Folding Patents (Class 493/356)
  • Publication number: 20110253768
    Abstract: An integral tab system for a 2-D or 3-D tab for a folder, and a method of making same is disclosed. The integral 2-D (flat) tab (20) is provided in the hanging folder itself without the need for additional tabs being affixed. The 3-D tab version (120) is created by an extension which is folded onto itself so that one edge surface is at an angle relative to the panels of the file folder allowing it to be read from the side. These tabs may also be supplied in a detachable form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Smead Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven Charles Black, Duane Christersen, David Fasbender
  • Publication number: 20110196331
    Abstract: A method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes the steps of: supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first webs, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portions before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: ZUIKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Nakakado, Yuzo Ichiura, Satoshi Tanaka, Ikuo Tachibana
  • Publication number: 20110159967
    Abstract: A screensplitter for splitting a viewing screen of a gaming device which has a first opaque panel having a first end, a second end, and opposed edges and a second opaque panel having a first end, a second end, and opposed edges. Engagement means are provided for securing the first opaque panel to the second opaque panel at an angle with the first opaque panel being vertically offset from the second opaque panel. Securing means are also provided for attaching the first end of the first opaque panel and the second end of the second opaque panel to a viewing screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Evalena Beisser
  • Patent number: 7951058
    Abstract: A tool for the manual folding of a package blank into a package, includes a bottom plate (2) with an abutment (3) erect from the front edge of the bottom plate, a tongue (4) protruding in front of the abutment from the front edge of the bottom plate, and a jaw (6) acting against the tongue from above, as well as a lip (8) protruding from the abutment, which is spring loaded and back-springing and which is retractable into the abutment against the spring force in dependence of the fact that a part of a package blank in one fold operation is made to pass by the lip, and which thereafter springs back to support the package blank in the attained folded position. A package blank, a method for preparing a package and the use of a tool for preparing a package by folding a package blank are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Packsize LLC
    Inventor: Niklas Pettersson
  • Publication number: 20110098169
    Abstract: A method for producing a printed product in which a complete content of the printed product is printed sequentially in series on one or both sides along a paper web having a width based on a multiple of a width of a finished printed product, including cutting the paper web in a direction crosswise to a longitudinal direction of the paper web to produce a cut-off section having a length based on a multiple of a length of the finished printed product, folding the cut-off section at least once in the crosswise direction in a location based on the length of the finished product, and cutting one of the folded cut-off section subsequent to the folding or the paper web prior to the crosswise cutting, to form a plurality of partial webs each having a width based on the width of the finished printed product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventors: Roland Grunder, Daniel Suter
  • Patent number: 7922642
    Abstract: A device is usable to feed at least one material web and/or at least one strand that is comprised of several material webs into a folding device. A superstructure is part of the device, as is a former that can be displaced in relation to the material web, and a transverse cutter which is usable to separate the material web or webs into individual products. At least one guide rail is provided in the superstructure and carries a retaining device that can be displaceably guided on the path of travel of the material web through the superstructure. A leading edge of at least one of the material webs can be attached to the retaining device. The guide rail passes the former and includes at least one flexible guide rail section whose form can be altered. In particular, the length of the flexible guide rail section can be adjusted in the region adjoining the former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Franz Beck, Thomas Schreck
  • Patent number: 7883455
    Abstract: A folding device includes a folding blade cylinder and a cooperating folding jaw cylinder, each of which has several circumferentially arranged holding devices. These holding devices can be moved between a disengaged position, where the leading end of a product can be inserted or released, and a holding position in which the product leading edge is held in the holding device. The folding blade cylinder and the folding jaw cylinder each have a number of holding devices equal to the respective number of folding blades and folding jaws. Each of the folding blades presses a product to be folded, and which is held by one of the holding devices on the folding blade cylinder, into a cooperating folding jaw on the folding jaw cylinder. This is accomplished during the passage of the product through a transfer slot between the folding blade cylinder and the folding jaw cylinder. An offset between each folding blade and its associated holding device is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Held, Sebastian Alois Prüm
  • Publication number: 20100273623
    Abstract: A folding apparatus and method for a web-fed rotary press having a first folding jaw cylinder, a cross cutter by which a first web ribbon comprising a first quantity of printing stock webs is fed to the cross cutter and is cross cuttable into first print products by the cross cutter and a collection cylinder by which the first print products are subsequently cross folded by the collection cylinder and the first folding jaw cylinder. The apparatus also includes an auxiliary cross cutter which cross cuts a second web ribbon comprising a second quantity of printing stock webs into second print products. A transfer device is used to transfer the second print products produced from the second web ribbon to the collection cylinder. As a result, a first print product and a second print product are combined on the collection cylinder and are cross folded together when transferred to the first folding jaw cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Manroland AG
    Inventors: Peter Knauer, Axel Matheis, Heinz Roettger
  • Publication number: 20100261593
    Abstract: A method of folding a printed product is provided. The method includes the steps of cutting a web so as to form a signature having lead edge tabs, the signature having perforation slots and folding the signature so the lead edge tabs enter the perforation slots. Lead edges may be more easily prevented from dislodging and dog-earing and skewing may be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wingate, Michael Lee Hearn
  • Patent number: 7789381
    Abstract: An apparatus (20) for folding a sheet of foil (11) includes a feeder (23) and a folding means (24). The feeder (23) can feed a sheet of foil to the folding means (24). The folding means (24) includes a first surface (27) and a second surface (28) which can be arranged to bear against first and second opposing faces respectively of a portion (31) of the sheet of foil (11) at or near to the leading edge (11?) of the sheet of foil. One or both of the first and second surfaces (27,28) can be rotated about a foldable axis between the first and second opposing faces to create a first fold along the foldable axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Brian Patrick Dunn, Brian Peter Dunn
  • Patent number: 7775958
    Abstract: The present invention aims at preventing sanitary tissue paper from being torn when it is removed. The purpose is accomplished by sanitary tissue paper of single-ply or double-plies, characterized in that said paper has a lateral tensile strength on a dry condition of 32 N/m or more, a longitudinal tensile strength on a wet condition 32 N/m or more, and a longitudinal tensile strength on a dry condition which is 2.5 to 3.5 times higher than the lateral tensile strength on a dry condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Daio Paper Corporation
    Inventors: Takenaru Mukai, Yoshinori Shimizu, Shinya Sano, Naomi Inaba
  • Patent number: 7771335
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and folding printed products is provided. The apparatus includes a perforator, a first cutting device creating first slits in the web, a second cutting device creating second slits in the web longitudinally offset from the first slits so as to form a signature with a staggered edge, and a folder delta-folding the signature so that the staggered edge engages slots in the signature, the slots created by the perforator. A method of folding a printed product and a signature are also provided. Lead edges can be more easily prevented from dislodging and dog-earing and skewing can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wingate, Michael Lee Hearn
  • Patent number: 7758485
    Abstract: The invention is directed to method and system for folding pads. In one aspect, the system includes a conveyor for conveying a series of pads, one after another, to a folding station. A folding apparatus at the folding station folds each pad along said major axis as the pad is conveyed in a forward direction. The folding apparatus includes a hold-down member adapted to contact a center section of each pad extending generally parallel to said major axis as the pad is conveyed forward. The folding apparatus also includes a pair of folders on opposite sides of the hold-down member adapted to contact side sections of the pad on opposite sides of said major axis as the pad is fed forward and as it is held down by the hold-down member to fold the side sections of the pad to positions facing one another. The pads may be used as feminine protection pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold R. Elmer, II, Richard W. Kubalek, Thomas P. Keenan, Stephen L. Nunn, Moshe Saraf, Scott D. Dobslaw, Dale J. Fischer, Daniel J. Heuer, James J. Hlaban, Michael K. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20090239727
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and folding printed products is provided. The apparatus includes a perforator, a first cutting device creating first slits in the web, a second cutting device creating second slits in the web longitudinally offset from the first slits so as to form a signature with a staggered edge, and a folder delta-folding the signature so that the staggered edge engages slots in the signature, the slots created by the perforator. A method of folding a printed product and a signature are also provided. Lead edges can be more easily prevented from dislodging and dog-earing and skewing can be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Wingate, Michael Lee Kearn
  • Publication number: 20090181839
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for creating tabs from regular cut-sheet stock after printing by partially punching out a section of a sheet and folding the punched out section back on itself at the remaining side. The location of the punched out section is such that when folded back, a portion of the punched out section sticks out beyond the border of the original paper size. Tab labels may be printed on the back side of the sheet so that when folded out, the tab label is in the correct orientation, i.e., facing front on the folded out tab. The punch head, which is used to punch out the section of the sheet, may be oriented flexibly and moved outboard or inboard. Tabs may be cut and folded to produce a readable set of tabs along any of the top, bottom, lead or trail edges of a sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy David Jonathan SPINK
  • Patent number: 7556249
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for making booklets. Such structures of this type, generally, employ a variety of creasing techniques in order to form the booklet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jose Alvaro Barba Villanueva, Robert J. Lawton
  • Patent number: 7553270
    Abstract: A page indicator tab (1) may be provided by cutting out a tongue-like section in parallel with free side edge (2) of a paper page. The section (1) is provided at a predetermined distance from the side edge (2), thus providing a remaining strip (3) between the section (1) and the side edge (2). The section (1) is folded along an oblique line (5) in relation to the side edge (2) and then pushed through a slit (6) already formed between the section (1) and the strip (3). The section (1) is now held in place by the counteracting forces from a base part (4) of the section (1) and the strip (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Leif Normann Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7549955
    Abstract: In a printer system where a print head is used to print on a flat material moving on a surface along a moving direction, a first creasing surface and a second creasing surface disposed on different sides of the flat material are used to make a crease on the flat material. The first creasing surface is mounted on a housing and the second creasing surface is disposed along the length of a track substantially perpendicular to the moving direction. The first and second creasing surfaces are substantially complementary to each other such that when these creasing surfaces are moved closer to each other, they cause the flat material to bend. A movement mechanism is then used to move the housing along the track so that the bending of the flat material forms a crease from one side of the flat material to the opposing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl T. Rathbun, Thomas J. Foth
  • Patent number: 7544159
    Abstract: A machine for producing articles of sheet material, having a conveyor with powered rollers for feeding blanks along a path; pressure devices for holding the blanks in contact with the powered rollers; and operating devices which interact with the blanks to perform operations, in particular folding and gluing operations, on the blanks as the blanks travel along the path. The conveyor has a number of drive members arranged along the path, and to which the pressure devices are connectable by universal transmission assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventor: Giorgio Petratto
  • Publication number: 20090018005
    Abstract: A display easel is provided having a base or first panel which includes a horizontal supporting tab and a vertical restraining tab spaced in vertical relation to the supporting tab. The horizontal supporting tab has a first hinge that enables movement of the supporting tab relative to the panel body, preferably to about 90 degrees, into a position for supporting the first panel. The vertical restraining tab has a second hinge which enables movement of the vertical restraining tab relative to the panel body, preferably between about 120 degrees and 160 degrees, to permit abutment of the vertical restraining tab to the horizontal supporting tab and to restrain movement of the horizontal supporting tab. By restraining movement of the horizontal supporting tab, the display easel is maintained in an upright position. A method of forming a display easel is also provided which enables the display easel to be rapidly and economically manufactured in large quantities, such as through the use of web press equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Ake L. Dahlquist
  • Publication number: 20080274868
    Abstract: A three ply folding card. A method of manufacturing folding cards involving folding two edge portions of a sheet over a central portion to superposition two or three plies of the folding card against each other. A blank for forming folding cards having a plurality of plies of the folding cards positioned on either side of a fold line, one or more of the plies, and its corresponding ply on the other side of the fold line being oriented differently to the other ply or plies. A sheet comprising a plurality of blanks or arrays of plies for forming folding cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: MEGAPRINT GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Antonius Cornelius Verbruggen, Geoff Rayner
  • Publication number: 20080229633
    Abstract: Pop-up Business Card by this invention is characterized by—information printing part which contains the information of the card such as the company name, personal name, and contact number, —main folding line generated by the line-drawing process on one side of the card so that part of the card can be folded, —cutting-line pattern which contains cutting-lines formed from the main folding-line to the other side of the card, —the 1st folding-line pattern generated by line-drawing process on one side of the card so as to be juxtaposed with the cutting-line pattern, —the 2nd folding-line pattern generated by line-drawing process on the other side of the card paper so as to be juxtaposed with the above cutting-line pattern, *—the generation of the solid figures on the card when it is folded according to the above main folding-line, cutting-line pattern, the 1st folding-line pattern, and 2nd folding-line pattern, —solid figures reversibly popped up when the card is opened from the folded state along the main folding
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Kwang Hyun YI
  • Patent number: 7407468
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pre-fastening disposable absorbent articles having a slot-and-tab fastening system during manufacturing of the pre-fastened disposable articles, such as diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, adults incontinence pads and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: George S. Reising, Michael D. Trennepohl, Darrell Ian Brown, John Carroll Molander, Jason Matthew Prosek
  • Patent number: 7385724
    Abstract: A method of photo display comprises electronically selecting at least one photo from a memory and electronically arranging at least one electronic photo sheet template, including arranging the at least one photo on the template, into a manipulable configuration for producing a three-dimensional photo display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Rebecca Brown
  • Patent number: 7328893
    Abstract: A finisher for finishing a booklet having a bundle of center-folded sheets, includes: a detector for detecting an end on a side of a folded portion of the booklet: a moving device for conveying the booklet by movement thereof; a controller for controlling the movement of the moving device; and a cutting device for cutting an edge on a side opposite to the end of the booklet, which has been conveyed by the moving device to a cutting position. The controller controls the movement of the moving device from a position where the detector has detected the end of the folded portion to the cutting position so that a size of a booklet after being cut is kept constant for each of sheet sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Kawatsu, Toshio Shida, Hiroyuki Wakabayashi, Masaaki Uchiyama, Masato Hattori
  • Patent number: 7261288
    Abstract: A postprocessing apparatus stops and positions an image recording sheet delivered from an image forming apparatus at a predetermined position, punches the sheet with a punching unit, and thereafter folds the sheet with a folding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hisao Hosoya, Kazuhiro Hirota, Kazuyoshi Omi, Kazuaki Fukuda, Yuji Kanazawa, Hideyo Ohashi, Tomoki Nagaoka, Kohji Yoshie, Hiroto Ito, Hitoshi Tamura, Masato Hattori, Teruhiko Toyoizumi, Norishige Kato
  • Patent number: 7174938
    Abstract: A machine for folding and applying onserts onto consumer goods such as cigarette packs comprises a continuous roll of preprinted onserts and a transverse cutter assembly for cutting onsert segments from the continuous roll. Each onsert segment includes a pair of side-by-side preprinted onserts. A buckle folder receives each cut onsert segment and folds that segment along at least one transverse fold line. A longitudinal cutter assembly longitudinally cuts each folded onsert segment into two individual onserts. A transport system serially receives the individual folded onserts and moves the onserts along dual diverging paths where a pair of spaced apart lug belt conveyors receives the onserts from the discharge end of the transport system. Each lug belt conveyor includes spaced apart transverse lugs along the length thereof against which the onserts are positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Jr., Steve Campbell, James D. Evans, Steven R. Rinehart, G. Robert Scott, Barry S. Smith, Steven F. Spiers, Linwood H. Cameal, Jr., Hubert Coleman Goodman, Jr., Joshua L. Roby
  • Patent number: 7169247
    Abstract: A substrate of label stock or the like has pressure sensitive adhesive on one side, covered by release material. The release material is folded back or removed along one edge of the substrate, exposing the pressure sensitive adhesive along that edge. A transparent laminate is secured to the substrate by the exposed pressure sensitive adhesive. A photograph of other document can be secured inside the device by lifting the unadhered portion of the laminate, placing the photograph between the laminate and the substrate, removing the release layer to expose the remainder of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer, and pressing the photograph and laminate against the lower substrate. The photograph is preferably smaller than the laminate product, so that the laminate is secured to the substrate around all edges of the photograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Kenneth Ian Greenhill
  • Patent number: 7160237
    Abstract: A plastic sheet with a bending rule line, having satisfactory bending properties and pliability, feeling soft, having a fine appearance, and allowing a bending operation to be mechanically performed; and a ruled line blade for such plastic sheet. A bending ruled line (2) added to the bending portion of a plastic sheet (1) is formed, and shallow grooves (3) are formed along the bottom surface (2b) of the bending ruled line 2 and at predetermined longitudinal intervals, while a plurality of grooves (4) deeper than the shallow grooves (3) are formed longitudinally along the bottom surface (2b) between shallow grooves (3,3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: Tadashi Hashimoto, Hisashi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7153253
    Abstract: A folding drum of a folding device is comprised of at least one folding element and a transmission unit. The transmission unit has at least one toothed wheel which is coaxially arranged with respect to the rotational axis of the folding drum. The toothed wheel can be moved in the axial direction of the folding drum between at least two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Robert Müller
  • Patent number: 7137943
    Abstract: Sheets can be manipulated for punching, perforating and/or folding. The systems and methods according to this invention allow sheets to be punched and/or perforated in various configurations. The systems and methods according to this invention allow sheets to be folded in various forms and/or configurations. Sheets can be inverted to ensure proper orientation. The systems and methods according to this invention allow the number and/and or locations of punches and/or perforations and the type and/or length of folds to be controlled on a sheet-by-sheet basis. The systems and methods according to this invention allow the sheet preparation module to be optionally configured within the photocopying system depending on the needs and flexibility of the finishing requirements of the operator. The modularity of the sheet preparation module design as a “plug and play” unit enables greater functionality for the manipulation of sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Ferrara, Richard A. Van Dongen
  • Patent number: 7104943
    Abstract: A method and unit for flexing a flat blank having preformed fold lines; the flat blank is fed by a seat on a conveyor along a path through a flexing station, where a rigid folding body is rolled over the seat to fold the blank against two fixed folding spindles of the seat and about the preformed fold lines; and, on leaving the flexing station, the blank is allowed to spring back to its flat shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azionivia
    Inventors: Roberta Brintazzoli, Valerio Fiorini, Stefano Romagnoli, Alessandro Minarelli
  • Patent number: 7041188
    Abstract: A device and method for producing individual folded labels having miter folded tabs includes a first cutting station for partially cutting the ribbon of labels to form a tab at each edge of the ribbon of labels and an interior base cut. The ribbon of label remains intact at a pair of connection points separating the tabs. The tabs are folded at an angle to produce a miter fold at a folding station. A second cutting station ultrasonically cuts the miter folded ribbon of labels along the connection points to subdivide the ribbon of labels into separate, individual folded labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Pittsfield Weaving Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick Bleckmann
  • Patent number: 7004507
    Abstract: A flat sheet of paper, or other thin flexible material, has information printed on one side in the form of a plurality of discrete panels or areas of text or images, while the entire other side is taken up by a large-scale, poster-like pattern. The panels or areas of text or images, are defined by crease lines created by folding the sheet of material. These creases are formed using a perpendicular fold method described in detail in this application. Each fold is perpendicular to the previous fold, creating a grid-like pattern, with each panel in the grid pattern containing a discrete quantity of text or images. When the invention is at its most folded state it has a relatively compact size. As the invention is unfolded, the panels of text or images are revealed in a specific sequence in order to tell a story or communicate some other type of sequentially ordered information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Neil Barnett Shulman
  • Patent number: 6981939
    Abstract: In a machine for forming articles of sheet material, an orderly succession of flat blanks is fed along a forming path on a roller conveyor having powered rollers equally spaced with a given spacing; on the roller conveyor, the blanks are maintained contacting the rollers by idle-wheel pressure devices, and are deformed by folding devices; the pressure devices and folding devices being fitted to respective gantry-type frames having respective removable cross members, and which can be set to a number of predetermined reference positions and locked in such positions releasably with respect to the roller conveyor; and a continuous guide and slide adjusting assembly being interposed between each frame and the respective pressure devices and folding devices to adjust the position of the devices on the roller conveyor as a function of the shape and size of the blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Petratto S.r.L.
    Inventor: Giorgio Petratto
  • Patent number: 6935997
    Abstract: The present invention supplies practical procedures, functions or techniques for folding tessellations. Several tessellation crease pattern techniques, and the three-dimensional folded configuration are given. Additionally several new forming processes, including mathematical methods for describing the material flow are disclosed doubly-periodic folding of materials that name the doubly-periodic folded (DPF) surface, including vertices, edges, and facets, at any stage of the folding. This information is necessary for designing tooling and forming equipment, for analyzing strength and deflections of the DPFs under a variety of conditions, for modeling the physical properties of DPF laminations and composite structures, for understanding the acoustic or other wave absorption/diffusion/reflection characteristics, and for analyzing and optimizing the structure of DPFs in any other physical situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventor: Daniel H. Kling
  • Patent number: 6915621
    Abstract: The invention is directed to method and apparatus for wrapping pads. A web of flexible wrapping material is adapted to be pulled in tension over a forming device. The forming device has first and second folding members having angled folding edges adapted for contact by respective opposite side margins of the web as the web is pulled past the folding edges. A web guide guides the web toward the folding edges. An opening between the web guide and the folding edges is adapted to be spanned by a central portion of the web as the web is pulled past the forming device. A series of pads are conveyed by a conveyor, one after another, and placed on the web as it is pulled past the forming device so that the pads move with the web over the opening and past the folding edges of the forming device. A surface applies a force to the pads to force the pads against the central portion of the web as the pads move across said opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Moshe Saraf, Stephen L. Nunn, Thomas P. Keenan, Scott D. Dobslaw, Dale J. Fischer, Daniel J. Heuer, James J. Hlaban, Michael K. Lewis, Richard W. Kubalek
  • Patent number: 6916280
    Abstract: To simplify and speed up folding of plate-like elements (1) along a fold line (2), more particularly in a continuous operation, a method and a an apparatus for folding plate-like elements (1) are proposed which eliminate the use of counter-impression elements in the region of the fold line (2). The apparatus includes a second impression device (6) that folds a second section (4) of the plate-like element (1) about the fold line (2) by a first force component oriented perpendicular to the plane of the second section (4). At the same time the second impression device (6) produces a second force component oriented in the plane of the second section (4) and acting in the direction of the fold line (2) to urge a first section (3) of the plate-like element (1) against a first impression device (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ligmatech Automationssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Bodo Tönnigs, Lutz Uhlemann
  • Patent number: 6910686
    Abstract: A paper processing apparatus that includes: a paper carry-in port, which is disposed at one side surface of the paper processing apparatus; a center-bound paper discharge port, which is disposed at another side surface opposite from the paper carry-in port; a center-binding compilation tray, which extends from an upper direction of the one side surface to a lower direction of the other side surface, and aligns and accommodates plural sheets of paper conveyed from the paper carry-in port; a center-binding stapler, which binds a predetermined portion of the paper stack that is accommodated and aligned; a folding knife, which folds the bound paper stack; a rotary cutter unit, which is disposed vertically above the center-binding compilation tray and cuts the folded paper using a horizontally moving blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Awano
  • Patent number: 6902197
    Abstract: A method of producing a folded item having printed information thereon to provide information to the user of a product is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph M. Vijuk, Robert Vijuk
  • Patent number: 6899664
    Abstract: A folded paper return device is provided for use in combination with a sheet material folding machine, such as a paper folding machine. A paper folding machine including the inventive folded paper return device is also provided. The sheet material folding machine is particularly suited for folding sheets of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Gregory R. Gale
  • Patent number: 6893388
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pre-fastening disposable absorbent articles having a slot-and-tab fastening system during manufacturing of the pre-fastened disposable articles, such as diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, adults incontinence pads and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: George S. Reising, Michael D. Trennepohl, Darrell Ian Brown, John Carroll Molander, Jason Matthew Prosek
  • Patent number: 6886823
    Abstract: A printing machine includes several sections, each of which has at least one printing unit with at least one web running through the at least one printing unit per section. Two such sections are arranged offset to each other, transverse to the longitudinal direction of the printing machine. Production of a printed product is achieved, at least in part, by using a common folding unit that extends over the total width of the printing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Burkard Otto Herbert
  • Patent number: 6874968
    Abstract: This invention relates to pockets for holding a single or a small batch of sheets of paper, and particularly to the construction of an enclosure which provides “direct write” storage and access for a top leaf enclosed therein, where one entry lip of the pocket is on a border of one edge of the pocket forming a “book edge” for retaining the margin side of a leaf, and dual corner tab pockets are on the opposing edge's corners for retaining one or both corners opposing the margin edge of said leaf, thereby allowing the secure entry of one or more leaves therein, allowing the encoding of the sequence position of the leaf when placed therein as to a place in either “last in first seen” or “last in last seen” position, offering secure sequential viewing along the book edge when the ends secured under the corner tabs are both free, and providing for direct writing on the surface of the top leaf when the pocket is laid face up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Productive Environments, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6872177
    Abstract: The present invention is a card creasing and embossing device. In particular, the present invention is directed to a device for creasing and embossing greeting cards. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a base plate supporting a plurality of crease plates in a stack. The base plate has a top side with a crease line depression and each of the plurality of crease plates have a top side and bottom side whereby the top side of one crease plate opposes the bottom side of an adjoining crease plate. The top side of each crease plate has at least one crease line depression; the bottom side of each crease plate has at least one crease blade for insertion into at least one crease line depression on the adjoining crease plate top side. The crease plates preferably each have a selection tab indicating the fold configuration for the crease plate. The preferred embodiment of the invention has a paper cutter hingedly connect on its top. The crease plates preferably have paper guide depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Dwight E. Fullington
  • Patent number: 6865864
    Abstract: An inline formed package having an envelope and insert material, is formed from a single repeat of a printed web both of which are crossfolded simultaneously, approximately along the half repeat line, and the area of the insert material is greater than half the area of the repeat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventor: Robert E. Katz
  • Publication number: 20040259709
    Abstract: A sheet material (2) for packaging food products and having a number of fold lines (4) formed by compression creasing, so that the fold lines (4) have a recessed profile on the face (23) of the material (2) eventually facing outwards of the package (17) and bearing a printed decoration (5), and a nonconvex profile on the opposite face (25); the decoration (5) has a printed area (36) at least partly enclosing one or more fold lines (37), so as to define, with them and by contrast, an optically detectable register mark (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Lorenzo Guidotti, Alvaro Melissa, Egidio Messori, Richard Norenstam
  • Publication number: 20040248720
    Abstract: A container for liquid contents, comprising a compartment (4) which is defined by flexible walls (2, 3) and whose volume is dependent on the relative position of the walls (2, 3). The walls (2, 3) have rim portions which engage each other and along which the walls (2, 3) are joined with each other in a common connecting portion (6). The container is characterised in that the walls (2, 3) are made in one piece, which is folded to form said walls (2, 3), and that the walls (2, 3) along said rim portions are sealed to form said connecting portion (6). The present invention also concerns a method and a device for producing such a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Ake Rosen
  • Publication number: 20040185995
    Abstract: In the process for folding a sheet into a folded sheet with a minimum of 16 pages (sides), a first folded sheet (12) with four pages is formed by virtue of the sheet (11) being folded around a folding line (21) running transversely to the feeding transporting direction (30). Continuing in the feeding transporting direction, the second and third folded sheets are formed by virtue of being folded around corresponding lines running along the feeding transporting direction. The third folded sheet (14) can then be deflected through 90° and, thereafter, folded, around its center line (22a, 22b) running longitudinally in relation to the continued-transporting direction (31), into a fourth folded sheet with 32 pages. This process makes it possible to achieve very high sheet-processing speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: Maschinenbau Oppenweiler Binder GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Hoffmann, Bodo Tegtmeier, Eberhard Krieger
  • Patent number: 6761677
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically folding a sheet of media, for example, a photographic paper about a fold line, such that a album page is formed. The photosensitive media has images only on one side. A heat activated adhesive sheet is provided between the sides of the photographic paper during folding. The adhesive sheet when exposed to heated and pressure rollers, will cause the sides of the photographic media to be secured to form a single album page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Manico, Frank Jergler, John R. Squilla