Textiles: ironing or smoothing – Smoothing machines – With article-transfer device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-24
2001-11-20
Izaguirre, Ismael (Department: 3765)
Textiles: ironing or smoothing
Smoothing machines
With article-transfer device
C493S947000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318008
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to mechanical folding equipment for paper sheets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Folding machines for large engineering documents (“prints”) typically comprise two distinct sections, a fan-folder and a cross-folder. The fan-folder transforms the incoming document into a rectangular packet as shown in
FIG. 1
, in which the longer dimension (A) is the printer roll width, and the shorter (B) is the desired panel width (typically 8½ inches in the USA, 210 rnm in other countries). The fan-folder in most document folding machines is capable of producing a tightly folded packet with sharp creases shown as (B) in FIG.
2
and few undesirable artifacts. It is in the cross-folder that problems arise if the packet is not positively controlled in the transition from fan-folder to cross-folder. If the panels of the fan-fold packet are allowed to separate, or so-called “billow-out”, there is the likelihood that a false, or a double-fold (D) may result as the packet is pulled into the cross-folder through fold rollers under pressure. Another possible consequence is deflection of the entire packet, resulting in cross-folds not orthogonal to the edges of the fan-fold packet. There is, therefore, a need in the art for a device which avoids these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to fill the need in the art which avoids problems described above by including a mechanism in the cross-folder which presses or “irons” the fan-folded document to compact it so that cross folds are made tightly and accurately. The pressing mechanism includes an ironing plate which swings freely about a vertical axis hinge. The plate is forced against the fan folded document by an actuation mechanism which includes a mechanism regulated by a programmed controller. The controller operates a stepper motor which moves the ironing plate in position in stages, a first position which halts the conveyance of the fan-folded document just before the document enters the cross-folder infeed rollers and then a second position which applies a forceful pressure against the document after the document has entered the rollers.
More specifically, the present invention is a packet ironing system for documents fan-folded into a packet, having a path along the conveyer bounded laterally by an ironing plate on one side and an opposite-facing backing plate on the other side, defining a conveyance gap there between. The leading end of the ironing plate is rotatable about a vertical axis hinge. An actuator for moving the ironing plate about a point of rotation defined by the hinge alters the gap between said ironing plate and the backing plate. Infeed rollers move the packet along said conveyor path into a cross folder. Sensor means are located downstream of the infeed rollers for detecting the position of the packet along the conveyor path. The device further includes control means for receiving signals from the sensor and signaling the actuator to forceably move the ironing plate against the fan-fold document as the document is pulled through the gap by the infeed rollers. The device may include a second horizontal hinge between the base of the first vertical hinge pin and a mounting plate so that the ironing plate may also swing in the vertical plane to increase the gap along its top edge.
This device provides the method of compacting a folded paper sheet by delivering the folded paper sheet to a conveyor having a conveyance path. Then moving the folded sheet along the path toward a cross folder. Next the folded sheet is inserted between infeed rollers of the cross-folder and the folded sheet is pulled forward through the infeed rollers along the conveyance path. Compacting is achieved by pressing the folded sheet between opposing lateral sideplates as said folded sheet is pulled forward by the infeed rollers, the sideplates being located just ahead of said rollers and applying a clamp force to opposing front and rear surfaces of the folded sheet. As will be further described herein, this system provides tightly compacted, fan-folded sheets to the cross-folder.
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Cleal Christopher K.
Funk Warren S.
Henderson Phillip L.
Gore Gregory J.
Izaguirre Ismael
Printfold Co., Inc.
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