A method for automatic joint packaging of at least a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part having different geometries, is provided. The method includes automatically placing a first part on a transport surface with a front side facing in a transport direction and automatically placing a second part on the transport surface with the second part in front of the first part relative to the transport direction. The method further includes automatically transporting the first part and the second part along the transport surface to a packaging device by moving a pushing device into engagement with a rear side of the first part and pushing the first part in the transport direction, wherein the second part is taken along by the front side of the first part pushed by the pushing device.

A method for automatic joint packaging of at least a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part having different geometries, is provided. The method includes automatically placing a first part on a transport surface with a front side facing in a transport direction and automatically placing a second part on the transport surface with the second part in front of the first part relative to the transport direction. The method further includes automatically transporting the first part and the second part along the transport surface to a packaging device by moving a pushing device into engagement with a rear side of the first part and pushing the first part in the transport direction, wherein the second part is taken along by the front side of the first part pushed by the pushing device.

A carrier having a plurality of apertures for holding a plurality of containers together is provided. The carrier has mutually spaced drive pins holes distributed longitudinally therealong. Each container aperture is positioned longitudinally between drive pin holes and each aperture has a centre which is longitudinally offset from a mid-point between successive drive pin holes.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a central panel for engaging the plurality of containers and at least one attachment feature in the central panel that receives and holds a top portion of at least one container of the plurality of containers. The at least one attachment feature includes an opening in the central panel, a first retention feature, and a second retention feature. The first retention feature and the second retention feature includes a respective first retention edge and second retention edge of the central panel defining a respective first portion and a second portion of the opening and for engaging a respective first portion and a second portion of at least one container of the plurality of containers to at least partially attach the at least one container to the carrier.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a front portion having a front attachment panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, a back portion having a back attachment panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, and a reinforcement portion extending from the front portion to the back portion for reinforcing the carrier.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a first construct and a second construct. The first construct includes a plurality of panels including at least one central panel and at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, the at least one central panel is for being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers. The second construct includes at least one panel, the at least one panel of the second construct positioned in at least partial face-to-face contact with the at least one attachment panel.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels having at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, at least one top panel, and at least one handle panel foldably connected to the at least one top panel. The carrier also includes a handle formed from the at least one handle panel, the handle is positionable between a first position wherein the at least one handle panel is generally parallel to the at least one top panel, and a second position in which the at least one handle panel is folded relative to the at least one top panel and is positioned for grasping and carrying of the carrier.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a central panel for engaging the plurality of containers and at least one attachment feature in the central panel that receives and holds a top portion of at least one container of the plurality of containers. The at least one attachment feature includes an opening in the central panel, a first retention feature, and a second retention feature. The first retention feature and the second retention feature includes a respective first retention edge and second retention edge of the central panel defining a respective first portion and a second portion of the opening and for engaging a respective first portion and a second portion of at least one container of the plurality of containers to at least partially attach the at least one container to the carrier.

The invention relates to a method of packaging a packaged product (102) and one or more unpackaged products (104) for shipment, the method comprising: providing a shipping container (110) generally sized to accommodate the one or more unpackaged products (104), the shipping container (110) having a plurality of walls (114, 116, 118, 120) and a bottom (122) that define an interior of the shipping container (110), each of the plurality of walls (114, 116, 118, 120) having an edge (124, 126,128, 130) that cooperate to define an open side of the shipping container (110), inserting the one or more unpackaged products (104) into the shipping container (110) and attaching the shipping container (110) to the packaged product (102) such that the packaged product (102) closes or covers the open side of the shipping container (110). The invention further relates to a shipping container (110) and to a method for creating customized packaging for a plurality of items on-demand.

The invention relates to a method of packaging a packaged product (102) and one or more unpackaged products (104) for shipment, the method comprising: providing a shipping container (110) generally sized to accommodate the one or more unpackaged products (104), the shipping container (110) having a plurality of walls (114, 116, 118, 120) and a bottom (122) that define an interior of the shipping container (110), each of the plurality of walls (114, 116, 118, 120) having an edge (124, 126,128, 130) that cooperate to define an open side of the shipping container (110), inserting the one or more unpackaged products (104) into the shipping container (110) and attaching the shipping container (110) to the packaged product (102) such that the packaged product (102) closes or covers the open side of the shipping container (110). The invention further relates to a shipping container (110) and to a method for creating customized packaging for a plurality of items on-demand.