Continuous Advance With Rotary Folder Surface Moving With Work Patents (Class 493/359)
  • Patent number: 11318699
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for providing cushioning material for packaging purposes, comprising a converting unit for turning over at least one lateral edge of a web-type starting material in the direction of a center of the starting material, creating an intermediate product, and a crumpling mechanism for crumpling the intermediate product into the cushioning material. According to the invention, the housing has a first coupling portion, which is complementary to a corresponding second coupling portion of the converting unit, and the converting unit is one of a set of at least two converting units, wherein the converting units of a set all have the same second coupling portion, and wherein the converting units of a set are designed to convert different starting materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Storopack Hans Reichenecker GMBH
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Slovencik
  • Patent number: 9295592
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a holding conveying mechanism configured to convey a web using a holding surface, and a cutting mechanism configured to perform first cutting to cut the web conveyed while being held by the holding conveying mechanism along a crossing direction crossing a conveyance direction of the web and performing second cutting to cut the web along the crossing direction with a predetermined distance from the first cutting. The holding surface includes a main holding area configured to hold the web along the crossing direction between the first cutting and the second cutting, and an auxiliary holding area configured to hold the web by a holding power weaker than the holding power in the main holding area, at least in either upstream or downstream of the conveyance direction of the main holding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8834336
    Abstract: A device for folding an endlessly producible web of corrugated cardboard comprises a stand with two retaining members, at least one engagement member mounted in the stand, the engagement member comprising at least one projection which comprises at least one free end forming a contact edge, and at least one driving device for moving the at least one engagement member, with the at least one engagement member being movably mounted in the stand in such a way that the contact edge is movable at an angle relative to the contact surface along a predetermined trajectory so as to bring the contact edge into engagement with the web of corrugated cardboard sliding on the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: BHS Corrugated Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Grill
  • Publication number: 20140121091
    Abstract: This variable cutoff folding device 100 comprises: a cutting mechanism 10 capable of changing a cutting length; a speed-increasing conveyor mechanism 20 capable of changing a conveying speed based on a change in the cutting length; a folding cylinder 40 having a pin device 41 and a thrust blade device 43, the thrust blade device 43 being configured to be displaced based on the change in the cutting length; and a jaw cylinder 50 configured to be rotationally displaced based on displacement of the thrust blade device 43.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takanori Anzai, Hikaru Fukutomi, Keiichiro Ohta, Masayuki Shimura
  • Patent number: 8602957
    Abstract: A printing press folder is provided. The printing press folder includes a pair of cutting cylinders cutting a web at a cutting location to form signatures, a pair of transport cylinders positively gripping and transporting the signatures and a pair of acceleration cylinders positively gripping and transporting the signatures. The transport cylinders define a first nip and the first nip and the cutting location are separated by a first distance that is slightly shorter than a length of each of the signatures. The acceleration cylinders define a second nip. The pair of transport cylinders receives and releases signatures at a first velocity and the pair of acceleration cylinders receives the signatures from the pair of transport cylinders and releases the signatures at a second velocity that is greater than the first velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle Albert Sandahl
  • Patent number: 8556790
    Abstract: A flap folding system for a disposable article, includes: main pads each for receiving a main body on a main holding surface thereof provided along a conveyance circle about a main rotation shaft and moving along the conveyance circle following rotation of the main rotation shaft while holding the main body on the main holding surface; a pair of side pads provided for each main pad adjacent to the conveyance circle of the main pad each for receiving an end portion of the flap in a girth direction on a sub-holding surface thereof provided along the conveyance circle and holding the end portion of the flap on the sub-holding surface; and a folding mechanism for rotating the side pads with respect to the main pad so that the sub-holding surfaces of the side pads oppose the main holding surface of the main pad, thereby folding the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiko Fujita
  • Patent number: 7981018
    Abstract: A folding superstructure and to a method for operating a folding superstructure of a web-fed rotary printing press with at least one former by which one or more paper webs fed through this former are provided with a longitudinal fold. The longitudinally folded paper web is guided to folding cylinders. The folding cylinders further process the uncut paper web to form cut sheets. The still uncut paper web is actively transported by at least one transporting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: manroland AG
    Inventor: Peter Himmelstoss
  • Patent number: 7883455
    Abstract: A folding device includes a folding blade cylinder and a cooperating folding jaw cylinder, each of which has several circumferentially arranged holding devices. These holding devices can be moved between a disengaged position, where the leading end of a product can be inserted or released, and a holding position in which the product leading edge is held in the holding device. The folding blade cylinder and the folding jaw cylinder each have a number of holding devices equal to the respective number of folding blades and folding jaws. Each of the folding blades presses a product to be folded, and which is held by one of the holding devices on the folding blade cylinder, into a cooperating folding jaw on the folding jaw cylinder. This is accomplished during the passage of the product through a transfer slot between the folding blade cylinder and the folding jaw cylinder. An offset between each folding blade and its associated holding device is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Held, Sebastian Alois Prüm
  • Patent number: 7744518
    Abstract: This folder includes a device for cutting sheets from a web of paper, a folding cylinder which is provided with movable retention devices and movable blades for folding the sheets cut from the web, a cam for controlling the movement of the movable retention devices by contact with cam followers, a cam for controlling the movement of the tucking blades by contact with cam followers, and at least one covering cam. The covering cam includes two semi-cams which can each be moved radially between a retracted position and an extracted position, the covering cam being in a configuration for straight operation when the semi-cams are in a retracted position and in a configuration for collect operation when the semi-cams are in an extracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Goss Systemes Graphiques Nantes
    Inventors: Cyrille Belleculee, Michel Griffon
  • Publication number: 20100099544
    Abstract: A printing press folder is provided. The printing press folder includes a pair of cutting cylinders cutting a web at a cutting location to form signatures, a pair of transport cylinders positively gripping and transporting the signatures and a pair of acceleration cylinders positively gripping and transporting the signatures. The transport cylinders define a first nip and the first nip and the cutting location are separated by a first distance that is slightly shorter than a length of each of the signatures. The acceleration cylinders define a second nip. The pair of transport cylinders receives and releases signatures at a first velocity and the pair of acceleration cylinders receives the signatures from the pair of transport cylinders and releases the signatures at a second velocity that is greater than the first velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle Albert Sandahl
  • Publication number: 20100071851
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the manufacture of oil filters. The present invention provides a channel roll with a unique design that minimizes the channel roll surface contact with oil filter media. The design includes the formation of ridges projecting from the surface of the channel roll of such a design that is sufficient to control movement of the roll of oil media into the oil media pleating process, yet greatly reduce the surface contact with the oil media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: PUROLATOR FILTERS NA LLC
    Inventors: Puenpit RICHBERG, Randy FRYE
  • Patent number: 7625330
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a folding machine for a web-fed printing press is disclosed. The folding machine includes a cutting blade cylinder operable with a folding blade cylinder and a folding jaw cylinder. A drive is connected to the cutting blade cylinder. The drive is operable in a non-uniform manner in a collecting mode of the folding machine to supply a first and a second exemplar of different sheet lengths and is operable in a uniform manner in a non-collecting mode of the folding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Seyffert
  • Publication number: 20090221410
    Abstract: A folding superstructure and to a method for operating a folding superstructure of a web-fed rotary printing press with at least one former by which one or more paper webs fed through this former are provided with a longitudinal fold. The longitudinally folded paper web is guided to folding cylinders. The folding cylinders further process the uncut paper web to form cut sheets. The still uncut paper web is actively transported by at least one transporting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Manroland AG
    Inventor: Peter Himmelstoss
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7442158
    Abstract: A folding apparatus includes at least a first folding cylinder and a second, folding jaw cylinder. A third measuring cylinder is also provided. The measuring cylinder is usable to cut product sections or signatures of a determined length L from an endless web. The first cylinder is embodied, in one embodiment, as an engaging cylinder, and as a second embodiment as a puncture cylinder. In both embodiments, the product section or signatures which are produced, have the same length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Ratz, Rudolf Stäb
  • 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: 7235115
    Abstract: The method of forming pleated filter media includes providing a generally planar web of filter material, folding the web to form a pleated web having a plurality of fold lines, arranging the plurality of pleats in a first spaced configuration defined by a first distance between adjacent pleat tips, applying a continuous strand of adhesive to the web, and adjusting the arrangement of the plurality of pleats into a second spaced configuration defined by a second distance between adjacent pleat tips. The web has a front face and a rear face. Each fold line is intermediate oppositely sloping first and second wall surfaces. The plurality of fold lines form a plurality of pleats having a first plurality of pleat tips and a second plurality of pleat valleys. The second distance is different from the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dean R. Duffy, Donald E. Young, Lowell E. Christensen, Douglas C. Sundet
  • Patent number: 7153253
    Abstract: A folding drum of a folding device is comprised of at least one folding element and a transmission unit. The transmission unit has at least one toothed wheel which is coaxially arranged with respect to the rotational axis of the folding drum. The toothed wheel can be moved in the axial direction of the folding drum between at least two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Robert Müller
  • Patent number: 7090631
    Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus includes a media path configured to receive a sheet of media moving along the media path. A creasing tool is located proximate to the media path and is configured to form a crease in the sheet of media. The apparatus also includes a sheet folding device configured to fold the sheet of media along the crease. The creasing tool is preferably configured to operably move from a first position wherein the creasing tool is retracted away from the media path, to a second position wherein the creasing tool can contact a sheet of media moving along the media path and thereby form a crease in the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Roland Boss
  • Patent number: 7037251
    Abstract: Machine for the production of flexible material sheets comprising at least one folding unit housing at least one cutting cylinder, to which a suction cylinder is opposed, and a gripping cylinder for transversal folding and/or conveying flat products by suction. A second suction cylinder for a second transversal fold and/or for conveying flat products and a second conveyor cylinder for conveying folded products or flat unfolded products may be associated downstream to said machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Fabio Perini S.p.A.
    Inventor: Cesare Stefanoni
  • Patent number: 6913256
    Abstract: A former roller, which is driven for rotation, is located at the intake of a former for a folding unit. A controller unit is utilized to control the rotation of the motor, which drives the former roller, in such a way that the former roller exerts a tensile force on a material web that is fed to the former roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerold Emil Dornbusch
  • Patent number: 6779446
    Abstract: The invention relates to the drive of a printing machine. Cylinders and functional groups are to be driven with low technical expenditure. To this end, all form cylinders (1.1, 1.2)in a printing unit, for example, are driven respectively by separate electric motors (7) and are not in mechanical drive connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Josef Hajek, Johann Königer, Michael Schramm, Peter Gröbner
  • Patent number: 6705981
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a device for seizing flat material (1). The device includes a transfer cylinder (6) rotating about an axis and having an outer surface (16). A cutting cylinder (3) cooperates with said transfer cylinder (6) and has at least one knife assembly (5) mounted thereon. A set of product seizing elements (7) is arranged in the outer periphery of said cutting cylinder (3), actuable about a common center point (11). Tips (25) of said product seizing elements (7) cooperate with counterparts (9) on the surface (16) of said transfer cylinder (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Eugene John Bergeron, Barry Mark Jackson, David Elliot Whitten
  • Patent number: 6682470
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus comprises a casing, a driving mechanism and an upper roller set. The roller set comprises a first roller, a second roller, a third roller and a fourth roller parallel to each other and rollers have a plurality of cutting blades and fold-mark forming blades. The driving mechanism has a motor to rotate the rollers and has a controller to control the rotation direction of the motor. The cutting apparatus provides two inlets for articles to be cut and has fold-mark function, whereby the paper or cardboard can be cut to desired size and folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventors: Chuan Sheng Lin, Ing-Kai Huang
  • Patent number: 6682063
    Abstract: Dual folding apparatus using multi-width parent rolls to produce color sequenced stacks of napkins, including means for unwinding, slitting and advancing same-color product webs to a turning and lane separating device to selectively transfer first-color webs to one of two ‘folding’ lanes and selectively transfer second-color webs to the other lane. First and second-color webs in superposed side by side advancement are embossed, and webs of the same color are directed to one side of a dual folder for longitudinal folding, cutoff, and transverse folding while the second-color web is processed in the other side of the dual folder. Napkins of one color are superposed on napkins of a second color and delivered as a pair between delivery belts for packout into stacks having napkins of alternating color. Two adjacent delivery lanes deliver stacks of the same mixed colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: William P. Niedermeyer
  • Patent number: 6676588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a copy-carrying cylinder which has a peripheral surface (2) supporting sheet-like copies and which is provided with retaining elements for fixing the sheet-like copies in place on the peripheral surface (2). A folding device (5) which can be moved into and out of openings (4) at the peripheral surface (2) are bounded by at least one movable surface element (13). The surface element (13, 13.3) which is associated with the folding device (5) is designed in such a manner that it takes its closed position (22) automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Philippe Francois Herda, Serge Lanvin, Thierry Vauchelle, Yannis Woloch
  • Patent number: 6669617
    Abstract: A paper web folding and cutting apparatus for a form printing machine includes a paper web traveling path which enables a continuous paper web to travel at a predetermined traveling speed. A cut portion forming device is disposed on the paper web traveling path and is adapted to form a cut portion formed in a line of a plurality of cuts. Each line of the cuts has at least one uncut portion, at every top and bottom directional dimension of the continuous paper web to be folded. Also, an oscillatory shooter assembly is disposed on the paper web traveling path on a downstream side of the cut forming means in a paper web traveling direction. The oscillatory shooter assembly is provided with a counter roller and a nozzle roller at a lower end portion thereof. The rollers are rotated at a peripheral speed which is faster than the paper web traveling speed, and the nozzle roller is movable into and out of contact with the counter roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Miyakoshi Printing Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sumida, Yuichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6644193
    Abstract: A high speed web cutting and tuck folding machine feeds webs downstream between overlying and underlying runs of feed belts having cutting and tuck folding openings spaced along the belts. Lead segments of the webs are cut at a cutting station and are fed downstream to a tuck fold station where they are drawn through tuck fold openings, folded and stacked. The machine is readily adjusted to vary the length of the cut segments and the relative lengths of the legs of the segments when folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Elsner Engineering Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Bertram F. Elsner
  • Publication number: 20030197322
    Abstract: Dual folding apparatus using multi-width parent rolls to produce color sequenced stacks of napkins, including means for unwinding, slitting and advancing same-color product webs to a turning and lane separating device to selectively transfer first-color webs to one of two ‘folding’ lanes and selectively transfer second-color webs to the other lane. First and second-color webs in superposed side by side advancement are embossed, and webs of the same color are directed to one side of a dual folder for longitudinal folding, cutoff, and transverse folding while the second-color web is processed in the other side of the dual folder. Napkins of one color are superposed on napkins of a second color and delivered as a pair between delivery belts for packout into stacks having napkins of alternating color. Two adjacent delivery lanes deliver stacks of the same mixed colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: William P. Niedermeyer
  • Patent number: 6551227
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a device for seizing a flat material (25) such as a web of material (1) on a transporting surface (15). A first cylinder (7) has at least one knife assembly (12) assigned to its respective surface (9). A paper conducting cylinder (14) such as a transfer cylinder or a folding cylinder supports a flat material (25) on its respective outer circumference (15). Biased product seizing element (27) assigned to said circumference (9) of said first cylinder (7) are provided, adopting on cooperation with said leading edge (25) supported on said outer surface (15) of the paper conducting cylinder (14) an engaging position (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: David Elliot Whitten
  • Patent number: 6458065
    Abstract: The machine of the present invention produces folded product by advancing a web through longitudinal folding devices and transferring the unsevered continuous web to the surface of a carrier cylinder with anvils. A cooperating knife roll coacts with anvils in the carrier to cut individual product webs into segments held in place by vacuum ports communicating with internal conduits including some for direct air blast through apertures near the fold line to lift the front panel before it is passed under a stationary plate to complete the foldover. Internal conduits for air and vacuum are attached to the inside surface of the carrier cylinder using extruded or pre-molded shapes. Larger cylinders with less weight permit wider machines and circumferential space for a plurality of separate web feed and cutoff units, each of which advances separate webs at reduced speed to increase parent roll run time between roll changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: William P. Niedermeyer
  • Publication number: 20020119877
    Abstract: A folder includes a first cylinder having at least one first gripper for holding signatures and at least one tucker for tucking the signatures to define a first fold, a second cylinder having at least one first jaw for holding the signatures at the first fold, a first motor driving the at least one first gripper, and a second motor separate from the first motor, the second motor driving the at least one tucker of the first cylinder and the at least one first jaw of the second cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Barry Mark Jackson, Joseph Adrian St. Ours
  • Patent number: 6383124
    Abstract: A high speed paper folding machine for cutting a continuously fed web of paper into sections and folding said sections is disclosed. The machine includes a rotating hollow drum on which the web is deposited and on which the cutting and folding operations are performed without transferring the web or the cut or folded sections off of the drum. The drum includes a knife for cutting the web. The knife preferably is situated within the drum interior and adapted to extend through elongated apertures defined on the drum outer surface. Grippers on the drum hold the web on the drum through the operation. At least one folding station is operably associated with the drum. At least one pack-off station can be provided for stacking the folded product in separate stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventors: Patrick C. St. Germain, Vernon C. Wickman
  • Patent number: 6375605
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing selected color or material sequences with a stack of transversely folded products. Slit product width webs are longitudinally folded and advanced by slow speed feed rolls to a plurality of anvil rolls and segments are retarded so that voids are created in each of two or more streams of segments that are synchronized to create a continuous series of segments on the surface of a common carrier cylinder. Single or doublefolds can be made during or after transfer to the carrier. Reduced web speed from each parent roll results in longer run time between roll changes. In another embodiment, a central intermediate frame permits use of a plurality of half width cutoff units cooperating with a full width hollow carrier cylinder for processing of wide parent rolls without intermediate off-line slitting and rewinding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: William P. Niedermeyer
  • Patent number: 6350223
    Abstract: A hollow roll assembly for cutting, advancing, and folding segments when used in a folding machine, including discreet transversely extending vacuum conduits superposed against the inside surface of a rotating roll. The conduits have closed ends, apertures in one surface connecting the conduit to vacuum ports on the surface of the roll, and open sliding connections communicating with vacuum grooves in a non-rotating vacuum valve. The conduits also have apertures in another surface to communicate with vacuum grooves in the inside of the roll and extend vacuum to side margins of the segment. Similar conduits are provided for air with connections to surface apertures at one end and a pressurized air source at the other end. In another embodiment of the roll assembly, anvils and roll stiffening means are provided. In other embodiments, rolls include a pre-molded section having air and vacuum conduits for use in single or double fold applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventor: William P. Niedermeyer
  • Patent number: 6283905
    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: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ethicon
    Inventor: Balbir Singh
  • Patent number: 6251053
    Abstract: A folder for a rotary printing press, having at least one copy-guiding cylinder and, on the one copy-guiding cylinder, gripping devices for gripping one end of a copy, includes a cutting cylinder cooperating with the one copy-guiding cylinder, and copy-guiding devices provided on the cutting cylinder, the gripping devices of the one copy-guiding cylinder and the copy-guiding devices of the cutting cylinder being retractably and extensibly movable substantially parallel to normals to axes of rotation of the one copy-guiding cylinder and the cutting cylinder; and a method of operating the folder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Serge Lanvin, Eddie Smelten, Thierry Vauchelle
  • Patent number: 6213927
    Abstract: A method and a machine for the production of interfolded stacks (17) formed by a plurality of sheets (4a,4b) comprising the steps of: transversally cutting or tearing sheets obtained from at least one web (3a,3b) and offset with respect to one another so that a sequence of offset sheets is created; passage of the sheets on folding rollers (7a,7b) which comprise sucking means for the alternate holding of the sheets (4a,4b) in order to obtain an interfolded disposition; formation of a continuous interfolded stack downstream of the folding rollers. Upstream of the folding a step of treatment of the sheets is provided in order to make them, at least in certain zones (14), enough permeable to air, in particular through perforating means. These perforating means can be provided on rollers (10a,10b) having sharpened points (11a,11b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: M T C - Macchine Trasformazione Carta S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alessandro De Matteis, Sergio Landucci
  • Patent number: 6193640
    Abstract: Folders in a web-fed rotary printing press are associated with two spaced horizontal planes. Each of these planes is provided with a superstructure carriage that supports a plurality of turning bars. Each of the superstructure carriages can be displaced horizontally with respect to the other carriage and with respect to the folders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Koening & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Anton Weis
  • Patent number: 6179764
    Abstract: Moving paper webs are treated by having a cross-groove or crease pressed into them prior to being transversely cut and folded. The cross-groove or crease is produced by a radially vibrating, rail-like pressure tool that cooperates with a counter-pressure tool. These tools cooperate to form a sharp, folded crease, even in thick products. The crease is formed along the to be formed cross fold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: G{umlaut over (u)}nther Oskar Eckert
  • Patent number: 6168560
    Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine (20) including a converting assembly (52, 54) which converts a sheet-like stock material (22) into a strip (31) having at least one pillow-like portion (33) and another portion (34), and a severing assembly (56) which severs the leading section of the strip (31) to form a cushioning pad (32). The cushioning conversion machine 20 is characterized by a pad-transferring device (300, 400, 500, 600, 700) which transfers the cushioning pad (32) away from the severing assembly (56) by applying a transferring force to the cushioning pad (32) that is concentrated at the other portion (34) of the cushioning pad (32). The other portion (34) of the cushioning pad is preferably a compressed portion, a connecting portion which maintains the geometry of the pillow-like portion, and/or a central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp
    Inventors: Serge H. L. C. Pluymaekers, Mike J. Timmers, Pierre H. G. Kobben
  • Patent number: 6165116
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a discontinuity in a stack of interfolded sheets in which folding rolls cooperate to interfold staggered sheets supplied in two streams of sheets, each of which is severed from a web of material. When a desired sheet count is attained, a sheet in one of the streams of sheets is folded onto itself so as to create a discontinuity in one of the streams of sheets. The folded sheet is formed by maintaining a leading portion of the sheet in engagement with a separating one roll while maintaining a trailing portion of the sheet in engagement with another roll, with the two rolls being positioned to form a nip therebetween and rotating in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Green Bay Engineering Corp.
    Inventor: Barton J. White
  • Patent number: 6159138
    Abstract: A folder for a rotary printing press, having at least one copy-guiding cylinder and, on the one copy-guiding cylinder, gripping devices for gripping one end of a copy, includes a cutting cylinder cooperating with the one copy-guiding cylinder, and copy-guiding devices provided on the cutting cylinder, the gripping devices of the one copy-guiding cylinder and the copy-guiding devices of the cutting cylinder being retractably and extensibly movable substantially parallel to normals to axes of rotation of the one copy-guiding cylinder and the cutting cylinder; and a method of operating the folder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Serge Lanvin, Eddie Smelten, Thierry Vauchelle
  • Patent number: 6080097
    Abstract: A pair of clutches selectively transmit power to a coining mechanism and to a cut-off mechanism in a paper converting machine. As sheet-like material is advanced through the machine, it is formed into a three dimensional strip of padding by a forming mechanism. Next the strip is coined or otherwise secured to keep its three dimensional shape by a coining mechanism. Thereafter the strip is cut into sections of the desired length by a cut-off mechanism. Advantageously, both the coining mechanism and the cut-off mechanism are powered by a single motor, then are selectively connected to the motor by a pair of clutches. The clutches may be wrap spring clutches, and the clutch controlling power to the cut-off mechanism may be a single revolution clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: RanPak Corp.
    Inventors: Richard O. Ratzel, James A. Simmons, Jr
  • Patent number: 6071224
    Abstract: Provided in a copy or web guiding cylinder of a copy-processing machine is a guiding device for extensible operating elements, having at least two opposing and cooperating cylinders, wherein copies are retainable on the circumference of one of the cylinders and are transferrable by extensible operating elements into receiving elements on the circumference of the other cylinder, including coverings mounted on the one cylinder at the circumference thereof and defining an opening through which an operating element disposed in an underlying recess formed in the one cylinder is extensible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Serge Lanvin, Jean-Claude Clabrix
  • Patent number: 6038974
    Abstract: A gripper deceleration cross folder device having a rotatably mounted jaw cylinder including a plurality of jaw devices, a rotatably mounted gripper decelerator drum forming a nip with the jaw cylinder, and a plurality of gripper decelerator devices mounted on the gripper decelerator drum, each gripper decelerator for gripping and decelerating one of a plurality of signatures at a time. A respective tucking device corresponding to each of the plurality of gripper decelerator devices for tucking each one of the signatures into a corresponding one of the plurality of jaw devices after the decelerating of the signature so as to fold the signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: John S. Richards
  • Patent number: 6010122
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing high page count signatures for printed publications. Signatures with a 96 page count and 128 page count are illustrated and described herein. In either case, the signature is constructed of four sheets of printed sheet materials which are preferably continuous webs of sheet material that are fed to a folding and cutting apparatus. The four sheets or webs are folded in half along a main longitudinal fold line extending in the direction in which the web travels. Preferably, the webs are perforated along the main longitudinal fold line prior to being folded. The webs, after being folded in half, are perforated to create a longitudinally extending hinge. Also, the webs are preferably perforated to create cross fold lines. In the case of the 96 page count signature, the folded webs are divided into thirds by the cross fold lines. The folded webs of the 128 page count signature are divided into fourths by the cross fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Wallace Computer Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Weber
  • Patent number: 5921906
    Abstract: A pinless folder has a hold-down blade in a cut-off cylinder having, together with paper presses, a cut-off knife capable of cutting a web a in its entire width. A folding cylinder contiguous to the cut-off cylinder is provided, in addition to a cutter pad and a gripping jaw, with a gripper board for holding the front end of the web a held down by the hold-down blade. The web a passing between the cut-off cylinder and the folding cylinder is cut in one operation at an even speed. The even-speed, one-stage cutting results in improved quality and a reduced number of component parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nagano
  • Patent number: 5919122
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of filters in which a filter material in the rm of a continuous web is pre-embossed, perforated with a laser beam, and then pleated. The pleated filter element is fixed in a subsequent operation in an apparatus and the perforated scrap areas and are removed from the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignees: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Michael Geiger, Joachim Montnacher, Josef Rohrmeier, Thomas Zink
  • Patent number: 5823934
    Abstract: The automatic trimming machine of the present invention utilizes a conventional web press to print various sizes of postal and insert cards, flyers and coupon books completely on-line. The automatic trimming machine of the present invention includes a device (12) for perforating the paper to define a folding line (14) and a paper folding device (16) for folding the paper along the perforated folding line. A preliminary trimming unit will first trim the left and right sides of the folded paper, including removing the backbone of the folded paper. The severed backone is then removed from the preliminary trimming unit. The top and bottom edges of the paper are then trimmed to the appropriate size prior to the paper being cut into distinct products in a finish trimming unit. The finish trimming unit includes a plurality of adjustable cutting blades to allow for cutting of various sized products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Rock A. Ferrone