Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging News Magazine
PMPN Article Index

Originally Published October 1998

PRODUCT UPDATE

High-Speed Cartoners

Today's cartoners operate at speeds as high as several hundred cartons per minute.

To keep up with today's high rate of pharmaceutical production, cartoner manufacturers have developed systems that can erect, fill, and seal a carton in a less than a second. But to achieve such speed, these cartoners haven't sacrificed accuracy. In fact, many are equipped with sensors, vision systems, and on-line diagnostics that monitor each fill and report and reject any failed packages.

A line of cartoners can handle various carton styles, sizes, and multipack products. Formula 2000 Series IMC/Sm and CMC/Sm cartoners feature a stainless-steel, preengineered, modular design; 50% fewer parts than conventional models; maintenance-free operation; toolless changeover; superior sanitation; and complete washdown capability. The horizontal continuous- and intermittent-motion cartoners erect preglued sleeve cartons or trays, insert the products, and close the cartons using either tuck or glue methods. The cartoners are built to metric specifications. The manufacturer offers quick delivery. Klöckner Packaging Machinery, Klöckner Bartelt Inc., Sarasota, FL.

A vertical cartoner with a slat counter is a continuous-motion, high-speed packaging system designed for pills, tablets, capsules, or other free-flowing, count-fill products. Capable of speeds up to 1000 cartons per minute, the system can be equipped with a vision inspection system for monitoring product quality and presence. TMC, a div. of IPS Automation, Elk Grove Village, IL.

Featuring a 15-minute changeover, a high-speed automatic cartoner achieves speeds up to 400 cartons per minute. The Millennium 400 features touch-screen control that provides production information and diagnostics. Upper gull-wing guards and removable lower panels allow complete user access. Its carton erection system opens cartons with nearly 100% efficiency. Superior Packaging Equipment Corp., Carlstadt, NJ.

Designed for use with horizontal cartoners, a reorienter stands cartons up as they exit from a cartoner. Model 21 operates at line speeds ranging from 20 to more than 300 cartons per minute. The unit combines a conveyor feed and side belt and can be configured to handle any range of carton sizes. Garvey Corp., Blue Anchor, NJ.

With a footprint of 4 x 6 ft, an automatic cartoner and sleever is designed for use in tight packaging lines. Model 460 can form and automatically load tuck- or glue-sealed cartons at rates as fast as 80 units per minute. Low-profile electrically interlocked plastic guards enable users to view operations safely. A rapid-adjustment package allows repeatable changeovers with little downtime. Specialized infeed mechanisms are available for tubes, bottles, blisters, and other products. Hand-load versions are also available. Scandia Packaging Machinery, Clifton, NJ.

Suitable for placing bottles and leaflets into boxes, a small-center cartoner was developed with direct input from end-users in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Capable of operating at speeds as high as 400 cartons per minute, the Legacy cartoner is available in 3-, 4-, and 6-in. centers. All control and changeover points are located on the front of the machine and can be accessed without removing the lower guards. R. A. Jones & Company, Inc., Cincinnati, OH.

A continuous-motion cartoner is equipped with microprocessor logic to guarantee consistent, reliable performance. Model MA 350 features an eye-level control panel that indicates functions and faults and a high-capacity magazine with a pusher. Size change is fast and easy; an optional automatic computerized size changer is available. Speeds are adjustable, and cartons missing products or leaflets or with incorrect codes are automatically expelled. Marchesini Packaging, West Caldwell, NJ.

A modular cartoner is offered as an alternative to costly, fully automated packaging. Model 54L Convey-O-Mat erects and closes the bottoms of reverse-tuck, straight-tuck, auto-bottom, and glue-style cartons and display panel cartons. The machine positions the cartons vertically for easy hand loading at speeds to 60 units per minute. A Model 82 top closer and product loader for bottles, vials, blister packs, and other items can be added for a complete packaging line. Bivans Corp., Los Angeles, CA.

A feeding system can handle just about any carton, including straight-tuck, reverse-tuck, glue-end, tuck-top-and-glue-bottom, and fifth-panel styles. Operators can fill Rotopak's lower pockets with knocked-down cartons or sleeves without interrupting the operation of the upper pockets. Once all the pockets are full, the machine runs unattended. The system is compact and requires no tools for changeover. Fleetwood Systems Inc., Romeoville, IL.

A robotic case packer can automatically erect cases, collate bundles in the cases, fill the cases from the top, and palletize them. The six-axis Kuka Robot functions as both a product inserter and a palletizer. Features include a compact design, clear ergonomic positions for all components, easy access via a swivel-type magazine, software for different pallet layouts with a selector switch, and easy mechanical changeover for new formats. Pester USA, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Designed to handle pharmaceutical products, a constant-motion cartoner can place bottles or tubes into cartons at speeds as high as 300 units per minute. Model C-2205 features safety and product control mechanisms that work together to ensure reproducible machine settings and instant start-up following a tool changeover. The Twinstar feeder picks up and erects cartons; it features individual mechanical prebreaking for positive carton feeding and a constantly moving carton chain. A similar system, Model C-2304, can handle speeds up to 400 cartons per minute. Uhlmann Packaging Systems Inc., Towaco, NJ.

A high-speed continuous motion cartoner handles most carton styles at speeds up to 400 cartons per minute. Model HCM-750 features a clean, fall-through design; stainless-steel construction; a user-friendly control panel; and a PLC system. MGS Machine Corp., Maple Grove, MN.

A compact, high-speed cartoner is suitable for use with pharmaceutical, medical, and personal-care products. Model 400 can operate at speeds up to 400 cartons per minute. Features include servo-driven flap tucking, quiet timing belt operation, easy tool-free changeover, small footprint, digital controls, and a touch-screen operator interface panel. Automated product handling and infeeds, literature and coupon placers, and equipment for inspection, monitoring, and verifying can be added to the system. Dimension Industries Inc., Maple Grove, MN.

An intermittent-motion cartoner processes 120 cartons per minute. The P150 features a small footprint, separation of mechanical and carton-handling areas, full safety guards, forced positive carton opening, a carton-feeding belt, continuous-motion carton closing, motorized belts for carton exiting, a movable mouthpiece for product introduction, and an adjustable coding unit on both sides. Romaco Inc., Morris Plains, NJ.