A biodegradable sampling bag for containing samples or the like, comprises a flexible enclosure defining a chamber adapted to contain therein the sample, the flexible enclosure being made of a plastic material, which contains an additive that renders the flexible enclosure biodegradable when exposed for a sufficient period of time to microbial action. The additive is adapted to enable microorganisms to metabolize the molecular structure of said flexible enclosure. The additive is effective in altering the polymer chain of the plastic material to allow microbial action of a suitable environment to colonize in and around the plastic material, whereby microbes can then form a biofilm on a surface of the flexible enclosure and secrete acids which break down the entire polymer chain. The flexible enclosure, when exposed to microbial action, is adapted to withstand biodegradation for a given period of time, typically of at least three months.

A method and unit for folding light incontinence pads having a substantially rectangular shape elongate according to a longitudinal axis and comprising a central absorbent pad and an outer edge, according to which a first end portion of the incontinence pad is folded on a central portion of the incontinence pad about a first fold line transversal to the longitudinal axis, a second end portion of the incontinence pad is folded on the first end portion about a second fold line transversal to the longitudinal axis, and elasticated segments of the edge located between the first and second fold lines are folded on the central portion; the step of folding the elasticated segments of the edge being between a first sub-step of partly folding the first end portion and a second sub-step of completely folding the first end portion on the central portion.

A method and unit for folding light incontinence pads having a substantially rectangular shape elongate according to a longitudinal axis and comprising a central absorbent pad and an outer edge, according to which a first end portion of the incontinence pad is folded on a central portion of the incontinence pad about a first fold line transversal to the longitudinal axis, a second end portion of the incontinence pad is folded on the first end portion about a second fold line transversal to the longitudinal axis, and elasticated segments of the edge located between the first and second fold lines are folded on the central portion; the step of folding the elasticated segments of the edge being between a first sub-step of partly folding the first end portion and a second sub-step of completely folding the first end portion on the central portion.

A folding roller module with combined bearing unit is disclosed. The folding roller module of the present invention comprises a folding roller and a plurality of combined bearing unit. In the present invention, a plurality of combined bearing unit are used to support the folding roller at suitable locations for enhancing the strength of the folding roller module, reducing the deformation of the folding roller, and reducing the vibration during operation.

A folding roller module with combined bearing unit is disclosed. The folding roller module of the present invention comprises a folding roller and a plurality of combined bearing unit. In the present invention, a plurality of combined bearing unit are used to support the folding roller at suitable locations for enhancing the strength of the folding roller module, reducing the deformation of the folding roller, and reducing the vibration during operation.

A sheet sticking apparatus includes a feeder configured to feed an adhesive sheet, a folding unit configured to fold the fed adhesive sheet, and an attaching unit configured to press the folded adhesive sheet onto an adherend to stick the adhesive sheet to the adherend. The adhesive sheet includes a first sheet and a second sheet having a feeding-direction leading end temporarily attached to a feeding-direction rear end of the first sheet. The folding unit includes a deflecting section configured to deflect the second sheet into a reverse V-shape.

A method for bringing together a wrapper and a plurality of inserts can be used to form an advertising means compilation. In a region of a compilation section, the wrapper and the inserts are deposited on one another individually and in succession on a conveying element which is moved in a direction of transport. A leading edge of the wrapper is deposited offset relative to leading edges of the inserts so as to form an excess length of the wrapper. The inserts are deposited on one another, forming a stack, such that the leading edges of the inserts form a common fold edge. The excess length of the wrapper, which lies flat on the conveying element or on the stack of inserts, is folded around the fold edge and, at least in part, around the stack of inserts so as to form the advertising means compilation.

A method for bringing together a wrapper and a plurality of inserts can be used to form an advertising means compilation. In a region of a compilation section, the wrapper and the inserts are deposited on one another individually and in succession on a conveying element which is moved in a direction of transport. A leading edge of the wrapper is deposited offset relative to leading edges of the inserts so as to form an excess length of the wrapper. The inserts are deposited on one another, forming a stack, such that the leading edges of the inserts form a common fold edge. The excess length of the wrapper, which lies flat on the conveying element or on the stack of inserts, is folded around the fold edge and, at least in part, around the stack of inserts so as to form the advertising means compilation.

A sheet processing apparatus includes two pressing members and an advancing-receding unit. The pressing members nip and press against a fold section of a sheet. The advancing-receding unit causes the pressing members to repeatedly press against the fold section by causing at least one of the pressing members to advance to and recede from the other pressing member. The advancing-receding unit varies a reception separation amount and a post-receding separation amount from each other and sets the post-receding separation amount to be smaller than the reception separation amount. The reception separation amount is a separation amount by which the pressing members are separated from each other when the fold section is to be received between the pressing members. The post-receding separation amount is a separation amount by which the pressing members that have pressed against the fold section are separated from each other after receding from the fold section.

A sheet processing apparatus includes two pressing members and an advancing-receding unit. The pressing members nip and press against a fold section of a sheet. The advancing-receding unit causes the pressing members to repeatedly press against the fold section by causing at least one of the pressing members to advance to and recede from the other pressing member. The advancing-receding unit varies a reception separation amount and a post-receding separation amount from each other and sets the post-receding separation amount to be smaller than the reception separation amount. The reception separation amount is a separation amount by which the pressing members are separated from each other when the fold section is to be received between the pressing members. The post-receding separation amount is a separation amount by which the pressing members that have pressed against the fold section are separated from each other after receding from the fold section.