C.g. Bretting Manufacturing Company, Inc.

C.g. Bretting Mfg. Co., Inc.

Tad T Butterworth

James Andrew Walsh

John W LaChapelle, Jr

Gerald L Fellows

Warren A Kehn

Embodiments of the present invention provide new and improved folding apparatuses and methods for interfolding a continuous stream of sheets into a single-fold interfolded pattern of sheets while passing all of the sheets substantially along a single sheet path. More particularly, all sheets in the continuous stream of sheets pass through the nips between adjacent components.

Single path single web single-fold interfolder and methods

Folding machines and methods are provided. A folding machine that utilizes a direct transfer of sheets from a knife roll to a folding roll is provided. Sheet handling rolls are provided that incorporate movable vacuum ports to assist in transfer of a sheet from one roll to another roll.

Web handling roll with movable vacuum ports and methods

An interfolding apparatus and method, utilize, first and second sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangements and an interfolding arrangement simultaneously mounted and operatively interconnected in a common frame, for alternatively selectively forming a first or a second interfolded pattern having a given folded width, without replacement of components of the interfolding apparatus. The first interfolded pattern is formed from a first stream of overlapped sheets of a first length cut from a web of sheet material fed along a first path extending through the first sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangement to the interfolding arrangement. The second interfolded pattern is formed from a stream of overlapped sheets of a second length cut from the web of sheet material fed along a second path extending through the second sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangement to the interfolding arrangement.

Multi-path interfolding apparatus and method

A splice is made, between a tail end of first web and a lead end of a second web coiled about an unwind axis, by winding a portion of the first web adjacent the tail end of the first web about a splicing roll mounted for rotation about a splice roll axis oriented substantially parallel to the unwind axis, and then joining the tail end to the lead end by compressing an adhesive between an inside surface of the tail end and an outer surface of the second web. Compression of the adhesive is accomplished by urging the splice roll against the coiled second web while the coiled second web is rotating about the unwind axis in an unwind direction and the splicing roll is rolling about the splice roll axis in a direction opposite to the unwind direction.

Automated unwind system with auto-splice

Multi-path interfolding apparatus

A rewinder having a first winding roll that transports and supports the web, and a second winding roll located a distance from the first winding roll to define a nip therebetween. The rewinder also include at least one core support plate that is curved for receiving and guiding cores adjacent the first winding roll, a contact finger located adjacent the first winding roll, and a web separation bar adjacent the first winding roll and movable into pressing relationship with the web to press the web against the contact finger to separate the web. In some embodiments, the contact finger is recessed within the first winding roll such that the web separation bar presses the web only against the contact finger to separate the web.

Rewinder apparatus and method

A rewinder having a first winding roll that transports and supports the web, at least one core support plate that is curved for receiving and guiding cores adjacent the first winding roll, and a web separator adjacent the first winding roll and movable into pressing relationship with the web at a velocity at least equal to that of the web. The rewinder of exemplary embodiments winds a web of material a nip defined by the first winding roll, a second winding roll and a rider roll. The web separator of exemplary embodiments comprises a rotatable plurality of fingers that rotates about a common shaft. Because the web separator contacts the web moving at a velocity at least equal to that of the web, the web is effectively separated upstream of the web separator, between the core and the web separator.

An apparatus and method for applying adhesive in a web converting machine is disclosed. In some embodiments, an adhesive application assembly is used to seal the tail of a rolled product against the rolled product. After being positioned in a location upon a roller, the rolled product is rotated and a sensor detects the location of the tail end, thereby establishing a reference for determining tail length in later operations. When the tail reaches a desired position, the adhesive application assembly applies adhesive to the tail and/or rolled product. In some embodiments, the adhesive assembly includes one or more adhesive sprayers with aperture members, and is self-cleaning. After the adhesive has been applied, the tail is wound upon the rolled product. In some embodiments, an adhesive application assembly is employed to apply adhesive to a core about which sheet material is to be wound.

Apparatus and method for applying adhesive in a web converting machine

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention includes an apparatus and method employed for cutting a rotating log of rolled product into rolls, the apparatus and method utilized for preventing collapse of a longitudinally extending aperture in the log during the cutting process. The present invention includes a mandrel received within the aperture of the log to at least partially support the log and to preferably maintain the integrity of the aperture while the log is being cut by a saw blade. Preferably, the mandrel has at least one recess within which a saw blade can be received during cutting operations upon the log.

Log saw apparatus and method

A flying web splice apparatus and method for splicing a moving web of material to another web of material without tape or adhesives being used at the splice. Two splicer assemblies are provided which each have a rotatable parent roll feeding web material into the splicer apparatus. Each splicer assembly has a series of substantially parallel vacuum belts and a series of vacuum boxes therein. The vacuum boxes for each splicer assembly are evacuated by a vacuum blower, which creates a vacuum causing a suction through holes within a portion of the vacuum belts in order to hold web material to the vacuum belts. The series of belts for each splicer assembly are preferably rotatable about a top pivot to bring a bottom portion of each series of belts together. Preferably, at the bottom portions of each series of belts is located a pressure bonding mechanism, such as a series of ply-bond wheels, which bond the webs of material together when the bottom portions of the series of belts are brought together (preferably via one or more actuators). A stationary web from a parent roll is first placed over holes in one of the vacuum belts, which is then driven by a motor to drag the vacuum belt and web along part of its belt path and toward the pressure bonding mechanism. By the time the initially-stationary web reaches the actuated pressure bonding mechanism, the initially-stationary web is at the speed of the initially-moving web and can be precisely spliced thereto.

Flying web splice apparatus and method

An apparatus and method for sealing the tail of a rolled product against the rolled product using a roller and one or more sensors to position the tail for accurate adhesive application upon the tail and/or the log. After being positioned in a location upon a roller, the rolled product is rotated between the roller and a conveyor assembly until a jet blows the unsealed tail against the roller. By further rotating the roller, a sensor detects the location of the tail end, thereby establishing a reference (along with measured roller and conveyor assembly movements) for determining tail length in later operations. Next, the roller is reversed to pass the tail around the roller and preferably to a tail support adjacent to the roller. When the tail reaches a desired position along the tail support, an applicator sensor sends a signal to an adhesive assembly which applies adhesive to the tail and/or to the rolled product. Preferably, the adhesive assembly includes one or more adhesive sprayers triggered by the applicator sensor. After the adhesive has been applied, the roller is again reversed to roll the tail back upon the rolled product. The rewound rolled product is then preferably rolled over at least one ironing roller to ensure proper adhesion of the tail to the rolled product. For increased tail control in the various stages of operation, the roller can be a vacuum roller or be fitted with an electrostatic generator to hold the tail against the surface of the roller.

Tail sealer apparatus and method

An apparatus and method for rewinding large rolls of paper into smaller rolls, such as bathroom tissue rolls. The rewinder includes three rolls forming a winding cradle and winding control fingers operating adjacent to and in the winding cradle. Upper and lower winding rolls are spaced apart far enough to allow a core to be introduced between them by the winding control fingers. A rider roll moves relative to the winding rolls to control the diameter of the paper roll being wound. The lower winding roll is preferably equipped with two sets of winding control fingers which can orbit around the roll and introduce the core between the winding rolls, separate the web, guide the web around the core and remove the completed log from the winding cradle. Each of a plurality of winding control fingers is equipped with a core insert finger and a web separation finger so that each winding control finger can independently receive, transport and deposit a core in preparation for the winding process.

Growing community of inventors

Ashland, WI, United States of America

Tad T Butterworth