Patent ID: 7008364
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: B31F,B65H

Abstract:
1. A folder, comprising: a first folding roll having a blade for cutting a web of material into sheets; a second folding roll having at least one vacuum port through which vacuum can be selectively supplied to retain the sheets on the second folding roll, the first and second folding rolls defining a first nip therebetween; and a third folding roll having at least one vacuum port through which vacuum can be selectively supplied to retain the sheets to the third folding roll, the second and third folding rolls defining a second nip therebetween, the first and second folding rolls rotatable to advance sheets from the first nip through the second nip, the first and second folding rolls rotatable to create folds in sheets passed through the first nip by vacuum selectively supplied to the at least one vacuum port in the second folding roll, and the second and third folding rolls rotatable to create folds in sheets passed through the second nip by vacuum selectively supplied to the vacuum ports in the second and third folding rolls, the folder having a first mode of operation in which vacuum is selectively supplied to the first, second, and third folding rolls to create a first fold in sheets passed through the first nip and a second fold in sheets passed through the second nip, and a second mode of operation in which a single fold is created in sheets passed through the first and second nips where the first folding roll rotates about a first axis, the second folding roll rotates about a second axis, and the third folding roll rotates about a third axis, the second axis being disposed at a higher elevation than the first axis, and the third axis being disposed at a higher elevation than the second axis.