A carton for packaging articles includes top (14A, 14B) and bottom (18, 20) connected together by spaced side walls (12A, 12B, 12C; 16A, 16B, 16C) to form a tubular structure, and an end closure structure (22) at one end of the tubular structure. Each end closure structure includes first and second top flaps (32a, 32b) connected to the top (14A, 14B) and interconnected to anchoring panels (24a, 24b). The top flaps are not directly connected together but through the top of the carton.

The present disclosure relates to a package comprising an enclosure and retentions. The enclosure is sized and configured to receive several articles aligned within the enclosure. The enclosure has an opening at each of two opposite ends. A retention is located at each end of the enclosure. At least one retention is retractable. For grouping, the articles are aligned on a pre-formed foldable sheet. The sheet is folded to enclose the articles. Opposite edges of the sheet are glued together to form an enclosure about the plurality of articles. A retention is folded at each end of the enclosure. After placing the package on a shelf, any retention at one end of the enclosure is displaced to free the articles. Pushing on the articles through an opposite end allows the articles to slide onto the shelf. A pre-formed foldable sheet for forming the package is also disclosed.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a carrier (90) for packaging one or more articles (B). The carrier comprises a main panel (12) having first (A1) and second (A2) adjacent apertures, arranged side by side, each for receiving a portion of an article. The main panel further comprises an annular series of tabs (16,18,20) formed around each of the first and second apertures. The tabs of each annular series are hingedly connected to the main panel such that at least some of the tabs yield out of the plane of the main panel when an article is received in the respective aperture so as to bear against the article. The main panel comprising a first layer (CL) comprising a paperboard substrate and a second layer (PL) providing a tear resistant layer wherein the tear resistant layer is disposed above the paperboard substrate.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a packaging system, packaging apparatus and applicator device for packaging one or more articles. The applicator device comprises a plate having at least one receiver for receiving a portion of an article, wherein the receiver comprises an orifice defined in the plate, a bore having an internal wall, and at least one lug, the lug projects radially inward from the internal wall.

An article carrier for engaging at least one article has spaced apart panels including an engaging panel and a cover panel hingedly connected together by a side panel. The engaging panel includes at least one article retention structure having an annular series of engaging tabs and a friction flap. The friction flap is surrounded by the annular series of engaging tabs. The friction flap is coupled to the engaging panel by at least one connecting tab. The at least one connecting tab is located proximate a fold line between the engaging panel and the side panel.

A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel. An insert can comprise a central panel, an inner end flap foldably connected to the central panel, and at least one crown guard flap foldably connected to the inner end flap adjacent a crown guard opening in the insert. The central panel can comprise a stop edge adjacent the crown guard opening, and the crown guard flap can comprise a first portion foldably connected to the inner end flap and a second portion foldably connected to the first portion. The top panel can at least partially overlap the central panel, and the second portion of the crown guard flap can be disposed adjacent the stop edge of the central panel.

A carton for containing at least one article. The carton comprises at least one panel that can form an interior of the carton. The carton comprises at least one protection feature for protecting the articles from breakage. The article protection feature can comprise at least one feature in end flaps of the carton. The article protection feature can comprise an article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The article protection flap can be moveable between a first position and a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.

A package includes a carton (90) and one or more articles (A). The carton includes a top panel (20), a base panel (16), a first side wall (14) and a second side wall (18). The first side wall includes at least one tab (42a) hingedly connected thereto. The at least one tab is configured to provide a support structure for facilitating stacking of the carton. The at least one tab has a lower edge in contact with an upper surface of an article and includes an upper edge in contact with an inner surface of the top panel of the carton so as to support the top panel of the carton above the upper surface of the article.

A carton for holding a plurality of articles. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels comprising at least a top panel and a side panel. A plurality of end flaps can be respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels, can be at least partially overlapped to at least partially form a closed end of the carton, and can comprise at least a side end flap foldably connected to the side panel along a first fold line. A handle can be formed in the closed end of the carton for grasping and carrying the carton. The handle can extend in at least the side end flap. A reinforcing flap can be foldably connected to the side end flap along a second fold line, and the reinforcing flap can at least partially overlap the side end flap for reinforcing the handle.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier (90; 290; 390; 490) for packaging one or more articles (B) and a blank (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) for forming the carrier (90; 290; 390; 490). The carrier (90; 290; 390; 490) comprises at least one engaging panel (12; 112; 214A/214B; 314A/314B; 412A/412B/412C/412D/412E/412F) and a pair of side panels (14A/14B, 16A/16B; 114A/114B, 116A/116B; 214A/214B, 226A/226B; 314A/314B, 326A/326B; 414A/414B, 426A/426B) hinged to opposed edges of the at least one engaging panel (12; 112; 214A/214B; 314A/314B; 412A/412B/412C/412D/412E/412F). A plurality of end panels is hinged to a first end of the at least one engaging panel (12; 112; 214A/214B; 314A/314B; 412A/412B/412C/412D/412E/412F). The plurality of end panels comprises a first end panel (18A/18B, 20A/20B; 118A/118B, 120A/120B; 118A/118B, 120A/120B; 218A/218B, 220A/220B; 318A/318B, 320A/320B; 418A/418B/418C/418D/418E/418F, 420A/420B/420C/420D/420E/420F) having a pair of opposed side edges, a corner panel (24A, 28A, 24B, 28B; 124A, 128A, 24B, 128B; 224A, 228A, 224B, 228B; 324A, 328A, 324B, 328B; 424A, 428A, 424B, 428B) hingedly connected to each of the pair of opposed side edges, a securing panel (22A, 26A, 22B, 26B; 122A, 126A, 122B, 126B; 222A, 226A, 222B, 226B; 322A, 326A, 322B, 326B; 422A, 426A, 422B, 426B) hingedly connected to each corner panel (24A, 28A, 24B, 28B; 124A, 128A, 24B, 128B; 224A, 228A, 224B, 228B; 324A, 328A, 324B, 328B; 424A, 428A, 424B, 428B), and a flap (30A, 32A, 30B, 32B; 130A, 132A, 130B, 132B; 230A, 232A, 230B, 232B; 330A, 332A,