Abstract
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a package, an article carrier (90; 190; 290; 390; 490) for packaging one or more articles (B) and a blank (10; 110; 210; 310; 410) for forming the carrier. The article carrier (90; 190; 290; 390; 490) comprising a top panel (12; 112; 212; 312; 412) and a skirt structure surrounding and extending from the top panel (12; 112; 212; 312; 412). The skirt structure comprises a plurality of panels (14, 16, 18, 20, 24A, 24B, 28A, 28B; 114A, 114B, 116A, 116B, 118A, 118B, 120A, 120B, 124A, 124B, 128A, 128B; 214, 216, 218, 220; 314, 316, 318, 320, 324A, 324B, 328A, 328B; 414A, 414B, 416A, 416B, 418A, 418B, 420A, 420B, 424A, 424B, 428A, 428B) which include at least a first pair of opposing panels (PA1, PB1, PA2, PB2). The plurality of panels (14, 16, 18, 20, 24A, 24B, 28A, 28B; 114A, 114B, 116A, 116B, 118A, 118B, 120A, 120B, 124A, 124B, 128A, 128B; 214, 216, 218, 220; 314, 316, 318, 320, 324A, 324B, 328A, 328B; 414A, 414B, 416A, 416B, 418A, 418B, 420A, 420B, 424A, 424B, 428A, 428B) are connected together such that the skirt structure provides a continuous loop for surrounding a group of articles to bundle the articles (B) of the group together. The skirt structure has a pre-loading form before application to the group of articles and a post-loading form in which articles are received by the skirt structure. The skirt structure in the pre-loading form has a first pre-loading dimension or length (L1) measured between distal ends of the opposing panels (PA1, PB1). The skirt structure in the post-loading form has a first post-loading length (L2) measured between the distal ends of the opposing panels (PA2, PB2). The post-loading form differs from the pre-loading form such that the first post-loading length (L2) is greater than the first pre-loading length (L1).