An apparatus for forming an article array including a head having at least one pair of opposed substantially planar gripping members, adapted for selectively securing a row of articles therebetween. Each pair of gripping members includes a first gripping member movable in a lateral direction parallel to a support surface and a second gripping member movable between extended and raised positions relative to the first gripping member. In response to the pair of gripping members at least partially laterally surrounding the row of articles, a movement of the second gripping member from the extended position to the raised position results in the second gripping member being sufficiently moved in a direction perpendicular to and away from the support surface, permitting the first gripping member to slidably move the row of articles in the lateral direction along the support surface without the second gripping member contacting the row of article.

A method for building an article array comprised of (n) rows of articles, as disclosed herein.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) for packaging one or more articles and a blank (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510) for forming the carrier. The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises a main panel (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512) having one or more article retention structures (RT1, RT2) for receiving and securing the main panel (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512) to a respective article (B). The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises a side panel (18, 20; 118, 120; 218, 220; 318, 320; 418, 420, 518, 520) hingedly connected to the main panel (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512) by a hinged connection. The hinged connection between the main panel (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512) and the side panel (18, 20; 118, 120; 218, 220; 318, 320; 418, 420, 518, 520) is defined, at least in part, by a curved or arcuate fold line (13, 15, 17, 19).