Method and Apparatus for Zigzag Folding a Material Web

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This patent discloses a method and apparatus for zigzag folding a continuous material web using a series of gripping devices. The process involves feeding the material into a folding machine, alternately gripping the material from both sides, transporting it while folding it in a zigzag manner, and finally depositing it as a stacked, folded item. The method is particularly designed for high-throughput, automated production, where inserts (such as electrodes) may be placed within the folds, making it highly relevant to the manufacturing of battery cells and other layered materials.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Automated production of lithium-ion battery cells, where separator films and electrodes need to be precisely folded and stacked.
• Manufacturing of multi-layered electronic components, such as capacitors or fuel cells, which require alternately folded layers.
• Production of packaging materials or textiles that need to be folded and stacked in a controlled, repeatable manner.
• Mass production of filters or membranes with layered structures.
• Assembly of medical devices that require precise folding and stacking of sheets or membranes.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables high-speed, continuous, and automated zigzag folding, significantly increasing production throughput.
• Ensures precise and consistent fold lengths and alignment, improving product quality.
• Allows the insertion of other materials (such as electrodes) during the folding process, supporting complex multi-layered assemblies like battery cells.
• Reduces manual handling and labor costs through automation.
• Adaptable to diverse materials and configurations; applicable in various industries beyond batteries, such as electronics, packaging, and filtration.

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Patent Abstract

The application relates to a method for zigzag folding a material web, the method having the following steps: continuously feeding a material web (2) to be folded into a folding apparatus (1) along a feed direction, alternately gripping the material web (2) in a proximal region (3) of the folding apparatus (1) by means of gripping devices (4, 5), holding and conveying the material web (2) by means of the gripping devices (4, 5) into a distal region (8) of the folding apparatus (1), the material web (2) being zigzag folded thereby, and releasing the material web (2) from the gripping devices (4, 5) and depositing the material web (2) in a stack (9) with folds in the distal region (8), a distance between adjacent gripping devices (4, 5) being equal to a fold length. Furthermore, the application also relates to an apparatus for zigzag folding a material web.