A (en) * | 1990-09-12 | 1992-04-21 | The C. W. Zumbiel Co. | Carton carrying handle |
US20100044420A1 (en) * | 2008-08-22 | 2010-02-25 | Kirsten Laura Brand | Carton with insert |
US20130092725A1 (en) * | 2011-10-17 | 2013-04-18 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton With Handle |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE7805090U1 (en) * | 1978-02-21 | 1978-06-08 | Interplan Internationales Plan | Packaging for bobbins |
CA2876185C (en) * | 2012-07-17 | 2017-06-13 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton with insert |
-
2015
- 2015-06-19 US US15/326,092 patent/US20170197770A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-06-19 CA CA2955162A patent/CA2955162A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-06-19 MX MX2017000649A patent/MX2017000649A/en unknown
- 2015-06-19 EP EP15795062.7A patent/EP3169602B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2015-06-19 WO PCT/US2015/036573 patent/WO2016032601A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-06-29 TW TW104120905A patent/TW201604093A/en unknown
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4706846A (en) * | 1986-07-28 | 1987-11-17 | Bernard Engelhardt | Tag dispenser |
US5106014A (en) * | 1990-09-12 | 1992-04-21 | The C. W. Zumbiel Co. | Carton carrying handle |
US20100044420A1 (en) * | 2008-08-22 | 2010-02-25 | Kirsten Laura Brand | Carton with insert |
US20130092725A1 (en) * | 2011-10-17 | 2013-04-18 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton With Handle |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD980069S1 (en) | 2020-07-14 | 2023-03-07 | Ball Corporation | Metallic dispensing lid |
JP2022095519A (en) * | 2020-12-16 | 2022-06-28 | 王子ホールディングス株式会社 | Packaging box |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2016032601A1 (en) | 2016-03-03 |
EP3169602A1 (en) | 2017-05-24 |
EP3169602B1 (en) | 2019-05-15 |
TW201604093A (en) | 2016-02-01 |
MX2017000649A (en) | 2017-04-27 |
CA2955162A1 (en) | 2016-03-03 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC, VIRGINIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:PEELER, ANDREW T.;LOFTIN, CALEB S.;WALLING, BRADFORD J.;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20140718 TO 20140721;REEL/FRAME:040966/0535 Owner name: WESTROCK PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC, GEORGIA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:MEADWESTVACO PACKAGING SYSTEMS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:041365/0871 Effective date: 20150818 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |