MXPA98003666A - Fabric and set of folded blade material and method and apparatus for mi - Google Patents

Abstract

The present one sheet material assembly comprising a stack of longitudinally folded sheet material fabrics including cloth and a second fabric, the first fabric includes a first fold, a second fold lying on a portion of said first fold, and a third fold that lies between the first and second folds. The second fold includes a first fold that lies beneath the first fold of the first cloth, a second fold lying on the second fold of the first cloth and a third fold lying under the third fold of the first cloth, a folding device to form a fabric includes the first, second and third bending edges extending from a first joint and formed in a first plane, a fourth bent edge extending from the first joint out of the first plane, fifth and sixth bending edges which extends from a second joint formed in a second plane parallel to and above the first plane, and a seventh edge of bending extending from the second joint of the second plane. The fifth bend edge crosses over the third bend edge in a spaced apart relationship. One method of forming a sheet material fabric includes pulling the fabric over the second, third and fourth bending edges to form the first fold, pulling the fabric over the first fold edge to form a second fold and pulling the fabric over. the fifth, sixth and seventh edges of bending to form the third te

Description

i FABRIC AND SET OF FOLDED BLADE MATERIAL AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE SAME Background of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a fabric and set of folded sheet material, and in particular, to a specific arrangement of a fabric of starting sheet material for a stack of folded fabrics. The invention also relates to a method and an apparatus for folding the starter fabric.

It is well known in the facial tissue field that the top or topmost fabric of a pile of longitudinally folded fabrics is folded back on itself to provide a longitudinally folded edge located centrally on top of the pile described, for example, in United States Patent No. 3,401,927 issued September 17, 1968 to Frick, and assigned to Kimberly-Clark Corporation, the same assignee of the present application. The folded edge, and the overlying edges of the starter fabric, were provided to allow a wearer to easily grasp and remove the uppermost fabric of the stack, which is typically retained within a carton or the like. It is also known in the art to provide the next lower fabric interwoven with the uppermost fabric, so that a part of the next lower fabric will be removed from the pile when the uppermost fabric is removed. In this manner, the next lower web is exposed to the user for successive removal of the stack.

Typically, the overlapping folds of the starter fabric are arranged so that a single, more superior fold extends outwardly from the centrally located longitudinally folded edge and terminates at a free edge near the side edge of the stack as shown in FIG. patent of the United States of North America No. 3,401,927 granted to Frick. When arranged in such a configuration, a loader of fabrics or fabrics, made from a pile of fabrics cut to a specific length, experiences what is commonly referred to as a problem of "flying leaves", where few top sheets of the loader fly out of the top of the loader when it is transported at high speeds from a saw, where the pile of cloth was cut to form the loaders, for a packer, where two cartridges are packed in boxes of cardboard and the like. Other The problem typically encountered with a stack having a fabric with a more superior fold ending in a free edge, whether it is on the side of the stack or at a midpoint, is that the uppermost fold has a tendency to adhere to both of them to an upper pull band which is used to push the stack of fabrics from the bending board to the saw, and to hold down the chains, which engage the upper part * of the pile as it passes through the saw. In addition, because the uppermost bend has two exposed edges, for example, the longitudinally folded and centrally located edge and the outer free edge, the bending process must be monitored closely, to ensure that the free edge is close to the edge. side edge of the stack. If the free edge extends beyond the lateral edge, it can be trapped on the machinery and the like, as the pile is taken * from the bending board to the saw, and then when the cartridge is taken to the packer. Conversely, if the free edge is not aligned with, or is shorter than, the free edge, it may present an aesthetically unpleasant appearance to the user.

To combat the problem of "flying sheets" and adhesion, facial tissue manufacturers are commonly forced to reduce line speeds and / or to incorporate additional manufacturing steps, such as spraying liquid onto the upper sheets, using weights to maintain top sheets down, apply antistatic products to reduce static, clean surfaces to reduce static, and / or control humidity / temperature in relevant areas of operation. Alternatively, extra folds or fabrics can be inserted into the upper sheets, but with the adverse impact of requiring extra pages to be filled out with the initial withdrawal by the user. Therefore, the aforementioned efforts may result in lower productivity, increased manufacturing costs or waste for the user.

Another problem encountered with a stack having only a single highermost fabric is that the fabric is susceptible to tearing and the like when removed by a user. This problem is especially acute when the uppermost fabric is doubled with the next lower fabric, when applying the lower fabric next forces to the upper fabric when it is removed.

Synthesis of the Invention Briefly stated, the invention is directed to a set of sheet material comprising a stack of sheets of sheet material folded longitudinally including a first fabric and a second fabric. The first fabric includes a first fold, a second fold covering a part of the first fold, and a third fold lying between the first and second folds. The second fabric includes a first fold under the first fold of the first fabric, a second fold covering the second fold of the first fabric, and a third fold lying between the first folds and the second folds of the first and second fabric.

* In a preferred embodiment, the first and second folds of each of the first and second fabrics form a first edge folded longitudinally on one side of the pile, and the second and third folds form a longitudinally folded edge 5 in the middle of the sides of the pile. the stack, and preferably at an approximate midpoint of the stack. Each of the third folds includes a longitudinal free edge that lies between the first and second folds. # • In one aspect of the invention, the longitudinal free edge of the third fold is close to the first longitudinally folded edge so that the first bend is substantially under the entire second fold.

In a preferred embodiment, the second and third folds of the first fabric are in contact, and the first, second and third folds of the first and second fabrics are in contact respectively.

In another aspect of the invention, a following lower fabric is interleaved with the first fabric, or the first and second fabrics, by providing a fold that lies between the first and third folds of the fabrics. In a similar manner, a plurality of the following lower fabrics is progressively bent with the next lower fabric and one with the other.

* In another aspect of the invention, ur is provided. bending device for folding a sheet material fabric as described above. The bending device has the first, the second and the third bending bcrde formed in a first plane and extending from a first joint, with the third bending edge extending between the first and second bending edges. A fourth bending edge also extends from the first joint, but out of the first plane. The bending device also has a bending edge first and sixth formed in a second plane and extending from a second joint. The second joint is formed on one side of one end of the first edge opposite the first joint. The second plane is parallel to and placed above the first plane. The fifth bending edge crosses over the third bending edge in a spaced and separate relationship. Finally, the bending device includes a seventh bending edge extending from the second joint, but outside the second plane.

In another aspect of the invention, the first, fourth and seventh folding edges form the edges of a first panel, the second and third folding edges form the edges of a second panel and the fifth and sixth folding edges form the edges of the second panel. edges of a third panel. In a preferred embodiment, the panels are formed outside of a single piece of material, with a fourth panel interconnecting the first and second panels and a fifth panel interconnecting the first and third panels. 1 r ^ _ ^ T In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for forming the sheet material web described above. In particular, the first longitudinal fold is formed by pulling the fabric over the folding edges 5 second, third and fourth of the folding device. The second longitudinal fold is formed in an overlying relationship with the first fold by pulling the fabric over the first folding edge of the folding device. Finally, the third longitudinal fold is formed in a deck relation with the first fold, and in an underlying relationship with the second bend, by pulling the fabric over the fifth, sixth and seventh bending edges of the bending device. In a preferred embodiment, a second fabric a is applied and aligned with the first fabric prior to the above described forming process of so that the two fabrics are folded together.

The present invention provides significant advantages over the other fabrics and longitudinally folded sheet material assemblies. In particular, through bend the third bend between the first and second folds, the free edge of the third fold is isolated from and is not exposed to air currents and other forces produced by the high line speeds. The free edge is also not exposed to the pull band that pushes the pile of fabrics toward the saw, or the retention chains downwards that hook the top of the stack. Instead of this, the uppermost fold, or the second fold has the edges bent, with the free edge of the third fold bent below essentially all of the uppermost fold. In this manner, the uppermost bend is stabilized, and is therefore less likely to be affected by static, air currents, adhesion and / or other forces tending to undress the upper fabrics of the stack or cartridge.

In addition, when two sheets are formed together in the preferred embodiment, the uppermost folds are made even more resistant to the problem of "leaf blasting" and / or adhesion. In contrast, when the free edge is exposed on the uppermost fold or just slightly flipped under the uppermost fold, the uppermost fabric is less stable. In this way, it can be made more susceptible to "flying sheets" and adhesion problems, regardless of the number of additional sheet material fabrics formed therewith. Therefore, with the present invention, the speed of the forming process can be increased essentially without encountering "flying sheet" or adhesion problems, and without the need for a static reduction, the application of weights to the upper sheet, the wet control, and / or spray application.

Furthermore, by providing two folded fabrics together, the sheets are less susceptible to tearing and the like when the user removes the sheets and therefore also remove a part of the next lower fabric interwoven with the two sheets.

Furthermore, in the present invention the free edge of the third fold is not exposed to the side of the stack, so that it can not be damaged on the machinery when the stack of fabrics is moved between the folding board, the saw and the packer In this way, stops and stops or reductions in speed can be greatly reduced. Similarly, the free edge of the third underlying fold is not visually exposed to the user, so that it does not detract from the aesthetics of the stack.

The improved board configuration facilitates the weaving of a new fabric after stops caused by fabric breaks, and the like. In particular, the bending board does not have any guide rods on which the operator must thread the fabric. The elimination of guide rods also makes the bending board easier to hold and more reliable.

In addition, the improved bending board configuration allows the operator to more easily maintain the position of the second longitudinal bend edge in about * of the midpoint of the stack. In such a position, the fabric becomes more resistant to tearing when removed by a user.

Therefore, the present invention provides a simple but reliable way of making a fabric of improved sheet material and assembling the webs of sheet material as to reduce overall waste while simultaneously increasing the output and providing a more robust product for the user. The present invention, together with its additional objects and advantages, will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 15 Brief Description of the Drawings Many of the features and dimensions portrayed in the drawings and in particular the presentation of folds, fold lines, folded edges, thicknesses and the like, something has been exaggerated by way of illustration and clarity. In addition, fabrics and cloth folds are shown in the figures as being spaced apart from one another and from the folding board for the sake of clarity.

It should be understood that in reality, the bends make contact with each other and the bending board is as described below.

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a stack of interwoven fabrics with a further upper fabric folded.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a pile of interwoven fabrics with a pair of uppermost fabrics folded together.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a folding board.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the folding board.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the folding board taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged partial view of the horizontal panels overlying the folding board shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the sheet metal section from which the folding board of Figure 3 is made.

Figure 8 is a partial and enlarged view of the two joints and fold lines of the section shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 3.

Figure 10 is an enlarged and partial sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Figure 3. Figure 11 is a partial enlarged sectional view taken along line 11-11 of the figure 4 Figure 12 is a top perspective view 15 of a fabric applied to the folding board of Figure 3.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Figure 12. Figure 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 of Figure 12.

Figure 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 of Figure 12.

Figure 18 is a sectional view taken along line 18-18 of Figure 12.

Fig. 19 is a top perspective view of a first and a second fabric applied to the folding board of Fig. 3 with a third fold interleaved with the first and second.

Figure 20 is a sectional view taken along line 20-20 of Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21-21 of Figure 19.

Figure 22 is a sectional view taken along line 22-22 of Figure 19.

Figure 23 is a sectional view taken along line 23-23 of Figure 19.

Figure 24 is a sectional view taken along line 24-24 of Figure 19.

Figure 25 is a sectional view taken along line 25-25 of Figure 19.

Figure 26 is a partial perspective view of a fabric cartridge of sheet material deposited in a box.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modalities Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a set of sheet material made from a stack 50 of webs of sheet material, 10, 30 and 40. Preferably the webs of sheet material are made of a facial tissue, and are of about 8/2 inches wide, although it should be understood by one skilled in the art that other materials of varying widths, such as sheets of metallized paper or other papers, can be bent and doubled as described below. Facial tissue is a particularly fragile type of paper product that typically exhibits greater strength properties in the longitudinal or machine direction, as compared to the transverse or lateral direction.

It has been understood that the term "fabric" as used herein is intended to include a sheet material made of one or more layers of material so that a multi-layer sheet material is considered to be a fabric or fabric of the material of sheet regess of the number of batteries. In addition, the term "longitudinal" used here, is for% to indicate the direction in which the fabric is folded as it passes over the bending bo and no attempt is made to limit it to a particular length of the fabric, whether this be cut or otherwise. Similarly, the terms "left hand", "right hand", "left" and "right" as used here are intended to indicate the direction relative to the views presented in the figures, and in particular, from a perspective it is seen the folding bofrom the front of the bo As shown in Figure 1, the uppermost fabric 10 is bent to provide the longitudinal fabric folds 12, 14 and 16. The fabric fold 12 is formed of a first fabric half 10 and has an adjacent longitudinal free edge 18 on the right side of the stack and a longitudinal bent edge 28 adjacent to the left side of the stack 50. In this form, the fabric fold 12 extends essentially to the width of the stack 50, which is preferably about one half of the width of the fabric 10. The folded edge 28 is formed by folding the fold of fabric 14 over the fold of fabric 12 so that the fold of fabric 14 extends from and is joined by the folded edge 28.

In one embodiment shown in Figure 1, the 5 fabric folds 14 and 16 are formed from the second half of the fabric 10 using a left bending bo70. It should be understood by one skilled in the art that the folds of cloth can be reversed so that the folds * corresponding are formed from an opposite half of the fabric 10 using a right bending bo The fabric fold 16 is folded under the fabric fold 14 to form an inner longitudinal folded edge 36 lying between and parallel to the side edges of the fabric. , and preferably at about a midpoint between the side edges. In this manner, the folded edge 36 defines a longitudinal edge of fabric folds 14 and 16. The fabric fold 16 extends between the fabric folds 14 and 12 to the left side of the pile and ends in a free edge. longitudinal 38, which lies parallel to the longitudinal folding edge 28. The fabric folds 14 and 16 are in direct contact. The free edge 38 lies within and to one side of the folded edge 28 between the fold of fabric 14 and the fold of fabric 12. When folded in this manner, the fabric 10 assumes a e-shape configuration generally flattened. Preferably, the free edge 38 is near the folded edge 28 so that the fold of fabric 16 lies beneath essentially all of the fold of fabric 14. In this form, the fabric 10 becomes less susceptible to air currents and the like. . In addition, by placing the longitudinally folded edge 36 at an approximate midpoint of the stack, the fabric 10 becomes more tear-resistant during removal by a user.

The fabric folds 12 and 16 form an opening 160 between them at the folded edge 36. Once the stack is cut into the cartridges of a predetermined length and packed into a box or the like, the opening 160 provides a place for the user inserts one or more of his fingers to grasp the first fabric 10 on a folded edge 36 and remove it from the pile.

In a preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 2, the fabric 20 is folded with the fabric 10. The fabric 20 is folded in the longitudinal folds of fabric 20, 24 and 26 which lie in direct contact with the fabric folds 12, 14 and 16, respectively. In particular, the fabric fold 22 lies below and is in direct contact with the fabric fold 12, the fabric fold 24 lies on and is in direct contact with the fabric fold 14, and the fabric fold 26 lies below and is in direct contact with the fabric fold 16. The fabric fold 22 has a longitudinal free edge 42 on one side of the right side of the stack, and a longitudinally folded edge 44 on one side of the left side of the stack. The folded edge 44 of the fabric 20 lies on the folded edge 28 of the fabric 10. The fabric fold 24 extends between and is joined by a longitudinally folded edge 44 and a longitudinal folded edge 46. The folded edge 46 runs parallel to the side sides of the stack, and preferably at about a mid point between the side edges. The folded edge 46 of the fabric 20 lies on the folded edge 36 of the fabric 10. The folded edge 46 is formed by folding the fold of fabric 26 under the fabric fold 24. The fabric fold 26 extends from the edge folded 46 in the opening 160 between the fabric folds 16 and 12 towards the side of the stack and ends in a longitudinal free edge 48, which lies directly below and parallel to the free edge 38. The free edge 48 also lies within and adjacent to the bent edges 44 and 28.

The fabric folds 26 and 12 form an opening 170 between them at the folded edge 46. Once the pile is cut into cartridges of a predetermined length and packed into a box 200 as shown in Figure 26, the opening 170 provides a place for the user to insert one or more of their fingers to grasp the starter fabrics 10 and 20 at the folded edges 36 and 48 and remove them from the stack. In the embodiment shown in Figure 26, the box 200 is provided with a longitudinal opening 210 in the upper part of the carton. The opening 210 is exposed by removing a part of the box 200, typically by tearing the part along a perforated line. In this manner, the longitudinally bent edges 36 and 46, which are preferably centrally located in the aperture 210, are exposed so that the user can insert one or more of their fingers through the aperture 210 in the aperture 170 and grasp the fabrics 10 and 20 on the folded edges 36 and 46.

By providing two webs of folded sheet material together, the stack becomes less susceptible to "sheet flow" and adhesion problems, since air streams and the like are required to undress an additional folded fabric from the part top of the stack. In addition, by providing the two uppermost starting fabrics 10 and 20 folded together, the assembly becomes more robust since the two folded fabrics are less susceptible to tearing when grasped and removed by a user of the box, or the packing. In this regard, it should be understood that the additional start fabrics can be similarly folded with the first and second fabrics.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the V-shaped fabrics on the right side 30 and the V-shaped fabrics on the left side 40 are progressively interfolded with the fabrics 10 and 20 and with each other. In particular, the fabric 30 includes an upper fold 52 folded over a lower fold 54 to form a longitudinally folded edge 56 on the side of the pile As shown in Figure 1, the upper fold of the uppermost fabric 30 is doubled between the folds 12 and 16 5 of the fabric 10. Similarly, in Figures 2 and 26, the uppermost fold 52 is interleaved between the fabric fold 26 of the fabric 20 and the fabric fold 12 of the fabric 10. Below this, the fabrics 30 and 40 are interfolded using a succession of alternating right and left bending boards as described in United States Patent No. 3,401,927 issued. to Frick, which is incorporated here by reference.

Alternatively, the bottom fabrics can be formed as C-shaped fabrics opening upward which have a base fold and two wing folds. In such an arrangement, the lower fabrics are not doubled, but rather stacked one on top of the other.

The bending board 70, suitably called a left-side board as shown in the figures, is preferably formed of a single piece of sheet metal or a section 150, as shown in Figure 7. The metal section of The sheet is preferably made of a No. 12 Gauge Type 304 stainless steel with a # 4 finish on both sides. However, it should be understood by one skilled in the art that the bending board can be made of any rigid material having a suitably smooth surface and edges such as aluminum or even plastic. The sheet metal section 150 is bent along the fold lines 80, 82, 83, 84 and 86 to form the folding board 70. Alternatively, the folding board can be constructed of several pieces of sheet metal welded together, or mechanically fastened.

The folding board 70 includes the panels 88, 90, 92, 94 and 96. The panel 90 can be considered as a base part, and is typically used in a horizontal position. The panels 90 and 94 are formed by folding the section 150 along the fold line 80 so as to form a folding edge 100 which extends parallel to the path of the fabrics 10 and 20 as shown in figures 3. , 12 and 19.

Preferably, panels 90 and 94 are bent at about an angle of 123 °, 45 'as shown in Figure 10. Panel 90 also includes a free-bending edge 102 that extends obliquely through the path of the fabrics 10, 20 and intersect with the bending edge 100 in the joint 110. The panel 90 also includes a mounting flange extending to the sides 114 having a slotted mounting hole 116 adapted to allow the folding board 70 to be mounted on a support structure, shown in Figure 4 as a post 180 via of illustration. Preferably, the folding edges 100 and 102 of the panel 90 form an angle of about 17 °, 9 'between them and lie in the same plane.

The panel 88 is generally trapezoidal in shape and is formed by folding the section 150 along the fold lines 82 and 84 to form the folding edges 104 and 112, which also define the edges of the panels 94 and S -. 5 respectively. Preferably, panels 96 and 88 are. bent at about an angle 106, 6 'along the fold line 84 to form the fold edge 112. Similarly, the panels 88 and 94 are bent around the «Same amount to form the bending edge 104. The panel £ 3 includes a generally flat part 120 having a bottom surface 130, and a top lip part 122 that generally lies in a vertical plane. Preferably, that flat paree 120 forms an angle of about 60 ° with the plar.e defined by the panel 90. The upper lip portion 122 includes two mounting holes 118 adapted to allow the folding board 70 to be mounted on a support structure, shown in Figure 4 as a post 190 by way of illustration. The panel 88 also includes a lower lip portion 126 that extends forward from the flat 120 and ends in the bending edge 128. The bending edge 128 extends between the joints 110 and 120 and lies generally in the same plane formed by the panel 90 and the folding edges 100 and 102. The joints 110 and 120 are each formed as a rounded notch, preferably having a radius of about 0.09 inches. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the junea 120 is slightly off-center from, or placed slightly • above the joint 110, so that when the master is folded along the fold lines 80, 82, 83 , 84 and 86 as described above, the panel 92 is formed parallel to and spaced from the panel 90 in an overlapping manner. As just described, the panel 92 is also typically used in the horizontal position and lies parallel to and above the panel 90 as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

* Preferably panel 92 is spaced by about 0.06 inches above the panel 90. The panels 92 and 96 are formed by folding the section along the fold line 86 so as to form a bending edge 108 extending parallel to the bend edge 100 and to the path of the bend. fabric as shown in figures 3, 12 and 19. Preferably, the panels 92 and 96 are bent to form an angle of about 123 °, 45 '. The panel 92 also includes the free bending edge 106, which extends obliquely through the path of the fabric and intersects the bending edge 108 in the joint 124. Preferably, the bending edges 106 and 108 of the panel 92 form an angle of about 17 °, 9 'between them and lie in the same plane. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, a part of the panel 92 lies on a part of the panel 90, so that the bending edge 106 crosses over the bending edge 102 in a spaced apart relationship. 25 * Panel 96 extends between panels 88 and 92 and is formed by folding the section along bending lines 84 and 86 as described above. The panel 94 extends between the panels 88 and 90 and is formed by folding the section along the fold lines 80 and 82 as described above.

To form the folded fabric configuration ~ # shown in Figure 1, the fabric 10 is initially provided as a roll of sheet material (not shown). Referring to Figure 12, the fabric 10 is pulled out of the roll and directed onto a guide roller 60 under suitable tension and is thus introduced to the bending board 70 in a generally flat condition as shown in Figures 12 and 13 The fabric 10 is directed longitudinally against the bottom surface of the folding board 70. Initially, the fabric 10 is directed against the bottom surface 130 of the panel 88 and pulled through the folding edges 104 and 112 as shown in Figure 14. As the fabric 10 continues past the board 70, it is pulled through the fold edge 128 to form the fold of fabric 14 as shown in Figure 15. In particular, when the fabric is pulled 10 over the folded edge 102 and the upper surface 140, this is pushed upwardly to form the longitudinally folded edge 28 in the joint 110, and to begin to line the fold of fabric 12. Similarly, the fabric 10 is pulled over and pushed inwardly by the bend edge 106 to form the longitudinal bend edge 36 in the joint 120, which lies parallel to the folded edge 28. The fabric also begins to form a fold of fabric 16 as it is pulled over the fold edge 106 and the upper surface 142 of the panel 92. The left side of the fabric is also pulled over the fold edge 100 and the TEA * bottom surface 132 of panel 90, while right side 10 is pulled over bending edge 108 and bottom surface 134 of panel 92.

As the fabric 10 continues to be pulled over the fold edge 112, which extends obliquely inwardly from the joint 120, the fabric fold 16 is progressively pushed by the fold edge 112 under the fold 14 of the cloth 14 as shown in Figure 16. Similarly, the fold edge 102, which extends obliquely inwardly. from the board 110, progressively pushes the fabric fold 12 below the fabric fold 14 when the fabric 10 is pulled over the fold edge 102. Because the panel 92 and the fold edge 112 are spaced above the panel 90 and the fold edge 102, the fabric fold 112 also it is progressively pushed under the fabric fold 16 so that the fabric fold 15 is formed between the fabric folds 12 and 14. Eventually, as shown in Figure 17, the fabric fold 16 is completely # formed between the fabric folds 12 and 14 such as the panel 92 and the end of the folding edge 106, so that the free edge 38 lies between the fabric folds 12 and 14 within and to one side of the folded edge 28. In this manner, the free edge 38 is completely hidden from view and is protected between the folds of fabric 12. and 14. As shown in Figure 17, the cloth 10 continues to be pulled over the fold edge 102 and the bottom surface 132 of the panel 90 to complete the * Information of the fabric fold 12. As shown in Figure 10 18, the sheet material material folded completely is shown as it is pulled on the top surface 140 of the panel 90.

As just described, the bending edge improved 70, and the method for folding a starter fabric, eliminates the need for guide rollers and thus simplifies the bending board and the overall process to make a folded sheet. This, in turn, makes it easier to thread the machine and maintain the device. In addition, less attention is required to maintaining the placement of the free edge 38, since it is not visually exposed to the user, and can not be damaged by machinery and the like when the fabric is taken from the folding board 70 to the saw, and to the packer afterwards. Similarly, the configuration of the folding board 70 makes it easier for the The operator maintains the longitudinally folded edge 36 around the midpoint of the stack, where it becomes accessible to the user and where the fabric 10 also becomes more robust to tearing and the like.

In the preferred embodiment, a second roll (not shown) of sheet material web 20 is provided and applied directly on and aligned with the fabric 10 as the fabrics pass over the guide roll 60 as shown in the figure 19. Similarly, it should be understood that the material fabrics of ^^ Additional sheet can be provided and applied to fabrics first and second. The fabrics are formed together as they are pulled through the folding board 70 as described above for the single fabric 10, and as shown in Figures 19-25. In particular, the fabrics 10 and 20, with the fabric 20 covering the fabric 10, are longitudinally directed against of the bottom surface of the folding board 70. Initially, the fabrics 10 and 20 are directed against the bottom surface 130 of the panel 88 and pulled through the folding edges 104 and 112 as shown in FIG. figure 21 As the fabrics 10 and 20 continue to be pulled under the board 70, they are pulled across the fold edge 128 to form the fabric folds 14 and 24 as shown in Fig. 22. In particular, when the fabrics are pulled 10 and 20 on the bending edge 102, these are pushed towards in to form the longitudinally bent edges 28 and 44 in the joint 110, and begin to form the fabric folds 12 and * 22. Similarly, the fabrics 10 and 20 are pulled over and pushed inward by the folding edge 106 to forming the longitudinally bent edges 36 and 46, which lie parallel to the bent edges 28 and 44. The fabrics 10 and 20 also begin to form the fabric folds 16 and 26 as they are pulled over the fold edge 106 and the upper surface 142 of the panel 92. The left sides of the fabrics are also pulled on the fold edge 100 and the surface of * bottom 132 of panel 90, while right sides are pulled 10 over bending edge 108 and bottom surface 134 of panel 92.

As the fabrics 10 and 20 are pulled over the fold edge 112, which extends obliquely inward from the seal 120, the fabric folds 16 and 26 are progressively pushed by the fold edge 112 under the fabric folds 14 and 24 as shown in Figure 3. Similarly, the fold edge 102, which extends obliquely inward from the board 110, pushes progressively to the fabric folds 12 and 22 under the fabric folds 14 and 24 as the fabrics 10 and 20 are pulled over the fold edge 102. Because the panel 92 and the fold edge 112 are spaced above the fold. panel 90 and bending edge 102, fabric bends 12 and 22 are also pushed progressively below the fabric folds 16 and 26, so that the fabric folds 16 and 26 are folded between the cloth folds * 12 and 14. Eventually, as shown in Figure 24, the fabric folds 16 and 26 are completely wrapped between the fabric folds 12 and 14 at the end of the panel 92, so that the free edges 38 and 48 lie between the fabric folds 12 and 14 inside and to one side of the folded edges 28 and 44. In this manner, the free edges 38 and 48 are completely hidden from view and protected between the fabric folds 12, 22, 14 and 24. As shown in the figure 24, fabrics 10 and 20 continue * being pulled on the folded edge 102 of the panel 90 as 10 to complete the formation of the fabric folds 12 and 22. As shown in Figure 25, the folded sheet material sheets completed are shown as they are pulled over the upper surface 140 of the panel 90.

By providing an additional fabric 20 folded with the fabric 10, the starting fabrics are less susceptible to tearing and the like when grasped by a wearer during the initial removal of the starting fabrics. In addition, the pile becomes more resistant to the "flying of leaves" and to accession problems.

An interfolded stack of webs of sheet material is produced by interweaving the webs 10, 20, 30 and 40 using a preceding sequence of right bending boards and conventional alternate left, as taught, for example, in United States Patent No. 3,401,927 issued to Frick and mentioned above. For example, the uppermost V-shaped fabric 30 is interwoven with the right-sided fabrics 10 and 20 by passing the upper fold 52 of the fabric, which is formed by a conventional board 5 immediately preceding the folding board 70. , on the upper surface of the panel 90 as shown in Figures 19-25. Similarly, the next lower V-shaped fabric 40, formed as the left fabric is folded by a board ^ m »of conventional bending immediately preceding the right side board 10 as to double fabrics 30 and 40.

After the fabric stack leaves the last folding board 70, it is carried along the bands, including the upper pull band, to a saw, where the stack is cuts laterally through its width to a desired length such as to produce a series of cartridges. The cartridges are then taken to a baler where they are placed in a box, as shown in figure 26, or another similar package. Because the free edges 38 and 48 of the folds of fabric 16 and 26 lie within the folded edges 28 and 44 of the fabrics 10 and 20, and are disposed between the fabric folds 14 and 12, these are not exposed as the uppermost fold of the pile. Therefore, the uppermost fabrics 10 and 20 are less susceptible to being undressed from the upper part of the fabric. cartridge by air currents and the like, typically referred to as the "leaf blasting" problem, when the cartridges are transported from the saw to the packer in boxes. Instead, the uppermost fold 14 is now joined by the opposite bent edges 28 and 36. In addition, the free edges 38 and 44 are placed within the folded edge 28 and 44 and between the fabric folds 12 and 14 as so as not to expose themselves to machinery and the like. In this manner, the free edges 38 and 48 can not be damaged along the side of the cartridge and therefore undressed from the cartridge, along with any interwoven fabrics * additional In addition, by bending the free edges 38 and 48 between fabric folds 12 and 14, these are not exposed to the upper pull band by pushing the pile towards the saw, or to the downward holding chains that direct the stack through the saw. Therefore, the stack is less susceptible to the higher folds of or fabrics adhering to the band or chain and therefore will tear, break or otherwise cause a line to stop. By greatly reducing the "flow of leaves" and the problems of adhesion, the speed at which the fabrics are directed on the folding boards and then are introduced to the saws and packers in cardboard boxes can be greatly increased, without the accompanying breakages and waste associated with stacks of sheet fabrics knitted in the conventional manner.

As described above, a succession of alternating bending boards can be provided to produce a stack of fabrics as high as desired, depending on the number of fabrics and bending boards. By providing interwoven fabrics, a portion of the next lower fabric 30 in a cartridge is automatically removed by and with the starting fabric 5 to provide a portion of the fabric 30 for the wearer to grip on the next removal. The opening 170 provided between the fabric folds 26 and 12 at the folded edge 46 allows the user to insert one or more fingers for * grab and remove the start fabrics 10 and 20. When removing the By using the following lower fabric 30 of the cartridge, the latter automatically removes a portion of the next lower fabric 40 due to the interfolded nature of the fabrics 30 and 44 and following. In this form, the successive removal of a fabric ensures that a part of the next lower fabric is also removed.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that they can make changes in the form and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, it is intended that the foregoing detailed description be seen as illustrative rather than limiting and that it is intended that the appended claims, including equivalents thereof, define the scope of the invention.

Claims (43)

* R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S

1. A set of sheet material comprising a first fabric and a second fabric, said first fabric comprises 5 a first fold, a second fold covering a part of said first fold, and a third fold lying between said first and second folds and in contact with said second fold, said second fabric comprises a first fold lying under the first fold of said first fold fabric, a second fold lying on and in contact with said second fold of said first fabric, and a third fold below and in contact with said third fold of said first fabric.

2. The set of sheet material, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said first and second webs have an opening between said first fold of said first web and said third fold of said second web so that a user can inserting one or more fingers into the opening to grasp the first and second fabrics. 3. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said second and third folds of said first fabric form a longitudinally folded edge, and said second and third folds of said sheet.

The second fabric forms a longitudinally folded edge lying on said longitudinal edge formed in said first fabric, whereby said opening between said first and second fabric can be accessed at the longitudinal edges of said first and second fabric.

4. The set of sheet material, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it comprises a third fabric comprising a fold that lies between the first fold of said first fabric and said third fold of said second fabric.

5. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 4, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of the following lower fabrics progressively interwoven with said third fabric and the next lower fabric of the plurality.

6. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that said plurality of the following lower fabrics comprises a V-shaped fabric having a first and a second fold.

7. A stack of longitudinally folded sheet material fabrics, a first fabric and a second fabric, said first fabric comprising a first fold, a second fold lying on said first fold, said first and second folds forming a first longitudinally folded edge, and third fold that lies between said first and second folds and which forms a second longitudinally folded edge with said second fold, and wherein said first and third folds have an opening therebetween, said second fabric comprises a first fold that lies below said first folding said first fabric, a second fold lying on said second fold of said first fabric, and a third fold lying beneath said third fold of said first fabric in said opening, said third folding of said second fabric and said first folding of said first fabric have an opening therebetween, whereby a user can insert one or more fingers into the opening as for aga Rerun the first and second fabrics.

8. The stack of webs of sheet material, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said first and third folds of said first web are in contact.

9. The stack of webs of sheet material, as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that said first folds of said first and second webs are in contact, said second folds of said first and second webs are in contact, said third folds of said first and second webs are in contact and said second and third folds of said first web are in contact.

10. The sheet material web stack, as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that it further comprises a third web comprising a fold lying between said first fold of said first web and said third bend of said second web in said opening formed between said first fold of said first fabric and said third fold of said second fabric. -

11. The pile of fabrics made of sheet material, such and as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of the following lower fabrics progressively interwoven with said third fabric and the next lower fabric of the plurality.

12. The stack of webs of sheet material, as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that each of said next lower webs comprises a V-shaped web having a first and a second folds.

13. A set of sheet material comprising a stack of webs of sheet material folded longitudinally, said stack comprising the opposite sides and a first web comprising a first fold, a second fold lying on a portion of said first fold, said fold first and 25 second form a first longitudinally folded edge on one of said sides of the stack, and a third fold lying between said first and second bends, said second and third bends form a second longitudinally folded edge in between the sides of the stack, said third bending second. The fold comprises a free edge close to said first longitudinally folded edge, whereby said third fold lies below essentially all of said second fold.

14. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said stack 10 further comprises a second fabric comprising a first fold that lies beneath said first fold of said first fabric, a second fold that lies on said second fold of said first fabric, and a third fold that lies beneath said third fold of said first fabric.

15. The set of sheet material, as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said second and third folds of said first fabric are in contact.

16. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that said first folds of said first and second fabrics are in contact, said second folds of said fabrics first and second. Second, they are in contact, said third folds of said first and second fabrics are in contact and said second and third folds of said first fabric are in contact.

17. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said second longitudinally folded edge is at an approximate midpoint of said stack in between said sides.

^ M_ The set of sheet material, as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that said first and second webs have an opening between said first fold of said first web and said third fold of said second web in said web. second longitudinally folded edge, whereby a user can insert one or more fingers into the opening as 15 to grip the first and second fabrics.

19. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that said stack further comprises a third fabric comprising a fold that 20 lies between said first fold of said first fabric and said third fold of said second fabric.

20. The set of sheet material, as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that said stack 25 further comprises a third fabric having a fold lying in said opening.

21. The set of sheet material, as claimed in clause 20, characterized in that said stack further comprises a plurality of following lower fabrics progressively interwoven with said third fabric and the 5 next lower fabric of the plurality.

22. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that each of said plurality of the following lower fabrics comprises a 10 V-shaped fabric having a first and a second folds.

23. A stack of fabrics of sheet material comprising an e-shaped fabric comprising a first fold comprising a longitudinal free edge, a second fold that 15 lies on a part of said first fold and that forms a first longitudinally folded edge with said first fold, and a third fold that lies between said first and second folds, said third fold comprises a free edge close to said first longitudinally folded edge and which forms a second bent edge 20 longitudinally with said second fold, whereby said third fold lies below essentially all of said second fold.

24. The pile of fabrics of sheet material, such and as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that it comprises a second e-shaped fabric folded with said first e-shaped fabric.

25. A set of sheet material comprising a first fabric and a second fabric, said first fabric comprising a first fold, a second fold lying on said first fold and forming a first longitudinally folded edge with said first fold, a third fold lying below and in contact with # said second fold and lying on said first fold, said 10, second and third bends form a second longitudinally folded edge, and said third bead comprises a longitudinal free edge running parallel to and between said first and second longitudinal bent edges; said second fold comprises a first fold that lies below said first fold of said First fabric, a second fold lying on said second fold of said first fabric and a third fold lying beneath said third fold of said first fabric.

26. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 25, characterized in that said first bends of said first and second webs are in contact, said second bends of said first and second webs are in contact and said third bends of said webs are in contact with each other. said first and second fabrics are in contact. 25

27. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 25, characterized in that said first and second fabric have an opening between said first fold of said first fabric and said third fold of said second fabric on said second longitudinally folded edge, so that a user can insert one or more fingers into the opening to grasp the first and second fabrics.

28. The set of sheet material, as claimed in clause 25, characterized in that it comprises a third fabric comprising a fold that lies between said first fold of said first fabric and said third fold of said second fabric.

29. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 28, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of the following lower fabrics progressively interwoven with said third fabric and the next lower fabric of said plurality.

30. The sheet material assembly, as claimed in clause 29, characterized in that each of said plurality of subsequent lower fabrics comprises a V-shaped fabric having a first and a second folds.

31. A bending device for folding a web of sheet material comprising the first, second and third bending edges, extending from a first joint and formed in a first plane, said third bending edge extending between the edges of the web. bent first and second, a fourth bend edge extending from said first joint and out of said first plane, whereby a first longitudinal fold of the fabric can be pulled over and formed by * said second, third and fourth bending edges, and a second 10 longitudinal folding of said fabric can be pulled on and formed by said first bender edge in a superimposed relationship with said first bend, fifth and sixth bending edges extending from a second joint formed on one side of one end of said first edge of bent opposite to 15 said first joint, said fifth and sixth bending edges formed in a second plane parallel to and above said first plane, said fifth bending edge crossing over said third bending edge in a spaced apart relationship, a seventh bending edge extending from that second board and out 20 of said second plane, whereby a third bending edge of said fabric can be pulled on and formed by said fifth, sixth and seventh bending edges in a superimposed relationship with said first bending in an underlying relationship with said second bending. 25

32. The bending device, as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said first, fourth and seventh bending edges form the edges of a panel.

33. The bending device, as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said fifth and sixth bending edges form the edges of a panel.

34. The bending device, as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said second and third bending edges form the edges of a panel.

35. The bending device, as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that said first, fourth and seventh bending edges form the edges of a first panel, said second and third bending edges form the edges of a second panel, and said fifth and sixth bending edges form the edges of a third panel.

36. The bending device, as claimed in clause 35, characterized in that said first, second and third panels are formed of a single piece of material.

# 37. The bending device, as claimed in clause 35, characterized in that it further comprises a fourth panel interconnecting said first and second panels, and a fifth panel interconnecting said panels first 5 and third.

38. A bending device for folding a sheet material web comprising a first panel comprising # the first, fourth and seventh bending edges, a second panel 10 comprising a second and a third bending edges and a third panel comprising a fifth and a sixth bending edges, said second and third panels in parallel and in spaced apart relation where a part of said third panel over said second bends. panel, so a first fold 15 longitudinal of the fabric can be pulled on and formed by said fourth bending edge of said first panel and said second and third bending edges of said second panel, and a second longitudinal fold of said fabric can be pulled on and formed by said first edge of bending said first panel in 20 a superposed relation with said first fold, and a third longitudinal fold of said fabric can be pulled on and formed by said seventh folding edge of said first panel and said fifth and sixth folding edges of said third panel in an underlying relationship with said first fold and in a relationship 25 superimposed with said second fold.

39. The bending device, as claimed in clause 38, characterized in that it further comprises a fourth panel interconnecting the first and second panels, and a fifth panel interconnecting said first and third panels.

40. A method for forming a sheet material web, said method comprises: forming a first longitudinal fold of the fabric by pulling said fabric over a second, a third and a fourth bending edges, said second and third bending edges extend from a first joint and are formed in a first plane, said fourth edge of bending extends from said first joint out of said first plane; forming a second longitudinal fold of the fabric in an overlying relationship with said first longitudinal fold by pulling said fabric over a first folding edge, said first folding edge extending from said first joint and forming in said first plane; forming a third longitudinal fold of the fabric in a superposed relation with said first fold and in an underlying relationship with said second fold by pulling said fabric over a fifth, sixth and seventh folding edge, said fifth and sixth folding edges extend from a second joint and are formed in a second plane parallel to and above the first plane, said fifth bending edge crosses over said third bending edge in a spaced apart relationship, said seventh bending edge extends from said second joint and out of that second plane.

41. The method, as claimed in nf clause 40, characterized in that it comprises the steps of applying 10 a second fabric to said first fabric and forming a first, a second and a third longitudinal fold in said second fabric simultaneously with the formation of said first, second and third longitudinal folds of said first fabric respectively.

42. A fabric of folded sheet material comprising a first fold, a second fold lying on said first fold, and a third fold lying between said first and second folds made using the method, as shown in FIG. 20 claimed in clause 40.

43. A method for forming a pile of fabrics of sheet material, said method comprises: 25 applying a first fabric to a second fabric; forming a first longitudinal fold in each of the first and second fabric, said first longitudinal fold of said first fabric lies on said first longitudinal fold of said second fabric; forming a second longitudinal fold in each of said first and second fabrics in an overlap relationship with said first longitudinal folds so that the first and second folds of each of the first and second fabrics form a longitudinally folded edge, and so that said second longitudinal fold of said second fabric lies on said second longitudinal fold of said first fabric; forming a third longitudinal fold in each of the first and second folds in an underlying relationship with said second longitudinal folds and in a superimposed relation with said first folds so that the first and third longitudinal folds of each of the first and second fabrics form a longitudinal bent edge, said third longitudinal fold of said first fabric lies on said third longitudinal fold of said second fabric, and a free edge of each of said third folds of said first and said second fabrics lies between said first and longitudinal folds; second. E S U M E N A set of sheet material comprising a stack of longitudinally folded sheet material fabrics 5 including a first fabric and a second fabric, the first fabric includes a first fold, a second fold lying on a portion of said first fold, and a third fold that lies between the first and second folds. The second fold includes a * first fold that lies below the first fold of the first 10 fabric, a second fold lying on the second fold of the first fabric and a third fold lying under the third fold of the first fabric; a bending device for forming a fabric includes the first, second and third bending edges extending from a first joint and formed in a first plane, 15 a fourth bent edge extending from the first joint out of the first plane, fifth and sixth bending edges extending from a second joint formed in a second plane parallel to and above the first plane, and a seventh bending edge which extends from the second meeting of the 20 second plane. The fifth bend edge crosses over the third bend edge in a spaced apart relationship. A method for forming a sheet material fabric includes pulling the fabric over the second, third and fourth bending edges to form the first fold, pulling the fabric over the first folding edge. 25 to form a second fold and pull the fabric over the fifth, sixth and seventh fold edges to form the third fabric.