An improved imbricating method, folding method, and device for producing imbricated streams (3) which are produced from singulated and preferably folded blanks (2) is provided. The method includes taking imbricated bundles of blanks including of a number of overlapping blanks corresponding to the number of the individual streams formed by the blanks of a first individual stream being transported at a distance from one another along a transport surface through a compiling station. In the process, the blanks of the at least one remaining individual stream are first of all deflected vertically with respect to the transport surface by a deflecting device of the compiling station and are then guided in the direction of the first individual stream and are subsequently deposited with an offset onto the blanks of the first individual stream.

A folding device includes a folding mechanism configured to form a first folding line extending from one widthwise end of a sheet, a second folding line extending obliquely from the other widthwise end of the sheet toward an end of the first folding line and a third folding line configured to reverse one widthwise part of the sheet such that one widthwise part of the sheet folded along the second folding line overlaps with another part. The folding mechanism includes a second folding member having a second folding line forming portion configured to form the second folding line. The second folding member is so attached to a conveying mechanism that the second folding line forming portion is movable with respect to the formation positions of the first folding line and the third folding line.

A folding device includes a folding mechanism configured to form a first folding line extending from one widthwise end of a sheet, a second folding line extending obliquely from the other widthwise end of the sheet toward an end of the first folding line and a third folding line configured to reverse one widthwise part of the sheet such that one widthwise part of the sheet folded along the second folding line overlaps with another part. The folding mechanism includes a second folding member having a second folding line forming portion configured to form the second folding line. The second folding member is so attached to a conveying mechanism that the second folding line forming portion is movable with respect to the formation positions of the first folding line and the third folding line.

A resin sheet material 2 in a state of being stretched in a longitudinal direction is held by a stretching and bending mechanism 3, and heated and softened by a heating unit 5. The softened resin sheet material 2 is stretched by pulling the ends in the longitudinal direction and ends in a transverse direction of the resin sheet material by the stretching and bending mechanism 3. The stretched resin sheet material 2 is bent by the stretching and bending mechanism 3, and molded by vacuum forming by a resin molding unit 6.

A method and apparatus for forming patterns on sheet material are disclosed. The method comprises a continuous lateral stretch process for producing zero- or near zero-curvature structures. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises pre-gathering the sheet material in the lateral direction to form longitudinal corrugated folds and then feeding the corrugated material through one or more sets of oscillating formers, preferably articulating discs, to impart folding in the lateral direction. Optionally, the sheet material may be fed through one or more sets of patterned rollers.

An adhesive tape dispenser and applicator which folds one or both edges of tape being applied over upon themselves. The dispenser includes an edge folding guide having a planar surface, two inwardly converging edges and tape guides cooperating to fold the edges of the tape. A compression roller is provided to press the edges together. A method of threading tape onto an edge folding tape dispenser is also described.

An adhesive tape dispenser and applicator which folds one or both edges of tape being applied over upon themselves. The dispenser includes an edge folding guide having a planar surface, two inwardly converging edges and tape guides cooperating to fold the edges of the tape. A compression roller is provided to press the edges together. A method of threading tape onto an edge folding tape dispenser is also described.

A method and associated system for cutting and placing individual nose wires in a facemask production line include supplying a continuous wire from a supply source to a cutting station where the continuous wire is cut into individual nose wires having a defined length. The nose wires are then conveyed to a treatment station prior to being deposited onto a carrier web. At the treatment station, a surface treatment is performed on a side of the nose wires that results in an increased surface attachment of the nose wires to the carrier web.

The invention relates to a folding belt, which can be used, for example, in a folding machine. By means of an improved profile of the folding belt, the quality of the folding is improved and, in particular, undesired fishtailing is reduced.

The invention relates to a folding belt, which can be used, for example, in a folding machine. By means of an improved profile of the folding belt, the quality of the folding is improved and, in particular, undesired fishtailing is reduced.