US3847045A

US3847045A - Web perforating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3847045A
Application number: US00363937A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Willhite; H Strube
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-05-25
Filing date: 1973-05-25
Publication date: 1974-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-12
Also published as: GB1465164A; FR2230573A1; BE815474A; SE381205B; NL7406979A; JPS5035782A; FR2230573B1; IT1012821B; DE2424573A1; CA1003745A; CH584595A5

Abstract

Apparatus for continuously cutting side-by-side rectangular perforated areas in a web of paper or nonwoven material. The apparatus includes spaced machine direction perforator wheels with coacting anvil wheels, a cammed slitter to cut short slits in the machine direction in the corner areas of the eventual rectangular perforated area and a transverse perforator including flexible rotating knives and a stationary anvil blade for cutting transverse perforations which outline the side-by-side rectangular perforated areas. The apparatus is preferably used for cutting perforated areas in a web which will later be converted into individual diaper topsheets, each of which has a perforated removable area. The perforations are in the form of short cuts, but the corners are preferably formed with elongated slits in order to facilitate removal and separation in the ultimate product.

Description

United States Patent Willhite, Jr. et a1.

1 1 Nov. 12, 1974 WEB PERFORATING APPARATUS Ct., Cincinnati, Ohio 4521 1; Herbert Eugene Strube, 10952 Gosling Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45239 [22] Filed: May 25, 1973 [211 App]. N0.: 363,937

[52] U.S. Cl 83/37, 83/49, 83/300,

83/332, 83/349, 83/404, 83/566, 83/678 [51] Int. Cl B26f l/20 [58] Field of Search 83/300, 303, 302, 301,

{56 I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,870,840 l/l959 Kwitek 83/678 X 3,152,501 10/1964 Nassar 83/678 X 3268,136 8/1966 Huffman 83/405 X FOREIGN PATENTs 0 APPLIcATIoNs 1,133,970 7/1962 Germany 83/678 lnvcntors: William Willhite, Jr., 6322 Elkwater' Primary Examiner-J. M. Meister Attorney, Agent, or Firm Fredrick H. Braun; John V.

Gorman; Richard C. Witte [5 7 ABSTRACT Apparatus for continuously cutting side-by-side rectangular perforated areas in a web of paper or nonwoven material. The apparatus includes spaced machine direction perforator wheels with coacting anvil wheels,

a cammed slitter to cut short slits in the machine di-.

rection in the corner areas of the eventual rectangular perforated area and a transverse perforator including flexible rotating knives and a stationary anvil blade for cutting transverse perforations which outline the sideby-side rectangular perforated areas. The apparatus is preferably used for cutting perforated areas in aweb which will later be converted into individual diaper topsheets, each of which has a perforated removable area. The perforations are in the form of short cuts. but the corners are preferably formed with elongated slits in order to facilitate removal and separation in the ultimate product.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIED Rev 1 2 m4 SHEET Z 0F 3 WEB PERFORATING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The prior art discloses individual elements for forming various cutting and perforating operations on continuously moving webs. For example, the use of perforating wheels for forming longitudinal perforations in paper is illustrated in US. Pat. No. 1,542,097 Ripley, issued June 16, 1925 and in US. Pat. No. 3,152,501 Nassar, issued Oct. 13, 1964.

Individual slitting devices have also been disclosed as illustrated by the disclosures in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,059,187 Talbot, issued Oct. 27, 1936 and 3,067,643 Ward, .Ir., issued Dec. 11, 1962. The prior art also teaches the use of flexing blades for forming transverse perforations as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,870,840 Kwitek, issued Jan. 27, 1959 and 3,261,249 Holt, issued July 19, 1966.

While, as previously indicated, the above devices illustrate various individual mechanisms for acting on a continuously moving web to perform a specific operation thereon, there is an apparent lack of any apparatus designed to form rectangularly outlined perforated areas in spaced side-by-side relationship on a continuously moving web. The lack of any known device for achieving this type of operation resulted in the need for a suitable apparatus and method that would effectively and efficiently provide such a product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The nature and substance of the invention will be more readily appreciated after giving consideration to its major aims and purposes. The principal objects of the invention are recited in the ensuing paragraphs in order to provide a better appreciationof its important aspects prior to describing the details of a preferred embodiment in later portions of this description.

A major object of the invention is the provision of a unique web perforating apparatus.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such an apparatus which is capable of producing an essentially rectangular pattern of perforations on a moving web.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus as above enumerated which will produce rectangularly shaped perforations in continuous side-by-side and properly spaced relationship on a moving web.

These and other objects are achieved by the provision of an apparatus which includes means for continuously supporting a web moving therethrough such that successive operative elements can act thereon. The apparatus includes a mechanism for forming continuous spaced lines of longitudinal perforations in proximity to the side edges of the web and may include additional mechanism for forming at least one elongated longitudinal slit at predetermined intervals coextensive with at least one of the originally formed lines of longitudinal perforations. Additionally, the apparatus is provided with means for forming transverse perforations at predetermined spaced intervals on the web such that the transverse perforations extend between the longitudinal perforations and may be made such that they include an elongated transverse slit which intersects each elongated longitudinal slit, if any. As a consequence, the web is provided with a succession of substantially rectangular side-by-side perforated areas preferably having at least one slitted corner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a web of paper or nonwovenmaterial illustrating the manner in which the apparatus of the invention is designed to cut perforations into the web to outline side-by-side rectangular areas.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, partially in cross-section, illustrating the major operative elements of the apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken on the, line 33 of FIG. 2 illustrating details of the elements that comprise the machine direction perforator mechanism of the 'apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 illustrating details of the cammed slitter mechanism of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken on the line 55 of FIG. 2 illustrating details of the transverse perforator mechanism of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the drive elements for the apparatus taken from the side opposite to that illustrated in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT It is believed the description of the apparatus will be better understood by initially describing the several operations that are performed on the web material as it is moving through the apparatus. Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a fragmentary portion of a continuous web 10 which is perforated by the apparatus of the invention. The web 10 may be formed from wet strength tissue paper or non-woven fabric material or,

for that matter, any relatively flexible web material that is capable of being perforated. In a preferred embodiment, the web is formed from a non-woven fabric of the type usually employed as a topsheet for disposable diapers since the ultimate article manufactured-by the present invention is eventually converted for such use. As examples of diapers which employ perforated topsheets of this character, reference is made to the commonly owned application of Dale A. Gellert, Ser. No. 313,079, filed Dec. 7, 1972 which is entitled Removable Diaper Topsheet Portion for Disposable of Solid Waste.

The web' 10 is provided with longitudinal lines of perforation 11 and 12 along opposite edges, respectively, and transverse lines of perforation l3 and 14. The intersection of the lines of

perforations

11, 12 and 13, 14 are provided

withlongitudinal slits

15, 16, 17 and 18 and

transverse slits

19, 20, 21 and 22. It will be noted that the longitudinal slits 15, l6, l7 and 18 are made at predetermined intervals and are coextensive with the lines of perforation 11 and 12. Similarly, the

transverse slits

19, 20, 21 and 22 at either end of the

transverse perforations

13 and 14 intersect the elongated

longitudinal slits

15, 16, 17 and 18, respectively. As a consequence of this procedure, the web 10 is provided with a succession of substantially rectangular side-by-side perforated areas with slitted corners. In subsequent converting operations, the web is cut along lines 23 to form successive individual topsheets 25 which are each preferably assembled into a disposable diaper. The purpose of the

perforations

11, 12, 13 and 14 and the slits l5, 16, 17, l8, 19, 20, 21 and 22 is to provide a central removable panel 26 in each individual topsheet 25.

The web perforating apparatus of this invention is capable of use in conjunction with a disposable diaper converting machine an example of which is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,607,578 Berg et al. In using the web perforating apparatus in conjunction with a diaper converting machine, it will be apparent that various elements of the web perforating apparatus can be driven from the main power source or drive shaft of the diaper converting apparatus. This will become more apparent to those skilled in the art particularly in view of the subsequent description herein.

The apparatus, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 is supported by a base 27 forming a portion of the diaper converting apparatus (not illustrated) which in turn is used to support the frame 28 of the web perforating apparatus by suitable means well-known in the art. The frame 28 includes

side plates

29 and 30 and suitably arranged cross members 31 (FIGS. 2 and 4) 32, 33 and 34 (FIG. 2) to give it sufficient rigidity. Idler rolls 35 and 36 are journaled for free rotation intermediate the

side plates

29 and 30 and a deadplate 37 is supported from the brackets 38 and 39 (FIG. 4).

The device includes means for continuously supporting the web 10 as it is moving through the apparatus.

The web 10 passes over the idler rolls 35 and 36 and is provided with intermediate support from deadplate 37. Continuous movement is imparted to the web 10 by any suitable mechanism (not shown) for this function such as can, for example, be incorporating in the diaper converting apparatus with which the web perforating apparatus will normally be associated.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus includes means for forming continuous spaced lines of longitudinal perforations along opposite side edges of the web 10. This portion of the apparatus will be referred to as the machine direction perforator. It includes a pair of

anvil wheels

40 and 41 secured to the shaft 42 which is journaled in the

side plates

29 and 30. The

anvil wheels

40 and 41 are preferably formed with hardened outer surfaces, such as case hardened steel, for reasons which will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Spring loaded

perforator wheels

43 and 44 are journaled for free rotation, respectively, by pairs of spring

biased arm members

45, 46 and 47, 48. The

arm member pair

47, 48 supporting the perforator wheel 44 (FIG. 2) is pivoted at 49 to the stationary bracket 50. A spring 51 is provided to bear against the

members

47, 48 thereby causing the perforator wheel 44 to be biased downwardly against the peripheral surface of the anvil wheel 41. A similarly configured suspension mount is provided for the spring loaded perforator wheel 43.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the

perforator wheels

43 and 44 each are formed with a plurality of spaced perforating teeth 52 around their periphery. The teeth 52 are provided with relatively sharp cutting edges. Thus, the teeth 52 are pressed against the web 10 due to the bias ofthe spring 51. As a result, the web 10 has longitudinal lines of perforation 11 and 12 cut thereinto as it passes between the respective pairs of

perforator wheels

43, 44 and

anvil wheels

40, 41.

The apparatus also includes means for forming spaced pairs of elongated longitudinal slits 15, l6, l7 and 18 at predetermined intervals coextensive with said longitudinal lines of perforation 11 and 12. This portion. of the apparatus which is referred to as the cammed slitter is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings. The cammed slitter includes a pair of high

speed slitter wheels

53 and 54 secured to the shaft 55 which is journaled in bearings mounted in the

brackets

38 and 39. The shaft 55 is continuously driven at high rpm from a motive power source to be hereinafter described. It will be noted in referring to FIG. 4, that the periphery of the

slitter wheels

53 and 54 is somewhatbelow the top surface of the deadplate 37. In addition, the deadplate 37 is provided with

openings

56 and 57 above each of the

slitter wheels

53 and 54, respectively, for purposes which will hereinafter become evident.

Rotating

members

58 and 59 are secured to the shaft 60 which is journaled in the

side plates

29 and 30. The shaft 60 is continuously rotated in timed relation to movement of the web 10 by a source to be hereinafter described. As best seen in FIG. 2, the rotating member 59 is provided with radially projecting

lobes

61 and 62, the distal ends of which are provided with a slot 63 as best seen in FIG. 4. A similar pair of radially projecting lobes is secured to the rotating member 58 the lobe 64 being illustrated and it being further understood that a second lobe is also provided on the rotating member 58. Referring to FIG. 2, the

lobes

61 and 62 projecting from the rotating member 59 will be aligned with the lobes (one of which is illustrated as lobe 64 in FIG. 4) projecting from the rotating member 58. The lobe 64 is provided with a slot 65 at its distal end, it being understood that the other lobe (not shown) on the rotating member 58 is similarly configured.

Referring again to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the slots '63 and 65 in the

lobes

61 and 64, respectively, pass beneath the deadplate 37 through the

openings

57 and 56, respectively. In addition, the periphery of the

slitter wheels

53 and 54 projects into the

slots

65 and 63, respectively.

As previously indicated, the high

speed slitter wheels

53 and 54 are each provided with a sharp outer knifelike periphery and are continuously driven. Similarly, the

members

58 and 59 are continuously rotated such that the

lobes

61 and 62 on the member 59, for example, periodically pass through the opening 57 in timed sequence with the movement of the web 10. This action periodically presses a portion of the web 10 downwardly into engagement with the sharp periphery of the slitter wheel 54 and thereby cuts the spaced elongated

longitudinal slits

17 and 18 at predetermined intervals coextensive with the line of perforations 12. The corresponding lobes on the rotating member 58 act similarly to cut longitudinal slits l5 and 16 on the line of perforations 11.

The apparatus of the invention also includes means for forming transverse perforations at spaced intervals on the web. The transverse perforations as previously indicated, extend between the longitudinal lines of perforation 11 and 12 and include elongated

transverse slits

19, 20, 21 and 22. The transverse perforator is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5. It includes rotating flexing blade knives which periodically strike a stationary flexing blade anvil knife. The

flexing blade knives

66 and 67 are suitably supported in the knife roll 68 which is journaled in the

side plates

29 and 30 and driven from its projecting shaft 69. The stationary flexing blade knife 70 is secured to the anvil block 71 by support structure secured to the frame 28 in a manner wellknown to those skilled in the art. It will be noted that the knife roll 68 is provided with two flexing

blade knives

66 and 67. As a consequence, on each revolution of the knife roll 68, a transverse line of

perforations

13 and 14 is cut in the moving web 10. Additionally, it should be noted that the stationary flexing blade knife 70 has its cutting edge formed with a perforating tooth pattern corresponding to the transverse lines of

perforations

13, 14 and the

transverse slits

19, 20, 21 and 22. The rotating

knives

66 and 67 are formed with straight sharp cutting edges and are mounted such that they actually strike the stationary knife 70 to form the desired perforations and slits. However, the flexible nature of these elements allows continuous effective operation without any damage.

The drive for the various elements of the apparatus is schematically illustrated in FIG. 6. The main drive shaft 72 is suitably driven from a motive power source which may form a part of the diaper converting machine of which the present apparatus may form a portion thereof. The shaft 42 supporting the

anvil wheels

40 and 41 is driven from the main drive shaft 72 by the chain drive 73 through the right angle gear box 74, and the chain drives 75, 76 and 77. As previously indicated, the shaft 42 is driven at such speed that the surfaces of the

anvil wheels

40 and 41 move at matched speed to the speed of the web 10.

Similarly, power from the main shaft 72 is transmitted to the right angle gear box 78 by means of the chain drive 79. The shaft 69 which drives the knife roll 68 is driven from the right angle gear box 78 by means of the chain drive 80. A pair of mating gears 81 and 82 are provided to drive the shaft 60, supporting the

rotating members

58 and 59, by means of the chain drive 83. It will be noted that the drive components are preferably designed to provide a positive drive ratio between the

shafts

60 and 69. This assures registration of the

transverse perforations

13, 14 and

transverse slits

19, 20, 21 and 22 with the

longitudinal slits

15, 16, 17 and 18; It shouldalso be noted that in a preferred construction, the drive is designed such that the shaft 69 is rotated to give the knife roll 68 a peripheral speed greater than the speed of the web 10. The speed differential can be varied in a range of from about 0% up to 100% when making a commercial range of topsheets for various diaper sizes. In practice, a speed differential of from about 4% to 30% has been found very satisfactory.

The

slitter wheels

53 and 54 supported on the shaft 55 are rotated at relatively high peripheral speeds by the independent motor 84 which rotates the shaft 55 by means of the chain drive 85.

A consideration of the entire apparatus now will make its mode of operation apparent. The uncut web A initially passes between the anvil rolls 40, 41 and corresponding spring loaded

perforator wheels

43, 44. This causes cutting of the longitudinal lines of perforation 11 and 12 along opposite edges of the web 10. Thereupon the web 10 passes to the cammed slitter section. The lobes projecting from the rotating

members

58, 59 cause portions of the web 10 to be pushed through the

openings

56 and 57 and against the continuously rotating

slitter wheels

53 and 54. The latter action is timed and the

longitudinal slits

15, 16, 17 and 18 are cut in proper relationship at predetermined intervals coextensive with the longitudinal lines of perforations 11 and 12. Thence, the web is transversely perforated and slitted as it passes over the knife roll 68 by the rotating

flexible blade knives

66 and 67 which contact the stationary flexing blade knife 70 in periodic timed sequence. This last step cuts the transverse lines of

perforation

13 and 14 as well as the

transverse slits

19, 20, 21 and 22.

Throughout this specification, the apparatus has been described in the context of forming a removable panel 26 having intersecting slits at each corner. This is a preferred construction of the web 10 as it will allow a consumer to remove the panel 26 when the individual topsheet 25 is assembled into .a diaper by merely grasping any one of the four corners of the panel 26. In alternate constructions, the apparatus can be modified so that only one or two or three corners of the panel 26 are slitted. For example, if only two corners of the panel 26 are to be slitted, then one of the two

rotating members

58 or 59 and its

corresponding slitter wheel

53 or 54 could be eliminated. Correspondingly, the cutting edge of the flexible blade 70 would be modified to achieve such a construction.

In some special situations, the apparatus may also be operated without the cammed slitter, for example, where slitted corners are not desired or by substituting a second perforator wheel the circumference of which is equal to the width of a topsheet 25 and whose periphery is specially machined to produce any one or more of the

longitudinal slits

15, 16, 17 or 18. The manner and details for achieving these modifications are deemed to be within the skill of the art.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A web perforating apparatus comprising:

a. means for continuously supporting a web moving through said apparatus,

b. means for forming continuous spaced lines of longitudinal perforations along opposite edges of said web,

c. means for forming an elongated longitudinal slit at predetermined intervals coextensive with at least one of said lines of longitudinal perforations, .and,

d. means for forming transverse perforations at spaced intervals on said web, said transverse perforations extending between said longitudinal perforations and having an elongated transverse slit whereby a succession of substantially rectangular side-by-side perforated areas are formed on said web having at least one slitted corner.

2. A web perforating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for forming continuous spaced lines of longitudinal perforations comprises a pair of continuously rotated spaced anvil wheels, said perforator wheels being biased toward said anvil wheels.

3. A web perforating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for forming transverse perforations comprises a rotating knife roll having a flexible perforating blade extending therefrom, an anvil block supporting a flexible stationary perforating blade, said blades coacting on rotation of said knife roll to cut said transverse perforations in said web extending between the longitudinal perforations.

4. A web perforating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for forming an elongated longitudinal slit comprises a deadplate for supporting said web and having at least one opening therein, a continuously rotating slitter wheel mounted beneath each opening of said deadplate, a rotating member above said slitter wheel, said rotating member having a lobe with a slot at its distal end extending radially therefrom, said lobe periodically pressing said web through said opening in said deadplate, causing it to momentarily contact said slitter wheel.

5. A web perforating apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for forming transverse perforations comprises a rotating knife roll having a flexible perforating blade blade, therefrom, an anvil block supporting a flexible stationary perforating balde, said blades coacting on rotation of said knife roll to cut said transverse perforations in said web extending between the longitudinal perforations.

6. A web perforating apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for forming an elongated longitudinal slit comprises a deadplate for supporting said web and having at least one opening therein, a continuously rotating slitter wheel mounted beneath each opening of said deadplate, a rotating member above said slitter wheel, said rotating member having a lobe with a slot at its distal end extending radially therefrom, said lobe periodically pressing said web through said opening in said deadplate causing it to momentarily contact said slitter wheel.

7. A web perforating apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said means for forming an elongated longitudinal slit comprises a deadplate for supporting said web and having at least one opening therein, a continuously rotating slitter wheel mounted beneath each opening of said deadplate, a rotating member above said slitter wheel, said rotating member having a lobe with a slot at its distal end extending radially therefrom, said lobe periodically pressing said web through said opening in said deadplate causing it to momentarily contact said slitter wheel.

8. A web perforating apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means for forming an elongated longitudinal slit comprises a deadplate for supporting said web and having at least one opening therein, a continuously rotating slitter wheel mounted beneath each opening of said deadplate, a rotating member above said slitter wheel, said rotating member having a lobe with a slot at its distal end extending radially therefrom, said lobe periodically pressing said web through said opening in said deadplate causing it to momentarily contact said slitter wheel.

9. A method of perforating a web comprising the steps of:

a. supporting and moving a web,

b. forming continuous single lines oflongitudinal perforations in substantial spaced-apart relationship along opposite edges of said web,

c. forming an elongated longitudinal slit at predetermined intervals coextensive with at least one of 8. said lines of longitudinal perforations, forming said longitudinal slit such that it is substantially greater in length than each individual perforation, and

d. forming transverse perforations at spaced intervals on said web, said transverse perforations extending between said longitudinal perforations and having an elongated transverse slit intersecting each elongated longitudinal slit, forming said elongated transverse slit such that it is substantially greater in length than each individual transverse perforation whereby a succession of substantially rectangular side-byside perforated areas are formed on said web having at least one slitted corner.

10. A method of perforating a web as claimed in claim 9 wherein the step of forming transverse perforations at spaced intervals comprises moving the web between oppositely disposed flexing knife blades, and rotating one of said knife blades on a supporting knife roll while supporting said other knife blade in a stationary anvil block.

11. A method of perforating a web comprising the steps of:

a. supporting and moving a web,

b. forming continuous spaced lines of longitudinal perforations along opposite edges of said web,

c. forming an elongated longitudinal slit at predetermined intervals coextensive with at least one of said lines of longitudinal perforations by periodically pushing said web through an opening in its supporting surface and momentarily contacting said web against a rotating slitter wheel located beneath said opening, and

d. forming transverse perforations at spaced intervals on said web, said transverse perforations extending between said longitudinal perforations and having an elongated transverse slit intersecting each elongated longitudinal slit whereby a succession of sub stantially rectangular side-by-side perforated areas are formed on said web havingat least one slitted corner.

12. A method of perforating a web comprising the steps of:

a. supporting and moving a web,

d. forming transverse perforations at spaced intervals on said web by moving the web between oppositely disposed flexing knife blades, rotating one of said knife blades on a supporting knife roll while supporting said other knife blade in a stationary anvil block, said transverse perforations extending between said longitudinal perforations and having an elongated transverse slit intersecting each elongated longitudinal slit whereby a succession of substantially rectangular side-by-side perforated areas are formed on said web having at least one slitted corner. y

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,847,045 Dated November 12,1974

Inventor(s) William J. Willhite and Herbert E. Strube It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: C

Inventors: "William Willhite, Jr." should read William Jr Insert Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati,

Column 6, line 64, "wheels, said perforator" should read wheels, and a freely rotating perforator wheel coacting with each of said anvil wheels, said perforator-,

Column 7, line 21, "balde" should read blade Signed and Scaled this thirteenth Day of April1976 [SEAL] Attest:

' RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ufiareim and Trudwnarks

Claims

1. A web perforating apparatus comprising: a. means for continuously supporting a web moving through said apparatus, b. means for forming continuous spaced lines of longitudinal perforations along opposite edges of said web, c. means for forming an elongated longitudinal slit at predetermined intervals coextensive with at least one of said lines of longitudinal perforations, and, d. means for forming transverse perforations at spaced intervals on said web, said transverse perforations extending between said longitudinal perforations and having an elongated transverse slit whereby a succession of substantially rectangular side-by-side perforated areas are formed on said web having at least one slitted corner.

2. A web perforating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for forming continuous spaced lines of longitudinal perforations comprises a pair of continuously rotated spaced anvil wheels, said perforator wheels being biased toward said anvil wheels. 3. A web perforating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for forming transverse perforations comprises a rotating knife roll having a flexible perforating blade extending therefrom, an anvil block supporting a flexible stationary perforating blade, said blades coacting on rotation of said knife roll to cut said transverse perforations in said web extending between the longitudinal perforations.

9. A method of perforating a web comprising the steps of: a. supporting and moving a web, b. forming continuous single lines of longitudinal perforations in substantial spaced-apart relationship along opposite edges of said web, c. forming an elongated longitudinal slit at predetermined intervals coextensive with at least one of said lines of longitudinal perforations, forming said longitudinal slit such that it is substantially greater in length than each individual perforation, and d. forming transverse perforations at spaced intervals on said web, said transverse perforations extending between said longitudinal perforations and having an elongated transverse slit intersecting each elongated longitudinal slit, forming said elongated transverse slit such that it is substantially greater in length than each individual transverse perforation whereby a succession of substantially rectangular side-by-side perforated areas are formed on said web having at least one slitted corner.

11. A method of perforating a web comprising the steps of: a. supporting and moving a web, b. forming continuous spaced lines of longitudinal perforations along opposite edges of said web, c. forming an elongated longitudinal slit at predetermined intervals coextensive with at least one of said lines of longitudinal perforations by periodically pushing said web through an opening in its supporting surface and momentarily contacting said web against a rotating slitter wheel located beneath said opening, and d. forming transverse perforations at spaced intervals on said web, said transverse perforations extending between said longitudinal perforations and having an elongated transverse slit intersecting each elongated longitudinal slit whereby a succession of substantially rectangular side-by-side perforated areas are formed on said web having at least one slitted corner.

12. A method of perforating a web comprising the steps of: a. supporting and moving a web, b. forming continuous spaced lines of longitudinal perforations along opposite edges of said web, c. forming an elongated longitudinal slit at predetermined intervals coextensive with at least one of said lines of longitudinal perforations by periodically pushing said web through an opening in its supporting surface and momentarily contacting said web against a rotating slitter wheel located beneath said opening, and d. forming transverse perforations at spaced intervals on said web by moving the web between oppositely disposed flexing knife blades, rotating one of said knife blades on a supporting knife roLl while supporting said other knife blade in a stationary anvil block, said transverse perforations extending between said longitudinal perforations and having an elongated transverse slit intersecting each elongated longitudinal slit whereby a succession of substantially rectangular side-by-side perforated areas are formed on said web having at least one slitted corner.