Refolding Or Unfolding Patents (Class 493/409)
  • Patent number: 11584059
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for maintaining the inflation level of a bubble formed by nips in a moving roll of tubular film, to form a gusset in a final product produced from the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: HILEX POLY CO. LLC
    Inventor: Harry B. Wilfong, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140339258
    Abstract: A method for folding a liner for packaging and/or insertion into an overpack. The method may include providing a liner comprising a substantially tubular body portion and a closed top and bottom, and a fitment formed in or affixed to the top of the liner, forming a gusset in the bottom panel of the liner, forming a gusset in the body portion of the liner, and fan-folding the liner. In some embodiments, the top of the liner may be a substantially circular top panel and the bottom of the liner may be a substantially circular bottom panel, with the top panel being attached to one end of the tubular body portion and the bottom panel being attached to an opposite end of the tubular body portion. In other embodiments, the liner may be a flexible, blow molded liner, thereby having no weld seams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Advance Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Koland, Richard Chism
  • Patent number: 8815037
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing absorbent articles (9) includes feeding a longitudinal web (1) of web material having openings (16) such that spaced apart, opposing margins (18) of web material are formed between the respective opening and opposing longitudinal edges of the web material; carrying out a folding action (20) of folding the web about itself along its longitudinal direction; carrying out a second (30) folding action of folding at least a portion of the web along its longitudinal direction; after the second folding action, forming a joint (46) in the web, the joint being formed at least in a part of the region in which the opposing margins have been brought together by the second folding action; finally separating (8) the web through the joint to separate an individual absorbent article from the end of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Lucas Bäck, Lennart Nilsson
  • Publication number: 20140155242
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 for forming a template for a bag, the apparatus being adapted to receive a material in a first, transport direction 5, for forming said template; the apparatus 10 comprising means 15 for forming first, second and third longitudinal fold lines in said material, said fold lines extending in said transport direction to form first, second, third and fourth longitudinal sections in said material and means 15 for providing first and second transverse fold lines in said material, said first and second transverse fold lines extending in a direction perpendicular to said first, transport, direction, to form upper, middle and lower transverse sections of said material, means for providing fold lines in the shape of first and second crosses 301, 302 in said material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Dempson Crooke Ltd.
    Inventor: Jon Katzauer
  • Patent number: 8733621
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing containers of paper material for foodstuffs, in particular pastries, wherein the container comprises a single sheet portion of flexible paper material defining a flat bottom wall and a side wall emerging from the bottom wall. The container has a side wall comprising, in section, at least one curvilinear stretch (10) for defining a rounded or convex conformation of the side wall. The method contemplates a first step for making the bottom wall (2) provided with an upper surface (2a) and a lower surface (2b), and a side wall (3) emerging from the bottom wall (2) in such a manner that in cooperation with said bottom wall it defines a holding region (21) whose bottom consists of said lower surface (2b), and a second step of overturning the side wall on the opposite side relative to the bottom wall (2) for defining a cavity (7) having an upwards facing opening in the normal use position of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Novacart S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianmario Anghileri
  • Patent number: 8647251
    Abstract: An end-configuration of components to be moved or positioned is first obtained. This end-configuration determines the relative positioning and orientation of the components with respect to each other when in a final, desired configuration. A folding pattern is then obtained that is formed by interior vertices defining corresponding tessellation facets. The folding pattern can be induced to transition from a first folded configuration to a second folded configuration. When in the second folded configuration mounting facets, which are a subset of the tessellation facets, are arranged by the geometry of the folding pattern into positions and orientations with respect to each other that correspond to the end-configuration of the components. A foldable structure is then obtained that folds in accordance with the folding pattern, and the components are affixed to their respective mounting facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel Kling
  • Publication number: 20130267401
    Abstract: The present invention prevents unevenness in the amount of impregnation by a predetermined chemical and prevents a decrease in ease of removal resulting from increasing the rate of impregnation by the predetermined chemical. A press device (15) has: a plurality of rollers (201, 202, 203); press belts (204a, 204b) wound around the plurality of rollers (201, 202, 203); and conveyor belts (205, 206) that convey a stacked body (800). At least one roller from among the plurality of rollers (201, 202, 203) drives the press belts (204a, 204b) at a predetermined speed of conveyance and in a predetermined direction of conveyance. The press belts (204a, 204b) are disposed with a gap in an intersecting direction (CD) perpendicular to the conveyance direction (MD) that is such that the press belts (204a, 204b) can contact both end portions (800A, 800B) of the stacked body (800) in the intersecting direction (CD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Unicharm Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Bando, Daisuke Miyake, Ikue Hiramatsu, Yoshihide Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8480552
    Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and a method for folding and unfolding a foldable transport container automatically. The apparatus comprises plurality of moving parts (P1, P2) and arms (A1, A2, A3, A4) to fold the sides (FS1, FS2) of the container and to fold the top (T) and bottom (B) of the container. Said moving parts and arms are operated by plurality of actuators (H1, H2, H3, H4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Simpri Investments Limited
    Inventors: Anoop Chawla, Sudipto Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 8298127
    Abstract: A folding method includes feeding a sheet to be folded to a folding unit, folding the sheet repeatedly by the folding unit, thereby creating a folded package, and discharging at least a part of the folded package from the folding unit. While at least a part of the folded package is discharged from the folding unit in the step of discharging, a part of the sheet is held back. The method includes unfolding at least one fold of the folded package. A folding apparatus is provided for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: OCE Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Michiel A. C. Terhaag
  • Patent number: 8246844
    Abstract: A method of folding a filter bag 10 made from a nonwoven fabric or stiff media to facilitate installation within a filter retainer basket and a folded filter bag 10 arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Anthony Quintel
  • Publication number: 20110130262
    Abstract: A folding method includes feeding a sheet to be folded to a folding unit, folding the sheet repeatedly by the folding unit, thereby creating a folded package, and discharging at least a part of the folded package from the folding unit. While at least a part of the folded package is discharged from the folding unit in the step of discharging, a part of the sheet is held back. The method includes unfolding at least one fold of the folded package. A folding apparatus is provided for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Michiel A.C. TERHAAG
  • Publication number: 20100292063
    Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and a method for folding and unfolding a foldable transport container automatically. The apparatus comprises plurality of moving parts (P1, P2) and arms (A1, A2, A3, A4) to fold the sides (FS1, FS2) of the container and to fold the top (T) and bottom (B) of the container. Said moving parts and arms are operated by plurality of actuators (H1, H2, H3, H4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicants: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, DELHI, SIMPRI INVESTMENTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Anoop Chawla, Sudipto Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 7798950
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Shuuya Nagasako, Naohiro Kikkawa, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Hiroshi Maeda, Atsushi Kuriyama, Makoto Hidaka, Hitoshi Hattori, Junichi Tokita, Akira Kunieda, Takashi Saito, Ichiro Ichihashi
  • Publication number: 20100152012
    Abstract: A method of forming a cootie catcher by removing material from a generally square piece of material, wherein removed pieces enable the piece of materia! to be folded and for easier manipulation of the cootie catcher. A method of forming a cootie catcher by forming a sheet of material having fold lines as shown in FIG. 2, removing material along the fold lines to assist in folding the cootie catcher, and folding along the fold lines to create the cootie catcher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey Jurgensen
  • Patent number: 7608034
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for conditioning an edge of a sheet to be bound so that the edge is conducive to accepting heat activated adhesives used in conventional binding. The sheet is first bent in one direction to form a folding line, with the fold line being a short distance from the edge of the sheet to be conditioned and with that distance being determined primarily by the thickness of the sheet. The bend in the sheet is typically 90 degrees, with the radii of curvature of the opposite sheet surfaces at the fold line being unequal so that a shear force is applied near the sheet end thereby tending to tear or fracture in interior of the sheet near the end. Typically the sheet is then bent in an opposite direction along the folding line so as to produce an opposite shear force that reinforces the creation of tears and fractured in the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Powis Parker Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Parker, Harold P. Hocking
  • Patent number: 7137941
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a hem on a 5th panel of a liquid carton blank comprising a skiving section, a stepped creaser section, a burner section, a vacuum hemmer section, and a sealer section. Carton blanks are fed into the skiver section and exit from the sealer section at a high rate of speed. The final folding step in the process is performed by a vacuum hemmer which comprises a belt with holes for pulling a vacuum to securely hold the carton blank during the second and final folding of the skived portion of the 5th panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Folder-Gluer Technical Services Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian N. Gamache, Peter M. Siemiesz, Michael A. Sutcliffe, Terence Sharples
  • Patent number: 7094194
    Abstract: A reinforced bulk bin, and methods for making same, wherein a collapsible bulk bin, preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, is provided with a reinforcing plastic sleeve, which is placed on the bin while in its collapsed configuration. When in place, and prior to the bin being deployed, the sleeve is under tension. When the bin is deployed, the sleeve exerts restraining force, distributed over the surfaces of the side walls of the bin. The sleeve may be positioned on the collapsed bin either manually or mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: James Watson Barner
  • Patent number: 7001320
    Abstract: In the production of (cigarette) packs of the hinge-lid-box type with round edges, preliminary deformation of blanks (10) is desirable for producing hinge-lid boxes of satisfactory quality. The preliminary deformation of the round edges takes place in the region of a rounding turret (18) during transportation of the blanks (10). The latter are deformed back into an essentially planar starting position upon leaving the rounding turret (18) and thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Focke & Co., (GmbH & Co)
    Inventors: Jurgen Focke, legal representative, Doris Focke, legal representative, Thomas Häfker, Heinz Focke, deceased
  • Patent number: 6905118
    Abstract: A sheet finisher of the present invention is included in an image forming system and folds a stack of sheets sequentially transferred from an image forming apparatus thereto. The sheet finisher includes a fold roller pair for holding the stack of sheets being conveyed via a nip thereof. A reinforce roller reinforces the fold of the folded sheet stack in cooperation with a guide plate. A drive mechanism causes the reinforce roller to move in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet conveyance. A shock absorbing member is located at a position where the reinforce roller and guide plate contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Shuuya Nagasako, Masahiro Tamura, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Hiromoto Saitoh, Hiroki Okada, Junichi Iida, Rika Andoh, Naohiro Kikkawa, Junichi Tokita, Akihito Andoh
  • Patent number: 6887554
    Abstract: A multi-ply tissue product has several plies (2, 3, 4, 5) The multi-ply configuration is made by at least one folding (a; b; c) of at least one ply sheet (P) of tissue material in order to reduce the possibilities of delamination and to make the product flexible simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products GmbH
    Inventors: Urban Widlund, Emmanuelle Morin, Anders Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 6863644
    Abstract: A machine and method for producing beverage container holders of consistently high quality at high production rates and at an economical cost is disclosed herein. Beverage container holders (500) can be produced on the machine using the method disclosed herein at a rate of 50,000 beverage container holders per hour. The initial step of introducing the blanks 810) into the machine's conveying mechanism assures that the blanks are properly aligned and have a predetermined spacing there between, which avoids jamming of the machine and the resulting work stoppage (FIG. 2). The process includes steps for pre-breaking or pre-folding the flaps (FIG. 5) which enable the final folding of the flaps to be performed with the necessary reliability and speed. All except the final step of the manufacturing process are performed while the blanks are being conveyed at a constant high rate along the length of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: LBP Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew R. Cook
  • Patent number: 6776749
    Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for creating at least two pockets in a keycard holder comprising the steps of, cutting a piece of paper across one length at an angle between 20 and 30 degrees to the width, such that the width is approximately 6 inches on one side and the length is approximately between 5.5 and 6.5 inches on one side, folding the said paper in half across its length, folding the right and left edges of the width along the length in to meet at a midline, folding the left side over the right side along the midline to make a rectangle of approximately 2 ¾ by 4 ¼ inches, to create a first and second pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Bahram Hedayatpour
  • Patent number: 6773388
    Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a folder apparatus for sheets, and more particularly a folder with a fold path transverse to a feed path. In an embodiment, the folder comprises a channel for receiving a sheet, feed rollers for feeding the sheet along the feed path and through the channel, the feed rollers are axially aligned with the feed path, guide rollers positioned transverse to the feed path for feeding the sheet along a fold path to pinch rollers which pinch the sheet to form folds. The paper path does not reverse and the folding action is smooth so that noise and vibration are reduced. Also, the folder has a smaller footprint than other folders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Darryl T. Rathbun
  • Patent number: 6729486
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging container and a method of producing a packaging container for liquid contents. The packaging container has a casing produced from a web-shaped multilayer material and in the form of a sleeve, which, at one end, is connected to a bottom portion and at the other end is connected to a top portion produced from a blow molded thermoplastic material. The casing is formed by winding of the multilayer material into sleeve form and liquid-tight sealing of the material edges to a joint seam extending longitudinally of the sleeve, the top portion being manufactured in that thermoplastic material is extruded to form a hose which is blow molded into continuous top portions which are separated from one another and connected to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA
    Inventor: Göran Hermodsson
  • Patent number: 6694708
    Abstract: A method and machine for producing a rigid packet of cigarettes from a flat, substantially rectangular blank; the blank has two main longitudinal crease lines, and a number of transverse crease lines defining, between the two main longitudinal crease lines, central panels having respective lateral wings; the flat blank is fed to a prefolding station where the lateral wings of at least one of the central panels are folded about the respective main longitudinal crease lines; and the blank is subsequently restored to the flat configuration before being fed to a follow-up folding station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: G.D Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Brizzi, Michele Squarzoni, Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Patent number: 6547709
    Abstract: A method of folding an air bag consisting of the following steps: providing an air bag with a square configuration; folding four corners of the air bag toward the center of the air bag resulting in a smaller square configuration; repeating said folding step to place the air bag in a smaller square configuration; folding a resulting left corner of the air bag toward the center of the air bag; folding a resulting right corner of the air bag toward the center of the air bag; and pinching lower and upper portions of the air bag while folding the lower and upper portions, respectively, toward the center of the air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. Dennis
  • Patent number: 6375604
    Abstract: Tab material which is wrapped tightly around an edge of a sheet is adhered flat to both faces of the sheet. The sheet is passed through a printer, and indicia is printed on both sides of a tab material fold line on at least a portion of the tab material on one of the faces. Then, the tab material portion is released from that face, folded onto itself on the fold line, and the end of that portion is re-adhered to that face but closer to the sheet edge. Thereby, the folded tab material portion extends out from the edge and has indicia printed on both sides thereof to define a tab. Pursuant to one embodiment, a series of these tab material portions line that face along the edge, separated from one another by die cut lines. The user can then select the portion to be released from the face, folded onto itself and its end attached to the face to define an outwardly extending tab at the desired place anywhere along the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Rick J. Verhines
  • Patent number: 6308945
    Abstract: Signatures (1) are individually gripped from a stack (2) by a rotatable extracting cylinder (A) and transferred to a first rotating opening cylinder (B) and a second rotating opening cylinder (C) which open the gripped signatures (1) at the edges (4, 5) opposite from the fold (3) and drop the signatures onto the transport device (6). To open and transport the signatures (1) onward, the signatures (1) are gripped at their respective protruding edge (5) by a clamping device (48) disposed on the first opening cylinder (B). Projections are provided which catch behind the above-referenced edges (4, 5) in the extracting cylinder (A) and transfer the edges to the clamping device (48). These projections include a guide arm (7) which is movably supported on the first opening cylinder (B) and moves in response to a rotation of the first opening cylinder (B) from a retracted position into a position projecting over the circumference (27) of the first opening cylinder (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Grapha-Holding AG
    Inventor: Christoph Sägesser
  • Patent number: 6306480
    Abstract: The present invention is a new elongate single-ply paper napkin that achieves the necessary absorbency, strength, hand feel and softness for commercial use but which is less expensive than traditional napkin products. More particularly, the invention is a single-ply napkin that contains folds running only in the transverse direction of the product, i.e. perpendicular to the length of the napkin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Craig D. Yardley, Chester W. Gooding, Jr., Byron E. Burrier
  • Patent number: 6071223
    Abstract: Two movable members, one on either side of a pre-folded continuous form entering a paper stacking area, are driven according to a determined position of the pre-folded form to push a leading edge of the form to one or another side of the stacking area so that the folds in the form will develop correctly in a stack. Only one of the members is permitted to contact the form at any time, and the members are separated by a sufficient angle so that no position of the members permits both members to contact the form. After directing the first and second sheets of the form, the members return to a home position in which neither member obstructs or interferes with subsequent stacking of the form. The position of the pre-folded form may be determined by a leading edge sensor, by a sheet feed rate sensor, by a fold position sensor, by a fold orientation sensor, by timing from a predetermined position, or by manual input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Pentax Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Reider, Ronald R. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5944647
    Abstract: Folding methods were developed for a typical commercial microwave popcorn bag to control its linear expansion and enable it to remain centered in a small (less than one cubic foot) microwave oven with a rotating turntable while the bag is being expanded by the gases of the popping corn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: John A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5893824
    Abstract: A signature handling apparatus includes a rotatable gripper drum having at least one gripper for gripping the folded leading edges of signatures. A rotatable transfer drum assembly transfers signatures from the gripper drum to an opener drum. The transfer drum assembly includes a transfer gripper. First drive means rotates the gripper drum to move the folded signatures at a first surface speed in a first direction adjacent to the transfer drum. Second drive means moves the transfer gripper at a second surface speed in the first direction into engagement with the trailing edge of one respective signature on the gripper drum. The second surface speed is greater than the first surface speed. The second drive means rotates the transfer drum to move the transfer gripper and the one signature toward the opener drum. The opener drum has means for assisting in opening the one signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberg Finishing Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James Richard Schlough
  • Patent number: 5882288
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a filter cartridge which includes the steps of providing a cylindrical filter element having a plurality of radially extending longitudinal pleats, engaging an outer periphery of the cylindrical filter element along a substantial portion of the length thereof, and simultaneously moving the plurality of radially extending longitudinal pleats into a laid-over spiraled configuration along the entire length of the cylindrical filter element to form a spiral pleated filter element. An apparatus is also disclosed for effectuating the disclosed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Cuno Incorporated
    Inventors: C. Thomas Paul, John A. Corey
  • Patent number: 5855730
    Abstract: A glue actuator mounting assembly adapted to mount to a folder apparatus has individual opposed guide strips forming a sheet path and glue actuators slidably mounted across the sheet path, such that individual actuators may be moved and repositioned laterally, and guide strips may be positioned to allow each glue actuator, regardless of lateral position, to have access to a sheet moving in the sheet path. In a preferred embodiment a stop bar is included having extendable tabs for extending between guide strips and forming a stop for sheets moving in the sheet path. In a preferred embodiment the actuators are mounted on slide rods that engage open slots in a carriage of the actuator mounting assembly such that the rods carrying the actuators, along with the actuators, may be lifted off the actuator mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Glue Fold, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl W. Brusehaber, David C. Evans
  • Patent number: 5755078
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for folding an inflatable cushion having an end portion and a main body portion and inserting the folded cushion into a cover. The apparatus comprises folding structure for creating folds in the main body portion to form a folded cushion. The folding structure including first folding apparatus adapted to create a first fold in the main body portion to form a partially folded cushion, and accordion folding apparatus adapted to create a plurality of accordion folds in the partially folded cushion which are generally transverse to the first fold to form the folded cushion. Further included is apparatus for supporting a cover into which the folded cushion is inserted. The folding structure further serves to insert the folded cushion into the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Omega Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence William Hurtig, Jr., Scott Franklin Mason, Jeffrey Jack Geiger
  • Patent number: 5657611
    Abstract: An apparatus for unfolding a bifolded mailpiece comprises a pair of pivotable receiving wall for receiving a bifolded mailpiece, a pair of receiving wall cylinders for pivotally moving the receiving walls and a pair of spreader walls for spreading the bifolded mailpiece received between said receiving walls, the spreader walls being pivotally mounted and actuated by a pair of spreader wall cylinders, a ram being provided for moving the spreader walls along a vertical axis to cooperate with the receiving walls to unfold the mailpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: ElectroCom Automation L.P.
    Inventor: Donald Frank Renfrow
  • Patent number: 5616113
    Abstract: Machine for folding a web (3) in a zigzag manner includes a transport mechanism (2) for the web (3), a receiving device (5) at the bottom for collecting the folded web, a folding mechanism (4) mounted between the transport mechanism (2) and the receiving device (5) and a detection device (19,20) to detect improper folds mounted under the folding mechanism (4), wherein the machine includes a device arranged to move the web (3) backward in the folding mechanism (2) and a control device (22) connected to the backward moving device and the detection means (19,20), so that, at least upon a first detection of an improper fold, the web (3) is moved backward in the folding mechanism (4) by said backward moving device over such a distance that the improper fold is entirely unfolded and so as to afterwards allow again for the normal forward movement of the web (3) through the folding mechanism (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Web Converting Equipment, naamloze vennootschap
    Inventor: Marc Van Den Bergh
  • Patent number: 5605030
    Abstract: A carton end closure score line breaker mechanism for pre-breaking the top closure score lines before the filling and closing and sealing steps does not include a center post, or any components which extend into the inside of a carton end closure, eliminating any chance for contamination inside the end panels. The center-free breaker mechanism includes a pair of blades each having an arcuate center section for caving in the adjacent end panel and, thereby, bulging the side end panels and pulling in the oppositely disposed panel, and a blade fork and another pair of blades, wherein the blade fork includes two longitudinal, parallel blades which slide across the side body panels, and each blade of the other pair is a flat-faced bar for engaging the adjacent end panel and causing the side end panels to project outwardly completing the pre-breaking of all end closure score lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Elopak Systems AG
    Inventor: Frank A. Rodocker
  • Patent number: 5475966
    Abstract: An apparatus for unfolding a bifolded mailpiece comprises a pair of pivotable receiving walls for receiving a bifolded mailpiece, a pair of receiving wall cylinders for pivotally moving the receiving walls and a pair of spreader walls for spreading the bifolded mailpiece received between said receiving walls, the spreader walls being pivotally mounted and actuated by a pair of spreader wall cylinders, a ram being provided for moving the spreader walls along a vertical axis to cooperate with the receiving walls to unfold the mailpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: ElectroCom Automation, L.P.
    Inventor: Donald F. Renfrow
  • Patent number: 5382217
    Abstract: A box tube blank having first, second, third, and fourth panels joined together at first, second, third, and forth creases is broken in starting with the blank oriented in a starting plane with the first and third creases superposed and the second and fourth creases outermost. First the second and fourth creases are pressed toward each other parallel to the starting plane to spread the first and third creases away from each other until the second and fourth creases are juxtaposed and the first and third creases lie outermost and the blank lies generally perpendicular to the starting plane. Then the tube blank passes between an upstream pair of parallel rollers extending perpendicular to the starting plane to compress it parallel to the starting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Jagenberg Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hermann Namowitz
  • Patent number: 5311760
    Abstract: This invention relates to a drywall corner bead spreading tool. It is a portable handheld device for quickly and easily increasing the included angle between the corner bead wings from 90.degree. to 135.degree. safely without bending or kinking. Corner bead splicing can now be eliminated in construction situations requiring the larger included angle and 10 feet ceiling height lengths. The device taught by this invention is simple to use and can be made nearly indestructible using 14 gauge steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Matthew H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5299793
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring a clip formed of a predetermined number of interfolded paper products away from a stacking interfolder and refolding a plurality of loose end panels having a stack building table and first count finger assembly initially holding the clip and transferring control of the clip to a transfer clamp which refolds a first loose end panel and further having a clip destination station having a post end panels receiving the clip and finally refolding the final loose end panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: C. G. Bretting Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis P. Couturier
  • Patent number: 5265856
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Walker
  • Patent number: 5236408
    Abstract: A paper box folding and sealing machine for forming a hemmed edge. A skiving station removes a portion of a carton blank material at the area to be hemmed. A hemming station folds the skived portion onto the blank, irons it and then opens the hem to lie in a predetermined plane that intersects the plane of the blank. Superheated air directed in a laminar-like air flow, activates a thermoplastic coating adjacent the skived portion of the area to be hemmed. Folding fingers, tack rollers and presser rollers then fold the skived portion onto the activated thermoplastic coating to form a hem that is sealed against the adjacent portion of the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: International Paper Box Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh A. McAdam, III, M. Paul Burnside, Jeffrey Lindberg
  • Patent number: 5156585
    Abstract: First and second drive rollers and a slideway feed in an envelope to be opened. A third drive roller drives the body of the envelope in a direction parallel to the fold connecting the flap to the body of the envelope, the drive roller rolling over the face opposite from the face against which the flap of the envelopes folded down, without rolling over the region close to the fold. A counter roller situated facing the drive roller, rolls over the face against which the flap is folded down, without rolling over the flap. An idler wheel situated facing the drive roller has a rim which rolls over the flap close to the fold connecting the flap to the body of the envelope, and which penetrates into the cylindrical volume defined by the straight generator lines of the third drive roller, so as to arch the body about an axis approximately parallel to the fold. A freely rotatable cone moves the flap and the body apart by being inserted into the space created by the arching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Alcatel Satmam
    Inventors: Gerard Dimur, Jean-Claude Haroutel
  • Patent number: 5147274
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Barry P. Mandel
  • Patent number: 5112291
    Abstract: An overbending device preferably for use with existing apparatus, such as a gumming apparatus, has ball bearings, fingers or other equivalent members for pressing down and a driven or freewheeling rolling disk for forcing up the adjacent sides of an envelope. The adjacent sides defined by a bend or a score line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventor: H. Richard VerMehren
  • Patent number: 5045043
    Abstract: An apparatus 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventors: Michael A. Brown, Carl A. Miller, Morton Silverberg, Steven A. Supron
  • Patent number: 4848126
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drywall corner bead spreader device. The device comprises a stationary support portion and a movable pressure applying portion. When a length of drywall corner bead is placed on the stationary support portion with its flanges facing upwardly adjustment of the movable pressure applying portion into contact with the flanges will force the flanges to assume an included angle greater than its normal ninety degree orientation. The movable pressure applying portion includes a freely rotating spreader ball which will rotate as the corner bead is pulled from beneath the spreader ball resulting in reduced friction and providing a uniform included angle to the flanges in excess of ninety degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Inventor: David Fryfogle
  • Patent number: 4795415
    Abstract: A method of installing a sheet of thermoplastic film on a greenhouse wherein the sheet of thermoplastic film has been folded over in a somewhat U-shaped fold and rolled into a roll, comprising placing the roll of thermoplastic film on the apex of the greenhouse roof, and unrolling the roll of thermoplastic film down each side of the greenhouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Francis