Folding By Direct Application Of Vacuum Or Fluid Patents (Class 493/418)
  • Patent number: 11970814
    Abstract: A garment folding machine includes: a frame unit defining an external framework of the garment folding machine, a loading unit configured to receive a garment, a folding unit configured to convey and fold the received garment, and an unloading unit configured to collect the garment from the folding unit. The folding unit comprises a plurality of folding layers that are spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction, where each of the plurality of folding layers includes a conveyor configured to convey the garment, and a conveyor motor configured to provide driving power to the conveyor. A first conveyor motor is configured to, based on the garment being positioned over two or more adjacent conveyors of the plurality of folding layers, operate at a first rotational speed that is different from a second rotational speed of a second conveyor motor disposed above the first conveyor motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyosoon Chae, Keunjoo Kim, Sunghoon Ahn, Choongho Lim
  • Patent number: 11629029
    Abstract: A folding, or interfolding, unit, for folding, or interfolding, a first and a second plurality of sheets of paper in a machine for converting paper, comprises a first and a second folding, or interfolding, counter-rotating rolls configured to rotate about a respective longitudinal rotational axis and providing a plurality of suction holes. A vacuum generation device and a vacuum distribution device are, furthermore, provided for selectively putting into pneumatic communication the vacuum generation device with at least a row of the aforementioned suction holes. The folding, or interfolding, unit, comprises, furthermore, a first and a second cutting device providing, respectively, at least a first and a second cutting blade which cooperates with a first and a second plurality of counter-blades distributed along the folding, or interfolding rolls in order to cut a first and a second web of paper, in the first and in the second plurality of sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: M.T.C.—MACCHINE TRASFORMAZIONE CARTA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Sergio Lombardi, Paolo Casotti, Alessandro Morelli
  • Patent number: 10800633
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the post-processing of successively following, sequentially printed sheets, includes a conveyor, a folding table, a folding sword, a folding roller pair, at least one pressing-down mechanism, and a machine control that is operatively connected to the folding sword and the pressing-down mechanism. The pressing-down mechanism includes at least one mechanical braking element which acts in the region of the back edge onto the top side of the printed sheet to be positioned on the folding table. The stationary folding sword includes a compressed-air device with at least one outlet opening for compressed air which is focused onto a folding roller gap. The folding table forms a gathering device for at least two successively following printed sheets. A sensor, arranged in a region of the conveyor, is operatively connected to the machine control and functions to detect the printed sheets, transported with the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: MÜLLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Christian Troxler
  • Patent number: 10543654
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing longitudinally corrugated product. The apparatus includes a guide roll for guiding a web of medium material, wherein at least a portion of the guide roll is adapted to be arranged at an angle relative to another portion of the guide roll. The apparatus further includes a plurality of flute forming bars oriented generally along a longitudinal axis of the web to define a first corrugating labyrinth effective to longitudinally corrugate the web to an intermediate geometry. The apparatus further includes a pair of corrugating rollers that cooperate to define, at a nip therebetween, a second corrugating labyrinth effective to longitudinally corrugate the web to a substantially final geometry. The apparatus further includes a web travel pathway for the web that follows a path around a portion of the guide roll, through the first corrugating labyrinth, and through the second corrugating labyrinth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: HBK FAMILY, LLC
    Inventor: Herbert B. Kohler
  • Patent number: 10390999
    Abstract: A folding apparatus and method for forming a substrate including a discrete substrate including a rugosity. The folding apparatus may include a folding roll and a folding member. The folding roll includes an outer circumferential surface extending between the first roll surface and the second roll surface, and a receiving portion defined by the outer circumferential surface. The receiving portion may include an internal vacuum portion that may be operatively connected to an external vacuum portion. The folding member may be configured to associate with the receiving portion of the folding roll. The folding member may include a groove portion, a bonding portion, and a plurality of apertures. The folding apparatus may be used to bond a discrete substrate on a second substrate. The discrete substrate may include one or more rugosities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Ronald Herbert Helton, Darrell Ian Brown
  • Patent number: 9017241
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to tucking opposing side panels into a chassis of a diaper pant. The apparatuses and methods may utilize one or more conveyors that advance the chassis along a machine direction. Each conveyor may have a vacuum zone that applies a vacuum force to hold the chassis. The chassis may be positioned between a first conveyor having a first vacuum zone and a second conveyor having a second vacuum zone. The conveyors may apply opposing vacuum forces to hold the first waist region apart from the second waist region while the chassis advances in the machine direction toward a tucking device. The vacuum forces are then removed from the waist regions as the tucking device pushes the side panels toward each other. Pushing the side panels toward each other causes the inner surfaces of the waist regions to simultaneously move toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean Lavon, Uwe Schneider, Joseph Hung Lam
  • Patent number: 8998788
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding articles advancing in a machine direction including a rotatable roll having a roll surface, at least one protrusion that defines an outermost surface of the roll and at least one pocket that defines an innermost surface of the roll. The apparatus also includes a peel assembly and a folding assembly. The peel assembly and/or folding assembly may be configured as one or more movable heads for receiving an article or article portion from a first carrier at a first speed and transferring the article to a second carrier travelling at a second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yoichiro Yamamoto, Thomas Ludwig Woschnik
  • Patent number: 8986184
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve methods and apparatuses for folding absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yoichiro Yamamoto, Thomas Ludwig Woschnik
  • Patent number: 8915832
    Abstract: A method is provided for bifolding articles on a high speed production line on which the articles are moved along a predetermined path. The method includes the use of a vacuum conveyor assembly to engage the leading end portion of an article and transport it in the machine direction, thereby potentially reducing the occurrence of undesirable misalignment of the article end edges during a bifolding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Glasgow Burns, Jr., Yoichiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8870732
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to tucking opposing side panels into a chassis of a pant diaper. The apparatuses and methods may utilize one or more conveyors that advance the chassis along a machine direction. Each conveyor may have a vacuum zone that applies a vacuum force to hold the chassis. The chassis may be positioned between a first conveyor having a first vacuum zone and a second conveyor having a second vacuum zone. The conveyors may apply opposing vacuum forces to hold the first waist region apart from the second waist region while the chassis advances in the machine direction toward a tucking device. The tucking device may discharge air to push the side panels into the chassis and create longitudinal fold lines along edges of the absorbent core of the diaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Joseph Hung Lam
  • Patent number: 8485956
    Abstract: A system is provided for bifolding disposable absorbent articles on a high speed production line on which the disposable absorbent articles are moved along a predetermined path. The system includes the use of one or more vacuum conveyor assemblies to engage and transfer the leading end portion of the article from the surface of a peel-roll to a folding drum. Thereby potentially reducing the occurrence of undesirable misalignment between opposing edges of an article during a bifolding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Glasgow Burns, Jr., Yoichiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8443531
    Abstract: A device for feeding, ironing, folding and stacking of linen, having a maximum depth of 2.500 mm, and when viewed in the depth direction thereof, being successively provided with a feeding unit for feeding a piece of linen to be ironed into the device, the feeding unit having detection and measuring means to measure the piece of linen, an ironing unit, having at least one ironing roll and, for each ironing roll, a heated chest for ironing the piece of linen, a folding unit for folding the ironed piece of linen, the folding unit being provided with a longitudinal folding portion located after the ironing mangle for longitudinally folding the ironed piece of linen, and a cross folding portion located below the ironing mangle for cross folding the ironed piece of linen, and a stacking unit located to the right or left of the device for stacking the folded linen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Lapauw International NV
    Inventors: Dominique Lapauw, Yves Lapauw
  • Patent number: 8257237
    Abstract: A system is provided for bifolding disposable absorbent articles on a high speed production line on which the disposable absorbent articles are moved along a predetermined path. The system includes the use of one or more vacuum conveyor assemblies to engage and transfer the leading end portion of the article from the surface of a peel-roll to a folding drum. Thereby potentially reducing the occurrence of undesirable misalignment between opposing edges of an article during a bifolding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Glasgow Burns, Jr., Yoichiro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20120157286
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding a product having a first portion and a second portion has a receiving roll with a drive assembly for rotating the receiving roll at variable surface speeds in a first direction of rotation. The receiving roll is adapted to selectively hold the first and second portions of the product thereto. A folding roll has a drive assembly for rotating the folding roll at variable surface speeds in a second, opposite direction of rotation. The folding roll is adapted to selectively hold the first portion of the product thereto. An oscillating member is adapted to transfer the first portion of the product from the receiving roll to the folding roll. The oscillating member has a drive assembly for moving the oscillating member at variable surface speeds in both the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Daniel Coenen, Gregory J. Rajala, John Soosai Alphonse, Mohammed Shafi Khurieshi, Mahendra Mittapalli
  • Publication number: 20110251040
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve methods and apparatuses for folding absorbent articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Yoichiro Yamamoto, Thomas Ludwig Woschnik
  • Publication number: 20110201486
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided, for forming a stack of interfolded sheets of porous material including a leading panel having a partial-panel width joined along a fold line to a trailing panel having a full-panel width, by controlling the position of leading edges of the sheets both upstream and downstream from the nip between the interfolding rolls of the folding machine with vacuum applied through corresponding vacuum ports disposed in the periphery of the folding rolls at circumferential distances equal to the partial panel length ahead of each gripper and tucker in the direction of rotation. Sufficient suction is applied to hold both the leading edge of the leading panel of a given sheet and an underlying portion of the trailing panel of the immediately preceding sheet against the periphery of one of the other of the rolls downstream from the nip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: C.G. BRETTING MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Curtis Cline, Greg M. Kauppila
  • Patent number: 7955244
    Abstract: A system is provided for bifolding disposable absorbent articles on a high speed production line on which the disposable absorbent articles are moved along a predetermined path. The system includes the use of one or more vacuum conveyor assemblies to engage and transfer the leading end portion of the article from the surface of a peel-roll to a folding drum, thereby potentially reducing the occurrence of undesirable misalignment between opposing edges of an article during a bifolding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Glasgow Burns, Jr., Yoichiro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110126435
    Abstract: A device for feeding, ironing, folding and stacking of linen, having a maximum depth of 2.500 mm, and when viewed in the depth direction thereof, being successively provided with a feeding unit for feeding a piece of linen to be ironed into the device, the feeding unit having detection and measuring means to measure the piece of linen, an ironing unit, having at least one ironing roll and, for each ironing roll, a heated chest for ironing the piece of linen, a folding unit for folding the ironed item of linen, the folding unit being provided with a longitudinal folding portion located after the ironing mangle for longitudinally folding the ironed item of linen, and a cross folding portion located below the ironing mangle for cross folding the ironed piece of linen, and a stacking unit located to the right or left of the device for stacking the folded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Dominique Lapauw, Yves Lapauw
  • Patent number: 7931576
    Abstract: This table for a chopper folding device comprises a surface (20) for application of products to be folded (17), the application surface (20) extending along an application plane (PA), a folding opening (22) suitable for the passage of the products to be folded (17), at least one first guide portion (28) disposed adjacent to the folding opening (22) and comprising a first guide surface (32) inclined with respect to application plane. The table (12) comprises guiding means suitable for urging the product to be folded towards the first guide surface (32) and a first main suction hole (36) which opens on the first guide surface (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Goss International Montataire SA
    Inventors: Franck Chagnon, Philippe Herda, Thierry Melon, Jérôme Peres, Eric Pierda, Jean-François Robert, Mathieu Rossi, Thierry Vauchelle
  • Patent number: 7878229
    Abstract: Introduction guides 12 are provided above and below a sheet-introduction opening portion of a pressure-reduced chamber 10, and heating means 17 is provided between the introduction guides. Each resin sheet 3 is attracted and attached respectively to the circumferential surface of a corresponding emboss roller 11 by reducing pressure. Pins 112 of the emboss roller 11 are truncated cone-shaped. The ratio of the total area of the lower bases of the pins 112 to the area of the circumferential surface of the emboss roller is 0.5 or more. The rising angle ? of the pin side face, in the vertical plane including the central axis of the pins 112, is in the range from 50 degrees to 70 degrees. Furthermore, a multilayered hollow structure plate 140 is formed by attaching non-air-permeable sheets 130 onto both the front and back of a core member obtained by fusing together hollow protrusions 112 in two thermoplastic resin sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: UBE Nitto Kasei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Nakajima, Takeshi Miyazaki, Takayuki Oda, Kenji Kozuka
  • Patent number: 7452320
    Abstract: A panel of a material is transported in operative proximity to an air knife having a nozzle and a curved Coanda surface, such that the panel is folded over the curved Coanda surface as the material is transported in a machine direction. The panel can be folded to a variety of angles and can comprise a refastenable fastening component. Air knives are employed in various methods for folding garment side panels and forming prefastened garments, such as refastenable pants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Gene Csida, Lloyd Carl Hietpas, Michael Lee Lohoff, Charles Robert Tomsovic, Brian Robert Vogt
  • Patent number: 7452321
    Abstract: An interfolding apparatus including a knife roll rotatable about an axis and operable to cut successive sheets from a stream of web material issuing from a source in a downstream direction. A folding roll is positioned downstream of the knife roll and is rotatable in a first direction at a first roll speed. An additional roll is disposed adjacent to the folding roll and is rotatable about an axis in a second direction at a second roll speed. The additional roll is operable to receive the successive sheets and release the successive sheets in the downstream direction toward the folding roll. The folding roll and the additional roll define a nip therebetween, the successive sheets passing through the nip. The first roll speed of the folding roll is different from the second roll speed of the additional roll, the difference in speed between the folding roll and the additional roll operable to overlap adjacent portions of the successive sheets onto the folding roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg Kauppila
  • Publication number: 20080200323
    Abstract: A folder and method for folding plastic bags includes at least one folding station. The folding station has a folding point where an input, an output and a storage portion meet. The bag travels in the input portion in a different direction than in the storage portion. The output direction is substantially the same as the input direction. A turning air source is disposed to direct the bag into the storage portion and an air source is disposed to direct the bag into the output section. A fin helps guide the bag into the output portion. A turning roll disposed above the turning point, and imparts motion to the bag, generally in the storage direction. A second folding station, similar to the first, is downstream the first folding station. The output direction for the first station is the same as the input direction for the second station, and the bag path between the first and second folding stations is substantially linear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Selle, Thomas Jansen, Timothy Dutter
  • Patent number: 7399266
    Abstract: A method and machine for folding and finishing training pant diapers, whereby the diapers are formed from respective flat blanks, each of which is fed to a continuously-rotating, suction-type first wheel, and is folded into a U by clamping an intermediate portion of the blank on the first wheel by means of a folding member; retaining a trailing half of the blank on the first wheel, while detaching a leading half from the first wheel by means of a continuously-rotating, suction-type second wheel; transferring the leading half to a continuously-rotating, suction-type third wheel; and gradually superimposing the leading half of the blank onto the trailing half, as the trailing half advances on the first wheel, and after first removing the folding member from the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: GDM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Aiolfi, Matteo Piantoni, Stefano Nanni, Alberto Perego
  • Patent number: 7335150
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for mechanically fastening an absorbent undergarment during the initial manufacturing thereof, the undergarment is transported in a transport direction and folded longitudinally by a folding device such that first and second end regions of the undergarment are in generally opposed relationship with each other while transporting the partially assembled garment in the transport direction to fastenably engaged first and second fastening portions of the undergarment. A central region of the absorbent undergarment is held by a holding device, separate from the folding device, against bunching between the end regions of the undergarment during longitudinal folding of the undergarment. In another embodiment, the transverse position of the second fastening portion is adjusted relative to the first fastening portion to facilitate fastening engagement therebetween upon folding the absorbent garment longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Daniel Coenen, Charles Robert Tomsovic, Thomas E. Williamson, Brian Thomas Anderson, Scott Beck, Robin Nason
  • Patent number: 7322925
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for mechanically fastening a partially assembled absorbent undergarment during manufacture, a longitudinal folding device is carried by a transport device and moveable between an open configuration in which it receives a partially assembled undergarment, and a closed configuration in which the undergarment is folded longitudinally by the folding device. A first transverse folding device folds a first fastening portion of the undergarment relative to the folding device and generally toward a second fastening portion, and a second transverse folding device carried by the transport device folds the second fastening portion relative to the folding device and generally toward the first fastening portion to facilitate engagement therebetween. A separate retention member is carried by the transport device and draws at least one of the first and second fastening portions against the retention member while the garment is moved by the transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack L. Couillard, Robert Lee Popp
  • Patent number: 7314440
    Abstract: A former is provided for a web-producing or a web-processing machine. The former is structured with a porous material through which a fluid can pass. The porous material is positioned or located on at least one region of the former that is cooperating with a strip of material to be folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johannes Boppel, Peter Wilhelm Kurt Leidig
  • Patent number: 7254930
    Abstract: A stationary tucker bar mechanism attached to a vertical form, fill, and seal packaging machine used to construct a vertical stand-up pouch and a gusseted flat bottom bag. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch or flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by forming one or two vertical creases along opposing sides of the packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. The vertical crease is formed using the stationary tucker bar gusseting mechanism positioned outside the packaging film tube and positioned between two forming plates located inside the packaging film tube. While the tucker bar gusseting mechanism is stationary during operation, it is fully adjustable along multiple axes of orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Joseph Bartel, Anthony Robert Knoerzer, Garrett William Kohl, Steven Kenneth Tucker
  • Patent number: 7214174
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for folding a nonwoven web without mechanical contact against a folding surface. A first portion of the nonwoven web is secured to a collector by vacuum and a positive pressure differential is applied to a second portion of the moving nonwoven web. An unbalanced lifting force applied by the positive pressure differential causes the first portion to fold along a longitudinal fold line extending in a machine direction and to assume an overlapping relationship with the second portion. The vacuum assists in the folding process and maintains the overlapping relationship until the nonbonded nonwoven web is consolidated. One or more elastic strands or bands may be captured in the space defined between the overlapped first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Martin A. Allen, Patrick L. Crane
  • Patent number: 7069970
    Abstract: New processes and apparatus for forming lap seams and making prefastened disposable absorbent articles are disclosed. The apparatus can include an interior folding mechanism adapted to position a first panel in an interior position and an exterior folding mechanism adapted to position a second panel in an exterior position relative to the interior position. The interior folding mechanism can include a mandrel defining a curved peripheral surface and an interior forming shoulder in proximity to the mandrel. A fluid pressure device can establish an air flow between the mandrel and the interior forming shoulder. The forming shoulder can modify the direction of the air flow as the first panel travels in a machine direction to increasingly fold the panel over the curved peripheral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Robert Tomsovic, Joseph Daniel Coenen, David Albert Maxton
  • Patent number: 7008363
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for folding a nonwoven web without mechanical contact against a folding surface. A first portion of the nonwoven web is secured to a collector by vacuum and a positive pressure differential is applied to a second portion of the moving nonwoven web. An unbalanced lifting force applied by the positive pressure differential causes the first portion to fold along a longitudinal fold line extending in a machine direction and to assume an overlapping relationship with the second portion. The vacuum assists in the folding process and maintains the overlapping relationship until the nonbonded nonwoven web is consolidated. One or more elastic strands or bands may be captured in the space defined between the overlapped first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Martin A. Allen, Patrick L. Crane
  • Patent number: 7001320
    Abstract: In the production of (cigarette) packs of the hinge-lid-box type with round edges, preliminary deformation of blanks (10) is desirable for producing hinge-lid boxes of satisfactory quality. The preliminary deformation of the round edges takes place in the region of a rounding turret (18) during transportation of the blanks (10). The latter are deformed back into an essentially planar starting position upon leaving the rounding turret (18) and thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Focke & Co., (GmbH & Co)
    Inventors: Jurgen Focke, legal representative, Doris Focke, legal representative, Thomas Häfker, Heinz Focke, deceased
  • Patent number: 6945924
    Abstract: A method and device for conveying folded sheet elements, whereby a sheet element, folded to have at least two superimposed portions connected along a fold, is fed along a given path by a movable gripping head, which engages and retains by suction a first of the two portions of the sheet element, and simultaneously deforms the fold to retain the second portion in contact with the first as the sheet element is conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Brizzi, Alberto Franchini, Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Patent number: 6893388
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pre-fastening disposable absorbent articles having a slot-and-tab fastening system during manufacturing of the pre-fastened disposable articles, such as diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, adults incontinence pads and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: George S. Reising, Michael D. Trennepohl, Darrell Ian Brown, John Carroll Molander, Jason Matthew Prosek
  • Patent number: 6840616
    Abstract: An air folder adjuster (10) includes an air supply (12) and air supply tubing (14) connected to air supply (12) at end (16). The opposite end (18) of air supply tubing (14) is connected to one or more air nozzles (20). In a printing press utilized for folding documents such as books, air folder adjuster (10) is positioned so that air nozzles (20) direct compressed air from air supply (12) downward onto the head (26) of document (24) on either side of chopper arm (34) during the folding process thus ensuring that the document (24) lies flat, square, and untouched during the folding process and thereby allowing the elimination of chopper brushes altogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Scott Summers
  • Patent number: 6808478
    Abstract: A system (10) for producing folded articles includes a cutting station (58) operable to segment a fabric web (42) into a continuous stream of individual web segments (86). The system also includes a rotary folder (96) comprising a plurality of folding rollers (104, 106). The rotary folder (96) rotates about an axis spaced apart from axes of the folding rollers (104, 106). The rotary folder (96) is operable to receive the web segments (86) at a first location and fold the web segments one or more times while rotating from the first location to a second location about the rotary folder (96) axis. The system further includes a transfer station (62) operable to receive the folded web segments (86) from the rotary folder (96) at the second location and deliver the folded web segments (86) to a third location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Ethicon
    Inventor: Balbir Singh
  • Patent number: 6773387
    Abstract: An elongate rail for an equal path folder that has a hollow tube having a a longitudinal axis and a vacuum applied thereto, and a first and second substantially planar surfaces parallel to the longitudinal axis and forming a folding edge therebetween. The hollow tube has at least one opening positioned angularly away from both the first and said second surfaces. The vacuum causes a negative pressure to be applied to the opening so that a web substrate passing over the first and second surfaces has at least a portion of the vacuum applied to a face of said web substrate when said web substrate is proximate to at least one of the first and second surfaces thereby substantially reducing particulate matter build-up on the folding equipment and substantially reducing the undesirable particulate matter left on the out-going web product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: David Alan Harnish
  • Patent number: 6723035
    Abstract: A method of tucking a pair of side panels into a body portion of a pant-like garment in which the fold locations can be controlled. The garment is positioned between an upper vacuum conveyor and a lower vacuum conveyor. Opposing vacuum zones from the upper and lower conveyors hold a front region of the garment away from a back region of the garment. While the garment is in the opened, or pulled apart, position, the side panels are pushed between the front and back regions toward one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Allan Franklin, David Michael Lehner, Jesse Paul Sorenson, Rodney Steele Gardinier
  • Patent number: 6679034
    Abstract: A vertical stand-up pouch, flat bottom bag, or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed with a quick change module modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch or flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by creating one or two vertical creases along the packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. Such creases are formed using fixed or stationary modifications to prior art vertical form, fill, and seal machines comprising, in part, a quick change module that easily installs on the base of a forming tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett William Kohl, Steven Kenneth Tucker
  • Patent number: 6673003
    Abstract: An elongate rail for an equal path folder that has a hollow tube having a a longitudinal axis and a vacuum applied thereto, and a first and second substantially planar surfaces parallel to the longitudinal axis and forming a folding edge therebetween. The hollow tube has at least one opening positioned angularly away from both the first and the second surfaces. The vacuum causes a negative pressure to be applied to the opening so that a web substrate passing over the first and second surfaces has at least a portion of the vacuum applied to a face of the web substrate when the web substrate is proximate to at least one of the first and second surfaces thereby substantially reducing particulate matter build-up on the folding equipment and substantially reducing the undesirabie particulate matter left on the out-going web product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: David Alan Harnish
  • Patent number: 6612974
    Abstract: An adjustable card folding station includes an adjustable vacuum bed and moveable gates. The vacuum bed includes at least two sections that are movable with respect to each other to accommodate cards of different widths. Each section of the vacuum bed further includes multiple suction cups, each of which is individually connected to a vacuum supply. The vacuum supply independently controls each suction cup so that vacuum can be applied to selected or all suction cups such that cards of different lengths can be accommodated. The movable gates are pivotally mounted with respect to the vacuum bed and operated by motors to pivot 180 degrees from open to closed positions to fold the cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
    Inventor: Dennis L. Hooper
  • Patent number: 6572520
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting envelope blanks in an envelope making machine comprises at least one conveyor belt having a plurality of perforation holes therein, on which envelope blanks are transported through the machine in a conveyor plane. Beneath the conveyor belt is at least one suction chamber by means of which ambient air can be sucked through the perforation holes to retain blanks on the conveyor belt. At least one guide belt is provided on at least one side beside the conveyor belt in the direction of movement thereof. The conveyor belt and the guide belt are drivable so as to move synchronously in the direction of travel of the envelope blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Winkler + Dunnebler Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Blumle
  • Patent number: 6514187
    Abstract: A method of folding pants is suitable for use with discrete articles including mechanical fastening components and suitable for the manufacture of prefastened and refastenable pants. The discrete articles define leading and trailing halves with opposed side panels. The leading side panels can be maintained separate from the trailing side panels during folding and until the discrete articles are downstream of a folding nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Daniel Coenen, Jason Gene Csida, Kurt Garrett Krupka, Robert Lee Popp
  • Publication number: 20020169061
    Abstract: An elongate rail for an equal path folder that has a hollow tube having a a longitudinal axis and a vacuum applied thereto, and a first and second substantially planar surfaces parallel to the longitudinal axis and forming a folding edge therebetween. The hollow tube has at least one opening positioned angularly away from both the first and said second surfaces. The vacuum causes a negative pressure to be applied to the opening so that a web substrate passing over the first and second surfaces has at least a portion of the vacuum applied to a face of said web substrate when said web substrate is proximate to at least one of the first and second surfaces thereby substantially reducing particulate matter build-up on the folding equipment and substantially reducing the undesirable particulate matter left on the out-going web product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: David Alan Harnish
  • Patent number: 6440053
    Abstract: Vacuum folding apparatus to make longitudinal and transverse folds in product width webs for folded napkins using a plurality of full speed web feed and cutoff anvil/knife roll couples each to process a portion of product webs slit from a wide parent web. The preferred apparatus includes two or more cutoff units in circumferentially spaced contact with a carrier cylinder having a hollow cylinder with shaped vacuum conduits attached to the inside surface and cooperating with pluralties of anvil/knife rolls having drilled conduits and valve means to control vacuum independently for each plurality of webs being processed. Intermediate between frame members support one end of multi-width anvil/knife roll couples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: William P. Niedermeyer
  • Publication number: 20020061806
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for setting up at least one holding arrangement for a workpiece in relation to format and/or for setting a tool on a tool carrier, selectable positions being provided in particular for the holding arrangement, and an adjustable control element being provided as part of an adjusting and catch arrangement with positions related to the format, by means of which the holding arrangement is adjusted and fixed relative to the tool carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: Winkler + Duennebier AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Raueiser
  • Publication number: 20020055430
    Abstract: A method of folding pants is suitable for use with discrete articles including mechanical fastening components and suitable for the manufacture of prefastened and refastenable pants. The discrete articles define leading and trailing halves with opposed side panels. The leading side panels can be maintained separate from the trailing side panels during folding and until the discrete articles are downstream of a folding nip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph Daniel Coenen, Jason Gene Csida, Kurt Garrett Krupka, Robert Lee Popp
  • Patent number: 5921908
    Abstract: Folding device for folding flat pieces of laundry like sheets in longitudinal direction, with a basis conveyor, a folding runner and a side conveyor lying higher alongside the folding runner wherein under the side conveyor an air chamber is situated to blow air both upwards and sidewards in order to lift a side portion of a piece of laundry and then transversely fold it over the folding runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Orman B.V.
    Inventor: Janos Bodan
  • Patent number: 5915319
    Abstract: A hemming and seaming machine (5) having a hemming conveyor (16) on which a workpiece is moved along a path of travel toward and through a hemming station which sews a hem in the workpiece is disclosed. The hemmed workpiece is then moved downstream to a folding station (25) where a spaced series of first air jets (61) selectively emit streams of air between a folding plate (26) and clamping plate (55) to create a vacuum therebetween to draw the leading edge of the workpiece off of the hemming conveyor and between the folding plate and the clamping plate. The leading edge of the workpiece is held between the clamping and folding plates while the workpiece continues to move along the path of travel. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the detection of the leading edge of the workpiece, or in response to the detection of the trailing edge of the workpiece, the leading edge of the workpiece is released from between the folding and clamping plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Atlanta Attachment Company
    Inventors: Elvin C. Price, Preston B. Dasher, Tadeusz Olewicz, George Price
  • Patent number: RE42388
    Abstract: An air folder adjuster (10) includes an air supply (12) and air supply tubing (14) connected to air supply (12) at end (16). The opposite end (18) of air supply tubing (14) is connected to one or more air nozzles (20). In a printing press utilized for folding documents such as books, air folder adjuster (10) is positioned so that air nozzles (20) direct compressed air from air supply (12) downward onto the head (26) of document (24) on either side of chopper arm (34) during the folding process thus ensuring that the document (24) lies flat, square, and untouched during the folding process and thereby allowing the elimination of chopper brushes altogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: Scott Summers