an automatic packaging machine inserts small items , such as candy coated chewing gum , into a box with the small items arranged in a desired orientation . first , the small items are swept into a grid of individual pockets in plates on a conveyor . then , the grid is inverted over an insertion tray having grooves which receive the small items without disturbing the desired orientation . the entire tray is inserted into a box and then withdrawn from the box . a ridge is formed adjacent said grooves for lifting a side of the box confronting the small items while the tray is inserted into the box so that there is almost no friction between the small item and the box , which might otherwise disturb the desired orientation . the small items are blocked during a withdrawal of the tray so that they are laid down in the desired orientation on the bottom of the box .