# US 2019/0216654 A1 · Apparatus and method for high speed cross folding > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0216654 A1 - Document ID: US20190216654A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/358,778 - Filed: 2019-03-20 - Published: 2019-07-18 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-23 - Assignees: Curt G. Joa, Inc. - Applicants: Curt G. Joa, Inc. - Inventors: John A. McCabe; Gottfried Jason Hohm; Anthony A. Nelson; Zachary J. Giffey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190216654A1 ## CPC - A61F 13/15747: {Folding; Pleating; Coiling; Stacking; Packaging} - B65H 45/12: Folding articles or webs with application of pressure to define or form crease lines (B65H20/28 takes precedence; pleating, kilting or goffering textile fabrics D06J) - B65H 2404/2321: on two opposite belts or set of belts, i.e. having active handling section cooperating with and facing to each other - B65H 2404/62: Transversely-extending bars or tubes - B65H 2801/57: Diaper manufacture - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES ## Abstract Apparatus and methods are provided for folding discrete items such as diapers at high speeds. Discrete items are conveyed in a machine direction toward a pair of engaging members rotating in the machine direction and first carrying a top side of a leading edge of the discrete item with a first engaging member away from the conveyor, and then carrying a bottom side of the leading edge with a second engaging member back towards the conveyor. The diaper fold is created at a contact point with a folding finger which travels rotationally and straight in a fixed orientation about a travel path into and out of contact with the diaper. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for folding discrete items, the method comprising: conveying an item in a machine direction via a feed conveyor; engaging a first side of a leading portion of the item with a first drum positioned adjacent the feed conveyor, the first drum rotating the leading portion in a first rotational direction; contacting a folding location of the item with a folding finger oriented in a cross-machine direction and traveling in the machine direction; releasing the first side of the leading portion of the item from the first drum; engaging a second side of the item with a second drum positioned adjacent the first drum and downstream therefrom in the machine direction, the second drum rotating the item in the first rotational direction; and releasing the second side of the leading portion from the second drum to fold the leading portion of the item onto a trailing portion of the item. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising withdrawing the folding finger from the item upon folding thereof by moving the folding finger in the cross-machine direction away from the item, the folding finger remaining oriented in the cross-machine direction as it is withdrawn from the item. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein the folding finger rotates about a travel path to travel in the machine direction and in the cross-machine direction, with the folding finger remaining oriented in the cross-machine direction as it rotates about the travel path. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 further comprising operating one or more rotating belt units each carrying a belt to cause the folding finger to rotate about the travel path. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling the folding finger to travel in the machine direction at a same speed as the feed conveyor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein engaging the first side of the leading portion of the item with the first drum comprises selectively activating a retaining portion of the first drum having a plurality of vacuum holes formed therein. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein engaging the second side of the item with the second drum comprises selectively activating a retaining portion of the second drum having a plurality of vacuum holes formed therein. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising: deactivating the vacuum holes on the first drum past a maximal counterclockwise downstream advance of the leading portion, so as to release the item from the first drum; and activating the vacuum holes on the second drum to engage the item with the second drum. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising timing movement of the folding finger such that the folding finger is positioned within a notched portion formed in the first drum as the folding finger travels between the first drum and the feed conveyor, so as to allow for passage of the folding finger past the first drum. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising maintaining the trailing portion of the item on the feed conveyor by the folding finger while the leading portion is engaged by the first drum and the second drum. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein folding the item comprises folding a diaper. ### Claim 12 A machine for folding discrete items, the machine comprising: a feed conveyor oriented in a machine direction for carrying an item; a first engaging member positioned adjacent to the feed conveyor, the first engaging member rotating in a first direction and comprising a retaining portion configured to engage a leading portion of the item; a second engaging member positioned adjacent to the feed conveyor and adjacent to the first engaging member downstream in the machine direction, the second engaging member rotating in the first direction; and a folding finger oriented in a cross-machine direction and configured to travel in the machine direction adjacent the feed conveyor, such that the folding finger passes through a gap between the first engaging member and the feed conveyor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The machine of claim 12 wherein the first engaging member comprises a drum having a notched portion formed therein, the notched portion allowing passage of the folding finger past the first engaging member as it travels in the machine direction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The machine of claim 12 wherein the first engaging member comprises a plurality of vacuum holes formed in the retaining portion to engage the item, wherein the vacuum holes are selectively activated and de-activated to engage and release the item. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The machine of claim 12 further comprising one or more finger rotating units operable to cause the folding finger to rotate about a travel path, with the folding finger remaining oriented in the cross-machine direction as it travels about the travel path. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The machine of claim 15 wherein the one or more finger rotating units causes the folding finger to move in the cross-machine direction to withdraw the folding finger from the item as the folding finger travels around a downstream corner of the travel path. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The machine of claim 15 wherein the one or more finger rotating units causes the folding finger to travel in the machine direction at a speed equal to a speed of the feed conveyor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The machine of claim 12 wherein a portion of the feed conveyor immediately upstream from the first engaging member in the machine direction is an inclined conveyor, to facilitate engaging of the item by the first engaging member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The machine of claim 12 wherein at least one of the first engaging member and the second engaging member comprises a first portion having a first radius and a second portion having a second radius different from the first radius. ### Claim 20 A method for folding discrete items, the method comprising: conveying an item in a machine direction via a feed conveyor; carrying a first side of a leading portion of the item with a first engaging member positioned adjacent the feed conveyor and rotating the leading portion in a first rotational direction; contacting a folding location of the item with a folding finger oriented in a cross-machine direction and traveling in the machine direction; releasing the first side of the leading portion of the item from the first engaging member; carrying a second side of the item with a second engaging member positioned adjacent the first engaging member and downstream therefrom in the machine direction and rotating the item in the first rotational direction; and releasing the second side of the leading portion from the second engaging member to fold the leading portion of the item onto a trailing portion of the item. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 further comprising withdrawing the folding finger from the item upon folding thereof by moving the folding finger in the cross-machine direction away from the item, the folding finger remaining oriented in the cross-machine direction as it is withdrawn from the item. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 wherein the folding finger rotates about a travel path to travel in the machine direction and in the cross-machine direction, with the folding finger remaining oriented in the cross-machine direction as it rotates about the travel path. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 further comprising controlling the folding finger to travel in the machine direction at a same speed as the feed conveyor. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20 wherein the first engaging member comprises a first vacuum drum, and wherein the method further comprises timing movement of the folding finger such that the folding finger is positioned within a notched portion formed in the first vacuum drum as the folding finger travels between the first vacuum drum and the feed conveyor, so as to allow for passage of the folding finger past the first vacuum drum.