Abstract: A packaging apparatus for feeding, erecting, loading and closing cartons. The packaging apparatus comprises a generally vertically extending carton transfer mechanism for advancing cartons upwardly in step fashion from a carton infeed station adjacent the lower end of the carton transfer mechanism past a carton loading station and to a carton discharge station at the upper end of the carton transfer mechanism. A carton transfer mechanism that includes laterally spaced carton guides that are open at the front and rear sides and transfer slides that are reciprocable along the carton guides. A carton magazine supports a stack of cartons adjacent the open front side of the carton guides and a carton infeed mechanism is mounted for movement in a plane parallel to and between the guides to withdraw cartons from the end of the stack and feed the cartons with open end leading into a position between the guides.