Methods and apparatus for interfolding endless paper webs

• US 4,061,325 A
• Filed: 08/19/1976
• Issued: 12/06/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jesse B. Smaw, Nicholas Marcalus
• Original Assignee: Jesse B. Smaw, Nicholas Marcalus
• Inventors: Smaw, Jesse B., Marcalus, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Heinz, A.
• Application Number:
  US05/715,879
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 270/39-41
• US Class Current: 270/40
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 45/24 Interfolding sheets, e.g. cigarette or toilet papers

Abstract

A machine for interfolding webs of material which includes a plurality of interfolding mechanisms for interfolding webs into a plurality of elongate bundles. Drive mechanism is provided for advancing first and second ones of the bundles in taut condition, with the second bundle being disposed beneath the first bundle. First and second fold plates are disposed vertically intermediate the first and second bundles. These plates are inclined relative to a vertical plane and lie in generally mutually parallel planes. The first fold plate is arranged to guide the top web of the first bundle in an upwardly unfolded condition during advancement of the first bundle. The second fold plate is arranged to guide the bottom web of the second bundle in a downwardly unfolded condition during advancement of the second bundle. The first and second fold plates terminate prior to the point where the second bundle is deposited onto the first bundle, thereby allowing the tautly maintained, unfolded webs to assume an interfolded posture. The interfolding mechanisms each include a folding assembly which includes a stub element in the shape of a segmented curve. A rotatable roll is disposed intermediate a discharge edge of the stub element and a folding plate. A web slides over the stub element and is discharged from the discharge edge in a non-tangential direction onto the guide roller. The stub element is pivotably displaceable away from the guide roller to facilitate access to the mechanism.

Claims

1. A machine for interfolding first and second bundles of interfolded paperous webs comprising:

a conveyor for advancing said first bundle forwardly;

means for advancing said second bundle forwardly in overlying relation relative to said first bundle;

a ramp for supporting said second bundle, said ramp being spaced above and converging forwardly downwardly toward said first bundle in superimposed relation therewith;

a first fold plate inclined upwardly and laterally inwardly relative to web movement from an edge of said first bundle where a fold line of the top web is located;

a second fold plate spaced from said first fold plate and inclined downwardly and laterally inwardly from an edge of said second bundle, diagonally opposite said first-mentioned edge, where a fold line of the bottom web is disposed;

said first and second fold plates arranged to guide the top web portion of said first bundle and the bottom web portion of said second bundle, respectively, in an unfolded condition as said first and second bundles converge vertically toward one another;

a terminal edge of said first fold plate being inclined downwardly in the direction of bundle travel and the terminal edge of said second fold plate being inclined inwardly in the direction of bundle travel;

said first and second fold plates terminating short of the point of final merging of said bundles, allowing said unfolded webs to assume a mutually interfolded posture.

2. In a machine for interfolding webs of paper comprising:

a plurality of generally radially arranged elongated fold plates converging longitudinally from outer ends thereof toward inner ends thereof, each plate including a web folding edge, the folding edge of each plate being situated at a side thereof opposite the folding edge of an adjacent plate,

a snub element spaced from the outer end of each folding edge, said snub element having a curved periphery defining a web discharge edge, said discharge edge being offset from the line of its associated folding edge in a direction toward a side of the plate opposite said folding edge so that an imaginary line between the outer ends of said folding edge and said discharge edge extends at an angle relative to said folding edge;

means for feeding a web of paper across the curved periphery of said snub element and along the folding edge of each plate so that said web is folded longitudinally in half along said folding edge,

means for overlapping one half of one web with one half of an adjacent web so that as said webs gradually converge along said converging plates, said adjacent webs become interfolded, and

a rotatably mounted guide roller spaced from the outer end of each folding edge, said roller being freely rotatable about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane of the associated plate, said roller including a web-contacting periphery which is offset from said imaginary line so that the web is deflected from such imaginary line to a position nontangential relative to the curved periphery of said snub element to increase the tautness of the web.

3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein said snub element is mounted at the end of an arm;

an inner end of said arm being pivotably mounted so that said snub element can be pivoted away from its associated plate to facilitate access thereto.

4. A machine according to claim 2 including a V-shaped support having an apex secured to its respective folding plate and an expanded end carrying bearings which rotatably support the associated guide roller.