US1717917A - Machine and method for operating on strip material - Google Patents

Description

June 18, 1929. J. J. CAPRIQLI 1,717,911

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING on STRIP MATERIAL Filed March 10, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 9 Sheets Sheet 2 June 18, 1929. J. J. CAPRIOLI MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING ON STRIP MATERIAL Filed March 10, 1927 S. Mm 3 om mm mm m: 5 mm m: S 8 @N 9 m: 9: E i.

J. J. CAPRIOLI June 18, 1929.

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING ON STRIP MATERIAL Filed March 10, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY J. J. CAPRIOLI June 18,. 2

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING ON STRIP MATERIAL Filed March 10, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY5 June 18, 1929.. J. J. CAPRIOLI MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING 0N STRIP MATERIAL v 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 10, 1927'v mg .XN QQ 5 Mm. m9 we 9 mm? Q N8 E Q:

@N ow E a Q E INVENT 0R ATTORNEYS June 1-8, 1929. A' L 1,717,917

' MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING ON STRIP MATERIAL Filed March 10, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 N9 NE m2 QM.

n9 5 mm.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Q June 18, 1929. Y J. J. 'CAPRIOLI 1.717.917

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING 0N STRIP MATERIAL Filed March 10, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR:

A. ATTORNEY5 June 18, 1929. J. J. CAPRIOLI MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING 0N STRIP MATERIAL Filed March 10, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet '3 INVENTOR AA? rm 1; ATTORNEYS J1me 1929. y J. J. CAPRIOLI 1.717.917

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING 0N STRIP MATERIAL Filed Malrch 10, 1927 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented June 18, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH J. CAPRIOLI, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO G. BEIS & 330., INC., 0] NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 01 YORK.

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING ON STRIP MATERIAL.

Application filed March 10, 1827. Serial 1T0. 174,306..

My invention relates to a machine and a method for cutting strip material into lengths and folding and packaging the same.

Specifically the material so operated upon is intended to be a strip of garment labels. Garment labels as manufactured in strip form comprise a series of label designs woven on a Jacquard loom in the form of a tape, or else printed or otherwise configured upon a tape previously manufactured. These labels are required to be out apart symmetrically as respects the designs, and the cut ends folded under before they are sewn or otherwise attached to a garment, or other ar ticle, in connection with which they are used.

But because the machine which can perform these operations upon a small scale re uired in the case of labels may merely by g ange in dimensional characteristics be adapted to perform similar operations upon strip materialin general, it follows thatthe machine is unquestionably related in the larger way to the art in which it belongs.

This machine of invention receives the labels in strip or tape form from a roll or other strip package, cuts them. accurately apart to symmetrically distribute the length as respect the label design, folds the cut ends under, presses the folded ends to make the label lie perfectly fiat,-and delivers them into stacks and packs them in a box ready for delivery to the customer.

The method put into practice by the machine involves several operations at large which are closely interknit and interdependent by reason of the close and accurate coordination involved in the high speed operation and the obtaining of large production and a high grade product from a given machine. The application of my methods commences with the marking of the strip into lengths as it is manufactured or at least before it is received by the machine proper, and ends with the packaged product. Grenerally speaking it comprises the increasing of the thickness of a strip on the line of demarcation between labels or otherwise configuring the strip to form an abutment which serves as a basis for the accurate feeding. In the further interests of accuracy it involves offsetting this line of demarcation slightly from the line of exact symmetry. Such an increase of thickness is conveniently formed by introducing extra picks in the weave as a fabric strip is being manufactured. The strip so configured is fed into the machine 1n accurate label lengths by gauging the thickness of the strip and feeding it forward when the configuration of greater thickness is encountered in the gau 'ng operation and to the extent of the feeding path throu h whlch this thickness is encountered. T e

label design configurations proper having a us cident to the gauging and the severing of the fed label may occur simultaneously.

Simultaneously too I bodily translate laterally the label which is severed to the transversely extending path of a combined conveying and folding operation. In the furtherance of my method I stretch the label in the course of its conveyance to accurately establish its length and while so stretched perform first the folding and then the pressing operation upon its opposite ends to produce labels likewise of accurate folded length. At the point of pressing, the conveymg and pressing operations are divided into zones as respects actions upon the different portions of the body of the label and also as respects the pressing mechanism itself; and in fact its dlvision into zones as respects action upon the body of a label commences with the simultaneous final act of feeding, and the acts of cutting and transfer to the conveying operat1on.

The folded and pressed label is delivered as it is pressed onto the path of operation of a delivery movement extending between the point at which the pressing operation is performed and the head of the package stack to be formed. The pressed labels in the delivery operation are grasped from a point in advance of the point at which they are pressed, but are supported from a point in the rear thereof, and the path of delivery projects substantially in continuation of the path of conveyingand folding. This results in a freeg f th WWW? Space for the stacking and ackaging operations. In this free space the abel is rojected to a position at the head of the stac drawn transversely of its projected Y which this method at large is put into effect will be the most readily apprehended from the accompanying drawings, and an apprehension of the machine will develop a more complete apprehension of the method at large and its ramifications.

Of the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine;

Fig. 1" is a diagram of the conveyor belts;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation taken in the direction of the arrow marked 2 of Fig. 1 and with the driving pulley removed;

Fig. 3 is a scctlonal elevation of that portion of themachine shown in Fig. 2, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of a strip of labels being fed through the machine;

Figs. 3 and 3 are transverse sections through the upper and lower cutting knife heads respectively, taken approximately on lines b-b and ac of Fig. 3;

Figs. 3 to 3 are diagrammatic vertical section views approximately in the plane of Fig. 3 showing the feeding and cutting mechanisms in various operative relations;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation taken on the lefthand side of the machine in the direction indicatedby the arrow 4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a stacker cam detail taken on line b-b of Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of arrows;

Figs. 5 and-5 are diagrammatic vertical section views approximately in the plane of Fig. 5 showing the transfer and folding mechanisms in various operative relations;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section of a folder and conveyor, approximately on line 0-0 of Fi 5;

Fig. 5 1s a vertical elevation of one side of the stacker head;

Figs. 5 and 5 are respectively enlarged vertical elevation and plan of some of the parts shown in Fig. 5, notably of the folding, pressing, delivery and stacking mechanisms;

Fig. 5" is a perspective of a portion of the delivery mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the opposite end of the machine from the elevation of Fig,

though in other embodiments they ma 2, looking in the direction of the arrow marked 6 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on line 77 of Figs. 1 and 4.

Mechanisms of the machine are mounted upon the base B. This base is intended to be su ported from the floor at a heighbmost suitable to the convenience of a sittin or standing operator, as the case may be, by a pedestal L upon which it may be vertically adjustable, if desired. The foot of this pedestal is of suflicient breadth to insure its stability and may carry a suitable driving motor. Either upon the foot of the pedestal, or upon its body may be mounted suitable reduction gearing and clutches for cutting the machine into and out of operation. But, inasmuch as these several devices may take any one of a large number of forms, and constitute no part of the invention claimed herein, I shall not illustrate them.

The mechanisms of the machine of this embodiment are all mounted above the base 1;,

variously positioned with respect to the ase. I prefer this arrangement because of the general accessibility of all parts of the machine and of the work in progress through it. That portion of the machine, generally denominated F, and the extent of which is indicated by the associated bracket, has to do more particularly with the feeding operations involved in the method; that portion denominated C, to do with the cutting operations; that denominated T, with the transfer operation between the feeding and cutting and the conveying and folding operations; that denominated O with the conveying and folding operations; that denominated P with the pressing operations; that denominated D with the delivery operations; and that denominated S with the packaging operations (see Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5.) .The strip of labels to be operated upon is supported in roll form on a reel 10, Fig. 2. The reels and reel supports may be of any chosen form, and may have any known forms of placing and replacing devices, feed retarding, feed advancing, stack forming or other auxiliary devices associated therewith to facilitate the unreeling and feeding operations.

Previously to being ut in roll form the tape in process of manu acture, or thereafter, is provided with the transverse extra thickness configurations G appearin on that portion of the roll R, illustrated in ig. 3. This transverse line is formed by introducing extra picks. The line G is displaced slightly from the line Y which is the exact line of symmetry between labels havin reference to the true centers of the labels. bviously the extra thickness may be produced by any other method, but this method obviates the necessity for special machinery and special operations, since the extra picks are mosteasily provided for in the regular operation of the jacquard.

The strip R is introduced over the top of feed table 16 of mechanism F. There 1t 15 auged during its forward feeding movement by the combined gauge and feeding finger or feeler 17. The feeding table comprises a edestal (Fig. 3) 18 supporting it from ase B, a top 19 o-operatin with gauge 17,11 side 20 provided with sideways 21, and a front 22 provided with slideways 23 (see Figs. 3 and 3).

A slide 24 reciprocable on the horlzontal slideways 21 supports gauge 17 on an osc llatory axis 25 (Fig. 2) which projects through it and the associated bearing 27, (Fi 1). The outer end of axis 25 carries osci latin head 26 in the form of a T, the lower on of the upright of'which is connected with the axis. The oscillation of the axis and consequently of the gauge 17 which it carries on its inner end is limited directly andadjustably by pin stops 27-27 in the slide 24 on opposite sides of the axis 25, and which pins are engaged respectively by adjusting screws 28 and 29 threaded respee-- tively through opposite ends of the T head 26.

Slide 24 is reciprocated from main drive shaft 30, which extends longitudinally of the machine, and by a mechanism peculiarly adapted to assist in the carrying out of the gauging operations of the method of my invention. An eccentric 31, or other means of obtaining reciprocatory motion from shaft 30, oscillates an elongated lever 32 connected at its lower end with an adjustable pivot block 33 secured to the base after adjustment by screws 34 by bolts 35. By reason of the adjustable connection 36 of the eccentric 31 with lever 32, the path of oscillatory movement may be changed. Both b reason of the adj ustable connection 36 oft e eccentric 31 with lever 32, and by reason of the adjustable pivot block 33, the location of the path of movement of the upper end of lever 32 may be changed without altering its extent. Lever 32 in turn oscillates a crab-claw lever 37 through a combined pivotal and sliding connection 38, the pivotal connection being had with the one lever and the sliding connection with the other, whereby differences in elevation of the arc of movement of lever 32 are compensated for. Lever 37.is in turn pivoted at its lower end upon slide 24, see Figs 2 and 4, and engages between the points, but not between bodies of its claws 39, the body of the T shaped oscillating head 26, whereby when lever 37 is oscillated by lever 32 the head 26 and the connected gauge 17 are also oscillated to the extent permitted by the adjustment of the set screws 28, 29. But, lever 37 may be oscillated to a far less extent than lever 32. Thus. once lever 37 has, nartaken ward p of its oscillation the further large degree of oscillation oflever 32 moves the slide 24 and the lparts mounted thereon bodily forward or bac as the case may be.

. In addition to being borne toward the table top 19 by the forward movement of lever 32, gauge 17 is borne to the table also by the upressure of a flat stripspring 40, (Fig. 3), w ich during the forward movement of gauge 17 underlies a roller 41 (Fig. 1) carried by a rearwardly and upwardly extending arm 42 connected to and oscillatin with the gauge 17. S ring 40 has its a vance end upturned so that when roller 41 rolls or ratchets off. of this end and the return stroke of auge 17 is commenced, roller 41 passes unfer spring 40 with a resultant reversal of its pressure. So in addition to the initial raismg of the gauge 17 occasioned by the first rearward movementof oscillating lever 32, spring 40 on the reverse movement also tends to raise gauge 17 and in any event holds gauge 17 'in its raised position. At the extreme end of the rearward stroke roller 41 ratchets past the downturned rear end of spring 40 with the result that when the for.- ward stroke is again undertaken roller 41 rides on top of spring 40 and permits the spring again to assist in moving gauge 17 toward table top 19 or in any event to hold it in such position as already occupied by reason of the bias of the initial movement of levers 32 and 37. Spring 40 is of the plan form shown in Fig. 1, and is supported from its center by a lateral and rearwardly extending branch 43, which is secured to table 16 through an upright and preferably adjustable support 44.

But, gauge 17 does not immediately upon the initiation of the advance stroke of lever 32 occupy its gauging position with respect to table top 19. Immedlately overlying table top 19, preferably closely adjacent to 1t, and between it and gauge 17 for the advance portion at least of the forward stroke of gauge 17, is a shield 45, (Figs. 1 and 3). The bias of gauge 17 to gauging position as the advance stroke of lever 32 commences carries its gauging end into engagement with the shield 45 and it cannot reach gauging position with respectlto the strip Rto be gauged until the advance end of shield 45 has been reached. (See Fig. 3 So the portion ofthe ad vance stroke during which gauging may take place is limited. Shield 45 is carried on a block 46 adjustable along the inner edge of table 16, whereby the length of the gauging stroke may be regulated through adjustment of the position of shield, 45 with respect to the path of movement of the gauge 17. Shield plate 45 is positioned as close to table top 19 as is consistent with the feeding of various thicknesses of material, is made comparatively thin and channeled underlying the gauge 17, whereby the functioning of levers set to space the point of the gauge from the' 'gau e.

32 and 37, and spring to bias the gauge to the work are not interfered with, an w rereby when the gauge passes off of the advance end of the shield it reaches the 7 work through the very smallest additional movement. This makes for accuracy.

In operation the point of gauge 17 is first top 19 of table 16 by the approximate thickness of the body of the fabric of strip B, so that assuming the movement of strip R over table 16 to be appropriately resisted, either through reel retarding means previously referred to, or otherwise, gauge 17 passes over or in contact with the fa ric wlthout suflicient friction or other engagement to move the strip forward. This adjustment is accomplished merely by pressing the oscillating T head 26 (Fig. 2) down until the advance adjusting screw 28' engages the corres onding pin 27, moving the strip R back 'an forth under the end of gauge 17 by hand to adjudge the proper freedom of movement and turmng screw 28 backward or forward as may be required until the strip R canbe moved by the hand with the proper degree of freedom until the end of gauge'17 strikes the configuration G (Fig. 3), which is of greater thickness. This when engaged by the gauge' 17 set to the thickness of the body of the fabric should constitute a positive stop to further movement of the fabric under the So set on the forward stroke of the mec anism, when gauge 17 reaches the configuration G of greater thickness it feeds the strip forward to the advance extremity of its stroke.

The forward movement of strip R is resisted in addition to the friction or other means provided in connection with the reel 10 by an adjustable friction finger or equivalent device 47 (Figs. 2 and 3) bearing ap roximately centrally of the strip R, extending rearwardly, pivoted at 48 upon a fixed support 49 overlying the rear end of table 16 and adjustably spring pressed to the work by a leaf spring 50 engaged by a screw 51 threaded concentrically of a slotted guide 52 in the slot of which play both the end of spring 50 and the rearwardly extended curved end 53 of the finger 47. Support 49 is of bipartite construction, one part, 54, being fixedly connected with the table 16 (Fig. 1) on its inner edge, and the other part of which 55 bears pivot 48 and adjusting devices 51, 52, and is connected to the one partby an adjusting screw 56 which admits of a limited amount of angular self or imposed adjustment of finger 47 to insure its trailing precisely parallel to the path of movement of strip R.

The cutting operations co-ordinated with l the feedin o erations are performed by an upper kni e 5 and a lower knife 58, which cuts upwardly; the relation of the knives to path of movement of strip B being such that stri R may be fed forward upon its path wit out obstruction and at the moment of extreme forward movementthereof the cutting operation takes place in an upward direction and on a line lying above the ath of movement of strip R, or in other wor s on a line displaced from such path. The upper knife 57 is in this embodiment so mounted as to have a relatively fixed cutting edge. It is carried by an upper cutting head 59 overlying cutting table 16, and spaced apart therefrom by the lateral supports 60 and 61 which bear it. This head has a vertical slot 62 provided in its front face to accommodate the knife which is substantially of the uniform width of the slot, suflicient for allowance being made for clearance. Spiral springs 63 press the knife forwardly (Fig. 3 and Fig. 3) while the heads of retaining screws 64 retain the knife in the slot against the pressure of the springs. Two such screws 64, one on each side of the knife are used, with appropriate jam screws 65 entering from the back of the block, while a third screw 66 with a beveled head engages in a slot 67 having beveled sides and located centrally of the top of the knife. A fourth screw 68 is provided with a point 69 enga ing in a transverse hole 70 in the head. The screw 69 passes through a central slot in the knife 57 and may be clamped to the knife in any relative position, permitted by the slot 70, by nut 71 on the inside of the knife. Nut 71 has arallel sides and is accommodated in a s ot 72 centrall of the head, and of such width that the side walls of the slot engage the sides of the nut and prevent the same from being rotated. Thus, screw 69 may be slightly released, knife 57 adjusted vertically, and screw 69 again tightened to the knife by the nut. This admits readjustment in grinding.

The lower" and upwardly moving knife on the other hand is carried in a movable cutter head 73, which slides upon the vertical slideways 22 provided on the front of table 16 (Fi 3 and Fig. 5 and Fi 3). Like knife 5 knife 58 is also seate in a slot, 74. While adjustable vertically by reason of securement by through screw 75 assing throu h slot 76 in the cutter head 3, it is not yie dably mounted, as is knife 57 as borne forward by its s rings 63. On the other hand, right and 1e t set screws 77 and 78 threaded into the head 73 (Fig. 5) and down,

preclude vertical displacement of the knife y cutting forces (Flg.

Cutting mechanism mechanism F, is operated from a main drive shaft 30. The cutter head 7 3 is reciprocated and then up on slideways 22, but not continuously. It is moved downwardly by cam 81 on shaft againstthe pressure of spiral spring 82 seated in a recess in base B, surroundin a guide pin 83 projecting from a downward extension 84 of the neck of the head 73. This neck'is offset around main drive shaft 30 and is provided ,with an underlying portion carrying a cam follower 85 in the form of a roller. The cutter head is held in its downward position by a trigger 86, pivoted at 86 in a slot in the front of 1 table 16 and spring pressed to engage its end base.

over the end of a catch 87 in the form of a hardened and to flattened pin projecting inwardly of the slbtted end of table 16 from the body of the cutter head 73.

The lower knife 58 is released by releasing trigger 86 (Fig. 3). Slide 24 (Figs. 2 and 4) carries an adjustable abutment 88 arranged in its path of movement as reciprocated with slide 24 to engage the upper end of trigger 86 and effect this release. Abutment 88 comprises a screw threaded through the inner end of a lug 89 which projects from the slide'24 inwardly through a slot 90 beneath table 16 and so positioned that it engages trigger 86 substantially at its extreme forward range of-movement, allowing for a reasonable degree of adjustment through screw 88. When so released cutter head 73 is projected upwardly in an instant, effecting shearing engagement of the lower knife 58 with the upper knife 57 on a line above the path of movement of strip R, and is stopped in its upward movement by the fetching up of the adjustable nuts 91 on the end of a spring guide 82 with the under side of the base B. At this point the sudden stop is cushioned by a fibre or rubber washer 92 between nuts 91 and the under side of the Nuts 91 constitute a means for adjusting the length of stroke of the lower knife 58.

Any other form of knives may be used. The form, mounting, andaction of the knives is not claimed herein, except in the respect of the upward movement and the lateral displacement of the cutting line from the path of movement of the strip R.

The co-action of the parts of feeding and cutting is very close. The cutting plane of knives 57, 58, is adjusted just as close as possible to the edge 7 9 (Fig. 3), so that the cutting edge of knife 58 may not only slightly underlie that edge, but also may lie as close as possible to it. This makes for a very small knife gap at the plane of cutting and there is a smaller likelihood that a label may catch in the gap or upon the edge of the knife;

3 C like the feeding l moreover knife 57 is beveled downwardly and forwardly, while knife 58 is beveled upwardy and rearwardly. Still further the cutting head 59 is under cut or slotted at 93 (Fig. 3) whereby the engaging end of gauge 17 may approach ver'y c osely to the lane of cutting. In operation the adjusting lock 33 at the lower end of lever 32 is first adjusted (Fig. 2)

so that the engaging end of gauge 17 at the extreme end of its forward stroke approaches the plane of cutting by that small amount by which the configurations G of strip R (Fig. 3) are offset from the line Y marking the lines of cutting desired between the labels (see Fig. 3). Next assuming the spring 40 to be in proper location to admit proper switch action of the roller 41 therearound, the shield 45 defining that portion of the stroke through which gauge shall act is set at such point that" when line Y lies in the cutting plane of knives 57, 58, and line G in that adj acency thereto just recited on its ensuing forward stroke, gauge 17 may engage strip R Just to the rear of the succeeding configuration G, as indicated in Fig. 3 by the full lined relation of shield 45 and gauge 17. And,

preferably, the gauge shall come into auging I relation to the strip very closely behind this succeeding configuration G. Then abutment 88 is set so that at the extreme forward end of the stroke of gauge 17 it will have tripped trigger 86 entirely off of catch 87. This, by reason of the close adjustment possible, may

be timed to take place just as the forward feeding movement ceases,-although by reason of the relatively low velocity of the forward movement at this time (it is approaching zero), there is ample leeway. Fig. 3 shows the parts in this relation. The next instant the last of the feeding movement has released the lower knife 58, released it while the strip R was still held down by the gauging operation of gauge 17 The next moment, however, the bias on gauge 17 is reversed, by reason of the reversal of the oscillation of lever 32, and gauge 17 is raised, as indicated in Fig. 3. If properly timed, the raising of stri R to the line of cut will assist in reversing t e bias on gauge 17 without destroying the holding action of the gauge. Shortly after the return stroke commences cam 81 again sets lower knife 58, as shown in Fig. 3. On the return stroke roller 41 switches around the downturned end of spring 40, and the bias of the ensuing advance stroke, plus the pressure of spring 40, carry the gauge over the face of shield 45, gauge 17 slips off of the set advance edge of shield 45, again gauges the thickness of the strip R and encountering the configuration G of greater thickness draws it forward once more for the exact length of a label (irrespective of minor variation in the position of configurations G), and the second advance label is severed by the release of knife 58 at the extreme of the stroke.

llt)

The labels so served are transferred to the combined conveyor and folding mechanism 0 by translation boldly, laterally of their path of movement during the cutting and feedin operations, and the transferring is efiecte simultaneously with the cutting operation. The transfer mechanism T comprises a transfer table 94, which in effect is part and parcel of the feed table 16, inasmuch as it normally as indicated in Fig. 3, lies near the same plane as top 19 and rests the labels as they are fed between knives 57, 58. This transfer table 94, however, is removably mounted upon the lower cutter head 73, and in such relation is bodily rojected upwardly with res ect to the body 0 table 16 and the feeding pat of movement of strip R. Such translation of a part of the feeding table and its coincidence with the cutting operation brings about a great simplicity and effectiveness of operation.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seenthat the belts 95 of the conveying and foldin mechanism O overlie table 94 so that the la el lying upon the top of the table is brought into direct contact with the belts and may be carried forward by them. Right and left guide plates 96, 97, (Fig. 1) flank the path of movement of the strip R on table top 19. The right one of these guides 96 extends under the cutter head 59 and terminates slightly short of the plane of cutting (Fig. 1). The left one, however, is slotted toaccommodate the extension of the knives beyond the width of the channel formed by the guides and carries a forward extension 98, which flanks the transfer table 94 on its left or front edge (Fig. 5). This extension 98 has an inner wall in line with the inner wall of the guide 97, and which constitutes a guide for the label not only as it is fed upon table 94, but also as table 94 carries the label upwardly into engagement with belts 95. Overlapped lips on guide 98 and table 94, respectively, operate against the opening of a gap between them in w ich the'label might catch as it is being fed. The top of ide 98 is permanently in engagement with elt 95, and its plane marks substantially the plane of upward movement of the top of transfer table 94. For best operation, however, I prefer that table 94 in its upward movement ever so slightly pass the top of guide 98, so that the transfer of the label from the top of table 94 to and over the top of guide 98 may take place without obstruction. The adjustment of the throw of the lower cutter head 73 by nuts 91 should be made to this end.

During the feeding operation the label is further guided by an overlying guard 99 in the form of a T shaped spring (Figs. 1 and 5), carried by its body portion at the top of an oscillating lever 100, pivoted to a fixed shaft 101 carried from base B. The body of the guard 99 is bent in the form of a bow spring so that the top lies flatly against the belts 95 ofv the mechanism 0, and is yieldiligly in engagement therewith. Additiona y the spring 102 biases the lever 100 and guard 99 forwardly so that theprogressive movement of belts 95 actually carry the guard forwardly until it overlies the top of table 94 to an extent determined by an engagement of lever 100 with the side of the lower cutter head 73. When, however, the lower cutter head and the transfer table 94 are released for upward movement, a cam 103 carried on the neck 84 of the cutter head (Figs. 3 and 5) engages a pin 104 connected with lever 100 at a point close to axis 101 and suddenly throws lever 100 and guard 99 entirely out of the path of movement of table 94 so thatthe transferred label is projected directly into contact with belts 95.

So the label is guided in the path of its transfer from the path of feeding and cutting by guides associated with the guard 99, which prevents fouling of the fed label with the conveyor belts, which guard depends for operation upon the feeding movement. So also the operation of transferring is initiated likewise by control from the operation of feeding. The relations of the parts at the instant the transfer has takenrplace are shown in Fig. 5 and the relations a moment thereafter when the return feed stroke has commenced areshown in Fi 5". In the latter case the return feed stro e has taken place, and the belt conveyor having entered the label upon the top of guide 98, transfer table 94 is returning with the cutter head 73 to its normal position at the level of to 19 of table 16. Guide 98 is really a fixed ta le.

The conveying and folding mechanism comprises a air of arched folders 105, 106, over the arc ed tongues 107 of which ride the conveyor belts 95, which are tensed into a substantially uniform engagement with tongues 107 by reason of the degree of the arch. (See Figs. 5 and 5" and 5.) This mechanism overlies the feeding and transferring mechanisms and extends between them and the pressing mechanism P, to which the folded labels are to be delivered. The conveyor belts (Figs. 1 and 1), of the pair recede from each other as they pass from the feeding mechanism to the pressing mechanism whereby the labels are maintained stretched, since the bolts .in receding carry the ends of the labels a art. On the other hand the bodies of the olders 105, 106 approach each other, whereby the ends are folded increasingly under the tongues until the maximum fold desired is reached. The belts 95 and the folders 105, 106 are supported from a frame composed of members 108, 109, 110, (Fig. 1), extending transversely of the path of feeding, and spaced apart at opposite ends by shafts 111, 112, and in the center by at the up'gzr ends of fixed cutter head support 60, and aring pedestal 116 (see Fig. 2). This shaft carries a pair of ar e diameter pulleys 117, bearing belts 95. T eshaft 112 IS borne removably (as will appear more full by pedestals 118, 119, of the pressing mec amsm P, and carries complementary pulleys 120 of the belts 95. This entire mechanism 0 may be lifted at itsforward end at pedestals 118, 119, and swung bodily upwardly, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, to admit accessibility of parts.

Frame member 108 bears a fixed relation to pedestals and 118 by reason of the engagement of its ends behind flanges 121, 122, connected with the pedestals or the bearings thereof. It lies closely adjacent the plane of cutting. Frame member 110 likewise occupies a fixed relation with respect to pedestals 116 and 119. The intermediate frame member 109, however, is relatively adjustable bodily along shafts 111, 112, by the turning of adjusting screw 113, a screw having a fixed bearing in members 108, 110, and a screw threaded bearing in ferrule 123 of member 109. Member 108 carries one folder 106 and the adjacent transfer belt 95 is retained in engagement therewith by flange 124 of pulley 117, which en ages a relatively fixed abutment and the xing of corresponding pulley 120 on shaft 112 by set screw 125. The relatively adjustable member 109 carries the other folder 105, and the associated transfer belt 95 and pulleys 117 120, are retained in relation thereto by the engagement of the ends of member 109 in the grooves of flanged collars 126, 127, associated with the respective pul leys. Therefore, when screw 113 is turned to adjust frame members 108, 109, toward or from each other, folders and conveyor belts are also adjusted toward or from each other and the mechanism may be set to accommodate difi'erent lengths of labels.

The folders are of the hemmer type, as indicated clearly in Figs. 5, 5 and 5. Mounted on the arch shaped tops of base blocks 128 are both the tongues 107 and the turning) portions 130 of these hemmers. Spacing locks 131 of various thicknesses are variably spaced from the tongues to accord with the narrowing gauge of the hemmers from the entering to the leaving ends. Securing screws 132 pass from the under sides of base blockfs 128 through that wall of the turning part 130 which lies upon the face of block 128 and into blocks 131 and tongues 107 and terminate flush with the upper faces of the tongues. Preferably blocks 131 are permanently connected with tongues 107, by counter sinking and sweating, screw-threading, welding, or otherwise. so that the hold upon tongues 107 is obtained through the blocks as is shown in Fig. 5. As hemmer parts 107 and 130' are formed initially to conform approximately to the arch of base blocks 128 and secured the transfer mechanism is maintained with exactness. Both hemmers 7 face inwardly and are supported adjustablyfrom the respective frame'members 108, 109, by elbow supports 133, which have a screw and slot connection at each end with the frame members and base blocks respectively. Thus each end of each hemmer may be universally adjusted within the limits defined by the slots in the elbow supports 133. (See Figs. 4 and 5.)

he entrance end of the hemmers adjoining T is so adjusted vertically that the tongues 130 extend in direct continuation of the upper surface of table guide 98 and transfer table 94, and the upper surfaces of these latter elements are finished in a plane in continuation of the arch of the tongues 107. The leaving ends of the hemmers adjacent the pressing mechanism P are adjusted vertical y in such manner that the tongues 107, if projected, would pass substantially through the pointof tangency of the rolls of the pressing mechanism, and the base block and turning members 128 and 130-of the hemmers on opposite sides of the tongues 107 are beveled to accommodate the parts closely adjacent to and between the rolls of the pressing mechanism. A lateral adjustment is then made without disturbing the vertical adjustment to place the tongues 107 directly beneath the belts 95 in such manner that the tongues act as slideways for the belts. The tops of the transfer table 94, the guide 98, and the top surfaces of tongues 107 being finished with extreme smoothness, the belts which engage the labels on their upper sides frictionally will carry them freely over the tops of the table and guide and along the slideways formed by .the upper faces of the tongues. The belts may be made of leather, canvas, or any other suitable material, but are preferably of canvas or other fabric giving a maximum friction hold upon the labels and resisting the heat which it is necessary to apply for certain classes of labels in the pressing mechanism P.

The hemmer and associated conveyor belt adjoining the cutting mechanism C are so located that the throat 134 of the hemmer (see Fig. 1), is precisely in the right position to receive the label as it leaves the cutting knives57, 58. (see Fig. 3). The conveyor belt 95 and the hemmer 106 are so related laterally. that that portion of the label to be folded under is not overlapped by the belt, but lies between the belt and the plane of cutting. This is a permanent adjustment of the machine. Adjustment of the outboard hemmer 106 associated with threaded member 109 is made by screw 113 to accord with the length of the label and in such manner that the portion of the label to be folded lies outside of its associated. belts 95. And, in each case the outboard edges of hemmer tongues 107 define the line along which the fold is to be made. This line becomes the more sharpl defined as the walls of the hemmer approac each other until the leaving end of the hemmer is reached, when the walls are so close ing ends of these slideways may be chamfered slightl to facilitate the entrance of the label upon. t mm, or even downturned at their extreme ends. Depending on the speed of the belts 95 a larger or smaller number of labels may be taken through the process of folding at one and the same time, as indicated in Fig. 1 in dotted lines. Their ends are pro ressively folded under, as they are moved a ong the ways 129, and folded under each to the same extent by reason of the fact that the arching of the conveyor belts maintains a friction hold of the belt upon the labels and the recession of the belts from each other keeps them stretched to full length.

The folded labels are delivered immediately to the rolls of the pressing mechanism P. The upper rolls of this mechanism, which constitute also pulleys of the conveyor belts, are zoned; each comprising a belt zone 135, (Fig. 7), and a pressing zone 136 (Fig. 7 The belt zone is of less diameter than the pressing zone 136, whereby the face of zone 136 may contact with the face of the under roll 137 without substantial interference from the belt 95. The leaving ends of the hemmers 105 are so adjusted laterally with respect to the associated frame members 108, 109, (and this too is a permanent adjustment) that the line of the fold when the label is delivered to the pressing mechanism P, lies within the zone 136 in each case, and the label when engaged between the rolls is pressed upon the lines of folds themselves.

The shaft 112 which carries the zone rolls 120, is borne in vertically opening slots in the upper ends of the pedestals 118 and 119 whereby the raising of this end of the mechanism O is made feasible. The opposite ends of the shaft 112 are provided respectively with bearing sleeves 138 (Fig. 7) equipped with lateral flanges which maintain their alignment. These bearing sleeves are engaged from above by adjustable spring latch and holding cams 139 (Figs. 7 and 7) which are borne by a U-shaped bridging frame 140, pivoted at its lower extremities upon the shafts 141, 142, upon which the lower roll 137 is j ournalled by adjusting the tension of the springs which bear the cams 139 upon the sleeves 138 the pressure between the rolls may be adjusted. Bridge 140 is bodil swung forwardly to release bearings 138 an mechanism O, as shown in Fig. 5, in dotted lines.

A stop 143 precludes, foulin with the stacking mechanism, 8. (Fig. 4.

The lower roll 137, unlike the upper rolls 120, is not zoned, but is of substantially uniform diameter, and considerably elongated, whereby labels of various lengths up to a des gned extreme, ma be accommodated. This roll is supporte on stub shafts 141', 142, the former of which is hollow. Within this-hollow shaft is projected an electric heat mg apparatus 144, into the hollow interior of the roll itself. Suitable gas heating apparatus may be substituted.

The rolls are driven the shaft 30, which is extended the full length of the machine (Figs. 5 and 7). To insure lubrication without spread of lubricant a by a worm 145 upon a hearing block 146 on the shaft is hollowed out at 147 to accommodate worm 145. Worm gear 148 connected with roll 137 en ages the worm through 'a slot.in the top of bearin block 146. i The shaft being properly bushe or packed at opposite ends of the block 146, grease placed in the hollow 147 is retained and prevented from spreading. Spur gears 149 between roll 137 and the shaft 112 drives the upper rolls by reason of the fact that they have a spline engagement with the shaft 112 as appears in Figs. 1 and 7. The splineconnection permits the required relative ad'ustment of rolls 120. Rolls 120 in turn rive the belts of the conveyor, and the belts drive the pulleys 117 which are freely journalled upon the fixed shaft 111.

Normally resting in the pressing zones 136 of the rolls 120, and in advance of the rolls (Figs. 5, 5 5", and 5 are the fingers 150 of a delivery mechanism D. These fingers are carried by arms 151 mounted in and operated from the rear of the rolls, and in planes which lie exteriorly of zones 136 and between them and the members 108 and 109 of the frame of the folding mechanism 0. (Fig. 5.) Arms 151 are borne in Ways formed in blocks 152 secured on the inner faces of these frame members. These ways open into slots 153 in the frame members. Through the slots there is connected With each arm 151 an elbow projecti on 154 having a downwardly extending exterior arm having slotted end. These slotted ends engage the top of a T lever 155, journalled at its base end on a shaft 156 substan tially in the plane of shaft 30, but at an angle thereto, this shaft is provided with a one toothed gear, or cam 157, arranged to be engaged by a corresponding gear or cam 158, mounted adjustably (Fig. 5) onashaft 30. By this means the shaft 156 is rocked forwardly to move the associated arms 151 forwardly. But, it is retracted by spring 159 between the base B and a rearward y extending arm 160 on the shaft, retracted until an abutment 161 on the shaft bears against an adjustable stop 162 also carried from the base B, or other fixed part of the machine.

When a label has completely passed through the rolls of the pressing mechanism.

and by such s ring as may be permitted to remain in the old itself. The cams 157, 158 are so timed in their engagement that at the precise moment that the label is free from the rolls shaft 156 is rocked and arms 151 are advanced uickly forward to project the label grasped y the fingers by a path in substantial continuatlon of its path through the folding and pressing operations to the path of the stacking operation. Once the label is placed in proper position with respect to that path, ( cams 157, 158 having been designed for proper length of engagement) disengage, and arms 151 are retracted quickly by spring 159, to replace fingers 150 to receive the next label.

The path of projection of the label in the delivery operation intersects the path of the stacking operation. The stacklng mechanism comprises stacker frame members 163, 164, arranged to form and hold a stack between them and a stacker head 165 located between the frame 163, 164, and the pressing mechanism P. The stacker head comprises lower jaw 166 at the head of an adjustable upright 167, adjustably secured for vertical adjustment on an angle 168 which in' turn is adjustably secured for horizontal adjustment to the base B. This upright 167 is substantially parallel to the stack forming frame 163,

164, and all of these members are substantially at right angles to the path of delivery of the label. The upper jaw of stacker head 165 comprises a rectangular frame 169 (Figs. 5 and 6) vertically reciprooable upon the upright 167 by means of a supporting stem 170 sliding in the slot 171 and retained in that slot by. a head block 172. (Fig. 5.) The lower jaw carries on a slide 173 formed transversely thereof a pair of upwardly, rearwardly and downwardly bent teeth 17 4, laterally adjustable along the slide 173 and held in adjusted positions by frictional engagement therewith. These teeth have frontal offsets 175 near their tops. The upper jaw 169 carries a pair of teeth 176 extending downwardly, forwardly and then upwardly, and when the jaws are closed overlapping the lower teeth in a staggered bite, which extends below the frontal offsets 175 of the lower teeth. These upper teeth are supported from laterally adjustable-blocks 177 borne on the transverse shafts 178 which constitute the upper portion of the rectangular jaw frame 169 and which are held in adjusted position by set screws 179. The blocks 177 also hear antifriction rollers 180 arranged as will be seen to prevent undue friction between forearms 192 and the jaw 169.

The jaws are arranged to be opened and closed in a timed relation with respect to the delivery operation by means of rack teeth 181 formed on stem 170 and engaged by a segmental pinion 182 journalled in the head block 172. The shaft of this pinion carries at one end (Fig. 5) an arm 183 connected with the head block 172 b a retracting spring 184 normally holding t e jaws closed and when opened retractin them to closed position. At its other end t e pinion shaft carries .an arm 185 (Fig. 4) bearing a cam lever 186 which engages the face of the adjustable and vertically reciprocating cam 187. This cam is mounteden the shank 188 of a cam follower 189 reciprocable in guides 190 in response to the engagement of the follower by a cam operator 191 on the extended shaft 30 adjacent to bearing block 146 (see Figs. 4 and 4 This cam operator 191 moves follower 189- and in turn moves cam 187 upwardly (see Fig. 4) to open the jaws of the stacker head 165 to such an extent that the teeth are parted. The time of this opening is such that the teeth part just before the label projected by mechanism D reaches them and the label may, therefore, pass freely through (Fig. 4). As the label is projected through the jaws toward its proper position at the head of a stack formed by members 163, 164, the opening movement of the jaws continues, and the extent of engagement of cam operator 191 with follower 189 is so designed with respect to the extent of movement of delivery fingers 150 by cams 157, 158, that the jaws 166, 169, are fully opened and teeth 174, 176, fully apart just before the final advance movement 0 fingers 150 takes place. The next instant the jaws are closed by the retracting spring 184 and the forwardly projecting upper teeth 176 engage the label in their downward movement and then draw it from the fingers 150 by depressing its body portion. The label is further pressed downwardly upon the head of the form of the stack until its rear edge passes the offsets 175 in the lower teeth 174 and the offsets prevent the label from rising from the head of the stack when the jaws are again opened. A moment after the label is engaged by fingers 176 and removed from its projected path of delivery, the rollers 180 (Fig. 5 engage the forearms 192 of arms 151 and these forearms are carried downwardly along with the label to a certain extent. This downward movement is made possible by articulating the forearms 192 with the arms 151, as shown in detail in Fig. 5". The articulation is merely a hinged joint 192 yielding downwardly against spring 193, but not upwardly by reason of a coacting abutment 194. This hinged joint, designated as 192, is formed bymeans of a in pivotally connecting arms 192 and 151 Fig. 5). At the moment the label is safely behind the offsets 175, came 157, 158, of delivery mechanism disengage and the forearms 192 of fingers 150 are quickly retracted from their positions between the jaws to bring the fingers 150 again to the rolls to receive the next label. In this retracting movement rollers 180 receive the upper edges of the forearms 192 and prevent undue friction and at the moment the fingers 150 are freed from rollers 180 the forearms spring upwardly into normal relation with arms 151. These operations follow each other in uick succession as the labels are folded and elivered from the pressing rolls, the stack formed by members 163, 164, being built up label by label.

As the stack is built up it is lowered in position to keep its head always in proper relation to the jaws of the stacker head 165. This lowering is accomplished by driving the frame downwardly through the intermediary of racks 195 engaging with pinions 196 carried by a transverse shaft 197, driven from shaft 30 by worm gearing 198. The racks are part of a frame composed of headers 199, guide rods 200 and the racks themselves, which frame in turn supports the stacker frame 163, 164. The guide rods 200 are slidably positioned in laterally disposed slides 201 carried by frontal extensions 222 from the base B which extensions also carry shaft 196. The rate of movement of the supporting frame, and hence the stacking frame, by the worm gear 198, is such that it approximates the rate of building up of the stack by the stacking mechanism. In other words it is a rate of speed proportionate to the product of the number of labels 0 erated upon by their average thickness. 0 meet any progressively increasing variation in the head of the stack I have provided a toothed clutch device 223 operable by knob 224 which can be slid in or out on shaft 197 to connect and disconnect the supporting frame from the worm gearing 198. Knob 224 is simply connected with a sleeve having a spline engagement with shaft 196 and a permanent engagement with clutch 223, so that when the clutch is removed by pushing 224 inwardly, 224 may be turned and the supporting frame raised or lowered by such turning to properly adjust the head of the stack. Such adjustment may be utilized to take care of the closeness of the packing of the labels into the stack, since by raising the supporting frame, and hence the bottom of the stack, (see Fig. 5), the labels of the stack are compressed between the bottom of the stacking frame and the offset 175 and-the forwardly projecting ends of teeth 176.

The stacker frame 163, 164, carried by the supporting frame just described, is comprised of a pair of spaced longitudinal angles 163, 164, spaced apart by a head piece 227, and a foot piece 228. Frame member 164 is laterally adjustable with respect to frame member 163 through thumb screws and slots in the members 227, 228. The angles face rearwardly and are so adapted to accommodate between themelongated label boxes which open rearwardly and into which the labels may be directly stacked as indicated. The foot piece 228 is also formed as a rearwardly facing angle and supports the box from its bottom end. The front of upright 167 is formed with a plane smooth face and constitutes a temporary closure for the box or in case a box is not used as temporary retaining means for a stack which may be formed directly in the members 163, 164. By reason of its lateral adjustment as respects base B through angle 168 the space between the face of this upright 167 and the angles 163, 164, may be varied to accommodate labels of various widths.

The stacker frame 163, 164, is not permanently mounted on the supporting frame 199, 200, but removably mounted thereon. Flange 229 on head piece 227 of the stacker frame engages in slot 229 in the upper face of head block 199 in the supporting frame, (Fig. 5,) while the flattened projecting heads 230 of rivets or screws 231 in turn engage in slots 230 on the under face of foot piece 228. So stacker frame 163, 164, and the stack or box of labels which it holds may be vertically withdrawn from the supporting frame 199, 200. To facilitate this withdrawal stacker head 165 has its upper jaw 169 pivoted about the lower branch of its frame so that it may be moved rearwardly to remove the upper teeth 176 out of the path of thevertically withdrawn stack (Fig. 5). By reason of the inclination of the stack to the horizontal the stacked labels will not fall out of the stack, although the hand, or a strip of suitable material, may be placed over them as the stack is withdrawn to prevent such displacement. If desired, the supporting frame 199, 200 may be raised to its uppermost position by disconnecting clutch 223 before the stack is removed. It is in any event so raised when the stacker frame and the fresh box have beenplaced.

Such is the method and the machine of my invention. They are adapted for large production and a high grade of work by reason of the inherent directness of the operations involved, their close co-ordination and accurate relative adjustment. They are further adapted for application in one and the same machine to labels of any width, length and thickness whatever, within the limits for which the machine is designed. To change from a label of one set of dimensions to another one has only to adjust laterally the right-hand guide 96 of the feeding mechanism by means of thumb screws provided for that purpose; to secondly adjust the gauge 17 to the thickness; thirdly to adjust the shield 45 to the new length of gauging stroke as determined by the new length of label; fourthly to adjust the folding and conveying mechanism 0 to accommodate the new length merely by turnin screw 113 to bring them nearer to, or fart er from each other; fifthly, to adjust the spread of the teeth on the stacker head of mechamsm S by simply shoving them along until they 00- cupy their proper positions with respect to the fingers 150 of the delivery mechanism D sixthly, adjusting the upright 16? toward or from members 163, 164, to accommodate the newwidth of label in the stack and seventhly, adjusting the frame members 163, 164:, with respect to each other to accommodate the new length of the folded label and the box in which they are to be stacked. Substantially all other adjustments are permanent or semi-permanent in character, and are varied only to suit general operating conditions.

Having thus described my invention. with particularity with reference to the preferred method of carrying out the same and in connection with the preferredapparatus for carrying out the same, and. having referred to some of the possible modifications thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, after understanding my invention, that other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I aim in the appended claims to cover such changes and modifications as are within the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the character described, a feeding mechanism, a folding mechanism, a spring actuated transfer device between the two mechanisms trigger held in cocked condition, a cutter device, and means carried by the feeding mechanism to engage the trigger and release the cutter.

2. In a machine for cutting and folding strip material, a feedin mechanism, a cutting mechanism, a folding mechanism, and a transfer device intermediate the cutting device and the folding device controlled in its operation by the feeding mechanism.

3. In a machine of the character described, a feeding and cutting mechanism, and a dual folding mechanism, operating on a path transversely of the feeding mechanism, and having one part fixed in relation to the cut ting mechanism, and the other part adjustable toward and away therefrom.

4. In a machine of the character described,

a feeding and cutting mechanism operatingupon a determinate path, a folding mechanism on' a laterally displaced path, and an intermediate transfer mechanism associating the feeding and cutting, and the folding paths and independent of the folding mechanism.

5. In a machine of the character described, a feeding and cutting mechanism, operating upon the strip material in a determinate feeding plane, a folding mechanism arranged in a plane displaced from the feeding plane, and a transfer mechanism operated synchronously with the cutting mechanism to project the length from the feeding and cutting plane to the folding plane as it is cut.

6. In a machine of the character described, a feeding and cutting mechanism, a folding mechanism, and an intermediate transfer mechanism arranged to project material cut from the one mechanism to the other and embodying a transfer table bodily removable to adjust for various widths to be transferred.

7. In a machine of the character described, a feeding and cutting mechanism, a folding mechanism, including a belt conveyor, and a transfer mechanism comprising a transfer table in fixed engagement with said belt conveyor and a movable transfer table adjacent thereto and in variable contact with said belt conveyor.

8. In a machine of the character described, a feeding and cutting mechanism, a folding mechanism comprising a belt conveyor, an intermediate transfer table operating between the two mechanisms to transfer a cut length from one to the other, and a belt guard present between the table and the belt during the feeding operation.

9. In a machine of the character described, a feeding and cutting mechanism, a folding mechanism, including a belt conveyor, an intermediate transfer mechanism and a belt guard having a frictional engagement with the belt carrying it between the belt and the feed path during feeding, and an operative connection with the transfer mechanism carrying it out of the path of transfer during operation of the transfer mechanism.

10. In a machine of the character described, a folder of the hemmer type having a guiding tongue and a folding body, and a conveyor belt travelling on said tongue to convey the cut lengths during the folding operation...

11. The method of folding cut lengths of material which consists in stretching the body of material taut in a direction transverse to the fold lines during the folding operation.

a pair of juxtaposed hemmer type folders- Which converge from receiving to delivery ends, and coactmg conveyor belt means.

13. In a machine of the character described,

a feeding and cutting mechanism, and an overla ping folding mechanism bodily removab e from operative relation with said feeding and cutting mechanism to admit accessibility of'the overlapped portions of the mechanism.

14:- In a machine of the character described,

folding mechanism operating to fold out lengths of the material on lines spaced apart, and pressing mechanisms arranged to press the spaced folds, both of which mechanisms are adjustable as to the space between the folds.

15. In a machine of the character described, a folding mechanism adjustable to fold

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