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).

The disclosure relates to a top engaging carrier formed from a paperboard substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, with a polymer film laminated onto the first surface.

The disclosure relates to a top engaging carrier formed from a paperboard substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, with a polymer film laminated onto the first surface.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a central panel having a plurality of container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, a plurality of container retention tabs positioned extending into respective container retention openings of the plurality of container retention openings, the plurality of container retention tabs positioned for engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the central panel at a fold line, and at least one deflection tab positioned extending away from the at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs, the fold line intersecting a respective at least one deflection tab.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a central panel having a plurality of container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, a plurality of container retention tabs positioned extending into respective container retention openings of the plurality of container retention openings, the plurality of container retention tabs positioned for engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the central panel at a fold line, and at least one deflection tab positioned extending away from the at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs, the fold line intersecting a respective at least one deflection tab.

A product handle that is formed of a folded planar material such that it may be made from an environmentally friendly material is disclosed for providing a means for a user to hold one or more merchandise products in the form of bottles in one hand. The product handle includes a planar top face having a first hole, a planar bottom face having a second hole with a diameter less than a diameter of the first hole, a planar front face, and a planar rear face. A product held by the product handle can pass through the first hole and the second hole. The second hole is tapered and the planar top face, the planar bottom face, the planar front face, and the planar rear face may be made of a folded sheet of cardboard.

A product handle that is formed of a folded planar material such that it may be made from an environmentally friendly material is disclosed for providing a means for a user to hold one or more merchandise products in the form of bottles in one hand. The product handle includes a planar top face having a first hole, a planar bottom face having a second hole with a diameter less than a diameter of the first hole, a planar front face, and a planar rear face. A product held by the product handle can pass through the first hole and the second hole. The second hole is tapered and the planar top face, the planar bottom face, the planar front face, and the planar rear face may be made of a folded sheet of cardboard.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, method of packaging, apparatus, handle structure, an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, and to a blank for forming the handle structure or article carrier. The packaging system provides an apparatus for applying the handle structure or article carrier to one or more articles. The apparatus provides a component adapted to engage the blank and form the handle structure or article carrier so as to displace a first side of the handle structure or article carrier, disposed on a first side of an article retention structure to a greater extent than a second side of the handle structure or article carrier, disposed on a second, opposing, side of an article retention structure.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, method of packaging, apparatus, handle structure, an article carrier for packaging a plurality of articles, and to a blank for forming the handle structure or article carrier. The packaging system provides an apparatus for applying the handle structure or article carrier to one or more articles. The apparatus provides a component adapted to engage the blank and form the handle structure or article carrier so as to displace a first side of the handle structure or article carrier, disposed on a first side of an article retention structure to a greater extent than a second side of the handle structure or article carrier, disposed on a second, opposing, side of an article retention structure.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to article carriers (90) for forming a package and blanks (10; 110; 210; 310) for forming the article carriers (90). The blank (10; 110; 210; 310) comprises at least one panel (12; 112; 212; 312) having at least four article receiving openings (RT1). The at least one panel (12; 112; 212; 312) comprises a handle feature. The at least article receiving openings (RT1) are arranged in two rows. The handle feature comprises at least one handle opening (Ha1, Ha2, Ha3) located at a centre (C) of the at least four article receiving openings (RT1). The at least one handle opening (Ha1, Ha2, Ha3) is defined at least in part by a pair of first tabs (16, 18; 140, 142; 216, 218; 340, 342, 370, 372, 374, 376) hingedly connected to the at least one panel (12; 112; 212; 312) by a pair of first divergent fold lines (17, 19; 141, 143; 341, 343, 373a, 373b, 375a, 375b) respectively. Each of the first tabs (16, 18; 140, 142; 216, 218; 340, 342, 370, 372, 374, 376) comprises a height dimension (H1) extending between the respective first fold line (17, 19; 141, 143; 341, 343, 373a, 373b, 375a, 375b) and a free end of that first tab (16, 18; 140, 142; 216, 218; 340, 342, 370, 372, 374, 376). The height dimension (H1) may be equal to or greater than a distance (He) between the centre (C) and each of the first fold lines (17, 19; 141, 143; 341, 343, 373a, 373b, 375a, 375b).