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System and method for folding and handling stacks of continuous web

  • US 7,402,130 B1
  • Filed: 09/29/2006
  • Issued: 07/22/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for folding and stacking a continuous web comprising:

  • a folding and stacking mechanism that outputs folded continuous web defining a plurality of zigzag folded pages to a folding area;

    a compression plate assembly that projects into a portion of the folding area at predetermined times to interfere with movement of edges of the folded pages past the compression plate assembly;

    a supporting mechanism that moves cyclically away from the compression plate assembly and toward the compression plate assembly to cause the edges of the folded pages in a stack supported between the compression plate assembly and the supporting mechanism to pressurably engage and be compressed by the compression plate assembly;

    a temporary support assembly that extends into the folding area when the continuous web is separated so as to support the folded pages of a leading end of the separated web while the folded pages of the trailing end of the separated web are directed away by the supporting mechanism in the stack to a stack transfer location; and

    wherein the compression plate assembly includes spring-loaded compression plates that move upwardly against a bias force of springs in response to pressurable engagement with the stack so as to compress the stack.

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