Machine and a method for folding nappy/diaper blanks

Abstract

Blanks used in the manufacture of nappies/diapers are folded on a machine comprising a first aspirating roller () by which single blanks () are advanced in succession toward a second aspirating roller () rotating counter and substantially tangential to the first roller () at a folding station (T). The first roller () is equipped with movable restraining elements () designed to engage an intermediate part of each advancing blank (), so that a leading half of the blank remains free to be taken up by a transfer mechanism () operating between the first and second rollers () in an area upstream of the folding station (T), and transferred from the first roller () to the second roller (); as the two rollers () rotate, the trailing half of the blank () retained on the first roller () by the restraining elements () is drawn closer to the leading half, whereupon the two halves converge gradually until flattened one against the other on passing through the folding station (T), which coincides with the point of tangency between the two rollers (), and the fold in the blank () is complete. The transfer mechanism () swings pendulum fashion, moving in sympathy with the first roller () when the leading half of the blank () is taken up and detached from this roller and in sympathy with the second roller () once the leading half of the blank has been released to this same second roller.