INTERFOLDER AND SEPARATOR ARRANGEMENT AND METHODS OF SEPARATING A STACK OF SHEETS FROM A CONTINUOUSLY BUILDING STREAM OF SHEETS

摘要

Methods and apparatuses for separating streams of interfolded sheets into individual stacks of sheets are provided. Separation of the stacks is provided by a plurality of fingers mounted to carriages that are moved into and out of openings of the stream of interfolded sheets. The openings may be formed without using the force of gravity. Further, the fingers may be inserted into the openings with a motion that has a larger component in a direction parallel to the stream of interfolded sheets than in a direction perpendicular to the stream of interfolded sheets. Further, the components that separate the stacks also may transport the stacks and directly transfer the stacks to downstream components.