Patent US3698705A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3698705A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for folding flexible sheets
Assignee: PRINTFOLD COMPANY Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-05
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1991-03-05
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus which handles flexible sheets, typically blue-prints or the like, for folding them, is adapted to handle sheets, not only of uniform size but also an intermix of sheets of differing sizes, and to fold them selectively, along one or more fold lines, each into a folded packet having perdetermined standardized length and width dimensions; and the apparatus comprises high-speed normally continuously-operating sheet transport means with associated sheet-folding mechanism having a plurality of elements adapted to cooperate in the folding operation, at least some of the elements being selectively rendered operative according to sheet size whereby to fold the sheet on one or more lines of fold so related as to form the sheet into a folded packet of the predetermined standardized dimensions, regardless of the initial size of the sheet; there being a programming system for such selectively operative elements, controllable, in accordance with sheet size, to select simultaneously the required group of said elements, without retarding the sheet transport means or interfering with the normal flow of work through the apparatus. Above certain sheet sizes, the folding includes certain folds at right angles to one another. At least some of the elements to be selected for operation are automatically selected by means sensing certain sheet dimensions, but manual operation is also provided for, as to certain folding functions, by devices readily accessible to and quickly actuable by an operator, and typically the programming system includes an electrical mechanism governed at least in part by interlocking switches, or the like, disposed in a removable and replaceable console. Certain parts of the apparatus may function as transport means and/or as folding means. Regardless of the number, direction and spacing of the folds, and whether or not the initial sheet configuration involves dimensions which are even multiples of the final folded packet dimensions, the packet has no external irregularities; and a certain corner of each sheet handled appears at a given external corner of the folded packet. After initial folding, the sheet, depending upon its original size, may be discharged into a receiver from a particular station, or it may be arrested at that station, without stopping the transport means, and then given one or more additional folds and transported from that station to a different receiver. Power means for the apparatus may normally operate continuously, but may be interrupted at will, and a jogging operation and/or a manual operation may be introduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolph Funk
- 👤 Roger S Funk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:38
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H45/00; B65H45/12; B65H45/14; B65H45/142; B65H45/144; B65H45/148; B65H45/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
Apparatus adapted to handle an intermix of flexible sheets of differing sizes and to fold them, selectively, along one or more fold lines, each into a folded packet having predetermined standardized length and width dimensions, comprising high-speed normally continuously-operating sheet transport means with associated sheet-folding mechanism, said mechanism having a plurality of elements adapted to co-operate in the sheet-folding operation, at least some of which elements may be selectively rendered operative according to sheet size whereby to fold the sheet on one or more lines of fold so related as to form said sheet into a folded packet of the aforesaid predetermined standardized length and width dimensions, regardless of the initial size of the sheet, and a programming system for said selectively operative elements, controllable, in accordance with sheet size, to select simultaneously the required group of said elements for operation, without retarding said sheet transport means or interfering with the normal flow of work through the apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus adapted to handle an intermix of flexible sheets of differing sizes and to fold them, selectively, along one or more fold lines, each into a folded packet having predetermined standardized length and width dimensions, comprising high-speed normally continuously-operating sheet transport means with associated sheet-folding mechanism, said mechanism having a plurality of elements adapted to co-operate in the sheet-folding operation, at least some of which elements may be selectively rendered operative according to sheet size whereby to fold the sheet on one or more lines of fold so related as to form said sheet into a folded packet of the aforesaid predetermined standardized length and width dimensions, regardless of the initial size of the sheet, and a programming system for said selectively operative elements, controllable, in accordance with sheet size, to select simultaneously the required group of said elements for operation, without retarding said sheet transport means or interfering with the normal flow of work through the apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein certain elements of the sheet-folding mechanism also constitute part of the sheet transport means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein parts of the sheet transport means are adapted to act also in a sheet-folding capacity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet transport means includes sheet-folding rollers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the transport means also includes constantly-moving conveyor means positioned and operating to receive a folded sheet and pass it to a selecting station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein routing means are associated with the said conveyor means at said selecting station and are adapted to route a sheet to a receiver or alternatively to arrest a sheet at said station for further folding and for routing to a different receiver, according to initial size of the sheet, without retardation of said conveyor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein certain elements of the sheet-folding mechanism are located at said station and are constructed and positioned to effect cross-folding of an arrested sheet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a second constantly-moving conveyor means is positioned to receive and transport the cross-folded sheet to another station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet-folding mechanism includes elements constructed and operating to fold the sheet on transverse parallel lines of fold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet-folding mechanism includes elements constructed and operating to fold the sheet selectively on one, or more, transverse lines of fold, depending upon sheet size, parallel to one edge of the sheet, and also includes elements constructed and operating to fold the sheet on one or more cross-fold lines, depending upon sheet size, at right angles to said transverse line or lines of fold.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sheet-folding mechanism is adapted not only to fold a sheet having a dimension which is a multiple of one of said standardized dimensions into panels each having a dimension which substantially equals said one dimension, so as to fit a standardized packet dimension, but wherein said sheet-folding mechanism also incorporates means adapted, in the case of a sheet having a dimension greater than but differing from said multiple, to fold into the inside of the packet such remaining fragmentary portion of the sheet as is in excess of said multiple but of a dimension less than said one standardized dimension.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means includes a sheet guide having a curved surface configured and operative to tuck said fragmentary portion of the sheet between normal folds of the sheet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for folding an intermix of flexible sheets of various sizes by transverse-folds and cross-folds to form, in each instance, a folded packet of the same predetermined size, comprising sheet-folding components, and continuously-moving high-speed sheet-conveying means between said components, and an electrical selection system including a plurality of electrical circuits for setting the various folding components of the apparatus to accomplish the necessary folds for any size sheet within the capacity of the apparatus, and means for variously selecting different particular circuits to activate differing groups of the folding components necessary for the transverse-and cross-folding of differing particular sizes of sheets to be folded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for folding an intermix of flexible sheets of various sizes by transverse-folds and cross-folds to form, in each instance, a folded packet of the same predetermined size, comprising sheet-folding components, and continuously-moving high-speed sheet-conveying means between said components, and an electrical selection system including a plurality of electrical circuits for setting the various folding components of the apparatus to accomplish the necessary folds for any size sheet within the capacity of the apparatus, and means for variously selecting different particular circuits to activate differing groups of the folding components necessary for the transverse-and cross-folding of differing particular sizes of sheets to be folded.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, having a selector console controlling said circuits.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said console comprises a plurality of manually-operated mutually inter-locked switches.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 15, having a receptacle into which said circuits extend and said selector console being adapted to be readily pulled out of said receptacle for replacement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus adapted to handle an intermix of flexible sheets of different sizes and to fold them, selectively, along one or more fold lines, depending upon sheet size, and operative for successive transverse-folding and cross-folding, so that, by successive operations, sheets of differing sizes may each be folded to produce a folded packet having predetermined standardized length and width dimensions, said apparatus comprising high-speed normally continuously-operating sheet transport means with associated sheet-folding mechanism, said mechanism having a plurality of elements adapted to co-operate in a sheet-folding operation, at least some of which elements may be selectively rendered operative according to sheet size whereby to fold the sheet on one or more lines of fold related to the initial size of the sheet, and a programming system for said selectively operative elements, controllable, in accordance with sheet size, to select quickly and simultaneously a group of said elements for operation to produce one or more folds paralleling an edge of the sheet without retarding said sheet transport means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus adapted to handle an intermix of flexible sheets of different sizes and to fold them, selectively, along one or more fold lines, depending upon sheet size, and operative for successive transverse-folding and cross-folding, so that, by successive operations, sheets of differing sizes may each be folded to produce a folded packet having predetermined standardized length and width dimensions, said apparatus comprising high-speed normally continuously-operating sheet transport means with associated sheet-folding mechanism, said mechanism having a plurality of elements adapted to co-operate in a sheet-folding operation, at least some of which elements may be selectively rendered operative according to sheet size whereby to fold the sheet on one or more lines of fold related to the initial size of the sheet, and a programming system for said selectively operative elements, controllable, in accordance with sheet size, to select quickly and simultaneously a group of said elements for operation to produce one or more folds paralleling an edge of the sheet without retarding said sheet transport means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the sheet-folding mechanism includes elements constructed and operating to fold the sheet selectively on one or more transverse lines of fold, depending upon sheet size, parallel to one edge of the sheet, and also includes elements constructed and operating to fold the sheet on one or more cross-fold lines, depending upon sheet size, at right angles to said transverse line or lines of fold.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the programming system comprises manually-actuable means quickly controllable by an operator to condition the system for effecting a selection of folding elements in accordance with a sheet dimension.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the programming system comprises automatic sensing means operative in response to a sheet dimension.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 17, comprising power drive means therefor, a control for normally establishing continuing operation of said apparatus by said power drive means, a control for jogging said apparatus into an intermittent operation by said power drive means, and means for operating said apparatus slowly by hand.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |