Importance

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Abstract

An improved folder apparatus includes a first folder assembly which forms a first fold in sheet material along the path of movement of the sheet material. A second folder assembly forms a second fold in the sheet material in a direction extending transversely to the path of movement of the sheet material. A third folder assembly forms a third fold in the sheet material with the first and third folds extending along the path of movement of the sheet material through the third folder assembly and the second fold at a leading edge portion of the sheet material. During the forming of the three folds, the sheet material is continuously moved through the folder assemblies without stopping. The third folder assembly includes an array of upper and lower tapes. The array of tapes tapers from a wide inlet portion of the third folder assembly toward a discharge portion of a third folder assembly. The array of upper and lower tapes maintains areas on opposite sides of the third fold flat in a horizontal plane while the sheet material is gripped by the tapes. A stacker assembly stacks the folded signatures received from the third folder assembly in a stack with major side surface areas in an upright orientation and with the third fold downward against a supporting surface.

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First Claim