Abstract: A vertical cartoner assembly and method is for placing and assembling cartons over preselected product groups moved on a conveyor. The assembly has a frame structure having an elongated circular portion and vertically disposed drive shafts each having upper and lower chain sprockets. Continuous chains engage the upper and lower sprockets, and a power drive is provided to rotate one of the drive shafts. A continuous cam rail structure is mounted to the frame spacially intermediate the continuous chains. The continuous cam rail has downwardly and upwardly sloping sections. A plurality of vertical shafts are connected to the top and bottom chains. A carton holder body structure having a vertically disposed sleeve slidingly engages at least one of the vertical shafts. The carton holder body has a rearwardly extending cam follower for movement in the cam rail structure. The carton holder body structure has a pair of adjustable outwardly extending arms for receiving an opened and partially erected carton.

Abstract: The carton erecting apparatus provides for the high speed transfer and opening of flat, folded cartons. The apparatus includes a rotary transfer mechanism having a fixed gear and a plurality of planetary gears in rotational communication with the fixed gear. The planetary gearing rotationally drives therewith a vacuum transport means so as to provide therefor at least two apex positions of travel at predetermined locations. A vacuum control means is operative on the transport means, particularly at its apex positions. A storage means is provided at a first apex position for releasably holding flat, folded cartons. And, a conveyor means is provided at a second apex position of travel of the vacuum transport means. The conveyor means has outwardly extending flights which are uniformly spaced and separated by a distance essentially based upon a predetermined carton dimension.