US3917255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for folding of a web
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1973-10-25
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1993-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A web of material is predisposed to folding by being passed through a pair of cooperatively mounted mating rolls; i.e., a male and female roll, which roll along what become the lines of fold of the web, prior to its being manipulated into its folded position. The rolls tend to loosen bonds in the web transverse of the ultimate lines of fold, thereby facilitating folding. Because the mating rolls manipulate the web only slightly, in distinction to the action of conventional folding devices, the web maintains its alignment while passing through the mating rolls relatively well, resulting in accurately located lines along which the web is predisposed to fold. Since the lines of predisposition to folding are accurately located, the ultimate folded structure is more dimensionally consistent than heretofore possible. In the preferred embodiments, the rolls press against the web with constant pressure, rather than being fixedly mounted, thereby providing a built-in adjustment for variations in web thickness.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard N Watrous
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:19
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26D; B26D3/00; B26D3/08; B26D3/085; B65; B65H; B65H45/00; B65H45/12; B65H45/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
325 words
An apparatus for folding a moving web of disposable diaper material or the like having an initial thickness, prior to compression, of from about 0.100 to about 0.250 inches along a multiplicity of predetermined fold lines oriented parallel to the direction of movement of said web, the innermost pair of said predetermined fold lines defining the central portion of said web, said apparatus comprising: a. a male roll for each of said lines, each male roll having a convex raised periphery, said convex raised periphery having a minimum width approximately 1.7 times greater than the thickness of said web prior to compression; b. a mating female roll for each male roll, each female roll having a concave peripheral groove, said groove having a minimum width approximately equal to the sum of the width of said raised convex periphery plus twice the thickness of said web prior to compression; c. means for engaging said web between a mating pair of male and female rolls along each of said predetermined fold lines; d. means for driving said male and said female rolls in synchronization with the movement of said web; e. means for urging each mating pair of rolls against said web to compress said web to a minimum thickness of between about 0.004 inches and about 0.008 inches while said web is engaged between said rolls, thereby predisposing said web to fold along saud predetermined fold lines; f. a board folder having an uppermost surface and a lowermost surface, the infeed width of said board folder being at least equal to that of said web prior to folding, said board folder tapering to a width substantially equal to the width of the central portion of said web lying between the innermost pair of said predetermined fold lines; and g. guide means for directing the lateral edge portions of said web inwardly into superposition with the lowermost surface of said board folder along said predetermined fold lines.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
325 words
An apparatus for folding a moving web of disposable diaper material or the like having an initial thickness, prior to compression, of from about 0.100 to about 0.250 inches along a multiplicity of predetermined fold lines oriented parallel to the direction of movement of said web, the innermost pair of said predetermined fold lines defining the central portion of said web, said apparatus comprising: a. a male roll for each of said lines, each male roll having a convex raised periphery, said convex raised periphery having a minimum width approximately 1.7 times greater than the thickness of said web prior to compression; b. a mating female roll for each male roll, each female roll having a concave peripheral groove, said groove having a minimum width approximately equal to the sum of the width of said raised convex periphery plus twice the thickness of said web prior to compression; c. means for engaging said web between a mating pair of male and female rolls along each of said predetermined fold lines; d. means for driving said male and said female rolls in synchronization with the movement of said web; e. means for urging each mating pair of rolls against said web to compress said web to a minimum thickness of between about 0.004 inches and about 0.008 inches while said web is engaged between said rolls, thereby predisposing said web to fold along saud predetermined fold lines; f. a board folder having an uppermost surface and a lowermost surface, the infeed width of said board folder being at least equal to that of said web prior to folding, said board folder tapering to a width substantially equal to the width of the central portion of said web lying between the innermost pair of said predetermined fold lines; and g. guide means for directing the lateral edge portions of said web inwardly into superposition with the lowermost surface of said board folder along said predetermined fold lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for urging each mating pair of rolls against said web is comprised of a constant force generating mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for urging each mating pair of rolls against said web is comprised of a fixed gap spacing between said rolls, said fixed gap spacing being between about 0.004 inches and about 0.008 inches, as measured between said mating rolls at the highest point on said raised convex periphery and the lowest point on said concave peripheral groove.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |