Packaging system, apparatus and method of constructing an article carrier

An applicator device for applying a carrier blank to a group of articles, the applicator device comprising:

• a top wall having blank-pressing ceiling;
• a pair of opposed side walls;
• an end wall;
• an end opening through which to insert a carrier blank;
• a blank-receiving channel in at least each side wall;
• and a registration peg for inserting into a registration opening in the carrier blank, the top wall, the opposed side walls and the end wall together define an interior of the device, the peg extending from the blank-pressing ceiling into the interior of the device, a first distance defined between the blank-pressing ceiling and a floor of the channel, providing a blank-supporting ledge, is greater than an operative length of the registration peg.

A method of packaging at least one article, comprising:

• sliding a carrier blank through an open end of a forming jig into a blank receiving recess in the jig and aligning the carrier blank with respect to the jig;
• placing the jig over at least one article;
• and
• lowering the jig with respect to at least one article.