Plastic containers and arrangements of reduced diameter plastic containers, including PET containers, are disclosed. In an embodiment, a plastic container arrangement is provided that includes a plurality of reduced diameter plastic (e.g., PET) containers arranged in a side-by-side configuration, wherein the ratio of a maximum outside diameter to container height is at least 0.30.

Methods and apparatus for vacuum forming a beverage carrier yoke are described. The yoke comprises a number (e.g., four or six) collars interconnected by a web, and each collar exhibits dimensionsincluding a nominal diameter and a substantially uniform thicknessselected to improve strength and increase comfort. The yoke is produced using a slurry comprising a moisture barrier and a fiber base.

Methods and apparatus for vacuum forming a beverage carrier yoke are described. The yoke comprises a number (e.g., four or six) collars interconnected by a web, and each collar exhibits dimensionsincluding a nominal diameter and a substantially uniform thicknessselected to improve strength and increase comfort. The yoke is produced using a slurry comprising a moisture barrier and a fiber base.

A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT). The robotic arm is operable so as to selectively position the EOAT within the processing station, the EOAT positionable for urged engagement of a dispensed retainer blank received upon the die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, the robotic arm thereafter positionable to register the secured adapted retainer blank with a conveyed ACG conveyed on the segment of the container conveyance apparatus of the processing station, the robotic arm further positionable to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to the registered conveyed ACG to thereby form at least two retained container group packs from the registered conveyed ACG.

A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT). The robotic arm is operable so as to selectively position the EOAT within the processing station, the EOAT positionable for urged engagement of a dispensed retainer blank received upon the die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, the robotic arm thereafter positionable to register the secured adapted retainer blank with a conveyed ACG conveyed on the segment of the container conveyance apparatus of the processing station, the robotic arm further positionable to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to the registered conveyed ACG to thereby form at least two retained container group packs from the registered conveyed ACG.

The invention relates to a strapping device and a method for producing strapped packages, which combine at least two articles by means of at least one strap. The strapping device is paired with a device for providing two or more grouped articles. and the strapping device comprises a handling device (10) with two pivoting arms (11, 12) which can be adjusted relative to each other and each of which is equipped with clamping devices (14, 15) for fixing the belt ends (27) of a strapping belt (26) or a strapping blank (28) in a clamped manner. The pivoting arms (11, 12) can surround the grouped articles for the purpose of strapping same, thereby pivoting the first pivoting arm (11) and the second pivoting arm (12). The strapping device additionally comprises a fixing device for connecting the two belt ends (27) of the strapping belt (26) or the strapping blank (28).

A high-speed automated ring carrier applicator system and methods of using the same are provided. The applicator system is operable to be loaded with a magazine of ring carriers and individually apply them to a plurality of individual containers for beverages, food, pharmaceuticals, or other goods. The ring carriers may include a plurality of full or partial apertures (e.g., 2 to 12, or other numbers of apertures), each with a neck-engaging locking mechanism to receive and hold a container.

A high-speed automated ring carrier applicator system and methods of using the same are provided. The applicator system is operable to be loaded with a magazine of ring carriers and individually apply them to a plurality of individual containers for beverages, food, pharmaceuticals, or other goods. The ring carriers may include a plurality of full or partial apertures (e.g., 2 to 12, or other numbers of apertures), each with a neck-engaging locking mechanism to receive and hold a container.

A flexible container carrier and related method for unitizing a plurality of containers that includes a plurality of flexible bands forming an array of container receiving apertures, the array arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. A series of frangible lines of separation are provided between each container receiving opening so that removing a container from the package results in the separation of the frangible lines of separation defining the respective container receiving opening and thus the container and a respective band of the plurality of bands are removed from the package together.

A flexible container carrier and related method for unitizing a plurality of containers that includes a plurality of flexible bands forming an array of container receiving apertures, the array arranged in longitudinal rows and transverse ranks. A series of frangible lines of separation are provided between each container receiving opening so that removing a container from the package results in the separation of the frangible lines of separation defining the respective container receiving opening and thus the container and a respective band of the plurality of bands are removed from the package together.