US2942771A

US2942771A - Article support

Info

Publication number: US2942771A
Application number: US700390A
Authority: US
Inventors: Irvin G Spigelman
Original assignee: Chicago Printed String Co
Current assignee: Chicago Printed String Co
Priority date: 1957-12-03
Filing date: 1957-12-03
Publication date: 1960-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1977-06-28

Description

June 28, 1960 l. G. SPlGELMAN ARTICLE SUPPORT Filed Dec. 3, 1957 United States Patent I ARTICLE SUPPORT Irvin G. Spigelman, Chicago, 111., assignor to Chicago Printed String Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 3, 1957, Ser. No. 700,390 I 8 Claims. (Cl. 229-52) This invention relates to an improved article support and more particularly to an improved handle having greatly enhanced strength and versatility which may be especially adapted for use with heavy cartons and the like.

In the past few decades, the distribution of many consumer products has been in small packages weighing only a few ounces. Such small packages could be readily packed into kraft bags and the like for transportation by the purchaser. However, it was necessary to repurchase the goods at very short intervals. Furthermore, such packaging techniques are expensive, the cost of the package often equaling or exceeding the actual value of the goods contained therein.

A typical example of a product in this category is soap in granulated or flake form. Soap and modern detergents are used in large quantities by the housewife and are relatively bulky and heavy. Thus the housewife has heretofore required many of the conventional small boxes in order to carry on her-normal daily routine and thus purchased the goods at regular, very short intervals. The manufacturers of soap and detergents, recognizing this, have recently introduced large size cartons containing in the order of twenty to twenty-five pounds of soap or detergent in granulated form. While these cartons greatly improve the efliciency of packaging and have resulted in lower cost to the consumer, they are difficult to handle and the housewife objects to one such carton substantially filling her entire shopping bag. Thus, several manufacturers have attached handles of various types to such cartons, but all of the handles heretofore proposed have been expensive, weak or cumbersome during shipping and handling prior to purchase by the ultimate consumer.

Thus, it is one important object of this invention to provide an improved article support having greatly enhanced tensile and impact strength.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved article support which is simple and inexpensive in construction.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved article support which may be readily manufactured by automatic or continuous processes.

Another object of this invention is the novel method by which article supports of the type described herein may be manufactured.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a separate handle unit which may be readily inserted, in cartons and the like after such cartons have been filled.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved carton handle which will not interfere in any way with normal storage, shipping and handling thereof.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an improved carton handle wherein no tear or shear stresses are of importance but all stresses are distributed as tensile forces substantially parallel to the joints and webs of the construction.

Further and additional objects of this invention will 2 appear from this specification, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

In one form of this invention a handle unit especially adapted for insertion under two of the top flaps of a cardboard carton is provided. More particularly, the handle unit consists of a cardboard Web having an elongate flexible handle secured thereto at its ends with the end portions folded under the Web and with transverse reinforcing strips attached thereto.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a carton comprising and incorporating one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. l with the handle unit shown in the removed position;

Fig. 3 illustrates the first step in the manufacturing process described herein;

Fig. 4 illustrates a subsequent step in the manufacturing process of this invention.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the handle unit of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the flexible elongate handle taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 a carton 10 incorporating handle unit 12 is illustrated. The unit 12 has an elongate flexible handle 14 secured thereto in a novel manner and the unit is disposed between sets of

opposite carton flaps

16 and 18. In assembling the carton and unit'the flaps 16 are first folded in the open top 20 of carton 10,. after which the handle unit 12 is placed thereon.

The second setof opposed flaps 18 are cut away to provide space for the flexible handle 14. The cuts include large transverse end cuts 22 and slightly cut-away central portion 24 so that when the flaps 18 overlie the handle unit 12 as shown. in Fig. l the elongate handle 14 passes through the large cuts 22 readily and lies within the cut-away portion 24 between the flaps 18. The unit 12 may be secured to the flaps 16 with any appropriate adhesive, if desired. The flaps 18 are similarly adhesively secured to handle unit 12.

The handle 12, as partially shown in Fig. 2, is of unique construction whereby it possesses great tensile strength, impact strength, and rigidity. The unit 12 consists of a central rigid web 26 which may be formed of stiff cardboard or the like and two underlying end portions or wings 28 folded under web 26. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter the flexible handle 14 is secured to the wings 28 and transverse reinforcing strips are associated therewith.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, the method of producing the handle unit 12 will be described in detail. A continuous elongate strip of cardboard 30 is passed in the direction of arrow 29 through appropriate machinery wherein continuous strips of reinforcing

strand material

32 and 34 are secured to the cardboard parallel to the elongate edges 31 and spaced therefrom. The

reinforcing strips

32 and 34 may be of any appropriate material, although in one particular embodiment of this invention a tape composed of sixteen ends of 1800 denier rayon were found to be especially appropriate. Although the strands may be secured to the cardboard 30 with any appropriate adhesive, a vinyl emulsion was found satis factory in the described embodiment. Immediately following the application of reinforcing ,

strips

32 and 34 the web 30 is transversely cut by any appropriate means such as a conventional slitting ma- Ti aaa eea eee d mee m de ram me -sa i has strengthmore thanjadequirtefofithe support 'o'f cairt'ons cont'aining twenty-five pounds-F'ofimate'rial.

i passed in thedirection. indicated by arrow 38 through a second manufacturing stage Where the elongate handle 14 is secured thereto. 7

The handle 14 is placed over web 26- with looseness or freedom therebetwee'n whereby in subsequent use the fingers of a purchaser may be passed between the web and'han'dle' The ends 40 of handle '14 aresecured to thewing's'28 in any appropriate manner. .A special machine may be provided for automatically forming the arcuate central portion of handle 14 and 'coincidently gluing ends 40 to wings 28. Thereafter wings 28 are folded under web 26 along lines 42,-producing' the handle assembly'12 illustrated in Fig. While the method of manuraentrehas been described as it is. especially. adapted for automatic machinery, it should be clear that any individual step, or the entire operation, may 'be'per formed .nianually. f a a p In Fig. 5, it can. be seen that the elongate handle 14 "2,942,771 f j 7 V the following claims.

isloosely disposed above web '26 and is secured thereto 7 along the underside thereof by securing the ends .40 to the wings 28,. by adhesive means. :Reinforcing stri'psf32 and 34 are shown as a plurality of strand ends asalready described. above. The handle 14 may be constructed ofthe' same strands utiliied for

reinforcin strips

32 and 34, that is, a plurality of 1800 denier rayon strands disposed in independent aligned relationship. In the pre ferred embodiment the strands are enclosed in a cover formed of paper 'or' the like. v V V 'Fig. 6 illustrates the preferred cross section of handle 14. Handle 14 is formed by passing aplurality of strands 44 through ,a machine by which an adhesive such as the vinyl emulsion described above is applied to, the

strands, after which a'paperwrappe'r 46 is formed there about. Thewrapper 46 is formed 'of, a continuous .elon'gate s't'rip of 'material, The edges 48 of'the strip are-first folded to 'overlie adjacent'portions 50 of the fstrip, after 'which the edges. and adjacent portions are I claim: 7 V p 1. An article support. comprising 'a stifi rectangular web, stifi integrally formed wings extending from two parallel edges of said web and folded to partially overlie one surface thereof, anda flexible elongate handle overlying the other surface of saidweb and having a length 'substantiallygreater than said .web, the ends of said handle, being secured to said wings whereby said handle 'loo'sely overlies said other surface, said ends of said handle being formed over said two parallel edges with the associated wings.

2. An article support comprising a stiff rectangular web, stiff integrally formed wings extending from two parallel edges of said web and folded to partially overlie one surface-thereof, reinforcing means secured to each of said wings adjacent to said web and extending parallel to said two edges, and a flexibleelongate handle overlying the other surface of said web and havinga length substantially. greater than said web, th'e ends of said handle being secured'to said wings whereby said handle loosely 'overlies said other surface, said ends of said handle being formed over said two parallel edges with the associated wings.

folddfabout the 'strandstfliorming a complete encasenient thereover.

7 The handle produced by ihe'prdejess set-forth above is unique in. that, it iswell adapted for continuous or automatic production on 'well'known or readily con- "structed' machines All of the operations are initially fperformed n one s'ide'o'f the'niain web of the unit, after .which theends thereofiare folded under. .The construction hasjunusual strength in thatthete' is notendency "to draw the handle iawa from the'we'b, but .all forces acting thereon are 'tensile,'-for'ces applied substantially 'p'ar'allel to the joints between'the handle and'wing;por tions. Moreover,the end portionsof handle 14 are reinforced by

transverse strips

32 and 34 whereby 'the tensile 'forcesacting on thehan'dle are distributed through "'a feinforcing .T consisting of the handle ends 40 and the outwardly. extending portions of reinforcing 1 strips "32 and 34. i This construction also z' reatly aids inslthe suppo'rtoflweightby the carton-19.. .As the'weightis f'uniforrrily 'distribnted along the edges of thehandle unit throughstrips 32 anid 3,4, the' weig'ht is distributed as 1 pur'eiensile forces in the walls of. the'ca'rton and there -islittle ornotearijng orlshearing 'forces' resulting ;from

' the use of'this' handle.

1 ,Whileone particular .ernbo'diment 'efi this invention ha's iheen'described in intricate detail it will. be clear that"variousmodifications wiltimmdiately a ear to one skilled; in "this art; For exam le the benefits of. the

"flexible handle and rigid web' can beattained irrespective;

i io f' the particular ma'terials whichhre em 'l y g, h --y ee, for example,i"may be of 'eardboar'd Las 'jsuggested" V "'or finight'beiof paper,fappropriateplasticsor thin metal 3. .An article support coniprisin gi a stifi rectangular web,jstifi integrally formed-wings extending from two parallel edges of said web and 'folded' to partially overlie one surface thereof, reinforcing means .on each of said wings comprising a plurality ofindependent strands and ansadhesive securing said strands to ;said wing adjacent to said' web and extending parallel to said"two edges, and a flexible elongate handle overlying the other surface of said web and having a lengthsubstantially greater than said web, the ends ofsaid handle being secured to said wings whereby said handle loosely overliessaid other surface, said ends of said handlebeing formed over said two parallel edges with the. associated wings.

4. An-articlesupport comprising a gstitf rectangular web, stiff integrally formed wings "extending from two parallel edges of said 'weband folded to partially overlie one surface'thereof, reinforcing means on each'ofsaid wings. comprising a plurality of independent strands and an adhesive securing-said strands to said wing adjacent to said web and extending parallel tosaid-two edge's,and

aflexible elongate handle overlying the other surface of said 'web and having a length substantiallygreater than said web, the ends of said handle'being secured to said wings whereby said handle loosely overlies said other surface, said' ends of said handle being formed o'versaid two parallel edges with the associated wings, said handle comprising a plurality of independent strands, an adhesive securing "said 'strands'together, *and a covering surrounding said strands.

.5. An article 'supportcomprisingta container having jjan open top' and flap :portionshinged to said container alongspaced substantially-parallel edges ,of'said open top to overlie said open top,.'a stiff rectangular :web, stiff integrally formed-wings extending from'two parallel fedges of said -web andfolded topartially' overlieone surface thereof, reinforcing means oneachsof said-.wings comprising a plurality aofi independent :strands and .an adhesive securing said strands to said wing zadjacent to' said wee 'and;extending :parana :togsaid itwo 1edges,'.and

a flexible elongate handle overlying the other surface of said web and having a length substantially greater than said web, the ends of said handle being secured to said Wings whereby said handle loosely overlies said other surface, said ends of said handle being formed over said two parallel edges with the associated wings, said handle comprising a plurality of independent strands, an adhesive securing said strands together, and a covering surrounding said strands, said Web being disposed in said open top with said flap portions thereover whereby said handle is exposed adjacent the juxtaposed free edges of said flap portions.

6. An article support comprising a carton having a bottom, side walls, and an open rectangular top, flap portions hinged to the four edges of said carton defining said top, a stiff rectangular web, stifi integrally formed wings extending from two parallel edges of said web and partially overlying one surface thereof, reinforcing means on each of said wings comprising a plurality of independent strands and an adhesive securing said strands to said wing adjacent to said web and extending parallel to said two edges, and a flexible elongate handle overlying the other surface of said web and having a length substantially greater than said web, the ends of said handle being formed over said two parallel edges and secured to said wings whereby said handle loosely overlies said other surface, said handle comprising a plurality of independent strands, an adhesive securing said strands together, and a covering surrounding said strands, said web being disposed in said open top overlying two opposed flap portions, two of said flap portions overlying said web and being secured thereto whereby said handle is exposed adjacent the juxtaposed free edges of said flap portions.

7. An article support comprising a carton having a bottom, side walls, and an open rectangular top, flap 6 portions hinged to the four edges of said carton defining said top, a stiff rectangular web, stifi integrally formed wings extending from two parallel edges of said web and partially overlying one surface thereof, reinforcing means on each of said wings comprising a plurality of independent strands and an adhesive securing said strands to said wing adjacent to said web and extending parallel to said two edges, and a flexible elongate handle overlying the other surface of said web and having a length substantially greater than said web, the ends of said handle being formed over said two parallel edges and secured to said wings whereby said handle loosely overlies said other surface, said handle comprising a plurality of independent strands, an adhesive securing said strands together, and a covering surrounding said strands, said web being disposed in said open top overlying two opposed flap portions and secured thereto, two of said flap portions overlying said web and being secured thereto whereby said handle is exposed adjacent the juxtaposed free edges of said flap portions.

8. The article support of claim 7 wherein said handle comprises a plurality of rayon strands secured together with an adhesive formed of a vinyl emulsion and surrounded by a paper cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS