Abstract: An interfolder device for folding sheet material in a zig-zag manner which uses a pair of counter rotating rollers for receiving the sheet material and an elongated guide track disposed below the counter rotating rollers for receiving, supporting and conveying the sheet material as it is folded on the guide track. There is also provided a dynamic pressure means consisting of a vacuum that is coupled to the guide track by means of perforations formed in the guide track in order to apply a brake to the sheet material as it is supported and conveyed along the track during its folding process.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for dividing a moving stack of flexible workpieces, such as paper hand towels, face towels and the like, which are interfolded with one another in a zigzag manner, into partial stacks comprised of predetermined numbers of such workpieces, and for transferring such partial stacks to a depositing table. One of the material webs participating in the manufacture of the flexible workpieces is first marked, the spacing between the marks being adjusted to correspond with the number of towels required in the partial stack. Downstream of the folding device, the stack formed thereby is reversed upwardly and scanned by an optical detector which reads the marking and controls a separating blade, which is driven into the stack and lifted. The gap formed by the separating blade is engaged by lifting forks, which lift the partial stack to the level of the depositing table, where the partial stack is taken over by transport forks and guided across the depositing table.