US 12,258,169 B2
Tri-fold machine and process
Joseph F. Van De Hey, Kaukauna, WI (US); Jeffery J. VanHandel, Freedom, WI (US); Alex M. Zirbel, Kaukauna, WI (US); and Alex N. Kuffel, Appleton, WI (US)
Assigned to C3 Corporation, Appleton, WI (US)
Filed by C3 Corporation, Appleton, WI (US)
Filed on Dec. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/565,116.
Application 17/565,116 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/US2021/028873, filed on Apr. 23, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/085,052, filed on Sep. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0119145 A1, Apr. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. B65B 63/04 (2006.01); B65B 25/00 (2006.01); B65B 63/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 63/04 (2013.01) [B65B 25/00 (2013.01); B65B 63/02 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tri-fold machine to fold up compressed high expansion force material comprising:
a left-side horizontal conveyor next to a middle conveyor with a left longitudinal gap formed between the left-side horizontal conveyor and the middle conveyor;
a right-side horizontal conveyor next to a side of the middle conveyor opposite the left-side horizontal conveyor and with a right longitudinal gap formed between the right-side horizontal conveyor and the middle conveyor;
an upper surface of each of the left-side horizontal conveyor and the right-side horizontal conveyor defining a horizontal plane by and between each upper surface of the left-side horizontal conveyor and the right-side horizontal conveyor;
a left longitudinal bar operable between (i) a raised position where a bottom surface of the left longitudinal bar is spaced from and above the horizontal plane and (ii) a lowered position where the bottom surface is located closer to the horizontal plane than in the raised position;
a right longitudinal bar operable between (i) a raised position where a bottom surface of the right longitudinal bar is spaced from and above the horizontal plane and (ii) a lowered position where the bottom surface is located closer to the horizontal plane than in the raised position;
the right-side conveyor movable between a horizontal home position and a folding position, the folding position is where the right-side conveyor is located above and extending over the middle conveyor; and,
the left-side conveyor movable between a horizontal home position and a folding position, the folding position is where the left-side conveyor is located above and extending over the middle conveyor.