Abstract: An apparatus to effect longitudinal plow folding and subsequent heat sealing of previously computer printed continuous business forms stationary includes a folder and a plurality of elongated heating ribbons disposed parallel to the direction of web travel in spaced apart parallel relationship and being convexly curved for supporting the continuous web passing thereover. Hot melt adhesive applied during manufacture of the stationary is disposed between the plies of the folded-over web, to be locally heated through the web as it lays against, and advances directly over, the multiplicity of parallel heating ribbons. Upon exiting the heater bed, a sandwich platen is provided to maintain the plies in intimate contact, while removing heat from the web and adhesive to bond the plies at each of the multiplicity of spots so heated. The folded and sealed web may then be processed by conventional bursting into individual sealed documents, for mail processing or confidential distribution.

Abstract: A web transport arrangement is devised for transporting a web material along a web path. The web material is supplied by a variable feed mechanism to a processing mechanism for processing the web. The web material while being metered by the feed mechanism is maintained by the mechanism under a low tension although the web may be maintained under a high tension during subsequent processing operations. A control circuit automatically compares the feed rate of the web through the low tension feed area to the rate of the processing mechanism operative on the web within the processing area and provides for any necessary modification of the infeed rate in order to synchronize them.

Abstract: A web feed apparatus wherein a section of the web is maintained at a higher tension while accurately metering the feed of the web at a relatively lower tension, means being provided to isolate the low tension metering function from the higher tension section by anterior snubbing rolls and posterior tension pull-up rolls. A typical mechanism is a blanket offset business forms printing press which must satisfy the requirement of very accurate web feed rate over a given length of the web, when the blanket-impression nip at the print couple(s) with the attendant higher tension requirement to maintain print quality and web lay, are both necessary.