SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING A FOLDED ARTICLE

摘要

A system for making a sheet of paper into a folded article is disclosed that includes multiple folding units and a turn unit for changing the travel path of the folded article. At least one of the folding units creates a fold in the folded article in a direction that is perpendicular to a fold created by another one of the folding units. The turn unit alters the travel direction of the folded article so that downstream folding units can be arranged in a manner that saves floor space. Also disclosed herein is a method of folding a sheet of paper that includes conveying the sheet of paper along perpendicular travel paths after the sheet of paper has been folded.

主权项

1. A system that forms informational items having information printed thereon, the system comprising:
a first folding unit configured to form a first folded article from a sheet of paper having information printed thereon, the first folding unit defining a first linear travel path for the sheet of paper and having a plurality of folding rollers configured to form the sheet of paper into the first folded article by making a plurality of folds parallel to a first folding direction in the sheet of paper; a second folding unit defining a second linear travel path that is perpendicular to the first linear travel path and operatively coupled downstream of the first folding unit to receive the first folded article, the second folding unit being configured to form a second folded article by making at least one fold in the first folded article parallel to a second folding direction that is perpendicular to the first folding direction; a turn unit operatively coupled downstream of the second folding unit to receive the second folded article, the turn station defining an inlet disposed on a third linear travel path that is coextensive with the second linear travel path and an outlet disposed on a fourth linear travel path that is perpendicular to the second and third travel paths such that the turn station receives the second folded article from the second folding unit through the inlet and conveys the second folded article along the third linear travel path to the fourth linear travel path to the outlet; and a third folding unit defining a fifth linear travel path that is coextensive with the fourth linear travel path and operatively coupled to the turn unit to receive the second article from the outlet of the turn unit, the third folding unit being configured to form a third folded article by making at least one fold in the second article parallel to the second folding direction.