A packaging apparatus (1) and method for producing packaging units (40) is described. The packaging units (40) comprise at least two articles (20), on which at least one at least partially sheet-like packaging blank (3) is arranged. The packaging blank (3) has at least two through-openings (33) for the at least two articles (20). The through-openings (33) each have an edge region (34), which is in contact with the respective article (20). The packaging apparatus (1) comprises, among other components, an application head (10) for applying and fixing the packaging blank (30) to the article group (22), and a magazine (6) assigned to the packaging apparatus (1). The application head (10) or the magazine (6) comprises devices for pretreating the edge region of the through-openings (33). An alternative embodiment comprises a removal head which has devices for pretreating the edge region of the through-openings (33).

A method of at least partially forming packages. The method comprises moving a blank and a plurality of articles in a downstream direction through a clipping station. The blank can comprise at least a first attachment panel, a second attachment panel, and a keel portion extending from the first attachment panel to the second attachment panel. The method further can comprise forming a clipped assembly by clipping the first attachment panel and the second attachment panel of the blank to respective articles of the plurality of articles during the moving the blank and the plurality of articles through the clipping station and forming a keel by moving articles of the plurality of articles toward one another and folding the keel portion of the blank between the articles as the clipped assembly is moved in the downstream direction.

A system includes a feeder apparatus to transfer a blank to each of the groups and an applicator apparatus to apply the blank to each of the groups as the articles move along a travel path. The feeder apparatus includes a plurality of grippers to engage the blank. The feeder apparatus includes a guide to position each of the grippers along an orbital path during rotation such that each of the grippers has at least two radial positions along the orbital path and that orbital motion of each of the grippers is momentary paused at a first radial position to engage the blank. The applicator apparatus includes first applicator tools to press the blanks onto alternating first ones of the groups and second applicator tools to press the blanks onto alternating second ones of the groups as the articles move along the travel path.

The disclosure relates to an applicator system for coupling at least one carrier to the top of a confined set of drinking cans to form one or more packages of cans simultaneously, which allows the controlled deformation of carriers of the type having a substantially horizontal upper central area arranged above the upper face of the cans, and the assembly of packages of traditional cans and packages of slim cans.

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 packaging system, an apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700) for forming a package, an article carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) for packaging one or more articles, a blank (10; 110; 310; 410A-B) for forming the carrier, and to a method of packaging one or more articles. The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises a main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) having one or more article retention structures (RT1, RT2) for receiving and securing the main panel (12; 112; 312; 412) to a respective article (B). The carrier (90; 190; 390; 490) comprises at least one panel having a peripheral edge, a portion of which provides at least one registration edge shaped to inhibit movement in two orthogonal directions when engaged by a reference device (440; 540; 640; 740) of a packaging apparatus (400; 500; 600; 700).

A method and system for forming a package that addresses operational challenges in container packaging systems. The system may include a conveyor to propagate the blank and the plurality of containers at a first velocity through the system, the blank includes a main panel having a plurality of apertures, a left clip enclosing panel foldably coupled to a first side of the main panel and a right clip enclosing panel foldably coupled to a second side of the main panel. The system further includes a latching tool including a blade member configured to travel in an eccentric path such that the blade member is arranged to move vertically to secure a portion of the clip enclosing panel to a first set of containers while simultaneously moving horizontally at the first velocity.

An assembly to effectuate conditioning of a sheet carrier for a container multi-pack is provided. The assembly includes a die plate and a sheet carrier receiver plate resiliently retained thereupon for select displacement towards same via engagement of a sheet carrier received upon the receiver plate by a press plate. The die plate includes a central portion and a central portion periphery adjacent the central portion, the die plate characterized by a select array of conditioning dies upwardly extending from the central portion of the die plate, the dies characterized by a shoulder delimiting upper and lower die portions. The sheet carrier includes a central portion and a central portion periphery adjacent the central portion which includes a select array of passages configured to correspond to a configuration of the select array of conditioning dies of the die plate. Passages of the receiver plate circumscribe the lower die portions of the conditioning dies and during sheet carrier conditioning, discrete portions of the sheet carrier manipulated about/over the shoulder/lower die portions of the dies.