KR20000069094A - Assembly of webs having staggered edge folds - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly of sheet folded pre-wet wipes 50 is placed one above the other to form a stack 40 perpendicular to the vessel 20. Each pre-wet wipe 50 extends from the first end 52 to the second end 54, with each wipe disposed adjacent and spaced apart from the first end 52. ) Edge fold 60 doubles the thickness of the wipe adjacent to tip 52. When the thickness is doubled by the edge fold 60, it is easy to hold the wipe 50 from the container 20. The position of the edge fold 60 is alternating in a predetermined repeating manner in the stack 40 to maintain a substantially uniform stack height.

Description

Foldable Web Assembly and Laminate Formation Method {ASSEMBLY OF WEBS HAVING STAGGERED EDGE FOLDS}

Pre-wet wipes or wet wipes are well known in the art. It is well known to use pre-wet wipes for cleaning, including, for example, personal cleaning of body parts as well as general cleaning of surfaces. One well known use of pre-wet wipes is when cleaning infants when changing their diapers. These wipes are usually folded and can be pulled one at a time from the container as needed.

One problem with such constituent assemblies is that it can be difficult to hold the wipe when separated from the container. The tip of the wipe also tends not to separate from the bottom of the wipe. This resistance may be at least in part due to the adhesion between portions of the wipe caused by the liquid component used to wet the substrate of the wipe. As a result, it may be difficult to grasp and separate the wipe from the container with one hand. Dispensing methods using one hand are especially required when changing diapers of infants.

One way to reduce the difficulty of the wet wipe dispensing method is to introduce an edge fold adjacent the tip of each wipe. Edge folds provide additional thickness for grip. However, these edge folds, when stacked vertically, cause uneven thicknesses of them. In general, a uniform stack thickness is required to simply control and package the laminate, and to improve the appearance of the product.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an assembly of folded webs, such as a folded prewet wipe that is easily dispenseable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stack of nearly uniform thicknesses of single folded pre-wet wipes that can be easily dispensed one at a time.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stack of pre-wet wipes having staggered edge folds.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an assembly of sheet folded webs that are placed superimposed on one another to form a laminate. In one embodiment, a sheet of folded prewet wipe is provided. The wipe substrates overlap each other to form a laminate in the container. The pre-wet wipes may not overlap each other in the laminate.

Each web extends longitudinally from the first tip to the second end. Each web has an edge fold spaced from and disposed adjacent the first tip to provide a fold and a web lip extending between the first tip of the web. The web lip provides a two-ply web adjacent the tip to facilitate grip of the web by hand.

The location of at least some of the edge folds is alternate in the stack, such that all of the edge folds are not aligned side by side. Alternating the edge folds reduces variations in laminate thickness that may appear if not alternate.

The position of the edge folds is preferably spaced apart alternately by the same distance as the distance between the edge fold and the first web tip. The spacing between the edge fold and the tip of the first web is preferably less than about 0.75 inches, more preferably less than about 0.5 inches, and in one embodiment is between 0.15 inches and 0.35 inches.

Each web may include a first panel fold that is substantially parallel to the edge fold. The first panel fold provides a first web panel spaced apart from the edge fold extending between the first panel fold and the edge fold. The second web panel is coupled to the first web panel at the first panel fold. Each web may also include a second panel fold and a third web panel. The third web panel is coupled to the second web panel at the second panel fold. The web is folded in the first panel fold and the second panel fold to provide first, second and third web panels in a Z-fold shape. In a variant, other fold shapes may be used, including but not limited to C-folds and J-folds.

At least one web in the stack has a gap between the edge fold and the first panel that is different from the gap between the edge fold and the first panel fold on one or more other webs in the stack. The spacing between the edge fold and the first panel fold changes repeatedly as predetermined and repeats in a predetermined manner in the stack to provide an alternate position of the edge fold.

Also provided is a method of forming a folded wipe stack having alternating edge folds. The method comprises the steps of providing at least two continuous webs, forming an edge fold on each continuous web, and spacing of the edge folds from the first panel fold of at least one of the continuous webs at least of the continuous webs. Forming a first panel fold on each continuous web such that the gap of the edge fold from one first panel fold is different. The method also includes the steps of forming a single folded web from each folded continuous web, and a single folded foldable web having an alternating edge fold in the stack with the other folded web on top of one another. Forming a stack of webs.

In one embodiment, the method includes transferring at least three webs into three separate lanes, and providing a collapsible device corresponding to each continuous web. Three continuous webs are arranged differently for each folding device to provide three folded continuous webs with different spacing between the edge fold and the first panel fold.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to folded webs and, more particularly, to folded prewet wipes having edge folds.

1 is a perspective view of a folded web having an edge fold,

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of a structure of a folded web in a container, in which an alternating edge fold is shown in a laminate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with a folded web having an edge fold “folded under” the web lip, and Z-folding the first, second and third panels; Shows a web folded to have a shape,

4 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a folded web having an edge fold providing a web lip superimposed on a portion of the first web panel;

5 is a schematic diagram of a relatively wide parent web cut into six substantially equal width continuous webs,

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the continuous web of FIG. 5 folded simultaneously on separate folding fan assemblies disposed in six parallel lanes, wherein the folded continuous webs are stacked on top of one another and have a stack of folded webs with alternating edge folds; Forms part of

7 shows the lane to lane change in position of the continuous web relative to the folding fan assembly,

8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6 showing that the edge of the web is formed on a continuous web upstream of the folding fan assembly as it is conveyed through the folding tunnel;

9A-9C are enlarged views similar to the diagram of FIG. 7 except that the edge folds are formed by folding the blocks disposed along the folding fan assembly in different positions, and the location of the folding blocks on the folding fan assembly varies from lane to lane. Is,

10 is a cross-sectional view of the folding block and edge fold formed after the edge path of the continuous web is interrupted by the folding block;

It is sectional drawing taken along the 10-10 line of FIG. 9A which shows,

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a folded continuous web to which the web is to be transported over the folding pan assembly shown in FIG. 6.

The term "wipe" refers to a product having a substrate, such as a porous substrate, and is intended to be used to remove any material from a surface or object, whether living or inanimate, or to apply a substance to a surface or object, whether living or inanimate. “Wipe” includes products having a porous substrate used for cleansing the body or animal, including, but not limited to, cleansing and wiping the body, such as anal cleansing, perineal cleansing, vulva cleaning, and facial and hand cleansing. “Wipes” also include products used to apply substances to the body, including but not limited to the application of make-ups, skin conditioners, ointments and drugs. “Wipes” include articles having kitchen substrates and porous substrates that are commonly used to clean surfaces and objects, such as bathroom surfaces, glasses, exercise and fitness equipment, automotive surfaces, and the like.

“Prewet wipes” relates to wipes that include damp substrates, such as by impregnating the substrate with a liquid component prior to consumer use. In particular, “prewet wipes” refer to wipes having a substrate moistened prior to packaging in an almost moisture impermeable container or wrapper.

1 provides a perspective view of a folded web 50 having an edge fold 60. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the folded web 50 stack 40 in the vessel 20. The vessel 20 has a cylinder portion 22 and a lid 24 (cut away) that are pivotally coupled to the cylinder portion 22, such as by a hinge mechanism. U.S. Patent 5,065,887, issued November 19, 1991, is incorporated herein by reference to seal a suitable vessel 20.

The folded web 20 is shown stacked vertically in the barrel of FIG. 2. 2 shows an alternating edge fold of a folded web 50 according to the present invention. 3 shows a single folded web 50.

As a variant, the wipe may be laminated and then packaged in a moisture impermeable wrapper, such as a foil or polymer film wrapper, to provide a recycling package for recycling the container 20.

The folded web 50 may comprise a woven or nonwoven web of natural fibers or a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers. Suitable natural fibers include, but are not limited to, wood pulp fibers and cellulose fibers such as cotton. Suitable synthetic fibers include fibers commonly used in fabrics, including but not limited to polyester, polypropylene and rayon fibers.

Various molding methods can be used to form the fibrous web from which the folded web 50 is made. For example, the webs can be made by nonwoven dry forming techniques such as air-laying techniques or by wet laying as on paper machines. Other nonwoven fabrication techniques may also be used, such as other melting, spunbonded, needle punching methods, and spunlace methods.

The dry porous web can be an airlaid nonwoven web containing a combination of natural fibers and natural fibers and latex binders. In one embodiment, the porous web may comprise wood pulp fibers and polyester fibers with a styrene butadiene resin binder. The dry fibrous web may be about 20 to 80 weight percent wood pulp fibers, about 20 to 60 weight percent polyester fibers or about 10 to 25 weight percent binder.

The folded web 50 may include a fibrous web substrate impregnated with the liquid component to provide a wipe in a prewet state. The liquid component may be water based and may include many additional ingredients including, but not limited to, preservatives, cleansers, fragrances, and lotions. The dry fibrous web prior to impregnation with the liquid component may have a thickness of about 0.017 to 0.060 inches and a basis weight of about 20 to 75 pounds per 2880 cubic feed.

In one embodiment, the liquid component to which the fibrous web can be impregnated may be aqueous and contains mild surfactants, emollients, fragrance components and preservatives. The dry substrate may be saturated to about 2.5 to 4.5 grams per gram of dry fibrous web.

Suitable dry porous web substrates immersed in the liquid component have been commercialized by Procter & Gamble Co. as BABY FRESH brand baby wipes and PAMPERS BABY FRESH brand baby wipes. The following patents are disclosed herein for porous substrates and liquid components that allow the substrate to wet: US Pat. No. 3,862,472, filed Jan. 28, 1975; US Patent No. 3,982,302, filed September 28, 1976; US Patent No. 4,004,323, issued January 25, 1977; US Patent No. 4,057,669, filed November 8, 1977; US Patent No. 4,097,965, issued July 4, 1978; US Patent No. 4,176,427, filed December 4, 1979; US Patent No. 4,130,915, filed December 26, 1978; US Patent No. 4,135,024, issued January 16, 1979; US Patent No. 4,189,896, filed February 26, 1980; US Patent No. 4,296,161, filed October 20, 1981; US Patent No. 4,309,469, filed January 25, 1982; US Patent No. 4,419,403, issued December 6, 1983; US Patent No. 4,682,942, issued July 28, 1987; US Patent No. 4,732,797, filed March 22, 1988; US Patent No. 4,772,501, filed March 22, 1988; US Patent No. 4,904,524, filed February 27, 1990; US Patent No. 4,941,995, issued July 17, 1990; And US Patent No. 4,637,859; US Patent No. 5,223,096; US Patent No. 5,240,562; U.S. Patent 5,556,509; US Patent No. 5,580,423;

1 to 3, each folded web 50 extends in the machine direction from the first distal end 52 to the second distal end 54. The folded web 50 also has side ends 56, 58 extending longitudinally from the first end portion 52 to the second end portion 54.

Each folded web 50 has an edge fold 60. Edge fold 60 is approximately parallel to tip 52 and approximately perpendicular to side ends 56, 58. Edge fold 60 is disposed adjacent or away from tip 52 to provide web lip 62. Web lip 62 extends between edge fold 60 and tip 52.

The edge fold is the fold most closely disposed at the first tip 52. The edge fold provides a web lip 62 shorter than the length of the adjacent panel of the web. A “panel” is a portion of a web that extends between two folds or between a fold and an edge end. The spacing between the edge fold 60 and the first tip 52 is preferably about 0.75 inches or less, more preferably 0.50 inches or less, and most preferably about 0.15 inches to 0.35 inches.

The spacing between the edge fold 60 and the tip 52 may be about 0.25 inch. At least most of the positions of the edge folds 60 are alternating in the stack 40 as shown in FIG. 2 such that not all edge folds 60 are aligned side by side. Alternately placing the edge folds 60 reduces the change in thickness T of the laminate that would otherwise occur. 2, the edge folds 60 are alternating in a predetermined repeating pattern. This edge fold 60 preferably alternates the distance between at least the edge fold 60 and the first end edge 52 so that a portion of the web lip 62 does not overlap in alignment.

1 and 3, each foldable web 50 has a first panel fold 70 substantially parallel to the edge fold 60, and is approximately perpendicular to the side ends 56, 58. The first panel fold 70 is longitudinally spaced from the edge fold 60 to provide a first web panel 74 extending between the first panel fold 70 and the edge edge fold 60.

The folded web 50 may include a second panel fold 80, second and third web panels 84, 94. The second panel fold 80 is approximately parallel to the first panel fold 70 and spaced longitudinally therefrom. The second web panel 84 is coupled to the first web panel 74 at the first panel fold 70 and extends between the first panel fold 70 and the second panel fold 80.

The third web panel 94 is coupled to the second web panel 84 at the second panel fold 80. The third web panel 94 extends between the second panel fold 80 and the second end 54. The web is folded in the first and second panel folds 70, 80 to provide the first, second, third web panels 74, 84, 94 in a Z-fold shape as best shown in FIG. 3. . In the Z-fold configuration, panel 74 is adjacent or overlapping a portion of panel 84, and panel 94 is adjacent to or below a portion of panel 84. Panel 74 extends from fold 70 toward the center of panel 84, and panel 94 extends from fold 80 toward center of panel 84.

With reference to FIG. 2, since the collapsible web 50 is not mutually folded in the stack 40, each collapsible web 50 does not interfere with the adjacent lower collapsible web 50. Can be dispensed from). Moreover, in a modification, it may be desirable not to mutually fold the adjacent folded web 50. For example, a panel such as panel 94 on one foldable web 50 may be sandwiched between panels 74 and 84 of adjacent lower foldable webs.

Alternating the edge folds 60 in the stack 40 by varying the spacing between the edge folds 60 and the first panel fold 70 between at least some of the folded webs 50 in the stack 40. You can do Referring to FIG. 2, the spacing between the edge fold 60 and the first panel fold 70 is changed in a predetermined repeating pattern. In FIG. 2, the spacing between the edge fold 60 and the first panel fold 70 has six different values, and the pattern is repeated in a group of six folded webs 50. This group of six times folded web 50 is indicated by bracket 55 in FIG. 2. The spacing between the edge fold 60 and the first panel fold 70 is different from the adjacent folded web 50.

When the folded web 50 is numbered 1 to 12 from the folded top 50 of FIG. 2, the spacing between the edge fold 60 and the first panel fold 70 is determined by the first folded web ( 50) and the maximum of the seventh folded web 50 and the minimum of the sixth folded web and the twelfth folded web. Although only 24 folded webs 50 are shown in FIG. 2 for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that more folded webs may be included in the normal container 20 and will be so.

In one non-limiting embodiment, each foldable web 50 may have a length of about 8.5 inches in a stretched state as measured longitudinally from tip 52 to end 54. Each folded web 50 may have an edge fold 60 spaced about 0.25 inches from tip 52. For each folded web, the spacing between the first panel fold 70 and the second panel fold 80 may be about 4.5 inches and as the length of the first panel increases, the length of the third panel decreases. The lengths of the first and third panels are varied to make it. The spacing between the edge fold 60 and the first panel fold 70 varies from at most about 2.0 inches for the first folded web 50 to at least about 0.75 for the sixth folded web 50, and the second The spacing between the panel folds 80 and the ends 54 is about 3.0 inches (when the spacing between the edge folds 60 and the first panel fold 70 is maximum) about 3.0 inches (edge folds 60). And until the gap between the first panel fold 70 is minimum.

The stack 40 of FIG. 2 has alternating edge folds 60 in a pattern repeated in a group of webs 50 folded six times, with the webs 50 folded at least six times or less. It can be alternating in a pattern repeated into groups of. Preferably, there are at least three different alternating position edge folds in the stack 40, and the edge folds 60 may be alternating in a pattern repeated in groups of at least three folded webs 50.

In one embodiment having the edge folds 60 in three different alternating positions, each folded web 50 is about 8.5 inches as measured in the machine direction from the tip 52 to the end 54. And each folded web may have an edge fold 60 spaced about 0.25 inches from tip 52. For each folded web 50, the spacing between the first panel fold 70 and the second panel fold 80 can be about 4.5 inches and the length of the first and third panels is the length of the first panel. When increases, the length of the third panel changes to decrease. The spacing between the edge fold 60 and the first panel fold 70 varies from a maximum of about 2.0 inches of the first fold web 50 to at least about 1.5 inches relative to the third folded web 50, and the second panel The distance between fold 80 and end 54 is about 2.0 inches (when the distance between edge fold 60 and first panel fold 70 is maximum) about 2.0 inches (edge fold 60 and first). 1 panel fold 70 when the gap between the minimum].

Referring to FIG. 2, the imaginary central plane of the stack 40 is shown by the line indicated by 42. The central surface 42 is equidistantly spaced from the first panel fold 70 and the second panel fold 80. By varying the spacing between the edge fold 60 and the first panel fold 70, the position of the edge fold 60 is alternating with respect to the center plane 42. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, all of the edge folds 60 are disposed on the same side of the central plane 42. In addition, the folded web 50 may be oriented in the stack 40 such that the edge fold 60 is disposed on both sides of the central plane 42.

2 and 3, the edge fold 60 is “folded down” such that the web lip 62 is disposed between the first web panel portion 74 and the second web panel portion 84. Folding the web lip 62 down may provide the advantage that the web lip 62 can be blocked between the first panel 74 and the second panel 84 to prevent the edge fold 60 from unfolding. . As a variant, the edge fold 60 can be such that the web lip 62 overlaps a portion of the first web panel 74 as shown in FIG. 4.

The stack 40 of folded webs with alternating edge folds 60 may be provided by folding and stacking by hand. The webs are individually folded by hand to have a variable spacing between the edge fold 60 and the panel fold 70 and then stacked by hand to provide an alternating edge fold 60 in a predetermined repeating pattern. However, hand folding and lamination are generally expensive and time consuming.

5, 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a method of forming a stack 40 of folded webs with alternating edge folds 60. 5 shows a continuous wool web 148. Continuous wool web 148 includes a dry fiber substrate on which folded web 50 is formed. The parent web 148 may have a width W of about 51 inches and is unrolled from the feed roll and slit into six continuous webs, denoted 150A to 150F in FIG. 5.

The parent web 148 can be slit by rotating the knife indicated by numeral 110 in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the parent web 148 and the continuous webs 150A- 150F are transported approximately horizontally. The liquid component on which the dry fibrous web is immersed may be applied to each of the continuous webs 150A- 150F when the continuous web is transported approximately horizontally. It may be transferred to the webs 150A- 150F by any suitable method, such as by coating a web with a loted bar 120 having an orifice that transfers the liquid component to the surface of the web under pressure. As a variant, the web may be sprayed or immersed in the liquid component.

In FIG. 6, continuous webs 150A-150F are shown to be conveyed almost vertically. Edges 152, 154 of continuous webs 150A- 150F are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Edges 152 and 154 correspond to first and second end portions 52 and 54, respectively, of the finished folded web 50. Folding of the webs 150A- 150F occurs simultaneously along six parallel lanes.

In FIG. 6, the first edge folded adjacent edge 152 by orienting the edge of each continuous web 150A-150F through folding tunnel 200. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of edge fold 160 formed on continuous web 150A by folding tunnel 200. The folding tunnel 200 has a transition tunnel portion 210 that pivots the edge 152 to form an edge fold 160 on the continuous web 150A adjacent the edge 152. Edge fold 160 corresponds to edge fold 160 on foldable web 50.

Continuous webs 150A- 150F are then transferred respectively onto the surface of the folded fan assembly. In FIG. 6, the folding fan assembly is indicated by reference numerals 300A-300F. Each folding fan assembly is relatively smaller and has a triangular folding fan 310 and a relatively larger triangular shaped folding fan 320 spaced from the folding fan 310 by a gap 330.

The folding fan 320 has a tip edge 325 as shown by the points in FIG. 6. Such folding fan assemblies are known in the art. Continuous webs 150A-150F are guided between the rollers 410, 420 below the folding fan assemblies 300A-300F. The continuous web passes through the nip formed by the nip rollers 430, 440.

Continuous webs 150A through 150F are driven by nip rollers 430 and 440 to move on the surfaces of folding fan assemblies 300A through 300F. The folding of the continuous web 150A will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 11. FIG. 11 is a schematic side view illustrating a continuous web 150A folded as it is transported over the surface of the folding fan assembly 300A. When the continuous webs 150A- 150F are transported on the surfaces of the folding fan assemblies 300A- 300F, the folding fan assemblies provide two folds to the continuous webs 150A- 150F.

One of the folds 170 of FIG. 11 corresponds to the first panel fold 70. Fold 170 is provided with fold 170 to web 150A when a portion of the continuous web is towed at a spacing 330 between fans 310 and 320. Fold 170 is initialized when the web is transported on the leading end (top edge of FIG. 6) surface of folding pans 310, 320. As shown in FIG. 11, the web is gradually pulled into the gap 330 as it is transported from the top of the folding pan assembly to the bottom of the folding pan assembly.

Another fold 180 corresponds to the second panel fold 80. Fold 180 is formed in the continuous web as the continuous web passes over the surface of the tip edge 325 of the folding fan 320.

Continuous webs 150A- 150F are inclined somewhat flat nearly flat relative to the plane of FIG. 6 upstream of folding fan assemblies 300A-300F. Foldable, continuous webs 150A-150F are about 90 ° to the plane of FIG. 6 when they leave the bottom of the folding fan assembly to transfer between rollers 410 and 420 and are driven between nip rollers 430 and 440. Is oriented. Thus, folded continuous webs 150A-150F are shown in the edge direction under the folding pan assembly of FIG. 6. Six folded continuous webs 150A through 150F are transported around pivot roll 460 to provide a group of six folded continuous webs 150A through 150F on the other top surface. Group 540 is shown in FIG. 6.

Groups 540 of continuous webs 150 are cut at predetermined intervals at downstream cutting stations (not shown) to form a sheet of six separate folding webs 50. Each folded web 50 in the six stacks corresponds to one of six continuous webs 150A-150F. Six stacks of individual collapsible webs 50 can be overlapped in plural to form the structure 40 shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2, only four stacks are shown to form stack 40 but six stacks are more (eg, six stacks of sixteen for a total of 96 folded webs 50). It will typically be combined in the vessel 20. The stack 40 can be mounted in the vessel 20 in an unpacked packing station.

The spacing between the edge folds 160 (provided by the folded tunnel 200) and the folds 170 (provided by the folded fan assembly) varies from one continuous web of lane to lane to the next continuous web (eg, continuous web ( 150A) to continuous web 150B to provide alternating edge folds 60 according to the present age. The spacing between edge fold 160 and fold 170 is varied by varying the position of the continuous web relative to the folding fan assembly. The continuous web may be laterally displaced by another amount from lane to next lane to change the position of the continuous web relative to the folding fan assembly. In a variant, the folding fan assembly may be laterally displaced by varying the distance from the lane to the lane to change the position of the web relative to the folding fan assembly.

Referring to FIG. 7, the continuous web 150A is conveyed on the surface of the folding fan assembly 300A such that the edge fold 160 is initially spaced apart 360A from the gap 330 of the folding fan assembly 300A. . Continuous web 150B is transported on the surface of folding fan assembly 300B such that edge fold 160 of continuous web 150B is initially spaced apart by distance 360B from gap 330 of folding fan assembly 300B. . Continuous web 150C is conveyed on the surface of folding fan assembly 300C such that edge fold 160 is initially spaced 360 ° away from gap 330 of folding fan assembly 300C. Distance 360A is greater than distance 360B, and distance 360B is greater than distance 360C. Thus, the spacing between edge fold 160 and fold 170 on continuous web 150A will be greater than the spacing between edge fold 160 and fold 170 on continuous web 150B. Likewise, the spacing between edge fold 160 and fold 170 on continuous web 150B will be greater than the spacing between edge fold 160 and fold 170 on continuous web 150C. Thus, in the group 540 shown in FIG. 6, the position of the edge folds 160 of the group 540 will be alternating due to the difference in spacing.

For example, distance 360A would be at least about 0.25 inches greater than distance 360B, and distance 360B would be at least about 0.25 inches larger than distance 360C. In one embodiment, the distances 360A-360C differ by about 0.25 inches. Thus, the edge folds 60 of the end folded web 50 of the article are alternately spaced apart by a distance of about 0.25 inches.

Webs 150A-150F can be individually guided such that each web is transported over the surface of each of the folding fan assemblies to provide a desired change in distance 360 between edge 152 and each gap 330. have. One method of positioning the web in the transverse direction (perpendicular to the direction of movement in FIG. 6) is to apply pressure against the web adjacent one of the edges 152, 154. For example, if pressure is applied in the direction perpendicular to the web (toward the observer in FIG. 6) and adjacent to the edge 152, the web will tend to move to the right in FIG. 6. As a variant, when pressure is applied adjacent edge 154, there is a method of transporting the web over the surface of the steering roll (not shown). The position of the second end of the steering roll relative to the web can be adjusted by varying the pressure exerted over the width of the web (by moving the second end of the adjusting roll towards or away from the viewer in FIG. 6). Is equal to

6-8, edge folds 160 are formed in continuous webs 150A- 150F prior to forming folds 170, 180. Continuous webs 150A-150F are transported over the folding fan assembly surface to provide folds 170, 180 that correspond to panel folds 70, 80 of the final folding web 50. This shape has the potential drawback that fold 160 may be unintentionally unfolded before other folds 170, 180 are made.

9A-9C and 10 include shaping edge fold 160 and varying the spacing between edge folds 160, 170 on adjacent continuous webs, such as webs 150A, 150B. Another way is shown. 9A-9C are schematic enlarged views in which the web is conveyed on the surface of each folding fan assembly. 9A-9C, the edge fold 160 is shown molded by a folding block 600 disposed along the folding fan assemblies 300A-300C at different locations. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9A showing the edge fold 160 as the edge of the continuous web 150A moves through the folding block 600. Folding block 600 has an approximately cylindrical surface 610. The radius of the surface 610 prevents the web from tearing as the web moves through the folding block 600.

Prior to placing the fold block 600 on the fold pan assembly, the web is placed laterally (like the adjustment rollers described above) to provide the desired position of the web for each fold pan assembly. With reference to FIG. 9A, continuous web 150A initially has web edge 152 spaced 370A from gap 330 of folding fan assembly 300A. With reference to FIG. 9B, continuous web 150B initially has web edge 152 separated by distance 370B from gap 330 of folding fan assembly 300B. With reference to FIG. 9C, continuous web 150C initially has web edge 152 spaced 370C away from gap 330 of folding fan assembly 300C. Distance 370A is greater than distance 370B, and distance 370B is greater than distance 370C.

Accordingly, the spacing between the edge 152 and the fold 170 on the continuous web 150A is greater than the spacing between the edge 152 and the fold 170 on the continuous web 150B and the edge (on the continuous web 150B). The spacing between 152 and fold 170 will be greater than the spacing between edge 152 and fold 170 on continuous web 150C.

Once the position of each folding pan assembly and web is set to provide the desired distance 370, the folding block 600 is placed on the folding pan assembly. Without the fold block 600, the edge 152 is coupled to each fold fan 310 only upstream of the position where it is introduced into the gap 330. The block arrangement at this location was found to result in the shaping of the edge fold 160. Importantly, the edge fold 160 is formed when transferred between the folding pan assembly and the tip of the folding block 600, before the point where the edge fold 160 is towed into the gap 330. When the edge fold 160 is towed into the gap 330, the edge 152 is disposed between different positions of the web, as shown in FIG. 10, to minimize the chance of the edge fold unfolding.

Without being theoretically limited, the folding block 600 in this position forms an edge fold 160 by obstructing the path of the web adjacent to the edge 152. Interruption of the path of the edge 152 causes the edge 152 to twist toward the observer of FIGS. 9A-9C to form the shape of the edge fold 160.

9A-9C, edge fold 160 is not formed in continuous webs 150A- 150C until the continuous web is at least partially folded by a folding fan assembly. In particular, edge fold 160 is not shaped until fold 170 is initialized to spacing 330.

The folding block 600 may be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to stainless steel and hard plastic.

The fold block 600 can be positioned at several different locations along the fold fan assembly to provide the edge fold 160 while the edge fold 160 is nearly equal from the web edge 152 of each of the continuous webs 150A-150F. Spaced apart. Thus, the web lip thus formed between edge fold 160 and web edge 152 will have approximately the same size for each of the continuous webs.

However, the spacing between edge fold 160 and fold 170 will vary somewhat somewhat from continuous web 150A to continuous web 150C due to differences in distances 370A-370C (FIGS. 9A-9C). ). Fold 170 is initialized when the web is first introduced into the gap 330 between the leading ends of the folding fan assembly. Thus, the spacing between edge fold 160 and fold 170 increases as spacing 370 and spacing 330 between edges 152 increase.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, various other modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and intended use.

Claims (15)

In a single folded web assembly for placing one over another to form a laminate, Each web has a longitudinal fold extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end, the edge folds being disposed adjacent to the first end and proximate to the first end to facilitate grip of the web, A folded web assembly in which at least a portion of the edge fold locations are alternating in the stack. The method of claim 1, The position of at least a portion of the edge folds are alternating at least a distance of at least the distance between the edge fold and the first end. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The gap between the edge fold and the first end is less than about 0.50 inches, preferably about 0.15 inches to 0.35 inches. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The position of the edge folds is alternating in a predetermined manner, and the position of the edge folds is alternating in a repeating pattern, preferably providing at least three different edge fold positions in the stack. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, And the adjacent web is not folded together. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The folded web is a folded web assembly that is a prewet wipe. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, One web is disposed on the other top surface to form a laminate, each folded web extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end, An edge fold disposed adjacent and away from the first end of the folded web to provide a web lip extending between the edge fold and the first end edge of the web, A first panel fold spaced from the edge fold so as to provide a first web panel extending between the first panel fold and the edge fold, the first panel fold being approximately parallel to the edge fold and wherein the web lip is coupled to it of the edge fold; A second web panel joining the first web panel at the first panel fold; At least one web in the stack differs between the edge fold on the at least another web in the stack and the first panel fold and the gap between the other edge fold and the first panel fold. The method of claim 7, wherein The foldable edge assembly of between the edge fold and the first end is about 0.15 inch to 0.35 inch. The method according to claim 7 or 8, The gap between the edge fold and the first panel fold varies between adjacent webs in the stack. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, Each web further comprises a second panel fold and a third web panel, wherein the third web panel is coupled to the second web panel of the second panel fold, the web being folded in the first and second panel folds to form a first web panel. And a folded edge assembly for providing the second and third web panels in a Z-shaped fold shape. A method of forming a stack of sheet folded webs having alternating edge folds in the stack, the method comprising: Providing at least two continuous webs, Forming at least one first panel fold adjacent to and spaced from an edge of the continuous web in one of the continuous webs, Forming a single folded web from each of the folded continuous webs, Aligning the sheet of folded web on another surface to form a stack of sheet of folded web. The method of claim 11, Providing a folding device corresponding to each of the continuous webs for forming the first panel fold; Placing each continuous web for each folding device such that the position of the first continuous web for each folding device is different from the position of the second continuous web for each folding device; Forming a first panel fold on each continuous web with a folding device corresponding to the continuous web. The method of claim 12, And wherein said edge fold forming method is performed before said first panel fold forming step. The method of claim 12, The edge fold forming method is performed after initializing the first panel fold forming step. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, Providing at least three continuous webs, Providing a collapsible device corresponding to each continuous web; Positioning three continuous webs differently for each folded device to provide three folded continuous webs with three different spacings of the edge fold from the first panel fold.