a machine for loading articles such as milk cartons in a crate and stacking the crates for transport is described . the crate has folding sides . a supply of crates stacked in folded condition is introduced into the machine . the crates are removed individually from the stack by the machine , the sides are raised , and the crates are arranged vertically on a conveyor in preparation to receive the filled cartons . cartons are inserted into a crate , which is then banded by a plastic strip , and the crate is placed in a stack with other crates that have been filled with cartons . the stack of filled crates is then unloaded from the machine .