US Patent 6905066 Carton having a strap handle

A carton includes a top panel, a pair of opposed end panels, and an integral strap handle that has a medial grip portion, a pair of wider portions and opposed end portions. The opposed end portions are formed from the end panels while the medial and wider portions are formed from the top panel. The strap handle is movable from a stowed position where the medial and wider portions lie in the plane of the top panel to a use position where the medial portion is arched upwardly from the plane of the top panel. The strap handle defines in the top panel an opening extending across the top panel. A relief notch is formed in the top panel at a location directly adjoining each wider portion along a complementary side edge of the opening.