Patent ID: 7104943

Claim:
A method of flexing a flat blank having preformed fold lines ( 8 ′) along which the blank ( 1 ) is folded to define rounded or bevelled longitudinal edges ( 8 ); the method comprising the steps of: feeding the flat blank ( 1 ) along a first path (P 1 ) through a flexing station ( 13 ) on a conveyor ( 11 ) provided with a seat ( 12 ), which has at least one folding spindle ( 15 ) presenting a rounded or bevelled shape so as to be shaped according to the shape of the edge to be produced when the blank ( 1 ) is eventually folded; flexing, at the flexing station ( 13 ), the flat blank ( 1 ) along the preformed fold lines ( 8 ′) and about the folding spindle ( 15 ) by rolling a rigid folding body ( 18 ) over the seat ( 12 ) to fold the blank ( 1 ) against the seat ( 12 ), along the preformed fold lines ( 8 ′) and about the folding spindle ( 15 ) to partly wrap the blank ( 1 ) about the folding spindle ( 15 ); allowing the blank ( 1 ) to spring back to its flat shape downstream from the flexing station ( 13 ); and feeding the blank ( 1 ) in its flat shape to a packing line.