Apparatus and method for placement of angle plates in transverse duct flanges

A package of angle plates for use in an apparatus for automatically assembling an angle plate in channel shaped flanges at ends of duct panels, said package comprising:

• a plurality of angle plates stacked vertically and non-nesting held together by at least two bands;
• said angle plates comprising two legs wherein each of said two legs includes an inside edge and an outside edge joined together in angular relation by an integral corner and adapted to be inserted into said channel shaped duct flanges at the ends of duct panels wherein said angle plates further include projections projecting in a common direction and being of a height to hold adjacent angle plates parallel and spaced, thereby providing said stacked vertically and non-nesting and permitting sliding of a single angle plate off said stack of angle plates;
• a first and second band of said at least two bands are vertically secured around and adjacent to said inside edges and said outside edges of first legs of said two legs of said plurality of angle plates and a third and fourth band of said at least two bands are vertically secured around and adjacent to said inside edges and said outside edges of second legs of said two legs of said plurality of angle plates, and
• said package of angle plates is adapted to fit into said apparatus for automatically assembling an angle plate in channel shaped flanges at ends of duct panels, said apparatus including a supply hopper and said package is adapted for insertion into said supply hopper, and wherein said at least first, second, third and fourth bands are adapted to be cut after said package of angle plates is inserted into said supply hopper of said apparatus.