A sheet folding processing apparatus suppresses an increase in size and cost of the apparatus and performs folding processing on continuously conveyed sheets. In the sheet folding processing apparatus, a sheet conveyed by a feeding roller pair and hang in a loop shape in a loop forming space is pushed into a nipping portion of a folding roller pair by a pushing plate, so that the sheet is folded in a Z-shape to form a plurality of fold lines. The sheet is conveyed in the conveyance direction until the sheet rear end passes through the feeding roller pair, and after the sheet rear end is stored in a loop forming space by moving the pushing plate from a position for pushing the sheet into a nipping portion to a retracting position, the reinforcing processing of the fold line of the sheet is performed by an additional folding unit.

A sheet folding processing apparatus suppresses an increase in size and cost of the apparatus and performs folding processing on continuously conveyed sheets. In the sheet folding processing apparatus, a sheet conveyed by a feeding roller pair and hang in a loop shape in a loop forming space is pushed into a nipping portion of a folding roller pair by a pushing plate, so that the sheet is folded in a Z-shape to form a plurality of fold lines. The sheet is conveyed in the conveyance direction until the sheet rear end passes through the feeding roller pair, and after the sheet rear end is stored in a loop forming space by moving the pushing plate from a position for pushing the sheet into a nipping portion to a retracting position, the reinforcing processing of the fold line of the sheet is performed by an additional folding unit.

In order to enable a sheet to be properly guided to a nip portion in performing folding processing, a sheet processing apparatus for performing folding processing on a sheet is provided with a rotating body pair which nips the sheet by a nip portion to rotate, and thereby draws the sheet to perform folding processing, a folding blade that pushes the sheet to the nip portion of the rotating body pair, and a blade guide member including a guide portion for pushing the sheet to the nip portion when the folding blade pushes the sheet to the nip portion, where the folding blade and blade guide member are relatively shifted so that a distance from a push front edge portion to the guide portion when the folding blade pushes the sheet to the nip portion is longer than a distance from the front edge portion to the guide portion.

In order to enable a sheet to be properly guided to a nip portion in performing folding processing, a sheet processing apparatus for performing folding processing on a sheet is provided with a rotating body pair which nips the sheet by a nip portion to rotate, and thereby draws the sheet to perform folding processing, a folding blade that pushes the sheet to the nip portion of the rotating body pair, and a blade guide member including a guide portion for pushing the sheet to the nip portion when the folding blade pushes the sheet to the nip portion, where the folding blade and blade guide member are relatively shifted so that a distance from a push front edge portion to the guide portion when the folding blade pushes the sheet to the nip portion is longer than a distance from the front edge portion to the guide portion.

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 method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Folder systems and related methods are provided for accurately and efficiently folding a paper carrier that has a card attached without bending or dislodging the card from the carrier. A movable fold chute receives a portion of the carrier with the card attached and allows the carrier to fold while protecting the card portion of the carrier. The fold chute moves between different positions which allow the carrier to enter and exit through folding rollers along a generally straight paper path without forcing the cards around small radii, thereby preventing damage to the cards or causing them to separate from the carrier sheet.

Folder systems and related methods are provided for accurately and efficiently folding a paper carrier that has a card attached without bending or dislodging the card from the carrier. A movable fold chute receives a portion of the carrier with the card attached and allows the carrier to fold while protecting the card portion of the carrier. The fold chute moves between different positions which allow the carrier to enter and exit through folding rollers along a generally straight paper path without forcing the cards around small radii, thereby preventing damage to the cards or causing them to separate from the carrier sheet.

A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.