Abstract: A machine and a method to carry out workings on a sheet of a sufficiently rigid material is suitable to make containers. The machine includes a transverse working head guided by a first transverse guide member, one or more longitudinal working heads, each selectively positionable in a desired transverse position, guided by at least a second transverse guide member parallel to the first transverse guide member; and positioning mechanism configured to cooperate with each longitudinal working head in order to selectively position it in the desired transverse position.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a vehicle control system. The control system includes a steering control coupled to at least one steerable wheel, the steering control having a first position, a second position and a plurality of positions therebetween. The control system also includes a steering sensor coupled to the steering control and configured to generate steering sensor signals based upon the position of the steering control. The control system also includes a control module coupled to the steering sensor, the control module configured to (i) record a first steering sensor signal value when the steering control is in the first position; (ii) record a second steering sensor signal value when the steering control is in the second position; and (iii) determine a current position of the steering control by comparing the first and second steering sensor signal values with a current steering sensor signal value.

Abstract: A machine and method for making bags is described and includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar, having a first sealing zone, and an adjacent weakening zone. The weakening zone may be a heated perforator, includes a heating wire, or be disposed to create an auxiliary sealed area. The heating wire can have, connected thereto, a source of power that is at an adjustable voltage or magnitude, and/or pulsed, and/or a feedback loop. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire and make intermittent contact with the web and be disposed in an insert. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity, is a separating zone, or includes a heat film, a toothed blade, a row of pins, a source of air, or a source of vacuum. The sealing zones may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.

Abstract: A stitch flap cutting block is mountable to a cutting head of a board blank cutting machine, along with a slotting knife. A sheet of board passed between the cutting head and an anvil head is cut to form a blank for a box or the like. The cutting block comprises a steel body with a cylindrical barrel holding a cylindrical spring block, to which is mounted a blade holder carrying an elongate blade. The blade moves within a transverse slot across the body and is deflectable into the body and may rock about a midpoint of the slot. Impact forces are reduced, cleaner cuts are produced, and re-setting of the blade is required much less often. An alternative stitch flap cutting block is mountable to the cutting head by a separate side arm, facilitating mounting to cutting heads having different diameters.

Abstract: A rolling mechanism for having an opening perforation line on a plastic packaging film is disclosed, including a carriage frame, a pressure bearing unit, an impact cushioning mechanism, and an opening cutter assembly. The pressure bearing unit includes a pressure bearing seat, an anvil roll, and a retention plate, wherein the retention plate comprises a receptacle channel. The retention plate is used to position the anvil roll in the receptacle channel of the pressure bearing seat. The impact cushioning mechanism is coupled between the carriage frame and the pressure bearing seat. The opening cutter assembly is arranged adjacent to the anvil roll, which includes an opening cutter shaft and at least one opening cutter blade attached to the periphery of the opening cutter shaft.

Abstract: A machine and method for making bags is described and includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar, having a first sealing zone, and an adjacent weakening zone. The weakening zone may be a heated perforator, includes a heating wire, or be disposed to create an auxiliary sealed area. The heating wire can have, connected thereto, a source of power that is at an adjustable voltage or magnitude, and/or pulsed, and/or a feedback loop. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire and make intermittent contact with the web and be disposed in an insert. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity, is a separating zone, or includes a heat film, a toothed blade, a row of pins, a source of air, or a source of vacuum. The sealing zones may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.

Abstract: A rolling mechanism for having an opening perforation line on a plastic packaging film is disclosed, including a carriage frame, a pressure bearing unit, an impact cushioning mechanism, and an opening cutter assembly. The pressure bearing unit includes a pressure bearing seat, an anvil roll, and a retention plate, wherein the retention plate comprises a receptacle channel. The retention plate is used to position the anvil roll in the receptacle channel of the pressure bearing seat. The impact cushioning mechanism is coupled between the carriage frame and the pressure bearing seat. The opening cutter assembly is arranged adjacent to the anvil roll, which includes an opening cutter shaft and at least one opening cutter blade attached to the periphery of the opening cutter shaft.

Abstract: A cushioning dunnage producing machine comprises a crumpler, a roll of paper sheet material having a first end at a radially innermost location and a second end at a radially outermost location, the first end fed into the crumpler, the crumpler drawing the paper sheet from the roll and crumpling the paper sheet into cushioning dunnage, and a cutter which travels laterally across the cushioning dunnage to cut the dunnage into a strip of a desired length.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cutting tool which can easily prevent damage from occurring at the slit end formed on a sheet material, such as a corrugated sheet or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a folding machine for a web-fed printing press is disclosed. The folding machine includes a cutting blade cylinder operable with a folding blade cylinder and a folding jaw cylinder. A drive is connected to the cutting blade cylinder. The drive is operable in a non-uniform manner in a collecting mode of the folding machine to supply a first and a second exemplar of different sheet lengths and is operable in a uniform manner in a non-collecting mode of the folding machine.

Abstract: A machine and method for making bags is described and includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar, having a first sealing zone, and an adjacent weakening zone. The weakening zone may be a heated perforator, includes a heating wire, or be disposed to create an auxiliary sealed area. The heating wire can have, connected thereto, a source of power that is at an adjustable voltage or magnitude, and/or pulsed, and/or a feedback loop. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire and make intermittent contact with the web and be disposed in an insert. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity, is a separating zone, or includes a heat film, a toothed blade, a row of pins, a source of air, or a source of vacuum. The sealing zones may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.

Abstract: A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage is small and permits flexible installation configuration options for a single or multiple packing stations. A compact apparatus of the system is capable of being pivotally mounted as a unit on a stand and includes a motor and a material feeding arrangement driven by the motor for pulling material from a supply roll of the material supported on a stand of the system, and feeding it through the apparatus. A plurality of material shaping members upstream of the feeding arrangement shape the material in the apparatus to convert it into a continuous strip of cushioning product.

Abstract: A folding apparatus (1) in a web-fed rotary printing press for folding signatures (2) which are cut off from a running web of material (6) by a cutting device (40) and carried on a signature transport surface (10) of a folding blade cylinder with the aid of at least one rotating band-shaped conveying element (12, 22, 36, 38) has the feature that the cutting device (4) includes a cutting blade (14) arranged on the folding blade cylinder (8) as well as a rotating anvil element (16) which interacts with the cutting blade; the band-shaped conveying element (12, 22, 36, 38) being passed around the rotating anvil element (16) in such a manner that the band-shaped conveying element acts as a supporting element for the cutting blade (14) during the cutting of the signatures (2).

Abstract: A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage is small and permits flexible installation configuration options for a single or multiple packing stations. A compact apparatus of the system is capable of being pivotally mounted as a unit on a stand and includes a motor and a material feeding arrangement driven by the motor for pulling material from a supply roll of the material supported on a stand of the system, and feeding it through the apparatus. A plurality of material shaping members upstream of the feeding arrangement shape the material in the apparatus to convert it into a continuous strip of cushioning product.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus includes a media path configured to receive a sheet of media moving along the media path. A creasing tool is located proximate to the media path and is configured to form a crease in the sheet of media. The apparatus also includes a sheet folding device configured to fold the sheet of media along the crease. The creasing tool is preferably configured to operably move from a first position wherein the creasing tool is retracted away from the media path, to a second position wherein the creasing tool can contact a sheet of media moving along the media path and thereby form a crease in the sheet.

Abstract: A rotary printing press has a folding station where the printed web is perforated both transversely and longitudinally in order to expedite subsequent folding thereof into signatures. In order to incorporate a longitudinal perforator into the folding station without adding to its size, a longitudinally perforating blade similar to a circular saw is mounted to a blade carrier shaft which is rotatably supported opposite a feed roller by which the web is frictionally fed into and through the folding station. An annular, longitudinally grooved anvil is formed circumferentially on the feed roller for engaging the longitudinally perforating blade via the web being thereby perforated. The longitudinally perforating blade is movable with the blade carrier shaft into and out of perforating engagement with the anvil on the feed roller.

Abstract: A cutting cylinder is mounted such that it can rotate and be driven and is provided with four cutting blades on its circumference, which blades divide the circumferential length into four sections arranged on the circumference of the cutting cylinder.

Abstract: A rotary die cutter mechanism for cutting and/or creasing corrugated boards including a rotatable die cylinder with a cutting die, and a rotatable anvil against which the corrugated boards are cut as they pass between the die cylinder and the anvil. A computer is used to determine how much the speed of the anvil should be changed to compensate for changes in the diameter of the anvil so that the boards are cut to the desired dimension. A fine adjustment of the size of the boards to be cut is made by providing information to the computer representative of the specific die being used. The computer then calculates an adjusted speed of the anvil to cut the boards to the desired dimension, and then sends a signal to a motor for changing the speed of the anvil to the adjusted speed calculated by the computer.

Abstract: A rotary trimmer apparatus and signature trimming method are provided that enable operators to set a gap spacing between a rotating knife and an anvil at different predetermined sizes in an easy and accurate manner. The operator chooses the optimum knife/anvil spacing that produces a scissors-like cutting action on the particular type of signatures being trim cut and which does not cause premature knife dulling. The selected knife/anvil spacing is readily reproducable for future runs with the same operating conditions. This is true regardless of changes in the knife thickness as can be created by sharpening thereof, or knife replacement. For this purpose, a user operated control assembly including a control knob and calibrated indexer are provided. To keep the knife/anvil spacing at the set size during trim cutting operations, a temperature control system is employed that keeps axial expansion of the knife spindle shaft from reducing the gap size.

Abstract: A system for creating and dispensing cushioning dunnage is small and permits flexible installation configuration options for a single or multiple packing stations. A compact apparatus of the system is capable of being pivotally mounted as a unit on a stand and includes a motor and a material feeding arrangement driven by the motor for pulling material from a supply roll of the material supported on a stand of the system, and feeding it through the apparatus. A plurality of material shaping members upstream of the feeding arrangement shape the material in the apparatus to convert it into a continuous strip of cushioning product.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a device for seizing a flat material (25) such as a web of material (1) on a transporting surface (15). A first cylinder (7) has at least one knife assembly (12) assigned to its respective surface (9). A paper conducting cylinder (14) such as a transfer cylinder or a folding cylinder supports a flat material (25) on its respective outer circumference (15). Biased product seizing element (27) assigned to said circumference (9) of said first cylinder (7) are provided, adopting on cooperation with said leading edge (25) supported on said outer surface (15) of the paper conducting cylinder (14) an engaging position (32).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributing wear over a plurality of elements on a rotating member. In the case of a cutoff or perforation roll, a plurality of retractable cutoff or perforation blades can be actuated to be extended or retracted to selectively cut or perforate a web. To distribute blade wear, extended blades are occasionally retracted while other blades are extended. Where it is desired to continue producing cuts or perforations of a desired length through such blade indexing, the spacing and number of blades before and after indexing are preferably the same. Most preferably, each blade retracted during indexing is replaced by a blade on the same side of and at the same distance from the blade being retracted. To hold the web during web cutting or perforating operations, the roll is preferably provided with vacuum apertures to which is supplied vacuum via vacuum lines, vacuum valves, and a vacuum source, thereby creating suction through the vacuum apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributing wear over a plurality of elements on a rotating member. In the case of a cutoff or perforation roll, a plurality of retractable cutoff or perforation blades can be actuated to be extended or retracted to selectively cut or perforate a web. To distribute blade wear, extended blades are occasionally retracted while other blades are extended. Where it is desired to continue producing cuts or perforations of a desired length through such blade indexing, the spacing and number of blades before and after indexing are preferably the same. Most preferably, each blade retracted during indexing is replaced by a blade on the same side of and at the same distance from the blade being retracted. To hold the web during web cutting or perforating operations, the roll is preferably provided with vacuum apertures to which is supplied vacuum via vacuum lines, vacuum valves, and a vacuum source, thereby creating suction through the vacuum apertures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for perforating a web of material intended to form an outer casing sheet of absorbent articles. As the web is advanced, the web is first provided with a large number of mutually separated cuts in the nip defined between raised plateaus on a matrix cylinder and circumferentially extending knife-edges of a cutting cylinder. The web is then deformed transversely to its plane at parts which border on each cut. The invention also relates to a perforated outer casing sheet which includes recesses in the form of mutually adjacent elongated channel-like grooves.

Abstract: The device comprises at least one circular slitting tool (25; 25B) with an axis of rotation located on one side of the path of the web, which works in conjunction with an edge (68; 68B) that supports the web (N) and that is situated on the opposite side of said path (P) from the tool axis and essentially perpendicular to the direction of forward travel (F) of the web and over which said web (N) travels during its advance.

Abstract: A folding score and a method and apparatus for forming the folding score which includes a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced side scores and a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross scores positioned therebetween. The apparatus for forming the folding score includes a creasing rule or a die board embodying a creasing rule with a pair of laterally spaced score members and a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross score members positioned therebetween.

Abstract: Rigid packets of the type with a hinged lid are fashioned from diecut blanks presenting a central longitudinal portion flanked by two lateral portions, each consisting in a series of longitudinally disposed flaps. The method of manufacture involves directing the blanks singly and in succession between a pair of contrarotating rollers with dies shaped and positioned to engage each lateral portion; the dies are designed to modify a pair of adjoining flaps on each side, which ultimately will be bent through a right angle to form an internal layer of the relative flank face of the packet, by producing at least one bend in one flap at an end adjacent to the other flap, and forming a projection on the longer flap which in the finished packet will be breasted permanently in contact with an inner reinforcing frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machine for cutting at least two components of a multi-component workpiece from webs of material which are moving at different speeds relative to one another, and depositing the two cut components on a third web of material moving at yet a different speed.The machine cuts the first component from a moving first web, transfers the cut component to overlie a moving web of second material, and cuts the second component from the second web while the first component overlies and falls, either wholly or partially, within the cut boundaries of the second component. The mated first and second cut components are then transferred by the machine to a web of third material.An optional embossing roller imparts a pattern to the stacked cut first and second components as they pass between the embossing and anvil rollers.

Abstract: A lengthwise cutting and grooving machine for webs of corrugated board comprises a grooving station, a lengthwise cutting and grooving station and a lengthwise cutting station which are disposed one after the other in the conveying direction of a web of corrugated board. The lengthwise cutting and grooving station comprises a pair of a grooving tool and a counterpart grooving tool cooperating therewith on the one hand and a pair of a cutter and a counterpart tool on the other hand.

Abstract: A cutting device is provided including a base adapted for being fixedly positioned on a piece of material to be cut. Also included is a handle slidably mounted on the base. Next provided is a control assembly including a shaft slidably mounted on the handle. The shaft of the control assembly is adapted to be slid between a first orientation wherein the shaft extends downwardly past a bottom face of the base and a second orientation wherein the shaft resides above the bottom face of the base. Finally, a blade or a creasing attachment is included for being mounted on the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for manufacturing a multi-component product comprising at least two components cut from moving webs of material, registering the components with respect to one another, and depositing the registered components on a web of moving material. The components have respective leading and trailing edges, a longitudinal center line, and a longitudinal center defined by a point midway on said longitudinal center line between said leading and trailing edges.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for forming a web (N) that is permeable to liquids and designed to separate two environments and to allow the liquid to flow in one direction from one of said environments to the other, in which said web is caused to pass between two contra-rotating cylinders (5, 7) that are pressed against each other, one of said cylinders (7) having a surface provided with projections which cause perforations in said web (N). The cylinder (7) with the projections is turned at a peripheral speed greater than the peripheral speed of the other cylinder (5), with a consequent relative slipping action between the surfaces of the two cylinders (5, 7).

Abstract: A facing sheet (10) for absorbent articles is disclosed in the form of a laminate made up of at least a first layer (12) and a second layer (14). The first layer is intended to face a wearer when the absorbent article is in use and presents a plurality of through holes (16) delimited by an upper perimeter (18) and a lower perimeter (20) to thereby permit liquid to migrate through to the second layer (14). The second layer presents first depressions (22) which are arranged such that the lower perimeter (20) of each hole in the first layer (12) is aligned with an associated depression in the second layer (14). The invention further relates to a method which may be used to produce such a facing sheet.

Abstract: A machine and method for making folded strips, which machine and method are characterized by features that enable a reduction in the size, weight and cost of the machine. The machine and method comprises a housing having first and second housing sections, a longitudinal severing assembly for longitudinally severing the sheet stock material into a plurality of strips, and a folding device downstream of the longitudinal severing assembly and operative to cause back and forth folding of the strips to produce accordion-folded strips having substantially uniform adjacent opposite folds. The longitudinal severing assembly includes first and second slitting members respectively carried in the first and second housing sections, and the first and second housing sections are separable whereby the housing is openable to maintain and repair the machine. The slitting members include a shaft and an array of slitting discs carried on the shaft for rotation therewith.

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

Abstract: Method and apparatus for repetitively making products, such as cap liners continuously from web material. A rotary knife drum having an array of die cutters cooperates with a counter-rotating anvil to thereby define a convergent web working zone therebetween. A pair of servo-motor driven nip feeders feed a web through the convergent work zone of the drum and anvil.

Abstract: A tool positioning device for use in combination with a machine for working paperboard blanks conveyed in a horizontal direction through the machine. The machine includes pairs of parallel rotary shafts wherein each pair of shafts includes upper and lower shafts and carry a plurality of tool heads. The positioning device includes a plurality of coupling members actuated in a vertical direction by actuators wherein the coupling members are moved downwardly into engagement with the tool heads. The coupling members are supported on an actuator support which is mounted to a transfer structure wherein the transfer structure moves the actuator support in axial movement to thereby slide the tool heads along their respective shafts to preselected positions along the shafts.

Abstract: A rotating cutting apparatus has an arrangement for controlling and finishing the cutting which is arranged between a cutting station and a receiving station. This arrangement includes a conveying arrangement for box blanks, an arrangement for acting on the cut flaps of the box blanks to bend them out of the plane of the blank and an arrangement for pressing the flaps back into the plane of the blank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pinch perforating multi-ply web material to increase the perforation ply bond and/or perforation ply bond retention by pinching the multiple plies of web material together and then perforating the material using an anvil and perforator blade design provided on a perforating apparatus. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a roll mounted contoured perforator blade which cooperates with a beveled anvil to produce perforation ply bonds perpendicular to the length of the multiple plies of web material. The desired anvil/perforator blade interface angle between 0.degree. and 20.degree. is provided by beveling the anvil. A 15.degree. beveled anvil is preferred to provide a 5.degree. anvil/perforator blade interface angle. By pinching and bonding the leading edges and other predetermined points of the multi-ply tissue paper together before cutting, the likelihood of ply separation, missing plies and ply mismatch is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A slitting assembly for producing a plurality of "interrupted cut" slits in a large sheet of sport card photos includes a horizontal support track carrying a plurality of individual upper slitting assemblies each including a freely rotatable upper hub, an upper blade concentrically attached to the upper hub, a resilient band circumferentially disposed on the upper hub to frictionally engage the top surface of the sheet being slit, and an upper blade biasing element to resiliently urge an edge of the upper blade against an edge of the corresponding lower blade. The upper blades are precisely parallel to the lower blades to avoid interference with notches provided in the lower blades to interrupt the slits being made. The locations of the notches are selected to compensate for slippage resulting from the frictional engagement.

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 method for making plastic case blanks is disclosed. A molten plastic material is passed through a nip of a first, preforming pair of molding cylinders to form a semi-solidified sheet having a first thickness, The semi-solidified sheet is then molded to form a final sheet having a second, uniform thickness less than the first thickness and the final sheet is scored to form folding scores and cut to form a plurality of the blanks. The molding, scoring and cutting are simultaneously performed by passing the semi-solidified sheet through a nip of a second pair of cylinders. One of the second pair of cylinders has scoring means for forming the folding scores in the final sheet and cutting means for cutting the final sheet to form the plurality of the blanks and the other of the second pair of cylinders has recess means complementary to the cutting means for receiving the cutting means and effectuating the cutting.

Abstract: A paper train inlet in a longitudinal fold gate utilizes an upstream paper guide cylinder and a downstream paper guide cylinder, which is situated adjacent to the gate, to guide superimposed paper webs to the longitudinal fold gate. At least one traction cylinder group is located between the upstream or remote paper guide cylinder and the downstream or adjacent paper guide cylinder. The paper train inlet provides a slip-free paper train transport by use of a traction cylinder drive mechanism of low structural height.

Abstract: A device and method for axially aligning a rotary head assembly. The rotary head assembly includes a rotary head and an axial alignment assembly. The axial alignment assembly includes a guide plate means fixed to the rotary head. The guide plate means has a pair of opposing surfaces extending radially from the shaft. The axial alignment assembly also includes a carrier means with a yoke attached thereto, and an alignment element attached to the yoke. The alignment element has a pair of opposing wear surfaces for contact with the opposing surfaces of the guide plate means. The alignment element also includes an axial pressure exerting means for exerting pressure axially on each wear surface so that there is contact between the opposing surfaces of the guide plate means and the corresponding wear surfaces. Pressure is exerted on the wear surface in the direction toward the corresponding face of the guide plate means to maintain axial alignment of the head assembly as it rotates.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with paper folding or other machines which applies a line of perforations on the paper sheets at selected locations and for controlled distances while the paper sheet is travelling through the machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for preparing box blanks of corrugated board which include feeding the blanks of corrugated board in succession along a feed path and in a direction parallel to opposite edges of the blanks. The blank is folded to form a flat tube prior to its formation into a box. The opposite edges of the folded blank overlap and are reduced in thickness in the areas in which the overlap occurs. Cutting means adjacent to the feed path removes material from opposite faces of the respective edges. The resulting flaps overlap with an unreduced portion of the board of the finished box.

Abstract: An outer wrapper for a container which includes an integral tear tape. The tear tape is formed by cutting two sets of score lines extending partially through the thickness of the wrapper material. The tear tape can be patterned to conform to the parting line along which the container opens, including oblique segments, thus allowing the container to be opened without interference from the parts of the wrapper which remain in contact with the container subsequent to removal of the tear tape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a fold construction in a triple wall corrugated paper board comprises a pair of spaced a part main frame plates having four support plates connected therebetween in a direction which is transverse to a feed direction for the paper board. A pair of shaft carrier plates which have linear bearings thereon, are mounted for sliding movement to the support shafts between the frame plates. Spreader tubes are engaged around the support shafts for maintaining a selected and accurate distance between the carrier plates. Upper and lower shafts are rotatably mounted between the carrier plates and carry knives, scoring members or other fold forming elements for scoring or cutting the paper board to form segments of the fold construction. A table is fixed between the carrier plates that cooperates with a hold down roller which is rotatably mounted between the plates, to hold the paper board down and prevent curling or warping as the fold construction is formed.

Abstract: Apparatus for scoring and perforating sheets of paper which receives sheets of paper in flat or folded condition and which applies scoring or perforating lines at selected locations, and delivers the sheets to a folding machine or other apparatus for further processing.

Abstract: This invention comprises apparatus and methods for folding and crimping shredded strips of sheet material into preselected lengths of interlocking, decorative material and/or bulk packaging material. The apparatus generally includes an attachment for a commercial paper shredding device which shreds sheet material therein. The apparatus comprises a movable barrier against which the shredded strips of sheet material are impelled upon being expelled from cutting blades of the shredding device. The movable barrier causes the strips to become controllably jammed within a confined area between the barrier and the cutting blades. Further insertion of additional strips into the confined area causes the strips to become compacted, folded, and crimped against a remaining dam of jammed sheet material located within the confined area. This causes the strips to fold and press against themselves, and form lengths of thin sheet material having an accordion-shaped configuration.