Abstract: The invention relates to a device, comprising: a spreader roll (2), the spreader roll having a roll tube (3), over which a material web is guided, the bending of the spreader roll (2) about its longitudinal axis allowing the material web to be spread out; and two bearing journals (4), which are operatively connected to the roll tube (3) and are pivotably articulated in a machine frame (1), the bearing journals (4) being mounted on the machine frame (1) by means of pivotable bearings (6) and the bearing journals having longitudinal pins (5) protruding beyond the bearings (6), at the ends of which longitudinal pins radially acting adjustment means (7) are positioned.

Abstract: A quilt binding press for folding and creasing a strip of binding fabric in a continuous engagement with a heated iron. The binding press has an iron engagement support platform with a pair of upstanding spaced parallel binding guides provides a folding and guide path for a strip of binding material be folded and pulled there across the support platform for engagement with a heated iron there between the guides in a continuous manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a tube (54) of pocket material (22) for manufacturing a pocket spring string includes a cartridge (30) for guiding the pocket material (22). The cartridge (30) has at least one first element (61) and at least one second element (62). A relative position between the at least one first element (61) and the at least one second element (62) may be set in a direction (60) perpendicular to an axis (50) of the cartridge (30), in order to adjust a spacing between sides of the cartridge (30).

Abstract: A method of folding an interior section of film in-process includes at least the following steps: separating an idler roll and a rolling assembly; positioning an interior web folding assembly between the idler roll and the rolling assembly; passing a film web from the idler roll to the interior web folding assembly; initiating at least one interior fold in the film web using the interior web folding assembly; passing the film web from the interior web folding assembly to the rolling assembly; and passing the film web beyond the rolling assembly, compressing the film web, and completing the at least one interior fold. An apparatus for folding an interior section of film includes at least: an idler roll separated from a rolling assembly; and an interior web folding assembly positioned between the idler roll and the rolling assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a folded film into another folded film include combining the films without unfolding or folding either of the folded films. In particular, one or more implementations include a spreader bar configured to separate layers of a first folded film. Additionally, the apparatus can include one or more orientation rollers configured to direct a second film between the separated layers of the first folded film. Furthermore, the apparatus can include a direction change bar configured to change the direction a travel of the second film while the second film is positioned between the layers of the first folded film.

Abstract: A sheet folding device includes a folding unit that applies a fold to a sheet, and a fold-enhancing unit that performs fold enhancement on the sheet applied with the fold by the folding unit. The fold-enhancing unit includes at least two or more rotator pairs each provided with a sheet holding member that holds and pressurizes the sheet applied with the fold so as to enhance the hold. In the at least two or more rotator pairs, the sheet holding member is provided so that an area for holding the sheet shifts from both sides of the sheet toward a central portion of the sheet along a sheet conveying direction from an upstream to a downstream in the fold-enhancing unit.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a pushing member, a drive device, a first conveyance unit, a second conveyance unit provided on a downstream side of the first conveyance unit, a first detection unit, a second detection unit, and a control unit. The drive device moves the pushing member to push a portion of a sheet bundle to fold the sheet bundle. The first conveyance unit uses a roller pair to convey the folded sheet bundle folded. The second conveyance unit conveys the sheet bundle. The first detection unit detects an amount by which the pushing member is moved by the drive device. The second detection unit detects an amount by which the sheet bundle is conveyed by the first conveyance unit. The control unit separates the roller pair based on the amounts detected by the first and second detection units.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus includes: a saddle-stitching unit configured to stitch a center of a sheet bundle; a folding unit configured to fold the sheet bundle at the center to form a fold; a loading base onto which the sheet bundle conveyed from the folding unit is loaded; a nipping plate configured to be pressed to and separated from the loading base in parallel to the loading base and to nip the sheet bundle loaded onto the loading base; and first and second rollers that move along a direction of the fold while nipping and pressing the fold of the sheet bundle nipped by the nipping plate to reinforce the fold. Here, a surface, which faces the loading base, of the nipping plate is provided with an elastic member.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus includes a fold unit to fold a center of a sheet bundle to form a fold line, a reinforce roller which reciprocates along a direction of the fold line while nipping and pressing the fold line and reinforces the fold line of the sheet bundle, and a control section to changeably set the number of times of reciprocating movement of the reinforce roller according to a thickness of a sheet contained in the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A dunnage handler for controlling the outfeed of dunnage from a dunnage machine is disclosed and can include a dunnage accumulator with first and second holding portions configured and associated with each other to define a dunnage accumulation space therebetween and for receiving and removably retaining the dunnage in the accumulation space from a dunnage machine and an articulation associating the first and second holding portions such that the holding portions are movable with respect to each other to vary the accumulation space to accommodate a varying amount of dunnage held therein, where a sensor and controller can be included to stop dunnage production when the accumulator is full.

Abstract: A method and tool for forming decorative picots is provided. The tool comprises a triangular substrate having a base and two sides intersecting at an apex, indicia defining a centerline extending from the apex to the midpoint of the base, and indicia defining one or more guidelines extending from one side of the substrate to the other, parallel to the base. The method comprises placing the substrate on a rectangular strip of fabric having a width twice its height, aligning the substrate on the fabric such that the apex is positioned at the midpoint of the top edge of the fabric and the bottom edge is positioned parallel to the base of the substrate, folding the top edges of the fabric over the substrate to align with the centerline and applying an iron to the folded fabric to crease the fold.

Abstract: A folding unit folds a sheet. A pressing unit presses a folded side of the folded sheet. A driving unit causes the pressing unit to slide in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction. A control unit independently sets number of slides at which the pressing unit is to slide on each of a plurality of sections of the folded side depending on a distance of each of the sections from a reference position, and controls the driving unit so as to slide in each of the sections for the number of slides set for that section.

Abstract: A folded back portion flattening device includes a gripper and a presser. The gripper grips a sheet bundle formed into a booklet with the folded back portion protruding from the gripper. The presser presses the folded back portion of the sheet bundle gripped by the gripper, and includes pressing rollers which have pressing rotational surfaces and which are disposed along the folded back portion. The pressing rotational surfaces press the folded back portion. The pressing rollers are disposed so that the rotational pressing surface of a second pressing roller, which presses the folded back portion after the rotational pressing surface of a first pressing roller has pressed the folded back portion, presses deeper into an edge of the sheet bundle than the rotational pressing surface of the first pressing roller. At least one of the gripper and presser is movable in a direction parallel to the folded back portion.

Abstract: A folded back portion flattening device includes a gripper and a presser. The gripper grips a sheet bundle formed into a booklet with the folded back portion protruding from the gripper. The presser presses the folded back portion of the sheet bundle gripped by the gripper, and includes pressing rollers which have pressing rotational surfaces and which are disposed along the folded back portion. The pressing rotational surfaces press the folded back portion. The pressing rollers are disposed so that the rotational pressing surface of a second pressing roller, which presses the folded back portion after the rotational pressing surface of a first pressing roller has pressed the folded back portion, presses deeper into an edge of the sheet bundle than the rotational pressing surface of the first pressing roller. At least one of the gripper and presser is movable in a direction parallel to the folded back portion.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus is described including a fold blade, a clamp movable to engage the fold blade, and a fold blade receptacle having two flexible spring members. The flexible spring members are biased toward one another by preloading material of the spring members. The fold blade and fold blade receptacle are movable toward one another to fold a sheet of material.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus is described including a fold blade, a clamp movable to engage the fold blade, and a fold blade receptacle having two flexible spring members. The flexible spring members are biased toward one another by preloading material of the spring members. The fold blade and fold blade receptacle are movable toward one another to fold a sheet of material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creasing planar material includes a pair of confronting drums between which the material is passed with at least one of the drums having at least one electrical filament thereon adapted to engage the planar material as it is passed between the drums for melting the planar material to a predetermined depth. The filaments are preferably quick heating and also dissipate heat quickly so that they can be activated and deactivated in short intervals so that the drums upon which the heat filaments are mounted do not heat up between the filaments.

Abstract: A golf ball location marker is provided that provides controlled release of a powder under user control for marking the location of a golf ball on a green in a manner so as to avoid the possibility of interfering with subsequent golf putts, while precisely marking the ball's location and without permanently marking the green or causing harm to the green. Several embodiments of this invention are provided, specifically for use as a hand-held device, or alternatively as installed in the end of a golf club or a walking stick or pole.

Abstract: For folding sheet layers the folding blade (20) forms a comb. The comb gaps (27) are closed during fold pressing and opened during transfer of the fold to a conveyor (21). Thus the conveyor (21) engages the sheet only in the region of the comb gaps and easily withdraws the sheet without pressing it into contact against the folding blade (20). For controlling the gap variations a fully mechanical cam control (30) is provided underneath the working plane (10).

Abstract: A creasing device for creasing a folded booklet on its fold line utilizing two creasing rollers which together form a creasing nip for rolling over the fold line of the booklet, the creasing nip pressing the booklet flat during a reciprocating movement of the creasing nip. During the creasing cycle, the booklet is enclosed on its fold line between two guide strips which extend between the creasing rollers and extend over the line of movement of the creasing nip.

Abstract: A way of folding an air bag used in an air bag module is disclosed, as well as a process and device for folding an air bag. The air bag is folded in the direction of an imaginary longitudinal axis, forming a ring with separate folds at its inner and outer sides, the imaginary longitudinal axis preferably extending through the filling mouth of the air bag. The folding process is characterized in that the empty air bag is stretched in the direction of an imaginary longitudinal axis and folded up in the direction of the longitudinal axis within a boundary, in particular a boundary having a ring-shaped cross-section. A device for folding the air bag has a molded part, at least one device for introducing the air bag into the molded part and at least one device for compressing the air bag inside the molded part. The advantage of the invention is that only a few process steps and a simple device are required for folding the air bag.

Abstract: An airbag (1) for a vehicle safety restraint and particularly a method of folding an airbag comprising laying the airbag (1) generally flat, making folds in the flat airbag to form a polygon (such as a square) in plan view, folding all of the sides of the polygon upwardly and inwardly of the polygon considered in plan view so that at least one point on each side meets a point on at least one other side at a position generally above the centre of the polygon so that the corners of the polygon form upstanding ears (7), and subsequently rolling (E) the upstanding corner ears of the polygon to form the airbag into a cylindrical shape. An airbag folded in this way is very compact and will fit into a housing of smaller diameter than was hitherto possible. The invention applies particularly to a driver's side airbag.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for forming a strata of overlapping sheets suitable for use in a pop-up dispensing system. The sheets are cut from ribbons which initially have edges essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon. At least one side edge of each ribbon is stretched to form a knee-like protrusion, with the opposing side edge being either, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon, or also stretched to form one or more knee-like protrusions on the opposing edge. The ribbons are then aligned so that a knee-like protrusion on one edge aligns with either the essentially parallel edge of an adjacent ribbon or a knee-like protrusion on the side edge of an adjacent ribbon. After phasing, the ribbons are overlapped creating a series of predetermined areas of greatest overlap adjoining areas of least or no overlap, such that successive ribbons are bonded only by the interfacial interaction between each ribbon.

Abstract: A sheet feeder, such as recirculating document handler for a copying machine, is provided with movable sheet flattening guide arms (31) for flattening out upturned sheet corner dog-ears in the leading edge of a document sheet (13A) as each sheet is fed from the stacking tray (12) of the document handler. The guide arms (31) are located adjacent to and preferably behind the front wall (29) of the tray and, as a document is fed beneath the wall, they automatically move out transversely along the leading edge of the document to flatten it, particularly at the corners (13B), thereby enabling dog-eared or curled documents to be fed without becoming jammed.

Abstract: A device for fabricating toilet seat covers from paper sheeting comprises three paper shearing and folding assemblies positioned one over the other, each assembly including a drive roll, as well as two additional compression rolls which shear and fold the sheeting. Three layers of the sheeting are fed simultaneously through rotary cutting rolls, and subsequently to the drive rolls associated with each of the assemblies. While one of the layers is fed to the bottom assembly drive roll, a double layer of sheeting proceeds to the drive roll of the middle assembly. There the double layer of sheeting is separated, with one layer being fed to the drive roll of the top assembly, and other layer proceeding through the other compression rolls of the middle assembly. Completed covers exiting from the superimposed assemblies are collated and transferred by transport and collating belts to a transversely adjustable ejection mechanism where the covers are ejected from the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of straightening turned over (dog-eared) or curled edges of sheets of paper or the like, particularly, original documents being fed in a document feeder. In various sheet feeders for feeding flimsy sheets of paper or the like in a sheet feeding direction through a sheet feeding path at a desired sheet movement speed, some such sheets have or acquire folded corners which are folded back relative to said sheet feeding direction. This system can automatically unfold the leading edge sheet corners with rotatable bristled brushes. The periphery of the bristled brush extends into the sheet feeding path and is rotated at a peripheral brush bristle speed with a forward vector component in the direction of sheet movement which is substantially higher than the sheet movement speed for acquiring and lifting the folded back sheet corners and forwardly unfolding them in the sheet feeding direction while the sheet continues to move.

Abstract: A device for assuring substantial smoothness in bags formed on a form, fill and seal machine comprising structure engageable with a closure along one edge of flattened bag making material below a forming and filling tube, and cooperating members operating cyclically from a position at the stabilizer in a flattening stroke across the material. The flattening members are desirably rollers which may be heated to effect a flatness retaining seal across the flattened material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing overlapping material such as occurs in wrinkles and folds in the open edge of a pliable package, such as plastic prior to sealing the package. The apparatus includes a set of transport belts which grip the open edges of the package and move them in a selected direction of travel. The open package edges then encounter a set of opposing programmable pinch wheels before the trailing edge of the package leaves the first set of transport wheels. The pinch wheels have a rate of rotation selected to move the package edge along the direction of travel at a speed faster than that provided by the transport belts. Consequently, the leading package edge is pulled taut. Subsequent to the trailing edge of the package leaving the transport belt, the leading edge of the open package edges encounters a second set of transport wheels which also move the package edge in the selected direction of travel.

Abstract: A method of folding into packages, in connection with the manufacture thereof, disposable absorbent articles such as diapers or incontinence protectors comprising an absorbent body (1) enclosed in a casing extending laterally beyond the absorbent body and having casing portions intended to seal around the abdomen of the wearer, as well as elastic leg bands or threads (6, 7) affixed to the casing with portions (6', 7') extending at least partially along either side edge of the article at a distance beyond the absorbent body. The ends of the article are folded in with approximately equal lengths toward the mid-section of the article, which is thereafter folded together in the same direction into a four-folded state. The elastic portions (6', 7') at the center of the article are simultaneously held laterally stretched so as to encompass the laterally positioned article ends. The folded article, upon release of these elastic portions, is held together thereby in the state of a compact, four-folded package.

Abstract: A device for stacking pieces of fabric which includes a fold bar, at least one gripper movable in translation for grasping succesive pieces of fabric on the fold bar, a fold bar support which is movable between a rear position and a front position for receiving the pieces of fabric from the outlet of a sewing machine, a stacking table positioned adjacent to the fold bar, the gripper being driven in an alternating motion between a position in which it is located over the fold bar support when the support is in its rear position, and a position in which it is located over the stacking table and a guide bar which faces the stacking table at a level which is higher than the greatest possible height to which the fabric can be stacked.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tensioning or drawing taut a plastic bag or packaging around a product prior to sealing is disclosed. The apparatus operates in combination with presently available conveying means and packaging sealing means. The apparatus includes a housing to support and contain a pair of conical brushes having rotational axes parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The conical brushes rotate in opposite directions so as to draw excess packaging material into the nip formed by the tip of the brushes to smooth away wrinkles and/or folds. A transport and gripping belt then closes the bag and moves it past a pair of cylindrical shaped brushes which may be on the same shaft as the conical brushes. The cylindrical brushes draw the packaging material tight or taut around the product in a manner suitable for sealing.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding agricultural storage bags (20) includes a frame (22) having an annular pad (70) mounted about the lateral periphery thereof. Pivotally mounted within and extending outwardly from the frame above the annular pad (70) are a plurality of upper arms (110). A plurality of lower arms (126) are similarly mounted below the annular pad (70) and are positioned between the upper arms (110). Mounted within the frame (22) above the upper arms (110) is a platform (26) for supporting a quantity of flexible tubular material. Mounted to the frame above the platform (26) is an advancing mechanism (50). The upper and lower arms (110 and 126) are actuated alternately to form the length of flexible tubular material into a plurality of folds each extending parallel to the annular pad (70).

Abstract: A decorrugating sheet transport system includes a drive shaft with three drive rollers mounted for rotation in relation to three idler rollers. The three drive rollers have relieved areas on portions of their circumferences and are positioned on the drive shaft so that upon receiving the lead edge of a corrugated sheet only the two outer rollers drive the sheet initially. This allows the corrugations in the sheet to expand toward the outer rollers. Next, all three rollers drive the sheet for about a 30.degree. arc and then the sheet is driven only by the center roller with the outer two rollers separated to allow the corrugations to dissipate to the edges of the sheet through a small gap between the outer rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously manufacturing surgical sponges from a web of gauze is disclosed. The apparatus cuts the web into discrete pieces, and thereafter folds, irons, stacks and counts the pads as an integrated and automated operation at a high rate of speed.

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: This invention provides an apparatus for transferring a strip-like plastic bag material in a packing machine. The apparatus comprises a pair of intermittently operated pinching rollers for intermittently transferring the bag material, said bag material comprising a series of interconnected bags each having a heat-sealed bottom portion with a flap-like margin, a mechanism for raising said flap-like margin during transfer of said bag material, a microswitch for detecting said bottom portion, said microswitch having an elongated contact adapted to be releasably engaged with said flap-like margin as said flap-like margin is raised during transfer of said bag material and means for stopping said bag material in response to detection by said microswitch of said bottom portion.

Abstract: Sections of bag-making material are successively and intermittently fed by double belt conveyors to arrive beneath a vertically reciprocatable push member which engages each section by suction and forms a central loop in each section while its ends are yieldingly engaged by brake shoes co-operating with side supports.