Carton and carton blank

Abstract

A handle structure includes a handle panel; a strap handle disposed below the handle panel and extending along a notional longitudinal line extending between the end edges of the handle panel; a handle opening defined in the handle panel, the handle opening being disposed in registry with at least part of the strap handle such that the at least part of the strap handle may be raised and extend through the handle opening when the strap handle is moved to a used position wherein the at least part of the strap handle is disposed above the handle panel; and at least one tear resisting cut line in the handle panel, the at least one tear resisting cut line extending from the handle opening toward an adjacent one of the side edges of the handle panel.

1 . A handle structure for a carton comprising:
 a handle panel having opposed end edges and opposed side edges;   a strap handle disposed below the handle panel and extending along a notional longitudinal line extending between the end edges;   a handle opening defined in the handle panel, the handle opening being disposed in registry with at least part of the strap handle such that the at least part of the strap handle may be raised and extend through the handle opening when the strap handle is moved to a used position wherein the at least part of the strap handle is disposed above the handle panel;   at least one tear resisting cut line in the handle panel, the at least one tear resisting cut line extending from the handle opening toward an adjacent one of the side edges of the handle panel; and   a grip member struck from the handle panel and secured to the strap handle, wherein the grip member is detachably connected to the handle panel such that the grip member defines at least part of the handle opening when detached from the handle panel,   wherein an aperture is struck from the handle panel, the aperture having inner and outer opposed end edges, the inner edge being coincidental with one of opposed end edges of the grip member, the at least one tear resisting cut line extending from the aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The handle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the end of the handle opening has a width, and the at least one tear resisting cut line has a transverse length greater than the width. 
     
     
         3 . The handle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tear resisting cut line comprises two tear resisting cut lines extending from opposite ends of the handle opening. 
     
     
         4 . The handle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tear resisting cut line has a curved end. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The handle structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tear resisting cut line extends continuously with an end edge of the handle opening such that the strap handle may be received at least in part in the tear resisting cut line when moved to the used position. 
     
     
         9 . The handle structure according to  claim 1  wherein the width of the handle opening is greater than the width of the at least part of the strap handle. 
     
     
         10 . A carton for packaging one or more articles, comprising:
 a plurality of panels hingedly connected together to define an interior space for receiving at least part of one or more articles, the plurality of panels including a handle panel having opposed end edges and opposed side edges;   a strap handle disposed below the handle panel and extending along a notional longitudinal line extending between the end edges of the handle panel;   a handle opening defined in the handle panel, the handle opening being disposed in registry with at least part of the strap handle such that the at least part of the strap handle may be raised and extend through the handle opening when the strap handle is moved to a used position wherein the at least part of the strap handle is disposed above the handle panel;   at least one tear resisting cut line in the handle panel, the at least one tear resisting cut line extending from the handle opening toward an adjacent one of the side edges of the handle panel; and   a grip member struck from the handle panel and secured to the strap handle, wherein the grip member is detachably connected to the handle panel such that the grip member defines at least part of the handle opening when detached from the handle panel,   wherein an aperture is struck from the handle panel, the aperture having inner and outer opposed end edges, the inner edge being coincidental with one of opposed end edges of the grip member, and the at least one tear resisting cut line extends from the aperture.   
     
     
         11 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein the end of the handle opening has a width, and the at least one tear resisting cut line has a transverse length greater than the width. 
     
     
         12 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of panels further include an inner panel underlying the handle panel, the strap handle being formed at least in part from the inner panel. 
     
     
         13 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one tear resisting cut line comprises two tear resisting cut lines extending from opposite ends of the handle opening. 
     
     
         14 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one tear resisting cut line has a curved end. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one tear resisting cut line extends continuously with an end edge of the handle opening such that the strap handle may be received at least in part in the tear resisting cut line when moved to the used position. 
     
     
         19 . The carton of  claim 10  wherein the width of the handle opening is greater than the width of the at least part of the strap handle.