What Is a Cartoner Machine?

Key Points

Cartoner machines, also known as cartoners, are a type of packaging machine that forms carton packaging.
Folded cartons are used to transport small to large volumes of bottles or blister packs in the pharmaceutical packaging industry.
Pharmaceutical folding cartons include specific product features like offset and flexographic printing, child-resistant and senior-friendly designs, and heat-sealed cards with dosage instructions.
Vertical cartoners and horizontal cartoners are the most common types of cartoning systems.
The difference between vertical cartoners and horizontal cartoners is that vertical machines are top loaded, while horizontal machines are end loaded.
Known for filling cartons with loose or free-flowing products like pasta, rice, candy, and powders, vertical cartoning equipment has a seamless operation.
If your product has a tight fight in the carton packaging, horizontal cartoning equipment is the right choice for you.
Automatic carton filling machines have a variety of benefits, like reducing carton damage and improving product quality.

Explaining Cartoning Systems

Cartoning systems, also known as cartoners, are a type of packaging machine that forms carton packaging. Cartons are a type of folded packaging that stands up straight with side seams and is sealed.

In the pharmaceutical packaging industry, folding cartons are used to transport small to large volumes of bottles or blister packs. Pharmaceutical folding cartons include specific product features like:

Offset and flexographic printing
Child-resistant and senior-friendly designs
Heat-sealed cards with dosage instructions

How Cartoner Machines Work

Cartoner machines work by picking up a single piece of material from a stack of folded cartons and standing them up straight. Then, the cartoning equipment fills the folded carton bottles or blister packs through the open end, pushing the products into the carton with pressurized air or a mechanical sleeve. Lastly, the cartoner machine closes the carton by tucking the end flap or using glue or adhesive.

Different Types of Cartoning Systems

There are two different types of cartoning systems:

Vertical cartoners
Horizontal cartoners

The difference between these two types of cartoner machines is that horizontal cartoners are end loaded, so bottles or blister packs are pushed into the carton from the side. Vertical cartoners are top loaded, guiding the packaged products into place from above.

Vertical Cartoning Equipment

If you need a versatile cartoner machine capable of filling folded cartons with a variety of different products, you need a vertical cartoner machine.

Known for filling cartons with loose or free-flowing products like pasta, rice, candy, and powders, vertical cartoning equipment has a seamless operation. This type of cartoner machine takes flat, side-seamed cartons one by one from a vertical carton magazine filler. Using a vacuum-powered rotary feeder, the vertical machine puts each carton into a carton pocket mounted to a carousel conveyor. Then, the carton’s bottom flaps are folded, closed, and sealed. Next, the cartons are transported to the loading area, where they’re filled with product by hand or automatically using the machine. Finally, the top flaps are closed and sealed.

Vertical cartoning equipment is also a great option for other products like bottles of nutraceuticals and food and beverage items like yogurt and cereal.

Horizontal Cartoning Equipment

If your product has a tight fit in carton packaging, horizontal cartoning equipment is the right choice for you.

The process works by taking flat, side-seamed cartons one by one from an inline horizontal carton magazine feeder. Then, each carton is erected and placed into a carton carrier mounted to a carousel conveyor. Once in place, the carton’s bottom flaps are folded, closed, and sealed and delivered to the loading area where they arrive at the product tray. Next, the products are placed by hand or automatically into the product tray where the trays move to the product load station. Next, the products are pushed from the tray into the carton. Once filled, the carton’s top flaps are closed and sealed.

Benefits of Automatic Carton Filling Machines

Automatic carton filling machines have a variety of benefits. The first benefit is that automatic cartoner machines reduce labor costs. If used simultaneously with conveyor belts, automatic carton filling machines can seamlessly operate two to three conveyor lines at once, reducing the number of production line employees and safety hazards. The second benefit of using cartoner machines is that they improve product quality. The manual packing process can cause carton damage, so using an automatic carton filling machine reduces the chance of product damage.

A Dedicated Cartoner Machine Supplier

Ascend Packaging is a dedicated cartoner machine supplier that offers a turnkey solution for your carton packaging needs. When you choose us as your cartoning system supplier, you have a single source that gives your organization cost-effective options.

Our automatic cartoner machines are designed for blister packs and bottles and equipped with adjustment features to accommodate a wide range of carton sizes. With an intuitive PLC-controlled touch screen HMI, Ascend’s cartoners also have recipe-driven features that allow for fast changeover and setup.

Whether you have a tuck-and-fold application or hot melt-style sealing, our team of experts delivers the machine you need to get high-quality cartons. We can also provide any required transition conveyors, inspection systems, stackers, inserters, and other options. Contact us today to learn more about our cartoner machines.

Argentecnica CPS 100 and CPS 130 Cartoning Systems Specifications

CPS 100

Cycle
de 25 a 100

Electric Power
4 Kw

Electric Connection
3 x 380/220V
50/60 Hz

Air Consumption
450 NL/min.

Air Pressure
6,8 Bar

Net Weight
1500 Kg

Gross Weight
1700 Kg

Dimensions mm.
3400 x 1730 x 1450

CPS 130