Multi-Roller Cutting and Folding Assembly for Tissues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting and folding assemblies for sheet products like tissues and napkins, particularly those with multiple plies, face issues where the outermost plies tend to separate during the folding process, disrupting the ordered configuration and fold formation.
Innovation Solution
A cutting and folding assembly comprising a first roller with cutting blades, a second roller with suction retention for cut products, and a third folding roller with suction retention and pressure generation to keep all plies in contact during folding, ensuring accurate fold formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional cutting and folding assemblies use parallel rollers with surface retention means, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the outermost plies separate from the roller during product conveyance, compromising fold formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the product handling into three separate rollers (first cutting roller, second conveyance roller, third folding roller) instead of using conventional parallel rollers. Each roller performs a specific function: cutting, conveyance with suction retention, and folding with pressure application. This segmentation allows precise control over each stage of the process, preventing ply separation during conveyance and ensuring accurate fold formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second roller acts as an intermediary between the cutting roller and the folding roller. It provides suction retention means that hold the cut products firmly, preventing outermost plies from separating. This intermediary roller ensures stable conveyance and proper positioning before the folding operation, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and precise fold formation.
2Device complexity
If the assembly uses suction retention on the second roller without pressure generation means, then the device complexity is reduced, but the outermost plies still separate during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two functions into the second roller: suction retention means for holding the cut products and pressure generation means for applying force on the back of the products. This combination ensures that during conveyance and folding, the outermost plies remain firmly attached to the roller surface, preventing separation and maintaining stable ply configuration throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles through suction retention means on the second roller to hold the cut products. The pressure generation means applies mechanical force on the back of the products, working in conjunction with the pneumatic suction to ensure the outermost plies do not separate from the roller during conveyance and folding operations.
3Device complexity
If conventional assemblies rely only on surface retention means, then the structure remains simple, but the ordered configuration of multiple-ply products is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different qualities to different parts of the system: the second roller has suction retention means on its surface to hold the cut products, while pressure generation means applies force specifically on the back of the products. This localized application of different retention mechanisms ensures that the ordered configuration of multiple-ply products is maintained throughout the conveyance and folding process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The assembly effectively maintains the correct configuration of multiple-ply products during folding, preventing ply separation and ensuring precise fold formation, while being simple, safe, and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
said second roller being provided on its outer surface with first means (5) for retaining by suction the products cut by said first roller
Implementation Method 2
said third roller being provided on its outer surface with second means (7) for retaining the cut products by suction
Implementation Method 3
said second roller being further provided with means (8) for generating pressure on the back of each of said products so as to keep all their plies in contact with said third roller during the formation of said fold
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A cutting and folding assembly for products such as tissues, napkins and the like, particularly of the multiple-ply type, formed starting from at least one continuous ribbon, comprising: at least one first roller (2), which is supported so that it can rotate by fixed parts of the production line, is associated with rotary actuation means, and is provided, along its outer surface (2a), with a plurality of blades (3) for cutting the continuous ribbon substantially transversely; at least one second roller (4), which is supported so that it can rotate by fixed parts of the production line, is associated with rotary actuation means, whose axis (B) is parallel to the axis (A) of the first roller (2) and is substantially in contact with the first roller (2) along a generatrix, the second roller (4) being provided, on its outer surface, with first means (5) for retaining by suction the products cut by the first roller (2); and at least one third folding roller (6), which is supported so that it can rotate by fixed parts of the production line and is associated with rotary actuation means, with an axis (C) which is parallel to the axes (A, B) of the first and second rollers (2, 4), substantially in contact with the second roller (4) along a generatrix, the third roller (6) being provided, on its outer surface (6a), with second means (7) for retaining the cut products by suction and being associated with at least one fixed abutment, which is adapted to provide at least one transverse fold in each of the cut products, the second roller (4) being further provided with means (8) for generating pressure on the back of each of the products so as to keep all their plies in contact with the third roller (6) during the formation of the transverse fold.