US3711085A

US3711085A - Folder for business forms

Info

Publication number: US3711085A
Application number: US00067927A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Bunch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-08-28
Filing date: 1970-08-28
Publication date: 1973-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-16

Abstract

A machine for producing zigzag folds in continuous business forms or like strip material. The strip material moves over a horizontal feed roller and then downward between a pair of opposed endless belt units to an underlying support surface. A hold-down roller is biased to engage the feed roller, with the material sandwiched therebetween, immediately above the point at which the material discharges from the feed roller. The material, upon engagement with the support surface, loops alternately in opposite directions beneath the belt units and between spaced stops, one of which is rounded so as to allow for a smooth continuous movement of the folded material therebeyond. Material boosting means periodically engage the looped material immediately prior to engagement with the stops so as to insure a proper movement thereagainst.

Description

United States Patent 1 Bunch, Jr.

[451 Jan. 16, 1973 [54] FOLDER FOR BUSINESS FORMS [76] Inventor: Earnest R. Bunch, Jr., 3050 West Corrine Drive, Phoenix, Aria 85029 22 Filed: Aug. 28, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 67,927

Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Att0rney-Clarence A..OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson . [57] ABSTRACT A machine for producing zigzag folds in continuous business forms or like strip material. The strip material moves over a horizontal feed roller and then downward between a pair of opposed endless belt units to an underlying support surface. A hold-down roller is biased to engage the feed roller, with the material sandwiched therebetween, immediately above the point at which the material discharges from the feed roller. The material, upon engagement with the support surface, loops alternately in opposite directions beneath the belt units and between spaced stops, one of which is rounded so as to allow for a smooth continuous movement of the folded material therebeyond. Material boosting means periodically engage the looped material immediately prior to engagement with the stops so as to insure a proper movement thereagainst.

11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures so /02 I W LVMJ PATENTEDJKN 16 I975 SHEET 1 OF 3 Earnest B. Bunch, Jr.

1N IEXTOR.

BY WWW PATENTED AHBI Y 3.711.085

SHEET 2 OF 3 9Q Earn es/ 5. Bunch, Jr.

INVESTOR.

PATENTEDJAN 16 I973 SHEET 3 [IF 3 Ear/res! B, Bunch, Jr.

IXVL NTOR.

lliiii 7 WW EMMA? FOLDER FOR BUSINESS FORMS The invention herein generally relates to machines 7 for forming alternate or zigzag folds in continuous 7 material, such as business forms or the like. More parfrom the machine in a smooth continuous flow so as to facilitate the subsequent packaging thereof.

In known machines of a generally similar design,

the machine. The roll spindle in turn wil normally be' mounted on brackets affixed to and projecting from'the various problems have arisen including the tendency for the introduced strip material to wrap around or become entangled with the feed roller and a tendency for the folded material to exit from the machine in bunches, rather than a smooth continuous flow. Difficulties have also been encountered in adjusting the stops so as to accommodate materials of different thicknesses or folds of varying depths.

It is to overcome the above deficiencies that the present invention has been devised. More particularly, the machine herein incorporates a feed roller and holddown roller arrangement whereby a positive feeding of the strip material into the folding portion of the machine can be effected without any danger of the material wrapping about the feed roller or being improperly fed. In addition,the material handling and folding elements have been so constructed and orientated as to provide for a continuous folding operation wherein there is effected both a smooth positive folding of the strip and a discharge of the finished product without breaks or bunches. Such advantages are achieved through the utilization of special roller guided flat belts on the material moving belt units, stops, and particularly a stop at the discharge end of the machine, which cooperate in producing the folds and providing for a smooth discharge of the folded material, material boosting means associated with each stop with such means consisting of spaced rotating relatively narrow fingers which only periodically engage the material and do not disrupt'the smooth flow thereof. Both the stops and material boosting means associated therewith are mounted for positive adjustment through a pinion and rack arrangement.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the material feeding, folding and discharge portion of the machine, the supply roll not being illustrated;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the machine as shown in FIG. I;

. FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view through the machine;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail of the stop and material boosting means at the discharge or outlet end of the machine; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional detail similar to the central portion of FIG. 3 illustrating the material boosting means in a rotated position.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the machine includes a rigid frame 10 having a front or near side 12 from which the machine is operated, a rear or far side 14 on which the drive train will be mounted,

an input end 16, and an output or discharge end 18.

The strip material or paper to be folded will normally be'provided in an enlarged roll mounted on a spindle outward of and in alignment with the input end 16 of frame 10. It is contemplated that an adjustable brake be utilized so as to provide for an even drag on the stock material. The paper itself will be preperforated at regular intervals with it being the function of the machine to form the folds along the perforations.

An elongated feed roller 20 extends transversely across the machine frame 10 and is mounted on a the frame 10. This roller 20 is located generally centrally of the frame 10 and receives the introduced strip of material or paper 24 thereover for discharge downwardly between a pair of

belt units

26 and 28. The strip of material 24 is frictionally held against the feed roller 20 by a cooperating hold-down roller 30. The hold-down roller 30 has the shaft thereof rotatably journaled on the free ends of a pair of swinging arms 32 pivotally supported by an elongated shaft 34 extending between and supported by the opposed front and rear frame side walls.-The hold-down roller 30 is so orientated as to engagethe forward face of the feed roller 20 at or just above the point at which the strip of material 24 moves downward away from the roller 20. This specific positioning of the hold-down roller 30 is considered particularly significant in that heretofore the hold-down roller has been positioned so as to engage the feed roller 20 along the top thereof and substantially spaced from the point of discharge of the paper. Thus, there existed a substantial tendency for the material to improperly feed, and in fact sometimes wrap around the feed roller itself, thus causing a complete shutdown of the machine until a clearing of the blockage was effected. In order to vary the frictional grip on the material, a weight 36 is slidably mounted on an outwardly projecting rod 38 engaged with a crossbar 40 fixed between the swinging arms 32. Appropriate setscrew means 42 is utilized to lock the weight 36 in the desired adjusted position.

Each of the

belt units

26 and 28 is orientated longitudinally along the frame 10 between the input and output ends 16 and l8'thereof, and includes side plates or panels 44. Each pair of side plates 44 pivotally mounts on an inner drive roller 46, the shaft of which is journalled in the front and rear sides of the frame 10. The plates 44 in turn mount an outer adjustable idler roller 48, spaced endless belts 50 engaging about the

rollers

46 and 48. These belts are flat rather than V-belts and thereby enable the utilization of smooth rollers and also allow for a precision weaving of the belt so as to specifically adapt them for paper handling. A belt guide 52 is also mounted on each

belt unit

26 and 28 below the upper run of the spacedflat belts 50 and immediately outward of the corresponding drive roller 46. Each of the guides 52 consists of an elongated shaft 54 having the opposed ends thereofjournaled in the opposed side plates 44, and a series of spaced roller sections 56 which receive the belts 50 therebetween so as to maintain the belt spacing.

A pair of mounting blocks 58 are positioned immediately inwardof the side panels 44 of each of the

belt units

26 and 28, each of these blocks 58 being slidably mounted on an elongated guide rod 60 fixed to the corresponding side panel 44 in inwardly spaced relation thereto. An appropriate setscrew or the like 62 is threaded downwardly through the upper portion of each of the mounting blocks 58 for selective engagement with the guide rod 60 for a locking of the block 58 thereto in any adjusted position. The adjustment of each pair of blocks 58 is synchronized, utilizing an elongated shaft 64 extending transversely across the corresponding unit and through the upper portions of the associated blocks 58. The shaft 64, immediately beyond each 'ofthe blocks 58, mounts a pinion 66 thereon which inturn engages with an elongated rack 68 defined along the upper edge of the adjacent side panel 44. The rod or shaft 64, at the front of the machine, projects forwardly and mounts a manually manipulable handle 70 which, upon being rotated, effects a synchronized positive longitudinal adjustment of the mounting blocks 58 without any slippage or necessity for readjustment such as would occur were stretchable chains and sprockets utilized. Once the blocks 58 are positioned where desired, the locking setscrews 62 are engaged with the guide rods 60.

Each pair of blocks 58 mounts abutment means or a stop assembly which extends transversely therebetween. The stop assembly associated with the belt unit 28 toward the input end 16 of the machine is designated by reference numeral 72, while the'stop assembly associated with the belt unit 26 toward the output end 18 of the machine is designated by reference numeral 74. Each

stop assembly

72 and 74 includes an elongated flat base plate or flange 76 transversely underlying the lower runs of the belts 50 of the associated belt unit and having the opposite ends thereof rigidly affixed to the lower ends of the associated blocks 58. The stop assembly 72 is completed by a series of upwardly directed fingers 78 projecting perpendicularly from the inner edge of the associated base flange 76 at right angles thereto, these fingers 78 projecting upwardly between the associated belts 50 and being spaced so as to accommodate the belts 50 therebetween.

With regard to the abutment means or stop assembly 74 associated with the belt unit 26, fingers 80 are likewise provided on the inner edge of the associated base plate or flange 76. However, these fingers 80, rather than defining a sharp right angular corner with the inner edge of the plate 76, have smooth arcuately curved lower end portions which engage the inner edge of the flange 76 and provide a rounded corner about which 1 the folded stock can flow both evenly and smoothly. The, upper portion of each of the fingers 80 is orientated perpendicular to the associated base flange 76 as has been done heretofore. However, it is the curving of the lower portions of the fingers 80 which is considered particularly unique and highly significant as a means for ensuring an effective flow of the folded stock from the machine. Incidentally, it will of course be appreciated that the fingers are also spaced for the ac commodation of the associated belts 50.

Positioned immediately inward of each stop assembly, and in parallel spaced relation thereto, is a material positioning or boosting means 82. Each of these means 82 consist of an elongated shaft 84 overlying the lower runs of the associated belts 50 and having the opposite ends thereof journaled in the opposed mounting blocks 58. The shaft 84 is so positioned as to be in contact with the upper surfaces of the lower runs of the belts 50 for a rotational driving of the shaft 84. The actual boosting engagement with the folded paper is effected by means of a series of radially projecting short rod sections or fingers 86 fixed to the shaft 84 in diametrically I opposed pairs at spaced points therealong. Each of these thin projecting sections terminates in a flattened outer end which provides for point contact with the paper fold immediately therebeneath just prior to an engagement of the fold against the corresponding stop assembly. Each material boosting means is positioned at a critical point where the folded stock has a tendency to slow down prior to reaching the associated stop assembly. The fingers 86 engage the stock momentarily so as to ensure proper movement of the stock against the stop, the fingers 86 loosing contact with the stock prior to an engagement of the stock with the stop. This is contrary to the folding and boosting means provided on similar machines such as that illustrated in the Preston patent. For example, the boosting or impressing rollers in Preston remain in contact with the several last folded sheets, thus tending to provide a continuing varying pressure on the sheets and producing high and low places whereby the next sheet to be fed thereon can, because of the continuous engagement, be either stopped completely or misfolded. Such problems are avoided in the device detailed herein.

Positioned beneath the belt unit 26, at the output end of the machine, is a table or table-like horizontal panel 88. A series of flat conveyor belts have the upper runs thereof extending over the panel 88 and rearwardly therebeyond about a transverse drive roller 92. The belts 90 also extend about an idler roller (not illustrated), at the output end of the panel 88 whereby a continuous traveling of the belts 90 can be effected for a discharge of the folded material or stock at the output end of the machine. The tabletop or panel 88 can, as will be appreciated from FIG. 3, terminate short of the paperaccommodating space between the

upper belt sections

26 and 28, with the overlying belts 90 forming a support surface on which the material 24 folds. Alternately, the panel 88 can be extended rearwardly so as to combine with the belts in providing a paper accommodating support surface.

A vertical adjustment of the' delivery table belts 90, rearward of the table panel 88, is provided for by means ofa transversely elongated roller 94 mounted on an extending between the free ends ofa pair of arms 96 pivoted to the opposed portions of the machine frame 10, an upwardly directed adjusting screw 98 engaging upwardly against one of the arms 96 so as to provide the desired upward or downward swung positioning of the roller 94. As will be best appreciated from FIG. 3, this roller 94 is located immediately forward of the back fold forming booster means and stop assembly so StatesPatent 1 1 Weist 4 u] 3,711,086 I i 51 Ji 16,1973

METHOD PPARATUS-1 0R 3 FOLDING LENGTHSOF MATERIAL 611 Avenue, Louisville,'Ky. 40206 Filed: 'Sept.1, 1910- Appl.No.: 68,631

93/1 93/8, 270/61, 270/69 Int. Cl. ..B65h 45/18 Field of Search ..270/6l, 69, 83-85, 270/67, 76; 93/1, 8; 53/116, 117,120,118

References Cited I. i

- UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.590. 91 7 1971 Schaflron. "270/61 Inventor: Herman C. Weist 1860 Arlington I Primary ExaminerRobefl Michell- Assistant Examiner-L. R. Oremland Attorney- William R. Price Lengths of material, suchas plastic bags, fed from a more times prepatory to packaging. Each length of material is wrapped aroundspaced, and axially opposed vacuurn pickup rollers to form a hollow cylindrieal'roll on said rollers. The roll is then bent in half by means of a blunt edge blade disposed with its lon-,

18 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures "ABSTRACT.

Claims

1. For use in a machine for making continuous zigzag folds in a strip of flexible material by the feeding of the material toward a support surface for an alternate looping of the material in opposite directions, a pair of stop assemblies above the support surface and spaced apart to the opposite sides of the point at which the material is fed, each stop assembly extending transversely of the material and having upstanding abutment means thereon for engagement of the material loops against one face thereof, a first one of said stop assemblies being positioned further from the support surface than the second of said stop assemblies, the abutment means on the first stop assembly having a lower end portion curving smoothly away from the face against which the material loops engage, said abutment means comprising a plurality of laterally spaced upstanding fingers, each stop assembly including an elongated flange extending along and interconnecting the lower ends of said fingers, said flange being orientated at approximately 90* to said fingers, and a material boosting means parallel to each stop assembly in spaced relation forward of the loop engaging face of the abutment means thereon, each material boosting means comprising an elongated rotatable shaft positioned above the lower portion of the corresponding stop assembly fingers, each shaft having material engaging narrow fingers fixed thereto and projecting outwardly therefrom at spaced points therealong, said shaft fingers, at each of the spaced points along the shaft, consisting of a single pair of fingers with the fingers of each pair being diametrically opposed from each other.

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein the boosting means fingers are of a length so as to terminate in spaced relation to the stop assembly fingers during the rotation of the material boosting means and engage and subsequently disengage from the material prior to the material engaging the stop assembly.

3. The construction of claim 2 including an endless driven belt unit positioned to each side of the fed strip of mateRial, each belt unit overlying one of said stop assemblies and the associated material boosting means, each stop assembly and the associated material boosting means being mounted on laterally spaced mounting blocks, each mounting block having a rotatable pinion thereon, the associated belt unit having a pair of elongated racks, and means for effecting a selective travel of the pinions along the racks for an adjustment of the position of the corresponding stop assembly and associated material boosting means.

4. The construction of claim 3 including an elongated guide rod fixed to each belt unit adjacent each mounting block for a sliding guided movement of the block therealong, and lock means for selectively locking each block to the associated guide rod at any adjusted position therealong.

5. The construction of claim 4 wherein said belt units alternately engage and guide the said strip of material, said belt units consisting of inner and outer end rollers having a series of laterally spaced flat material gripping belts engaged thereover for a frictional gripping of the strip of material.

6. The construction of claim 5 including a positioning roller associated with each belt unit, said positioning roller underlying the spaced belts transversely thereacross and including a plurality of spaced outwardly projecting roller sections receiving and guiding the flat belts therebetween.

7. The construction of claim 6 including an elongated feed roller positioned above the belt units for an initial movement of the strip of material thereover, said feed roller being so positioned as to enable a downwardly movement of the strip of material between the belt units, said strip of material discharging from the feed roller in a generally vertical plane tangential to the roller, and a hold-down roller cooperating with the feed roller for a frictional gripping of the strip of material therebetween, said hold-down roller engaging the material against the feed roller approximately at the point of discharge of the strip of material from the feed roller.

8. The construction of claim 1 including an endless driven belt unit positioned to each side of the feed strip of material, each belt unit overlying one of said stop assemblies and the associated material boosting means, each stop assembly and the associated material boosting means being mounted on laterally spaced mounting blocks, each mounting block having a rotatable pinion thereon, the associated belt unit having a pair of elongated racks, and means for effecting a selective travel of the pinions along the racks for an adjustment of the position of the corresponding stop assembly and associated material boosting means.

9. The construction of claim 8 wherein said belt units alternately engage and guide the said strip of material, said belt units consisting of inner and outer end rollers having a series of laterally spaced flat material gripping belts engaged thereover for a frictional gripping of the strip of material, a positioning roller associated with each belt unit, said positioning roller underlying the spaced belts transversely thereacross and including a plurality of spaced outwardly projecting roller sections receiving and guiding the flat belts therebetween.

10. The construction of claim 8 including an elongated feed roller positioned above the belt units for an initial movement of the strip of material thereover, said feed roller being so positioned as to enable a downward movement of the strip of material between the belt units, said strip of material discharging from the feed roller in a generally vertical plane tangential to the roller, and a hold-down roller cooperating with the feed roller for a frictional gripping of the strip of material therebetween, said hold-down roller engaging the material against the feed roller approximately at the point of discharge of the strip of material from the feed roller.

11. For use in a machine for making continuous zigzag folds in a strip of flexible material by the feEding of the material toward a support surface for an alternate looping of the material in opposite directions, a pair of stop assemblies above the support surface and spaced apart to the opposite sides of the point at which the material is fed, each stop assembly extending transversely of the material and having upstanding abutment means thereon for engagement of the material loops against one face thereof, a first one of said stop assemblies being positioned further from the support surface than the second of said stop assemblies, a material boosting means parallel to each stop assembly in spaced relation forward of the loop engaging face of the abutment means thereon, each material boosting means comprising an elongated rotatable shaft positioned above the lower portion of the corresponding stop assembly fingers, each shaft having material engaging narrow fingers fixed thereto and projecting outwardly therefrom at spaced points therealong, said shaft fingers, at each of the spaced points along the shaft, consisting of a single pair of fingers with the fingers of each pair being diametrically opposed from each other, the boosting means fingers are of a length so as to terminate in spaced relation to the stop assembly fingers during the rotation of the material boosting means and engage and subsequently disengage from the material prior to the material engaging the stop assembly.