Tissue cutting and interfolding apparatus for z webs

Abstract

Apparatus for perforating Z-folding, and further processing long tissue webs to form stacks of Z-folded facial tissues or the like for being packaged in consumer boxes. In one embodiment, two webs are perforated and superimposed at the nip of counterrotating rolls so the perforations of one web are staggered between the perforations of the other web. The webs are Z-folded by vacuum adhering portions of the superimposed webs alternately to the portion of each roll below the nip, drawing the adhered portions back and forth out of the mutual tangent plane forming the nip to start Z-folds. The folds are creased by further means. A continuous stack of Z-folded tissues is formed and can be subdivided into counted stacks of tissue for packaging. In another embodiment, the webs are perforated and superimposed as before, and the web is then alternately directed to first and second folding stations, each of which includes a counterrotating pair of folding rolls which Z-fold the superimposed webs in essentially the same manner as the perforating roll of the first embodiment. When a predetermined length of the superimposed webs has been Z-folded by one folding station, the superimposed webs are transferred to the other folding station. An elevator mechanism associated with each folding station conveys each finished stack away, then returns to receive the next stack to be folded at that station.