Packaging machine for multi-packs

A packaging machine for packaging articles into cartons comprising a carton conveyor for conveying an open-ended carton through the machine, and a carton feeding and erecting mechanism for supplying cartons to said carton conveyor, the feeding and erecting mechanism including:

• a vacuum conveyor disposed for conveying movement along a first substantially linear path for engaging a lower surface of a collapsed carton and moving the collapsed carton onto said carton conveyor;
• a feeder disposed generally beneath said vacuum conveyor for selecting a collapsed carton from a carton supply and placing the collapsed carton on said vacuum conveyor;
• an erector disposed above said vacuum conveyor and having vacuum engagement means for engaging an upper surface of said collapsed carton and moving said upper surface upwardly with respect to said lower surface thereby erecting said carton;
• and
• an upper carton engaging conveyor having thereon a series of upper carton engaging elements, disposed for movement along a second substantially linear path parallel to and above at least a portion of said first path for synchronous movement of said engaging elements with said vacuum conveyor, for engaging the erected carton and for moving therewith to maintain the carton in erected condition until moved onto said carton conveyor.