An image processing device includes: a fold unit that folds a first adjustment sheet including an adjustment pattern, over the adjustment pattern based on a predetermined reference fold position; an image reader that reads an image of the adjustment pattern with the first adjustment sheet folded by the fold unit unfolded; a position identifying unit that, based on a fold line in the image of the adjustment pattern read by the image reader, identifies a position of the fold line; and a position adjusting unit that adjusts a fold position of the fold unit based on a difference between the position of the fold line identified by the position identifying unit and the reference fold position. The image reader includes a scanner that scans the first adjustment sheet relatively in a direction along fold of the first adjustment sheet, and reads the image of the adjustment pattern.

A filter element has an upstream and downstream side. A filter media assembly of the filter element has an upstream side and a downstream side and has a first filter media layer and a second filter media layer that is adjacent to the first media layer. A substantial portion of the first layer and second layer are uncoupled, and at least one of the first media layer and second media layer comprises binder fiber. The second media layer has a mean flow pore size equal to or smaller than the first media layer. A support layer system is adjacent to the downstream side of the filter media assembly, and a first wire mesh layer is adjacent to the support layer system. At least the first media layer, second media layer, support layer system, and first wire mesh cooperatively define pleats at a pleat packing density of greater than 125%.

A filter element has an upstream and downstream side. A filter media assembly of the filter element has an upstream side and a downstream side and has a first filter media layer and a second filter media layer that is adjacent to the first media layer. A substantial portion of the first layer and second layer are uncoupled, and at least one of the first media layer and second media layer comprises binder fiber. The second media layer has a mean flow pore size equal to or smaller than the first media layer. A support layer system is adjacent to the downstream side of the filter media assembly, and a first wire mesh layer is adjacent to the support layer system. At least the first media layer, second media layer, support layer system, and first wire mesh cooperatively define pleats at a pleat packing density of greater than 125%.

A system and method for folding a discrete absorbent sanitary product includes conveying a product in a machine direction along a main conveyor, folding the product at a first folding station, and later folding the absorbent sanitary product at a second folding station. The product is folded at each of the first and second folding stations by engaging the product with a first drum and rotating the absorbent sanitary product in a first rotational direction, contacting the product with one or more folding fingers traveling in the machine direction, engaging the product with a rotating member adjacent to the first drum and downstream therefrom in the machine direction, the rotating member rotating in the first rotational direction, and folding the product over the one or more folding fingers via rotation of the rotating member in the first rotational direction.

In a method for producing a collection of pre-products by wrapping a second pre-product around a first pre-product, it is provided according to the invention that said method comprises a number of steps. In one step, a first pre-product is provided, which has an edge region. In another step, a second pre-product is provided. In a further step, the second pre-product is conveyed into a wrapping position. In a further step, the first pre-product is conveyed, with the edge region in front, against the second pre-product located in the wrapping position, as a result of which a wrapping operation is initiated on the second pre-product.

In a method for producing a collection of pre-products by wrapping a second pre-product around a first pre-product, it is provided according to the invention that said method comprises a number of steps. In one step, a first pre-product is provided, which has an edge region. In another step, a second pre-product is provided. In a further step, the second pre-product is conveyed into a wrapping position. In a further step, the first pre-product is conveyed, with the edge region in front, against the second pre-product located in the wrapping position, as a result of which a wrapping operation is initiated on the second pre-product.

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 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 filter element has an upstream and downstream side. A filter media assembly of the filter element has an upstream side and a downstream side and has a first filter media layer and a second filter media layer that is adjacent to the first media layer. A substantial portion of the first layer and second layer are uncoupled, and at least one of the first media layer and second media layer comprises binder fiber. The second media layer has a mean flow pore size equal to or smaller than the first media layer. A support layer system is adjacent to the downstream side of the filter media assembly, and a first wire mesh layer is adjacent to the support layer system. At least the first media layer, second media layer, support layer system, and first wire mesh cooperatively define pleats at a pleat packing density of greater than 125%.

A filter element has an upstream and downstream side. A filter media assembly of the filter element has an upstream side and a downstream side and has a first filter media layer and a second filter media layer that is adjacent to the first media layer. A substantial portion of the first layer and second layer are uncoupled, and at least one of the first media layer and second media layer comprises binder fiber. The second media layer has a mean flow pore size equal to or smaller than the first media layer. A support layer system is adjacent to the downstream side of the filter media assembly, and a first wire mesh layer is adjacent to the support layer system. At least the first media layer, second media layer, support layer system, and first wire mesh cooperatively define pleats at a pleat packing density of greater than 125%.