Abstract: A machine a mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of a container, a first lift mechanism operatively coupled to a first servomechanism to wrap a first portion of a blank about the mandrel, a second lift mechanism operatively coupled to a second servomechanism to wrap a second portion of the blank about the mandrel, and a folding arm coupled to the first lift mechanism and operatively coupled to a third servomechanism. A control system is in communication with the first servomechanism, the second servomechanism, and the third servomechanism and is configured to transmit a signal to each of the servomechanisms to independently control movement of the first lift mechanism, the second lift mechanism, and the folding arm to wrap at least the first and second portions of the blank about the mandrel to form the container.

Abstract: A device for processing sheets, rolls or the like, preferably sheets or rolls of corrugated paper, into useful articles. More specifically, the invention relates to a paper wrapping device that can convert a sheet or strip of paper into a useful article comprising a plurality of wrapped paper layers, suitable for use as a support member or a pallet stringer. Also the invention provides a device that contains a conveying unit which transfers a material, such as paper, to a forming unit which produces a core layer and further wraps additional layers in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around said core in one or more layers to form a support member having a solid wrap of continuous layers.

Abstract: A device for processing sheets, rolls or the like, preferably sheets or rolls of corrugated paper, into useful articles. More specifically, the invention relates to a paper wrapping device that can convert a sheet or strip of paper into a useful article comprising a plurality of wrapped paper layers, suitable for use as a support member or a pallet stringer. Also the invention provides a device that contains a conveying unit which transfers a material, such as paper, to a forming unit which produces a core layer and further wraps additional layers in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around said core in one or more layers to form a support member having a solid wrap of continuous layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming lightweight pallets from tightly wound single-face corrugated board includes a support for a reel of corrugated board, tensioning apparatus for applying a tensioning force to the corrugated board, slitting and advancing apparatus for slitting the board into narrow strips, an adhesive applicator for applying adhesive to the corrugated medium of said board, a winding reel including a central retractable mandrel about which the strips are initially wound, and further shaped mandrels which are selectively introduced into the winding reel to block the winding of corrugated board in predetermined regions to create shaped openings in the lightweight pallet, and severing apparatus for severing the strips when the winding operation is completed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a pallet spacer from a one-piece blank, the one piece blank having at least a first end and a second end, a retention segment disposed between the first and second ends, the retention segment defining a retention aperture, the second end including a cut-out flange having a hinge, the apparatus comprising a base, a rotating mandrel assembly mounted on the base for wrapping the one-piece blank around itself such that the retention aperture is registered directly adjacent the cut-out flange, the rotating mandrel assembly including a selective engagement means for gripping the first end of the one-piece blank when the one-piece blank is wrapped around itself, a punch for pushing the cut-out flange into the retention aperture thereby retaining the one-piece blank in a coiled shape forming a pallet spacer and a stripper for removing the pallet spacer from the rotating mandrel assembly.

Abstract: A bag folding apparatus comprises an in-feed mechanism, a rotatable spindle, a stripper, and a pair of folding nip rollers. The stripper is slidably mounted on the spindle and is movable between a retracted position and a forward position. To fold a bag segment having one or more bags connected by perforations, the in-feed mechanism first feeds the bag segment to the rotatable spindle while the stripper is disposed in the retracted position. Rotation of the spindle causes the bag segment to be wound about the spindle. After the bag segment is wound about the rotating spindle, the stripper is moved from the retracted position to the forward position. Movement of the stripper from the retracted position to the forward position strips the wound bag segment from the spindle. With the spindle positioned adjacent to the pair of nip rollers, the stripped bag segment is fed between the pair of nip rollers. The pair of nip rollers flatten the stripped bag segment so that the bag segment is effectively folded.

Abstract: A ribbon curling device to facilitate the curling of a length of decorative ribbon such as gift wrapping ribbon includes a housing for storing the ribbon, a curling edge associated with an exit aperture in a wall of the housing, and a guide spaced from the curling edge to guide the ribbon to the curling edge and determine the approach angle of the ribbon to the curling edge to facilitate the curling of the ribbon as it is drawn along the curling edge. The guide is further provided with an integral drag surface for imparting a frictional drag on a portion of the ribbon as it is drawn along the guide. The ribbon curling device includes several alternative mechanisms for varying the approach angle of the ribbon to the curling edge to thereby vary the amount of curl to the ribbon, including a variable length guide edge, a ribbon guide movable with respect to the curling edge, and a rotatable guide cam having a number of guide faces.

Abstract: There is disclosed a machine for folding bags comprising a spool with which one end of a bag can be engaged, means for rotating the spool and means for constraining the bag to be wound onto the spool as it is rotated.

Abstract: A coreless roll paper product is formed by a method which includes removing an elongated coreless paper roll from the end of a forming mandrel in intermittent steps and cutting the elongated coreless paper roll seriatim into coreless roll product segments with a saw blade located immediately adjacent to the mandrel end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving confidential facsimile messages includes a receiver to receive a sheet of facsimile paper having two margins each coated with a heat-molten adhesive strip and to form the sheet of facsimile paper into a paper roll, a first rolling means and a second rolling means to roll the paper flat, and a heating element to melt the heat-molten strip so that the margins are sealed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving confidential facsimile messages includes a receiver to receive a sheet of facsimile paper having two margins each coated with a heat-molten adhesive strip and to form the sheet of facsimile paper into a paper roll, a first rolling means and a second rolling means to roll the paper flat, and a heating element to melt the heat-molten strip so that the margins are sealed.

Abstract: A method of folding an air bag and an air bag having a main panel 20 defining a top (26), front (24), and bottom (28) portions and side panels (44a,b) the top and bottom portions defining a neck 30 narrower than the front portion; comprising the steps of: laying bag with bottom portion (28) of main panel (22) flat and as fully extended as possible; flattening the front portion (24) of the main panel (20) to over the flattened bottom portion to form a first lateral extending fold (80) between the bottom (28) and front portions (24) of the bag; maintaining a portion of the front panel (24), proximate the bottom panel (28), relatively flat and folding over the front portion with the top portion to define a second lateral fold (82) between a top portion and the front portion with the top portion flattened and extended as fully as possible, aligning edges (86) of opposing top and bottom portions; placing bag material towards a centerline (70) of bag to form on each side of the bag (20) first (90) and second (92) e

Abstract: A wrapping for wrapping items such as floral arrangements comprising a material having a first end, a second end and a preset curl in the material whereby the material rolls over itself in an unrestrained condition. A method of wrapping an item whereby at least one item is disposed on the material while the material is in a restrained condition and releasing at least one end of the material so that an end of the material rolls over the item thereby wrapping the item.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for folding pliable material, such as documents, which may differ in quality and length and which are conveyed in assembled form or successively in a transport track. The material is provided with a fold by bending the leading edge and a contiguous portion of the material out of the plane of transport, creating a folding area by guide means and forming the folding edge by folding means. The bending out of the plane of transport of the leading edge and the contiguous portion of the material takes place during the conveying of the material, the bringing into a tubular form of the material, the flattening of the tubular form, and the feeding of the material in that flattened form to the folding means. The apparatus comprises a transport track with feeding means and, as viewed in transport direction, folding means arranged downstream thereof, as well as guide means arranged between the feeding and the folding means.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for producing relatively low density pad-like cushioning dunnage product from sheet-like stock material. The mechanism takes the sheet-like stock material from a multi-ply roll thereof and changes it into a pad-like cushioning dunnage product having lateral pillow-like portions connected together along the generally central portion of the product.A separating mechanism for separating the sheets of stock material as they move from the stock roll toward the forming frame and the converging member is provided, together with a transversely extending roller disposed ahead of the separating mechanism whereby the point of commencement of entry of the multi-ply sheet-like stock material toward the separating mechanism remains constant irrespective of the diameter of the stock roll.An alternate, multi-ply stock roll comprising a thicker gauge but lesser width web with a plurality of wider webs or sheets is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collection of ultra-thin bags and a collection of bags per se wherein said bags are made by providing two separated thermoplastic films; forming transversely across each separated film, lines of weakness extending from one edge of each film to the other, with each line spaced from the next a bag length distance apart; bringing the films together in face-to-face relationship with the lines of weakness across one film in registration with those of the other films; sealing the films transversely along lines parallel with and immediately adjacent to the lines of weakness; slit-sealing the film layers at one or more bag width intervals to complete individual but interconnected bag structures; and collecting each strip of interconnected bags into a volumetrically efficient form.

Abstract: A converter mechanism for producing generally low density pad-like cushioning dunnage product in continuous strip form from flexible sheet-like stock material such as, for instance, paper, with an electrically energizable cutter mounted on the converter mechanism, for cutting the produced dunnage product into selected lengths. The cutter includes a pivotably movable blade member adapted for engaging the produced strip of dunnage product and severing it to selected length, together with an electrically energizable motor unit coupled to the cutter blade member for actuating the latter pursuant to control of the mechanism operator.

Abstract: A method of folding large sheets of tubular plastic film or slit tubular plastic film wherein the longitudinal edges of the plastic film are folded back over a surface of the film about 180.degree. to an imaginary longitudinal line drawn substantially through the center of a surface of the film and then forming the so-folded sheet into a roll and a roll of greenhouse film folded in the foregoing manner.

Abstract: A sample pack comprises a piece of sheet material (1) folded to reduce its width by half along its longitudinal axis and then folded again about one or more axes transverse to the longitudinal axis before being rolled about a transverse axis. The longitudinal fold line (2) is slitted at intervals to release pressure in the material to promote folding and rolling. The material is advantageously wallpaper and the sample provides a viable alternative to cumbersome pattern books.

Abstract: Newspaper or the like is prepared for burning by folding and rolling operations to provide its complete combustion. The paper is folded such that one edge is placed parallel to and spaced from the opposite edge. The folded paper is then rolled to form a cylindrical fuel element. The cylindrical fuel element is advantageously placed in a fixture retaining its rolled and folded condition during binding. The fixture includes a first and second end supports forming a rectangular channel receiving the cylindrical fuel element. A connecting member maintains the supports relative to each other. A constricting member is positioned in the channel which reduces the width of the channel to maintain the fuel element in its rolled condition. The fuel elements may be in the form of kindling sticks, or bundles of such sticks, or individual logs.

Abstract: A toy for rolling flexible material into structural members which may be assembled into any of a number of desired structures. The apparatus includes a base having bearing means formed on either end to support a tube assembly over which structural members are formed. One of the bearings is moveably mounted on the base and includes an enlarged opening to allow formed tubular structural members to be easily removed from the tube assembly. The tube assembly is comprised of inner and outer tubes rotatable with respect to each other and having elongated slots formed therein which are alignable in one position to allow flexible material to be inserted therein and gripped to facilitate the formation of a tubular structural member.

Abstract: An apparatus for rolling elongated tubular fabric surgical drapes and the like comprising an arrangement of at least four opposed drive belts mounted on a support frame for receiving an open end of the tubular article engageable with longitudinal runs of the belts to propel the article along the frame and into engagement with a second set of belts having longitudinal runs disposed at acute angles with respect to the direction of the runs of the primary drive belts. Propulsion of the end of the article along the primary drive belts and into engagement with the secondary drive belts results in forming the article into a toroidal rolled configuration. A support frame for the primary drive belts is mounted on a linear actuator which provides for movement of the support frame with respect to the secondary drive belts in response to operation of a control circuit to complete the rolling process.

Abstract: A method of producing a hand-hewn look in a false wood beam. The beam is formed from a planar laminate composed of a foam core sandwiched between an outer cover and an inner multiply paper backing. The laminate is rolled along its length, with the outer cover on the outside of the roll, to produce creases in the laminate along irregular, longitudinally spaced lines. These creases create irregular surface facets which, with the laminate unrolled, appear as irregular cutting planes in the laminate's outer cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic applying a predetermined length of ply stock onto a tire building drum wherein the ply stock is unwound from a supply source, conveyed in an untensioned condition on a conveyor means, cut to length and the delivered to a tire building drum. The cut stock is then wrapped in an untensioned condition about the drum with the aid of the conveyor means.

Abstract: A portable, motor operated machine is shown having a box-like housing or work surface that supports an electric motor on one side thereof. A removable elongated shaft or spit is connected into a receiving socket of the motor so as to be turned thereby. The shaft extends transversely across the housing or work surface, and there is a quick-releasable shaft-bearing mounted on the opposite side of the housing for supporting the other end of the shaft. A sheet of newspaper is adapted to be attached to the shaft for winding the paper onto the shaft as the motor slowly turns the shaft. A first pressure plate is hingedly supported near the rear edge of the housing, and it is urged into engagement with the paper roll. A second pressure plate is hingedly supported from the rear edge of the housing and it carries the first pressure plate means thereon. An elongated guide roller is positioned adjacent the front of the machine below the shaft for applying tension to the paper.

Abstract: A log rolling apparatus includes a body having a depression or well positioned therein and a large sheet of canvas or similar flexible material positioned over the body and the well. The canvas is fixedly attached to respective ends of the body and a dual link pivotal member is provided to which is attached a roller movable between the body and the canvas. Sheets of flammable material and optionally other burnable material, such as leaves or the like, may be placed within the well over the top surface of the canvas, and the pivotal member may then be rotated about the body in a manner which causes the canvas to attempt to follow the roller attached to the member, thus causing the top surface of the canvas to slide against itself so as to roll up the flammable sheet material into a log shape with the leaves, if used, enclosed by the sheet material.

Abstract: An improvement in a machine for folding bags wherein bags are rolled and removed from rolling cages through an opening between the rolling cages, the improvement constituting extending the moving surface within the rolling cages beyond the rolling cages and into the opening between the rolling cages.

Abstract: A machine for forming a corrugated package from sheet material including a rotatable corrugation head having a fluted periphery and a front face; corrugating means and sealing means movable into association with the head for corrugating an inner sheet material and sealing two plys of material together, respectively; means for feeding an inner sheet having a selected length and width to the head adjacent said corrugating means and means for feeding an outer sheet having a selected length and width to the head adjacent the sealing means; means for moving a bottom wall member having a selected shape into engagement with the front face of the head and associated with the first and second sheets to form the bottom wall of the package; and means to control the operation of said machine so that the rotation of said head and the function of the above-described components are coordinated to form a corrugated side wall of the package from two sheets simultaneously with the joinder of said side wall with the bottom wall

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a panel folding machine and method, particularly for large panels. The panel is gripped at opposite leading corners and wound up by spaced rotating drums engaging opposite side edges of the panel. The drums are axially withdrawn, dropping the once-wound panel onto a lateral conveyor, where the panel, initially wound in a somewhat cylindrical form, assumes a flat folded condition. The once-wound panel is conveyed laterally until the leading lateral edge is engaged and gripped by a second stage winding drum, rotatable at right angles to the first drum. The panel is then wound in a second stage, in a generally cylindrical configuration. The second stage winding drum is retractable, and is withdrawn after the second stage winding operation, permitting the twice folded panel to drop onto a support conveyor. While on the support conveyor, the panel is flattened, to form a neat, rectangular product of uniform dimensions, which is then taken away for packaging.

Abstract: An improvement in a bag folding machine of the type which winds the bag into a roll in a rolling cage, the improvement which comprises utilizing the same rolling components used to roll the bag to also flatten fold the rolled bag prior to discharge.