MX2008005898A - Carton with reinforced handle - Google Patents

Abstract

A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton has a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels include a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The carton includes a handle in the closed end of the carton having a handle opening for grasping and carrying the carton. At least one end flap of the at least two end flaps has a main panel for at least partially closing the closed end of the carton and a reinforcement panel foldably attached to the main panel.

Description

CARTON BOX WITH REINFORCED ASA Cross Reference to Related Requests This application claims the benefit of the Provisional Application of E.U. No. 60 / 734,504, filed on November 8, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if presented herein in its entirety. Background of the Invention The present invention relates generally to cardboard boxes for containing and distributing containers for beverages or other types of articles. More specifically, the present invention relates to cardboard boxes having a reinforced handle. Cardboard boxes, such as cardboard boxes used to contain, transport or distribute items, are well known. These cardboard boxes are commonly formed or assembled by folding a cardboard preform that has been cut, punched and folded into selected areas to achieve the desired features and characteristics. These characteristics include detachment lines, handles, opening characteristics, distributing attributes and other well-known ones. Such handle characteristics can be formed, for example, in the top panel, or alternatively at one end or ends of the carton. These handles can define a hole or other opening to allow the handle to be held by the user so that the loaded cardboard box can be transported conveniently by means of the handle. In making a carrier or carton from the cardboard preform, it is common for the opposite ends of the preform to be joined together by glue or by mechanical seals to form the bottom panel of the carrier. End flaps are included on the sides of some or all of the panels and are folded inward to close the ends of the carton and enclose articles, such as beverage containers, within them. These end flaps may contain opening or distribution features or may include handles for transporting the carton. These handles often create problems, for example, when the handle opening weakens and / or breaks the cardboard or other material in the carton. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, an aspect of the invention is directed to a cardboard box for containing a plurality of articles. The cardboard box comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around the inside of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least two end flaps are they respectively are foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, wherein the end flaps are superposed one on top of the other and by this, form at least partially a closed end of the carton. The carton includes a handle at the closed end of the carton, which has a handle opening for holding and transporting the carton. At least one end flap of the at least two end flaps comprises a main panel for closing at least partially the closed end of the carton and a reinforcing panel foldably attached to the main panel to cooperate with the main panel for form the handle opening. In another aspect, the invention is generally directed to a preform to form a cardboard box. The preform comprises a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably connected to the respective panels of the plurality of panels. The features are found in the at least two end flaps, wherein the features are to cooperate to at least partially define a handle opening in a reinforced cardboard box from the preform. At least one end flap of the at least two flaps of end comprises a main panel for closing at least partially one end of the reinforced cardboard box from the preform and a reinforcing panel foldably attached to the main panel. The reinforcement panel and the main panel have respective characteristics to at least partially form the handle opening. In another aspect, the invention is generally directed to a method for assembling a cardboard box. The method comprises providing a cardboard box comprising a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first panel eral and a second side panel, at least one side end flap foldably attached to at least one of the side end panels at a first end of the carton, at least one top end flap foldably attached to the top panel at the first end, and a handle formed at least in part in the top end flap and the at least one side end flap. The at least one side end flap comprises a main panel to at least partially form a closed end of the carton, and a reinforcing panel foldably attached to the main panel. The method further comprises bending the at least one side end flap to at least partially close the first end of the carton. The method further comprises bending the second reinforcing panel upward to at least partially overlap the main panel of the side end flap during at least partial closure of the first end to at least partially form the handle. The method further comprises securing the top end flap in a folded position towards the bottom to at least partially form the first closed end of the carton. In another aspect, the invention is generally directed to a cardboard box for containing a plurality of articles. The carton generally comprises a plurality of panels, at least one end flap foldably linked respectively to a respective panel of the plurality of panels, and a handle having a handle opening for holding and transporting the carton. The at least one end flap comprises a main panel and a reinforcing panel foldably attached to the main panel. In another aspect, the invention is generally directed to a preform to form a cardboard box. The preform generally comprises a plurality of panels, at least one end flap and features on the at least one end flap. The features are to cooperate to at least partially define a handle opening in a reinforced cardboard box from the preform. The at least one end flap comprises a main panel and a reinforcing panel foldably attached to the main panel. In another aspect, the invention is generally directed to a method for assembling a cardboard box. The method generally comprises providing a carton comprising at least one side panel, at least one side end flap foldably attached to the at least one side panel, and a handle formed at least in part on the at least one flap of lateral end. The at least one side end flap comprises a main panel and a reinforcing panel foldably attached to the main panel. The method further comprises bending the reinforcing panel to at least partially overlap the main panel to at least partially form the handle. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the advantages described above and other advantages and benefits of the various additional embodiments upon reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawing figures listed below. In accordance with common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. The dimensions of the various features and elements in the drawings can be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a preform used to form a cardboard box according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the carton in a partially assembled condition showing a first end of the carton and the containers loaded in the carton. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the carton with the first end closed further. Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the first end of the carton additionally closed. Figure 5 is an enlarged view showing the first end closed further. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the carton showing the first end totally closed. Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, but showing a handle opening in the first end of the carton. Figure 8 is an enlarged partial view of the inside of the carton showing the handle opening. The corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY MODALITIES The present invention relates generally to cardboard boxes containing articles such as containers, bottles, cans, etc. The items can be used to pack food and beverage products, for example. The articles may be made of suitable materials in composition for packaging the particular article of food or drink, and the materials include, but are not limited to, aluminum and / or other metals; glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and nylon; and the like, or any combination thereof. The cardboard boxes, according to the present invention, can accommodate articles of any configuration. For purposes of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the invention, the following detailed description discloses beverage containers (e.g., plastic beverage bottles) disposed within the modes of the carton. In this specification, the terms "bottom", "bottom", "top" and "top" indicate certain orientations in relation to cardboard boxes fully assembled and straight. Figure 1 is a plan view of the inner side 1 of a preform, generally indicated at 3, used to form a cardboard box 5 (Figures 6 and 7) according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. Box of cardboard 5 can be used to house a plurality of items such as packages C (Figure 2). The cardboard box 5 has a distributor, generally indicated at 7, (Figure 6), formed in the cardboard box to allow access to the containers C. In the illustrated embodiment, the cardboard box 5 is sized to accommodate eighteen C packs in a single layer in a 3 x 6 arrangement, but the carton 5 can be sized and configured to contain packs of a different or equal amount in more than one layer and / or in different row / column arrangements (eg , 1 x 6, 3 x 5, 2 6 x 2, 3 xx 2, 2 x 9, 2 x 6, 3 x 4, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the carton 5 includes a first and a second handle, generally indicated at 11, 13, for holding and transporting the carton. As will be discussed below in greater detail, the handles 11, 13 are formed of various features in the preform 3. The preform 3 has a longitudinal axis Ll and a lateral axis L2. In the illustrated embodiment, the preform 3 comprises a lower panel 10 foldably connected to a first side panel 20, in a first lateral fold line 21, a first upper panel 30 foldably connected to the first side panel 20 in a second lateral fold line 31, and a second side panel 40 foldably connected to the lower panel 10 in a third lateral fold line 41, and a second upper panel 50 connected in a foldable manner to the second side panel 40 in a fourth side fold line 52. The preform 3 could include only a single top panel without departing from the scope of this invention. The lower panel 10 is foldably connected to a first lower end flap 12 and to a second lower end flap 1. The first side panel 20 is foldably connected to a first side end flap 22 and a second side end flap 24. The first top panel 30 is connected in a folded manner to a first top end flap 32 and a second top flap 32. upper end flap 34. The second side panel 40 is foldably connected to a first side end flap 42 and a second side end flap 44. The second top panel 50 is foldably connected to a first flap of the second end flap. upper end 56 and a second upper end flap 58. The upper and lower end flaps 12, 32, 56 and the side end flaps 22, 42, extend along a first marginal area of the preform 3, and they are foldably connected in a first longitudinal fold line 62 extending along the length of the preform. The upper and lower end flaps 14, 34, 58 and the side end flaps 24, 44 they extend along a second marginal area of the preform 3, and are foldably connected in a second longitudinal fold line 64 that also extends along the length of the preform. The longitudinal fold lines 62, 64 may be, for example, substantially straight, or off-center in one or more locations to count for the thickness of the preform or for other factors. When the carton 5 is assembled, the upper and lower end flaps 12, 32, 56 and the side end flaps 22, 42, close a first end 51 of the carton, and the upper end flaps bottom 14, 34, 58 and the side end flaps 24, 44, close a second end 53 of the carton. According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, different flap arrangements can be used to close the ends 51, 53 of the carton 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the first side end flaps 22, 42, each comprise a main panel 70, 72 having a cut 74, 76 formed on an outer edge of the respective end flap. The first side end flaps 22, 42, include a reinforcing panel 80, 82, foldably attached to a respective main panel 70, 72 in a fold line 81, 83. A longitudinal groove 84, 85, separates a reinforcement panel 80, 82 of a respective main panel 70, 72 of the first side end flaps 22, 42. Each reinforcement panel 80, 82 has a cut 86, 88 formed on an outer edge of a first side end flap 22, 42 respective. Each first side end flap 22, 42 has an extension panel 92, 94 foldably connected to a respective main panel 70, 72, along a respective lateral fold line 93, 95. The second side end flaps 24, 44 are similar in configuration and construction to the first side end flaps 22, 42, and to facilitate illustration the same reference numerals have been given to identical features. The distributor 7 includes a distributor panel 107 formed in the first and second superimposed upper panels 30, 50, which can be separated from the carton along a peel line, generally indicated at 109, to form an opening (not shown). ) in the cardboard box. The detachment line 109 includes a first portion 111 in the first upper panel 30 and a second portion 113 in the second upper panel 50. The distributor 7 includes a protrusion panel 115 in the first and second superimposed upper panels 30, 50, which it can be folded into the reinforced cardboard box 5 to hold the distributor panel 107. The distributor 7 can be opened by holding the protrusion panel 115 and detaching the distributor panel 107 along the detachment line 109 to at least partially remove the dispenser panel and expose the upper portion of the containers C in the carton 5 to allow removal of the packaging of the cardboard box. The distributor 7 can be sized, configured and / or located in another way in the cardboard box 5 without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the dispenser 7 can be omitted from the carton 5 without departing from the scope of the invention. As shown in Figure 1, the features forming the first handle 11 of the carton 5 include an elongated handle flap 131 formed in the first top end flap 32 and foldably attached to the first end flap 32. in the fold line 133. In the illustrated embodiment, the features of the handle 11 include an elongated comfort panel 134 adjacent the handle flap 131 and foldably attached to the first top end flap 32 in a fold line 138 The fold line 138 connects the respective ends of a detachment line 140 forming the handle flap 131 on the first top end flap 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle flap 131 includes two oblique fold lines 142, 144, separated, which extend through the lapel width 131. The upper end flap 56 includes a comfort panel 137 foldably attached to the upper end flap in a fold line 139. The comfort panel 137 is sized and configured to correspond with the panel of comfort 134 of the first top end flap 32 so that the two comfort panels overlap when the first and second top panels 30, 50 are superimposed to form the carton 5. The characteristics of the first handle 11 they further include curved cuts 74, 76, 86, 88, respectively, in the end flaps 22, 42 to allow the elongated handle flap 131 to bend inwardly when the handle is activated to form a handle opening 139 (FIG. 7) in the carton. As shown in Figures 2-5, the characteristics of the handle 11 also include the reinforcing panels 80, 82 that are configured to be bent upwardly along the fold lines 81, 83 to overlap the main panels 70, 72. , so that the cuts 86, 88 in the reinforcement panel are aligned with the cuts 74, 76 in the main panels. An additional feature of the handle 11 is the positioning of the extension panels 92, 94, which are bent downward over the respective fold lines 93, 95, so that they overlap the reinforcing panels 80, 82 bent towards above, on the cuts 74, 76, 86, 88 in the handle 11. The elongated handle flap 131 is configured and placed in the preform 3, so that the handle 11 is activated by pressing the handle flap and folding the flap of the handle. It grips inwardly within the curved cuts 74, 76, 86, 88 to form the handle opening 139 in the carton 5. The opening is configured for insertion of the user's fingers during the holding of the carton 5. The comfort panels 134, 137, are configured to fit the user's hand to facilitate holding the cardboard box 5 when the user's fingers are inserted into the handle opening 139. In the illustrated embodiment, when the cardboard box 5 is closed and the first handle 11 is activated to hold the cardboard box 5 (Figure 7), the handle flap 131 is folded inwardly along the fold line 133, in addition to the position shown in Figure 8, to find yourself in an opposite face-to-face relationship with your inner surface of a respective upper portion of the end flaps 22, 42 of the side panel. The extension panels 92, 94 bent inwardly, and the reinforcing panels 80, 82 bent upward, provide the first handle 11 with additional strength to prevent the failure of the carton in the area surrounding the handle opening 139 when the cardboard box is held and lifted by the handle. The first handle 11 may be configured and located otherwise in the carton 5 and may include other features not shown or described herein without departing from the scope of this invention. The second handle 13 has characteristics identical to the first handle 11, so that the second handle can be held to lift the cardboard box at the second end 53. The same reference numerals have been provided to the characteristics of the second handle 13, as noted above for the characteristics of the first handle 11. The second handle 13 could have characteristics that can vary from the characteristics of the first handle 11, or the second handle can be omitted, without departing from the scope of this invention. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the preform 3 can be assembled in the carton 5 by bending along the fold lines 21, 31, 41 and 52 and overlapping and adhering the first top panel 30 to the second top panel 50 to form a sleeve 141 (shown partially closed in the Figure 2). The preform 3 can be configured in another way to have multiple lower panels and / or multiple side panels, without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the carton 5 can be a wraparound carton, including the preform 3 closure features that can include features primary and secondary closure as is known in the art. Once the preform 3 is formed in the sleeve 141, the packages C can be loaded into the cardboard box 5 from the first end 51, and then the first end can be closed by overlapping and adhering the side end flaps 22, 42, and the flaps of upper and lower end 32, 56, 12. Next, the second end can be closed by overlapping and adhering the side end flaps 24, 44 and the upper and lower end flaps 34, 58, 14. Loading and closing stages can be used. alternatives without departing from the scope of this invention. Figures 2-6 illustrate the closure of the first end 51 of the carton 5 and the formation of the first handle 11 according to the exemplary method. From the partially reinforced position of Figure 2, the reinforcing panels 80, 82 of the side-end flaps 22, 42 are bent upwards in the respective fold lines 81, 83, to be in a face-to-face relationship. face with the main panels 70, 72, respectively, of the lateral end flaps (Figure 3). By bending the reinforcing panels 80, 82 upwards, the respective cuts 86, 88 of the reinforcement panels are aligned with the respective cuts 74, 76 of the main panels 70, 72. As shown in Figure 4, the first lower end flap 12 is bent upwards to further close the end 51 of the carton. Next, the upper end flaps 56, 32 overlapped, joined to the first and second top panels 30, 50, are folded inwardly to further close the first end 51 of the carton. As shown in Figure 6, the upper end flaps 56, 32 overlapped, make contact with the extension panels 92, 94 of the side end flaps 22, 42, to bend the extension panels towards the lower part as far as possible. along the respective lateral fold lines 93, 95, so that the extension panels overlap a portion of the reinforcing panels 80, 82 bent up between the fold lines of the extension panel and the cuts 86, 88 The upper end flaps 32, 56 overlapped, are then further folded toward the bottom and secured in the position shown in Figure 6 so that the handle flap 131 aligns with the handle cutouts 86, 88, 74 , 76 superimposed. The reinforcing panels 80, 82 bent upwards can be secured to the main panels 70, 72 by an adhesive such as glue. In addition, the extension panels 92, 94 bent towards the bottom, can be secured to the reinforcement panels 80, 82 by an adhesive such as glue. The portion of the panels reinforcement 80, 82 bent towards the top, on the cuts 86, 88, 74, 76, will typically be found in face-to-face contact with a respective portion of the main panels 70, 72, and the extension panels 92, 94 folded towards the bottom. The extension panels 92, 94 bent towards the bottom, will typically be in opposite face-to-face contact with the portion of the reinforcing panels 80, 82 bent toward the top, on the cuts 86, 88, 74, 76 and the upper end flap 56 which is superimposed and adhered to the upper end flap 32. The first handle 11 can be used to hold the cardboard box 5 by pressing it against the elongated handle flap 131 to create the handle opening 139 (FIG. 7) at the closed end 51 of the carton 5. The extension panels 92, 94 bent downwardly, and the reinforcing panels 80, 82 bent upwards, of the side end flaps 22, 42, provide layers additional material on the opening -and handle 139 to reinforce the cardboard box 5 when the cardboard box is lifted by the handle 11. The handle 11 is configured and placed in the cardboard box, so that multiple fingers of a cardboard can be placed. user io through the handle opening 139 in the upper end flap 32 overlapped and the side end flaps 22, 42 and the user's thumb can be placed over the panels , 50 overlapping, to hold and lift the cardboard box 5. The extension panels 92, 94, increase the strength and rigidity of the cardboard box 5 in the area on the handle 11 to prevent the cardboard box detaches or fails otherwise when getting up. The second handle 13 having the same characteristics as the first handle 11, can be formed at the second end 53 of the cardboard box in a manner similar to the first handle. The second handle 13 is similarly reinforced by the characteristics of the handle to prevent the cardboard box 5 from falling off or otherwise failing when the cardboard box is held and lifted by the second handle. In the illustrated embodiment, the second handle 13 of the carton 5 includes features substantially similar to the handle 11. For ease of illustration, the characteristics of the second handle 13 are indicated by the same reference numbers as the characteristics of the first handle 11. The second handle 13 is assembled in a manner similar to the first handle 11, in which the handle is formed in the end flaps 14, 24, 34, 44 and 58 superimposed on the second end 53 of the cardboard box 5. The preform, according to the present invention, for example, can be formed of coated cardboard and materials Similar. For example, the inner and / or outer sides of the preform can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating can then be printed with information or product images, advertising, price code and others. The preform can then be coated with a varnish to protect all printed information on the preform. The preform can also be coated, for example, with a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the preform. According to the above described embodiments, the preform can be constructed of cardboard of a caliber such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The preform can also be constructed of other materials such as paperboard, hard paper, or any other material having the proper properties to allow the carton to operate at least generally as described herein. The preform may also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials in the selected panels or panel sections. According to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, a fold line can be of any form of substantially linear weakening, although not necessarily straight, which facilitates bending along the same. More specifically, but not for the purpose of diminishing the scope of the present invention, the fold lines may include: a marked line, such as lines formed with a blunt marking blade, or the like, which creates a split portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially within a material along the desired weakening line and / or a series of cuts that extend partially in and / or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these characteristics. As an example, the detachment line may include: a groove that extends partially within the material along the desired weakening line and / or a series of spaced apart grooves extending partially in and / or completely through the material along the desired weakening line, or various combinations of these characteristics. As a more specific example, a type of detachment line is in the form of a series of separate grooves that extend completely through the material, the adjacent grooves being slightly spaced apart so that a space is defined (eg, a small piece of the material somewhat similar to a bridge) between the adjacent slots to connect, typically temporarily, the material through the detachment line. The spaces break during the detachment along the detachment line.

The spaces are typically a relatively small percentage of the detachment line and, alternatively, the spaces may be omitted or detached in the detachment line so that the detachment line is a continuous cutting line. That is, it is within the scope of the present invention, that each of the detachment lines be replaced with a continuous groove, or the like. For example, a cutting line may be a continuous slot or could be wider than a slot without departing from the present invention. The above embodiments can be described, having one or more panels adhered to each other by glue during the assembly of the carton modes. The term "glue" is intended to encompass all forms of adhesive commonly used to secure cardboard panels in place. The above description of the invention illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present invention. Since various changes could be made to the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all material contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be construed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. In addition, the scope of the present invention covers various modifications, combinations, alterations, etc., of the modalities before described, which are within the scope of the claims. Additionally, the description shows and describes only the selected embodiments of the invention, but the invention is capable of being used in various other combinations, modifications and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the concept of the invention as expressed in present, commensurate with the previous teachings and / or within the experience or knowledge of the relevant technique. In addition, certain features and characteristics of such embodiment may be exchanged and applied selectively to other illustrated and not illustrated embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS 1. A cardboard box for containing a plurality of articles, the carton comprising: a plurality of panels extending at least partially around the inside of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a panel bottom, a first side panel and a second side panel; at least two end flaps foldably connected, respectively, to respective panels of the plurality of panels, wherein the end flaps are superposed one on top of the other and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the box of cardboard; and a handle at the closed end of the carton having a handle opening for holding and transporting the carton; wherein at least one end flap of the at least two end flaps, comprises a main panel for closing at least partially the closed end of the carton and a reinforcing panel foldably attached to the main panel to cooperate with the main panel to form the handle opening.
2. 2. The cardboard box of claim 1, further comprising an extension panel attached in a manner foldable to the main panel.
3. 3. The cardboard box of claim 2, wherein at least one of the reinforcement panel and the extension panel is disposed between the main panel and an end flap that overlaps the main panel. The carton of claim 1, wherein the at least one end flap comprises two end flaps, the two end flaps comprising a first side end flap foldably attached to the first side panel, and a second side flap side end flap foldably attached to the second side panel. The cardboard box of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second side end flaps comprises a respective main panel and a respective reinforcement panel. The cardboard box of claim 5, wherein the handle comprises a handle cut in the reinforcement panel of the first side end flap and a handle cut in the reinforcement panel of the second side end flap. The cardboard box of claim 6, wherein the handle comprises a handle cut in the main panel of the first side end flap and a handle cut in the main panel of the second side end flap. 8. The cardboard box of claim 7, in wherein the respective handle cuts of the two end flaps cooperate to form the handle opening. The cardboard box of claim 6, wherein the at least two end flaps further comprise a top end flap foldably attached to the top panel. The cardboard box of claim 9, wherein the handle further comprises a handle flap foldably attached to the top end flap, and substantially aligned with the handle cuts to form the handle opening. 11. The cardboard box of claim 2, wherein the extension panel is folded downward. The carton of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of a surface of at least one of the extension panel and the reinforcing panel adheres to at least a portion of a surface of the main panel. The cardboard box of claim 1, wherein: the closed end is a first closed end; the end flaps are first end flaps that are superposed one with respect to the other to form the first closed end; and the carton further includes at least two second end flaps foldably connected respectively, to respective panels of the plurality of panels, wherein the second end flaps are superimposed one on top of the other to form at least partially a second closed end of the carton. 14. The cardboard box of claim 13, wherein the handle is a first handle and the cardboard box further comprises a second handle at the second closed end. 15. The carton of claim 1, in combination with a plurality of articles, the plurality of articles comprising bottles arranged in a straight position in the carton. 16. A preform for forming a cardboard box, the preform comprising: a plurality of panels comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel; at least two end flaps foldably connected, respectively, to respective panels of the plurality of panels; and features on the at least two end flaps, wherein the features are to cooperate to at least partially define a handle opening in a reinforced cardboard box from the preform; where at least one end flap of the minus two end flaps, comprises a main panel for closing at least partially one end of the cardboard box assembled from the preform, and a reinforcing panel foldably attached to the main panel and having the reinforcement panel and the panel main respective characteristics to at least partially form the handle opening. 17. The preform of claim 16, further comprising an extension panel foldably attached to the main panel. 18. a preform of the rei indication 17, wherein the extension panel is not contiguous with the characteristic in the main panel that is to at least partially define the handle. 19. The preform of claim 16, wherein the at least one end flap comprises two end flaps, the two end flaps comprising a first side end flap foldably attached to the first side panel, and a second flap of the second side flap. lateral end foldably connected to the second side panel. The preform of claim 19, wherein each of the first and second side end flaps comprises a respective main panel and a respective reinforcement panel. 21. The preform of claim 20, wherein the features comprise respective handle cuts in the main panel of each of the first side end flap and the second side end flap and respective handle cuts in the reinforcement panel of each of the first side end flap and second lateral end flap. 22. The preform of claim 21, wherein the at least two end flaps further comprise a top end flap foldably attached to the top panel. The preform of claim 22, wherein the features comprise a handle flap foldably attached to the top end flap to form the handle opening. The preform of claim 17, wherein the at least two end flaps further comprise a top end flap foldably attached to the top panel, and wherein the extension panel is configured to be bent downwardly by the clutch with the top end flap when the cardboard box is assembled from the preform. 25. A method for assembling a cardboard box, the method comprising: providing a cardboard box comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel, at least one side end flap foldably attached to at least one of the side panels at a first end of the carton, at least one top end flap foldably attached to the top panel at the top first end, and a handle formed, at least in part, on the at least one top end flap and on the at least one side end flap, each comprising at least one side end flap, a main panel for forming at least partially a closed end of the carton, and a reinforcing panel attached in a manner. foldable to the main panel; folding the at least one side end flap to at least partially close the first end of the carton; doubling the reinforcement panel of each of the at least one side end flap to at least partially overlap the main panel of the respective side end flap to at least partially form the handle; and securing the at least one top flap in a folded position to at least partially close the first end of the carton. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the carton further comprises a bonded extension panel. foldably to the main panel, and the method further comprises folding the upper end flap downward to contact the extension panel and folding the extension panel downward to at least partially overlap the reinforcing panel. 27. The method of claim 26, which further comprises adhering at least a portion of a surface of the reinforcing panel to at least a portion of a surface of the main panel. The method of claim 27, further comprising adhering at least a portion of a surface of the extension panel to at least a portion of a surface of the reinforcement panel. 29. The method of claim 25, wherein the at least one side end flap comprises two side end flaps. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the handle comprises a handle flap foldably attached to the at least one top end flap and the respective handle cuts in each of the main panel and the reinforcement panel of the panels. two side end flaps, and the method further comprises folding the handle flap in the handle cuts to form a handle opening in the carton. 31. The method of claim 25, wherein the carton further comprises a plurality of flaps of end at the second end of the carton, and the method further comprises overlapping the plurality of end flaps at the second end to at least partially close the second end of the carton. 32. A cardboard box for containing a plurality of articles, the carton comprising: a plurality of panels; at least one end flap foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels; and a handle having a handle opening for holding and transporting the cardboard box; wherein the at least one end flap comprises a main panel and a reinforcing panel foldably attached to the main panel. 33. A preform for forming a cardboard box, the preform comprising: a plurality of panels; at least one end flap foldably connected to a respective panel of the plurality of panels; and features on the at least one end flap, wherein the features are to cooperate to at least partially define a handle opening in a reinforced cardboard box from the preform: wherein the at least one end flap comprises a main panel and a reinforcement panel attached to Foldable way to the main panel. 34. A method for assembling a cardboard box, the method comprising: providing a cardboard box comprising at least one side panel, at least one side end flap foldably attached to the at least one side panel and a shaped handle , at least in part, on the at least one side end flap, each of the at least one side end flap comprising a main panel and a reinforcing panel foldably attached to the main panel; and folding the reinforcing panel of each of the at least one side end flap to at least partially overlap the main panel of the respective side end flap to at least partially form the handle. 35. The cardboard box of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the extension panel adheres to at least a portion of a surface of the reinforcing panel. 36. The carton of claim 35, wherein the main panel comprises a first handle cut, the reinforcement panel comprises a second handle cut and at least a portion of a surface of the reinforcement panel is positioned adjacent to the handle. at least a portion of a surface of the main panel in such a way that the first The handle cut and the second handle cut are substantially aligned. 37. The cardboard box of claim 36, wherein the first handle cut and the second handle cut form a portion of the handle opening. 38. The carton of claim 36, wherein the at least two end flaps comprise a top end flap foldably attached to the top panel, the top end flap comprising a handle flap substantially aligned with the first cut. of handle and the second cut of that. 39. The cardboard box of claim 35, wherein the reinforcing panel and the extension panel are foldably joined to the main panel at opposite edges of the main panel. 40. The cardboard box of claim 35, wherein the top panel comprises peel lines forming a distributor panel. 41. The preform of claim 17, wherein the extension panel is foldably attached to the main panel on the first fold line, the width of the extension panel being from the first fold line to an opposite edge no greater that the distance between the first fold line and the main panel feature that at least partially forms the handle opening, whereby, when the preform is assembled to form the cardboard box, the extension panel is folded over the main panel without interfering with the handle opening. 42. The preform of claim 41, wherein the main panel comprises a first handle cut, the reinforcement panel comprises a second handle cut and at least a portion of a surface of the reinforcement panel is configured to be positioned adjacent to at least a portion of a panel surface When the preform is assembled to form the cardboard box, such that the first handle cut and the second handle cut are substantially aligned. 43. The preform of claim 42, wherein the first handle cut and the second handle cut are configured to form a portion of the handle opening. 44. The preform of claim 42, wherein the at least two end flaps comprise a top end flap foldably attached to the top panel, the top end flap comprising a handle flap configured to be substantially aligned with the first handle cut and the second handle cut when the preform is assembled to form the cardboard box. 45. The preform of claim 41, wherein the reinforcing panel and the extension panel are foldably joined to the main panel at opposite edges of the Main panel. 46. The method of claim 25, wherein the carton further comprises an extension panel foldably attached to the main panel, and the method further comprises adhering a portion of a surface of the extension panel to at least a portion of a surface of the reinforcement panel. 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the main panel comprises a first handle cut, the reinforcement panel comprises a second handle cut, and the method further comprises placing at least a portion of a surface of the adjacent reinforcement panel. to at least a portion of a surface of the main panel such that the first handle cut and the second handle cut are substantially aligned. 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the first handle cut and the second handle cut form a portion of the handle opening. 49. The method of claim 47, wherein the at least two end flaps comprise a top end flap foldably attached to the top panel, and the method further comprises substantially aligning a flap flap of the top end flap with the first handle cut and the second handle cut. 50. The method of claim 46, wherein the The reinforcement panel and the extension panel are foldably joined to the main panel at opposite edges of the main panel. 51. The carton of claim 32, wherein the at least one end flap further comprises an extension panel foldably attached to the main panel, and at least a portion of a surface of the extension panel is adhered to the minus a portion of a surface of the reinforcing panel. 52. The carton of claim 51, wherein the main panel comprises - a first handle cut, the reinforcement panel comprises a second handle cut and at least a portion of a reinforcement panel surface is placed adjacent to it. to at least a portion of a surface of the main panel such that the first handle cut and the second handle cut are substantially aligned. 53. The cardboard box of claim 52, wherein the first handle cut and the second handle cut form a portion of the handle opening. 54. The carton of claim 52, wherein the at least one end flap comprises a top end flap foldably attached to the top panel, the top end flap comprising a handle flap substantially aligned with the first cut. from handle and the second handle cut. 55. The cardboard box of claim 51, wherein the reinforcing panel and the extension panel are foldably joined to the main panel at opposite edges of the main panel. 56. The cardboard box of claim 51, wherein the plurality of panels includes an upper panel having stripping lines that form a distributor panel. 57. The preform of claim 33, wherein the at least one end flap further comprises an extension panel foldably attached to the main panel in a first fold line, the width of the extension panel being from the first line of bending to an opposite edge no greater than the distance between the first fold line and a feature of the main panel that at least partially forms the handle opening. 58. The preform of claim 57, wherein the main panel comprises a first handle cut, the reinforcement panel comprises a second handle cut, and at least a portion of a surface of the reinforcement panel is configured to be placed adjacent to the reinforcement panel. at least a portion of a surface of the main panel when the preform is assembled to form the carton, in such a way that the first handle cut and the second handle cut are substantially aligned. 59. The preform of claim 58, wherein the first handle cut and the second handle cut are configured to form a portion of the handle opening. 60. The preform of claim 58, wherein the at least two end flaps comprise a top end flap foldably attached to the top panel, the top end flap comprising a handle flap configured to be substantially aligned with the first handle cut and the second cut of the handle. handle when the preform is assembled to form the cardboard box. 61. The preform of claim 57, wherein the reinforcing panel and the extension panel are foldably joined to the main panel at opposite edges of the main panel. 62. The method of claim 34, wherein the carton further comprises an extension panel foldably attached to the main panel, and the method further comprises adhering a portion of a surface of the extension panel to at least a portion of the panel. a surface of the reinforcement panel. 63. The method of claim 62, wherein the main panel comprises a first handle cut, the reinforcement panel comprises a second handle cut, and the method further comprises placing at least a portion of a handle. surface of the reinforcing panel adjacent to at least a portion of a surface of the main panel such that the first handle cut and the second handle cut are substantially aligned. 6 The method of claim 63, wherein the first handle cut and the second handle cut form a portion of the handle opening. 65. The method of claim 63, wherein the at least two end flaps comprise a top end flap foldably attached to the top panel, and the method further comprises substantially aligning a flap flap of the top end flap with the first handle cut and the second handle cut. 66. The method of claim 62, wherein the reinforcing panel and the extension panel are foldably joined to the main panel at opposite edges of the main panel.