Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Lifting or suspending element
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-16
2001-05-29
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
Lifting or suspending element
C229S117120, C229S920000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237839
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to paperboard cartons such as carriers for beverage cans or bottles and, more particularly, to sleeve-type carriers having a carrying handle comprising a single elongate opening extending laterally across the top panel or wall of the carrier.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Paperboard is used for packaging a wide variety of consumer products such as beverage carriers. Paperboard carriers having integral carrying handles are well known for use on bottle and/or can carriers. A typical handle comprises a single elongate opening extending transverse or laterally across a portion of the top panel, or wall, of the carrier. The handle opening may include flaps which deflect inwardly when the user inserts their fingers into the handle opening. Examples of typical beverage carrying handles for sleeve-type, beverage carriers can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,558,816 and 4,785,991.
When lifting a paperboard beverage carrier having an integral handle and containing beverage cans or bottles, the paperboard fibers are typically stressed, resulting in potential tearing of the paperboard and failure of the carrier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved construction for a paperboard, sleeve type, beverage, carrier, having an integral handle.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction for a, sleeve type, paperboard, beverage, carrier having tear-stop score lines encircling the carrier handle.
According to the present invention, a sleeve-type, beverage, carrier comprises a top panel, two side panels, a pair of end panels and a bottom panel made from a unitary paperboard blank. A carrying handle is provided comprising an oval shaped opening extending laterally across a portion of the top panel. A pair of concentric, oval shaped, score lines encircle the handle opening extending laterally across the top panel whereby the outer oval score line extends onto each side panel. The oval score lines are positioned adjacent the handle opening for preventing paperboard tears, originating at the handle opening, from propagating across the top panel of the carrier thereby compromising the structural integrity of the carrier.
Preferably, the major axis of the oval shaped handle opening extends 70 to 75% of the lateral width of the top panel, and the major axis of the inner oval score line extends 85 to 95% of the lateral width of the top panel. The minor axis of the inner oval score line is approximately 20 to 30% greater than the minor axis of the handle opening. The major axis of the outer oval score line is approximately 2 to 2.5 times greater than the major axis of the handle opening, while the minor axis of the outer oval score line is approximately 60 to 65% greater than the minor axis of the handle oval opening.
A pair of, spaced apart, diverging cut lines extend laterally from each opposing hand hold end, through the inner oval score line terminating at the outer oval score line.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in light of the following description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2598051 (1952-05-01), Guyer et al.
patent: 4463852 (1984-08-01), Stone
patent: 4684059 (1987-08-01), Rusnock
patent: 4966324 (1990-10-01), Steel
patent: 4989778 (1991-02-01), Saulas
patent: 5480091 (1996-01-01), Strout
patent: 5906313 (1999-05-01), Oliff
patent: 6126066 (2000-10-01), Peterson et al.
patent: 1602857 (1981-11-01), None
Elkins Gary E.
International Paper Company
Ostrager Chong & Flaherty
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