Patent ID: 7476193

Claim:
A modular folding and pressing apparatus for forming folded informational items having information printed thereon, said modular folding and pressing apparatus being capable of being operatively coupled to an upstream informational item processing unit at a point downstream from said upstream informational item processing unit, said upstream informational item processing unit having a support structure and an informational item exit disposed at an exit elevation, said modular folding and pressing apparatus comprising: a pressing unit applying a pressure of at least about 30 psi and no greater than about 500 psi to an informational item, said pressing unit comprising: a pressing unit support structure; a first pressure roller rotatably supported by said pressing unit support structure; a second pressure roller rotatably supported by said pressing unit support structure, said second pressure roller being disposed adjacent said first pressure roller so that a nip is formed between said first and second pressure rollers, said second pressure roller being movably supported by said support structure so that said second pressure roller is movable to vary the distance between said first and second pressure rollers; an elevation adjustment mechanism operatively connected to said second pressure roller and configured to move said second pressure roller to adjust the distance between said first and second pressure rollers; and an entry conveyor conveying said informational item to said nip between said first and second pressure rollers, said entry conveyor having an end that is disposed at an elevation that is substantially the same as said exit elevation of said upstream informational item processing unit so that said pressing unit can be positioned adjacent said upstream informational item processing unit with said end of said entry conveyor positioned to receive said informational item from said exit of said upstream informational item processing unit; a folding unit forming a fold in an informational item, said folding unit being disposed to receive an informational item from said pressing unit, said folding unit comprising: a folding unit support structure; a first folding roller rotatably supported by said folding unit support structure; a second folding roller rotatably supported by said folding unit support structure, said second folding roller being disposed adjacent said first folding roller so that a nip is formed between said first and second folding rollers, said first and second folding rollers causing said fold to be made when said informational item passes between said first and second folding rollers; and a movable blade member that makes contact with a portion of said informational item to force said portion of said informational item towards said nip between said first and second folding rollers.