Mechanism for effecting interlock of multiple sheet continuous business

Abstract

A highly efficient, shear-cutting, multiple die apparatus and method for interlocking elongated, multiple-sheet glued webs such as business forms or computer print out paper during fabrication thereof is provided which positively locks the web sheets against relative shifting as can occur when the web is zigzag folded, in order to prevent 'tenting', or permanent, glue-set misalignment between respective web plies at the fold lines thereof. The preferred apparatus includes individual, mated pairs of rotatably mounted, transversely oriented, multiple-blade, pointed, web-shearing and deforming dies which are rotated to cooperatively engage, shear-penetrate and deform a moving web to produce a series of transversely extending, side-by-side, marginal, alternately displaced interlocking strips which effectively prevent significant relative longitudinal shifting between the web plies. The blade tips of the cooperating dies interfit during the web-shearing and displacing operation and serve to provide equal support and driving force for the web on opposite sides thereof, so that the web experiences minimum disturbance and no initiating causes for web skewing. The blade tips are contoured such that the opposed ends of the shear-cut strips remain connected to the web, to thus provide the most desirable positive web interlock, even at high or varying web speeds. In preferred forms, press-ironing rings are rotated with the interlocking dies for ironing the glued portion of the web in conjunction with formation of the interlocking strips.