Folding By Roller Patents (Class 493/442)
  • Patent number: 12098052
    Abstract: A postprocessing device performs postprocessing on sheets received from an image forming apparatus. The postprocessing device includes a pair of folding rollers, a folding blade, a transport device, a drive portion, and a drive controller. The drive controller controls the drive portion to match moving speed of a tip portion of the folding blade with moving speed of a circumferential surface of the folding rollers, at a time point that the sheaf of the sheets makes contact with the circumferential surface of the folding rollers, when the image forming apparatus forms the image by ink jet printing, and to match the moving speed of the tip portion of the folding blade with the moving speed of the circumferential surface of the folding rollers, at a time point that the sheaf of the sheets reaches the nip region between the folding rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Keisuke Egawa, Terumitsu Noso, Yasunori Ueno
  • Patent number: 11602915
    Abstract: A sheet folding device includes forming belts which are disposed on both sides in a transfer direction of a corrugated board and move to a center side in a width direction of the corrugated board toward a downstream side in the transfer direction to press both end portions in the width direction from an outside so as to bend both the end portions; and a gauge roller group including several gauge rollers which are disposed along the transfer direction and come into contact with outer sides of both bent portions in the width direction of the corrugated board bent by the forming belts. In the several gauge rollers, recessed portions are provided on outer peripheral surfaces of the gauge rollers in a circumferential direction. Positions of the recessed portions are disposed to be offset downward in a vertical direction toward a downstream side in the transfer direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MACHINERY SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuya Akita, Shinya Iori, Makoto Shimohatsubo
  • Patent number: 11511961
    Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a first conveyance passage, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a folder, a second conveyance passage, and circuitry. The circuitry is configured to (1) cause the first conveyor and the second conveyor to convey the sheet nipping the sheet to warp the sheet between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, (2) guide the warped sheet to form a first fold on the sheet by the folder and circulate the sheet to the first conveyance passage, (3) cause the first conveyor and the second conveyor to convey the sheet while nipping the sheet again to warp the sheet between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, (4) guide the warped sheet to form a second fold on the sheet by the folder, and (5) cause the second conveyor to convey the sheet with the first fold and the second fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Tanaka, Kentaroh Fukami, Atsushi Kuriyama, Yuuki Nakagawa, Takato Mochizuki, Toshihisa Hioki, Takuya Fukuhara, Ryoh Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11345563
    Abstract: A folding machine for folding fiber products and fiber products formed and stacked thereby are disclosed. The folding machine includes two folding devices, each of which includes a cutting device, a delivery wheel, a folding-line wheel, a platen wheel, and a folding wheel. The cutting device cuts the fiber product and transports the cut fiber product to the delivery wheel. The folding-line wheel is adjacent to the delivery wheel for making a first folding line on the fiber product carried by the delivery wheel, and then the platen wheel folds the fiber product along the first folding line. Subsequently, the once-folded fiber product is transported to the folding wheel. The folding wheels of the two folding devices are adjacent to each other and are used to fold the fiber product passing therethrough for a second time, and thus fiber products with three folds are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CHAN LI MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 10894690
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus is configured to press a fold line that is formed on a sheet. The sheet processing apparatus includes: a sheet supporting unit configured to support the sheet in a pressing direction for pressing the fold line; a pressing unit configured to press the fold line that is formed on the sheet that is supported by the sheet supporting unit; and a pressing-force generating unit configured to generate a pressing force for pressing the sheet supporting unit against the pressing unit at a central part in a direction along which the fold line is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Kenji Hari, Manabu Yamanaka, Nagayasu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10850939
    Abstract: Systems and methods for folding a stack of substrate sheets are provided. The system may include a roller assembly and a positioning mechanism. The roller assembly is configured for folding the stack of substrate sheets and the positioning mechanism is configured to position the substrate or stack for entry into the roller assembly. The positioning mechanism includes an upper curved for and a lower curved form to guide the stack of substrate sheets into a curved position for folding. The positioning mechanism further includes a folding blade positioned to extend through the gap between the upper and lower curved forms. The roller assembly can move the folded stack of substrate sheets in at least two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Pegg
  • Patent number: 9914614
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a sheet, wherein a conveying direction of the sheet relative to a sheet conveying apparatus is determined; the sheet is formed with a crease along which to fold the sheet and that is smaller than or equal to 90 ?M in depth and extends in a direction that crosses the conveying direction; and a grammage of the sheet is in a range of 200 to 370 g/m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kojiro Tsutsumi, Toshiyasu Yukawa, Katsumi Harada, Kunishirou Takeda
  • Patent number: 9469496
    Abstract: A tractor unit has first and second tractors with tractor pins that engage sprocket holes on opposites sides of continuous paper. A tractor support shaft supports the tractors movably in the device width direction. A frame supports the tractor support shaft movably in the device width direction. A clamping mechanism is provided for fixing the second tractor on the tractor support shaft. The first tractor 31 is disposed at a reference position in the device width direction. A biasing member biases the tractor support shaft in a second direction when the tractor support shaft moves in a first direction opposite to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeshi Tokuda
  • Patent number: 9260268
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a pressing unit including a first pressing member and a second pressing member. The pressing unit is configured to sandwich and press a fold part of a folded sheet bundle between the first pressing member and the second pressing member. The sheet processing apparatus also includes a moving unit configured to move a position pressed by the pressing unit in a direction of a fold of the sheet bundle. A position pressed by the first pressing member on the sheet bundle and another position pressed by the second pressing member on the sheet bundle are shifted with respect to each other in the direction of the fold of the sheet bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Keisuke Sugiyama, Kiyoshi Hata, Atsushi Kikuchi, Tomomichi Hoshino, Makoto Hidaka, Shohichi Satoh, Satoshi Saito, Mamoru Kambayashi
  • Patent number: 9193556
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus including a conveying roller pair, first and second folding roller pairs, and a control unit. The control unit controls the apparatus such that a sheet conveying speed or a sheet conveying amount of the conveying roller pair is different from a sheet conveying speed or a sheet conveying amount of the first folding roller pair or the second folding roller pair when the folded part of the folded sheet is guided between the first folding roller pair and the second folding roller pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Tobishima
  • Patent number: 9056494
    Abstract: A tractor unit has first and second tractors with tractor pins that engage sprocket holes on opposites sides of continuous paper. A tractor support shaft supports the tractors movably in the device width direction. A frame supports the tractor support shaft movably in the device width direction. A clamping mechanism is provided for fixing the second tractor on the tractor support shaft. The first tractor 31 is disposed at a reference position in the device width direction. A biasing member biases the tractor support shaft in a second direction when the tractor support shaft moves in a first direction opposite to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeshi Tokuda
  • Publication number: 20150119223
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus having two-folding rollers each of whose outer diameter gradually decreases from the central part to each end part, a folding plate which can move forward to or backward from a nip between the two-folding rollers, and has a cutout part located at an edge part of the folding plate facing the nip between central parts of the two-folding rollers, wherein the cutout part does not reach the nip between the central parts of the two-folding rollers when the sheets are folded, and a folding plate support member which is placed at a position facing the nip between the central parts of the two-folding rollers, and can slide in a direction of moving closer to or away from the nip, wherein the folding plate support member projects from the cutout part when the sheets are set, and does not reach the nip when the sheets are folded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Seiichi SHIRASAKI
  • Patent number: 8998788
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yoichiro Yamamoto, Thomas Ludwig Woschnik
  • Publication number: 20150080201
    Abstract: A folding device includes a conveying path, a placement portion, a through portion, a first folding member, a second folding member, a rotational driving unit, a rotational position detecting mechanism, a signal receiving unit, and a rotational drive control unit. The rotational drive control unit, when the signal receiving unit receives a signal, determines whether the first folding member is in a state of moving from an initial position to a protruded position or in a state of moving to the opposite direction, and, in a case of being determined to be in the state of moving from the initial position to the protruded position, controls the rotational driving unit to reverse the direction of rotational drive, and in a case of being determined to be in the state of moving to the opposite direction, controls the rotational driving unit to maintain the direction of rotational drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Sachio Izumichi, Seiichi Shirasaki
  • Publication number: 20150031520
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus including a first conveying member that conveys a sheet, a second conveying member that receives the sheet conveyed by the first conveying member and further conveys the sheet to a subsequent stage, a third conveying member that receives the sheet conveyed by the first conveying member and further folds the sheet, a guiding member that guides the sheet when the sheet is folded by the third conveying member, and is arranged between the second conveying member and the third conveying member. The sheet is guided along the guiding member when a bending part of the sheet is conveyed to the third conveying member by rotating the second conveying member in a reverse direction while the sheet is held by the first conveying member and the second conveying member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Kyosuke NAKADA, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Shuuya Nagasako, Michitaka Suzuki, Akira Kunieda, Takahiro Watanabe, Yuji Suzuki, Tomomichi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8939879
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Yoichiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8939878
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kenichi Takekawa, Yasuki Matsuura, Masanobu Kimata, Isao Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20140357463
    Abstract: A creasing and folding machine includes a creasing mechanism (1) for forming creases on a sheet (S); a folding mechanism (2) for folding the sheet (S) along the creases; and a controller (3). A creasing section (45) comprises first and second creasing units (4,5). The first creasing unit (4) comprises a first convex block (40); and a first concave block (41) opposite to a second surface (S2) of the sheet. The first convex and concave blocks (40, 41) are moved toward each other to form a first crease (400). The second creasing unit (5) comprises a second concave block (51); and a second convex block (50) opposite to the second surface (S2) of the sheet. The second recess and convex blocks (51, 50) are moved toward each other to form a second crease (500).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: HORIZON INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Kojima
  • Publication number: 20140336030
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus including a conveying roller pair, first and second folding roller pairs, and a control unit. The control unit controls the apparatus such that a sheet conveying speed or a sheet conveying amount of the conveying roller pair is different from a sheet conveying speed or a sheet conveying amount of the first folding roller pair or the second folding roller pair when the folded part of the folded sheet is guided between the first folding roller pair and the second folding roller pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Toshiaki TOBISHIMA
  • Publication number: 20140336031
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes: a first conveying member pair that folds a sheet; a second conveying member pair that conveys downstream the sheet folded by the first conveying member pair; and a third conveying member pair that further folds the sheet folded by the first conveying member pair. The second conveying member pair is rotatable forward and reversely when driven to convey, and is locked in one rotational direction but is rotatable in the other rotational direction when not driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michitaka Suzuki, Shuuya Nagasako, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Kyosuke Nakada, Akira Kunieda, Takahiro Watanabe, Yuji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8876682
    Abstract: A folding device (100) for folding a paper web (102) in the longitudinal direction includes a first rolling device (104) adapted to receiving the paper web from a supplying device (110). A fold-creating means (106) is adapted to create at least one fold along the paper web. A fold-pressing means (108) is adapted to press together portions of the paper web which are separated by the fold. A second rolling device (109) is adapted to receive and guide the folded paper web out from the folding device to a receiving device (112). At least a first and a second motor (114, 116) are connected to a control unit and are adapted to drive the paper web through the folding device and to maintain a predetermined tension in the paper web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lasermax Roll Systems AB
    Inventors: Peter Benjaminsson, Hans Eliasson, Anders Persson
  • Patent number: 8852068
    Abstract: A processing roll having rotatable outer tube mounted on a non-rotatable inner tube by a fluid valving arrangement, is provided. The fluid valving arrangement provides angularly controlled transfer of fluid between a cavity on the inside of the inner tube and ports distributed longitudinally along an outer surface of the outer tube, while also providing distributed bearing support of either the outer tube on the inner tube, or the inner tube on the outer tube, at a plurality of locations along a longitudinal axis of the processing roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Greg M. Kauppila
  • Publication number: 20140243179
    Abstract: A second fold roller assembly is provided. The assembly includes a pair of second fold rollers, each supported on a support element, the pair of second fold rollers forming a nip therebetween for transporting a book, the pair of second fold rollers being separated by a gap at the nip. The assembly also includes one or more actuators coupled to the support elements and a controller coupled to the one or more actuators. The controller controls the one or more actuators to vary a size of the gap, wherein the size of the gap is controlled to be a first size when a leading edge of the book enters the nip and the size of the gap is controlled to be a second size after the leading edge of the book has exited the nip and while a portion of the book is in the nip, the second size being greater than the first size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GOSS INTERNATIONAL AMERICAS, INC.
    Inventor: Charles A. Tomczak
  • Patent number: 8814773
    Abstract: A booklet maker having a first crease device forming a folded edge on a set of sheets. A second crease device is disposed downstream along a booklet processing path from the first crease device. The second crease device includes an edge engaging mechanism translatable in a direction transverse to the path of booklet travel. The edge engaging mechanism is compressively engagable with the folded edge of a booklet for forming a crease in the booklet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Chase, Stephen May, Jeffrey W. Ryan, Ian A. Parks, Justin Chase
  • Patent number: 8777830
    Abstract: In a paper folding device, a first driving unit for forming a first folding line on the paper moves a first folding plate member to the paper fed to a first feeding position until load on the first folding plate member reaches a prescribed value or higher. A time period from the start of driving of the first folding unit by the first driving unit to the start of driving of a second folding unit by a second driving unit is determined based on characteristic of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Teruhiko Toyoizumi, Takashi Watanabe, Hiroaki Takatsu, Hitoshi Asano, Takafumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8771159
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Imazu, Shinichi Ito, Mizuho Shirakura
  • Publication number: 20140187404
    Abstract: A folding device is provided for folding n sheet comprises a jaw cylinder, a folding cylinder, a paper guide, and an actuator. The jaw cylinder has a jaw, and the folding cylinder has a hold down element and a folding blade. The folding blade is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The folding blade is in the extended positron to transfer one or more sheets to the jaw cylinder during a fold off operation, and the folding blade is in the retracted position during a collect operation. The paper guide is positioned between the folding cylinder and the jaw cylinder. The paper guide includes a static guide element and a reciprocating guide element connected to the static guide element, the reciprocating guide element movable between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: David Clark Pollock, John James Sposato, JR., Gerald Roger Douillard
  • Patent number: 8715149
    Abstract: A first folding portion includes: a first folding roller pair consisting of a common roller and a first roller; and a blade member that feeds a sheet to a first nip, thereby forming a first fold on the sheet in the first nip. A second folding portion includes a second folding roller pair consisting of the common roller and a second roller, thereby forming a second fold on the sheet in a second nip. The common roller and the first roller are parallel in a conveying direction in a case where the sheet is guided toward the first folding portion. The blade member moves in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to a conveyance surface. The common roller is disposed on an upstream side of the first roller in the sheet conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Sachio Izumichi, Masahiko Miyazaki, Yasunori Ueno
  • Patent number: 8641590
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventors: Damon Peter Smith, Paul Francis Hitchings, David John Barrett
  • Patent number: 8627868
    Abstract: Apparatus (30) for making pre-shaped insulating sheets (10) for use in a stator or in a rotor comprising shaping elements (40-44) such to produce, starting from a continuous strip (15) made of electrically insulating material having a flat or substantially flat cross section, a strip portion having a cross section comprising a central septum (20) and two lateral portions (21-23, 21?-23?) joined to a respective end portion of the central septum (20), each of the lateral portions comprising a first section (21,21?) joined to the central septum (20), a second section (22,22?) joined and perpendicular, or essentially perpendicular, to the first section (21,21?), a third section (23, 23?) joined to the second section (22,22?) and inclined with respect to the latter towards the central septum (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tecnomatic S.p.A.
    Inventor: Sante Guercioni
  • Patent number: 8617040
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding products has a conveying member configured to hold a first portion and a second portion of the product and to release the first portion while continuing to hold the second portion. The conveying member is configured to convey the product at a conveying speed. A folding assembly is disposed adjacent the conveying member. The folding assembly is configured to receive the first portion of the product from the conveying member while moving generally at the conveying speed, to decelerate relative to the conveying member while holding the first portion thereto thereby causing the product to fold about the fold axis, and to place the first portion of the product into contact with the second portion such that the first portion overlies the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Daniel Coenen, Gerald Sosalla, Gregory J. Rajala, John Soosai Alphonse, Mohammed Shafi Khurieshi, Mahendra Mittapalli
  • Patent number: 8590880
    Abstract: To provide a folding mechanism for folding a sheet with a simplified structure having no fear of causing a deviation from the fold position, wrinkle and the like, provided are a transport path 33 for transporting a sheet, and folding processing means 48 disposed in the transport path to fold the sheet. Then, the folding processing means is comprised of folding roll pairs (41b, 49, 50) coming into press-contact with one another to rotate in the opposite directions, and folding deflecting members (53, 54) for guiding the fold of the sheet to the nip portions (Np1, Np2) of the folding roll pairs. Then, the folding deflecting members are provided with driven rollers (53a, 54a) in contact press-contact with the roll periphery of one of the folding roll pair, and curved guides (53a, 54a) along the roll periphery of the other one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Imazu, Shinichi Ito, Mizuho Shirakura
  • Patent number: 8585032
    Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus for performing folding processing, has a first transport path for guiding a sheet from a carry-in entrance to a carrying-out exit without performing the folding processing; a second transport path for performing the folding processing on the sheet from the carry-in entrance; and a folding processing device disposed in a folding position in the second transport path to fold the sheet from the carry-in entrance. The second transport path is disposed to cross the first transport path, and includes a path end portion for guiding the sheet to the folding position, and another path end portion for guiding the folded sheet from the folding position to a downstream side. The path end portion and the another path end portion are disposed opposite to each other relative to the first transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Sano, Hiroki Imazu, Shinichi Ito, Mizuho Shirakura, Toshiaki Kagami
  • Publication number: 20130296153
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide new and improved folding apparatuses and methods for interfolding a continuous stream of sheets into a single-fold interfolded pattern of sheets while passing all of the sheets substantially along a single sheet path. More particularly, all sheets in the continuous stream of sheets pass through the nips between adjacent components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James Andrew Walsh, Tad T. Butterworth
  • Patent number: 8529423
    Abstract: In a sheet folding apparatus, to enable a jammed sheet to be removed with ease when a jam occurs, a casing having a carry-in entrance and a carrying-out exit is divided into an upper unit and a lower unit via a first transport path for carrying a sheet from the carry-in entrance to the carrying-out exit, a second transport path for performing folding processing on a sheet is disposed in the direction for crossing the first transport path, and in the upper unit are disposed a sheet front end switchback path for reversing and carrying the sheet toward a folding roller pair and sheet deflecting means for guiding the sheet to the folding roller pair. Then, the upper unit is coupled to the lower unit to be openable and closable by a hinge shaft rotating around one side end portion orthogonal to the sheet transport direction of the first transport path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Imazu, Shinichi Ito, Toshiaki Kagami, Koji Kanda, Mizuho Shirakura
  • Publication number: 20130203580
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to folding methods and apparatuses that operate to fold an advancing substrate in the cross direction along a central region to bring a second end region into a facing relationship with a first end region. In some embodiments, the second end region of the advancing substrate is folded around a folding axis 180° to bring the second end region into a facing relationship with the first end region. The folding axis may also be defined by an arc extending in the machine direction MD, wherein the second end region of the advancing substrate is helically folded toward the inside of the arc. A folding apparatus including a curved or arc-shaped folding axis may also be configured such the first and second web paths have substantially equal lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Todd Douglas LENSER, Mark David WHALEY
  • Publication number: 20130190158
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8469869
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Yoichiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8444540
    Abstract: A device for folding sheets of a medium into a booklet is provided. The device includes a frame; a cam mechanism attached to the frame; a lever attached to the frame, the lever being actuated by the cam mechanism; a first scissor arm attached to the frame, the first scissor arm being actuated by the lever; a pair of first rolls, one of the first rolls being movable by the first scissor arm; a second scissor arm attached to the frame, the second scissor arm being actuated by the lever; a pair of second rolls, one of the second rolls being movable by the second scissor arm; a crease blade for contacting the sheets to create a crease in the sheets; and a controller that controls a position of the crease blade, a gap between the pair of first rolls, and a gap between the pair of second rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Parks, Richard Hubbard, Jeff Ryan, Stephen May, Martin Lloyd
  • Patent number: 8439814
    Abstract: Blanks used in the manufacture of nappies/diapers are folded on a machine comprising a first aspirating roller (5) by which single blanks (2) are advanced in succession toward a second aspirating roller (6) rotating counter and substantially tangential to the first roller (5) at a folding station (T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: GDM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Diego Sacchi, Marco Rosani, Alberto Perego
  • Publication number: 20130109558
    Abstract: A web product folding and stacking machine includes two folding line making rolls, two folding fingers, a first carrier unit, a stoppage unit and a holder. The folding line making rolls and the folding fingers are operated to fold up web products on the first carrier unit to form a stack of interfolded web products. Further, there is at least one suction device arranged on the top surface of the first carrier unit to suck the web products nearing the top surface of the first carrier unit and facilitate accurate stacking of the interfolded web products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: CHAN LI MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHI PIN HSU
  • Patent number: 8419604
    Abstract: A device for manipulation of flat articles such as sheets of paper, plastic, cardboard and the like has at least one adjustable conveying unit with conveying elements, especially rollers. The at least one conveying unit is adjustable between at least two positions for performing at least two manipulations on the article. At least one switch that is adjustable between at least two positions for performing at least two manipulations on the article is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Jürg Paul Haller
  • Patent number: 8409067
    Abstract: A leaflet is produced from a pre-printed sheet of material by folding the sheet with at least one crease-line along the line of advancement of the sheet but preferably with two or more such crease-lines so that the sheet is fan-folded. The crease-lines are squeezed by a roller nip and then the sheet is fed into a diametral slot in a mandrel of elliptical cross-section. The leading edge of the sheet is gripped within the slot and then the mandrel is rotated to wind the sheet around the outer surface thereof. The wound sheet is then removed from the mandrel and is squeezed through a roller nip so as to form a substantially flat folded leaflet. The leaflet may be converted to a booklet by joining together the overlying sheets along one folded edge of the compressed leaflet and slitting open the other folded edge of the compressed leaflet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Digi Leaflet Technologies Limited, Vacuumatic Limited
    Inventors: Michael John Cooper, Geoffrey Alan Giles, Edward William Colvill, Peter William Sevenoaks
  • Patent number: 8366596
    Abstract: A sheet folding device includes a folding unit that applies a fold to a sheet, and a fold-enhancing unit that performs fold enhancement on the sheet applied with the fold by the folding unit. The fold-enhancing unit includes at least two or more rotator pairs each provided with a sheet holding member that holds and pressurizes the sheet applied with the fold so as to enhance the hold. In the at least two or more rotator pairs, the sheet holding member is provided so that an area for holding the sheet shifts from both sides of the sheet toward a central portion of the sheet along a sheet conveying direction from an upstream to a downstream in the fold-enhancing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kakeru Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8357078
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a sheet folding apparatus includes: a conveying roller pair configured to convey a sheet; a conveying path provided on a downstream side of the conveying roller pair, an opening being formed in a part of the conveying path if the sheet is triple-folded and being closed if the sheet is double-folded; a retracting conveying path, an inlet of which is opened to the opening of the conveying path and an outlet of which is closed by a stopper, the retracting conveying path leading the front end of the sheet, which is conveyed through the conveying path, from the inlet to the stopper and temporarily retracting the front of the sheet if the sheet is triple-folded; a first folding roller pair disposed near the inlet of the retracting conveying path, the first folding roller pair nipping, if the sheet is triple-folded, a bend caused by pushing of the sheet led by the conveying rollers into the retracting conveying path to form a first fold and nipping, if the sheet is double-folded, the fron
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20120322643
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Roger Douillard, David Elliot Whitten, David Clarke Pollock
  • Publication number: 20120302418
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: John Glasgow Burns, JR., Yoichiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8273004
    Abstract: A paper folding mechanism includes: first and second folding rollers (51, 52); first and second conveyance rollers (61, 62); a protrusion member (71); and a control part. Both the rollers (51, 52) are provided so that a paper is sandwiched therebetween with its fold line located in front, and is allowed to pass therethrough in a first direction. The first folding roller (51) and the first conveyance roller (61) are provided so that the paper is sandwiched therebetween and conveyed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second folding roller (52) and the second conveyance roller (62) are provided so that the paper is sandwiched therebetween and conveyed in any one of the second direction and the direction opposite thereto. The protrusion member (71) is provided so that the fold line of the paper conveyed by both the rollers (61, 62) is protruded in the first direction and fed between both the rollers (51, 52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Duplo Seiko Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Oota, Hideki Oiwa, Masasuke Funase, Takaaki Maeda
  • Patent number: 8267848
    Abstract: A dunnage device is disclosed and can include a dunnage mechanism comprising first and second dunnage converting portions that have an engaged condition, in which the converting portions are associated and configured for converting stock material into dunnage and a disengaged condition in which the converting portions are disabled from converting the stock into dunnage and a dunnage handler configured for receiving the dunnage from the dunnage mechanism and including a first handler portion that has a handling position in which the dunnage handler is configured for controlling the dunnage and a release position, wherein the first handler portion is associated with the dunnage mechanism such that movement of the first handler portion from the handling position to the release position causes the dunnage mechanism to change from the engaged condition to the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Robert Tegel
  • Patent number: 8257238
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for feeding and folding sheets. Providing a folding blade having a free edge, reciprocably movable between a retracted position and a folding position, provided with blade surfaces adjacent to the free edge converging towards the free edge at a first angle in the folding position, and by further providing a pressing mechanism having pressing surface areas reciprocably movable between a retracted position and a pressing position, and enclosing in the pressing position a second angle larger than the first angle of the folding blade, allows an apparatus, having a pair of folding rollers and a sheet support, selectively to fold only an outer sheet from a set of sheets or to fold a set of sheets simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Marcus Franciscus Eijkelkamp