A continuous body folding device includes a conveying part having a moving surface that moves while suctioning and holding a first region of a continuous body, the conveying part conveying the continuous body in the longitudinal direction thereof; a first folding reference part in which a first endless belt, which moves in a first circulatory pathway along a first virtual plane including the moving surface, moves along a first reference segment adjacent to a virtual line of the continuous body in the same direction at the same speed as the moving surface; and first guiding members that are disposed along the first reference segment, contact a second region of the continuous body, and fold the continuous body along the virtual line and move the second region toward the first region so that the angle formed by the first and second regions becomes smaller as the continuous body is conveyed downstream.

A process for the production of books (22) with digital printing from signatures, in which the book comprises signature groups (33), each formed with basic sheets (34), are parts of respective signature sheets (42). The process employs a manufacturing system (21) which includes a transversal cutting equipment (41) for cutting transversally the signatures sheets, and transversal and longitudinal folding equipment (46) for the formation of respective signatures (48). For a book with at least a sheet section devoid of text and/or figures in a last signature group, the method provides: a) identify a reduced signature group (59) including a number of sheet sections having at least a page with text and/or figures; b) cut the paper strip (23) to separate the reduced signature group as reduced signature group; c) actuate the transversal folding equipment (46) limited to the sheet sections having at least a page with text and/or figures and skipping the actuation of the transversal folding equipment (46) for a single sheet section; and d) actuate the longitudinal folding equipment (47) for folding longitudinally the reduced signature group.

A process for the production of books (22) with digital printing from signatures, in which the book comprises signature groups (33), each formed with basic sheets (34), are parts of respective signature sheets (42). The process employs a manufacturing system (21) which includes a transversal cutting equipment (41) for cutting transversally the signatures sheets, and transversal and longitudinal folding equipment (46) for the formation of respective signatures (48). For a book with at least a sheet section devoid of text and/or figures in a last signature group, the method provides: a) identify a reduced signature group (59) including a number of sheet sections having at least a page with text and/or figures; b) cut the paper strip (23) to separate the reduced signature group as reduced signature group; c) actuate the transversal folding equipment (46) limited to the sheet sections having at least a page with text and/or figures and skipping the actuation of the transversal folding equipment (46) for a single sheet section; and d) actuate the longitudinal folding equipment (47) for folding longitudinally the reduced signature group.

A collapsed adhesive tape tube dispenser for dispensing adhesive tape rolls. The dispenser having a baseplate having a first end, a second end, and a baseplate center line extending longitudinally in the machine direction. A tape roll unwind supported by the baseplate near the first end. A mandrel extending in the machine direction having a mandrel first end and a mandrel second end with the mandrel second end being cantilevered and unsupported. An exterior forming die positioned between the first end and the second end, and the exterior forming die having a shaping portion with a threading slot. A compression roller located near the second end for flattening the adhesive tape tube structure.

A collapsed adhesive tape tube dispenser for dispensing adhesive tape rolls. The dispenser having a baseplate having a first end, a second end, and a baseplate center line extending longitudinally in the machine direction. A tape roll unwind supported by the baseplate near the first end. A mandrel extending in the machine direction having a mandrel first end and a mandrel second end with the mandrel second end being cantilevered and unsupported. An exterior forming die positioned between the first end and the second end, and the exterior forming die having a shaping portion with a threading slot. A compression roller located near the second end for flattening the adhesive tape tube structure.

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for securely applying print to a web of continuous polymeric film. The web can first travel in a machine direction on a tensioning roller and onto a folding board whereupon the web is divided into first and second partial widths with a cross-section of the web taking on a U-shape or a V-shape. In between the cross-section of these two partial widths a printer can be placed such that the printer prints onto an inner surface of first partial width. Once the printing is complete, the folding of the web can be completed such that an inner surface of the second partial width is in contact with, covers, and protects the printed matter placed onto the first partial width.

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for securely applying print to a web of continuous polymeric film. The web can first travel in a machine direction on a tensioning roller and onto a folding board whereupon the web is divided into first and second partial widths with a cross-section of the web taking on a U-shape or a V-shape. In between the cross-section of these two partial widths a printer can be placed such that the printer prints onto an inner surface of first partial width. Once the printing is complete, the folding of the web can be completed such that an inner surface of the second partial width is in contact with, covers, and protects the printed matter placed onto the first partial width.

An apparatus for folding in two a continuous web (10) that advances in a longitudinal direction (A), comprising: a folding station (22) designed to fold said continuous web (10) along a line of longitudinal folding (B) parallel to said longitudinal direction (A); and an alignment station (24) for mutual alignment of opposite longitudinal edges (14) of said continuous web (10), wherein said alignment station (24) comprises two suction belt conveyors (42, 44) having respective branches facing one another (50, 52) designed to pick up by means of suction respective folded sections (34, 32) of said web (10), said suction belt conveyors (42, 44) being mobile in a transverse direction (D) and being associated to a control device (72) designed to move said suction belt conveyors (42, 44) by the same amount and in opposite directions in said transverse direction (D) as a function of information on the position of said longitudinal edges (14).

An apparatus for folding in two a continuous web (10) that advances in a longitudinal direction (A), comprising: a folding station (22) designed to fold said continuous web (10) along a line of longitudinal folding (B) parallel to said longitudinal direction (A); and an alignment station (24) for mutual alignment of opposite longitudinal edges (14) of said continuous web (10), wherein said alignment station (24) comprises two suction belt conveyors (42, 44) having respective branches facing one another (50, 52) designed to pick up by means of suction respective folded sections (34, 32) of said web (10), said suction belt conveyors (42, 44) being mobile in a transverse direction (D) and being associated to a control device (72) designed to move said suction belt conveyors (42, 44) by the same amount and in opposite directions in said transverse direction (D) as a function of information on the position of said longitudinal edges (14).

A method and apparatus for pleating or otherwise shaping a web are described herein. The method and apparatus may have numerous applications. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus are used in the formation, filling, and sealing of unit dose packages for consumer products. A method and apparatus for forming sealing two moving webs together, which webs have portions that are non-planar are also described herein.