CA1243987A

CA1243987A - Container having improved handle

Info

Publication number: CA1243987A
Application number: CA000491134A
Authority: CA
Inventors: William G. Atkinson; William R. Skillen
Original assignee: Somerville Belkin Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Somerville Belkin Industries Ltd
Priority date: 1985-07-29
Filing date: 1985-09-19
Publication date: 1988-11-01

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A carton from which a handle is struck from the top wall and end walls and has fork-shaped end portions at each end thereof which extend between the necks of adjacent rows of bottles to permit the handle to be arched upwardly when the carton is lifted by the handle.

Description

i~24398~7 This invention relates to cartons having a lifting handle.
In particular, this invention relates to beer cartons in which the handle initially forms a part of the top wall of the carton.
Prior Art In our prior Canadian Patent Application Serial No.
438,945, we have disclosed a bottle container in which the lifting handle is arranged to extend transversely across the top wall of the container. This structure provides a satisfactory support handle and takes advantage of the void which is provided between the necks of the adjacent rows of bottles to provide sufficient space for grasping the handleO
We now find that we can provide a more stable carrying handle by locating the handle so that it extends longitudinally of the carton rather than transversely of the carton. By arranging the handle so that it extends along the major access of the carton rather than the minor access, we achieve increased stability.
In attempting to locate the handle so that it extended longitudinally of the carton rather than transversely c,f the carton, we found that it was necessary to locate the handle directly above the top of the bottles of the centre row of bottles rather than directly above the void formed between adjacent rows of bottles.
This posed a major problem because it was no longer possible to take advantage of the void formed between the adjacent rows of bottles for the purpose of providing finger access to facilitate grasping of the handle.
.~
~ :
~ .
- - -- 1 -- - . ;~ . .
, . .

.

.
.

398~

Furthermore, in order to more closely confine the bottles, we find that it is desirable to have the upper end portions of the end walls inclined inwardly so that the upper edges of the end walls are located closely adjacent the upper ends of the bottles. This -inward inclination of the side walls prevents us from taking advantage of the space which is formed between vertical end walls and the upper end of a narrow necked bottle to gain handle length to facilitate arching.
We find that we have been able to overcome the above difficulties by forming the handle with fork-shaped end portions such that the arms which form the fork will extend into the voids formed on opposite sides of the centre row of bottes to thereby gain the required arching length.
We also find that by proportioning the distal ends of the arms of each fork so as to close approximate the width of the void between the necks of the adjacent rows of bottles, the distal ends of the arms can act as wedges which extend between the bottles and serve to lock the upper ends of the bottles in set position.
In addition, we find that by providing a notch between the proximal ends of the arms of each fork, we can accommodate the upper end of the end most bottle of the centre row of bottles and further :anchor this bottle with respect to the container.

~: ' ' .
: - 2 -:
. " u ~ , IL2~;~9~37 Summary of Invention According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a beer bottle carton for shipping and storing long-neck bottles comprising: a) a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and a pair of oppositely disposed end walls which cooperate with one another to form a bottle storage compartment which is proportioned to provide accommodation for an odd number of rows o~ bottles which are to be arranged to extend longitudinally between the end walls with one of the rows being located centrally between the side walls, the end walls each having an upper end arranged to be disposed closely adjacent the upper ends of the end most bottle of each longitudinally extending row, the top wall and the end walls be.tng cut to form a handle which is movable between a irst position in which i~ extends in the plane of the top wall and a second position in which it is arched upwardly from the plane, the handle comprising a manually engageable longitudinally elongated portion which is aligned with the accommodation provided for a centrally located row of bottles and a pair of oppositely disposed fork-shaped end portions located at opposite ends of the manually engageable portion, each fork-shaped end portion have two laterally spaced arms, each arm having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion which are connected to one another along a hinge line which extends in the first plane when the handle is Iocated in the first position, the proximal end portions being releasably connected to the top wall along weakened tear lines which extend from the crease line toward the manually engageable portion, the distal end portions extending : - 3 -.
:

, , .: , - .

.
.-downwardly from the crease line and being connected to the end walls from which they are cut at a sufficient distance below the first plane to ensure that when the handle is moved to the second position, the distal end portions of the arms will be drawn inwardly of the storage compartment a sufficient distànce to permit arching of the handle when .in the second position to a degree sufficient to provide hand clearance between the handle and the contents of the container in use and to permit the distal end portions to extend inwardly one on either side of the central row of bottles According to another aspect, this invention provides a beer bottle carton for shipping and stor:ing long-neck bottles comprising: a) a top W~ a bottom wall~ a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and a pair of oppositely disposed end walls which cooperate with one another to form a bottle storage compartment which is proportioned to provide accommodation for an odd number of rows of bottles which are to be arranged to extend longitudinally between the end walls with one of the rows beiny located centrally between the side walls, the end walls each having an upper end arranged to be disposed closely adjacent the upper ends of the end most bottle of each longitudinally extending row, the top wall comprising an inner panel and an outer panel arranged~ in an overlapping face-to-face sealed relationship, the inner and outer panels of the top wall and the end walls being cut to form a handle which is movable between a first position in which it extends in the plane of the top wall and a second position in which it is arched upwardly from the plane~, the handle ;,~

~ , .
~ .

39~7 comprising a manually engageable longitudinally elongated portionwhich is aligned with the accommodation provided for a cen~rally located row of bottles and a pair of oppositely disposed fork-shaped end portions located at opposite ends of the manually engageable portion, each fork-shaped end portion having two laterally spaced arms, each arm having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion which are connected to one another along a hinge line which extends in the first plane when the handle is located in the first position, the proximal end portions being releasably connected to the top wall along weakened tear lines which extend rom the crease line toward the manually engageable portion, the distal end portions extending downwardly from the crease line and being connected to the end walls Erom which they are cut at a sufficient distance ~elow the flrst plane to ensure that when the handle is moved to the second position, the distal end portions of the arms will be drawn inwardly of the storage compartment a sufficient distance to permit arching of the handle when in the second position to a degree sufficient to provide hand clearance between the handle and the contents of the container in use and to permit the distal end portions to extend lnwardly one on either side of the central row of bottles, the proximal end portions of the inner paneI being formed with an open notch whlch is located between the arms of each fork-shaped end portion and extends a:~substantial distance from the crease line, the notches form:ing~an opening in the inner panel through which the top of a bottle may project when the handle is moved to its second position,:the proximal end portions of the outer panel including a ~: : :

... ,.,,. ~ ; : .
:

, .

~2~39~7 cover flap portion located between the arm of each fork-shaped end portion and overlying the notch of the inner panel whereby the carton is substantially light tight when the handle is in the first position.
The invention will be more clearly understood after reference to the following detailed specification read in conjunction with the drawings wherein: ~ :
Figure 1 is a plan view of a carton blank suitable for use in producing the carton of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the carton of Figure 1 in a partially folded configuration;
Figure 3 is a pictorial view of the carton of Figure 1 assembled to an end loading tubular sleeve configuration;
Flgure 4 is a pictorial view similar to Figure~ 3 showing further folding steps;
Figure 5 is a pictorial view of a closed carton showing : the handle in its first position;
: Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the handle ~: in its~second position and one dispenser panel removed;
: Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Figure 6, :
:

~ ~ ` : , ?: . : - ' -' .

:

3~8~ -With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, the reference - numeral 10 refers generally to a blank which is cut and scored to provide a carton constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The blank 10 is preferably made from cardboard or the like.
The blank 10 is formed with a planner bottom wall forming panel 12 to which a pair of narrow gable panels 14a and 14b and hingedly connected, a pair of lower side panels 16a and 16b are hingedly connected to the gable panels 14a and 14b respectively.
pair of upper side wall panels 18a and 18b are hingedly connected to lower side panels 16a and 16b respectively, A pair of top wall forming panels 20a and 20b are hingedly connected to the upper side panels 18a and 18b respectively. End gable panels 14c and 14d are hingedly connected to the bottom wall panel 12 at opposite ends thereof. End flaps 22a and 22b are hingedly connected to gable ~panels 14c and 14d respectively. End flaps 24a and 24b are hingedly connected to opposite ends of the lower side panels 16a and end fiaps 24c and 24d are hingedly connected to opposite ends of lower side panel 16b. End flaps 26a and 26b are hingedly connected to opposite ends of upper side panel 18a and end flaps 26c and 26d are connected to opposite ends of the upper side panel 18b. End flaps ;28a and 28b are hingedly connected to opposite ends of the top wall forming panel 20a. End flaps 28c and 28d are hingedly connected to opposite ends of top panel 20b.

.
:.

; ~: : : :

~ ,, :

~2~39~37 The top wall panels 20a and 20b are cut and scored to provide an inner handle panel 30a and an outer handle panel 30b.
The top wall panel 20a is formed with an aperture 32 which provide finger access to one side of a longitudinally elongated manually engageable handle portion 34a, The top wall panel 20a is cut along lines 36a and 36b which diverge in a direction away from the handle portion 34a. A trapezoidal shaped panel 38 is hingedly connected to the handle portion 34a and a coating of adhesive is applied to the surface 38a of the trapezoldal panel 38. As will be described hereinafter the trapezoidal shaped panel 38 is Eolded along the ~old lin~ 40 so as to be located in a face-to-Eace relat.ionship with respect to the handle portion 34a and is adhesively connected thereto to reinforce the handle portion 34a. The inner handle panel 30a has fork-shaped ends 40 each of which have arms 42 which diverge in a direction away from the handle portion 34a.
The arms 42 each have a proximal end portion 44 and a distal end portion 46 which are connected to one another along crease lines 48 which are aligned with the crease line 50 which connects the flaps 28a and 28b to the top wall panel 20a. The proximal end portions 42 are formed between the cut lines 36a, 36b and 36c for~ed in the top wall panel 20a and the distal ends are formed between the cut lines 52 and 54 formed in the flaps 28a and~
28b~ Apertures 55 are formed between the arms 42 of the top wall pa~nel 20a. - ~
The top wall panel 20b is likewise formed with fork-shaped ends~40b~and a longitudinally elongated~handIe portion 34b. The top wall panel 20b differs from-the top wall pa~nel 20a in that flaps 60 and~ 62~are formed one on either side of`the handle portion 34b.

:;:

:: . . . , :

12~3987 To assemble the carton, the adhesive is applied to the surface 38a and then the panel 38 is folded along the fold line 40 to be adhesively secured in a face-to-face relationship with respect to the handle portion 34a to reinforce the handle portion 34a. The blank is then folded as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings by folding along the fold line 52 and adhesive is applied as a coating to the adhesive area 54 of the handle portion 34a. Adhesive is also applied to the areas identified by the reference numeral 56 which are located on the flaps 28a and 28b.
The top wall panel 20b is then ~olded to a position overlying the top wall panel A by folding along the Eold line 5~.
Adhesive coated area 54 of the top wall panel 20a serves to bond the corresponding overlying portion of the top wali panel 20b and the adhesive areas 56 serve to connect the flaps 28a and 28b to the flaps 28c and 28d respectively.
The carton can then be erected to the tubular configuration illustrated in Figure 3. In this configuration, a plurality of bottles of the type generally identified by the reÇerence numeral 60 are loaded into the storage compartment generally identified by the reference numeral 62. The bottles which this carton is designed to accommodate have a large diameter main body portion 64 and a narrow longltudinally elongated neck portion 66, the upper end of which is cl~osed~by~a cap 68. The carton illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawlngs~is proportioned to accommodate twelve bottles arranged in three longitudinally extending rows each containing four bottles.
Because of the fact that the bottles have an elongated neck portion, a~longitudlnal void Is formed between the~necks of ad~acent rows of bottles.~

, ~ . ;,.
.

,..... ~

. ~

3~7 It will be noted that the central port;on 34 of the handle is longitudinally aligned with the centrally located row of bottle.s whereas the arms 42 of the fork-shaped ends of the handle are aligned with the voids which are formed between the necks of the adjacent rows of bottles.
After the carton has been ~oaded as illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, the end flaps 24a, 24b-, 24c, 24d, 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d are folded inwardly. The end flaps 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d and than folded inwardly and finally the end flaps 22a, 22b are folded upwardly to be adhesively secured to the underlying flaps, to closc the carton to form a pair oE oppositely disposed end walls generally identified by the reeerence numeral 21, each Oe which has a gable panel 14, a vertically oriented end panel 22 and an upwardly and inwardly inclined end panel 28.
~ It will be noted that in this closed configuration, the handle which is generally identified by the reference numeral 30 is arranged such that the proximal end portions 42 extend in the plane of the top wall 20 of the carton and the distal er.d portions 44 extend in the plane of the inclined end wall portion 28. As a result the handle 30 does not form an obstruction which intereres with the stacking of a plurality of cartons, one on top of the other.

O

~ , : ,. ..

iLZ,~3987 DS5~142-339 To lift the carton by the handle it is merely necessary to fold the handle flaps 60 and 62 inwardly to underlie the longitudinally elongated portion 34 of the handle. The apertures 63 and 65 which are formed by this action provide sufficient finger access to the elongated handle portion 34 to permit them to be grasped and lifted. This act of lifting the handle causqs the distal end portions 44 of the arms of the handle 30 to hinge about' their connection with the end wall portion 28 such that they are drawn inwardly as shown in Figure 6 and 7 of the drawings to extend into the voids 70 formed between the adjacent rows of bottles, It will be noted that the crease line 43 which ~orms the connection between the proximal arm portions ~2 and distal arm portions ~4 moves inwardly and downwardly from the upper edge 29 of the upper end wall portion 28. It will also be noted that the flap 31 is severed from the upper edge 29 and hinges upwardly along the hinge line 33 to permit the cap and upper end of the end most bottle of the centre row to extend through the gap 45 which is for~ed between the dista~l ends 42 and proximal ends 44. In this manner, the bottles located at opposite ends of the central row of bottles serve to add stability to the handle and are in turn held firmly in position by the handle. It will be noted that the distal end portions 44 are proportioned so that they will bridge the gap between the~necks of the adjacent bottles and bear against the ad~acent~bottles when the~handle is ln its raised position. In use~, the handle is moved from the first horizontal position shown in Figure;3,~to the raised arched configuration shown in Figures 6 and 7~and~ the act of raising the handle to the arched posi;tion serves to d~raw~the orks of the handle. inwardly ln the manner descr~ibed.

: : : . . :
: . .

~ 3987 DS5-14~-339 To obtain access to the bottles to facilitate the removal of the bottles, the side wall 18 and top wall 20 are severed along the weakened score line 23 to permit removal of panels 19. This removable panel structure is not the invention o~ the applicant and no claim to this feature is made.
The inclined gable formed at the lower end of the carton which serves to nest the bottles in the container space is a further feature which is not the invention of the applicant and to which no claim is made.
It will be noted that the fork-shaped end portions of the handle may extend into the voids between the adjacent rows of bottles to an extent su~ficlent to permit the handle to assume the arch shaped configuration required to provide ease of access to the centrally located manual engageable portion of the handle by ~providing a substantial clearance above the top of the bottles.
These and other advantages oE the present invention will be apparent to those~skilled in the art.

~,:

Claims

The embodiments of which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A beer bottle carton for shipping and storing long-neck bottles comprising:
a) a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and a pair of oppositely disposed end walls which cooperate with one another to form a bottle storage compartment which is proportioned to provide accommodation for an odd number of rows of bottles which are to be arranged to extend longitudinally between said end walls with one of said rows being located centrally between the side walls, said end walls each having an upper end arranged to be disposed closely adjacent the upper ends of the end most bottle of each longitudinally extending row, said top wall and said end walls being cut to form a handle which is movable between a first position in which it extends in the plane of said top wall and a second position in which it is arched upwardly from said plane, said handle comprising a manually engageable longitudinally elongated portion which is aligned with the accommodation provided for a centrally located row of bottles and a pair of oppositely disposed fork-shaped end portions located at opposite ends of said manually engageable portion, each fork-shaped end portion have two laterally spaced arms, each arm having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion which are connected to one another along a crease line which extends in said first plane when the handle is located in said first position, the proximal end portions being releasably connected to the top wall along weakened tear lines which extend from said crease line toward said manually engageable portion, said distal end portions extending downwardly from said crease line and being connected to the end walls from which they are cut at a sufficient distance below said first plane to ensure that when the handle is moved to said second position, said distal end portions of said arms will be drawn inwardly of said storage compartment a sufficient distance to permit arching of the handle when in said second position to a degree sufficient to provide hand clearance between the handle and the contents of the container in use and to permit the distal end portions to extend inwardly one on either side of the central row of bottles.

2. A beer bottle carton for shipping and storing long-neck bottles comprising:
a) a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and a pair of oppositely disposed end walls which cooperate with one another to form a bottle storage compartment which is proportioned to provide accommodation for an odd number of rows of bottles which are to be arranged to extend longitudinally between said end walls with one of said rows being located centrally between the side walls, said end walls each having an upper end arranged to be disposed closely adjacent the upper ends of the end most bottle of each longitudinally extending row, said top wall comprising an inner panel and an outer panel arranged in an overlapping face-to-face sealed relationship, said inner and outer panels of said top wall and said end walls being cut to form a handle which is movable between a first position in which it extends in the plane of said top wall and a second position in which it is arched upwardly from said plane, said handle comprising a manually engageable longitudinally elongated portion which is aligned with the accommodation provided for a centrally located row of bottles and a pair of oppositely disposed fork-shaped end portions located at opposite ends of said manually engageable portion, each fork-shaped end portion having two laterally spaced arms, each arm having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion which are connected to one another along a crease line which extends in said first plane when the handle is located in said first position, the proximal end portions being releasably connected to the top wall along weakened tear lines which extend from said crease line toward said manually engageable portion, said distal end portions extending downwardly from said crease line and being connected to the end walls from which they are cut at a sufficient distance below said first plane to ensure that when the handle is moved to said second position, said distal end portions of said arms will be drawn inwardly of said storage compartment a sufficient distance to permit arching of the handle when in said second position to a degree sufficient to provide hand clearance between the handle and the contents of the container in use and to permit the distal end portions to extend inwardly one on either side of the central row of bottles, said proximal end portions of said inner panel being formed with an open notch which is located between the arms of each fork-shaped end portion and extends a substantial distance from said crease line,said notches forming an opening in the inner panel through which the top of a bottle may project when the handle is moved to its second position, said proximal end portions of said outer panel including a cover flap portion located between the arm of each fork-shaped end portion and overlying said notch of said inner panel whereby said carton is substantially light tight when said handle is in said first position.