Carton and Carton Blank With Strap Handle

Abstract

A carton for containing cans which has a handle strap (H) by which the carton can be carried. The handle strap is formed integral with the carton and is moveable with respect to the top wall ( 20 ) to enable the handle to be raised into a position of use. One end ( 86 ) of the handle can engage a top wall of the carton to restrict the extent of deployment of the handle strap above the top wall.

1 . A carton comprising a top wall formed of a plurality of panels, and a handle strap formed from at least one of the top panels, at least one end of the handle strap being disposed beneath the top wall and being moveable with respect to the top wall such that the handle strap can be raised from a first position wherein the handle strap is substantially coplanar with the top wall into a second position wherein at least a central user portion of the handle strap stands proud of the top wall, the at least one end of the handle strap being of multiply construction and being structured such that the at least one end of the handle strap engage an edge of each of the top panels to limits the travel of the at least one end whereby restricting the extent of deployment of the handle strap above the top wall. 
   
   
       2 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one end of the handle strap engages with each of the top panels at different locations along a direction of travel of the at least one end. 
   
   
       3 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein each ply of the at least one end of the handle strap is offset from an adjacent ply such that a ridge is formed along an edge of the at least one end which is slidable against a complementary groove formed by the top panels. 
   
   
       4 . A carton according to either of  claims 1  wherein an edge of at least one ply of the at least one end of the handle strap is convex shaped and an edge of a corresponding one of the top panels is concave shaped. 
   
   
       5 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein each ply of the at least one end of the handle strap is struck from a respective one of the top panels and wherein the each ply engages an edge formed by the respective top panel. 
   
   
       6 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein each ply of the at least one end of the handle strap is disposed beneath upper adjoining one of the top panels and engages an inner face of the upper adjoining top panel. 
   
   
       7 . A carton according to  claim 1  wherein the top wall comprises four top panels, the or at least one end being formed from three of the four top panels. 
   
   
       8 . A blank for forming a carton comprising a series of hinged panels for forming a tubular structure, the blank including a plurality of top panels for forming a top wall of the carton, at least one strap panel formed from at least one of the top panels to form a handle strap, and at least one end-forming panel formed from another one of the top panels to be attached to the one strap panel to provide at least one end of the handle strap that is of a multiply construction, the at least one end of the handle strap being disposed beneath the top wall when the blank is formed into a carton and being moveable with respect to the top wall such that the handle strap can be raised from a first position wherein the handle strap is being substantially coplanar with the top wall into a second position wherein at least a central user portion of the handle strap stands proud of the top wall, the at least one end-forming panel is greater in width than the at least one strap panel such that when the blank is formed into a carton, each ply of the at least one end of the handle strap is offset from an adjacent ply whereby the of at least one end of the handle strap engages an edge of each of the top panels. 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A blank according to  claim 8  where in an edge of the at least one end-forming panel is convex shaped and an edge of a corresponding one of the top panels is concave shaped. 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A blank according to  claim 8  wherein four top panels are include to provide the top wall of the carton, and the at least one end is formed from three of the four top panels. 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . (Canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A carton having a plurality of panels for forming the carton walls including at least inner and outer panels for forming a composite top wall, the carton comprising a handle strap formed from the inner panel and comprising a handle access means in the outer panel, the handle strap having opposed ends, one of the opposed ends of the strap handle being integrally joined with the inner panel and the other of the opposed ends being arranged such that the other end is movable with respect to the composite top wall to allow the handle strap to extend above the composite top wall, wherein the other end of the strap handle is of multiply construction formed from at least inner and outer members, wherein the inner member has its width wider than the outer member. 
   
   
       18 . A carton according to  claim 17 , further comprising a reinforcing strap formed from the outer panel and secured to the handle strap, the reinforcing strap being and integrally joined at one end to the outer panel. 
   
   
       19 . A carton according to  claim 17  wherein the handle strap is provided Hit said other end within an engaging portion for sliding engaging with the composite top wall to limit the extent of the handle strap above the composite top Wall, and said engaging portion of the strap handle comprises a hook-shaped shoulder portion for engagement with a complementary edge of the composite top wall. 
   
   
       20 . (canceled)