Horizontal cartoner system and method for the use thereof

A method of inserting a package into a carton comprising:

• moving said package along a horizontal path at a constant speed;
• moving a carton into alignment with said horizontal path, wherein said carton comprises at least one open end;
• stopping said carton when said open end of said carton is aligned with said horizontal path;
• inserting said package into said carton through said open end of said carton;
• and
• moving said carton with said package inserted therein away from said horizontal path.

A loader for use in a cartoner assembly comprising:

• a first horizontally extending drive belt moving at a constant speed;
• a second horizontally extending drive belt moving at said constant speed, wherein said second horizontally extending drive belt is spaced from first drive belt in a substantially parallel relationship therewith;
• a third horizontally extending drive belt moving at said constant speed, wherein said third horizontally extending drive belt is substantially perpendicular to said first and second drive belts;
• and
• a fourth horizontally extending drive belt moving at said constant speed, wherein said fourth horizontally extending drive belt is spaced from said third belt in a substantially parallel relationship therewith;
• wherein said first, second, third and fourth drive belts define a space shaped to receive a package.

A horizontal cartoner comprising:

• an indexer comprising:
• first and second spaced apart drive members, wherein each of said first and second drive members have at least a substantially vertically extending portion arranged in a substantially parallel relationship, and a plurality of lower support members extending from each of said first and second drive members toward the other of said first and second drive members, wherein said plurality of lower support members on each of said first and second drive members are in general horizontal alignment so as to thereby define a plurality of horizontally aligned pairs of lower support members adapted to support a carton, and wherein at least a portion of said first and second drive belts are moveable in a vertical direction;
• and
• third and fourth drive members, wherein said third drive member is substantially aligned with said first drive member and wherein said fourth drive member is substantially aligned with said second drive member, wherein said third and fourth drive members are spaced apart, wherein said third and fourth drive members comprise a plurality of aligned upper support members extending toward each other, and wherein said plurality of aligned lower support members on said first and second drive members and said plurality of aligned upper support members on said third and fourth drive members define a plurality of pairs of spaced apart lower and upper support members defining a plurality of loading stations therebetween.