Abstract: Folder systems and related methods are provided for accurately and efficiently folding a paper carrier that has a card attached without bending or dislodging the card from the carrier. A movable fold chute receives a portion of the carrier with the card attached and allows the carrier to fold while protecting the card portion of the carrier. The fold chute moves between different positions which allow the carrier to enter and exit through folding rollers along a generally straight paper path without forcing the cards around small radii, thereby preventing damage to the cards or causing them to separate from the carrier sheet.

Abstract: Plural conveying paths including guide plates are arranged on both sides of a sheet in its thickness direction, being linked from an upstream side to a downstream side in a conveying direction of the sheet. A stopper is arranged in at least one of the conveying paths to make contact with a leading edge of the sheet conveyed through the conveying paths thereby stopping the sheet and forming a bending portion at the sheet. A pair of folding rollers is arranged between the conveying paths to nip the bending portion of the sheet to form a folding line at the sheet. An adjusting member is provided on the guide plates to adjust a space between the guide plates.

Abstract: A sheet folding mechanism includes a sheet conveying path that is curved in a sheet conveyance direction; a pair of folding rollers that are disposed at a downstream side of the sheet conveying path; an abutting stopper member that is disposed at the downstream side of the folding rollers in the sheet conveyance direction and that abuts and restricts a leading edge of a conveyed sheet; a flexure assist member that assists flexure forming of the sheet abutted to the abutting stopper member; a curved conveying guide plate that is located at the sheet conveying path; a movable stopper guide plate that is a part of the curved conveying guide plate as being movable along the sheet conveying path; and a control unit that performs control to vary a movement range of the movable stopper guide plate in accordance with size and folding mode of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus for folding a sheet, includes a first transport path for guiding the sheet from a carry-in portion to a carrying-out portion without folding; a second transport path branching off from the first transport path for folding the sheet; folding rollers to fold the sheet; a driving motor; and a control device for controlling the driving motor. The folding rollers are disposed in between the carry-in roller and the carrying-out roller. The first transport path has a pinch roller and a guide cover for covering the folding. The guide cover shifts between an actuation position in which the sheet does not contact the folding rollers and a non-actuation position in which the sheet engages with the folding rollers. The control device controls the guide cover to shift to the actuation position with the pinch roller separated from a periphery of the one of the rollers.

Abstract: A sheet folder comprising input rollers, exit rollers and a fold box having a fold plate which is curved substantially along its whole length, wherein the curved fold plate is configured to induce a sheet to curve in two different directions during the folding process.

Abstract: A folding machine and a method of folding sheets of paper, board and the like with underlapping, include at least a first folding station with folding units and an imbricated feeder for feeding sheets to the first folding station, over an aligning table, in a first transporting direction. The imbricated feeder has a device for separating the sheets and a suction configuration which can be adjusted in and counter to the first transporting direction and is intended for the underlapping transfer of sheets from a sheet stack of the imbricated feeder to the aligning table.

Abstract: An in-line insert folder system includes a continuous roll of preprinted inserts, and a cutter for cutting individual inserts from the roll. A transport serially conveys the individual inserts in a downstream direction to a buckle folder that receives the inserts and folds each one along at least one fold line. An applicator serially receives the folded inserts from the buckle folder and applies the inserts to consumer packs such as cigarette packs, for example. The folded inserts may be directly applied to the packs before placement of flexible outer wrap or the folded inserts may be applied onto the flexible outer wrap before that wrap is placed around the packs.

Abstract: A folding machine and a folding method perform overlapped folding of sheets of paper, paperboard and the like. The folding machine has at least one first and one second folding station each having driven folding rolls, a transport device disposed between the first and second folding stations, a drive and a common control unit connected to the drives. The products are transported between the first and the second folding stations in an overlapping manner.

Abstract: A folder includes a plurality of rotatable fold rollers and a plurality of rotatable nip rollers. Each nip roller forms a nip having a nip spacing with an adjacent fold roller. The nips may include an input nip for receiving collations, a plurality of intermediate nips for delivering the collations to one of a buckle chute and a deflector to form folded collations, and an output nip for discharging the folded collations. The folder may further include an adjustment system associated with each nip roller for selectively moving the nip roller with respect to the adjacent fold roller based on predetermined collation thickness data to change the nip spacing for sequential collations.

Abstract: A buckle plate device for a folding machine comprises a buckle plate (10) and a sheet stopping means for stopping a sheet (24) running into the buckle plate (10) in the intake direction, wherein the sheet stopping means is formed by a clamping means (26) which clamps the incoming sheet (24) in order to stop it and preferably automatically releases the clamping at the onset of tractive forces of the subsequent rollers. Hereby a buckle plate device is provided which requires little space and makes it possible to fold sheets with comparably low noise development without a mechanical stop in a sheet-edge controlled manner or in a print-image controlled manner at a high sheet transport speed.

Abstract: A paper folding station with a paper-feeder and a first pair of motorized rollers supported at a delivery end of the paper-feeder about respective parallel axes to draw sheets of paper from the feeder. One of the rollers is mounted on a first adjustable support. A folding buckle is provided to receive the sheets from the first pair of rollers through an inlet mouth. The buckle has a barrier causing the sheets to stop and bend into the shape of a groove below the inlet mouth. A second pair of rollers is supported near the inlet mouth about respective parallel axes to pinch the groove and to make a transverse fold on the sheet. The paper-folding station further comprises at least one transverse beam to guide the sheet near the inlet mouth.

Abstract: A sheet folder comprising input rollers, exit rollers and a fold box having a fold plate which is curved substantially along its whole length, wherein the curved fold plate is configured to induce a sheet to curve in two different directions during the folding process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming informational items such as outserts and booklets may include (a) folding a sheet of paper having product information printed thereon by making a plurality of folds in the sheet of paper to form a first folded article; (b) making a plurality of folds in the first folded article in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and (c) making a final fold in the second direction to form an outsert using a folding apparatus having a pair of adjustably-spaced folding rollers having a nip therebetween and a movable blade member, with the folding rollers spaced apart by a distance within a range of 0.25 inches and 0.45 inches. Water scoring may be used to facilitate folding of the sheet of paper.

Abstract: Outserts having printed information thereon are disclosed and are formed in accordance with a method in which a plurality of parallel folds are made in a sheet of paper in a first fold direction using a plurality of pairs of folding rollers and stop members to form an intermediate folded item and in which a plurality of cross-folds are made in the intermediate folded item to form the outsert. The cross-folds may be made to divide the length of the intermediate folded item into ten panels, fourteen panels, or eighteen panels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding inserts by inverting the insert sheet after the first fold is made and reintroducing the folded insert sheet into a first buckle chute from the opposite end. The second fold is then made in a second buckle chute which results in either a bottom address or a middle address appearing on the folded insert in a manner that the address will appear through the window of the envelope.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming informational items such as outserts and booklets may include folding a sheet of paper having product information printed thereon by making a plurality of folds in the sheet of paper to form a first folded article; (b) making a fold in the first folded article to form a second folded article; (c) applying pressure at least about 30 psi and no greater than about 500 psi to the second folded article a first pressing unit having a pair of pressure rollers; and (d) making one or more folds in the second folded article to form an outsert using a third folding apparatus having a plurality of folding rollers having a nip therebetween and a movable blade member.

Abstract: In a sheet creaser, a sheet set is pushed between a pair of folding rollers to fold the sheet set. Then, a re-pressing roller re-presses the sheet set, which has been folded by the folding rollers, by rolling along the crease. Pressure applied on the sheet set by the folding rollers is released when the re-pressing roller re-presses the sheet set.

Abstract: There is a disclosure of a system which controls a folding unit performing folding processing to one set of sheets supplied by a print unit. The one set of sheets includes sheets of a first size and/or a second size which is smaller than the first size. The system includes a first controller and second controller. When the one set of sheets includes a sheet of the first size, the first controller inhibits the folding processing to a sheet of the second size. When the one set of sheets does not include a sheet of the first size but includes a sheet of the second size, the second controller permits the folding processing to a sheet of the second size.

Abstract: A buckle (3, 4) is provided with a position adjustable stopper (5, 6) for stopping a sheet (P) by coming into collision with the leading edge of the sheet (P) so as to position the sheet in a fold position. In the inlet of the buckle, there are provided a pair of rotary drive folding rollers (20a, 20b; 20c, 20d) for taking the sheet in the buckle, and a pair of rotary drive folding rollers (20b, 20c; 20d, 20e) for folding a portion of the sheet deflecting from the buckle. A sheet detector (16, 17) is arranged in the buckle at a predetermined spacing from the stopper. A control section (29) outputting a signal for deceleration to a driving source of the roller upon reception of a sheet detection signal from the sheet detector and stopping output of the signal for deceleration after elapse of a predetermined time.

Abstract: An accordion folding mechanism folds a sheet fed from an image forming apparatus in an accordion shape by repeating a mountain fold and a valley fold in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction. A size setting unit sets a folding size of the mountain fold and the valley fold. A size adjusting unit compares a size of the sheet fed from the image forming apparatus with the folding size, and adjusts the folding size of a predetermined number of folds at a trailing end of the sheet.

Abstract: For folding a sheet of paper, a portion of the sheet situated between opposite ends of the sheet is bent to a folding nip between a pair of folding rollers. By rotating the folding rollers in an output rotation sense, whereby sections of the folding rollers in the area of the folding nip transport the bent portion of the sheet into the folding nip, and transporting the bent portion of the sheet through the folding nip, a fold is formed in the bent portion of the sheet. Prior to the rotation of the folding rollers in the output rotation sense, at least a portion of the sheet is supplied between the folding rollers by rotating the folding rollers in an input rotation sense opposite to the output rotation sense. An apparatus for folding is also described.

Abstract: A buckle folding machine (10) includes an operator facing side wall (14) and a side wall (16) remote from an operator, the side walls (14, 16) being arranged at a distance from each other and at least one lower folding pocket (22, 24) being arranged between the side walls (14, 16).

Abstract: A method and unit for folding coupons on a packing machine, whereby the coupons are fed to at least one folding station having two counter-rotating folding rollers, and at least one locating member located at one end of a feed path of the coupons extending over the two folding rollers; the operating speed of the folding station is determined cyclically, and, as a function of the operating speed of the folding station, the position of the locating member along the feed path of the coupons is adjusted during normal operation of the folding station.

Abstract: A sheet conveying section (B) sequentially conveys a sheet (P) from a sheet feeding section (A), and a sheet folding section (D) folds the sheet (P) received from the sheet conveying section (B) in a conveying direction. The sheet conveying section (B) comprises a conveyer belt (3), and a positioning ruler (4) for positioning the sheet (P) while it is conveyed. The sheet folding section (D) comprises a folding knife (9), a pair of folding rollers (10), and first and second guides (11a, 11b) arranged on either side of the folding knife (9). The sheet (p) is positioned to a fold position by the first and second guides (11a, 11b) and folded by the folding knife (9) and the folding roller (10). The positioning ruler (4) is moved in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction by a first driving mechanism (5, 6). The first and second guides (11a) are moved in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction respectively by second and third driving mechanisms (21, 22; 23, 24).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming informational items such as outserts and booklets may include folding a sheet of paper having product information printed thereon by making a plurality of folds in the sheet of paper to form a first folded article; (b) making a fold in the first folded article to form a second folded article; (c) applying pressure at least about 30 psi and no greater than about 500 psi to the second folded article a first pressing unit having a pair of pressure rollers; and (d) making one or more folds in the second folded article to form an outsert using a third folding apparatus having a plurality of folding rollers having a nip therebetween and a movable blade member.

Abstract: This invention provides an automatic paper folder with the adjustable distance between a retarder and a feeding wheel assuring the consistency of the automatic feed for most types of paper. The automatic paper folder includes a paper feed assembly that combines the functions of a retractable retarder and a retractable tension block, assuring the automatic feed of a stack of paper, and a bypass for the manual feed of the stapled sets.

Abstract: A paper folding machine is provided including a housing having upper and lower fold plates constructed for quick and easy removal of the upper plates from the machine so that repairs can be made. The plates include a paper stop and an adjuster connected to the paper stop for adjusting the position of the paper stop. The upper plate partially encloses a work area and the upper plate has a slot for receiving the adjuster therethrough for easy adjustment and/or removal of the upper plate.

Abstract: A paper folding machine is provided including a housing having upper and lower fold plates constructed for quick and easy removal of the upper plates from the machine so that repairs may be made. The machine includes an automatically adjustable stacking arm movable to positions corresponding to the settings of the machine for fold type and size.

Abstract: A paper folding machine is provided including a housing having upper and lower fold plates constructed for quick and easy removal of the upper plates from the machine so that repairs may be made. The machine includes an automatically adjustable stacking arm movable to positions corresponding to the settings of the machine for fold type and size.

Abstract: A sheet folding and trimming apparatus for a booklet maker or bookbinder includes a folding apparatus and a sheetwise trimming apparatus configured to trim the folded sheet from the folding apparatus on three unfolded sides of the sheet in a sheetwise manner. The location of the sheet folder prior to the sheet trimmer allows the use of a relatively imprecise and inexpensive folding apparatus, such as a buckle folder, and adjusts for the imprecision of the fold by trimming the folded sheet.

Abstract: A folding mechanism couples to a printing mechanism and receives media for folding therein.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus, which may be used in conjunction with a printer or copier, includes a set of rollers forming a buckle zone, in which sheets are caused to buckle for creasing by a folding nip formed by the rollers. A blade is selectably positionable in and out of the buckle zone. When the blade is positioned in the buckle zone, any previously-folded portion of the sheet (such as in C-folding of the sheet) is prevented from being drawn away from the folding nip.

Abstract: A folding device for sheets of paper or plastic has at least one folding pocket for receiving a sheet to be folded and at least one deflection strip for deflecting a sheet not to be folded. A common holder is provided, and the folding pocket and the deflection strip are secured on the common holder. The common holder has two sidewalls and the folding pocket and the at least one deflection strip are arranged between the two sidewalls. The folding pocket and the deflection strip are adjustable in opposite directions relative to one another. A common drive is provided for the folding pocket and the deflection strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming informational items such as outserts and booklets may include folding a sheet of paper having product information printed thereon by making a plurality of folds in the sheet of paper to form a first folded article; (b) making a fold in the first folded article to form a second folded article; (c) applying pressure at least about 30 psi and no greater than about 500 psi to the second folded article a first pressing unit having a pair of pressure rollers; and (d) making one or more folds in the second folded article to form an outsert using a third folding apparatus having a plurality of folding rollers having a nip therebetween and a movable blade member.

Abstract: The invention provides a table top folding apparatus that is easily reconfigured to provide a single fold folding apparatus or a multi-fold folding apparatus. The apparatus includes a frame, having first and second roller pairs and a first fold table and a second fold table positioned to receive material from the respective roller pairs. The apparatus also includes a fold selector assembly rotatably attached to the frame, the assembly including a diverter and a stop fence. The fold selector assembly is adjustable by a single actuation arm to rotate between a single fold position and a double fold position. The invention further provides a tabletop folding apparatus having independently adjustable fold selector and material diverter assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus, and corresponding method, for accumulating and directionally reorienting the movement of a stack of sheets after first folding the stack, each sheet of the stack being fed from a feed conveyor along a feed path. The apparatus includes a turnplate, for receiving each of a series of sheets which are there accumulated into a stack of sheets. Stops protrude from a sheet-receiving surface of the turnplate, which holds the stack of sheets edge aligned against the stops.

Abstract: A buckle chute having a deflector disposed in front thereof to allow a sheet of document to enter the buckle chute channel or to deflect the sheet away from the channel. The deflector is pivotally linked to two actuator arms on the left and right sides of the buckle chute. Each actuator arm is pivotally linked to a bell crank, which is also pivotally linked to a linking member. The linking members are further connected to a lever such that they can be moved in opposite directions from left to right or from right to left so as to cause the bell cranks to rotate in opposite directions. As such, the actuator arms are simultaneously moved toward or away from the front side to control the deflector position.

Abstract: Sheet collation apparatus is disclosed in which an initial sheet (A1) from a sheet feeder (4) is advanced to a collation station (10), reversed into an accumulation station (8) and then returned to the collation station where it is collated with the next sheet (A2) from the sheet feeder. This process may be repeated any number of times to form a collation of sheets of any required number.

Abstract: A buckle folding unit with a folding pocket having an adjustable pocket stop, includes a first detector for detecting a first instant as a sheet travels from an inlet to the buckle folding unit until it reaches the pocket stop, a second detector for detecting a second instant as the sheet travels from a formation of a fold as far as an outlet from the folding pocket, and a device for determining a length of the sheet conveyed between the first and the second instants; a method for controlling the register of the buckle folding unit; and a folding machine having at least one buckle folding unit constructed with at least one of the foregoing features.

Abstract: A buckle chute having a stop to cause a sheet of document entering the buckle chute to buckle for making a folded edge. The ends of stop are threadably engaged with two lead screws, which are mechanically linked together by a chain, so that the lead screws can be simultaneously turned in order to adjust the position of both ends of the stop. Each end of the stops has a split nut with grooves for engaging with the threads of the lead screws. The split nut can be disengaged from the threads so that the position of one or both ends of the stop can be adjusted.

Abstract: In the case of the method of setting the folding-nip width of a plurality of pairs of folding rollers which are provided on a folding machine, the two folding rollers (12 to 22) of the pairs of folding rollers are brought into contact with one another. A sheet is then guided through between the two folding rollers (12 to 22) of the pairs of folding rollers, as a result of which at least one of the two folding rollers (12 to 22) moves in relation to the other, with a folding nip being formed in the process, it being the case that, for each pair of folding rollers, a measured value corresponding to the folding-nip width is detected as the sheet is guided through. Finally, the folding-nip widths of the individual pairs of folding rollers are set by adjustment of the at least one moveable folding roller (14 to 22) by means of a drive (42), which is connected kinematically thereto, based on the corresponding measured values which have been detected.

Abstract: A combination folder and sealer machine is much more compact than prior separate and individual folder and sealer machines. The combination folder and sealer machine comprises a folder station that grips a folded sheet simultaneously with a sealer station downstream of the folder station. The sheet is thus under complete control as it is propelled from the folder station to the sealer station, thereby eliminating any skewing that might occur between the two stations. Folding rollers at the folder station are biased toward each other, but the sealing rollers at the sealing station are biased away from each other. A single motor drives the folder and sealer stations as well as a feeder station. Drive trains for the sealer and folder stations are on opposite sides of the machine. A bearing mechanism enables any folding roller to be removed from the machine without removing any other roller and without affecting the machine side walls.

Abstract: A combination folder and sealer machine is much more compact than prior separate and individual folder and sealer machines. The combination folder and sealer machine comprises a folder station that grips a folded sheet simultaneously with a sealer station downstream of the folder station. The sheet is thus under complete control as it is propelled from the folder station to the sealer station, thereby eliminating any skewing that might occur between the two stations. Folding rollers at the folder station are biased toward each other, but the sealing rollers at the sealing station are biased away from each other. A single motor drives the folder and sealer stations as well as a feeder station. Drive trains for the sealer and folder stations are on opposite sides of the machine. A bearing mechanism enables any folding roller to be removed from the machine without removing any other roller and without affecting the machine side walls.

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.

Abstract: A combination folder and sealer machine is much more compact than prior separate and individual folder and sealer machines. The combination folder and sealer machine comprises a folder station that grips a folded sheet simultaneously with a sealer station downstream of the folder station. The sheet is thus under complete control as it is propelled from the folder station to the sealer station, thereby eliminating any skewing that might occur between the two stations. Folding rollers at the folder station are biased toward each other, but the sealing rollers at the sealing station are biased away from each other. A single motor drives the folder and sealer stations as well as a feeder station. Drive trains for the sealer and folder stations are on opposite sides of the machine. A bearing mechanism enables any folding roller to be removed from the machine without removing any other roller and without affecting the machine side walls.

Abstract: A sheet feeding, folding and accumulating machine has an integral sheet storing and feeding mechanism, and a plurality of feeding inputs from which sheets are fed to a path of travel through the machine from the sheet storing and feeding mechanism or from an external source. A pair of buckle chutes are mounted in the machine, and suitable feeding and folding rollers are mounted adjacent the input ends of the buckle chutes for folding sheets that are fed into the buckle chutes. A movable buckle chute bypass gate is mounted adjacent the input end of each buckle chute, the gates being movable between opposite positions to cause sheets either to enter one or both of the buckle chutes or to bypass the buckle chutes and proceed directly to an accumulating mechanism that is mounted adjacent an outlet end of the machine to control whether each sheet will be folded or not folded before being deposited in the accumulating device.

Abstract: A buckle folder machine includes two or three folder pockets and several folding rollers mounted in a folding block which can be detached from the machine frame. The sheets are fed to the folding block via transport devices along an input plane in the direction of travel of the paper and delivered along an output plane in the same direction. The input plane and output plane are situated on substantially the same plane. The folding rollers and machine pockets are arranged in the folding block in such a way that the sheet input and sheet output are also situated in the area of this common plane in line with the position in which the folding block is mounted inside the machine frame. All folding rollers are connected to each other in the folding block via coupling gear wheels positioned on either end of each folding roller.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing a collation in a folding station (100) having a folding roller assembly (106, 108, 110, 112), a first fold plate assembly (102) and a second fold plate assembly (104) downstream of the folding roller assembly and the first fold plate assembly. The second fold plate assembly includes a stop member (126) movable at least between a distal position away from the folding roller assembly and a proximal position in proximity to the folding roller assembly. A portion of the collation is first conveyed into the first fold plate assembly (102) and the collation is then conveyed from the first fold plate assembly, through the folding roller assembly, and into the second fold plate assembly. Once in the second folding plate assembly the collation abuts against the stop member, whereafter the stop member (126) is moved from its distal position to its proximal position so as to cause the collation to convey out of the second fold plate assembly (104).

Abstract: A method and system for folding a sheet having a certain length into a folded piece of a fold type having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the sheet length and the fold type are simultaneously selectable. The sheet can be folded once or twice into the folded piece. After the sheet is folded into the folded piece, the folded piece moves in a direction with a first edge leading the second edge. The method and system further include a step and a mechanism to control the moving direction of the folded piece such that the folded piece can be caused to move with the first edge trailing the second edge or allowed to continue to move with the first edge leading the second edge when the folded piece exits the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding and sealing a sheet having a pressure sensitive adhesive positioned thereon is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first roller and a second roller. The second roller has a roller surface, and a plurality of independent sealing protrusions extending from the roller surface. The sealing protrusions are positioned in operative contact with the first roller during advancement of the sheet between the first roller and the second roller. The apparatus yet further includes a third roller. The sealing protrusions of the second roller are positioned in operative contact with the third roller during advancement of the sheet between the second roller and the third roller. The sealing protrusions extend from the roller surface at locations such that advancement of the sheet between the second roller and the third roller causes the sealing protrusions to operatively contact the adhesive.