Apparatus and method for inserting thermal insulating box liners

An assembly for inserting a liner panel into a box, the assembly comprising:

• a panel engagement mechanism configured to selectively engage an end segment of the liner panel and convey the engaged liner panel from a pickup position to an insertion position where the engaged end segment overlies an open end of the box;
• and
• a guide positioned underneath the panel engagement mechanism and extending from a first end positioned proximate the pick-up position to a second end positioned proximate the open end of the box, wherein an upper surface of the guide is configured to support at least one non-engaged segment of the engaged liner panel as the engaged liner panel is conveyed from the pickup position to the insertion position;
• wherein the first end of the guide is secured in a fixed position, and the second end is unsupported.

An assembly for conveying and folding a segmented liner panel for insertion into a box, the liner panel having fold lines defining a first end segment, a central segment, and a second end segment, the assembly comprising:

• a panel engagement mechanism comprising a panel prehension tool configured to selectively engage the central segment of the liner panel at a pickup position and at least one motion actuator configured to displace the panel prehension tool;
• and
• a panel folding mechanism comprising a frame and first and second folding projections extending outwardly from the frame towards the pickup position, the first and second folding projections being spaced horizontally from each other;
• wherein as the panel engagement mechanism conveys the central segment of the liner panel from the pickup position to a position proximate the frame of the panel folding mechanism and between the first and second folding projections, the first and the second folding projections, respectively, direct the first and the second end segments to fold towards the central segment.