Folding By Buckling Patents (Class 493/419)
  • Patent number: 10059558
    Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a conveying unit, a presser, an end detector, and a setting unit. The conveying unit conveys a sheet having a crease formed therein. The presser presses the crease in the sheet. The end detector detects an end in a conveying direction of the sheet at a position upstream of the presser in the conveying direction. The setting unit sets a crease position where the crease is to be formed. Upon detection of the end in the conveying direction, the conveying unit conveys the sheet to a position where the crease faces the presser, on the basis of the crease position set by the setting unit. The presser presses the crease in the conveyed sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Michitaka Suzuki, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Tomomichi Hoshino, Satoshi Saito, Takahiro Watanabe, Takao Watanabe, Yuji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9017241
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to tucking opposing side panels into a chassis of a diaper pant. The apparatuses and methods may utilize one or more conveyors that advance the chassis along a machine direction. Each conveyor may have a vacuum zone that applies a vacuum force to hold the chassis. The chassis may be positioned between a first conveyor having a first vacuum zone and a second conveyor having a second vacuum zone. The conveyors may apply opposing vacuum forces to hold the first waist region apart from the second waist region while the chassis advances in the machine direction toward a tucking device. The vacuum forces are then removed from the waist regions as the tucking device pushes the side panels toward each other. Pushing the side panels toward each other causes the inner surfaces of the waist regions to simultaneously move toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gary Dean Lavon, Uwe Schneider, Joseph Hung Lam
  • Patent number: 8939878
    Abstract: Plural conveying paths including guide plates are arranged on both sides of a sheet in its thickness direction, being linked from an upstream side to a downstream side in a conveying direction of the sheet. A stopper is arranged in at least one of the conveying paths to make contact with a leading edge of the sheet conveyed through the conveying paths thereby stopping the sheet and forming a bending portion at the sheet. A pair of folding rollers is arranged between the conveying paths to nip the bending portion of the sheet to form a folding line at the sheet. An adjusting member is provided on the guide plates to adjust a space between the guide plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kenichi Takekawa, Yasuki Matsuura, Masanobu Kimata, Isao Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8882649
    Abstract: The folding device includes a folding unit and a prior moving unit. The folding unit performs the folding process on the paper aligned by the alignment member positioned at the folding position. The prior moving unit moves the alignment member from the folding position to the home position or the alignment position according to a position of the end of the paper being moved in the folding process. This can put ahead the starting time for moving the alignment members and reduce the time required for a subsequent folding process, thereby improving efficiency (productivity) of the folding process as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shigeaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8777824
    Abstract: A sheet folding device for performing single-sheet folding and multi-sheet folding with a single feed path, the device including: a conveying unit that conveys a sheet; a restraining unit that stops a leading edge of the sheet; a pair of folding rollers that fold the sheet; and a guiding member that guides a bend of the sheet to a nip between the pair of folding rollers, wherein the guiding member is positioned at different sheet-guiding positions for single-sheet folding and multi-sheet folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Masanobu Kimata
  • Patent number: 8740212
    Abstract: A sheet folding device includes a transport unit that transports a sheet; an abutting unit that abuts an end of the sheet being transported to form a bent portion at the sheet; a folding unit that nips the bent portion of the sheet by a pair of folding rollers to form a fold line in the sheet; a guide member that partially covers the folding roller and guides the sheet; and a position adjustment unit that adjusts a position of the guide member. An exposure amount of the folding roller with respect to the sheet can be varied by adjusting the position of the guide member through the position adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Isao Yasuda, Ikumi Takashima
  • Patent number: 8695959
    Abstract: A sheet folding device includes a transport unit that transports a sheet; an abutting unit that abuts an end of the sheet being transported to form a bent portion at the sheet; a folding unit that nips the bent portion of the sheet by a pair of folding rollers to form a fold line in the sheet; a guide member that partially covers the folding roller and guides the sheet; and a position adjustment unit that adjusts a position of the guide member. An exposure amount of the folding roller with respect to the sheet can be varied by adjusting the position of the guide member through the position adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Isao Yasuda, Ikumi Takashima
  • Patent number: 8641590
    Abstract: A sheet folder comprising input rollers, exit rollers and a fold box having a fold plate which is curved substantially along its whole length, wherein the curved fold plate is configured to induce a sheet to curve in two different directions during the folding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventors: Damon Peter Smith, Paul Francis Hitchings, David John Barrett
  • Patent number: 8434751
    Abstract: An apparatus compares, when executing a job using sheets of a first size and sheets of a second size having a greater width in a sheet conveyance direction than the first size, the width in the conveyance direction of the sheets of the first size with the folding width of the sheets of the second size. The apparatus controls execution of a job based on a comparison result between the width in the conveyance direction of the sheets of the first size and the folding width of the sheets of the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Munetaka Sakata
  • Patent number: 8419603
    Abstract: A folding machine and a folding method perform overlapped folding of sheets of paper, paperboard and the like. The folding machine has at least one first and one second folding station each having driven folding rolls, a transport device disposed between the first and second folding stations, a drive and a common control unit connected to the drives. The products are transported between the first and the second folding stations in an overlapping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Martin Terlau
  • Patent number: 8251882
    Abstract: A longitudinal folding machine comprises a folding blade and a folding table. The folding blade is driven with a cyclical frequency relative to one or more elements of a web-processing machine, or relative to a flow of incoming products. The entry of a leading edge of products is detected at a first measurement point. A relative phase position between the movement of the folding blade and the phase position of the elements and/or the phase position of the flow of products is modified by one of a control and a regulation device to adjust a contact point of the folding blade with the products to be folded. The relative phase position is modified such that the leading edges of the products to be folded are maintained at a distance from the measurement point on the delivery route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Wilhelm Decker, Klaus Friederich, Christof Horst Höger, Holger Ratz, Gerd Weiler
  • Publication number: 20120202671
    Abstract: A folding machine for folding sheet-like elements includes at least a first buckle-folding station, a second buckle-folding station and possibly a further buckle-folding station, for respectively forming folding configurations having at least one fold. A folded edge trimming device is provided upstream of a respective folding station, for removing the at least one previously-formed fold. A method of folding using such a folding machine is also provided. It is thus possible to generate folded products with a high level of folding accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventor: MARTIN HAUPT-TERLAU
  • Patent number: 8192340
    Abstract: A buckle plate device for a folding machine comprises a buckle plate (10) and a sheet stopping means for stopping a sheet (24) running into the buckle plate (10) in the intake direction, wherein the sheet stopping means is formed by a clamping means (26) which clamps the incoming sheet (24) in order to stop it and preferably automatically releases the clamping at the onset of tractive forces of the subsequent rollers. Hereby a buckle plate device is provided which requires little space and makes it possible to fold sheets with comparably low noise development without a mechanical stop in a sheet-edge controlled manner or in a print-image controlled manner at a high sheet transport speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Maschinenbau Oppenweiler Binder GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eberhard Krieger, Klaus Stoeckel, Wolfgang Fischer
  • Patent number: 8187158
    Abstract: A paper folding station with a paper-feeder and a first pair of motorized rollers supported at a delivery end of the paper-feeder about respective parallel axes to draw sheets of paper from the feeder. One of the rollers is mounted on a first adjustable support. A folding buckle is provided to receive the sheets from the first pair of rollers through an inlet mouth. The buckle has a barrier causing the sheets to stop and bend into the shape of a groove below the inlet mouth. A second pair of rollers is supported near the inlet mouth about respective parallel axes to pinch the groove and to make a transverse fold on the sheet. The paper-folding station further comprises at least one transverse beam to guide the sheet near the inlet mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Petratto S.r.l.
    Inventor: Joseph B. Vallonthaiel
  • Publication number: 20110136644
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus includes: a fold roller pair which forms a nipping portion and inserts the center of a sheet bundle into the nipping portion to form a fold in the sheet bundle; a folding blade which moves from a standby position and presses the center of the sheet bundle against the nipping portion when the fold is formed, and returns to the standby position after the pressing of the nipping portion is completed; and a protection member which prevents an access to a front edge of the folding blade in a longitudinal direction of the front edge when the folding blade is located at the standby position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro KAWAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 7896796
    Abstract: Outserts having printed information thereon are disclosed and are formed in accordance with a method in which a plurality of parallel folds are made in a sheet of paper in a first fold direction using a plurality of pairs of folding rollers and stop members to form an intermediate folded item and in which a plurality of cross-folds are made in the intermediate folded item to form the outsert. The cross-folds may be made to divide the length of the intermediate folded item into ten panels, fourteen panels, or eighteen panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Vijuk Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Mattila, William C. Neubauer
  • Publication number: 20100304945
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device (1) for creasing, perforating and/or folding paper or other similar media to suit envelopes of various sizes. The device (1) includes a selectable creasing (15) or perforating head (20) which cooperates with an anvil (35), a Top Of Form sensor (46), a jam roller (59), associated pinch rollers (49, 63, 66) and a firmware for entering the paper size and type of paper for folding. After a predetermined paper length is fed into the paper path, the creasing (15) or perforating head (20) traverses a width of the paper to form a crease and after a predetermined length of paper passes the Top Of Form sensor (46), the jam/pinch rollers (59/49, 63, 66) are programmed to reverse in direction to cause the paper to buckle at the crease to form a fold. The types of folding operable by the device (1) are: letter, z, engineering, gate or half-fold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: EBM Technology Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Thai Wee ANG
  • Publication number: 20100075821
    Abstract: A folding machine and a method of folding sheets of paper, board and the like with underlapping, include at least a first folding station with folding units and an imbricated feeder for feeding sheets to the first folding station, over an aligning table, in a first transporting direction. The imbricated feeder has a device for separating the sheets and a suction configuration which can be adjusted in and counter to the first transporting direction and is intended for the underlapping transfer of sheets from a sheet stack of the imbricated feeder to the aligning table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Martin Terlau
  • Patent number: 7666129
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding inserts by inverting the insert sheet after the first fold is made and reintroducing the folded insert sheet into a first buckle chute from the opposite end. The second fold is then made in a second buckle chute which results in either a bottom address or a middle address appearing on the folded insert in a manner that the address will appear through the window of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Lyga, James A. Fairweather, David J. Eaton, Carl R. Chapman
  • Patent number: 7621862
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming informational items such as outserts and booklets may include folding a sheet of paper having product information printed thereon by making a plurality of folds in the sheet of paper to form a first folded article; (b) making a fold in the first folded article to form a second folded article; (c) applying pressure at least about 30 psi and no greater than about 500 psi to the second folded article a first pressing unit having a pair of pressure rollers; and (d) making one or more folds in the second folded article to form an outsert using a third folding apparatus having a plurality of folding rollers having a nip therebetween and a movable blade member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Vijuk Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Neubauer, Llija Llijevski, Roger Mattila
  • Publication number: 20090275456
    Abstract: A method of using a folding apparatus to form an outsert having product information printed thereon comprises making a plurality of folds in a first direction in a sheet of paper; aking a plurality of folds in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction to form folded articles; making another fold in said second direction to form an outsert including causing a movable member of a folding apparatus to make contact with and move an intermediate portion of a folded article towards a pair of adjustably-spaced folding members, at least one of said adjustably-spaced folding members having a position that is adjustable to allow said adjustably-spaced folding members to be adjustably spaced apart from each other by a distance that is within a range defined by a lower boundary of 0.25 inches and an upper boundary of 0.45 inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: VIJUK EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: William C. Neubauer, Roger Mattila, IIija IIijevski
  • Publication number: 20090275455
    Abstract: A method of using a folding apparatus to form an outsert having product information printed thereon comprises making a plurality of folds in a first direction in a sheet of paper; making a plurality of folds in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction to form folded articles; making a fold in said second direction to form an outsert; and applying pressure to at least one of said folded articles or said outsert, said pressure being at least about 30 pounds per square inch, said pressure being applied by a pressing unit comprising a plurality of pressure rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: VIJUK EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: William C. Neubauer, Roger Mattila, Ilija Ilijevski
  • Publication number: 20090261570
    Abstract: A method of using a folding apparatus to form an outsert having product information printed thereon comprises applying a plurality of parallel lines of water to a sheet of paper using a plurality of spray nozzles and being applied at positions at which folds are to be made; making a plurality of folds in a first direction in the sheet of paper with a first folding apparatus; making a plurality of folds in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and making a fold in in the second direction to form an outsert including causing a movable member of a folding apparatus to make contact with and move a folded article towards a folding roller, and so that the folded article makes contact with the folding roller to form a fold in the folded article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: VIJUK EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: William C. Neubauer, Roger Mattila, Ilija Ilijevski
  • Patent number: 7534201
    Abstract: A sheet conveying section (B) sequentially conveys a sheet (P) from a sheet feeding section (A), and a sheet folding section (D) folds the sheet (P) received from the sheet conveying section (B) in a conveying direction. The sheet conveying section (B) comprises a conveyer belt (3), and a positioning ruler (4) for positioning the sheet (P) while it is conveyed. The sheet folding section (D) comprises a folding knife (9), a pair of folding rollers (10), and first and second guides (11a, 11b) arranged on either side of the folding knife (9). The sheet (p) is positioned to a fold position by the first and second guides (11a, 11b) and folded by the folding knife (9) and the folding roller (10). The positioning ruler (4) is moved in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction by a first driving mechanism (5, 6). The first and second guides (11a) are moved in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction respectively by second and third driving mechanisms (21, 22; 23, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Horizon International, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamamoto, Tatsuaki Ida
  • Publication number: 20080108492
    Abstract: A buckle folding machine with a plurality of parallel working rollers that are mounted together in a support that is rotationally mounted in the machine frame and that, via a drive, can be rotated for drawing in, folding, and ejecting the article to be folded, at least one of the rotating working rollers being displaceable, characterized in that the displaceable working roller as buckling roller (11) is a component of a radially movable buckling body (1) that can be tilted about a longitudinal axis that runs parallel to the working rollers (15, 16, and 17), the buckling body (1) cooperating with the adjacent working rollers (15, 16, and 17) for buckling the article (18) to be folded and for feeding it. to a folding gap and using at least one segment of a spreading cam (34) can be forcibly displaced into a position for permitting passage and into a position for buckling the article (18) to be folded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Karl Zechner
  • Patent number: 7326166
    Abstract: For folding a sheet of paper, a portion of the sheet situated between opposite ends of the sheet is bent to a folding nip between a pair of folding rollers. By rotating the folding rollers in an output rotation sense, whereby sections of the folding rollers in the area of the folding nip transport the bent portion of the sheet into the folding nip, and transporting the bent portion of the sheet through the folding nip, a fold is formed in the bent portion of the sheet. Prior to the rotation of the folding rollers in the output rotation sense, at least a portion of the sheet is supplied between the folding rollers by rotating the folding rollers in an input rotation sense opposite to the output rotation sense. An apparatus for folding is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Neopost S.A.
    Inventor: Herman Sytema
  • Patent number: 7318799
    Abstract: A buckle folding machine (10) includes an operator facing side wall (14) and a side wall (16) remote from an operator, the side walls (14, 16) being arranged at a distance from each other and at least one lower folding pocket (22, 24) being arranged between the side walls (14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Maschinenbau Oppenweiler Binder GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joerg Rohrbach, Eberhard Krieger, Claus-Dieter Redmer
  • Publication number: 20070275842
    Abstract: A sheet holding apparatus having: first and second folding rollers; and first and second pressurizing rollers, wherein the apparatus introduces a sheet of paper by rotating at least the first folding roller to pass the sheet of paper between the first folding roller and the first pressurizing roller, while the two folding rollers are separated when the first pressurizing roller pressurizes the first folding roller; and folds the paper by creasing between the two folding rollers by rotating the two folding rollers in opposite directions when the pressurizing rollers respectively pressurize the two folding rollers, and by conveying the sheets of paper while holding them by the two folding rollers, wherein when folding, the two folding rollers are pressurized to each other, and a driving force is transferred from the first to the second folding roller, and the two folding rollers are rotated in the opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tamura, Masaaki Uchiyama, Mikihiro Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 7247129
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming informational items such as outserts and booklets may include folding a sheet of paper having product information printed thereon by making a plurality of folds in the sheet of paper to form a first folded article; (b) making a fold in the first folded article to form a second folded article; (c) applying pressure at least about 30 psi and no greater than about 500 psi to the second folded article a first pressing unit having a pair of pressure rollers; and (d) making one or more folds in the second folded article to form an outsert using a third folding apparatus having a plurality of folding rollers having a nip therebetween and a movable blade member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventors: William C. Neubauer, Ilija Ilijevski, Roger Mattila
  • Patent number: 7247130
    Abstract: A method of forming a composite informational item having information regarding a pharmaceutical product printed thereon from a first informational item, such as a bidirectionally folded outsert or a booklet, and a second informational item, such as a bidirectionally folded outsert or a booklet, may comprise (a) forming the first informational item; (b) automatically conveying the first informational item from a location in a first feed apparatus to a bonding location; (c) providing a plurality of the second informational items in a second feed apparatus different than the first feed apparatus; (d) automatically depositing a releasable adhesive on a face of one of the informational items; (e) automatically conveying one of the second informational items from a location in the second feed apparatus to the bonding location; and (f) causing a face of the first informational item to make contact with a face of the second informational item so that the first informational item and the one second informational item
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventors: Roger B. Mattila, William C. Neubauer
  • Patent number: 7223223
    Abstract: A method of folding and stacking multiple-sheet sets utilizes a folder having a set feeder that by-passes the folder in-feed station. Sets of multiple sheets are directed directly to the folder processing station, such as a folder station. The set feeder comprises a guide mechanism that guides a set through a cover opening and along a lower guide to the input of the processing station. A sensing device senses the presence of the set and operates the processing station without operating the in-feed station. Alternately, a sensing device is not required, and the folder is operable to process sets using the set feeder by manually assuring that the in-feed station does not simultaneously propel any sheets to the processing station. The folder further comprises a telescoping stacker that holds the number of processed sheets equal to at least the number of sheets loaded at the in-feed station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Bescorp, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy D. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7179216
    Abstract: An apparatus in a folding box gluing machine has a catch hook mounted such that it can rotate about an axis in order to initiate a leading fold in a product. The apparatus further has a restoring device for the catch hook. The restoring device has at least one elastic element, the axis of the catch hook is connected to the elastic element by a rolling belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Hartmut Klapp, Wolfgang Diehr, Klaus Naber
  • Patent number: 7175586
    Abstract: A method of forming an outsert having printed information thereon is disclosed in which a plurality of parallel folds are made in a sheet of paper in a first fold direction using a plurality of pairs of folding rollers and stop members to form an intermediate folded item and in which a plurality of cross-folds are made in the intermediate folded item to form the outsert. The cross-folds may be made to divide the length of the intermediate folded item into ten panels, fourteen panels, or eighteen panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Vijuk Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Mattila, William C. Neubauer
  • Patent number: 7175584
    Abstract: In a process for making prefastened and refastenable garments, a discrete article is transported in a primary direction of movement. The discrete article can define a leading half comprising first fastening components, a trailing half comprising second fastening components releasably engageable with the first fastening components, and an interconnecting region disposed between and interconnecting the leading and trailing halves. The leading half can be temporarily diverted from the primary direction of movement, while continuing to transport the interconnecting region and the trailing half in the primary direction. After reestablishing movement of the leading half in the primary direction, the leading half can contact a contoured surface, such as a contoured plate or roll. The contact can cause the first fastening components to be transversely displaced toward one another, whereupon the first and second fastening components can be engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David Albert Maxton, Megan Elizabeth Clemmensen, Chris Alan Pettit, Steven John Shimon
  • Patent number: 7125374
    Abstract: A paper folding machine is provided including a housing having upper and lower fold plates constructed for quick and easy removal of the upper plates from the machine so that repairs may be made. The machine includes an automatically adjustable stacking arm movable to positions corresponding to the settings of the machine for fold type and size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: The Hedman Company
    Inventors: Richard Abramson, John Kosla
  • Patent number: 7094195
    Abstract: A method of folding and stacking multiple-sheet sets utilizes a folder having a set feeder that by-passes the folder in-feed station. Sets of multiple sheets are directed directly to the folder processing station, such as a folder station. The set feeder comprises a guide mechanism that guides a set through a cover opening and along a lower guide to the input of the processing station. A sensing device senses the presence of the set and operates the processing station without operating the in-feed station. Alternately, a sensing device is not required, and the folder is operable to process sets using the set feeder by manually assuring that the in-feed station does not simultaneously propel any sheets to the processing station. The folder further comprises a telescoping stacker that holds the number of processed sheets equal to at least the number of sheets loaded at the in-feed station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Bescorp, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy D. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7077797
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for making booklets. Such structures of this type, generally, employ a variety of creasing techniques in order to form the booklet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jose Alvaro Barba Villanueva, Robert J. Lawton
  • Patent number: 7066871
    Abstract: A folder includes a set feeder that by-passes the folder in-feed station. Sets of multiple sheets are directed directly to the folder processing station, such as a folder station. The set feeder comprises a guide mechanism that guides a set through a cover opening and along a lower guide to the input of the processing station. A sensing device senses the presence of the set and operates the processing station without operating the in-feed station. Alternately, a sensing device is not required, and the folder is operable to process sets using the set feeder by manually assuring that the in-feed station does not simultaneously propel any sheets to the processing station. The folder further comprises a telescoping stacker that holds the number of processed sheets equal to at least the number of sheets loaded at the in-feed station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Bescorp, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy D. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7063656
    Abstract: A folder includes a set feeder that by-passes the folder in-feed station. Sets of multiple sheets are directed directly to the folder processing station, such as a folder station. The set feeder comprises a guide mechanism that guides a set through a cover opening and along a lower guide to the input of the processing station. A sensing device senses the presence of the set and operates the processing station without operating the in-feed station. Alternately, a sensing device is not required, and the folder is operable to process sets using the set feeder by manually assuring that the in-feed station does not simultaneously propel any sheets to the processing station. The folder further comprises a telescoping stacker that holds the number of processed sheets equal to at least the number of sheets loaded at the in-feed station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Bescorp, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy D. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 6899665
    Abstract: A folding mechanism couples to a printing mechanism and receives media for folding therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Matt G. Driggers
  • Patent number: 6881181
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus, which may be used in conjunction with a printer or copier, includes a set of rollers forming a buckle zone, in which sheets are caused to buckle for creasing by a folding nip formed by the rollers. A blade is selectably positionable in and out of the buckle zone. When the blade is positioned in the buckle zone, any previously-folded portion of the sheet (such as in C-folding of the sheet) is prevented from being drawn away from the folding nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Brown, Jeff Farrell, Stephen Abellera
  • Patent number: 6857996
    Abstract: A folding device for sheets of paper or plastic has at least one folding pocket for receiving a sheet to be folded and at least one deflection strip for deflecting a sheet not to be folded. A common holder is provided, and the folding pocket and the deflection strip are secured on the common holder. The common holder has two sidewalls and the folding pocket and the at least one deflection strip are arranged between the two sidewalls. The folding pocket and the deflection strip are adjustable in opposite directions relative to one another. A common drive is provided for the folding pocket and the deflection strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Mathias Bäuerle GmbH
    Inventor: Wilfried Dorer
  • Patent number: 6846278
    Abstract: A card package production system (20) for producing card packages (22) with cards (26) mounted to bifold carrier forms (24) with a pair of parallel, spaced, preweakened fold lines (33) and (34) dividing the body (32) of the carrier forms into leading end (35), middle (36) and lagging end (37) sections, a card carrier form folding apparatus (30) having a stop member (46) located extending downwardly into a blocking position along a folding path (44), a plurality of rollers (38)(39) and (40) for moving the carrier forms (24) along the folding path (44) and into the stop member (46) to buckle the leading end (35) and middle section (36) away from the folding path (44), a pushing member (56) driven by an electric motor (57) engaging the lagging end section (37) to push the carrier form (24) along the folding path (44) to pivotally swing the stop member (46) to a nonblocking position enabling the middle section (36) to fall back against the lagging section (37) folding the carrier (24) along fold lines (33) and (3
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventors: Gregory S. Hill, Jeffery L. Hill, Robert J. Bretl
  • Patent number: 6827679
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for making booklets. Such structures of this type, generally, employ a variety of creasing techniques in order to form the booklet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jose Alvaro Barba Villanueva, Robert J. Lawton
  • Publication number: 20040242393
    Abstract: A machine for folding and applying onserts onto consumer goods such as cigarette packs comprises a continuous roll of preprinted onserts and a transverse cutter assembly for cutting onsert segments from the continuous roll. Each onsert segment includes a pair of side-by-side preprinted onserts. A buckle folder receives each cut onsert segment and folds that segment along at least one transverse fold line. A longitudinal cutter assembly longitudinally cuts each folded onsert segment into two individual onserts. A transport system serially receives the individual folded onserts and moves the onserts along dual diverging paths where a pair of spaced apart lug belt conveyors receives the onserts from the discharge end of the transport system. Each lug belt conveyor includes spaced apart transverse lugs along the length thereof against which the onserts are positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Steve Campbell, James D. Evans, Steven R. Rinehart, G. Robert Scott, Barry S. Smith, Steven F. Spiers, Linwood H. Cameal, Hubert Coleman Goodman, Joshua L. Roby
  • Publication number: 20040214708
    Abstract: In the case of the method of, and the folding machine for, folding a plurality of sheets (50) in a buckle folder (12) with at least a first and a second buckle plate (30, 34, 70), in which a respective first sheet stop (32) and a second sheet stop (36, 72) are provided and between which at least one pair (41) of folding rollers, with folding rollers (40, 42) rotating in opposite directions, is arranged, the sheets (50) are transported one after the other into the first buckle plate (30) until they strike against the corresponding sheet stop (32), in which case they are collected in the first buckle plate (30) to form a group (51) of sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Maschinenbau Oppenweiler Binder GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eberhard Krieger, Georg Dannemann, Klaus Stocklossa, Bodo Tegtmeier
  • Patent number: 6793614
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming informational items such as outserts and booklets may include folding a sheet of paper having product information printed thereon by making a plurality of folds in the sheet of paper to form a first folded article; (b) making a fold in the first folded article to form a second folded article; (c) applying pressure at least about 30 psi and no greater than about 500 psi to the second folded article a first pressing unit having a pair of pressure rollers; and (d) making one or more folds in the second folded article to form an outsert using a third folding apparatus having a plurality of folding rollers having a nip therebetween and a movable blade member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: William C. Neubauer, Ilija Ilijevski, Roger Mattila
  • Patent number: 6773386
    Abstract: A paper folder including an input drive roller arrangement having an input drive roller with a circumferential gap, and an idler roller forming an input nip with the input drive roller for advancing a paper sheet into a housing; a flexible stripper pad of high friction material positioned at the circumferential gap; a fixed guide which guides the sheet into a loop turning back upon itself such that a leading edge of the sheet impinges upon a transverse line in a trailing portion of the sheet; an output roller arrangement in the housing which forms a folding nip extending along and adjacent to the transverse line; a second drive arrangement in the housing in front of the transverse line for positively driving the leading edge to impinge upon the transverse line; and a stocker mounted on the housing for stocking a plurality of fully folded paper-like sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Shap Inc.
    Inventor: Tadeusz Staniszewski
  • Patent number: 6743161
    Abstract: In the case of the method of setting the folding-nip width of a plurality of pairs of folding rollers which are provided on a folding machine, the two folding rollers (12 to 22) of the pairs of folding rollers are brought into contact with one another. A sheet is then guided through between the two folding rollers (12 to 22) of the pairs of folding rollers, as a result of which at least one of the two folding rollers (12 to 22) moves in relation to the other, with a folding nip being formed in the process, it being the case that, for each pair of folding rollers, a measured value corresponding to the folding-nip width is detected as the sheet is guided through. Finally, the folding-nip widths of the individual pairs of folding rollers are set by adjustment of the at least one moveable folding roller (14 to 22) by means of a drive (42), which is connected kinematically thereto, based on the corresponding measured values which have been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Maschinenbau Oppenweiler Binder GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg-Dietrich Dannemann, Klaus Stocklossa, Eberhard Krieger
  • Patent number: RE41976
    Abstract: A sheet conveying section (B) sequentially conveys a sheet (P) from a sheet feeding section (A), and a sheet folding section (D) folds the sheet (P) received from the sheet conveying section (B) in a conveying direction. The sheet conveying section (B) comprises a conveyer belt (3), and a positioning ruler (4) for positioning the sheet (P) while it is conveyed. The sheet folding section (D) comprises a folding knife (9), a pair of folding rollers (10), and first and second guides (11a, 11b) arranged on either side of the folding knife (9). The sheet (p) is positioned to a fold position by the first and second guides (11a, 11b) and folded by the folding knife (9) and the folding roller (10). The positioning ruler (4) is moved in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction by a first driving mechanism (5, 6). The first and second guides (11a) are moved in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction respectively by second and third driving mechanisms (21, 22; 23, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Horizon International, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamamoto, Tatsuaki Ida