System and method for folding paper carriers with attached cards
AssigneeDMT Solutions Global Corporation
InventorsBrad Swinford, Robert J. Allen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Folder systems and related methods are provided for accurately and efficiently folding a paper carrier that has a card attached without bending or dislodging the card from the carrier. A movable fold chute receives a portion of the carrier with the card attached and allows the carrier to fold while protecting the card portion of the carrier. The fold chute moves between different positions which allow the carrier to enter and exit through folding rollers along a generally straight paper path without forcing the cards around small radii, thereby preventing damage to the cards or causing them to separate from the carrier sheet.
Claims17
A method for folding a carrier with a card attached, the method comprising:
- providing a carrier having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a card;
- feeding the first portion of the carrier into an opening of a fold chute without bending the card;
- repositioning the fold chute to create a buckle in the second portion of the carrier;
- and
- ingesting the buckled second portion of the carrier into a folding nip aligned with the repositioned fold chute to create a fold in the second portion.
A system for folding a carrier with a card attached, the system comprising:
- a feeding nip formed at an interface of a first roller and a second roller;
- a folding nip formed at an interface of the second roller and a third roller;
- and
- a movable fold chute comprising an opening, the movable fold chute configured to assume a first position with the opening aligned with the feeding nip and a second position with the opening aligned with the folding nip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.