GB1440905A - Diaper folding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1440905 Folding sheets PAPER CONVERTING MACHINE CO 7 Jan 1975 509/75 Heading DIS Apparatus for folding disposable diapers comprises an open frame drum 10 rotatable in the path of diapers 11 issuing from a diaper forming machine and a projectable tucker 22 in the drum 10 and arranged to thrust an intermediate portion of each of a succession of diapers into a takeaway belt system 25 while each diaper is pulled over forming plates 28 which form a leg fold in the diaper. As shown in Fig. 1, a web 12 of disposable diaper material, e.g. a polyethylene outer web, an internal layer of wadding or fluff, and an inner (relative to the infant) non-woven cellulosic layer, is advanced by belts 15, 16 between scoring rolls 13 and past an adhesive applicator roll 14. Individual diapers are cut by a roll 17 having a cut-off blade 20 which coacts with one of four anvils 19, Fig. 6, each provided on a suction head 18 on the drum 10. The leading and trailing edge portions of each diaper to be folded are held by successive heads 18. When the tacker 22 is projected it forms a pocket or crotch portion 33 in the diaper and introduces this portion between belts 24 of the system 25. As the diaper is being urged between the belts 24. lateral portions thereof are pulled over the plates 28 which, assisted by timed air jets through apertures 30, Fig. 4, to form infolds 31, 32 and outfolds 34. Four tackers 22, Figs. 4 and 6, are provided and each is mounted on a cross-bar 40 mounted eccentrically relative to stub shafts 39 by crank arms 41, the shafts 39 being driven in synchronism with the drum 10 by a belt and pulley system (37), Fig. 3 (not shown), to move the tuckers 22 epicyclically. Each tucker 22 rotates at twice the speed of the drum 10 and in the opposite direction. A sector roll (44), Fig. 5 (not shown), driven in synchronism with the drum 10, is provided to hold the leading edge of the diaper 11 during folding. Shields (49), (50) prevent premature gripping of the folded diaper by the belts 24. The system 25 comprises, in addition to the belts 24, side belts 45, 46, Fig. 2, foreshortened to accommodate the plates 28.