Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus comprising carton-forming means (12) and product-loading means (6, 15, 15'), and means to synchronize the carton forming and product loading such that each carton is formed and loaded before each successive carton is formed and loaded. There is preferably a common station for the carton-forming means and the product-loading means. The former (12) is a hollow member having a first opening (11a) in one wall for admitting articles to the interior and a second opening (11b) in another wall for permitting the escape of the content. The exterior of the hollow member cooperates with a forming passage (14) of geometrically similar cross section, disposed beneath a product-loading position (P1).