US2487495A - Plastic sheet folding machine - Google Patents

Plastic sheet folding machine Download PDF

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US2487495A
US2487495A US726918A US72691847A US2487495A US 2487495 A US2487495 A US 2487495A US 726918 A US726918 A US 726918A US 72691847 A US72691847 A US 72691847A US 2487495 A US2487495 A US 2487495A
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sheet
folding
bars
blade
fold
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US726918A
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Ralph F Taber
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C53/00—Shaping by bending, folding, twisting, straightening or flattening; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C53/02—Bending or folding
    • B29C53/04—Bending or folding of plates or sheets

Definitions

  • Thisinvention relatesto. amachinefor forming.
  • 'llheinvention comprehends amachine for folding sheet.materialsprovidednwith arheated. folding blademounted for reciprocating movement to and-froma'positiorrwhere it operates in cooperation withado-acting fold forming means to permanently. form. a fold. through the. timed operation of. the heated folding. blade engaging and folding thesheetin the fold. forming. means where it is adapted tobe retained until-the fol'd is permanently sets in. the sheet material.
  • the invention provides a. machine for rapidly folding plastic sheet material having, a heated foldingblade movable toward and from a folding' position where a sheet to. be folded" is supportedona pairiof. fbl'd forming bars,.at least one of. which. is relatively movableto the. other. in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement of the. folding blade.
  • the folding blade is moved to engage asheet'to be folded between the fold forming bars inspace'd' apartposit'ion'.
  • the folding. blade is then moved slowly between the separated foldforming bars to bend the sheet while .it' is heated; As the. sheet" is softened bythe heat at the corners of the blade, the'f'oldis formed around the end ofthe blade.
  • the bars are held in the same spaced position while the folding blade moves to its" full folding position therebetween.
  • the sheet does" not engage" the sides of the" folding-blade, only. the corners at thefree' edge;
  • The" blade is then withdrawn from the foldportion; the sheet being retained between the" bars which are then moved closer-together to bend thefoldp'o'rtion of" the sheet tobringth'e sheet porti'onsat opposite sides of the fold into close contact while cooling the heated portionsof the'sheet so that a-"permanent complete fold will be formed.
  • thebars aremoved apart to their initial position to discharge the folded sheet.
  • the invention further comprehends a machine fbrfolding'plastic material having a reciprocating folding bl-ade' movable to and from a fold forming position in cooperation with a-* pair of'f'old forming.barsmovabletoward and from' each other in-timed. relation with the folding blade; a mac'hlnehavin'g'a frame provided with pivoted arm's carrying the folding'" blade for its reciprocating movement relativeto the forming bars, a top portionfon the frame" for supporting sheet material to be folded between the folding blade and forming bars; and" a" carrier pivotedon' the framezan'd having atop portion" carrying. one ofl'theforming bars for movementrelative to.
  • the forming bars may have: fiIlGuHlOVBHlGHt of the one mountedon the carrier relative. to the other forming bar varied relative to the movement of the folding. blade for varyihgthe folding cooperation obtained between the bladeand the. formingbars; a machine having the foldingblade. mounted on the frame for reciprocating movement and arranged-for adjustment on the. frame relative to the forming bars carried thereby so thatthe fold forming portion of the folding blade may, be. adjusted into centered position betweenthe spaced parallel forming bars in each adjusted position of operation thereof; a machine wherein the formingbars areprovided with resilient sheet engaging strips on the opposed'faces. thereof for.
  • a sheet folding'ma'chine wherein an operating lever is provided for oscillating movement from and to a starting position for moving the folding blade and'for'ming bars'toengage and fold a sheet between said bars; a sheet folding machine having means controlling the movement of the folding blade and forming bars relative to each other so the movement of the folding blade isat'a substantially slow rate-asthe blade engages and folds a sheetbetween the forming bars; a machine wherein" suitable" means.
  • Fig: I shows the foldingmachin'e constructed accordingrto the invention in sideelevation; looking at theiri'ght-hand side, with the major portion of the right-hand side" coverbroken away to show details" of construction.
  • FIG. 2 a view similarftoi Fig; 1, showing: the
  • Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical H cross-section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram showing the circuit connections for the folding blade heater and thermostatic control.
  • Fig. 8 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross-section illustrating the position of the folding blade and forming bars at the beginning of a sheet folding operation with the edge of the folding blade engaged with a sheet to be folded.
  • Fig. 9 shows the movement of the folding blade from the position of Fig. 8 in folding the sheet between the forming bars with the folding blade in the full folding position between the bars.
  • Fig. 10 shows how the sheet is heldbetween the portion I2 extends forwardly to the front of the frame.
  • This formation of front wall portions I0, II and I2 provides a chamber at the front of the supporting frame below top portion I into which folded sheets may be discharged and guided to the front of the machine where the operator can remove them.
  • a guide plate I3 formed to fit wall portions If], I I and I2 is mounted against the front faces thereof, as shown in Fig. 1, and has an upwardly inclined lip on the forward edge to facilitate the guiding and removal of a folded sheet from the frame.
  • Fig. 11 shows the position of the folding blade after it is withdrawn to a further extent from the fold and the sheet engaged and held between the forming bars, together with a showing of the forming bars moved closer together to engage the fold portion and bend it to hold the portions of the sheet at opposite sides of the fold closely engaged during the period when the forming bars absorb the heat from the sheet material and the fold in the sheet takes its permanent set.
  • Fig. 12 shows an edge view of a sheet completely folded in the manner illustrated in the enlarged diagrammatic cross-sections in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive.
  • the improved sheet folding machine is particularly adapted for folding plastic sheet material, such as Celluloid, and has a base I provided with side members 2, a rear wall 3, while shoes 4 mounted on the lower ends of side members 2 rest on a floor in supporting the machine.
  • a rigid supporting frame 5 is mounted on the upper end of base I and rigidly secured to the side members 2 and rear wall 3 to form a, rigid structure.
  • Supporting frame 5 has spaced substantially parallel side walls 6 depending from the sides of a flat sheet supporting top portion 1.
  • Flat top portion I is formed with a centrally located channel 8 extending from the front to the rear portion thereof for receiving the guiding and retaining mechanism carried by gauge bar 9 so constructed that gauge bar 9 may be adjusted with respect to the folding mechanism hereinafter described for gauging the distance between one edge of a sheet to be folded and the fold portion to be formed therein.
  • top portion 1 and side walls 6 terminate rearwardly of the bottom front portion ofsupporting frame 5 and a depending front wall portion I0, see Figs. 1, 2 and 6, extends downwardly from top portion 1 between side walls 6.
  • Front wall portion I0 merges into a downwardly and forwardly inclined front wall portion I I.
  • the lower front portion of front wall portion II is formed to merge with a horizontal wall portion I2 spaced abovethe bottom of supporting frame 5, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6.
  • the other fold forming bar I5 is mounted in a seat It formed in top wall portion ll of a carrier I8.
  • Top wall portion I! of carrier I8 is formed to lie in the same horizontal plane as top wall portion I of frame 5 to provide a flattop surface for supporting a sheet to be folded with the rear edge against gauge bar 9 to gauge the position of the fold in the sheet.
  • Each fold forming bar I5 has the face thereof opposed to the other bar formed with a channel 2
  • Each resilient strip member has one margin seated in the upper portion of the channel against one angular face of the bottom portion of the channel, while the other margin of the strip is engaged in the channel with an inner portion extending inwardly beyond the adjacent face of forming bar I5, as illustrated in Fig. 8.
  • each strip 22 The inner portion of the lower margin of each strip 22 is spaced from the angular bottom portion, as illustrated.
  • These resilient strip members 22, one on each fold forming bar I5, are arranged on the opposed faces of bars I5, as shown in Fig. 8, to provide gripping members arranged so the lower margins of the strip members 22 will grip the outer faces of a folded sheet therebetween, in the manner shown in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive, and retain the folded sheet between the fold forming bars.
  • These strip members resiliently grip a folded sheet in a manner sufficient to hold the sheet while the folding blade is disengaged from the fold therein.
  • each strip member 22 By having the margin of each strip member 22 which engages a folded sheet, spaced from the angular bottom portion of channel 2I, it will be understood that in addition to the strips being flexible, they are flexible in the channel relative to bars I5. The upper marginal portions of each strip 22 are rigidly secured in channel 2 I, as shown.
  • a cam shaft 23 is rotatably mounted in bear ings in side walls 6, projects through the supporting frame with opposite ends projecting beyond the opposite side walls of the frame.
  • a cam 24 is rigidly mounted on the right-hand end of cam shaft 23 and has a roller 25 carried by stud 28 engaged with the periphery thereof.
  • r atingt letvendfi hasna iiorwandlyqpxtendingtimmit 41 2 andactuating;
  • a suitable guard? structure;- is eproyzidedritozrenclose; and protect xthefolding blade? assembly? else-generally indicated 813163;
  • Thifigllfifl'diYStIlIc turel includes an; inverted;-:rsubstantially U shaped; casing-dim enclosing -the foldinga blade assembly; and extending:transversely: acrossxthermachinezabove-the .frontaportion :of :top;:portion $1 as? shown? in-.-Figs; 3 and 6.
  • Rearwardly extending:ca'singzl portions '.6 5.” are rigidly -secured:-. toopposite" ends; of and support casing;;;,64.
  • the lower front portion of frame 5 is formed in the central portion to provide a switch box 10, Fig. 4.
  • a cable H carries the wires from switch box I to heating element 49 and thermostat control unit 42, while cable 12 carries wires from switch box 19 to a connector socket 13 for receiving a plug connection from a source of electric current supply.
  • a switch plate 14 is mounted over the front open end of switch box '10 and carries control switch 15 and pilot lights 16 and 11. Pilot light 76 is connected in the current supply circuit for heating element 49 and is controlledby switch 15, so that whenever switch 15 is closed to connect the heating element 40 in circuit, pilot light 15 will be lighted indicating that the circuit is closed. Pilot light 11 is connected in series with thermostat control 42 for indicating when the thermostat is closed for closing the circuit to heating element 40.
  • mostat control 42 also has a series connection in the current supply circuit with heating element 40 in order that the current supply will be interrupted by the operation of the thermostat control whenever the heat in the folding blade assembly reaches the desired temperature. Pilot light 16 goes on and off, indicating when thermostat control 42 is operated to close the circuit to heating element 40 and when the circuit is open.
  • a condenser 18 is connected in circuit in parallel with thermostat control element 42, as illustrated in Fig. '7, for reducing arcing across the contacts of the thermostat control element when the circuit is broken in a manner well-known in the art.
  • Figs. 1 to 4 show the machine in the starting position ready to begin a folding operation.
  • the operator operates control switch 15 to close the circuit to the heating element. This is indicated by pilot light 16 becoming illuminated.
  • heating element 49 will be cool and therefore the thermostat control 42 will close the circuit to heating element 40, in view of which pilot light Tl will also be illuminated.
  • the operator allows the current to heat the folding blade assembly for a sufficient length of time until pilot light 11 goes out, indicating that the heat of the folding blade is at the proper temperature for folding.
  • carrier 18 has been operated to move folding bar l5 thereon inwardly to the full line position shown in Figs. 8 and 9, due to intermediate peripheral cam portion 19 engaging follower roller 25.
  • Cam portion 19 is concentric to the axis of shaft 23, as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the heated blade has a square free edge to engage and heats the sheet material at the fold as it moves from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9 so that, with plastic sheet material, the substance from which it is made will be heated at the corners along opposite sides of the folding blade to a softened condition sufficient for the material to bend freely without creating internal stress.
  • the curved sheet portion will bend under tension in spaced relation to the free edge of the folding blade, as shown in Fi 9.
  • the sheet being folded will have the portions at opposite sides of the fold extend upwardly along the upwardly and outwardly inclined portions of strips 22 and the upper edges of bars I5, as shown in Fig. 9. These portions of the sheet above the fold will not engage the sides of the folding blade above the lower corners.
  • the position of the parts shown in Fig. 9 is obtained when operating lever 53 has been moved to the rear limit of movement with set screws 50 engaged with the frame. This position of the folding blade may be changed by adjusting set screws 50.
  • folding blade 39 moves upwardly into disengaged relation from the fold and from be- 9 tweenbars l 5,, as showfrinfull 'li'nesin ll-- and then farthergup to: "the" position shown -in-"dtand-dash linesiin Fig. 11.
  • .foldingblade :39 reaches'the full line position showntinFig.
  • cam 24 is rotated.to bring-camlobe 80-into-enc, gagementwith follower-gro'lleri25 andt'move par- ;"rier'fls to bring forming bar 15 carried" thereby, still Icloser to the other forming ,baJSIES shown in Big; 1 1.
  • dis- P tance "toward said other barewhen said; actiiating lever is moved in one directionrto'movesalid tolding blade toward said bars to engage ae 'she'et i -therebetween to cooperate ininitiallycfoldin waid sheet
  • said cam meansmovi-ng sa id: movable bar --an additional distance toward said other; barn-in movement of said actuating; member -in -sa'id opf posite direction 1 for-"T-rightly foldingazsaiid isheet between said bars while sa'id: folding bladewisl dis- 5' engaged-fromthe' fold in said: sheet and zmOVTEd away from i said bars.
  • a plastic sheet folding machine comprising a support, a heated folding blade, a pair of fold forming bars mounted for movement of at least one toward and from the other on said support, a pair of arms pivoted on said support and carrying said folding blade for movement toward and from said bars in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of said one bar, an operating lever mounted at one end on said support for oscillating movement, an actuating lever connected with said operating lever for oscillation thereby, a link connecting said actuating lever with one of said arms for moving said folding blade into cooperative sheet folding relation with said bars in movement of said operating and actuating levers in one direction and away from said bars in movement of said levers in the opposite direction, a carrier for said movable bar pivoted on said support, a cam rotatably mounted on said support, a cam follower on said carrier engaging said cam, and a double ratchet means for rotating said cam in one direction connected with said actuating arm for operation of said cam in both directions of movement, said cam being formed for operating said carrier to
  • a plastic sheet folding machine comprising a supporting frame having a bar supporting ledge formed on the upper front edge thereof and having the lower frame portion extending forwardly in advance of said bar supporting ledge, a fold forming bar mounted on said ledge, a carrier having side extensions pivotally connected to said frame and a bar supporting ledge opposite the ledge on said frame, another fold forming bar mounted on the ledge of said carrier in opposed relation to the bar on said frame,-said carrier co operating with said frame to provide an open discharge passage for folded sheets below said carrier in front of said frame, a heated folding blade, arms pivoted at the sides of said frame mounting said blade for movement to engage a marginal portion thereof between said bars for engaging and forcing a sheet therebetween to heat and form a fold in said sheet, and means for moving said folding blade and said carrier in timed relation relative to said frame carried fold forming bar for initially moving said carrier carried bar toward said frame carried bar a limited distance in forming said fold in said sheet, and said means moving said carrier carried bar closer to said frame carried bar in further operation to tightly form and cool
  • a plastic sheet folding machine comprising a supporting frame, a pair of arms pivoted on adjustable pivot members carried by said frame, a heated folding blade mounted on said arms, a pair of fold forming bars, one mounted on the ,front of said frame, a carrier pivoted on said frame mounting the other bar for movement toward and from the bar on said frame, means for moving said carrier on its pivot having complementary parts carried by said carrier and said moving means adjustable to vary the movement of said bar carried thereby relative to said bar on said frame to compensate for variations in the thickness of sheet material to be folded, said pivot members cooperating to adjust the position of said folding blade for centering said blade between said fold forming bars in sheet folding cooperation therebetween, and operating means for oscillating said folding blade toward and from a position with a margin thereof between said bars for heating and folding a sheet therebetween, and also operating said means for moving said carrier to move said bar thereon toward the other bar a limited initial distance for cooperation in folding a sheet about the margin of said folding blade when engaged therebetween, and said carrier moving said bar an additional amount toward a said
  • a plastic sheet folding machine comprising a pair of parallel fold forming bars, resilient sheet gripping members mounted on opposed faces of said bars, means mounting said bars for relative movement toward and from each other, a heated folding blade mounted for movement of a marginal portion thereof substantially perpendicular to theplane of movement of said bars to and from a position between said bars, and operating means for moving said blade and said bars relative to each other in timed relation whereby said margin of said blade engages a sheet supported by said bars and.
  • said operating means moving said bars toward one another a limited distance in folding the sheet during engagement of said blade margin there,- between with the sheet engaged and retained between said gripping members, and said operating means moving said bars an additional distance toward one another to tightly engage said gripping members with the folded sheet for holding and tightly folding said sheet while said blade margin is withdrawn from said fold in the sheet.
  • a plastic sheet folding machine comprising a pair of spaced parallel fold forming bars having longitudinal channels formed in the opposed wasta e in a direction substantial-1yperpendicular-tothe 'planeof said' bar movementtoward and "from a "position' where a margin-pf"said”folding blade projects between said bars and gripper'strips.
  • a plas'tio'sheet foldingmachine comprising a" rigid supporting "frame having flat sheet re- "'*ceiving' top portion and side portions depending r from the margins there'of, a-'carrier having flat 5 top portion insubstantially coplanar relation to vsaid flat top portion 'of'said'frame' in'edge-to-edge r-relation-infront "of said frame; said carrier; havtdng depending side” extensions thereon” pivotally mounted at the lower'ends-on the side portions of 1 said "frame for movement 'of said carrier toward fi'aild 'fromsaid frame; a pairvof rfold' forming bars 7' each'mount'edon-one of theopposed'edgesbf said :tframe'andcarrier'top portions inspac'ed parallel ODIJOSed"I'e1ati0Il andextending between thesides thereof; a heated folding bl'a'de'in spaced
  • 125A .plastic :sheetlfolding machine comprising; aprigid supporting,fnameshavingt a. flat: sheet asupportingi top portion, aecarrier mounted lfor rocking movementhonathe. front portion lofmsaid :m'. frame and-having; aesheettsupporting top. portion in 7 coplanar redgeetoaedge relation. with ;said .top portion. of.said..frame, ahpairl. of -fold lforlming barseachmounted in opposed relationeonone k of the opposed .edgesiofsaid ltop portions, apair ;ofearms pivotedon. said frame. inpspaced.
  • said J shaft at oppo- Qsitelsides ofv said frame, links connecting respeclftive actuating arms with adjacentarmsyand'an operating lever having one end rigidly; secured to the central portion of said operatingslfaft'and “goperable :tounove said "blade and :barsti-nto coop- ,eration forrfdldingi asheettherebetween.
  • Apl-asticlsheet folding machine comprising- Ting arig'id-supporting? frame having a flat sheet f'supp0rting top portion;.a carriermounted'pn the "front 'of said'frame for rocking 'movement'with portionsin' opposed relation'to portions of' said frame a pair ofrforr'ning barsmoun'ted in opposed yparallel -relation orithe opposed portions.
  • a plastic sheet folding machine comprising a heated folding blade, a pair of relatively movable fold forming bars, means .movably mounting said bars and blade for movement into and out of fold forming cooperation, and operating means for moving said blade and bars in forming a fold in sheet material having a rotatable operating shaft, an operating lever mounted on and extending radially from said shaft, a rod projecting from said shaft in radial relation and laterally relative to said operating lever, a weight mounted on said rod for normally rotating said shaft in one direction to hold said operating lever in a starting position, and a dash pot for controlling the speed of rotation of said shaft by said weight, said operating lever being manually operable for rotating said shaft in an opposite direction, said operation of said shaft in opposite directions moving said blade and bars into and out of fold forming cooperation.
  • a plastic sheet folding machine comprising a rigid supporting frame having a fiat sheet supporting top portion. a pair of fold forming bars arranged in opposed spaced parallel relation, means mounting one of said bars on a marginal edge of said top portion, means mounting the other of said bars for movement toward and from said first-mentioned bar in aligned relation with and beyond said first mentioned bar and flat top portion, a folding blade having a narrow forming edge, means mounted on the sides of said frame mounting said folding blade above said bars in parallel spaced relation with said forming edge projecting toward said bars, an operating lever pivoted on said support at one end and having the opposite end depending therefrom, and means mounted on said frame below said flat top portion having operative connection with said folding blade and movable bar actuated by said operating lever in manual operation on said pivot for moving said folding blade to engage a sheet supported on said bars and flat top portion, fold it between said spaced bars and move said other bar toward said first bar in timed relation to said folding blade movement for folding cooperation to complete the formation of a folded sheet from a flat sheet
  • a plastic sheet folding machine comprising a supporting frame having a flat sheet supporting top portion, a pair of fold forming bars mounted on said frame, one bar being mounted on a marginal edge of said top portion, means i operating lever, a link connecting said arm with said folding blade for moving said blade in manual movement of said operating lever and means on said frame below said top portion operated by said operating lever for proportionately moving said movable fold forming bar toward said firstmentioned folding bar in timed relation to operation of said folding blade for folding a sheet supported on the top of said bars and top portion between said bars and said bars cooperating to hold and complete said fold in further proportionate movement of said one bar toward the other.
  • a plastic folding machine comprising a supporting frame having a flat sheet supporting top portion, a pair of fold forming bars mounted in spaced parallel opposed relation along the front edge of said top portion, one of said bars being rigidly mounted along said marginal edge, means mounted on said frame below said top portion mounting the other bar for movement toward and from the first-mentioned bar, a folding blade, means mounting said folding blade in edgewise relation to said bars in spaced relation above said bars for movement toward and from a position with the lower edge between said bars for sheet folding cooperation therewith, said means being mounted on said frame below said top portion, an operating lever pivotally mounted at one end on said frame below said top portion with the free end in downwardly extending relation, actuating means carried by said frame below said top portion connected with said movable bar and operating lever for moving said movable bar a limited amount toward said other folding bar in initial operation of said operating lever, link means operatively connecting said operating lever with said blade mounting means for simultaneously moving said blade to engage and fold a sheet I supported on said bars and top portion between said bars while said

Description

Nov. 8, 1949 R. F. TABER PLASTIC SHEET FOLDING MACHINE 6Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1947 Nov. 8, 1949 R. F. TABER 2687,4953
PLASTIC SHEET FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1947 e Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 8, 1949 v R. F. TABER PLASTIC SHEET FOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 6, 1947 /NVENZ'0/Q w I ATTOR/VE Nov. 8,' 1949 R. F. TABER PLASTIC SHEET FOLDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y Filed Feb. 6, 1 947 n pm Nov. 8, 1949 v R. F. TA-BER 7 2,487,495
PLASTIC SHEET FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 r //v vm r02 A TOQNEY R. F. TABER PLASTIC SHEET FOLDING MACHINE Nov. 8, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 6, 1947 Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UN I-TED STATES PATENT OFF ICE PLASTIC. SHEET FOLDING: MACHINE Ralph F. Taber; "Bui'ialoi'fii' Y.
Application February ,6, 1947;.Serial-"N'. 26,918-
Thisinvention relatesto. amachinefor forming.
folds in plastic sheets.
'llheinvention comprehends amachine for folding sheet.materialsprovidednwith arheated. folding blademounted for reciprocating movement to and-froma'positiorrwhere it operates in cooperation withado-acting fold forming means to permanently. form. a fold. through the. timed operation of. the heated folding. blade engaging and folding thesheetin the fold. forming. means where it is adapted tobe retained until-the fol'd is permanently sets in. the sheet material.
The invention provides a. machine for rapidly folding plastic sheet material having, a heated foldingblade movable toward and from a folding' position where a sheet to. be folded" is supportedona pairiof. fbl'd forming bars,.at least one of. which. is relatively movableto the. other. in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement of the. folding blade. The folding blade is moved to engage asheet'to be folded between the fold forming bars inspace'd' apartposit'ion'. The folding. blade is then moved slowly between the separated foldforming bars to bend the sheet while .it' is heated; As the. sheet" is softened bythe heat at the corners of the blade, the'f'oldis formed around the end ofthe blade. The bars are held in the same spaced position while the folding blade moves to its" full folding position therebetween. The sheet does" not engage" the sides of the" folding-blade, only. the corners at thefree' edge; The" blade is then withdrawn from the foldportion; the sheet being retained between the" bars which are then moved closer-together to bend thefoldp'o'rtion of" the sheet tobringth'e sheet porti'onsat opposite sides of the fold into close contact while cooling the heated portionsof the'sheet so that a-"permanent complete fold will be formed. When" the fold portion" of the sheet has cooledandset, thebars aremoved apart to their initial position to discharge the folded sheet.
The invention further comprehends a machine fbrfolding'plastic material having a reciprocating folding bl-ade' movable to and from a fold forming position in cooperation with a-* pair of'f'old forming.barsmovabletoward and from' each other in-timed. relation with the folding blade; a mac'hlnehavin'g'a frame provided with pivoted arm's carrying the folding'" blade for its reciprocating movement relativeto the forming bars, a top portionfon the frame" for supporting sheet material to be folded between the folding blade and forming bars; and" a" carrier pivotedon' the framezan'd having atop portion" carrying. one ofl'theforming bars for movementrelative to. the other forming bar mounted in opposed relation thereto .on. the frame aimachine wherein the forming bars may have: fiIlGuHlOVBHlGHt of the one mountedon the carrier relative. to the other forming bar varied relative to the movement of the folding. blade for varyihgthe folding cooperation obtained between the bladeand the. formingbars; a machine having the foldingblade. mounted on the frame for reciprocating movement and arranged-for adjustment on the. frame relative to the forming bars carried thereby so thatthe fold forming portion of the folding blade may, be. adjusted into centered position betweenthe spaced parallel forming bars in each adjusted position of operation thereof; a machine wherein the formingbars areprovided with resilient sheet engaging strips on the opposed'faces. thereof for. cooperation in folding and retaining, the sheet between the forming bars While the fbldin'gbladais withdrawn from the fold portion therein, and to further hold the portions ofl'th'e" sheet at opposite Sides of the fold closely together while the forming bars and resilient strips absorb the heat transmitted to the shee'tby the folding? blade for. cooling andsetti'ng the fold inthe' sheet; a sheet folding'ma'chine wherein an operating lever is provided for oscillating movement from and to a starting position for moving the folding blade and'for'ming bars'toengage and fold a sheet between said bars; a sheet folding machine having means controlling the movement of the folding blade and forming bars relative to each other so the movement of the folding blade isat'a substantially slow rate-asthe blade engages and folds a sheetbetween the forming bars; a machine wherein" suitable" means. is provided for returning andtimingthereturn movement of the operatinglever to the starting position to secure'a slow withdrawal" of the folding blade from the foldportion in the sheet with the retention of the sheet between the forming bars for a period of time after the'folding'bl'a'de has been withdrawn, to tightly, foldthe-sheet and absorb the heat in the fold portion; and-"to-provide means for encasing the heated folding blade structurein a manner that will provideeffective protection of the heated folding blade-for reducing the likelihoodiof' injuryto an operator ofithe-machihe;
In the drawings"? Fig: I shows the foldingmachin'e constructed accordingrto the invention in sideelevation; looking at theiri'ght-hand side, with the major portion of the right-hand side" coverbroken away to show details" of construction.
Fig. 2 a view similarftoi Fig; 1, showing: the
Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical H cross-section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram showing the circuit connections for the folding blade heater and thermostatic control.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross-section illustrating the position of the folding blade and forming bars at the beginning of a sheet folding operation with the edge of the folding blade engaged with a sheet to be folded.
Fig. 9 shows the movement of the folding blade from the position of Fig. 8 in folding the sheet between the forming bars with the folding blade in the full folding position between the bars.
Fig. 10 shows how the sheet is heldbetween the portion I2 extends forwardly to the front of the frame. This formation of front wall portions I0, II and I2 provides a chamber at the front of the supporting frame below top portion I into which folded sheets may be discharged and guided to the front of the machine where the operator can remove them. A guide plate I3 formed to fit wall portions If], I I and I2 is mounted against the front faces thereof, as shown in Fig. 1, and has an upwardly inclined lip on the forward edge to facilitate the guiding and removal of a folded sheet from the frame.
. means of bolts or the like, as shown in Fig. 6.
forming bars by the resilient strip members as the folding blade is withdrawn from its maximum fold forming position shown in Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 shows the position of the folding blade after it is withdrawn to a further extent from the fold and the sheet engaged and held between the forming bars, together with a showing of the forming bars moved closer together to engage the fold portion and bend it to hold the portions of the sheet at opposite sides of the fold closely engaged during the period when the forming bars absorb the heat from the sheet material and the fold in the sheet takes its permanent set.
Fig. 12 shows an edge view of a sheet completely folded in the manner illustrated in the enlarged diagrammatic cross-sections in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive.
The improved sheet folding machine is particularly adapted for folding plastic sheet material, such as Celluloid, and has a base I provided with side members 2, a rear wall 3, while shoes 4 mounted on the lower ends of side members 2 rest on a floor in supporting the machine.
A rigid supporting frame 5 is mounted on the upper end of base I and rigidly secured to the side members 2 and rear wall 3 to form a, rigid structure. Supporting frame 5 has spaced substantially parallel side walls 6 depending from the sides of a flat sheet supporting top portion 1. Flat top portion I is formed with a centrally located channel 8 extending from the front to the rear portion thereof for receiving the guiding and retaining mechanism carried by gauge bar 9 so constructed that gauge bar 9 may be adjusted with respect to the folding mechanism hereinafter described for gauging the distance between one edge of a sheet to be folded and the fold portion to be formed therein.
The front edge of top portion 1 and side walls 6 terminate rearwardly of the bottom front portion ofsupporting frame 5 and a depending front wall portion I0, see Figs. 1, 2 and 6, extends downwardly from top portion 1 between side walls 6. Front wall portion I0 merges into a downwardly and forwardly inclined front wall portion I I. The lower front portion of front wall portion II is formed to merge with a horizontal wall portion I2 spaced abovethe bottom of supporting frame 5, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6. Horizontal wall The other fold forming bar I5 is mounted in a seat It formed in top wall portion ll of a carrier I8. Side extensions I9 on the carrier depend from the sides of top wall portion I'I beyond the outer faces of side walls 6 of frame 5 and are rotatably mounted on transverse shaft 28 havin opposite ends extending through side walls 6 in which the shaft is suitably secured. Suitable bolts or the like, as shown in Fig. 6, rigidly secure the other fold forming bar I5 in seat I6.
Top wall portion I! of carrier I8 is formed to lie in the same horizontal plane as top wall portion I of frame 5 to provide a flattop surface for supporting a sheet to be folded with the rear edge against gauge bar 9 to gauge the position of the fold in the sheet. Each fold forming bar I5 has the face thereof opposed to the other bar formed with a channel 2| having an'angular bottom wall formation, as shown in Fig. 8, for example, to receive a resilient strip member 22, in the manner shown in Fig. 8. Each resilient strip member has one margin seated in the upper portion of the channel against one angular face of the bottom portion of the channel, while the other margin of the strip is engaged in the channel with an inner portion extending inwardly beyond the adjacent face of forming bar I5, as illustrated in Fig. 8. The inner portion of the lower margin of each strip 22 is spaced from the angular bottom portion, as illustrated. These resilient strip members 22, one on each fold forming bar I5, are arranged on the opposed faces of bars I5, as shown in Fig. 8, to provide gripping members arranged so the lower margins of the strip members 22 will grip the outer faces of a folded sheet therebetween, in the manner shown in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive, and retain the folded sheet between the fold forming bars. These strip members resiliently grip a folded sheet in a manner sufficient to hold the sheet while the folding blade is disengaged from the fold therein. By having the margin of each strip member 22 which engages a folded sheet, spaced from the angular bottom portion of channel 2I, it will be understood that in addition to the strips being flexible, they are flexible in the channel relative to bars I5. The upper marginal portions of each strip 22 are rigidly secured in channel 2 I, as shown.
A cam shaft 23 is rotatably mounted in bear ings in side walls 6, projects through the supporting frame with opposite ends projecting beyond the opposite side walls of the frame. A cam 24 is rigidly mounted on the right-hand end of cam shaft 23 and has a roller 25 carried by stud 28 engaged with the periphery thereof. Stud 26 -:otatably mounts roller 25 on a rearwardly extending portion of right-hand side extension 59 of carrier I8, carries stud 26 and roller 25, as
Fig. 1, and the opposite endsecured to"a pirr mounted Qn-right-handside wall 5 6 of: frame 5. Spring 3lJ- normally ho-lds follower -roller =25i1en gage-d with 'the periphery of cam- 245 -in order to roek ca'rrier 1 8'- "With its formingbar I 5 i'elativ'e a toi--tlie-iorming-bar carried loy the'-'- framer T' oppesite en'dof-cam shaft'fl has a ratch-et wheel-W l rigidly mountecl thereon as shown in E 932." A pair of plates 32 each have one end rotatably' mountecl on can-r shaft 23 for independent 'operation -re=latiVe--to' one another between ratehet- -=wheel- 3l and= left-'hand-side wall 6: spring pressed epawls 3 3 are pivotally mounted onth'e outer ends of-plates32 Pawls 33 are normally-hld'iin engagement with the periphery of: ratehet wheelt may means-of the springs on pawls 33-and-plates-32 Az-"Parm supporting-shaft 34 is-mounted "in transversely extending relation in frame 5 at'the upper--rear-portion thereon-as shown for examplet'in -Figswl and 2,-With opposite ends extend-* in}; through side" walls 6 and: carrying blade su p portingarms=35 onth'e free ends thereof adjacent the outerfanes of sidewalls 6 for pivotal-move mentrelative" -thereto-oneccentrica'lly' mounted bearings 3 81 The in' nen-baring memberhasan I eccentric mountingon the end of shaft 34',-"While the 'ou-te'r bearing-memberis mounted in the free" end ofblade supporting amt 35; as shown -'in'- Fig: 2 for-examplel" The-opposite" ends 'of bla'de".= supporting naz'ms 35 zextend forwardly and: upwardly to the front portion of the machine above top porti-o'n-l 'wh'ere'theycarrythe folding blade assembly 31$ The folding blade assembly 3 l includes a body member 38' extendingbetweemand having opposi-te ends securedto the-free front ends of arms 35 5- Theidower-edgeof body '38 is provided with" a *seatfor cletachably =receiving and"-mounting one-marginof foldingbla'de-39 whilethe opposite 7 margin deperrds' below 'body -38 and -provides a free margin-adapted for I sheet folding coper'atio'n-with f0ld forming bars A heating ele"-"-- ment- M is mounte'd in body 38' of the folding blade assemblyin any suitable manner; Heating ele'ment tfl is' a conventionaldorm of "eleotri'e heater"adapted'idr."connection in circuit with'a sourceof-electric currentsupply in a manner't'hat will beherein-afterdescribedr Heat indicator -4 is mounted on the blade? supporting arm' on the le'ft hand'sid'e ofthemachineand has a portion thereof. projectin'gdnto body 38 'for register-ingthe heat. therein A thermostat: control 'of conventi'oha'l: type: is lshown at142'mounted inn-the right-i: hand-tend ofl'folding blade-assembly 31'; as clearlyi. showminrliignix. This thermostat COI'ItI'OI TiS -COH-I necttedsimtheelectric, circuit to' heating element 40, is responsive to thetemperature of:the hoidyi: Sill-$08 asntozs-zcontrols tlre aelectrie'lcincuit for-the heating= -element-;in:-;a manner well-:knownin :the: ant-to maintainrbodyfiflwat a desiredtemperaturez according; to .qthew adj ustmentuof rather-thermostats control.
Tlie operating mechanisnrioifireoipmceitihwiinn foldingblade and'fold forminmbarsrhasvamepemt atingshait r43 ibtaltably meunted inl suitableibeame ings -in sid'e walls 6 and:dsi'locatedulmstli:rfrbntait:
ortions-or riginirsuppomingztframeniaasncleanmr shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 6. Thebearings fontshafitii' 43zlmountedmimrside walls 3:6 aiter'zindicatedlamfl,
14.:1 The endszioftoperatingsshafitizflzzmojebtzt outwardlyobeyonds sidewalls m6. i Tlivdeft-hand endrofmperating shaft;A3ecarriesrian a-ctuatiage; lerenzfl 5: and atheuright hand endecamties saniactme atingzleyendfipasxzshown in Figstiyfl rfi- -e' 0? r atingt letvendfi :hasna iiorwandlyqpxtendingtimmit 41 2 andactuating; leveml 6: has a similar construeer a tiontot'pnevidea pivotecormectionrfortmountingn one 16nd .of: eachof a,pair'of-1links=148 on leversr: 45; land-:1.46;-:%respectively;y The opposite -;ends' of? links 48 are; pivotal-1y= connected; to the 1 upper-arr end DQIfEiOnS-of blade supporting arms 35mm catedrat=49a @Themndensides otlarmrfl-landeleiler 46 nearthe forwardendy carry QbSCI-.WS' sit-me, justably mounted-(therein tron engagementzwvitlrii the: horizontal top tpQntion- ;of- :side members-:2 limitingathe rockin-g moyement ofalevers. sands. 45m A pairtotlinks fi Lara pivoted-tether rearaend-L. ofs-actuating-lever 45gas shown in Figs-t2 and-sate. the opposite ends. are each zpiyotally connactedw to the f me end of vone x-Qf: theriplatest 32-l-\so:as ton connect actuating. f-levere. 45 lwith-rboth," plateau-132.: in order to; simultaneouslyi :soperated:1 ,spLinens; pressed pawls 33M, A set; screwr52l-is ethllead-fids-ini thezlowe-r rear .end portion of actuating-lleveled5mm engage the vtop.portion ofitsiclewmember. -;f a? limiting, ;-.the stroke.v of "movement-of actuating-5 lever 45 'in a counter-clockwise directionel asah shown in Fig.2... This limitsythe strokeofsmove= ment 4 of! spningl-rpressedwpawls e3 af-with. .s etxscrew-e seam ,also ldeterminesathel stroke oftmovementz' of ,bladefia m.
An. operating; lever. 53" has one. end. mounted one the central portion of operating shaft 435,. whilee thelother end.extends-downwardly toflthe lower front .portion ..of -.thelbase .structure where. -footlpedals b5 4', are mounted-thereon. in laterally"ex le: tendinarelationr -Theuppen,endl-portionrof npen s ating: lever ,53vhasaa 'laterally ,extendingepliojecev. tion receiving one end of a rod :5firmounted" therein andxextending rearwardlytherefrom.- The opposite end of rod 1 56 -=m0unts;a weight. 51*; 5 Weight 5'! is detachablylsecured Ito/rod"Shinranyr; suitable manner andvicarriesra pin :58,'kas-.-shown in Fig. 4; detachably ;mounting the "free ends. piston r0d 159'- of:a dash:lpotwmechanism; Pistcni' rod, 59 is slidablygmounted and. :carries a piston-t in; a .cylinderrfios The lower: end sofa: cyiinderscfilh is :pivotallyysecure d atwtfi lzitoi a bracket 62"? mount ded on rear wall 3 of the basen..-.- v
A suitable guard? structure;- is eproyzidedritozrenclose; and protect xthefolding blade? assembly? else-generally indicated 813163; Thifigllfifl'diYStIlIc turel includes an; inverted;-:rsubstantially U shaped; casing-dim enclosing -the foldinga blade assembly; and extending:transversely: acrossxthermachinezabove-the .frontaportion :of :top;:portion $1 as? shown? in-.-Figs; 3 and 6. Rearwardly extending:ca'singzl portions '.6 5." are rigidly -secured:-. toopposite" ends; of and support casing;;;,64. 3 Casing portions-$5; have the aloweredges mounted ontheeupper side: edge portion :of sheets supportingvtop':portion; :1 andleeachw has an outwardlyeextending flange; :on the upper,- curvededg ezportion tthereofe;
Sideeovers wearer hinged alongethe-rearredgesa tOktIle 'TeaIY/Side; portionsnof nsupporting iram'ew and-ane-shaped tmenclose: themeehanismxahthee sides of frame 5 and to cooperate with the ends Band 4.
The lower front portion of frame 5 is formed in the central portion to provide a switch box 10, Fig. 4. A cable H carries the wires from switch box I to heating element 49 and thermostat control unit 42, while cable 12 carries wires from switch box 19 to a connector socket 13 for receiving a plug connection from a source of electric current supply. A switch plate 14 is mounted over the front open end of switch box '10 and carries control switch 15 and pilot lights 16 and 11. Pilot light 76 is connected in the current supply circuit for heating element 49 and is controlledby switch 15, so that whenever switch 15 is closed to connect the heating element 40 in circuit, pilot light 15 will be lighted indicating that the circuit is closed. Pilot light 11 is connected in series with thermostat control 42 for indicating when the thermostat is closed for closing the circuit to heating element 40. mostat control 42 also has a series connection in the current supply circuit with heating element 40 in order that the current supply will be interrupted by the operation of the thermostat control whenever the heat in the folding blade assembly reaches the desired temperature. Pilot light 16 goes on and off, indicating when thermostat control 42 is operated to close the circuit to heating element 40 and when the circuit is open.
A condenser 18 is connected in circuit in parallel with thermostat control element 42, as illustrated in Fig. '7, for reducing arcing across the contacts of the thermostat control element when the circuit is broken in a manner well-known in the art.
Figs. 1 to 4 show the machine in the starting position ready to begin a folding operation. With the electric circuits in the machine connected to a source of current supply, the operator operates control switch 15 to close the circuit to the heating element. This is indicated by pilot light 16 becoming illuminated. In starting the machine, heating element 49 will be cool and therefore the thermostat control 42 will close the circuit to heating element 40, in view of which pilot light Tl will also be illuminated. The operator allows the current to heat the folding blade assembly for a sufficient length of time until pilot light 11 goes out, indicating that the heat of the folding blade is at the proper temperature for folding.
- The operator sets the gauge bar 9 to the proper position and then feeds a sheet from the front of the machine so that the rear edge will engage gauge bar 9. Then the operator places a foot on one of foot pedals 54 and moves operating lever 53 rearwardly until set screws 50 engage the frame and limit further movement. In the starting position, fold forming bars are spaced apart, as shown in Fig. 8, with the lefthand bar in dot-and-dash line position. Cam 24 is in the position shown in Fig. 1 where one of the dwells i8 is engaged with roller 25.
As soon as the operator begins movement of lever 53 toward the rear wall 3, upward movement of the rearwardly extending end of actuating lever 45, as shown in Fig. 2, will move links 5| upwardly and actuate pawls 33. In this move- Therment, the left-hand pawl 33, asshown in Fig. 2, will engage one of the teeth on ratchet wheel 3| and rotate cam shaft 23 and cam 24 to move the dwell I8 out of engagement with follower roller 25 and bring one of the four intermediate peripheral cam portions 79 into engagement with follower roller 25. At the same time, links 43 operate blade supporting arms 35 to move folding blade 39 downwardly until the free edge engages the upper surface of the sheet to be folded, as shown in Fig. 8. This occurs just prior to the operating lever reaching the rear limit of its stroke of movement and just before set screws 50 engage the frame.
In the meantime, carrier 18 has been operated to move folding bar l5 thereon inwardly to the full line position shown in Figs. 8 and 9, due to intermediate peripheral cam portion 19 engaging follower roller 25. Cam portion 19 is concentric to the axis of shaft 23, as shown in Fig. 1. The heated blade has a square free edge to engage and heats the sheet material at the fold as it moves from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9 so that, with plastic sheet material, the substance from which it is made will be heated at the corners along opposite sides of the folding blade to a softened condition sufficient for the material to bend freely without creating internal stress. The curved sheet portion will bend under tension in spaced relation to the free edge of the folding blade, as shown in Fi 9.
The sheet being folded will have the portions at opposite sides of the fold extend upwardly along the upwardly and outwardly inclined portions of strips 22 and the upper edges of bars I5, as shown in Fig. 9. These portions of the sheet above the fold will not engage the sides of the folding blade above the lower corners. The position of the parts shown in Fig. 9 is obtained when operating lever 53 has been moved to the rear limit of movement with set screws 50 engaged with the frame. This position of the folding blade may be changed by adjusting set screws 50.
Then, the operator removes his foot from operating lever 53 and weight 51 operates to return the operating lever to the starting position shown in Fig. l. The speed of return movement of lever 53 is retarded by the operation of the piston in cylinder 36 by controlling the air discharge vent 3| at the bottom of the cylinder. During this return movement actuating lever 45 has a counter-clockwise rotation, as shown in Fig. 2, in which the rear end moves downwardly drawing links 5| downwardly with it. This causes spring pressed pawl 33 on the right-hand side of ratchet wheel 3|, as shown in Fig. 2, to engage one of the teeth on the ratchet wheel and continue rotation of the ratchet wheel in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 2. This continues rotation of cam 24 in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 1. In the initial part of the return movement of operating lever 53, folding blade 39 will be moved, as shown in Fig. 10, out of the fold in the sheet which is held by resilient strip members 22 in position between fold forming bars 15. Fold forming bars l5 are retained in the same spaced position shown in Fig. 9 in providing the holding action on the folded sheet while the folding blade is withdrawn.
Then, as operating lever 53 moves an additional distance forward toward the starting position, folding blade 39 moves upwardly into disengaged relation from the fold and from be- 9 tweenbars l 5,, as showfrinfull 'li'nesin ll-- and then farthergup to: "the" position shown -in-"dtand-dash linesiin Fig. 11. When .foldingblade :39 reaches'the full line position showntinFig. '11, cam 24 is rotated.to bring-camlobe 80-into-enc, gagementwith follower-gro'lleri25 andt'move par- ;"rier'fls to bring forming bar 15 carried" thereby, still Icloser to the other forming ,baJSIES shown in Big; 1 1. The portion of.fold'f.ormipg'"bars{I5 below'strips "22 wiil bend the 'curved pfofld' portion in thefsheet to a greater extent to bring the por- .'..tions ,of, the sheetqatopposite.sides of. thejfold I together in'jclose contacting relation.."Fold.form- I ing.barsl5 will simultaneously absorb the heat .from the fo d. portion ofthesheet. Inthis way, "the sheet will .be rapidly cooled so that the plastic material will set inthe folded position 'and hold "the sheet portions on opposite sidesfofthefold 1. iniclose surface contact with one .another.
"Then, as operating leveri53.reach'esithefobward position, shown inFig. 1, where. set screw .52 engages the frame to limit'the forward move- Lment of the operating lever, carrieri18.with its J. folding bar will be movedi'ntothe dot-and-dash Ziline positionfshown infFlg'. '11, by reason of'cam )124 being-rotated so'that the next dwell 18"therein 'will receive roller 25. 'f'The" folding blade will be .at its. upper, limit .of movement, as shown iii'Fig. 1 .andsetscneW '52,- asishown in Fig: 2, willengage {the frame and limit further forward movement .of operating lever 53. Whenthis point is reached, the ,Lfolded. sheet. between bars |5..will drop through between the.v bars] down the" inclined ,front portion .ofthe, frame against guide plate II 3 Where ,it will. 'slide...forwa1idly to'. the. front. edge ;..of theguide plate for removal by'fithe operator. This operation of ;the, machine ,is' suchmasrto ...pro.duce. contact, of' folding, b1adei39 with. the .Lshelet;to sofiten'the material in .the. -.portion..to Joe ktold'ed while the. blade. moves ratheryslowly tin 'iolding the sheet. betweenforming .shars ..;I 5, Join the. manner .clearly shown in Figs.18..to,.11;inclu- -....sive., Sufificient time is providedior. engagement "-of folding-blade. withthe sheet-so thataroom- :plete. fold is formed after-whiohmhesheet ,islheld l -by the folding; bars :during :the dissipation of the heat therefrom. The sheet -is :then l discharged 'and'will have anedge .view in elevationg-xas shown win-Fig. 12;:forexample.
i The invention claimedis: a .1. A plastic sheet :folding machine. comprising a'support; a heatedfolding blade, al pair of-iold forminghars mounted .for movement; on at least 1 one toward-and from the other :-on said support, i=-.;:ar-m. means-pivoted -on-.-said vsupport .and earr-ying saidtoldingblade for movement toward and from sssaiclabars ina direct on substantially. perpendicul.ar-'to the-plane of movement of said-one bar, an operating lever. mounted athoneuzendnvon. said support for, oscillating movement, an.v actuating" a lever connected with said: operatingvlever ionoscillation lthereby a. link. connecting..said...actu
.atina. leverv and said. arm means .ior moving said folding. .blade. into cooperativeisheet' io'ldins; :re-
.lation. with said bars in movement ofgsaid .operatling. and. actuating levers "in: one direction and away fromsai'cl bars in movement ofsaid levers in lithe. oppos te direction. and" means operated by said actuating lever operable to move said movable .fold forming.bar"towardrsaid.otherbar a "lim ted amount in'the movement of'said actuating "lever-in "said onedirection and for moving; said movable bar closer :to 'said otherbar'in: move- -ment of {said actuatingdeverzinsaid? oppositefdi rection in timed: relation"'with-"the---movement' of" said blade whereby said bla'de engages and iolds a sheet between said bars andthe'-movement-:bf said bars closer together torms a tight/" field in sad sheet 'and' retains said sheet -th-erebetween 5 -as s'aiolfolding blade=moves away"fromxseiid bars.
1 2. -A plastic sheet iolding machine, comprising a support; aheated -folding blada a: pairmf tzidld 1 formingbars mounted for movement 'oF-at least one toward and from theother on said support,
a-pai-r of arms-pivoted onsaid support and oarr-yi-ngsaid' f olding blade 'for movement-towardaand from "said; bars in-v a directionsubstaritiailyaqaerv pendicular-to tha'plane of-movement of saict'one -doar,--:anoperating lever mounted at one eiid on said support for oscillating movement, :amactua-ting lever connected with said operating lever foroscillation theretw; a link- -connestingersaid actuating' 'lever with one of said arms for-moving= said folding-*blade -i'nto cooper'atives 'sheet folding relation with' saidv'bars in-movementifof said 'operating- =andactuating- 1eversin tone directionand away from said.- -=bars-in movement= bf i said levers in the? opposite direction; and cam means operat'ed byasaid -actuating levefziors moving=said movable fold forming ban aflimited. dis- P tance "toward said other barewhen said; actiiating lever is moved in one directionrto'movesalid tolding blade toward said bars to engage ae 'she'et i -therebetween to cooperate ininitiallycfoldin waid sheet, said cam meansmovi-ng sa id: movable bar --an= additional distance toward said other; barn-in movement of said actuating; member -in -sa'id opf posite direction 1 for-"T-rightly foldingazsaiid isheet between said bars while sa'id: folding bladewisl dis- 5' engaged-fromthe' fold in said: sheet and zmOVTEd away from i said bars.
3. -A plastic sheet folding-machine;compris ng a s-upport; a heated folding blade; a' pair-bf fold -'1formingabars' 'mounted for movement of at "least tonne-toward ahdrfrom theother onwaid-support, a pair of arms pivoted on sa id support and'earr-ying said folding blade for movemeho'toward and from said bars in a" direction substantially peri"pendidular to thaplane of -movemeht ofi :said'one 1 bar;- an operating lever mounted. at one end-: on said suppdrt fonoscillatingmovementsianw actuating lever conneetedwith said'operating-leven-tor "osc'iilation thereby; alink conneo'tingsa d actuatil ing' lever with onex'of said arms fonmoving said tolding blade into cooperative sheet" fol'ding re- =lation -with'said bars-in movement of saidoperat i-ing and actuating =1evers in oner direction and away-from sa idbars in movementiof said 'lever'sin theopposite direction,"-means =operated by said actuating 'lever for moving sa'iw movablef fold forming bar a limited distance towa'rd s'afiti'other bar when said actuatinglever :is moved inv one direct-ion to move-"s'a'id folding blade s'toward s'aid bar's toengage a 'sheet therebetween for oooperad tion in initially folding' "said she'ety-said means r moving-saidmovable bar an additionardistance i-ztOWQrdSElid other ban-in movement' of said actu- -e ating member'insaid"oppositedirtiorkfof tightly i folding -saidiishet betweensaid barsi-whilasaid f ioltiingplzvlade*is'. disengaged'afrom the fol drimsaid sheet and moved away fromsaid barsrandmeans "*"for r'etarding'the speed of-movement 'ofz'saidfoldr-ing blade and actuating-*lever'in saidmppoSite-v direction -for slowlywithdrawin said' foldingblade mfrom the fold-'in-s'aidsheet.
4.-- A-plastic sheet 'folding machinezcomprising a a support; a'heated' folding 'bladey again of fold. *frforming barsmounted -'for.--mo;vement bf. ata'least ;one"-2to\vard *and'i-from. the othenionsesaid supndrt, :52. a pair-mtarmsi.pivoted omsaidasupportand camying said folding blade for movement toward and from said bars in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of said one bar, an operating lever mounted at one end on said support for oscillating movement, an actuating lever connected with said operating lever for oscillation thereby, a link connecting said actuating lever with one of said arms for moving said folding blade into cooperative sheet folding relation with said bars in movement of said operating and actuating levers in one direction and away from said bars in movement of said levers in the opposite direction, cam means operated by said actuating lever for moving said movable fold forming bar a limited distance toward said other bar when said actuating lever is moved in one direction to move said folding blade toward said bars to engage a sheet therebetween for cooperation in initially folding said sheet, said cam means moving said movable bar an additional distance toward said other bar in movement of said a'ctu ating member in said opposite direction for tightly folding said sheet between said bars, and sheet engaging and holding means on the inner faces of said bars for retaining said sheet between said bars while said folding blade is withdrawn from the fold in said sheet and moved away from said bars.
5. A plastic sheet folding machine, comprising a support, a heated folding blade, a pair of fold forming bars mounted for movement of at least one toward and from the other on said support, a pair of arms pivoted on said support and carrying said folding blade for movement toward and from said bars in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of said one bar, an operating lever mounted at one end on said support for oscillating movement, an actuating lever connected with said operating lever for oscillation thereby, a link connecting said actuating lever with one of said arms for moving said folding blade into cooperative sheet folding relation with said bars in movement of said operating and actuating levers in one direction and away from said bars in movement of said levers in the opposite direction, a carrier for said movable bar pivoted on said support, a cam rotatably mounted on said support, a cam follower on said carrier engaging said cam, and a double ratchet means for rotating said cam in one direction connected with said actuating arm for operation of said cam in both directions of movement, said cam being formed for operating said carrier to move said movable fold forming bar a limited distance toward said other bar when said actuating lever is moved in one direction to move said folding blade toward said bars for engaging and initially heating and folding a sheet between said bars about said blade, said cam being formed to move said bar an additional distance toward said other bar in movement of said actuating member in said opposite direction for tightly folding and cooling said sheet between said bars while said blade is withdrawn from the fold in said sheet.
6. A plastic sheet folding machine, comprising a supporting frame having a bar supporting ledge formed on the upper front edge thereof and having the lower frame portion extending forwardly in advance of said bar supporting ledge, a fold forming bar mounted on said ledge, a carrier having side extensions pivotally connected to said frame and a bar supporting ledge opposite the ledge on said frame, another fold forming bar mounted on the ledge of said carrier in opposed relation to the bar on said frame,-said carrier co operating with said frame to provide an open discharge passage for folded sheets below said carrier in front of said frame, a heated folding blade, arms pivoted at the sides of said frame mounting said blade for movement to engage a marginal portion thereof between said bars for engaging and forcing a sheet therebetween to heat and form a fold in said sheet, and means for moving said folding blade and said carrier in timed relation relative to said frame carried fold forming bar for initially moving said carrier carried bar toward said frame carried bar a limited distance in forming said fold in said sheet, and said means moving said carrier carried bar closer to said frame carried bar in further operation to tightly form and cool the fold in said sheet whilejsaid blade is withdrawn from said fold.
7. A plastic sheet folding machine, comprising a supporting frame, a pair of arms pivoted on adjustable pivot members carried by said frame, a heated folding blade mounted on said arms, a pair of fold forming bars, one mounted on the ,front of said frame, a carrier pivoted on said frame mounting the other bar for movement toward and from the bar on said frame, means for moving said carrier on its pivot having complementary parts carried by said carrier and said moving means adjustable to vary the movement of said bar carried thereby relative to said bar on said frame to compensate for variations in the thickness of sheet material to be folded, said pivot members cooperating to adjust the position of said folding blade for centering said blade between said fold forming bars in sheet folding cooperation therebetween, and operating means for oscillating said folding blade toward and from a position with a margin thereof between said bars for heating and folding a sheet therebetween, and also operating said means for moving said carrier to move said bar thereon toward the other bar a limited initial distance for cooperation in folding a sheet about the margin of said folding blade when engaged therebetween, and said carrier moving said bar an additional amount toward a said other bar responsive to said operating means for forming a tight fold in a sheet between said bars as said blade is moved away from said bars and disengaged from the fold in said sheet.
8. A plastic sheet folding machine comprising a pair of parallel fold forming bars, resilient sheet gripping members mounted on opposed faces of said bars, means mounting said bars for relative movement toward and from each other, a heated folding blade mounted for movement of a marginal portion thereof substantially perpendicular to theplane of movement of said bars to and from a position between said bars, and operating means for moving said blade and said bars relative to each other in timed relation whereby said margin of said blade engages a sheet supported by said bars and. folds said sheet between said bars while in spaced relation, said operating means moving said bars toward one another a limited distance in folding the sheet during engagement of said blade margin there,- between with the sheet engaged and retained between said gripping members, and said operating means moving said bars an additional distance toward one another to tightly engage said gripping members with the folded sheet for holding and tightly folding said sheet while said blade margin is withdrawn from said fold in the sheet.
9. A plastic sheet folding machine, comprising a pair of spaced parallel fold forming bars having longitudinal channels formed in the opposed wasta e in a direction substantial-1yperpendicular-tothe 'planeof said' bar movementtoward and "from a "position' where a margin-pf"said"folding blade projects between said bars and gripper'strips. and-operating meansfor movingsaid blade and ":bars' -=in timed'relation to 'fold a "sheet by first' engaging the marginof said blade with a sheet 9 extending *across saidbars and folding "said'sheet between'sa'id bars in said positionwhere said' blade projects between' said-ba1's'"whi1e" said'-barsare moved toward one another for cooperationin folding said sheet about said-- blade *margin; and isecondly moving said bars an additional distance toward each-"cthenfor engaging the inwardly .'projectingportions of said gripper strips with pcirtionsof said folded sheet at opposite sides "of the fold for-med therein" for tightly' folding said sheet after said blade -marginis withdrawrifrom ssa id fold.
105 A plas'tio'sheet foldingmachine;comprising a" rigid supporting "frame having flat sheet re- "'*ceiving' top portion and side portions depending r from the margins there'of, a-'carrier having flat 5 top portion insubstantially coplanar relation to vsaid flat top portion 'of'said'frame' in'edge-to-edge r-relation-infront "of said frame; said carrier; havtdng depending side" extensions thereon" pivotally mounted at the lower'ends-on the side portions of 1 said "frame for movement 'of said carrier toward fi'aild 'fromsaid frame; a pairvof rfold' forming bars 7' each'mount'edon-one of theopposed'edgesbf said :tframe'andcarrier'top portions inspac'ed parallel ODIJOSed"I'e1ati0Il andextending between thesides thereof; a heated folding bl'a'de'in spaced parallel relation ito'sa'id'bars, means'm'ou'nting said blade ionsa'idframe a'bovelthe top portion for movement ffrom' a spaced. position to and from a position "where a;*marginiofxsaidiblade extends between said bars, andioperating means for said blade and carrier-operable tomove the blade to engage a sheet on saidttoprportions overzsaid bars and fold said. sheet between .said oars, said operating means initially moving said. carrier ,tozrnovelthe bar thereon a limited distance toward the other bar for :cooperationwith said blade in folding said. sheet with said margin of said blade.-posiationed between barswandw saidl wperating zzmeans moving said carrier anadditional. amount i toz move the bar thereon closer to theil'other =bar for tightly gripping and folding said sheet after said operating means has withdrawn said blade margin from between said bars and the fold in said sheet.
11. A plastic sheet folding machine, comprising a rigid supporting frame having a flat sheet supporting top portion and side portions depending from the margins thereof, a carrier having a flat top portion in substantially coplanar relation to said fiat top portion of said frame in edge-to-edge relation in front of said frame, said carrier having depending side extensions thereof pivotally mounted at the lower ends on the side portions of said frame for movement of the carrier top portion toward and from said frame top portion, a pair of fold forming bars each mounted on one of the opposed edges of said top portions of said car- Eli-I4 *rierand=frameandmovable therewith imspaced parallel relation toward and'rfr'omieach dtheni' a pair of arms'each pivoted-Lat :oneiendliomroneziof said frame side portionsaandthavingrfrhevoppdsite 5 ends extehdingiabove saidetoplportionfataoppnsite sides thereof; av heateditfoldingzbladezzextendin l betweemandnmounted :omssaidpropposite rendssbf said arms aboversaidrframe :top portion fommove- "ment towardrandrfroma a1 pn-sitiontwithlanmargin 10- -'"ofi said .blade positioned; betweenazsaid zbarsgl san roperating; shaft:-:.;extending" ;;thronghresaidetframe aside-portions and notatably:monntedrthereinvac- .tuating"- levers mounted 'onrthe lendsrofvsaidashaft Qadjaczehtrthe: outer sides lofesaid:trame-sideeportions, linkscconnectingasaid actuatingnleversrwith :zsaidarms adjacent the outer sidestotsaid frame side portions, means mounted-lomsaidzframelside :5 portions and 'operatediby :said -actuat-inglevers for wmoving: zsaid carrier in "timed relation tolzsaid blade; iandl lantgoperating leverz v-mounteduontsaid .ashaftzbetweenisaidlside portions, extendingllaterally; therefrom. ands-manually operable to move zwsaid ebladel and 163196181. ton-securing: icooperation ;--of "saidl-bladel-andwpair- .ofbarstinl forming. a fold :5 :in a:sheet placed H said-itop portions.
125A .plastic :sheetlfolding machine, comprising; aprigid supporting,fnameshavingt a. flat: sheet asupportingi top portion, aecarrier mounted lfor rocking movementhonathe. front portion lofmsaid :m'. frame and-having; aesheettsupporting top. portion in 7 coplanar redgeetoaedge relation. with ;said .top portion. of.said..frame, ahpairl. of -fold lforlming barseachmounted in opposed relationeonone k of the opposed .edgesiofsaid ltop portions, apair ;ofearms pivotedon. said frame. inpspaced. parallel 1 relatiom. alheatedhfol-dingblade mounted onnsaid arms in, spacedparalleLrelationabove said formaingibarsandmovablewithusaid arms into folding i. cooperation with said bars, an, operating fshaft n, rotatable linliand extending T through said" frame, r; actuating .arms mounted .on. said J shaft at oppo- Qsitelsides ofv said frame, links connecting respeclftive actuating arms with adjacentarmsyand'an operating lever having one end rigidly; secured to the central portion of said operatingslfaft'and "goperable :tounove said "blade and :barsti-nto coop- ,eration forrfdldingi asheettherebetween.
i513." Apl-asticlsheet folding machine,. compris- Ting arig'id-supporting? frame having a flat sheet f'supp0rting top portion;.a carriermounted'pn the "front 'of said'frame for rocking 'movement'with portionsin' opposed relation'to portions of' said frame a pair ofrforr'ning barsmoun'ted in opposed yparallel -relation orithe opposed portions. of "said frame and 'carrier'f or 'relative'imovement toward 'and'tfrom =each'other; a pair-"of arms pivoted on T'said'frame *in; spaced parallel relation having cor- :"responding "ends/Projecting abovethe "frame; a folding blademount'ed on and extending between said corresponding ends of said arms in parallel relation to said bars and movable with said arms toward and from folding cooperation with said bars, actuating levers mounted for rocking movement on said frame, means connecting said actuating levers with said pair of arms and said carrier to move said folding blade and carrier in securing a folding operation between said blade and said bars and means for changing the relation of said connecting means between said pair of arms and said carrier for varying the spaced relation of said folding blade and bars in folding cooperation.
14. A plastic sheet folding machine comprising a heated folding blade, a pair of relatively movable fold forming bars, means .movably mounting said bars and blade for movement into and out of fold forming cooperation, and operating means for moving said blade and bars in forming a fold in sheet material having a rotatable operating shaft, an operating lever mounted on and extending radially from said shaft, a rod projecting from said shaft in radial relation and laterally relative to said operating lever, a weight mounted on said rod for normally rotating said shaft in one direction to hold said operating lever in a starting position, and a dash pot for controlling the speed of rotation of said shaft by said weight, said operating lever being manually operable for rotating said shaft in an opposite direction, said operation of said shaft in opposite directions moving said blade and bars into and out of fold forming cooperation.
15. A plastic sheet folding machine, comprising a rigid supporting frame having a fiat sheet supporting top portion. a pair of fold forming bars arranged in opposed spaced parallel relation, means mounting one of said bars on a marginal edge of said top portion, means mounting the other of said bars for movement toward and from said first-mentioned bar in aligned relation with and beyond said first mentioned bar and flat top portion, a folding blade having a narrow forming edge, means mounted on the sides of said frame mounting said folding blade above said bars in parallel spaced relation with said forming edge projecting toward said bars, an operating lever pivoted on said support at one end and having the opposite end depending therefrom, and means mounted on said frame below said flat top portion having operative connection with said folding blade and movable bar actuated by said operating lever in manual operation on said pivot for moving said folding blade to engage a sheet supported on said bars and flat top portion, fold it between said spaced bars and move said other bar toward said first bar in timed relation to said folding blade movement for folding cooperation to complete the formation of a folded sheet from a flat sheet.
16. A plastic sheet folding machine, comprising a supporting frame having a flat sheet supporting top portion, a pair of fold forming bars mounted on said frame, one bar being mounted on a marginal edge of said top portion, means i operating lever, a link connecting said arm with said folding blade for moving said blade in manual movement of said operating lever and means on said frame below said top portion operated by said operating lever for proportionately moving said movable fold forming bar toward said firstmentioned folding bar in timed relation to operation of said folding blade for folding a sheet supported on the top of said bars and top portion between said bars and said bars cooperating to hold and complete said fold in further proportionate movement of said one bar toward the other.
17. A plastic folding machine, comprising a supporting frame having a flat sheet supporting top portion, a pair of fold forming bars mounted in spaced parallel opposed relation along the front edge of said top portion, one of said bars being rigidly mounted along said marginal edge, means mounted on said frame below said top portion mounting the other bar for movement toward and from the first-mentioned bar, a folding blade, means mounting said folding blade in edgewise relation to said bars in spaced relation above said bars for movement toward and from a position with the lower edge between said bars for sheet folding cooperation therewith, said means being mounted on said frame below said top portion, an operating lever pivotally mounted at one end on said frame below said top portion with the free end in downwardly extending relation, actuating means carried by said frame below said top portion connected with said movable bar and operating lever for moving said movable bar a limited amount toward said other folding bar in initial operation of said operating lever, link means operatively connecting said operating lever with said blade mounting means for simultaneously moving said blade to engage and fold a sheet I supported on said bars and top portion between said bars while said movable bar is moved said limited amount in said initial operation of said operating lever, and said actuating and link means being operated in further operation of said operating lever to move said movable bar toward said other bar an additional amount while said blade is moved from its position between said bars for completing the fold in said sheet.
RALPH F. TABER.
REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:
UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 503,292 Niedringhaus et al. Aug. 15, 1893 2,114,621 Bergstein Apr. 19, 1938 2,339,304 Von Haase Jan. 18, 1944
US726918A 1947-02-06 1947-02-06 Plastic sheet folding machine Expired - Lifetime US2487495A (en)

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2659520A (en) * 1950-11-03 1953-11-17 Globe Products Heat Seal Corp Sealing machine with automatic labeling
US2853740A (en) * 1954-10-25 1958-09-30 Jr Andrew J Simpson Matrix bending machine
US2892217A (en) * 1954-08-20 1959-06-30 Luboshez Sergius N Ferris Process for bending plastic sheet material
US2944295A (en) * 1957-10-29 1960-07-12 Package Machinery Co Forming containers
EP2813348A3 (en) * 2013-06-12 2015-03-04 Wegener International GmbH Machine for thermal processing of plastic workpieces

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US503292A (en) * 1893-08-15 niedbinahaus
US2114621A (en) * 1936-07-27 1938-04-19 Edna May Rergstein Mechanism for forming containers
US2339304A (en) * 1940-09-30 1944-01-18 Haase Victor A Von Sealed bag and process for making same

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US503292A (en) * 1893-08-15 niedbinahaus
US2114621A (en) * 1936-07-27 1938-04-19 Edna May Rergstein Mechanism for forming containers
US2339304A (en) * 1940-09-30 1944-01-18 Haase Victor A Von Sealed bag and process for making same

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2659520A (en) * 1950-11-03 1953-11-17 Globe Products Heat Seal Corp Sealing machine with automatic labeling
US2892217A (en) * 1954-08-20 1959-06-30 Luboshez Sergius N Ferris Process for bending plastic sheet material
US2853740A (en) * 1954-10-25 1958-09-30 Jr Andrew J Simpson Matrix bending machine
US2944295A (en) * 1957-10-29 1960-07-12 Package Machinery Co Forming containers
EP2813348A3 (en) * 2013-06-12 2015-03-04 Wegener International GmbH Machine for thermal processing of plastic workpieces

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