Package with handle

Blanks for forming a package for holding a plurality of articles and comprising a handle, the blanks comprise:

• a first blank for forming the package, the first blank comprises a top panel and at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel, at least one opening in the top panel for at least partially receiving at least a portion of one of the articles, and a handle opening in the top panel;
• and
• a second blank for forming the handle, the second blank comprising a first handle portion for being positioned relative to the handle opening for use in grasping and carrying the package, and a second handle portion for being at least partially in contact with an interior surface of the top panel, the first handle portion comprises at least a first handle panel and a second handle panel having a handle aperture and the second handle portion comprises a first lower handle panel foldably connected to the first handle panel along a first transverse fold line, a second lower handle panel foldably connected to the second handle panel along a second transverse fold line, a first end flap foldably connected to the first lower handle panel along a third transverse fold line, and a second end flap foldably connected to the second lower handle panel along a fourth transverse fold line, the first lower handle panel comprises a first article-receiving aperture for at least partially receiving an article, and the second lower handle panel comprises a second article-receiving aperture for at least partially receiving an article, the first article-receiving aperture is positioned coextensive with a first edge of the first end flap so that the first edge is generally collinear with the third transverse fold line, wherein the first edge is straight and is parallel to the third transverse fold line, and the third transverse fold line comprises two portions, each extending from a respective end of the first edge, and the second article-receiving aperture is positioned coextensive with a second edge of the second end flap so that the second edge is generally collinear with the fourth transverse fold line, wherein the second edge is straight and is parallel to the fourth transverse fold line, and the fourth transverse fold line comprises two portions, each extending from a respective end of the second edge,
• the first handle portion comprises a pair of tuck-in panels, each of the tuck-in panels is respectively foldably connected to one of the first handle panel and the second handle panel, wherein the tuck-in panels in the pair of tuck-in panels are foldably connected to one another, each of the tuck-in panels comprises at least a first free edge, a second free edge, and a handle notch spaced apart from the first free edge and the second free edge, the first free edge of each of the tuck-in panels is collinear with and parallel to a respective one of the first transverse fold line and the second transverse fold line so that the first free edge of each of the tuck-in panels extends outwardly from a respective free edge of one of the first lower handle panel or the second lower handle panel, and the second free edge of each of the tuck-in panels is oblique with respect to the respective first free edge.

A handle blank for forming a handle positional relative to a handle opening in a top panel of a package for holding a plurality of articles, the handle blank comprises:

• a first handle portion comprising at least a first handle panel and a second handle panel having a handle aperture, the first handle panel and the second handle panel are for being positioned relative to the handle opening for use in grasping and carrying the package;
• a second handle portion for being at least partially in contact with an interior surface of the top panel, the second handle panel comprises a first lower handle panel foldably connected to the first handle panel along a first transverse fold line and a second lower handle panel foldably connected to the second handle panel along a second transverse fold line, and a first end flap foldably connected to the first lower handle panel along a third transverse fold line, and a second end flap foldably connected to the second lower handle panel along a fourth transverse fold line,
• the first lower handle panel comprises a first article-receiving aperture for at least partially receiving an article, and the second lower handle panel comprises a second article-receiving aperture for at least partially receiving an article, the first article-receiving aperture is positioned coextensive with a first edge of the first end flap so that the first edge is generally collinear with the third transverse fold line, wherein the first edge is straight and is parallel to the third transverse fold line, and the third transverse fold line comprises two portions, each extending from a respective end of the first edge, and the second article-receiving aperture is positioned coextensive with a second edge of the second end flap so that the second edge is generally collinear with the fourth transverse fold line, wherein the second edge is straight and is parallel to the fourth transverse fold line, and the fourth transverse fold line comprises two portions, each extending from a respective end of the second edge, and
• the first handle portion comprises a pair of tuck-in panels, each of the tuck-in panels is respectively foldably connected to one of the first handle panel and the second handle panel, wherein tuck-in panels are foldably connected to one another, each of the tuck-in panels comprises at least a first free edge, a second free edge, and a handle notch spaced apart from the first free edge and the second free edge, the first free edge of each of the tuck-in panels is collinear with and parallel to a respective one of the first transverse fold line and the second transverse fold line so that the first free edge of each of the tuck-in panels extends outwardly from a respective free edge of one of the first lower handle panel or the second lower handle panel, and the second free edge of each of the tuck-in panels is oblique with respect to the respective first free edge.

A method of forming a package for holding a plurality of articles, the method comprises:

• acquiring a package blank, the package blank comprises a top panel, at least one side panel foldably connected to the top panel, at least one opening in the top panel for at least partially receiving at least a portion of one of the articles, and an elongate handle opening in the top panel;
• positioning a plurality of articles relative to the blank;
• and
• positioning a handle relative to the blank, the handle comprises a first handle portion and a second handle portion, the first handle portion comprises at least a first handle panel and a second handle panel and the second handle portion comprises a first lower handle panel foldably connected to the first handle panel along a first transverse, fold line and a second lower handle panel foldably connected to the second handle panel along a second transverse fold line, a first end flap foldably connected to the first lower handle panel along a third transverse fold line, and a second end flap foldably connected to the second lower handle panel along a fourth transverse fold line, each of the at least two handle panels comprises a handle aperture, and the first lower handle panel comprises a first article-receiving aperture for at least partially receiving an article, and the second lower handle panel comprises a second article-receiving aperture for at least partially receiving an article, the first article-receiving aperture is coextensive with a first edge of the first end flap so that the first edge is generally collinear with the third transverse fold line, wherein the first edge is straight and is parallel to the third transverse fold line, and the third transverse fold line comprises two portions, each extending from a respective end of the first edge, and the second article-receiving aperture is coextensive with a second edge of the second end flap so that the second edge is generally collinear with the fourth transverse fold line, wherein the second edge is straight and is parallel to the fourth transverse fold line, and the fourth transverse fold line comprises two portions, each extending from a respective end of the second edge,
• the first handle portion comprises a pair of tuck-in panels, each of the tuck-in panels is respectively foldably connected to one of the first handle panel and the second handle panel, and the tuck-in panels are foldably connected to one another, wherein each of the tuck-in panels comprises at least a first free edge, a second free edge, and a handle notch spaced apart from the first free edge and the second free edge, and, prior to forming the handle, the first free edge of each of the tuck-in panels is collinear with and parallel to a respective one of the first transverse fold line and the second transverse fold line so that the first free edge of each of the tuck-in panels extends outwardly from a respective free edge of one of the first lower handle panel or the second lower handle panel, and the second free edge of each of the tuck-in panels is oblique with respect to the respective first free edge,
• the positioning the handle comprises positioning the first handle portion relative to the handle opening for use in grasping and carrying the package, and positioning the second handle portion to be at least partially in contact with an interior surface of the top panel.