US2506004A - Aligning and creasing mechanism for plural webs - Google Patents

Description

y 1950 R. N. WARD ET AL 2,500,004

ALIGNING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR PLURAL WEBS Filed Nov. 9, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 HQ? 1 FIG. l'

WU L1 INVENTOR ERT N. o WlL M H. MAT EWS BY LA WWW ATTORNEYS May 2, 1950 R. NIWARD ET AL 2,506,004

' ALIGNING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR PLURAL WEBS Filed Nov. 9. 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROBERT N. WARD BY WILLIAM H. MATTHEWS JZMY ATTORNEYS May 2, 1950 R. N. WARD ET AL 2,506,004

ALIGNING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR PLURAL WEBS Filed Nov. 9, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVE NT R in? ATTORNEYS ROBERT N. w WILLIAM H. A EWS May 2,, WW R. N. WARD ET AL 2,506,004

ALIGNING AND CREASING MECHANISM FOR PLURAL WEBS Filed Nov. 9, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ROBERT N. WARD WILLIAM H. MATTHEWS y mvfm ATTORNEYS Patented May 2, 1950 asset ALIGNING AN D CREASING MECHANISM FOR PLURAL WEBS Robert N. Ward and William H. Matthews, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to The Egry Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 9, 1945, Serial No. 627,648

4 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for collating, aligning and creasing continuous paper webs, and more particularly to an apparatus for creasing continuous webs at periodic intervals to obtain a fan-fold pack.

An object of the invention is to provide an aligning and creasing mechanism for producing fan-fold packs wherein the aligning mechanism for aligning individual sheets in the fan-fold pack, also provides the means for withdrawing the paper webs from supply rolls.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for creasing one or more Webs of paper periodically in opposite directions to form a fan-fold pack wherein the creasing mechanism performs the creasing operation upon the paper webs while the webs are taut, thereby causing a sharp crease line therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an aligning and creasing mechanism for one or more paper webs wherein the aligning mechanism mechanically holds and feeds the paper webs toward a creasing mechanism, and wherein the creasing mechanism is so constructed and arranged that the paper web or webs between the creasing mechanism and the aligning and feeding mechanism is placed in a taut condition by the creasing mechanism while the webs are mechanically held by the feeding and aligning mechanism to thereby produce a sharp crease line transversely of the webs by the creasing mechanism.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved creasing mechanism for creasing one Or more paper webs wherein the webs have pressure applied thereto mechanically to bend the same over a creasing bar to thereby obtain a sharp crease line across the webs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved creasing mechanism in accordance with the foregoing object wherein the means that applies mechanical pressure to the paper webs to bend the same over a creasing bar is caused to release the paper webs immediately after the creasing operation is complete, to thereby provide for freedom of movement between an aligning and feeding mechanism and a folding mechanism.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the drawings and the followin description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a machine incorporating the features of this invention, certain parts of the frame thereof being broken away to more clearly illustrate the app t Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the machine illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the creasing mechanism of the machine illustrated in Figure 1, having parts thereof broken away to more clearly illustrate the operation and construction of the mechanism.

Figure 4 is a side elevational View, on reduced scale, of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 3, illustrating the manner in which the creasing mechanism can be opened to allow for threading of webs therethrough.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the machine taken substantially along line 5-5 of Fig ure 2.

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevational view of a part of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 5 showing the means by which the paper webs are released from the feeding and aligning mechalllSITl.

Figure '7 is a side elevational view illustrating the driving mechanism for the feeding and aligning mechanism.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the mechanism for driving the conveyor belt of the machine.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of the mechanism. for folding the paper Webs as they leave the creasing mechanism.

Figure 10 is an elevational view illustrating the frame that holds the paper webs against the feeding and aligning mechanism and illustrates the manner in which the frame is hinged to open away from the feeding and aligning mechanism to allow for threading of the machine.

In this invention the collating, aligning, creasing and folding mechanism consists generally of a frame ID that carries the supply rolls l I, I2 and 13 of the paper webs that are to be collated; aligned, creasedand folded by the mechanism of the machine of this invention. The webs it and (3 from the corresponding supply rolls may be termed record webs while the web l2 maybe a web of carbon paper.

In many standard forms used in business, it is conventional to provide what is known as multiple copyforrns wherein the copy sheets have imprinted on thewebs replicate forms occurrin periodicaliyupon-the length of the webs. A plurality of paper webs upon which the copy material is placed'is then interleaved with webs of carbon paper therebetween; The interleaved copy and carbon paper webs are then adapted to be fed through a typewriter or autographic register or other business machines for producing multiple copies of original data.

In this invention the paper webs II and I3 and the carbon paper web I2 are withdrawn from the corresponding supply rolls by means of an aligning and feeding mechanism I which aligns the forms on the Various webs with respect to one another: and feeds them" to a: creasing mechanism'fiil which in'turn delivers thecreased assembled webs to a folding mechanism 25 that fan-folds the webs for collection upon a con.- veyor belt I3I. The variousmechanisms I5, 20

and 25 are carried upon the frame iii of the machine, and the conveyor 30 is adapted to convey the fan-fold forms toa suitable collecting station.

The feeding and aligning mechanism I5 is more particularly disclosed in Figures 5,.6 and '7. This mechanism consists of a pair of shafts it and N that carry the sprocket wheels I8 and I9 respectively. A sprocket chain 2! extends between: the sprocket-i wheels 13: and I9; and is driven thereby. The shafts I6 and'li of the feeding and! aligning mechanism are suitably supported'in'a framecomposed of vertical endspla-tes 33 4i and -34'--a that are carried upon the main frame If! -of -the machine.

As illustrated in Figure 2, there are two srch sprocket chainsZI that are spaced'some distance apart, andeach of. the:chains 2I are provided with protruding pins 22 that are adapted to engage holes provided in the Webs I I, IZ-and I3 for withdrawing the webs from the corresponding supply rolls and for aligning the webs with respect to one another. Theassernbled paper webs II, I 2 and I3 are adapted to pass downwardly along the extendedlength of the chainZI, on the left hand side thereoias illustrated .in Figure the pins 22': extending. through theassembled paper'web's, asshown. With thepins zz passing through suitable holes in the paper webs, there is provided a positive'mechanical drivingconnection tothepaper webs-l I, I2 and I31for withdrawing the Webs from the supply rolls I I, 52 and I3. Alsmthe-pins 22 maintain'positive alignment between the form faces: on juxtaposed webs.

A gate 23 is positioned adjacent the length of th'e sprocket chain to:engage:the webs in-engagem'ent therewith for the purpose of'iretaining the paper webs in engagement with the sprocket chain with the holes in thewebs maintained upon the pins 22 ofthe sprocket chain 2!. The gate 2t consists generally of a rectangular frame structure having the'guide bars'zfiand 2'! joined with the horizontal bars 28 and 29. Guide bars 26 and 2! positioned adjacent each side of each of the sprocket chains 2i, see Figure 2; to insure engagement of the paper webs with the pins 22 on the chai'nsi. I. The gate 23, is hinged Vertically by'meansof hinge blocks 32'that extend from the vertical end pl'ates-33'--a and 3la respectively, the gate 'z'being carried upon hinge pins 3 %-b as illustrated in Figure-l0. A suitable latch 35 is provided for retaining the gate 23 inposition ad jacent the sprocket chains 2I. The latch- 55 may consist of an arm 38, pivotally carried upon a pin 3'! that is friction-engaged bya' spring washer 38*whic'h may be of the-Belville type. The arm 35. isprovided' with a slot that may-extend over theshaftfi i to retain the gate in fixed position relative to'thesprocket'chains 2!. It is of course,

understood that other suitable latch mechanisms can be'substituted for that disclosed.

The feeding and aligning mechanism I5 is driven from the creasing mechanism 28 and in the frame It) and carries on one end thereof a sprocket wheel 58 that drives the sprocket chain GI drivingly extending between the shaft iil and the sprocket wheel 42 on the shaft 34. See Figure 5. The shaft 34 carries a second sprocket wheel 43, see Figure "Z, that drives a sprocket chain A l which in turn' drives asprocket wheel 45 on the shaft I6, for thereby driving the sprocket chains 2|. The feeding and aligning mechanism 45 may thus be driven in synchronized relationship with the creasing mechanism 20.

As the paper webs approach the lower sprocket wheel iii of. the feeding and aligning mechanism, the webs engage rolls 47, carried upon the shaft it, that disengage the paper webs from the pins 22, as illustrated in Figure 6. The paper Webs are then free to pass to the creasing mechanism.

The creasing mechanism 26 consists of a pair of rolls and 5|, one of which is mounted upon axsh'aft ii? heretofore referred to,-and the other roller? is mounted upon a shaft 52 carried-between a pair of armsytthat are pivotallymounted upon the shaft 5 extending between a pair of brackets 55 that are secured to the frame ll). 7

Theshaft 49 carrying the-roll 5| is'provided with a sprocket wheel 52 thereon that is driven by a series of sprocket chains-53a, 54a, 55 and 56, that engage'sprocket wheels 51, 58-and 59 respectivelyfor drivinglyconnecting the shaft with the power shaft SI of a-variablespeed drive 63 secured to the frame ill of the machine.

Each of the rolistlland 5I. ofv the-creasing mechanismis provided with a-recessGZ extending longitudinally thereof parallel to the axis of the roll that receives a creasing .bar :63 therein. The creasing bar til-is suitably retained'in the recess 62 by means of screws -64. The creasing bar-63 extends beyond-the periphery-of the rolls 50 and particularly fron'irthe shaft 40 of'the creasing mechanism. The shaft 40 is suitably'journaled 5I- respectively, to engage the'paper webs II, I2 and was they-pass between the rolls 5i! and SI. As will be noted in. Figure 5, the creasing bars are adapted toalternately engage the paper webs II, I2: and I3 andare'on opposite sides of the paper webs to thereby cause alternate creasing of the'paper webs in opposite'directions so that the assembled. webs can be fan-folded into apack by thefolding mechanism. 25 hereafter described.

On the side of the rolls 50 and 5|, diametrically opposite to the creasing bar 63 and the recess 62: there-is provided in each of the rolls 5%! and SI, a recess 65 that receives a pair of creasingrolls 66 and 61 therein that are adapted to: cooperate with the creasing barsS3, as illus rated-in Figures 3 and 5, to transversely crease the :paper webs passing between the creasing bar 63 'andthe crea'si'ng'rolls'fifi and 61.

As illustrated in'Figure 3 the creasing roll 61 is carried upon one end of a bell-crank lever 68 that is pivotally mounted; upon the pivot pin 69 secured to the'plate 10 attached to one end of the roll 59.; The creasing roll 66 is carried upon one end of a corresponding bell-crank lever. II that is 'pivotally mounted to the plate 19 by means of a pivot pin 12, the-,bell-crank lever Il being disposedbehind-the bell-crank lever. 68, as viewed in Figure 3. A tension spring 13 extendsb'er tween the ends of the bell-crank leversv I58'and H, tending to-rotatethe bell-crank lever 68 in a: clock-wise directionand the :bell-cranklever II in a counter clock-wise direction to thereby cause the creasing rolls 65 and 61 to separate.

The degree'of separation of the creasing rolls 66 and 61 is regulated by the pin 15 secured to the bell-crank lever fiflthat rides in a slot I5 provided in th'ebell cranklever II. Asshown in Figure 3, the creasing rolls 66 and 61 are normally spaced apart a predetermined distance. The creasing rolls 66a and 61a carried upon the roll 5| a are constructed and mounted in the manner just described with regard to the creasin rolls 66 and 61. It is of course, understood that the creasing rolls 66 and 61 are carried in the manner just described in both ends thereof.

The creasing roll 5| is driven directly by the shaft 46, and drives the creasing roll 56 through the train of gears 11, I8, 19 and 86, whereby the respective creasing rolls 56 and 5| are driven in the direction of the arrows thereon. With the creasing rolls driven in opposite directions, as indicated in Figure 3, it will be apparent that the creasing bar 63 of the roll 5| will cooperate with the rolls 66 and 61 on the roll 56 and the bar 63 on the roll 56 will cooperate with the rolls 66 and 61 on the roll 51, the latter cooperation being shown in Figure 3.

As the creasing bars 63 approach their coopcrating rolls 66 and 61, thus providing nipper members, the paper webs II, I2 and I3 will be engaged by the creasing bar 63 to force the same between the creasing rolls 66 and 61. When the creasing bar 63 and the creasing rolls 66 and 61 are in the position illustrated in Figure 3, the creasing rolls 66 and 61 are adapted to apply pressure upon the paper webs in an engagement with the edge of the creasing bar 63 to thereby sharply crease the same over the edge of the creasing bar.

The foregoing operation is performed by a cam plate 8| that is secured to the arm 55 as shown in Figure 3. The cam plate 8| is engaged by a 66. Simultaneously, the pin I5 n the bell-crank lever 68 causes rotation of the bell-crank lever 'II because of the engagement of the pin I with the slot I6 to urge the creasing roll 66 toward the creasing roll 61. This operation thus causes simultaneous movement of both creasing rolls 66 and 6'! toward one another to clamp upon opposite sides of the creasing bar 63, as illustrated in Figure 3. It will therefore be apparent that rotation of the creasing rolls 56 and 5| will produce alternate and opposite creasing of the paper webs I I, I2 and I3 periodically along the length thereof as the webs pass beyond the rolls 56 and 5|.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the assembled paper webs II, I2 and I3 are mechanically fed and held by the feeding and aligning mechanism I5. Therefore, when the creasing bars 63 engage the assembled paper webs, the creasing bars will in effect wipe across the face of the web in engagement therewith as the creasing bars 63 approach their creasing position to produce a taut condition in the paper webs between the creasing bar 63 and the lowermost pin 22 of the feeding and aligning mechanism I5. This taut condition of the paper webs causes the webs to fold sharply over the edge of the creasing bar 63 when the creasing bar forces the paper webs between the creasing rolls 66 and 61. Thus, when the creasing rolls 66 and 61 operate to clamp upon the creasing bar on opposite sides thereof, as previously described, the

creasing rolls engage a taut paper condition to thereby sharply fold or crease the paper webs over the end of the creasing bar 63 and thereby obtain a well defined fold line transversely across the paper webs.

To allow for threading of the paper webs I I, I2 and I3 between the creasing rolls 56 and 5|, the creasing roll 56 is carried upon the pivoted arms 53 as heretofore described, so that the roll 56 can be moved away from the roll 5| during the threading operation.

A resilient latching device, 96, is provided for retaining the arms 53 in position illustrated in Figure 3. This latching device consists of an actuating handle 9| that is pivotally mounted upon the arm 53 upon a pin 92. The arm 9| carries a latch arm 93 pivoted upon the arm 9! by means of a pin 94. The free end of the latch arm 93 is provided with a hook 95 that extends over a latch pin 95 carried in an arm 91 that is pivoted upon a pin 98 carried in the frame of the machine and resiliently urged in a clock-wise direction by means of a tension spring 99 that extends be tween the pin I60 in the frame of the machine and the pin MI in the arm 91.

The actuating arm 9| is provided with an arcuate slot I62 that rides over a pin I 63 secured in the frame arm 53. The arm 9| also carries a pin I64 that is adapted to engage the latch arm 93 to release the hook 95 from the pin 96 when the ac tuatingarm 9I moves in a counter clock-wise direction. A stop pin I is carried in the frame 83 of the machine and extends into a hole I66 provided in the arm 53 to control the opening and closing movement of the roll 56. With the device in the position illustrated in Figure 3, it will be apparent that the roll 56 is resiliently retained in its position by means of the spring 99 drawing the arm 53 against the stop pin I65.

When the assembled paper webs leave the creasing mechanism 26, the webs are provided with alternate and opposite fold lines as illustrated in Figure l. The folding mechanism 25 is provided for insuring proper fan-fold folding of the paper webs as they leave the creasing mechanism 26. The folding mechanism 25 consists of a pair of arms H6 and I II that are adapted to oscillate back and forth to alternately engage the creased paper webs as they discharge from the creasing mechanism 2. The arm I|6 sweeps in a leftward direction as viewed in Figure 1, to urge the creased web downward to insure folding along the right hand fold line while the arm I I I sweeps across the paper webs in a right hand direction to urge the paper webs to fold along the left hand fold line. The arm I is secured to a shaft II2, see Figure 9, that has attached thereto a link I I 3 that is engaged by a link H4 pivotally secured thereto by means of a pin I I5. The opposite end of the link H4 engages a pin H6 positioned eccentrically upon the sprocket gear 57 to thereby produce oscillation of the shaft H2 and of the arm I I I.

The arm H6 is pivotally carried. upon a shaft I I1 secured to the bracket I I8. A link I I9 is also secured to the shaft I I1 and has a slot I26 therein engaging a pin |2| secured on one end of a lever I22 pivoted on a pin I23 mounted in the bracket H8. The opposite end of the lever I22 carries a pin |24 that engages a slot I25 provided in a link I26 that is secured to the shaft I I2, whereby the link I26 is oscillated by the shaft H2 and which oscillation of the link I26 causes oscillation of the lever I22 through the pin I24 and thus in turn .IQiQQQQQi :7 1esoscil alii moithe a m I a r usn the. Pi 1 l2! and the linhlZt.

":From the foregoing 'dESCIlDtlOII of the :fold mechanism 25 it will be apparentthat it is sy chronized in its operation with thedischarge of the creased paper webs moving from'the creasing ;mechanism 28.

The fan-folded paper webs drop into a box I30 positioned over the conveyor 3c, the webs being (discharged from the box 130 by movement of the conveyor 30.

The conveyor 33 consists of a belt I 3! that may bedriven continuously by suitable gearing from ,the variable speed drive 68 to synchronize the movement of the belt 5 31 with the feeding operation of the machineor the conveyor belt Ii-ii may .-be driven intermittently by means of a mechanism-illustrated in Figure 8. In this arrange- ,mentone of the conveyor pulley wheels H2 is provided with a ratchet gear I33 attached to the :same. A ratchet pawl .534 is pivotally mounted upon a lever 535 that is pivotally mounted upon the shaft l 38 and is oscillated by means of a lever :arm it? attached to a pin 538 positioned eccentrically upon a drive wheel I359. The drive wheel 139 may be positioned upon any continuously rotating shaft driven by the variable speed drive 60 to synchronize the movement of the belt with .feeding of the paper webs through the machine. Oscillation of the arm 535 causes the ratchet pawl 35 to periodically rotate the pulley wheel 532 and thus intermittently drive-the conveyor belt 13! to give it a jogging action which tends to settle the fan-folded stack into a closely packed condi tion as illustrated in Figure 1.

From the foregoing description it will therefore be seen that in the collating, aligning, folding and creasing mechanism of this invention the aligning mechanism 15 which aligns the paper webs by means of periodically spaced perforations provided in the webs, also produces the feeding operations for withdrawing the webs from the supply rolls. The mechanical holding of the paper webs by the aligning holes therein provides means whereby a taut paper web condition is developed between the aligning mechanism [5 and the creasing mechanism Zll during the creasing op 'eration, and just prior thereto, so that a sharp fold line is obtained transversely across the paper webs. Also, the folding operation insures a positive fan-fold folding of the creased paper webs to properly stack the same upon a conveyor.

While the apparatus disclosed and described herein, and the method of collating, aligning,

creasing and folding the paper webs as produced by the apparatus, constitutes a preferred form of the invention, yet it will be apparent that the apparatus, as well as the method, is capable of modification without departing from the spirit of the invention and that all modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be included herein. r Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters J'Batent is: l

1. An apparatusofor collating and folding multiple copy fan-fold forms that includes, an aligning mechanism having pins therein for engaging holes in a plurality of webs adapted to pass :thercover for aligning the webs and for with-' drawing the webs from supply rolls, a creasing mechanism for receiving the paper webs from the aligning andfeeding mechanism in a straight line movementtherethrough, said creasing mech- ;,anism having a creasing bar and a pair ofrolls cooperating -.there wi th for movement into en gagement with the opposite sides of the .paper webs passing through the creasing mechanism to temporarily disrupt the straight line movement through the creasing mechanism and cause the webs to be placed in a taut condition between the creasing mechanism and the aligning mechanism-simultaneously with producing a substantially V-shaped {fold therein for creasing the paper webswhile in a taut condition.

2. apparatus for collating and folding multiple copy fan-fold forms that includes, an aliening mechanism having pins therein for engaging holes ina plurality. of webs adapted to pass there- -over for aligning the webs and for withdrawing the webs from supply rolls, acreasing mechanism for reoeivingthe paper webs from the align- ,ing .andfeecling mechanism in a straight line movement therethrough, said creasing mechanism having a creasing bar and a pair of rolls cooperating therewith for movement into engagement-withthe Opposite sides of the paper webs-passing through the creasing mechanism to temporarily disrupt the straight line movement through the creasing mechanism and cause the webs to beplacedin a taut condition between the creasing mechanism and the aligning mechanism simultaneously with producing a substantially vhaped fold therein for creasing the paper webs while ina taut condition, saidcreasing mechanism having said bar and cooperating rollers positioned therein for alternately and oppositely-engaging the paper webs passing through the creasing mechanism to alternately and oppositely crease the samefor thereby producing a'fan-fold arrangement of the Webs.

3. Anapparatus for collating and folding multiplecopy fan-fold forms that includes, an aligning mechanism-having a plurality-of pins thereon for engaging periodically spaced holes in juxtaposed position during movement thereof to a (creasing mechanism'and a creasing mechanism for receiving the aligned paper webs from the aligning and feeding mechanism in a straight line movement and consisting of, a pair of rotatable members rotatable in opposite directions each having acreasing bar positioned on the same .thereby crease the paper webs alternately and oppositely, resilientmeans engaging each pair of cooperating rolls holding said rolls in spaced relationship to receive said bar, and cam means operatively engaging said rolls moving them together into a predetermined spaced relationship and into engagement'with saidcba'r when fully .therebetween tocrease the webs between said rolls and said bar.

a 4. An apparatus for collating'and folding multiple copy fan-fold forms that includes, an aligni echanism having pins therein for engaging holes in a plurality of webs adapted to pass thereover for-aligning the webs and for withdrawing the webs from supply rolls, a creasing mechanism for. receiving the paper webs from the aligning and feeding mechanism in a straight line movement therethrough, said creasing mechanismhaving nipper members for movement into engagement with the opposite sides. of the paper webs passing throughthe creasing mechanism to 2,506,004 9 10 temporarily disrupt the straight line movement REFERENCES CITED through the creasing mechanism and cause the The f u i, f 1 f webs to be placed in a taut condition between me of i 81 are 0 1600 m the creasing mechanism and the aligning mecha nism simultaneously with producing a substan- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS tially V-shaped fold therein for creasing the paper Number Name Date Webs while in a taut condition. 1,108,295 Wildman Aug. 25, 1914 ROBERT N. WARD. 1,326,987 Straubel Jan. 6, 1920 WILLIAM H. MATTHEWS. 1,497,296 Jappe June 10, 1924 1,699,165 Sherman et a1. Jan. 15, 1929 2,246,336 Wyrick June 1.7, 1941

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