Plural Folding Blades Patents (Class 493/429)
  • Patent number: 8425392
    Abstract: A broadsheet newspaper printing press has at least one print unit printing at least one web of material and a folder. The folder has a cross-cutter to cut the web of material into broadsheet newspapers, a tucker cylinder having a gripper gripping the broadsheet newspapers at a lead edge and a tucking blade for forming a cross-fold in the broadsheet newspapers, and a jaw cylinder or fold rollers to receive the cross-folded broadsheet newspapers from the tucker cylinder at the cross-fold, the gripper being located with respect to the tucking blade so that the cross-fold is located at between 33% and 45% or 55% and 67% of the height of the newspaper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: John Sheridan Richards
  • Patent number: 8132395
    Abstract: A vertical stand-up pouch, flat bottom bag, or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by 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 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 a pivoting tucker mechanism positioned outside the packaging film tube and between two forming plates positioned inside the packaging film tube. A novel method is also disclosed for adjusting the orientation of labeling on the packaging film, which results in the production of innovative packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Edward Gehring, Anthony Robert Knoerzer, Garrett William Kohl, Steven Kenneth Tucker
  • Patent number: 7775959
    Abstract: A folding device with a folding drum for producing the second longitudinal fold in products of a rotary press has at least two folding blades fixed in folding-blade carriers, a folding-blade shaft is mounted in the folding drum at both ends by means of bearings and between the latter by means of at least one further bearing, the bearing preferably being arranged between the folding-blade carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Hubert Schalk
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7666129
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding inserts by inverting the insert sheet after the first fold is made and reintroducing the folded insert sheet into a first buckle chute from the opposite end. The second fold is then made in a second buckle chute which results in either a bottom address or a middle address appearing on the folded insert in a manner that the address will appear through the window of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Lyga, James A. Fairweather, David J. Eaton, Carl R. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20090291817
    Abstract: A machine and method for the continuous folding of sheet material into difference three-dimensional patterns is featured. The innovative machine and method folds sheet material by force converging the sheet to a final stage that imparts a final fold or pattern. Unique programming allows for the change of convergence sequencing and change of materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Basily B. Basily, Elsayed A. Elsayed, Daniel Kling
  • Patent number: 7552574
    Abstract: A vertical stand-up pouch, flat bottom bag, or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by 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 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 a pivoting tucker mechanism positioned outside the packaging film tube and between two forming plates positioned inside the packaging film tube. A novel method is also disclosed for adjusting the orientation of labeling on the packaging film, which results in the production of innovative packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Edward Gehring, Anthony Robert Knoerzer, Garrett William Kohl, Steven Kenneth Tucker
  • Patent number: 7318798
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first rotary disc, a plurality of folding plates mounted on a peripheral zone of the first rotary disc, a plurality of positive motion cams mounted on the peripheral zone of the first rotary disc so as to be interposed between the first rotary disc and the folding plates, a second rotary disc located on a side opposite to the first rotary disc and a plurality of auxiliary plates mounted on a peripheral zone of the second rotary disc. The folding plates and the auxiliary plates synchronously move into a contiguous diaper structure and simultaneously the guide arms move into a clearance between the guide blades so that opposite lateral zones of a crotch region may be held between the guide arms and the guide blades and thereby the crotch region may be tucked into the contiguous diaper structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamamoto, Akihisa Shiomi, Akihide Ninomiya, Takanori Yano
  • Patent number: 7247131
    Abstract: The invention relates to a folding machine for the graphics industry. The machine has a folder, at least one pair of blade shafts following the folder, and a separate roll frame that supports the pair of blade shafts. In order to be able to perform changeover operations on the pair of blade shafts as ergonomically as possible without partial dismantling of the folding machine, the folding machine is equipped with a guide for the roll frame and with an actuating device (e.g., tooth rack, pinion, crank) for displacing the roll frame along the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Markus Belmann, Jürgen Kübler
  • Patent number: 7195586
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first rotary disc, a plurality of folding plates arranged at regular intervals along a peripheral zone of the first rotary disc, a plurality of positive motion cams arranged at regular intervals along the peripheral zone of the first rotary disc so as to be interposed between the first rotary disc and the folding plates, a second rotary disc located on the opposite side of the first rotary disc and a plurality of auxiliary plates arranged at regular intervals along a peripheral zone of the second rotary disc. One of the folding plates and one of the auxiliary plates synchronously move into the inside of a contiguous diaper structure and simultaneously the guide arms move into a clearance between the guide blades so that the opposite side edge zones of the crotch region may be held between the guide arms and the guide blades and thereby the crotch region may be tucked into the contiguous diaper structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamamoto, Akihisa Shiomi, Akihide Ninomiya, Takanori Yano
  • Patent number: 7191031
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a reverse rotation preventing electronic cam curve generating method of an electronic cam type rotary cutter control which serves to prevent the reverse rotation of a cutter. According to the invention, there is provided an electronic cam curve parameter setting unit 28 for previously calculating a critical cutting length Ljag from which an electronic cam curve passing through a point having an acceleration of 0 and a speed of 0 is obtained by setting a rotor diameter r of a rotary cutter 5, the number of blades M disposed at regular intervals on a rotor, synchronizing speed coefficients ?1 and ?2 for regulating synchronizing speeds in cutting, and synchronizing angles ?1 and ?2, comparing the critical cutting length Ljag with a set cutting length Lset of a processed product set by an operator, and generating an electronic cam curve pattern for preventing a reverse rotation when the set cutting length Lset is greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventor: Makoto Akama
  • Patent number: 7083563
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively replacing one set of folding boards for another set of folding boards is provided. The system can include a first frame assembly secured to a first set of folding boards. The first set of folding boards can be initially placed in a web-receiving position for receiving and folding webs, such as tissue webs. The system can also include a second frame assembly secured to a second set of folding boards, which is placed in another position. The first set of folding boards at the web-receiving position can then be selectively replaced by the second set of folding boards. For example, in one embodiment, each frame assembly can be simultaneously rotated about an axis to replace the first set with the second set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Les Long
  • Patent number: 7077798
    Abstract: To avoid displacement of the fold formed on a sheet and misalignment between sheets when a fold is formed on a bundle of sheets stacked one on top of another, a sheet folding apparatus, for forming a plurality of folds on the sheet on which an image is formed, includes a first folding section and a second folding section. The first folding section has a first folding roller, a second folding roller in contact with the first roller, and a first folding plate member for inserting the first fold of the sheet between the first and second folding rollers. The second folding section has the second folding roller, a third folding roller in contact with the second folding roller provided downstream from the first folding roller in the sheet feeding direction, and a second folding plate member for inserting the second fold of the sheet between the second and third folding rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Kawatsu, Toshio Shida, Hiroyuki Wakabayashi, Masaaki Uchiyama, Masato Hattori
  • Patent number: 7036413
    Abstract: A printed, endless web is transversely cut by the cooperation of a cutting blade cylinder and a sheet gripping cylinder that also carries cutting blocks. If the web that is to be cut, is noted as having a defect, for example in the printing applied to it, the cutting blades can be withdrawn into the cutting blade cylinder and the deflective web can be diverted away from the folding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Wolfgang Hartmann, Horst Bernhard Michalik
  • Patent number: 6869388
    Abstract: A folding blade cylinder for use in a folding machine includes a cylindrical cradle and a folding blade that can be situated in various positions in the cylindrical cradle. Each position of the folding blade corresponds to a gap in the cylinder cradle surface. These gaps are separated from ach other by segments of the cylindrical cradle. In order to move the folding blade from one gap to another, the folding blade is retracted into the interior of the folding blade cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Simon Kostiza
  • Patent number: 6846279
    Abstract: A cylinder of a rotary printing machine has cylinder parts that can be driven and rotated independently of one another. The cylinder parts each have a drive connection to an electric motor and can be driven independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Stieler, Nils-Hendric Schall, Karsten Stansch, Ulrich Seyffert
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20040092377
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus is described including a fold blade, a clamp movable to engage the fold blade, and a fold blade receptacle having two flexible spring members. The flexible spring members are biased toward one another by preloading material of the spring members. The fold blade and fold blade receptacle are movable toward one another to fold a sheet of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Steven W. Trovinger
  • Publication number: 20040063560
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus is described including a fold blade, a clamp movable to engage the fold blade, and a fold blade receptacle having two flexible spring members. The flexible spring members are biased toward one another by preloading material of the spring members. The fold blade and fold blade receptacle are movable toward one another to fold a sheet of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Steven W. Trovinger
  • Patent number: 6685616
    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. The essence of the invention consists in the fact that at least the fixing of the adjusting and/or catch arrangement for the holding arrangement relative to the tool carrier in at least one setting position is effected magnetically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Winkler + Duennebier AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Raueiser
  • 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: 6669619
    Abstract: A device for folding printing copies in a web-fed rotary printing machine includes a folding knife, controls for reciprocatingly moving the folding knife at least approximately in one plane, the controls including a first and a second toggle lever, which, at one of the ends thereof, respectively, are movably attached to frame-fixed parts of the printing machine and at the other ends thereof, respectively, are movably attached to the folding knife, and a rotary element simultaneously actable upon both the first and the second toggle levers for operating the controls; a folder including the folding device; and an assembly including the folder with the folding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Herbert Bialek
  • Patent number: 6589150
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sanitary napkin having flaps folded onto the main body of the napkin and temporarily held in this position by a finger means. At least one end of the napkin is then folded onto the flaps thereby retaining the flaps in their folded position. The finger means is then disengaged from contact with the napkin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventor: Tony Ng
  • Publication number: 20030069117
    Abstract: A system for folding sheet material, including a fold blade, two fold rollers biased away from each other, an adjusting member which alters a distance between the two fold rollers, and first drive means for moving at least one of the fold blade and the two fold rollers along a first path to position the fold blade between the two fold rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Steven W. Trovinger, Ross R. Allen
  • Publication number: 20030069118
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding sheet material, including a fold blade having a rounded folding surface, a fold roller, and drive means for moving at least one of the fold blade and the fold roller into operable communication such that the fold roller passes around or along the rounded folding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Steven W. Trovinger, Ross R. Allen
  • Patent number: 6526733
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for aligning a packing material tube (1) with a treatment station in a packaging machine in which a tube (1) with a circular cross-section is produced from a strip of printed packaging material having embossed lines. Said tube is closed by longitudinally sealing it, filled and shaped in a cross-sealing unit (12) and divided into cuboid packages. The unit (12) is provided with an adjustable lift of stroke so that it intermittently convey the tube (1). It is also provided on diametrical sides with a folding flap (16) that can be pivoted about an axis (15). For feeling the position mark, a sensor is arranged. The aim of the invention is to facilitate a faster termination of the initial phase when the packaging machine is put into operation while at the same time producing less cuttings and to prevent the paper tube from being damaged. To this end, a folding finger (19) is arranged upstream of every folding flap (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Frank Mario Schellenberg, Steffen Polster, Mauro Cavazzuti
  • Patent number: 6322487
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to providing a method and apparatus for accurately and efficiently folding a flat product (e.g., a web of paper or signatures obtained therefrom) during its delivery. Exemplary embodiments provide a single device for performing the two functions of folding and decelerating flat products. Rotatable seizing elements of a deceleration drum interface with any known folding cylinder having a known tucker blade assembly. As such, the accurate and mark-free folding of a conventional jaw folder can be achieved with any desirable paging, including the wide maximum paging range typically associated with rotary tucker blade folders. A deceleration drum according to the present invention can interface with any folding cylinder having a tucker blade assembly used to create a cross-fold, and can thereby replace any conventional combination of a folder (e.g., rotary tucker blade folder or jaw folder) and associated downstream deceleration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Charles Henry Dufour
  • Patent number: 6279890
    Abstract: A printing press having a jaw mode assembly and a rotary mode assembly with a single folding cylinder adapted to feed either the jaw mode assembly or the rotary mode assembly is disclosed. A moving web of material is initially trained about the folding cylinder and cut into a signatures which are then temporarily held on the folding cylinder. A folding blade extends from the folding cylinder to initiate a fold in each signature and direct each signature to either the jaw mode assembly or the rotary mode assembly. The timing of the folding blade is coordinated and adjusted using an indexable spider assembly to feed either the jaw mode assembly or the rotary mode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Goss Graphic Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Tomczak
  • 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: 6228014
    Abstract: A machine (1) for interfolding sheet material (4a, 4b) starting from a web (3a, 3b) of paper and the like. A sequence of offset sheets (4a, 4b) is formed on folding rollers (7a, 7b) which are counter-rotating with respect to each other and have a plurality of circumferential grooves (15a, 15b), in which oscillating folding arms engage (20a, 20b) so as to form a stack (17) of interfolded sheets (4a, 4b). The folding arms (20a, 20b) have pivots (21) very close to the periphery of the folding rollers (7a, 7b), inside or outside of the grooves (15a, 15b). Moreover they can be operated by a crank mechanism that allows to the grooves (15a, 15b) to be shallow enough also in case of rollers (7a, 7b) of enlarged diameter. For the same reason, the folding arms (20a, 20b) can have a bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: M T C - Macchine Trasformazione Carta S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alessandro De Matteis, Sergio Landucci
  • 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: 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: 6019714
    Abstract: A folding apparatus is used to cross-fold printed matter, particularly of variable section lengths. Damage to the printed products is avoided, even at high production speeds. This is accomplished by providing a signature divider after a transverse cutting device, and before two parallel cross-folding devices. The signatures divider alternatingly direct the signatures into two product flow paths. Each product flow path acts as a deceleration line so that the signatures are delivered to the cross-folding devices at half of their original speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Stab
  • 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: 5947883
    Abstract: A device for transferring slips of paper from a first rotationally-driven cylinder to a second rotationally-driven cylinder. Each cylinder has a pincers-like gripper including a controlled, pivotal jaw that has the form of a blade cooperating with a rigid jaw of the same cylinder. The pivotal jaw also operates as a controlled insertion blade that slides the slips of paper into the opened gripper of the other cylinder. The structural design of the device is simplified due to the fact that the pivotal blade-shaped jaw of each cylinder is provided with a second control that can be activated on command which deactivates the control of the pincers movement of the jaw and controls the jaw in such a way that it functions as the insertion blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher
    Inventors: Richard Feldkamper, Rudiger Duwendag, Hermann Sandmeier
  • 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: 5765459
    Abstract: Point needles in a collecting cylinder are driven in a two stage extension process to initially needle or pierce the leading edge of a product web being cut. Once the cut has been made, the needle tips are moved further radially outwardly from the cylinder to secure the cut edge. As the signatures are transferred to a folding cylinder, the needle points are retracted along a single stage retraction curve which is different from the path traveled during the two stage extension process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer-Albert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernd Anton Hillebrand
  • Patent number: 5697881
    Abstract: A folding machine is provided with a collection mechanism to permit abatement of load deviation and also the amount of time required for changeover from the collection mode to the non-collection mode in shortened. The folding machine with collection mechanism includes a fixed cam 31 forming a cam profile 31A for a predetermined delivering action of a pin 15B in a collection cylinder 15 and a rotating cam 30 having a screening portion 30A to screen the cam profile 31A every other time the pin 15B reaches the delivering operation position KK using the screening portion 30A in a collection mode so as to deliver a piled, layered fold section and to not screen the cam 31A every time the pin 15B reaches the delivering operation position KK in a non-collection mode so as to delivery a non-piled, non-layered fold section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunisuke Nishihara
  • Patent number: 5676630
    Abstract: A folder device that can be converted from parallel fold to delta fold, and the pre-fold of which is also convertible. The device includes cylindrical segments respectively, that are turned relative to one another by two planetary gear trains, which are adjustable relative to one another, so that the respective transmissions of the planetary gear trains balance one another. The adjustment of the cylindrical segments is carried out in dependence on the adjustment of the planetary gear trains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Robert Mayr
  • Patent number: 5522586
    Abstract: Continuous web-fed rotary tuck and jaw type folding apparatus, typically for high speed periodical, catalogue or newspaper production, is speedily and readily convertible to produce differently page sized and differently folded signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Bennett, Ian Douglas
  • Patent number: 5520378
    Abstract: A folding apparatus for rotary printing presses uses at least a single stage speed reducing device between a collection cylinder and a folding blade cylinder to reduce the speed of travel of signatures before they are cross-folded. The reduction in the speed of travel of the signatures eliminates damage to the signatures during their cross folding while allowing the printing press to operate at a high rate of speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Albert Frankenthal Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Kepert, Rudolf Stab
  • Patent number: 5494270
    Abstract: Folder for cross folding printing products which have been cut from a web by a cutting device includes at least one cross folding device having a tucker blade cylinder and a folding jaw cylinder, the folding jaw cylinder having at least one folding jaw formed as a multiple jaw, the multiple jaw having a plurality of contiguous clamping jaws for holding a plurality of printing products brought together simultaneously while being cross folded; and method of cross folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Jorg Laubscher
  • Patent number: 5468209
    Abstract: A reliable, wear-resistant sealing for a collecting and folding cylinder includes, on each folding blade shaft, a disk (4) which has a sealing ring (13) arranged on the collar of the side facing the oil space (6) of the folding cylinder (1). The disk (4) can be pressed by means of a clamping ring (5) arranged on the folding blade shaft (2) against a covering disk (3) eccentrically arranged on the shaft (2). The disks (3, 4) are rotatably connected with one another via a bearing (11) and a stud (12). An additional sealing ring (17) is provided at the collar of the side of the covering disk 3 facing the oil space (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Rohrhiursch, Georg Schmid
  • Patent number: 5443437
    Abstract: A folding apparatus of a rotary printing machine includes a combination of a plurality of folded-product guiding cylinders including at least one cylinder with adjustable folding blades and impaling pins, and at least one cylinder with folding jaws, and transfer cylinders with gripper devices as well as perforating devices, the folding blades, the impaling pins, the folding jaws, the gripper devices and the perforating devices being adjustably mounted in the respective cylinders adjacent respective outer cylindrical surfaces thereof, a device operatively connected to at least one of the cylinders for automatically adjusting a fold, the adjusting device being actuatable for varying respective operating positions of the folding blades, the impaling pins, the folding jaws, the gripper elements and the perforating elements relative to one another at the respective outer cylindrical surfaces of the respective cylinders, and a remotely controllable drive for operating the adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen
    Inventor: Richard Mack
  • Patent number: 5429578
    Abstract: A machine for cutting and folding an uninterrupted printed web of paper to produce folded sections includes a cutting cylinder cooperating with a transfer cylinder. The transfer cylinder is rotationally driven about its longitudinal axis and interacts with a folding cylinder having a set of folding jaws. The transfer cylinder has an external transfer surface interrupted by a number of sets of impaling pins and engaging blades intended to introduce the transversely cut web of paper into the folding jaws. The transfer cylinder also includes means for causing the angular spacing between the engaging blades and the impaling pins to vary. The disclosed transfer cylinder also includes, in the region of its external transfer surface, a set of closure plates on either side of each engaging blade and on either side of each set of impaling pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschien AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Calbrix, Gerard Guerinet
  • Patent number: 5417642
    Abstract: A folding jaw cylinder for a printing press has a folding jaw arranged rotatably at the cylinder, a stop for the folding jaw, a rotary body, which can be nonrotatably connected to the cylinder, and whose angular position in relation to the cylinder is adjustable, and a gear mechanism for adjusting a working distance between the folding jaw and the stop by adjusting the angular position between the cylinder and the rotary body. The stop is arranged movably at the cylinder, and is adjusted in relation to the cylinder--during the adjustment of the angular position between the cylinder and the rotary body--by an adjusting arrangement, which is articulated to the rotary body and attached to the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Maschinfabrik Wifag
    Inventors: Viktor Boronka, Kurt Rothen
  • Patent number: 5242367
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a folder for a rotary offset printing press comprising a transfer cylinder, a first-fold cylinder and a second fold cylinder. Each of the cylinders is constructed of two imbricated independent parts, and inner part and an outer part, moveable relative to one another and equipped with a respective driving gear. The drive gears of the respective cylinders are coupled to one another two-by-two so that coincidence between the cylinders is preserved. The drive gears of the transfer cylinder are connected to one another by a first pair of coupling gears coaxial relative to one another and interconnected by a first disengageable coupling and the drive gears of the first-fold cylinder being connected to one another by a second pair of coupling gears coaxial relative to one another and interconnected by a second disengageable coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Marmin
  • Patent number: 5226871
    Abstract: A folder (58) of the type having a folding cylinder (16) cooperating with a jaw cylinder (20) to cut and fold a ribbon of paper (14) into a folded product (14') provided with a guide assembly (60) with a guide surface defined by a nonconcentric guide with a convex section (64) and a convex section (74) joined together end-to-end to form a generally S-shaped or approximately cubical parabolic guide surface which conforms to the natural flow shape of the product (14') for minimum interference therewith to reduce the formation of dog-ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene Skipor
  • Patent number: 5096175
    Abstract: To move folding jaws (4, 5) in a scissor-like or pincer-like movement symmetrical with respect to a center line (CL) and to permit adjustment of the gap or opening of the jaws, for acceptance of folded substrates of different thicknesses, the jaws are coupled together by a rotation reversal arrangement (14, 114, 112, 314) so that rotation of one of the carrier bodies (6) will be transferred as an equal and opposite movement to the other (7) of the carrier bodies. An axial position adjustment spindle (25, 125, 325), controllable by a hand wheel (29) or servo motor (30), changes the axial position of gears rotating or rotating with a shaft (2, 202, 402) of a folding jaw cylinder (1, 201, 401), at least some of the gears or gear pairs having inclined teeth, to thereby transfer a positioning movement into a relative rotary shift of the respectively rotating gear with respect to the gear driving the shaft, thereby causing rocking or tilting of the folding jaw carriers (6, 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Ulrich Lange, Eckhard Schneider, Friedrich Michaelis