US2689070A - Means and method for pleating cloth in web form - Google Patents

Description

T. E. DAVIS Sept. 14,1954

MEANS AND METHOD FOR PLEATING CLOTH IN WEB FORM Filed July 22, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYS T. E. DAVIS Sept. 14, 1954 MEANS AND METHOD FOR PLEATING CLOTH IN WEB FORM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1952 INVENTOR THOMAS" 5. DAV/J BY wrx 6 ATTORNEYS T. E. DAVIS Sept. 14, 1954 MEANS AND METHOD FOR PLEATING CLOTH IN WEB FORM 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 22, 1952 THOMAS E. DAV/6' wrd,m

ATTOR/Vf/J- Sept. 14, 1954 'r. E. DAVIS 2,639,070

MEANS AND METHOD FOR FLEATING CLOTH IN WEB FORM Filed July 22, 1952 s Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENT OR WNIHYWNAI. I: .--1--|l-|-u||||||Ill:|,llllillll:AJ z z u 3 -rrbitiIllilillilil---ill---:IIIII L M$ NM IN N. u N mm m N THOMAS E. DAV/J BY 7 M, 6 ATTORNEYS Sept. 14, 1954 T. E. DAVIS MEANS AND METHOD FOR PLEATING CLOTH IN WEB FORM Filed July 22, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 A AA H .18 7/90/1446 46 DAV/S 6-514} 4 ATTORNEYS Sept. 14, 1954 T. E. DAVIS 2,689,070

MEANS AND METHOD FOR PLEATING CLOTH IN WEB FORM Filed July 22, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR I 2 9; 21 THOMAJ'E. DAV/J Y ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 14, 1954 MEANS AND METHOD FOR PLEATING CLOTH IN WEB FORM Thomas E. Davis, Rock Hill, S. 0., assignor to Rock Hill Printing & Finishing Company, Rock Hill, S. 0., a corporation of Delaware Application July 22, 1952, Serial No. 300,162

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the formation of pleated cloth and more particularly to a means and method by which cloth in web form may be pleated with great facility and efiectiveness.

Briefly described, cloth is pleated in web form according to the present invention by gathering a cloth web widthwise from the center and folding the gathers in the web into pleats while continuously drawing the web longitudinally by means applying heat and pressure for ironing the pleats in place. This method of the present invention and the means provided for carryin it out not only offer exceptional advantage from the standpoint of operating speed as a result of the manner in which the cloth is handled in web form, but are also particularly well adapted forv ironing and setting pleats in cloth that has previously been treated with a settable resin.

These and other features of the invention are described in further detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is .a side elevation illustrating the arrangement of a pleating apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view corresponding generally to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 .is a partial end elevation as seen from the right in Fig. 2.;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line 4-4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 'is a longitudinal section taken substantially at the line 5-,5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of one of the first series of string plates;

Fig. 7 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 6

Fig. 8 is aside elevation of a modified form for one of the second series of string plates;

Fig. 9 is a plan elevation corresponding to B Fig. 10 is a side elevation of one of the pleating dogs;

Fig. .11 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 10; I

Fig; 12 is a left end view corresponding. to Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a right end view corresponding to Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the arrangement of the supporting means provided for carrying the string plates and pleating dogs;

Fig. '15 is a sectional detail taken on the line l5-l5 in Fig. 14;

Fig. .16 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line .16- 46 in 14; j

Fig. '17 is a fragmentary detail at substantially substantially 2 the line l1-l'l in Fig. 2 indicating the manner in which a cloth web is gathered wi thwi y the first series of string plates;

Fig. 18 is a further fragmentary detail at substantially the line I 8-|8 in Fig. 2 illustrating how the gathered cloth web is guided by the second series of string plates;

Fig. 19 is a similar fragmentary detail at substantially the line l9-l9- in Fig. 2 representing the folding of the gathered cloth web to form pleats;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary side elevation showing a modified arrangement of the string plates; and

Fig. 21 is anend elevation as seen from the right in Fig. 20 with the string plates removed.

With reference now in detail to the drawing, and more particularly at first to Fig. 1, the pleating apparatus shown as an embodiment of the present invention comprises a frame structure as indicated generally by the reference numeral ID on which stand brackets II are arranged to position a mounting pin as at l2 for a cloth supply roll R so that the cloth may be withdrawn therefrom and trained through the apparatus as represented by the broken line at W.

From the supply'roll R, the cloth web W is preferably first drawn over a bowed spreader roll I3, which is also supported on the frame structure I0 in the usual manner as shown, and then over an elevated guide roll l3 from which it is trained vertically downward through further opening means such as air-operated selvage guides as represented at H and under a further guide roll l4 to be taken directly into the pleating elements to be described below. The web W is thus positively maintained open and transversely taut until the pleating elements are reached.

Immediately beyond the last mentioned guide roll M, the frame structure I0 is next arranged to carry complementary top and bottom supporting means 15 and 16 in vertically spaced relation to dispose a firstseries of entrance string plates l1 and a second series of exit string plates 18 for action on the cloth web W so that it is gathered transversely in preparation for the folding of continuous longitudinal pleats therein. Each of these supporting means I! and I8 comprise a first rail element it formed with symmetrical leg portions as at I 9 extending diagonally of the frame structure 10 from the center thereof and in the direction of travel of the web W; and a second rail element 20 extending transversely of the frame structure It adjacent the extending ends of the first rail leg portions I! (see Fig. 2).

Both of these first and second rail elements I9 and 20 of the complementary top and bottom supporting means I andl6 are undercut on their opposed faces to a tenon form as at 2| and 22, 8 respectively (compare Figs. 5 and 14), adapting them as a. mounting base for the previously I mentioned string plates 11- and I8. The form of each string plate I1 of the first series is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 as comprising fiat plates having rounded entrance noses as at I1 and fitted with mounting pads 23 having dovetail grooves 24 I9. In the case of the string plates I1 these dovetail grooves 24 in the mounting pads 23 are cut angularly in correspondence with the diagonal disposition of the first rail leg portions I9, so

that the string plates I1 are displaced longitudinally with respect to the frame structure I0, and to the direction of travel of the cloth web W, when mountedin place on the rail element I9.

The string plates I8 of the second series are formed in exactly the same way except that the mounting pads 25 with which they are fitted have dovetailgrooves cut therein squarely to correspond with the transverse disposition of the second rail element 20. The mounting pads 23 and 25 in each case are provided in a thickness such as to result in the spacing desired for the string plates I1 and I8, and the string plates l1 and I8 are arranged on the first and second rail elements I9 and 26, respectively, with the mounting pads 23 and 25 thereof abutting so that the complementary top and bottom supporting means I5 and I6 can be vertically spaced to dispose each series of string plates I1 and I8 in horizontally spaced internested relation (compare Figs. 1'7 and 18), one of the central string plates I1 being fitted with a special mounting pad 23' tofit the center of its supporting rail I9 with an internesting disposition as indicated in Fig. 17. Each series of string plates I1 and I8 may be clamped or secured in place on the rail elements I9 and 20 either individually or as a group by any convenient mean (not shown).

The vertical spacing of the top and bottom supporting means I5 and I6 is made adjustable through supporting studs 26 and 21 that are fitted with opposed pair of adjusting nuts as at 28 and29, and 38 and 3I, respectively, to engage cross supporting rails 32 and 33 at the front end of the respective supporting mean I5 and I6, and swivel lugs 34 and 35 that are carried in side framing plates 36 and 31 at the rear thereof. By suitable manipulation of the adjusting nuts on these supporting studs 26 and 21, the vertical spacing of the top and bottom supporting means I5 and I6 may not only be set as desired, but the front and rear end of these supporting means I5 and I6 may also be independently adjusted to tilt the supporting means I5 and I6 with respect to each other (by virtue of the swivel arrangement of the lugs 34 and 35) and thereby readily vary or adjust the gathering action between the string plates I1 and I8 in proper relation to the subsequent pleat folding action as will be explained in further detail presently.

The above noted supporting studs 26 and 21 are in turn supported on a carriage frame 39 (compare Figs. 14 and 15) that is fitted with cross shafts 39' having roller sleeves as at 46 thereon (see Fig. 4) by which the carriage frame 38 is adapted for shifting longitudinally on the frame structure I0. During normal operation,

. cut therein for interfitting with the tenon form ZI of the opposed faces'of the first rail elements 4. the carriage frame 38 is held in a fixed position against a stop plate M at the rear of the frame structure I!) by the pull of the web W as it is drawn through the pleating elements, but at other times may be shifted forwardly on the frame structure I9 to facilitate initial threading of the web W and the like. -Controlv of this shifting movement is effected through racks 42 attached at the bottom face of the carriage frame 38 along each side thereof to engage pinions as at 43 carried on an actuating shaft 44 mounted on the frame structure I0 and extending therefrom to carry also a manipulating handwheel' 45. This shiftable arrangement of the carriage frame 38 is particularly advantageous in that it allows the pleating elements to be shifted for easy access away from the final draw roll pair (to be described presently) while otherwise allowing this roll pair to be disposed for acting on the cloth web W immediately as it leaves the pleating elements. previously mentioned :elevated guide roll I3, selvageguide mean I4, and further guide roll I4, are disposed immediately ahead of the string plate supporting means I5 and I6,v theyshould also be made shiftable with the pleating elements by arranging them on suitable framing extending as at 38' from the carriage frame 38. The actual folding of pleats in the cloth web W is done by a series of pleating dogs46 that are disposed to follow the second series of string plates I8 and fold the gathers formed by the string plates I1- and I8 into pleats. These. pleating dogs 46 are also supported on the shiftable carriage frame 38 by means of further supporting studs 41 that have opposed pairs of adjusting nuts 48 and 49 thereon to engage end lugs as at 50 and 5|, which are fitted. to top .and bottom supportingv rails 52 and 53 extending transversely of the frame structure I0 for carrying the series of pleating dogs 46. The opposed faces of these supporting rails 52 and 53 are also undercut to a tenon form as at 54 and 55, respectively, and the pleating dogs 46 are also fitted with mounting pads 56 having dovetail groove cut therein as at 51 for mounting on the supporting rails 52 and 53 in the same manner as already described for the string plates I1 and I8, the mounting pads 23, 25 and- 56 all having the same thickness so that a corresponding transversespacing is provided for both series of string plates I1 and I8 and the pleating dogs =46 as well. The form of the pleating dogs 46 is shown in detail in Figs. 10 to 13 of the drawings in which it will be seen that each pleating dog 46isformed with a folding lip'58 atthe edge thereofopposite from the edge at which it is fitted with the mounting pad 56. This folding edge 58' is shown in Fig. 10 in relation to a broken line represen tation at W of the-medial cloth line as a web being pleated is drawn through the pleating dogs 46. At the entrance end of the dogs 46 (tothe left in Fig. 10), the folding lip 58 is disposedbeyond the medial cloth line W and is of relatively narrow lateral extent so that it is adapted" I of an adjacentinternested pleating dog'46 (com-' pare Figs. 5 and 19). Proceedingtowardthe exit end of thepleating dogs 46 (to the right in' Fig. 10), however, the folding lip 58 isarran'ged so that it slopes toward the medial cloth line W and increase in lateral extent' to' lay a gather in the cloth webMW over into a ,p eat giagain It should also be noted that as the cooperation with the folding lip 58"0f an adjacent internested pleating dog 46).

The manner in which the gathering of the cloth web W by the string plates l1 and I8, and the folding of these gathers into pleats by the pleating dogs 46, occurs is illustrated in Figs. 17, 18 and 19 of the drawings. Fig.1! represents a transverse sectional detail through the first series of string plates-ll at substantially the line [1-H in Fig. 2, the most forwardly disposed central string plates l1 being shown in full lines, and several of the string plates [1 to each side being shown in-section as an indication of their progressively displaced positions longitudinally of the frame structure It by virtue of the previously described diagonal disposition of the first rail leg portions 19'. As a result of this progressively dis placed arrangement, the cloth web W is acted upon first by the foremost centrally disposed string plates I! to gather the web W widthwise from its longitudinal center first. Then, successively, the string plates I l at each side come into play, as the web W is drawn through them, to form additional gathers in order outwardly from the central gather first formed until the web W has passed through all of the string plates I 1 and has gathers formed completely across its width by the string plates ll.

The action of the second series of string plates I8 is represented in Fig. 18. These string plates l8 are arranged in transverse alignment as previously noted and serve to receive the gathered cloth web W from the first series of string plates I! and direct the entrance of this gathered web into the pleating dogs 46. For. some cloths, this action of the second series of string plates 18 can be obtained satisfactorily by spacing them to follow the first series of string plates I! without any interconnection. For cases where the cloth is more difiicult to handlehowever, a modified arrangement is illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, 20 and 21 of the drawings that provides for continuous guiding of the gathered cloth web W between the first and second series of string plates.

In this modified arrangement a somewhat different form of string plate is used as illustrated best at 59 in Figs. 8 and 9 which shows a modified second series string plate for comparison with the first series string plate ll shown in Figs. 6 and '7. This modified second series string plate 59 is formed of a flat plate fitted with a mounting pad '60 having a square cut dovetail groove 6| therein in all respects like that of the string plates [8, except that the rounded string plate nose 59 is arranged rearwardly in this case at the exit (rather than the entrance) end of the string plate 59, and the active edge of the string plate 59 as well as the edge of the rounded nose 59' is grooved as shown at 62 in Figs. 8 and 9. Similarly edge grooved first series string plates 63 are also employed in this modified arrangement, although the modified first series string plate 63 are otherwise arranged and disposed just as the previously described string plates I! were (compare Figs. 5 and 20). I Y

The purpose of employing the edge grooved string plates 59 and 63 is to provide for connecting them in succeeding pairs with'strand elements as shown at E4 in Fig. 20, formed of any suitable material such as piano wire, that may be located by the edge grooved string plates 59 and 63 and tensioned between them as a continuous guiding means while introducing a minimum additional drag on the cloth. Alternatively, the succeeding pairs of'string plates might each be formed as a unit, rather than separately in firstand' second series, and therebyprovide a continuous active edge for the string plates, but such an arrangement would. impose substantially greater drag on the cloth web W being pleated than the strand element arrangement described above.

A suitable means for securing thestrandelements 64 in this mannermay consist of a pairof cross rails 65 and 66 mounted between the previously noted side framing plates 31 (or 36) just ahead of the second series of modified string plates 59, with the'extending edge of one cross rail of this pair such as 65 having anchoring slots 61 formed. therein forifixing one end of the strand elements 64, and with the extending face of the other cross rail of 'this'pair suchas 66 being fitted with adjustable screw eyes 68 at which the strand elements 64 may be tightened to the proper tension.

Fig. 19 illustrates the action of the pleating dogs 46 on the string plate gathered cloth web W. The cooperating folding lips 58 of these dogs 46 actto lay the cloth gathers over into pleats so that the web W is returned again to more or less a common widthwise plane as it leaves the dogs 46 but isnow formed with longitudinally continuous pleats across its width.

The means by which the cloth web W is drawn throughthe pleating operation according to the present invention comprises a draw roll pair as shown at 69 and 19 inFig. 1 that serves as well for ironing into the web W the pleats that have been formed. This draw roll pair 69 and Ill may be arranged in a separate stand (not shown) or be carried on the frame structure It as desired. Preferably, the bottom roll Ill of the pair is provided in a larger diameter to serve as a backing roll, while-the top roll 69 is fitted with axial ports as at H allowing circulation of a heating medium such as steam therethrough for applying heat as well as pressure at the nip of rolls 69 and 19. Such an arrangement adapts the apparatus particularly well for handling cloth webs W that have been treated with a settable resin, such as urea-formaldehyde, to obtain a permanent finish and which may also be utilized according to the present invention to set the pleats formed in the cloth web W.

The present invention has been described in detail above for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to be limited by this description or otherwise except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for pleating cloth in web-form comprising a frame structure, a first transverse series of fiat, vertically disposed, entrance stringplates carried on said frame and arranged in spaced internested relation and progressively displaced longitudinally from the longitudinal center of said series toward each end for gathering said cloth widthwise from the longitudinal center of a web thereof trained through said string plates, a secondtransverse series of flat, vertically disposed, exit string plates carried on said frame structure and arranged in corresponding spaced aligned for disposing pleating dogs arranged on said frame structure for folding pleats in the gathered cloth longitudinally of said web.

2. Apparatus for pleatin cloth in web form comprising a frame structure, a first transverse series of fiat, vertically disposed entrance string internested relation but transversely the gathered cloth web to be pleated, and a succeeding transverse series of I plates carried on said frame structureandalter' nately extending upwardly and downwardly in spaced internested relationand arranged with 1 pairs of said upwardly anddownwardly extending string plates displaced progressively in a 1on gitudinal direction from the center of said series series and likewise alternately extending upwardly and downwardly in corresponding spaced internested relation but arranged in common transverse alignment for maintaining the gather in a cloth web drawn therethrough from said second,

series of string plates.

3. Apparatus for pleating cloth in web form as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that a pair of draw rolls is arranged beyond said pleating dogs for drawing said cloth web through said first and second series of string plates and said pleating dogs for gathering and pleating.

4. Apparatus for pleating cloth in web form as defined in claim 3 and further characterized in I that at least one of said draw rolls is heated for ironing and setting the pleats in said cloth web.

5. Apparatus for pleating cloth in webform as defined in claim 2 and further characterized inthat selvage guide means are arranged just ahead of said first series of string plates and a webguide roll is disposed between said guide means and first string plates to have the cloth web angled thereover before entering said first string plates for maintaining said web open and transversley taut until said first string plates are reached.

. 6. Apparatus for pleating cloth in web form as defined in claim 2 and further characterized in that the extending edges and the opposite ends of said first and second series of-string plates are grooved, and strand elements are disposed in said grooves and extended under tension between the corresponding string plates of said first and second series for continuous guiding of said gathered cloth web between the string plates of said first and second series.

'7. Apparatus for pleating cloth in web form comprising a frame structure, a first transverse series of fiat, vertically disposed, entrance string plates carried on said frame structure and a1- ternately extending upwardly and downwardly in spaced internested relation and arranged with pairs of said upwardly and downwardly extending string plates displaced progressively in a longitudinal direction from the center of said series toward each end, whereby a cloth web drawn through said first series of string plates willbe.

gathered widthwise from the longitudinal center of said web, a second transverse series of fiat, yertically disposed, exit string plates carried on said frame structure and arranged beyond said first, series and likewise alternately extending upwardly and downwardly in corresponding spaced internested relation but arranged in common trans verse alignment, and a succeeding transverse series of pleating dogs having cooperating folding lips mounted alternately in internested relation on said frame structure with a transverse spacing corresponding to the string plates of said first and second series for folding pleats in the gathered cloth longitudinally of saidweb, the extent of internesting of said first and second series of string plates being independently adjustable for diagonally of said frame structure from the center thereof and a second rail element extending transversely of said frame structure adjacent the extending ends of said diagonal leg portions, a

first series of string plates mounted alternately on the diagonal leg portions of said first rail elements in spaced internested relation, a second series of string plates mounted alternately-on said second rail elements in internested relation with a transverse spacing corresponding to the string plates of said first series, a further pair of top and bottom supporting rail elements carried transversely on said frame structure in vertically spaced relation adjacent the second rail elements of said first mentioned top and bottom supporting means, a series of pleating dogs having cooperating folding lips mounted alternately in internested relation on said last mentioned rail elements with a transverse spacing corresponding to the string plates of said first and second series.

9. Apparatus for pleating cloth in web form as defined in claim 8 and further characterized in that said top and bottom supporting means and said further pair of supporting rail elements are carried on said frame structure for shifting longitudinally thereof to facilitate initial threading of a cloth web through said string plates and pleating dogs, and the vertical spacing at each longitudinal end of said top and bottom supporting means and said further pair of rail elements is independently adjustable.

10. The process of pleating cloth in web form 11. The process of pleating cloth in web form which comprises forming uniform gathers in a cloth web widthwise thereof from the center and folding the gathers in said web into pleats while drawing said web longitudinally by means applyin heat and pressure thereto for ironing the pleats formed therein.

12. The process of pleating cloth in web form which comprises impregnating a cloth web with a settable resin, and then forming gathers in said cloth web widthwise thereof from the center and folding said gathers to form pleats while drawing said web longitudinally by means applying heat and pressure thereto for ironing and setting said pleats therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,402,584 Elrod Jan. 3; 1922 1,903,618 Brintnall Apr. 11, 1933 2,072,408 Pollak Mar. 2, 1937 2,341,735 Monsarofi Feb. 15, 1944

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