US3632103A

US3632103A - Paper-folding machine

Info

Publication number: US3632103A
Application number: US863591A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin Nikitits
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-10-03
Filing date: 1969-10-03
Publication date: 1972-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-04
Also published as: DE2002194A1

Abstract

A paper-folding machine comprising a main structure holding a table for receiving a sheet of paper to be folded. A first folding device including a plurality of parallel plates is slidably mounted on the structure and a first mold device also including a plurality of parallel plates is fastened underneath the table. The first folding device is movable into the first mold device to fold the sheet of paper positioned on the table lengthwise in zigzag manner around the front edges of the plates of the first folding and mold devices. A second folding device including a plurality of parallel plates is slidably mounted on the structure of the machine and positioned transversely of the first folding device below the table on one side of the first mold device. To complement the second folding device, a second mold device including a plurality of parallel plates is located on the other side of the first mold device and facing the second folding device. The first mold device has a window therein aligned with the second folding device whereby the second folding device may be moved through said window into the second mold device to fold the sheet of paper transversely. Finally, means responsive to a further operation of the first folding device are provided for withdrawing the sheet of paper from the second mold device and for pressing it into a final shape.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Edwin Nikitits 3760 St. Joseph Street, Lachine, Quebec, Canada [21] Appl. No. 863,591

[22] Filed Oct. 3, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 4, 1972 [54] PAPER-FOLDING MACHINE 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 270/79, 270/39, 270/67 [51] Int. Cl B65h 45/20 [50] Field of Search 270/84, 85,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,545,798 3/1951 Sjostrom 270/84 2,645,044 7/ 1953 Zimarik 270/85 X 2,699,936 1/1955 Dixon et al. 270/84 3,241,829 3/1966 Acher 270/84 X 3,465,492 9/1969 Jensen 270/84 X Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerL. R. Oremland Attorney-Raymond A. Robic ABSTRACT: A paper-folding machine comprising a main structure holding a table for receiving a sheet of paper to be folded. A first folding device including a plurality of parallel plates is slidably mounted on the structure and a first mold device also including a plurality of parallel plates is fastened underneath the table. The first folding device is movable into the first mold device to fold the sheet of paper positioned on the table lengthwise in zigzag manner around the front edges of the plates of the first folding and mold devices. A second folding device including a plurality of parallel plates is slidably mounted on the structure of the machine and positioned transversely of the first folding device below the table on one side of the first mold device. To complement the second folding device, a second mold device including a plurality of parallel plates is located on the other side of the first mold device and facing the second folding device. The first mold device has a window therein aligned with the second folding device whereby the second folding device may be moved through said window into the second mold device to fold the sheet of paper transversely. Finally, means responsive to a further operation of the first folding device are provided for withdrawing the sheet of paper from the second mold device and for pressing it into a final shape.

mamsm 4m 3632103 SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTOR Edwin mxm'rs ATTORNEY PATENTEU JAN 41972 3,'63z' 103 SHEET 2 [IF 4 iillip INVENTOR Edw'in NIKITITS ATTORNEY PATENTED JAN 4 I972 SHEET H []F 4 I INVENTOR Edwin NIKITITS ATTORNEY PAPER-FOLDING MACHINE The invention relates to a machine for folding sheets of paper or the like such as, for example, drawings or drawing prints.

Machines for folding sheets of paper first lengthwise and then transversely have been known for some time. However, most of these machines are not fully automatic and still a great deal of work has to be done manually. Consequently, sheet folding using these known machines is time consuming and requires skilled operators.

It is therefore the main feature of the invention to provide a fully automatic machine for folding sheets of paper whereby a sheet is first folded lengthwise in zigzag manner and then transversely in the same manner without the help of an operator except to initially start the machine and put the drawings into it.

The machine, in accordance with the invention, comprises a main structure holding a table for receiving a sheet of paper to be folded. A first folding device including a plurality of parallel plates is slidably mounted on said structure and a first mold device also including a plurality of parallel plates is fastened underneath said table. The first folding device is movable into the first mold device to fold the sheet of paper positioned on the table lengthwise in zigzag manner around the front edges of the plates of the first folding and mold devices. A second folding device including a plurality of parallel plates is slidably mounted on the structure of the machine and positioned transversely of the first folding device below the table on one side of the first mold device. To complement the second folding device, a second mold device including a plurality of parallel plates is located on the other side of the first mold device and facing the second folding device. The first mold device has a window therein aligned with the second folding device whereby the second folding device may be moved through such window into the second mold device to fold the sheet of paper transversely. Finally, means responsive to a further operation of the first folding device are provided for withdrawing the sheet of paper from the second mold device and for pressing it into a final shape.

The invention will now be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the housing of the machine;

FIG. 2 illustrates a similar perspective view of the machine but with the housing removed;

FIG. 3 illustrates generally a longitudinal section view through the machine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial section view through the first folding and mold devices;

FIG. 5 illustrates sectional view of the machine taken along an horizontal plane passing underneath the table;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial back view of the machine illustrated in FIG. 2 with some of its elements shown in section;

FIG. 7 illustrates a circuit diagram for the energization of the various motors operating the folding and pressing devices; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the operation of the folding devices in accordance with the invention.

In FIG. 1, there is shown generally a housing 10 enclosing the paper-folding machine and including a first window 12 at the front thereof for inserting a sheet of paper, such as a drawing, in the machine and a second window 14, at the side of the machine, from which the sheet of paper comes out after having been folded and pressed in the final shape. The housing is also provided with ventilation screens 16 two of which are shown above the window 14. In addition,

control elements

20 and 21, the elements of which will be disclosed later, are provided at the front of the machine.

Referring into FIGS. 2 to 5, the machine comprises a structure including four legs 22, the two end legs of which are joined at the top by a transverse member 24. An upper table 26 and a lower table 27 are secured to legs 22. Upper table 26 is adapted to receive the sheet of paper to be folded and includes

stop means

28 and 30 for positioning said sheet of paper on the table. Two posts 32 are secured at the lower end thereof to table 27 and at the upper end thereof to transverse members 24.

A first folding device 34 is slidably mounted on posts 32 and includes a plurality of

parallel plates

36, 38 and 40 adapted to move into a mold device 42 secured underneath table 26 and including also a plurality of

parallel plates

44, 46, 48 and 50.

Means are provided for holding the sheet of paper adjacent one end thereof while the other end is free so that it may be folded when met by the

plates

36, 38 and 40 of the folding device 34. Such means comprises a bar 52 suspended by two rods 54 slidably mounted on folding device 34 between

plates

38 and 40. Bar 52 is biased downwardly by spring 56 which forces bar 52 against the edge of plate 48 thus holding the sheet of paper in position. A similar bar 58 is likewise suspended by rod 60 between

plates

36 and 38 and biased downwardly by a spring 62 against plate 46. Bar 58 is adapted to slide easily on the sheet of paper and ensures that the sheet will fold uniformly in a zigzag manner around the edges of the plates of the folding and mold devices.

Two

transverse plates

66 and 68 are secured between upper table 26 and lower table 28 for holding two transverse rods 69. A second folding device 70 including a plurality of

parallel plates

72, 74 and 76 is slidably mounted on transverse rods 69 and adapted to move into a second mold device 78 secured underneath table 26 and including also a plurality of

parallel plates

80, 82, 84 and 86.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, means are provided underneath table 26 and on either side of folding device 70 for preventing the natural tendency of the sheet of paper which is being pushed into mold device 78 to rise out of the mold device 42 when folding device 70 is operated. Such means comprises an arrangement of levers 88 to 91. Lever 88 is pivoted at point 92 between two positions limited by two

stop pins

94 and 95. In addition, lever 88 carries a pin 96 which engages a corresponding hole 98 in plate 72 when folding device 70 is at a rest position. When folding device 70 is operated, lever 88 pivots around point 92 from a position wherein it rests against stop pin 94 to a position wherein it rests against stop pin 95. The pivotal movement of lever 88 around point 92, which is located closer to pin 96 than to the other end of lever 88, amplifies the movement of such other end of lever 88 and such movement is transmitted to lever through lever 89. Lever 90 is pivoted at point 100 located adjacent to lever 89 and further amplifies the movement of the other end of lever 90 which is connected to lever 91. The above arrangements of levers permits lever 91 to more forward a distance sufficient to overlie mold device 42 before the sheet of paper located therein is moved sufficiently forward by folding device 70 to rise out of mold device 42.

Folding device 70 is also provided with means for holding one end of the sheet of paper while the other end is free so that it may be folded transversely when met by the plates of folding device 70. Such means comprises a bar 102 located between

plates

72 and 74 and secured to a frame 104 which fully surrounds folding device 70. Frame 104 is secured to four angle members 106 which are slidably mounted on rods 108 secured at one end to mold device 42. A spring 110 is positioned between the end of rod 108 and the end of angle member 106 to bias frame 104 and bar 102 secured thereto to a forward position. When folding device 70 is moved forward toward mold device 78, bar 102 engages plate 82 of mold device 78 to hold the sheet of paper at this point while permitting the remaining portion of the sheet to fold in zigzag manner around the plates of the folding and mold devices. A similar bar 112 is secured to frame 104 between plates 74 and 76 and is biased against plate 84. Bar 112 carries a roller or other means permitting sliding of the sheet of paper and ensures that the sheet will fold uniformly around the edges of the plates of the folding and mold devices.

The first folding device 34 is moved up and down on posts 32 by a driving arrangement positioned on a platform (not shown) resting on a plate 114 located above table 26. Such driving arrangement comprises a variable speed motor 120 coupled to a speed reducer 122, on the output shaft of which is mounted a disc 124. A lever 126 is eccentrically pivoted, at one end, on disc 124 and pivotally attached, at its other end, to a pin secured to the upper portion of folding device 34. The rotation of the disc 124 my motor 120 through speed reducer 122 causes the up-and-down movement of folding device 34.

Similarly, folding device 70 is moved laterally along rods 69 by a driving arrangement positioned on table 27 and comprising a motor 130 coupled to a speed reducer 132 on the output shaft of which is secured a disc 136. A lever 140 is secured to disc 136 and such lever is connected to

additional levers

144 and 146 in such a way that rotation of motor 130 will cause a back-and-fourth movement of folding device 70 on rods 69.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an arrangement for withdrawing the sheets of paper from the second mold device 78. Such arrangement comprises a plate 150 secured underneath table 26 and supporting two members 152 pivoted at point 154 on such plate 150. A roller 156 is secured to one end of each member 152 and a spring 157, located at the other end of each member 152, tends to move each roller 156 into contact with the lower end of the sheet of paper in mold device 78. A lever arrangement is connected to each member 152 for operating each roller and comprises a lever 158 coupled to member 152, angle lever 160 pivoted underneath table 26 and a lever 162 attached to folding device 34. Such arrangement of levers permit movement of each roller 156 in and out of contact with the sheet of paper when folding device 34 is lowered and raised respectively.

One of rollers 156 is coupled to a pulley 164 which is rotated by a motor 166 through a speed reducer 167 and a belt 168. Belt 168 is provided with a tightening device secured to the machine and comprising a lever 170 pivoted at point 172, one end of said lever carrying a roller 174 in contact with belt 168 while a spring 176 is attached to its other end for tightening belt 168 on pulley 164.

The operation of

motors

120, 130 and 166 to ensure automatic operation of the machine is controlled by the circuit diagram of FIG. 7. A source of power E providing alternating current at 1 l V. and 60 cycles per second is connected to a main switch MS through fuses F which may be housed in a box located at the back of the machine and illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings by reference numeral 180. Main switch MS is closed when the machine is installed and normally remains closed. When it is desired to operate the machine, switch SW is closed to turn on pilot light PL 1. The machine is now ready for operation and operates automatically, upon pressing pushbutton PB 1, under the control of various limit switches LS 1 to LS 7 located on the structure of the machine and shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. Upon pressing pushbutton PB 1 (also shown in FIG. 1), a circuit is closed through normally closed limit switches LS 6 and LS 7 to energize motor 120 through speed control box CB 1. Limit switch LS 1 associated with disc 124 of motor 120 is closed shortly after the motor is energized and remains closed until disc 124 has completed one rotation and folding device 34 returned to its starting position. Limit switch LS l is then open and motor 120 deenergized. The folded sheet of paper is then located in mold device 42 (see FIG. 3) and limit switch LS 3 located at bottom thereof is closed. Limit switch LS 2 is also closed when the folding device 34 returns to its original position and motor 130 is then energized through limit switches LS 2 and LS 3 and control box CB 2. Limit switch LS 4, associated with disc 136 of motor 130, is closed shortly after motor 130 is energized to bypass limit switches LS 3 and LS 4 and maintains motor 130 energized until folding device 70 has returned to its original position. When folding device 34 is operated for a second time, limit switch LS 5 is closed and motor 166 is energized to withdraw the folded sheet of paper from the mold device 78 and to shape it in its final form.

Limit switches LS 6 and LS 7 are associated with each of the levers 91 and prevent energization of motor 120 when one or both levers 91 are not back to their test position, thus preven ting any damage to such levers by the operation of folding device 34.

Limit switch LS 8 is located on table 26 at the back of the machine and is closed when a sheet of paper is positioned on table 26. The closure of limit switch LS 8 energizes pilot light PL 2 located at the front of the machine (see FIG. I) to indicate that the machine is ready for operation.

Speed control boxes CB 1 and CB 2 are of the type known in the art and are used to control the speed of motors and by turning a knob such as knob 182 of controi element 20 in FIG. 1. Switch PB 2 is used for emergency stopping of the machine.

The operation of the machine will now be disclosed more particularly with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings. After having introduced a sheet of paper in the machine through window 12 and having positioned the sheet of paper on the table 26 by means of

stop elements

28 and 30, the operator presses pushbutton PB 1 to start the operation of the machine. Motor 120 is energized and folding device 34 is lowered into mold device 42 to fold the sheet of paper positioned on the table 26 lengthwise in a zigzag manner around the edges of the plates of folding device 34 and mold device 42. Folding device 34 is subsequently returned to its original position leaving the sheet of paper in mold device 42 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Motor 130 is then energized automatically, as explained previously, to move folding device 70 into mold device 78 to cause the sheet of paper, which has already been folded lengthwise to be folded transversely in a zigzag manner around the edges of the plates of the folding device 70 and mold device 78.

Referring to FIG. 9, it may be seen that, in order to ensure folding of a sheet of paper both lengthwise and transversely, the sheet of paper is held at point P 1 adjacent one edge of the sheet while it is permitted to slide underneath a second point P 2. This ensures an even folding of the sheet of paper.

Upon the subsequent operation of folding device 34, the two rollers mounted underneath the mold device 78 are moved into contact with the lower edge of the folded sheet in mold 78. The sheet of paper is the withdrawn of the mold 78 and pressed in its final shape.

I claim:

1. A machine for folding sheet of paper or the like comprismg:

a. a structure holding a table for receiving a sheet of paper to be folded;

b. a first folding device including a plurality of parallel plates slidably mounted on said structure;

0. a first mold device positioned below said table and including a plurality of parallel plates in between which the plates of said first folding device are moved to fold the sheet of paper positioned on said tabIe lengthwise around the edges of the plates of said first folding and mold devices; V

d. means for reciprocating said first folding device into and out of said first mold device;

e. a second folding device including a plurality of parallel plates slidably mounted on said structure and positioned transversely of said first folding device below said table on one side of said first mold device; a second mold device including a plurality of parallel plates located on the other side of said first mold device, said first mold device having a window therein aligned with said second mold device whereby said second folding device is moved through said window into said second mold device to fold the sheet of paper transversely of the first fold formed therein;

g. means for reciprocating said second folding device into and out of said second mold device, said second folding device being adapted to make a single reciprocation immediately after a single reciprocation of said first folding device; and

h. means responsive to each reciprocation of said first folding device for withdrawing said sheet of paper from said second mold device and for pressing it into a final shape.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising stop means located on said table for engaging the edge of said sheet to position the sheet on the table.

3. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising means located between two adjacent plates of said folding devices for holding said sheet at a point adjacent to one edge of the sheet while the remaining portion of the sheet is free so that it may be folded when met by the plates of the folding devices.

4. A machine as defined in claim 3, further comprising means for slidably holding the remaining portion of the sheet so that it will fold uniformly around the edges of the plates of the folding and mold devices.

5. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising slidable means responsive to operation of said second folding device for preventing the folded sheet of paper located in the first mold device from rising out of said first mold device when the second folding device is operated.

6. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising a first and a second means for driving said first and second folding devices respectively.

7. A machine as defined in claim 6, wherein said first means comprises an electric motor, a speed reducer coupled to said motor, a disc coupled to said speed reducer, and lever means eccentrically mounted on said disc and attached to said first folding device for lowering and raising the same into and from said first mold device.

8. A machine as defined in claim 6, wherein said second means comprises an electric motor, a seed reducer coupled to said motor, a disc coupled to said speed reducer and lever means interconnecting said disc and said second folding device for moving said second folding device into said second mold device.

9. A machine as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for withdrawing said sheet of paper comprises a pair of rollers mounted underneath said second mold device, lever means operatively connected to said first folding device for permitting movement of said rollers into contact with the folded sheets of paper, and a motor for driving said rollers to press the folded sheet of paper.

10. A machine as defined in claim 1, further comprising first and second motors for driving said first and second folding devices respectively, a third motor for driving said means for withdrawing the sheet of paper, and an electrical circuit including limit switches responsive to predetermined positions of said folding devices for sequentially operating said first, second and third electric motors.

k t =t

Claims

1. A machine for folding sheets of paper or the like comprising: a. a structure holding a table for receiving a sheet of paper to be folded; b. a first folding device including a plurality of parallel plates slidably mounted on said structure; c. a first mold device positioned below said table and including a plurality of parallel plates in between which the plates of said first folding device are moved to fold the sheet of paper positioned on said table lengthwise around the edges of the plates of said first folding and mold devices; d. means for reciprocating said first folding device into and out of said first mold device; e. a second folding device including a plurality of parallel plates slidably mounted on said structure and positioned transversely of said first folding device below said table on one side of said first mold device; f. a second mold device including a plurality of parallel plates located on the other side of said first mold device, said first mold device having a window therein aligned with said second mold device whereby said second folding device is moved through said window into said second mold device to fold the sheet of paper transversely of the first fold formed therein; g. means for reciprocating said second folding device into and out of said second mold device, said second folding device being adapted to make a single reciprocation immediately after a single reciprocation of said first folding device; and h. means responsive to each reciprocation of said first folding device for withdrawing said sheet of paper from said second mold device and for pressing it into a final shape.