Method of forming a package of beverage cans

A method of forming a package of beverage cans, each of said cans having a can body defining a substantially circular bottom therefor having a bottom diameter, and a substantially circular can lid having a top diameter, said bottom diameter being less than said top diameter, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a predetermined number of said cans into a rectangular array to define a first tier of said cans;
• placing an insert panel onto said first tier, said insert panel having an area generally equal to the cross-sectional area of said rectangular array, said panel having formed therein said predetermined number of substantially circular debossments, each of said debossments having a debossment diameter not greater than said top diameter and not less than said bottom diameter and arranged on said insert panel so that one of said debossments is positioned to extend downwardly toward and concentrically on top of each of said cans of said lower tier;
• placing onto said insert panel a second tier of said predetermined number of said cans, said cans of said second tier being placed onto said insert panel by sliding movement of each of said cans along said insert panel until said can is positioned with said bottom seated within one of said debossments, whereby said second tier is axially aligned with said first tier;
• and
• sliding said first tier of said cans, said insert panel and said second tier of said cans together as a unit into a carton having interconnected top, bottom and side walls, whereby said bottoms of said cans of said first tier are slid across said bottom wall of said carton into position.