Method and system for attaching articles to a carrier

A system for at least partially forming packages, the system comprising:

• a clipping station that receives a plurality of articles and a blank comprising 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 clipping station clipping the first attachment panel and the second attachment panel of the blank to respective articles of the plurality of articles to form a clipped assembly while moving the blank and the plurality of articles in a downstream direction;
• a merging station receiving the clipped assembly from the clipping station, the merging station moving articles of the plurality of articles toward one another while the keel portion of the blank folds between the articles to form a keel between the articles as the clipped assembly is moved in the downstream direction;
• and
• a glue applicator applying glue to the keel portion so that the glue adheres a respective article to the keel when the merging station forms the keel between the articles.