Patent Application
20120321754
This invention relates to cartons. More particularly, this invention relates to a carrying handle for a carton.
In the marketing of soft drinks, beer, water and other beverages, it is well known to sell those retail consumer products in cans or containers which are grouped together in six packs, twelve packs, twenty-four packs or other arrangements. Particularly in the case of twelve and twenty-four can packs it is common to package the cans in cartons so as to make it easier to handle the product for the wholesaler and the retailer, as well as the retail consumer.
There are any number of different types of can cartons known in the prior art. But one particular type that has found significant commercial success over the years is a so-called wraparound or sleeve style carton. In such a carton a number of cans, e.g., twelve or twenty-four, are wrapped in a paperboard box or carton comprised of top and bottom wall panels, side wall panels, and end flaps on each end. The end flaps at each end are sealed one to the other, thereby providing a closed or sealed package or carton for the cans. Now with the wraparound carton package so formed, it is desirable to provide a carrying handle so the retail consumer can carry the carton. There is any number of different carrying handles known in the wraparound carton art. One example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,316, assigned to the assignee of this invention and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The overall purpose of such carton handles is to provide an easy to use handle that is structurally sound so the consumer can pick up and carry the carton simply through use of the handle structure.
With the use of thinner, more lightweight paperboard to construct the carton and the packaging of a greater number of containers in the carton, the tendency for the handle or carton structure surrounding the handle to tear has increased. Even if the carton and handle remain functional and do not fail or rupture, the torn carton or handle is unsightly and a distraction for the consumer when considering to purchase the packaged containers. As such, various cartons utilize reinforced handle constructions to minimize the likelihood of such tears. Nevertheless, in some prior art designs, the carton or handle material may tear of fail in those areas that have not been reinforced while the reinforced structure maintains the functionality of the carton as a whole. As such the torn carton or handle remains unsightly and a deterrent for the consumer when considering a purchase of the packaged containers.
Accordingly, a primary objective of this invention has been to provide a novel carrying handle for a carton and, particularly, for a wraparound type carton, where the handle's structural components are formed directly from the top panel of the carton. And with this type handle, it is one particular objective of this invention to provide an improved, reinforced carrying handle structure which maintains the structural integrity of the wraparound carton through the distribution chain until it is chosen by a retail consumer, which is very easy to render usable, and to use, by the retail consumer once the carton has been so chosen, and which does not adversely impact on the either the appearance or the structural integrity of the carton when the handle is used by the packager, retailer, or user.
In accord with these objectives, the carrying handle for a carton of this invention is particularly adapted for use with a wraparound type carton in which cans, e.g., soft drink, water, beverage or beer cans, are sold. The handle in one embodiment is a racetrack handle configuration and includes a handle reinforcing strip defined in the carton's top panel which is in close proximity to and in some embodiments, immediately adjacent to, the handle openings such that use of the handle, even with larger packages with thinner paperboard construction, will not result in any tearing of the carton structure proximate to the handle or the reinforcing strip.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The carrying handle 10 of this invention is adapted for use with a wraparound carton 12 formed from a carton blank 14 (
The wraparound carton blank 14 basically includes opposed side panels 16, 18, a top composite panel 20 formed from two top panel flaps 20a, 20b and a bottom panel 22, these panels all being foldably connected alongside fold lines 24-30. Also, the carton 12 includes, on each end 32, 34, overlapping end flaps 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b that hinge to end fold lines 36, 38 of the respective side panels 16, 18. Each end flap cooperates with top and bottom dust panels 22a, 22b, 20C, 20d, 20e, 20f that are hingedly connected to fold lines 36, 38. The end flaps at each end 32, 34 of the wraparound carton 12 are glued or otherwise fastened together so that, in effect, the wraparound carton 12 provides a single closed package for the cans there within.
The carrying handle 10 of this invention, with the carton in blank or non-erected configuration, is illustrated in
A racetrack handle 42 such as this handle extends longitudinally towards each end 32, 34 of the carton 12. A dispenser 44 of this carton can be used for both cans and other types of cylindrical containers, including PET bottles having a stubby configuration. One of the unique features of the dispenser of this invention is that it provides easy access to the cans or bottles in the carton but yet does not greatly diminish the structural integrity of the carton. Any type of known dispenser can be employed with this invention.
Carton 12 is designed to carry 24-12 ounce cans when packed. The carton is constructed in accordance with the teachings of
As shown in
The handle 42 is referred to as a “racetrack” design as it is oval in its die cut. The tear resistant handle 42 changes the area between the handle corner at arrows A and the underlying reinforcing flap 46. On the known designs, there is about ¼″ area between the handle opening 40a, 40b and the reinforced flap 46 that allows the single layer of fibers in this area to begin to tear. The conventional handle may not completely fail yet the top of the carton looks less appealing to a consumer than a package with no rips. Trade audits show that tears appear on about 50% of conventional 24 can cartons in the trade. Also, it is notable that many cartons recently utilize downgraded board caliper on this package from 0.021″ to 0.020″. This may lead to tears with the conventional handle and the handle 42 of this invention is a solution to the tears.
From the above disclosure of the general principles of this invention and the preceding detailed description of at least one embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which this invention is susceptible. Therefore, I desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.
This claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/498,093, filed Jun. 17, 2011 and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61498093 | Jun 2011 | US |
