C.g. Bretting Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Greg M Kauppila

Dennis P Couturier

James R Michler

Richard D Bretting

Chad Ryczek

Andrew P Tijan

Curtis Cline

Apparatuses and methods of forming sheets having different lengths are provided. The apparatuses and methods may also be used to form panel lengths of different values using a same processing roll. In some embodiments, the diameter of the roll need not change. In some embodiments, the spacing between adjacent rolls need not be changed when transitioning from one sheet length to another sheet length. In some embodiments, the processing roll includes an excess material receiving component that can be active or deactivated to switch between different sheet sizes.

Apparatus for forming sheets of different lengths or sheets with different panel lengths

A web processing roll for handling a web of material using vacuum is provided. The web processing roll includes a roll body. The roll body defines an outer periphery against which the web of material is held. The roll body defines a vacuum passage. At least one first vacuum hole fluidly connects to the vacuum passage provides vacuum proximate the outer periphery of the roll body to hold the web of material against the outer periphery with vacuum supplied to the at least one first vacuum hole by the vacuum passage. A first flow path of the vacuum hole extends at a first angle that is non-perpendicular to the rotational axis and is directed, at least in part, axially toward one of the first and second ends at the first outlet end of the at least one first vacuum hole.

Web processing roll having directional vacuum ports

A processing roll having rotatable outer tube mounted on a non-rotatable inner tube by a fluid valving arrangement, is provided. The fluid valving arrangement provides angularly controlled transfer of fluid between a cavity on the inside of the inner tube and ports distributed longitudinally along an outer surface of the outer tube, while also providing distributed bearing support of either the outer tube on the inner tube, or the inner tube on the outer tube, at a plurality of locations along a longitudinal axis of the processing roll.

Tube in a tube mechanical folding roll

A method and apparatus are provided, for forming a stack of interfolded sheets of porous material including a leading panel having a partial-panel width joined along a fold line to a trailing panel having a full-panel width, by controlling the position of leading edges of the sheets both upstream and downstream from the nip between the interfolding rolls of the folding machine with vacuum applied through corresponding vacuum ports disposed in the periphery of the folding rolls at circumferential distances equal to the partial panel length ahead of each gripper and tucker in the direction of rotation. Sufficient suction is applied to hold both the leading edge of the leading panel of a given sheet and an underlying portion of the trailing panel of the immediately preceding sheet against the periphery of one of the other of the rolls downstream from the nip.

Single-fold interfolding machine with ability to produce off-folded towel or tissue products

An interfolding apparatus including a knife roll, a first interfolding roll, a second interfolding roll, and a transfer roll. The knife roll cuts sheets from a stream of web material issuing from a source in a downstream direction. The first interfolding roll is positioned downstream of the knife roll and receives the sheets. The first interfolding roll rotates in a first direction and the second interfolding roll rotates in a second direction. The first and second interfolding rolls interfold the sheets with additional sheets received by the second interfolding roll. A transfer roll is positioned between the knife roll and the first interfolding roll. The transfer roll has a non-uniform surface configuration and rotates in the second direction and receives the sheets from the knife roll, forms a bend in each of the sheets, and transfers the formed sheets to the first interfolding roll.

Interfolder with pre-forming transfer roll

An interfolding apparatus including a knife roll rotatable about an axis and operable to cut successive sheets from a stream of web material issuing from a source in a downstream direction. A folding roll is positioned downstream of the knife roll and is rotatable in a first direction at a first roll speed. An additional roll is disposed adjacent to the folding roll and is rotatable about an axis in a second direction at a second roll speed. The additional roll is operable to receive the successive sheets and release the successive sheets in the downstream direction toward the folding roll. The folding roll and the additional roll define a nip therebetween, the successive sheets passing through the nip. The first roll speed of the folding roll is different from the second roll speed of the additional roll, the difference in speed between the folding roll and the additional roll operable to overlap adjacent portions of the successive sheets onto the folding roll.

High speed interfolder

An interfolding apparatus including first and second interfolding rolls. The interfolding rolls issue a stream of web material to form a stack of interfolded web material. A first packer finger is movable with respect to the first interfolding roll and includes a retracted position at least partially received within the first interfolding roll and an extended position at least partially inserted into the stream of interfolded web material. A second packer finger is movable with respect to the first interfolding roll and includes a retracted position at least partially received within the first interfolding roll and an extended position at least partially inserted into the stream of interfolded web material.

Method of forming a stack of interfolded sheets of web

A fluid valve for controlling fluid flow and/or vacuum to a plurality of ports and fluid lines in a rotating member has a rotary phase plate with a plurality of apertures therein which can be brought into fluid communication with selected ports and fluid lines in the rotating member by rotation of the rotary phase plate to one of at least two rotational positions with respect to the rotating member. Preferably, the fluid valve has at least a rotary union adapter coupling the rotary phase plate to a one-port rotary union or a roll adapter coupling the rotary phase plate to the rotating member. Most preferably, the fluid valve has both such adapters. By rotating the rotary phase plate with respect to the rotary union adapter and the roll adapter, certain apertures in the rotary union adapter are brought into fluid communication with one or more aligned fluid lines in the rotary union adapter and the roll adapter, and certain apertures in the rotary union adapter are brought out of fluid communication with one or more aligned fluid lines in the rotary union adapter and the roll adapter. Rotation of the rotary phase plate therefore causes fluid lines or patterns of fluid lines from the rotary union to the rotating member to open or close, thereby permitting or stopping fluid flow through the lines (or connecting or disconnecting the rotating member to a vacuum source).

Growing community of inventors

Ashland, WI, United States of America

Greg M Kauppila