Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the manufacture of an article made up of a number of elements, including a resilient element, that are bonded together during the manufacturing process. The apparatus includes a guide track which defines a path along which the elements travel during the manufacturing process and a compression frame provided along at least part of the length of the track for compressing the resilient element as the resilient member travels along the path defined by the guide track. The process includes moving a combination of article precursor elements together along the guide track rails such that the compression frame acts to press the elements together during bonding. The method and apparatus minimize misalignment of the elements and thereby improve quality of the finished article as well increasing production rates compared to conventional methods and apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the manufacture of an article made up of a number of elements, including a resilient element, that are bonded together during the manufacturing process. The apparatus incudes a guide track which defines a path along which the elements travel during the manufacturing process and a compression frame provided along at least part of the length of the track for compressing the resilient element as the resilient member travels along the path defined by the guide track. The process includes moving a combination of article precursor elements together along the guide track rails such that the compression frame acts to press the elements together during bonding. The method and apparatus minimize misalignment of the elements and thereby improve quality of the finished article as well increasing production rates compared to conventional methods and apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet article comprising a cover (4) comprising hingedly connected first (8) and second surfaces (6), a sheet material (12) being connected to the inside of the first surface, the second surface comprising a pocket (14), wherein the cover comprises a line of weakness (9) such that at least a portion of the first surface is removable by separation of the cover at the line of weakness, and the article comprises means for securably closing the pocket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet material comprising a plurality of folds defining at least four segments, the sheet material being foldable and unfoldable about said folds, the sheet material comprising first and second securement means, arranged in use to cooperate to releasably secure the sheet material in the folded configuration when folded, and wherein the securement means are located such that the sheet material is foldable to a partially folded configuration comprising three columns of segments in a single row in which the first securement means is located on one outer column and the second securement means is located on the other outer column.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet material (2) comprising a first fold line and a second fold line, the first and second fold lines being defined by a series of at least partial perforations (4,8) in the sheet material (2), wherein there is one or fewer at least partial perforations at an intersection of the first fold line and the second fold line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet material (2) comprising a first fold line and a second fold line, the first and second fold lines being defined by a series of at least partial perforations (4,8) in the sheet material (2), wherein there is one or fewer at least partial perforations at an intersection of the first fold line and the second fold line.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a folded sheet product comprising a folded sheet having a first set of folds and a blister strip attached to a segment of said sheet. A stiff portion may be provided at a corner segment of the sheet.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet material (10) having a first set of folds, the sheet material further comprising a rotatable disc (8) attached thereto.

Abstract: Folded sheet means (20.sup.1, 10) (e.g. substantially one-half or one-third of credit card size) (e.g. in the form of a kit of parts) comprises a sheet (22.sup.1, 12) of paper or like material with a first set of concertina folds (26.sup.1, 14) and a second set of concertina folds (28.sup.1, 16) transverse to the first set, at which folds (26.sup.1, 28.sup.1, 14, 16) the sheet (22.sup.1, 12) can be folded and unfolded, connection means (106.sup.1, 52) adapted to serve as or as part of means for releasably connecting between the folded sheet means (20.sup.1, 10) and another object, and holding means (24.sup.1, 22, 24) adapted for releasably holding the folded sheet means folded. Said holding means comprises an envelope or other container (24.sup.1), said sheet (22.sup.1) being adapted to be retained therein, e.g. with the aid of friction and/or at least one inwardly directed lip (34.sup.1). The folded sheet material (22.sup.1) may be (e.g. removably) in a carrier (96.sup.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in producing articles (136), each comprising a sheet (10) folded with a first set of concertina folds and transverse to these a second set of concertina folds (180) and two stiff portions (22, 24) attached to opposite outer segments (166) of the folded sheet (10), comprises means (26, 12, 28, 20) to supply the folded sheet (10) and stiff portions (22, 24) and attach them together and maintain the sheet (10) folded before, and/or during at least a part of. the attaching step, the guide means (20) cooperating with flights (14) to push the elements of articles (136) therealong, the flights controlling the mutual relative position of the separate elements by being stepped and guide means (20) being shaped to vary the positions of the elements relative to the flights (14) during the movement. Supply means for cards (22, 24) are arranged to reciprocate and supply cards alternately from two stores (26, 27). Gluing stops short of all edges of the folded sheet (10).

Abstract: An article comprising a folded sheet, that is able to be unfolded, the folded sheet comprising a plurality of segments defined by folds lines, with at least one stiff portion provided at one of said exposed segments of the folded sheet, wherein at least part of the stiff portion comprises a transparent material and the folded sheet is folded with two sets of concertina folds, and one of said concertina folds being transverse of the other of said concertina folds.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for use in producing articles each comprising a sheet folded with at least one set of concertina folds which can be unfolded, wherein the article comprises at least one stiff portion attached to an outer segment of the folded sheet, and in which the apparatus is capable of supplying the folded sheet and at least one stiff portion and attach them together and maintain the sheet folded during at least part of the approach to the attaching step.

Abstract: A folded sheet article (20) comprises a sheet (22) of material having mutually transverse sets of concertina folds (24, 26) and two diagonally opposite stiff portions (28, 30) at respective corner segments (32, 34) of the sheet (as disclosed in the inventor's prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,898) and has a pocket (40) at at least one of the segments (32, 34). Pocket (40) may be formed separately, may comprise the stiff portion (28), which may be folded back onto itself to form the pocket (40), or may (alone or together with said portion (28)) be formed from the sheet (22). The stiffening may be provided by a removable card (58) in pocket 40). Such card (58) may bear coded information (60) related to information (62) borne by sheet (22). Pocket (40) may have an egress retarder (64) to retard egress of a card (58).