Air bag system, method of folding air bag and air bag folding apparatus

An air bag system including an inflator adapted to eject gas, and a pouch-shaped air bag adapted to be inflated by the gas injected from said inflator, wherein said air bag includes:

• a bottom portion in which a gas inlet opening is formed;
• and
• three or more side portions which are located outside said bottom portion, integrally connected to the same and folded nearly perpendicularly to said bottom portion into a wave-like pattern;
• and wherein:
• the peripheral end of each side portion is placed along the outer face of the side portion.

A method of folding an air bag which calls for:

• spreading out an air bag flatly;
• folding said air bag by pushing the same at a plurality of locations, from the peripheral edge towards the center while limiting the height of the folds of the air bag;
• and
• placing the portions that protrude outward along the peripheral face of the folded portion.

An air bag folding apparatus including:

• a loading portion to permit a flatly spread air bag to be placed thereon;
• a pushing means for pushing the peripheral edge of said air bag toward the center;
• and
• a height restricting means for restricting the distance between the air bag and said loading means.