Abstract: Described are a machine and a method for forming containers from blanks, including a plurality of shaping hoppers, an endless conveyor which defines a feed path and on which the hoppers are mounted in succession and a plurality of pushing elements which are movable in such a way as to follow the respective shaping hoppers along at least a stretch of the feed path and which have a to-and-fro operating movement towards and away from the respective hopper along a direction transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the feed path. The machine also includes folding means disposed along the feed path downstream of the pushing elements and configured to produce, respectively, a top closure and/or a bottom closure of the tubular blank.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a driver airbag cushion, including: a first plate where an airbag cushion is placed to be folded; a fixing jig that fixes the center portion of the airbag cushion on the first plate; a second plate that covers the fixed airbag cushion; a plurality of first press jigs that is inserted between the first plate and the second plate and circumferentially divides the airbag cushion into several sections by pressing inward the edge of the airbag cushion; and a plurality of second press jigs that is inserted between the first plate and the second plate and compresses the airbag cushion, which has been divided into several sections by the first press jigs, by pressing inward the edge of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: A method for folding an airbag for an airbag module in which the airbag is disposed on a support is provided. At least one piling element for folding the airbag is provided next to the exterior edge of the airbag disposed on the support. The airbag is folded together using the at least one piling element in that the piling element is moved along the support in the direction toward the interior of the airbag disposed on the support. A retainer protrudes from the at least one piling element and moving together with the piling element during the movement thereof and reaching over or under an edge area of the airbag. The at least one retainer acts on an edge area of the airbag in such a way that an undercut is formed in the airbag through the effect of the retainer.

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).

Abstract: There are provided an airbag folding device, and an airbag folding method, for mechanically folding an airbag to form a doughnut-shaped airbag. The airbag folding device is characterized in comprising a support member (62) columnar in shape, rising while supporting a tubular tether belt (11a), an outer cylinder (63) coaxial with the support member (62), for containing the airbag body (10a) on the outside of the support member (62), by rising, a work table (61) having the support member (62), and the outer cylinder (63), and a clamping member (64) positioned straight above the support member (62), for clamping the tubular tether belt (11a) between the clamping member (64) and the support member (62), wherein a pair of plates (65) in such a state as to cover an upper end of the outer cylinder (63), and to be fitted to a lower end of the clamping member (64) cause the support member (62), the outer cylinder (63) and the clamping member (64) to concurrently descend.

Abstract: There are provided an airbag folding device, and an airbag folding method, for mechanically folding an airbag to form a doughnut-shaped airbag. The airbag folding device is characterized in comprising a support member (62) columnar in shape, rising while supporting a tubular tether belt (11a), an outer cylinder (63) coaxial with the support member (62), for containing the airbag body (10a) on the outside of the support member (62), by rising, a work table (61) having the support member (62), and the outer cylinder (63), and a clamping member (64) positioned straight above the support member (62), for clamping the tubular tether belt (11a) between the clamping member (64) and the support member (62), wherein a pair of plates (65) in such a state as to cover an upper end of the outer cylinder (63), and to be fitted to a lower end of the clamping member (64) cause the support member (62), the outer cylinder (63) and the clamping member (64) to concurrently descend.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a side airbag device for use in a vehicle, comprising: an inflatable cushion for deployment from an unexpanded state to an expanded state. The inflatable cushion is positioned behind a headliner of the vehicle in an un-inflated state and the inflatable cushion is configured to traverse a side of the vehicle when it is inflated. The inflatable cushion also comprising a deploying edge that defines a portion of a periphery of the inflated cushion, wherein the inflatable cushion is folded in a manner that causes the deploying edge to deploy as a first leading edge as said inflatable cushion is inflated to an expanded state by an inflator wherein the deploying edge is the first portion of the inflatable cushion to expand around the headliner.

Abstract: Folding device, for use in sealing flexible tubular containers by adhering two facing portions on the same end edge, which comprises two groups of rotating paddles that face one another, able to turn simultaneously and so that each paddle in the same group pushes respective portions inside a side of a container positioned between the two groups of paddles, the paddles of the same group being able to move towards or away from one another, and preferably being connected via an element with elastic properties.

Abstract: A paper processing apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes a first and second convey mechanism, a first and second alignment mechanism, and a folding mechanism, where the second alignment mechanism is configured to align a paper bundle conveyed by the first convey mechanism in the vicinity of a folding position to fold the paper bundle, and the second convey mechanism is configured to convey the paper bundle aligned by the second alignment mechanism to the folding position, and the folding mechanism is configured to fold the aligned paper bundler at the folding position.

Abstract: A stack of sheets of sheet material is stapled along an axis and fed to a position from which it is folded along the axis by a blade to form a booklet having a curved spine. The blade also inserts the booklet into a position between clamping jaws and determines its final position therebetween. Rotatable guide rollers guide the sheets into the gap and are fitted with one-way clutches to resist upward movement of the folded sheets upon retraction of the blade from the gap. In a first mode of operation, the curved spine of the booklet protrudes a short distance beyond the jaws. The spine is then flattened by a forming roller which passes along the spine. In a second mode of operation, the spinal portion lies between the jaws and the curved end surface is flattened by the clamping force alone. The first mode is suited to booklets having or more sheets; the second to booklets having fewer than sheets or having loop staples and any number of sheets.

Abstract: Folding methods and patterns for folding an inflatable curtain airbag cushion for use in vehicles are provided. The folding patterns and methods of the invention assist in preventing failure of inflatable curtain airbag cushions by reducing the stress placed on specific regions of the longitudinal fill chambers of the cushions. These methods result in proper airbag deployment with reduced rates of cushion failure, thus providing reliable protection to vehicle occupants.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) is located on a steering wheel (14) and includes a lower portion (28) and an upper portion (26). The upper portion (26) is rolled folded and the lower portion (28) is folded in a star pattern. The roll folded portion (26) has an outside surface formed by a front panel (30) of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) that is intended to face the occupant when the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is inflated. During inflation, the roll folded portion (26) unrolls such that at least a portion of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflates forward of the steering wheel if the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, while inflating, encounters an obstruction located too far forward relative to the steering wheel.

Abstract: A finisher that is capable of accurate sheet processing but is small in size, the finisher controlling a feeder and a sheet folding unit and executing 1) an operation in which the sheet is conveyed in the first direction, and after a downstream edge thereof relative to the first direction is detected by the detector during conveyance, the sheet is conveyed in the second direction, 2) an operation in which after such sheet edge is detected by the detector during conveyance in the second direction, the conveyance of the sheet in the second direction is continued for a prescribed amount based on a sheet length along a direction of conveyance, whereupon the sheet is stopped, and 3) an operation in which after the sheet is stopped, the sheet folding unit is operated to create a fold line at a prescribed position in the sheet.

Abstract: An air bag is unfolded on a planar surface and is inflated with air. The air bag is loosely sandwiched between the upper and lower blades that are arranged in a radial configuration. Movable blocks progress toward the center to fold the upper and lower panels of the air bag against the central part of the air bag. The resulting central folded part of the air bag has a wave-like configuration, and the upper and lower panels are separated from each other. The ear-like portions of the air bag are wound around the central folded part of the air bag that is folded in a wave-like configuration. Then, the central part of the air bag is pressed downward to complete the folding process. Gas can be supplied smoothly from the inlet port to the periphery when the air bag is reinflated. The method for folding the air bag is simple, and the air bag can be inflated quickly.

Abstract: A supplemental inflatable restraint system includes an air bag for use in a vehicle to restrain an occupant. The air bag is folded and may be placed in a steering wheel cover such that inflation of the air bag causes the air bag to be deployed from the cover by unfolding to define a substantially vertical contact surface for initial contact with the vehicle occupant. The air bag is folded into a modified fan/accordion configuration with terminal folds nested between intermediate folds so that the terminal folds escape before the intermediate folds. During inflation, the air bag unfolds upwardly and downwardly so that the substantially vertical contact surface is substantially parallel to a torso of the occupant.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus is described including a fold blade, a clamp movable to engage the fold blade, and a fold blade receptacle having two flexible spring members. The flexible spring members are biased toward one another by preloading material of the spring members. The fold blade and fold blade receptacle are movable toward one another to fold a sheet of material.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus for folding a sheet bundle at a predetermined position includes paired rotating bodies for folding the sheet bundle having nip portions, a pressing device for pressing the predetermined position of the sheet bundle into the nip portions of the paired rotating bodies, and a device connected to the paired rotation bodies for providing rotation to the paired rotating bodies. A pulling force of the rotating bodies to pull the sheet bundle pressed into the nip portions of the rotating bodies has an amount which does not separate a sheet of the sheet bundle contacting the rotating bodies from the subsequent sheets in the sheet bundle when pulling the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A sheet folding apparatus is described including a fold blade, a clamp movable to engage the fold blade, and a fold blade receptacle having two flexible spring members. The flexible spring members are biased toward one another by preloading material of the spring members. The fold blade and fold blade receptacle are movable toward one another to fold a sheet of material.

Abstract: An inverting cone mounted to an expansion box for turning a bag assembly having an assembly opening, an assembly extended length, and an assembly width. The inverting cone has an inlet separated from an outlet by a length The inverting cone inlet is smaller than the assembly opening of the bag assembly, the inverting cone length is longer than the extended length of the bag assembly, and the cross-sectional area of the inverting cone increases from the inlet to the outlet along the length of the inverting cone. The expansion box has an expansion chamber separated from a manifold chamber by a baffle plate, and the baffle plate includes concentric circles of apertures communicating between the expansion chamber and the manifold chamber. The outlet of the inverting cone is open to the expansion chamber opposite to the center of the concentric circles of apertures in the baffle plate, and the side walls of the expansion box as spaced further apart than the assembly width of the bag assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of folding an airbag, wherein the airbag is folded compactly to fit into a receptacle such as an airbag housing. The method includes the step of inwardly tucking an end portion of the airbag, thereby forming upper and lower portions of the airbag bounding the tucked end region. The method further includes the steps of longitudinally folding first and second halves of the airbag, and folding the airbag a plurality of times transversely to form two compact fold bodies.

Abstract: A method of folding a gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises the following steps: first, the gas bag is unfolded between a base and an opposing surface. A spacing is provided between the base and the opposing surface, which corresponds to a height of a housing into which the gas bag is to be inserted after folding. Then, a folding funnel is provided which comprises one end having a large cross-section and one end having a small cross-section, the large cross-section being larger than or equal to a cross-section of the gas bag when unfolded between the base and the opposing surface, and the small cross-section corresponding to a cross-section of the housing; beginning with its large cross-section. Finally, the folding funnel is placed over the unfolded gas bag and moved relative thereto such that the gas bag is pushed together on the base by the folding funnel to the small cross-section.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding an airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a base for the airbag to be folded, a cover for the airbag, and a flexible element that is arranged between the base and the cover and has first and second ends. The first end of the flexible element is held between the base and the cover. The apparatus further comprises a traction means that acts upon the second end of the flexible element, and a pressure generating means with which the airbag can be acted upon with compressed gas. The invention further relates to a method of folding an airbag and making use of such an apparatus. Still further, the invention relates to a folded airbag produced by such a method.

Abstract: The folding apparatus includes a ram apparatus movable through the tube and adapted to hold and move a ram plate and air bag through the tube. When moved in one direction, the ram apparatus moves the air bag into the cover. The folding apparatus further contains a movable piston which functions as an interior cushion support and is passed through a hole in the air bag module cover. The folding apparatus additionally includes a holding fixture for orienting the cover so that its internal cavity is in alignment with and adjacent to the tube such that the housing and air bag can be rammed into the cover internal cavity.

Abstract: To fold a piece of linen to a very small final dimension, for example a bed sheet to 9″×6″, the piece of linen is kept constantly under pressure after final folding until it has been fixed in a storage position, in order to prevent opening of said final fold. This can be effected by pushing it during final folding by means of a folding sword into a receptacle, from where it is pushed by means of a ram onto a stacking line where its outer surfaces each rest against a corresponding outer surface of an adjacent piece of linen or another stop surface formed by slides or a pressure plate, so that it is fixed in its final configuration. Alternatively, the piece of linen can be fed, while maintaining pressure on the outer surfaces, to a packing apparatus and surrounded there by a strip of packaging material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for folding an airbag of a vehicle occupant restraining system, having a conveyor means, in which a first portion of the spread-out airbag is moved in order thus to push a second portion of the airbag against an abutment which has at least one abutment surface extending substantially parallel to the direction of movement, so that the second portion of the airbag is laid in folds. In order to obtain a regularly folded airbag in a particularly simple manner, the conveyor means is formed with at least one rotating conveyor element which can move the first portion of the airbag in the direction of the abutment.

Abstract: An inverting cone mounted to an expansion box for turning a bag assembly having an assembly opening, an assembly extended length, and an assembly width. The inverting cone has an inlet separated from an outlet by a length. The inverting cone inlet is smaller than the assembly opening of the bag assembly, the inverting cone length is longer than the extended length of the bag assembly, and the cross-sectional area of the inverting cone increases from the inlet to the outlet along the length of the inverting cone. The expansion box has an expansion chamber separated from a manifold chamber by a baffle plate, and the baffle plate includes concentric circles of apertures communicating between the expansion chamber and the manifold chamber. The outlet of the inverting cone is open to the expansion chamber opposite to the center of the concentric circles of apertures in the baffle plate, and the side walls of the expansion box as spaced further apart than the assembly width of the bag assembly.

Abstract: An air bag is unfolded on a planar surface and is inflated with air. The air bag is loosely sandwiched between the upper and lower blades that are arranged in a radial configuration. Movable blocks progress toward the center to fold the upper and lower panels of the air bag against the central part of the air bag. The resulting central folded part of the air bag has a wave-like configuration, and the upper and lower panels are separated from each other. The ear-like portions of the air bag are wound around the central folded part of the air bag that is folded in a wave-like configuration. Then, the central part of the air bag is pressed downward to complete the folding process. Gas can be supplied smoothly from the inlet port to the periphery when the air bag is reinflated. The method for folding the air bag is simple, and the air bag can be inflated quickly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for folding together an inflatable airbag jacket of an airbag module for motor vehicles, in which the at least partly spread out airbag jacket is arranged in at least one folding pocket and a folding volume of the folding pocket which contains the airbag jacket is reduced in size.

Abstract: An apparatus is arranged to successively make plastic bags each of which includes two layers of panel portion superposed to define aligned top edges, first and second side edges and bottom edges. The plastic bag further includes a first side gusset portion disposed between and extending along the first side edges, a second side gusset portion disposed between and extending along the second side edges, and a bottom gusset portion disposed between and extending along the bottom edges. The apparatus comprises feeding means for feeding a main material intermittently for a length along a feeding path. The main material comprises the layers of panel portion and the first and second side gusset portions continuing longitudinally thereof respectively, the feeding means feeding the main material longitudinally of the layers of panel portion and the first and second side gusset portions.

Abstract: A method of folding a gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises the following steps: first, the gas bag is unfolded between a base and an opposing surface. A spacing is provided between the base and the opposing surface, which corresponds to a height of a housing into which the gas bag is to be inserted after folding. Then, a folding funnel is provided which comprises one end having a large cross-section and one end having a small cross-section, the large cross-section being larger than or equal to a cross-section of the gas bag when unfolded between the base and the opposing surface, and the small cross-section corresponding to a cross-section of the housing; beginning with its large cross-section. Finally, the folding funnel is placed over the unfolded gas bag and moved relative thereto such that the gas bag is pushed together on the base by the folding funnel to the small cross-section.

Abstract: A device for introducing an gas bag into a pot-shaped receiving container with an insertion opening for insertion of the gas bag and an installation opening at the bottom for the arrangement of an inflator is provided. The device comprises a tubular housing having a cross-section adapted to the insertion opening of the receiving container, and an axially reciprocating ram arranged in the housing and serving for introducing the gas bag into the receiving container. Further, a method for folding a gas bag is provided, wherein the gas bag is introduced into a tubular housing, wherein a body is introduced into the gas bag as a dummy for an inflator intended to be mounted later, and wherein the gas bag is folded around the body.

Abstract: An inverting cone mounted to an expansion box for turning a bag assembly having an assembly opening, an assembly extended length, and an assembly width. The inverting cone has an inlet separated from an outlet by a length The inverting cone inlet is smaller than the assembly opening of the bag assembly, the inverting cone length is longer than the extended length of the bag assembly, and the cross-sectional area of the inverting cone increases from the inlet to the outlet along the length of the inverting cone. The expansion box has an expansion chamber separated from a manifold chamber by a baffle plate, and the baffle plate includes concentric circles of apertures communicating between the expansion chamber and the manifold chamber. The outlet of the inverting cone is open to the expansion chamber opposite to the center of the concentric circles of apertures in the baffle plate, and the side walls of the expansion box as spaced further apart than the assembly width of the bag assembly.

Abstract: A pouch-shaped air bag (12) is spread out in a circle. Then, the portion of the air bag (12) located outside the inflator (16) is folded into a wave-like pattern from four directions so that four side portions (61) are formed along the inflator (16). Next, each one of the four excess portions (62), which are continuously formed between each two adjacent side portions (61) and protrude outward, is placed along the outer face of each side portion (61). Thus, the air bag (12) can be easily folded compactly that can be smoothly unfolded.

Abstract: A machine for folding a side gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a guide channel in which a gas bag to be folded can be disposed, and first and second folding tongues. The folding tongues have teeth and the guide channel has a first side part and a second side part in each of which several recesses are provided. The teeth of the folding tongues are able to engage into the recesses.

Abstract: An air bag body (1) is expanded by charging an air therein after being expanded in a flat surface shape. Next, by gently gripping the air bag body (1) by upper and lower blades (26, 25) radially arranged in a radial direction of the air bag body (1), a height in a radial direction of the air bag body (1) is linearly restricted along the upper and lower blades (26, 25). Next, a plurality of movable blocks (24) are forward moved toward a center of the air bag body (1), and upper and lower panels (12, 11) of the air bag body (1) are accumulated. At this time, the upper and lower panels (12, 11) of the air bag body (1) are folded in a state of being apart from each other so as to form a wave shape. Next, the air bag body (1) is rotated, a portion left in a tab shape is wound around a periphery, and a center protruding portion of the air bag body (1) is pressed from an upper side, whereby a front surface deploying portion (35) is formed.

Abstract: A method for folding an airbag for an airbag module involves straightening the airbag out in the direction of a straightening axis, starting from a gas inlet opening of the airbag. The airbag in the straightened-out state, or during the straightening-out operation, is pushed into a guide sleeve in the direction of the straightening axis. The airbag is then pushed together, and in the method folded, within the guide sleeve in the longitudinal direction thereof, in the direction of the straightening axis. An apparatus for folding an airbag for an airbag module has a straightening ram which, for the purpose of straightening out the airbag, can be pushed into the latter in the direction of a straightening axis by way of a gas inlet opening which has a guide sleeve. The guide sleeve is arranged coaxially with respect to the straightening ram. The straightening ram can be pushed along the straightening axis.

Abstract: A way of folding an air bag used in an air bag module is disclosed, as well as a process and device for folding an air bag. The air bag is folded in the direction of an imaginary longitudinal axis, forming a ring with separate folds at its inner and outer sides, the imaginary longitudinal axis preferably extending through the filling mouth of the air bag. The folding process is characterized in that the empty air bag is stretched in the direction of an imaginary longitudinal axis and folded up in the direction of the longitudinal axis within a boundary, in particular a boundary having a ring-shaped cross-section. A device for folding the air bag has a molded part, at least one device for introducing the air bag into the molded part and at least one device for compressing the air bag inside the molded part. The advantage of the invention is that only a few process steps and a simple device are required for folding the air bag.

Abstract: To fold a piece of linen (5) to a very small final dimension, for example a bed sheet to 9″×6″, said piece of linen is kept constantly under pressure after final folding until it has been fixed in a storage position, in order to prevent opening of said final fold. This can be effected by pushing it during final folding by means of a folding sword into a receptacle (20), from where it is pushed by means of a ram (26) onto a stacking line (27) where its outer surfaces each rest against a corresponding outer surface of an adjacent piece of linen (5′) or another stop surface formed by slides (31a,b) or a pressure plate (33), so that it is fixed in its final configuration. Alternatively, the piece of linen can be fed, while maintaining pressure on the outer surfaces, to a packing apparatus and surrounded there by a strip of packaging material.

Abstract: The cardboard blanks for conversion into hinged-lid packets for arrays of cigarettes are dimensioned and configurated in such a way that an elongated reinforcing strip at the inner side of the front panel of the lid is longer than the front panel. Those terminal sections of the reinforcing strip which extend beyond the ends of the front panel in a blank are bent prior to or during the folding of the reinforcing strip against the inner side of the front panel so that they do not adversely affect the configuration of the lateral panels of the lid and the appearance of a finished packet because the lateral panels are not caused to bulge outwardly.

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 invention relates to a method for accommodating an airbag of an airbag apparatus into a container. The folding method employed allows the airbag to folded into a small container, yet ensures that the airbag will inflate in a substantially uniform and jerk-free manner. The method is still fairly cost effective. A preferred embodiment encompasses inserting a first plunger into an opening in a lower half of the airbag such that it pushes the upper part away from the lower part. The upper part is then clamped between the first plunger and a second plunger. Next, the airbag is folded upward such that a plurality of radial folds is created, which are then folded inward. A hollow die is then placed over the folded airbag. The upper end of the airbag and a central portion of the airbag are twisted in different directions while a third plunger is placed over the end face of the folded airbag. The third plunger is then used to compress the airbag.

Abstract: A bale tagging apparatus for a hay baler for automatically inserting an identification tag into a hay bale at a specified location includes a support member for attachment to a baler housing adjacent a bale chamber and including an elongated reciprocably mounted plunger and an associated intermittently connected cutter for selectively intermittently cutting a tag from a supply roll and forcing the tag through an opening in the wall of the baler housing into position within the bale chamber.

Abstract: Sections of bag-making material are successively and intermittently fed by double belt conveyors to arrive beneath a vertically reciprocatable push member which engages each section by suction and forms a central loop in each section while its ends are yieldingly engaged by brake shoes co-operating with side supports.