And Provision To Precisely Align For Folding Patents (Class 493/417)
  • Patent number: 11850819
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control method for a transverse to longitudinal crease stiffness ratio, belonging to the packaging field. The transverse to longitudinal crease stiffness ratio represents the ratio of a transverse crease stiffness to a longitudinal crease stiffness, and the transverse to longitudinal crease stiffness ratio is controlled to be ?1.25. The control method of the transverse to longitudinal crease stiffness ratio in the present invention enables to control the transverse to longitudinal crease stiffness ratio within a certain range by adjusting the height of a die-cutter or adjusting the width of a bottom die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG MINONG CENTURY GROUP CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ke Wang, Zhengrong Mo
  • Patent number: 11795028
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sheet processing apparatus includes a folding unit, a fold reinforcing unit, and a control unit. The folding unit folds a sheet and forms a fold line thereon. The fold reinforcing unit includes a fold reinforcing roller. The fold reinforcing roller sandwiches the fold line on the sheet formed by the folding unit and moves in a fold-line direction in which the fold line extends. The control unit moves the fold reinforcing roller from a first position close to a first end of the fold line on a first side in the fold-line direction to a second position close to a second end of the fold line on a second side opposite to the first side. The control unit can execute, at this time, a division movement mode including a reversal return operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mikio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11142421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of SMT splicing belt processing equipment, and more particularly to a bonding machine for new and old SMT splicing belts. The machine comprises a supporting plate for supporting the old and new splicing belts, conveying devices for conveying the old and new splicing belts toward one another, and a bonding mechanism for bonding the old and new splicing belts together, the conveying devices and the bonding mechanism both being connected to a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: DONGGUAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chuan Li, Jun Deng, Hongjiao Xu, Chuliang He
  • Patent number: 11052628
    Abstract: A bag making and packaging machine has pull-down belt mechanisms, a transverse sealing mechanism, a rotatable folding member, and a gas blowing mechanism. The folding member, before the transverse sealing mechanism, seals a cylindrical film, pushes against a side portion of the cylindrical film to thereby fold the cylindrical film inward and form a fold in the cylindrical film. The gas blowing mechanism blows a gas onto the fold to thereby inhibit the cylindrical film from sticking to the rotating folding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takafumi Shimoda, Makoto Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10988337
    Abstract: A bonding machine capable of trimming new and old SMT splice tapes comprises a supporting plate (1). A new splice tape conveying device (3) and an old splice tape conveying deVice (4) are disposed upon the supporting plate (1) are disposed opposite each other. A lifting device (8) is disposed in the middle of the supporting plate (1), and a bonding mechanism (7) is disposed above the lifting device (8). A cutting device (6) is disposed above the old splice tape conveying device (4) and comprises a cutting seat (60), a cutting motor (61) disposed upon the cutting seat (60), and a cutting cam (62) connected to a cutter (64) which is disposed upon the cutting seat (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: DONGGUAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chuan Li, Jun Deng, Hongjiao Xu, Chuliang He
  • Patent number: 10934119
    Abstract: A device for decelerating a transported and flat shaped product includes a brake operable by an air jet supplied by an air jet nozzle. The air jet nozzle is configured to impinge the air jet on a braking force implementing body to exert a braking force on the flat shaped product. The braking force implementing body includes: at least one first element, which has a physical structure for a return-flow of the air jet supplied by the air jet nozzle, and at least one second element, which for the braking force implementation is in an operative connection with the first element. The second element is configured to implement an impulse force caused by the air jet from the air jet nozzle. The impulse force results as the braking force onto the flat shaped product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventors: Christian Troxler, Roger Luescher
  • Patent number: 10723582
    Abstract: A method and apparatus include directing an article to a receiving device; transferring the leading portion of the article to a folding device; transferring the leading portion of the article to an oscillating device while holding the trailing portion of the article on the receiving device; reversing the oscillating device; folding the article by overlaying the leading portion of the article on the trailing portion of the article to define a folded state while continuing to hold the trailing portion of the article on the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Adam Nicholas Schoulz
  • Patent number: 10486853
    Abstract: A method for assembling a corrugated skid includes selecting first and second planar corrugated blanks and folding the first blank to produce a first double thickness rib that extends out of the plane of the first blank. That blank is placed on a horizontal surface having blades protruding upwards such that the blades penetrate the middle of the double thickness rib and hold it perpendicular to the horizontal surface. The second blank is folded to produce a second double thickness rib that extends out of the plane of the second blank. The second blank is placed on top of the first blank such that the first rib penetrates a slot in the second blank, and the first and second blanks are engaged with one side of each blank facing each other forming a double thickness skid deck with ribs forming depending legs for supporting the skid deck above a supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventors: E. Neil Schopke, Joseph J. Danko, Christopher W. Gabrys
  • Patent number: 9580205
    Abstract: A shipping method includes the steps of receiving stacks of flat die cut corrugated paperboard blanks from a corrugator or sheet plant; loading the stacks of blanks into a pallet assembly machine; folding the blanks together in the assembly machine to produce a corrugated paperboard pallet; and providing the pallets for shipping items to a receiver. The assembly machine folds the blanks using intermittent motion of the blanks through multiple folding sections in the assembly machine. The sections operate by positioning, clamping and folding the blanks using levers that are supported by rotary bearings and driven by pinned end mounted pneumatic cylinders. The assembly machine overcomes misalignment and shifting of the stacks of blanks by picking up single blanks from the top of the stacks using vacuum, and adjusting alignment of the blanks after being picked up but prior to being fed into the first folding section of the assembly machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lifdek Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher W. Gabrys
  • Patent number: 9108819
    Abstract: A folding apparatus for a combined body of a continuous sheet includes a standing guide member disposed at a predetermined position in a conveying direction, and standing an one end section of the combined body in a width direction by bending a predetermined section of the combined body in the width direction and forming a bent section; a folding guide member corresponding to the stood one end section in the conveying direction for folding the stood one end section by laying the one end section towards a section located closer to another side than the one end section in the combined body; and a shift-regulating guide member for regulating shifting of the combined body towards the one side in the width direction by coming into contact, from the one side, with the combined body when laying the one end section towards the section located closer to the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji Murakami, Hirotomi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8678986
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating upon a construct. In one example, the apparatus comprises a tool, a feed path for a feed path for feeding the construct to and withdrawing the construct from the tool, and a positioning mechanism. The positioning mechanism comprises an arm positioned proximate to the tool and a guide for directing the construct toward the tool. The arm is movable between a guiding position and a withdrawn position, and the guide is mounted to the arm for moving with the arm so that the guide is at least partially disposed in the feed path when the arm is in the guiding position. A recess is defined in the tool for at least partially accommodating the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick H. Wnek
  • Patent number: 8506465
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding a medium in a folder, which includes a rotatable folding cylinder, a first rotatable press member capable of engaging with said folding cylinder to form a first folding pinch, a second rotatable press member capable of engaging with said folding cylinder to form a second folding pinch, and a medium feed means, wherein the medium is fed with the medium feed means towards the folding cylinder between the first and second pinch; b) the medium is then directed into the first folding pinch, formed by engaging said first rotatable press member with said folding cylinder, by rotating the folding cylinder in a first direction; c) a blouse is formed in the medium between said feed means and the folding cylinder; and d) said blouse is moved into said second pinch by rotating the folding cylinder in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: OCE-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Michiel A. C. Terhaag, Jeroen A. A. Van Assen
  • Patent number: 8490960
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus is provided with a conveying path forming member that forms a sheet conveying path having a curved portion through which a front edge of the sheet passes, a sheet conveying unit that conveys the sheet along the sheet conveying path, a sheet folding unit that folds the sheet along the folding line in the sheet conveying path, and then conveys the sheet toward a discharge direction with the folding line discharged first as a front edge, and a sheet position defining unit that defines a position of the front edge of the sheet in the curved portion of the sheet conveying path so that a target position of the folding line on the sheet coincides with a folding position of the sheet folding unit. The sheet position defining unit can adjust an inclination of the front edge of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kazuya Murata, Mitsuru Ichikawa, Toshikazu Sato
  • Patent number: 8276899
    Abstract: A media-sheet post-processing apparatus performs post-processing on a media sheet delivered thereto. The sheet media post-processing apparatus includes a media-sheet conveying unit configured to convey a media sheet while moving in a media-sheet conveying direction; and a move drive unit configured to move the media-sheet conveying unit in the media-sheet conveying direction in such a manner that a difference between an amount that the media sheet is conveyed by the media-sheet conveying unit and an amount that the media-sheet conveying unit is moved is kept constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masanobu Kimata, Yohzoh Dohki
  • Patent number: 8273003
    Abstract: An apparatus of the present invention includes: a folding section 2 for folding a web W in two so that opposite side edges Wa and Wb of the web W are brought into a predetermined positional relationship with each other by bringing the web W into contact with an abutting member 4; a pair of carrying means 10A and 10B arranged along opposite sides of the web W for carrying the web W in the longitudinal direction X; a plurality of holding means 20 provided in each of the carrying means 10A and 10B wherein the holding means 20 can be displaced in the transverse direction D of the web W; displacement means 30 for displacing the holding means 20 in the transverse direction D upstream of the abutting member 4 so as to correct a positional relationship between the web W and the abutting member 4; detection means 3 for outputting positional information regarding a position of the web W in the transverse direction D; and control means 200 for controlling the displacement means 30 based on the positional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventors: Toyoshi Umebayashi, Takahiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 8256757
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus for performing folding processing on a sheet from a carry-in entrance to carry out to a carrying-out exit has a sheet feeding apparatus, a first transport path, a second transport path, and a folding processing device. The sheet feeding apparatus includes a transport roller pair in press-contact with each other, a gate stopper device having a stopper member, a register area to curve and deform the sheet with the front end regulated, and a stopper driving device for shifting the gate stopper device. The stopper member is formed so that a shift trajectory of the regulation surface is to guide the front end of the sheet to the press-contact portion of the transport roller pair. The first transport path is provided with the sheet feeding apparatus for aligning a front end of the sheet fed from the carry-in entrance to feed to a predetermined processing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Imazu, Shinichi Ito, Mizuho Shirakura
  • Publication number: 20120083400
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes: a correcting unit that corrects alignment of a sheet; a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the sheet after the correcting unit corrects the alignment of the sheet; and a creasing unit that forms a crease on the sheet after the correcting unit corrects the alignment of the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuusuke Shibasaki, Hitoshi Hattori, Takashi Saito, Naoyuki Ishikawa, Akihiro Musha, Shuuya Nagasako, Naohiro Kikkawa, Hidetoshi Kojima, Naoki Oikawa, Go Aiba
  • Publication number: 20110058876
    Abstract: A sheet folding device includes a transport unit that transports a sheet; an abutting unit that abuts an end of the sheet being transported to form a bent portion at the sheet; a folding unit that nips the bent portion of the sheet by a pair of folding rollers to form a fold line in the sheet; a guide member that partially covers the folding roller and guides the sheet; and a position adjustment unit that adjusts a position of the guide member. An exposure amount of the folding roller with respect to the sheet can be varied by adjusting the position of the guide member through the position adjustment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Isao Yasuda, Ikumi Takashima
  • Publication number: 20110021331
    Abstract: A creasing device includes a feeding mechanism, a creasing mechanism, sensors, and an aligning mechanism. The feeding mechanism conveys paper on which an image has been formed in a post-processing apparatus main body direction. The creasing mechanism makes a crease on the paper. The sensors detect a deviation of the paper with respect to the feeding direction. The aligning mechanism, based on an amount of deviation in a result of a detection by the sensors, causes the creasing mechanism to rotate in such a way that the creasing mechanism is aligned parallel to a crease direction of the paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsuya SASAHARA
  • Patent number: 7867157
    Abstract: The folding machine has a cross fold module which includes a cross-fold folding blade (18), a sheet-supporting device (38) which is arranged below the cross-fold folding blade (18) and on which an incoming sheet comes to rest, and a roller frame (27) which is arranged below the sheet-supporting device (38) and into which a sheet is introduced by the cross-fold folding blade (18). A three-fold module (22) with a three-fold folding blade (24) arranged perpendicularly with respect to the cross-fold folding blade (18) is arranged downstream of the roller frame (27). The three-fold module (22) and the roller frame (27) are arranged on a rotary stand (20) which is rotatable through at least 180 about a vertical axis (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Maschinenbau Oppenweiler Binder GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Beck, Georg Dannemann, Martin Sailer, Eberhard Krieger
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7771336
    Abstract: In a variable cut-off length type rotary printing machine, to perform processes such as a process of folding a cut-off sheet with a high degree of accuracy, a folding machine includes a cut-off unit capable of varying and cutting a cut-off length of a web fed from a printing machine of the rotary printing machine, and a processor (such as a folder, etc.) for processing a sheet 10a cut off by the cut-off unit. Between the cut-off unit 50 and the processor, the folding machine further includes a first belt conveyor for conveying the sheet at a speed equal to the web, and a second belt conveyor for receiving the sheet from the first belt conveyor at a speed approximately equal to the sheet conveying speed of the first belt conveyor, then varying the conveying speed to a speed approximately equal to the sheet conveying speed of the processor, and delivering the sheet to processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd
    Inventors: Yukikazu Shoji, Mikio Motooka, Isami Mitamura, Kunihiro Shichijo
  • Patent number: 7427259
    Abstract: A sheet folding device, method, and computer program product for conveying one of a sheet and a sheet bundle with pressure by a sheet conveying unit toward a sheet position adjusting unit; moving the sheet position adjusting unit to a standby position located downstream of a folding position of a folding plate in a sheet conveying direction; releasing the pressure of the sheet conveying unit; adjusting said one of a sheet and a sheet bundle to the folding position by supporting and moving said one of a sheet and a sheet bundle; putting a fold line in said one of a sheet and a sheet bundle conveyed along a sheet conveying path at the folding position; and folding said one of a sheet and a sheet bundle by pinching a portion of said one of a sheet and a sheet bundle around the fold line at a nip part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shingo Matsushita
  • Patent number: 7387148
    Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Robert Vogt, Jack Lee Couillard, Jason Gene Csida, Patricia Katherine Eng, Richard Mark Konetzke, Michael Lee Lohoff, Charles Robert Tomsovic
  • Patent number: 7377892
    Abstract: A device for conveying signatures from a gripper cylinder to a folding cylinder comprises, in a free gap formed between the two cylinders, a supporting element supporting a plate which can be pivoted about a fulcrum, the plate rotatably supporting a signature guiding body having an oval cross-section and extending through the width of the cylinders, the body being covered, on a side thereof facing the cylinders, by a low friction web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Officine Meccaniche G. Cerutti S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gino Camossa, Riccardo Montagnini, Massimo Rolando
  • Patent number: 7288059
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a processing tray on which sheets are stacked in a bundle form, an intermediate portion stapler which staples the intermediate portion of the sheet bundle stacked on the processing tray, a sheet bundle conveying member which conveys the stapled sheet bundle, a curved sheet bundle conveying path which is downwardly curved on the downstream side of the processing tray with respect to the sheet conveying direction and adapted to guide the sheet bundle conveyed by the sheet bundle conveying member, and a folding device which is arranged in the intermediate portion of the curved sheet bundle conveying path and which folds the stapled sheet bundle, wherein the processing tray is set to be lower on the upstream side than on the downstream side with respect to the sheet conveying direction, and wherein the curved guide path has an extended portion extending to a position under the stacking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taro Ikeda, Hiroaki Takagishi, Kenichi Hayashi, Tomokazu Nakamura, Wataru Kawata, Hideki Kushida, Hiromasa Katayama
  • Patent number: 7059532
    Abstract: An apparatus that stores and synchronizes printed forms that are being transferred between a high speed forms printer and a mechanism for attaching plastic cards to the forms. The apparatus is also able to buffer the forms that are in progress in the printer should the card processing system need to be shut down or paused. The apparatus creates a shingled stack of forms, with the bottommost form in the stack being fed to the attaching mechanism as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: DataCard Corporation
    Inventor: Roger D. McCumber
  • Patent number: 6964413
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding a single sheet of paper into a booklet. The method includes depositing adhesive along a linear path on the single sheet of paper and folding the sheet by making a plurality of folds parallel to a first direction, thereby forming a plurality of interconnected panels. The lateral edges of the panels are cut off so that the panels are no longer interconnected. A fold is made along a line coincident with the linear path to form the booklet. The booklet may be further folded with close folds to obtain a compact outsert. Apparatus for performing the folding patterns is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Vijuk Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Vijuk
  • Patent number: 6935998
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for analyzing the accuracy of a fold (3) which is produced via a folding apparatus for printed products. In the process, with the printed products (1) being shingled, sensors (4) detect the position of the fold with respect to markings (5) which are printed onto the printed product, the folding accuracy and other quantities connected therewith being determined therefrom with the aid of computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Silvestre
  • Patent number: 6769675
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding a single sheet of paper into a booklet. The method includes depositing adhesive along a linear path on the single sheet of paper and folding the sheet by making a plurality of folds parallel to a first direction, thereby forming a plurality of interconnected panels. The lateral edges of the panels are cut off so that the panels are no longer interconnected. A fold is made along a line coincident with the linear path to form the booklet. The booklet may be further folded with close folds to obtain a compact outsert. Apparatus for performing the folding patterns is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Vijuk Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Vijuk
  • Patent number: 6746390
    Abstract: A sheet finishing method in which a sheet delivered from an image forming apparatus main body is conveyed and stacked on a sheet placement table, and the stacked sheets are positioned and aligned, and then folded by a folding means composed of a paired folding rollers and a folding plate. The sheet finishing method is controlled such that a rotation motion of the paired folding rollers is switched between a state to be rotated along with an advancing motion of the folding plate and a state to be stopped in accordance with the number of sheets stacked on the sheet placement table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tamura, Kohji Yoshie, Hiroto Ito, Masato Hattori, Hirohiko Okabe, Hirotaka Kataoka
  • Patent number: 6635005
    Abstract: A guiding device for copies in a folder of a rotary printing machine includes a guiding material engageable with copies projecting into an outlet wedge formed between copy-guiding cylinders, the guiding material forming a surface of the guiding device facing towards the copies, the surface having a geometry that is changeable, and copy-guiding cylinders in combination with the guiding device, and a folder with copy-guiding cylinders and the guiding device, as well as a guiding device assembly including the guiding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Claude Duhamel, Thierra Melon
  • Publication number: 20030078149
    Abstract: The invention concerns an office accessory or sheet folding device, designed and adapted to facilitate accurate folding of paper sheets of standard height and width for insertion into commercial envelopes with corresponding dimensions. Said sheet folding device which can be made in plastic, comprises a planar base (13) having a width substantially equal to the width of the sheet to be folded. Limit stops (17) extend at the lower edge of the base. Said limit stops project slightly above the base to serve as support to the lower edge of the sheets to be folded. At least two folding guides (21, 23, 25, 27) extend transversely over the entire width of the base at specific heights from the lower edge thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Pierre Dostie
  • Patent number: 6551228
    Abstract: A quarterfold folding device and method forms groupings of signatures in a signature product stream by delaying selected signatures during transport to a chopper mechanism, the chopper mechanism adapted to fold multiple signatures in a single chop, thereby increasing throughput of the quarterfold folding device and reducing the rate of operation of the chopper mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: John Sheridan Richards
  • Patent number: 6544160
    Abstract: A former is used to fold webs longitudinally. During the web drawing-in process, the individually incoming paper webs in a group of paper webs are conveyed smoothly to a folding mechanism at the end of the former. This is accomplished by using a number of upper and lower transport elements which are located above and next to each other at least inside the boundaries of the upper surface of the former. These upper and lower transport elements can be brought together and can be separated. They can be driven as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Wolfgang Hartmann, Horst Bernhard Michalik, Wolfgang Günter Ruckmann
  • Patent number: 6533267
    Abstract: A method of aligning a portion of textile fabric, whereby at least two movable gripping elements of a display device are brought alongside one another into contact with and fastened to a front edge of the portion of fabric and the gripping elements are moved substantially parallel to the surface of a display surface until the portion of fabric is laid out with one side flat on the display surface. In this case, the feed rate of the independently controllable gripping elements (2a, 2b) is so selected that the alignment of the portion of fabric (4) is variable by a feed difference (d, v) between the gripping elements (2a, 2b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Texpa Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl Muessig, Roland Behr
  • Patent number: 6517655
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically folding a sheet of a 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: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Timothy F. Spencer, Thomas W. Glanville, John A. Cogswell
  • Publication number: 20020112580
    Abstract: A sliding jogger comprising a fixed part 10 for securing to the frame 16 of a blanking tool and a sliding part 12 slidable on the fixed part. The two parts of the jogger are formed by stamping a respective blank from sheet metal and bending the blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph McArdle, Sean MacEntee, Brendan McCann
  • Publication number: 20010044367
    Abstract: In order to adjust a folding length of a folded sheet running into a folder pocket, a pocket stop extending within the folder pocket, transversely with respect to a sheet running direction, is adjusted by a motor. In order to ensure the exact motorized adjustment of both sides of the pocket stop, the adjustment is carried out with the aid of two threaded spindles. In this case, the threaded spindles are coupled to each other in such a way that a coordinated movement between them is made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Markus Belmann, Oliver Fritzsch, Andreas Lehnen
  • Patent number: 6309336
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for folding a portion of a textile length, in particular a bed sheet or similar, with a lengthwise folding device (16) in which the textile length is folded to produce a tubular folded product (2) with lengthwise folding edges extending substantially parallel to one another, and a crosswise folding device (1) in which the tubular folded product (2) is folded to produce a folded product in packet form with at least one crosswise folding edge (14) extending substantially perpendicularly to the lengthwise folding edges. The tubular folded product (2) can be brought to lie with one lengthwise edge against a stop strip (23, 24), at least in certain regions, in the crosswise folding device (1) before being folded. A drawing device (12) is disposed in the region between the two ends of the tubular folded product in order to draw in the folded product for crosswise folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Texpa Maschinenbau GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Karl Muessig, Guido Erhart
  • Patent number: 6277059
    Abstract: A folding device for double-folding a sheet or a plurality of sheets for folding into a booklet. The folding device comprises a collecting tray provided with adjustable stops between which the sheets to be folded are collected. In a sheet feed path to the collecting tray there is disposed a measuring wheel which is set into rotation by a sheet as they are displaced, said wheel measuring the length of the supplied sheet. On the basis of said measurement, the stops are adjusted so that the center between the stops corresponds to the place where folding rollers fold the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Oce-Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Jacobus Groenenberg
  • Patent number: 6273411
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding a single sheet of paper into a booklet. The method includes depositing adhesive along a linear path on the single sheet of paper and folding the sheet by making a plurality of folds parallel to a first direction, thereby forming a plurality of interconnected panels. The lateral edges of the panels are cut off so that the panels are no longer interconnected. A fold is made along a line coincident with the linear path to form the booklet. The booklet may be further folded with close folds to obtain a compact outsert. Apparatus for performing the folding patterns is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Vijuk Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Vijuk
  • Patent number: 6228013
    Abstract: In a folding machine with at least two sequentially arranged folding stations rotated by 90° relative to each other, wherein a corner conveyor table is provided between the respective two sequentially arranged folding stations, and exhibits at least one straightedge that is situated at a right angle to the product direction of travel in the preceding folding station and can be spaced at variable distances relative to the output of the preceding folding station, along with a conveyor that leads alongside this straightedge, a gentle operating mode along with a high folding accuracy and ease of operation can be achieved by allocating a transfer device with an effective adjustable transport length to the straightedge of each corner conveyor table, wherein the transfer device supplies the products to it, and is connected to the output of the respective preceding folding station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Franz Gremser KG
    Inventor: Günter Mattka
  • Patent number: 6090030
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for assisting an individual, particularly a physically and/or mentally handicapped person, in performing a paper manipulating task includes a base which supports a paper manipulating unit, such as an electric stapler, hole punch, folding mechanism or the like, as well as a platform. In the most preferred form, the platform is vertically adjustable relative to the base in order to enable positioning the platform at a height commensurate with a paper receiving zone associated with the selected paper manipulating unit. A paper tray, selected from a group of trays depending on the particular paper manipulating task desired to be performed, is provided atop the platform for movement between a paper loading position, wherein one or more sheets of paper are arranged in the tray, and an operating position, wherein the one or more sheets are delivered to the paper manipulating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Richard B. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5993369
    Abstract: A finisher with a folding section for creasing or folding incoming sheets decides folding positions of the sheets based on contact between the leading ends of the sheets and first folding stoppers as leading-end regulating devices. The finisher adjusts the folding positions with a view to conforming to the sheet sizes and folding modes corresponding to the sheet sizes by means of stepping motor which rotates cam shafts, which is located below the first folding stopper and to which cams are fixed at different angles, and causes the first folding stoppers to alternately move into relevant conveying paths in turn. Accordingly, the finisher obtains the regulating position with high accuracy by the use of a lone drive unit even when the number of regulating positions is set to be large, and includes a compact and inexpensive mechanism which adjusts the regulating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naotaka Sekita, Shinobu Seki
  • Patent number: 5967963
    Abstract: The apparatus has a driven pair of feed rolls (10, 11) and a folding roll (23) which is urged against the lower feed roll (10). The roll pair (10, 11) transports the sheet into a guide element (35, 36) for guiding and arresting the front end of the sheet. The guide element (35, 36) can be another roll pair with a reversible drive (41). After the front end of the sheet has come to a stop, the sheet is transported into the feed nip (22) between the rolls (10, 23), then folded and discharged downwardly. For increasing the operating speed without damaging the sheets, the roll pair (10, 11) is initially accelerated after the sheet is captured, and subsequently decelerated before the front end of the sheet comes to a stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Grapha-Holding AG
    Inventor: Georg Gotting
  • Patent number: 5919122
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of filters in which a filter material in the rm of a continuous web is pre-embossed, perforated with a laser beam, and then pleated. The pleated filter element is fixed in a subsequent operation in an apparatus and the perforated scrap areas and are removed from the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignees: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Michael Geiger, Joachim Montnacher, Josef Rohrmeier, Thomas Zink
  • Patent number: 5902222
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for guiding a thin web material while folding the web material over a triangular former. The apparatus includes two guide rolls over which the web material is driven. The second guide roll is secured to a baseline of the triangular former. The triangular former and the guide roll may be tilted back and forth about a longitudinal axis of a bearing axle extending through a tip of the triangular former. The longitudinal axis is parallel with the web material extending between the two guide rolls. The position of the triangular former is controlled by a non-contacting edge scanning member that scans the position of the web material on the guide roll and causes the adjustment device to tilt the guide roll and the triangular former to ensure that the edges of the folded web material are precisely aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Bo Wessman
  • Patent number: 5899843
    Abstract: A folding table for use in forming a third fold in a printed product, is provided with a plurality of detents that can be shifted into and out of the movement path of the product. Any accumulated paper remnants can be removed from the folding table when the detents, or selected ones of the detents are moved out of the product path. The method of operation of the device facilitates the elimination of production interruptions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer-Albert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Stab
  • Patent number: RE45256
    Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Robert Vogt, Jack Lee Couillard, Jason Gene Csida, Patricia Katherine Eng, Richard Mark Konetzke, Michael Lee Lohoff, Charles Robert Tomsovic