An apparatus including a log accumulator is provided. The log accumulator can have logs load therein while they travel along a path that is generally parallel to a path along which the logs are separated from a building stream of sheets, such as when exiting a folder. The logs may be loaded into buckets of the accumulator without requiring lateral accelerations out of a mechanism transferring the separated logs to the accumulator. Similarly, logs may be initially removed from buckets of the accumulator without requiring lateral accelerations. Further, an accumulator unloading apparatus may initially index the logs perpendicular to a length to clear the path of the buckets of the accumulator and then accelerate the logs parallel to a length of the logs once removed from the path of the buckets.
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.
B26D 5/22 - Dispositions pour manœuvrer et commander les machines ou les dispositifs de coupe, découpage, poinçonnage, perforation ou séparation autrement que par coupe l'organe de coupe et d'avance de la pièce ayant une action conjuguée l'organe de coupe et l'avance de la pièce étant liés mécaniquement
B26D 7/32 - Moyens pour exécuter d'autres opérations en combinaison avec la coupe pour transporter ou empiler le produit coupé
B26F 1/20 - Perforation par fentes, c.-à-d. en formant des entailles fermées à leurs extrémités sans enlèvement de matière avec des outils supportés par un tambour rotatif ou un support similaire
B65H 35/10 - Délivrance d'articles à partir de machines à découper ou à perforer linéairementAppareils délivrant des articles ou des bandes, comportant des dispositifs pour couper ou perforer linéairement, p. ex. distributeurs de bande adhésive à partir de dispositifs pour rompre les bandes partiellement coupées ou perforées, p. ex. des rupteurs, ou avec ces dispositifs
3.
SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PLACING AN INSERT IN A BAG
A bag carrying mechanism for a bag and insert combining apparatus for combining a stream of inserts with a stream of bags is provided. The bag carrying mechanism includes a plurality of bag holding arrangements operably coupled to one another for rotation about a rotational axis. Each bag holding arrangement includes first and second segments movable relative to one another and forming a receiving cavity therebetween. First and second holding features hold opposite sides of the bag within the receiving cavity and selectively hold the bag in an open position for receipt of an insert through an open end of the bag. Methods of using the bag carrying mechanism and systems incorporating the bag carrying mechanism are provided.
B65B 43/46 - Alimentation ou positionnement des sacs, boîtes ou cartons en position dilatée, ouverte ou deboutAlimentation des réceptacles préformés rigides, p. ex. boîtes en fer-blanc, capsules, tubes en verre, flacons, vers la position d'empaquetageMise en place des réceptacles ou récipients au poste de remplissageMaintien des réceptacles ou récipients pendant le remplissage en se servant de griffes
B65B 43/30 - Ouverture ou distension des sacsOuverture, dressage des boîtes, montage des boîtes, cartons ou flans de carton par griffes travaillant sur les parois opposées, p. ex. par succion
B65B 59/00 - Dispositions pour permettre aux machines de manipuler des objets de différentes dimensions, d’obtenir des paquets de différentes dimensions, de varier le contenu des paquets ou de donner accès pour le nettoyage ou l'entretien
B65B 25/14 - Emballage de papier ou feuilles analogues, enveloppes ou journaux, à plat, pliés ou roulés
4.
System, apparatus and method of placing an insert in a bag
A bag carrying mechanism for a bag and insert combining apparatus for combining a stream of inserts with a stream of bags is provided. The bag carrying mechanism includes a plurality of bag holding arrangements operably coupled to one another for rotation about a rotational axis. Each bag holding arrangement includes first and second segments movable relative to one another and forming a receiving cavity therebetween. First and second holding features hold opposite sides of the bag within the receiving cavity and selectively hold the bag in an open position for receipt of an insert through an open end of the bag. Methods of using the bag carrying mechanism and systems incorporating the bag carrying mechanism are provided.
B65B 43/60 - Moyens pour tenir les réceptacles ou les récipients pendant le remplissage avec mouvement rotatif
B65B 43/30 - Ouverture ou distension des sacsOuverture, dressage des boîtes, montage des boîtes, cartons ou flans de carton par griffes travaillant sur les parois opposées, p. ex. par succion
B65B 61/20 - Dispositifs accessoires, non prévus ailleurs, opérant sur feuilles, flans, bandes, attaches, réceptacles ou paquets pour ajouter des cartes, des coupons ou d'autres encarts au contenu
B65B 43/12 - Alimentation en sacs souples ou en flans de carton, à l'état plat ou pliéAlimentation en sacs plats reliés pour former une série ou une chaîne
B65B 43/50 - Alimentation ou positionnement des sacs, boîtes ou cartons en position dilatée, ouverte ou deboutAlimentation des réceptacles préformés rigides, p. ex. boîtes en fer-blanc, capsules, tubes en verre, flacons, vers la position d'empaquetageMise en place des réceptacles ou récipients au poste de remplissageMaintien des réceptacles ou récipients pendant le remplissage en se servant de tables ou tourelles rotatives
5.
WEB PROCESSING SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE FOLDING ARRANGEMENTS FED BY A SINGLE WEB HANDLING ARRANGEMENT
A web processing system is provided. The web processing system supplies a processed continuous web of material to a cutting arrangement. The cutting arrangement forms sheets from the continuous web of material. The sheets are then supplied to multiple folding arrangements such that a single web of material is used to supply sheets to multiple folding arrangements.
B65H 35/08 - Délivrance d'articles à partir de machines à découper ou à perforer linéairementAppareils délivrant des articles ou des bandes, comportant des dispositifs pour couper ou perforer linéairement, p. ex. distributeurs de bande adhésive à partir de coupeuses ou de perforatrices transversales ou avec ces appareils à partir de découpeuses ou perforatrices rotatives, p. ex. à cylindre, ou avec ces appareils
6.
Web processing system with multiple folding arrangements fed by a single web handling arrangement
A web processing system is provided. The web processing system supplies a processed continuous web of material to a cutting arrangement. The cutting arrangement forms sheets from the continuous web of material. The sheets are then supplied to multiple folding arrangements such that a single web of material is used to supply sheets to multiple folding arrangements.
B31D 1/04 - Procédés à plusieurs phases pour la fabrication d'articles plats les articles étant des nappes, mouchoirs, serviettes, napperons ou articles analogues
B65H 35/08 - Délivrance d'articles à partir de machines à découper ou à perforer linéairementAppareils délivrant des articles ou des bandes, comportant des dispositifs pour couper ou perforer linéairement, p. ex. distributeurs de bande adhésive à partir de coupeuses ou de perforatrices transversales ou avec ces appareils à partir de découpeuses ou perforatrices rotatives, p. ex. à cylindre, ou avec ces appareils
B65H 45/24 - Interposition de feuilles à plis, p. ex. papier à cigarettes ou papier hygiénique
7.
Web handling roll with movable vacuum ports and methods
Folding machines and methods are provided. A folding machine that utilizes a direct transfer of sheets from a knife roll to a folding roll is provided. Sheet handling rolls are provided that incorporate movable vacuum ports to assist in transfer of a sheet from one roll to another roll.
A web processing roll for handling a web of material using vacuum is provided. The web processing roll includes a roll body. The roll body defines an outer periphery against which the web of material is held. The roll body defines a vacuum passage. At least one first vacuum hole fluidly connects to the vacuum passage provides vacuum proximate the outer periphery of the roll body to hold the web of material against the outer periphery with vacuum supplied to the at least one first vacuum hole by the vacuum passage. A first flow path of the vacuum hole extends at a first angle that is non-perpendicular to the rotational axis and is directed, at least in part, axially toward one of the first and second ends at the first outlet end of the at least one first vacuum hole.
Apparatuses and methods of forming sheets having different lengths are provided. The apparatuses and methods may also be used to form panel lengths of different values using a same processing roll. In some embodiments, the diameter of the roll need not change. In some embodiments, the spacing between adjacent rolls need not be changed when transitioning from one sheet length to another sheet length. In some embodiments, the processing roll includes an excess material receiving component that can be active or deactivated to switch between different sheet sizes.
B65H 35/00 - Délivrance d'articles à partir de machines à découper ou à perforer linéairementAppareils délivrant des articles ou des bandes, comportant des dispositifs pour couper ou perforer linéairement, p. ex. distributeurs de bande adhésive
B65H 20/02 - Progression des bandes par un rouleau de friction
B65H 37/06 - Appareils délivrant des articles ou des bandes, comportant des dispositifs pour exécuter des opérations auxiliaires particulières pour plier
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.
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 of 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.
A system for forming and wrapping a plurality of stacks of sheet like product is provided. The system includes a separator apparatus for converting a stream of spaced apart sets of stacks into a repeating stepped configuration. The system includes a mechanism for merging the stepped configuration of stacks into a single file stream of stacks. The system includes a cutoff apparatus for cutting a plastic sleeve in which the stacks are wrapped. The system includes a turner apparatus for changing the direction of travel of individual units comprising of a stack of product within a length of the sleeve 90 degrees while maintaining the orientation of the units.
B26D 7/10 - Moyens de traitement de la pièce ou de l'outil de coupe pour faciliter la coupe par échauffement
B65G 37/00 - Combinaisons de transporteurs mécaniques de même type ou de types différents sauf en ce qui concerne leur application dans des machines particulières ou leur emploi dans des procédés particuliers de fabrication
B65G 29/00 - Transporteurs rotatifs, p. ex. disques, bras, croisillons ou cônes rotatifs
B65G 47/244 - Dispositifs pour influencer la position relative ou l'orientation des objets pendant le transport par transporteurs présentant les objets selon un orientement donné en les faisant tourner autour d'un axe sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan de transport
B65G 47/68 - Dispositifs pour transférer objets ou matériaux entre transporteurs, p. ex. pour décharger ou alimenter adaptés pour recevoir les objets arrivant d'un transporteur en une couche et pour les transférer en couches individuelles à plus d'un transporteur, ou vice versa, p. ex. en combinant l'écoulement des objets transportés par plus d'un transporteur
B65H 31/30 - Dispositions pour enlever les piles achevées
B26D 1/30 - Coupe d'une pièce caractérisée par la nature ou par le mouvement de l'élément coupantAppareils ou machines à cet effetÉléments coupants à cet effet comportant un élément qui ne suit pas le mouvement de la pièce ayant un élément coupant se déplaçant autour d'un axe avec un élément coupant non circulaire se déplaçant autour d'un axe sensiblement perpendiculaire à la ligne de coupe et dont le mouvement de pivotement pour la coupe est limité
B26D 5/20 - Dispositions pour manœuvrer et commander les machines ou les dispositifs de coupe, découpage, poinçonnage, perforation ou séparation autrement que par coupe l'organe de coupe et d'avance de la pièce ayant une action conjuguée
B65G 47/84 - Roues en forme d'étoiles ou dispositifs à courroies ou chaînes sans fin, les roues ou dispositifs étant dotés d'éléments venant en prise avec les objets
B65B 11/28 - Enveloppement d'objets ou de quantités de matériaux, par déplacement de l'enveloppe et du contenu sur des parcours déterminés sur un parcours courbe, p. ex. sur des tables ou tourelles rotatives
B65B 25/14 - Emballage de papier ou feuilles analogues, enveloppes ou journaux, à plat, pliés ou roulés
B65G 47/32 - Utilisation de dispositifs de transfert
13.
Single path single web single-fold interfolder and methods
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.
A system for forming and wrapping a plurality of stacks of sheet like product is provided. The system includes a separator apparatus for converting a stream of spaced apart sets of stacks into a repeating stepped configuration. The system includes a mechanism for merging the stepped configuration of stacks into a single file stream of stacks. The system includes a cutoff apparatus for cutting a plastic sleeve in which the stacks are wrapped. The system includes a turner apparatus for changing the direction of travel of individual units comprising of a stack of product within a length of the sleeve 90 degrees while maintaining the orientation of the units.
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.
B65H 37/06 - Appareils délivrant des articles ou des bandes, comportant des dispositifs pour exécuter des opérations auxiliaires particulières pour plier
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.
A processing roll having rotatable outer tube mounted on a non-rotatable inner tube by a fluid valving arrangement, is provided. The fluid valving arrangement provides angularly controlled transfer of fluid between a cavity on the inside of the inner tube and ports distributed longitudinally along an outer surface of the outer tube, while also providing distributed bearing support of either the outer tube on the inner tube, or the inner tube on the outer tube, at a plurality of locations along a longitudinal axis of the processing roll.
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.
B65H 31/30 - Dispositions pour enlever les piles achevées
B65H 33/14 - Formation de lots comptés dans les piles ou dans le courant de délivrance des articles en faisant dévier les lots vers des appareils séparés de réception
B65H 33/16 - Formation de lots comptés dans les piles ou dans le courant de délivrance des articles en déposant les articles en lots sur des supports mobiles
A log accumulator comprising a plurality of buckets, a feed arrangement and a transport system and methods are provided. The feed arrangement loads logs onto the buckets. The transport system transports the buckets past the feed arrangement for loading of the buckets. The transport system and the feed arrangement are configured to maintain the feed arrangement in a fixed relative position with one of the buckets for an extended period of time while the feed arrangement loads the one of the buckets. The accumulator may include an unload arrangement that operates to unload logs in substantially the same manner as the feed arrangement.
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.
A method and apparatus are provided, for forming a stack of interfolded sheets of porous material including a leading panel having a partial-panel width joined along a fold line to a trailing panel having a full-panel width, by controlling the position of leading edges of the sheets both upstream and downstream from the nip between the interfolding rolls of the folding machine with vacuum applied through corresponding vacuum ports disposed in the periphery of the folding rolls at circumferential distances equal to the partial panel length ahead of each gripper and tucker in the direction of rotation. Sufficient suction is applied to hold both the leading edge of the leading panel of a given sheet and an underlying portion of the trailing panel of the immediately preceding sheet against the periphery of one of the other of the rolls downstream from the nip.
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.
B65B 5/10 - Remplissage des réceptacles ou récipients, progressivement ou par stades successifs, en introduisant successivement les objets
B65B 25/14 - Emballage de papier ou feuilles analogues, enveloppes ou journaux, à plat, pliés ou roulés
B65B 35/52 - Mise en pile des objets ou des groupes d'objets, les uns sur les autres, avant empaquetage en construisant la pile en partant du bas
B65B 43/42 - Alimentation ou positionnement des sacs, boîtes ou cartons en position dilatée, ouverte ou deboutAlimentation des réceptacles préformés rigides, p. ex. boîtes en fer-blanc, capsules, tubes en verre, flacons, vers la position d'empaquetageMise en place des réceptacles ou récipients au poste de remplissageMaintien des réceptacles ou récipients pendant le remplissage
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.
A rotating log saw clamp for clamping a product roll to be sawn. The rotating log saw clamp includes a first portion disposed for rotation about an axis and a second portion disposed for rotation with the first portion and movable relative to the first portion between an open position and a clamping position. The second portion is rotatable from the clamping position to the open position by relative rotation of the first and second rotating portions.
An interfolding apparatus and method, utilize, first and second sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangements and an interfolding arrangement simultaneously mounted and operatively interconnected in a common frame, for alternatively selectively forming a first or a second interfolded pattern having a given folded width, without replacement of components of the interfolding apparatus. The first interfolded pattern is formed from a first stream of overlapped sheets of a first length cut from a web of sheet material fed along a first path extending through the first sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangement to the interfolding arrangement. The second interfolded pattern is formed from a stream of overlapped sheets of a second length cut from the web of sheet material fed along a second path extending through the second sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangement to the interfolding arrangement.
A splice is made, between a tail end of first web and a lead end of a second web coiled about an unwind axis, by winding a portion of the first web adjacent the tail end of the first web about a splicing roll mounted for rotation about a splice roll axis oriented substantially parallel to the unwind axis, and then joining the tail end to the lead end by compressing an adhesive between an inside surface of the tail end and an outer surface of the second web. Compression of the adhesive is accomplished by urging the splice roll against the coiled second web while the coiled second web is rotating about the unwind axis in an unwind direction and the splicing roll is rolling about the splice roll axis in a direction opposite to the unwind direction.
A splice is made, between a tail end of first web and a lead end of a second web coiled about an unwind axis, by winding a portion of the first web adjacent the tail end of the first web about a splicing roll mounted for rotation about a splice roll axis oriented substantially parallel to the unwind axis, and then joining the tail end to the lead end by compressing an adhesive between an inside surface of the tail end and an outer surface of the second web. Compression of the adhesive is accomplished by urging the splice roll against the coiled second web while the coiled second web is rotating about the unwind axis in an unwind direction and the splicing roll is rolling about the splice roll axis in a direction opposite to the unwind direction.
A flexographic printing apparatus and method utilize a support platform attached to a printer frame and four bearing support carriages attached to the support platform for operatively supporting opposite ends of a plate roll and an anilox roll. One plate roll carriage and one anilox roll carriage are operatively attached to the support platform along each opposite side of the support platform by a common linear guide arrangement. The plate roll carriages are positioned along the linear guide arrangements by two plate roll linear positioners operatively attached between the support plate. The anilox carriages are positioned along the linear guide arrangements with respect to the plate roll carriages by a pair of anilox roll linear positioners operatively attached between the plate roll and anilox roll carriages. The support platform is also transversely movable with respect to the printer frame for lateral registration.
An interfolding apparatus and method, utilize, first and second sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangements and an interfolding arrangement simultaneously mounted and operatively interconnected in a common frame, for alternatively selectively forming a first or a second interfolded pattern having a given folded width, without replacement of components of the interfolding apparatus. The first interfolded pattern is formed from a first stream of overlapped sheets of a first length cut from a web of sheet material fed along a first path extending through the first sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangement to the interfolding arrangement. The second interfolded pattern is formed from a stream of overlapped sheets of a second length cut from the web of sheet material fed along a second path extending through the second sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangement to the interfolding arrangement.
B31D 1/04 - Procédés à plusieurs phases pour la fabrication d'articles plats les articles étant des nappes, mouchoirs, serviettes, napperons ou articles analogues
An interfolding apparatus and method, utilize, first and second sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangements and an interfolding arrangement simultaneously mounted and operatively interconnected in a common frame, for alternatively selectively forming a first or a second interfolded pattern having a given folded width, without replacement of components of the interfolding apparatus. The first interfolded pattern is formed from a first stream of overlapped sheets of a first length cut from a web of sheet material fed along a first path extending through the first sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangement to the interfolding arrangement. The second interfolded pattern is formed from a stream of overlapped sheets of a second length cut from the web of sheet material fed along a second path extending through the second sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangement to the interfolding arrangement.
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.
