Carton having handling-facilitating apertures

Abstract

A carton including a first top panel, a pair of opposed end panels hingedly connected to the top panel, a handle extending between the end panels across the top panel, and handling apertures in the end panels for grasping and lifting during handling. The handling apertures are placed in end panels formed by the overlap of two or more flaps. The handling apertures may be formed by partially perforating one or more end flap.

1 . A carton comprising a top panel, a pair of side panels, a base panel, and opposed end portions each formed from a plurality overlapped of end flaps, each of said end flaps being hingedly connected to one of said panels, a primary carrying means, and at least one aperture defined in one of said end portions for grasping the carton.  
   
   
       2 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture is formed through at least one of said end flaps by die cut perforations in said at least one end flap.  
   
   
       3 . The carton of  claim 2 , wherein said die cut perforations define cover portions for said aperture hingedly connected to said at least one flap along said die cut perforations.  
   
   
       4 . The carton of  claim 2 , wherein at least some of said die cut perforations only partially penetrate said at least one end flap.  
   
   
       5 . The carton of  claim 2 , wherein at least some of said die cut perforations completely penetrate said at least one end flap.  
   
   
       6 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture is formed through an overlapped portion of at least two of said end flaps.  
   
   
       7 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein said primary carrying means is a strap handle.  
   
   
       8 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture is positioned proximate to a void space within said carton when said carton is filled with contents.