The packs of plates are transported to the area for the batch forming over an intermediate table for their pre-stacking. Then the batch falls on a table underneath and a pusher transfers them to the stacking area where another pusher introduces it inside the carton horizontally positioned. At the same time the pre-glued cartons are singly picked up from a store by suction cups, squared, pre-formed and positioned on the filling area. The pusher inserts them inside the carton and then the flaps are closed by PVC tape or hot-melt.