APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING SHEET MATERIAL

摘要

An apparatus and method for packaging sheet material. The apparatus comprises a housing, a first forming guide, and a banding unit. The housing defines a cylindrical cavity which is open at both ends and includes a longitudinal opening which intersects the cylindrical cavity. The first forming guide is affixed to the housing adjacent the longitudinal opening and extends into the cylindrical cavity. The bandin g unit is disposed adjacent the downstream end of the cylindrical cavity. The method comprises imparting a U-shaped form upon a stack of sheet material by insertion of the stack into the upstream end of a cylindrical cavity. The U-shaped stack of sheet materi al is then moved toward and out of the downstream end of the cylindrical cavity. Finall y, the U- shaped stack is banded as the stack emerges from the cylindrical cavity.