PaperWorks: Stackable retractable-handle beer carriers

PaperWorks Industries has developed two-piece six-pack beer can carriers that feature handles that can easily be pulled up for carrying and pushed down into the carton base for stacking. Additionally, the separate handle gives the company flexibility to alter promotional messaging without having to also reproduce the carton.

The two-piece carton—an auto-bottom base and a separate die-cut handle—is made from 26-point solid unbleached sulfate paperboard that will not fail in high-moisture conditions. The carton base, which holds six 12-oz. beer cans, is easily erected by pulling open the previously glued and die-cut structure, allowing the base and the can partitions to fall into position.

The die-cut handle blank is folded onto itself to create a double thickness for additional stability. The handle assembly features tabs at the bottom that slide into channels located on both sides of the carton interior. The “center of the side panel” location of the channel allows the handle to slide up and down vertically once the tabs are slid in place behind sidewall flaps.

Both the structural design and the caliper thickness provide the performance strength required to lift the six-pack via the carrying handle. The handle’s ability to slide back down into the middle of the carton also delivers the stacking attributes that the brand owner desired.