Method for packaging articles

1. A method of packaging stacks of insulation panels, said method comprising the steps of:

supplying a plurality of stacks, each stack comprising a plurality of insulation panels to a transfer position, at least some of the stacks having a first width and at least some of the stacks having a second width different from the first width;

transferring each stack in a transfer direction into an adjustable spout having a discharge channel with a receiving end and a distal end;

wherein said adjustable spout has a specific circumference;

wherein the adjustable spout comprises at least four spout members;

wherein the at least four spout members form said discharge channel and form a substantially closed rectangular cross-section;

providing a plurality of foil material packages, each package being the same size and being received on the distal end of the discharge channel of the adjustable spout;

adjusting the adjustable spout in two directions perpendicular to the transfer direction for increasing or decreasing the height and the width of the adjustable spout according to the size of each stack which is supplied for packaging;

maintaining the specific circumference of the spout the same although the adjusted spout has been adjusted in height and width to accommodate stacks having the first width and stacks having the second width such that each of the stacks is packaged in one of the same sized packages;

discharging each stack through the distal end of the discharge channel of the adjusted spout and into one of provided same sized packages received on the adjusted spout.

2. A method according to claim 1 , where each of the four spout members forms a corner of the spout and two mutually perpendicular side members on each side of said corner.

3. A method according to claim 1 , where a first spout member is provided with a fixed position and that the further spout members are moveable relative to said first spout member.

4. A method according to claim 3 , where a second spout member is provided adjacent said first spout member and moveable in a direction parallel to a first side member of the first spout member.

5. A method according to claim 3 , where a third spout member is provided adjacent said first spout member and moveable in a direction parallel to a second side member of the first spout member.

6. A method according to claim 3 , where a fourth spout member is provided diagonally opposite said first spout member and moveable in directions parallel to both a first and a second side member of the first spout member.

7. A method according to claim 3 , where the second and fourth spout members are moveable together by first adjustment means.

8. A method according to claim 3 , where the third and fourth members are moveable together by second adjustment means.

9. A method according to claim 1 , where the foil material packages are bags, each of which is inserted in a predetermined position on the outside of the spout thereby blocking the distal end of said spout.

10. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising compressing the stack of insulation panels at the transfer position.

11. A method according to claim 1 , where the foil material packages are a stretchable foil.

12. A method according to claim 1 , where the foil material packages are non-expanded when provided on the spout.

13. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising compressing the stack of insulation panels.

14. A method according to claim 12 , where the foil material packages are a foil for retaining the compression of the stack of insulation panels.