Patent Publication Number: US-10308469-B2

Title: Apparatus for forming sheets of different lengths or sheets with different panel lengths

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/132,855, filed Mar. 13, 2015, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to web material converting machines for forming sheets of web material and particularly folded sheets of web material and even more particular stacks of folded sheets of web material. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Current web material converting machines are limited to having a single, distinct, folded panel length with the potential ability to have various cutoff lengths (sheet lengths) which are a multiple of the single, distinct, folded panel length (2, 3, 4, etc. panel products with cutoff lengths divisible by the same single, distinct, panel length). As such, the machine cannot make panel lengths of different dimensions. More particularly, if a machine is configured to make panel lengths of 5 inches, the machine typically cannot be quickly changed to make panel lengths of 5.125 inches. In this example, the 5 inch panel length would result in a sheet length for a sheet with 2 panels of 10 inches, a sheet with 3 panels would have a sheet length of 15 inches and a sheet with 4 panels would have a sheet length of 20 inches, etc. The 5.125 inch panel length would result in sheets with 2 panels having a sheet length of 10.25 inches, sheets with 3 panels having a sheet length of 15.375 inches and sheets with 4 panels having sheet lengths of 20.5 inches, etc. 
     There is not a current method or apparatus to produce multiple panel lengths using the same set of processing rolls (knife roll, lap roll, folding roll, etc.). Current means of achieving multiple panel lengths on a single machine involve having multiple sets of processing rolls that can be exchanged with each other or are located in different positions where the web path needs to be altered to go between the different sets of processing rolls. 
     Typically, the outer circumference of the processing rolls relates to a multiple of the panel lengths. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, an apparatus for forming sheets of web material of different lengths is provided. The apparatus includes a cutting arrangement for cutting the web of material into sheets at a cutting location. The cutting arrangement includes a roll receiving a web of material on an outer periphery thereof and carrying the web of material past the cutting location. The roll rotates about a rotational axis. The roll has an excess material receiving component having a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, a first extent of material is accommodated by the excess material receiving component to form sheets of a first length. In the second mode, a second extent of material is accommodated by the excess material receiving component to form sheets of a second length. The second extent of material being greater than the first extent. The roll rotates about the rotational axis a first arc angle that is the same amount for forming sheets of the first and second lengths. 
     In one embodiment, the excess material receiving component includes a ditch formed by the roll. The amount of web received in the ditch defines the first and second extents of material accommodated by the excess material receiving component. In one embodiment, the first extent is zero material. 
     In one embodiment, the excess material receiving component includes at least one vacuum port in fluid communication with the ditch. The vacuum port provides vacuum in the second mode to hold the second extent of material in the ditch. 
     In one embodiment, the vacuum port is deactivated in the first mode to limit the amount of material accommodated therein. 
     In one embodiment, the excess material receiving component accommodates the second extent of material prior to passing the cutting location such that a sheet of the second length is formed by the cutting arrangement. 
     In one embodiment, a filling component placed in the ditch in the first mode to limit the amount of material able to be accommodated in the ditch in the first mode. 
     In one embodiment, the roll has a plurality of excess material receiving components. The plurality of excess material receiving components are spaced about the axis of the roll less than the first arc angle such that multiple excess material receiving components are used during the formation of each sheet of the second length. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a folding arrangement downstream from the cutting arrangement. The folding arrangement is configured to fold the sheets to form multiple panels in the sheet. The roll has a plurality of excess material receiving components. The spacing of the plurality of excess material receiving components is such that at least one excess material receiving component aligns with each region of each sheet that will form a panel. 
     In one embodiment, a processing roll for handling sheets of web material of different lengths is provided. The processing roll includes a roll having an outer periphery including an excess material receiving component for receiving excess material and accommodating sheets of different lengths about the periphery of the roll. 
     In a particular embodiment, at least one sheet manipulation component is provided proximate the outer periphery of the roll. The roll defining a handling region adjacent the sheet manipulation component extending angularly about a rotational axis of the roll between a leading edge and a trailing edge. When a sheet of a first length is handled by the roll, the sheet is located with a leading edge proximate the leading edge of the handling region and with a trailing edge proximate the trailing edge of the handling region. When a sheet of a second length greater than the first length is handled by the roll, the sheet is located with a leading edge proximate the leading edge of the handling region and with a trailing edge proximate the trailing edge of the handling region such that the first and second sheets take up a same arc angle within the handling region. 
     In one embodiment, a difference in length between the first and second sheets is accommodated by the excess material receiving component when the sheets of a second length are handled by the processing roll. 
     In one embodiment, the excess material receiving component is a ditch formed by the processing roll. 
     In one embodiment, the excess material receiving component is a plurality of ditches formed by the processing roll. 
     In one embodiment, the excess material receiving component is an outward extending projection formed on the outer periphery of the processing roll. 
     In one embodiment, a method of processing sheets of web material is provided. The method includes handling a first set of folded sheets and a second set of folded sheets. Each sheet of the first set of folded sheets has at least one panel of a first predetermined length. Each sheet of the second set of folded sheets has at least one panel of a second predetermined length, the second predetermined length being greater than the first predetermined length. 
     In one embodiment, the steps of handling the first set of folded sheets and handling the second set of folded sheets are performed with a same first processing roll. The first processing roll includes a first excess material receiving component. During the step of handling the first set of folded sheets, a first extent of material is received by the excess material receiving component. During the step of handling the second set of folded sheets, a second extent of material is received by the first excess material receiving component. The second extent being greater than the first extent. 
     In one embodiment, handling the first set of folded sheets includes transferring the sheets of the first set of folded sheets to a second processing roll having a second excess material receiving component. Handling the second set of folded sheets includes transferring the sheets of the second set of folded sheets to a second processing roll. Transferring the sheets of the second set of folded sheets to the second processing roll includes transferring the second extent of material from the first excess material receiving component to the second excess material receiving component. 
     In a more particular embodiment, transferring the second extent of material from the first excess material receiving component to the second excess material receiving component occurs proximate a nip formed between the first and second processing rolls. 
     In one embodiment, the method includes retaining the second extent of material in the first excess material receiving component using a material retaining mechanism. 
     In one method, the material retaining mechanism is a vacuum port in fluid communication with the first excess material receiving component. 
     In one method, the material retaining mechanism is a mechanical gripper. 
     One method further includes biasing the second extent of material into the first excess material receiving component. 
     In one method, the step of biasing the second extent of material is performed by pushing the second extent of material with a projection of a biasing roll positioned adjacent the first processing roll. 
     In one method, the first excess material receiving component is in the form of a ditch provided by the first processing roll and the second extent of material is received in the ditch. 
     In one method, the first excess material receiving component is in the form of a plurality of ditches provided by the first processing roll and the second extent of material is received in at least one of the plurality of ditches. 
     In one method, the steps of handling the first set of folded sheets and handling the second set of folded sheets are performed with a same first processing roll. During the step of handling the first set of folded sheets, each first sheet extends angularly about a rotational axis of the first processing roll a first arc angle. During the step of handling the second set of folded sheets, each second sheet extends angularly about a rotational axis of the first processing roll a second arc angle. The first and second arc angles being equal. 
     In one method, handling the second set of folded sheets includes holding each of the second sheets on an upstream side of the first excess material receiving component at a first location and on a downstream side of the first excess material receiving component at a second location. Handling the second set of folded sheets further includes transferring the sheets of the second set of folded sheets to a second processing roll. Transferring includes holding each of the second sheets with the second processing roll at the first and second locations. 
     In one embodiment, a method of processing sheets of web material is provided. The method includes handling a first set of sheets with a processing roll. Each sheet of the first set of sheets has a first predetermined length extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. Handling of the first sheets defines at least one first handling region. Each first handling region extends angularly a first arc angle about a rotational axis of the processing roll between a leading edge of the first handling region and a trailing edge of the handling region. The method includes handling a second set of sheets with the same processing roll. Each sheet of the second set of sheets is a second predetermined length extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The second predetermined length being greater than the first predetermined length. Handling of the second sheets defines at least one second handling region. Each second handling region extends angularly the first arc angle about the rotational axis of the processing roll between a leading edge of the second handling region and a trailing edge of the second handling region. The leading edge of the first handling regions being defined by leading edges of the first sheets and the trailing edge of the first handling regions being defined by trailing edges of the first sheets. The leading edge of the second handling regions is defined by leading edges of the second sheets and the trailing edge of the second handling regions being defined by trailing edges of the second sheets. 
     In one embodiment, a first arc length between the leading edge and trailing edge of the first handling regions is equal to a second arc length between the leading edge and trailing edge of the second handling regions. 
     In one embodiment, a method of forming sheets of web material of different lengths is provided. The method includes in a first mode for forming sheets of a first length: receiving, by a cutting arrangement processing roll, a web of material, the cutting arrangement processing roll having a first excess material receiving component; receiving a first extent of material in the excess material receiving component; and severing the web of material after a predetermined amount of rotation of the cutting arrangement processing roll to form sheets of the first length. The method includes a second mode for forming sheets of a second length: receiving, by the cutting arrangement processing roll, the web of material; receiving a second extent of material in the excess material receiving component, the second extent of material being greater than the first extent of material; and severing the web of material after the predetermined amount of rotation of the cutting arrangement processing roll to form sheets of the second length. 
     In one embodiment, a difference between the first and second lengths is an integer multiple of the difference between the first and second extents of material. 
     Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic illustration of web converting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified illustration of one form of interfolded sheet product that can be formed using the machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified illustration of how sheets are aligned prior to being interfolded using the machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial illustration of a processing roll of the machine of  FIG. 1  illustrating a ditch formed therein illustrating how web interacts with the ditch in both a large and a small operational mode; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial illustration of the processing roll with web of material in the ditch thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment that utilizes a mechanism for forcing the web of material in the ditch of the processing roll of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial illustration of the web converting machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are partial illustrations of a knife roll and a folding roll illustrating the transfer of web material from the ditch of one roll to the ditch of the other roll; 
         FIGS. 10-12  illustrate the sheets of web passing through the folding nip of the machine of  FIG. 1  and the transfer of excess web material from ditch to another; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial illustration of the machine of  FIG. 1  illustrating stack formation; 
         FIG. 14  is a simplified illustration of the machine of  FIG. 1  without webs of material and identifying the direction of rotation of various components thereof; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate formation of sheets of different lengths using a same arc length about a rotational axis of a processing roll but using an excess material receiving component. 
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a web material converting machine  100  according to the teachings of the present invention illustrated in the form of an interfolding machine and more particularly in the form of a single-fold interfolding machine. The converting machine  100  takes incoming continuous webs of material  102 ,  104 , severs the webs to form individual sheets  106 ,  108  using cutting arrangements  110 ,  112 , interfolds the sheets  106 ,  108  using interfolding arrangement  114  and then forms a stack of the interfolded sheets  106 ,  108  (see also  FIG. 13 ). It should be noted that features of the present invention can be utilized in different systems that use one or more than two webs. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a schematic illustration of an example of interfolded sheets  106 ,  108  is provided. The converting machine  100  of  FIG. 1  is configured to form sheets having panel length L of different values. For instance, in one embodiment, the converting machine  100  may be configured in a small panel mode that forms sheets with panel length L of 5 inches with a total sheet length L 1  of 2L of approximately 10 inches and a large panel mode that forms sheets with panel length L of 5.125 inches with a total sheet length L 1  of approximately 10.25 inches. It should be noted that features of the present invention can be utilized in different systems that form different sized panels and that form sheets with more than two panels such as multi-fold arrangements including, but not limited to, W- or Z-folded sheets or zig-zag patterned sheets. The features can also be used for both interfolded and non-interfolded arrangements. Further, while the illustrated concept accommodates two different sizes of sheet length L 1  and panel length L, other systems could accommodate more than two sizes. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the general components of the illustrated converting machine  100  will be identified. The continuous webs  102 ,  104 , will be directed around idler rolls  120 ,  122  and toward cutting arrangements  110 ,  112 . 
     The cutting arrangements  110 ,  112  include knife rolls  124 ,  126  that cooperate with corresponding anvils  128 ,  130 . As the webs  102 ,  104  pass between the knife rolls  124 ,  126  and corresponding anvils  128 ,  130 , the webs  102 ,  104  are severed into sheets  106 ,  108 . 
     The severed sheets  106 ,  108  are transferred by the knife rolls  124 ,  126  to the interfolding arrangement  114  including folding rolls  132 ,  134 . The folding rolls  132 ,  134  are counter rotating rolls forming a folding nip  180  therebetween. The sheets  106 ,  108  arrive to the folding nip  180  one panel out of phase such that the streams of sheets  106 ,  108  are overlapped as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . This overlapped arrangement allows for the sheets  106 ,  108  to be interfolded into the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2  when the sheets  106 ,  108  pass through the folding nip  180  and are folded by the interfolding arrangement  114 . 
     A pair of guides  138 ,  139  are downstream from the folding nip  180  and support the stack  116  (see  FIG. 13 ) and help remove the sheets  106 ,  108  from the folding rolls  132 ,  134 . 
     While the illustrated embodiment relates to single-folded sheets, other embodiments incorporating features of the invention may form multi-folded sheets, i.e. sheets folded more than one time to form more than 2 panels per sheet. Further, while the illustrated embodiment relates to interfolded sheets, other embodiments of the invention may form non-interfolded sheets such that adjacent sheets are merely stacked on top of one another rather than interfolded as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Further, while multiple webs of material  102 ,  104  or shown in this embodiment, other embodiments can use more or less than two webs of material. The processing rolls are shown using vacuum ports for holding the sheets to the periphery of the processing rolls and for forming the folds in the sheets  106 ,  108  as they pass through the folding nip  180 . However, other embodiments can utilize mechanical interfolding and gripping components such as mechanical grippers and tuckers. 
     As noted above, typically, the panel length L of a sheet  106 ,  108  is fixed by the outer circumference of the processing rolls and the spatial relationship of the sheet manipulation components thereof. However, changing the diameter of the processing rolls to form panel length L of a different value can be difficult. One principle issue is that the special relationship between adjacent rolls and particularly the spacing between the rotational axes of adjacent rolls would typically need to be adjustable to accommodate the changing diameters of the adjacent rolls. 
     The outer circumferences of the processing rolls of the converting machine  100  are designed for the smallest possible panel length L, absent requiring slippage of the web material relative to a processing roll. This allows the smallest panel length products to be produced as they are currently using single-fold and multi-fold machines, again, assuming no or negligible slip between the web material and the processing rolls. When forming the smallest possible panel length products, the converting machine  100  may be considered to be operating in a small panel mode. 
     To produce products with a larger panel length L, extra paper must be located between the positions of the sheet manipulation components of the processing rolls, such as the knife blades of the knife rolls  124 ,  126  and the interfolding components such as tuckers and grippers of the folding rolls  132 ,  134 . 
     With principle reference to  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, to accommodate this excess material, the processing rolls include one or more excess material receiving component in the form of material receiving ditches. The processing roll illustrated in  FIG. 4  is knife roll  124  and includes ditch  140 . The ditch  140  increases the effective surface (or path length) of the rolls between fixed position sheet manipulation components of a given processing roll. As this is a knife roll  124 , the sheet manipulation components thereof are the knife blades for severing the web. 
     The use of the ditch  140  allows the path length of the sheet about the roll  124  to act as if the outer periphery of the roll has increased without actually requiring the diameter of the roll to change in this embodiment. As noted above, changing the diameter could require changes such as to the distance between the rotational axes of adjacent rolls. When utilizing the ditch  140  in the large mode, the panel length L will be larger than when not used in the small mode as excess material is received in the ditch  140 . 
     The ditch  140  of  FIG. 4  could have an arc shape, square shape, v shape, trapezoidal shape, etc. 
     In some embodiments, a material retaining mechanism can be used to keep the excess web in the ditch  140  when operating in a large panel mode. The material retaining mechanism in the illustrated embodiment is provided by a primary vacuum port  142 . In other embodiments, the material retaining mechanism could be mechanical such as in the form of a gripper mechanism. In some embodiments, such as the illustrated embodiment, vacuum port  142  is connected to secondary vacuum ports  143 ,  145 . These vacuum ports help secure the material upstream and downstream of the ditch  140 . Some embodiments need not have both secondary vacuum ports and only a single secondary vacuum port, either upstream or downstream, could be provided. 
     In the small mode, the web material is kept out of the ditch  140  and merely spans across the mouth of the ditch  140  from location  144  to location  146  unsupported by the roll, such as illustrated by web  106 A in  FIG. 4 . However, in other embodiments, in the small mode, a filler component could be mounted in ditch  140  to fill the void to prevent the web of material from extending therein. The filler component could simply be a plate mounted within the ditch  140 . The filler component could have perforations therein such that vacuum supplied by vacuum port  142  could still be used to hold the web of material against the outer periphery of the roll, however, that is not necessary. As such, in some embodiments, the vacuum port  142  could be entirely deactivated in the small mode. 
     In the large mode, the excess material extends into the ditch  140  and lays on the additional surface provided by the bottom  149  and walls  150  and  152  of the ditch  140 . The difference between the additional surface (path length) provided by the ditch  140  and the distance from locations  144  and  146  typically defines the difference between the panel length L in the small and large modes. 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , it can be seen that the large and small sheets are both accommodated within a same arc angle α 1  about the rotational axis  153  of the processing roll  124 . More particularly, the leading edges  170 A and  170 B of the small sheet  106 A and large sheet  106 B, respectively, are located at the same angular position about the rotational axis  153  while the trailing edges  171 A and  171 B of the small sheet  106 A and large sheet  106 B, respectively are located at the same angular positions about rotational axis  153 . More particularly, the leading edges  170 A,  170 B are both being held by vacuum port  200  while the trailing edges  171 A,  171 B are both being held by vacuum port  202 . 
     Further, the arc angle α 1  is generally defined between sheet manipulation components in the knife blades  204  that sever the web of material into the individual sheets. The knife blades  204  generally stay at a constant angular location about axis  153  so as to maintain constant sheet lengths L 1 . 
     The extent of a processing roll on which a sheet is carried during handling of the sheet by the roll can be referred to as a sheet handling region of the corresponding roll. This sheet handling region generally defines the path and thus path length along the outer periphery of the roll for a given sheet. In the large mode, e.g.  FIG. 16 , the sheet handling region includes the surface that defines ditch  140 . In the small mode, e.g.  FIG. 15 , the sheet handling region does not include the surface of the roll that defines ditch  140  because the sheet  106 A spans the mouth of ditch  140  and is unsupported in this location. It is noted that in this embodiment, the sheet handling regions of the processing roll extends through the same arc angle α 1  about the axis  153  and generally extends between adjacent knife blades  204 . The sheet path provided by the sheet handling regions for the different size sheets is different so as to accommodate the difference in desired sheet and/or panel lengths. 
     It should be noted, in other embodiments or configurations, such as if the sheet was desired to be twice as long, such as for a four panel configuration, a sheet handling region could be formed between two non-adjacent sheet manipulation components, e.g. knife blades  204 . Further, depending on the size of a given roll, a sheet handling region could be more than 360 degrees about the axis of rotation of the roll. This could happen if the roll had an outer peripheral dimension being less than the sheet length. Further, the entire sheet handling region need not be in use on a sheet at a same time. 
     In the small mode, a first extent of web material, i.e. almost nothing or nothing at all, is received in ditch  140  while in the large mode a second extent of web material, i.e. much more than the first extent, is received in ditch  140 . As such, in the small mode, in some embodiments, the first extent may be negligible. 
     While only two ditches  140  (one for each panel) are illustrated between adjacent sheet manipulation components, multiple ditches could be provided for each panel to increase the amount of excess material that can be accommodated. Further, a single ditch could have numerous undulations so as to further increase the path length between locations  144  and  146  in the illustrated embodiment to accommodate more excess material to increase the difference in the panel length L between the small and large modes. 
     While the size of the ditch  140  in  FIG. 4  is generally illustrated as being fixed, devices can be used to change the size thereof to adjust the amount of material accommodated therein and thus vary the difference between the panel length L in the small and large modes. For instance, in some embodiments, an insert could be located in ditch  140  to reduce the depth of ditch  140  and thus reduce the amount of excess material included therein. Further, inserts could be added that completely eliminate ditch  140  for use in the small mode such that sheet  106 A need not span a void in the processing roll, but, instead, it rests on the outer surface of the insert (not shown). The ditches  140  could also automatically change in size. For instance, the bottom  149  could move radially relative to sidewalls  150 ,  152  to adjust the ditch size and the path length from locations  144  to  146 . 
     There can be different ditch sizes for larger or smaller differences between the different possible panel lengths L or sheet lengths L 1 . 
     When switching between the large and small modes, e.g. using the ditch  140  and not using the ditch  140 , it can be viewed as changing the functional path length or sheet handling region of the processing roll. By using the ditches, this change can occur without having to change the diameter of the processing roll simply by changing the path length (e.g. sheet handling region) along the outer periphery of the processing roll. 
     Further, operation of the large mode will now be described. As the operation for the left half of web converting machine  100  is substantially the same as the right half, only the left half will be described. With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , as the web  102  comes off of the idler roll  120  and on to the knife roll  124 , vacuum and or a mechanical means will force the web  102  into ditch  140  prior to being cut by the knife anvil  128 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a biasing mechanism for forcing the excess web into ditch  140 . In this embodiment, the biasing mechanism is a biasing roll  160  that includes a biasing projection  162  for forcing excess web  102  into ditch  140 . In the illustrated embodiment, the biasing projection  162  is shaped and sized to correspond to the shape and size of the ditch  140 . In other embodiments, the projection may merely need to press a portion of the web into the ditch  140 . The biasing projection  162  could be integrally formed with roll  160  or could be a replaceable component so as to accommodate different ditch configurations and sizes. Alternatively, an air device could be used to force the excess paper into the ditch  140 . Other biasing members could be, for example, linear pushers. 
     Once in the ditch  140 , the material retaining mechanism, such as vacuum port  142 , will retain the excess material within the ditch  140 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , with the web in the ditch  140 , the web  102  is cut between the knife blade of on the knife roll  124  and the anvil on the anvil head  128 . The individual sheets  106 B are longer than the smallest possible cutoff for the set of rolls, i.e. when the web does not extend into ditches  140 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , after the sheets  106 B are cut to length, the lead edge  170  of each sheet  106 B is transferred from the knife roll  124  to the folding roll  132 . After the lead  170  is transferred to the folding roll  132 , the web in the ditch also needs to be transferred to the folding roll  132 . At a knife roll/folding roll nip  172 , the material retaining mechanism, e.g. vacuum port  142 , is deactivated in the knife roll  124 . A material retaining mechanism, e.g. vacuum port  176 , is activated in the folding roll  132 . In this embodiment, during this transition through the knife roll/folding roll nip  172 , the “bubble” of excess web material in ditch  140  is inverted from the knife roll  124  into ditch  178  of the folding roll  132 . This passing from ditch  140  to ditch  178  allows the excess web to remain in a ditch in the folding roll  132  so that the panel length is longer than if the web was not in the ditch  178  at all. 
     While it is preferred to transfer the excess material from an excess material receiving component of one roll to an excess material receiving component of the next roll, other embodiments may not require the excess material to be so transferred. Instead, in some embodiments, less than all of the rolls include the excess material receiving components. Once the length of the sheets and/or panels is determined by use or non-use of the excess material receiving component of an upstream roll, the excess material may merely be held to the downstream processing roll on both sides thereof, such as at upstream and downstream locations  144  and  146  in  FIG. 4 . The material between locations  144  and  146  may be left free. 
     Just as in normal folding operations, there is gripper and tucker interaction to pass portions of the individual sheets from folding roll to folding roll to create the folds in the sheets. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the lead edge  170  of one sheet  106 B has already passed through the folding nip  180  between folding rolls  132 ,  134  and from the left folding roll  132  to the right folding roll  134 . The lead edge  182  of the sheet  108 B is being transferred from the right folding roll  134  to the left folding roll  132 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , after the lead edge  182  of sheet  108 B has passed from the right folding roll  134  to the left folding roll  132  and through the folding nip  180 , excess web in the ditches  178 ,  186  pass each other in the folding roll folding roll nip  180 . More particularly, ditches  178 ,  186  generally align when passing through the folding nip  180 . At (before or after) the nip  180 , the vacuum and or mechanical device holding the excess web in the ditch  186  is deactivated allowing the excess web in ditch  186  to transfer to the opposite folding roll  132  as illustrated schematically by arrow  190 . 
     After the excess web is released by the material retaining mechanism associated with ditch  186  in the right folding roll  134  and is transferred to the opposite folding roll  132 , the opposite ditch  186  may be deactivated. The shut off timing for the second ditch, i.e. the ditch holding the web directly in contact with the corresponding folding roll can be varied depending on the amount of excess paper it is holding to make a quality stack of folded product.  FIG. 12  shows the excess web being held in ditch  178  after the folding nip  180 . 
     At some point, the material retaining mechanism associated with ditch  178  will be deactivated such that the excess web held therein will be able to be stretched as the right folding roll  134  carries the leading end  196  of sheet  106 B′, a middle section  194  of sheet  108 B and the fold formed thereat towards guide  139 . This stretching of the excess web material allows the corresponding panels of sheets  106 B′ and  108 B to lay flat when stacked between guides  138  and  139 . 
     The spacing between the guides  138 ,  139  will typically be adjusted when switching between different panel length&#39;s. As such, in the small mode, the guides  138 ,  140  will typically be closer than in the large mode. 
     It is noted that the described embodiment generally would be used to form two separate sized sheets and/or panels and has thus been described as having a large and small mode. However, the invention is not limited to only two sizes and multiple sizes could be used depending on the configuration and the number of excess material receiving components. 
     Further, in some embodiments, not all of the panels of a folded sheet need to have the same length. As such, an excess material receiving component need not be provided for all panels of a given sheet product. However, in the illustrated embodiment of a system for forming sheets of two panels that are substantially equal in panel length L, the processing rolls have an excess material receiving component that will align with each panel of a given sheet so that each panel length can be properly adjusted to the desired value. 
     In some embodiments, it is contemplated that individual sheets could have different panel lengths by selectively activating and deactivating desired ones of the excess material receiving components. For instance, if it is desired to have the downstream panel larger than the upstream panel of single folded sheets, every other excess material receiving component would be active and particularly the one that aligns with the region of the sheet that ultimately results in the downstream panel. 
     Typically, this system will be used to form sheets of the same number of panels that have sheet lengths L 1  that are no greater than 50% different in length. In some embodiments, the difference in length is less than 25%. In some embodiments, the difference is less than 20%. In even further embodiments, the sheet length difference is less than 10%. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.