Beverage carton with strap type carrying handle

Abstract

In a carton for beverage containers having a series of main panels ( 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 ) for forming a sleeve and having at least a pair of end closure panels ( 38, 40 ) for closing the opposed ends of a sleeve, a carrying handle ( 8 ) is formed from a strap ( 98 ) of material. Each end of the strap is secured between one of said end closure panels and an additional securing panel ( 65, 65 a ). Each securing panel is connected to an adjacent end closure panel and folded into overlapping relationship therewith to sandwhich the end of the strap so that a strong reinforcement to the carrying handle is provided.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . A carton comprising top and base panels hingedly interconnected by a pair of opposed side panels to form a sleeve, a pair of opposed end closure structures connected to said sleeve to close, at least in part, opposed ends of said sleeve respectively and a handle structure by which the carton can be lifted, said top panel being of a singly-ply construction, each of said end closure structures comprising a single-ply top end closure panel hingedly connected to said top panel along a first fold line extending between said side panels, said handle structure comprising a handle strap connected at opposite ends thereof to said top end closure panels and extending between said top end closure panels, wherein a securing panel is provided for at least one of said opposite ends of said handle strap such that said at least one of said opposite ends is sandwiched by said securing panel and an adjacent one of said top end closure panels to be securely connected to said adjacent top end closure panel and wherein said securing panel is hingedly connected to one of opposed side edges of said adjacent top end closure panel. 
   
   
       16 . A carton according to  claim 15  wherein said first fold line extends substantially entirely between said side panels. 
   
   
       17 . A carton according to  claim 16  wherein said first fold line is a single, uninterrupted fold line extending all the way between said side panels. 
   
   
       18 . A carton according to  claim 16  wherein said first fold line is a single, partially-interrupted fold line. 
   
   
       19 . A carton according to  claim 15  wherein said securing panel is hingedly connected to said one side edge along a second fold line that is disposed in alignment with one of opposed side edges of said top panel when the carton is in a blank form. 
   
   
       20 . A carton according to  claim 15  wherein said securing panel is hingedly connected to said one side edge along a second fold line that is less in length than said one side edge. 
   
   
       21 . A carton according to  claim 20  wherein an upper end of said second fold line is spaced from said first fold line. 
   
   
       22 . A carton according to  claim 15  wherein said securing panel is adhered to said handle strap and to said adjacent top end closure panel. 
   
   
       23 . A carton according to  claim 15  wherein said opposite ends of said handle strap are attached to inwardly displaceable parts of said end closure panels respectively. 
   
   
       24 . A carton according to  claim 23  wherein a portion of each of said inwardly displaceable parts is positioned to be located between adjacent articles at a respective one of said opposed ends of said sleeve to provide a stabilizing spacer between said adjacent articles. 
   
   
       25 . A carton according to  claim 15  wherein said handle strap includes a user portion which is in substantially co-planar relationship with said top panel when in a stored condition, said user portion being disposed intermediate said opposite ends of the handle strap being so connected at said opposite ends to said top end closure panels as to provide a surplus of material to enable said user portion to be brought into a position of use, wherein the handle strap has intermediate parts between said user portion and said opposite ends, wherein said intermediate parts are unattached to said top panel and are free to provide said surplus of material 
   
   
       26 . A carton according to  claim 25  wherein said opposite ends of said handle strap are remote from said user portion and are attached to inwardly displaceable parts of said the end closure panels. 
   
   
       27 . A carton according to  claim 26  wherein said inwardly displaceable parts each comprises a step that include a tread and riser, the tread of each step is provided by a respective one of said top end closure panel and the riser of each step is provided by said top panel. 
   
   
       28 . A carton according to  claim 25  wherein said user portion is formed at least in part form material that is integral with said top panel. 
   
   
       29 . A carton blank comprises a series of hinged panels for forming a sleeve, a pair of opposed major end closure panels hingedly connected to a first one of said hinged panels, a pair of opposed minor end closure panels hingedly connected to a second one of said hinged panels disposed next to said first hinged panel and a handle structure comprising a handle strap connected at opposite ends thereof to said major end closure panels and extending between said major end closure panels, wherein a securing panel is hingedly connected to at least one of said major end closure panels such that an adjacent one of said opposite ends of said handle strap is sandwiched by said securing panel and said at least one major end closure panel when the blank is erected into a carton and wherein said securing panel is disposed alongside an adjacent one of said minor end closure panels. 
   
   
       30 . A carton blank according to  claim 29  wherein said securing panel is formed from material provided between said adjacent minor end closure panel and said at least one major end closure panel such that said securing panel is formed from material within a perimeter of a footprint of the blank. 
   
   
       31 . A carton blank according to  claim 29  wherein said securing panel is spaced from said second hinged panel. 
   
   
       32 . A carton blank according to  claim 31  wherein said adjacent minor end closure panel is disposed between said securing panel and said second hinged panel. 
   
   
       33 . A blank according to  claim 29  wherein said securing panel is hinged to said at least one major end closure panel along a fold line that is aligned with one of opposed side edges of said first hinged panel. 
   
   
       34 . A blank according to  claim 33  wherein said one side edge of said first hinged panel is a common side edge between said first and second hinged panels.