# US 5,341,624 A · Panel placer

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- Number: US 5,341,624 A
- Document ID: US5341624A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/998,607
- Filed: 1992-12-30
- Granted: 1994-08-30
- Earliest claimed: 1992-12-30
- Assignees: Thiele Engineering Company
- Inventors: Stephen Kaye
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5341624A

## CPC

- B65B 25/002: {packaging of information carriers, e.g. records, CD, DVD}
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)

## Abstract

Automatic panel placer having a rotary table upon which cardboard sleeves and trays are placed to form a combined sleeve and tray. The rotary table is advanced about its center through a plurality of station positions where a sleeve is first placed upon the table followed by placement of and securement of a plastic tray on the cardboard sleeve.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Automatic panel placer comprising:
a. a rotary table;
b. a plurality of radially aligned product holders on said rotary table;
c. a first process station about said rotary table for placing a sleeve on a first of said plurality of product holders;
d. a second process station about said rotary table for applying adhesive to a first portion of said sleeve;
e. a third process station about said rotary table for placing a tray having a flip-top on said adhesive;
f. a fourth process station about said rotary table for compressing said tray on said adhesive;
g. a fifth process station about said rotary table for raising said flip-top and for commencing the positioning of a second portion of said sleeve over said tray;
h. a sixth process station about said rotary table for closing said flip-top over said second portion of said sleeve; and,
i. a seventh process station about said rotary table for removing said tray and sleeve combination from said first product holder.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The automatic panel placer of claim 1 wherein said plurality of product holders are spaced at about 45.degree. intervals.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The automatic panel placer of claim 1 wherein said rotary table is rotatable about its central axis.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The automatic panel placer of claim 1 wherein said first portion of said sleeve comprises a first panel and wherein said second portion of said sleeve comprises second and third panels.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The automatic panel placer of claim 1, further comprising plow means for raising said first and second sleeve portions.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The automatic panel placer of claim 1, further comprising pneumatic hold down means for holding down said sleeve on said first product holder.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The automatic panel placer of claim 1, further comprising a glue gun for applying said adhesive.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The automatic panel placer of claim 1, further comprising means for opening said flip-top.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The automatic panel placer of claim 1, further comprising means for closing said flip-top.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The automatic panel placer of claim 1, further comprising a step motor for rotating said rotary table.

### Claim 11

An automatic panel placer comprising:
a. a product holder for holding a cardboard sleeve;
b. adhesive means for applying adhesive to a first portion of the sleeve;
c. placement means for placing a plastic tray having a flip-flop on the adhesive on the sleeve;
d. compression means for compressing said tray against the adhesive;
e. means for raising the flip-top of the tray;
f. means for lifting a second portion of the sleeve and folding it over the tray; and,
g. means for closing the flip-top over the second portion of the sleeve.