Method and apparatus for zig-zag folding webs of paper and the like
First Claim
1. A method of zig-zag folding a continuous web of paper or a like flexible material which has alternating first and second panels connected to each other by transversely extending weakened zones, comprising the steps of transporting the web at a first speed in a predetermined direction and along a first path;
- diverting at least a portion of each of successive first panels from the first path into a second path; and
advancing the diverted first panels at a lower second speed while continuing to transport the second panels immediately following the diverted first panels at said first speed so that at least one of each pair of panels including a diverted first panel and the immediately following second panel develops a loop and the second panel of such pair of panels overlies the respective first panel.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A continuous web of paper with a series of transversely extending rows of perforations between successive panels is folded in zig-zag fashion by reducing the speed of each oddly numbered panel and simultaneously diverting the oddly numbered panel from the path of the web while the evenly numbered panels immediately following the diverted oddly numbered panels continue to advance at a higher speed so that the neighboring panels define loops while the next-following evenly numbered panels catch up with the immediately preceding oddly numbered panels. The loops are stabilized by suction-operated conveyors and by admission of compressed air thereinto, and the resulting stack of overlapping panels is severed at intervals across selected rows of perforations to form a series of smaller stacks each of which contains a desired number of panels.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of zig-zag folding a continuous web of paper or a like flexible material which has alternating first and second panels connected to each other by transversely extending weakened zones, comprising the steps of transporting the web at a first speed in a predetermined direction and along a first path;
- diverting at least a portion of each of successive first panels from the first path into a second path; and
advancing the diverted first panels at a lower second speed while continuing to transport the second panels immediately following the diverted first panels at said first speed so that at least one of each pair of panels including a diverted first panel and the immediately following second panel develops a loop and the second panel of such pair of panels overlies the respective first panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- diverting at least a portion of each of successive first panels from the first path into a second path; and
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10. Apparatus for zig-zag folding a continuous web of paper or a like flexible material which has alternating first and second panels connected to each other by transversely extending weakened zones, comprising a transporting unit arranged to move the web lengthwise along a first path in a predetermined direction and at first speed;
- and means for diverting portions at least of successive first panels from said first path into a second path and for advancing the diverted first panels along said second path at a lower second speed so that at least one of each pair of panels including the diverted first panel and the immediately following second panel develops a loop as the second panel of the pair of panels continues to move at said first speed.
- View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification