Patent ID: 6991447

Claim:
A pleating machine operable for pleating an elongated, flexible tubular body, said machine comprising: a jaw assembly having opposite first and second ends and including a pair of tubular pleating jaws in substantial axial alignment, each of said jaws including a tubular base, a plurality of body-engaging elements, and axially extending, elongated support structure interconnecting the tubular base and said elements in order to thereby orient the elements in axially spaced relationship to the base, the base of one of said jaws being adjacent the first end of said jaw assembly, and the base of the other of said jaws being adjacent the second opposite end of the jaw assembly, said jaw bases being axially spaced apart a distance greater than the axial length of either of said jaw support structures; a support operable to maintain the tubular body in a pleating position passing through said pleating jaws; and a drive assembly operably coupled with said jaw assembly for generating relative reciprocal movement between the jaws in order to successively engage said body and form pleats therein, there being keeper structure operable to retain said pleats upon formation thereof.