A cartoning machine also called cartoner is a packaging machine designed to form cartons usually using the following sequence of actions: erect, close, fold, side seam and seal.
These machines first transform a carton board into a fully formed carton in which a product is then inserted. After the filling is done the machine finishes to close the carton.
Cartoning machines are widely used for packaging bottled food products, confectionery, medicine, cosmetics, etc., and can vary based on the scale of business.
There are two main types of cartoning machines, horizontal and vertical.
Horizontal cartoning machine
A cartoning machine which picks a single piece from a stack of folded carton and erects it, fills with a product or bag of products or number of products horizontally through an open end and closes by tucking the end flaps of the carton or applying glue or adhesive. The product might be pushed in the carton either through the mechanical sleeve or by pressurized air.
Vertical cartoning machine
A cartoning machine which erects a folded carton, fills with a product or number of products vertically through an open end and closes by either tucking the end flaps of the carton or applying glue or adhesive, is called an end load cartoning machine. For many applications the product is inserted manually inside the carton.