A New or Improved Means of and Apparatus for Folding Paper.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Jan.,
1899
Complete Specification Left, 13th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1899
A New or Improved Means of and Apparatus for Folding Paper.
I, ALEXANDER NAIRN DUNLOP, of 4, Camphill Gardens, Albert Road, Langside,
Glasgow, Stationer and Printer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows;-
-
This invention relates to a new or improved means of and apparatus for folding
paper from the roll in a reverse or concertina manner.
In carrying out my invention, I provide a suitable bracket or spindle on which
the roll of paper is carried and from which it travels along and passes hetween
two small rollers and then between two tables on the inside of each of which
there is a suitable pad and a V-shaped knife on opposite sides of the tables.
One of these tables is a fixture, while the other is movable. After having
travelled between these tables and being pressed both on the under and top side
of the paper of the V-shaped knives, it continues to travel along and under two
other small rollers and on to a platform or table in a reverse or concertina manner,
that is to say, one layer folds in the one direction and the following in the other
and so on, the roll of paper being in one continuous piece.
The rise and fall of the table to bring the pressure on the paper and to release
it is effected by an eccentric, cams, or any other convenient means, and the
travelling of the paper is carried out by means of suitable gearing so arranged
that after one portion of the paper has been folded, the tables do not come
together again until this folded portion has been carried along from under the
knives and a fresh piece in its place ready for being pressed, this being effected
by a connecting rod from the eccentric, or cam, or by other suitable means.
The pressure of these knives can be regulated by thumb-screws, springs, etc. Of
course the motion is a continuous one, and the mechanism may be operated by
hand, electric, gas, steam, or hydraulic power.
The knives are so arranged that the guage can be altered to suit the different
paper to be folded.
In place of the tables as described, I may have revolving cylinders with pulleys,
bands, and V-shaped knives fixed to the cylinder at different distances apart,
which would serve the same purpose. The speed of those eylinders determine
the width of the fold and can be altered by different size toothed wheels, pulleys,
or other convenient means.

page_text: I, ALEXANDER NAIRN DUNLOP, of 4, Camphill Gardens, Albert Road, Langside,
Glasgow, Stationer and Printer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a new or improved means of and apparatus for folding
paper from the roll in a zig-zag or concertina manner:
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried
into effect I have hereunto appended three sheets of drawings, of which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus constituting my invention.
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view shewing the paper folded.
Figure 2 is an end view of the same, and
Figure 3 is a part longitudinal section of the fixed and moveable tables with
the knives in position, all hereafter referred to.
In carrying out my invention, I provide a suitable bracket and spindle A
carried in the framework of the apparatus, on which the roll of paper B is carried
and from which it travels along and passes between two small rollers C and D)
and then between two tables E and F on the inside of each of which there is
a suitable pad G seen more particularly in Figure 3, composed of felt or other
suitable material, and a V-shaped knife H on opposite sides of the tables. The
table marked E is a fixture, while the other F is moveable. The paper B after
having travelled between these tables and being pressed both on the under and
top side by the V-shaped knives H, against the respective pads G, G, the said
paper B continues to fravel along and between two other rollers, I and J and
on to a platform or table, not shewn on the drawings in a zig-zag or concertina
manner, that is to say, one layer folds in the one direction and the following
in the other as seen in Figure 1, and so on, the roll of paper B being in one
continuous piece. Between the V-shaped knives H and the rollers I and J a
suitable drag or tension device may be interposed.
The rise and fall of the moveable table F to bring the pressure on the paper B
and to release it is effected by an eccentric, cams, or any other convenient
means, and the travelling of the paper is carried out by means of suitable gearing
so arranged that after one portion of the paper has been creased, the tables
do not come together again until this creased portion has been carried along
fron under the knives and a fresh part of the web is in position ready for being
pressed, this being effected by a connecting rod L operated by the eccentric or
cam M mounted on a transverse driving shaft carried inside of the apparatus.
The connecting rod L operates a crank arm P to which is fitted a pawl $ which
engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel and imparts a rotary motion to the
spur wheel, which forms a part of the ratchet wheel Q and communicates motion
by the pinion T to rollers I and J aforesaid. The pressure of these knives H
can be regulated by thumb-screws, springs, etc. Of course the motion is a
continuous one, and the mechanism may be operated by hand, electric, gas, steam,
or hydraulic power.
The knives H are carried in slidable saddle pieces N which are adjustable by
screws and are so arranged that the distance between the knives can be
altered to suit the different sizes of folds required.
Instead of knives and pads for creasing the paper alternately above and below
being fixed on tables or plates they the knives-may be fixed on two rollers
or equivalent arrangement, in such a way as that the paper passing between
them will receive impression from knife or knives on upper and under roller

page_text: alternately so as to fold the paper in the requisite zig-zag style. In this case
the same system of knives and pads would be used so that a pad and a knife
or pads and knives would be fitted on the rollers alternately so as to come
opposite each other as required. The pads and knives would be fixed or adjust.
able on the rollers as preferred.
The method for actuating these rollers would be by various sets of gears to
bring the pads and knives into contact at the required intervals, or the rollers
could be independent of the mechanism actuating the machine and only thrown
into the necessary operation for actuating them (the rollers) so as to bring
the alternate pairs of pads and knives into contact at the required intervals by
suitable adjustable mechanism. The object of this is to allow for the paper
being fed or drawn through the machine and folded with a continuous motion.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The means of and apparatus for folding paper, substantially as herein-
before described.
2. In apparatus for creasing and folding paper the mechanical arrange-
ment imparted with a traverse and stop motion by which the paper is moved
over a fixed table having an adjustable knife, and beneath a moveable table
having also an adjustable knife, and imparted with a rising and falling motion,
which at periodic intervals comes down upon the paper and presses both its
upper and under side against the edges of the knives aforesaid and suitable
pads in order to produce a crease for the proper folding of the paper, substan-
tially as described and shown on the accompanying drawings.
3. The general arrangement, combination, and operation of the parts consti-
tuting the apparatus for creasing and folding paper, substantially as described
and illustrated on the accompanying sheets of drawings.
4. In apparatus for creasing and folding paper, fixing the knives on two
rollers, or equivalent arrangement in such a manner that the paper pressing
between them will receive impression from the knives on upper and under
rollers alternately while travelling with a continuous motion, substantially as
described
ited this 10th day of November 1899.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.