A system and method for activating a series of article protection features formed in product cartons in which a series of articles have been packaged includes an actuating assembly mounted along a path of travel for the cartons. The actuating assembly will include a series of actuating elements that are selectively moved into engagement with the article protection features of the cartons. The article protection features are urged into the cartons, between the articles therein and into positions engaging and supporting the articles.

A carton for containing a plurality of containers includes a bottom panel, at least one top panel, at least one side panel, at least one top end flap foldably connected to the at least one top panel, at least one bottom end flap foldably connected to the bottom panel, and at least one side end flap foldably connected to the at least one side panel. The carton further includes a handle including a handle strap separable from the at least one top panel and foldably connected to a relief portion, the relief portion being defined by spaced apart cuts in the at least one top end flap, the relief portion for being positioned in a container gap defined by a nested arrangement of the plurality of containers when the handle is activated.

An article packaging machine and method or turning article packs, the article packaging machine having a turner station for turning article packs moving though the packaging machine. The packaging machine includes a main conveyor extending longitudinally from an upstream end to a downstream end and through the turning station. Article packs are carried by the main conveyor spaced and sequentially in the downstream direction through the turner station. The turner station includes flight drive assembly having multiple flight assemblies. The flight assemblies are driven above upper cam plates in the upstream direction, and below lower cam plates in the downstream direction. The flight assemblies include turner rods that are moved toward the main conveyor to contact the article pack in at least two points. The turner rods progressively move toward the main conveyor center line until the distal ends of the turner rods are moved past the article pack side walls and the pack is turned 90 degrees.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier has a bottom panel, at least one front panel, at least one back panel, at least two side panels, and at least one central panel dividing the interior of the carrier into a front portion and a back portion. At least one front divider flap is foldably connected to the at least one central panel and at least one back divider flap is foldably connected to the at least one central panel. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to at least one of the at least one front panel, the at least one back panel, the at least two side panels, and the at least one central panel. The at least one retention flap engages a container and provides stability to the respective container in one of the front or back container-receiving spaces.

A carton for holding a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The plurality of end flaps are at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The carton also can comprise at least one article protection flap foldably connected to at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps for engaging at least one article of the plurality of articles. The at least one article protection flap extends from the closed end at least partially into the interior of the carton.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers. The carrier has a bottom panel, at least one front panel, at least one back panel, at least two side panels, and at least one central panel dividing the interior of the carrier into a front portion and a back portion. At least one front divider flap is foldably connected to the at least one central panel and at least one back divider flap is foldably connected to the at least one central panel. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to at least one of the at least one front panel, the at least one back panel, the at least two side panels, and the at least one central panel. The at least one retention flap engages a container and provides stability to the respective container in one of the front or back container-receiving spaces.

A carton for holding a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The plurality of end flaps are at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The carton also can comprise at least one article protection flap foldably connected to at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps for engaging at least one article of the plurality of articles. The at least one article protection flap extends from the closed end at least partially into the interior of the carton.

A carrier that is at least partially holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can include a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a first top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second top panel foldably connected to the second side panel. At least one container-receiving feature extends in at least the bottom panel. The at least one container-receiving feature can at least partially receive at least one container of the plurality of containers. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to the first top panel or the second top panel. The at least one retention flap engages at least a portion of a flange of at least one container.

A packaging machine for packaging articles into cartons includes a first conveyor for conveying cartons along a carton stream, a second conveyor for conveying first article groups adjacent to the carton stream, a third conveyor for conveying divider pads adjacent to the carton stream, and a fourth conveyor for conveying second article groups adjacent to the carton stream. A first lateral transfer mechanism transfers the first article groups transversely into cartons within the carton stream. A second lateral transfer mechanism transfers the divider pads transversely into the cartons within the carton stream and onto said first article groups contained therein. A third lateral transfer mechanism transfers the second article groups transversely into the cartons within the carton stream and onto the divider pads contained therein.

An article packaging machine and method or turning article packs, the article packaging machine having a turner station for turning article packs moving though the packaging machine. The packaging machine includes a main conveyor extending longitudinally from an upstream end to a downstream end and through the turning station. Article packs are carried by the main conveyor spaced and sequentially in the downstream direction through the turner station. The turner station includes flight drive assembly having multiple flight assemblies. The flight assemblies are driven above upper cam plates in the upstream direction, and below lower cam plates in the downstream direction. The flight assemblies include turner rods that are moved toward the main conveyor to contact the article pack in at least two points. The turner rods progressively move toward the main conveyor center line until the distal ends of the turner rods are moved past the article pack side walls and the pack is turned 90 degrees.