Abstract: A method in which, while an article is carried with a main portion in contact with a carrying surface and a to-be-folded portion in contact with a folder plate, includes: a first guiding step, wherein a first guide surface guides the to-be-folded portion of the unfolded article, on a side of the carrying surface, in parallel to the carrying surface; a second guiding step, following the first guiding step, wherein a second guide surface, while being in contact with the to-be-folded portion, gradually raises the to-be-folded portion while moving downstream; and a third guiding step, following the second guiding step, wherein a third guide surface guides the to-be-folded portion so that the to-be-folded portion is folded onto the main portion.

Abstract: A method for checking and correcting the position of a blank (10) that includes closing the folded right-hand and left-hand flaps (17, 18) of the blank, which are positioned one above the other in an overlapping portion, checking the position of the right-hand edge (13) and of the left-hand edge (14), and comparing the position with a predetermined position in order to determine a positional deviation, if the positional deviation exceeds an admissible deviation value, and before the glue sets, fixing of the central flap (19), then holding the upper face of the right-hand flap and of the left-hand flap by a suction cup (21, 23, 24, 26), and correcting the position of the left-hand flap (18) and/or of the right-hand flap (17) by moving the suction cup (21, 23, 24, 26).

Abstract: A device for laminating panels that includes a base that includes an upper surface, a front edge and a rear edge, and a folding assembly that includes a first surface that is generally perpendicular with the upper surface of the base, a folding portion having an inner surface, a front edge and a rear edge. A folding path is defined from the front edge of the folding portion to the rear edge of the folding portion. An angle that is defined between the inner surface of the folding portion and the first surface decreases along the folding path.

Abstract: In order to form two longitudinal folds in a material web, there are two plow folding units which extend in the vertical direction and are arranged behind one another in the movement direction of the material web. Each of the plow folding units has two guide elements for the material web, which guide elements are arranged in the manner of a gable or saddle roof. The guide elements are arranged behind one another in the movement direction of the material web and enclose a folding angle between them. The folding angle between the guide elements of the second plow folding unit which is arranged downstream of the first plow folding unit has a magnitude of at least 100°, preferably of at least 140°.

Abstract: In order to form two longitudinal folds in a material web, there are two plow folding units which extend in the vertical direction and are arranged behind one another in the movement direction of the material web. Each of the plow folding units has two guide elements for the material web, which guide elements are arranged in the manner of a gable or saddle roof. The guide elements are arranged behind one another in the movement direction of the material web and enclose a folding angle between them. The folding angle between the guide elements of the second plow folding unit which is arranged downstream of the first plow folding unit has a magnitude of at least 100°, preferably of at least 140°.

Abstract: A folding unit for corrugated cardboard sheets, the folding unit comprising an inlet and an outlet, a pair of parallel and laterally dispiaceable folding beams, a pair of folding rules arranged under respective folding beams, a par of folding rods fixedly positioned outside respective folding rules and at angle to the respective folding rules, a pair of folding belts arranged under and cooperating with a respective pair of folding rules, a means for supplying and folding two outermost panels of the corrugated cardboard sheet from 0°-90° at the inlet of the folding unit and 90°-180° at the outlet of the folding unit, a pair of wheel stands engaged with respective folding belts, a means for adjusting an angle of said wheel stands to ihe associated conveying belt, and a means for fine adjustment of the angular settings of the wheel stands.

Abstract: Folding device for folding blanks, including an internal tool fit to cooperate with an external tool for forming a longitudinal fold in a blank, and a supporting guide fit to cooperate with the internal tool to sandwich the fold as the external tool folds the blank as the blank is conveyed.

Abstract: A folding unit for corrugated cardboard sheets (18) in inline production of corrugated cardboard boxes, comprising a pair of parallel and laterally displaceable folding beams (1, 2) each with an endless conveying belt (3, 4), which folding beams extend from the inlet (19) of the folding unit to a pair of rolls (14) at the outlet (20) of the folding unit. A pair of folding rules (5, 6) are arranged under the respective folding beams (1, 2) and extend from the inlet (19) of the folding unit and towards, but not all the way to, the outlet (20) of the folding unit. A pair of folding rods (33, 34) fixedly positioned outside the respective folding rules (5, 6) and at an angle to the respective folding rules are arranged in the folding unit front portion, seen in the conveying direction (15) of the corrugated cardboard sheets.

Abstract: A folding system is provided for folding at least one wing extending from a central chassis of each of a plurality of absorbent articles formed from a continuous moving web moving in a longitudinal direction. The folding system has a wing-folding conveyor and at least one elongated, folding plow, which has an entrance end, an exit end and an inner edge that define a twist axis. The folding plow has a contoured surface having a configuration defined by a twist angle that increases along the twist axis from zero degrees near the entrance end to 180 degrees near the exit end. The wing-folding conveyor moves the central chassis along the inner edge of the folding plow and the wing slides against the contoured surface from the entrance end to the exit end, such that the wing folds around the central chassis near the inner edge.

Abstract: A longitudinal folding apparatus for webs on a folder of a rotary press includes a variable-position folding former arranged behind a former roll and ahead of folding rolls in the web running direction, it being possible to adjust the folding former approximately in parallel in the direction of longitudinal axes of the folding rolls. The folding former is connected in a hinged fashion to levers which are mounted pivotably in the frame, the levers being drive-connected to one another.

Abstract: A folding device for signatures includes a saddle-shaped folding sword having an upright folding edge and an inside guide element below the upright folding edge on which the signatures are folded while passing through the folding device. An outside folding element follows and operates jointly with the inside guide element for folding the signatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding over a portion of at least one top sheet of a stack of interfolded sheets. The foldover apparatus includes a conveyor adapted to move the stack in the downstream direction, a vacuum assembly adapted to separate at least a portion of the at least one top sheet from the remainder of the stack, and a forming plow to fold over the portion of the at least one top sheet. The method includes moving the stack of sheets downstream along a path, separating the portion of the at least one top sheet from the remaining portion of the stack of interfolded sheets, moving the portion of the at least one top sheet adjacent a forming plow, moving the portion of the at least one top sheet along the folding plow, and folding over the portion of the at least one top sheet.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling sheets of printing media for booklets. In one aspect the sheets are folded, sheet-by-sheet, and in another aspect the sheets are collected, sheet-by-sheet, and registered on a fold in each sheet. In still another aspect printed sheets are loaded, sheet-by-sheet, into the apparatus. Each sheet is trimmed to a pre-determined width depending on the position of the sheet in the booklet being assembled. The sheets are thereafter folded, sheet-by-sheet, and collected into a stack. The method and apparatus have particular application in finishing duplex printed sheets of paper into saddle-stitched booklets.

Abstract: A card package production system (20) for producing card packages (22) with cards (26) mounted to bifold carrier forms (24) with a pair of parallel, spaced, preweakened fold lines (33) and (34) dividing the body (32) of the carrier forms into leading end (35), middle (36) and lagging end (37) sections, a card carrier form folding apparatus (30) having a stop member (46) located extending downwardly into a blocking position along a folding path (44), a plurality of rollers (38)(39) and (40) for moving the carrier forms (24) along the folding path (44) and into the stop member (46) to buckle the leading end (35) and middle section (36) away from the folding path (44), a pushing member (56) driven by an electric motor (57) engaging the lagging end section (37) to push the carrier form (24) along the folding path (44) to pivotally swing the stop member (46) to a nonblocking position enabling the middle section (36) to fall back against the lagging section (37) folding the carrier (24) along fold lines (33) and (3

Abstract: An elongate rail for an equal path folder that has a hollow tube having a a longitudinal axis and a vacuum applied thereto, and a first and second substantially planar surfaces parallel to the longitudinal axis and forming a folding edge therebetween. The hollow tube has at least one opening positioned angularly away from both the first and said second surfaces. The vacuum causes a negative pressure to be applied to the opening so that a web substrate passing over the first and second surfaces has at least a portion of the vacuum applied to a face of said web substrate when said web substrate is proximate to at least one of the first and second surfaces thereby substantially reducing particulate matter build-up on the folding equipment and substantially reducing the undesirable particulate matter left on the out-going web product.

Abstract: An elongate rail for an equal path folder that has a hollow tube having a a longitudinal axis and a vacuum applied thereto, and a first and second substantially planar surfaces parallel to the longitudinal axis and forming a folding edge therebetween. The hollow tube has at least one opening positioned angularly away from both the first and the second surfaces. The vacuum causes a negative pressure to be applied to the opening so that a web substrate passing over the first and second surfaces has at least a portion of the vacuum applied to a face of the web substrate when the web substrate is proximate to at least one of the first and second surfaces thereby substantially reducing particulate matter build-up on the folding equipment and substantially reducing the undesirabie particulate matter left on the out-going web product.

Abstract: A bias tape maker includes an outer shell including a tape entering port and a tape exiting port for introduction and exit of a main tape, respectively, and an inner core fitted in the outer shell for defining a main tape passage between the outer shell and the inner core. The main tape passage has a tape folding portion for folding longitudinal margins of the main tape toward each other. The outer shell is provided with an auxiliary tape entry window adjacent the tape exiting port for introducing an auxiliary tape into the tape folding portion of the main tape passage.

Abstract: A device and a method for producing a batch of products having a multiplicity of interfolded, generally rectangular sheets including wet wipes, from a limited amount of a web material, at a high production speed and in efficiently used floor space.

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.

Abstract: An on-the-fly cut sheet folder has a pinch feeding conveyor for pinch feeding a medial panel of a cut sheet in order to feed the sheet in a downstream direction. A fold up plough extends along one side of the pinch feeding conveyor and a fold down plough extends along the other side of the conveyor. A folded sheet conveyor extends below and downstream of the pinch feeding conveyor. The ploughs extend beyond the downstream end of the pinch feeding conveyor and toward the folded sheet conveyor in order to guide sheets folded by the ploughs onto the downstream conveyor.

Abstract: An envelope blank is conveyed through a folding mechanism that folds one or more flaps of the blank. In folding a side flap the leading edge of the blank adjacent to the score line follows in a helical path a convex face of a plowshare. The plowshare face applies at the leading edge of the blank adjacent to the score line a force which bends the side flap through an angle of 180° to a position where the flap is folded to overlap the blank. The folding of the flap is initiated by the convex face of the plowshare so that the flap folding forces are applied to the score line where the flap has the least resistance to bending. The folding forces are removed from the flap free edge which is supported to follow the movement of the flap leading edge.

Abstract: A document facing apparatus for reversing the face orientation of a document includes four substantially similar document folding modules, each having a document gripping and advancing portion and a folding portion. The gripping and advancing portion engages the document along a first longitudinal half portion, with substantially the other longitudinal half portion extending outwardly of the gripping and advancing portion, and advances the entire document through the folding module. The document folding portion engages the document along its other longitudinal half portion and folds the other longitudinal half portion of the document to a substantially 90.degree. angle relative to its initial orientation upon entering the document folding portion. Four document folding modules may be aligned in a given sequence such that a document passing therethrough will have its face orientation reversed.

Abstract: Folding stations are provided successively in a single running direction of an apparatus for the single or z-like folding of lateral tongues of a sheet layer. The first station has an offset rising folding curve for tongue straightening, the second station has a rotating roll for z-shaped prefolding of a tongue, and the third station has juxtaposed folding curves for the finish folding of differently long tongues and the first pressing rolls for the smoothing of the fold breaks. Therefore, very different and complicated folds can be carefully made in a single pass through the apparatus.

Abstract: A bag includes a first panel with at least one access hole in it, and a second panel without a hole corresponding to the at least one hole of the first panel. Preferably, two holes are present, preferably near the bag mouth. The panels are substantially equal in length. The bag can be easily opened by described bag opening means, without the need for vacuum or air to open the bag. The bag can be used in conjunction with otherwise conventional taped bag systems. A method of making the bag, a bag opening system, a method of opening the bag, and a packaging system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An envelope blank is conveyed by a transport system in an envelope making machine to a folding mechanism that folds one or more flaps of the blank. In folding a side flap, the leading edge of the blank adjacent to the score line is conveyed along a convex face of a plowshare. The plowshare face applies at the leading edge of the blank adjacent to the score line a force which bends the side flap through an angle of 180.degree. to a position where the flap is folded to overlap the blank. A crease is formed on the score line to permanently set the flap on the blank. The folding of the flap is initiated by the convex face of the plowshare. Extending from the upper edge of the plowshare face is a grid-like network of flexible rods mounted to follow the helical path of the plowshare face. The free edge portion of the flap is supported by the grid to follow the flap leading edge being folded by the plowshare.

Abstract: A vastly improved folder/gluer is disclosed. This folder/gluer: is much more reliable, produces better folds, runs faster, and can be modified much easier, than prior art folder/gluers. These features are achieved by using a vacuum conveyor with overhead folding elements. Furthermore, the top of the article to be folded is never touched by another conveyor.

Abstract: A loading device and method for loading sheet-like stock material in a cushioning conversion machine. The loading device comprises an elongated threading member having an end portion dimensioned to pass through the stock material path of the cushioning conversion machine and at least one clip or other attachment device proximate an end of the threading member for attaching the stock material to the threading member. After attaching a leading end of the stock material to the loading device, the loading device is advanced through the cushioning conversion machine until the leading end of the stock material exits the downstream end of the machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for folding by approximately 180.degree. a first surface portion of a blank on a rotating drum about a score line onto a second surface portion of the blank. A shaping rail comprises a first surface for acting on a first side of the first portion of the blank to initiate folding the first portion about the score line, a second surface for acting on a second side, opposite the first side, of the first portion of the blank to complete the approximately 180.degree. folding of the first portion about the score line, and a spiral edge for transferring the first portion of the blank from the first surface to the second surface. A first inner guide rail comprising a cylindrical outer surface facing the second surface of the shaping rail and a second outer guide rail having a cylindrical inner surface facing the first surface of the shaping rail are provided to further guide the blank during folding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for folding a sheet of paper into an aerodynamic configuration. The device can be described as a forming implement with a plurality of wing and tail folding surfaces. The device includes an entrance end and an exit end and is adapted to have a sheet of material passes therethrough. In use, as the sheet of material is passed through the device it attains an aerodynamic configuration. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wing and tail folding surfaces are resiliently mounted to the device. Furthermore, the device includes a means for delivering the sheet of material from the entrance to the exit end of device.

Abstract: A flexible container, and a process and apparatus for making the container having first and second sidewalls, side seams, a bottom edge, a top and an opening adjacent the top including the first and second sidewalls made from the same film web stock material, said web stock having at least a first visual pattern impressed thereon such that upon forming said first and second sidewalls from said web stock, said first and second sidewalls are adjacent to each other and at least a second visual pattern on the container different from the first visual pattern is perceived by an observer of the container.

Abstract: A one-piece corrugated tray is formed of a blank of sheet material wherein a filler is sandwiched between an lower liner and an upper liner. The blank is slit scored transversely to define end panels, end walls, dividing walls, and floor panels between successive walls. The blank is then power rolled so that the blank is folded up ninety degrees at front slit scores and folded down one-hundred-eighty degrees at front slit scores. The resulting tray has double-thickness walls and double-thickness floors. Trays of this construction can be used for handling and shipping decorative automotive body panels and other items of manufacture that must be protected from rubbing one another or lapping over one another.

Abstract: A plough for closing carton flaps, particularly major carton flaps and a process for making the plough. The plough is designed to cause the flaps to close at or near constant velocity so as to minimize disruptions on the manufacturing line. The plough is prepared by generating data describing the coordinates of a flap as it closes at or near constant velocity, using the data to generate additional data describing the contour of a plough necessary to close the flap at or near constant velocity, and causing the plough to be fabricated utilizing the contour data.

Abstract: The blanks (1) are withdrawn one after another from a storage part (20) by transfer means (21) and are disposed on the cylindrical support surface of a drum (3) driven rotatingly by portions of a revolution. Various processing operations are performed on the blanks either while the drum is rotating or while it is stopped, e.g., folding a flap (16), gluing this flap to a surface portion (15) of the blank, or printing a code (17) on part of the blank. The presence, correct positioning, and proper alignment of the blank on the drum are checked before the aforementioned operations are carried out. After they have been effected, the blank is withdrawn from the drum to be sent on to a packaging machine. The processing apparatus and method can be utilized on a line for processing boxes or the like, particularly cigarette boxes, just before they are assembled to receive their contents.

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.

Abstract: An envelope forming apparatus has a vacuum table with apertures through which a vacuum is applied onto the surface of the vacuum table. A series of parallel endless belts move across the vacuum table and transport an envelope blank across the vacuum table. The vacuum through the apertures in the vacuum table holds the blank on the belts as they move across the vacuum table and as the blank is folded by a plowshare folder located relative to the vacuum table. Alternatively, a single wide belt with apertures may be substituted for the series of parallel belts.

Abstract: An automatic apparatus for folding sheet elements fed one after the other in succession, comprising a first unit for U-shaping the sheet elements to define two vertical side portions and a longitudinal central region, a pusher element for V-shaping the central region and a second unit for the final compaction of the V-shaped sheet elements. The apparatus also comprises a third unit for rotating the folded compacted sheet elements leaving the second unit through 90.degree. and elements for separating the parallel side-by-side edges of the thus folded and compacted sheet elements to enable further additional elements to be inserted between them. The speed of the various units is correlated to prevent any deterioration or slippage of the sheet elements.

Abstract: In the production of (cigarette) packs of the hinge-lid type, supplying a sufficient amount of material to the packaging machine presents a particular problem. In an advantageous solution, blanks (20) for producing the packs are severed from a continuous web of material (24) with punchings for delimiting the blanks (20) and further processed within the packaging machine. For the efficient production of (individual) blanks from the continuous web of material (24), the latter is fed to a blank station (26), in which preferably two respective blanks (20a, 20a) lying next to one another are severed by shearing from the following web of material (24) and from one another by means of severing rams (29). The two blanks (20a, 20b) so formed and individually separated are then fed to a folding turret (40), specifically appropriately with an intermediate conveyor in the form of a rotating blank turret (43) being interposed.

Abstract: An improved folder includes a first series of belts which grips and moves sheet material along converging deflectors to fold the sheet material. As the space between the deflectors narrows, a second series of belts grips the sheet material and continues its movement between the deflectors. The first series of belts includes a first plurality of tapes disposed on a first side of a fold line and a second plurality of tapes disposed on a second side of the fold line. The second series of belts includes a pair of creaser belts which extend from between the tapes to an outlet portion of the folder. The speed of movement of the tapes and creaser belts is coordinated by using speed signal generators which are driven at the speed of movement of the tapes and creaser belts. A controller compares the speed signals and maintains a desired relationship between the speed of movement of the tapes and creaser belts. It is believed that the creaser belts will usually be driven at the same speed.

Abstract: An improved folder apparatus includes a first folder assembly which forms a first fold in sheet material along the path of movement of the sheet material. A second folder assembly forms a second fold in the sheet material in a direction extending transversely to the path of movement of the sheet material. A third folder assembly forms a third fold in the sheet material with the first and third folds extending along the path of movement of the sheet material through the third folder assembly and the second fold at a leading edge portion of the sheet material. During the forming of the three folds, the sheet material is continuously moved through the folder assemblies without stopping. The third folder assembly includes an array of upper and lower tapes. The array of tapes tapers from a wide inlet portion of the third folder assembly toward a discharge portion of a third folder assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for continuously making cardboard runners and stringers and assembling them into a cardboard pallet. Whether a runner or stringer is involved, the method involves essentially supplying a fiberboard blank of appropriate composition and size, running the blank through a perforating and scoring roller to produce fold lines in the blank, and progressively folding the blank from the outside in, by passing it through a plurality of curvilinear rods, and applying adhesive to portions of the blank during the folding process. The runners and stringers thus produced are assembled together to form a cardboard pallet.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding large sheets of thermoplastic film in a U-shaped fold comprising a trapezoidal former or frame which tapers from a relatively wide width to a substantially narrower width about one-half the width of the relatively wide width and which extends downwardly across a flat plane about the width of the narrower width, a tucker bar or V-shaped member mounted on the trapezoidal former for receiving and inwardly folding the edges of the film to be folded, and a top plane mounted on the trapezoidal former just above and substantially parallel to the tucker bar for receiving and guiding the unfolded portion of the plastic film thereover. Means for receiving the sheet of plastic film and guiding the film over the trapezoidal former and a means for receiving the plastic film after it has been folded are also provided. Adjustment means are further provided for raising and lowering the tucker bar.

Abstract: A quarter folder machine for accepting half fold signatures and converting them into quarter signatures. The machine receives half signatures in an incoming shingle running at relatively low velocity, strips and accelerates the signatures to travel seriatim in a high speed stream which passes through camming and crimping means to create the quarter fold. A decelerating and re-shingling section then converts the stream back into an output shingle which runs at relatively low linear velocity but at a high rate in terms of signatures per hour--for transport to some subsequent processing device. The machine is characterized by a very high throughput rate. It is flexibly adjustable to match to the velocity of and setback of an incoming shingle from various sources, and yet to determine by choice the setback and velocity of the output shingle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic paper folding apparatus and method for folding cut sheet paper products, whether single sheets or multiple plies as in a "signature" that is already folded by a printing press. The apparatus of the invention contains at least one pair of opposed belts which continuously grip the products and carry then through the apparatus. At least one set of freely rotatable rollers is arrayed along the direction of travel. Each belt has a flat paper-gripping surface, a longitudinal groove on the opposite surface that receives a guide roller, and at least one side surface that slopes away from the folding line. Each roller has a conical forming surface. The angle of inclination of the conical surfaces of the rollers in a set increases incrementally along the direction of travel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of operation for automatically folding obstetrical pads into a so-called three-fold configuration which occupies approximately 40% less volume than two-fold pads of the prior art. The obstetrical pads, as fabricated, have two opposed, elongated tab portions extending beyond the pad proper, and the pad is folded by the apparatus so that these tab portions are juxtaposed adjacent one another in order to facilitate removal of the pad from its package and provide enhanced convenience in preparation of the pad for use. More importantly, the placement of the tab portions in this fashion permits the handling of the pad without contaminating the sterile field in the inner fold area of the pad. By virtue of the reduced volume of the three-fold pad, substantial savings are realized in the manufacturing process, in the storage facilities required for warehousing and inventory at each step in the distribution process, as well as in shipping.

Abstract: A pair of helical guides has each guide made up of two integral helical portions, one outermost and the other innermost, longitudinally offset from each other. The two portions develop from respective basically parallel oblique inlet ends to respective coplanar horizontal outlet ends and are engageable by the erect side flaps of wider or narrower boxes respectively without the necessity of adjustment of the distance apart thereof.

Abstract: A forming apparatus for shaping a workpiece made from malleable metal strip driven through the apparatus comprises a main frame on which are mounted driven bottom rollers for driving and supporting the workpiece through the apparatus and top rollers pressing the strip against the bottom rollers. The top rollers are mounted on side sub-frames which are traversible towards and away from the longitudinal center-line of the apparatus and which carry forming tools. The subframe may carry forming rollers mounted in cylindrical carriers which are themselves rotatably mounted end to end in support tubes extending parallel to said center-line and are rotationally adjustable independently of each other, for example to allow the amount of angular deformation of the strip to be adjusted without necessarily changing the forming tools. Bars provided to effect bending may be readily adjusted for size variation.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for supplying wrapping elements (2, 57) comprising elongate portions of card (2) having a series of zones (6, 7, 8, 9), separated by transverse creases (a, b), and flaps (10) defined by creases (c) disposed longitudinally to the card (2). The apparatus comprises a first mechanism (14) and a second mechanism (50) for continuously transfering the pieces of card (2) which are orientated transversely to the path of the first mechanism and longitudinally with respect to the path of the second mechanism. The apparatus also comprises folding elements (42, 43, 46, 47, 55, 56) located along the paths of the two transfer mechanisms (14, 50) arranged to fold the zones (6, 7, 8, 9) and flaps (10) about the creases defining them out of a planar condition and subsequently to fold them back to cause them to return to the original coplanar condition. The pre-creased blanks so formed can be readily wrapped by conventional wrapping machines round soft articles (68) e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading articles into trays where the articles are first separated into rows with a divider assembly, then separated into groups with a grouper assembly and then pushed onto a dead plate to form a load. Different divider and grouper assemblies are provided to make different load configurations. A tray blank is moved under the dead plate and pushed out from under the dead plate synchronously with the movement of the article load over the dead plate so that the article load is deposited on the tray blank. Thereafter, the flaps on the tray blank are folded to erect the tray around the group of articles. Mechanical folding mechanisms are provided to fold certain of the flaps on the tray without folding the other flaps. The method of loading the articles in the tray and forming the tray around the articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flange folding machine for folding the distal end of the flanges of a blister package or the like inwardly upon the proximal ends thereof to form closure panel receiving channels. The machine comprises, a plurality of carriers mounted on a conveyor for continuous movement through a folding station, a side flange folding mechanism, a first heater located in close proximity to each first fold line and being operable to heat the side flanges to a sufficient extent to render them formable. The mechanism may also include a leading end flange forming mechanism for folding the distal end portion of a leading end flange inwardly upon the proximal end portion thereof along a transverse foldline. The leading end flange forming mechanism comprises a second heater which is mounted on a carriage which is slidably mounted for reciprocating movement in the folding station to and fro along between a forward position and the retracted position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic paper folding apparatus and method for folding cut sheet paper products, whether single sheets or multiple piles as in a "signature" that is already folded by a printing press. The apparatus of the invention contains at least one pair of opposed belts which continuously grip the products and carry them through the apparatus. At least one set of freely rotatable rollers is arrayed along the direction of travel. Each belt has a flat paper-gripping surface, a longitudinal groove on the opposite surface that receives a guide roller, and at least one side surface that slopes away from the folding line. Each roller has a conical forming surface. The angle of inclination of the conical surfaces of the rollers in a set increases incrementally along the direction of travel. As the belts carry the sheets through the apparatus, they each engage the conical surface to fold the sheet against a belt with no substantial degree of relative movement between the sheets and either the belts or rollers.