Gate folding apparatus

US4419088A · kind A · utility

Inventor

• David Nemec · Tinton Falls, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 19, 1981
• Grant date: Dec 6, 1983
• Expiry date: Jun 19, 2001

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65H45/18
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for making a gate fold in a prefolded sheet, including a folding table with a central opening, a pair of fold rolls located below the opening and forming a nip, and a vertically movable gate assembly with a blade located parallel to the fold rolls. A sheet in which the gate fold is to be made is conveyed across the table and stopped at a predetermined position over the opening and under the blade. The gate assembly is then lowered until the blade engages the sheet along the desired transverse crease zone and then further lowered to drive the sheet down between the nip formed by the fold rolls to make the gate fold. The gate assembly includes a tuck roll assembly with a pair of tuck rolls parallel to the blade located one on each side and adjacent the lower edge thereof. The tuck roll assembly is movable relative to the gate assembly in a vertical path between a downwardly extended normal position to which it is biased by resilient means, and a retracted position. When the tuck roll assembly travels downward initially with the gate assembly, it reaches a stop position prior to the complete extension of the gate assembly and remains stationary, with the tuck rolls cooper…