US3814304A

US3814304A - Handle for carton

Info

Publication number: US3814304A
Application number: US00163049A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Hester
Original assignee: EASTEX PACKAGING Inc
Current assignee: EASTEX PACKAGING Inc
Priority date: 1970-06-17
Filing date: 1971-07-15
Publication date: 1974-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 1991-06-04

Abstract

A preformed foldable blank made of pliable sheet material, e.g., polyethylene coated boxboard, made use of in forming a bail-like handle that is attached to a gabled top carton for packaging various products. The blank includes a plurality of panels formed by various predetermined foldlines. Folding the blank in a predetermined sequence along the foldlines provides a retracted handle which is fixedly attached to the crown of the carton by staples. The handle remains retracted while the carton is processed through the normally automatic casing and filling sequence, while stored and while being transported before use. The user, e.g., retail customer, expands or opens the handle at the time of purchase for the purpose of conveniently carrying the carton. Breakaway tabs provide reinforcement of the attachment means of the handle to the carton and hold the handle in its retracted form prior to use. The breakaway tabs are separated from the remaining structure by the user prior to expanding the handle.

Description

lJtted States Patent [191 Hester June 4,1974

[ HANDLE FOR CARTON [75] Inventor: William A. Hester, Memphis, Tenn.

[73] Assignee: Eastex Packaging Inc., Oak Brook,

lll.

Filed: July 15, 1971 Appl. No.: 163,049

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 47,0l4, June l7,- 1970, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl. 229/52 AL [51 1 Int. Cl. B65d 5/46 [58] Field of Search 229/52 A, DIG. 6, 52 AL, 229/52 B; 220/104, 105, 118; 206/65 D Primary ExaminerWilliam I. Price Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohn R. Walker, Ill

[57] ABSTRACT A preformed foldable blank made of pliable sheet material, e.g., polyethylene coated boxboard, made use of in forming a bail-like handle that is attached to a gabled top carton for packaging various products. The blank includes a plurality of panels formed by various predetermined foldlines. Folding the blank in a predetermined sequence along the foldlines provides a retracted handle which is fixedly attached to the crown of the carton by staples. The handle remains retracted while the carton is processed through the normally automatic casing and filling sequence, while stored and while being transported before use. The user, e.g., retail customer, expands or opens the handle at the time of purchase for the purpose of conveniently carrying the carton. Breakaway tabs provide reinforcement of the attachment means of the handle to the carton and hold the handle in its retracted form prior to use. The breakaway tabs are separated from the remaining structure by the user prior to expanding the handle.

2 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures N EB 4 W4 3314304 SHEET 1 BF 2 FIG.

1 HANDLE FOR CARTON This is a division of application Ser. No. 47,014, filed June I7. 1970 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,627,194.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates'to handles for cartons, and more particularly relates to expandable handles for gabled top cartons used for packaging various products.

2. Description of the Prior Art Food cartons having a gabled top with a built in pouring spout are well known especially for packing liquid food products, e.g., fresh milk and the like. Various sizes of these cartons are used in the dairy field, i.e., 1 quart size, 2 quart size and the more recent 1 gallon size. It has long been recognized that a handle is highly desirable for these cartons, particularly the larger ones. Additionally, some dairy outlets prefer to unitize a plurality of smaller cartons to make up a larger package embodying an arrangement having one handle, for example, the Wilcox U.S. Pat. No., Re 25,966.

During the past decade numerous handles for the gable top cartons have been patented, each having peculiar structural features directed toward certain objects. However, most of the handles, when installed prior to filling, prevent the carton from being cased by an automatic casing machine of the fin gripping type. This leaves one of these alternatives: First, reverting to manual casing or secondly going to a different type of casing machine, thirdly placing the handle on the carton after it has been filled. The first and second alternatives are expensive. The third alternative preferably is accomplished by an elaborate and expensive mechanism, e.g., the Flynn U.S. Pat. No. 3,056,138 which solves the problem of attaching handles to filled containers. Aside from the cost of practicing the Flynn U.S. Pat. No. 3,056, l 38, there is an additional problem associated with stacking the loaded cartons. First, due to the size and structure of some of these handles the weight of the stacked cartons cause objectionable breakage of the handle. Some dairy outlets simply ignore the handle problem and depend upon the customer to acquire and use separate carrying devices which removably engage the typical gabled top carton, either singularly or in pairs, e.g., the Hidding U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,350. Prior art known to the applicant, in addition to the above referenced art, includes the Stuart U.S. Pat. No. 3,361,333; the Linda, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,373,924; the Hidding U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,292 and the Leiter U.S. Pat. No. 3,481,528.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards overcoming the disadvantages and problems relative to previous handles for cartons having a gabled top. The concept chine. It should be appreciated that the handle of the present invention in no way interferes with any of the automation associated with processing the liquid food product, e.g., transfer, casing, and/or vacuum mechanisms.

A further object is to provide a handle which is readily accessible but will not be damaged when the cases are stacked. The handle of the present invention is intended to remain in the retracted state while the carton is being stored or transported in cases before use. At the point of sale, the purchaser or user readily expands or opens the handle for carrying purposes. The handle is expanded by simply grasping the left and right midportions respectively with the thumb and forefinger which easily breaks the left and right midportion from their respective left and right reinforcement tabs. Lifting action upon the left and right midportion of the handle causes them to move upward so as to form an arcuate bail-like gripping portion which will accommodate one, two or three fingers for easy carrying.

Also, the position of the staple which fixedly attaches the handle of the present invention to the gabled top carton is an important concept. Added strength of the handle to the carton attachment means is achieved by aligning the crown of the staples diagonally. This feature enables the handle to carry a heavier load without failing, i.e., becoming torn or detached from the carton. This diagonal alignment of the staple provides an elongated holding means for the sheet material of the handle, as opposed to a single point holding means for a staple which is positioned horizontally or vertically. Stated another way, the force applied to the staple that is holding the handle which is supporting a heavy load, has a direction of pull that is perpendicular to the crown of the staple so that the pull is spread across the entire width of the crown of the staple rather than across the thickness of the wire stock of the staple.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the pliable sheet material blank used in forming the handle of the present inventron.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show two of the stages in the assembly of the handle.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the completely assembled handle showing a typical attachment environment to the gabled carton, the carton being phanto-' mized by broken lines.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view identical to FIG. 4 except the handle of the present invention has been expanded or opened preparatory for carrying purposes.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as on the line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken as on the line VII- -VII of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a pliable sheet material blank used to form a handle of the present invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show two of the stages in the assembly of the second embodiment of the handle.

FIG. 11 shows the fully assembled handle of the second embodiment in a typical attachment environment to a gabled top carton, the carton being phantomized by broken lines.

FIG. 12 is a plan view ofa third embodiment ofa pliable sheet material blank used to form a handle of the present invention.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show two of the stages in the assembly of the third embodiment handle.

FIG. 15 shows the fully assembled handle of the third embodiment ina typical attachment environment to a gabled top carton, the carton being phantomized by broken lines.

FIG. 16 depicts a feature of the handle of the present invention wherein two gabled top cartons are unitized by one handle, enabling the two cartons to be carried by one hand, the two cartons being phantomized by broken lines.

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a typical staple for attaching the handle to the carton.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a flat generally rectangularshaped blank 11 made of pliable sheet material. Transversely scored foldlines 13, I divide the blank 11 generally into an elongated midportion l7 and two generally square shaped

end portions

19, 21. Longitudinally scored foldline 23 bisects the blank 11 into a left side, designated by the letter L and a right side designated by the letter R.

The end portion 19 includes two diagonally scored

fold lines

29, 31 converging inwardly forming an angle 33 having an apex adjacent the intersections of the transverse foldlines 13 and the longitudinal foldline 23. The end portion 21 includes two diagonally scored foldlines 35, 37 converging inwardly forming an angle 39 having an apex adjacent the intersection of the transverse foldline l5 and the longitudinal foldline 23. It should be apparent that the longitudinal foldline 23 bisects the

angles

33, 39 respectively providing left and right

binding panels

49, 51 on the end portion 19 and a left and right

binding panel

53, 55 on the end portion 21. Additionally, the

diagonal foldlines

29, 31 and the appropriate portion of the transverse foldline 13 respectively provide left and right generally triangular shaped

spacing panels

41, 43 on the end 19. Further, the

diagonal foldlines

35, 37 and the appropriate portion of the transverse foldline respectively provide left and right generally triangular shaped

spacing panels

45, 47 on the end 21. The longitudinal foldline 23, extending the length of the midportion17, divides the midportion 17 respectively into a left

and'right gripping panel

57, 59.

The blank 11 of the present invention respectively includes left and right

elongated reinforcement tabs

61, 63 having the longitudinal axes thereofextending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the midportion 17. The left and

right reinforcement tabs

61, 63 are integrally attached respectively to the outermost edges of the left and right

gripping panels

57, 59. The left and

right tabs

61, 63, respectively being provided with elongated pierces 65, 67 are partially severed from their respective

gripping panels

57, 59 to allow for total breakaway of the

tabs

61, 63 just prior to gripping the underside of the

gripping panels

57, 59 when carrying a carton 69 by the handle 7l. This feature will be more fully understood when the remaining structure has been disclosed.

Each of the

end portions

19, 21 respectively are provided with an

aperture

73, 75 adjacent the apex of the

respective angles

33, 39. The

apertures

73, 75 allow for stress relief of the pliable sheet material. It will be appreciated after the remaining structure has been disclosed, that the blank 11 preferably is assembled in such a manner that many thicknesses of the sheet material converge at the area circumscribed by the apertures 73,.75, accordingly, the apertures 73, obviate the problem of stress and reduce the overall thickness of the assembled handle 71, helping to facilitate compatibility of the carton 69 with the automatic casing and/or processing equipment.

An important feature of the present invention is the shape of the blank 11. It will be appreciated that the blank 11 preferably is shaped substantially as depicted in FIG. 1. Particularly important are the

curved edges

77, 79, 81, 83 adjacent the terminal ends of the

transversal foldlines

13, 15. The curved edges 77, 79, 81, 83 obviate an inherent tendency of the sheet material to tear when the handle 71 is subjected to carrying a relatively heavy load. The curved edges 77, 79, 81, 83, as opposed to straight edges forming an angle converging at the terminal ends of the

foldlines

13, 15, enable the handle 71 to support a greater load because the curve distributes the load inwardly toward the midportion l7 and outwardly toward the

respective end portions

19, 21. It should be apparent from the FIGS. 1 through 5 that the tab 61, being'integrally attached to the left gripping panel 57, is partially severed from the panel 57 by the pierce 65 leaving at least two relatively

narrow holding portions

85, 87. Further, the tab 63, being integrally attached to the right gripping panel 59, is partially severed from the panel 59 by the pierce 67, leaving at least two holding

portions

89, 91.

In erecting the handle 71 from the blank ll'and starting with the blank in the disposition shown in FIG. 1, the end portion 19 is folded from right to left over the midportion 17 along the scored foldline 13. Next, the end portion 21 is folded from left to right over the midportion 17 along the scored foldline 15, forming a shape substantially as illustrated in FIG. 2. It should be apparent from FIG. 2 that the outermost edges 19, 21' of the

end portions

19, 21 abut one against the other. Next, the left side L is folded downwardly over the right side R along the scored foldline 23, forming the completed handle 71 substantially as viewed in FIG. 3.

It should be understood that when making this last fold along the foldline 23, the double thickness of sheet material used to form the blank 11 causes the end portions 19', 21' to shift slightly. Accordingly, the respective tapered edges 19", 21" form an angle less than 180 when the blank 11 is folded to the shape substantially as illustrated in FIG. 2 and the same edges 19", 21 shift so as to form an angle substantially equal to 180 when the blank 11 is folded to form the completely erected handle 71 substantially as illustrated in FIG. 3. Further, the

edges

19, 21 are contiguously abutting when the blank 11 is folded to the shape substantially as illustrated in FIG. 2 and the

edges

19, 21 shift to a new position, as best viewed in FIG. 5, when the blank 11 is folded to form the completely erected handle 71. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the degree of taper to the edges 19", 21" will vary according to the thickness of the sheet material used to form the blank 11. The object being to design a taper to the edges 19'', 21" so that when the last fold is made along the scored foldline 23, the resulting shift of the edges 19", 21" will cause them to substantially form an angle of 180.

The carton 69, having the usual two slanting roof panels 93, terminating at vertical upwardly extended portions which are sealed together to provide a unitary fin or gabled. ridge 97, has the typical provisions for opening one gabled side thereof which provides a self-contained pouring spout (not shown).

The assembled handle 71, being tightly compressed, straddles the unitary gabled ridge 97 of the carton 69, i.e., the left side L of the blank 11 contiguously engages the one side of the ridge 97 and the right side R of the blank 11 contiguously engages the opposite side of the ridge 97, and is fixedly attached thereto in any well known manner, e.g., a staple 99 (preferably two) as best viewed in FIG. 17. Obviously, the handle preferably is attached to the carton on the side of the ridge 97 opposite the self-contained pouring spout so as not to interfere with the normal function thereof. It should be apparent that the reinforcement tab 61 overlaps a portion of the two left binding

panels

49, 53 of the

respective end portions

19, 21. Additionally, it should be understood that the reinforcement tab 63 overlaps a like portion of the two right

binding panels

51, 55 of the

respective end portions

19, 21. In other words, the staple 99 (FIG. 17), having a crown 101, a pair of

legs

103, 105, and clinch portions 107, is forcibly driven through the following structure of the blank 11 and the carton 69: The staple 99, on the right as viewed in FIG. 4, is forcibly driven through the handle 71 so that the

legs

103, 105 pierce the tab 61, the left binding panel 49, the ridge 97 of the carton 69, the right binding panel 51, and finally, through the right reinforcement tab 63. The crown 101 of the staple 99 contiguously engages the tab 61 and the clinch portions 107 ofthe staple 99 contiguously engage the tab 63. The staple 99, on the left as viewed in FIG. 4, is forcibly driven through the handle 71 and the carton 69 so that the

legs

103, 105 pierce the left reinforcement tab 61, the left binding panel 53, the ridge 97 of the carton 69, the right binding panel 55, and finally, the right reinforcement tab 63. The crown 101 of the staple 99 contiguously engages the reinforcement tab 61 and the clinch portions 107 of the staple 99 contiguously engage the reinforcement tab 63.

The staples 99, as viewed in FIG. 4, are orientated so as to have the longitudinal axis of the crown 101 substantially parallel with the uppermost edge of the ridge 97 of the carton 69. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not to be so limited since the staples 99 may also be orientated so as to have the longitudinal axis ofthe crown 101 extending diagonally with respect to the uppermost edge of the ridge 97 of the carton 69. In this regard, the staples 99 preferably would be positioned so that one staple 99 is adjacent the outermost edge of the tab 61 and the other staple 99 would be adjacent the opposite outermost end of the tab 61. This feature is best illustrated with respect to embodiments yet to be described (FIGS. 15 and 16).

The

tabs

61, 63, being integrally attached respectively to the left and right

gripping panels

57, 59 maintain the assembled handle 71 in a retractable compact position. More importantly. the

tabs

61, 63 provide reinforcement for the attachment means of the handle 71 to the carton 69, otherwise the pliable sheet material alone, being relatively thin so as to becompatible with the automatic casing and/or processing equipment, might shear. This shearing tendency is concentrated at the area adjacent to the staples 99, i.e., when the handle 71 is expanded and is supporting a heavy load, particularly when the carton 69 to which the handle 71 is attached is of a large size.

Thetabs

61, 63 provide an additional thickness of sheet material for the left and right sides of the handle 71 obviating the likelihood of the pliable sheet material shearing under a load equal to the weight of the contained product, e.g., milk or the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the

tabs

61, 63 or other portions of the blank 11 may be laminated with a structurally strong plastic, e.g., Mylar or the like to further strengthen the handle 71.

The handle 71 of the present invention is displaced from the retracted position (FIG. 4) to the expanded position (FIG. 5) by the user just prior to the time of intended use. In this regard, the user preferably forces his fingernails into the left pierce 65 and the right pierce 67 of the midportion 17 breaking the holding

portions

85, 87, 89, 91 which allows the user to grip the undersides of the

gripping panels

57, 59. Next, the user moves the left and right gripping panels '57, 59 upwardly which causes the

spacing panels

41, 43, 45, 47 to bend outwardly from the ridge 97 of the carton 69 along their respective

diagonal foldlines

29, 31, 35, 37. It should be understood that the left and right

gripping panels

57, 59 form an arcuate bail-like handle by'being moved upwardly as they unfold along the

transverse foldlines

13, 15, as best viewed in FIG. 5. The user may now insert one, two or three fingers through an opening 109, formed by the underside ofthe gripping panels 57,

59 and the appropriate portions of the

binding panels

49, 51, 53, 55 immediately adjacent the longitudinally scored foldline 23, to facilitate carrying the carton 69.

An alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 16 wherein the handle 71 of the present invention overlappingly engages the gabled ridge 97 of two

separate cartons

69, 69. It should be understood that the cartons 69', 69" are preferably of a size smaller than the 1 gallon size, e.g., the 2 quart size. In this regard, the handle 71 of the present invention unitizes the two cartons 69', 69" providing a means of carrying two cartons with one hand. If desired, the two

cartons

69 and 69" may be separated one from the other by holding the carton from the bottom, i.e., one carton 69' in one hand, and the other carton 69" in the other hand, and merely spreading the cartons apart. It should be understood that the

cartons

69, 69" each have at least one staple 99 attached as previously described, i.e., one staple 99 being adjacent the one outer edge of the

tabs

61, 63 and the other staple 99 being adjacent the opposite ends of the

tabs

61, 63, substantially as viewed in FIG. 16. Separation of the two cartons 69', 69", as above described, is simplified by the fact that the height of the carton acts as leverage and pries one of the two staples 99 from its engagement with the

respective carton

69 or 69", depending upon which one weakens first. It should also be understood that the pouring spouts (not shown) of the two cartons 69', 69" are directed away from the handle 71 so that the attachment thereof does not effect the normal opening of the integral pouring spout.

Referring now to FIG. 8, wherein a second embodiment of the blank 11 is shown and is character referenced by the numeral 211. It should be apparent by comparing FIGS. 1 and 8 that the blank 211 has considerable structure identical to the blank 11: First, the blank 211 has the two transversely scored

foldlines

13, 15 dividing the blank 211 into an elongated midportion l7 and two generally square shaped

end portions

19, 21, a longitudinally scored foldline 23 running the length thereof intersecting the transverse foldlines 13, bisecting the blank 211 into a left side L and a right side R. Secondly, the

end portions

19, 21 each have a respective pair of diagonally scored foldlines 29, 31, and 35, 37 converging inwardly forming

respective angles

33, 39. The apices of the

angles

33, 39 are located adjacent the respective intersections of the

transversal foldlines

13, 15 and the longitudinal foldlines 23. The structure of the blank 211 differs from that of the blank 11 in four respects: First, the blank 211 is void of apertures.

Second, the blank 211 is void of reinforcement tabs.

Third, the

end portions

19, 21 of the blank 211 are relatively longer in relationship to the respective midportion 17 so that when the

end portions

19, 21 are folded inwardly along their respective transverse foldlines l3, 15, they have an overlapping engagement substantially as viewed in FIG. 9, as opposedto the abutting relationship of the blank 11 as viewed in FIG. 2. Additionally, the end portion 19 is more perfectly square shaped and is noticeably void of the tapered edges.

Fourth, the blank 211 is noticeably void of the

curved edges

77, 79, 81, 83 of the blank 11. The blank 211 has

straight edges

277, 279, 281, 283 tapering inwardly from the

end portions

19, 21 toward the center ofthe midportion 17, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 8. It will be appreciated that the

straight edges

277, 279, 281, 283 provide substantially equal resistance to the tendencyfor tearing when the handle is supporting a relatively heavy load. I have found that this tearing tendency is more prevalent when the

edges

277, 279, 281, 283 respectively form an angle having an apex adjacent the terminal ends of the

transverse foldlines

13, 15, accordingly, structure having configurations of this nature preferably is avoided.

It should be understood that the above mentioned scored foldlines 13, 15, 23, 29, 31, 35, 37 of the blank 211 provides substantially identical panels for substantially identical purposes as the corresponding foldlines for the blank 11. Accordingly, a detailed description of the respective panels for the blank 211 and their working relationship one with the other should be considered to have been previously described when the blank 11 was fully described.

The blank 211 is erected into a handle 271 starting with the blank in the disposition shown in FIG. 8. The only difference in erecting the handle 271 from that of erecting the handle 71 is that the end portion 19, having a more perfectly square shape is always folded inwardly along the transverse foldline 13 before the'end portion 21 is folded inwardly along the transverse foldline 15, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 9. The obvious reason for this is the tapered edges of the end portion 21 are for the specific purpose of forming a relatively horizontal edge when the blank 211 has been folded along its longitudinal foldline 23 so as to have a shape substantially as illustrated in FIG. 10, i.e., the thickness of the pliable sheet material from which the blank 21] is'formed causes a slight shifting of the edges as was above described pertaining to the blank 11. However, the overlapping end portion 21 forces the end portion 19 to contiguously engage the underneath side of the midportion l7 enabling the shape of the end 8 portion 19 to have a more perfectly squared shape and when the blank 211 is erected into a handle 271 (FIG. 10) the lower edges (Left and Right) of the handle are substantially horizontal.

The handle 271 is positioned over the ridge 97 of the carton 69 in the same manner as was described for the handle 71, i.e., with the left side L being on one side of the ridge 97 and the right side R being on the opposite side of the ridge 97 of the carton 69. The handle 271 is fixedly attached to the ridge 97 by the staples 99. The preferred position for the staples 99 is substantially as illustrated in FIG. 11, i.e., two staples 99, each having their respective longitudinal axis of the crown 101 substantially parallel with the respective

diagonal foldlines

29, 31 and 35, 37. The advantage of this orientation of the staples 99 was previously described, i.e., briefly the handle 271 can support a heavier load prior to failing. It should be understood that the handle 271 may be fixedly attached to the carton 69 with the longitudinal axis of the staples 99 being substantially parallel with the horizontal uppermost edge of the ridge 97 of the carton 99 without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 12 wherein a third embodiment of the blank 11 is illustrated and is character referenced by the numeral 311, the structure of the blank 311 differs from that of the blank 11 substantially in only one respect: The blank 311 includes additional re spective mirror image left and right reinforcement tabs 361, having longitudinal axes extending parallel with the longitudinal axes of the

first reinforcement tabs

61, 63 and are integrally attached thereto. Additionally, the blank 311 includes respective scored

foldlines

365, 367 extending parallel with the longitudinal axes of the

tabs

61, 63 so that when the

additional reinforcement tabs

361, 363 are folded along the respective foldlines 365, 376, their outer perimeter substantially coincides with the outer perimeters of the

contiguous reinforcement tabs

61, 63.

The blank 311 is erected to form a handle character referenced by the numeral 371, having a shape substantially as viewed in FIG. 14. In erecting the handle 37] from the blank 311 and starting with'the blank in the disposition shown in FIG. 12, the sequence differs from that of erecting the handle 71 from the blank 11 in one respect: The sequence for erecting the handle 71, i.e., as previously described, is followed step by step so as to form a partially assembled handle 371, as viewed in FIG. 13. The additional steps required to completely assemble the handle 371 is that the

additional tabs

361, 363 are folded outwardly from the body of the handle 371 along their

respective foldlines

365, 367 so as to form a handle 371 substantially as illustrated in FIG. 14. If desired, the

tabs

361, 363 may be folded inwardly instead of outwardly, and with either the

tabs

361, 363 being in contiguous engagement with

tabs

61, 63 or with the

tabs

61, 361 and 63, 363 respectively embracing the left and right sides of the handle 371, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It should be appreciated that the handle 371, having the

additional reinforcement tabs

361, 363 is capable of supporting a much heavier load than either of the other two handles, i.e., handle 71 and handle 271. Further, the handle 71 has a distinct advantage over the

handles

271, 371 in that it is very compact, i.e., the handle 71 folds up very tightly against the ridge 97 of the carton 69. This is a highly desirable, if not mandatory, feature when the cartons 69 are intended to be processed through automatic casing devices, etc. However, added strength, i.e., ability to carry a heavier load, is achieved by overlapping the

end portions

19, 21, as disclosed in the structure of the handle 271, and by the reinforcing 361, 363 of handle 371, a desirable feature if compactness is not a prerequisite. It should be understood that while the handle 371 is shown in FIG. 16 for unitizing two cartons 69, the scope of this invention is intended to include each of the three

handles

71, 271, 371 accomplishing this function. Also, it will be understood that apertures such as

apertures

73, 75 may provided if desired or if needed, in

handles

271, 371 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Placing the staples 99 adjacent the

respective foldlines

29, 31, and 35, 37, Le, having the longitudinal axis of the crown 101 of the staple 99 disposed substantially at an angle of 45 from the horizontal uppermost edge of the ridge 97 of the carton 69, enables each of the

handles

71, 271, 371 to support a heavier load than if the staples 99 were placed on a horizontal or perpendicular alignment. lt should be understood that the longitudinal axes of the crown 101 of the staples 99 may be placed parallel or diagonal with respect to the uppermost edge of the ridge 97 ofthe carton 99 for either of the

handles

71, 271, 371 without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

The sequence for expanding or opening the handle 371 is identical to the sequence previously disclosed for erecting the handle 71. Obviously, the handle 271, being void of the reinforcement tabs and the

coacting holding portions

85, 87, 89, 91 is expanded or opened in a like manner with the preliminary steps of breaking the holding

portions

85, 87, 89, 91 being eliminated.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments thereof,

it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since are within the full intended scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A blank for forming a handle for a gabled top carton for packaging products comprising a flat generally rectangular shaped blank made of pliable sheet material, said blank having transversal fold lines adjacent the ends thereof dividing said blank into an elongated mid-portion and two generally square shaped end portions, said blank having a longitudinal fold line running the length thereof intersecting said transversal fold lines bisecting said blank into a left side and a right side, said end portions each having two diagonal fold lines converging inwardly forming an angle having an apex adjacent said intersections of said transversal fold lines and said longitudinal fold line, said diagonal fold lines and said transversal fold lines respectively providing a left and a right generally triangular shaped spacing panel on each of said end portions to allow gripping of the respective undersides of said left and right sides of said mid-portion when carrying the carton by said handle, and said longitudinal fold line and respective said diagonal fold lines providing a left and a right binding panel on each of said end portions for attaching said end portions to the carton.

2. The blank of claim 1 which includes a left and right elongated reinforcement tab extending parallel with said mid-portion integrally attached respectively to the outermost edges of said left and right sides of said midportion, said left and right tabs being provided with an elongated pierce, said pierce partially severing said tab from said mid-portion to allow for total break away of said tab just prior to gripping the undersides of said left and right sides of said mid-portion when carrying the carton by said handle, and each of said end portions being provided with an aperture adjacent said apex of said angle.

Claims

2. The blank of claim 1 which includes a left and right elongated reinforcement tab extending parallel with said mid-portion integrally attached respectively to the outermost edges of said left and right sides of said mid-portion, said left and right tabs being provided with an elongated pierce, said pierce partially severing said tab from said mid-portion to allow for total break away of said tab just prior to gripping the undersides of said left and right sides of said mid-portion when carrying the carton by said handle, and each of said end portions being provided with an aperture adjacent said apex of said angle.