Abstract: A web has a series of cut outs that define bridging portions therebetween. A method for folding the web includes providing the web to a first conveyor, folding the web about a folding wheel to define a folded edge that extends through the series of cut outs, transferring the web to a second conveyor having an included angle of 15 to 40 degrees in relation to the first conveyor, folding the web about a folding bar to maintain the folded edge, and spanning at least one cut out with the folding bar and contemporaneously contacting at least two bridge portions with the folding bar to maintain the folded edge of the web about the folding bar as the web passes the folding wheel edge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handling apparatus (1) for piece goods (2) that comprises at least one divider finger (14, 46, 51), which is introducible to a transport plane (5), largely perpendicular, from below, with the at least one divider finger being connected to a divider bar element (13, 13*, 43, 50). The divider bar element is movably arranged below the transport plane (5) and is guided in a specified movement path. The divider bar element is detachably connected to a profile element (11, 41). During a format change, the divider bar element is toolessly detached and interchanged for another divider bar element, which has divider fingers that are positioned differently and/or spaced apart differently from the divider fingers of the removed divider bar element.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding articles advancing in a machine direction including a rotatable roll having a roll surface, at least one protrusion that defines an outermost surface of the roll and at least one pocket that defines an innermost surface of the roll. The apparatus also includes a peel assembly and a folding assembly. The peel assembly and/or folding assembly may be configured as one or more movable heads for receiving an article or article portion from a first carrier at a first speed and transferring the article to a second carrier travelling at a second speed.

Abstract: A packing unit and method for folding a blank on a packing machine; the packing unit having: a packing conveyor having at least one pocket for receiving the blank; and a feed device for inserting the blank into the pocket on the packing conveyor; the packing conveyor has at least a first conveyor belt defining a bottom wall, of the pocket; at least a second conveyor belt separate from, parallel to, and alongside the first conveyor belt, and defining the bottom wall of the pocket together with the first conveyor belt; a first retaining member, which projects perpendicularly from the first conveyor belt and defines a front wall of the pocket; and a second retaining member, which projects perpendicularly from the second. conveyor belt and defines a rear wall of the pocket.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding articles advancing in a machine direction including a rotatable roll having a roll surface, at least one protrusion that defines an outermost surface of the roll and at least one pocket that defines an innermost surface of the roll. The apparatus also includes a first and second vacuum conveyor assembly, each comprising two vacuum conveyors. The roll and the vacuum conveyor assemblies are cooperatively configured to fold an article. A method for folding articles by accelerating a portion of the article to create slack in the article, as may be practiced using an apparatus as described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding and engaging side panels of a training pant are provided. The training pant comprises a leading portion, a trailing portion, a central portion, and a first pair of side panels and a second pair of side panels attached to the central portion. The central portion of the training pant is folded about a transverse axis to form a folded training pant. Portions of the first pair of side panels and second pair of side panels are engaged while the central portion of the folded training pant is received by at least one recessed seat. The at least one recessed seat is located on at least one of a first belt and a second belt of a conveyance system.

Abstract: A folding device for folding over a section or a flap of an outer packaging for articles includes at least one conveyor chain, push chain, and/or sealing chain, which chain in turn includes several pushing or folding elements spaced apart from each other and fastened to the chain at defined distances from each other. Each include a pushing or folding section protruding beyond the conveying plane. A coupling apparatus pivots the pushing or folding section of the respective pushing or folding elements in connection with a direction change and/or deflection of the conveyor, push, and/or sealing chain. Each pushing or folding element includes a carrier section connected to the chain and pivotable relative to the direction of chain movement via the coupling element and, fastened to this carrier section, each pushing or folding element further includes a pushing or folding section toollessly removable from the carrier section.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting folded signatures is provided which includes a first roller and a second roller forming a first nip with the first roller. The first and second rollers each have a compressible outer layer, and are rotatable about respective axes. Preferably, the compressible outer later comprises a microcellular foam. The apparatus also includes a plurality of first transport tapes passing through the first nip and a plurality of second transport tapes passing through the first nip. The plurality of second transport tapes are wrapped at least partially around the second roller so that a signature transported between the first and second transport tapes between the first nip undergoes a change in transport direction as it is transported at least partially around the second roller. Preferably, the signatures enter the first nip perpendicular to a plane passing through the axes of the first and second rollers.

Abstract: A system is provided for bifolding disposable absorbent articles on a high speed production line on which the disposable absorbent articles are moved along a predetermined path. The system includes the use of one or more vacuum conveyor assemblies to engage and transfer the leading end portion of the article from the surface of a peel-roll to a folding drum. Thereby potentially reducing the occurrence of undesirable misalignment between opposing edges of an article during a bifolding process.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding articles advancing in a machine direction including a rotatable roll having a roll surface, at least one protrusion that defines an outermost surface of the roll and at least one pocket that defines an innermost surface of the roll. The apparatus also includes a first and second vacuum conveyor assembly, each comprising two vacuum conveyors. The roll and the vacuum conveyor assemblies are cooperatively configured to fold an article.

Abstract: A web has a series of cut outs that define bridging portions therebetween. A method for folding the web includes providing the web to a first conveyor, folding the web about a folding wheel to define a folded edge that extends through the series of cut outs, transferring the web to a second conveyor having an included angle of 15 to 40 degrees in relation to the first conveyor, folding the web about a folding bar to maintain the folded edge, and spanning at least one cut out with the folding bar and contemporaneously contacting at least two bridge portions with the folding bar to maintain the folded edge of the web about the folding bar as the web passes the folding wheel edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding and engaging side panels of a training pant are provided. The training pant comprises a leading portion, a trailing portion, a central portion, and a first pair of side panels and a second pair of side panels attached to the central portion. The central portion of the training pant is folded about a transverse axis to form a folded training pant. Portions of the first pair of side panels and second pair of side panels are engaged while the central portion of the folded training pant is received by at least one recessed seat. The at least one recessed seat is located on at least one of a first belt and a second belt of a conveyance system.

Abstract: A system is provided for bifolding disposable absorbent articles on a high speed production line on which the disposable absorbent articles are moved along a predetermined path. The system includes the use of one or more vacuum conveyor assemblies to engage and transfer the leading end portion of the article from the surface of a peel-roll to a folding drum. Thereby potentially reducing the occurrence of undesirable misalignment between opposing edges of an article during a bifolding process.

Abstract: A folder gluer for conveying a cardboard sheet and folding up the cardboard sheet from a deployed state thereof is disclosed. The folder gluer comprises two flat belts including a first belt and a second belt arranged in parallel for conveying a cardboard sheet, two pulleys provided at a starting part or a terminal part in a conveying direction of the folder gluer for respectively driving the first and second flat belts by friction forces, two motors for respectively driving the pulley for the first belt and the pulley for the second belt, a sensor device for respectively detecting the speeds of the first belt and the second belt, and a control device for controlling at least one of the two motors such that a difference in the speeds of the first belt and the second belt detected by the sensor device becomes zero.

Abstract: A paper folding device is configured so that a folding line is always formed at a predetermined position of paper sheets. A paper supply section is provided with a conveyor belt for conveying paper sheets (P) sequentially supplied from a paper sheet stack. A guide plate (4) for aligning the positions of the conveyed paper sheets is provided on a conveying surface of the conveyor belt. A paper folding section has a buckle (10) comprising an outer frame (11) and bars (12) which extend between opposite sides (11a, 11b) of the outer frame and are arranged at intervals from each other. Paper sheet introducing gaps extended in the direction of the length of the bars are provided in the buckle.

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: A folding device including a folding member, and at least one first belt adapted to act in a forwarding plane on a product to be folded in order to position it opposite the folding member, the device including a movement device for moving the or each first belt relative to the forwarding plane between a first position, in which the first belt exerts a first pressure on the product to be folded, and a second position, in which the first belt exerts a second pressure on the product to be folded that is lower than the first pressure. The movement device is adapted to make the belt alternate between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A folder includes a cylinder having a first gripping device receiving a folded edge of a signature and rotating the signature at a first surface speed. A conveyor presses the signature against the outer surface and the conveyor contacts the signatures at a second surface speed slower than the first surface speed. The present invention also provides a method for removing signatures from a cylinder.

Abstract: A system is provided for bifolding disposable absorbent articles on a high speed production line on which the disposable absorbent articles are moved along a predetermined path. The system includes the use of one or more vacuum conveyor assemblies to engage and transfer the leading end portion of the article from the surface of a peel-roll to a folding drum, thereby potentially reducing the occurrence of undesirable misalignment between opposing edges of an article during a bifolding process.

Abstract: A folding station of a folding box gluing machine for processing a blank having a middle piece and side pieces which are attached to sides of the middle piece and which are deflected upward and inward along folding grooves between the middle piece and the side piece across a folding line toward the lengthwise middle of the blank and then folded up in order to produce a folding boxes, includes a folding strap that deflects the side pieces and folds them upward. The folding strap is guided by a folding shunt, a positioning roller, and one or more deflection and pressure rollers. A distance between the folding strap from the folding line of the blank is adjustable, such that the folding strap acts on an outer region of the side piece.

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: The invention relates to a folding device for printing presses or folders which does not require pressure brushes for fixing the printed product on surface inlet and outlet sections folding table. The folding device (11) which includes a folding table (4), at least one stop (8) associate with the folding table (4), a plurality of transfer belts (5) for engaging and transferring printed products (3) onto said folding table to said at least one stop, a pair of rotatably driven folding rolls (7), a folding blade (2) moveable relative to the folding table (4). The transport belts (5) can be set against inlet and/or outlet sections (9, 10) of the folding table (4) forming full-area contact in order to fix the printed product (3) in position for folding, and the inlet and/or outlet sections (9, 10) are situated just in front of and just behind the printed product (3).

Abstract: A quarter folder comprising an input conveyer for receiving a shingled stream of half folded signatures, an aligning section for aligning the signatures, a folding section for folding the shingled stream to thereby form a quarter folded shingled stream, a singulating section to separate the shingled signatures into individual folded signatures and a re-shingling section. The quarter folder of the present invention can operate at a high speed and receive copies directly from a press.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding an article includes supplying an article to a folder; engaging a first surface of a leading portion of the article with a first conveyor; moving the first conveyor at a first conveyor velocity; engaging a second surface of a trailing portion of the article with a second conveyor; moving the second conveyor at a second conveyor velocity greater than the first conveyor velocity; contacting the first surface of the article with at least one folding guide; moving the folding guide in the machine direction at the second conveyor velocity; and folding the article about the folding guide such that the first surface of the leading portion is in facing relation with the first surface of the trailing portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for folding a nonwoven web without mechanical contact against a folding surface. A first portion of the nonwoven web is secured to a collector by vacuum and a positive pressure differential is applied to a second portion of the moving nonwoven web. An unbalanced lifting force applied by the positive pressure differential causes the first portion to fold along a longitudinal fold line extending in a machine direction and to assume an overlapping relationship with the second portion. The vacuum assists in the folding process and maintains the overlapping relationship until the nonbonded nonwoven web is consolidated. One or more elastic strands or bands may be captured in the space defined between the overlapped first and second portions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for folding a nonwoven web without mechanical contact against a folding surface. A first portion of the nonwoven web is secured to a collector by vacuum and a positive pressure differential is applied to a second portion of the moving nonwoven web. An unbalanced lifting force applied by the positive pressure differential causes the first portion to fold along a longitudinal fold line extending in a machine direction and to assume an overlapping relationship with the second portion. The vacuum assists in the folding process and maintains the overlapping relationship until the nonbonded nonwoven web is consolidated. One or more elastic strands or bands may be captured in the space defined between the overlapped first and second portions.

Abstract: The belt tension/drive for a pinch roller system of the present invention combines means for urging a plurality of pinch rollers toward a capstan roller with means for driving pinch rollers when a pinch roller is not in contact with the capstan roller. The capstan roller is surrounded by and aligned with a plurality of pinch rollers. A resilient belt disposed about the plurality of pinch rollers urges the pinch rollers toward the capstan roller and drives any pinch roller not in contact with the capstan roller, assuring that all pinch rollers maintain the same surface speed as the capstan roller.

Abstract: A device for guiding signatures in a folder of a rotary printing machine includes at least one guide belt disposed near a transporting path of the signatures, and extending transversely to a transporting direction of the signatures, the at least one guide belt being formed with guide surfaces defining the transporting path.

Abstract: A packaging container production method includes the steps of: folding a folding allowance formed along one edge of a blank, which is formed from a paper substrate and having a predetermined shape, to thereby form a seal allowance; and superposing the seal allowance and another edge of the blank on each other and longitudinally sealing the resultant overlap portion to thereby form a tubular body. In the folding step, the folding allowance is pressed against a running folding belt to thereby fold the folding allowance. Since the folding belt is used instead of a die in order to fold the folding allowance, even when the thickness, water content, hardness, and other properties of a paper substrate vary among the blanks, the folded state of the folding allowance can be stabilized through adjustment of the position of a pulley. Thus, the quality of packaging containers can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sanitary napkin having flaps folded onto the main body of the napkin and temporarily held in this position by a finger means. At least one end of the napkin is then folded onto the flaps thereby retaining the flaps in their folded position. The finger means is then disengaged from contact with the napkin.

Abstract: A method for making a longitudinal fold in a web, including the steps of: (1) providing a web-supporting device; (2) providing a folding belt disposed adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device; (3) providing the web which is superimposed onto a web-contacting surface of the web-supporting device such that a first longitudinal edge of the web extends laterally beyond the first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device and at least partially onto the folding belt; and (4) folding the first longitudinal fold of the web by twisting the folding belt around its longitudinal axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of rotation of the folding belt extends parallel to the longitudinal fold line of the web.

Abstract: A method for making a longitudinal fold in a web, including the steps of: (1) providing a web-supporting device; (2) providing a folding belt disposed adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device; (3) providing the web which is superimposed onto a web-contacting surface of the web-supporting device such that a first longitudinal edge of the web extends laterally beyond the first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device and at least partially onto the folding belt; and (4) folding the first longitudinal fold of the web by twisting the folding belt around its longitudinal axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of rotation of the folding belt extends parallel to the longitudinal fold line of the web.

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: A method of folding pants is suitable for use with discrete articles including mechanical fastening components and suitable for the manufacture of prefastened and refastenable pants. The discrete articles define leading and trailing halves with opposed side panels. The leading side panels can be maintained separate from the trailing side panels during folding and until the discrete articles are downstream of a folding nip.

Abstract: A signature folding device including a first transport device for transporting a first part of a signature, and a second transport device next to the first transport device for transporting a second part of the signature. The second transport device is skewed with respect to the first transport device so as to move the second part of the signature toward the first part of the signature. Also provided is a method for folding a signature including the steps of transporting a first part of the signature in a first direction, and transporting a second part of the signature in a second direction, the second direction being skewed toward the first direction so that a fold begins to form in the signature.

Abstract: A process for making packs of interleaved laminar articles, comprising the operations of: providing a first plurality of strips of laminar material, subjecting these strips to a first interleaving operation so as to create a composite strip having an interleaved structure in which the strips located at terminal positions have corresponding outer limbs which project with respect to the said composite strip, cutting the composite strip into lengths through a transverse cutting operation so as to give rise to successive separate lengths of the said composite strip, and subjecting a second plurality of the said pieces to a second interleaving operation performed by making use of the said projecting limbs so as to give rise to a further composite strip comprising interleaved strips in a number identified by the product of the said first and the said second pluralities.

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: The folding, and accumulation in configurations simulating a booklet, of flexible sheets (such as paper sheets) is accomplished in a simple, straight-forward, yet effective manner. A movable bar is pivotally mounted at a first end adjacent a cutter from which it receives paper sheets. A plurality of first pulleys having a circumferential periphery with a concave substantially V-shape are mounted by the movable bar and cooperate with a second plurality of pulleys on a stationary V-shaped bar. The second pulleys have convex substantially V-shaped circumferential peripheries with a groove for receipt of a circular cross-section conveyor belt which extends between the sets of pulleys and drives sheets for folding between them. At the discharge end of the folder is a downwardly sloping convex substantially V-shaped accumulator bar which cooperates with a guide (having a concave V-shape) and an automatically movable stop.

Abstract: A folding apparatus of a bag-making machine includes a plurality of folding mechanisms each having a pair of nip rollers which receive a sheet or bag from an associated carrier structure, to thereby sequentially form transverse folds in each sheet or bag. In order to abate lamination-like adhesion of relatively thin, light gauge film materials to the belts and other surfaces of the folding apparatus, the belts and/or guide rollers of the apparatus are preferably provided with grooved sheet-contacting surfaces. The apparatus is additionally configured to abate wrinkling or buckling of a leading edge portion of each sheet or bag which can occur attendant to its reversal in direction of movement as it is directed between the nip rollers of each folding mechanism. High-speed operation is facilitated while avoiding improperly folded bags, or equipment jamming.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially forming folds in a sheet of paper which is continuously moving substantially in a single plane. A first fold is formed in the center of the continuously-moving sheet of paper and subsequent pairs of folds are sequentially formed, one on each side of the previously-formed folds, until the entire continuously-moving sheet is folded. Guide wires retain each folded section until the entire sheet is folded by the cyclic upward movement of a continuous flexible wire loop held for free movement on a pair of spaced apart pulley assemblies. Each pulley assembly includes a plurality of evenly spaced pulleys each of which are held for free rotation on a support frame. Each support frame is driven in rotation about a central axis of rotation. Each individual pulley includes a freely rotatable ring surrounding the periphery of the pulley around which the flexible wire loop is held.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a folding machine for folding the side flaps flanking the middle section of a foldable cardboard blank. For this purpose in the frontal area of the folding machine auxiliary folding devices are arranged. In addition turning belts for the inward tilting of the side flaps can be arranged, which are provided with projections insuring that the side flaps are swung parallelly to their folding grooves.

Abstract: The folding, and accumulation in configurations simulating a booklet, of flexible sheets (such as paper sheets) is accomplished in a simple, straight-forward, yet effective manner. A movable bar is pivotally mounted at a first end adjacent a cutter from which it receives paper sheets. A plurality of first pulleys having a circumferential periphery with a concave substantially V-shape are mounted by the movable bar and cooperate with a second plurality of pulleys on a stationary V-shaped bar. The second pulleys have convex substantially V-shaped circumferential peripheries with a groove for receipt of a circular cross-section conveyor belt which extends between the sets of pulleys and drives sheets for folding between them. At the discharge end of the folder is a downwardly sloping convex substantially V-shaped accumulator bar which cooperates with a guide (having a concave V-shape) and an automatically movable stop.

Abstract: A folding device for blanks has the shape of a removable module with an integrated securing device for securing the module in the frame of a machine. The module has two series of pulleys, which have a common drive drum and provide a path for a first belt having an upper twisted folding path and a second belt having a lower planar part. The drum is provided with a connecting element to connect the drum directly to a shaft normally provided to drive a gluing wheel which the module replaces.

Abstract: A corrugated board folder is disclosed for folding the flap of a corrugated board onto the base of the corrugated board along a fold line having an inside fold line and an outside fold line. The corrugated board folder includes a conveyor mounted on a frame for supporting the corrugated board during folding and a series of rollers that engage the flap of the corrugated board. Each roller in the series of rollers is supported adjacent the conveyer by a roller bracket. The roller has an axis which pivots about a bracket pivot point of the roller bracket. The bracket pivot point for each bracket is aligned with the inside fold line of the corrugated board and each roller is angularly positioned to squarely engage the flap of the corrugated board.

Abstract: The folding apparatus for automatic folding of flatwork includes a longitudinal folder and a transverse folder following thereafter. In the transverse folder there are two laundry conveyors disposed one behind the other in the conveying direction of a flatwork article arriving from the longitudinal folder. They are spaced apart by a gap stretching essentially across the entire width of the transverse folder. To make a first transverse fold using a folding blade or air blast, a flatwork article to be transversely folded is led into the gap. Prior to this step, the thickness of the flatwork article to be folded is entered into a data entry device or is determined using a measuring device. The width of the gap is adjustable, depending upon the particular thickness of the flatwork article. In this manner optimal conveying along the gap is achieved of a flatwork article having a first transverse fold, independent of thickness.

Abstract: A machine for folding sheets of paper, particularly for folding large sheets leaving a printer or copier, including first, second and third flexible entrainment means for entraining a sheet to be folded and defining first and second fold channels and actuable alternately in opposite senses to supply a sheet to be folded to the first and to the second folding channel alternately so as to achieve a fold each time the sheet passes from one to the other of the folding channels.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for folding of sheet material into symmetrical and nonsymmetrical shapes. The method and apparatus is shown as applied to making a pallet construction wherein a series of symmetrical stringer members made on the apparatus of the present invention are inserted into an equal plurality of nonsymmetrically shaped cross-stringers, also made by the apparatus of the present invention, both of which have had adhesive applied while being folded to retain the shape into which they are made, a top sheet is applied and also glued in place to make a pallet. The method involves essentially supplying a sheet of material such as a fiberboard blank of appropriate composition and size, running the blank through crushing and scoring rollers to produce fold lines in the blank, and asymmetrically (making more folds from one side of the blank than from the other side) or symmetrically folding the blank into a predetermined shape while applying adhesive at predetermined points.

Abstract: An ironer folder is provided in which an ironed flatwork item such as a sheet is folded into quarter panels along its length by a pivoting arm. The folded sheet is placed on a sequence of conveyors which carry the folded flatwork into engagement with a series of three cross-folding stations whereby the flatwork may be cross-folded three times and discharged from the apparatus. The longitudinal and lateral free edges of the folded flatwork are interiorly disposed in the discharged folded item so as to present an attractive folded appearance having a periphery defined by continuous bight portions.

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: 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.