Braking means for moving paper products entering folders

Abstract

A higher speed paper sheet product cross or quarter folding system is afforded for use with high speed paper product transport conveyors such as used with web printing presses, and the like producing signatures. The higher speed is obtained by novel braking means for gradually slowing down the paper product, non-linearly, as it enters the folding station, thereby preventing damage to the product or erratic folding caused by high speed impact with the fixed stop in the folder that has previously prevented the system from running at the higher speeds that can now be obtained by this improved system. Moving slow down stops are carried by a cyclically moving timing belt to intercept a paper product moved thereinto at higher speed by a conveyor. This moving stop is synchronously timed to intercept the paper product moving at a highest transit speed and is non-linearly moved to slow the paper product down to a lowest speed before it engages the fixed stop for folding. Typically a set of elliptical gears provides the non-linear timing belt slow down stop speed speed ratio of four to one and the system reduces the signature impact speed at the fixed stop by at least 60% from the conveyor speed of entry into the folding station.