Abstract: A cartoning apparatus for loading loose media, such as spaghetti, vermicelli, or other loose, into a carton, wherein the apparatus is provided with bucket structures, platens, actuators, and a loading assembly which are all moved along parallel predetermined paths. The bucket structures include forward and rearward ends whereby the bucket structures may be translated such that the forward end may be disposed adjacent an aligned open carton, and the rearward end may receive loading assembly. Such rearward end is provided with a funnel structure which cooperates with a self-aligning pusher foot comprising part of the loading assembly to effectuate alignment and mating receipt of the pusher foot with a cavity defined by the bucket structure.