Side Handles For A Carton

Abstract

A carton includes a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels includes a first panel, and at least one end flap is foldably connected to the first panel. The end flap can include a handle opening and a handle panel adjacent to the handle opening. A reinforcement panel is in an overlapping relationship with at least a portion of the handle panel. The reinforcement panel may be adhered to the handle panel. The reinforcement panel can be foldably connected to an edge of the handle panel that is distant from the handle opening.

1 . A method of lifting comprising:
 providing a carton comprising:
 a plurality of panels folded to enclose at least partially an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels including a first panel; 
 end flaps foldably connected to the plurality of panels to form a first end and a second end of the carton; the end flaps at the first end including a first end flap connected to the first panel along a first fold line, the first end flap at least partially defining a first handle opening; the first end flap including a first handle panel and a first intermediate panel connected along a second fold line; the first intermediate panel positioned between the first fold line and the second fold line; and 
 a first reinforcement panel foldably connected to a first edge of the first handle panel; 
 wherein a first reinforced handle panel is formed by folding the first reinforcement panel in an overlapping relationship over the first handle panel; 
   disposing the carton on the first panel;   accessing the handle opening; and,   lifting the carton with the first reinforced handle panel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a second reinforcement panel in an overlapping relationship with at least a second portion of the first handle panel; the second reinforcement panel foldably connected to a second edge of the first handle panel; and the first and second edges of the first handle panel being opposite one another. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a closure flap for closing the first handle opening. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the end flaps at the second end include a second end flap connected to the first panel along a third fold line, the second end flap at least partially defining a second handle opening; the second end flap including a second handle panel and a second intermediate panel connected along a fourth fold line; the second intermediate panel positioned between the third fold line and the fourth fold line; wherein a third reinforcement panel is foldably connected to a first edge of the second handle panel; wherein a second reinforced handle panel is formed by folding the third reinforcement panel in an overlapping relationship over the second handle panel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of panels include a second panel; wherein a third end flap is foldably connected to the second panel at the first end; and wherein the first reinforcement panel is releasably attached along a first tear line to the third end flap prior to being adhered to the first handle panel to form the first reinforced handle panel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein a fourth end flap is foldably connected to the second panel at the second end; and wherein the third reinforcement panel is releasably attached along a second tear line to the fourth end flap. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein a first glue locator is provided on the second end flap and a second glue locator is provided on the third end flap. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the first and second glue locators are each attached to one of the first and second reinforcement panels. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the first and second glue locators tear away respective portions of the first and second reinforcement panel when separated. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4  wherein lifting the carton also includes:
 lifting the second reinforced handle panel. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4  wherein none of the first reinforcement panel, second reinforcement panel, or third reinforcement panel overlap the respective first intermediate panel or second intermediate panel when folded in the overlapping arrangement with the respective first handle panel or second handle panel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of panels include a third panel; and wherein a fourth end flap is foldably connected to the third panel at the first end. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein prior to lifting the carton, the method further comprises:
 pivoting the first reinforced handle panel relative to other portions of the carton.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first reinforcement panel does not overlap the first intermediate panel when folded in the overlapping arrangement with the first handle panel. 
     
     
         15 . A method of lifting a carton, the method comprising:
 providing a carton comprising:
 a plurality of panels folded to enclose at least partially an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels including a first panel; 
 end flaps foldably connected to the plurality of panels to form a first end and a second end of the carton; 
 wherein the end flaps at the first end include a first end flap connected to the first panel along a first fold line, the first end flap at least partially defining a first handle opening; the first end flap include a first handle panel and a first intermediate panel connected along a second fold line; the first intermediate panel is positioned between the first fold line and the second fold line; 
 wherein the end flaps at the second end including a second end flap connected to the second panel along a third fold line, the second end flap at least partially defining a second handle opening; the second end flap including a second handle panel and a second intermediate panel connected along a fourth fold line; the second intermediate panel positioned between the third fold line and the fourth fold line; 
 a first reinforcement panel foldably connected to a first edge of the first handle panel and a second reinforcement panel foldably connected to a second edge of the first handle panel; and, 
 a third reinforcement panel foldably connected to a first edge of the second handle panel and a fourth reinforcement panel foldably connected to a second edge of the second handle panel; and, 
 wherein a first reinforced handle panel is formed by folding the first reinforcement panel and the second reinforcing panel in an overlapping relationship over the first handle panel; and wherein a second reinforced handle panel is formed by folding the third reinforcement panel and fourth reinforcement panel in an overlapping relationship over the second handle panel; 
   disposing the carton on the first panel;   accessing the first handle opening at the first end and the second handle opening at the second end; and,   lifting the carton with the first reinforced handle panel and the second reinforced handle panel.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of panels include a second panel; wherein a third end flap is foldably connected to the second panel at the first end; wherein a fourth end flap is foldably connected to the second panel at the second end; wherein the first reinforcement panel is releasably attached along a first tear line to the third end flap prior to being adhered to the first handle panel to form the first reinforced handle panel; wherein the third reinforcement panel is releasably attached along a second tear line to the fourth end flap prior to being adhered to the second handle panel to form the second reinforced handle panel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the plurality of panels include a third panel; wherein a fifth end flap is foldably connected to the third panel at the first end; wherein a sixth end flap is foldably connected to the third panel at the second end; wherein the second reinforcement panel is releasably attached along a third tear line to the fifth end flap prior to being adhered to the first handle panel to form the first reinforced handle panel; wherein the fourth reinforcement panel is releasably attached along a fourth tear line to the sixth end flap prior to being adhered to the second handle panel to form the second reinforced handle panel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein none of the first reinforcement panel, second reinforcement panel, third reinforcement panel, or fourth reinforcement panel overlap the respective first intermediate panel or second intermediate panel when folded in the overlapping arrangement with the respective first handle panel or second handle panel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a first glue locator is provided on the second end flap and a second glue locator is provided on the third end flap. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the first and second glue locators are each attached to one of the first and second reinforcement panels. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the first and second glue locators tear away respective portions of the first and second reinforcement panel when separated. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein prior to lifting the carton, the method further comprises:
 pivoting the first reinforced handle panel relative to other portions of the carton; and,   pivoting the second reinforced handle panel relative to other portions of the carton.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the first reinforcement panel does not overlap the first intermediate panel when folded in the overlapping arrangement with the first handle panel and wherein the second reinforcement panel does not overlap the second intermediate panel when folded in the overlapping arrangement with the second handle panel.