Automatic cover applicator

Abstract

An applicator apparatus is provided which applies a protective cover to a product such as a stack of flat sheets of building material. A platform supports the product in a predetermined orientation. Adjacent the platform is a frame which supports a cover manipulator. The cover manipulator is mounted on a transport on the frame and operates to grasp a protective cover from a cover magazine. The transport mechanism is operable to move the cover manipulator from a position adjacent the cover magazine to a second position adjacent the platform. The applicator then presses the cover against the product in a predetermined orientation and a fastening mechanism secures the cover to the product. Typically, the cover is a flat sheet of cardboard or similar protective material. The material has scored or relieved portions which permit its top and ends to be folded over the end of the product to which it is applied. The material may then be rotated on a platform adjacent the frame so that another cover can be applied to the opposite end.

I/We claim:  
     
         1 . An applicator apparatus for applying a protective cover to a product comprising: 
 (a) a platform supporting the product in a predetermined orientation;    (b) a cover magazine holding a plurality of protective covers;    (c) a frame supporting a cover manipulator, the cover manipulator including a cover gripper operable to grasp a cover and extract said cover from the magazine and to position said cover for application to said product;    (d) a transport mechanism coupled to said frame and operable to move said cover manipulator from a first position adjacent said cover magazine to a second position adjacent said platform;    (e) a cover applicator for pressing said cover against said product in a predetermined orientation; and    (f) a cover fastener for securing said cover to said product.    
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein said platform includes a turntable mechanism for rotating said product to permit said protective covers to be applied to at least two sides thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein said cover manipulator comprises a structure rotatable about a pivot axis and said cover gripper comprises a plurality of suction cups mounted on said structure.  
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 3  wherein said structure is supported on a vertically movable positioner mechanism.  
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 4  wherein said vertically movable positioner mechanism is rotatable about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 2  wherein said turntable is vertically moveable.  
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 6  further including a sensor system for sensing the height of said product and for adjusting the height of said turntable.  
     
     
         8 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said protective cover is configured to cover an end of said product, a portion of each side adjacent said end and a portion of a top adjacent said end.  
     
     
         9 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said cover fastener includes a pressure applicator operable to fold said protective cover along relieved portions formed therein over said sides and said top of said product and to apply fasteners thereto.  
     
     
         10 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said pressure applicator comprises a set of pressure rollers.  
     
     
         11 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said pressure applicator comprises a moveable cage.  
     
     
         12 . An applicator apparatus for applying a protective cover to a product comprising: 
 (a) a platform supporting the product in a predetermined orientation and at a predetermined height;    (b) a cover magazine holding a plurality of protective covers;    (c) a frame supporting a cover manipulator, the cover manipulator including a moveable structure operable to grasp a cover and extract said cover from the magazine and to place said cover into an orientation for application to said product;    (d) a transport mechanism coupled to said frame and operable to move said cover manipulator from a first position adjacent said cover magazine to a second position adjacent said platform;    (e) an applicator and fastener assembly for pressing said cover against said product in a predetermined orientation and for securing said cover to said product.    
     
     
         13 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said moveable structure comprises at least one articulated member rotatable about a pivot axis and supported on a vertically moveable positioner.  
     
     
         14 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said articulated member comprises at least one arm member supporting a plurality of suction members for gripping a protective cover.  
     
     
         15 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said articulated member comprises a plate member supporting a plurality of suction members for gripping a protective cover.  
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 12  wherein said platform includes a turntable mechanism for rotating said product to permit said protective covers to be applied to at least two sides thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 16  wherein said turntable is vertically moveable.  
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 17  further including a sensor system for sensing the height of said product and for adjusting the height of said turntable.  
     
     
         19 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said protective cover is configured to cover an end of said product, a portion of each side adjacent said end and a portion of a top adjacent said end.  
     
     
         20 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 19  wherein said cover fastener includes a pressure applicator operable to fold said protective cover along relieved portions formed therein over said sides and said top of said product and to apply fasteners thereto.  
     
     
         21 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said pressure applicator comprises a set of pressure rollers.  
     
     
         22 . The applicator apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said pressure applicator comprises a moveable cage aligned with said end of said product and operable to press side and top portions of said protective cover around said product.  
     
     
         23 . The applicator apparatus of any of claims  1 - 22  wherein said protective cover comprises a planar sheet of material having relieved side and top portions so as to permit said portions to be folded over the top and sides of said product.  
     
     
         24 . A method for protecting end portions of a product comprising the steps of: 
 (a) forming a sheet of protective material configured and dimensioned to cover ends and portions of a top and sides of said product;    (b) gripping said sheet and placing it against said end portion of said product;    (c) folding said sheet along relieved portions formed therein over said portions of said top and sides of said product;    (d) fastening said sheet to said product.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein steps (b), (c) and (d) are performed by an apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a platform supporting the product in a predetermined orientation and at a predetermined height;  
 (b) a magazine holding a plurality of said sheets;  
 (c) a frame supporting a manipulator, the manipulator including a moveable structure operable to grasp a sheet and extract said sheet from the magazine and to place said sheet into an orientation for application to said product;  
 (d) a transport mechanism coupled to said frame and operable to move said manipulator from a first position adjacent said magazine to a second position adjacent said platform; and  
 (e) a folder and fastener assembly.