Packaging method and apparatus, article carrier and blank therefor

A method of packaging articles comprising translating a group of articles in a downstream direction through an application section of a packaging system, the method comprising folding and gluing a carrier blank into a preformed top-engaging carrier and conveying the top-engaging carrier in the downstream direction to the application section and applying the top-engaging carrier to the group of articles.

A carrier-forming device comprising a pair of tools including an interior tool and an exterior tool, the interior tool comprising a plurality of mandrel surfaces which include a pair of opposed side surfaces and at least one end surface for supporting at least two end closure flaps of a carrier in an overlapping arrangement with an end closure pane of the carrier, the exterior tool comprising a pair of opposed side members for folding opposed side panels of the carrier into downwardly folded positions along the pair of opposed side surfaces of the interior tool, wherein the exterior tool is structured and dimensioned such that when the side members bring the side panels of the carrier into the folded positions, the at least one end surface of the interior tool is offset outwardly from adjacent ends of the side members of the exterior tool.

A carrier-forming device comprising a pair of tools including an interior tool and an exterior tool, the exterior tool comprising a pair of opposed side members for folding opposed side panels of a carrier into downwardly folded positions along an exterior of the interior tool, at least one of the side members of the exterior tool comprising an engaging ledge for engaging the carrier, the engaging ledge being movably connected to the side member for movement between an engaging position, in which the ledge is disposed within the interior of the exterior tool, and a yielding position, in which the ledge is disposed outside the interior of the exterior tool, wherein the ledge is biased towards the engaging position when disposed in the yielding position.

A carrier-forming device comprising a pair of tools including an interior tool and an exterior tool, the exterior tool comprising a pair of opposed side members for folding opposed side panels of a carrier into downwardly folded positions along an exterior of the interior tool, the pair of opposed side members of the exterior tool each comprising a recess along an end thereof for receiving a static machine guide.

A carrier-forming device comprising a pair of tools including an interior tool and an exterior tool, the exterior tool comprising a pair of opposed side members for folding opposed side panels of a carrier into downwardly folded positions along an exterior of the interior tool, at least one of the pair of opposed side members of the exterior tool is provided at an end thereof with a protrusion, the protrusion projecting inwardly beyond the plane of the inside surface of the at least one of the pair of opposed side members.

A method of packaging articles comprising pre-forming a carrier blank into a top-engaging carrier using a carrier-forming device comprising a pair of tools including an interior tool and an exterior tool, the method comprising disengaging the carrier from the interior tool while maintaining the carrier in engagement with the exterior tool, bringing the exterior tool along with the carrier into engagement with a group of articles such that the group of articles are connected together by the carrier, and removing the exterior tool from the carrier as well as from the group of articles.

An article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the article carrier comprising a top panel, a pair of side panels and an end closure structure for closing at least one of opposed ends of the carrier, the end closure structure comprising a plurality of end closing flaps which includes a pair of side end flaps and a top end flap, the top end flap having no direct foldable connection with the pair of side end flaps, at least one of the pair of side end flaps comprises a corner panel, wherein the top end flap is provided along at least one of its side edges with a recess, the plurality of end closing flaps are secured together to form the end closure structure, and wherein the recess of the top end closure is in alignment, along a virtual axis perpendicular to the top panel, with at least a part of the corner panel.

An article carrier for packaging one or more articles, the article carrier comprising a top panel, a pair of side panels and an end closure structure for closing at least one of opposed ends of the carrier, the end closure structure comprising a plurality of end closing flaps including a pair of side end flaps and a top end flap, the top end flap having no direct foldable connection with the pair of side end flaps, at least one of the pair of side end flaps comprising a corner panel with an upper edge, wherein the top end flap is provided along at least one of its side edges with a recessed edge, and wherein the plurality of end closing flaps are secured together to form the end closure structure in which the upper edge of the corner panel intersects the recessed edge of the top end flap.