The present invention relates to handle structures and more particularly, though not exclusively, to reinforced carton handle structures.
An inherent technical challenge in the field of packaging design, is that of providing handle structures, by which the user may grasp the package, that are sufficiently strong to support the full weight of the articles contained therein, whilst not unduly adding to the production costs of the packaging.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,777 discloses a means by which material may be struck from portions of a composite top panel to act as reinforcement of a handle structure. Such a method of reinforcement requires the presence of a suitable composite top panel in the packaging and also serves to weaken the structural integrity of the composite top panel. Furthermore, this method allows only for the provision of a second layer of material to serve as reinforcement around the handle structure and cannot provide for a third and subsequent layers.
In many cases, the weight of the articles is such that one or two thicknesses of the packaging material may be insufficient to provide the necessary structural integrity for transporting the article. For example, WO 2004 002 837 discloses a carton wherein the only means by which reinforcement of the handle structures may be achieved is through the provision of dedicated reinforcement panels. However, should additional layers of reinforcement be desired, the invention of WO 2004 002 837 would require the amount of material required for the reinforcement panels to increase proportionately.
Both GB 2325459 and FR 8711249 illustrate, by way of technological background, reinforced handles applied to cartons.
The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art. It is desirable to provide a reinforced carton handle structure that may provide additional layers of reinforcement around the handle edges, without requiring a proportional increase in material for the reinforcing panels.
A first aspect of the present invention provides a reinforced carton handle structure comprising a carton wall panel hinged to a linear series of at least two reinforcing panels hinged one to the next. Each of the carton wall panel and reinforcing panels comprise some portion of an aperture. At least one reinforcing panel in the linear series is hinged to a next reinforcing panel of the linear series about a fold line that is closer to the carton wall panel than an edge of the at least one reinforcing panel that is furthest from the carton wall panel.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a reinforced carton handle structure wherein the at least one reinforcing panel is hinged upon each side to first reinforcing flaps and the next reinforcing panel is hinged upon each side to second reinforcing flaps, and wherein each of the first reinforcing flaps are hinged to those second reinforcing flaps located on the same side of the linear series of reinforcing panels. The fold line about which the reinforcing flaps are hinged, is closer to the carton wall panel than the edge of the preceding reinforcing panel that is furthest from the carton wall panel.
Preferably, wherein at least one reinforcing panel is hinged to the next reinforcing panel as a result of the first reinforcing flaps being hinged to the second reinforcing flaps.
Preferably, wherein the linear series comprises three reinforcing panels resulting in a 4-ply thickness of material in the reinforced carton handle structure.
Preferably, wherein the reinforcing panels comprise apertures and recesses that are in registry with the hand aperture defined within the carton wall panel, when the reinforced carton handle structure is set up.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a reinforced carton handle structure is provided at both ends of a carton formed from two blanks wherein a tray portion including the reinforced carton handle structures is formed from a first blank and a cover portion is formed from a second blank.
A further aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a reinforced carton handle structure comprising a wall panel hinged to a linear series of at least two reinforcing panels hinged one to the next. At least one reinforcing panel in the linear series is hinged to a next reinforcing panel of the linear series about a fold line that is closer to the carton wall panel than an edge of the at least one reinforcing panel that is furthest from the carton wall panel.
Preferably, wherein at least one reinforcing panel of the blank is hinged upon each side to first reinforcing flaps and the next reinforcing panel is hinged upon each side to second reinforcing flaps, and wherein each of the first reinforcing flaps are hinged to those second reinforcing flaps located on the same side of the linear series of reinforcing panels, and wherein the fold line about which the reinforcing flaps are hinged, is closer to the carton wall panel than the edge of the at least one reinforcing panel that is furthest from the carton wall panel.
A further embodiment of the present invention being that of a reinforced carton handle structure comprising a carton wall hinged to a linear series of three reinforcing panels hinged one to the next. A first reinforcing panel of the linear series and a second reinforcing panel in the linear series are each hinged upon both sides to corresponding reinforcing flaps, and wherein a reinforcing flap hinged to one side of the second reinforcing panel is hinged, about a fold line offset from the proximal edge of the first reinforcing panel of the linear series, to the reinforcing flap that is hinged to the corresponding side of said first reinforcing panel.
Preferably wherein the above reinforced carton handle structure is provided at both ends of a carton formed from two blanks wherein a tray portion including the reinforced carton handle structures is formed from the first blank and a cover portion is formed from the second blank.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
The present invention relates to a reinforced carton handle structure.
Bevel panels 66a and 66b are hinged, on opposing sides, to end wall panel 16 about is fold lines 96a and 96b respectively. Each bevel panel 66a and 66b is then hinged, in turn, to a side support panel 76a and 76b about respective fold lines 86a and 86b.
A reinforcing structure is provided, comprising, in this embodiment, a first reinforcing panel 26 hinged to an edge of the end wall panel 16 furthest from the base panel 24, about fold line 40.
Defined within end wall panel 16 is hand aperture 54 defined within which are a number of finger flaps 60 each of which being hinged to end wall panel 16 by a respective one of fold lines 61.
First reinforcing flaps 70a and 70b are hinged, about fold line 82a and 82b, to opposing sides of first reinforcing panel 26. Fold lines 87a and 87b each define an edge of each respective first reinforcing flap 70a and 70b, fold lines 87a and 87b are adjacent fold lines 82a and 82b respectively.
Second reinforcing flaps 73a and 73b are hinged to the first reinforcing flaps 70a and 70b, about the fold lines 87a and 87b respectively. Second reinforcing flaps 73a and 73b are hinged, about fold lines 89a and 89b, to opposing sides of a second reinforcing panel 32.
First reinforcing panel 26 and second reinforcing panel 32 are in effect hinged to one another via first reinforcing flaps 70a and 70b and second reinforcing flaps 73a and 73b.
In the embodiment illustrated in
The third reinforcing panel 34 is hinged to an edge of the second reinforcing panel 32 that is furthest from the base panel 24, by 52.
Preferably, a recess 56 is provided in the free edges of the second and third reinforcing panel 56.
Bevel panels 68a and 68b are hinged, on opposing sides, to end wall panel 18 about fold lines 98a and 98b respectively. Each bevel panel 68a and 68b is then hinged, in turn, to a side support panel 78a and 78b about respective fold lines 88a and 88b.
First reinforcing panel 28 is hinged to an edge of the end wall panel 18 furthest from the base panel 24, about fold line 50.
Defined within end wall panel 18 is hand aperture 54 defined within which are a number of finger flaps 60 each of which being hinged to end wall panel 18 by a respective one of fold lines 61.
First reinforcing flaps 72a and 72b are hinged, about fold line 84a and 84b, to opposing sides of first reinforcing panel 28. Fold lines 83a and 83b each define an edge of each respective first reinforcing flap 72a and 72b, fold lines 83a and 83b are adjacent fold lines 84a and 84b respectively.
Second reinforcing flaps 75a and 75b are hinged to the first reinforcing flaps 70a and 70b, about the fold lines 83a and 83b respectively. Second reinforcing flaps 75a and 75b are hinged, about fold lines 85a and 85b, to opposing sides of a second reinforcing panel 36.
First reinforcing panel 28 and second reinforcing panel 36 are in effect hinged to one another via first reinforcing flaps 72a and 72b and second reinforcing flaps 75a and 75b.
Second reinforcing panel 36 is disposed between the first reinforcing panel 28 and a third reinforcing panel 38.
The third reinforcing panel 38 is hinged to an edge of the second reinforcing panel 36 that is furthest from the base panel 24, by 51.
Each of panels 16, 26, 18 and 28 have defined within them, hand apertures 54 and finger flaps 60. Each finger flap 60 is hinged to a respective one of panels 16,18, 26 or 28 by a respective one of fold lines 61. The larger of the finger flaps 60 within each of panels 16, 18, 26 and 28 have defined with them, a further fold line 62 parallel and offset from fold line 61.
Likewise, recesses 58 are provided in the second and third reinforcing panels 36, 38.
Turning now to the process by which the reinforced carton handle structure is set up,
Second reinforcing flaps 73a/75a and 73b/75b are then folded, about fold lines 87a/83a and 87b/83b, so as to bring the uppermost surface of second reinforcing panel 32/36 and third reinforcing panel 34/38 into face contacting relation with G1 and G2 respectively.
Referring to
It is envisaged that the features of the various embodiments herein described could be altered without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example the reinforced carton handle structure may be applied to cartons of different designs such as top gripping, wrap around, tray, end or top loading. Also, the sizing and orientation of the handle structure may well be altered to suit the specific carton design in which it is embodied, and may well be located other than in opposing end walls.
It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0517101.2 | Aug 2005 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/US06/32529 | 8/18/2006 | WO | 00 | 9/15/2008 |