Patent ID: 6712746
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A method of separating a group of interfolded sheets from a series of interfolded sheets discharged from a sheet folding mechanism, comprising the steps of:forming intermittent separations in the interfolded sheets so as to form the interfolded sheets into adjacent, separated groups of interfolded sheets including an endmost group of sheets, wherein each of the adjacent groups of sheets is elongated and extends along a longitudinal horizontal axis; advancing the elongated groups of sheets toward a clamping mechanism in a forward direction, wherein the forward direction is oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the groups of sheets; engaging the clamping mechanism with the endmost group of sheets at a first elevation; and moving the clamping mechanism in a lateral horizontal direction while maintaining the clamping mechanism at the first elevation and in engagement with the endmost group of sheets, wherein the lateral direction is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the endmost group of sheets and perpendicular to the forward direction, and wherein movement of the clamping mechanism in the lateral horizontal direction exerts an axial pulling force on the endmost group of sheets, wherein the separation between the endmost group of sheets and the next adjacent group of sheets enables the endmost group of sheets to be displaced in the lateral horizontal direction relative to the next adjacent group of sheets, and wherein movement of the clamping mechanism at the first elevation in the lateral horizontal direction moves the endmnost group of sheets laterally and horizontally along the longitudinal axis of the endmost group of sheets while maintaining the endmost group of sheets at the first elevation, to separate the endmost group of sheets from the next adjacent group of sheets.