Abstract: In a booklet maker, as would be found in conjunction with a copier or printer, sheets to be folded and stapled into a booklet are accumulated in a slot. At the bottom of the slot, a selectably extendable contact member presses an accumulating set of sheets against a sidewall of the slot following the entry of each new sheet into the slot. The contact member decreases curling and fluffing of sheets within the slot, which can cause imprecisions in registering, stapling, or creasing of the sheets as they are formed into a booklet.

Abstract: A folding/stitching apparatus (1) includes a sheet setting tray (3) having a slit (7), on which a plurality of superimposed sheets (P1) are set, a folding/stitching plate (16) provided to be freely moved between a standby position for not entering the slit (7) of the sheet setting tray (3) and a folding/stitching position for entering the slit (7) and having a staple bending portion (19) provided in an insertion tip into the slit (7), and a stapler (20) pressed into contact through the sheets (P1) with the folding/stitching plate 16 set in a folding/stitching position to stick staples into the sheets (P1). The folding/stitching plate (16) is moved between the standby position and the folding/stitching position in conjunction with an operation of a handle (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus comprising, sheet stacking means for stacking sheet, sheet binding means for binding a sheets and conveying means for conveying the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking means so as to change sheet binding positions. According to the present invention, the sheet binding means, the conveying means can be used commonly, so that the costs for parts can be reduced, and so that a compact sheet processing apparatus can he provided in terms of apparatus capacity.

Abstract: A sheet finishing method in which a sheet delivered from an image forming apparatus main body is conveyed and stacked on a sheet placement table, and the stacked sheets are positioned and aligned, and then folded by a folding means composed of a paired folding rollers and a folding plate. The sheet finishing method is controlled such that a rotation motion of the paired folding rollers is switched between a state to be rotated along with an advancing motion of the folding plate and a state to be stopped in accordance with the number of sheets stacked on the sheet placement table.

Abstract: A sheet wise booklet maker includes adjustable elements to allow adjustment of the parallelism of the booklet maker elements to produce quality booklets. The booklet maker includes a sheet trimmer, a folding apparatus, and a paper drive. Orientations of at least two of the sheet trimmer, folding apparatus, and paper drive are adjustable to achieve parallelism between the sheet trimmer, folding apparatus, and paper drive.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus comprising a center-stapling device, a center-folding device, and a stacking tray for stacking a discharged sheet or sheet bundle, staples at the center of a sheet bundle conveyer from a sheet output apparatus with the center-stapling device, folds the stapled sheet bundle into two with the center-folding device, and discharges the sheet bundle to stack on the stacking tray. Folding rollers discharge the sheet bundle folded into two by the center-folding device from the side folding into two. In this state, an opening/closing end fence orients a discharging direction of the sheet bundle folded into two downward in vertical direction, turns over the sheet bundle, and stacks the sheet bundle on a tilted lower side stacking tray.

Abstract: A device for folding printing copies in a web-fed rotary printing machine includes a folding knife, controls for reciprocatingly moving the folding knife at least approximately in one plane, the controls including a first and a second toggle lever, which, at one of the ends thereof, respectively, are movably attached to frame-fixed parts of the printing machine and at the other ends thereof, respectively, are movably attached to the folding knife, and a rotary element simultaneously actable upon both the first and the second toggle levers for operating the controls; a folder including the folding device; and an assembly including the folder with the folding device.

Abstract: A jaw device for rotary-press folding section provided on a jaw cylinder in which the a continuous paper web guided in between a cutting cylinder and a folding cylinder is guided along the outer periphery of the folding cylinder, with the leading edge thereof held by a holding mechanism provided on the folding cylinder and wound around the outer periphery of the folding cylinder by the rotation of the folding cylinder, cut to a predetermined length with a cutting mechanism; the cut paper sheet being guided to an appropriate position along the outer periphery of the folding cylinder; the leading edge of the cut sheet being released from the held state and caused to protrude into the jaw cylinder with an insertion blade, thereby the cut sheet being folded by gripping the insertion blade and the cut sheet caused to protrude by the insertion blade; the folding section jaw device comprising an opening provided on the outer periphery of the jaw cylinder in parallel with the axial line, and a jaw proper comprising a

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

Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary sheet folding systems and methods, including systems and methods for printing on a continuous sheet, and removing and folding individual sheets from the continuous sheet. In one embodiment, a sheet folding system (100) includes a separator (200) adapted to separate an individual sheet from a continuous form sheet, a receiver (300) adapted for receiving the individual sheet, a first folder (500) adapted to perform a first fold of the individual sheet, and a second folder (800) adapted to perform a second fold of the individual sheet. In some embodiments, the first and second folders include two different types of folders.

Abstract: A quarterfold folding device and method forms groupings of signatures in a signature product stream by delaying selected signatures during transport to a chopper mechanism, the chopper mechanism adapted to fold multiple signatures in a single chop, thereby increasing throughput of the quarterfold folding device and reducing the rate of operation of the chopper mechanism.

Abstract: For folding sheet layers the folding blade (20) forms a comb. The comb gaps (27) are closed during fold pressing and opened during transfer of the fold to a conveyor (21). Thus the conveyor (21) engages the sheet only in the region of the comb gaps and easily withdraws the sheet without pressing it into contact against the folding blade (20). For controlling the gap variations a fully mechanical cam control (30) is provided underneath the working plane (10).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for folding a portion of a textile length, in particular a bed sheet or similar, with a lengthwise folding device (16) in which the textile length is folded to produce a tubular folded product (2) with lengthwise folding edges extending substantially parallel to one another, and a crosswise folding device (1) in which the tubular folded product (2) is folded to produce a folded product in packet form with at least one crosswise folding edge (14) extending substantially perpendicularly to the lengthwise folding edges. The tubular folded product (2) can be brought to lie with one lengthwise edge against a stop strip (23, 24), at least in certain regions, in the crosswise folding device (1) before being folded. A drawing device (12) is disposed in the region between the two ends of the tubular folded product in order to draw in the folded product for crosswise folding.

Abstract: A folding device for double-folding a sheet or a plurality of sheets for folding into a booklet. The folding device comprises a collecting tray provided with adjustable stops between which the sheets to be folded are collected. In a sheet feed path to the collecting tray there is disposed a measuring wheel which is set into rotation by a sheet as they are displaced, said wheel measuring the length of the supplied sheet. On the basis of said measurement, the stops are adjusted so that the center between the stops corresponds to the place where folding rollers fold the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for folding a textile fabric length (11) is provided with at least two transport belts (2, 3) which can be driven in opposite directions, wherein a gap (27) is disposed between the transport belts (2, 3), through which gap the fabric length (11) can be drawn while forming a fold when the transport belts (2, 3) are driven in opposite directions. In order to achieve greater folding accuracy, a gripping member (4) is disposed above the two transport belts (2, 3), which member can move substantially parallel to the upper side of the transport belts (2, 3) and can be brought to lie between the front and the back end (12, 23) of the unfolded fabric length (11) with a fixing action.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus for stapling multiple sheets with a stapling means and delivering the sheets in folio, comprising two rollers for folding the sheets in folio and projecting means for projecting between the two rollers to fold the sheets in sandwiching the sheets between the two rollers. One roller of the two rollers, at least, is made movable, and a cam member is further provided capable of correcting a projecting position by the projecting means according to traveling of the roller.

Abstract: Moving paper webs are treated by having a cross-groove or crease pressed into them prior to being transversely cut and folded. The cross-groove or crease is produced by a radially vibrating, rail-like pressure tool that cooperates with a counter-pressure tool. These tools cooperate to form a sharp, folded crease, even in thick products. The crease is formed along the to be formed cross fold line.

Abstract: A knife folder for folding a sheet material comprises a sheet-material feeder for feeding the sheet material in a first direction, a folder for folding said sheet material, and a sheet-material conveyer used for conveying the sheet material and comprising at least one pair of rotating conveying components whose axes of rotation are arranged in a second direction substantially at right angles to the first direction. The folder pushes the folded sheet material between the conveying components of the at least one pair of conveying components when it is at its folding position. The sheet material is advanced up to a stop. The folder comprises a knife extending in a third direction substantially at right angles to said first and said second direction. The sheet material can be conveyed in the third direction by actuating the conveying components.

Abstract: Provided in a copy or web guiding cylinder of a copy-processing machine is a guiding device for extensible operating elements, having at least two opposing and cooperating cylinders, wherein copies are retainable on the circumference of one of the cylinders and are transferrable by extensible operating elements into receiving elements on the circumference of the other cylinder, including coverings mounted on the one cylinder at the circumference thereof and defining an opening through which an operating element disposed in an underlying recess formed in the one cylinder is extensible.

Abstract: A device is provided for tearing off a series of perforated paper sheets and folding the detached paper sheets. The device is composed of a frame, at least two paper feeding rollers, at least three paper folding rollers, a plurality of paper guiding plates, at least one paper confining element corresponding in location to the paper folding rollers, and a linking member consisting of a transmission belt, a paper feeding wheel and a paper folding wheel. The transmission belt is driven by a driving unit to actuate the paper feeding wheel and the paper folding wheel, which in turn actuate the paper feeding rollers and the paper folding rollers.

Abstract: A method and a device for the production of folded products utilizes a row of folding jaws and a row of counter folding jaws. A signature to be cross-folded is inserted between the jaws by a folding blade. The folding jaws and counter folding jaws form a line of embossing on the folded signatures adjacent the transverse fold line. The resultant folded item has an increased moment of resistance in the direction of transport.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet folding apparatus comprising a folding means for folding a sheet by feeding a folded portion of the sheet by a pair of rotary members, in which the folded portion of the sheet is passed through a nip between the pair of rotary members by plural times by rotating said pair of rotary members in normal and reverse directions alternately. It further comprises a switch-back control means for controlling so that a return speed of the sheet obtained by the pair of rotary members becomes slower than an advancing speed of the sheet.

Abstract: In the present invention, when a signature is formed with a chopper folding device, the conveying force of a sheet etc. conveyed to a position for sheet positioning is reduced, and the sheet etc. is released from restraint of the conveying force, by which the effect of the conveying force is not brought to the subsequent sheet folding process, so that a signature can be formed smoothly and properly.

Abstract: A device for accurately setting a roller gap of a folding device of a rotary web-fed press uses a rotatable threaded spindle with contrarotating threads at both of its ends. A drivable differential screw gear mechanism is associated with each threaded spindle end and operates to pivot two-armed levers that support the folding rollers to thus vary the roller gap.

Abstract: On leaving a dry pressing or ironing machine, each piece of linen or washing is folded on a folding arm performing a reciprocating movement. The folding arm then bears on an entrance end of a conveyor (28), which is then driven (F2), so as to move the folded piece of linen towards a recovery tank. A freewheel mechanism (52) is simultaneously brought into a disengaged state, which has the effect of lowering a pressing roller (40) and rotating the latter by means of a belt (62). Driving the conveyor (28) in the reverse direction (F3) then brings the pressing roller (40) into the raised position, by means of the freewheel (52), a crank (54) and a rod (56).

Abstract: A folding table for use in forming a third fold in a printed product, is provided with a plurality of detents that can be shifted into and out of the movement path of the product. Any accumulated paper remnants can be removed from the folding table when the detents, or selected ones of the detents are moved out of the product path. The method of operation of the device facilitates the elimination of production interruptions.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping, folding and transferring a stack of flexible plastic bag products such as a stack of zippered plastic bags. The apparatus can be retrofitted in existing bag sealers used for producing and packaging a stack of plastic bags in order to produce novel shallower plastic bag products.

Abstract: A sheet bundle folding apparatus causes a bundle of sheets to be rolled into a pair of fold rollers thereby folding the bundle of sheets. The apparatus is provided with a drive source for rotating the pair of fold rollers in a normal direction to roll in the bundle of sheets and in a reverse direction to return the rolled-in bundle of sheets.

Abstract: A sock processing apparatus provides devices for folding, trimming, stacking, and compressing socks. The method provides folding socks by tucking them into a slot in a plate, closing a pair of rollers beneath the plate upon the socks, and thereafter pulling the socks through the slot under roller compression. The socks then move to a trimming station, where they are held in place while a trimmer removes excess threads. The socks are then stacked and moved to a compression station for compression prior to packaging.

Abstract: A signature to be folded in a folding device is first provided with a pre-fold that is formed along the intended fold line. The signature is conveyed through a linear guide where it is pre-folded. The pre-folded signature is then delivered to a folding device where it is folded by being caused to pass between a pair of folding rollers.

Abstract: A folded medical outsert and method and apparatus for making same. The outsert consists of a printed sheet provided with a series of parallel fold lines. A first cross fold divides the sheet in half. Two off-center cross folds are then provided with an adhesive securing the last folded flap in place. The apparatus for folding the printed sheet includes a parallel folder and a cross folder to form the first and second cross folds. An adhesive applicator dispenses an adhesive before a knife folder performs the third cross fold. The method for forming the outsert includes the steps of forming a series of parallel fold lines. The first cross fold is then formed perpendicular to the parallel fold lines to divide the sheet into half. The second cross fold is then formed in the sheet following which an adhesive is dispensed onto the sheet. The third cross fold is then formed between the first cross fold and the second cross fold to provide a closed secured outsert.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing printed products comprising one or more individual sub-products, e.g. newspapers, periodicals and the like. The apparatus comprises a rotating drum or drawing member having a plurality of successive receiving positions. The drum or drawing member is arranged between at least one sub-product feeding station and at least one sub-product removal station. The individual receiving positions each comprise at least one folding device and each folding device comprises a pair of folding rollers and a folding tongue which moves between the folding rollers to fold the sub-product.

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: The front bag (12) of a supply of bags (12) stored in a magazine (250) is removed by an unloading device (252) including four linkages (254, 256, 258, 260) which are pivoted to attach suction cups (264) thereto. The unloading device (252) inserts the bag (12) between nip rollers (52, 54) including spaced wheels (56, 58) which drive the bag (12) downward until the closed end (20) rests upon an adjustable stop (72). A tucking plate (90) moves from a retracted position to an extended position generally perpendicular to the bag (12) to drive the bag (12) into a slot (46) of a fixture (32), with the bag (12) having a U-shaped configuration around the tucking plate (90). The bag (12) is prevented from moving from the slot (46) with the tucking plate (90) as the tucking plate (90) moves from the extended position to the retracted position by a compression roller (208) pivotable by a cam (214) movable with the tucking plate (90) to sandwich the side edges of the bag (12).

Abstract: A quarter fold folding device is described, having a quarter fold blade suspended by two opposite ends from two pivots, which are free to rotate with respect to the blade and are securely fastened to two connecting rods at one of their ends. The connecting rods are, at their opposite ends, rotationally driven in opposite directions, respectively, by means of two horizontal shafts rotating about their longitudinal axis. The rotating shafts are simultaneously rotationally driven in opposite directions respectively about two horizontal and parallel central axes, so that when the two rotating shafts perform a complete revolution about the parallel central axes, the two opposite ends of the folding blade driven by the connecting rods describe two parallel vertical segments of a straight line between a bottom position and a top position of the quarter fold blade. The quarter fold blade in the bottom position engages a signature between two folding cylinders, so as to form a longitudinal fold in the signature.

Abstract: A signature booklet maker (SBM) finishing apparatus for an image producing device includes a modified fold blade having a plurality of contacting teeth spaced part by a predetermined distance. The contacting teeth further include a predetermined contact surface width and a predetermined thickness. The grind direction of the teeth is specified to reduce inside sheet drag during folding. The spaced teeth are adapted drive the stitched signature set in a folding unit without contacting the stitches, thereby eliminating fold skew and inside sheet marking. Moreover, the fold blade has a predetermined hardness to ensure that the blade is not damaged during folding. The SBM further includes a trim waste elimination device and knife guard to prevent booklet trimmings from migrating throughout the trimmer unit. The knife guard eliminates the safety hazard caused by the blade in the resting position and guides air from an air blower to force booklet trimmings into a waste chute.

Abstract: A folding device for folding a copy along a line parallel to a direction of forward travel of the copy, the copy being delivered to a folding table having a longitudinal central slit, is disclosed. The folding device includes a crankshaft, disposed below the folding table in line with the central slit, which is rotatably driven about a central axis of rotation parallel to the direction of forward travel of the copy. The folding device also includes a folding cylinder having a radius R and an external surface S, which is rotatably mounted about a central geometric axis on the crankshaft. The central geometric axis is parallel to the central axis of rotation of the crankshaft and offset with respect to the central axis of rotation by a distance equal to the radius R.

Abstract: A folding machine including a feeding unit which successively feeds sheets form a stack to a folding station. At the folding station an intermediate portion of each sheet is pushed by a pushing unit between two counter-rotating rollers to be folded in half. Advantageously, the feeding unit, the pushing unit and the rollers are driven by independent motors and controlled by a programmed control unit.

Abstract: It is the object of the invention to provide a simple folding device rotating at high speed, the folding device producing a longitudinal fold without any sliding guidance device or reverse-motion device, and in which during the folding the folding blade executes a movement of stroke, perpendicular in every direction, towards the printed copy.

Abstract: A signature conveying assembly for a longitudinal folder of a web-fed rotary printing press utilizes a horizontally adjustable belt support roll to vary the intensity of the clamping force of the belts against the conveyed signatures and the impact force of the signatures against a stop.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding hygienic products, especially soft, oblong artic having a small thickness, has a folding tool that is driven by a drive mechanism providing two rotary motions one superimposed on the other and interlinked in such a way that the folding tool applies pressure along an intended fold-line, whereby the article being folded is pushed while being folded in a transport direction. The interlinking of the two superimposed motions assures a quiet, smooth, yet high speed run of the folding tool and its drive mechanism. By pushing the article along its fold-line into a gap or take-up channel, a positive folding of the article is assured, whereby already folded portions are prevented from unfolding again.

Abstract: A web-fed printing press with apparatus for the making of a longitudinal fold in the conveying direction of the printed copies, the longitudinal fold being preferably produced after a cylinder cross-fold. The folding device includes a folding blade disposed parallel to the conveying direction, the folding blade being moved in a reciprocal vertical fashion through the intermediary of drive cranks. Without sliding guide parts, the vertical reciprocating motion is executed towards the printed copy, and the additional crank is driven through the intermediary of a toothed belt.

Abstract: The timing of the holder blade of a folding machine is adjusted in dependence on the force exerted by a signature impacting on a locating plate, the timing of the folder blade being advanced in relation to an increase in the impact force, the actual impact force being compared with an optimal impact force, a signal representing the difference between said forces being employed to adjust the timing of the folder blade.

Abstract: A chopper-folder for restraining movement of a paper sheet relative to a folding slot as the sheet is conveyed along a path in a rotary printing press. The chopper-folder includes stoppers for stopping the movement of the paper sheet, restraining members for restraining vertical movement of the side edge portions of the paper sheet during the chopper-fold operation, and a driving unit for supporting and simultaneously driving the restraining members and the stoppers to conduct the chopper-fold operation. The stoppers, restraining members and the driving unit are mounted to the chopper-folder in such a manner that they can be easily moved away from the folding slot when jamming occurs during the chopper-fold operation, to facilitate quick and easy correction of the problem.

Abstract: A longitudinal folding device for folding symmetrical and asymmetrical paper products has a folding blade and cooperating folding rollers whose positions with respect to each other can be varied. The folding blade or the folding roller pair can be shifted laterally with respect to a longitudinal fold line. In addition, the spacing between the folding rollers can be adjusted in accordance with paper thickness and number of sheets in the product to be folded.

Abstract: A chopper folding machine including a chopper blade and a conveyor belt driven synchronously by a drive system for a folding apparatus put in juxtaposition with a printing machine, and a timing adjusting device provided in a drive system for at least one of the chopper blade and the conveyor belt for adjusting the timing of chopper folding. Thus, the timing of the conveyance of a signature, to be folded, by the conveyor belt and that of vertical movement of the chopper blade are adjusted.

Abstract: The paper folding machine is provided with a roller pair (T1,T2) which forms an intake zone (E) and determines the velocity of feed of the material to be folded, and with at least one pair of folding rollers (W1,W2,W3), which forms a folding zone (F1) and is parallel to the former pair of rollers. A stopless feed limiting device, which determines the actual folding length and can be actuated individually for each folding operation by a microprocessor and/or an electronic control circuit as a function of a feed measuring unit, is arranged in a material feed path (4) which extends past the folding zone (F1,F2).

Abstract: Method and device for folding pliable material. Arranged approximately on opposite sides of a feeding plane and directly opposite each other are folding rollers. The starting point is a position of the pliable material where a portion of the pliable material is in the feeding plane and a portion is bent out of that plane. An arcuate poriton of the portion of the pliable material that is bent out of the plane is folded over and conducted to a folding/nipping area between the folding rollers by pressing that portion at at least one location against the proximal folding roller and rotating this folding roller. A trailing portion of the pliable material is fed from the feeding plane in a controlled fashion. The folding rollers then make the fold. The invention enables accurate control of the location where the fold is made and the exertion of a relatively small force is sufficient for the pliable material to be conducted into the folding nip.

Abstract: A chopper type fold device includes a chopper blade supported by at least two linear feeding crank mechanisms provided along a longitudinal direction of the chopper blade, each linear feeding crank mechanism comprising two crank members mutually rotating in opposite directions and two connecting rods having the same length, the upper end of each connecting rod being connected to one of the crank members, the lower end of each connecting rod being coaxially connected to an upper end of the chopper blade.

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.