Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming zig-zag folded logs of web material is provided. The apparatus and method allows for forming logs having different sheet lengths on a same machine. Logs of web material having weakened regions at different locations between folds in the zig-zag folded web are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide new and improved folding apparatuses and methods for interfolding a continuous stream of sheets into a single-fold interfolded pattern of sheets while passing all of the sheets substantially along a single sheet path. More particularly, all sheets in the continuous stream of sheets pass through the nips between adjacent components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide new and improved folding apparatuses and methods for interfolding a continuous stream of sheets into a single-fold interfolded pattern of sheets while passing all of the sheets substantially along a single sheet path. More particularly, all sheets in the continuous stream of sheets pass through the nips between adjacent components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide new and improved folding apparatuses and methods for interfolding a continuous stream of sheets into a single-fold interfolded pattern of sheets while passing all of the sheets substantially along a single sheet path. More particularly, all sheets in the continuous stream of sheets pass through the nips between adjacent components.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating streams of interfolded sheets into individual stacks of sheets are provided. Separation of the stacks is provided by a plurality of fingers mounted to carriages that are moved into and out of openings the stream of interfolded sheets. The openings may be formed without using the force of gravity. Further, the fingers may be inserted into the openings with a motion that has a larger component in a direction parallel to the stream of interfolded sheets than in a direction perpendicular to the stream of interfolded sheets. Further, the components that separate the stacks also may transport the stacks and directly transfer the stacks to downstream components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided, for alternatively producing either small or bulk packs of napkins from a stack of folded napkins produced by one folding machine, through use of a pack dispatching arrangement having an inlet, a small pack transfer station and a bulk pack transfer station, and configured for operation in a small pack mode for dispatching a stream of spaced apart small packs of folded sheets separated from the stack of folded sheets, and received at an inlet of the pack dispatching arrangement, to the small pack transfer station, and alternatively operable in a bulk pack mode for dispatching a stream of spaced apart bulk packs of folded sheets separated from the stack of folded sheets, and received at an inlet of the pack dispatching arrangement, to the bulk pack transfer station.

Abstract: An interfolder separator apparatus and method utilize a pair of count fingers that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to a stream of folded sheets, for temporarily supporting each successive pack formed by the separator and then releasing each successive pack when partly completed to alternating build fingers, so that the operation of separating successive packs from one another is performed separately from the operations of completing the build of each pack and transporting the completed packs to downstream operations. The count fingers may be mounted to pivot about axes that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to the stream of sheets. A first or last panel of the completed pack may also be folded back partly upon itself, after the partly completed pack is released by the count fingers. Some or all of the fingers may be spring loaded and automatically resettable for clearing jams.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide new and improved folding apparatuses and methods for interfolding a continuous stream of sheets into a single-fold interfolded pattern of sheets while passing all of the sheets substantially along a single sheet path. More particularly, all sheets in the continuous stream of sheets pass through the nips between adjacent components.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a stack of folded sheets by inserting a first, second, third and fourth count fingers into four successive openings in the stack, and separating the stack between the second and third count fingers. Where separation is carried out after a desired number of folded sheets have passed the third count finger, a completed pack having the desired number of sheets may be formed downstream from the third count finger. The count fingers may be operatively mounted in count finger cassettes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a stack of folded sheets by inserting a first, second, third and fourth count fingers into four successive openings in the stack, and separating the stack between the second and third count fingers. Where separation is carried out after a desired number of folded sheets have passed the third count finger, a completed pack having the desired number of sheets may be formed downstream from the third count finger. The count fingers may be operatively mounted in count finger cassettes.

Abstract: A movable tucker apparatus and method include a tucker element having a tip and base at opposite ends thereof, a tucker spring and a tucker positioning lug configured for operative mounting within the slot in a folding roll. The lug is operatively affixed to the roll within the slot and extends at least partly across a width of the slot. The tucker element includes a relief for operative receipt therein of the lug. The tucker element, lug and spring are operatively connected to allow the tucker element to move in and out within the slot, and the tip of the tucker to move circumferentially with respect to the slot when the tucker element is operatively mounted in the slot and the tucker positioning lug operatively disposed within the relief in the tucker element.

Abstract: An interfolder separator apparatus and method utilize a pair of count fingers that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to a stream of folded sheets, for temporarily supporting each successive pack formed by the separator and then releasing each successive pack when partly completed to alternating build fingers, so that the operation of separating successive packs from one another is performed separately from the operations of completing the build of each pack and transporting the completed packs to downstream operations. The count fingers may be mounted to pivot about axes that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to the stream of sheets. A first or last panel of the completed pack may also be folded back partly upon itself, after the partly completed pack is released by the count fingers. Some or all of the fingers may be spring loaded and automatically resettable for clearing jams.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a stack of folded sheets by inserting a first, second, third and fourth count fingers into four successive openings in the stack, and separating the stack between the second and third count fingers. Where separation is carried out after a desired number of folded sheets have passed the third count finger, a completed pack having the desired number of sheets may be formed downstream from the third count finger. The count fingers may be operatively mounted in count finger cassettes.

Abstract: An interfolder separator apparatus and method utilize a pair of count fingers that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to a stream of folded sheets, for temporarily supporting each successive pack formed by the separator and then releasing each successive pack when partly completed to alternating build fingers, so that the operation of separating successive packs from one another is performed separately from the operations of completing the build of each pack and transporting the completed packs to downstream operations. The count fingers may be mounted to pivot about axes that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to the stream of sheets. A first or last panel of the completed pack may also be folded back partly upon itself, after the partly completed pack is released by the count fingers. Some or all of the fingers may be spring loaded and automatically resettable for clearing jams.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a stack of folded sheets by inserting a first, second, third and fourth count fingers into four successive openings in the stack, and separating the stack between the second and third count fingers. Where separation is carried out after a desired number of folded sheets have passed the third count finger, a completed pack having the desired number of sheets may be formed downstream from the third count finger. The count fingers may be operatively mounted in count finger cassettes.

Abstract: An interfolder separator apparatus and method utilize a pair of count fingers that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to a stream of folded sheets, for temporarily supporting each successive pack formed by the separator and then releasing each successive pack when partly completed to alternating build fingers, so that the operation of separating successive packs from one another is performed separately from the operations of completing the build of each pack and transporting the completed packs to downstream operations. The count fingers may be mounted to pivot about axes that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to the stream of sheets. A first or last panel of the completed pack may also be folded back partly upon itself, after the partly completed pack is released by the count fingers. Some or all of the fingers may be spring loaded and automatically resettable for clearing jams.

Abstract: An interfolder separator apparatus and method utilize a pair of count fingers that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to a stream of folded sheets, for temporarily supporting each successive pack formed by the separator and then releasing each successive pack when partly completed to alternating build fingers, so that the operation of separating successive packs from one another is performed separately from the operations of completing the build of each pack and transporting the completed packs to downstream operations. The count fingers may be mounted to pivot about axes that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to the stream of sheets. A first or last panel of the completed pack may also be folded back partly upon itself, after the partly completed pack is released by the count fingers. Some or all of the fingers may be spring loaded and automatically resettable for clearing jams.

Abstract: An interfolder separator apparatus and method utilize a pair of count fingers that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to a stream of folded sheets, for temporarily supporting each successive pack formed by the separator and then releasing each successive pack when partly completed to alternating build fingers, so that the operation of separating successive packs from one another is performed separately from the operations of completing the build of each pack and transporting the completed packs to downstream operations. The count fingers may be mounted to pivot about axes that are movable longitudinally along and transversely to the stream of sheets. A first or last panel of the completed pack may also be folded back partly upon itself, after the partly completed pack is released by the count fingers. Some or all of the fingers may be spring loaded and automatically resettable for clearing jams.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided, for alternatively producing either small or bulk packs of napkins from a stack of folded napkins produced by one folding machine, through use of a pack dispatching arrangement having an inlet, a small pack transfer station and a bulk pack transfer station, and configured for operation in a small pack mode for dispatching a stream of spaced apart small packs of folded sheets separated from the stack of folded sheets, and received at an inlet of the pack dispatching arrangement, to the small pack transfer station, and alternatively operable in a bulk pack mode for dispatching a stream of spaced apart bulk packs of folded sheets separated from the stack of folded sheets, and received at an inlet of the pack dispatching arrangement, to the bulk pack transfer station.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating a stack of folded sheets by inserting a first, second, third and fourth count fingers into four successive openings in the stack, and separating the stack between the second and third count fingers. Where separation is carried out after a desired number of folded sheets have passed the third count finger, a completed pack having the desired number of sheets may be formed downstream from the third count finger. The count fingers may be operatively mounted in count finger cassettes.