Interfolding apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for simultaneously folding and interfolding a multiplicity of webs of flexible material such as facial tissue paper in the machine direction to form an endless bundle of interfolded webs which endless bundle can be cut into discrete bundles and packaged in pop-up dispensing containers. The apparatus comprises a fan-shape, horizontally disposed folding table comprising a set of tapered elongate guides having inverted V-shape cross sections. The elongate guides are disposed in side-by-side relation and thereby form tapered V-shape troughs therebetween. The webs are directed in convergent relation onto the radially outwardly disposed edge of the fan-shape table in partially overlapped relation and are drawn radially inwardly thereacross and thence about a turning guide whereupon the folds of the webs are alternately V-folded upwardly in said troughs and downwardly about the ridges of the elongate guides so that an edge fold of each web is disposed intermediate two folds of an adjacent web. The apparatus may also include an array of unwind backstands, and ply bonding and machine-direction slitting devices so that the multiplicity of webs can be supplied from a substantially smaller number of parent rolls.