Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically and continuously feeding and folding successive textile articles, such as towels and the like, from a supply stack of such textile articles. The apparatus includes a supply mechanism for successively receiving a first stack of textile articles in a non-feeding position, moving the first stack into a feeding position, and receiving a second supply stack of textile articles in a non-feeding position for being moved into the feeding position when the first stack of textile articles is depleted. A folding mechanism successively receives the textile articles and folds the textile articles in the desired folded condition.

Abstract: A method and machine for folding of foldable articles such as cloth, linens, etc., which is capable of performing various different types of folds in any article regardless of the dimensions of the article. When utilized in combination with a second identical machine and a conveyor to carry the article from a first machine to a second machine, in a direction on the same horizontal plane as, but perpendicular to, that of the first machine, this invention is capable of producing transversal, as well as horizontal, folds without having to dismantle or otherwise alter the structures of the machines.

Abstract: A folding machine includes an entrance feed for the infeed of materials to be folded which are operated on by a plurality of folding devices arranged along the feed path, each of which feeds the material after folding into a receiving pocket which has an adjustable stop. The stop is adjusted so that the materials being fed are received in the pocket at the correct location so as to position them for subsequent folding or for ejecting at an ejection point. The invention provides a conveyor belt which operates so that an upper transport reach is movable below the ejection point to receive the folded materials. Associated with the conveyor is a brake element which overlies the materials which are fed on the conveyor transport reach. The brake element rests on the folding material and is mounted so that it applies a yieldable pressure on the materials as they moved therealong.

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

Abstract: A tab-forming device for adhesive tape dispensers which provides for variable length tabs by incorporating a ratchet spool and pawl in a flexible spring for expanding the spacing between two attached diverging tab-forming struts. The device may be attached to existing tape roll dispensers or molded as an integral part with the dispenser.

Abstract: A can stuffer and method of stuffing a can with a flexible sheet product by placing the product in a generally flat receiver chamber and pushing the product edgewise to crowd the product into one edge region of the chamber by forming longitudinal folds or creases in the product to effectively reinforce and strengthen the product in the direction of the folds, and endwise ejecting or ramming the strengthened folded or creased product from the chamber into a container or can.

Abstract: First and second parallel folding rollers (6 and 7) respectively co-operate with third and fourth folding rollers (4 and 5) of folder means to form first and second folding devices (4, 6 and 5, 7). Non-return feed rollers (8 and 9) are mounted between the first and second folding rollers (6 and 7) for folding pliable strip material (3) alternately to the two folding devices (4, 6 and 5, 7) and an intermediate part (14) of the folder means extends between the third and fourth folding rollers (4 and 5) so as to act as a guide for the pliable strip material (3). Movable guide means (12) are operable to deflect the leading end (24) of the pliable strip material (3) towards the first folding devices (4 and 6).

Abstract: An automatic folding machine especially adapted for shop towels. Such items, when fed into the machine, are automatically advanced from the feed board, dropped onto a belt where they fold by gravity about a center line, advanced in stacks of ten (or some other preselected number), rotated through 90.degree. to a horizontal attitude and discharged onto a conveyor table. After five such stacks (as determined by the operator) are accumulated in a bundle, the conveyor advances the bundle to a tying machine for tying to complete the processing.The machine includes settable counters, separate towel count and stack count registers and related control and timing elements to achieve automatic operation of the functional components. A pacer light, controlled by a timer, is also provided to improve the feed rate established by the operator.

Abstract: Folding apparatus for folding of flexible sheets, for example pieces of flatwork, being transported on a conveyor comprising parallel belts (1) and at which conveyor one or more folding stations are arranged for folding the sheets along a folding line being perpendicular to the direction in which the sheets are transported. The conveyor has a descending section at which in each folding station a friction roller (6) driven synchroneously with the conveyor is arranged, the direction of rotation being such that the upper side of the friction roller moves in the same direction as the conveyor, and in which folding station downstream the friction roller a collecting plate (8) is arranged with fingers (7) at the leading edge, which fingers in a first position of the collecting plate is introduced between the belts of the conveyor and in a second position is arranged to press against the underside of the friction roller (6). The folding apparatus is simple in construction and reliable in operation.

Abstract: A tape dispenser with a tab forming device which includes a pair of upwardly extending forward and rearward struts joined at lower extremities within a cylindrical slotted spring which limits maximum separation of the struts. Upper extremities of the struts are terminated in two wings which, when brought together, cause a tape loop to be made, forming a tape tab. The rearward strut is adapted with a downwardly extending leg and foot for being secured within a tape roll holder, while the forwardly extending strut is adapted with an inverted hook over the wing at the upper extremity of the strut. The hook includes a forward serrated edge for tearing tape. The entire construction may be molded as a unitary article.

Abstract: Apparatus for folding the trailing edge of paperboard blanks conveyed along a straight-line path includes a rotatable shaft disposed below and transverse to the conveyor and having arms with heads at their ends which extend upward through openings between conveyor belts. The shaft is rotated to cause the heads to contact the trailing panels or flaps of the blanks and fold them onto the blank body. To rotate the shaft intermittently it is momentarily connected to a continuously rotating drive by a clutch-brake which permits substantially instantaneous engagement and disengagement. The precise position of each blank is determined by a signal generated by a photodetector, and the rotational orientation of the shaft is determined by optical detectors associated therewith. A signal from the photodetector indicating position of the blank is received by a controller which also has input of the conveyor speed and which responds by actuating the clutch-brake at the proper time.

Abstract: A drying and ironing device for a textile element includes in addition to a conventional drying and ironing system, an integral folding device. The folding device comprises a folding blade which is mounted to pivot in a reciprocating manner on a support moved by an electrical jack, below and flush with either side of the textile element hanging down under the effect of gravity on discharge from the drying and ironing system. An infrared transmitter-receiver cell detects the beginning and the end of this textile element and an electronic device generates and counts "pips" triggered by this cell. The folding device also includes an arrangement for gripping and removing the folded textile element.

Abstract: The material to be folded (a, b) and consisting of one or several sheets is introduced into a flat cartridge (1) up to the point (A) of the fold to be formed by means of a pair of supply rollers (29, 30). Subsequently, the cartridge (1) is turned around an axis (2) in a right angle to the introductory direction whereby a feed roll (9) presses temporarily the point (A) of the material to be folded (a, b) against the edge (6) of the cartridge at which it was introduced and folds the material to be folded (a, b) thus over the edge (6) at this point (A). Finally, the material to be folded (a, b) is taken over by a pair of folding rollers (11, 12) with the top of the thus formed fold leading which presses the fold together.

Abstract: A manually fed folding machine comprising a horizontally reciprocal fold plate for making a first fold in an article, a pivotally movable fold bar clamps the leading edge of the article while the first fold is made and then unclamps the leading edge and carries it about a second predetermined fold line and into superposed relation with the first fold line. A vertically reciprocable fold knife is pivotally connected to spring-clip clamps and the vertically reciprocable fold knife is elevated to move the clamps into clamping position against the article during the second fold and the fold knife is then lowered against the article to impart a third fold while simultaneously lifting the clamps from the article.

Abstract: The leading end of an intermittently fed flattened tubular web is clamped by a gripper, whereupon a severing mechanism cuts a section from the web. The gripper advances the leading end of the tube section before the trailing end has cleared a pair of clamping rollers and while a folding roller engages an intermediate portion of the section and moves it laterally to form a loop in the tube section before the latter is discharged transversely.

Abstract: In a counter stacker for stacking and dividing every predetermined number of printed copies including a counter disposed on a first path of convey along which said copies are successively conveyed partially superimposed one on the other at a constant pitch of superimposing, a first dividing plate disposed on said path and adapted to be inserted between said copies, the above mentioned system has an odd copies dividing and delivering mechanism including a second dividing plate located at the same position with the first dividing plate or at least at a downstream side position of the first dividing plate and a second path only for odd copies and shunting from said first path at said second dividing plate.

Abstract: Device for folding materials, including a belt conveyor material transport assembly extending over three transport sections, the assembly including three groups of endless belts, the first group of belts being above the three transport sections, the second group of belts being below the first transport section, the third group of belts being below the third transport section and a swing-plate having a surface below the second transport section; a retractable material stop between belts of the third group of endless belts; a device for guiding the swing-plate from a starting position through a 180.degree.

Abstract: The problem of loss of strength in carboard along a line of fold due to stretching and breaking of fibres on the outside of the fold is overcome by providing a machine having a support surface against which the sheet of cardboard which is to be folded is held by an element which has a knife edge. The support surface is provided by a taut flexible sheet material which extends around a rotatable and movable roller. On operation of the machine, the roller is moved around the knife edge, its longitudinal axis being kept parallel to the knife edge, thereby making a fold in the sheet and the cardboard. The flexible sheet which contacts the cardboard has a high coefficient of friction with respect to cardboard. The restrains the cardboard fibres on the outerside of the cardboard as the fold is made preventing their stretching and breaking and thereby providing an unweakened fold.

Abstract: A box blank of the type having two side walls and a front wall of normal length but a combined bottom and rear wall of unusual length is folded and glued on a box folding and gluing machine by advancing the blanks along a horizontal path, long wall first, and overlapped in shingled formation. The first long wall in the formation encounters an air blast, or hooked finger, which unfolds the leading edge to encounter a ramp-like guide which bends it back to fold on its fold line, while also back folding the next successive long wall. All successive blanks are so back folded in "domino" fashion.