Method and apparatus for packaging

摘要

Packaging a plurality of cuboid containers, such as cigarette packs, in a package that is larger than the containers is enabled by arranging the containers in an offset array in which adjacent sides of the containers are offset from each other by a predetermined amount. A blank of relatively stiff material is folded around the array to form the package. The amount the containers are offset in the array is the same amount by which the package sides are longer than the adjacent sides of the containers. This enables the array in effect to fill the package even though the containers themselves are smaller than the package. The invention is particularly useful for cigarette packs since it enables the same package blank to be used for different size cigarette packs.