Package handle

Package handles, or carriers, are used to help people use packaging. They are designed to simplify and to improve the ergonomics of lifting and carrying packages.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4] Handles on consumer packages add convenience and help facilitate use and pouring. The effect of handles on package material costs and the packaging line efficiencies are also critical. A handle can be defined as “an accessory attached to a container or part for the purpose of holding or carrying.”^[5] Sometimes a handle can be used to hang a package for dispensing or use.

Handles can be built into a package, sometimes in the form of hand holes or hand holds. They can also be attached to a finished complete package after filling and closing, or even at the point of purchase.

The performance and design criteria for handles are often detailed in a contract or specification. For example handles for some US government containers are specified in Mil-Std-648.^[6]

^ Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling (PDF), California Department of Industrial Relations, 2007, p. 32, retrieved April 2, 2019
^ Davis, K G (1998). "Reduction of spinal loading through the use of handles" (PDF). Ergonomics. 41 (8): 1155–1168. doi:10.1080/001401398186450. PMID 9715674. S2CID 35062317. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-02-27. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
^ Wang, Mao-Jiun J. (Winter 2000). "The Effect of Handle Angle on MAWL, Wrist Posture, RPE, and Heart Rate". Human Factors. 42 (4): 553–565. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.1000.7796. doi:10.1518/001872000779698079. PMID 11324850. S2CID 7243355.
^ Shih, Yuh-CHuan (1997). "Phychophisical Evaluation of Diameter and Angle of Container Handles". International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. 19: 347–344. Retrieved 12 February 2021.^{[dead link]}
^ Soroka, W (2008). Glossary of Packaging Terminology. IoPP. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-930268-27-2.
^ MIL-STD-648D, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DESIGN CRITERIA STANDARD, SPECIALIZED SHIPPING CONTAINERS (PDF), 10 April 2008, pp. section 4.17, retrieved 26 April 2018

[1] Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling (PDF), California Department of Industrial Relations, 2007, p. 32, retrieved April 2, 2019

[2] Davis, K G (1998). "Reduction of spinal loading through the use of handles" (PDF). Ergonomics. 41 (8): 1155–1168. doi:10.1080/001401398186450. PMID 9715674. S2CID 35062317. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-02-27. Retrieved March 23, 2019.

[3] Wang, Mao-Jiun J. (Winter 2000). "The Effect of Handle Angle on MAWL, Wrist Posture, RPE, and Heart Rate". Human Factors. 42 (4): 553–565. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.1000.7796. doi:10.1518/001872000779698079. PMID 11324850. S2CID 7243355.

[4] Shih, Yuh-CHuan (1997). "Phychophisical Evaluation of Diameter and Angle of Container Handles". International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. 19: 347–344. Retrieved 12 February 2021.^{[dead link]}

[5] Soroka, W (2008). Glossary of Packaging Terminology. IoPP. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-930268-27-2.

[6] MIL-STD-648D, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DESIGN CRITERIA STANDARD, SPECIALIZED SHIPPING CONTAINERS (PDF), 10 April 2008, pp. section 4.17, retrieved 26 April 2018

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