Carton Forming Machines and Top-Load Lines

What is a box forming machine and a Top-Load line?

An automatic box forming machine is a packaging machine that takes flat cardboard blanks and erects them to form boxes or trays designed to hold products.

A Top-Load line is a packaging system in which products are loaded from above into cardboard boxes or trays. Depending on the configuration, it can include box forming, product grouping and loading, either manually, automatically or using robots, followed by packaging closure.

Unlike a horizontal cartoning machine, which generally uses a pre-glued sleeve carton supplied folded flat by the carton manufacturer, a box forming machine operates using flat cardboard blanks. In a Top-Load line, this forming operation can be integrated before products are loaded from above, creating a complete packaging line.

PROPACK offers a range of CIEMME (IMA Group) box forming machines and Top-Load lines designed for packaging individual products and product groups in cardboard boxes.

Boxes are automatically formed from flat cardboard blanks. Depending on the products and the required level of automation, loading can be carried out manually, automatically or using one or more robots. The boxes are then closed, particularly by hot-melt adhesive application.

These solutions are suitable for packaging bags, biscuits, ready meals, cosmetic products, masks and other products requiring top loading. Compact layouts can also be designed to combine the different operations within a limited space.

Recyclable cardboard boxes and trays and European PPWR regulations

Cardboard is widely used in industrial packaging thanks to its protective properties, ease of forming and recyclability.

The CIEMME (IMA Group) box forming machines and Top-Load lines supplied by PROPACK use flat cardboard blanks to produce boxes and trays suited to the products being packaged. These machines can also handle cardboard containing recycled materials, subject to its technical characteristics and suitability for forming and gluing.

Selecting appropriate dimensions, formats and blank designs helps optimise cardboard consumption and reduce unnecessary packaging.

In the context of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), these technologies enable manufacturers to favour recyclable cardboard boxes and trays, potentially incorporating recycled materials, while meeting product protection and production requirements.

Discover our different solutions below: automatic box forming machines, complete Top-Load lines and robotic loading lines.