A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels including a first panel in at least partial face-to-face contact with a second panel, each of the first panel and the second panel having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion including from the first end portion to the second end portion, container retention features including at least one container retention opening in each of the first panel and the second panel, the at least one container opening in the first panel aligned with the at least one container retention opening in the second panel for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers; and a handle positioned between the first end portion and the second end portion of each of the first panel and the second panel for being grasped by a user.

Aspects of the invention relate to an applicator plate (10) for use in an apparatus (80) for attaching a set of frangibly adjoined top engaging clips (110) to a group of articles C. The applicator plate (10) having a generally planar body; and a plurality of apertures (16a-26f) within the body. Each aperture (16a-26f) has a series of internal walls (16i-16x) arranged such that each aperture (16a-26f) has a polygonal shape.

An apparatus for attaching one or more can carriers to a plurality of cans is disclosed herein. The apparatus may include rails for guiding the cans as the cans move through the apparatus. Push members may be moved into the space between the rails to push the cans through the apparatus towards a member and at least one roller. The member (e.g., a hopper) may position a can carrier above the cans. The at least one roller may be positioned to provide a downward force on the can carrier to attach the can carrier to the top of the cans as the cans are moved past the at least one roller by the push members.

A packaging element for can-type containers. The grouper means includes a plurality of protective covers. Each protective cover is linked to a container and includes a top cover provided to cover the top portion of the container and an elongated body formed from a strand-shape structure of flexible material having a hand grip portion. Each protective cover has a widened portion arranged in at least one of the ends of the elongated body and a plurality of attachment portions, with a number complementary to the plurality of protective covers. The plurality of attachment portions are provided to be coupled in a removable way to the plurality of protective covers. The plurality of protective covers and the elongated body are formed from a single injection-molded piece.

A packaging system includes a conveyor configured to convey a group of articles and a blank along a packaging path. The packaging system includes a folding machine configured to fold a first end panel of the blank relative to a main panel of the blank and to fold a second end panel of the blank relative to the main panel, after the first end panel is folded, as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path. The packaging system includes an alignment machine configured to position a first side panel and a second side panel of the blank at a predetermined angle relative to the main panel as the group of articles and the blank travel along the packaging path.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a top engaging article carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles blanks (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) for forming the carrier (90) and a method of forming the carrier (90). An aspect provides a plurality of connected blanks (1), comprising two or more blanks (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) each for forming an article carrier (90). Each blank (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) comprises an engaging panel (12) having at least one article-receiving device (RT1) and a pair of side or shoulder panels (20, 22) hingedly connected to opposing sides of the engaging panel (12). A first side panel (20) of a first one of the two or more blanks (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) is frangibly connected to an adjacently disposed side panel (22) of a second one of the two or more blanks (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) by one or more frangible connections (N). The frangible connections (N) are broken automatically in response to application of the plurality of connected blanks (1) to a group of articles (B).

A machine for packaging multiple containers wherein a flexible carrier stock is fed across a jaw drum. A plurality of containers are moved through the machine whereby the carrier is subsequently positioned over the plurality of containers so that flexible carrier stock engages with two or more of the containers to form a package. The jaw drum and other operative components of the machine are preferably vertically adjustable to accommodate a range of container sizes and carrier configurations.

A carrier and method of manufacture for a carrier that results in a package of containers includes a plastic sheet having an array of container apertures and a portion having a printed matte finish where the printed matte finish includes a lower coefficient of friction relative to a container than a remaining surface of the plastic sheet. A plurality of containers are each positioned within an aperture of the array so that the printed matte finish of the plastic sheet is positioned along an inner portion of the package and the remaining surface of the plastic sheet is positioned along an outer portion of the package.

An apparatus for coupling one or more can carriers to a plurality of cans is disclosed herein. The apparatus may include rails for guiding the cans as the cans move through the apparatus. Push members may be moved into the space between the rails to push the cans through the apparatus towards a member and at least one roller. The member (e.g., a hopper) may position a can carrier above the cans. The at least one roller may be positioned to provide a downward force on the can carrier to attach the can carrier to the top of the cans as the cans are moved past the at least one roller by the push members.

An apparatus for attaching one or more can carriers to a plurality of cans is disclosed herein. The apparatus may include rails for guiding the cans as the cans move through the apparatus. Push members may be moved into the space between the rails to push the cans through the apparatus towards a member and at least one roller. The member (e.g., a hopper) may position a can carrier above the cans. The at least one roller may be positioned to provide a downward force on the can carrier to attach the can carrier to the top of the cans as the cans are moved past the at least one roller by the push members.