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 and held together in a V-shaped sleeve adapted to receive in stacked relation said plurality of angle plates;
• 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 stack vertically and non-nesting and permitting sliding of a single angle plate off said stack of angle plates;
• said V-shaped sleeve having at least one closure member at an end thereof to hold said plurality of angle plates in said sleeve;
• and
• wherein said package of angle plates is adapted to fit into a V-shaped supply hopper of said apparatus for automatically assembling an angle plate in channel shaped duct flanges at ends of duct panels.