Abstract: A top-engaging carrier includes a top panel (18a) and a sloping shoulder panel (16a) hinged to the top panel by a first fold line (21a). The first fold line is interrupted by at least two curved cut lines (40a) such that by folding the shoulder panel about the first fold line, an article-engaging edge is defined by each of the at least two curved cut lines. The shoulder panel includes a stress-reducing second fold line (29a) extending alongside at least a part of the first fold line.

Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers of various dimensions a first star wheel and a second 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 third star wheel and a fourth 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, wherein the first travel path and the second travel path are substantially similar.

Abstract: A blank (1)0 for forming an article carrier (90) has a main panel (12) which includes at least one article retention structure R1 having an aperture A1 defined in the main panel and one or more tabs formed about a periphery of the aperture in the main panel. The one or more tabs are connected to the main panel such that the tabs yield out of the plane of the main panel when an article is received in the aperture to bear against the article. The main panel includes a paperboard substrate and at least one polymeric layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an engagement collar to a group of articles, which includes an application area defining a horizontal support surface for receiving a group of articles, a horizontal press plate positioned above the support surface and mounted for vertical movement relative to the support surface, and an actuation assembly operatively connected to the press plate for moving the press plate relative to the support surface to apply an engagement collar to the group of articles positioned on the support surface within the application area, wherein the actuation assembly includes an actuation lever that is located below the press plate and in front of the application area to provide an ergonomic work environment.

Abstract: A carton for packaging one or more articles includes an extendible handle. The handle includes at least one handle panel and a collapsible structure. The collapsible structure couples the at least one handle panel to a main body of the carton. The collapsible structure comprises a pair of hinged panels. The hinged panels include an inner panel hingedly connected by a first fold line to an outer panel. The inner panel is hingedly connected to the main body of the carton. The outer panel is hingedly connected to the at least one handle panel. The collapsible tubular structure further includes an expansion facilitator which has at least one tab coupled to one of the inner and outer panels. The at least one tab interrupts the first fold line.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and method of packaging one or more articles. The device being adapted to applying a plurality of top-engaging carriers to a plurality of groups of articles simultaneously. The device comprises a metering base for facilitating arranging a plurality of articles into groups of articles and an applicator for pressing top-engaging carriers onto groups of articles. The metering base comprises a spacer structure for maintaining a predetermined space between each group of articles and at least a next adjacent group of articles; and a first aligning feature. The applicator comprises an applicator plate having a plurality of receiving cavities each for receiving a top of an article and a second aligning feature for engaging the first aligning feature for sliding movement with each other.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier for packaging a plurality of flanged articles, a blank for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of primary panels for forming a tubular structure and defining an interior thereof. The plurality of primary panels includes a first panel and a second panel opposing the first panel. The article carrier further comprises a partition structure for dividing the interior into two or more article-receiving cells. The partition structure is formed from the first panel and comprises a lateral partition panel. The lateral partition panel is hingedly connected at a proximal end to the first panel by a proximal end fold line and is hingedly connected at a distal end to a glue panel by a distal end joint. The distal end joint between the lateral partition panel and the glue panel comprises a twistable strip extending between and joined with the lateral partition panel and the glue panel.

Abstract: A carrier (190, 90) comprising a plurality of main panels (18, 20, 22, 24, 26) forming outer walls and defining an interior chamber, the plurality of main panels comprise a first side panel (20, 120), a second side panel (24, 124), first end panel (18, 118), second end panel (64, 164), third end panel (70, 170) and fourth end panel (82, 182). The first and fourth end panels form a composite end wall of the carrier. The second and third end walls form a second composite end wall of the carrier. The second end wall is hingedly connected to the third end wall by a first fold line (21, 121). The interior chamber is divided into two or more cells by a partition structure. The partition structure comprises a first handle panel (14, 114) hingedly connected along a first side edge to an end panel.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier is formed from a set of connected blanks each of which form a top engaging carrier, wherein the blanks are detachably connected together in a matrix fashion wherein each blank has a plurality of top-receiving apertures wherein a first distance (D1) between the respective centres of two adjacent ones of the apertures of a first blank is less than a second distance (D2) between the centre of a corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a second blank and wherein the first distance (D1) is less than a third distance (D3) between the centre of the corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a third blank.

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 panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall, a first side wall, a base wall, and a second side wall. An end closure structure at least partially closes an end of the tubular structure. The end closure structure includes: a top end closure flap having a handle opening forming a carrying handle; a side end closure flap coupled to one of the first and second side walls; and a web panel interconnecting the top end closure flap to the side end closure flap. The web panel is hingedly connected to the top end closure flap and is hingedly connected to the side end closure flap along a fold line.

Abstract: A carton (102) for packaging one or more articles (B) includes a plurality of walls including atop wall (142), a bottom wall (132), at least two vertical walls (112, 114) and a curved corner (113) between the vertical walls. An internal buttress structure (156) adjacent the top wall provides a curved support edge located apart from the top wall and providing a support edge for the curved corner. A handle strap (266) may be provided in the top wall.

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: A box includes a plurality of side panels formed around an interior space. A pair of opposed outer flaps is foldably connected to two of the respective side panels, wherein the outer flaps are secured in a closed position to enclose one side of the box. A pair of opposed inner flaps are included, wherein the outer flaps overlie the inner flaps. A first one of the side panels of the box includes a pair of guide holes each configured to receive a respective opening guide for opening the outer flaps.

Abstract: A package includes a carton (10) and a plurality of articles (B). The carton includes carton walls (14, 16, 26b/30b) and at least one handle structure (HA2) formed from at least one (26b/30b) of the carton walls. The at least one handle structure includes a tab (44b) formed from the at least one of the carton walls. The tab is hingedly connected, by a hinged connection (42b), to the at least one of the carton walls and arranged to fold at least in part about an article disposed within the carton to form at least a portion of a handle opening (40b) so as to allow a user (U) to grasp a portion of the article and the carton disposed adjacent to the article.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles (B). The carrier comprises a main panel (12) having first (A1) and second (A2) adjacent apertures, arranged side by side, each for receiving a portion of an article. The main panel further comprises an annular series of tabs (16,18,20) formed around each of the first and second apertures. The tabs of each annular series are hingedly connected to the main panel such that at least some of the tabs yield out of the plane of the main panel when an article is received in the respective aperture so as to bear against the article. The main panel comprising a first layer (CL) comprising a paperboard substrate and a second layer (PL) providing a tear resistant layer wherein the tear resistant layer is disposed above the paperboard substrate.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and method of packaging one or more articles. The device being adapted to applying a plurality of top-engaging carriers to a plurality of groups of articles simultaneously. The device comprises a metering base for facilitating arranging a plurality of articles into groups of articles and an applicator for pressing top-engaging carriers onto groups of articles. The metering base comprises a spacer structure for maintaining a predetermined space between each group of articles and at least a next adjacent group of articles; and a first aligning feature. The applicator comprises an applicator plate having a plurality of receiving cavities each for receiving a top of an article and a second aligning feature for engaging the first aligning feature for sliding movement with each other.

Abstract: A carton (90) for packaging one or more articles. The carton comprises a plurality of wall forming a tubular structure. The plurality of walls include a top wall (12), first side wall (14) hinged to the top wall by a first hinged connection (13) and a second side wall (18) hinged to the top wall by a second hinged connection. The carton comprises a handle structure comprising a handle aperture (A2) struck at least in part from the top wall and defining in part a handle strap (40a). The handle aperture comprises a first edge (E1) defining in part a grip portion of the handle strap and providing a load-bearing edge; and a second edge (E2) opposing the first edge, the second edge being a non-load-bearing edge. A reinforcing member (S) reinforces the load-bearing edge of the handle aperture.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier is formed from a set of connected blanks each of which form a top engaging carrier, wherein the blanks are detachably connected together in a matrix fashion wherein each blank has a plurality of top-receiving apertures wherein a first distance (D1) between the respective centres of two adjacent ones of the apertures of a first blank is less than a second distance (D2) between the centre of a corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a second blank and wherein the first distance (D1) is less than a third distance (D3) between the centre of the corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a third blank.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more articles and a blank (210) for forming the carton. The carton may have at least one display window (D) for presentation of an article therein. The carton comprises a plurality of panels forming walls of a tubular structure including a top wall (224A, 222A), a first side wall, abase wall, and a second side wall. The carton comprises a bottom opening (A2) defined, at least, in the bottom wall (224B, 222B). The bottom opening is vertically aligned with the at least one article when the at least one article is received in the carton such that the at least one article is accessible through the bottom opening to be raised and lowered with respect to the bottom wall.