Tissue cutting and interfolding apparatus for Z webs
First Claim
1. An improved machine for perforating, superimposing, and Z-folding first and second tissue webs to form an interfolded stack of separable tissues, said machine comprising:
- A. first and second counterrotating perforating rolls mounted on a frame and forming a first nip;
B. perforating means associated with said perforating rolls for forming periodic longitudinally spaced transverse tear lines in the respective webs;
C. first transport means for transporting said first web into said first nip on said first perforating roll, and for transporting said second web into said first nip on said second perforating roll, whereby to superimpose said webs at said first nip with the tear lines of said first web positioned longitudinally between the tear lines of said second web;
D. second transport means associated with said perforating rolls for alternately adhering said superimposed webs to one of said first and second perforating rolls approximately at said nip, transporting said adhered superimposed webs out of said nip by rotating said rolls, and then releasing said superimposed webs; and
E. Z-folding means for folding said webs so each tear line of each web is tucked into a fold of the other web.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for perforating Z-folding, and further processing long tissue webs to form stacks of Z-folded facial tissues or the like for being packaged in consumer boxes. In one embodiment, two webs are perforated and superimposed at the nip of counterrotating rolls so the perforations of one web are staggered between the perforations of the other web. The webs are Z-folded by vacuum adhering portions of the superimposed webs alternately to the portion of each roll below the nip, drawing the adhered portions back and forth out of the mutual tangent plane forming the nip to start Z-folds. The folds are creased by further means. A continuous stack of Z-folded tissues is formed and can be subdivided into counted stacks of tissue for packaging. In another embodiment, the webs are perforated and superimposed as before, and the web is then alternately directed to first and second folding stations, each of which includes a counterrotating pair of folding rolls which Z-fold the superimposed webs in essentially the same manner as the perforating roll of the first embodiment. When a predetermined length of the superimposed webs has been Z-folded by one folding station, the superimposed webs are transferred to the other folding station. An elevator mechanism associated with each folding station conveys each finished stack away, then returns to receive the next stack to be folded at that station.
83 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An improved machine for perforating, superimposing, and Z-folding first and second tissue webs to form an interfolded stack of separable tissues, said machine comprising:
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A. first and second counterrotating perforating rolls mounted on a frame and forming a first nip; B. perforating means associated with said perforating rolls for forming periodic longitudinally spaced transverse tear lines in the respective webs; C. first transport means for transporting said first web into said first nip on said first perforating roll, and for transporting said second web into said first nip on said second perforating roll, whereby to superimpose said webs at said first nip with the tear lines of said first web positioned longitudinally between the tear lines of said second web; D. second transport means associated with said perforating rolls for alternately adhering said superimposed webs to one of said first and second perforating rolls approximately at said nip, transporting said adhered superimposed webs out of said nip by rotating said rolls, and then releasing said superimposed webs; and E. Z-folding means for folding said webs so each tear line of each web is tucked into a fold of the other web. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Z-folding means for forming superimposed webs with offset tear lines into an interfolded stack of separable tissues, said machine comprising first and second counterrotating folding rolls forming a nip, means for directing superimposed webs of tissue with offset tear lines through said nip, transport means associated with said folding rolls for alternately adhering portions of said superimposed webs to said first and second folding rolls approximately at said nip, and timing means for timing the alternate adherence of said superimposed webs on said folding rolls so the portions of said superimposed webs adjacent to a tear line of said second web are adhered to said first roll and thereby transported out of the tangent plane of said first nip, and so the portions of said superimposed webs adjacent to a tear line of said first web are adhered to said second roll and thereby transported out of the tangent plane of said first nip, thereby starting a Z-fold at each said region of said first and second webs.
Specification