Application Note: Selecting An Automatic Cartoner

Cartoners provide packaging for a wide variety of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and consumer products. Cartoners come in two basic configurations: Horizontal, where the product is loaded into the carton from the side and vertical, where the product is loaded from the top. These machines are usually equipped with additional features such as Lot/Date code printers, leaflet inserters, and various infeed configurations.

The process of cartoning begins when the product enters the machine and is collated into a pack pattern. The machine selects a flat case, which it opens and positions for product insertion. The carton flaps are folded and tucked, or the product moves to a sealing station where the carton is sealed using hot-melt glue.