The invention relates to a packaging apparatus (1) and a method used to produce packaging units (35). The packaging units (35) comprise at least one article (30), in particular at least one beverage can (31), with at least one at least in some areas flatly designed packaging blank (20) arranged on the article (30) or beverage can (31). The packaging blank (20) has at least one passage opening (23) in the flatly designed area for the at least one article (30). The packaging apparatus (1) comprises at least one feeder device (2) for the at least one article (30) or for assemblies (40) of at least two articles (30); a pre-treatment module (9) to prepare the packaging blank (20) for the application to the at least one article (30); and a first packaging module (7) to apply and locate the packaging blank (20) to the at least one article (30). The pre-treatment module (9) comprises at least one device designed to reduce a resistance force in an edge area (24) of the passage openings (23) of the packaging blank (20) during the subsequent application of the packaging blank (20) to the at least one article (30).

The invention relates to a packaging apparatus (1) and a method used to produce packaging units (35). The packaging units (35) comprise at least one article (30), in particular at least one beverage can (31), with at least one at least in some areas flatly designed packaging blank (20) arranged on the article (30) or beverage can (31). The packaging blank (20) has at least one passage opening (23) in the flatly designed area for the at least one article (30). The packaging apparatus (1) comprises at least one feeder device (2) for the at least one article (30) or for assemblies (40) of at least two articles (30); a pre-treatment module (9) to prepare the packaging blank (20) for the application to the at least one article (30); and a first packaging module (7) to apply and locate the packaging blank (20) to the at least one article (30). The pre-treatment module (9) comprises at least one device designed to reduce a resistance force in an edge area (24) of the passage openings (23) of the packaging blank (20) during the subsequent application of the packaging blank (20) to the at least one article (30).

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.

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.

An apparatus (1) for assembling several beverage containers (2) into a multipack (4) is disclosed. The apparatus (1) comprises a horizontal conveying device (5) for moving groupings (3), each grouping (3) comprising several beverage containers (2). The apparatus (1) also comprises at least one working device (25) that applies packaging blanks (41) to the groupings (3). The beverage containers (2) of a grouping (3) pass through openings in the packaging blank (41) and are held together by the packaging blank (41). The apparatus (1) furthermore comprises at least one handling apparatus (15) which places the beverage containers (2) on the horizontal conveying device (5) such that the beverage containers (2) are in alignment with respect to one another. The alignment of the beverage containers (2) allows the packaging blank (41) to be applied to the beverage containers (2) directly upon their placement on the horizontal conveying device (5).

An apparatus (1) for assembling several beverage containers (2) into a multipack (4) is disclosed. The apparatus (1) comprises a horizontal conveying device (5) for moving groupings (3), each grouping (3) comprising several beverage containers (2). The apparatus (1) also comprises at least one working device (25) that applies packaging blanks (41) to the groupings (3). The beverage containers (2) of a grouping (3) pass through openings in the packaging blank (41) and are held together by the packaging blank (41). The apparatus (1) furthermore comprises at least one handling apparatus (15) which places the beverage containers (2) on the horizontal conveying device (5) such that the beverage containers (2) are in alignment with respect to one another. The alignment of the beverage containers (2) allows the packaging blank (41) to be applied to the beverage containers (2) directly upon their placement on the horizontal conveying device (5).

A packaging machine includes a series of stations or assemblies, including a carton feeding system and a product conveyor that receives a series of articles or products at a first, upstream or intake end of the packaging machine. The products generally can be grouped into a series of products, such as for forming six-packs, four-packs or other package configurations, and will be wrapped by or loaded into a series of carton blanks, after which the loaded cartons will be moved through a discharge station. The discharge station meters the loaded cartons or packages for discharge from the packaging machine.

A packaging machine includes a series of stations or assemblies, including a carton feeding system and a product conveyor that receives a series of articles or products at a first, upstream or intake end of the packaging machine. The products generally can be grouped into a series of products, such as for forming six-packs, four-packs or other package configurations, and will be wrapped by or loaded into a series of carton blanks, after which the loaded cartons will be moved through a discharge station. The discharge station meters the loaded cartons or packages for discharge from the packaging machine.

A system including a pair of prongs extending in a transverse direction, spaced apart from one another by a gap configured to receive carton blanks and product containers therein, and to crease retention flaps of the carton blank, wherein each prong travels along a cam path, a panel extending in a longitudinal direction in-between the pair of prongs configured to support the product containers and guide the retentions flaps, a pair of asymmetrical guide rails underneath the panel configured to alternatingly crease a first primary flap and a second primary flap of the carton blank, and a conveyor mechanism proximate to the panel configured to move they product container and a carton blanks along the panel.

A system including a pair of prongs extending in a transverse direction, spaced apart from one another by a gap configured to receive carton blanks and product containers therein, and to crease retention flaps of the carton blank, wherein each prong travels along a cam path, a panel extending in a longitudinal direction in-between the pair of prongs configured to support the product containers and guide the retentions flaps, a pair of asymmetrical guide rails underneath the panel configured to alternatingly crease a first primary flap and a second primary flap of the carton blank, and a conveyor mechanism proximate to the panel configured to move they product container and a carton blanks along the panel.