Apparatus and method for packaging siding panels

Abstract

An apparatus for sorting and packaging vinyl siding panels. The apparatus comprises a panel receiving section for positioning in line with a panel extrusion line, pins for inverting and stacking the panels atop each other with the pins being coupled to a frame supporting the panel receiving section and situated below the panel receiving section, a panel accumulation section situated below the panel receiving section and the pins, and a mechanism means, preferably a ram mechanism, situated at a first end of the panel accumulation section for pushing the panels from the panel accumulation section and into a container, such as a pre-made carton, situated at a second end of the panel accumulation section that is opposite the first end. The apparatus substantially reduces ergonomic issues associated with the current apparatus for packaging vinyl siding panels and substantially increases the vinyl siding panel extrusion rate. A method is also disclosed.

1 . An apparatus for packaging siding panels, said apparatus comprising:
 a panel receiving section for positioning in line with a panel extrusion line;   a panel accumulation section situated below said panel receiving section;   a panel movement and holding system intermediate said panel receiving section and said panel accumulation section, for moving one panel into an orientation with respect to another panel such that the panels engage each other based on their geometries to define and engaged pair of panels, and temporarily holding at least one engaged pair of panels until said at least one engaged pair of panels is sent to said panel accumulation section; and   a mechanism means situated at a first end of said panel accumulation section for pushing said panels from said panel accumulation section and into a container situated at a second end of said panel accumulation section opposite said first end.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said panel movement and holding system comprises: pins for inverting and stacking said panels atop each other, said pins coupled to a frame supporting said panel receiving section and situated below said panel receiving section and above said panel accumulation section. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said siding panels comprise vinyl siding panels. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism means comprises a ram mechanism. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a pre-made carton. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus for packaging siding panels, said apparatus comprising:
 a panel receiving section for positioning in line with a panel extrusion line;   pins for inverting and stacking said panels atop each other, said pins coupled to a frame supporting said panel receiving section and situated below said panel receiving section;   a panel accumulation section situated below said panel receiving section and said pins; and   a mechanism means situated at a first end of said panel accumulation section for pushing said panels from said panel accumulation section and into a container situated at a second end of said panel accumulation section opposite said first end.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said siding panels comprising vinyl siding panels. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said mechanism means comprises a ram mechanism. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said container comprises a pre-made carton. 
   
   
       10 . A method of packaging siding panels comprising:
 an apparatus for packaging said panels, said apparatus comprising a panel receiving section for positioning in line with a panel extrusion line, pins for inverting and stacking said panels atop each other, said pins coupled to a frame supporting said panel receiving section and situated below said panel receiving section, a panel accumulation section situated below said panel receiving section and said pins, and a mechanism means situated at a first end of said panel accumulation section for pushing said panels from said panel accumulation section and into a container situated at a second end of said panel accumulation section opposite said first end;   shifting said panels from said panel extrusion line to said panel receiving section; dropping said panels from said panel receiving section onto said pins, said pins inverting said panels, said panels being stacked in said panel accumulation section; and   said mechanism means pushing said stacked panels into said container.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said siding panels comprise vinyl siding panels. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said mechanism comprises a ram mechanism. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said container comprises a pre-made carton.