US2645407A

US2645407A - Box with carrying handle

Info

Publication number: US2645407A
Application number: US47171A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert M Bergstein
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-09-01
Filing date: 1948-09-01
Publication date: 1953-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 1970-07-14

Description

July 14, 1953 R. M. BERGSTEIN' 2,645,407

BOX WITH CARRYING HANDLE Fiied Sept. 1, 194a a Sheets-Sheet 2 mmvrox. user M .Bzs asrfln.

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ATTO RNEY$- Patented July 14, 1953 BOX ITH CARRYING HANDLE Robert M. Berg'stein, Wy0ming,0hio. 1 a l c tion September 1,1948; Serial.N.o.47;171

My invention has to do with the-provision of paperboard box structures having built-in handle elements whereby the filled boxes may be easily carried. v

Hitherto the need for carrying handles has been recognized; particularly in connection with suit boxes in whichvarious articles of clothing may be packed and carried away by the user. The art has suggested various types of handle structures such as strap-like members with enlarged ends which must be put in place on the boxes by hand insertionmethod's; during their manufacture, cumbersome and expensive wire handle elements which must be engaged with the box after it is filled and closed, integral, paperboard handle elements articulated to one of the box walls, which must be formed by complicated folding operations, frequently with hand insertion steps, or which require extensive manipulation after the box is filled and closed, and separate paperboard handle elements preattached to the collapsed box, but whichrequire expensive and elaborate mechanism for their attachment and folding. All of these constructions add ap-- preciably to the cost of boxes so equipped; many of them have to behandled as separate items either during manufacture or use; many of them interfere with the use of the box as a non-handlebearingstructure for storage or shipment; and

most of them entail difiiculty in manipulation on u the part of a hurried sales person or the purchaser of the garments. In addition most of them present grasping elements which are inherently unsatisfactory particularly when any great weight of contents isto be carried in'the boxes.

It is an object of this inventionto provide a handle-equipped box at an insignificant increase in cost over boxes of the same type but not so equipped.

It is an object of this invention to provide a handle structure which does not in any way interfere with the use of the box as a non-handle-- handle construction and a box so equipped, whichis pleasing in appearance and simpleto use, re-

quiring' no complicated manipulations on the part of the sales person or user, and being sub stantially foolproof.

5.Claims. (Cl. 229-52) It is an'object of this invention to provide a handle structure involving in its provision no extra folding of the blank, no hand insertion, and only the simplest and least expensive type of equipment for high speed application.

It is an object of the invention to provide a handle construction which is as applicable to a single wall construction on the top or carrying surface of the box as it is to be a double walled top constructionsuch as found in the conventional one-piece suit-box constructions, thus wideningthe application of my handle to a great varietyof paperboard packages to be carried.

These and other objects of the invention which will beset forth hereinafter, or willbe' apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these specifications; I accomplish by that construction and arrangement of parts, and in those procedures of which I shall now set forth certain exemplary embodiments. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein? Figure 1 is a plan view of *the blank for a conventional type of one-piece suitbox,but equipped with the handleof this invention.

Figure 21s a plan view on a larger scale of the cut and scored condition of the outer top wall of the box of Figure 1.

"Figure-3 is-amenlar'gedplan-view of me cury.

and scored condition of the inner top wall prior to the attachment of the handle element per se.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the partially closed box.

Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the fully "closed box, with the handle element concealed andnot in use.

Figure 6 is a transverse partial sectional view taken along the section lineB-G of Figure 5.

Figure 7 isa partial perspective view of the same box with the handle element in operative position for use.

Figure. 8 is a longitudinal partial section taken along the section line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 isa perspective view showing a partially open box with a modified form of handle construction.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a partially open box showing a modification of the treatment of the inner and outer top walls.

Figure 11 is a partial section taken along the section line |l-ll of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an erected tubular box or container of the lock-end type, closed on one end, and provided with my handle structure, the handle being concealed and not in the position for use.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the same box in fully closed condition, and'with the handle element in exposed position and ready for use.

Figure 14. is a partial sectional view taken along the section line l4l4 of Figure 13.

Briefly, in the practice of my invention I employ as a handle element per se a strip of stretchable material. The material may, if desired, be elastic in the sense of having a tendency to return to its original dimensions when stretched longitudinally; but this quality is not necessary. I have found that when I employ a strip of material capable of being substantially stretched,

. I may attach it to a wall of the box by spaced areas of adhesive or other attachment means, in a position in which the strip lies parallel to and fiat-wise against the wall to which it is attached. Such a strip, by reason of its stretchability, may be withdrawn through an opening either in the same wall or in another overlying wall, to form a carrying handle. When not so withdrawn, and as the box is made, the strip lies fiat-Wise against'the Wall to which it is attached, and does not interfere in any way with any of the normal uses of the box when the handle is not required. It may be concealed behind access means either in the wall to-which it is attached or in an overlying wall or both.

A stretchable material as herein set forth forms an excellent handle especially for the carrying of considerable weights, because the stretchability and softness of the material of which it is made permits the grasping portion of the handle to roll and provide a relatively broad carrying bail devoid of sharp edges. Thus much greater weights can be carried in comfort than with wire handles, stiff metallic or paperboard strips having sharp edges, or sharply folded paperboard elements in which the weight must be borne against cut or folded edges.

Various materials. are available for use as stretchable strips, and I do not regard specific materials as limitations upon the invention. For example, I may use textile fabric tapes woven or knitted so as to be stretchable, or incorporating elastic strands in their structure. I prefer to employ a universally stretchable creped paper product of single ply or multi-ply character, made by the process of United States Patent No. 2,008,180, to Kemp, from kraft paper stock or the like. Such a product may be treated, if desired, as by the incorporation of resinous or rubbery substances, to increase its tear strength. Other creped products may likewise be used.

In Figure l I have illustrated a known form of knocked down, infolded suit box, the blank for which is shown in. plan. It comprises an outer top wall I, a main side panel 2, abottom wall 3, a second main side panel 4 and an inner top Wall 5 in articulation in the order named. End wall members I, 9, l0 and [2 are articulated to the ends of the main panels 2 and 4 respectively. Triangular portions l3, I5, I6 and l! are demarked at the ends of the end wall elements by diagonal score lines as shown. Bellows folding constructions l8 and I9 connect the respective ends of the end wall elements and the bottom wall. Glue tabs l8, i9, 20 and 2| are articulated to the ends of the outer and inner top-wall elements.

Blanks of this type can be folded and glued on known machines. Without attempting to indicate the order of the operations, the end wall elements I, 9, l0 and i2 together with the bellows folding portions 28 and [9 are turned inwardly on the longitudinal score lines, and the triangular portions [3, l5, l6, and I! are reversely folded to overlie the end wall elements. The glue tabs l8, I9, and 2| are folded inwardly on their score lines. With the application of suitable adhesive either to the glue tabs or to the tri-' angular portions, the outer and inner top wall the adherence of the glue tabs and the triangular elements I and 5 are infolded, which results in the adherence of the glue tabs and the triangular portions. The result is a collapsed, infolded box which may be shipped to the user in the described condition. The user erects the inner and outer top wall elements and the end wall elements I by pulling upwardly upon them. The box parts can then be folded with respect to the bottom wall 3, accompanied by bellows folding of the portions [8 and 19, giving the familiar one-piece suitbox construction illustrated in Figures 4,

9 and 10.

The blank illustrated suitable boxboard in the cutting and scoring press in the'usual fashion. Dot-dash lines indicate lines of score, while solidlines indicate lines of out. One way of practicing my invention in connection with such a blank and box involves a configuration of the inner and outer top wall elements such as will now be described. This configuration is also attained on the cutting and scoring press. I V g The inner top wall element 5 is provided with an elongated slot or cut-out 22 as most clearly shown in Figure 3. This cut-out may, if desired, be notched at its side as at 23 to facilitate engagement of the handle member by the thumb or finger. The outer top wall element is provided with means whereby the bail portion of the handle can be drawn through it and preferably with one or more flaps which canbe opened for the purpose, and closed again after the handle is in operative position. A single U-shaped line of cut will provide such a flap; but I prefer the structure most clearly shown in Figure 3. At each end of an area which will coincide with and be substantially the same as the cut-out-22 I provide

small flaps

24 and 25, each formed by a U-shaped cut as

flaps

26 and 21 by the fingers. The handle element, which is the strip of stretchable material hereinabove described, is in this modification attached at its ends to the inner surface of the inner top wall 5. This is accomplished by the areas of adhesive indicated at 3| and 32. The strip 30 izszsomewhat narrower than the widthof the slot It may be simply applied during the movement of the blank; and this may beaccomplished as a separate step before any of the other folds are made, on the known folding and gluing machines, referred to above. However, I prefer in the case of structures such as shown in Figure l to incorporate the handle-applying device, as described below, into the known machines which are used for folding and gluing blanks of this type. In this Y event the handle-applying device is timed t c-synchronize with the timed means carrying the blank through the folding and gluing machine. The location of this device in this machine is a matter of choice, as I may do it after the blankis fed out from the hopper and before the wall and corner folding operationsbegin, oritjmay'be done after in Figure l is made from' aerator the blankhaswbeen partiallyf 'ioldcd, i. 6.,

aster walls

1,9,4- "and lw havebeen fclded inwardly: with triangular corner portions i3, .15,- fil fi -and i l respectively folded bachthereon and atten cornerflaps l8, l9, :andl2I have gbeen f ol'ri'ed in but before wall 5 is folded in. I-nthis manner auto matic boxes of the typeshown in Figure I may' be produced with no additional manufacturingt p and no additional. separate operationsytoprovld'e my handle-attached box with noiiadditionai cos'ti feeding means and. severs the material. into. the

strips 30, and the trailing ends; of thesestrips movedownwardly to overliethe adhesiuerarea fl. Press roll means through which-.thelblank:carries the, adhesively secured strip-.may be supplied.

The strip 30 asapplied .isiflat. or substantially so, and, lies flat-wise against'dand; parallelism with the inner face of the inner top wall element 5. It does notin any way interfere with the normal use of the box. Figure 4 illustrates the erected andpartiallyclosed, box in the condition in which it may be filled, with. the desired contents. It is closed, as shown in Figure 5 by'bringing the elements together. The flat structures 26, 2.1-, and 25 in the outer top wall cover the handle element attachedto the inner top wall; and the box-in this-condition is suitable for all storage, shipping and other uses of similar structures not requiring a carrier handle.

When the use of the handle is desired, the flaps 2-6 and 21 are. raised by means of the lim gers as shown in Figured, which: discloses the handle element 30- beneath; This element is engaged by a thumb or finger, the notch 23 facilitating this engagement, and is drawn outwardly through the opening provided by

flaps

26 and 21. This is rendered possible by the stretchability of the handle strip 30, since its ends are fixedly secured to the under surface of the inner top element 5. When the handle element has been withdrawn through the opening, the

flaps

26 and 21 may be folded back into position coplanar with the outer top wall element l beneath the handle. The box with the handle in operative position is shown in Figure 7 in perspective, and in section in Figure 8. The

flaps

24 and 25 in the outer top wall element overlie the ends of the handle 30 where they pass through the board layers; but there is space enough between them for the handle element 30 to provide a convenient carrying bail. It will be noted in Figure 8 that the ends of the handle element 30 are aflixed to the undersurface of the inner top wall element 5 in such a way that strain on the handle produces a lengthwise pull at the area of attachment. Thus there is no peeling action tending to separate the handle strip from the board.

By reason of this straight pull it is quite possible, as indicated in Figure 9, to attach a handle strip 33 directly to the outer surface of the in- 6 nor top: wall element'- areas: 34- and 35, and omit the slot-2a and notch- 13 in the inner topwallelement. The outer top wall element irr the modificationof Fig ure 9 is configured-as hereina-bove; described,

and like parts are given l'ike index numerals.

Whereas in the structure of Figure lthe' handle strip 30 is attached to the-inner surface of the inner top -wall element 5, in the modification ofFigure 9 the handle strip 33 is attached to the outer surface-of-the inner top walli element 5- after-thetop wall elements have been infolded; and as the last operationperformed upon the blank by the-machine, excepting for pressing and stacking. The strip 33 however is attachedto the blank by similar means and :in

a similar fashion, preferably as a part ofthe machine operation of folding and gluing. In either event the cost is insignificant.

Whatever configuration is given to the inner and' cuter top wall elements is a matterof the-- die in the cutting and scoring press, and with the simple apparatus which has been described, the attachment" of the strip. 33 or- 30- involves substantially no greater expense than the actu'al cost per rial.

A further modification is indicated in Figure 3-83and 39, preferably with-a cut-out as at 40b The several fi'apsinthe-inner and outer top wall: elements correspond substantially in size and placement so that they will come into juxta-pos-ition when the box is 'fullyclo'sed. The handle strip 4!, as most clearly shown in- Figure 11, is again attached to the inner or under face of the inner topwall element 5-, in

the manner heretofore described. The distance between the parallel score lines by which the flaps 3-8, 33 and 26, 2-1 are articulated to their respective wallsmay advantageously be made, in this modification, substantially wider than the width of the strip H. The box, as before, is useabl'e, without a handle as a shipping and storage structure. When the-handle is desired for use, the

several flaps

26, 21, 38 and'39 are concurrently depressed by the thumbs of the operator, until they clear the side edges of the strip 4|, the stretchability of the strip 4| permitting this action to occur. When the several flaps are released they tend to return to their original positions, bringing the handle strip up with them, and leaving it in a position to be grasped for carrying. No other folding operations are required in this modification.

It will be observed that in the structures thus for described, my handle when in operative po sition serves to maintain the box in closed condition. When it is desired to open the box, the handle element is brought beneath the outer top wall element by a reversal of the operations heretofore described. The box may then be opened, and may be reclosed and reused as many times as desired, with or without use of the handle.

My handle structure is not limited in its utility to one-piece boxes, but may be employed with two-piece boxes in addition to other means for maintaining closure, as will readily be understood. Nor is it limited to use in boxes having inner and outer top wall elements. In Figures 11-14 inclusive I have illustrated another 5 by meanstot adhesive carton of the handlestrip mateform of box, which inthis instance. is a tubular carton having body walls in articulation, two of which are shown at 42 and 43. The ends of the body Wall elements are provided with closure flaps 44, 45, 46 and which in this instance are illustrated as a lock-end closure, although it will be obvious that any other known form of closure may be employed.

The wall 42 isconfigured, as hereina'bove scribed, with

end flaps

48 and 49, and longitudinal flaps 50 and 5|, preferably with a cutout 52. As most clearly shown in Figure 14 a handle element 53 is attached at its ends to the inner face of the body Wall 42. be accomplishedon the carton folding and glue ing machine by means hereinabove set forth, prior to the tubing of the blank in the conventional fashion.

The completed box, after being erected, filled and closed, may be employed in any of the ways usual for tubular cartons. carrying handle is desired, the flaps 50 and 5| are either raised or depressed as described above and the central portion of the handle element 53 is withdrawn, giving the structure illustrated in Figure 13. If a tight carton'is desired, the carton of Figures 12 to 14 may be tubed in such fashion that a glue flap underlies the wall 42, and the glue flap may be widened-to correspond substantially in area to the Wall 42, being adhered to that wall about its edges. The handle element 53 may, as before, be adhered at its ends to the under surface of the body wall 42 prior to the tubing operation, and hence in the finished tubed carton will lie between the glue flap andthe body wall 42.

Other modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit of it. Having thus described my invention in certain exemplary embodiments, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a paperboard box having in the closed condition juxtaposed inner and outer wall panels, a handle element comprising a strip of stretchable creped paper adhesively secured at its ends only to the said inner wall of the box,

said strip of stretchable materia1 being adhesively This may When, however, a I

secured to the said inner wall panel in planar,

- fully extended and substantially unstretched -condition,-an opening in the outer wall of said box overlying said handle element, said handle element being stretchably displaceable through the. opening in said outer wall panel to form a carrying handle for said box.

2., The box construction claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle element is attached to the inner surface of the said inner wall and is displaceable'through an opening in the said inner Wall, said last named opening comprising a slot of a Width substantially equal to the width of said handle element and of a length substantially equal to the length of the unsecured portion of said handle element.

3. The box construction claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle element is adhered to the inner surface of said inner wall and is displaceable "through an opening in said inner wall, said inner wall being provided with at least one. flap displaceable to form said opening.

4. The box construction claimed in claim 3 wherein the opening in said outer wall is also formed by at least one flap displaceable to form said last named opening.

5. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle element'is adhered to the outer sur face of the said inner wall, and wherein the opening in said outer wall is formed by at least one flap displaceable to form said opening.

ROBERT M. BERGSTEIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1 254,592 Beiser Mar. 7, 1882 601,421 Augustin Mar. 29, 1898 645,214 Prins Mar. 13, 1900 1,076,076 Story Oct. 21, 1913, 1,141,789 Freese June 1, 1915 1,153,136 Rosenfeld Sept. 7, 1915 1,171,228 Misroch et a1 Feb. 8, 1916 1,194,172 Harbeck Aug. 8, 1916 2,258,582 Berg, Jr Oct. 14, 1941 2,287,581 Walker June 23, 1942 2,349,985 Page May 30, 1944