GB801097A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for folding leading flaps - Google Patents

Abstract

801,097. Folding paper. LABOMBARDE, R. A. Aug. 4, 1955 [Aug. 9, 1964], No. 22431/55. Class 100(1) [Also in Group XVII] Apparatus for folding the leading flaps 36 of flat articles such as box or envelope blanks 24 fed successively along a path 25 with the fold lines 39 of the flaps 36 perpendicular to the path comprises a finger 50 rotating (counterclockwise, Fig 15) about an axis 51 above and transverse to the path and having a straight trailing surface 58 of greater length than the distance between the axis 51 and the path 25, the surface 58 engaging and upfolding the flap in the left lower quadrant, Fig. 15, of its rotary movement, and downfolding the flap in the right lower quadrant of its movement. The blanks 24 are fed by conveyers 23, 34 driven in synchronism with the shaft 52 of the finger 50, the drive for the latter including oval gears 63, 64 which cause the finger to be retarded during its movement through the first lower quadrant and to be accelerated during its movement through the second lower quadrant. Each finger 50 comprises two parts, Fig. 8, secured to the shaft 52 and one part may be reversed as shown in Fig. 15 so that two folding operations may be effected for each rotation of the shaft. For short flaps, a stop 84 may be adjustably-mounted on the finger to engage the leading edge of the flap and serves to force the flap and blank down on to the path 25. A stop 90 may be adjustably mounted on a strip 70 which passes underneath and beyond the shaft 52 to assist in the downward folding of the flap. The apparatus forms part of a box or envelope folding machine.