US2134459A - Pad folding machine - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 25, 1938. o, T] THQMPSON 2,134,459

PAD FOLDING MACHINE Y Filed Nov. 15, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 f 72%. 05cm" 8 50/2 Oct. 25, 1938. o. T. THOMPSON 2,134,459 PAD FOLDINGMACHINE Fi-led Nov. 15, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 f 056127 [3 55595071 fig; ,M

Oct. 25, 1938. THQMPISQN 2,134,459

PAD FOLDINGMACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1926' 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 1933- o. T. THOMPSON PAD FOLDINGWMACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 43... n9 FIIL fax W Qatar]? Oct. 25, 1938. o. T. THOMPSON 2,134,459

PAD FOLDING- MACHINE I Filed Nov. 15, 192 7 sheets-sheets Oct. 25, 1938. 1 o. T. THOMPSON 2,134,459

PAD FOLDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 25, 1938. o, THOMPSON 2,134,459

PAD FOLDINGMACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1926 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Q} .I. I v a. W F1: iiifi Oscarfffiam 5072,

My present Patented Oct. 25, 1938 V UNITED STATES :PATENT OFFICE k PAD FOLDING MACHINE I Oscar T. Thompson, Neenah, Wis., assignor, by

mesnc assignments,-

to International Cellucotton Products 00., Chicago, IlL, a corporation of Delaware Application November 15, 1926, Serial No. 148,322

24 Claims.

in a convenient form for vending. The present invention has particular reference to a machine for folding the projecting ends of the wrapper of a catamenial bandage such as is produced by a machine disclosed in the co-pending application of William Bauer, for Pad making machines, Serial No. 687,012, filed January 18. 1924.

The objects of the present invention are: to

objects which may be connected to the machine of the above mentioned co-pending application and operated as a unit thereof and to eliminate handling of the articles, and in general, to provide an improved machine of the class described. Other objects and advantages will become apparent when reference is had to the following specification when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein I have illustrated a selected embodiment of my invention in which:--

Fig. 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan. Figs. 3 and 4 are sections .on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 respectively of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section on the lines 5-5 of Fig.2. Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 5, but showing the parts in another position.

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the means for folding one of the end flaps.

Fig. 8 is a perspective of the folding elements. Fig. 9 is a perspective of the article after the end flaps are folded. v Fig. 10 is a side view, partlyin section on the line ll0 of Fig. 11, 'of a pad making machine with which my folding machine may be associated and Fig. 11 is a view of the pad making machine taken on the line l.I- -H of Fig. 10, certain parts being, shown in section to facilitate illustration.

invention: involves the provision of suitable pad folding mechanism which is parlii ticularly adapted to folding the end flaps or tabs (Cl. im -29) of sanitary napkins such as are produced by a machine made according to the invention and ap-- plication of William Bauer above referred to, and my invention includes the combination of such a pad making machine with my improved tab.

folding mechanism whereby sanitary napkins may be automatically produced and delivered in condition for packing in boxes or cartons.

For the purpose of my present application, a

brief description of a suitable pad making machine and its operation will be sumcient to enable others skilled in the art to understand the manner in which my tab folding mechanism cooperates with the pad making mechanism, and hence I will proceed to describe only briefly the pad making mechanism invented by the said William Bauer and illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11.

In Fig. 10, a supply roll of suitable pad covering material such as gauze is indicated at I, the same being rotatably supported in any suitable manner by meansof supporting frame work 2. From the supply roll I, the strip 3 of gauze is drawn and fed forward by suitable feeding means including a belt 4 and pressure roll 4', the said belt being positively driven by any convenient means and from any suitable source of power. The supply strip 3 of covering material is carried by the belt 4 longitudinally over the top of a supporting table as clearly shown-fromthe delivery end of which, the gauze is directed downwardly over an inclined chute ill (see Fig. 1).

A supply roll of suitable absorbent pad material is indicated at 5 in Fig. 11, and means including an intermittently actuated feed belt 6 is provided for advancing the supply strip 1 of pad material, the same being drawn from the supply roll as will be readily understood from an inspection of the said 11. The forward end portions of the strip of pad material I are successively severed therefrom by means of a motor driven circular saw -8 which is reciprocated vertically in properly timedrelation to the advance! ment of the supply strip. The strip is advanced a predetermined amounteach time the feed device 6 is actuated, and hence the saw 8 will operate to cut off a pad of predetermined width each time the saw is moved downwardly into cutting engagement with the pad strip.

For supporting the forward end of the pad strip while the said forward end is being severed from the supply strip, there is provided a horizontally reciprocable table 9. A stationary stripper member 9a serves to strip the severed pad from the table 9 when the latter is moved outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 11, and a plurality of forwardly and downwardly inclined fingers 9b are provided for insuring proper deposition of the severed pad sections on the cover strip 4 which is traveling in a direction extending crosswise of the direction of feed of the pad supply strip 1.

The pad supply strip 1, in the pad-making machine above described, is of a width substantially equal to the length of the desired pad sections and the length of the front end portions of the strip which is cut therefrom constitutes the width of the severed pad. In the pad-making machine above described, the cover material strip 3 is of greater width than the width of the pad supply strip 1, as will readily be understood from a comparison of the width of the respective supply strips as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. However, the

' pad sections which are severed from the supply strip I are of an even smaller width than the width of the supply strip I so that the pad section is oblong in shape. The pads are deposited in longitudinally spaced relation on the strip of covering material intermediate the width of the latter so as to leave marginal side portions of gauze projecting sidewise from the opposite side edges of the pad; Such deposition of the pads is effected as an incident tothe continuous travel of the covering strip while the pad supply strip is advanced intermittently and pad sections severed therefrom at predetermined intervals to control the spacing between the pads disposed on the covering strip.

Suitable folding devices 90 are provided along the table over which the covering material strip is' fed, these folding devices being of the type which directs or-folds themarginal side portions of the covering strip upwardly and transversely over the top of the median portion of the covering strip and over the top faces of the longitudinally spaced pad sections.

The details and the mechanism for actuating the above described pad making mechanism are fully described in the said .copending application of William Bauer, and since such details of construction and operation do not constitute a part of my invention, the same need not be more fully described herein.

It will be seen that the pad making machine above described serves to deliver a series of connected sanitary napkins to an inclined chute I and a rotary cutting or shearing mechanism indicated at II (Fig. 1) is provided for severing the napkins intermediate successive pads so as to form end flaps or tabs 22-22 for each pad.

The chute I0 and cutting unit II is suitably supported on a frame element III as clearly shown in Fig. 1', and the details of the cutting mechanism I I are fully disclosed in the above referred to application of William Bauer. The details of the cutting mechanism were not invented by me, and hence a detailed description thereof need not be given. Suflice it to say that any form of cutting mechanism adaptedto the purpose may be used.

The pad making machine delivers a pad which consists of a pad of soft filling material wrapped with a covering of gauze or the like and as clear- 7 1y illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, the ends of the bearings in the frame I0 and the shaft I6 of the roll I4 is journaled in suitable bearings in the frame I1 which supports the folding mechanism of the present invention. The shaft I5 extends outwardly on both sides of the roll I3 and is provided with a pair of sprocket wheels I8--I8, one on each side of the roll I3, and is adapted to turn with the roll. The sprocket wheels I8-I8 receive a pair of sprocket chains I9-I9 which are also threaded over a pair of sprockets 2020 at the other end of the machine. It will be apparent that the chains I9I9 and the conveyor belt I2 are adapted to travel together at the same speed, since the roll I3 and the sprocket wheels I8I8 are of a size to produce this result. Suitable means may be provided for maintaining the chains taut and may comprise bell cranks I9a pivotally mounted on the frame I1 and having an idler pulley mounted at the end of one leg and adapted to engage the lower reach of the chain and having a weight suspended from the end of the other arm as shown in Fig. 1. The chains I9-I9 are connected at intervals by means of flap receiving members 2I which, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, are adapted to receive the flaps 22-22, at the ends of the pads 23, thereover as the pad is delivered to the conveying belt from the cutting mechanism I I.

The conveyor belt I2 is adapted to deliver the pad to a supporting conveyor belt 24 which extends around suitable drums 25 and 26 which are each rotatably mounted in suitable bearings on the frame H. The supporting conveyor belt 24 is adapted to be intermittently moved and for this purpose I provide the following mechanism. The shaft 21 of the drum 25 extends outwardly beyond its bearings as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4. A sprocket wheel 28 is rotatably mounted on the projecting end of the shaft 21 and is provided with a ratchet tooth faced hub 29. The sprocket wheel 28 is driven from any suitable source of power and in the present instance I contemplate driving this sprocket by means of a chain 30 (Fig. 1) which is threaded over a suitable sprocket wheel 3| which, in turn, is mounted on and secured to the shaft 32 of the sprockets 20-20. The shaft 32 may be rotated by suitable means such as a sprocket 33 secured thereto and adapted to receive a chain which may be driven from any driven power shaft. It is, of course, obvious that I may apply the driving power at either end of the machine, for instance, as above explained, to the shaft 32, or to the shaft I5 or to any other suitable shaft.

Rotation is transmitted from the sprocket 31 secured to the outer end of the projection 35 normally urges the clutch member 34 into engagement with the ratchet tooth face 29 of the sprocket 28. The clutch member 34 is intermittently forced out of engagement with the ratchet tooth face 29 by means of a forked arm 38 which straddles a portion of the clutch member 34 and engages the opposite faces of the groove 39 in the clutch member. The forked arm 38 is secured to a rock shaft 40 journaled at one end-in a bracket 4| securedto the frame I! and at its other end in a bracket 42 secured to the frame II). The rock shaft 40 may conveniently be rocked by means of a cam. arm 43 secured thereto and adapted to be rocked by means of a rotating cam making machine and the flap receiving members receive the respective end flaps thereover. The conveyor belt I2 is continuously driven by the above described chain driving means through the sprocket 33, shaft 32, and sprockets 20-20 over which the chains H! are threaded and through which chain the roll i3 is driven by means of the sprocket l8 secured to the shaft i5 as above described. Suitable means such as a gear train comprising gears 1|], II and i2- is provided to synchronize the movement of the cutting mechanism ||,.conveyor l2 and chains Iii-i9, so that the conveyor and flap-receiving means 2| on the chains |9|9 will always-be brought into proper position to receive the pads as they are severed and discharged from the pad making machine.

The conveyor l2 ,carries the article or pad forwardly to the intermittently driven supporting conveyor 24. When the article is delivered and is properly positioned on the supporting conveyor 2 the latter is stopped. The conveyor l2, however, and the chains Iii-l9 with their connecting cross members or flap receiving members 2| continue to move forwardly. During the continued forward movement of the flap receiving members 2|, they are guided in a path inclined upwardly relative to the plane of the conveyors l2 and 25. This is accomplished by means of guides 45 which are supported by the frame H and on which the respective chains |9|9 ride as best shown in Fig. 1.

, When the rear flap receiving member 2| reaches the position shown in Fig. Sadjacent the rear end of the pad, it will have been raised to a position somewhat higher than the top of the pad and will be in a position to ride over the top of the pad whereby it will carry the rear end flap I inwardly and over the pad as will be readily understood from an inspection of Fig. 6. When the member 2| has reached a position over the rear end of the pad, the guide members 25 are in-' clined downwardly so as to cause the member 2| to be lowered into contact with the top of the pad; The chains iii are caused .to follow the guide 55 downwardly by means of guides 6565 which ride over the tops of the chains as best shown in Figsfl and 4. By this means the flap is pressed tightly against the top surface of the pad and the pad itself is somewhat compressed Further movement of the and smoothed out. chains |9- |9 and of the flap receiving member 2| carries the member 2| upwardly over a folder t6 and around the sprocket 2|]. As the member 2| leaves the pad, the supporting conveyor 25 is the pad forwardly under the folder 46. The forward end flap 22 which has previously been deposited on the top of the folder, when the corresponding flap receiving member 2| is carried thereover, is folded upwardly and inwardly over the corresponding end of the pad, and where the flaps are of sumcient length, over the first folded flap. The top' 41 of the folder is preferably in-. clined downwardly so as to press the forward end flap closely against the top of the pad as it moves thereunder and the depending side flanges- 48 are operative to square up the side edges of the pad, As the pad is propelled through the last folding operation, it is delivered to another receiving conveyor 52 which is adapted to convey the article to a packing machine or any other desired receiving means.

As the pads are received from the pad making machine, the flaps project from the ends thereof and from both the top and bottom sides of the pad. I find it desirable to crease the flap adjacent the end of the pad so as to effect a cleaner or sharper fold and for this'purpose I provide a creasing bar 53 which is carried by a sprocket 54 rotatably mounted on a suitable bracket 55,

carried by the frame IT. The sprocket 5d meshes with one of the chains l9 and is thereby rotated. The creasing bar 53 is mounted in such a position on the sprocket that as the sprocket rotates, the bar will engage the forward flap 22 closely adjacent the front end of the pad and will be opso timed as to effect creasing of the flap at the rearward end of the pad instead of the one at the front end, and also that the same mechanism could be duplicated if it be desired to crease both end flaps.

For insuring the proper positioning of the pad on the supporting conveyor 25 and for improving the creasing of the flap at the forward end of the pad, I provide a member 55 which extends across the width of thepad and is mounted on a rod 51 which is pivotally supported by a pair of brackets 58-58 which are supported by the frame. The rod 51 is adapted to be rocked in its bearings by means of an arm 59 and connecting rod 60 whichis pivotally connected by means of a crank pin 6| to a collar 62 secured to the rotary shaft 63 of the cutting mechanism I. As the collar 62 rotates, the rod 6|! is reciprocated and the shaft 51 thereby rocked. The member 56 being secured to the shaft 51 is thereby swung upwardly and downwardly into positions as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. When in the position shown in Fig. 5, it isoperative to prevent forward movement of the pad due to frictional engagement of the folding member or flap receiving member 2| or other causes and it also further creases the forward end flap adjacent the forward end of the pad. Movement of the member 55 is of course properly timed with the movement of the intermittently operated supporting conveyor 25 was to permit forward movement .of the pad when the conveyor is moved to advancethe pad. Adjustment of the member 55 may be had by moving the brackets 58 upwardly or downwardly and for this purpose I mount the brackets 5858 on the side frames by means of a clamping screw 64 which passes through a suitable slot in respective brackets and threadedl engages the frame.

While I have found that frictional engagement between the supporting conveyor belt 24 and the pads 23 is ordinarily sufficient to cause the pad to move with the conveyor or to stop therewith, I may provide additional means for insuring more positive engagement therebetween. Such means may comprise a plurality of small pins projecting upwardly from the conveyor 24 and adapted to engage the bottom of the pad.

I have thus provided a machine of the character described which is simple in construction having few parts and without delicate adjustments and which is, therefore, not apt to-become out of working order and which is entirely automatic in its operation. I am aware that various changes in construction, proportion, and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the essence of the invention as defined by the "following claims which I desire to have construed as broadly as possible, consistent with the state of the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine for folding a flap over the end of a package from which'it projects, the combination of an intermittently movable supporting member, a continuously driven feed conveyor adapted to receive the package with the flap unfolded and to feed same endwise to said supporting member, independent means movable with said conveyor and also movable relative thereto and to said supporting member and having means for receiving the flap thereover, means for causing said flap receiving means to move upwardly relative to the package and thereover whereby the flap is folded upwardly and inwardly over the package.

2. In a machine for folding flaps which project from opposite ends of a package, an intermittently movable supporting member, a continuously driven feed conveyor adapted to receive the package with its flaps unfolded and to feed same endwise to said supporting member, independent means movable with said conveyor and also movable relative thereto and to said supporting member and having means for receiving one of the flaps of the package thereover, means for causing said flap receiving means to move upwardly relative to the package and thereover whereby the corresponding flap is folded upwardly and inwardly over the package, said folding operation being effected during .a period of rest of said supporting member, and means for folding the other end flap upwardly and inwardly over the adjacent end of the package as an incident to succeeding movement of the package with the supporting member.

3. In a machine for folding flaps which project from opposite ends of a, package, the combination of an intermittently movable supporting member, a continuously driven conveyor adapted to successively receive the packages having flaps projecting from their opposite ends and to successively deposit the same on said supporting member, independent means movable with said conveyor and having means for receiving the flaps thereover, means for causing one of said flap receiving means to move upwardly relative to the package on said supporting member and over the same whereby the corresponding flap is folded upwardly and inwardly over the package, said folding operation being effected during a period of rest of said supporting member, means for creasing the forward end flap adjacent the forward end of the package, and means for folding said forward end flap over the package at the crease.

4. In a machine for folding flaps which project from opposite ends of a package, the combination of an intermittently movable supporting member,- a continuously driven conveyor adapted to successively receive the packages having flaps projecting from their opposite ends and to successively deposit the same on said supporting member, independent means movable with said conveyor and having means for receiving the flaps thereover, means for causing one of said flap receiving means to move upwardly relative to the package on said supporting member and over the same whereby the corresponding flap is folded upwardly and inwardly over the package, said folding operation being effected during a period of rest of said supporting member, means for creasing the forward end flap adjacent the forward end of the package, and means for folding the forward end flap at the crease and over the corresponding end of the package as an incident to forward movement thereof on the succeeding movement of the supporting member.

5. In a machine for folding flaps which project from opposite ends of a catamenial bandage, the combination of a supporting conveyor, means for intermittently moving said conveyor, a continuously driven conveyor for feeding the band ages with their flaps unfolded to said supporting conveyor, means for successively delivering the unfolded bandages to said continuously driven conveyor, means for synchronizing the operation of said delivery means and said continuously driven conveyor so as to cause the bandages to be delivered to the conveyor in predetermined position thereon, means movable with the last mentioned conveyor and projecting transversely thereover for receiving one end flap, means for guiding said flap receiving means upwardly relative to the bandage whereby the flap receiving means is caused to-move over the bandage on the supporting conveyor during a period of rest of the latter and thereby fold the rear flap over the adjacent end of the bandage, and means for folding the other end flap over the other end of the bandage.

6. In a machine for folding flaps which project from opposite ends of the pad portion of a catamenial bandage, the combination of ,a feed conveyor, an intermittently driven supporting conveyor adapted to receive the bandages from said feed conveyor, means for positioning the bandages on said supporting conveyor, means movable over both said feed conveyor and supporting conveyor for receiving .the flaps thereover, means for creasing the forward end flap adjacent the corresponding end of the pad portion of the bandage, means for guiding the rear flap receiving means upwardly and over the bandage on the supporting conveyor during a period of rest thereof, whereby the rear flap is folded, said flap receiving means being adapted to compress the bandage as it moves thereover, and means for folding the forward end flap at the crease and upwardly and inwardly over the corresponding end of the pad portion and operable as an incident to the combination of mechanism for severing catamenial bandages successively from the end of a continuous series of such bandages connected tog'ether by their adjacent end flaps and continuously fed endwise, mechanism independent of said severing mechanism for propelling the bandages succesively away from said severing mechanism so as to facilitate successive operation of the latter to sever the succeeding bandages from the series, and mechanism for folding the severed end flaps of the bandages over the ends thereof.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of mechanism for severing catamenial bandages successively from the end of a continuous series of such bandages connected together by their adjacent end flaps and continuously fed endwise, mechanism independent of said severing mechanism for propelling the bandages successively away from said severing mechanism so as to facilitate successive operation of the latter to sever the succeeding bandages from the series, and mechanism for folding the severed end flaps of the bandages over the ends thereof, which includes an end flap support movable relative to the propelling means.

9. In a machine of the class described, the

' combination of means for successively severing 'nected catamenial bandages having unfolded end bandages from the. end of a continuous series, a belt conveyor for receiving the severed bandages from said severing means and propelling the body portions of the severed bandages endwise with fiapsextending'endwise from its opposite ends, and end flap supporting members associated with said conveyor but movable relative i thereto for folding said end flaps over the adjacent ends of the bandages.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for propelling bandages endwise, means for successively feeding the bandages to said propelling means, and means independently movable longitudinally of said propelling means in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the latter for "folding one of the end flaps of the bandages over the adjacent ends of the bandages.

11. In a. machine -of the class described, th combination of a conveyor for propelling catamenial bandages endwise, means for feeding the bandages successively to said conveyor, and means independently movable longitudinally of said conveyor in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the latter for receiving one of the end flaps of a bandage as it is delivered to said conveyor and operative to fold the flap over the adjacent end of the bandage.

12. In a' machine of the class described, the combination of a movable support for receiving and supporting a catamenialbandage having a pad portion and a wrapper therefor of gauze, said Wrapper being of greater length than the length of the pad so as to form end flaps extending endwise from the opposite ends of the pad, said flaps being limp and of such length that, when uni supported, they droop of their own weight from the ends of the pad, and means associated with said movable support for folding said limp end flaps upwardly and inwardly over the top faces of the respectively adjacent end portions of the pad.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a conveyor, means for successively depositing on said conveyor individual, unconflaps of limp textile material, said bandages being deposited on said conveyor one by one in spaced relation, means initially movable in unison with said conveyor for receiving one of said unfolded end flaps and located so as to engage the flap adjacent the end of the body portion of the bandage from which the flap projects, and means for subsequently effecting movement of said flapreceiving means longitudinally over the body portion of said bandage, thereby to fold said end flap over the top of said body portion.

14. In a machine for folding flaps which project in opposite directions from the opposite ends of a package, a support for the package intermittently movable in a substantially horizontal direction, means for successively feeding to said support a plurality of packages having said oppositely projecting end flaps, means for folding the flap at one end over the top surface of the adjacent end portion of the package while the latter is disposed on said support and while the support is at rest, and means for folding the other flap over the top surface of the other end portion of the package while said support is in motion.

15. In a machine for folding flaps which project endwise in opposite directions from the opposite ends of a package, the combination of an intermittently movable support for the package, a continuously driven conveyor for successively feeding to said support a plurality of packages having such end flaps, and means for folding one of the end'flaps of the package on said support over the top surface of the adjacent end portion of the package during a period of rest of said support.

16. In a machine for folding flaps which project endwise in opposite directions from the opposite ends of a package, the combination of an intermittently movable supporting conveyor, a continuously driven feed conveyor for successively feeding to said supporting conveyor a plurality of packages having said endwise projecting flaps, means for folding one end flap of a package on said supporting conveyor over the upper face of the adjacent end portion of the package and operable during a period of rest of said conveyor, and means for folding the other end fiap over the upper face of the other end-of the package as an incident to forward movement of the package on the supporting conveyor;

17. In a machine for making sanitary napkins, the combination of means for feeding a strip of cover material, means for feeding a strip of pad material, means for dividing said strip of pad material into individual pads of less width than the width of said strip of cover material, means for depositing said pads in longitudinally spaced relation on said strip of cover material intermediate the side edges of the latter, means for folding the side marginal portions of said cover material strip over said pads, means for severing said folded cover strip intermediate successive pads-so as to form tabs of cover material extending endwise from each pad, and means for folding said tabs over the respective pads.

- 18. In a machine for making sanitary napkins,

the combination of means for feeding a strip of cover material, means for feeding pad material in a continuous strip of less width than the width of said cover material strip, means for dividing said strip of pad material into individual pads of less width than of length and of less width than the width of said strip of cover-material, means for depositing said pads in longitudinally spaced relation on said strip of .cover material and intermediate the side edges of the latter, stationary means for folding the marginal side portions of said cover material strip over said pads as an incident to the travel of said cover material and pads, means for severlngsaid folded cover strip intermediate successive pads so as to form tabs of cover material extending endwise from .each pad, and means movable relative to the pads for folding said tabs over the respective pads.

19. In a wrapping machine, the combination of means to feed a continuous strip of wider cover material, means to feed a continuous strip of narrower-pad material, means to sever said strip of pad material into individual pads, means to deposit said pads in lengthwise spaced relation on said strip of cover material, means to fold the longitudinal sections of said cover material over such pads, means to sever said strip of cover material between said pads, and means to fold the two ends of each such individual cover over on to its pad.

20. In a wrapping machine, the combination of means to feed a continuous strip of wider cover material, means to feed a continuous strip of narrower pad material, means to sever said strip of pad material into individual pads, means to deposit said pads in lengthwise spaced relation on said strip of cover material, stationary means to fold the longitudinal sections of said traveling cover material over such pads, means to sever said strip of cover material between such pads, and movable means to fold the two ends of each such individual cover over on to its pad.

21. In a machine for making sanitary napkins, the combination of means for feeding a continuous strip of cover material, means for supplying and depositing absorbent pads successively in spaced relation on said cover material, means for folding said cover material so as to enclose the series of said spaced pads,"means for successively severing said cover material intermediate adjacent pads, thereby to form a tab of cover material extending rearwardly from one pad and a tab of cover material extending forwardly from the following pad, and means for folding said tabs over the respective pads comprising means for propelling the covered pad, and a pair of retarding elements, one of said elements serving to retard a tab and to fold said tab along the covered pad as an incident to the movement of the latter, and the other element serving to retard the movement of the covered pad so that the movement of the tab serves to fold said tab along the body.

22. In a machine for making sanitary napkins, the combination of means for feeding a continuous strip of cover material, means for supplying and depositing absorbent pads successively in spaced relation on said cover material, means for folding said cover material so as to enclose the series of said spaced pads, means for successively severing said cover material intermediate adjacent pads, thereby to form a tab of cover material extending rearwardly from one pad and a tab of cover material extending forwardly from the following pad, and means for folding said tabs over the respective pads comprising pad propelling means, a relatively stationary pad support adapted to receive, and interrupt the movement of, the covered pad, means for effecting movement of said rearwardly extending tab to folded position on a face of the covered pad while the latter is on said support, and means for interrupting the movement of the forwardly extending tab while maintaining said pad in movement to thereby effect folding of said forwardly extending tab to folded position on a face of the covered pad.

23. In a machine for making sanitary napkins, the combination of means for feeding a continuous strip of cover material, means for supplying and depositing absorbent pads successively in spaced relation on said cover material, means for folding said cover material so as to enclose the series of said spaced pads, means for successively severing said cover material intermedi-' ate adjacent pads, thereby to form a tab of cover material extending rearwardly from one pad and a tab of cover material extending forwardly from the following pad, and means for folding said tabs over the respective pads comprising means for propelling the covered pad, and a relatively stationary element adapted to be engaged by the forwardly extending tab and adapted to wipe said tab rearwardly to folded position on a face of the covered pad as an incident to the travel of the latter.

24. In a machine for making sanitary napkins, the combination of means for feeding a continuous strip of cover material, means for supplying and depositing absorbent pads successively in spaced relation on said cover material, ,means for folding said cover material so as to enclose the series of said spaced pads, means for successively severing said cover material intermediate adjacent pads, thereby to form a tab of cover material extending rearwardly from one pad and a tab of cover material extending forwardly from the following pad, and means for folding said tabs over the respective pads comprising means for propelling the covered pad, a relatively stationary= element adapted to be engaged by the forwardly extending tab and adapted to wipe said tab rearwardly to folded position on a face of the covered pad as an incident to the travel of the latter, and a member movable forwardly relative to the covered pad adapted to carry said rearwardly extending tab progressively from its inner end to its outer end into folded position on a face of the covered pad.

OSCAR T. THOMPSON.

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