Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a top engaging article carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles (B) and a blank (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) for forming the carrier. The top-engaging article carrier comprises an engaging panel having an upper panel (12A) and a lower panel (12B) disposed in face to face contacting relationship with each other. The article carrier comprises a top engaging device (RT) comprising a first article receiving opening (A1) in the lower panel and a second article receiving opening (A2) in the upper panel. The first article receiving opening comprises a first diameter (d1). The second article receiving opening comprises a second diameter (d2). The first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The article comprises: an upper end, having an end diameter (Cd); a main body, having a body diameter (Bd); and a neck disposed therebetween and having a neck diameter (Nd). The first diameter is equal to or greater than the end diameter (d1?Cd).

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a panel interlocking device, a carton, and a blank for forming the carton. The carton blank incorporating a panel interlocking device for securing together a first and a second panel in overlapping relationship. The panel interlocking device comprises a locking tab struck from the first panel, and a retaining tab defining a locking aperture struck from the second panel. In use the retaining tab is displaced out of the plane of the second panel to receive said locking tab through the locking aperture to be engaged therewith. The retaining tab has opposing side edges each concavely curved as viewed from the outside of the retaining tab.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a package can include a three-sided body formed of three or more body panels and an autobottom connected to the three-sided body and formed of three or more bottom panels extending from a respective body panel of the plurality of the three or more body panels. The autobottom can connect all of the three or more body panels together in a triangular shape when the three or more bottom panels are interacting with each other.

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: A package, a carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier are disclosed. The carrier comprises an engaging panel with at least one article-receiving aperture disposed in engagement with a part of an article. The engaging panel has a first side edge, a first end edge, a corner defined by the first side and end edges, and a corner area. The article-receiving aperture comprises a first engaging edge across the corner area from the corner. The corner area is defined at least partially by the first engaging edge, and end portions of each of the first side and end edges extending from the corner, respectively. The corner area is folded with respect to the remainder of the engaging panel such that the end portion of the first side edge is angled with respect to an adjoining portion of the first side edge.

Abstract: An article carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier are disclosed. The carrier (90) comprises an engaging panel (12) having at least one article-engaging structure (RT1, RT2). The carrier (90) comprises a bundling structure having first and second segments. The first segment includes a first panel (14) hinged to the engaging panel (12) and abridging portion (22A, 26A) hinged to the first panel (14). The second segment includes a second panel (18A) hinged to the engaging panel (12), a third panel (18B) hinged to the second panel (18A) in overlapping position therewith and a bridge-engaging feature engaging the bridging portion (22A, 26A). The bridge-engaging feature is provided at least by the second and third panels (18A, 18B) such that art of the bridging portion (22A, 26A) is disposed between the second and third panels (18A, 18B).

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a top engaging article carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The article carrier comprises an engaging panel (12A, 12B) having at least one ply and comprising; a first side edge (E1), a first end edge (E2) and a corner (BC) defined by the first side and end edges (E1, E2). The engaging panel (12A, 12B) comprises a corner area (18) extending between the corner (BC) and an article-receiving aperture (A1, A2) in the engaging panel (12A, 12B). The aperture (A1, A2) comprises a first engaging edge (E4) at a position across the corner area (18) from the corner (BC). The first engaging edge (E4) is curved. The first engaging edge (E4) has a radius of curvature (r3) greater than the radius (r1) of the corner aperture (A1, A2).

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging machine for packaging articles, apparatus for a packaging machine and to a method of packaging articles. The packaging machine comprises an article manipulation apparatus. The article manipulation apparatus comprises a first conveyor for conveying packages. The packages each comprises a carton having at least one displaceable article disposed therein. An article orientation device comprises a tool head movable synchronously in a downstream direction with the first conveyor. The tool head has at least one article gripper for engaging with a displaceable article in the carton. The at least one article gripper is rotatably mounted to the tool head. An article displacement device comprises at least one article displacement tool. The article displacement tool is receivable in an opening in a carton to engage and displace the displaceable article such that it protrudes through a second opening in said carton.

Abstract: A flap folding mechanism includes a base. The flap folding mechanism also includes a backing plate, coupled to the base. The flap folding mechanism further includes a pair of flap folding fingers, coupled to the base. The flap folding mechanism additionally include a first actuator, configured to rotate the pair of flap folding fingers relative to the backing plate between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. The flap folding mechanism also includes a second actuator, configured to move the pair of flap folding fingers relative to each other between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, a carton (90; 190) for packaging one or more articles and a blank (10; 110) for forming the carton (90; 190). The carton (90;190) comprises a wall having an outer panel (24A, 24B; 118, 120) and an inner panel (22A, 22B, 26A, 26B; 126A, 126B, 130A, 130B) at least partially overlapping the outer panel (24A, 24B; 118, 120). The inner panel (22A, 22B, 26A, 26B; 126A, 126B, 130A, 130B) comprises a cutaway (R; A2) defining at least in part a passage between the outer panel (24A, 24B; 118, 120) and an article B. The package comprises an adhesive bond between the outer panel (24A, 24B; 118, 120) and the article B, the adhesive bond extends through the passage.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more article and a blank for forming the carton. An aspect of the invention provides a corner folding arrangement comprising a first panel (18) having a corner defined by an end edge and a side edge. A second panel (32b) is hingedly connected to the end edge of the first panel along a first fold line. A third panel (20) hingedly connected to the side edge of the first panel along a second fold line. A fourth (34b) and fifth (36b) panel couple the second panel to the third panel. The fourth panel is hingedly connected to the second panel along a third fold line and the fifth panel is hingedly connected to the third panel along a fourth fold line. A severance line (70) extends between the first and fourth fold lines or between the second and third fold lines.

Abstract: A system for grouping and rotating packages (101) includes a first conveyor (102) configured to drive a stream of packages from a first end (102A) to a second end (102B) at a predefined first speed, an actuation section (104) situated at the second end (102B) of the first conveyor (102) configured to receive the stream of packages from the first conveyor (102) and actuate the stream of packages to an orienting section (108) at a predefined second speed, wherein the second speed is less than the first speed, and a plurality of lugs (106) adjacent to the actuation section (104) configured to actuate forward packages in the stream of packages forming groups (105) of two or more packages (101).

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: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, and a blank (10) for forming the article carrier. The article carrier comprises a plurality of panels (12,14,16,18,20,22,24) forming a tubular structure for surrounding at least one article. The article carrier comprises an article retention device for engaging a recess of at least one article to prevent or inhibit dislodgement or unintentional egress of the article from at least one of opposite open ends of the tubular structure. The article retention device comprises an engaging tab (40,42) hingedly connected to one of the plurality of panels, which may be a base panel. The point of contact between the engaging tab and an inside surface of a recess in the bottom of the article is farthermost from the adjacent end edge of a respective one of a pair of bottom lap panels.

Abstract: An orientation module including a base configured to support at least one container, a camera positioned to scan the at least one container, a processor operatively connected to the camera configured to analyze an initial orientation of the container and determine a secondary orientation of the container, and a turning member positioned above the base configured to turn the corresponding container according to a command from the processor to rotate the container to the secondary orientation.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article top engaging device, a carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles (B) and a blank (10) for forming the carrier. The article carrier comprises a sleeve structure (12/18) defining at least in part an interior of the article carrier for receiving at least one article, the sleeve structure including at least one substantially planar portion. An end closure structure (14/16) is hingedly connected to a first end of the sleeve structure to at least partially close the first end. At least one glue flap (20, 22) is hingedly connected to the planar portion of the sleeve structure for pivotal movement with respect to the planar portion. The at least one glue flap is disposed generally in the plane of the planar portion of the sleeve structure when the at least one article is received in the interior of the article carrier.

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 comprises a plurality of panels forming a tubular structure for surrounding at least one article having a recess. The article carrier comprises an article retention device for engaging the recess of one of said at least one article to inhibit dislodgement of the article from at least one of opposite open ends of the tubular structure. The article retention device comprises a flap hingedly connected to one of the plurality of panels.

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: The disclosure relates to an article-engaging carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The carrier comprises a top panel (14) with at least one article-engaging feature (RT1, RT2). At least one shoulder panel (18, is hingedly connected to the top panel and is disposed obliquely with respect to the top panel. The at least one engaging feature comprises an article—receiving aperture (A1-A8) and an annular series of engaging tabs formed around the article-receiving aperture. The annular series of engaging tabs comprises at least one first tab (46B) and at least one second tab (46C). The at least one first tab is hingedly connected in part to the top panel and in part to the at least one shoulder panel. The at least one first tab has a first radial length (LT1). The at least one second tab is hingedly connected only to the top panel and has a second radial length (LT2). The first radial length is greater than the second radial length.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton for packaging one or more article and a blank for forming the carton. 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. The carton comprises a carrying handle having at least one handle panel hingedly connected at a proximal end thereof to one of the plurality of panels. The hinged connection is interrupted by at least one cut line defining a tab. The tab is struck from one of a portion of the one of the plurality of panels. The tab is integral with the at least one handle panel and extends from the hinged connection internally of the carton when in use.