Sheet-material associating – Associating and folding – Sheet associating
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-10
2001-06-19
Eickholt, Eugene (Department: 2854)
Sheet-material associating
Associating and folding
Sheet associating
C493S416000, C493S421000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247691
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is relates generally to apparatuses utilized for automatically folding paper sheets, and more particularly to the drive mechanisms utilized in conjunction with such folding apparatuses.
BACKGROUND ART
Buckle folders are used to take a sheet of paper and fold it into any of a number of conventional user-selected formats, such as half or z-folds. Examples of conventional buckle folders can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,669,331; 3,796,423; 3,797,196; 3,841,621; 4,032,133; 4,099,710; 4,125,254; 4,586,704; 4,781,367; 5,048,809; 5,178,383; 5,269,744; 5,350,170; and 5,797,319 whose contents are hereby incorporated by reference into the instant patent application.
Currently, conventional buckle folders include a belt drive mechanism for transmitting rotational energy from the drive source (motor) to the various fold rollers. The belt drive used, however, is not a positive drive and after some usage, slippage occurs between the drive belt and the various drive and idler pulleys. This results in degradation in the operation of the folder.
In the past, alternative designs implementing a positive drive of some type in a folder have been proposed. For example, chain and sprocket drives have been proposed. However, chain and sprocket drives are very noisy and excessive noise is already an issue in the use of buckle folders. Also, this type of design does not incorporate a torque limiting device. Without this device, when a material jam occurs, the folder may get damaged.
Accordingly, there is room for improvement within the art.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment according to the present invention, a drive mechanism is provided for use in a folder. The drive mechanism comprises a motor drive, a torque-limiting device coupled to the motor drive, a drive pulley coupled to the torque-limiting device, and a plurality of idler pulleys. Each of the idler pulleys is coupled to a drive shaft which supports a fold roller. A non-slip positive drive member operatively engages portions of the drive pulley and the plurality of idler pulleys.
The present invention also provides a method for automatically folding sheets. The method comprises the steps of providing a sheet folder including a plurality of fold rollers and providing a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a motor drive, a torque-limiting device coupled to the motor drive, a drive pulley coupled to the torque-limiting device, and a plurality of idler pulleys coupled to a drive shaft supporting the fold roller. In addition, a non-slip positive drive member operatively engages portions of the drive pulley and the idler pulleys in order to positively drive the drive pulley. A sheet is fed into the folder and between the fold rollers in order to fold the sheet. In the event that the sheet becomes jammed between the fold rollers, the torque-limiting device operates to release the torque transmitted from the motor drive to the drive pulley.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a positive drive mechanism for a buckle folder.
It is another object of the invention to provide a positive drive mechanism for a buckle folder that does not result in excessive noise.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a positive drive mechanism for a buckle folder that is better capable of handling the machine forces generated by jammed sheets.
Some of the objects of the invention having been stated hereinabove, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings as best described hereinbelow.
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Drago Michael R.
Vitko John H.
Bell & Howell Mail & Messaging Technologies Company
Eickholt Eugene
Jenkins & Wilson, P.A.
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