Method And Apparatus For Selective Folding Or Redirecting

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for redirecting cut web products and/or rejecting cut web products. The method comprises advancing a plurality of cut web products along a first path and providing a redirecting or folding device for folding the plurality of cut web products and/or delivering the folded cut web products to a second path. Prior to reaching the folding device, the cut web products may be determined to be defective. The folding device can be accelerated, decelerated, or substantially stopped, such that a selected cut web product is not delivered to the second path, thereby rejecting the selected cut web product. The present disclosure additionally comprises an apparatus for redirecting and/or rejecting cut web products.

1 . An apparatus for rejecting defective cut web products, the apparatus comprising:
 a first pathway for conveying cut web products;   a second pathway for conveying redirected cut web products;   a folding mechanism comprising a drive, a drive program, and a tucker blade connected with the drive;   wherein the drive program causes the drive to rotate the tucker blade to engage web products advancing along the first pathway to direct and fold cut web products to the second pathway; and   wherein the drive program slows the rotation of the tucker blade when a cut web product is determined to be defective such that defective cut web product is not directed to the second pathway.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive program stops the rotation of the tucker blade when a cut web product is determined to be defective such that defective cut web product is not directed to the second path. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a defect sensor along the first pathway prior to the folding mechanism that determines if a cut web product is defective. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive comprises a servo motor. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the tucker blade is directly connected with the servo motor. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the tucker blade is linked with the servo motor by at least one of a belt drive, a gear, and a gearbox. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a rejected web product pathway for receiving defective cut web products. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the folding mechanism further comprises:
 a fixed gear;   a planetary gear having a central axis, wherein the planetary gear rotates about the central axis and orbits the fixed gear; and   wherein the tucker blade is connected with the planetary gear such that tucker blade orbits the fixed gear.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second pathway comprises two pathways, and wherein the folding mechanism causes a first group of cut web products traveling along the first pathway to be directed to one of the two pathways and a second group of cut web products traveling along the first pathway to be directed to the other of the two pathways. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for rejecting defective cut web products, the apparatus comprising:
 a first pathway for conveying cut web products;   a second pathway for conveying redirected cut web products;   a drive;   a drive program; and   a tucker blade having a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the proximal portion of the tucker blade is connected with the drive; and   wherein the drive program causes the drive to rotate the distal portion of the tucker blade around the proximal portion to engage the distal portion with web products advancing along the first pathway to direct the cut web products to the second pathway; and   wherein the drive program slows the rotation of the distal portion of the tucker blade when a cut web product is determined to be defective such that defective cut web product is not directed to the second path.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the drive program stops the rotation of the distal portion of the tucker blade when a cut web product is determined to be defective such that defective cut web product is not directed to the second pathway. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a defect sensor along the first pathway prior to the folding mechanism that determines if a cut web product is defective. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the drive comprises a servo motor. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the proximal portion of the tucker blade is directly connected with the servo motor. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the proximal portion of the tucker blade is linked with the servo motor by at least one of a belt drive, a gear, and a gearbox. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a rejected web product pathway for receiving defective cut web products. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a fixed gear;   a planetary gear having a central axis, wherein the planetary gear rotates about the central axis and orbits the fixed gear; and   wherein the proximal portion of the tucker blade is connected with the planetary gear such that tucker blade orbits the fixed gear.