US3552736A — Method and apparatus for folding disposable diape…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 155 words

The method of folding disposable diaper blanks into substantially infant-conforming configuration comprising the steps of: conveying the diaper blanks in spaced-apart, end-to-end relation along a predetermined flow path; bringing a folding board into registry with the rear half of each diaper blank as it moves along said flow path; intercepting the leading portion of each diaper from below with a rearwardly inclined folding bar moving at a speed slower than the diaper to lift said leading portion and preliminarily folding it over the folding board along a medially located transverse fold line; and engaging the portions of the diaper located along said transverse fold line on each side of the center thereof with a side tucking element to interfold said portions between the upper and lower surfaces of the preliminary folded diaper while reversely interfolding between said portionS the part of the diaper located along said transverse fold line most distant from the center thereof.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 155 words

The method of folding disposable diaper blanks into substantially infant-conforming configuration comprising the steps of: conveying the diaper blanks in spaced-apart, end-to-end relation along a predetermined flow path; bringing a folding board into registry with the rear half of each diaper blank as it moves along said flow path; intercepting the leading portion of each diaper from below with a rearwardly inclined folding bar moving at a speed slower than the diaper to lift said leading portion and preliminarily folding it over the folding board along a medially located transverse fold line; and engaging the portions of the diaper located along said transverse fold line on each side of the center thereof with a side tucking element to interfold said portions between the upper and lower surfaces of the preliminary folded diaper while reversely interfolding between said portionS the part of the diaper located along said transverse fold line most distant from the center thereof.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method defined in claim 1 including the preliminary step of applying controlled quantities of adhesive to the underside of the diaper blank at such locations as to be subsequently enclosed between interfolded layers of the diaper.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method defined in claim 1 including the intermediate step of withdrawing the folding bar from the preliminarily folded diaper blank by accelerating the bar down and away from the folding board before the folding bar is overtaken by the folding board.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method defined in claim 1 including the intermediate step of frictionally engaging the upper and lower surfaces of the preliminarily folded diaper blank to keep the blank substantially tautly stretched over the folding board during the side tucking and interfolding operation.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method defined in claim 1 including the step of actuating said side tucking elements with an elongated cam track which is effective to swing said elements into engagement with said portions of the diaper to be interfolded.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method defined in claim 5 wherein each of said side tucking elements includes a cam follower and said cam followers are biased into engagement with said elongated cam track.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method defined in claim 1 including the further step of picking each of the folded diapers from the folding boards with a picking element traveling at a speed greater than that of the folding board.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method defined in claim 7 including the additional step of stripping the folded diapers from the picking element with a stripping element traveling at a speed greater than that of the picking element.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method defined in claim 2 including the further step of compressing the folded diapers in order to crease the fold lines and insure good contact of the adhesive with the interfolded layers of the diaper.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of the folding boards are moved along a closed loop disposed in part parallel to and in close proximity to said flow path.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of said folding bars are moved along a closed loop disposed in part to intersect said flow path from below at an acute angle.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method defined in claim 7 wherein a plurality of said picking elements are moved along a closed loop disposed in part to intersect and then move along said flow path.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method defined in claim 8 wherein a plurality of said stripping elements are moved along a closed loop disposed in part parallel to and in close proximity to said flow path.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method defined in claim 7 wherein said picking element is advanced through a slot located in the lower surface of said folding board along the longitudinal center line thereof.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method defined in claim 8 wherein said stripping element is advanced past said picking element with portions of said stripping element straddling said picking element and engaging the rear edge of the folded diaper.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 185 words

Apparatus for folding precut diaper blanks traveling in spaced-apart relation and timed sequence along a predetermined flow path comprising, in combination: a folding board mounted for continuous movement along a first loop disposed in part parallel to and in close proximity above said flow path; means for moving said folding board in timed sequence with said blanks so that the under side of said folding board periodically engages the trailing portion of respective ones of said blanks and moves in unison therewith; a rearwardly inclined folding bar mounted for continuous movement along a second loop disposed in part to intersect said flow path from below at an acute angle; and means for moving said folding bar in timed sequence with said blanks but at a lower rate of speed so that said folding bar periodically engages and progressively lifts and folds the leading portion of respective ones of said blanks over the upper surfaCe of said folding board along a medially located transverse fold line as said folding bar moves from below and ahead to above and behind the forward portion of said folding board.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 185 words

Apparatus for folding precut diaper blanks traveling in spaced-apart relation and timed sequence along a predetermined flow path comprising, in combination: a folding board mounted for continuous movement along a first loop disposed in part parallel to and in close proximity above said flow path; means for moving said folding board in timed sequence with said blanks so that the under side of said folding board periodically engages the trailing portion of respective ones of said blanks and moves in unison therewith; a rearwardly inclined folding bar mounted for continuous movement along a second loop disposed in part to intersect said flow path from below at an acute angle; and means for moving said folding bar in timed sequence with said blanks but at a lower rate of speed so that said folding bar periodically engages and progressively lifts and folds the leading portion of respective ones of said blanks over the upper surfaCe of said folding board along a medially located transverse fold line as said folding bar moves from below and ahead to above and behind the forward portion of said folding board.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

Folding apparatus as defined in claim 16 including means for forwardly swinging said folding bar down and away from said folding board and out of engagement with said folded blank.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 40 words

Folding apparatus as defined in claim 17 including guide means located in close proximity to said flow path downstream of said intersection for engaging and holding said folded blank over said folding board as said folding bar is swung away.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 45 words

Folding apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said folding board is of generally triangular shape with the apex thereof forming the leading edge and said folding bar includes an element extending substantially transverse to said flow path for folding said blank over said apex.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 85 words

Folding apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said folding board includes a pair of spaced-apart forming surfaces of generally triangular shape with aligned forwardly projecting apices and rearwardly diverging legs and an intermediate forming element between said surfaces having interiorly facing edge portions extending outwardly substantially at right angles to said legs and means for tucking the preliminarily folded edge of said blank outboard of said apices so as to interfold the material thereof over said legs and edges and between said forming surfaces.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 31 words

Folding apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said tucking means includes a element on each side of said folding board swingable between said forming surfaces and around said forming edge.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 61 words

Folding apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein each of said swingable elements carries an operating arm fitted with a cam follower and said cam followers are biased into engagement with an elongated cam track shaped to first progressively swing said elements toward each other from opposite sides of the folding board and then swing said elements away from each other.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 60 words

Folding apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said forming surfaces are substantially horizontally disposed as said blank is interfolded, the lower one of said forming surfaces being slotted along its longitudinal center line to receive a picking pin and means are provided for moving said picking pin through said slot to remove said folded diaper from said folding board.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 53 words

Folding apparatus as defined in claim 23 including a plurality of forming boards and a plurality of picking pins mounted for movement in timed sequence with said folding boards but at a faster speed, in order to pick said diapers from said folding boards as said picking pins advance successively through said slots.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 47 words

Folding apparatus as defined in claim 24 including a plurality of stripping elements mounted for movement along a closed loop in part parallel to and in close proximity with said picking elements but at a faster speed in order to strip said diapers from said picking elements.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 130 words

Apparatus for folding precut diaper blanks comprising, in combination: a forming board including elements defining a transverse fold line about which said blank is preliminarily folded; said forming board also including elements defining a pair of spaced-apart and generally parallel forming edges having substantially triangular configurations with outwardly projecting apices; said forming board including further elements defining intermediate forming edges lying between said spaced triangular forming edges and extending substantially perpendicularly inwardly therefrom; and tucking means engageable with said blank at a pair of points spaced along said transverse fold line on opposite sides of said apices and between said intermediate forming edges for diagonally interfolding the side portions of the diaper between said spaced triangular forming edges and reversely interfolding the marginal diaper material over said intermediate forming edges.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 130 words

Apparatus for folding precut diaper blanks comprising, in combination: a forming board including elements defining a transverse fold line about which said blank is preliminarily folded; said forming board also including elements defining a pair of spaced-apart and generally parallel forming edges having substantially triangular configurations with outwardly projecting apices; said forming board including further elements defining intermediate forming edges lying between said spaced triangular forming edges and extending substantially perpendicularly inwardly therefrom; and tucking means engageable with said blank at a pair of points spaced along said transverse fold line on opposite sides of said apices and between said intermediate forming edges for diagonally interfolding the side portions of the diaper between said spaced triangular forming edges and reversely interfolding the marginal diaper material over said intermediate forming edges.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 79 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein said forming board is mounted for movement along a flow path on which said diaper blanks are preliminarily deposited in spaced-apart relation and in timed sequence to register with the trailing portion thereof and including a moving folding bar mounted for movement along a path which intersects said flow path and in timed sequence to intercept the leading edge of said diaper blanks for preliminarily folding said diaper over said folding board.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 27 wherein said tucking means includes a element on each side of said folding board swingable between said forming surfaces and around said forming edge.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 60 words

Apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein each of said swingable elements carries an operating arm fitted with a cam follower and said cam followers are biased into engagement with an elongated cam track shaped to first progressively swing said elements toward each other from opposite sides of the folding board and then swing said elements away from each other.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-01-04	1974-07-06	1975-01-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-01-04	1978-07-06	1979-01-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-01-04	1982-07-06	1983-01-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for folding disposable diapers

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