Side Loading Cartoning Machine

BABY FOOD, BAKERY & BISCUITS, CHEMICAL FARMACEUTICAL, CHOCOLATE & CONFECTIONARY, COFFEE & TEA, DAIRY, FROZEN FOOD, PASTA, RICE & CEREALS, PERSONAL & HOME CARE, PET FOOD, READY MEALS

Vimco side-loading cartoning machines automate secondary packaging with side-loading, ensuring insertion precision, production continuity, and maximum reliability even in high-performance applications.

The pre-glued carton is picked from the magazine, opened, and transferred into the chain conveyor, where the product is inserted from the side in the required configuration, either individually or in a product group, before final closing with hot-melt glue or an interlocking system. The result is precise, neat, and consistent packaging that enhances the product and optimises line efficiency.

The choice of motion system is determined by the product’s characteristics and required speed: intermittent systems for lower speeds, multi-pitch intermittent solutions for intermediate productivity, and continuous-motion versions for high-volume lines.

Fast and intuitive format changeovers ensure high operational flexibility, while for non-standard geometries or dimensions, Vimco develops special custom solutions in-house, guaranteeing perfect integration with each production process.

Why choose Vimco side loading cartoning machines

Each Vimco side-loading cartoning machine is sized according to the process specifications: product type, required speed, and carton-closing system. Below are the concrete advantages this choice brings to your line.

Up to 300 cycles per minute in continuous motion.

Continuous-motion versions reach up to 300 cpm on high-volume lines. The rate remains constant, with no interruptions between cartons, making it ideal for intensive production with stable product references.

Motion

Intermittent, multi-pitch intermittent, or continuous: the choice depends not only on the required production rate but also on how the product behaves during side loading.

Side loading with product grouping.

The product is grouped in the required arrangement and inserted from the side, either individually or in groups, into one or more layers, with no intermediate stations. The loading method and technical solution are defined based on the product’s characteristics.

Closing systems.

Hot-melt or interlocking: each system addresses different requirements and is determined by the carton’s structure and operating conditions.

Special versions for non-standard geometries.

For cartons with special dimensions or shapes, we design and manufacture dedicated solutions in-house.

Why choose Vimco side loading cartoning machines

Motion

Intermittent, multi-pitch intermittent, or continuous: the choice depends not only on the required production rate but also on how the product behaves during side loading.

Up to 300 cycles per minute in continuous motion.

Closing systems.

Hot-melt or interlocking: each system addresses different requirements and is determined by the carton’s structure and operating conditions.

Side loading with product grouping.

Special versions for non-standard geometries.

For cartons with special dimensions or shapes, we design and manufacture dedicated solutions in-house.

In which sectors do our machines operate?

Bakery & Biscuits

Products in flowpacks arrive in line on the conveyor and must be arranged in layers inside the carton before side loading. The side loading cartoning machine manages product grouping and insertion in a single cycle. The customer defines the arrangement, and the machine replicates it at every cycle.

Chocolate & Confectionary

Pralines and individually wrapped chocolates are fragile products that do not tolerate impacts during loading. Intermittent motion is the correct choice for these products: it slows the cycle at the right point, protecting the primary packaging without compromising productivity.

Coffee & Tea

Capsules, tea, and pods in primary packaging require precise arrangement inside the carton to avoid empty spaces or misaligned packs. The side-loading cartoning machine handles grouping and side loading while maintaining the rate of continuous-cycle lines.

Frozen Food

Frozen products in flowpacks or trays require fast handling to minimise the time spent outside the required temperature range. Continuous motion up to 300 cpm reduces product exposure time during side loading into the carton.

Pet Food

Pouches and snacks in single packs are produced in references with variable dimensions. The side-loading cartoning machine handles a wide range of formats with fast changeover between references, without stopping the line for complex adjustments.

Baby Food

Baby food products in bags or single-dose packs require side loading that does not damage the primary packaging. Intermittent motion ensures the necessary gentle handling while maintaining the production rate required by the line.

Dairy

Dairy products in primary packaging with variable geometries require precise arrangement inside the carton. The side-loading cartoning machine groups products by pack shape and inserts them from the side without deforming them.

Pasta, Rice & Cereals

Bags of pasta and cereals have variable geometries, making side loading more complex. The side-loading cartoning machine determines the product grouping arrangement based on the bag shape and carton dimensions.

Ready Meals

Ready meal trays require precise side insertion that keeps the container in the correct position during loading. The configuration is determined by tray stability and the production rate required by the high-volume line.

Personal & Home Care

Candles and cosmetic products in primary packaging are produced in references with non-standard shapes. The double-flap version is suitable for cartons intended for large-scale retail distribution, where damage-free opening is a specific logistics requirement of the sector.

Chemical & Pharmaceutical

Small bottles and bottles in cartons with interlocking closures cannot be loaded from above because the closures would open during transfer. Side loading is the only correct solution: the side-loading cartoning machine forms product groups and inserts them into the carton from the side, ensuring closure integrity throughout the entire distribution chain.