Abstract: A carton for an even number of rows of cans has a carrying handle formed from strip-reinforced carton material by means of cuts flanking the reinforcing strip and separating the handle from the rest of the carton, said strip being off-set from the median plane of the carton where it can surround one of said rows of cans.

Abstract: A packaging carton (e.g. for cans (31) of drink) comprises a reinforcing tape (18) incorporated in the board material from which the carton is formed which tape reinforces a carrying handle (20) defined by two parallel cuts formed in an end wall of the carton. Access to the contents of the carton are obtained by defining access flaps (23, 24) delimited by lines of weakness (22a, 22b) which extend up to the cuts defining the carrying handle. By locating the handle (20) in the median plane between two rows of cans, free passage of cans from the opening provided by an access flap is prevented by the handle, thus ensuring one-by-one dispensing of the cans from the carton.