Glossary · Packaging and intralogistics
Case packer
Also known as: Case packing machine
German: Sammelpacker
In packaging, a case packer is a packaging machine that groups products or primary packs and places them into shipping cases or trays, using top loading, side loading or wraparound methods.
- Intralogistics
In one sentence
A case packer groups products or packs and places them into shipping cases or trays by top loading, side loading or wraparound.
Example
A pick-and-place case packer with a delta robot collects 24 yogurt cups into a corrugated case in a four-by-six pattern.
How it applies
- Engineering: Case packers range from mechanical drop packers to robotic pick-and-place systems. The pack pattern, product stability and case type determine the design.
- Operation: Pattern changes and format changeovers are made through recipes and format parts. Operators need clear feedback about the active recipe.
- Safety: Robotic case packers combine packaging and robot safety topics: protective fencing, interlocked doors and safe speeds during setup. Group and secondary packaging machines are covered by the EN 415 series in addition to ISO 12100.
- Documentation: Describe recipes and pack patterns with figures, and link each format part to the recipe that needs it. Write jam clearance as a task that starts with bringing the machine into a safe state.
Case packer vs. cartoner
A Cartoner packs a product into an individual consumer carton. A case packer packs many units into a shipping case, usually producing Secondary packaging or Tertiary packaging depending on the supply chain's definition.