Provided is a cup carrier that is capable of receiving and carrying a plurality of cups. The cup carrier includes a rectangular cup carrier, which constitutes the bottom thereof, a pair of grip units formed at opposite edges of the cup carrier, each of the grip units being formed by incision in the form of a band so as to be folded upward, a pair of bending pieces formed at the opposite edges of the cup carrier, at which the grip units are formed by incision, so as to be folded downward, a portion of the middle of each of the bending pieces being partially formed by incision to define a horizontal straw receiving hole, and a plurality of leg units formed by incision in the cup carrier so as to define a plurality of circular holes and bent 90 degrees downward so as to be supported from a surface.

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 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 carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier including a plurality of panels having at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, and locking features for maintaining an erected configuration of the carrier, the locking features including at least one male locking feature extending from a respective panel of the plurality of panels being at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in a respective panel of the plurality of panels.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier including a plurality of panels having at least one attachment panel configured to receive a portion of one or more containers of the plurality of containers, at least one side panel, and at least one top panel, and locking features for maintaining an erected configuration of the carrier, the locking features including at least one male locking feature extending from a respective panel of the plurality of panels being at least partially received in a respective at least one female locking feature at least partially defined in a respective panel of the plurality of panels.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, method of packaging, apparatus, handle structure, an article carrier (90) for packaging a plurality of articles (B), and to a blank (10; 110; 210; 410; 510; 610; 710) for forming the handle structure or article carrier (90). The packaging system provides an apparatus (1000) for applying the handle structure or article carrier (90) to one of more articles (B). The apparatus (1000) provides component (1020; 1120) adapted to engage the handle structure or article carrier (90) so as to displace a first side of the handle structure or article carrier (90), disposed on a first side of an article retention structure RT to a greater extent than a second side of the handle structure or article carrier (90), disposed on a second, opposing, side of an article retention structure RT.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, method of packaging, apparatus, handle structure, an article carrier (90) for packaging a plurality of articles (B), and to a blank (10; 110; 210; 410; 510; 610; 710) for forming the handle structure or article carrier (90). The packaging system provides an apparatus (1000) for applying the handle structure or article carrier (90) to one of more articles (B). The apparatus (1000) provides component (1020; 1120) adapted to engage the handle structure or article carrier (90) so as to displace a first side of the handle structure or article carrier (90), disposed on a first side of an article retention structure RT to a greater extent than a second side of the handle structure or article carrier (90), disposed on a second, opposing, side of an article retention structure RT.

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 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.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, a package (P), article carriers (90; 1090; 2090; 3090) for packaging one or more articles and a joint member (190; 2190; 3190; 4190; 5190; 6190), and blanks (10; 110; 1010; 1110; 2010; 2110; 3010; 4110; 5110; 6110) for forming the article carriers (90; 1090; 2090; 3090) and joint member (190; 2190; 3190; 4190; 5190; 6190). The package P comprises a pair of sub-packages (90; 1090; 2090; 3090), including a first sub-package (90; 1090; 2090; 3090) and a second sub-package (90; 1090; 2090; 3090) disposed next to each other, or one on top of another, and a joint member (190; 2190; 3190; 4190; 5190; 6190), in the form of a handle strap, connecting the pair of sub-packages (90; 1090; 2090; 3090) together into a unitary tertiary package (P). The joint member (190; 2190; 3190; 4190; 5190; 6190) comprises a tubular structure disposed around the pair of sub-packages (90; 1090; 2090; 3090).