Reinforcement device for boxes and the like

Abstract

A reinforcement device for reinforcing the hand-hold of a box is provided. The box has a top edge, a bottom edge, an inside surface, and an outside surface. The hand-hold is formed between the top edge and the bottom edge and has a first hand-hold edge, a second hand-hold edge substantially opposite the first hand-hold edge, a third hand-hold edge between the first hand-hold edge and the second hand-hold edge, and a fourth hand-hold edge opposite the third hand-hold edge. The reinforcement device comprises a handle member positionable about the first hand-hold edge and at least a portion of the third hand-hold edge and the fourth hand-hold edge. A securing mechanism secures the handle to the box between the hand-hold and the top edge of the box.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reinforcement device for reinforcing the hand-hold of a box, the box having a top edge, a bottom edge, an inside surface, and an outside surface, the hand-hold formed between the top edge and the bottom edge and having a first hand-hold edge, a second hand-hold edge substantially opposite the first hand-hold edge, a third hand-hold edge between the first hand-hold edge and the second hand-hold edge, and a fourth hand-hold edge opposite the third hand-hold edge, the reinforcement device comprising: 
 a handle member positionable about the first hand-hold edge and at least a portion of the third hand-hold edge and the fourth hand-hold edge; and    securing means for securing the handle to the box between the hand-hold and the top edge of the box.    
     
     
         2 . The reinforcement device of  claim 1  wherein the handle member is constructed from a cardboard material having flutes between a first layer and a second layer.  
     
     
         3 . The reinforcement device of  claim 2  wherein the flutes of the handle member are positioned in a substantially horizontal position.  
     
     
         4 . The reinforcement device of  claim 1  wherein the handle member has a front side, a back side opposite the front side, a first side edge, a second side edge substantially opposite the first side edge, a top edge between the first side edge and the second side edge, and a bottom edge substantially opposite the top edge and between the first side edge and the second side edge.  
     
     
         5 . The reinforcement device of  claim 4  wherein the first side edge, the second side edge, and the top edge are substantially linear.  
     
     
         6 . The reinforcement device of  claim 4  wherein bottom edge has a first linear portion, a second linear portion, and a curve portion between the first linear portion and the second linear portion whereby the curved portion adjacently surrounds at least a portion of the hand-hold in a position generally between the top edge of the hand hold and the top edge of the box.  
     
     
         7 . The reinforcement device of  claim 1  wherein the securing means is a layer of adhesive between the handle member and the box.  
     
     
         8 . The reinforcement device of  claim 7 , and further comprising: 
 a releasable liner positioned over the adhesive layer.    
     
     
         9 . The reinforcement device of  claim 1  wherein the handle member is secured to either the inside surface or outside surface of the box.  
     
     
         10 . A system for reinforcing a box in the direction of a force, the box having a side surface and a top edge, the system comprising: 
 a first reinforcement device having a first side and a second side; and    an adhesive layer on either the first side or the second side of the first reinforcement device, the first reinforcement device securable to the box adjacent the top edge with the adhesive layer.    
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  and further comprising: 
 a second reinforcement device, the first reinforcement device connected to the second reinforcement device by a score line.  
 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the first reinforcement device is secured to the box adjacent a slot formed in or near the top edge of the box.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the first reinforcement device is secured to the box surrounding at least a portion of a hand-hold formed in the box.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , and further comprising: 
 a releasable liner positioned over the adhesive layer.    
     
     
         15 . A method for reinforcing an opening in a box, the method comprising: 
 providing a reinforcement member;    surrounding at least a portion of the opening of the box; and    securing the reinforcement member to the box.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 forming a hand-hold in the box;    forming at least one curved edge in the reinforcement member, the curved edge being curved substantially similar to the configuration of the hand-hold; and    securing the reinforcement member to the box about the hand-hold.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 forming a slot adjacent a top edge of the box; and    securing the reinforcement member adjacent the slot, the slot positioned between the slot and the top edge.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , and further comprising: 
 applying an adhesive layer to one side of the reinforcement member; and    securing the reinforcement member to the box with the adhesive layer between the reinforcement member and the box.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , and further comprising: 
 positioning a releasable liner over the adhesive layer.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , and further comprising: 
 removing the releasable liner.