US Patent 7384386 Method and apparatus for folding articles

A method and apparatus for folding an article includes supplying an article to a folder; engaging a first surface of a leading portion of the article with a first conveyor; moving the first conveyor at a first conveyor velocity; engaging a second surface of a trailing portion of the article with a second conveyor; moving the second conveyor at a second conveyor velocity greater than the first conveyor velocity; contacting the first surface of the article with at least one folding guide; moving the folding guide in the machine direction at the second conveyor velocity; and folding the article about the folding guide such that the first surface of the leading portion is in facing relation with the first surface of the trailing portion.