Processi industriali

Horizontal cartoning is a packaging process in which products are inserted horizontally into pre‑erected folding cartons, typically using mechanical or robotic pushers. The carton is presented with either its side panel or end flaps open, allowing the product to be pushed lengthwise or sideways into the carton before final closing by tuck, glue, or lock systems

In-line digital printing in packaging is a process where digital printing units (i.e. inkjet printers) are integrated directly into the production or filling line. This allows for "just-in-time" printing of text, graphics, and variable data onto packaging materials as they move through the line, rather than using pre-printed stock.

Several digital printing technologies can be used depending on speed, resolution and substrate requirements, including continuous inkjet (CIJ) for high-speed coding, thermal inkjet (TIJ) and drop-on-demand (DOD) piezo inkjet for higher-quality text and graphics, and laser marking for permanent, contactless coding.

This approach enables late-stage customization, allowing the same packaging line to produce multiple product variants, languages or regional formulations without changeovers or the need for dedicated pre-printed stock.

Typical applications include printing batch numbers, expiry dates, barcodes and serialization codes for traceability and regulatory compliance, as well as region-specific text, promotional messages and personalized or sequential variable data. 

Process by which a pre‑formed or continuous sheet of flexible packaging material is wrapped around a single product or a multipack and sealed by mechanical, thermal, or adhesive means to create a tight or decorative outer wrap.

Process by which packaged units are systematically arranged and placed onto a pallet according to a defined pattern, using manual, semi‑automatic, or automatic equipment, to create a stable unit load suitable for handling, storage, and transport.

Top‑load cartoning is a packaging process in which pre‑erected folding cartons are filled vertically from the top - typically via robotic pick‑and‑place or gravity‑assisted insertion, and subsequently closed by tuck, glue, or lock mechanisms.

This approach is particularly well suited to fragile, flexible or irregularly shaped products (such as bags, pouches or delicate items) that could be damaged by the lateral pushing motion used in end-load cartoning, since the top opening allows products to be gently lowered or dropped into place without sliding against the carton walls.

In many systems, product loading is performed by robots equipped with vision guidance, which pick items, individually or in pre-collated groups, from an infeed conveyor and place them directly into the open top of the carton according to a defined pack pattern.

Because the loading and closing functions can be more easily separated into distinct, independently configurable stations, top-load systems generally allow for faster format changeovers and greater flexibility across different carton sizes and pack configurations compared with mechanical end-load cartoners.

Vertical cartoning is a packaging process in which products are inserted vertically into pre‑erected folding cartons that are presented with their top open facing upward. Loading is performed by gravity, mechanical devices, or robotic pick‑and‑place systems, after which the carton is closed using tuck, glue, or lock mechanisms.

Because products are lowered straight down into the carton rather than pushed in horizontally, this configuration is particularly suited to free-flowing, fragile, flexible or irregularly shaped items (such as pouches, sachets, jars or loose components) that could be damaged or misaligned by lateral loading.

On a vertical cartoning line, carton forming, loading and closing can be carried out either as separate, independently configurable stations or combined into a single integrated machine, with the carton typically held and indexed by a chain or belt conveyor as it moves between stations.

This layout generally allows for straightforward format changeovers and can be readily combined with upstream product collation or weighing systems, making it a common choice across food, pharmaceutical and consumer goods packaging lines.

Wrap-around cartoning is a packaging method where a flat, die-cut cardboard blank is precisely folded and glued around a product or group of products to create a secure, custom-fitted carton or case. Unlike traditional cartoning methods that use pre-formed boxes, this process forms the packaging material tightly around the item(s) during the automated packaging process itself.

The product or product group is first collated into the required pack pattern and placed onto the flat blank, which is then progressively wrapped around it, typically folding the side and end panels in sequence, while adhesive is applied to secure the overlapping flaps and form a rigid enclosure.

Because the carton is formed directly around the product's own footprint rather than being pre-erected to a fixed size, wrap-around cartoning minimises internal voids and material use, resulting in a compact, well-fitted pack that also offers good stacking strength.

This method is widely used for multipacking cans, bottles, jars and other rigid containers into retail-ready or shipping cases, combining primary product protection with an efficient, low-waste use of board.