Abstract: A carton erector apparatus for setting up foldable carton blanks. The apparatus includes a carton blank storage section, a carton blank setup section and a bottom flap folding section. The carton setup section includes a carton opening assembly comprising a pivot arm assembly pivotally secured to a folding arm assembly. The pivot arm assembly is movable between first and second positions respectively parallel and perpendicular to the folding arm assembly. A first grasping device is secured to the pivot arm assembly to grasp a side panel of the forward carton in the carton blank storage section such that movement of the pivot arm assembly and the folding arm assembly into their second positions is effective to set up the carton blank into a tubular form. A second grasping device grasps an end panel of the setup carton and a third grasping device grasps the other side panel of the setup carton. Bottom flap folding assemblies are provided to infold the bottom flaps of the setup carton.