A top-engaging carrier includes a top panel (18a) and a sloping shoulder panel (16a) hinged to the top panel by a first fold line (21a). The first fold line is interrupted by at least two curved cut lines (40a) such that by folding the shoulder panel about the first fold line, an article-engaging edge is defined by each of the at least two curved cut lines. The shoulder panel includes a stress-reducing second fold line (29a) extending alongside at least a part of the first fold line.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels including at least one central panel, at least one attachment panel, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, the at least one attachment panel configured receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, and at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the at least one attachment panel and the at least one top panel. The at least one central panel is for being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels including at least one central panel, at least one attachment panel, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, the at least one attachment panel configured receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, and at least one reinforcement panel positioned between the at least one attachment panel and the at least one top panel. The at least one central panel is for being positioned between and attached to adjacent containers of the plurality of containers.

A Carrier device for grouping and transporting a set of cans of beverages into a package; the carrier comprises an upper central area arranged on a level above the top plane of the cans; clamping flanges surround and fit snugly to the tapered trunk portion of the can, and have a mantle with proximal, rising ends; a series of radial cuts forming two types of retainer flaps, where each retainer flap comprises a perimeter contour generated by a polygonal-elliptical cut line which in turn generates a cover flap that remains attached and co-planar to the central area of the device; and transition portions which extend in a downward sloping manner as a continuation of the upper central area and join laterally with the proximal ends of the flanges.

An article carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier are disclosed. The carrier (90) comprises an engaging panel (12) having at least one article-engaging structure (RT1, RT2). The carrier (90) comprises a bundling structure having first and second segments. The first segment includes a first panel (14) hinged to the engaging panel (12) and abridging portion (22A, 26A) hinged to the first panel (14). The second segment includes a second panel (18A) hinged to the engaging panel (12), a third panel (18B) hinged to the second panel (18A) in overlapping position therewith and a bridge-engaging feature engaging the bridging portion (22A, 26A). The bridge-engaging feature is provided at least by the second and third panels (18A, 18B) such that art of the bridging portion (22A, 26A) is disposed between the second and third panels (18A, 18B).

An article carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier are disclosed. The carrier (90) comprises an engaging panel (12) having at least one article-engaging structure (RT1, RT2). The carrier (90) comprises a bundling structure having first and second segments. The first segment includes a first panel (14) hinged to the engaging panel (12) and abridging portion (22A, 26A) hinged to the first panel (14). The second segment includes a second panel (18A) hinged to the engaging panel (12), a third panel (18B) hinged to the second panel (18A) in overlapping position therewith and a bridge-engaging feature engaging the bridging portion (22A, 26A). The bridge-engaging feature is provided at least by the second and third panels (18A, 18B) such that art of the bridging portion (22A, 26A) is disposed between the second and third panels (18A, 18B).

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton (90, 190, 290, 390, 490, 590, 690) and carton blank (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710) comprising at least one panel having a deformable panel portion (R, R1, R2, R3, R4) comprising an auxetic cut pattern. The auxetic cut pattern provides a tear opening device The auxetic cut pattern provides a stretchable panel conformable with a contoured surface of an article.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carton (90, 190, 290, 390, 490, 590, 690) and carton blank (10; 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710) comprising at least one panel having a deformable panel portion (R, R1, R2, R3, R4) comprising an auxetic cut pattern. The auxetic cut pattern provides a tear opening device The auxetic cut pattern provides a stretchable panel conformable with a contoured surface of an article.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier for packaging one or more articles. The carrier is formed from a set of connected blanks each of which form a top engaging carrier, wherein the blanks are detachably connected together in a matrix fashion wherein each blank has a plurality of top-receiving apertures wherein a first distance (D.sub.1) between the respective centres of two adjacent ones of the apertures of a first blank is less than a second distance (D.sub.2) between the centre of a corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a second blank and wherein the first distance (D.sub.1) is less than a third distance (D.sub.3) between the centre of the corner aperture of the first blank and the centre of the adjacent corner aperture of a third blank.