Continuous Sheet Pressing Device and Interfolder Having the Continuous Sheet Pressing Device

Abstract

To save labor for switching a web roll.SOLUTION: A continuous sheet pressing device comprises: a support part that strides across a sheet passing path for a continuous sheet; a first pressing part mounted on the support part; a pressing area facing the sheet passing path for the continuous sheet; driving means that moves the support part up to a position at which the first pressing part contacts the pressing area; first crimping means that crimps the first pressing part to the pressing area; a second pressing part, mounted on the support part, which is positioned at a position which the part can contact the pressing area, at a side closer to an upstream side of the sheet passing path than the first pressing part, when the first pressing part is moved by the driving means to the position at which the part contacts the pressing area; second crimping means that crimps the second pressing part to the pressing area; and a continuous sheet locking part arranged closer to a downstream side of the sheet passing path than the position at which the second pressing part contacts the pressing area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous sheet pressing device and an interfolder having the continuous sheet pressing device, and more particularly to an end of an old continuous sheet after cutting a continuous sheet fed from a mother roll around which a base paper of household thin paper such as tissue paper is wound, and a new continuous sheet fed from a new mother roll. The present invention relates to a continuous sheet pressing device capable of holding an end portion of the sheet and an interfolder having the continuous sheet pressing device.

Background Art

[0002] Products in which a bundle formed by folding and stacking a plurality of sheets of household thin paper such as tissue paper are stored in a storage container such as a storage box called a carton or a packaging bag made of film are well known. When a single sheet of sanitary tissue paper is taken out from a take-out port provided in the storage container, the next sheet is continuously pulled out from the take-out port.

[0003] And, for the production of the bundle used in such products, a folding facility called an interfolder is used. There are several types of interfolders, one of which is an interfolder called a multi-stand type, a stand type, a folding plate type, or a multi-connected type.

[0004] This type of interfolder has a folding mechanism portion having folding plates arranged in a large number (for example, 50 to 200 units) in the line flow direction, and continuously supplies a continuous sheet having the same width as the product width of the sanitary tissue paper to each folding mechanism portion from the mother roll, usually in a set of two sheets, and folding of the continuous sheet is performed in each folding mechanism portion.

[0005] And, along with the folding, the continuous sheet folded by the folding mechanism on the upstream side of the line is configured to be sequentially laminated with the continuous sheet folded by the folding mechanism portion on the downstream side, and a continuous laminated sheet bundle in which the required number of sheets is laminated is formed at the most downstream.

[0006] In this type of interfolder, when switching product types or when the remaining length of the continuous sheet wound around the raw material roll decreases, it becomes necessary to switch the raw material roll for each of the many folding mechanism parts of 50 to 200 machines.

[0007] Conventionally, to switch this raw material roll, after manually cutting the continuous sheet from the old raw material roll, the cut end of the old continuous sheet and the end of the new continuous sheet from the raw material roll after switching are overlapped, and then the overlapped part is joined by manually pressing it with a pneumatic tool such as an air cutter, an air needle cutter, or a jet cutter.

[0008] In particular, the operation of overlapping the cut end of the old continuous sheet and the end of the new continuous sheet involves manually hanging the end of the old continuous sheet passing between complex guide rolls on a roll also called a splice roll, and further manually hanging the end of the new continuous sheet from the new raw material roll on an appropriate roll or machine frame, etc., to form an overlapping part between the ends of the old and new continuous sheets. In this case, since only the ends of the old and new continuous sheets are simply overlapping in position, both ends are not firmly pressed, deteriorating the workability of paper joining.

[0009] Also, conventionally in an interfolder, such a complicated operation of overlapping the ends of the continuous sheet may be performed only by manual work for all of the many continuous sheets leading to each folding mechanism part when switching the raw material roll, which requires a great deal of time and labor and hinders the operation efficiency, safety, and labor saving in the interfolder.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0010]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0011] Therefore, the main problems of the present invention are to improve safety, labor saving, and operating efficiency when switching the original roll in the interfolder. In particular, when switching the original roll, a continuous sheet pressing device that can easily and operably press the ends of the continuous sheet in a superposed state, and an interfolder having this continuous sheet pressing device are provided. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0012] The means for solving the above problems are as follows. The first means is a continuous sheet pressing device that presses the old continuous sheet leading to the folding mechanism part of the interfolder and the new continuous sheet from the new original roll in a superposed state, a support part straddling the paper passing path of one or more continuous sheets, a first pressing part attached to the support part, a pressing area facing the paper passing path of the continuous sheet, driving means for moving the support part to a position where the first pressing part contacts the pressing area, first crimping means for crimping the first pressing part to the pressing area, a second pressing part attached to the support part and positioned at a position where it can contact the pressing area on the upstream side of the paper passing path with respect to the first pressing part when the first pressing part is moved to a position where it contacts the pressing area by the driving means, second crimping means for crimping the second pressing part to the pressing area, A locking portion of the continuous sheet, provided on the downstream side of the paper passage with respect to the position where the second holding portion and the holding area are brought into contact. A continuous sheet holding device characterized by the above.

[0013] The second means is The continuous sheet holding device is arranged in a paper passage through which the continuous sheet is conveyed from below upward. The support portion has a first support member and a second support member. The first support member and the second support member project from the side of the paper passage and are bridged between a pair of arms that are rotatable with the paper passage side as the base end. A first holding portion is attached to the first support member, the second support member is bridged on the tip side of the arm rather than the first support member, and a second holding portion is attached. By the driving means, when the arm is rotated from the upper side to the lower side, the first support member moves along an arc orbit, and along with this movement, the first holding portion moves to a position where it contacts the holding area. Also, the second holding portion is connected to the second support member by a string body. When the first holding portion moves to a position where it contacts the holding area, the second holding portion is suspended from the second support and positioned on the upstream side of the paper passage below the first holding portion. The continuous sheet holding device according to the above first means.

[0014] The third means is The continuous sheet holding device according to the second means, wherein the second support member serves as a locking portion of the continuous sheet.

[0015] The fourth means is The first crimping means is a spring, and the continuous sheet holding device according to the above first to third means, wherein the first holding portion is pressed against the holding area by the spring and crimped.

[0016] The fifth means is The second crimping means is a magnetic force, and the continuous sheet holding device according to the above first to fourth means, wherein the second holding portion is magnetically attached to the holding area to perform crimping.

[0017] The sixth means is a continuous sheet pressing device according to the first to fifth means, wherein the locking portion of the continuous sheet is provided on one or both sides with the paper passage therebetween.

[0018] The seventh means is an interfolder having a continuous sheet pressing device characterized by including a plurality of continuous sheet pressing devices according to the first to sixth means.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, there is provided a continuous sheet pressing device capable of easily and with good workability pressing the ends of a continuous sheet in a state where they are overlapped when switching the master roll, and an interfolder having this continuous sheet pressing device, thereby achieving safety, labor saving, and improvement in operation efficiency when switching the master roll in the interfolder.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

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Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The continuous sheet pressing device 30 according to this embodiment is provided in an interfolder 10 that manufactures a bundle 1 mainly used for sanitary tissue products.

[0022] The above-mentioned sanitary tissue product is one in which a bundle 1 of sanitary tissue is stored in a storage container such as a storage box called a carton or a film packaging bag. For example, when a set of sanitary tissue is taken out from a take-out port provided in the storage container, the next set is continuously pulled out from the take-out port.

[0023] This bundle 1 of sanitary tissue 2 is also called a pop-up type bundle. As shown in FIG. 1, the square sanitary tissue 2 is folded in half, and the folded pieces 2B of the other sanitary tissue 2 located above and below are positioned on the folded inner side 2A. A plurality of sanitary tissue 2 are folded and laminated. It has a pair of longitudinal side faces 3B where the folded edges 2C of each sanitary tissue 2 are aligned, a pair of short side faces 3A where the folded edges 2C are not aligned, and a pair of planes (upper and lower faces) 3C connecting the short side faces 3A and the longitudinal side faces 3B, forming a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an interfolder 10 in which the continuous sheet holding device of the present embodiment for manufacturing the bundle 1 of the sanitary tissue paper 2 is provided. This interfolder 10 has a structure in which a plurality of, for example, 80 to 150 folding mechanism parts 10A each having a pair of folding plates 11, 11 are arranged side by side in the line flow direction, and is also referred to as a multi-stand type, stand type, folding plate type, multi-connected type interfolder, etc. In the present invention and this specification, it is simply referred to as the interfolder 10.

[0025] In this interfolder 10, the continuous sheets S1, S1 are sent to each folding plate 11, 11 of the folding mechanism part 10A via appropriate rolls 12 such as guide rolls, expander rolls, dancer rolls, etc., and the ends of the continuous sheets S1, S1 are overlapped and folded back by each folding plate 11, 11. Further, below the folding mechanism part 10A, the continuous bundle 1A stacked while being folded by the folding mechanism part 10A on the more upstream side in the line is configured to be positioned, and the continuous sheets S1, S1 folded by the folding mechanism part 10A are associated with and stacked on this continuous bundle 1A. In such an interfolder 10, as it goes from the folding mechanism part located on the upstream side of the line to the folding mechanism part located on the downstream side of the line, the number of stacked layers of the continuous bundle 1A increases, and it is sent to the downstream side of the line by a conveyor. Then, the continuous bundle 1A is cut (severed) at a predetermined interval in the flow direction by a cutter or the like 14 after the folding mechanism part 10A at the most downstream of the line, and becomes individual bundles 1.

[0026] Therefore, in the folding mechanism part 10A according to the present embodiment, since the continuous sheets S1, S1 supplied to each folding plate 11, 11 become a single sanitary tissue paper 2 after the cutting of the continuous bundle 1A, the width of one continuous sheet S1 to be folded is the same as the width of one sanitary tissue paper 2 constituting the bundle 1 of the sanitary tissue paper 2.

[0027] The continuous sheet S1 supplied to the folding mechanism part 10A is made of the base paper of the sanitary tissue paper 2 in the form at the time of use such as tissue paper, and is supplied from the parent roll 5 to the folding mechanism part 10A.

[0028] The original roll 5 is a continuous sheet with a width equal to or more than multiple times the product width of the sanitary tissue paper 2 wound thereon, and is rotatably attached to the original roll support portion 13 of the interfolder 10. For example, when the continuous sheet fed out from the original roll 5 has the same width as the product width of the sanitary tissue paper 2, it is fed as it is, and when it is more than the product width such as multiple times the product width of the sanitary tissue paper, it is appropriately slit to the width of the sanitary tissue paper and supplied to the folding plate 11. The product width of the sanitary tissue paper varies depending on product types such as tissue paper and paper towels, and specifications such as large size and small size, but is generally about 170 to 230 mm.

[0029] The interfolder 10 in the illustrated example has the number of original roll support portions 13 corresponding to the number of folding mechanism portions 10A, and the original rolls 5, 5 are attached to the original roll support portions 13 in the form of an original roll unit 5A in which two original rolls 5, 5 sharing one shaft 6 are taken as a set. This original roll 5 is wound with a continuous sheet S1 having the same width as the product width of the sanitary tissue paper, and continuous sheets S1, S1 of the product width are fed out from each of the original rolls 5, 5.

[0030] However, the interfolder 10 according to the present invention is not limited to this form. As described above, an original roll 5 wound with a continuous sheet having a width equal to or more than the product width of the sanitary tissue paper may be attached to the original roll support portion 13, and the continuous sheet having a width equal to or more than the product width of the sanitary tissue paper fed out from this original roll 5 may be slit into a continuous sheet S1 of the product width and then supplied to the folding plate. Also, the folding operation of the continuous sheet S1 in the folding mechanism portion 10A is not limited either.

[0031] Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the continuous sheet pressing device 30 according to the present invention is a device for pressing the old continuous sheet reaching the folding mechanism unit 10A and the new continuous sheet from the new master roll in a superimposed state in order to perform paper connection of the continuous sheet reaching the folding mechanism unit 10A of the interfolder 10, which is performed when switching the master roll 5 in the interfolder 10 having such a large number of folding mechanism units 10A. Therefore, a plurality of the continuous sheet pressing devices 30 are preferably installed in the interfolder 10, and particularly preferably, the same number as the folding mechanism units 10A are installed.

[0032] As particularly shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the continuous sheet pressing device 30 includes support portions 31 and 32 disposed across the paper passage path L1, a first pressing portion 33 and a second pressing portion 34 attached to the support portions 31 and 32, a pressing region 35 that can be crimped with the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34, a driving means 36 for moving the support portions 31 and 32, and a locking portion 37 for locking the end of the continuous sheet S1.

[0033] The support portions 31 and 32 of the illustrated apparatus have an elongated shape such as a plate shape or a rod shape, face the paper passage paths L1 and L1 of two continuous sheets S1 and S1 leading to one folding mechanism portion 10A, and are arranged so as to straddle these paper passage paths L1 and L1. Further, in the illustrated continuous sheet pressing device 30, the support portions 31 and 32 are bridged between a pair of arms 38 and 38 that protrude from the paper passage side and are arranged to stand upright, particularly on the side of each paper passage path L1, and the support portions 31 and 32 are in a form suspended from the paper passage paths L1 and L1. Furthermore, the support portions 31 and 32 of the illustrated continuous sheet pressing device 30 are each composed of an elongated first support member 31 and a second support member 32, and particularly, the second support member 32 is provided so as to be located on the more distal end side of the arms 38 and 38. However, the shape and structure of the support portions 31 and 32 are not limited to this. As long as it is arranged to face and cross the paper passage path by a known bridging structure or suspension structure, not limited to the arms protruding from the paper passage side, the specific shape, structure, and arrangement form can be appropriately designed. Also, the material constituting the arms 38 and the support portions 31 and 32 is not limited. It can be appropriately selected from among steel, stainless steel, brass metal material, engineering plastic, etc. in consideration of mechanical rigidity.

[0034] Note that the continuous sheet pressing device 30 in the illustrated example is configured such that the first support member 31 and the second support member 32 straddle the paper passing paths L1, L1 through which two continuous sheets S1, S1 of the product width of the sanitary tissue paper pass. However, the width and number of the continuous sheets S1 straddled by the support portions 31, 32 are not necessarily limited. For example, it may be configured to straddle a continuous sheet having a width equal to or greater than the product width of the sanitary tissue paper, or may be configured to straddle two or more continuous sheets regardless of the width. However, since the interfolder 10 feeds out the continuous sheet S1 from a number of master roll 5, it is not preferable that it straddles the continuous sheets S1... from all the master rolls 5, 5... at once. If it is a continuous sheet of about the same width as the product width of the sanitary tissue paper, it is preferably configured to straddle 10 or less, preferably 6 or less, more preferably 4 or less, and particularly 2 paper passing paths L1. Also, preferably, it is configured to straddle the paper passing path L1 of the continuous sheet S1 leading to one folding mechanism section 10A, or the paper passing path L1 of the continuous sheet S1 leading to one folding plate 11. In the interfolder 10, maintenance may be required in units of the folding mechanism section 10A or the folding plate 11. Therefore, it is preferable in terms of safety, labor saving at the time of switching the master roll, and improvement of the operation efficiency that it is pressed in units of the continuous sheet S1 leading to such a folding mechanism section 10A or folding plate 11. Also, since many of the interfolders are configured such that the continuous sheet S1 reaches the folding mechanism section 10A from one master roll 5 or master roll unit 5A, it is particularly desirable to configure the support portions 31, 32 so that one or a plurality of continuous sheets S1 can be pressed in units of the folding mechanism section 10A.

[0035] On the other hand, a pair of arms 38, 38 in the present embodiment are attached to a frame or the like via a rotating shaft 39 on the base end side, and are configured to be reciprocally rotatable around this rotating shaft by a driving means 36. Therefore, particularly as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the continuous sheet pressing device 30 of the present embodiment, by the driving means 36, the arms 38, 38 are rotated, so that the first support member 31 and the second support member 32 bridged between the arms 38, 38 move back and forth in an arc orbit in the direction toward and away from the paper passage paths L1, L1. Further, in the pressing device 30 for a continuous sheet of the present embodiment, the tip ends of the arms 38, 38 are inclined toward the upstream side of the paper passage paths L1, L1, and when the arms 38, 38 are rotated and the support portions 31, 32 approach the paper passage path, the second support member 32 is configured to be positioned more upstream.

[0036] As the driving means 36, a known mechanism can be used as long as it is a mechanism that enables the support portions 31, 32 to move. The illustrated example is a cylinder mechanism that is connected to the arms 38, 38 and can expand and contract, and is driven by a driving source such as a motor (not shown). The arms 38, 38 and the cylinders 36, 36 can be connected directly or via a link mechanism or the like. Further, examples of the cylinder mechanism 36, 36 include a hydraulic cylinder and an air cylinder. An air cylinder is particularly desirable from the viewpoint of contamination of sanitary tissue paper. In the illustrated device, by extending or contracting the cylinders 36, 36, the arms 38, 38 rotate around the rotating shaft, and the first support member 31 and the second support member 32 move in an arc orbit in a direction approaching or away from the paper passage paths L1, L1 according to the movement of the arms 38, 38. However, the driving means 36 is not limited to a cylinder mechanism. For example, by combining known pulleys, guides such as rails, and link mechanisms, the arms 38, 38 may be driven by belt drive, chain drive, or the like. A mechanism that directly rotates the rotating shaft by a gear or the like may also be used. Note that the driving source of the driving means 36 is not limited, and known driving sources such as air pressure, an electric motor, and a magnetic motor can be used.

[0037] Also, in the pressing device 30 for the continuous sheet of the present embodiment, a first pressing portion 33 and a second pressing portion 34 are attached to the support portions 31 and 32. In the illustrated device, the first pressing portion 33 is attached to the first support member 31, and the second pressing portion 34 is attached to the second support member 32. However, it is not limited to this form. The first pressing portion and the second pressing portion may be attached to one support portion.

[0038] The first pressing portion 33 has a contact surface 33S for pressing the sheet surfaces of the continuous sheets S1, S1 located in the paper passage paths L1, L1. As the driving means 36 moves the arm 38 and moves the support portions 31, 32 closer to the paper passage paths L1, L1, it approaches the pressing region 35 arranged at the opposite position across the paper passage paths L1, L1 and is finally moved to the position of contact. In other words, the driving means 36 in this continuous sheet pressing device 30 is configured such that the first pressing portion 33 moves at least the support portions 31, 32 to the position where it contacts the pressing region 35. The first pressing portion 33 in the illustrated form has a substantially flat plate shape elongated in the direction straddling the paper passage paths L1, L1, and its contact surface 33S has a substantially planar shape. However, the shape of the first pressing portion 33 is not limited to this. Also, the contact surface 33S can be formed of an elastic body such as rubber or sponge so as not to break the continuous sheet S1 which is a sanitary thin paper that is easily torn. Further, since the first pressing portion 33 is a portion for pressing the continuous sheet S1 located in the paper passage path L1, it is preferably formed to contact in the range of 50% or more, preferably 80% or more, and particularly preferably 100% of the width of the continuous sheet S1. Note that the illustrated form is an example in which one first pressing portion 33 is provided, but it is not limited to this form, and two or more first pressing portions 33 may be provided.

[0039] On the other hand, the holding area 35 may be an appropriate plate-like portion, housing, etc. arranged to face the paper passage path L1 of the continuous sheet S1, and as long as it is a mechanism or structure capable of sandwiching the continuous sheet S1 in the paper passage path L1 together with the first holding portion 33 when the first holding portion 33 comes into contact therewith. In the illustrated example, a part of the apparatus frame is formed flat to face the paper passage path L1 to form the holding area 35. However, the holding area 35 does not necessarily have to be flat, nor does it have to be an integral structure with the apparatus frame. The first holding portion 33 moved from the paper passage side can be configured by a support that contacts the first holding portion 33 at a position beyond the paper passage path L1 and can limit further movement of the first holding portion 33.

[0040] Further, this continuous sheet pressing device 30 is configured such that the first holding portion 33 is crimped against the holding area 35 by the first crimping means 33A. In the illustrated device, the first crimping means 33A for crimping the first holding portion 33 against the holding area 35 employs a leaf spring 33A. The first holding portion 33 is attached to the first support portion 31 via the leaf spring 33A. After the first holding portion 33 comes into contact with the holding area 35, the first holding portion 33 is further appropriately moved toward the holding area side, so that the first holding portion 33 is pressed against the holding area 35 by the spring force. However, the first crimping means 33A is not limited to a leaf spring, and may be a coil spring. Also, an elastic body such as rubber may be used. If the first holding portion 33 is attached to the support portions 31 and 32 via a coil spring, an elastic body, etc., the first holding portion 33 will be pressed against the holding area 35. Further, the first crimping means 33A is not limited to the mode of being provided between the first holding portion 33 and the support portions 31 and 32. As a part of the first holding portion 33, the contact surface of the first holding portion 33 with the holding area 35 may be formed of a leaf spring, a coil spring, rubber, a porous elastic body, etc., so that the first holding portion 33 is pressed against the holding area 35.

[0041] On the other hand, similar to the first holding part 33, the second holding part 34 has a contact surface 34S for pressing the sheet surfaces of the continuous sheets S1, S1 located in the paper passing paths L1, L1. In the illustrated form, the second holding part 34 has a substantially flat plate shape elongated in a direction straddling the paper passing path L1, and its contact surface 34S has a substantially planar shape. However, the shape of the second holding part 34 is not limited to this. Similar to the first holding part 33, the contact surface 34S can be formed of, for example, an elastic body such as rubber or sponge so as not to break the continuous sheet, which is a sanitary thin paper that is easily torn. Further, since the second holding part 34 is also a part for pressing the continuous sheet located in the paper passing path L1, it is preferably formed to contact in the range of 50% or more, preferably 80% or more, and particularly preferably 100% of the width of the continuous sheet. In the illustrated form, an example is shown where two second holding parts 34 are provided, but it is not limited to this form, and one or more second holding parts 34 may be provided.

[0042] Here, when the second holding part 34 moves the arm 38 by the driving means 36 and moves the support parts 31, 32 closer to the paper passing path L1, similar to the first holding part 33, it is configured to approach the holding area 35 disposed at a position on the opposite side across the paper passing path L1. However, different from the first holding part 33, when the first holding part 33 is moved to a position where it contacts the holding area 35, the second holding part 34 only needs to be at a position where it can contact the holding area 35 and does not necessarily need to be in contact. When the first holding part 33 is moved to a position where it contacts the holding area 35, it may be configured to contact the holding area 35, but it is preferably at a position where it does not contact. Also, when the first holding part 33 is moved to a position where it contacts the holding area 35 by the driving means 36, it is positioned at a position where it can contact the holding area 35 on the upstream side of the paper passing path L1 with respect to the first holding part 33.

[0043] The pressing device 30 for the continuous sheet of the present embodiment is provided in a paper passage L1 through which the continuous sheet S1 is conveyed from below upward, and the arm 38 is arranged so as to project in the lateral direction. Therefore, the tip side of the arm 38 is tilted downward toward a lower side than the upstream side of the paper passage L1 by the driving means 36, and when the arm 38 is rotated and the support portions 31, 32 approach the paper passage L1, the second support member 32 is positioned below the upstream side. In the illustrated form, the second pressing portion 34 is freely connected to the second support member 32 by an appropriate flexible string body 34R such as a wire. When the arm 38 is rotated by the driving means 36 and the first pressing portion 33 moves to a position in contact with the pressing region 35, the second pressing portion 34 is suspended from the second support member 32 by its own weight and is configured to be positioned on the upstream side of the paper passage L1 below the first pressing portion 33.

[0044] Furthermore, in the illustrated continuous sheet pressing device 30, a handle portion 34H is provided at a position opposite to the contact surface 34S with the pressing region 35 of the second pressing portion 34. In a state of being suspended from the second support member 32 by the string body 34R, the handle portion 34H can be used to approach the pressing region side, and it is possible to manually crimp the pressing region 35 while maintaining the connection with the second support member 32. However, the positioning of the second pressing portion 34 is not limited to the form performed by suspension by the string body 34R. The second pressing portion 34 may be connected to the second support portion 32 by an arm combined with a link mechanism or an expandable and contractible cylinder mechanism, and the second pressing portion 34 may be configured to be arranged at a predetermined position by the movement of the arm. Also, the string body 34R can be appropriately composed of a resin, a fiber, a metallic single string, a net string, and other materials.

[0045] On the other hand, the holding device 30 for the continuous sheet has second crimping means for crimping the second holding part 34 to the holding area 35. The second crimping means in the illustrated form is magnetic force. A magnet (not shown) is embedded in the second holding part 34, and the holding area 35 is made of a material to which a magnet such as iron can be magnetically attached. By bringing the two closer, the second holding part 34 is configured to be crimped to the holding area 35. However, the second crimping means 35 is not limited to magnetic force, and an elastic body such as a spring or rubber, a cylinder mechanism, etc. can be adopted. In this case, these second crimping means may be interposed between the second holding part 34 and the second support member 32, the second holding part 34 may be attached to the second support member 32, and the second holding part 34 may be configured to be biased toward the holding area 35 side.

[0046] On the other hand, the holding device 30 for the continuous sheet has a locking part 37 for the continuous sheet S1 on the downstream side of the paper passage L1 from the position where the second holding part 34 and the holding area 35 are in contact. The locking part 37 for the continuous sheet S1 is a part that can temporarily hold the end of the continuous sheet S1 of the wide strip-shaped sanitary tissue paper. In the illustrated continuous sheet holding device 30, the second support member 32 functions as the locking part 37 for the continuous sheet S1. In the device 30 of the present embodiment, the second support member 32 has an elongated rod shape bridged between the arms 38. Also, the device 30 of the present embodiment is provided at a part where the paper passage L1 is in the vertical direction, and since the second holding part 34 is configured to be suspended from the second support member 32, by hanging the end of the continuous sheet S1 on the second support member 32, it is possible to temporarily lock the continuous sheet S1 on the downstream side of the second holding part 34. However, the locking part 37 is not limited to a structure that hangs the continuous sheet like this second support member 32, and it may be stopped by a magnet or the like. Also, a rod-shaped body may be bridged between the first support member 31 and the second support member 32 between the arms 38 to serve as the locking part 37. In the illustrated device, the locking part 37 is the second support member 32 and is provided on the support part side, but the locking part 37 for the continuous sheet S may be on the holding area 35 side. Furthermore, it may be on both sides with the paper passage L1 interposed therebetween.

[0047] Next, the method of pressing the continuous sheet S1 by the above-described continuous sheet pressing device 30 according to the present invention will be described in conjunction with the method of switching the original roll 5 in the interfolder 10. First, the operating interfolder 10 is stopped to stop the conveyance of the continuous sheet S1 conveyed to the folding mechanism unit 10A. In this stopped state, the continuous sheet S1 is cut at least upstream of the position where the continuous sheet pressing device 30 is provided.

[0048] Before or after the cutting of the continuous sheet S1, the continuous sheet pressing device 30 drives the driving means 36 to move the support portions 31, 32 until the first pressing portion 33 contacts the pressing region 35 as shown in FIG. 6. By this operation, the old continuous sheet S1 before switching located in the paper passage L1 is sandwiched between the first pressing portion 33 and the pressing region 35. As shown in the illustrated example, even when the paper passage L1 passes in the vertical direction, the continuous sheet S1 is pressed and does not fall downward.

[0049] Here, in the continuous sheet holding device 30 according to the present invention, characteristically, before cutting the continuous sheet, the driving means is driven to move the support portions 31 and 32 until the first holding portion 33 contacts the holding region 35, so that the continuous sheet S1 located in the paper passage L1 can be held. In the interfolder, the sheets are continuous from the raw material roll 5 through the folding mechanism portion 10A to the cutter downstream in the line, and are further overlapped and associated with the continuous sheets from other folding mechanism portions. For this reason, if an unintended load is applied to the continuous sheet S1 in a certain folding mechanism portion 10A, there is a risk of affecting the continuous sheets of other folding mechanism portions, such as being pulled. By the continuous sheet holding device 30 according to the present invention, by holding the continuous sheet S1 before cutting the continuous sheet S1, the influence on other continuous sheets can be reduced when a certain continuous sheet is cut. Further, by holding the continuous sheet S1 by the first holding portion 33, the continuous sheet S1 can be easily maintained in a tightly stretched state, and the workability of the cutting operation of the continuous sheet performed in the vicinity can also be improved. Note that it is desirable to perform the cutting of the continuous sheet S1 at a position close to the continuous sheet holding device 30 in terms of maintenance and workability.

[0050] After cutting the continuous sheet S1, the old continuous sheet S1 heading toward the folding mechanism portion 10A is in a state of being held by the first holding portion 33 and the holding region 35, and is cut from the raw material roll side at the cutting position upstream of the continuous sheet holding device 30. If this state is reached, remove the raw material roll 5 from the raw material roll support portion 13 and attach a new raw material roll (not shown).

[0051] If a new raw roll is attached, as shown in FIG. 7, a new continuous sheet S2 is fed out from the new raw roll, and its leading end is locked to the locking portion 37. In the illustrated apparatus, since the second support portion 32 bridged between the arms 38 serves as the locking portion 37, the leading end of the new continuous sheet S2 is locked by hanging the leading end of the new continuous sheet S2 on this second support portion 32. At this time, since the old continuous sheet S1 is cut upstream of the continuous sheet pressing device 30, the cut end portion is located upstream of the continuous sheet pressing device 30. Therefore, by locking the leading end of the new continuous sheet S2 to the locking portion 37, the trailing end of the old continuous sheet S1 having an end upstream of the continuous sheet pressing device 30 and the leading end portion of the new continuous sheet S2 overlap each other.

[0052] When the trailing end of the old continuous sheet S1 and the leading end of the new continuous sheet S2 are overlapped in this way, as shown in FIG. 8, the second pressing portion 34 is pressed against the pressing region 35. In the illustrated apparatus, since the second pressing portion 34 in which magnets are embedded is configured to be suspended at a lower position upstream of the second support member 32 which is the locking portion 37 by the string body 34R, the second pressing portion 34 may be manually moved toward the pressing region side and magnetically attached to the pressing region 35. Since the crimping position between the second pressing portion 34 and the pressing region 35 is the position where the trailing end of the old continuous sheet S1 and the leading end of the new continuous sheet S2 are overlapped, by pressing the second pressing portion 34 against the pressing region 35, the trailing end of the old continuous sheet S1 and the leading end of the new continuous sheet S2 are held in an overlapped state.

[0053] Thus, if the rear end portion of the old continuous sheet S1 and the front end portion of the new continuous sheet S2 are pressed in a state where they overlap each other, as shown in FIG. 9, at a position upstream of the pressing device 30 for the continuous sheet or at a position overlapping the pressing device 30, the rear end portion of the old continuous sheet S1 and the front end portion of the new continuous sheet S2 are adhered (the adhered portion in the figure is indicated by reference numeral P). Since the rear end portion of the old continuous sheet S1 and the front end portion of the new continuous sheet S2 are mechanically pressed by the continuous sheet pressing device 30 of the present invention, this adhesion operation can be easily performed. Then, after the rear end portion of the old continuous sheet S1 and the front end portion of the new continuous sheet S2 are joined together, as shown in FIG. 10, by driving the driving means 36 in the continuous sheet pressing device 30 to return the support portions 31 and 32 to the return position, the first pressing portion 33 and the second pressing portion 34 are separated from the pressing region 35 from the paper passage path L1, and the new continuous sheet S2 located in the paper passage path L1 can move toward the folding mechanism portion 10A. In the illustrated form, as a particularly preferred example, since the second support member 32 also serves as the locking portion 37, as the second support member 32 moves away from the paper passage path L1, the leading end portion of the new continuous sheet S2 hung on the second support member 32 is automatically disengaged, and the continuous sheet pressing device 30 is configured to be in a free state.

[0054] As described above, in the continuous sheet pressing device according to the present invention, when switching the original roll, the end portions of the continuous sheet can be easily and efficiently pressed in a state where they overlap each other. Then, the safety, labor saving, and improvement of the operation efficiency when switching the original roll 5 in the interfolder 10 can be achieved. Note that, an interfolder 10 provided with a plurality of the continuous sheet pressing devices 30 according to the present invention described above, preferably, a continuous sheet cutting device 20 is provided for each folding mechanism portion 10A, and an interfolder configured to be able to cut the continuous sheet S1 separately is also a related invention. And in this interfolder, it is desirable to configure the plurality of each pressing device to be operated simultaneously or sequentially by one operation.

[0055] Next, a continuous sheet cutting device 20 that is particularly suitable for being provided in an interfolder together with the continuous sheet pressing device 30 according to the present invention will be described. By providing this continuous sheet cutting device 20 in combination with the continuous sheet pressing device 30 according to the present invention in an interfolder, it becomes easier to continuously and further automatically cut the old continuous sheet and press the continuous sheet, improving the safety, labor saving, and operating efficiency when switching the original roll 5 in the interfolder 10. Therefore, an interfolder 10 provided with a plurality of such continuous sheet cutting devices 20 together with the continuous sheet pressing device according to the present invention, preferably provided for each folding mechanism section 10A, and capable of separately pressing and cutting the continuous sheet S1 is also a related invention.

[0056] This preferred continuous sheet cutting device 20 is particularly shown in FIGS. 11 to 14. This continuous sheet cutting device 20 is provided upstream of the continuous sheet pressing device 30 according to the present invention.

[0057] This preferred continuous sheet cutting device 20 includes a liquid-impregnated or liquid-adherable string-like body 21, a moving path 21R of the string-like body 21, a driving means 22 for reciprocally moving the string-like body 21 within the moving path 21R, and a porous elastic body 23 having a liquid-containing property and disposed in the moving path 21R of the string-like body 21 for imparting liquid to the string-like body 21.

[0058] The string-like body 21 faces the paper passage path L1 of one or a plurality of continuous sheets S1 and is disposed across the paper passage path L1. This string-like body 21 has an elongated string-like shape with flexibility, and there are no particular limitations on the material or structure as long as it can be sufficiently impregnated or adhered with liquid. Examples include a plurality of thin strings, short thin strings, a net string formed by weaving fibers, a net rope, a twisted string, a twisted rope, a cloth such as a towel fabric cut into a string shape, and a synthetic resin material formed into a string shape with a large number of fine holes and grooves provided on the surface to impart impregnation properties. Preferably, it is a synthetic resin material formed into a string shape with a large number of fine holes and grooves provided on the surface to impart impregnation properties, or a net string formed by weaving a plurality of thin strings or fibers. The material constituting the string-like body is not limited. Examples include synthetic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene terephthalate, and natural fiber materials such as cotton fiber and coconut fiber. Particularly preferably, a synthetic resin material is used. It has less elongation due to liquid impregnation and is excellent in terms of corrosion resistance and the like. The thickness is also not particularly limited. If it is too thick, the cutting width will be wide and there will be a lot of waste on the paper surface, so preferably it is 2 to 4 mm. The cross-sectional shape of the string-like body 21 is also not limited. Appropriate shapes such as round, elliptical, square, and triangular may be used.

[0059] The string-shaped body 21 of the apparatus 20 in the figure example is configured such that the string-shaped body 21 straddles the paper passing paths L1, L1 through which two continuous sheets S1, S1 of the product width of the sanitary tissue paper pass. However, the width and number of the continuous sheets S1 straddled by the string-shaped body 21 are not necessarily limited. For example, it may be configured to straddle a continuous sheet having a width equal to or greater than the product width of the sanitary tissue paper, or it may be configured to straddle two or more continuous sheets regardless of the width. However, since the interfolder 10 feeds out the continuous sheet S1 from a number of original roll reels 5, it is not preferable for the string-shaped body 21 to straddle the continuous sheets S1... from all the original roll reels 5, 5... at once. If the continuous sheet is of the same degree as the product width of the sanitary tissue paper, it is preferably configured to straddle the paper passing paths L1 of 10 sheets or less, preferably 6 sheets or less, more preferably 4 sheets or less, and particularly 2 sheets. Also, preferably, it is configured to straddle the paper passing path L1 of the continuous sheet S1 leading to one folding mechanism section 10A or the paper passing path L1 of the continuous sheet S1 leading to one folding plate 11. In the interfolder, maintenance may be required in units of the folding mechanism section 10A or the folding plate 11. Therefore, cutting the continuous sheet S1 leading to such a folding mechanism section 10A or folding plate 11 is preferable in terms of safety, labor saving, and improvement of operation efficiency when switching the original roll reel. Also, since many interfolders are configured such that the continuous sheet S1 reaches the folding mechanism section 10A from one original roll reel 5 or original roll reel unit 5A, it is particularly desirable to configure the string-shaped body 21 so that one or more continuous sheets S1 can be cut simultaneously in units of the folding mechanism section 10A.

[0060] Here, the number of the continuous sheet pressing devices 30 installed in the interfolder and the number of the continuous sheet cutting devices 20 do not necessarily have to match, but it is desirable that they match, and particularly it is desirable that the operations of both can be synchronized. Therefore, it is desirable that the paper passing paths L1, L1 straddled by the string-shaped body 21 of the continuous sheet cutting device 20 match the paper passing paths L1, L1 straddled by the support portions 31, 32 of the continuous sheet pressing device 30 according to the present invention in terms of location and number.

[0061] In this continuous sheet cutting device 20, the movement path 21R of the string-like body 21 is a path along which the string-like body 21 moves while maintaining a predetermined tension. This movement path 21R is arranged so as to intersect the paper feed paths L1, L1 of the continuous sheets S1, S1. Therefore, by moving along the movement path 21R, the string-like body 21 comes into contact with the string-like body 21 bridging between both side edges of the continuous sheet S1 located in the paper feed path L1. Note that the tension of the string-like body 21 is not necessarily limited. It is sufficient that it does not become overly loose. It is sufficient that the string-like body 21 is maintained substantially linearly.

[0062] As the driving means for moving the string-like body 21, a known mechanism can be used as long as it is a mechanism that enables the movement of the string-like body 21. As a preferred example, as in the illustrated device, a pair of cylinder mechanisms 22, 22 that can be expanded and contracted by a driving source such as a motor (not shown) provided so as to protrude at positions outside both side edges of the paper feed path L1. The cylinder mechanisms 22, 22 can be exemplified by hydraulic cylinders, air cylinders, etc. An air cylinder is particularly desirable from the viewpoint of contamination of sanitary tissue paper. The string-like body 21 is bridged at the ends of these cylinders 22, 22, and by synchronously extending or contracting each cylinder 22, 22 by the driving source, the string-like body 21 reciprocates along the movement path 21R while maintaining a predetermined tension. However, the driving means is not limited to the above-described cylinder mechanism. For example, a pair of guides such as rails are provided so as to protrude at positions outside both side edges of the paper feed path L1, and a moving body such as a pulley or a locking tool is provided so as to be movable along this guide, and a mechanism configured to be able to move this moving body by belt drive, chain drive, or cylinder drive can also be exemplified. Note that the driving source of the driving means is not limited, and known driving sources such as air pressure, electric motors, and magnetic motors can be used.

[0063] In addition, in this apparatus 20, it is desirable that the string-like body 21 be replaceable. Therefore, it is desirable that the string-like body be detachably attached to the driving means and a predetermined attachment portion. Known techniques can be used for the replaceable method. For example, a clamping portion that can be narrowed and widened by a screw or the like may be provided on a cylinder or a moving body so that clamping and releasing of the string-like body can be selected. Further, it may be made detachable by locking it to a cylinder or a moving body with an appropriate fixing jig such as a carabiner or a clip. Further, a portion for connecting the string-like body may be formed on the cylinder or the moving body so as to directly connect them. By making the string-like body replaceable, the maintainability is improved, and the thickness, material, and water content of the string-like body can be appropriately changed according to the thickness and quality of the continuous sheet S1 to be cut.

[0064] The porous elastic body 23 is disposed on the moving path 21R of the string-like body 21 that is separated from the paper passage path L1. Therefore, in this apparatus 20, the string-like body 21 and the porous elastic body 23 come into contact with each other due to the movement of the string-like body 21 by the driving means 22. In the illustrated continuous sheet cutting apparatus 20, the moving path 21R is configured to be movable by a pair of cylinder mechanisms 22, 22 to a position where the string-like body 21 comes into contact with the porous elastic body 23 and to a predetermined position that has passed through the paper passage path L1.

[0065] The contact between the string-like body 21 and the porous elastic body 23 may be such that the string-like body 21 presses the porous elastic body 23 to such an extent that the porous elastic body 23 is elastically deformed. The separation distance between the paper passage path L1 and the porous elastic body 23 is not limited, but it is preferably set to a separation distance such that the continuous sheet S1 passing through the paper passage path L1 does not come into contact. The separation distance may be 30 mm or more, and is preferably 50 to 90 mm.

[0066] Further, the porous elastic body 23 has liquid retention property and can apply liquid to the string-like body 21 by contacting with the string-like body 21. Specific materials of the porous elastic body 23 include, for example, sponge materials such as sponge bodies made of natural or synthetic resins. It may be a material in which a fabric, a fiber material, etc. are elastically fixed with an adhesive. Preferably, it is a sponge material made of synthetic resin in terms of easy adjustment of liquid retention property and difficulty of corrosion.

[0067] Furthermore, the porous elastic body 23 preferably has, for example, an elongated shape and can contact the string-like body 21 in a range of 80% or more, preferably 100% or more of the length of the string-like body 21. In the illustrated apparatus 20, it is formed in an elongated shape that faces the paper passage paths L1, L1 in a range of 100% or more between a pair of cylinders 22, 22 which are driving means of the string-like body 21.

[0068] On the other hand, it is particularly desirable that the contact side surface 23A of the porous elastic body 23 with the string-like body 21 is a curved convex surface that is convex toward the paper passage path L1 side and from each end side of the string-like body 21 toward the central portion side. During the operation in which the string-like body 21 is moved and contacted with the porous elastic body 23 by the driving means 22 such as a cylinder mechanism, even if the tension of the string-like body 21 loosens or there is a slight difference in the moving distance at each end of the string-like body 21, the whole of the string-like body 21 easily contacts the porous elastic body 23, and the certainty of applying liquid from the porous elastic body 23 to the string-like body 21 is improved.

[0069] Furthermore, it is desirable that the curved convex surface 23A of the porous elastic body 23 is composed of two or more kinds, preferably two kinds of curvatures as shown in FIG. 12. By configuring the curvature of the curved convex surface 23A with two or more kinds, more reliable wide-range contact between the string-like body 21 and the porous elastic body 23 is achieved. The curvature of the curved convex surface 23A is not limited. It can be appropriately designed according to the width (width of the continuous sheet) and number of the paper passage path L1 straddled by the string-like body 21. In the case of the porous elastic body 23 having a width straddling two paper passage paths of the paper passage path L1 of the continuous sheet S1 with a product width of 170 to 230 mm of sanitary tissue paper, it is desirable that the curvature R1 is 1 to 3 m and the curvature R2 is about 2 to 6 m.

[0070] On the other hand, this continuous sheet cutting device 20 preferably has a liquid supply means 24 for supplying liquid to the porous elastic body 23. This liquid supply means 24 can be constituted by, for example, a nozzle or a supply port for applying liquid to the porous elastic body 23 by dropping, spraying, injecting, etc., a supply path 24A such as a flexible material or a metal tube capable of transporting the liquid, a pump 24B for transporting the liquid, and the like. The liquid supply means 24 may be any means that can appropriately supply liquid so that the porous elastic body 23 does not become excessively dry.

[0071] The cutting of the continuous sheet by the continuous sheet cutting device 20 described above is performed as follows, as further shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. That is, first, as shown in FIGS. 13(A) and 14(A) from the positions shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the string-like body 21 is moved and brought into contact with the porous elastic body 23 in a liquid-impregnated state by a driving means 22 such as a cylinder mechanism, thereby impregnating or attaching sufficient liquid to the string-like body 21. The porous elastic body 23 is made of a material such as a sponge and can hold a large amount of liquid, and the string-like body 21 is a net string or the like and can be impregnated with and attached to an appropriate amount of liquid.

[0072] Next, as shown in FIGS. 13(B) and 14(B), the drive means 22 such as a cylinder mechanism moves the string-like body 21 to which liquid has been applied along the movement path 21R and presses it against the continuous sheet S1 present in the paper passage path L1. In this apparatus 20, since the movement path 21R of the string-like body 21 is arranged to intersect the paper passage path L1 of the continuous sheet S1, by moving the string-like body 21 across the paper passage path L1, the string-like body 21 to which liquid has been applied is pressed against the continuous sheet S1 located in the paper passage path L1. Since the continuous sheet S1 is a sanitary tissue paper, moisture is imparted by contact with the string-like body 21, and the paper strength significantly decreases. In this state, when the string-like body 21 is further pressed, as shown in FIGS. 13(C) and 14(C), it is easily cut. After cutting the continuous sheet S1, in preparation for the next switching of the original roll 5, the cylinder mechanism 22 returns the string-like body 21 to a position between the porous elastic body 23 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and the paper passage path L1. At the time of this cutting, before the operation of the continuous sheet cutting apparatus 20, the drive means 36 of the continuous sheet pressing apparatus 30 is driven so that the first pressing portion 33 is moved to be crimped in the pressing region 35 as described above, and it is preferable to press the continuous sheet S1 so that the string-like body 21 is suitably pressed against the continuous sheet S1. In this way, when the continuous sheet pressing apparatus 30 and the continuous sheet cutting apparatus 20 are coordinated, the original roll can be switched more suitably.

[0073] Here, the liquid used in this apparatus 20 for impregnating the porous elastic body 23 and the string-like body 21 in order to reduce the paper strength of the continuous sheet S1 is not limited. It may contain ordinary tap water, distilled water, and further appropriate auxiliaries such as alcohol for disinfection and preservatives. However, it is naturally better that it does not contaminate the folding mechanism portion 10A or the sanitary tissue paper 2, and it is desirable to use distilled water or a mixture of distilled water and appropriate non-contaminating auxiliaries.

[0074] Further, in the interfolder 10, in the paper passage L1 from the raw roll 5 to the folding mechanism section 10A, appropriate rolls 12 such as an expander roll for appropriately stretching wrinkles, a dancer roll for tension control, and a guide roll are arranged so that the continuous sheet S1 is changed in the vertical direction, horizontal direction, etc., and there are various types depending on the installation position of the interfolder. In the continuous sheet cutting device 20 according to the present invention, the position where it exists in the paper passage L1 of the interfolder 10 is not necessarily limited. It can be provided at an appropriate position in the paper passage L1 of the continuous sheet S1 from the raw roll 5 to the folding mechanism section 10A. However, preferably, it is configured such that the movement path 21R of the string-like body 21 is ±20° in the horizontal direction at the position where the continuous sheet S1 is conveyed in the vertical direction ±20°. In the interfolder 10 in the illustrated form, the continuous sheet S1 fed out from the raw roll support portion 13 reaches upward through the guide roll 12A, and then the continuous sheet S1 is moved in the horizontal direction, and the continuous sheet S1 is supplied from above the folding mechanism section 10A. The continuous sheet cutting device 20 is provided at a position where the continuous sheet S1 is conveyed substantially vertically upward through the guide roll 12A. At such a position, even if the liquid that could not be held by the porous elastic body 23 or the string-like body 21 drips unintentionally, the possibility of contacting the continuous sheet S1 is reduced for each stage. Further, it becomes easy to combine with a form in which the second pressing portion 34, which is a particularly preferable form of the continuous sheet pressing device according to the present invention, is positioned at a predetermined position by being suspended from the second support member 32 by the string body 34R.

[0075] Also, in this device 20, a tray 25 for receiving the liquid dripping at the lower position of the porous elastic body 23 and the movement path 21R, and further a return means, a return path, etc. for returning the liquid received by the tray to the porous elastic body or the liquid supply means can be provided.

[0076] In addition, in the continuous sheet cutting device 20, as shown in the illustrated example, it is desirable to provide a receiving portion 26 for receiving the continuous sheet S1 at a position facing the porous elastic body 23 with the paper passage path L1 interposed therebetween. This receiving portion 26 can be configured, for example, by one or a pair of guide rolls provided in the immediate vicinity of the movement path 21R of the string-like body 21. The string-like body 21 is moved along the movement path 21R from the porous elastic body 23 side. After contacting the continuous sheet S1 and then moving the string-like body 21 so as to further cross the paper passage path L1, the continuous sheet S1 is supported by the receiving portion 26, the pressure applied to the continuous sheet S1 by the string-like body 21 increases, and the cutting by the string-like body 21 is assisted.

[0077] As described above, by providing such a continuous sheet cutting device 20 together with the continuous sheet pressing device 30 of the present invention in the interfolder 10, it is possible to achieve higher safety, labor saving, and further improvement in operation efficiency when switching the original roll in the interfolder.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1... Bundle of sanitary tissue papers, 1A... Continuous bundle, 2... Sanitary tissue paper, 2A... Folded inner side, 2B... Folded piece, 2C... Folded edge, 2R... Root portion of the sanitary tissue paper exposed from the outlet, 3A... Short side surface, 3B... Long side surface, 3C... Upper and lower surfaces of the bundle, 5... Original roll, 5A... Original roll unit, 6... Shaft, 10... Interfolder, 10A... Folding mechanism portion, 11... Folding plate, 12... Roll, S1... Continuous sheet, old continuous sheet, S2... New continuous sheet, 13... Original roll support portion, L1... Paper passage path, 14... Cutter, 20... Continuous sheet cutting device, 21... String-like body, 21R... Movement path, 22... Driving means (cylinder mechanism), 23... Porous elastic body, 23A... Curved convex surface, 24... Liquid supply means, 24A... Supply path, 24B... Pump, 25... Tray, 26... Receiving portion, R1, R2... Curvature of the curved convex surface. 30... Continuous sheet pressing device, 31... Support portion (first support portion), 32... Support portion (second support portion), 33... First pressing portion, 33A... First crimping means, 33S... Contact surface of the first pressing portion, 34... Second pressing portion, 34S... Contact surface of the second pressing portion, 34R... String body, 34H... Handle portion, 35... Pressing region, 36... Driving means, 37... Locking portion, 38... Arm, 39... Rotation axis, P... Adhesive portion.

Claims

Claim 1: A continuous sheet pressing device for connecting sheets of a continuous sheet leading to a folding mechanism unit of an interfolder, which is performed when switching a raw roll in a stopped state of the interfolder. The device presses a used continuous sheet leading to the folding mechanism unit of the interfolder and a new continuous sheet from a new raw roll in a superposed state, and includes: a support portion straddling a paper passage of one or more continuous sheets; a first pressing portion attached to the support portion; a pressing region facing the paper passage of the continuous sheet; driving means for moving the support portion to a position where the first pressing portion contacts the pressing region; first crimping means for crimping the first pressing portion to the pressing region; a second pressing portion attached to the support portion and positioned at a position where it can contact the pressing region on the upstream side of the paper passage from the first pressing portion when the first pressing portion is moved to a position where it contacts the pressing region by the driving means; second crimping means for crimping the second pressing portion to the pressing region; a locking portion for the new continuous sheet provided on the downstream side of the paper passage from the position where the second pressing portion and the pressing region are in contact; and after the first pressing portion is moved to a position where it contacts the pressing region by the driving means, the used continuous sheet on the paper passage is pressed by crimping the first pressing portion to the pressing region by the first crimping means; the new continuous sheet is superposed on the used continuous sheet on the paper passage by locking the leading end portion of the new continuous sheet to the locking portion; the used continuous sheet and the new continuous sheet superposed on the paper passage are pressed by crimping the second pressing portion to the pressing region by the second crimping means. A continuous sheet pressing device characterized by the above.

2. The continuous sheet pressing device is arranged in a paper passage through which the continuous sheet is conveyed from below upward, the support portion has a first support member and a second support member, the first support member and the second support member are bridged between a pair of arms that protrude from the paper passage side on the side of the paper passage and are rotatable about a portion on the paper passage side as the base end from the tip, the first pressing portion is attached to the first support member, the second support member is bridged on the tip side of the arm from the first support member, and the second pressing portion is attached, by the driving means, when the arm is rotated from the upper side to the lower side, the first support member moves along an arc trajectory, and along with this movement, the first pressing portion moves to a position where it contacts the pressing region. Moreover, the second holding part is connected to the second support member by a string body, and when the first holding part moves to a position in contact with the holding area, the second holding part is suspended from the second support and positioned upstream of the paper passage below the first holding part. The continuous sheet pressing device according to claim 1.

3. The continuous sheet pressing device according to claim 2, wherein the second support member serves as a locking part for the new continuous sheet.

4. The continuous sheet pressing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first crimping means is a spring, and the first holding part is pressed and crimped against the holding area by the spring.

5. The continuous sheet pressing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second crimping means is a magnetic force, and the second holding part is magnetically attached to the holding area to perform crimping.

6. The locking part of the new continuous sheet is provided on one or both of the side where the holding area is located and the side where the holding area is not located across the paper passage. The continuous sheet pressing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. An interfolder having a continuous sheet pressing device, characterized in that it includes a plurality of continuous sheet pressing devices according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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