Patent US3905592A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3905592A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding apparatus
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-15
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-11-15
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for folding sheet material in which apparatus panels disposed in opposed relation form a receiving surface for the receipt of sheet material to be folded. The panels are provided with vacuum ports which the sheet material overlies and the production of suction pressure retains the sheet material securely on the forming board. The panels are pivotally mounted such that they are movable between a position in which the oppositely disposed panels lie in substantially planar relation and a position in which the panels are in substantially parallel relation. Tucking of sheet material transversely to provide fold lines in the material is accomplished by shaping the panels to appropriate configurations. A preferred form of the apparatus includes a plurality of the folding boards supported on a carrier permitting continuous operation. Additionally, mechanism mounted on the carrier provides for assisting tucking or folding operations.
Inventors
- 👤 Harvey J Spencer
- 👤 Eugene W Wittkopf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/15577; A61F13/15707; A61F13/15747; A61F13/15585; B; B65; B65H; B65H45/00; B65H45/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
309 words
In apparatus for folding lengths of flexible sheet material having end portions and lateral edge portions, means for feeding a succession of the lengths of sheet material endwise in open substantially planar condition in spaced relation along a path, a frame, a rotatable carrier on the frame having an axis of rotation and comprised of a pair of plates spaced apart along the said axis of rotation, a plurality of folding boards in circumferentially spaced apart relation supported between the plates of the carrier and each comprising a pair of panels forming a surface for the receipt of a length of sheet material to be folded, the panels of a folding board being spaced apart longitudinally of the board to define a gap in the folding board for providing a transverse fold in sheet material on said folding board, support means including rotatable shaft means supporting each of the panels of each folding board for rotation between a position in which the panels are in end-to-end substantially planar relation to a position in which the panels are in back-toback substantially parallel relation, means for rotating said shaft means, tucking means for infolding the edge portions of sheet material at the gap between said panels, finger means to assist folding of the sheet material and means for actuating the finger means in timed sequence with the rotation of the panels to the back-to-back position to provide for entry of the finger means between the panels to urge said sheet material to the folded condition, said frame having guide means projecting therefrom and the guide means being connected with said finger means for guiding movement of the finger means, and means supporting said finger means for movement in an orbital path so that the finger means move inwardly and outwardly between the panels in the rotated back-to-back condition of the panels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
309 words
In apparatus for folding lengths of flexible sheet material having end portions and lateral edge portions, means for feeding a succession of the lengths of sheet material endwise in open substantially planar condition in spaced relation along a path, a frame, a rotatable carrier on the frame having an axis of rotation and comprised of a pair of plates spaced apart along the said axis of rotation, a plurality of folding boards in circumferentially spaced apart relation supported between the plates of the carrier and each comprising a pair of panels forming a surface for the receipt of a length of sheet material to be folded, the panels of a folding board being spaced apart longitudinally of the board to define a gap in the folding board for providing a transverse fold in sheet material on said folding board, support means including rotatable shaft means supporting each of the panels of each folding board for rotation between a position in which the panels are in end-to-end substantially planar relation to a position in which the panels are in back-toback substantially parallel relation, means for rotating said shaft means, tucking means for infolding the edge portions of sheet material at the gap between said panels, finger means to assist folding of the sheet material and means for actuating the finger means in timed sequence with the rotation of the panels to the back-to-back position to provide for entry of the finger means between the panels to urge said sheet material to the folded condition, said frame having guide means projecting therefrom and the guide means being connected with said finger means for guiding movement of the finger means, and means supporting said finger means for movement in an orbital path so that the finger means move inwardly and outwardly between the panels in the rotated back-to-back condition of the panels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2328814A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |