DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a packaging box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[001] Packaging boxes for storing and delivering products are common across industries. While sturdiness and robustness are basic requirements of such packaging boxes, storability and transportability is also an important aspect.
[002] It is common for packaging boxes to provide some means such as a handle for lifting/carrying the package. The handle can be in the form of a string. The string is adapted to side or top of the packaging whereby holes are formed in the package. However, forming holes in a packaging box is undesirable as the hole exposes the contents of the box to ambient atmosphere and may lead to dust/moisture entering the packaging box. The other available option is a strip, which is usually made of plastic on top or side of the box. This also requires some recess/holes to be formed in the box for engaging the strip. Use of plastic is undesirable from a recyclability perspective. Further, considering the packaging boxes are made of flexible sheet material and the handles are made of other materials such as plastic, the handles end up deforming or tearing the packaging boxes. Furthermore, the handles discussed hereienbefore protrude or stand-out from the surface of the packaging box and hence the packaging boxes with such handles are difficult to store and transport.
[003] In view of the above there is a need in the art to address at least the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[002] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a packaging box. The packaging box comprises a front panel and a rear panel, the front panel opposing the rear panel. The packaging box further includes a left side panel and a right side panel, the left side panel opposing the right side panel. Further, a first closure flap extends from the front panel and is capable of being folded downwardly to be in a horizontal orientation with the packaging box. The first closure flap has a cut-out such that when the first closure flap is folded the cut-out is adjacent to the right side panel. The packaging box further includes a left dust flap extending from the left side panel and capable of folding over the first closure flap, the left dust flap having a strip extending from a first end to a second end, the second end having a tab configured to be received by the cut-out when the left dust flap is folded over the first closure flap. A second closure flap in the packaging box extends from the rear panel and is capable of folding over the left dust flap. The second closure flap having an opening aligned with the strip to allow the strip to pass through, the strip arching upwardly when pulled out, thereby forming a handle to grip or carry the packaging box.
[003] In an embodiment of the invention, the cut-out extends from an outer end to an inner end, the outer end being the edge of the first closure flap and the inner end being provided inwards from the edge.
[004] In another embodiment of the invention, the cut-out has a tapering profile, whereby the cut-out tapers towards the inner end, the tapering profile creating a barrier for the tab and the strip.
[005] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the cut-out at an outer end corresponds to a width of the tab, and the cut-out at an inner end corresponds to a width of the strip, whereby the outer end allows the tab to pass through and the tapering profile allows the strip to pass through and restricts upward movement of the tab.
[006] In still another embodiment of the invention, the packaging box comprises a right dust flap extending from the right side panel and capable of folding downwardly over the cut-out and the tab, thereby preventing any further movement of the tab.
[007] In a still further embodiment of the invention, the second closure flap has a tuck flap receivable by a first slot in the first closure flap, the first slot being adjacent to the front panel.
[008] In another embodiment of the invention, the packaging box comprises a tongue lock having a tongue extending from the front panel, the tongue being receivable by a second slot in the second closure flap.
[009] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the second closure flap is held by the tuck flap and the tongue lock, thereby preventing movement of the second closure flap in a closed condition during use of the strip/handle to grip or carry the packaging box.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the strip remains flushed with the second closure flap when the strip is not pulled out, thereby allowing the packaging box to be stacked/stored and transported easily.
[011] In still another embodiment of the invention, the packaging box is made of a fibrous material selected from corrugated fiberboard, solid fiberboard, paperboard, and carboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[012] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a packaging box in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figures 2a to 2f illustrate various stages of folding flaps of the packaging box.
Figure 3 shows a blank in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows top views of packaging boxes in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[013] The present invention is directed towards a packaging box with a handle. The handle is integrated with the packaging box providing ease of manufacturing and also portability to the packaging box.
[014] Figure 1 shows a packaging box 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the packaging box 100 comprises opposing front panel 110 and rear panel 120, opposing left side panel 130 and right side panel 140. Each panel of the packaging box 100 extends from a top end to a bottom end. At the top end, the packaging box 100 comprises a first closure flap 10, a second closure flap 20, a left dust flap 30 and a right dust flap 40. The first closure flap 10 extends from the front panel 110 and is capable of folding downwardly in a horizontal orientation within the packaging box 100. Accordingly, the first closure flap 10 faces inside of the packaging box 100 such that the first closure flap 10 is perpendicularly oriented with respect to the front panel 110. The first closure flap 10 has a cut-out 12. The cut-out 12 is provided such that when the first closure flap 10 is folded downwardly, the cut-out 12 is adjacent to the right side panel 140. As shown, the cut-out 12, whereby the cut-out 12 extends from an outer end to an inner end. The outer end is the edge of the first closure flap 10, and the inner end is provided inwards from the edge. Further, the cut-out 12 has a tapering profile, whereby the cut-out 12 tapers towards the inner end.
[015] Further, as shown, the left dust flap 30 extends from the left side panel 130 and the right dust flap 40 extends from the right side panel 140. Each of the dust flaps 30, 40 is capable of being folded downwardly. Further, each of the left dust flap 30 and right dust flap 40 is capable of folding over the first closure flap 10. Herein, each of the left dust flap 30 and right dust flap 40 is in the horizontal orientation within the packaging box 100. Accordingly, each of the left dust flap 30 and right dust flap 40 faces inside of the packaging box 100 such that each of the left dust flap 30 and right dust flap 40 is perpendicularly oriented with respect to the left side panel 130 and the right side panel 14, respectively. In an embodiment, the left dust flap 30 having a strip 32 extends from a first end to a second end. The first end being the end extending from the left dust flap 30 and the second end has a tab 34. The tab 34 is configured to be received by the cut-out 12 when the left dust flap 30 is folded downwardly over the first closure flap 10. The cut-out 12 restricts movement of the tab 34 and thereby the strip 32. In this regard, as shown, at the outer end, the cut-out 12 corresponds with width of the tab 34, and the inner end of the cut-out 12 corresponds with width of the strip 32. Accordingly, the outer end allows the tab 34 along with the strip 32 to pass through from the outer end and the tab 34 is disposed below the cut-out 12. The tapering profile of the cut-out 12 creates a barrier for the tab 34 and the strip 32. Thus, the tapering profile allows the strip 32 to pass through and restricts the upward movement of the tab 34. The strip/tab 32/34 thus cannot be removed unless the first closure flap 10 is moved. The right dust flap 40 is capable of folding downwardly over the cut-out 12 and the tab 34 thereby preventing any further movement of the tab 34.
[016] The second closure flap 20 as can be seen extends from the rear panel 120. The second closure flap 20 is capable of folding downwardly over the dust flaps 30, 40 and the first closure flap 10. The second closure flap 20 covers the underlying dust flaps 30, 40 and the first closure flap 10. Similar to the underlying dust flaps 30,40 and the first closure flap 10, the second closure flap 20 is in the horizontal orientation within the packaging box 100. Accordingly, the second closure flap 20 faces inside of the packaging box 100 such that the second closure flap 20 is perpendicularly oriented with respect to the rear panel 120. In an embodiment, the second closure flap 20 has an opening 22. The opening 22 is provided to align with the strip 32 allowing the strip 32 to pass through. Accordingly, when the strip 32 is pulled out, the strip 32 arches upwardly, thereby forming handle H to grip or carry the packaging box 100. In this regard, the strip 32 has an overall length which is greater than the width of the packaging box 100. The overall length of the strip 32 can be selected as per requirement of the size of the handle and the packaging box 100.
[017] The second closure flap 20 further has a tuck flap 24 receivable by a first slot 14 (also shown in Fig. 2d) in the first closure flap 10. The first slot 14 is provided in the front panel 110 at the top end or adjacent to the front panel 110. The packaging box 100 further has a tongue lock. The tongue lock comprises a tongue 50 extending from the front panel 110, the tongue 50 receivable by a second slot 52 (also shown in Fig. 2d) in the second closure flap 20. Accordingly, the second closure flap 20 is held by the tuck flap 24 and the tongue lock preventing movement of the second closure flap 20 in closed condition even during use of the strip/handle 32.
[018] Further, the first closure flap 10, the second closure flap 20, the left dust flap 30 and the right dust flap 40 at the top end allow access to contents stored in the packaging box 100. At the bottom end, the closure panels (not shown) can be selected as per requirement. The opposing front and rear panels 110, 120 and opposing side panels 130, 140 have a planar surface, and each of these panels 110, 120, 130, 140 as well as the closure flaps and the dust flaps may have text, colors, artwork, etc. as per requirement.
[019] Figures 2a to 2f illustrate various stages of folding flaps of the packaging box 100. As shown from figure 2a to 2b, the first closure flap 10 is folded downwardly, and the cut-out 12 is positioned adjacent to the right side panel 140. Thereafter, the left dust flap 30 is folded downwardly. As discussed hereinbefore, the left dust flap 30 has the strip 32 with tab 34 extending from the left dust flap 30. The tab 34 is received by the cut-out 12 (as shown in figure 2c) when the left dust flap 30 is folded downwardly over the first closure flap 10. The cut-out 12 restricts movement of the tab 34 and thereby the strip 32. The right dust flap 40 is thereafter folded over the tab 34 preventing any further movement of the tab 34 as shown in figure 2d. Further, as shown in figure 2e, the second closure flap 20 is folded over the underlying first closure flap 10 and dust flaps 30, 40 and closed in position with the tuck flap 24 and tongue lock. In this position, the opening 22 of the second closure flap 20 allows the strip 32 to be pulled out and arch upwardly, thereby forming handle H as shown in figure 2f. Advantageously, when the strip 32 is not pulled out, the strip 32 remains flushed with the second closure flap 20 allowing the packaging boxes 100 to be stacked/stored and transported easily.
[020] In an embodiment, the packaging box 100 may be made from suitable fibrous material such as corrugated fiberboard, solid fiberboard, paperboard, cardboard, or any similar material, wherein the handle is also formed from the same material. The present invention thus obviates the disadvantages associated with boxes having handles of a different material. Furthermore, the packaging box and handle being formed of the same material is also advantageous from a manufacturing and also recycling perspective.
[021] Figure 3 shows a blank to form the packaging box 100 discussed hereinbefore in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The blank may be of suitable fibrous material such as corrugated fiberboard, solid fiberboard, paperboard, cardboard, or any similar material. The blank is a one-piece construction and is suitably scored and slit to comprise of plurality of panels – a left panel 130, a front panel 110, a right panel 140, a rear panel 120 and plurality of flaps – a first closure flap 10, a second closure flap 20, a left dust flap 30 and a right dust flap 40. Each panel is separated by a fold line X allowing the panels to be folded along the fold lines to form the box 100, and each flap is separated by a fold line Y allowing the flaps to be folded to close the box 100 and form an integrated handle H with the box 100.
[022] As shown in the figure, the left panel 130 has a left dust flap 30 extending therefrom. The left dust flap 30 is separated by a fold line allowing the dust flap to be folded. The left dust flap 30 has a strip 32 extending therefrom with a tab 34. The strip 32 and the tab 34 are separated by a fold line allowing the strip 32 and the flap to fold.
[023] Further, as shown, the front panel 110 adjacent to the left panel 130 and the front panel 110 has a first closure flap 10 extending therefrom. The first closure flap 10 is separated by a fold line allowing the first closure flap 10 to be folded. Further, the first closure flap 10 has a cut-out 12. The cut-out 12 is configured to receive the tab 34. The right panel 140 is adjacent to the front panel 110, and the right panel 140 has a right dust flap 40 extending therefrom. The right dust flap 40 is separated by a fold line allowing the dust flap to be folded.
[024] The rear panel 120 is adjacent to the right panel 140 and has a second closure flap 20 extending therefrom. The second closure flap 20 is separated by a fold line allowing the second closure flap 20 to be folded. Further, the second closure flap 20 has an opening 22.
[025] The blank allows the packaging box 100 to be erected/formed by a simple folding of the blank whereby the folding can be formed in the automatic folder gluer carton machine without any manual intervention. Further, the blanks can be supplied in a flat format and can also be erected and adapted with automatic carton filling machines.
[026] Figure 4 shows top views of packaging boxes 100 as per various embodiments. As shown, additional panels X are disposed between the opposing side panels 130, 140 and opposing front and rear panels 110, 120 to achieve different shapes such as but not limited to square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal and the like. Accordingly, different shapes of the packaging boxes 100 can be manufactured with one or more panels X in addition to the opposing side panels 130, 140 and opposing front and rear panels 110, 120 with flaps and features of the present invention as discussed hereinbefore. The closure panels and dust panels will be configured depending on the desired shape of the packaging box 100. Thus, boxes 100 of different shapes and configurations are well within the scope of the present invention.
[027] Advantageously, the present invention provides a packaging box with an integrated handle, whereby the packaging box and the integrated handle are formed of the same sheet material, thereby obviating problems associated with handles which are adapted separately to the box. Further, forming the packaging box from the same material is also advantageous from a recycling perspective.
[028] The foregoing description of the invention has been set merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since the modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to the person skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the disclosure.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A packaging box (100) comprising:
a front panel (110) and a rear panel (120), the front panel (110) opposing the rear panel (120),
a left side panel (130) and a right side panel (140), the left side panel (130) opposing the right side panel (140),
a first closure flap (10) extending from the front panel (110) and capable of being folded downwardly to be in a horizontal orientation within the packaging box (100), the first closure flap (10) having a cut-out (12), such that when the first closure flap (10) is folded the cut-out (12) is adjacent to the right side panel (140),
a left dust flap (30) extending from the left side panel (130) and capable of folding over the first closure flap (10), the left dust flap (30) having a strip (32) extending from a first end to a second end, the second end having a tab (34) configured to be received by the cut-out (12) when the left dust flap (30) is folded over the first closure flap (10),
a second closure flap (20) extending from the rear panel (120) and capable of folding over the left dust flap (30), the second closure flap (20) having an opening (22) aligned with the strip (32) to allow the strip (32) to pass through, the strip (32) arching upwardly when pulled out, thereby forming a handle (H) to grip or carry the packaging box (100).

2. The packaging box (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cut-out (12) extends from an outer end to an inner end, the outer end being the edge of the first closure flap (10) and the inner end being provided inwards from the edge.

3. The packaging box (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cut-out (12) has a tapering profile, whereby the cut-out (12) tapers towards the inner end, the tapering profile creating a barrier for the tab (34) and the strip (32).

4. The packaging box (100) as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cut-out (12) at an outer end corresponds to a width of the tab (34), and the cut-out (12) at an inner end corresponds to a width of the strip (32), whereby the outer end allows the tab (34) to pass through and the tapering profile allows the strip (32) to pass through and restricts upward movement of the tab (34).

5. The packaging box (100) as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 4 comprising a right dust flap (40) extending from the right side panel (140) and capable of folding downwardly over the cut-out (12) and the tab (34), thereby preventing any further movement of the tab (34).

6. The packaging box (100) as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second closure flap (20) has a tuck flap (24) receivable by a first slot (14) in the first closure flap (10), the first slot (14) being adjacent to the front panel (110).

7. The packaging box (100) as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 6 comprising a tongue lock having a tongue (50) extending from the front panel (110), the tongue being receivable by a second slot (52) in the second closure flap (20).

8. The packaging box (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second closure flap (20) is held by the tuck flap (24) and the tongue lock, thereby preventing movement of the second closure flap (20) in a closed condition during use of the strip (32)/handle (H) to grip or carry the packaging box (100).

9. The packaging box (100) as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 11, wherein the strip (32) remains flushed with the second closure flap (20) when the strip (32) is not pulled out, thereby allowing the packaging box (100) to be stacked/stored and transported easily.

10. The packaging box (100) as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 12, wherein the packaging box (100) is made of a fibrous material selected from corrugated fiberboard, solid fiberboard, paperboard, and carboard.

Dated this 30th day of March 2023

TCPL Packaging Limited
By their Agent & Attorney

(Janaksinh Jhala)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-2193