Integral handle for carton for beverage can package
AssigneeThe Mead Corporation
InventorJames T. Stout
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A handle (30) is integrally formed with a carton (20) by apertures (20) adjacent the handle (30). Each aperture (20) is covered by a combination of tabs (22, 24) which are foldable out of the plane of the aperture (20) to define the sides of the handle (30). In a tripartite arrangement of tabs (22, 24) a center tab (22) lies between opposing end tabs (24). The center tab (22) and end tabs (24) are foldably joined to opposite sides of the aperture (20). The center tab (22) is contoured and etched with fold lines (38, 42) which encourage bending of the center tab (22) about cans (1) or similarly shaped articles encased by the carton (10).
Claims20
A handle for a carton for at least one array of articles defining spaces between adjacent ones of the articles, the carton having a top panel comprising:
- at least one elongated aperture defined in said top panel;
- a pair of opposing end tabs generally filling a respective end of said at least one elongated aperture hingedly connected to a first side thereof;
- and
- a central tab member generally filling a central portion of said elongated aperture between said respective ends thereof hingedly connected to a second side thereof opposite said first side thereof, said central tab member having a configuration suitable for allowing said central tab member to be pushed through the spaces between adjacent ones of the articles past the articles and folded under the top panel.
A handle for a carton for at least one array of cylindrical articles defining generally V-shaped spaces between adjacent ones of the cylindrical articles the at least one array of cylindrical articles having ones of the cylindrical articles centrally positioned therein, the carton having a top panel comprising:
- a pair of spaced apart elongated apertures defining an integral elongated member in the top panel;
- a pair of end tabs respectively generally extending throughout each end of each said elongated aperture transversely of and foldably joined to a first side thereof opposite said integral elongated member;
- and
- a center tab mediate and adjacent said end tabs taperingly extending transversely of and foldably joined to a second side of each said elongated aperture adjacent said integral elongated member;
- and
- wherein said elongated apertures are positioned upon the top panel such that said integral elongated member is aligned over the ones of the cylindrical articles which are centrally positioned in the array, and such that each respective said center tab is aligned over one of the generally V-shaped spaces defined between adjacent ones of the cylindrical articles centrally located in the array.
A blank for a carton for at least one array of cylindrical articles defining generally V-shaped spaces between adjacent ones of the cylindrical articles comprising:
- a top panel defining a pair of elongated apertures spaced apart to define an integral handle member, each said elongated aperture having a pair of end tabs respectively extending over each end thereof transversely of and foldably joined to a first side thereof opposite said integral handle member and having at least one center tab mediate and adjacent said end tabs taperingly extending transversely of and foldably joined to a second side thereof adjacent said integral handle member, wherein said elongated apertures are positioned upon the top panel such that said integral elongated member is aligned over ones of the cylindrical articles which are centrally located in the array and such that said at least one center tab is aligned over one of the V-shaped spaces defined between adjacent ones of the cylindrical articles centrally located in the array;
- a plurality of panel members at least one thereof foldably joined to said top panel and the remainder thereof foldably joined to another of said plurality of panel members or to said top panel so that a tubular structure may be formed therefrom together with said top panel;
- and
- closure means for securing ends of said tubular structure.
A package comprising:
- at least one array of articles defining spaces between adjacent ones thereof;
- a carton disposed around an exterior of said at least one array of articles, said carton having a top panel adjacent a topmost array of said at least one array of articles, said top panel having
- at least one elongated aperture defined in said top panel;
- a pair of opposing end tabs generally filling a respective end of said at least one elongated aperture, said pair of opposing end tabs hingedly connected to a first side of a respective said elongated aperture;
- and
- a central tab member generally filling a central portion of said at least one elongated aperture between said ends thereof hingedly connected to a second side thereof opposite said first side thereof having a configuration suitable for allowing said central tab member to be pushed through the spaces between adjacent ones of the articles past the articles and folded under the top panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.