Abstract: A towel fed conveyor of continuous ribbons is provided which conveys a towel beneath spaced parallel runners which opposed lateral towel side panels being carried by conveying ribbons which slidably engage opposed supporting side plates. If the towel has less than a maximum length, air bars sequentially fold the towel side panels over the runners as the towel is moving and conveyed to the end of an upper feed conveyor. [The air discharges instantaneously urge each towel side panel in sequence against an air permeable grid disposed over the towel and feed conveyor as each panel is moved over the towel central panel.] The air blasts progressively squeeze air from between the side and central panels. [from the panel hinge connections with the towel central panel to the distal terminal ends of the side panels.

Abstract: An automated system is disclosed for folding vehicle air bags so that a small folded-bag profile and a desirable bag deployment pattern results. A machine having numerous moveable arms is controlled by a controller. An edge folding assembly (EFA) of the machine has five arms, including a center arm, two outer blades, and two outwardly facing U-channel forks, which reside between respective outer blades and the center arm. The EFA moves forward so that all of its five arms engage an unfolded air bag. The forks then raise upward to a level at which the outer blades are aligned with a gap between tines in the forks. The outer blades mesh with this gap causing two pleats to be formed in the edge of the bag. Pleat clamps then move inwardly sideways to engage the two pleats and form a third pleat. Then, the EFA is removed from the bag. The pleat clamps may clamp top and bottom sections of the bag together while tightly gripping the pleats.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring a clip formed of a predetermined number of interfolded paper products away from a stacking interfolder and refolding a plurality of loose end panels having a stack building table and first count finger assembly initially holding the clip and transferring control of the clip to a transfer clamp which refolds a first loose end panel and further having a clip destination station having a post end panels receiving the clip and finally refolding the final loose end panel.

Abstract: A folder for towels and similarly-sized laundry pieces is provided which is adapted to form a variety of folds in a rapid manner whereby high production is assured. The provided folder employs an air pervious surface assuring a controlled, rolling folding of the article side panels over an article central panel without any air entrapment, thereby assuring precise folds, and attractive folded articles.

Abstract: A device for picking up, turning over, folding and aligning a sleeve cloth that is continuously carried by a moving conveyer. The device comprises a jaw located above the upper surface of the moving conveyer and a lifting blade located below the bottom surface of a moving conveyer. The leading edge of the sleeve cloth is detected by a sensor that triggers the lifting blade to push a front portion of the cloth up and into the jaw which holds the cloth as the conveyer continues to move. The cloth is folded and aligned by the action of the conveyor belt and a first blower, which blows air on a top side of the cloth, and a second blower, which blows air on a bottom side of the cloth.

Abstract: An automated system is disclosed for folding vehicle air bags so that a small folded-bag profile and a desirable bag deployment pattern results. A machine having numerous moveable arms is controlled by a controller. An edge folding assembly (EFA) of the machine has five arms, including a center arm, two outer blades, and two outwardly facing U-channel forks, which reside between respective outer blades and the center arm. The EFA moves forward so that all of its five arms engage an unfolded air bag. The forks then raise upward to a level at which the outer blades are aligned with a gap between tines in the forks. The outer blades mesh with this gap causing two pleats to be formed in the edge of the bag. Pleat clamps then move inwardly sideways to engage the two pleats and form a third pleat. Then, the EFA is removed from the bag. The pleat clamps clamp top and bottom sections of the bag together while tightly gripping the pleats.

Abstract: An envelope forming apparatus has a vacuum table with apertures through which a vacuum is applied onto the surface of the vacuum table. A series of parallel endless belts move across the vacuum table and transport an envelope blank across the vacuum table. The vacuum through the apertures in the vacuum table holds the blank on the belts as they move across the vacuum table and as the blank is folded by a plowshare folder located relative to the vacuum table. Alternatively, a single wide belt with apertures may be substituted for the series of parallel belts.

Abstract: A method for folding a paper web in which a liquid folding adjuvant is applied along a folding line so that an improved fold is produced which is sharper if the liquid folding adjuvant is heated, preferably in a continuous flow heater, to a temperature of the order of 30.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. dependent on the type of paper being processed.

Abstract: A machine (300) and the process for manufacture of a unique completely pleated product (110) which is made from a continuous, flexible web (311) for the covering of windows and the like. The machinery consists of a production line (300) with at least a screen printing assembly (306), printing phase control apparatus (330), a unique pleating assembly (400) and a folding assembly (500) for stacking and receiving the final product, screen printing and web travel phasing is performed in accordance with standard practices in the industry, while the pleating and folding of the finished product is performed by apparatus designed and constructed by the instant inventors. After predetermined patterns of adhesive or bonding material (212) have been applied to the continuous web (311), it is pleated by a paired roller assembly (400) and, through the use of an air knife assembly (500), folded into a collecting apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a band at a predetermined speed V to a station for pre-marking two folding lines which define a central panel of each pleat and then subjecting the band over a short distance to abrupt deceleration to a speed V' such that V'/V=1/L, where L is the length of each pleat in the fully extended state and 1 is the length of the pleat after folding so as to form a pocket, the last two panels of each pleat being inserted beneath the first panel prior to folding-back and maintaining the pocket in a flat position on the band.

Abstract: A method and a machine for folding bags comprising a first conveyor for positioning a flat bag over a first support surface. A pair of sealer bars holds the bag stationary over the first support surface in predetermined alignment with a first folding device. The first folding device effects a first fold to the flat bag and a second conveyor positions the folded bag on a second stationary support surface. A second folding device effects a second fold to the folded bag, and a third conveyor positions the twice folded bag onto a third stationary support surface. A third folding device is provided for imparting a third fold to the twice folded bag, and it includes an orientation support frame to position the bag for transferring same to a collector trough. A predetermined quantity of bags are collected in the collector trough, and identified for transfer into a container.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a crease-setting composition for setting a crease in textile material in which the composition is forced out of a nozzle at a controlled delivery rate while the nozzle is guided along the crease line.

Abstract: A continuous web of paper with a series of transversely extending rows of perforations between successive panels is folded in zig-zag fashion by reducing the speed of each oddly numbered panel and simultaneously diverting the oddly numbered panel from the path of the web while the evenly numbered panels immediately following the diverted oddly numbered panels continue to advance at a higher speed so that the neighboring panels define loops while the next-following evenly numbered panels catch up with the immediately preceding oddly numbered panels. The loops are stabilized by suction-operated conveyors and by admission of compressed air thereinto, and the resulting stack of overlapping panels is severed at intervals across selected rows of perforations to form a series of smaller stacks each of which contains a desired number of panels.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding spaced segments of web material such as diapers having intermediate side flaps overfolded in the crotch portion making use of a vacuumized continuously moving belt system for gripping one surface of a planar web except for the flap portions and a frictionalized belt system aligned with the vacuumized belt system for engaging the other surface of the web to progressively fold the flap portions.

Abstract: A folder for sheets of pliable material, including bags, includes sets of conveying ropes and rollers to move the sheet from in-feed to discharge. One or more folding stations are provided, each of which includes a pneumatically-operated anvil with air holes which serves to create a fold in the material and change its direction of movement through the conveyor system. The final size of the product is determined by the number of folding steps employed. Control of the location of the fold, and hence the quality of the product is accomplished by control of the conveyor speed. An interrupt section is provided so that individual sheets of pliable material can be removed from perforated strips, e.g., in this production of garbage bags. Folded product is discharged into a pair of receiving trays, from which the product can be loaded into boxes or other packaging.

Abstract: Sheet-folding machine, especially for packaging cases made of corrugated cardboard, after they have been produced and printed.It incorporates advancing (10) and folding (22) belts which are maintained at the exact cycle of the machine by means of pulleys (14) provided with recentering fingers (15). The conveyor belts are provided with suction elements (19), and the folding belts are provided with push-studs (25) arranged to correspond to the turned-down portions (5) to be folded.

Abstract: A machine for converting tubular plastic film from flat fold to pleated fold cross section which includes self-contained radio controlled inflating capsule positioned within the tube to inflate it as the gussets are being formed by conventional forming or plowing mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transverse folding of web segments to provide napkins, hankies, or the like, in which first and second folding rolls are equipped with vacuum ports selectively actuatable to provide a transverse fold, the second folding roll being operated at a surface speed slower than the first.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for folding a sheet or signature wherein the sheet or signature is passed edgewise along an arcuate path, a portion of the sheet or signature intermediate the leading and trailing edges thereof is gripped and withdrawn from the first arcuate path to a tangential second arcuate path, and a fluid or air stream is directed counter to and away from the second path to smoothly guide and gently fold the leading edge back upon the trailing edge.

Abstract: A method of making bags of the automatic or self-opening satchel-bottom type having an outer sheet of paper and a plastic inner liner in which a tab portion is formed with a portion of the inner liner removed so that when the bag bottom is formed a paper surface of the tab portion can be adhered to a paper portion of a diamond fold when the bag bottom is completed.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in connection with folding bags made from a flimsy material such as plastic, includes a feeding system for discharging bags along a feed direction with each bag having a plurality of corrugated regions in the transverse direction with respect to the feed direction; a receiving system for receiving the bags from the feeding system and for maintaining in each bag at least some of the corrugated regions until each of the bags stops its movement along the feed direction, and a fence near the receiving system for stopping the movement of each of the bags along the feed direction.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for positioning a continuous paper form having uniformly positioned seams and emanating from a high speed printing device, such as from a high-speed computer printer, in a bin or stacker. Air jets positioned on the stacker are utilized in a mode whereby air bursts from the jets impinge at discrete locations on a top surface of the form as it emanates from the printer. The air bursts cause the continuous paper form to fold naturally in a stacker bin at the paper seams.

Abstract: An easy-open pack is formed by (a) pre-cutting a corner of a film panel which, in the finished pack, forms one panel to be sealed against another panel around the periphery of a product article to close the pack, and (b) carrying out the sealing operation while holding the tab formed by said pre-cut corner displaced away from contact with the other film panel, preferably by folding the tab back on itself, more preferably while tack sealing it in said folded configuration.

Abstract: A stacker assembly for a prefolded continous web of paper is provided with an air jet means for directing an air stream onto the upper sheet of the paper stack being piled in the stacker to press down the folded edges in the stack. The direction and intensity of the air stream are controlled by means of a directional control device and an intensity control device. These control devices have variable settings in order to properly accommodate the particular form lengths of the paper being folded and the particular rigidity characteristics and weight of the paper. The two control devices may be connected via a mechanical coupling device so as to permit automatic adjustment in accordance with lateral displacement of form length guide walls positioned on opposed sides of the paper stack, these guide walls being displaced to accommodate prefolded web paper having different form lengths.

Abstract: Sections of bag-making material are successively and intermittently fed by double belt conveyors to arrive beneath a vertically reciprocatable push member which engages each section by suction and forms a central loop in each section while its ends are yieldingly engaged by brake shoes co-operating with side supports.

Abstract: A process for opening folded proof sheets, particularly for their positioning on the conveyor plate of a thread stitching machine, involves moving a stack of the proof sheets along devices which separate the individual sheets until they reach the point where they are all opened. The separating devices comprise blown air suction plates which cause the free outer corner of the adjacent sheet to be drawn up by the suction effect of air jets and thus separated from the rest of the stack. The portion of the sheet which was separated is then guided away from the next blown air suction plate to permit the next proof sheet to be opened.

Abstract: An automated system is disclosed for folding vehicle air bags so that a small folded-bag profile and a desirable bag deployment pattern results. A machine having numerous moveable arms is controlled by a controller. An edge folding assembly (EFA) of the machine has five arms, including a center arm, two outer blades, and two outwardly facing U-channel forks, which reside between respective outer blades and the center arm. The EFA moves forward so that all of its five arms engage an unfolded air bag. The forks then raise upward to a level at which the outer blades are aligned with a gap between tines in the forks. The outer blades mesh with this gap causing two pleats to be formed in the edge of the bag. Pleat clamps then move inwardly sideways to engage the two pleats and form a third pleat. Then, the EFA is removed from the bag. The pleat clamps clamp top and bottom sections of the bag together while tightly gripping the pleats.