Package Handles

Abstract

A product package includes a shrink wrap cover at least partially enveloping a product, the shrink wrap cover having a first portion that compressively conforms at least partially to an outer three-dimensional profile of the product, and a second portion that does not compressively conform to the outer three-dimensional profile of the product, and a handle portion formed from the second portion of the shrink wrap cover, wherein the handle portion extends outward beyond the outer three-dimensional profile of the product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product package comprising:
 a shrink wrap cover at least partially enveloping a product;   the shrink wrap cover having a first portion that compressively conforms at least partially to an outer three-dimensional profile of the product, and a second portion that does not compressively conform to the outer three-dimensional profile of the product;   a handle portion formed from the second portion of the shrink wrap cover, wherein the handle portion extends outward beyond the outer three-dimensional profile of the product.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein an edge of the shrink wrap cover defines a first orifice. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the first orifice is partially defined by the handle portion. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the shrink wrap cover defines a second orifice that is partially defined by a second handle portion. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the first orifice and the second orifice are arranged on opposing sides of the product. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the shrink wrap cover includes an inner surface with portions of the inner surface substantially in contact with the product, and an outer surface. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the handle portion has a convex profile that includes a portion of the inner surface of the shrink wrap cover. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of the edge of the shrink wrap cover partially defines the handle portion. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the shrink wrap cover includes a cylindrical portion connected proximate to an edge of the shrink wrap cover. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the shrink wrap cover includes a loop of shrink wrap cover material connected proximate to an edge of the shrink wrap cover. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the shrink wrap cover includes a strip of material connected proximate to an edge of the shrink wrap cover. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the shrink wrap cover includes a strip of shrink wrap cover material securing a member connected proximate to an edge of the shrink wrap cover. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the shrink wrap cover has a first thickness proximate to an edge of the shrink wrap cover and a second thickness proximate to a medial portion of the shrink wrap cover, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. 
     
     
         14 . A method for fabricating a product package, the method comprising:
 forming a shrink wrap cover having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface around a product, the shrink wrap cover defining a first orifice and a second orifice, portions of the inner surface of the shrink wrap cover contacting portions of the product;   inserting a first portion of a handle forming member into the first orifice;   engaging a portion of the inner surface of the shrink wrap cover with the first portion of the handle forming member, and engaging an opposing portion of the outer surface of the shrink wrap cover with a second portion of the handle forming member;   applying a compressive force to the shrink wrap cover with the first portion of the handle forming member and the second portion of the handle forming member;   applying heat to the shrink wrap cover that is operative to reduce the surface area of the shrink wrap cover such that the shrink wrap cover substantially conforms to the product; and   disengaging the first portion and the second portion of the handle forming member from the shrink wrap cover.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the forming the shrink wrap cover around the product comprises:
 joining a distal end of a first roll of shrink wrap material to a distal end of a second roll of shrink wrap material to join a portion of the first roll of shrink wrap material to a portion of the second roll of shrink wrap material;   wrapping a portion of the first roll of shrink wrap material and a portion of the second roll of shrink wrap material around the product;   joining a portion of the first roll of shrink wrap material to a portion of the second roll of shrink wrap material to form a continuous layer of shrink wrap material around the product; and   severing the continuous layer of shrink wrap material about the product from the first roll of shrink wrap material and the second roll of shrink wrap material.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion of the handle forming member includes a concave surface that is operative to engage the inner surface of the shrink wrap material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second portion of the handle forming member includes a convex surface that is operative to engage the outer surface of the shrink wrap material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises changing the relative position of the first portion and the second portion of the handle forming member to the product prior to applying the heat. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the changing the relative position of the first portion and the second portion of the handle forming member to the product includes reducing a distance between the first portion and the second portion of the handle forming member relative to the product. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein prior to applying the heat, the method further comprises:
 inserting a first portion of a second handle forming member into the second orifice;   engaging a portion of the inner surface of the shrink wrap cover with the first portion of the second handle forming member and an opposing portion of the outer surface of the shrink wrap cover with a second portion of the second handle forming member; and   applying a compressive force to the shrink wrap cover with the first portion of the second handle forming member and the second portion of the second handle forming member.