Carton with gusseted handle

Abstract

A carton has a handle having gussets that provide cushioning for a user's hand during carrying of the carton. The handle also provides additional strength, rigidity and tear resistance to the carton.

1 . A blank for erecting into a carton, the blank comprising: 
 a first panel;    a second panel foldably connected to the first panel;    a third panel foldably connected to the second panel;    a fourth panel foldably connected to the third panel;    at least one first end flap extending along a first marginal area of the blank;    at least one second end flap extending along a second marginal area of the blank; and    a handle having a first gusset, a second gusset, a first tear stop and a second tear stop, wherein 
 the handle is defined at least in part by a first arcuate concave exterior line, a second arcuate concave exterior line, and an opening line extending between the first and second exterior lines,  
 the first and second gussets, the first and second exterior lines, and the opening line extend across the second, third and fourth panels,  
 the first tear stop is spaced from a first end of the first exterior line in the second panel, and  
 the second tear stop is spaced from a second end of the first exterior line in the fourth panel.  
   
     
     
         2 . The blank of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second exterior lines are substantially continuously arcuate.  
     
     
         3 . The blank of  claim 2 , wherein the first gusset is disposed on a first side of the opening line, and the second gusset is disposed on a second side of the opening line.  
     
     
         4 . The blank of  claim 3 , wherein the handle is further defined at least in part by: 
 a first oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line; and    a second oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line.    
     
     
         5 . The blank of  claim 4 , wherein the handle is further defined at least in part by: 
 a third oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line; and    a fourth oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line, wherein    the first and second oblique lines extend through the first gusset, and    the third and fourth oblique lines extend through the second gusset.    
     
     
         6 . The blank of  claim 4 , wherein the first oblique line extends adjacent to a fold line between the second and third panels, and the second oblique line extends adjacent to a fold line between the third and fourth panels.  
     
     
         7 . The blank of  claim 6 , wherein the first tear stop comprises a first substantially V-shaped line and a first longitudinally extending line, the first longitudinally extending line being adjacent to and spaced from the first end.  
     
     
         8 . The blank of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second exterior lines meet at the first end at a first arcuate cut, and at the second end at a second arcuate cut.  
     
     
         9 . The blank of  claim 3 , wherein the first tear stop comprises a first substantially V-shaped line and a first longitudinally extending line, with the first longitudinally extending line being adjacent to and spaced from the first end.  
     
     
         10 . The blank of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the opening line comprises a tear line; and    the first and second exterior lines are at least in part defined by creases.    
     
     
         11 . A blank for erecting into a carton, the blank comprising: 
 a first panel;    a second panel foldably connected to the first panel;    a third panel foldably connected to the second panel;    a fourth panel foldably connected to the third panel;    at least one first end flap extending along a first marginal area of the blank;    at least one second end flap extending along a second marginal area of the blank; and    a handle having a first gusset, a second gusset, a first tear stop and a second tear stop, wherein 
 the handle is defined at least in part by a first concave exterior line, a second concave exterior line, an opening line extending between the first and second exterior lines, a first oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line, and a second oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line,  
 the first and second gussets, the first and second exterior lines, and the opening line extend across the second, third and fourth panels,  
 the first tear stop is spaced from a first end of the first exterior line and comprises a first substantially V-shaped line and a first longitudinally extending line, and  
 the second tear stop is spaced from a second end of the first exterior line.  
   
     
     
         12 . The blank of  claim 11 , wherein the first oblique line extends adjacent to a fold line between the second and third panels, and the second oblique line extends adjacent to a fold line between the third and fourth panels.  
     
     
         13 . The blank of  claim 12 , wherein the handle is further defined in part by: 
 a third oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line; and    a fourth oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line, wherein    the first and second oblique lines extend through the first gusset, and    the third and fourth oblique lines extend through the second gusset.    
     
     
         14 . The blank of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second exterior lines meet at the first end at a first arcuate cut, and at the second end at a second arcuate cut.  
     
     
         15 . The blank of  claim 1   1 , wherein: 
 the opening line comprises a tear line; and    the first and second exterior lines are at least in part defined by creases.    
     
     
         16 . A carton, comprising: 
 a first panel;    a second panel adjacent to the first panel;    a third panel adjacent to the second panel;    a fourth panel adjacent to the first and third panels;    a first end panel at a first end of the carton;    a second end panel at a second end of the carton; and    a handle having a first gusset, a second gusset, a first tear stop and a second tear stop, wherein 
 the handle is defined at least in part by a first arcuate concave exterior line, a second arcuate concave exterior line, and an opening line extending between the first and second exterior lines,  
 the first and second gussets, the first and second exterior lines, and the opening line extend across the second, third and fourth panels,  
 the first tear stop is spaced from a first end of the first exterior line in the second panel, and  
 the second tear stop is spaced from a second end of the first exterior line in the fourth panel.  
   
     
     
         17 . The carton of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second exterior lines are substantially continuously arcuate.  
     
     
         18 . The carton of  claim 16 , wherein the handle is further defined at least in part by: 
 a first oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line; and    a second oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line.    
     
     
         19 . The carton of  claim 18 , wherein the handle is further defined at least in part by: 
 a third oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line; and    a fourth oblique line extending from a point adjacent to the opening line, wherein    the first and second oblique lines extend through the first gusset, and    the third and fourth oblique lines extend through the second gusset.    
     
     
         20 . The carton of  claim 18 , wherein the first oblique line extends adjacent to a fold between the second and third panels, and the second oblique line extends adjacent to a fold between the third and fourth panels.  
     
     
         21 . The carton of  claim 20 , wherein the first tear stop comprises a first substantially V-shaped line and a first longitudinally extending line, with the first longitudinally extending line being adjacent to and spaced from the first end.  
     
     
         22 . The carton of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second exterior lines meet at the first end at a first arcuate cut, and at the second end at a second arcuate cut.  
     
     
         23 . The carton of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the opening line comprises a tear line; and    the first and second exterior lines are at least in part defined by creases.