Abstract: A device for electrostatically charging a multilayer material web includes electrostatic charge elements assigned to outer sides of the multilayer material web, the charge elements being disposed upline of an inlet of the multilayer material web into a cylinder group of a folder, as viewed in a travel direction of the multilayer material web, the cylinder group including cylinders formed with respective outer cylindrical surfaces, the cylinders including a cutting cylinder pair having a cutting nip into which a leading end of the multilayer material web extends, the cutting cylinder pair being provided with an electrically insulated cutting tool; and a folder including the charging device.

Abstract: A label-like pull tab device releasably secures a leading end of a sheet stock material to a supply of stock material for a dunnage producing machine. The device has end portions with an adhesive on a back side, and a tab portion between the end portions. In use, one end portion is attached to the leading end of the stock material, the tab portion is placed across the leading edge of the stock material, and the other end portion, on the other side of the tab portion, is attached to the supply of stock material. The device also includes at least one tear line between the tab portion and at least one of the end portions. Pulling on the tab portion tears the device along the tear line, separating the tab portion from at least one end portion, and releasing the leading end of the stock material from the supply.

Abstract: A device for guiding material webs (A through D; E through H) via an angle-bar deck (2), including a folding section that is arranged on a plurality of planes (3.1, 3.2, 3.3), from where the material webs (A through D), (E through H) enter folding apparatuses (4), (5). Accommodated on longitudinal folding devices (8), (9) are infeed elements (7), which have guide sections (13), (14) that are-able to be operated independently of one another.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine for converting sheet-like stock material into a relatively low density cushioning dunnage product. The machine has at least one conversion assembly for forming the stock material into a three-dimensional shape. The machine includes a feed mechanism for drawing the stock material over a shaping member in the conversion assembly. Any one of a plurality of manually operated severing mechanisms can be mounted in the second unit for cutting the cushioning dunnage product into cut sections. One severing unit has a circular cutting disc which is driven by a rack and pinion faster than rolling contact along a reaction member. Another severing mechanism has a fixed blade with an inclined cutting edge that moves across the path of the converted material. A third mechanism has straight edged blade that moves on vertical tracks downward through the path of the emerging converted material to sever the material against a fixed reaction member.

Abstract: The machine of the present invention produces folded product by advancing a web through longitudinal folding devices and transferring the unsevered continuous web to the surface of a carrier cylinder with anvils. A cooperating knife roll coacts with anvils in the carrier to cut individual product webs into segments held in place by vacuum ports communicating with internal conduits including some for direct air blast through apertures near the fold line to lift the front panel before it is passed under a stationary plate to complete the foldover. Internal conduits for air and vacuum are attached to the inside surface of the carrier cylinder using extruded or pre-molded shapes. Larger cylinders with less weight permit wider machines and circumferential space for a plurality of separate web feed and cutoff units, each of which advances separate webs at reduced speed to increase parent roll run time between roll changes.

Abstract: A machine for making filter bags for products for infusion comprises a first wheel forming a station for winding a thread with pick-up tab around the filter bag, means for positioning and guiding the thread with pick-up tab relative to the filter bag operating along an arced path covered by the filter bag to allow the thread to be wound around the filter bag; the positioning and guiding means comprising a chute having a central channel to keep the thread with pick-up tab in a substantially stable and well-defined position relative to the filter bag traveling along the arced path.

Abstract: A hollow roll assembly for cutting, advancing, and folding segments when used in a folding machine, including discreet transversely extending vacuum conduits superposed against the inside surface of a rotating roll. The conduits have closed ends, apertures in one surface connecting the conduit to vacuum ports on the surface of the roll, and open sliding connections communicating with vacuum grooves in a non-rotating vacuum valve. The conduits also have apertures in another surface to communicate with vacuum grooves in the inside of the roll and extend vacuum to side margins of the segment. Similar conduits are provided for air with connections to surface apertures at one end and a pressurized air source at the other end. In another embodiment of the roll assembly, anvils and roll stiffening means are provided. In other embodiments, rolls include a pre-molded section having air and vacuum conduits for use in single or double fold applications.

Abstract: A folding apparatus that is useable in a web-fed rotary printing press has a lower overall structural height. The folding apparatus includes a web delivery device and a folding cylinder group. The folding cylinder group is arranged generally at 90° to the direction of the feed of the material web to the web delivery device, which may include longitudinal fold formers. The material web is directed into the folding cylinder group in an essentially horizontal direction.

Abstract: A package of a strip of material has a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip. Preferably, the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip can be continuous through each stack and connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. To reduce the height of the stacks, the package is compressed and maintained in the compressed condition by, for example, an evacuated sealed bag. The strip of each stack is formed to have a varying width, for example to form diaper inserts when the strip is cut into individual strip elements. The length of each strip portion of the stack is arranged to equal a whole number of strip elements so that the cut lines can be arranged at the fold lines.

Abstract: A separator finger apparatus and method for insertion of a separation finger into and removal from a stream of web product. The unique motion provided by the elements making up the separation finger apparatus permits the separation finger to be mounted close to folding rolls (from which the web product issues) with reduced separation finger-to-folding roll interference. Specifically, the separation finger is manipulated to rotate and translate simultaneously as it is inserted into or removed from the stream of web product. The elements creating the separation finger motion are preferably a pivot arm mounted for rotation about a first axis and a translation member mounted for rotation about a second axis. The pivot arm is preferably rotatably coupled to the separation finger at a third axis. The separation finger is preferably coupled to the translation member for translational or sliding motion therealong.

Abstract: A slitter machine of the type where tab lock cases of varying height, width, and length are advanced therethrough in a product flow direction on a machine bed by a main drive motor, is presented. The slitter machine includes a frame, a centerline, a leading flap lifter and a trailing flap lifter. The leading flap lifter and trailing flap lifter are mounted are mounted to the frame on opposite sides of the centerline, and extend at an incline relative to the machine bed. Each flap lifter includes a tear drop assembly attached to a drive chain and actuated by a pair of cams to rotate the leading flap and the trailing flap toward a closed position. A chain track is disposed in each of the flap lifting assemblies, with the drive chains disposed therein. Each chain track has a first section having a first distance between the drive chains and a second section having a second distance between the drive chains. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip of material includes a splice defined by the two ends of the strip. The two ends of the strip are held together by yarn stitches passing through and bridging the strip ends.

Abstract: A separator finger apparatus and method for insertion of a separation finger into and removal from a stream of web product. The unique motion provided by the elements making up the separation finger apparatus permits the separation finger to be mounted close to folding rolls (from which the web product issues) with reduced separation finger-to-folding roll interference. Specifically, the separation finger is manipulated to rotate and translate simultaneously as it is inserted into or removed from the stream of web product. The elements creating the separation finger motion are preferably a pivot arm mounted for rotation about a first axis and a translation member mounted for rotation about a second axis. The pivot arm is preferably rotatably coupled to the separation finger at a third axis. The separation finger is preferably coupled to the translation member for translational or sliding motion therealong.

Abstract: A method and a machine for the production of interfolded stacks (17) formed by a plurality of sheets (4a,4b) comprising the steps of: transversally cutting or tearing sheets obtained from at least one web (3a,3b) and offset with respect to one another so that a sequence of offset sheets is created; passage of the sheets on folding rollers (7a,7b) which comprise sucking means for the alternate holding of the sheets (4a,4b) in order to obtain an interfolded disposition; formation of a continuous interfolded stack downstream of the folding rollers. Upstream of the folding a step of treatment of the sheets is provided in order to make them, at least in certain zones (14), enough permeable to air, in particular through perforating means. These perforating means can be provided on rollers (10a,10b) having sharpened points (11a,11b).

Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine (20) including conversion assemblies (24) which convert a sheet stock material into a relatively low density cushioning product. The conversion assemblies (24) include a feed/cut assembly (26) having a feed device (100), a cut device (200), and a drive device (300). The drive device (300) is operable in two opposite directions and alternately drives the feed device (100) and the cut device (200). Clutch (134) and/or clutch (234) are provided which allow reverse operation of the feed device (100) and/or the cut device (200). A brake (238) prevents inadvertent movement of the moving components (220, 222) of the cut device (200). The power transmission from the drive device (300) to the feed device (100) and the cut device (200) includes a gear train (136, 236, 306) . These and other features of the feed/cut assembly (26) improve operating efficiency and/or simplify assembly procedures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for formation of a preformed bonded pull tab over a reseal liner is disclosed. The pull tab seal layer of material is bonded together with a reseal liner layer of material for insertion into a closure. The pull tab on the pull tab liner seal is formed prior to combination of the two layers and is folded backwards between the two layers of material. Thus, after combining the two layers, punching out the closure liner and insertion into the closure, the reseal liner is separated from the pull tab seal and the pull tab seal is adhered to the rim of the container. Only one punch press step is required for forming the closure and container seals and insertion of the members into the closure. By forming the pull tab prior to combining the two layers, an assembly of the pull tab and reseal liner is made more efficient and less time consuming.

Abstract: A sleeve label is fabricated from a sheet of polymeric material which is folded upon itself along at least three longitudinal fold lines, with the resulting four overlying layers then being joined together along a longitudinal seal line. The two outermost layers are longitudinally slit along the third fold line. The resulting structure forms a closed tube formed by the first two overlying layers, and two overlying separate flaps formed by the two outermost layers. By adding additional fold lines and additional slits, additional separate flaps can be formed to result in a structure in the nature of a multi-paged booklet.

Abstract: A device is provided for the production of multi-layered longitudinally folded newspaper products with a tabloid section having a variable number of pages in one layer of the newspaper product. An additional longitudinal separating device is placed upstream, in the direction of the travel of the web, of the longitudinal former.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack by a traverse portion extending between the stacks. The package can be compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing a signature having a backbone fold defining a closed end and an intermediate fold transverse to the backbone fold using a reduced width of paper coming from a roll. The method and apparatus reduce gusset wrinkles adjacent the folds by slitting ribbons formed from the paper web along a trail edge and a lead edge of a closed end forming the signature. Preferably, the slitting operation leaves an uncut portion of the closed end of the signature extending across the intermediate fold from a side edge to the trail edge to stabilize the ribbon at the area to receive the intermediate fold. The lead edge and trail edge are slit very substantially to expose long areas of fibers for gluing to form a book backbone.

Abstract: A folding apparatus is used to cross-fold printed matter, particularly of variable section lengths. Damage to the printed products is avoided, even at high production speeds. This is accomplished by providing a signature divider after a transverse cutting device, and before two parallel cross-folding devices. The signatures divider alternatingly direct the signatures into two product flow paths. Each product flow path acts as a deceleration line so that the signatures are delivered to the cross-folding devices at half of their original speed.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip, which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and can be connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package is compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The package can have the stacks oriented vertically or horizontally. When the stacks are horizontal, the spliced portions are vertical and coplanar with the strips and at alternate ends. When the stacks are vertical, the spliced portions extend from the bottom of the stack along one end of the stack to the top of the next stack.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package can be compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The package can be formed by folding a wide web of material back and forth and by slicing the folded web in a direction parallel to the sides of the web to form one or more stacks of a strip of width less than that of the web. The stack can be used to form the above package or can be used in a further processing by unfolding slitting and winding.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip is continuous through each stack and is connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. The package can be compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag. The package can have the stacks vertical or horizontal. The stacks are connected by a spliced portion so that the strip is continuous through the package. When the stacks are horizontal, the spliced portions are vertical and coplanar with the strips and at alternate ends. When the stacks are vertical, the spliced portions extend from the bottom to the top at one end of the stack.

Abstract: A package of a continuous strip of material includes a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip and such that the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The stacks are formed in a stepped fashion, with a series of separate layers being laid down for each stack. The package can be compressed to reduce the height of the stacks and maintained in the compressed condition by an evacuated sealed bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates of a method and apparatus for making an improved resilient packing material by forming, resiliently folding and crimping shredded strips of moistened paper material into an improved interlocking, bulk, packaging material. The method and apparatus includes a wetting or dampening system which can be selectively varied to regulate the moisture content of moistened paper material.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a stack of interleaved, partially overlapping discrete sheets suitable for a pop-up dispenser.

Abstract: The automatic trimming machine of the present invention utilizes a conventional web press to print various sizes of postal and insert cards, flyers and coupon books completely on-line. The automatic trimming machine of the present invention includes a device (12) for perforating the paper to define a folding line (14) and a paper folding device (16) for folding the paper along the perforated folding line. A preliminary trimming unit will first trim the left and right sides of the folded paper, including removing the backbone of the folded paper. The severed backone is then removed from the preliminary trimming unit. The top and bottom edges of the paper are then trimmed to the appropriate size prior to the paper being cut into distinct products in a finish trimming unit. The finish trimming unit includes a plurality of adjustable cutting blades to allow for cutting of various sized products.

Abstract: A device (1) for continuous plaiting of web-shaped material with a plaiting table (2) and a plaiting arm (3) possesses auxiliary depositing means (5) insertable between the plaiting arm (3) and the plaiting table (2). The auxiliary depositing means (5) enable continuous plaiting of the material, even when the material stack (4) laid on the plaiting table (2) is being unloaded from the plaiting table (2). Apart from that, in order to attain the most regular possible layering of the web-shaped material, the plaiting table (2) and the auxiliary depositing means (5) are arranged to be height adjustable. Additionally, the auxiliary depositing means (5) possesses recesses (15) that can be penetrated by the supporting elements (16) of the plaiting table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a folder apparatus including a first cylinder for transporting a product and a folding cylinder rotatably engaged with the first cylinder at a nip. A product guiding device is assigned to a transition area between surfaces of the first cylinder and the folding cylinder, the guiding device having a smoothing element which includes different sections of product contacting elements being angled in opposite directions.

Abstract: A paper folding apparatus for a form printing machine includes an automatic paper cutting device having a cutting cylinder, which is disposed on an upstream side of an oscillatory shooter assembly, and which is adapted to form a cross line of cuts interposed by at least one small uncut portion in a continuous web of paper. The cutting cylinder is synchronously rotated with the paper for forming the cross line of cuts in response to a signal detected according to a predetermined length of travel of the continuous web of paper.

Abstract: A paper product, such as an advertising brochure, a cover or the like, is formed by using the novel method of the present invention. In the present method, a continuous moving web of paper is provided. The web is longitudinally slit at positions offset to one side of a longitudinal axis of the web, preferably a centerline axis, at spaced positions to form a plurality of longitudinal slits which are separated from each other by a continuous portion of the web. Thereafter, adhesive is deposited on the web at a position offset from the longitudinal slit, and preferably along a side margin of the web. A first portion of the web is folded over onto a second portion of the web along a fold line at a position between the longitudinal slit and the adhesive. Next, the first portion is secured to the second portion by the adhesive to form a secured section. The longitudinal slit is thereafter positioned between the secured section and the fold line.

Abstract: A skiving method comprises forming by milling, along an edge zone of a packaging blank comprised of a liquid-absorbent layer and at least two liquid-barrier layers thereon, a tongue, a recess inwardly of the tongue, a land inwardly of the recess, and a groove inwardly of the land, folding over the edge zone to insert the tongue into the groove, and sealing the edge zone to the remainder of the sheet material, preferably by mechanical pressure alone.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking zig-zag interfolded articles such as towels (3) cludes two carrier forks (22, 23) extending toward each other from opposite sides and forming a two-piece stacking table (8) onto which the folded towels are stacked. The apparatus further includes a pair of separating and auxiliary carrying forks (11, 12) that reach into the forming stack from opposite sides. In a method of stacking interfolded towels, the towels are stacked on the two piece stacking table (8) so that the folded edge of consecutive towels alternately faces to the right and to the left. The carrier forks (22, 23) of the two-part stacking table (8) reach under and support the bottom of the stack (2) from opposite sides and lower the stack onto a conveyor belt (26). Meanwhile, the separating and carrying forks (11, 12) reach under and support the bottom of a new stack being formed, from opposite sides.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing at least two 4-page signatures (340) and an apparatus for producing at least one 16-page signature (460). The signatures are produced by folding and cutting sheets cut from a continuous web in a folding machine (500 or 600). The apparatus of the present invention provides a selectable blade device which folds or folds and cuts sheets being processed in the device. When placed in the fold and cut position, the apparatus is capable of producing at least two 4-page signatures (340) or at least one 16-page signature (460) without the need for a final off-line trimming step.

Abstract: Device for transporting copies inside a folder which is equipped with at least one cutting cylinder for cutting individual copies from a web, the copies being transportable from the cutting cylinder to at least one copy-guiding component, and groups of tapes for transporting the copies being associated with the cutting cylinder and the copy-guiding component, includes deflector members for the groups of tapes and the at least one copy-guiding component, the deflector members having opposite ends at which the deflector members are supportingly engaged, and adjusting members for disengaging one of the ends of the respective deflector members.

Abstract: Fine paper that is sized with a 2-oxetanone alkaline sizing agent and that does not encounter machine feed problems in high speed converting or reprographic machines, including continuous forms bond paper and adding machine paper, processes for converting the paper into envelopes, continuous forms bond paper and adding machine paper, and paper products of the processes.

Abstract: An improved fully folded signature for subsequent use in gathering and combining or binding in bookbinding. The fully folded signature includes uniquely positioned perforated folds and sequences of folding which reduces folding time, alter folded signature orientation during gathering, and eliminates the need for having a conventional backbone.

Abstract: The present invention relates of a method and apparatus for making an improved resilient packing material by forming, resiliently folding and crimping shredded strips of moistened paper material into an improved interlocking, bulk, packaging material. The method and apparatus includes a wetting or dampening system which can be selectively varied to regulate the moisture content of moistened paper material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus characterized by slitting a sheet of material having a natural resilience into a plurality of strips to form a body of such strips and folding each of the strips into a zig-zag shape. The folding step/function is accomplished by advancing the plurality of strips against a restriction acting on the body of strips in such a manner that the natural resilience of the material produces substantially uniform adjacent opposite folds thereby causing each of the strips to assume a zig-zag shape.

Abstract: A paper folding assembly (15) with a plurality of rotatable rollers (18) including a cutting cylinder (60) with a cutting cylinder body (76) mounted for rotation with a rotary drive shaft (66) and having cutting members (84A, 84B) for cutting a paper ribbon (19) into individual paper sheets (24) and folding members (82A, 82B) for creasing the individual sheets (24) into a rotatable jaw cylinder (50) to create a lap (20) between opposed edges (22, 23), a cutting cylinder lap adjustment apparatus (70) with an end plate (62) secured to the folding members (82A, 82B) and mounted to the rotary drive shaft (66) adjacent an end (72) of the cutting cylinder body (76), a plurality of cutting members (84A, 84B) secured to the cutting cylinder body (76) which is mounted for rotary movement around the rotary drive shaft (66) and an adjusting member (90) connected to the cutting cylinder body (76) to move the cutting members (84A, 84B) at different selected angular positions relative to the rotary drive shaft (66) to chan

Abstract: A folder apparatus is disclosed which has a removable mounting plate supporting both of the corresponding exit rollers of a single lead-in tape assembly. The modular cartridge formed by the mounting plate and exit rollers allows for easy replacement of these parts in the folder.

Abstract: Apparatus to separate web parts from a continuous web and feed them in zig-zag fashion onto a stack. Arranged at the sides of stack are holding-down elements designed in the manner of a paddle. These holding-down elements are moved along an elliptical path in such a way that they execute a movement directed downwards and laterally outwards towards the sides of the stack. In this movement, they come into contact in the region of the folding locations with the material web parts, be they individual sheets or longer parts to be folded in a zigzag form and press the engaged region of the material web parts downwards and outwards towards the sides of the stack. In this way, a satisfactory fold is formed at the respectively correct location, even in the case of material web sections which have neither been prefolded nor provided with lines of weakness beforehand. Also, a process for forming web parts, feeding them to a stack, and pressing them down as described.

Abstract: A device for making folded products, which is usable to simultaneously make two different folded products, includes a plurality of partial paper web train fold formers arranged on lower and upper levels and a double wide folding station. The fold formers located in the upper level are shiftable in the direction of the axis of rotation of the cylinders in the folding station. This axial movement of the upper level fold formers allows the production of various folded products having different signature arrangements by the insertion of the partial web trains from the upper level fold formers into either the right or left sides of the double wide folding station.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing pop-up action products from a single continuous web of material. A preferred form of the method includes the steps of cutting the web into two separate ribbons, defining a continuous series of predetermined shapes in one of the ribbons, marrying the two separate ribbons so that they are joined to one another at each of the series of predetermined shapes in such a fashion that, after transverse separation into individual pop-up action products, the linear movement of a slide panel member results in the elevational movement of a predetermined "pop-up" shape.

Abstract: A folder apparatus is disclosed which has at least one lead-in tape mechanism having a left lead-in tape and left exit roller and a corresponding right lead-in tape and right exit roller, the fight and left lead-in tapes forming a signature passage for delivery of a stream of signatures. One of the exit rollers is spring-loaded in the direction of a fixed exit roller. The spring loading takes place with two springs acting opposite one another, the springs having different spring rates or modula. This dual spring action reduces pounding caused by the signatures as they pass through the lead-in tapes.

Abstract: A machine for forming letter sheets from a paper web having regularly spaced transverse cut lines extending inwardly from pin hole edges and leaving a perforated but uncut middle portion has a tractor feed, a slitter for removing the pin hole edges of the web, an in-line Z-folder, pinch rollers and a burster. The Z-folder has a length which is one and half to two times the spacing between transverse perforation lines. The speed of the tractor feed drive and pinch roller drive are monitored and a sensor senses each transverse cut so that the speed of the pinch rollers may be synchronized with the tractor feed.

Abstract: Continuous forms (e.g. computer paper with individual sheets separated by perforations) of one job are automatically folded and separated from the forms of the next job. Detectable marks are printed within a window onto the first form of one job, or the last of another, in a first mode, or the forms are counted in a second mode. The marks within the window are sensed by an LED sensor, which feeds information to a computer (microprocessor) control. The computer control effects operation of a cutting blade to sever the last form of one job from the first form of the next. The forms are automatically folded in a festooning action by a Bunch folder. Hall effect sensors are mounted for cooperation with notched discs on the same shaft as beaters of the Bunch folder, and function as end of travel limit switches for the folder swing chute, to provide relevant data to the microprocessor for proper operation of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A web separator is provided that cuts a web at predetermined separation locations. Downstream of the cutting, the web is folded at predetermined fold locations. A continuously swinging director, downstream of the folding, guides advancing sections of web to opposing fold edges of a supported zig-zag stack. The web is driven into the continuously swinging director by a driving member. The driving member is deactivated selectively by a clutch, while other elements of the separator continue to operate. A central drive motor may be interconnected with each of the drive member, swinging director, folding and support elements. Fold and separation locations may be determined by a bar code detector and selectively operable upper and lower conveyor belts may be disposed below the supported zig-zag stack.

Abstract: A method for sorting, separating and indicating sections of an outputted stack, such as printed continuous paper web. A continuous web is outputted which includes a plurality of sections having pages therein. Page separation and section separation locations are determined upon the web wherein the size of each page in a section is equal and wherein the size of at least one section separator page disposed adjacent to a section separation location is unequal to the size of the other pages in the section. The web is folded at each of the subsequent page separation locations upon an alternating face to produce a zig-zag pattern. The section separator pages may be folded so that their size is greater than or less than the size of the pages in the section and the section separator pages may be cut so that their size is greater than or less than that of the pages in the section.