Portable Handle Assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a portable handle assembly for use with one or more secondary packages. The handle assembly includes a base portion. The base portion includes a first handle pocket at a proximal end extended towards a second handle pocket at a distal end. Each of the handle pocket includes a recess having an inward opening and an outward opening. The handle assembly further includes a handle having a gripping portion extended towards a first enclosed portion at the proximal end and towards a second enclosed portion at the distal end. Each of the enclosed portions is adapted to be received within the recess of at least one of the handle pocket such that it is slidingly clamped there within. When a user grasps the handle by lifting up the gripping portion, at least one of the enclosed portion slides out to a locked state and moves back.

Claims

1. A handle assembly, the assembly comprising: a base portion comprising a first handle pocket at a proximal end extended towards a second handle pocket at a distal end, each of the pockets comprising a recess with an outward opening and an inward opening; a handle comprising a gripping portion extending towards a first enclosed portion at the proximal and a second enclosed portion at the distal end; wherein each of the enclosed portions is slidingly locked within at least one of the handle pockets such that when the gripping portion is lifted up, at least one of the enclosed portions slides out to a locked state and moves back to a free state when the griping portion is released and retracted back, characterized in that each of the pockets is a generally V-shaped hollow pocket, and wherein each of the enclosed portions is generally V-shaped and geometrically similar to the V-shaped handle pockets, and whereby the legs of the V-shaped handle pockets are oriented at a minimal angle of 15° and at a maximal angle of 60° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base portion.

2. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base portion is a generally single layer/multilayer elongated piece of a material selected from paper, cardboard, carton, fiber board, corrugated carton, plastic, and metal.

3. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the pockets is fixed onto the base portion at a distance generally greater a length of the handle.

4. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a double-folded section towards the proximal end and positioned between the first handle pocket and the proximal end itself, and/or comprises a double-folded section towards the distal end positioned between the second handle pocket and the distal end itself, wherein the double-folded section comprises fold lines substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base portion, thereby creating an overlapping Z-shaped double-folded section.

5. The handle assembly of claim 4, wherein at least one overlapping zones of the double-folded section are releasably interconnected to each other via an adhesive or fixation means.

6. The handle according to claim 1, wherein each of the pockets is formed by folding and then gluing a piece of a material such that the recess is formed there within.

7. The handle assembly according to claim 6, wherein the piece of material is selected from one or more of papers, cardboard, carton, fiber board, corrugated carton, and plastic.

8. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the pockets is formed by cutting out two flaps within the base portion and then folding and gluing together the two flaps such that the recess is formed there within.

9. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of hollow pocket has a minimum width greater than a minimum width and a maximum width greater than a maximum width of each of the enclosed portions of the handle.

10. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the handle is made of a material selected from paper, cardboard, carton, fiber board, corrugated carton, and plastic.

11. The handle assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism for locking the enclosed portions beyond a predetermined position onto the base portion.

12. The handle assembly according to claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism comprising a cutout within the enclosed portion and a locking hook configured onto the base portion.

13. A handle assembly, the assembly comprising: a base portion comprising a handle pocket at a proximal end and extended towards a distal end, said pocket comprising a recess; a handle comprising a gripping portion extending towards an enclosed portion at the proximal end and a fixed portion at the distal end wherein the enclosed portion is slidingly locked within the handle pocket such that when the gripping portion is lifted up, the enclosed portion slides out to a locked state and moves back to a free state when the griping portion is released and retracted back.

14. A secondary packaging comprising a handle assembly for said secondary packaging according to any of the foregoing claims, the secondary packaging comprising a plurality of walls and having at least an recessed slot within one of its wall, wherein the handle assembly is adapted to be positioned at an inner surface of the wall comprising the recessed slot such that the gripping portion of the handle is accessible through the recessed slot wherein further when the gripping portion is lifted up, at least one of the enclosed portions slides out to a locked state and moves back to a free state when the griping portion is released and retracted back.

15. The secondary packaging according to claim 14, wherein the secondary packaging comprising a carton formed of one or more material selected from foldable blank, paperboard, cardboard, corrugated board, plastic, and paper.

16. The secondary packaging according to claim 15, wherein the handle assembly is fixed onto the inner surface of the wall of the secondary packaging using a fixation mechanism selected from one or more of gluing, adhesive patches, retention tab, stapling, and rivets.

17. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the minimal angle is 20°.

18. The handle assembly according to claim 5, wherein all of the overlapping zones of the double-folded section are releasably interconnected to each other via the adhesive or the fixation means.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram representing a handle assembly, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0067] FIG. 2a illustrates a schematic diagram representing an exemplary packaging having a handle assembly in a free state, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0068] FIG. 2b illustrates a schematic diagram representing an exemplary packaging having a handle assembly in a locked state, in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0069] FIG. 3a illustrates a schematic diagram representing an exemplary packaging having a handle assembly in a free state, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0070] FIG. 3b illustrates a schematic diagram representing an exemplary packaging having a handle assembly in a locked state, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0071] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of handle pocket positioned on a base portion, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0072] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a handle of the handle assembly in a locked state, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0073] FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart illustrating the steps assembling the handle assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0074] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart illustrating the steps for installing the handle assembly into a secondary packaging, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0075] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram representing an exemplary handle assembly, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0076] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram representing a handle assembly in accordance to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAI LED DESCRI PTI ON

[0077] As required, a schematic, exemplary-only embodiment of the present application is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the present disclosure, which may be embodied in various and/or alternative forms. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0078] Aspects, advantages and/or other features of the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure will become apparent in view of the following detailed description, which discloses various non-limiting embodiments of the invention. In describing exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the embodiments are not intended to be limited to this specific terminology. It is to be understood that each specific portion includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0079] Exemplary embodiments may be adapted for many different purposes and are not intended to be limited to the specific exemplary purposes set forth herein. Those skilled in the art would be able to adapt the exemplary-only embodiment of the present disclosure, depending for example, on the intended use of adapted embodiment. Moreover, examples and limitations related therewith brought herein below are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the following specification and a study of the related figures.

[0080] The present application discloses a portable handle assembly for use with one or more secondary packages, for holding a plurality of items such as beverage containers enclosing liquids such as cold drinks, beer, wines, mineral water etc. The handle while being portable is comfortable for being held by a user and is strong enough to carry the heavy loads of the secondary packages without breaking there through. It should be understood that embodiments of the present invention may be applied in combination with various type of packages irrespective of size, shape and materials, used in the beverage industry. Further, the present invention may be used in any other industry for facilitating easy handling of one or more packages, items grouped in a single package, without deviating from the scope of the invention. It must also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, the term “an opening” is intended to mean a single opening or a combination of openings, “a sidewall” is intended to mean one or more sidewalls, or a combination thereof.

[0081] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram displaying basic components of the handle assembly of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the present disclosure provides a handle assembly 100 for use with one or more secondary packages [not shown] holding a plurality of items such as beverage containers, food items, house hold essentials, and the like. The handle assembly 100 includes a base portion 110. The base portion 110 includes a first handle pocket 112 at a proximal end E.sub.p extended towards a second handle pocket 114 at a distal end E.sub.d, configured on an upper surface 113 thereof. Each of the first handle pocket 112 and the second handle pocket 114 includes a recess 115. The handle assembly 100 further includes a handle 120 having a gripping portion 122 extending between a first enclosed portion 124 at the proximal end E.sub.p and a second enclosed portion 126 at the distal end one E.sub.d. Each of the enclosed portions 124, 126 is adapted to be slidably and lockingly receivable within at least one of the recess 115 such that each of the enclosed portions 124, 126 is slidingly movable within the corresponding pockets 112, 114 between a free state S.sub.F and a locked state S.sub.L. In use, when a user lifts the handle 120, the gripping portion 122 is lifted upward and each of the enclosed portions 124, and 126 slidingly extends out towards a position where it is in its locked state S.sub.L within the corresponding pockets 112, 114 such that the force applied the user is shared between the enclosed portions 124, 126, the pockets 112, 114, and the base portion 110. When the user release the handle 120, the gripping portion 122 retracts back and the enclosed portions 124, and 126 slides back to its free state S.sub.F within the corresponding pockets 112, 114.

[0082] The handle assembly 100 of the current disclosure 120 is generally configured to be installed within a secondary package holding a plurality of items, either as a multipack or as a group of items packed together.

[0083] In description of the FIGS. 2-3 that follow, elements common to the schematic system will have the same number designation unless otherwise noted. In a first embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, a secondary package 280 employing a handle assembly 200 is provided. In a preferred embodiment, secondary package 280 includes a carton 281 having a plurality of sidewalls 282 extending between a top wall 283, and a bottom wall 284, defining an inner surface 285 there within. The carton 281 further includes one or more handle openings 286 configured within one or more of plurality of walls 282. The handle assembly 200 is generally adapted to be received and positioned within the inner surface 285 such that it is visibly accessible from the handle opening 286. Accordingly, the handle opening 286 is generally an elongated slot having a length L.sub.H generally dependent upon the dimensions of the handle assembly 200. However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the handle opening 286 may be shaped into any desired shape suitable to provide an access to the handle assembly 200 and may also depend upon the design constraints related thereto, which will be discussed later.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the carton 281 is generally formed from a folded blank [not shown] for holding a plurality of generally cylindrical shaped beverage containers. Further, the shape and size, including the height of the carton 281 may be varied depending on the design constraints and requirements for its application. For example, within the instances when the 281 is adapted to house twelve containers in one layer in a 3×4 arrangement the carton is dimension accordingly. Further, in other instances, the carton may be sized and shaped to hold containers of a different or same quantity in a single layer, more than two layers, and/or in different row/column arrangements (e.g., 1×6, 3×6, 2×6, 4×6, 2×3×4, 2×6×2, 2×9, 3×5, 3×5×2, etc.).

[0085] While the secondary package 280 has been displayed in the form of a carton 281 as an exemplary embodiment, it should be understood that the secondary package 280 may be formed in any desired shape such as various differently shaped containers, spherical holders, circular boxes, and may be from any desired material such as including all kind of papers, fiberboard, corrugated board, plastic, hybrid material, or any combinations thereof. Similarly, when adapted to hold different items, the carton 281 is sized and dimension accordingly depending upon the size and dimension requirements of the corresponding items.

[0086] The handle assembly 200 includes a base portion 210 illustrated in FIG. 4, having an upper surface 213 and a lower surface 275. The base portion 210 includes a first handle pocket 212 at a proximal end E.sub.p extended towards a second handle pocket 214 at a distal end E.sub.d, configured on the upper surface 213 of the base portion 210. The base portion 210 is a generally elongated piece of material adapted to serve as a bottom support of the handle assembly 200. In a preferred embodiment, the base portion 210 is formed of a single layer or a multilayered elongated piece of material selected from but not limited to one or more of all kind of papers, fiberboard, corrugated board, any kind of plastic material, a hybrid material, and the like. However, in other embodiments, the base portion 210 may be a multilayer structure such as a carton, housing and the like, formed of a material selected from one or more of but not limited to a folded blank, all kind of papers, fiberboard, corrugated board, any kind of plastic material, a hybrid material, and the like. The base portion 210, in any above-mentioned configuration is of a length L.sub.B in a direction same as of a longitudinal direction the handle opening 286, generally more than the length L.sub.H thereof.

[0087] The first handle pocket 212, and the second handle pocket 214, each is first separately formed, generally by folding a piece of material from two of its end and then gluing them together such that at least one of the end substantially overlaps the other and a recess 215 is formed therein each of the pockets 212, 214 respectively. Thereafter, the first handle pocket 212, and the second handle pocket 214, is fixed onto the upper surface 213 of the base portion 210 at a distance D.sub.p between each other, using one or more fixation mechanisms (not shown). In all such embodiments, each of the handle pockets 212, 214 may be formed of a material selected from a single layer or a multilayer structure of any kind of paper, fiberboard, corrugated board, a plastic, or any hybrid material, and/or any combination thereof, suitable for the application in accordance with the current invention without deviating from the scope thereof. Further, the one or more fixation mechanism may be selected as one or more of but not limited to gluing, retention tabs, stapling, rivets, button-based fixation mechanism, and/or any other known mechanical attachment means conventionally known in the art and suitable for use in current invention without deviating from the scope thereof.

[0088] In some preferred embodiments, each of the first handle pocket 212, and the second handle pocket 214 may be formed integrally within the base portion 210 by first cutting out two flaps within the base portion 210 and thereafter folding and gluing them together such that at least one of the flaps substantially overlaps the other and a recess 215 is formed therein each of the pockets 212, 214 respectively. Such an embodiment, being a single piece, the base portion 210, and the pockets 212, 214, inherits much more strength and capability to support the secondary package 280. In addition, the two flaps may be glued offset, e.g. one flap overlaps the other with a small offset (e.g. a few millimeters) such that, upon a consumer pulling the gripping portion, the handle is touching a pocket at two contact points, namely at the first pocket flap and at the second pocket flap, thereby reducing the shear or tear risk. The pockets 212, 214 may be formed and/or configured in any desired shape depending upon the design constraints and such that it provides a suitable strength to the handle assembly 200 in relation to base portion 210 and the carton 281. In such embodiments, the recess 215 includes an inward opening 215a denoting the tip of the V-shape and an outward opening 215b corresponding to the broad end of the V-shape. Further, in preferred embodiment, the distance D.sub.p is a distance generally more than the length L.sub.H of the handle opening 286 and lesser than length L.sub.B of the base portion 210.

[0089] The handle assembly 200 further includes a handle 220. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the handle 220 includes a gripping portion 222 having a length L.sub.G extending between a first enclosed portion 224 at the proximal end E.sub.p and a second enclosed portion 226 at the distal end one E.sub.d. In some embodiments of the present invention, the gripping portion 222 has a shape easy to be grasped by the user. For example, in some instances, the gripping portion 222 may include finger grips configured thereon. while in other instances, the gripping portion 222 may include any other shape adapted to ease the handling and/or holding thereof by the user.

[0090] The enclosed portions 224, 226, of the handle is generally shaped and dimensioned complementary to the handle pockets 212, 214 such that when inserted into one of the corresponding pockets 212, 214, each of the enclosed portions 124, 126 is adapted to be slidably and lockingly movable between a free state S.sub.F (illustrated in FIG. 2a) and a locked state S.sub.L (illustrated in FIG. 2b) within the corresponding recess 115 therein. Accordingly, each of the enclosed portions 224, 226 has a minimum width lesser than a minimum width of the corresponding handle pockets 212, 214. Further, each of the enclosed portions 224, 226 has a maximum width lesser than a maximum width of the corresponding handle pockets 212, 214. Further, within the preferred embodiment, where each of the pockets 212, 214 is generally v shaped, the pockets 212, 214 has the minimum W.sub.MI width at the inward opening 215a in a direction facing the other pocket and the maximum width W.sub.MA at the outward opening 215b in a direction opposite to the inward opening. Accordingly, in such instances, the enclosed portion 224, 226, reaches its locking state at the edge of inward opening 215a and the free state away from the edge of the inward opening 215a. Further, preferably in such embodiments, each of the enclosed portions 224, 226, is adapted to be dimensioned such that it substantially covers the entire space within the recess 215.

[0091] In yet other embodiments, the enclosed portions 224, 226, may have any other possible shape as desired in accordance with the current disclosure but not limited to shapes such as hourglass shape, circular shape, v shape and the like.

[0092] In yet another embodiment, the handle assembly 200 includes one or more locking assembly [not shown] for locking the enclosed portions 224, 226, beyond a predetermined position onto the base portion 210 and preferably within the pockets 212, 214. Such embodiments are particularly suitable for the embodiments where the shape of the handle pockets 212, 214 does not provide a substantial strong locking of the corresponding enclosed portion 224, 226 there within. However, in some other embodiments, the locking assembly may be adapted to provide an additional locking mechanism in addition to clamping within the pocket. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking assembly includes a cut-hook based locking mechanism. In such embodiments, each of the enclosed portions includes a cut-out therein at one or more edges thereof. Further, in such embodiments, the base portion 210 includes one or more hooks complementary to the cutouts within the enclosed portions 224, 226 and adapted to lockingly hold the enclosed portion 224, 226 when engaged with the cutouts. In such embodiments, and in some instances, the one or more hooks s positioned within the handle pockets 212, 214. However, in some other instances, the one or more hooks may be positioned at any position out of the handle pockets 212, 214, such that even if the enclosed portions 224, 226 slides out of the corresponding pockets 212, 214, accidentally or due to heavy weights, it gets locked within the one or more hooks configured out of the pockets at a predetermined position thereby avoiding the sliding of the enclosed portion beyond the predetermined position on the base portion 210. Further, in some other instances, the pockets do not have specific hooks in which case the cutouts of the enclosed portions get locked to the edges of the pocket itself. Accordingly, such locking assembly further facilitates reducing the pressure onto the edges of the pockets and share it more with the base portions 210. In another embodiments, the locking assembly may be any suitable locking mechanism already known in the art and suitable for use with the current invention without deviating from the scope thereof.

[0093] In use, as disclosed earlier, the handle assembly 200 is adapted to be positioned within the inner surface 295. such that the gripping portion 222 of the handle 220 is visibly accessible from the handle opening 286. In some embodiments, the handle assembly is affixed to an inner surface [not shown] of the wall 282 including the handle opening 286 such that the base portion 210 overlaps the handle opening 286 from inside, and the handle pockets 212, 214 are positioned besides edges of the handle opening 286 and the gripping portion 222 is visibly accessible through the handle opening 286. In an embodiment, the handle assembly 200 is fixed to the inner surface of wall 282 at the pockets 212, 214 using one or more fixation mechanisms. In other embodiments, the handle assembly 200 is attached to an inner surface of wall 282 at the base portion 210 using one or more fixation mechanism. In yet other embodiments, the handle assembly 200 is not fixed onto the inner walls 282 and is supported onto the top of the items stored within the carton 281.

[0094] In a modification of the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the handle assembly 200 positioned within the secondary package 280 differ from the first embodiment in that it does not include the base portion 210. In such an embodiment, the handle assembly 200 includes the first pocket 212 and the second pocket 214 adapted to be attached onto the inner surface of the wall 282 having the handle opening 286, besides each edge thereof. Further, each of the enclosed portions 224, 226 of the handle 220 is slidingly received within at least one of the handle pockets 212, 214 and movable between the free state S.sub.F (illustrated in FIG. 3a) and the locked state S.sub.L (illustrated in FIG. 3b) therein. The modified embodiment is particularly preferred for use in applications where the secondary packages 280 is adapted for holding light weight items. Such an embodiment further reduces the cost of the handle assembly 200 as requires further lesser material due to absence of base portion 210.

[0095] FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically show the arrangement of the basic components of the secondary package 280 employing the handle assembly 200 of the present disclosure. However, in the construction of commercial functional units, secondary components such as couplers, connectors, support structure and other functional components known to one of skill in the field of packaging and more particularly the handling of packaging, may be incorporated within the secondary package 280. Such commercial arrangements are included in the present invention as long as the structural components and arrangements disclosed herein are present.

[0096] The handle 220 including the enclosed portions, 224, 226, and the gripping portion 222 may be made of any material selected from one or more of but not limited to a single layer or a multilayer structure formed of all kind of papers, paperboard, fiberboard, cardboard, carton board, board, corrugated board, plastic, and/or any hybrid material and/or a combination thereof.

[0097] In some embodiments, the handle 220 may be made of a substantial elastic material selected from one or more of but not limited to elastomeric stretchable material selected from one or more of but not limited to elastomeric material such as group of polyethylene specifically low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, in particular polyalkylene terephthalates and one or more polymers selected from polymer of said elastomeric film is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene-butene), poly(ethylene-hexene), poly(ethylene-octene), poly(ethylene-propylene), poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene), poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), poly(ester-ether), poly(ether-amide), poly(ethylene-vinylacetate), poly(ethylene-methylacrylate), poly(ethylene-acrylic acid), poly(ethylene butylacrylate), polyurethane, poly(ethylene-propylene-diene), and ethylene-propylene rubber, EPM (ethylene propylene rubber, a copolymer of ethylene and propylene) and EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene rubber, a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a diene-component), Epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO), Polyacrylic rubber (ACM, ABR), Silicone rubber (SI, Q, VMQ), Fluorosilicone Rubber (FVMQ), Fluoroelastomers (FKM, and FEPM) Viton, Tecnoflon, Fluorel, Aflas and Dai-El. Such an elastic property of the handle 220 allows the capability to the handle of being elongated in at least one direction, and preferably in two or more directions when the enclosed portion is locked within the pocket. Further, the elastic property further also capability of immediate retracting of the gripping portion to its original dimensions when the pulling force is removed. Preferably, the handle 220 in such embodiments have a stretching capability ranging between 5% and 20%. preferably, between a range 5% to about 15%. Such a stretching capability allows the handle 220 to be stretched to a small extent and is preferably desired to eliminate the possibility of breakage of the handle 220 on application of very high weights.

[0098] In some other embodiments, the handle 220 including the gripping portion 222 and the enclosed portions, 224 and 226, may further include a layer of water proof material coated and/or laminated thereon so as to facilitate the use of the handle assembly 200 during rainy season, and within the conditions where the handle 220 may be adapted to be come in contact with water/liquids, and the like.

[0099] The carton 281, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, is an exemplary cuboidal shaped carton having the handle openings 286 configured onto the top wall 283, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the current disclosure. However, in other embodiments, the carton 281 may be of any other shape and having any number of sidewalls and/or handle openings 286 on any wall, as desired without deviating from the scope of the invention. In one alternate embodiment, the carton 281 is a generally cylindrical shaped having circular walls having elongated handle openings 286. In such an embodiment, the base portion 210 of the handle assembly 200 is generally adapted to bend across a pre-pressed line such that the base portion 210 coincides with the round walls of the carton 281. Further, the base portion 210 is glued onto the walls such that the gripping portion 222 of the handle 220 is visible accessible through the handle opening 286.

[0100] FIG. 8 illustrates an additional exemplary embodiment disclosing a handle assembly 800. The handle assembly 800 includes a base portion 810, having an upper surface 813 and a lower surface 875. The base portion 810 includes a first handle pocket 212 having a recess 815, positioned at a proximal end E.sub.p, configured on the upper surface 813 of the base portion 810. The first handle pocket 812 may be a pocket manufactured separately and then adhered to the base portion, or otherwise may be formed integrally within the base portion 810 as disclosed earlier.

[0101] The handle assembly 800 further includes a handle 820 having a gripping portion 822 extending between a first enclosed portion 824 at the proximal end E.sub.p and a second enclosed portion 826 at a distal end E.sub.d.

[0102] The enclosed portion 824 is shaped and dimensioned complementary to the handle pocket 812 such that when inserted therein, the enclosed portion 824 is adapted to be slidably and lockingly movable between a free state S.sub.F and a locked state S.sub.L within the recess 815. The fixed portion 826 is fixedly adhered onto the upper surface 813 of the base portion 810 at the distal end E.sub.d and is therefore immovable with respect to the base portion 810.

[0103] Accordingly, in such an embodiment, when a user lifts the handle 820, the gripping portion 822 is lifted upward such that the enclosed portion 824 slidingly extends out towards a position where it is in its locked state S.sub.L whereas the fixed portion 826 remains fixedly adhered to the base portion 810. Therefore, when the user releases the handle 820, the gripping portion 822 retracts back and the enclosed portions 824 slides back to its free state S.sub.F within the pocket 812.

[0104] It is to be contemplated that the current invention may be executed using any combination of pockets at any end. Further, when not fixedly attached as disclosed within embodiment of FIG. 8, the movement of each of the enclosed portions may be limited to a predetermined extent and/or position on the base portion 810, either by modifying the shape of the pockets and/or enclosed portions, or by using one or more locking mechanisms as disclosed earlier.

[0105] FIG. 6 with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, is a flow diagram illustrating a method 600 of assembling the handle assembly 200 of the present disclosure. The method starts at step 602 and proceeds to step 604 where the base portion 210 is configured with two spaced apart handle pockets 212, 214. In an embodiment the handle pockets 212, 214 may be formed by folding a piece of material and then gluing it. In another embodiment, the two spaced apart pockets 212, 214, may be formed by cutting out two pair of flaps within the base portion 210, and at a predetermined distance D.sub.p from each other. Thereafter, each of the pair of flap is folded together in substantially overlapping relationship to form a handle pocket using each of the pair of the flaps. Once the first pocket 212 and the second pocket 214 is formed/fixed on the upper surface 213 of the base portion 210, the method proceeds to step 606 where the handle 220 is received onto the base portion 210. The step 606 further includes slidingly receiving each of the enclosed portions 224, 226 of the handle 220 within at least one of the first pocket 212 and the second pocket 214 such that each of the enclosed portions 224, 226 is slidingly and lockingly clamped within the corresponding handle pocket 212, 214. In an embodiment of the present embodiments where the inward opening 215a of the recess 215 has a width lesser than the maximum width of the enclosed portions 224, 226, each of the enclosed portions 224, 226 is forcibly slide into the recess 215. Further in some embodiments, in such instances, the enclosed portions 224, 226 may be temporarily folded and then inserted into the corresponding recess 215 such that when received within the corresponding pocket 212, 214, the enclosed portions 224, 226 gets unfolded and therefore clamped there within. Once both the enclosed portions 224, 226 are slidably locked within the corresponding handle pockets 212, 214, the handle assembly 200 may be used with one or more packages/containers for facilitating handling/gripping/lifting thereof. In some embodiments of the present invention, the step 606 of receiving the enclosed portions 224, 226 onto the piece of material for forming the pockets, at each of the end and thereafter, the pockets 212, 214 is formed there around by folding and gluing the material as disclosed within the step 604. In yet other embodiments, of the present invention, each of the step of the method 600 may be performed in any desired order, sequentially, and/or simultaneously.

[0106] FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 of assembling the secondary package 280 employing handle assembly 200 of the present disclosure. The method starts at step 702 and proceeds to step 704 where the carton 281 is receiving and/or formed, the carton 281 having one or more handle openings 286 configured in one of its plurality of walls 282. The method 700 then proceeds to step 706 where a plurality of items such as for example, beverage containers, are placed within the inner surface 295 of the carton 281 and arranged in a predetermined row and column configuration. Thereafter, at step 708. the handle assembly 200 is positioned within the inner surface 295 of the carton 281 such that the gripping portion 222 is accessible from the handle opening/elongated slot 286. In an embodiment, the handle assembly 200 may be fixed onto the inner surface of the carton wall 282 using one or fixation mechanism as already disclosed. In other embodiments, the handle assembly 200 may be simply placed onto the top of items placed within the carton 281. Such an embodiment, is particularly feasible when the items stored within the carton 281 covers a significant height of the carton 281 such that the gripping portion 222 may be accessible to be gripped by a user through the handle opening 286. In use, the secondary package 280 is lifted up by stretching the gripping portion 222 out of the handle opening 286 which in turns stretches each of the enclosed portions 224, 226, from its free state S.sub.F to its locked state S.sub.L such that when in its locked state, the enclosed portions, 224, 226, the pockets 212, 214, and the base portion 210 shares the load of the force applied by the user. As may be seen, in the above disclosed method, the secondary package 280 is formed first and filled with the plurality of items and thereafter, the handle assembly 200 is installed within the wall having the handle opening. However, in some embodiments of the present invention, handle assembly 200 is first assembled into the secondary packaging 280 using a method as disclosed in step 708. Thereafter, the secondary container 280 is filled with the plurality of items as desired.

[0107] In yet other embodiments of the present inventions, each of the step of the method 700 may be performed in any desired order, sequentially, and/or simultaneously.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0108] The present disclosure relates to a handle assembly 200 formed of two spaced apart handle pockets configured onto a base portion, and having a handle 220, for facilitating handling of a secondary package 280 enclosing and securely carrying various items such as food items, house hold items, and any other group of items packed together as a group. Primarily, the secondary packaging is utilized for holding liquid containers, such as beer, wine, cider, hard liquor (e.g., distilled beverage, spirit, liquor, hard alcohol, etc.), soft drinks (e.g., cola, soda, pop, tonic, seltzer), iced tea, soda water and other types of carbonated/non-carbonated beverages. The handle assembly 200 while being cost-efficient and portable, is very quick and easy to be assembled by retail consumers, or by the retailers, and offers an easy yet comfortable shipping, handling and transporting of packages of any shape, size or any variety of configurations. While the secondary package 280 is described primarily for holding and carrying beverage containers, it is also contemplated for a person skilled in the art that the secondary package 280 of the current disclosure may be implemented in various industries such as food industry, transport industry, house hold appliance industry in transportation of any kind of product or group of products, of any shape, size or any variety of configurations, without limiting it to the beverage industry.

[0109] As should be appreciated, the realization of such a handle 400 for the secondary packages allows the end consumer to safely, easily and comfortably pick up and carry the cartons having a plurality of items stored therein. Further, the handle being locked with multiple pockets and the base portion supported on the items stored within the carton, does not break up even when very heavy weight is placed therein the carton. Generally, the presence of the base portion for supporting the handle facilitates the possibility of heavy weight not impacting the material of the wall having the handle, during carriage and transportation. Further, since the base portion, including the pockets, and the handle may be a multilayer structure, thereby offering further increasing the strength of the handle assembly and thereby allowing the possibility of making the cartons with very soft and cheap quality of paperboards, cardboards, and the like. Additionally, since the handle of the handle assembly of the current disclosure retracts within the carton when not in use, facilitates the possibility of easily stacking the packages to be stacked during transportation and therefore provides an increase flexibility as well as efficiency during the transportation.

[0110] While the flexible handle 200 of current disclosure has been disclosed in reference to the secondary package 280 of the current disclosure. it may also be used as an independent self-sustaining unit. Further it can be integrated with various suitable containers known in the art including various carton formed from foldable blank as well as cartons constructed of materials such as fabric, woven material, non-woven material, woven metallic fabric that may include ferrous or nonferrous metals, etc., or any other suitable material. In such embodiments too, the handle assembly 200 of the current disclosure may be used to securely carry the secondary package 280 without deviating the scope of the current disclosure.

[0111] Further, while the currently illustrated exemplary secondary package discloses a single handle having a gripping portion extending out of one of the walls thereof. It is to be contemplated that any number of handles, on any of the wall of the secondary package including the top wall and the bottom wall may be realized in accordance with the design constraints without deviating from the scope of the current disclosure.