CA2465412A1 - Apparatus for producing folded aluminum foil sheets - Google Patents
Apparatus for producing folded aluminum foil sheets Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2465412A1 CA2465412A1 CA 2465412 CA2465412A CA2465412A1 CA 2465412 A1 CA2465412 A1 CA 2465412A1 CA 2465412 CA2465412 CA 2465412 CA 2465412 A CA2465412 A CA 2465412A CA 2465412 A1 CA2465412 A1 CA 2465412A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- sheet material
- cutting blade
- folding arm
- edge portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
- B26D1/01—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work
- B26D1/12—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis
- B26D1/25—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member
- B26D1/34—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about an axis parallel to the line of cut
- B26D1/38—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about an axis parallel to the line of cut and coacting with a fixed blade or other fixed member
- B26D1/385—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about an axis parallel to the line of cut and coacting with a fixed blade or other fixed member for thin material, e.g. for sheets, strips or the like
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for forming individual sheets having a folded edge portion from a length of supplied sheet material which may be used by hairstylists in hair colouring or tinting applications. The apparatus includes a folding assembly for forming the folded edge portion of the sheet by bending part of the sheet material back over itself, and a shearing assembly operable to sever individual sheets from a remainder of the supplied material. The folding assembly includes a support table and a pivotally movable folding arm. The pivotally moveable folding arm actuable to move about a pivot axis from a first inactivated position where the sheet material is movable substantially unhindered therepast, and a second folding position where the folding arm is pivoted to bend an edge portion of the sheet engaged thereby rearwardly. Preferably, the folding arm acts in conjunction with a guide bar which includes a support surface against which the bent portion of the sheet material is folded. The shearing; assembly includes a cutting blade which is movable to sever individual sheets having the desired length from a remaining portion of the infeed sheet material. Preferably, the cutting blade is mounted so as to extend radially from an at least partially a rotatable blade mount, wherein the rotation of the blade mount moves the cutting blade into shearing contact with the sheet.
Most preferably the cutting blade is provided as part of a blade assembly which is rotatable about a blade rotation axis and with the cutting edge of the blade mounted in an orientation extending partially radially about the blade rotation axis.
Most preferably the cutting blade is provided as part of a blade assembly which is rotatable about a blade rotation axis and with the cutting edge of the blade mounted in an orientation extending partially radially about the blade rotation axis.
Description
APPARATUS FOR FORMING FOLDED ALUMINIUM FOIL SHEETS
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for producing cut aluminizun foil sheets having a folded edge poa-tion, and more preferably cut foil sheets for use in hair salons in hair colouring applications.
EACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of cut foil strips and sheets by hairstylists in applying hair highlights, bleaching and tinting compositions, or other colourings is well known.
Typically, a length of aluminium foil is provided as a continuous 5 m to 100 m long roll.
When applying hair tinting preparations, the hairstylist cuts between 25 to 100 individual sheets from the roll, and which are then used in wrapping the client's hair to limit the spread of the applied hair preparation: To provide the cut foil sheets vvth greater rigidity and minimize the likelihood that they may shift or slip once positioned, it is known to fold ovex an edge portion of the sheets.
The manual cutting and folding of individual foil sheets f-or each customer is both time consuming and of a significant inconvenience to the hairstylist. United States Patent No. 6,602,177 to Muir, issued August 5, 2003, discloses an automated apparatus for forming cut individual aluminium foil sheets having a folded edge portion. The Muir appaxatus provides a knock-down table and roller which is adapted to first form a sheet edge portion having three overlapping foil layers in Z-shape, and which is then rolled and flattened by the roller to provide a five-layer folded edge.
In addition to increasing the likelihood that the apparatus may jam, the applicant has appreciated that the use of fzve layer folded edge portion produces an overly thick folded edge. This in turn results in 10% or more foil sheet material being used than compared with conventional hand cut and formed foil sheets increasing foul wastage and ongoing operating costs to the hair salon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention tc~ provide an apparatus for automatically producing a cut aluminium foil sheet having a :folded edge portion, and which is adapted to minimize the likelihood of the sheet material jamming within the apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to provide an automated machine for use in producing a cut metal or foil sheet from a planar sheet of infect material, arid which has a folded edge portion which consists of two juxtaposed sheet material layers.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cutting and forming individual sheets having a folded edge from a continuous roll of aluminium or other metal foil, which for example, may have a total length selected at between about 5 and 100 m, and which is adapted to quickly and uniformly produce cut sheets in a minimum amount of time.
Another object of the invention is to provide a microprocessor controlled apparatus for cutting a number of individual foil sheets from a foil roll, and which each have a folded edge portion of a sufficient width, so as to be suitable for use: in hair colouring applications.
To at least partially achieve some ofthe aforementioned objects, an. apparatus is provided for forming one or more individual sheets having a folded edge portion from a length of supplied sheet material. Most preferably, the sheets are provided with a width of between about 5 to 15 cm and a length of about 10 to 15 crn, however, different dimensions are also possible. The supplied sheet material is provided in are unfolded state as a continuous roll selected with a v~Tidth corresponding to the desired width of the finished cut sheets and a total length of bet~e~~een about 5 and 100 m, and more preferably about 25 m. Smaller or larger rolls of sheet material may, however, additionally be used.
In an optimum construction, the sheet material is aluminium or other suitable metal foil which for example, may be used by hairstylists in hair colouring or tinting applications.
The apparatus includes a folding assembly adapted to form the folded edge portion of the sheet by bending part of the sheet material back over itself., and a shearing assembly which is operable to sever individual sheets from a remainder of the supplied sheet material. The folding assembly includes a support table and a pivotally movable folding arm which engages part of the sheet material. In use, the sheet material is movable forwardly along the support table so as to be supported thereby. The pivotally moveable folding arm activated is movable about a pivot axis from a first inactivated position where the sheet material is movable substantially unhindered therepast, and a second folding position where the folding arm is pivoted to bend an edge portion of the infeed sheet material which is engaged thereby rearwardly. Most preferably, the folding arm acts in conjunction with a guide bar which includes a support surface against which the bent portion of the sheet material is folded.
The shearing assembly includes a cutting blade which is movable to sever individual sheets having the desired length from a remaining portion o:f'the infeed sheet material. The cutting blade may for example, be provided as guillotine-type knife assembly which is adapted to be lowered against the sheet. More preferably, however, the cutting blade is mounted so as to extend radially from an at least partially a rotatable blade mount, and wherein the rotation of the blade mount moves the cutting blade into shearing contact with the sheet material. More preferably the cutting Glade is provided as part of a blade assembly which is reciprocally rotatable partially about a blade rotation axis, with the cutting edge of the blade mounted in an orientation extE,nding partially radially about the blade rotation axis. Although not essential, in a simplified construction, the cutting blade acts in conjunction with an edge portion of the folding arm as a shear edge to further assist in cutting each sheet.
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for producing cut aluminizun foil sheets having a folded edge poa-tion, and more preferably cut foil sheets for use in hair salons in hair colouring applications.
EACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of cut foil strips and sheets by hairstylists in applying hair highlights, bleaching and tinting compositions, or other colourings is well known.
Typically, a length of aluminium foil is provided as a continuous 5 m to 100 m long roll.
When applying hair tinting preparations, the hairstylist cuts between 25 to 100 individual sheets from the roll, and which are then used in wrapping the client's hair to limit the spread of the applied hair preparation: To provide the cut foil sheets vvth greater rigidity and minimize the likelihood that they may shift or slip once positioned, it is known to fold ovex an edge portion of the sheets.
The manual cutting and folding of individual foil sheets f-or each customer is both time consuming and of a significant inconvenience to the hairstylist. United States Patent No. 6,602,177 to Muir, issued August 5, 2003, discloses an automated apparatus for forming cut individual aluminium foil sheets having a folded edge portion. The Muir appaxatus provides a knock-down table and roller which is adapted to first form a sheet edge portion having three overlapping foil layers in Z-shape, and which is then rolled and flattened by the roller to provide a five-layer folded edge.
In addition to increasing the likelihood that the apparatus may jam, the applicant has appreciated that the use of fzve layer folded edge portion produces an overly thick folded edge. This in turn results in 10% or more foil sheet material being used than compared with conventional hand cut and formed foil sheets increasing foul wastage and ongoing operating costs to the hair salon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention tc~ provide an apparatus for automatically producing a cut aluminium foil sheet having a :folded edge portion, and which is adapted to minimize the likelihood of the sheet material jamming within the apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to provide an automated machine for use in producing a cut metal or foil sheet from a planar sheet of infect material, arid which has a folded edge portion which consists of two juxtaposed sheet material layers.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cutting and forming individual sheets having a folded edge from a continuous roll of aluminium or other metal foil, which for example, may have a total length selected at between about 5 and 100 m, and which is adapted to quickly and uniformly produce cut sheets in a minimum amount of time.
Another object of the invention is to provide a microprocessor controlled apparatus for cutting a number of individual foil sheets from a foil roll, and which each have a folded edge portion of a sufficient width, so as to be suitable for use: in hair colouring applications.
To at least partially achieve some ofthe aforementioned objects, an. apparatus is provided for forming one or more individual sheets having a folded edge portion from a length of supplied sheet material. Most preferably, the sheets are provided with a width of between about 5 to 15 cm and a length of about 10 to 15 crn, however, different dimensions are also possible. The supplied sheet material is provided in are unfolded state as a continuous roll selected with a v~Tidth corresponding to the desired width of the finished cut sheets and a total length of bet~e~~een about 5 and 100 m, and more preferably about 25 m. Smaller or larger rolls of sheet material may, however, additionally be used.
In an optimum construction, the sheet material is aluminium or other suitable metal foil which for example, may be used by hairstylists in hair colouring or tinting applications.
The apparatus includes a folding assembly adapted to form the folded edge portion of the sheet by bending part of the sheet material back over itself., and a shearing assembly which is operable to sever individual sheets from a remainder of the supplied sheet material. The folding assembly includes a support table and a pivotally movable folding arm which engages part of the sheet material. In use, the sheet material is movable forwardly along the support table so as to be supported thereby. The pivotally moveable folding arm activated is movable about a pivot axis from a first inactivated position where the sheet material is movable substantially unhindered therepast, and a second folding position where the folding arm is pivoted to bend an edge portion of the infeed sheet material which is engaged thereby rearwardly. Most preferably, the folding arm acts in conjunction with a guide bar which includes a support surface against which the bent portion of the sheet material is folded.
The shearing assembly includes a cutting blade which is movable to sever individual sheets having the desired length from a remaining portion o:f'the infeed sheet material. The cutting blade may for example, be provided as guillotine-type knife assembly which is adapted to be lowered against the sheet. More preferably, however, the cutting blade is mounted so as to extend radially from an at least partially a rotatable blade mount, and wherein the rotation of the blade mount moves the cutting blade into shearing contact with the sheet material. More preferably the cutting Glade is provided as part of a blade assembly which is reciprocally rotatable partially about a blade rotation axis, with the cutting edge of the blade mounted in an orientation extE,nding partially radially about the blade rotation axis. Although not essential, in a simplified construction, the cutting blade acts in conjunction with an edge portion of the folding arm as a shear edge to further assist in cutting each sheet.
Optionally, the apparatus may include either infeed and/or outfeed rollers.
The infeed rollers and outfeed rollers are preferably mounted to a frame, so as to be driven in rotation about respective roller axis parallel to each other and provided normal to the infeed path of the sheet material into the apparatus. The outfeed rollers may be positioned flattening the bent or folded portion to provide the sheet with a substantially planar configuration. More preferably, the rollers are provided to maintain the length of sheet material therebetween under a preselected tension to facilitate cutting;
by the shearing assembly.
In a preferred construction, the apparatus is operable by feeding a length of sheet material into the apparatus in a forward infeed direction, so that a lead edge portion of the sheet material is moved along the support table and into juxtaposition with:
the folding arm. With the sheet so positioned, the folding arm is rotated rearwardly from the first inactive position to the second sheet bending portion, folding the lead edge portion of the infed sheet material rearwardly. Following the folding of the lead edge portion, the folding arm is returned to the first inactive position and the infed sheet material is advanced forwardly through the apparatus a pre-selected distance past the shearing assembly. Once the sheet material has been so advanced, the shearing assembly is activated to sever a sheet containing the folded edge portion from a remainder of the infed sheet material. The severed sheet containing the folded. portion is advanced.
outwardly from the machine for use. The folding arm is then again activated to repeat the cycle and form a next folded sheet.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention resides in an apparatus for forming a cut sheet having a folded edge portion, the apparatv~s comprising:
a folding table including, a support table for supporting a length of unfolded sheet material thereon, sheet guide member spaced a distance from said support table selected to permit movement of the unfolded sheet material in a .feed direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a pivot arm disposed proximate to said feed table, the pivot arm being selectively movable about a pivot axis generally normal to said feed direction between a first position, wherein said arm is generally co-planar with said support table to permit substantially free movement of a leading edge portion of said sheet material between said support table and said sheet guide meniber into juxtaposition therewith, and a second position wherein said pivot arm is moved substantially into juxtaposed contact with said upper support surface to fold said leading edge portion of said sheet material thereagainst, a drive member being selectively operable to reciprocally move said pivot arm between said first and second positions, a shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which. is actuable to selectively move along an arcuate path immediately adjacent an edge of said pivot arm when said pivot arm is in said first position to cut said sheet from a remainder portion of said sheet material.
In another aspect, the present invention resides in an apparatus for forming a cut foil sheet having a folded edge portion from an unwound end o.f a foil supply roll the apparatus comprising:
an infeed roller assembly for engaging the unwound end of said supply roll in movement in a forward feed direction, a support table for supporting at least part of the unwound end thereon, sheet guide member spaeed a distance from said support table selected to permit movement of the unwound end in the forward feed direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a folding arm pivotally disposed adjacent to the support table, the folding arm being movable about a pivot axis between a first position, wherein said arm is positioned to permit substantially unhindered movement of unwound end of the supphr roll in the feed direction therepast and a second position, wherein said folding arm is moved towards juxtaposed contact with said upper support surface whereby the movement of the folding arm to the second position bends an edge portion of tb.e unwound end which is engaged thereby rearwardly, a drive member being selectively operable to move said folding arm between said first and second positions, an outfeed roller assembly for flattening the bent edge portion and further guiding the unwound end of the supply roll in the feed direction, a shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which is movable along a path immediately adjacent said folding arm when said folding arrn is in said first position to sever said sheet from a remainder of the foil supply roll.
In a further aspect, the present invention resides in an apparatus for forming a cut sheet having a two-layer folded edge portion, the apparatus comprising:
at least one infeed roller fractionally engaging the infect length of sheet material in movement in a downstream forward direction, a sheet support table and sheet guide member being spaced downstream from one or more of the infeed rollers, the sheet guide member spaced above said sheet support table so as to permit movement of the unfolded sheet material in the downstream direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a folding arm disposed immediately downstream from the sheet guide member, the folding arm having a sheet engaging surface and being selectively movable about a pivot axis extending generally normal to the downstream direction between a first position, wherein the sheet engaging surface is generally positioned to permit downstream movement of a leading edge portion of said sheet material into juxtaposition therewith, and a second position wherein said folding arm is moved to position said sheet engaging surface proximate said support surface so as to fold said leading edge portian of said sheet material in juxtaposition therewith rearwardly against said sheet guide member, a drive member being operable to reciprocally move said folding arm between said first and second positions, a shearing assembly positioned downstream from the folding arm, the shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which is actuable to move along a path immediately adjacent said folding arm when said folding in said first position, to cut said sheet from a remainder portion of said infect sheet material, and at least one outfeed roller positioned downstream from said shearing assembly for frictionally engaging said sheet in movement in the downstream direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference may now be had to the following detailed description tal~en together with accompanying drawings in ~cwhich:
Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus for forming cut aluminium foil sheets in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a partial perspective view of an infeed roller assembly, folding arm assembly and shear assembly used in Figure l, illustrating the manner of feeding unfolded sheet material to the apparatus;
Figure 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of the outfeed roller assembly and shearing assembly used in the apparatus of Figure 3;
Figures Sa to Sc show schematically the operation of the folding arm assembly and shearing assembly used in the apparatus of Figure 1.
Figure 6 shows schematically a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 illustrating the movement of the feed rollers;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the folding arm movement of the feed rollers used in the apparatus of Figure 1;
Figures 8 and 9 show perspective views of the cutting blade and cutting blade mount used in the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 10 illustrates a side view of a cut sheet having a folded edge portion formed by the operation of the apparatus of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EIVIBODII~IENTS
Referenced is first made to Figure I which shows schematically an apparatus 10 for forming an individual cut foil sheet 12 from a roll 14 of foil sheet material. Typicall~~, the foil roll I4 consists of a substantial length of flexible foil having a lateral width between about 7 and 12 centimetres, and which is initially provided in a continuous length of between about 5 and 50 meters. As will be described, a length of~planar foil material 16 is unwound from the roll 14 in the direction of arrow 120 and fed in through the apparatus 10 in a forward direction of arrow 100. In use, the apparatus 10 is operable to fold a lead edge portion 18 of the infect length of foil material 16, and thereafter cut the individual foil sheet 12 of a desired length containing the folded edge portion 18 from a remainder of the foil roll I4.
The apparatus I O is provided with a pair of spaced internal side frame members 20a,20b (Figure 2) which define the lateral sides of a sheet infeed path. As will be described, an infeed roller assembly 22, a folding table assembly 26, a foil sheet shearing assembly 28, and outfeed roller assembly 30 are mounted between and supported by the frame members 20a,20b.
The infeed roller assembly 22 is adapted to frictionally engage and move the unspooled length of foil material 16 into the apparatus I O in the downstream direction (arrow 100). As shown best in Figures 1, 3 and 6, the infeed roller assembly 22 consists of a pair of semi-rigid polyurethane coated rollers 34a,34b which are rotatably coupled at each end to a respective frame member 20a,20b. 'The rollers 34a,34b are each rotatable about a respective roller axis Arl and Ar2 (Figure 2) which are; vertically aligned and extend generally parallel to each other and transversely to the feed direction 100. Roller 34a is positioned vertically above roller 34b and is resiliently urged in contact thereagainst by the downward bias of helical spring 36 (Figure l.). The spring 36 is thus used to maintain frictional contact between the rollers 34a,34b and the portion of the sheet 16 moved therebetween. Preferably, the roll 14 is rotatably mounted to the apparatus 10, with tensioners 3 8 provided to prevent the roll 14 from unravelling other than by the frictional engagement with the rotating infeed rol ers 34a,34b as the length of foil material 16 is drawn therebetween.
The outfeed roller assembly 30 similarly includes a pair of semi-rigid urethane coated rollers 40a,40b which are mounted between the frame members 20a,20b.
lVlost preferably the outfeed rollers 40a,40b correspond in size and diameter to each infeed roller 34a,34b, and are rotatable about respective roller axis Ar3,Ar4 (Figure 6) which each extend parallel to the axis Arl and Ar2. In a similar manner to the infeed roller assembly 22, the upper outfeed roller 40a is maintained in resilient contact ~Jith an uppermost peripheral edge surface of the lower outfeed roller 40b by means of a resiliently compressible helical spring 39. The spring 39 maintains frictional contact between the rollers 40a,40b at the portion of the foil material 16 drawn therebetween.
As shown best in Figure 6, in a most simplified construction, pairs ~F
intermeshing sprockets 44a,44b and 46a,46b are secured to an end of the infeed rollers 34a,34b, and outfeed rollers 40a,40b, respectively. The sprockets 44b,46b are linked to each other in rotary movement by a toothed-drive belt 48. Th.e drive belt 48 in turn, is driven in movement by an electric drive motor 50, such that the activation of the motor 50 drives the belt 48 in movement to rotate the sprockets 44a,44b,46a,46b and the rollers 34a,34b,40a,40b.
Figures 4 and Sa to Sc show best the folding table assembly 26 which is used in the formation of the folded edge portion 18, and which most preferably consists of two foil layers. The folding table assembly 26 includes a support table 52 which is provided as a generally flat horizontal surface aligned with each of the :peripherally contacting surfaces of the infeed rollers 34a,34b, and the outfeed rollers 40a,40b. The support table 52 is preferably positioned immediately downstream from the infeed roller assembly 22, so as to supportingly engage the length of foil material 16 as it passes forwardly between the rollers 34a,34b. A sheet guide bar 54 and folding arm 58 extend laterally across the support table 52 and are supported at each end by the frame members 20a,20b.
The guide bar S4 is spaced a marginal distance of between about .2 to 1..0 cm above the support table 52, so as to assist in guiding the length of unspooled foil material 16 therebetween.
As shown best in Figure 6, the guide bar includes an upper su~°face 56 which slopes downwardly towards the support table 52 in the downstream direction of movement 100 of the foil material 16.
The folding arm 58 is pivotally mounted to bet~~een tl~e frame members 20a,30b adjacent to the downstream end of the support table 56. The :folding arm 58 is mounted for pivotable movement about a pivot axis Af which extends parallel to the rotation axis of the infeed rollers Arl and Ar2, and which is oriented immediately above the support table 56/folding arm 58 junction. As show in Figures Sa and 7 the folding arm includes a generally planar surface 60 which when the arm 58 is moved to a first inactivated position, orients in a substantially coplanar and adjacent position to the support table 52, so as to permit substantially unhindered movement of the unspooled length of foil material 16 in the feed direction 100 therepast. The surface 60 preferably has a length in the do~mstream direction selected at between ;bout .75 and 3 centimetres, and more preferably about 1.5 centimetres, depending upon the width of the folded edge portion 18 of the sheet to be formed. The downstream most edge 62 of the folding arm 58 is further provided as a shear edge 62. As will be described, the edge 62 is operable in conjunction with the foil sheet shearing assembly 28 to assist in cutting individual foil sheets 12 from a remainder of the infect length of foil material 16.
The folding arm 58 is actuable in movement from the first inactivated position (Figure Sa) wherein the planar surface 60 is substantially coplanar with the support table surface 52, to a second folding position, where the planar surface 60 is moved substantially into juxtaposed contact with the upper surface Sfi ofthe guide bar 54 (Figure Sb). A motor driven cam 70 rotates in the direction of arrow L30 and operates in conjunction with a spring biased rack 64 and pinion 66 coupled to the arm 58 to effect movement of the folding arm S6 from the inactivated position to the folding position. A
return spring 72 is further provided to resiliently bias and return the folding arm 58 to the first inactivated position.
As will be described, the lower end of the rack 64 is selectively engageable by the motor driven cam 70. In particular, as the cam 70 is brought into contact with the rack 64, it draws the rack 64 downwardly against the resilient forces of the spring 72 to compress the spring 72. The downward movement of the rack 64 simultaneously rotates the pinion 66 coupled to the arm to move the arm S8 so that xhe arm surface 60 rotates against surface 56. The movement of the arm 58 bends and folds a lead portion of the length of foil material 16 which is positioned in juxtaposition with the planar surface 60 reaxwardly against the surface 56. Following movement of the folding arm S8 against the upper surface S6, the cam 70 is moved out of engagement with the rack 64 causing the return spring 72 to decompress and substantially instantly redeploy the holding arm 58 to first inactive position where it does not interfere with the further downstream movement of the unspooled foil material 16.
Figures Sa to Sc illustrate best the shear assembly 28 as including a cutting blade 76 and blade mounting cylinder 74 which is mounted to the flame members 20a,20b.
The cylinder 74 is reciprocally rotatable about a blade axis A.a which is oriented parallel to the folding arm axis Af. As shown best in Figure 8, the cutting blade 76 is elongated and is coupled to the blade mount 74 in a position so as to project outwardly therefrom in an orientation extending partially radially about the axis AB as far example, in a reel blade arrangement. The blade 76 projects from the blade mount 74 a distance selected so that when the blade mount 74 is rotated about the axis AB, the outermost tip of the cutting blade 76 moves along to the shear edge 62 of the folding arm S8 when the arm 58 is in the first inactivation position, so as to sever an individual foil sheet 12 from a remainder of the unspooled length of foil material 16.
The motor SO is provided with a crank arm 80 Figure 3) to reciprocally move the cutting blade 76 along an arcuate path of between about 90° and 120°. Preferably, the crank arm 80 is of a conventional design and is provided to effect the reciprocal movement of the cutting blade 76 over at a desired interval, having regard to the speed of rotation of the infeed rollers 34a,34b and outfeed rollers 40a,40b. In this manner, a desired length of sheet material 16 may be permitted to move in the downstream direction 100 and past the folding a m 58 between successive cutting operations by the shear assembly 28. Most preferably, the reciprocal movement of the blade 76 past the shear edge 62 is timed to form cut foil sheets 12 having a length selected at between about 10 and 15 cm, however, longer or shorter sheets may also be formed by varying the timing of the blade movement cycle. Although the use of the motor 50 to drive each of the rollers 34,40, as well as the blade mounting cylinder 74 provides a more economical construction, the invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that separate motor drives could equally be provided; without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Figure 4 furthermore shows the apparatus 10 best as including a jamming sensor 90. The sensor 90 is provided as an electrically conductive lead wire which is positioned immediately above the guide bar 54. In the event of the infeed foil sheet 16 jamming and contacting the sensor 90, the apparatus 10 is adapted to shut down and/or provide signal to the operator. Although not essential, the apparatus 10 is most preferably controlled by means of an electronic keypad 92 (Figure 2). The keypad 92. includes a dedicated chip or other electronic circuitry which is selected to permit either the pre-programmed dispensation of a selected number of individual folded sheets 12 or alternately, the manual dispensation of individual sheets 12 on demand.
To form a foil sheet 12 having the folded leading edge portion 18, the foil roll 14 is rotatably mounted in the apparatus 10. The initial length of foil material 16 is unspooled therefrom and fed into the apparatus I O in a downstream direcl;ion of arrow 100. The lead edge of the foil material 16 is initially fed between the infeed rollers 34a,34b as they are rotated by the motor SO in the direction of arrows 102,104 (Figl~re 1 ).
The urethane coating of the infeed rollers 34a,34b, results in the frictional engagement and gripping of the foil material 16, to move the infed length of material 16 in the downstream or forward direction 100, concurrently unspooling additional foil material 16 from the roll 14 in the direction of arrow 120 (Figure 1).
As the initial lead edge is moved forwardly between the guide bar 54 and support table 52 and past the folding arm 58, it moves between the outfeed rollers 40a,40b where it is frictionally engaged thereby. The contact with the outfeed rollers 40a,40b assists in the engagement of the sheet material 16 by the rollers 34a,34~b and 40a,40b maintains the length of foil therebetween under a minimum tension. ~nce the Lead edge of the foil 16 begins to move outwardly between the rotating outfeed rollers 40a,40b, the shearing assembly 28 is initially activated. The initial activation of the shearing assembly 28 moves the cutting blade 76 downwardly along and past the shear edge 62 to the portion shown in Figure 5c to sever an initial sacrificial length of foil from the roll 14. Following the severing of the initial sacrificial length of foil, the apparatus 10 is operable to produce foil sheets 12 having a folded leading edge portion 18 with a length about 1.5 centimetres, and corresponding to downstream length of surface 60.
Immediately following the severing of the sacrificial sheet the shearing assembly 28 is returned by the motor 50 to a position where the cutting blade 76 locates above the path along which the foil sheet 16 moves. The cam 70 is then rotated to engage the end of the rack 64. The movement of the cam 70, slides the rack 64 downwardly against the compressive force of the spring 72, thereby rotating the pinion 66 and moving the folding arm 58 about the axis At from the initial inactive position (F figure 5a) to the second folding position (Figure 5b). As the folding arm 58 moves, so that the planar surface 60 moves towards contact with the upper surface 56 the newly exposed edge portion of the foil material 16 which in juxtaposition with the surface 60 is bent back rearwardly against the guide bar 54 to form a partially open fold. once the planar surface 60 has been moved to the second position, the cam 70 releases the rack 64 and return spring 72 rapidly xedeploys the folding arm 58 to the initial position. ~nce so moved, the folding arm 58 no longer interferes with further downstream movement of the foil material 16 in the direction of arrow 100 by its engagement with rollers 34a,34b and/or 40a,40b.
Preferably, the cam 70, spring 72 and rack 64 are provided to effect a complete cycle of movement of the folding arm 58, from the first inactive position to the second folding position and then back to the first position, with a start to finish time of preferably less than 3 seconds, and more preferably less than about 1 second.
During the operation of the apparatus 10, the drive motor 50 continuously drives the belt 48 to rotate the infeed rollers 34a,34b and outfeed rollers 40a,40b., As such, as the folding arm 58 returns to the first position, the infeed rollers 34a,34b continue to unspool and advance the foil material 16 from the roll 14 in the direction of arrow 100.
The foil movement advances the folded edge portion 18 forwardly so as to be engaged by and move between the outfeed rollers 40a,40b. In addition to frictionally engaging the folded end portion 18 as it is moved therebetween, the outfeed rollers 40a,40b assist in flattening the folded edge portion 18 as two juxtaposed layers.
Because of the equal sizing of the feed rollers 34a,34b and 40a,40b and their rotation by the drive belt 48, the engagement of the sheet material 16 simultaneously by the infeed roller assembly 22 and outfeed roller assembly 30 advantageously maintains the portion of sheet material 16 therebetween under a preselected minimum tension. As the length of foil material 16 continues to move in the direction of arrow 100, the motor 50 drives the crank arm linkage to rotate the blade mount 7~4 and cutting blade 76 dou~nwardly in the direction of arrow i 10 (Figure 6) to move the blade 76 along and past the shear edge 62, thereby severing the sheet 12 .from the remainder of the roll 14.
Immediately following the severing of the sheet 12, the cam 70 is again rotated against the lower end of the rack 64, to again effect pivoting movement of the folding arm 58 to the second folding position to fold the portion of the infed foil material 16 juxtaposed with the surface 60 against the guide bar 54. Concurrently, the motor 50 and crank arm reciprocally returns the blade mount 74 and cutting blade 76 upwardly, out of the path of movement of the infed foil 16, allowing the sheet production.
cycle to repeat.
. , -. ~ - ~. -:-... - _ :-. ~- ~. ~ ~~_.~ _ , ~ :.. ~ ~,.,._f._ _~..~ -- _ ,~__ ~ . - _-~ _..~ ~ ~ ~ _ .. ,_ _ _ _.__~____ __.__, The applicant has appreciated that with the construction of the present apparatus I 0, a foil sheet 12 is produced with a two-layer folded leading edge portion I 8. As such, the present apparatus I 0 may be used to more economically produce cut foil sheets 12 having a folded edge portion 18, eliminating the waste associated with prior art devices.
Although the preferred embodiment of the invention describes the infeed roller assembly 22 and autfeed roller assembly 30 as comprising two pairs of urethane coated rollers, the invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that other types of rigid or semi-rigid rollers, as well as different types of infeed and outfeed mechanisms for moving a length of foil 16 through the apparatus 10 may also be used, and will now become apparent.
While the detailed description describes the shearing assembly 28 as including a reciprocally movable mount 74 and cutting blade 76, the invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that a mount 74 and cutting blade 76 adapted for 360°
rotational movement could also be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Although the detailed description describes various preferred embodiments, the invention is not so limited. Many modifications and variations will now occur to persons skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference may be had to the appended claims.
The infeed rollers and outfeed rollers are preferably mounted to a frame, so as to be driven in rotation about respective roller axis parallel to each other and provided normal to the infeed path of the sheet material into the apparatus. The outfeed rollers may be positioned flattening the bent or folded portion to provide the sheet with a substantially planar configuration. More preferably, the rollers are provided to maintain the length of sheet material therebetween under a preselected tension to facilitate cutting;
by the shearing assembly.
In a preferred construction, the apparatus is operable by feeding a length of sheet material into the apparatus in a forward infeed direction, so that a lead edge portion of the sheet material is moved along the support table and into juxtaposition with:
the folding arm. With the sheet so positioned, the folding arm is rotated rearwardly from the first inactive position to the second sheet bending portion, folding the lead edge portion of the infed sheet material rearwardly. Following the folding of the lead edge portion, the folding arm is returned to the first inactive position and the infed sheet material is advanced forwardly through the apparatus a pre-selected distance past the shearing assembly. Once the sheet material has been so advanced, the shearing assembly is activated to sever a sheet containing the folded edge portion from a remainder of the infed sheet material. The severed sheet containing the folded. portion is advanced.
outwardly from the machine for use. The folding arm is then again activated to repeat the cycle and form a next folded sheet.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention resides in an apparatus for forming a cut sheet having a folded edge portion, the apparatv~s comprising:
a folding table including, a support table for supporting a length of unfolded sheet material thereon, sheet guide member spaced a distance from said support table selected to permit movement of the unfolded sheet material in a .feed direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a pivot arm disposed proximate to said feed table, the pivot arm being selectively movable about a pivot axis generally normal to said feed direction between a first position, wherein said arm is generally co-planar with said support table to permit substantially free movement of a leading edge portion of said sheet material between said support table and said sheet guide meniber into juxtaposition therewith, and a second position wherein said pivot arm is moved substantially into juxtaposed contact with said upper support surface to fold said leading edge portion of said sheet material thereagainst, a drive member being selectively operable to reciprocally move said pivot arm between said first and second positions, a shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which. is actuable to selectively move along an arcuate path immediately adjacent an edge of said pivot arm when said pivot arm is in said first position to cut said sheet from a remainder portion of said sheet material.
In another aspect, the present invention resides in an apparatus for forming a cut foil sheet having a folded edge portion from an unwound end o.f a foil supply roll the apparatus comprising:
an infeed roller assembly for engaging the unwound end of said supply roll in movement in a forward feed direction, a support table for supporting at least part of the unwound end thereon, sheet guide member spaeed a distance from said support table selected to permit movement of the unwound end in the forward feed direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a folding arm pivotally disposed adjacent to the support table, the folding arm being movable about a pivot axis between a first position, wherein said arm is positioned to permit substantially unhindered movement of unwound end of the supphr roll in the feed direction therepast and a second position, wherein said folding arm is moved towards juxtaposed contact with said upper support surface whereby the movement of the folding arm to the second position bends an edge portion of tb.e unwound end which is engaged thereby rearwardly, a drive member being selectively operable to move said folding arm between said first and second positions, an outfeed roller assembly for flattening the bent edge portion and further guiding the unwound end of the supply roll in the feed direction, a shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which is movable along a path immediately adjacent said folding arm when said folding arrn is in said first position to sever said sheet from a remainder of the foil supply roll.
In a further aspect, the present invention resides in an apparatus for forming a cut sheet having a two-layer folded edge portion, the apparatus comprising:
at least one infeed roller fractionally engaging the infect length of sheet material in movement in a downstream forward direction, a sheet support table and sheet guide member being spaced downstream from one or more of the infeed rollers, the sheet guide member spaced above said sheet support table so as to permit movement of the unfolded sheet material in the downstream direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a folding arm disposed immediately downstream from the sheet guide member, the folding arm having a sheet engaging surface and being selectively movable about a pivot axis extending generally normal to the downstream direction between a first position, wherein the sheet engaging surface is generally positioned to permit downstream movement of a leading edge portion of said sheet material into juxtaposition therewith, and a second position wherein said folding arm is moved to position said sheet engaging surface proximate said support surface so as to fold said leading edge portian of said sheet material in juxtaposition therewith rearwardly against said sheet guide member, a drive member being operable to reciprocally move said folding arm between said first and second positions, a shearing assembly positioned downstream from the folding arm, the shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which is actuable to move along a path immediately adjacent said folding arm when said folding in said first position, to cut said sheet from a remainder portion of said infect sheet material, and at least one outfeed roller positioned downstream from said shearing assembly for frictionally engaging said sheet in movement in the downstream direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference may now be had to the following detailed description tal~en together with accompanying drawings in ~cwhich:
Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus for forming cut aluminium foil sheets in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a partial perspective view of an infeed roller assembly, folding arm assembly and shear assembly used in Figure l, illustrating the manner of feeding unfolded sheet material to the apparatus;
Figure 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of the outfeed roller assembly and shearing assembly used in the apparatus of Figure 3;
Figures Sa to Sc show schematically the operation of the folding arm assembly and shearing assembly used in the apparatus of Figure 1.
Figure 6 shows schematically a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 illustrating the movement of the feed rollers;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the folding arm movement of the feed rollers used in the apparatus of Figure 1;
Figures 8 and 9 show perspective views of the cutting blade and cutting blade mount used in the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 10 illustrates a side view of a cut sheet having a folded edge portion formed by the operation of the apparatus of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EIVIBODII~IENTS
Referenced is first made to Figure I which shows schematically an apparatus 10 for forming an individual cut foil sheet 12 from a roll 14 of foil sheet material. Typicall~~, the foil roll I4 consists of a substantial length of flexible foil having a lateral width between about 7 and 12 centimetres, and which is initially provided in a continuous length of between about 5 and 50 meters. As will be described, a length of~planar foil material 16 is unwound from the roll 14 in the direction of arrow 120 and fed in through the apparatus 10 in a forward direction of arrow 100. In use, the apparatus 10 is operable to fold a lead edge portion 18 of the infect length of foil material 16, and thereafter cut the individual foil sheet 12 of a desired length containing the folded edge portion 18 from a remainder of the foil roll I4.
The apparatus I O is provided with a pair of spaced internal side frame members 20a,20b (Figure 2) which define the lateral sides of a sheet infeed path. As will be described, an infeed roller assembly 22, a folding table assembly 26, a foil sheet shearing assembly 28, and outfeed roller assembly 30 are mounted between and supported by the frame members 20a,20b.
The infeed roller assembly 22 is adapted to frictionally engage and move the unspooled length of foil material 16 into the apparatus I O in the downstream direction (arrow 100). As shown best in Figures 1, 3 and 6, the infeed roller assembly 22 consists of a pair of semi-rigid polyurethane coated rollers 34a,34b which are rotatably coupled at each end to a respective frame member 20a,20b. 'The rollers 34a,34b are each rotatable about a respective roller axis Arl and Ar2 (Figure 2) which are; vertically aligned and extend generally parallel to each other and transversely to the feed direction 100. Roller 34a is positioned vertically above roller 34b and is resiliently urged in contact thereagainst by the downward bias of helical spring 36 (Figure l.). The spring 36 is thus used to maintain frictional contact between the rollers 34a,34b and the portion of the sheet 16 moved therebetween. Preferably, the roll 14 is rotatably mounted to the apparatus 10, with tensioners 3 8 provided to prevent the roll 14 from unravelling other than by the frictional engagement with the rotating infeed rol ers 34a,34b as the length of foil material 16 is drawn therebetween.
The outfeed roller assembly 30 similarly includes a pair of semi-rigid urethane coated rollers 40a,40b which are mounted between the frame members 20a,20b.
lVlost preferably the outfeed rollers 40a,40b correspond in size and diameter to each infeed roller 34a,34b, and are rotatable about respective roller axis Ar3,Ar4 (Figure 6) which each extend parallel to the axis Arl and Ar2. In a similar manner to the infeed roller assembly 22, the upper outfeed roller 40a is maintained in resilient contact ~Jith an uppermost peripheral edge surface of the lower outfeed roller 40b by means of a resiliently compressible helical spring 39. The spring 39 maintains frictional contact between the rollers 40a,40b at the portion of the foil material 16 drawn therebetween.
As shown best in Figure 6, in a most simplified construction, pairs ~F
intermeshing sprockets 44a,44b and 46a,46b are secured to an end of the infeed rollers 34a,34b, and outfeed rollers 40a,40b, respectively. The sprockets 44b,46b are linked to each other in rotary movement by a toothed-drive belt 48. Th.e drive belt 48 in turn, is driven in movement by an electric drive motor 50, such that the activation of the motor 50 drives the belt 48 in movement to rotate the sprockets 44a,44b,46a,46b and the rollers 34a,34b,40a,40b.
Figures 4 and Sa to Sc show best the folding table assembly 26 which is used in the formation of the folded edge portion 18, and which most preferably consists of two foil layers. The folding table assembly 26 includes a support table 52 which is provided as a generally flat horizontal surface aligned with each of the :peripherally contacting surfaces of the infeed rollers 34a,34b, and the outfeed rollers 40a,40b. The support table 52 is preferably positioned immediately downstream from the infeed roller assembly 22, so as to supportingly engage the length of foil material 16 as it passes forwardly between the rollers 34a,34b. A sheet guide bar 54 and folding arm 58 extend laterally across the support table 52 and are supported at each end by the frame members 20a,20b.
The guide bar S4 is spaced a marginal distance of between about .2 to 1..0 cm above the support table 52, so as to assist in guiding the length of unspooled foil material 16 therebetween.
As shown best in Figure 6, the guide bar includes an upper su~°face 56 which slopes downwardly towards the support table 52 in the downstream direction of movement 100 of the foil material 16.
The folding arm 58 is pivotally mounted to bet~~een tl~e frame members 20a,30b adjacent to the downstream end of the support table 56. The :folding arm 58 is mounted for pivotable movement about a pivot axis Af which extends parallel to the rotation axis of the infeed rollers Arl and Ar2, and which is oriented immediately above the support table 56/folding arm 58 junction. As show in Figures Sa and 7 the folding arm includes a generally planar surface 60 which when the arm 58 is moved to a first inactivated position, orients in a substantially coplanar and adjacent position to the support table 52, so as to permit substantially unhindered movement of the unspooled length of foil material 16 in the feed direction 100 therepast. The surface 60 preferably has a length in the do~mstream direction selected at between ;bout .75 and 3 centimetres, and more preferably about 1.5 centimetres, depending upon the width of the folded edge portion 18 of the sheet to be formed. The downstream most edge 62 of the folding arm 58 is further provided as a shear edge 62. As will be described, the edge 62 is operable in conjunction with the foil sheet shearing assembly 28 to assist in cutting individual foil sheets 12 from a remainder of the infect length of foil material 16.
The folding arm 58 is actuable in movement from the first inactivated position (Figure Sa) wherein the planar surface 60 is substantially coplanar with the support table surface 52, to a second folding position, where the planar surface 60 is moved substantially into juxtaposed contact with the upper surface Sfi ofthe guide bar 54 (Figure Sb). A motor driven cam 70 rotates in the direction of arrow L30 and operates in conjunction with a spring biased rack 64 and pinion 66 coupled to the arm 58 to effect movement of the folding arm S6 from the inactivated position to the folding position. A
return spring 72 is further provided to resiliently bias and return the folding arm 58 to the first inactivated position.
As will be described, the lower end of the rack 64 is selectively engageable by the motor driven cam 70. In particular, as the cam 70 is brought into contact with the rack 64, it draws the rack 64 downwardly against the resilient forces of the spring 72 to compress the spring 72. The downward movement of the rack 64 simultaneously rotates the pinion 66 coupled to the arm to move the arm S8 so that xhe arm surface 60 rotates against surface 56. The movement of the arm 58 bends and folds a lead portion of the length of foil material 16 which is positioned in juxtaposition with the planar surface 60 reaxwardly against the surface 56. Following movement of the folding arm S8 against the upper surface S6, the cam 70 is moved out of engagement with the rack 64 causing the return spring 72 to decompress and substantially instantly redeploy the holding arm 58 to first inactive position where it does not interfere with the further downstream movement of the unspooled foil material 16.
Figures Sa to Sc illustrate best the shear assembly 28 as including a cutting blade 76 and blade mounting cylinder 74 which is mounted to the flame members 20a,20b.
The cylinder 74 is reciprocally rotatable about a blade axis A.a which is oriented parallel to the folding arm axis Af. As shown best in Figure 8, the cutting blade 76 is elongated and is coupled to the blade mount 74 in a position so as to project outwardly therefrom in an orientation extending partially radially about the axis AB as far example, in a reel blade arrangement. The blade 76 projects from the blade mount 74 a distance selected so that when the blade mount 74 is rotated about the axis AB, the outermost tip of the cutting blade 76 moves along to the shear edge 62 of the folding arm S8 when the arm 58 is in the first inactivation position, so as to sever an individual foil sheet 12 from a remainder of the unspooled length of foil material 16.
The motor SO is provided with a crank arm 80 Figure 3) to reciprocally move the cutting blade 76 along an arcuate path of between about 90° and 120°. Preferably, the crank arm 80 is of a conventional design and is provided to effect the reciprocal movement of the cutting blade 76 over at a desired interval, having regard to the speed of rotation of the infeed rollers 34a,34b and outfeed rollers 40a,40b. In this manner, a desired length of sheet material 16 may be permitted to move in the downstream direction 100 and past the folding a m 58 between successive cutting operations by the shear assembly 28. Most preferably, the reciprocal movement of the blade 76 past the shear edge 62 is timed to form cut foil sheets 12 having a length selected at between about 10 and 15 cm, however, longer or shorter sheets may also be formed by varying the timing of the blade movement cycle. Although the use of the motor 50 to drive each of the rollers 34,40, as well as the blade mounting cylinder 74 provides a more economical construction, the invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that separate motor drives could equally be provided; without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Figure 4 furthermore shows the apparatus 10 best as including a jamming sensor 90. The sensor 90 is provided as an electrically conductive lead wire which is positioned immediately above the guide bar 54. In the event of the infeed foil sheet 16 jamming and contacting the sensor 90, the apparatus 10 is adapted to shut down and/or provide signal to the operator. Although not essential, the apparatus 10 is most preferably controlled by means of an electronic keypad 92 (Figure 2). The keypad 92. includes a dedicated chip or other electronic circuitry which is selected to permit either the pre-programmed dispensation of a selected number of individual folded sheets 12 or alternately, the manual dispensation of individual sheets 12 on demand.
To form a foil sheet 12 having the folded leading edge portion 18, the foil roll 14 is rotatably mounted in the apparatus 10. The initial length of foil material 16 is unspooled therefrom and fed into the apparatus I O in a downstream direcl;ion of arrow 100. The lead edge of the foil material 16 is initially fed between the infeed rollers 34a,34b as they are rotated by the motor SO in the direction of arrows 102,104 (Figl~re 1 ).
The urethane coating of the infeed rollers 34a,34b, results in the frictional engagement and gripping of the foil material 16, to move the infed length of material 16 in the downstream or forward direction 100, concurrently unspooling additional foil material 16 from the roll 14 in the direction of arrow 120 (Figure 1).
As the initial lead edge is moved forwardly between the guide bar 54 and support table 52 and past the folding arm 58, it moves between the outfeed rollers 40a,40b where it is frictionally engaged thereby. The contact with the outfeed rollers 40a,40b assists in the engagement of the sheet material 16 by the rollers 34a,34~b and 40a,40b maintains the length of foil therebetween under a minimum tension. ~nce the Lead edge of the foil 16 begins to move outwardly between the rotating outfeed rollers 40a,40b, the shearing assembly 28 is initially activated. The initial activation of the shearing assembly 28 moves the cutting blade 76 downwardly along and past the shear edge 62 to the portion shown in Figure 5c to sever an initial sacrificial length of foil from the roll 14. Following the severing of the initial sacrificial length of foil, the apparatus 10 is operable to produce foil sheets 12 having a folded leading edge portion 18 with a length about 1.5 centimetres, and corresponding to downstream length of surface 60.
Immediately following the severing of the sacrificial sheet the shearing assembly 28 is returned by the motor 50 to a position where the cutting blade 76 locates above the path along which the foil sheet 16 moves. The cam 70 is then rotated to engage the end of the rack 64. The movement of the cam 70, slides the rack 64 downwardly against the compressive force of the spring 72, thereby rotating the pinion 66 and moving the folding arm 58 about the axis At from the initial inactive position (F figure 5a) to the second folding position (Figure 5b). As the folding arm 58 moves, so that the planar surface 60 moves towards contact with the upper surface 56 the newly exposed edge portion of the foil material 16 which in juxtaposition with the surface 60 is bent back rearwardly against the guide bar 54 to form a partially open fold. once the planar surface 60 has been moved to the second position, the cam 70 releases the rack 64 and return spring 72 rapidly xedeploys the folding arm 58 to the initial position. ~nce so moved, the folding arm 58 no longer interferes with further downstream movement of the foil material 16 in the direction of arrow 100 by its engagement with rollers 34a,34b and/or 40a,40b.
Preferably, the cam 70, spring 72 and rack 64 are provided to effect a complete cycle of movement of the folding arm 58, from the first inactive position to the second folding position and then back to the first position, with a start to finish time of preferably less than 3 seconds, and more preferably less than about 1 second.
During the operation of the apparatus 10, the drive motor 50 continuously drives the belt 48 to rotate the infeed rollers 34a,34b and outfeed rollers 40a,40b., As such, as the folding arm 58 returns to the first position, the infeed rollers 34a,34b continue to unspool and advance the foil material 16 from the roll 14 in the direction of arrow 100.
The foil movement advances the folded edge portion 18 forwardly so as to be engaged by and move between the outfeed rollers 40a,40b. In addition to frictionally engaging the folded end portion 18 as it is moved therebetween, the outfeed rollers 40a,40b assist in flattening the folded edge portion 18 as two juxtaposed layers.
Because of the equal sizing of the feed rollers 34a,34b and 40a,40b and their rotation by the drive belt 48, the engagement of the sheet material 16 simultaneously by the infeed roller assembly 22 and outfeed roller assembly 30 advantageously maintains the portion of sheet material 16 therebetween under a preselected minimum tension. As the length of foil material 16 continues to move in the direction of arrow 100, the motor 50 drives the crank arm linkage to rotate the blade mount 7~4 and cutting blade 76 dou~nwardly in the direction of arrow i 10 (Figure 6) to move the blade 76 along and past the shear edge 62, thereby severing the sheet 12 .from the remainder of the roll 14.
Immediately following the severing of the sheet 12, the cam 70 is again rotated against the lower end of the rack 64, to again effect pivoting movement of the folding arm 58 to the second folding position to fold the portion of the infed foil material 16 juxtaposed with the surface 60 against the guide bar 54. Concurrently, the motor 50 and crank arm reciprocally returns the blade mount 74 and cutting blade 76 upwardly, out of the path of movement of the infed foil 16, allowing the sheet production.
cycle to repeat.
. , -. ~ - ~. -:-... - _ :-. ~- ~. ~ ~~_.~ _ , ~ :.. ~ ~,.,._f._ _~..~ -- _ ,~__ ~ . - _-~ _..~ ~ ~ ~ _ .. ,_ _ _ _.__~____ __.__, The applicant has appreciated that with the construction of the present apparatus I 0, a foil sheet 12 is produced with a two-layer folded leading edge portion I 8. As such, the present apparatus I 0 may be used to more economically produce cut foil sheets 12 having a folded edge portion 18, eliminating the waste associated with prior art devices.
Although the preferred embodiment of the invention describes the infeed roller assembly 22 and autfeed roller assembly 30 as comprising two pairs of urethane coated rollers, the invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that other types of rigid or semi-rigid rollers, as well as different types of infeed and outfeed mechanisms for moving a length of foil 16 through the apparatus 10 may also be used, and will now become apparent.
While the detailed description describes the shearing assembly 28 as including a reciprocally movable mount 74 and cutting blade 76, the invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that a mount 74 and cutting blade 76 adapted for 360°
rotational movement could also be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Although the detailed description describes various preferred embodiments, the invention is not so limited. Many modifications and variations will now occur to persons skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference may be had to the appended claims.
Claims (21)
1. An apparatus for forming a cut sheet having a folded edge portion, the apparatus comprising:
a folding table including, a support table for supporting a length of unfolded sheet material thereon, sheet guide member spaced a distance from said support table selected to permit movement of the unfolded sheet material in a feed direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a pivot arm disposed proximate to said feed table, the pivot arm being selectively movable about a pivot axis generally normal to said feed direction between a first position, wherein said arm is generally co-planar with said support table to permit substantially free movement of a leading edge portion of said sheet material between said support table and said sheet guide member into juxtaposition therewith, and a second position wherein said pivot arm is moved substantially into juxtaposed contact with said upper support surface to fold said leading edge portion of said sheet material thereagainst, a drive member being selectively operable to reciprocally move said pivot arm between said first and second positions, a shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which is actuable to selectively move along an arcuate path immediately adjacent an edge of said pivot arm when said pivot arm is in said first position to cut said sheet from a remainder portion of said sheet material.
a folding table including, a support table for supporting a length of unfolded sheet material thereon, sheet guide member spaced a distance from said support table selected to permit movement of the unfolded sheet material in a feed direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a pivot arm disposed proximate to said feed table, the pivot arm being selectively movable about a pivot axis generally normal to said feed direction between a first position, wherein said arm is generally co-planar with said support table to permit substantially free movement of a leading edge portion of said sheet material between said support table and said sheet guide member into juxtaposition therewith, and a second position wherein said pivot arm is moved substantially into juxtaposed contact with said upper support surface to fold said leading edge portion of said sheet material thereagainst, a drive member being selectively operable to reciprocally move said pivot arm between said first and second positions, a shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which is actuable to selectively move along an arcuate path immediately adjacent an edge of said pivot arm when said pivot arm is in said first position to cut said sheet from a remainder portion of said sheet material.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further includes a pair of outfeed rollers adjacent said shearing assembly, said outfeed rollers positioned to permit movement said sheet material therebetween and flatten said edge portion.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pivot arm further includes a shear edge co-operable with said cutting blade to assist cutting said sheet from said remainder portion.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further including an infeed roller assembly for assisting in moving said sheet material in said infeed direction between said support table and said sheet guide member.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said upper support surface comprises a generally planar surface which is inclined downwardly in the feed direction of said sheet material.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said outfeed rollers comprise a pair of aligned pressing rollers having a semi-rigid compressible urethane coating thereon.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said infeed roller assemble comprise a pair of semi-rigid rollers, each of said rollers being rotatable about a respective roller axis oriented generally normal to the infeed direction, and at least one of said semi-rigid rollers being resiliently biased towards engaging contact with the second other said roller.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said infeed roller assembly and said outfeed rollers maintain a portion of said sheet material therebetween under a minimum tension during activation of said shearing assembly.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said shearing assembly further includes a rotatable cylinder mounted for partial rotating movement about a cylinder axis, said cutting blade being mounted to said cylinder for rotation therewith.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said cutting blade extends along a peripheral surface of said cylinder in an orientation extending at least partially radially about the cylinder axis.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shearing assembly further includes a cutting blade mount, the actuation of the shearing assembly moving the cutting blade mount radially at least partially about a rotation axis selected generally parallel to the pivot axis, and wherein the cutting blade is coupled to the cutting blade mount in an orientation so as to extend at least partially radially about the rotation axis.
12. An apparatus for forming a cut foil sheet having a folded edge portion from an unwound end of a foil supply roll the apparatus comprising:
an infeed roller assembly for engaging the unwound end of said supply roll in movement in a forward feed direction, a support table for supporting at least part of the unwound end thereon, sheet guide member spaced a distance from said support table selected to permit movement of the unwound end in the forward feed direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a folding arm pivotally disposed adjacent to the support table, the folding arm being movable about a pivot axis between a first position, wherein said arm is positioned to permit substantially unhindered movement of unwound end of the supply roll in the feed direction therepast and a second position, wherein said folding arm is moved towards juxtaposed contact with said upper support surface whereby the movement of the folding arm to the second position bends an edge portion of the unwound end which is engaged thereby rearwardly, a drive member being selectively operable to move said folding arm between said first and second positions, an outfeed roller assembly for flattening the bent edge portion and further guiding the unwound end of the supply roll in the feed direction, a shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which is movable along a path immediately adjacent said folding arm when said folding arm is in said first position to sever said sheet from a remainder of the foil supply roll.
an infeed roller assembly for engaging the unwound end of said supply roll in movement in a forward feed direction, a support table for supporting at least part of the unwound end thereon, sheet guide member spaced a distance from said support table selected to permit movement of the unwound end in the forward feed direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a folding arm pivotally disposed adjacent to the support table, the folding arm being movable about a pivot axis between a first position, wherein said arm is positioned to permit substantially unhindered movement of unwound end of the supply roll in the feed direction therepast and a second position, wherein said folding arm is moved towards juxtaposed contact with said upper support surface whereby the movement of the folding arm to the second position bends an edge portion of the unwound end which is engaged thereby rearwardly, a drive member being selectively operable to move said folding arm between said first and second positions, an outfeed roller assembly for flattening the bent edge portion and further guiding the unwound end of the supply roll in the feed direction, a shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which is movable along a path immediately adjacent said folding arm when said folding arm is in said first position to sever said sheet from a remainder of the foil supply roll.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, comprises a pair of outfeed rollers spaced to frictionally engage the unwound end of the foil therebetween, the outfeed rollers and infeed roller assembly maintaining the unwound end of the supply roll therebetween under a preselected tension during movement of said cutting blade along said path adjacent said folding arm.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said shearing assembly further includes a reciprocally rotatable blade mount cylinder rotatable at least partially about a cylinder axis, said cutting blade being mounted to said blade mount cylinder for rotation therewith.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said cutting blade is mounted along a peripheral surface of said blade mount cylinder in an orientation extending at least partially radially about the cylinder axis.
16. An apparatus for forming a cut sheet having a two-layer folded edge portion, the apparatus comprising:
at least one infeed roller frictionally engaging the infed length of sheet material in movement in a downstream forward direction, a sheet support table and sheet guide member being spaced downstream from one or more of the infeed rollers, the sheet guide member spaced above said sheet support table so as to permit movement of the unfolded sheet material in the downstream direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a folding arm disposed immediately downstream from the sheet guide member, the folding arm having a sheet engaging surface and being selectively movable about a pivot axis extending generally normal to the downstream direction between a first position, wherein the sheet engaging surface is generally positioned to permit downstream movement of a leading edge portion of said sheet material into juxtaposition therewith, and a second position wherein said folding arm is moved to position said sheet engaging surface proximate said support surface so as to fold said leading edge portion of said sheet material in juxtaposition therewith rearwardly against said sheet guide member, a drive member being operable to reciprocally move said folding arm between said first and second positions, a shearing assembly positioned downstream from the folding arm, the shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which is actuable to move along a path immediately adjacent said folding arm when said folding in said first position, to cut said sheet from a remainder portion of said infed sheet material, and at least one outfeed roller positioned downstream from said shearing assembly for frictionally engaging said sheet in movement in the downstream direction.
at least one infeed roller frictionally engaging the infed length of sheet material in movement in a downstream forward direction, a sheet support table and sheet guide member being spaced downstream from one or more of the infeed rollers, the sheet guide member spaced above said sheet support table so as to permit movement of the unfolded sheet material in the downstream direction therebetween, the guide member further comprising a support surface, a folding arm disposed immediately downstream from the sheet guide member, the folding arm having a sheet engaging surface and being selectively movable about a pivot axis extending generally normal to the downstream direction between a first position, wherein the sheet engaging surface is generally positioned to permit downstream movement of a leading edge portion of said sheet material into juxtaposition therewith, and a second position wherein said folding arm is moved to position said sheet engaging surface proximate said support surface so as to fold said leading edge portion of said sheet material in juxtaposition therewith rearwardly against said sheet guide member, a drive member being operable to reciprocally move said folding arm between said first and second positions, a shearing assembly positioned downstream from the folding arm, the shearing assembly comprising a cutting blade which is actuable to move along a path immediately adjacent said folding arm when said folding in said first position, to cut said sheet from a remainder portion of said infed sheet material, and at least one outfeed roller positioned downstream from said shearing assembly for frictionally engaging said sheet in movement in the downstream direction.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said at lest one outfeed roller and said at least one infeed roller maintains a portion of said sheet material therebetween under a selected tension while said cutting blade moves along said path to cut said sheet from said remainder portion.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said shearing assembly further includes a reciprocally rotatable cylinder mount provided for rotating movement at least partially about a cylinder axis, said cutting blade being mounted to said cylinder mount for rotation therewith, the cutting blade projecting from a peripheral surface said cylinder mount in an orientation extending at least partially radially about the cylinder axis.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said upper support surface comprises a generally planar surface which is inclined generally in the downstream direction.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said infeed rollers and said at least one outfeed rollers comprise a resiliently compressible urethane coating.
21
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2465412 CA2465412A1 (en) | 2004-04-26 | 2004-04-26 | Apparatus for producing folded aluminum foil sheets |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2465412 CA2465412A1 (en) | 2004-04-26 | 2004-04-26 | Apparatus for producing folded aluminum foil sheets |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2465412A1 true CA2465412A1 (en) | 2005-10-26 |
Family
ID=35311186
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2465412 Abandoned CA2465412A1 (en) | 2004-04-26 | 2004-04-26 | Apparatus for producing folded aluminum foil sheets |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2465412A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109967606A (en) * | 2019-04-23 | 2019-07-05 | 涿州皓原箔业有限公司 | A kind of no aluminium skimmings are cut completely neat folds aluminum foil processing device |
-
2004
- 2004-04-26 CA CA 2465412 patent/CA2465412A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109967606A (en) * | 2019-04-23 | 2019-07-05 | 涿州皓原箔业有限公司 | A kind of no aluminium skimmings are cut completely neat folds aluminum foil processing device |
| CN109967606B (en) * | 2019-04-23 | 2024-02-20 | 涿州皓原箔业有限公司 | Neatly folding aluminium foil processingequipment is cut completely to no aluminium bits |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4712461A (en) | Rolled material dispenser with feed roller containing a sliding cutter | |
| AU676923B2 (en) | Apparatus for winding stiffened coreless rolls and method | |
| US6602177B2 (en) | Machine for producing aluminum foil sheets for hair coloring | |
| US3013367A (en) | System of making coreless rolls | |
| US8387432B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for dispensing sheets of foil | |
| CN1937946A (en) | Adjustable cutter | |
| CA1334396C (en) | Apparatus for automatically distributing accordion folder cleaning materials from flat folded webs | |
| US20180325331A1 (en) | Device for separating paper sections from a paper web wound onto a paper roll, as well as a knife for separating the paper sections | |
| WO1999024257A1 (en) | Laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus with an exit tray | |
| CA2465412A1 (en) | Apparatus for producing folded aluminum foil sheets | |
| EP0629372A1 (en) | Shear-cutting paper towel dispenser | |
| EP0424423A1 (en) | Device for attaching a flexible web to a new empty web-roll core. | |
| US2164935A (en) | Method and apparatus for forming parcel handles | |
| CA2515101C (en) | Apparatus and method for folding a sheet of foil | |
| EP0693268A1 (en) | Apparatus for shear cutting and dispensing individual sheets of paper toweling | |
| US8943936B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for forming a sheet of foil | |
| US2669913A (en) | Ribbon curler | |
| JP3571683B2 (en) | Roll paper winding and cutting machine | |
| JPS63319127A (en) | Production equipment of tape adhesive-backed sheet | |
| US3067797A (en) | Foil slitting mechanism | |
| AU2004208912B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for folding a sheet of foil | |
| JPH0219112Y2 (en) | ||
| US2629297A (en) | Apparatus for producing protective binding from flat stock | |
| JPH0464983B2 (en) | ||
| NZ742164A (en) | A device for separating paper sections from a paper web wound onto a paper roll, as well as a knife for separating the paper sections. |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |