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).

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article top engaging device, a carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The article carrier 90 comprises an engaging panel 12 and an article top engaging device RT defined therein. The engaging panel 12 has at least one top-receiving opening defined by an aperture A1 defined therein and having a perimeter. The engaging panel 12 comprises a plurality of cut lines 20/22 each extending radially away from the perimeter. Each of the cut lines 20/22 comprises a linear portion 20 and an arcuate portion 22. The arcuate portion 22 is contiguously arranged with the linear portion 20. The engaging panel 12 comprises a fold line 18/19 extending between the linear portions 20 of adjacent pairs of the plurality of cut lines 20/22 so as to define engaging tabs 16 foldably connected to the engaging panel 12 and struck therefrom.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to an article top engaging device, a carrier for packaging one or more articles and a blank for forming the carrier. The article carrier 90 comprises an engaging panel 12 and an article top engaging device RT defined therein. The engaging panel 12 has at least one top-receiving opening defined by an aperture A1 defined therein and having a perimeter. The engaging panel 12 comprises a plurality of cut lines 20/22 each extending radially away from the perimeter. Each of the cut lines 20/22 comprises a linear portion 20 and an arcuate portion 22. The arcuate portion 22 is contiguously arranged with the linear portion 20. The engaging panel 12 comprises a fold line 18/19 extending between the linear portions 20 of adjacent pairs of the plurality of cut lines 20/22 so as to define engaging tabs 16 foldably connected to the engaging panel 12 and struck therefrom.

A carrier for holding multiple containers may include an upper carrier portion having several carrier sections. Each carrier section may include an attachment panel that at least partially defines multiple container openings for at least partially receiving respective containers and may include container retention tabs foldably connected to the attachment panel and extending into the container openings for at least partially engaging the containers. A handle panel may be foldably connected to each attachment panel. The carrier may further include a lower tray portion having panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the lower tray portion, including a bottom panel, at least one end panel, and at least one side panel. The interior of the lower tray portion may at least partially receive the containers, and each carrier section may be separably connected to at least one side panel of the lower tray portion.

A carrier for holding multiple containers may include an upper carrier portion having several carrier sections. Each carrier section may include an attachment panel that at least partially defines multiple container openings for at least partially receiving respective containers and may include container retention tabs foldably connected to the attachment panel and extending into the container openings for at least partially engaging the containers. A handle panel may be foldably connected to each attachment panel. The carrier may further include a lower tray portion having panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the lower tray portion, including a bottom panel, at least one end panel, and at least one side panel. The interior of the lower tray portion may at least partially receive the containers, and each carrier section may be separably connected to at least one side panel of the lower tray portion.

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.

Described is a device for packaging at least two containers in a batch and methods for packaging containers using the device. The containers can be bottles with a neck. The device includes at least one sheet of semi-rigid or rigid material. The sheet has at least two parts, a first support part with at least two orifices for receiving the necks of the containers, and a second reinforcing part with at least one opening. The sheet has at least one fold line separating the first part and the second part, and the opening is able to cover at least one of the orifices of the support part in a covering folding position of the reinforcing part.

Described is a device for packaging at least two containers in a batch and methods for packaging containers using the device. The containers can be bottles with a neck. The device includes at least one sheet of semi-rigid or rigid material. The sheet has at least two parts, a first support part with at least two orifices for receiving the necks of the containers, and a second reinforcing part with at least one opening. The sheet has at least one fold line separating the first part and the second part, and the opening is able to cover at least one of the orifices of the support part in a covering folding position of the reinforcing part.

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a plurality of panels including at least one attachment panel for at least partially receiving at least one container of the plurality of containers and at least one handle panel foldably connected to the at least one attachment panel. The at least one handle panel at least partially forms a handle of the carrier and at least partially defines a locking feature along a free edge for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers. The handle is positionable between a first position, in which the handle panel extends generally upwardly from the at least one attachment panel, and a second position, in which the handle panel is folded relative to the at least one attachment panel such that the locking feature is positioned for at least partially engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers.