Folding Method and apparatus

Method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the folding volume (16) is reduced in size at least substantially without folding the folding pocket (14).

Method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the airbag jacket (12) is fixed at a region and is moved, in particular drawn, by means of the folding pocket (14) in the direction of the fixed region.

Method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the airbag jacket (12) is pressed together between the folding pocket (14) and an in particular fixed support member (18) of the airbag module to which the airbag jacket (12) is connected, with the support member preferably being formed by a gas tube (18) which extends at least region-wise within the airbag jacket (12).

Method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume reduction takes place through moving the folding pocket (14), in particular through drawing at the folding pocket (14), in a direction (Z) which extends approximately parallel to the plane of the spreading out of the airbag jacket (12).

Method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein one side wall (14a) of the folding pocket (14) is fixed and the folding volume (16) is reduced in size through drawing at another side wall (14b) of the folding pocket (14).

Method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reduction of the folding volume (16) takes place within a folding space (22) through which the packing size of the airbag jacket (12) is limited during the folding together in directions which deviate from a folding direction (Z), in particular approximately perpendicular to the folding direction (Z).

Method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reduction of the folding volume (16) takes place between two limiting surfaces which extend at least substantially parallel and which are in particular formed at plate-shaped limiting members (27, 28).

Method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the folding pocket (14) is closed after the folding together of the airbag jacket (12) to the final packing size, in particular through connecting, preferably welding and/or sewing, of oppositely lying side walls (14a, 14b) of the folding pocket (14).

Method for the manufacture of an airbag module for motor vehicles, in which the airbag jacket (12) of the airbag module is folded together using a method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

Apparatus for folding together an inflatable airbag jacket (12) of an airbag module for motor vehicles, in particular for carrying out the method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one folding pocket (14) for the reception of the at least partly spread out airbag jacket (12) and an actuation device (24) by means of which a folding volume (16) of the folding pocket (14) which contains the airbag jacket (12) can be reduced in size.