GB647161A - Method and apparatus for folding a paper web into z-form - Google Patents

Abstract

647,161. Folding paper; delivery apparatus. BURGESS, A. F. (International Cellucotton Products Co.). Sept. 15, 1947, No. 25191. [Class 100 (i)] A method of folding a paper web into Z-form by apparatus having feed-rolls for feeding the web to folding-rolls having gripping jaws cooperating with tucker blades includes the steps of providing slack in the web which is between the feed-rolls and the zone in which the jaws and the tucker blades co-operate, tucking the web between the gripping jaws utilizing said slack to form the tuck, and withdrawing the tucker from between the jaws. Two webs 8 and 9 are fed by two pairs of feed-rollers 15 and 16, and 17 and 18, over cutter-rolls 7 and 5 which co-operate with rotary transverse cutters 6 and 4 which partially sever the two webs at points displaced relatively along the surface of the two webs. The web is then fed between a pair of folding-rolls 27 and 28, driven in opposite directions. Each roll carries three pairs of cam-operated grippers and three tucker blades spaced intermediately between the grippers such that the tucker blades 35 on the roll 27 co-operate with the grippers 36 and 37 on the roll 28; similarly the tucker blades 38 on the roll 28 co-operate with the grippers 33 and 34 on the roll 27. The webs are formed into a tuck in the open gripper jaws which extend the entire length of the roll, the tuck being formed from slack in the web drawn from above and below the zone of co-operation of the grippers and tucker blades. The slack may be caused by feeding the webs to the rolls 27 and 28 at a higher speed than the speed of the grippers. Further rotation of the rolls 27 and 28 causes the tucker blades to be withdrawn from the grippers while the grippers close on the webs to form the fold. The 'grippers may be formed of rubber or be tipped with a friction-resisting material so as to prevent the web being withdrawn from the open grippers while the tucker blades are withdrawn. The grippers are again re-opened when the fold is approximately above the edge of a stack on which the folded material is deposited, strippers 88 and 89 being provided to strip the folded edges from the jaws. The top of the stack is retained against upward displacement by hooks 99 and 100 carried by oscillating shafts 101 and 102. The stack is supported by guide posts 59 and 60, plates 69 and 70, and an inclined wall 71 positioned above a conveyer belt 72 which moves the folded sheets downwardly at a rate equal to their delivery on the pile. The belt is driven from a shaft 74 which is rotated through a ratchet by an oscillating arm 87. Should the height of the pile increase above a certain level a feeler 111 on top of the pile actuates a switch 115 to start a motor 121 which drives a worm 128 which drives the shaft 74 through a ratchet clutch at a higher rate than normal.