Abstract: A sheet of material which is made two dimensional which includes portions that are removed that allows the sheet to be folded to create a three dimensional structure without the need for cutting and darting.

Abstract: A method of automatically folding an air bag having an end coupled to a retainer and an opposed distal end including flattening and narrowing the bag, providing first and second upright blade assemblies each having individually movable blades between a normal position and an interdigitated position. The bag is positioned between the blade assemblies with the retainer held and the distal end allowed to gradually move toward the retainer. Undulating folds are formed in the bag between the retainer and the distal end by moving a blade of the first assembly into a raised position, moving a blade of the second assembly into a lowered position, and alternately and individually moving each remaining blade into a raised and lowered positions, respectively, while allowing the distal end of the bag to gradually move toward the retainer as each undulating fold is formed.

Abstract: A folding machine which takes a prescored blank of paper, folds side flaps up, and glue tabs down, applies a glue line to the tabs, and folds end flaps of the blank about score lines onto the glue tabs to form boxed pockets and then delivers the finished folder for use.

Abstract: A gusset forming machine includes a mandrel having a support surface on which a blank for the gusset is manually mounted, and one or more pusher assemblies which are driven into contact with the mandrel to deform the blank, thus forming a gusset. Preferably, each pusher assembly includes a holding blade which prevents movement of the blank relatively to the mandrel during the gusset forming operation, and a plurality of pushing blades which deform the blank into valleys formed between adjacent ridges formed on the support surface of the mandrel, thus forming the gusset. The mandrel is preferably movable into and out of alignment with the pusher assembly or assemblies. Multiple pusher assemblies are preferably provided which extend at angles from one another and produce a multi-sided gusset in a single operation.

Abstract: The blanks punched out from a film web and folded to form the jacket are then heated for a short time and cooled again in order to eliminate stresses in the jacket material which give rise to deformations and are also produced by the action of heat during processing of the material.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for forming floppy disk envelopes. Envelope blanks are manipulated while attached to a continuous web of envelope material to facilitate handling and alignment of the blanks. Initially, fold lines are impressed into the envelope blanks to define the precise dimensions of the envelope. Envelope flaps are then partially folded to define a receptacle into which the disk media is then inserted. The remaining flaps are then folded and sealed, and lastly the folded envelope is detached from the continuous web. A particular apparatus for impressing the envelope blanks includes a male die, female die cavity, and mechanism for reciprocating the dies. The preferred score profile includes a pair of radii joined by a hinge section.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a disc envelope from a prepunched, flexible, plastic blank having two sections connected at the heads thereof and containing a drive hole at the same location in each section. The drive holes are located on respective hubs which are located at the same position on respective folding plates. The end edge of a mandrel is pressed against the blank in the area between the two sections while the folding plates are moved from a horizontal to a vertical position pulling the drive holes taut on the hubs and thereby locating the center fold between the two sections of the blank flap folding apparatus and sealing apparatus are attached to and swing into operating position with the respective folding plates to form the side flap folds and seal the folded flaps.

Abstract: An improved method of warm folding polymeric sheet material and apparatus for accomplishing the method. The method involves applying conductive heat to both sides of the material prior to folding and is accomplished in steps including: (a) positioning the sheet material; (b) positioning a mandrel plate so as to define a fold line for the sheet material; (c) positioning an exterior heater against the material along the fold line; (d) positioning an interior heater element against the material opposite the exterior heater; (e) and (f) applying preselected amounts of heat to the fold line area through the heaters; (g) retracting the interior heater; (h) mechanically folding the sheet material along a fold line; and (i) annealing the fold by applying additional heat through the exterior heater. The process may also be augmented by adding additional steps.The primary use of the invention is in folding polyvinyl chloride jackets for use in enclosing floppy disks.

Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for the substantial automatic folding of flat pre-cut blanks of sheet material to form storage envelopes for floppy or rigid disc storage devices. The machine includes a pedestal formed in part by an electromagnet associated with a clamp plate that constitutes an Armature to retain the sheet material immovable during the folding operation. Additionally, there are provided three rams each associated with a pivotal shoe for folding selected portions of the flat sheet, and reciprocable glue dispensing means are provided for dispensing glue at the appropriate time, in an appropriate amount, and in an appropriate location. The mechanical aspects of the apparatus are connected to and controlled by a computer that scans the functions of the machine to determine if the machine is operating properly and signals the operator through an alphanumeric display panel if there is a malfunction in the apparatus.