MODULAR HANDLE FOR SECONDARY PACKAGING

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a handle having smoothened edges. The handle includes a body portion formed of an elongated piece of material having a pair of side edges defining a width of the body portion. The body portion includes a gripping region extended towards and/or between a first attachment region and/or a second attachment region. Further, each of the side edges of the gripping region has a cutting index lower than a cutting index of the remaining part of the gripping region such that the gripping region is soft and comfortable at the edges for a user to hold.

Claims

1. A modular handle for secondary packaging, comprising:— a body portion formed of a piece of material having a pair of side edges defining a width thereof; the body portion comprising: a gripping region extending towards and/or between a first attachment region and/or a second attachment region wherein each of the side edges of the gripping region has a cutting index lower than the cutting index of the remaining part of the gripping region, wherein the side edges of the gripping region have a smoothness higher than the smoothness of the remaining part of the gripping region, and wherein the side edges of the gripping region have a surface roughness lower than the surface roughness of the remaining part of the gripping region.

2. The handle of claim 1, wherein the side edges have a thickness substantially lesser than the thickness of the remaining part of the gripping region.

3. The handle of claim 1, wherein the side edges of the gripping region may be inclined towards the remaining part of the gripping region.

4. The handle of claim 3, wherein the side edges of the gripping region may have a generally right-trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.

5. The handle of claim 3, wherein the side edges of the gripping region have a generally semi-circular cross-section sectional shape.

6. The handle of claim 1, wherein the gripping region comprising a hand engaging region extending between a pair of raised tactile features adapted to facilitate prevention of movement of a user's hand away from the gripping region.

7. The handle of claim 6, wherein the tactile feature comprising a raised structure formed by coating using a predetermined material selected from one or more of but not limited to one or more varnishes and/or a tactile polymer composition

8. The handle of claim 1, wherein the side edges of the gripping region is smoothened using crushing or crimping.

9. The handle of claim 1, wherein the body portion is made of a material selected from but not limited to all kind of paper, cardboard, carton, fiber board, corrugated carton, and the like.

10. A secondary package comprising a handle of any of the foregoing claims, wherein the secondary package comprising a carton and/or a bag formed of a material selected from paper, paperboard, fiberboard, cardboard, corrugated board.

11. A method of manufacturing a handle, the method comprising: receiving a piece of material defining a body portion of the handle, the body portion comprising a gripping region extending towards and/or between a first attachment region and/or a second attachment region smoothening each of the side edges of the gripping region using one or more mechanical mechanisms such that the gripping region is soft and comfortable at the edges for a user to hold, wherein the side edges of the gripping region have a smoothness higher than the smoothness of the remaining part of the gripping region, and wherein the side edges of the gripping region have a surface roughness lower than the surface roughness of the remaining part of the gripping region, and wherein said one or more mechanical mechanisms at least comprise crushing the side edges.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the mechanical mechanism may be crimping, stamping or embossing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram representing a handle, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary secondary package employing one or more handles, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary secondary package employing one or more handles, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates top view of the handle having smoothened edges, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 5a illustrates a schematic diagram representing a cross-sectional shape of a handle having smoothened edges, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG. 5b illustrates a schematic diagram representing a cross-sectional shape of a handle having smoothened edges, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] The present application discloses a handle having smoothened edges for use with one or more secondary packages such as bags and/or cartons. The handle while being portable and strong, is comfortable for being held by a user to carry the heavy loads of the secondary packages for a longer duration of time, without causing any discomfort to the user's hand. 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.

[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram displaying basic components of the handle of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the present disclosure provides a handle for use a secondary package [not shown] adapted to hold a plurality of items such as beverage containers, food items, house hold essentials, and the like. The handle 100 includes a body portion 110. The body portion 110 is formed of an elongated piece of material extended between a proximal end E.sub.p and a distal end E.sub.d, and having a pair of side edges 112 and 114 defining a width w.sub.B thereof. The body portion 110 includes a gripping region 122 extending towards and/or between a first attachment region 124 and/or a second attachment region 126. Each of the attachment regions 124, 126 is adapted to be attached and/or lockingly receive within a wall of a secondary package. Each of the side edges 112 and 114 of the gripping region 122 has a cutting index lower than a cutting index of the remaining part of the gripping regions such that when lifted by a user, the gripping region 122 is soft and comfortable at the edges 112,114 for the user to hold.

[0053] Each of the side edges 112 and 114 of the gripping region 122 may have a smoothness higher than a smoothness of the remaining part of the gripping regions such that when lifted by a user, the gripping region 122 is soft and comfortable at the edges 112,114 for the user to hold.

[0054] Further, each of the side edges 112 and 114 of the gripping region 122 may have a surface roughness lower than a surface roughness of the remaining part of the gripping regions such that when lifted by a user, the gripping region 122 is soft and comfortable at the edges 112,114 for the user to hold.

[0055] The handle 100 of the current disclosure is generally configured to be installed within the secondary package either by attaching directly onto one of its wall using a suitable attachment means. Alternatively, the handle 100 may be utilized in combination within a handle assembly [now shown], generally pocket based, which may then be installed within the secondary package.

[0056] In description of the FIG. 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 FIG. 2, a secondary package 280 employing a handle 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.

[0057] It is to be contemplated that while the secondary package is disclosed to be a carton 281 generally formed a material selected from one or more of but not limited to any desired material such as including all kind of papers, fiberboard, corrugated board, foldable blanks, plastic, hybrid material, or any combinations thereof, any known housing formed by any known mechanism and suitable for use in accordance with the current disclosure without deviating from the scope thereof, may be used. Further, 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 so on. For example, in some embodiments, the secondary package 280 may be an open bag generally known in the art, used for holding plurality of content therein. Generally, in such embodiments, the secondary package 280 includes more than one handle 200, and preferably two handles 200, each installed on an opposite sidewall 282 of the secondary package 280.

[0058] Further, the shape and size, including the height of the secondary package 280 may be varied depending on the design constraints and requirements for its application. For example, within the instances when the secondary package is a carton 281 adapted to house twelve containers in one layer in a 3×4 arrangement the carton is dimension accordingly. Further, in other instances, the secondary package 280 may be sized and shaped to hold same and/or different kind of items in a single layer, more than two layers, and/or in different row/column arrangements

[0059] As disclosed earlier, the handle 200 includes a body portion 210. The body portion 210 is formed of an elongated piece of material extended between a proximal end E.sub.p and a distal end E.sub.d and having a pair of side edges 212 and 214 defining a width .sub.wB of the body portion 210 The body portion 210 includes a gripping region 222 extending towards and/or between a first attachment region 224 and/or a second attachment region 226.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gripping region 222 of the body portion 210 may be generally strip shaped, single layer/multilayer structure adapted to be held by the user.

[0061] Each of the side edges 212 and 214 of the gripping region 222 has a smoothness higher than a smoothness of the remaining part of the gripping regions Such a higher smoothness at the side edges 212, 214 is achieved by using any suitable mechanical mechanism already known in the art. Preferably, the mechanical mechanism includes crushing the side edges 212, 214. It was found that by crushing the paper-based material of the side edges of the gripping region, the side edges are smoothened and/or get a lower surface roughness, and therefore also obtain a lower cutting index. However, in other embodiments, the mechanical mechanism may include crimping, stamping, and embossing. Accordingly, the side-edges 212, 214 may be smoothened such that a thickness T.sub.G thereof, or at least of a top portion T, thereof is reduced at the gripping region 222 and is therefore lower than a thickness T.sub.A at the remaining portion of the gripping region or at the one or more attachment regions 224, 226.

[0062] Accordingly, due to the smoothening operation, each of the side edges 212, 214 has a cross-sectional shape S.sub.G different at the side edges of gripping region 222 than at the remaining part of the gripping region and/or at the attachment regions 224, 226. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated within the FIG. 5a, the shape S.sub.G is a generally right trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. Alternatively as shown in FIG. 5b, the shape S.sub.G is a generally semi-circular/D-shaped cross-sectional shape of the side edges 212, 214. In general, these shapes of the side edges 212, 214 at the gripping region 222 have an inclination or a slope from the side edges towards the remaining part of the gripping region, which in turn facilitates smooth edges that are comfortable and easy to grip without causing any pain/inconvenience to the user's hand. In other embodiments, the side edges 212, 214 may have any possible cross-sectional shape S.sub.G depending upon the mechanical mechanism used. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the side edges 212, 214 of the gripping portion 222 may be smoothened in any desired shape such as for example, in a shape of finger grips, and the like. However, in all such embodiments, the shape S.sub.G should be such that it facilitates smooth edges that are comfortable and easy to grip.

[0063] In an embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 4, the gripping region 222 includes a hand engaging region 228 extending between a pair of raised tactile features 229. The tactile features 229 are generally raised three-dimensional structure configured onto a top portion of the gripping region 222 and generally to facilitate prevention of movement of the user's hand away from the gripping region 222 and towards the attachment regions 224, 226. In a preferred embodiment, the tactile feature 229 may be formed by applying one or more varnishes in a pattern of a raised features of the same or different heights enough to restrict the movement of the hands there through. Alternatively, the tactile feature 229 may be formed by coating a tactile polymer composition having a blend of materials in accordance to the features as desired. For example, in an embodiment, the tactile coating material is a mixture of rubberized material (for cushion and tact), silica (for moisture control), and the like. Further, the composition may include one or more binders for making the tactile feature enduring and robust. The tactile polymer composition may further include one or more polymers and/or copolymers formed of various epoxy functional groups containing, acrylate monomer and the silicone macro monomer, vinyl monomers such as the vinyl styrene, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl toluene, and various other polymers suitable for use in accordance with the features as required by the tactile feature.

[0064] In some embodiments, the gripping region 222 and/or the hand engaging region 228 may be coated at a lower surface 227 using a polymer material adapted to provide a cushioning impact to the user's hand. The polymer material may be selected from one or more of polymer material having generally softening properties selected from one or more of but not limited to 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.

[0065] Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the lower surface 227 includes a cushioning pad affixed thereon adapted to provide a cushioning impact when held by the user.

[0066] In use, the handle 200 may be attached and/or lockingly receive within the one of the wall 282 at its attachment regions 224, 226, using one or more attachment mechanisms [not shown]. The attachment mechanism in such embodiments may be selected as one or more of but not limited to pocket-based connection mechanism, notch-based connection mechanism, stapling, gluing, adhesive patches, retention tab, stapling, rivets, and any other suitable mechanical attachment mechanism conventionally known in the art and suitable for use in current invention without deviating from the scope thereof.

[0067] While the illustrated embodiments display gripping portion 222 extending between two attachment regions namely, the first attachment region 224 and the second attachment region 226, it is to be contemplated that in some embodiments the handle 200 includes a single attachment region extended towards the gripping region 222 adapted to be attached/lockingly received within the secondary package 280.

[0068] In a modification of the first embodiment, the handle 200 is not attached directly to the secondary packages 280 but employed within a handle assembly 300, as illustrated in FIG. 3, which further may be used for facilitating handling of one or more secondary packages 280. The modified embodiment is particularly preferred for use in applications where the secondary packages is adapted for holding heavy weight items. Such an embodiment further distributes the load onto the walls 282 of the secondary package 280.

[0069] The handle assembly 300 includes a base portion 310 having a pair of handle pockets 312, and 314 configured onto an upper surface 313 thereof. The handle 200 is attached to the handle assembly 300 at its attachment regions 212, 214. such that each of the handle pocket slidingly and lockingly receives one of the attachment regions 212, 214. Accordingly, each of the attachment region 212, 214, in such embodiment is of a shape complimentary to the shape of each of the pockets 312, and 314 of the handle assembly 300. In use when the user lifts the handle 200, the gripping region 222 slidingly extends out and retracts back when released by the user.

[0070] Further, in such embodiments, the secondary package 280 is provided with one or more handle openings [now shown] configured within one or more of plurality of walls 282. The handle assembly 300 is generally adapted to be received and positioned within the inner surface 285 such that it is visibly accessible from the one or more handle openings.

[0071] In the preferred embodiment, the secondary package 280, including the handle assembly 300 and the handle 200 is formed of a single layer or a multilayered elongated piece of a recyclable material selected from but not limited to one or more of all kind of papers, fiberboard, corrugated board, any kind of hybrid material, and the like.

[0072] FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically show the arrangement of the basic components of the secondary package 280 employing the handle 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.

[0073] The secondary package 280, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, is an exemplary cuboidal shaped carton 281, 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 on any wall, as desired without deviating from the scope of the invention.

[0074] In some embodiments, the handle 200 is attached directly to the carton 281 by using one or more attachment mechanisms selected from but not limited to but not limited to pocket-based connection mechanism, notch-based connection mechanism, stapling, gluing, adhesive patches, retention tab, stapling, rivets, and any other suitable mechanical attachment mechanism. [0075]. In other embodiments, the handle 200 is attached onto the handle assembly 300 which in turn is positioned within the inner surface 285 of the carton 281 such that the gripping portion 222 of the handle 200 is accessible from the handle opening/elongated slots of the carton 281. Further in such embodiments, in some instances, the handle assembly 300 may be fixed onto the inner surface of the carton wall 282 using one or attachment mechanism as already disclosed. In other embodiments, the handle assembly 300 may be simply placed onto the top of items placed within the carton 281.

[0075] As may be seen, in the above disclosed method, the handle 200 having smoothened edges 212, 214, is formed first and then assembled within the secondary packages 280. However, in some embodiments of the present invention, handle is first assembled into the secondary packaging 280 using a method as disclosed in step 708. Thereafter, the side edges 212, 214 of the gripping region 222 are smoothened using a method as disclosed in step 606.

[0076] 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

[0077] The present disclosure relates to a handle 200 having smoothened edges, for facilitating comfortable and easy holding 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 while being cost-efficient and portable, is very quick and easy to be assembled by the 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, retail 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.

[0078] As should be appreciated, the realization of such a handle 200 for the secondary packages allows the end consumer to safely, easily and comfortably pick up and carry the cartons/carry bags having a plurality of items stored therein. Further, since the handle 200 is formed using currently existing handles by smoothening the gripping region 222, and since the handle 200 may be a multilayer structure, offers further increase the strength of the handle without requiring hard edges to cause any discomfort to the user. Additionally, the presence of raised tactile features 228 avoids any possibility of accidental movement of the user hands towards the hard-edged surface of the handle 200 and therefore prevents any kind of discomfort to the user while carrying secondary packages 280 employing handles 200 of the current disclosure.

[0079] 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/cartons/bags, 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 200 of the current disclosure may be used to securely carry the secondary package 280 without deviating the scope of the current disclosure.

[0080] Further, while the currently illustrated exemplary secondary package discloses a single handle, 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. For example, in case of paper bags, the handle 200 may be attached to opposite sidewalls to facilitated comfortable gripping and carriage of the bags.