Abstract A multi-level apparatus for receiving a large flexible web, such as a large plastic bag, and folding it into multiple pre-selected segments in various configurations as may be desired. A plurality of conveyor decks are arranged in a stacked, spaced relationship relative to one another for sequentially receiving the flexible web which is to be folded. An adjustable actuator stop is associated with each conveyor deck for limiting the distance the leading portion of the web can advance along the deck, and conveyor means associated with each conveyor deck propels the flexible web therealong and into contact with the adjustable actuator stop. Counter-rotating elements positioned adjacent the front end of each conveyor deck in substantially longitudinal alignment with the top of the conveyor deck define a receiving slot to receive a pre-selected transverse segment of the flexible web along which it is desired to fold the web. Fold-starting means are included for urging the pre-selected transverse segment into the receiving slot. The adjustable actuator stop is operatively associated with the fold-starting means for actuation thereof, whereby upon engagement of the leading portion with the adjustable actuator stop, the transverse segment is urged into the receiving slot for initiating folding. A conveyor belt snakes between the counter-rotating elements and is arranged for contact therewith to convey the newly folding web therealong, the conveyor belt acting conjointly with the counterrotating elements to introduce a fold along a different preselected transverse segment of the flexible web at each receiving slot, whereby the flexible web may be folded into a plurality of segments of various sizes and configurations, as desired.
A multi-level apparatus for folding large flexible webs, for example, such as large plastic bags, adapted to fold the individual flexible webs into multiple segments, the number of folds capable of being made corresponding to the number of levels in the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of conveyor decks arranged in a vertically spaced stacked relationship relative to one another defining a number of levels equal to the number of said decks; each of said decks having a front end and being adapted for receiving a leading portion of the individual flexible webs to be folded; adjustable actuator stop means associated with each of said conveyor decks and being spaced from the front end of the respective decks for limiting the distance the leading portion of the individual webs can advance from the front end along each of said conveyor decks; means for conveying the individual webs along each of said conveyor decks so that their leading portions will contact said adjustable actuator stop means associated therewith; counter-rotating means positioned adjacent the front end of each of said conveyor decks and in substantially tangential alingment therewith, each of said counter-rotating means including counter-rotating rolls and a receiving slot for receiving a transverse segment of the web along which it is desired to introduce a fold; means associated with each of said receiving slots for urging the desired transverse segment of the individual webs into said respective receiving slots, said urging means being actuated when the leading web portions engage said adjustable actuator stop means associated with the adjacent conveyor deck, whereby the desired transverse segment of the web along which a fold is to be introduced is urged into said receiving slot; a conveyor belt extending between said counter-rotating means and in contact therewith to convey the flexible web therealong and acting conjointly with said counter-rotating means to fold the transverse segment of the flexible web which is urged into each of said receiving slots at the various levels; and said plurality of stacked conveyor decks being pivotally connected to said apparatus for movement to an out of the way position to allow ready access to said adjustable actuator stop means positioned on the respective lower conveyor decks for adjusting the position of said adjustable actuator stop means and to allow ready access to the respective adjacent counterrotating means should a flexible web be jammed therein, whereby the individual flexible webs are folded into a multiplicity of segments for ease in handling and storage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
415 words
A multi-level apparatus for folding large flexible webs, for example, such as large plastic bags, adapted to fold the individual flexible webs into multiple segments, the number of folds capable of being made corresponding to the number of levels in the apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of conveyor decks arranged in a vertically spaced stacked relationship relative to one another defining a number of levels equal to the number of said decks; each of said decks having a front end and being adapted for receiving a leading portion of the individual flexible webs to be folded; adjustable actuator stop means associated with each of said conveyor decks and being spaced from the front end of the respective decks for limiting the distance the leading portion of the individual webs can advance from the front end along each of said conveyor decks; means for conveying the individual webs along each of said conveyor decks so that their leading portions will contact said adjustable actuator stop means associated therewith; counter-rotating means positioned adjacent the front end of each of said conveyor decks and in substantially tangential alingment therewith, each of said counter-rotating means including counter-rotating rolls and a receiving slot for receiving a transverse segment of the web along which it is desired to introduce a fold; means associated with each of said receiving slots for urging the desired transverse segment of the individual webs into said respective receiving slots, said urging means being actuated when the leading web portions engage said adjustable actuator stop means associated with the adjacent conveyor deck, whereby the desired transverse segment of the web along which a fold is to be introduced is urged into said receiving slot; a conveyor belt extending between said counter-rotating means and in contact therewith to convey the flexible web therealong and acting conjointly with said counter-rotating means to fold the transverse segment of the flexible web which is urged into each of said receiving slots at the various levels; and said plurality of stacked conveyor decks being pivotally connected to said apparatus for movement to an out of the way position to allow ready access to said adjustable actuator stop means positioned on the respective lower conveyor decks for adjusting the position of said adjustable actuator stop means and to allow ready access to the respective adjacent counterrotating means should a flexible web be jammed therein, whereby the individual flexible webs are folded into a multiplicity of segments for ease in handling and storage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
A multi-level apparatus for folding large flexible webs as claimed in claim 1, in which: each of said conveyor decks is hollow forming an air chamber therein, a pressurized air source communicates with the chamber in each of said decks, and each of said conveyor decks having a plurality of openings therein directed upwardly at an angle away from the front end of the deck for conveying the plastic web by air floatation away from the front end toward the actuator stop means associated therewith.