Abstract: A compact conveyor which passes sheets from a printer to a folder saves valuable floor space while providing the capability of accommodating a short intercopy gap. Sensing means on the conveyor detects the exit of each sheet from the printer and signals a temporary increase in the speed of the folder to a fast-fold operation. As the next sheet travels behind the faster moving first sheet, the intercopy gap between the sheets increases before the next sheet arrives at the folder. The arrival occurs after the first sheet has been completely folded, since the increased gap has provided sufficient time delay. When the first sheet is released from the folder, the folder speed returns to the original slower speed which is equalized with the printer. By adjusting the rate of the fast-fold mode, the gap between the sheets arriving at the folder can be regulated.

Abstract: A folder suitable for automatically folding successive sheets of paper, such as engineering drawings, by conveying them into a folder pocket to various distances depending upon where the fold is to be formed. To arrest the sheet at the proper position in the pocket, a photosensor senses when the leading edge of the sheet has reached a reference position in the pocket and, when the sheet has advanced further to the desired position, a solenoid-operated clamp is actuated to move transversely into the pocket and clamp the sheet momentarily in the desired position while the fold is being made. The amount by which the sheet advances beyond the reference position is controlled by producing an electrical pulse each time the sheet conveyor moves a predetermined amount, and counting these pulses to cause the clamp to be actuated when a count corresponding to the desired fold position has been accumulated.