Gene Vanvoorst

US Patent:

45085285, Apr 2, 1985

Filed:

Dec 29, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/454406

Inventors:

John L. Hirsch - Sheboygan Falls WI
Gene A. VanVoorst - Sheboygan Falls WI

Assignee:

Curt G. Joa, Inc. - Sheboygan Falls WI

International Classification:

B31F 108
B31F 110

US Classification:

493426

Abstract:

In a cross-folder for flexible pads such as diapers a wide first conveyor belt runs over a segment of the periphery of a rotationally driven drum. A narrow second conveyor belt runs in parallelism with the first belt for transporting unfolded pads toward the drum and a third conveyor belt runs in parallelism with the first belt for transporting folded pads away from the drum. The drum carries diametrically opposite pairs of slidable members that are reciprocated radially inwardly and outwardly as the drum rotates under the influence of cam rollers on the members which run in stationary cam grooves. Pivotable levers are carried on the slidable members, respectively. The levers have fingers for gripping the pads at their mid-line. The levers have cam follower rollers which are forced to follow cam grooves carried by the drum and, under the influence of the slidable members, the levers are actuated to grip and release the pads to effect folding.