An apparatus for folding sheets and corresponding method, including at least a conditioning body, at least a folding unit and at least an extraction mean suitable to fold sheets in sequence of variable formats, maintaining high cadences and at the same time simplifying the structure for the maintenance operations and/or format-changes.

Disclosed is a folding device, comprising: a first folding part, configured to fold, for a first time in a first direction, a folded object in half; a second folding part, configured to fold for a second time in a second direction in half, the folded object that has been folded in half for the first time, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction; a third folding part, configured to fold, for a third time in a third direction, one end of the folded object that has been folded in half for the second time, wherein the third direction is perpendicular to the second direction; a fourth folding part, configured to fold, for a fourth time in a fourth direction, the other end of the folded object that has been folded in half for the second time, where the fourth direction is opposite to the third direction.

A bending system for separating a page from a cover of a value document, wherein the page is connected to a spine of the cover, the spine separating the cover in first and second cover portions, wherein an angle γ is formed between the first and second cover portions. The bending system includes a bending unit connected to a motor, wherein the motor is configured to operate the bending unit such that the bending unit bends the value document to a first state, where γ is larger than 180°, and then back to a second state, where γ is at least 180° but less than γ in the first state, to separate the page from the cover. Also disclosed is an engraving system for engraving a front side and backside of a page of the value document and a document manufacturing device including the bending system and engraving system.

A bending system for separating a page from a cover of a value document, wherein the page is connected to a spine of the cover, the spine separating the cover in first and second cover portions, wherein an angle γ is formed between the first and second cover portions. The bending system includes a bending unit connected to a motor, wherein the motor is configured to operate the bending unit such that the bending unit bends the value document to a first state, where γ is larger than 180°, and then back to a second state, where γ is at least 180° but less than γ in the first state, to separate the page from the cover. Also disclosed is an engraving system for engraving a front side and backside of a page of the value document and a document manufacturing device including the bending system and engraving system.

A sheet conveying device includes a first sheet conveyance passage, a second sheet conveyance passage, and a branching guide. The first sheet conveyance passage is a passage through which a sheet passes in a first direction. The second sheet conveyance passage shares a part of the first sheet conveyance passage and branches off from the first sheet conveyance passage in a second direction opposite the first direction of the first sheet conveyance passage. The branching guide is disposed at a position where the first sheet conveyance passage meets the second sheet conveyance passage. The branching guide is configured to move between a first position for the first direction and a second position for the second direction. A plurality of branching guides including the branching guide is spaced apart in a width direction of the sheet and separately switchable between the first position and the second position.

A sheet conveying device includes a first sheet conveyance passage, a second sheet conveyance passage, and a branching guide. The first sheet conveyance passage is a passage through which a sheet passes in a first direction. The second sheet conveyance passage shares a part of the first sheet conveyance passage and branches off from the first sheet conveyance passage in a second direction opposite the first direction of the first sheet conveyance passage. The branching guide is disposed at a position where the first sheet conveyance passage meets the second sheet conveyance passage. The branching guide is configured to move between a first position for the first direction and a second position for the second direction. A plurality of branching guides including the branching guide is spaced apart in a width direction of the sheet and separately switchable between the first position and the second position.

In one aspect, a method for manufacturing a continuous sheet for use within a roller shade may generally include positioning a portion of a first sheet web adjacent to a mandrel, positioning a portion of a second sheet web adjacent to the mandrel and winding the first and second sheet webs around the mandrel such that a folded segment of the first sheet web is secured to a base segment of the second sheet web.

In one aspect, a method for manufacturing a continuous sheet for use within a roller shade may generally include positioning a portion of a first sheet web adjacent to a mandrel, positioning a portion of a second sheet web adjacent to the mandrel and winding the first and second sheet webs around the mandrel such that a folded segment of the first sheet web is secured to a base segment of the second sheet web.

A sheet processing apparatus includes a transport path for transporting a sheet in a predetermined transport direction; a folding unit disposed along the transport path to perform folding processing on a sheet transported through the transport path; and a downstream-side unit disposed on a downstream side in the transport direction along the transport path to perform processing on a sheet transported from the folding unit. The folding unit includes a space section disposed at a lower side of the transport path for forming a cylindrical shape on a sheet; a transport roller disposed in the transport path to transport a sheet to the space section; and folding rollers to form a fold at a predetermined position on a sheet in which the cylindrical shape is formed. The space section is provided in a range of overlapping the downstream-side unit in a height direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

A sheet processing apparatus includes a transport path for transporting a sheet in a predetermined transport direction; a folding unit disposed along the transport path to perform folding processing on a sheet transported through the transport path; and a downstream-side unit disposed on a downstream side in the transport direction along the transport path to perform processing on a sheet transported from the folding unit. The folding unit includes a space section disposed at a lower side of the transport path for forming a cylindrical shape on a sheet; a transport roller disposed in the transport path to transport a sheet to the space section; and folding rollers to form a fold at a predetermined position on a sheet in which the cylindrical shape is formed. The space section is provided in a range of overlapping the downstream-side unit in a height direction orthogonal to the transport direction.