Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier, and a blank (810) for forming the article carrier. An aspect of the invention provides an article carrier comprising a plurality of primary panels (812,814,816) at least partially extending around an interior of the article carrier. The plurality of primary panels comprises a first side panel (812), a top panel (814), a second side pane (816)1 and at least one bottom panel joined together to form a tubular structure having first and second opposed open ends. The article carrier comprises a carrying handle (H) including a handle feature defined in at least the top panel and a foldable handle structure (HS) having opposed connecting panels and a handle strap. The handle strap extends (882) between the connecting panels.

Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping containers includes a first track including a first plurality of lugs, each lug having a respective gripper coupled thereto configured to drive containers along the first track and a second track configured to move a second plurality of lugs wherein each of the lugs is coupled to a respective gripper configured to receive containers from the first track, and move the containers along the second track wherein the grippers of the second track contact the container while the gripper of the first track contacts the container.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carrier for packaging two or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The carrier comprises a main panel having at least one top-engaging article device for receiving and securing the main panel to a respective article. The carrier further comprises a keel structure. The keel structure comprises at least two keel panels arranged to be disposed between a first one of the at least two articles and a second one of the at least two articles. The keel structure comprises at least one keel tab struck from at least one of at least two keel panels. The at least one keel tab is arranged to be disposed between the first one of the at least two articles and the second one of the at least two articles.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles. The article carrier (90) comprises a plurality of primary panels (16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26) which form a tubular structure having an interior chamber. The plurality of primary panels includes: a first panel (14, 28); and a second panel (18, 24) opposing the first panel (14, 28). The carrier (90) further comprises a partition structure (P1, P2) dividing the interior chamber into two or more article-receiving cells.

Abstract: A conveyor system for containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers, including a first star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton (190), and a blank (110) for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a carton comprising a plurality of primary panels (112, 114, 116, 118, 120) defining an interior of the carton. The carton comprises a first panel (118) and a second panel (120) hinged to the first panel along a first fold line (119). The first panel has a first corner edge (55a) extending obliquely with respect to the first fold line such that an obtuse angle is defined between the first corner edge and the first fold line. The carton further comprises an opening feature (D) which is at least partially removable from the carton. The opening feature comprises a removable panel (170a) defined at least in part by first (173a) and second tear lines (173b) which define opposing side edges of the removable panel respectively.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier (90) for packaging a plurality of flanged articles, a blank (10) for forming the carrier. The carrier comprises a composite wall formed from two at least partially overlapping layers (12,20), including an inner layer (20) and an outer layer (12). The carrier further comprises a keel structure (70) folded into an interior of the carrier. The keel structure has an inner member (60) formed from the inner layer and an outer member (50) formed from the outer layer. The inner and outer members are hingedly connected to a respective one of the inner and outer layers along inner (61) and outer (51) fold lines respectively. The inner and outer fold lines are generally aligned in the direction of the thickness of the inner and outer layers.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles and to a blank for forming the article carrier. The article carrier may package at least one article having a recess. The article carrier comprises a plurality of panels for forming a tubular structure for surrounding at least one article. The article carrier comprises an article retention device for engaging a recess of one of said at least one article. The article retention device may inhibit dislodgement of the article from at least one of opposite open ends of the tubular structure in a setup carrier. The tubular structure defines a tubular axis. The article retention device comprises a flap hingedly connected to a first one of the plurality of panels along a first fold line. The first fold line extends at an acute angle with respect to the tubular axis. The acute angle may be no more than 50 degrees.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article top engaging device 90a-90d, a carrier 90a-90d for packaging one or more articles B and a blank 1 for forming the carrier. The top engaging article carrier comprises an engaging panel having upper and lower panels 12,14 secured together in face-contacting relationship. The upper panel has at least one first top-engaging opening A1 of a first diameter and the lower panel has at least one second top engaging opening A2 of a second diameter. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter. Each of the first and second top-engaging openings is defined by a substantially circular, uninterrupted perimeter.

Abstract: A method of processing boxes includes shuttling a box in a first direction and cutting to separate outer flaps of the box from one another as the box moves past a cutting tool in the first direction, wherein the outer flaps overlie inner flaps. The method includes engaging a set of opening guides with the outer flaps of the box to drive the outer flaps open. The method includes opening inner flaps using shape memory and shuttling the box in the first direction over an inclined plane after the inner and outer flaps are open to flatten the box.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier (90) for packaging a plurality of articles and to a blank (10) for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of primary panels (12,14,16,18) for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior thereof. The plurality of primary panels includes a first panel (12) and a second panel (14) opposing the first panel. The article carrier further comprises a partition structure for dividing the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. The carrier is formed form a blank comprising a partition-forming section (PS) which comprises a primary partition panel (22,24) and a secondary partition panel(40,44,36,46) formed from the primary partition panel and hingedly connected at one of the opposing ends thereof to the primary partition panel. The upper edge (E1) of the secondary partition panel is defined at least in part by a cutaway (R1) extending from a free end edge (E3) of the blank.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to article carriers (90; 190; 290) for forming a package and blanks (10; 110; 210; 310) for forming the article carriers (90; 190; 290). The article carrier (90; 190; 290) comprises a first panel (12; 112; 212; 312) and a second panel (14; 114; 214; 314) hinged to the first panel (12; 112; 212; 312) and folded at an angle with respect to the first panel (12; 112; 212; 312). The article carrier (90; 190; 290) comprises an article-engaging feature (RT) formed from at least one of the first and second panels (12, 14; 112, 114; 212, 214; 312, 314). The article carrier (90; 190; 290) comprises a locking feature (L; L1, L2) including a locking tab (50; 150; 250; 350) formed from the first and second panels (12, 14; 112, 114; 212, 214; 312, 314) and a locking edge (56; 156; 256; 356) provided by one of the first and second panels (12, 14; 112, 114; 212, 214; 312, 314).

Abstract: The invention provide a package system comprising: at least one secondary packaging container (95) holding at least one primary container (‘B’); and a tertiary packaging carton (57; 157) holding the at least one secondary packaging container (95). The at least one secondary packaging container (95) is of the basket carrier style having an open-topped structure and comprises a base wall (78/80); opposed first and second side walls (14, 18); opposed first and second end walls (12, 16); and a medial handle structure (20/22) connected to the first and second end walls (12, 16) and disposed between the first and second side walls (14, 18). Additionally, at least one corner structure (14a) is disposed between the first side wall (14) and the first end wall (12) of the secondary packaging container (95). At least one corner structure (43a) is also disposed between the first side wall and the first end wall of the tertiary packaging carton.

Abstract: A product management system (100) includes—a continuous first track (104), including a lug queuing section (108), a lug engagement section (110), and a product engagement section (112), each section being configured and adapted to effectuate specific lug movement steps, —a continuous chain (116) partially following the track configured and adapted to actuate lugs (106) about at least a portion of the track, —a series of lugs (106) moveably disposed along the track (104) configured for moving a product along the product engagement section of the track, —a star wheel (120) disposed at the lug engagement section (110) of the track (104) configured for metering lugs (106) to engage the chain (116) from the queuing section (108) of the track (104) and to control a variable pitch between each of the lugs along the transferring chain, —and a magnetism source (122) configured to direct the lugs (106) to the queuing section (108), and to the end of the queuing section (108).

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) for packaging one or more articles and a blank (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510) for forming the carrier. The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises a main panel (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512) having one or more article retention structures (RT1, RT2) for receiving and securing the main panel (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512) to a respective article (B). The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises a side panel (18, 20; 118, 120; 218, 220; 318, 320; 418, 420, 518, 520) hingedly connected to the main panel (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512) by a hinged connection. The hinged connection between the main panel (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512) and the side panel (18, 20; 118, 120; 218, 220; 318, 320; 418, 420, 518, 520) is defined, at least in part, by a curved or arcuate fold line (13, 15, 17, 19).

Abstract: A gripper including a receiving end and a locking end and an absorber coupled to at least one of the ends configured to dampen contact forces imparted on the gripper, wherein the receiving end is shaped to marry a container body.

Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging one or more articles. The carton includes a plurality of walls which extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of walls includes at least one of top (18) and bottom (12, 24) walls, a pair of opposed side walls (14, 16 and 20, 22) and a pair of opposed end walls (26a, 28a, 30a, 34a and 26b, 28b, 30b, 34b). Each of the side walls has opposed upper (17, 19) and lower edges (13, 23). The upper edges of the side walls are disposed at a first distance (d1) from each other. The lower edges of the side walls are disposed at a second distance (d2) from each other. The first distance is substantially different from the second distance. Each of the end walls includes an upper end strap (28b, 30b) and a lower end strap (26b, 34b).

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, an apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700) for forming a package, an article carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) for packaging one or more articles, a blank (10; 110; 310; 410A-B) for forming the carrier, and to a method of packaging one or more articles. The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises a main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) having one or more article retention structures (RT1, RT2) for receiving and securing the main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) to a respective article (B). The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises at least one panel having a peripheral edge, a portion of which provides at least one registration edge shaped to inhibit movement in two orthogonal directions when engaged by a reference device (440; 540; 640; 740) of a packaging apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700).

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles, a blank for forming the carton and a method of packaging articles. The carton (90) comprises a plurality of primary panels (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) for forming a tubular structure and an end closure structure for at least partially closing an end of the tubular structure. The primary panels (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) include a top panel (16). The end closure structure comprises a top end closure flap (28A/28C) having a handle opening, a first side end closure flap (24A), and a web panel (26A) coupling the top end closure flap (28A/28C) with the first side end closure flap (24A). The web panel 26A is hingedly connected to the top end closure flap (28A/28C) as well as to the first side end closure flap (24A). The top end closure flap (28A/28C) is connected to the top panel (16) by at least one corner panel (40A, 40B, 40C).

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles, a blank for forming the carton and a method of packaging articles. The carton comprises a plurality of primary panels including a pair of bottom lap panels (12, 20) secured together to allow the primary panels to form walls of a tubular structure. An upper end closure structure partially closes an end of the tubular structure. The upper end closure structure comprises a lower edge that defines at least in part a window for exposing to view contents (B) of the carton. The upper end closure structure comprises a top end closure flap (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d) having a handle opening defined therein and a pair of side end closure flaps (26a, 26b, 34a, 34b). The side end closure flaps comprise an outer surface and an inner surface opposing the outer surface. The outer surface of each of the side end closure flaps comprises a glue area (G1, G2).