Multi-panel refolding transfer system with rotating transfer clamp
First Claim
1. A method of refolding adjoining proximal and distal loose end panels extending from a clip of paper products interfolded in a plurality of parallel planes and initially held between a pair of first opposing surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) urging the loose end panel proximal the clip towards a plane parallel to the planes of the interfolded products;
b) trapping the proximal loose end panel by moving a clamping finger adjacent the proximal loose end panel and exterior of the clip;
c) moving the clip away from the pair of first opposing surfaces;
d) trapping the distal loose end panel by moving the clip and the clamping finger past one of a pair of second opposing surfaces; and
e) retracting the clamping finger from between the distal loose end panel and the clipsuch that the proximal and distal loose end panels are refolded into the clip and the clip is subsequently held between the pair of second opposing surfaces.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for transferring a clip formed of a predetermined number of interfolded paper products away from a stacking interfolder and refolding a plurality of loose end panels having a stack building table and first count finger assembly initially holding the clip and transferring control of the clip to a transfer clamp which refolds a first loose end panel and further having a clip destination station having a post end panels receiving the clip and finally refolding the final loose end panel.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of refolding adjoining proximal and distal loose end panels extending from a clip of paper products interfolded in a plurality of parallel planes and initially held between a pair of first opposing surfaces, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) urging the loose end panel proximal the clip towards a plane parallel to the planes of the interfolded products; b) trapping the proximal loose end panel by moving a clamping finger adjacent the proximal loose end panel and exterior of the clip; c) moving the clip away from the pair of first opposing surfaces; d) trapping the distal loose end panel by moving the clip and the clamping finger past one of a pair of second opposing surfaces; and e) retracting the clamping finger from between the distal loose end panel and the clip such that the proximal and distal loose end panels are refolded into the clip and the clip is subsequently held between the pair of second opposing surfaces. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. Apparatus for transferring a clip formed of a predetermined number of interfolded paper products away from a stacking interfolder and refolding a plurality of loose end panels of the clip comprising:
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a) a stack building table positioned to receive a continuously building interfolded stack of paper products in a longitudinally oriented stack building path wherein adjacent products have a plurality of end panels interfolded in an overlapping relationship; b) a first count finger assembly selectively positionable into the stack building path to separate a clip of a predetermined number of interfolded paper products from the stack while allowing a plurality of loose end panels to extend away from one end of the clip exteriorly of the first count finger assembly; c) a transfer clamp located adjacent the stack building path, the transfer clamp having first and second longitudinally spaced apart clamping fingers projecting transversely towards and reciprocally movable transversely into and out of the stack building path such that the clip is retained by the first and second clamping fingers when the transfer clamp is moved transversely into the stack building path and the stack building table is retracted away from the first count fingers; d) clamp displacement means for moving the transfer clamp out of the stack building path and for rotating the transfer clamp such that the clamping fingers are positioned to project away from the stack building path; and e) a clip destination station located away from the stack building path and having first and second opposed end plates positioned apart a distance slightly greater than the distance between the first and second clamping fingers for receiving the clip from the transfer clamp and for retaining the clip as the clamp moves away from the clip destination station wherein the loose end panels are refolded into the clip by the first clamping finger moving transversely adjacently past; i) the first count finger prior to rotation of the transfer clamp, and ii) the first end plate subsequent to rotation of the transfer clamp. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of transferring a clip formed of a predetermined number of interfolded paper products away from a continuously building stack and refolding a pair of loose end panels of the clip comprising the steps of:
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a) continuously building an interfolded stack of paper products longitudinally in a stack building path on a stack building table such that adjacent products have a pair of end panels overlapped and interfolded; b) selectively positioning a first count finger assembly into the stack building path for separating a clip of a predetermined number of the interfolded paper products from the stack such that a proximal end panel and a distal end panel extend loosely away from one end of the clip exteriorly of the first count fingers; c) positioning a transfer clamp adjacent the stack building path wherein the transfer clamp has first and second longitudinally spaced apart clamping fingers projecting transversely towards the stack building path; d) refolding the loose proximal end panel towards the clip by moving the first clamp fingers transversely past the first count fingers while moving the transfer clamp transversely into the stack building path to a position wherein the first count fingers are between the clip and the first clamp fingers; e) moving the stack building table and the first count fingers apart such that the clip is retained by the first and second clamping fingers; f) moving the transfer clamp out of the stack building path and rotating the transfer clamp such that the clamping fingers are positioned facing away from the stack building path; and g) refolding the loose distal end panel toward the clip by moving the first clamping fingers transversely adjacently past a first end plate of a clip destination station while transferring the clip to the clip destination station. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification