Abstract: A device for adjusting components of a printing material processing machine, in particular a folding-box gluing machine, includes at least one group of processing stations which have an associated operating element and a remote control as well as a safety-path computer and an operating-path computer. A first step for initiating an adjustment process of the components is carried out by a common signal transmitter both when operating a switch on the machine and when operating the remote control.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus capable of determining whether or not a press operation is to be performed on a folded part of a sheet bundle according to the number of sheets of the sheet bundle. If a folding priority mode is not set on a selection screen displayed on a display unit of the sheet processing apparatus, a controller of the sheet processing apparatus determines whether or not the number of sheets of the sheet bundle indicated in sheet bundle information is equal to or larger than a threshold value. The controller sets a press mode in the sheet bundle information to “press,” if the number of sheets of the sheet bundle is equal to or larger than the threshold value, and sets the press mode to “pressless,” if the number of sheets of the sheet bundle is less than the threshold value.

Abstract: A separating apparatus is described for separating interconnected cushions by breaking weakening lines provided between these cushions. To this end, the apparatus includes at least one circulating element and a conveyor for carrying the interconnected cushions along the circulating element. The circulating element is arranged for engaging the interconnected cushions at least once during a circulating movement of the circulating element, in order to carry one of these cushions along over a part of the circulating movement at a carrying speed which is higher than a conveying speed of the conveyor. An apparatus is described for manufacturing cushions by filling chambers formed in film material with a gas and then sealing them.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing and separating a string of interconnected packing cushions comprises a packing cushion production machine which produces a string of interconnected packing cushions, the string of interconnected packing cushions exiting an output end of the machine at a first velocity, and a separation device associated with the output end of the machine, the separation device adapted to selectively engage the string of interconnected packing cushions and to drive the string at a second velocity, greater than the first velocity, and in doing so to cause the string of interconnected packing cushions to separate.

Abstract: Buckle folding machine including folding pockets, which have a paper stop each. One folding pocket being for collection and subsequent joint folding of a plurality of sheets. From the folding pocket the collected sheets of paper pass together through a folding mechanism, having a draw-in point formed by upper and lower draw-in rollers and having at least one pair of folding rollers forming a folding point. A sheet feeder with a conveyor track directed toward the draw-in point, in which a stacking ramp is located, is arranged in front of the draw-in point.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and device for manufacturing plastic bags by transversely cutting and sealing a plastic web at spaced locations and, more particularly, to a method and device for operating a stacking device by means of a servo-motor. The servo-motor is coupled to a conveyor on which a plurality of pin stack elements are arranged. The servo-motor is also connected to a servo-controller which directs the operation of the servo-motor and coordinates the movement of the conveyor with the movement of a pair of draw rolls which draw the web through a cutting and sealing bar which forms individual bags. The bags are carried from the area of their formation by means of a wicketer to the pin stack elements on the conveyor. The servo-controller directs the draw rolls to cease drawing the web to prevent waste of bag production so that an arm of the wicketer, which will pass over the conveyor when the conveyor is being moved, does not carry a bag.

Abstract: A buckle folding machine with one or several folding roller pairs (W1/W2, W2/W3, W3/W4, W4/W5) and one or several folding pockets (T1, T2), which are associated with the individual folding station (F1 through F4) and which each have a paper stop (10, 11/1, 12, 13), which can be set to different feed lengths. To also collect and jointly fold a plurality of sheets of paper (1), at least one folding pocket (T2) is designed for simultaneously receiving a plurality of sheets of paper (1) such that the individual sheets of paper (1) are able to run in automatically up to the paper stop (11/1) over their full length and remain there. A pushing device is provided (3) which performs impulse-like stroke movements by means of a special drive (31) controlled by a presettable sheet counting device (18) or code-reading device (24). These stroke movements cause the sheets of paper collected in this folding pocket (T 2) to be delivered together into the next folding station (F2).

Abstract: Wrappings from thin pleated sheets are made from a continuous thin paper tape and the like by first making transversal folds in the tapes to form pleats, fixing the edges of the pleats and then folding the fixed edges to form hems. The hemmed pleated tape may then be cut into individual wrappings. The paper tape is coated with heat-setting material so that the pleats can be fixed by melting and resetting this material.

Abstract: A bonded unitized envelope stack, manufacturing apparatus, and manufacturing method are provided in which envelopes in a stack are inter-connected by application of two spots of adhesive on the front panel of each envelope to engage the lower panel of the next above envelope. In one embodiment of the present invention, a conventional folding machine including a seal folder flap trap is modified to enable the application of the two spots of adhesive on the front panel of each envelope, and to produce bonded envelope stacks having a given fixed quantity of envelopes. When an envelope enters the seal folder flap trap, a photocell detects and triggers one counter of a dual counter system. A first counter increments each time an envelope enters the trap, until a count termed "preset 1" is reached. When "preset 1" is reached by the first counter, the glue applicator is deactivated. A second counter is then incremented.

Abstract: An apparatus and control system for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. More particularly, an apparatus for producing mail pieces and a system and method for controlling it to produce mail pieces in a variety of configurations are disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer or may be windowed envelopes, folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor into a data structure and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus.

Abstract: A machine for producing continuous form stationery by folding a strip of paper along transverse lines of weakening formed therealong. The machine includes a dispensing roller which directs a continuous strip of paper into a mechanism which distributes successive lines of weakening formed in the paper in substantially opposite directions and having additional mechanisms for creasing the distributed paper along the lines of weakening to produce continuous form stationery. The machine also includes a drive shaft which delivers motive power to the paper distribution mechanism and is synchronized with the dispensing roller, the motive power being transmitted to the drive shaft through a removable gear member having a selected outer diameter which varies with the fold length of paper directed into the distributing mechanism.

Abstract: A machine for and a method of manufacturing folded containers, especially folded blanks. The machine has a mechanism for applying adhesive, a folding station, and a pressure-application station with pressure-application mechanisms for forcing the adhesive-coated seams together to seal them. The invention ensures that, when the machine is stopped, all the blanks to which adhesive has been applied but which have not yet been folded to form sealed seams are automatically marked or rejected. The machine has both a marking or rejecting mechanism downstream of the pressure-application station and computerized controls that, when the machine is stopped, determine the number of folded blanks in the production line between the adhesive-application mechanism and a first pressure-application mechanism in the pressure-application station and, once the machine is started again, control the marking or rejecting mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing sealed postal mails or other sealed envelope assemblies using a discrete envelope blanks split from an envelope-forming continuous sheet, an intermediate element split from an intermediate element-forming continuous sheet and additional inserting elements, both having sizes adapted to be enclosed within the envelope blank. The apparatus includes a reader for reading an encoded data preliminarily printed on the intermediate elements that produces an output signal corresponding to the number of insert sheet elements to be enclosed together with the intermediate elements. A grouping station is provided for stacking the insert sheets successively supplied to be enclosed together with the intermediate elements. The grouping station is activated in response to the output signal from the reader. A feeder is provided for feeding a selective collection of inserting elements and intermediate elements from the grouping station to an envelope folding.

Abstract: A self-service check-out counter for cashier-unattended use and operation includes an laser scanner for automated reading of product identification codes borne by articles to be purchased, a keyboard for manual entry of article-identifying information, a variety of indicators and signalling devices for instructing actions by the customer, devices for preventing pilferage, fraud and inadvertent errors and an integral bag forming apparatus for manufacturing custom-formed bags on-site at the counter and on demand and, preferably, custom-sized to conform to the volume of articles to be packed in the bags. A customer individually scans articles to be purchased and the scanned data is verified through comparison with stored product identifying information. Following verification of each article, customer placement of the article into the bag forming apparatus in enabled and a bag preferably conforming to the volume of articles purchased in manufactured within the check-out counter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring and bundling plastic bag sheet material wherein bag cycle speed is automatically slowed, but not stopped, during a bundle transfer operation and cycle speed is resumed after one slow speed bag production cycle.

Abstract: A method and a machine for folding bags comprising a first conveyor for positioning a flat bag over a first support surface. A pair of sealer bars holds the bag stationary over the first support surface in predetermined alignment with a first folding device. The first folding device effects a first fold to the flat bag and a second conveyor positions the folded bag on a second stationary support surface. A second folding device effects a second fold to the folded bag, and a third conveyor positions the twice folded bag onto a third stationary support surface. A third folding device is provided for imparting a third fold to the twice folded bag, and it includes an orientation support frame to position the bag for transferring same to a collector trough. A predetermined quantity of bags are collected in the collector trough, and identified for transfer into a container.

Abstract: A collator control system capable of stack, collect and collate operations, which automatically finds an appropriate set of empty bins for the desired mode of operation and provides indications of when the bins have been filled. The system operates on sheets of paper, some of which may be unfolded and others of which may be folded one or more times.

Abstract: A tube transfer system wherein a hand of tubes is delivered to ender devices in any of four orientations, the system including a by-pass section for receiving hands when the ender devices are unable to accept tubes. The by-pass section is reversed to deliver by-passed hands to the ender devices when newly formed hands are not delivered to the system.

Abstract: A box making machine comprises a feed station, a positioning station, a printing station including four printing units, a cutting station with a creasing unit, a slotting unit and a cutting unit, a folding-gluing station and a stacking and delivery station, all driven by D.C. motors. The D.C. motors control is achieved by the electrical shaft coupling driven by a driving device which comprises a command control unit having a code generator, a synchronization circuit for each motor and a curved generator for one of the motors, a calculating unit including a microprocessor, input/output circuits and an input circuit with switches, a signal conditioning unit with an element for sense discrimination and multiplication, and a signal conditioner, and a command logic unit including a logic drive selection circuit, a logic starting circuit and a logic manual command circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing photographic film, comprises perforating film strip, applying characters to the perforated film strip as latent images, and cutting it into sized film strips. The photographic film strip withdrawn from a roll of film is perforated along its longitudinal margins and then provided with characters as latent images such as frame numbers, symbols and the like. After the provision of characters, the photographic film strip is cut into sized film strips which are thereafter wound into containers. The film moves continuously lengthwise from the time it is withdrawn from the supply roll, to the time it is rewound in the containers as sized film strips. In this way, the cost of equipment and labor is reduced.

Abstract: In apparatus for laying for flexible sheets into a folded Z-shaped form, a supply conveyor (1) is disposed above means (9) for supporting or transporting the leading end of each sheet (26). Clamping means (16, 17) for laterally clamping the sheet on a transverse line are provided laterally of the supporting or transporting means (9). A reciprocatable transverse rod (22) is provided in a gap between the supply conveyor (1) and the means (9). Further conveyor means at right-angles to the supporting or transporting means (9) define an inlet which consists of double belt conveyors (30) or pairs of rollers, is extensible and closable in a plier-like manner, and is arranged so that one side edge of each sheet (26) folded to Z-shape by the transverse rod (22) lies within said inlet.

Abstract: A folding apparatus for separating a web into individual signatures and producing two folds in each signature, comprises an upper cylinder, a lower cylinder and an intermediate cylinder. Each of the cylinders is rotated about an axis, the axes of the upper and intermediate cylinders being parallel and spaced apart to define a given plane and the axis of the lower cylinder being parallel to the axes of the first and intermediate cylinders and offset from the plane thereof. The upper and lower cylinders rotate in the same direction and the intermediate cylinder in the opposite direction. First and second folding assemblies produce two folds in each signature. The first folding assembly includes cooperating portions carried on the upper cylinder and on the intermediate cylinder. The second folding assembly includes cooperating portions carried on the lower cylinder and on the intermediate cylinder. A cutting assembly separates the web to produce the individual signatures.

Abstract: A drive control circuit for assuring equal spacing of folded paper boxes in a stacker mechanism during manufacturing. Each box is folded in a gluer. As each box, in succession, transfers to the stacker mechanism a counter produces a variable width pulse. These pulses are converted into fixed width pulses with frequency proportional to the rate at which the folded paper boxes transfer to the stacker mechanism. The control circuit converts these fixed width pulses to constant energy pulses and integrates the constant energy pulses to provide a DC set point signal for a DC motor drive speed control circuit. During operation, the control assures that the stacker mechanism advances a substantially fixed, incremental distance each time a folded paper box is received from the gluer, thereby to ensure substantially even spatial distribution of the boxes along the stacker mechanism.

Abstract: Bags are made from an elongated synthetic-resin tube by an apparatus having an endless conveyor having a transport path extending from an upstream cutting/welding station through a stacking station and a flattening station to a downstream punching station. This conveyor has a plurality of platforms having predetermined lengths in the transport direction and spaced apart by gaps. The tube is fed continuously in the transport direction to the upstream cutting/welding station that periodically transversely cuts through the tube and simultaneously forms upstream of each cut a transversely weld for subdividing the tube into a succession of bag blanks. The stacker includes a transversely reciprocal needle bar including at least one heated blocking needle and a transversely reciprocal stripper bar. The upstream end of each bag blank is pierced by the needles as it is cut off the tube, with the downstream portion of each bag blank lying on one of the conveyor platforms.

Abstract: An air operated electrically controlled machine using constant speed motors and known per se is provided with electronic counter and clock pulse generator control which eliminates uneven folding and over and under folding characteristics of the known machine and wherein separate photocell circuits control the folding operation while enabling much longer lengths of materials to be folded and eliminating jamming characteristics of the known machine.

Abstract: A laundry folding machine for imparting initial folds to an article is disclosed. The article is fed from a first conveyor to a second conveyor across a fold gap which is bridged at this time. The second conveyor pauses and then reverses, a suspended loop being thus formed in the article beneath the fold gap. Finally, the hanging article is tucked into a fold mechanism at the quarter and three-quarter position, thereby folding the article into quarters.