APARELHO DE DOBRAGEM, SISTEMA PARA COBRIR UM FARDO DE PASTA COM MATERIAL DE EMBALAGEM, E, MÉTODO PARA DOBRAR UMA FOLHA DE MATERIAL DE EMBALAGEM

Abstract

Folding apparatus (201) for folding ends of wrapping material (202) extending beyond opposite lateral sides of a pulp bale (203) The folding apparatus comprises first displacement means (204) configured to displace the pulp bale in a first longitudinal direction (R11) to a first folding area (205), the lateral sides (203c) of the pulp bale facing perpendicularly relative the first longitudinal direction, and at least one fixed first folding plate (206a, 206b) arranged at the first folding area at each lateral side of the first folding area. The fixed folding plates are at a distance from each other adapted to a bale width. The folding plates each define a respective folding surface being disposed substantially perpendicularly relative the folding area and being substantially in parallel with the first longitudinal direction. The first displacement means is further configured to displace the pulp bale in a direction (R12) opposite the first longitudinal direction away from the first folding area (205).

Description

/ 28 FOLDING APPARATUS, SYSTEM FOR COVERING A BALE OF PAPER WITH PACKAGING MATERIAL, AND METHOD FOR FOLDING A SHEET OF PACKAGING MATERIAL TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The invention relates to the field of folding apparatus for folding packaging material around a bundle of paste. FUNDAMENTALS

[002] Folding devices for folding packaging material around a bundle of paste are known in the art. An example of such a folding device is the Valmet Folding Packaging Machine, which comprises a plurality of folding arms driven by hydraulic actuators, which folding arms fold the packaging material around the edges of the bundle of paste. Although such devices offer high performance with low cycle times, even higher performance is needed to increase production capacity. Furthermore, such folding devices comprise a larger number of moving parts and actuators. SUMMARY

[003] One objective of the invention is to provide a folding apparatus with further improved capacity and / or simplified construction with fewer moving parts.

[004] These and other objectives are achieved by the present invention by means of a folding apparatus according to the independent claim.

[005] According to a first aspect of the invention, a folding apparatus is provided for folding ends of packaging material (such as paper) that extend beyond the opposite sides of a bundle of pulp. The folding apparatus comprises a first displacement means configured to displace the bundle of pulp in a first longitudinal direction to a first folding area, the lateral sides of the Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 54 / 112 / 28 The bale of paste may be oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first longitudinal direction, and at least one first fixed folding plate disposed in the first folding area on each lateral side of the first folding area (as seen in a lateral direction that is perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction), wherein the fixed folding plates are at a distance from each other adapted to the width of the bale. Each folding plate defines a respective folding surface that may be disposed substantially perpendicularly to the folding area. The folding plates may be described as extending in the longitudinal direction. The folding surfaces may also be described as substantially parallel to each other and / or substantially parallel to the first longitudinal direction.The first means of displacement can be further configured to move the bundle of paste in a direction opposite to the first longitudinal direction, away from the first folding area.

[006] In other words, the folding apparatus comprises a first displacement means configured to displace the bundle of paste in a first longitudinal direction to the first folding area and (after folding) away from the first folding area in an opposite direction, i.e., in a direction which, relative to the first folding area, is opposite to the first longitudinal direction. The bundle of paste is provided to the folding apparatus with ends of packaging material extending beyond the opposite lateral sides of the bundle of paste, as seen in a lateral direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction.

[007] On both sides of the first folding area, one or more first folding plates are provided, so that when the bundle of paste is moved to the first folding area, the ends of the packaging material come into contact with the folding surfaces and are folded to the sides. The first plates of Petition 870250083433, dated 16 / 09 / 2025, p. 55 / 112 / 28 The folds are fixed in the sense that they cannot be moved by means of actuators, such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders or electric motors. One or more, or each, of the first fixed fold plates may, however, be resiliently supported, for example, by means of one or more springs, so as to allow a slight variation in the width of the bale and / or an alignment that deviates from the ideal.

[008] The bale of pulp can be described as a rectangular cuboid with bale width, length, and height. The width, length, and height can be defined as predetermined values, as user-definable values, or the folding apparatus can comprise or be associated / connected to a measuring system configured to measure the width and / or length and / or height. The bale of pulp can be supplied to the folding apparatus with packaging material folded around at least one upper side of the bale of pulp, one front side of the bale of pulp, and at least part of one lower side of the bale of pulp, wherein said packaging material has a width greater than the width of the bale of pulp, such that the ends of the packaging material extend beyond the opposite lateral sides of the bale of pulp, as seen in a lateral direction perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction.Alternatively, the bale of pulp may be supplied to the folding apparatus with the wrapping material arranged around the entire circumference of the bale of pulp (around the top, bottom, front and back) and with a width greater than the width of the bale of pulp, so that the ends of the wrapping material extend beyond the opposite sides of the bale of pulp. The circumference of the bale of pulp refers to a circumference in a plane substantially parallel to the first longitudinal direction to a length direction of the bale of pulp. The wrapping material may consist of one, two or more sheets of wrapping material. Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 56 / 112 / 28

[009] It is understood that the instructions mentioned in this document are defined in relation to the bending apparatus, where the first bending area (and other bending areas described below) is defined as horizontal.

[0010] The invention is based on the idea of ​​using fixed folding plates instead of movable folding plates to obtain a simplified construction with fewer moving parts. The invention is further based on the idea that a first lateral fold of the packaging material can be obtained using a first set of these fixed folding plates, if combined with a displacement means that moves the bundle of paste to a first folding area where the first fixed folding plates are arranged and then away from the first folding area in an opposite direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, the folding apparatus comprises a rotating base that can be rotated about a geometric axis perpendicular to the first folding area, wherein the first means of displacement and at least one first folding plate are arranged on said rotating base. The rotating base may comprise at least one motor or actuator for its rotation. The rotating base is advantageous because it allows a folding line to be made along a straight line, since the base can be rotated 180 degrees while, or after, the bundle of paste has been displaced to the first folding area and subsequently displaced away from the first folding area in the opposite direction relative to the first folding area, which opposite direction, due to the 180-degree rotation, is parallel to, or the same as, the first longitudinal direction, as seen in a fixed coordinate system.

[0012] In some embodiments, the folding apparatus additionally comprises a vertically movable folding element, for example, in the form of a rod with a cross-section Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 57 / 112 / 28 circular, that is, an elongated cylinder. The folding element is arranged adjacent to the first folding area so as to interact with (the applied packaging material) the bundle of paste before or after leaving the first folding area, wherein the folding element has a width equal to or greater than the width of the packaging material, wherein the folding element is movable between an upper vertical position corresponding to a position above the height of the bundle to a lower vertical position that is below the first folding area.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first displacement means is additionally configured to displace the pulp bale in the first longitudinal direction from the first folding area to a second folding area disposed on the rotating base and arranged in the same plane and adjacent to the first folding area. This embodiment is advantageously combined with the above embodiment, which comprises a folding element, wherein the folding element may be arranged parallel to the first folding area and / or horizontally. The folding element may be movably connected to the rotating base for displacement in a substantially vertical plane disposed between the first and second folding areas.At least one second fixed folding plate may be arranged in the second folding area on each lateral side of the second folding area, viewed in a lateral direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction, wherein the fixed folding plates are spaced at a distance from each other adapted to the width of the bale. The second folding plates define a respective folding surface arranged substantially perpendicular to the second folding area. The folding plates may be described as extending in the longitudinal direction. The folding surfaces may also be described as substantially parallel to each other and / or substantially parallel to the first longitudinal direction. The second folding area and the second plates... Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 58 / 112 / 28. Folding plates can be arranged symmetrically with the first folding area and the first folding plates in relation to the geometric axis of rotation of the rotating base. Embodiments comprising second folding plates may be advantageous, as having folding plates in both folding areas means that a subsequent / additional bundle of paste can be supplied to the second folding area of ​​the folding apparatus, i.e., the folding of a subsequent bundle of paste can be initiated without the need to rotate the rotating base. In this way, capacity can be increased.

[0014] In alternative embodiments, the folding apparatus comprises a second displacement means configured to displace the bale of paste in a second longitudinal direction to a second folding area, and at least one second fixed folding plate disposed in the second folding area on each lateral side of the second folding area, as seen in a lateral direction perpendicular to said second longitudinal direction. The second displacement means, the second folding area, and the second folding plates are not disposed on the rotating base. The fixed folding plates are spaced apart adapted to the width of the bale. The folding plates define a respective folding surface disposed substantially perpendicular to the second folding area. The folding plates can be described as extending in the longitudinal direction.The folding surfaces can also be described as substantially parallel to each other and / or substantially parallel to the first longitudinal direction. In such alternative embodiments comprising a folding element, the folding element may be displaceable in a substantially vertical plane disposed between the first and second means of displacement. It is understood that the pulp bale is displaced away from the first folding area using the first means of displacement, directly or indirectly. Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 59 / 112 / 28 for the second displacement method. As described above, the pulp bale is displaced away from the first fold area in the opposite direction. The second displacement usually means that the displacement of the pulp bale continues in the same direction, i.e., the opposite direction relative to the first fold area is the same as or parallel to the second longitudinal direction.

[0015] The first displacement means may be configured to displace an additional / subsequent bundle of paste in a direction opposite to the first longitudinal direction to a first additional folding area disposed on the rotating base, or wherein the folding apparatus comprises a first additional displacement means configured to displace an additional bundle of paste in a direction opposite to the first longitudinal direction to said first additional folding area. In such embodiments, the folding apparatus further comprises at least one first fixed additional folding plate disposed in the first additional folding area on each lateral side of the first additional folding area, viewed in a lateral direction perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction. On both lateral sides of the first additional folding area, one or more first fixed additional folding plates are provided.The first additional folding plates are arranged in relation to the first additional folding area in a manner corresponding to how the first folding plates are arranged in relation to the first folding area, and the description thereof applies to the first additional folding plates. The first additional folding area and the first additional folding plates may be arranged symmetrically with the first folding area and the first folding plates in relation to the geometric axis of rotation of the rotating base. Embodiments comprising a first additional folding area and first additional folding plates may be advantageous as having folding plates (symmetrically) in both. Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 60 / 112 / 28 folding areas means that a subsequent / additional bundle of pulp can be supplied to the first additional folding area of ​​the folding apparatus, i.e., the folding of a subsequent bundle of pulp can be initiated without the need to rotate the rotating base. In this way, the capacity can be increased.

[0016] In the embodiments, the folding apparatus comprises a control system configured to control (motors or actuators of) the first and / or first and / or second means of additional displacement, and / or the rotating base, and / or the folding element. The control system may be configured to perform the steps of the method according to the third aspect of the invention or its embodiments.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the invention, a system is provided for covering a bundle of pulp with packaging material, wherein said system comprises a packaging material applicator and a folding apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention or embodiments thereof. The packaging material applicator comprises a packaging material holder configured to hold a sheet of packaging material or a portion of a roll of packaging material having a length greater than the circumference of the bundle of pulp and a width greater than the width of the bundle of pulp (wherein the circumference and width of the bundle of pulp are defined above). The packaging material holder is arranged to hold at least a portion of the sheet, or portion of a roll, of packaging material substantially vertically.The packaging material applies to, additionally comprises, or is arranged to co-act with the means of displacement (such as one or more conveyor belts or tracks) configured to move the bale of paste towards and through the packaging material support with a front side of the bale of paste facing at least a portion of the packaging material held substantially vertically, so that the packaging material is... Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 61 / 112 / 28 applied to the front side of the pulp bale and folded on one upper side and at least parts of one lower side of the pulp bale. The packaging material support may, in addition, be arranged on the sheet, or part of a roll, of packaging material in such a way that the packaging material, after the pulp bale has passed through the packaging material support, covers the entire upper side of the pulp bale and extends beyond the rear side of the pulp bale. The displacement means of the packaging material applicator may be further configured to displace the pulp bale to the first displacement means of the folding apparatus.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the invention, a method is provided for folding packaging material around a bundle of pulp using a folding apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention or an embodiment thereof. The method comprises providing a bundle of pulp with packaging material folded around at least one upper side of the bundle of pulp, one front side of the bundle of pulp and at least part of one lower side of the bundle of pulp, wherein said packaging material has a width greater than the width of the bundle of pulp, such that the ends of the packaging material extend beyond the opposite lateral sides of the bundle of pulp, as seen in a lateral direction perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction.For example, the bale of pulp may be supplied to the folding apparatus with packaging material folded around one upper side of the bale of pulp, one front side of the bale of pulp, and part of one lower side of the bale of pulp, with packaging material on the upper side extending beyond the rear side and with packaging material on the front side extending beyond the opposite side panels. Alternatively, the bale of pulp may be supplied to the folding apparatus with the packaging material arranged around the entire circumference, with the packaging material extending beyond the... Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 62 / 112 / 28 opposite lateral sides around the entire circumference. The method further comprises displacing the bundle of pulp using the first means of displacement in the first longitudinal direction to the first folding area, with the front side of the bundle of pulp facing said first longitudinal direction, so that when the bundle of pulp is displaced to the first folding area, the ends of the packaging material come into contact with the folding plates and are thus folded around the edges of the bundle of pulp on both lateral (opposite) sides of the bundle of pulp.

[0019] In embodiments of the method, the folding apparatus comprises a second folding area, a folding element, and the packaging material has a length such that the packaging material covering said upper side extends beyond a rear side of the pulp bale facing said direction opposite to the first longitudinal direction (i.e., a direction which in relation to the first folding area is opposite to the first longitudinal direction), and the method further comprises displacing the pulp bale using the first means of displacement in the first longitudinal direction from the first folding area to the second folding area, and when the pulp bale is in said second folding area, folding said packaging material extending beyond the rear side around an upper edge of the pulp bale to said rear side by displacing the folding element vertically downwards so as to come into contact with the packaging material.The method further comprises, after folding, moving the bundle of paste using the first means of displacement in the opposite direction to the first longitudinal direction away from the second folding area, with the rear side of the bundle of paste facing the opposite direction, towards the first folding area, so that the ends of the packaging material extend beyond the opposite lateral sides of the bundle. Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 63 / 112 / 28 The bundle of paste, as seen in a lateral direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction, comes into contact with the folding plates in the first folding area and is thus folded around the edges of the bundle of paste to the lateral sides of the bundle of paste, and rotating the rotating base 180 degrees, and displacing the bundle of paste using the first means of displacement in the opposite direction to the first longitudinal direction away from the first folding area. The displacement in said opposite direction is, due to the 180-degree rotation of the rotating base, parallel or equal to the first longitudinal direction, as seen in a fixed coordinate system.

[0020] In embodiments of the method, wherein the folding apparatus further comprises second folding plates in the second folding area, the rotation is performed simultaneously with the displacement of the pulp bale to the second folding area, and the method further comprises providing an additional pulp bale with a sheet of packaging material folded around at least one lower side of the pulp bale, one front side of the pulp bale and one upper side of the pulp bale, wherein the packaging material has a width greater than the width of the pulp bale, such that the ends of the packaging material extend beyond the opposite lateral sides of the pulp bale, as seen in a lateral direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction.The method further comprises, simultaneously with the displacement of the bundle of pulp from the second folding area to the first folding area, displacing an additional bundle of pulp using the first means of displacement in the opposite direction to the first longitudinal direction to the second folding area, so as to fold the ends of the packaging material around the edges of the bundle of pulp on the sides of the additional bundle of pulp.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a method is provided for covering a bale of paste with packaging material using a Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 64 / 112 / 28 system according to the second aspect of the invention or an embodiment thereof. The method comprises applying packaging material by displacing the bundle of paste towards and through the packaging material support with a front side of the bundle of paste facing at least a portion of the packaging material held substantially vertically, so that the packaging material is applied to the front side of the bundle of paste and folded on an upper side and at least parts of a lower side of the bundle of paste. The method further comprises displacing the bundle of paste to the first displacement means of the folding apparatus and subsequently folding the packaging material using the method according to the third aspect of the invention or its embodiments.

[0022] The features of the embodiments described above are combinable in any practically realizable manner to form embodiments with combinations of these features. Furthermore, all the features and advantages of the embodiments described above with reference to the first aspect of the invention can be applied to corresponding embodiments of the second, third, fourth and fifth aspects of the invention and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The aspects discussed above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail using the accompanying drawings, which show currently preferred embodiments of the invention, in which: Figure 1a shows a side view of an embodiment of a folding apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 1b shows a perspective view of a bale of paste for use in the embodiment of Figure 1a, in which the bale of paste is provided with packaging material around its circumference; Figure 2a shows a side view of another embodiment of a folding apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2b shows a perspective view of a bundle of Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 65 / 112 / 28 folder for use in the modality of figure 2a, in which the bundle of folder is provided with packaging material around part of its circumference; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a folding apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a system according to the second aspect of the invention; and Figure 5 illustrates a step in an embodiment of a method according to the third aspect of the invention, in which the method uses the system shown in Figure 4; Figure 5b illustrates a step in an embodiment of a method according to the third aspect of the invention, in which the method uses the system shown in Figure 4; Figure 5c illustrates a step in an embodiment of a method according to the third aspect of the invention, in which the method uses the system shown in Figure 4; Figure 5d illustrates a step in an embodiment of a method according to the third aspect of the invention, in which the method uses the system shown in Figure 4; Figure 5e illustrates a step in an embodiment of a method according to the third aspect of the invention, in which the method uses the system shown in Figure 4; and Figure 5f illustrates a step in an embodiment of a method according to the third aspect of the invention, in which the method uses the system shown in Figure 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Figure 1a shows a side view of an embodiment of a bending apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention. The bending apparatus 1 is configured to bend ends (2a, 2b, by Petition 870250083433, dated 16 / 09 / 2025, p. 66 / 112 / 28 example) of the packaging material 2 extending beyond the opposite sides of a bundle of paste 3. The folding apparatus comprises a first displacement means in the form of two parallel conveyor belts 4 configured to move the bundle of paste 3 in a first longitudinal direction R1 with the lateral sides (3c for example, see figure 1b, the opposite side is not shown) of the bundle of paste facing perpendicularly to the first longitudinal direction to a first folding area 5.

[0025] On both lateral sides of the first folding area, a first fixed folding plate (6 for example, the opposite folding plate is not shown in Figure 1a) is arranged. The first fixed folding plates are arranged at a distance from each other (in the depth direction of Figure 1a) adapted to the width of the paste bale. The first folding plates define a respective folding surface (6a for example) arranged i) substantially perpendicular to the folding area, and ii) substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the first longitudinal direction. The first folding plates also comprise inwardly angled guide parts (6b, for example) so as to provide a narrowing distance between the two first folding plates, as seen in the first longitudinal direction R1, to align the paste bale laterally.

[0026] The folding apparatus further comprises a rotating base 7 which can be rotated about a geometric rotational axis (dotted line) perpendicular to the first folding area 5. The conveyor belts 4 and the first folding plates 6 are arranged on said rotating base.

[0027] The conveyor belts 4 are further configured to, after a 180-degree rotation of the rotating base 7, move the bale of paste in a second longitudinal direction R2, which in relation to the first area of Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 67 / 112 / 28 folding 5 / rotating base 7 / first folding plates 6 is opposite to the first longitudinal direction R1, away from the first folding area to the second means of displacement in the form of a second pair of conveyor belts 8, which are configured to further displace the paste bale 3 in the second longitudinal direction R2 to a second folding area 9. Due to the 180-degree rotation, the arrow R2 indicating the second longitudinal direction shown in figure 1a points in the same direction as the arrow R1 indicating the first longitudinal direction.

[0028] On both lateral sides of the second folding area, a second fixed folding plate (10 for example, the opposite folding plate is not shown in Figure 1a) is arranged. The second fixed folding plates are arranged at a distance from each other (in the depth direction of Figure 1a) adapted to the width of the paste bale. The second folding plates define a respective folding surface (10a for example) arranged i) substantially perpendicular to the folding area, and ii) substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the first longitudinal direction. The second folding plates also comprise inwardly angled guide parts (10b for example) so as to provide a narrowing distance between the two second folding plates, as seen in the second longitudinal direction R2, to align the paste bale laterally.Figure 1 also shows the flexible connection means 11a, 11b which resiliently connects the second folding plates to the base that supports the second folding plates.

[0029] The folding device in figure 1a works as follows: - The paste bale 3 is provided with packaging material 2 arranged around the entire circumference of the paste bale (around the top, bottom, front and rear sides), see figure 1b, and which has a width greater than the width of the paste bale, so that the ends of the Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 68 / 112 / 28 packaging material extend beyond the opposite lateral sides of the paste bale (see figure 1b); - the pulp bale 3 is moved in the first longitudinal direction R1 using the conveyor belts 4 to the first folding area 5 with the front side 3a of the pulp bale facing the direction R1, so that when the pulp bale is moved to the first folding area, the end 2a (and the corresponding end on the opposite side, as seen in the lateral direction) of the packaging material comes into contact with the folding plates (6a and the corresponding opposite plate) and is therefore folded around the edges of the pulp bale to the lateral sides of the pulp bale (2a is folded to the lateral side 3c, for example), as illustrated with the dotted lines in the first folding area 5; - after that, or simultaneously with the displacement of the paste bale 3 to the first folding area 5, the rotating base 7 is rotated 180 degrees, after which the conveyor belts 4 are rotated in an opposite direction to move the paste bale away from area 5 in the R2 direction to the second set of conveyor belts 8; - Belts 8 move the bundle of paste further in direction R2 to the second folding area 9 with the rear side 3b of the bundle of paste facing direction R2, so that when the bundle of paste is moved to the second folding area, end 2b (and the corresponding end on the opposite side, as seen in the side direction) of the packaging material comes into contact with the folding plates (10a and the corresponding opposite plate) and is therefore folded around the edges of the bundle of paste to the side sides of the bundle of paste, as illustrated by the dotted lines in the first folding area 9. The packaging material was folded accordingly, as shown in figure 5d.

[0030] The folding apparatus may comprise a unit of Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 69 / 112 / 28 control (not shown) configured to control conveyor belts 4, 8, the rotating base 7 so as to achieve the operation described above. At least one position sensor may be connected to the control unit to determine whether the bundle of paste is in the first or second folding area.

[0031] The operation described above may be described as an embodiment of the method according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0032] Figure 2a shows a side view of another embodiment of a folding apparatus 101 according to the first aspect of the invention. The folding apparatus 101 differs from the folding apparatus of Figure 1a in that it is capable of handling a bundle of paste with packaging material applied in a simplified manner, wherein the packaging material 102 is folded on an upper side 103d of the bundle of paste, a front side 103ae and at least part of a lower side 103e (see also the perspective view of the bundle of paste in Figure 2b). The packaging material has a length greater than the circumference of the bundle of paste, so that the packaging material covering the upper side 103d extends beyond the rear side 103b of the bundle of paste, facing in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction R1.The packaging material has a width greater than the width of the paste bale, so that the ends of the packaging material extend beyond the opposite lateral sides (103c, for example, the other side is not seen in figures 2a-b) of the paste bale, as seen in a lateral direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction R1. Thus, part 102b of the packaging material extends beyond the rear side and the lateral sides of the paste bale.

[0033] The folding apparatus 101 is configured to fold ends (102a and part of 102b, for example) of the packaging material 102 that extend beyond the opposite lateral sides of a bundle of paste 103 to said lateral sides. The folding apparatus is further configured to fold part of 102b over the lower side 103e of the bundle of Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 70 / 112 / 28 folder.

[0034] The folding apparatus comprises a first displacement means in the form of two parallel conveyor belts 104 configured to move the paste bale 103 in a first longitudinal direction R1 with the lateral sides (103c, for example, the opposite side is not seen in figure 1a) of the paste bale facing perpendicularly with respect to the first longitudinal direction to a first folding area 105.

[0035] In the same manner as the embodiment in figure 1a, a first fixed folding plate (106 for example, the opposite folding plate is not shown in figure 2a) is arranged on both lateral sides of the first folding area. The first folding plates comprise a folding surface 106a and a guide part 106b, in a manner corresponding to that of figure 1a and described above.

[0036] Unlike the embodiment in figure 1a, the folding apparatus in figure 2a comprises a first additional folding area 105' arranged symmetrically with the first folding area 105 and provided with corresponding first (additional) folding plates. The conveyor belts 104 extend along the first folding area and the first additional folding area, so that when a bundle of paste is moved to the first folding area, an additional bundle of paste can be moved from the first additional folding area (in the opposite direction).

[0037] The folding apparatus further comprises a rotating base 107 which can be rotated about a geometric rotational axis (dotted line) perpendicular to the folding areas 105, 105'. The conveyor belts 104 and the folding plates are arranged on said rotating base.

[0038] Conveyor belts 104 are additionally configured for, after (or during) the 180-degree rotation of the rotating base Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 71 / 112 / 28 107, move the bundle of paste in a second longitudinal direction R2, which in relation to the first folding area 105 / rotating base 107 / first folding plates 106 is opposite to the first longitudinal direction R1, to a position adjacent to a vertically displaceable folding element 112 disposed adjacent to the first folding area, wherein the folding element has a width equal to or greater than the width of the packaging material, wherein the folding element is displaceable between an upper vertical position corresponding to a position above the height of the bundle to a lower vertical position below the first folding area (shown with dashed lines in figure 2a). The folding element 112 is displaceable in a substantially vertical plane disposed between the first displacement means 104 and the second displacement means 108.Due to the 180-degree rotation, arrow R2, which indicates the second longitudinal direction shown in Figure 2a, points in the same direction as arrow R1, which indicates the first longitudinal direction.

[0039] The conveyor belts 104 are configured to further move the paste bale to the second means of movement in the form of a second pair of conveyor belts 108, which are configured to further move the paste bale 103 in the second longitudinal direction R2 to a second folding area 109. Second fixed folding plates (110 for example) are provided in the second folding area 109 in the same manner as in figure 1a, and their description is applicable to figure 2a.

[0040] The folding device in figure 2a works as follows: - the bale of paste 103 is provided with packaging material 102 as described above and shown in figures 2a-b; - the bale of paste 103 is moved in the first longitudinal direction R1 using the conveyor belts 104 to the first folding area 105 with the front side 103a of the bale of paste facing the Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 72 / 112 / 28 direction R1, so that when the bundle of paste is moved to the first folding area, end 102a (and the corresponding end on the opposite side, as seen in the side direction) of the packaging material comes into contact with the folding plates (106a and the corresponding opposite plate) and is therefore folded around the edges of the bundle of paste to the side sides of the bundle of paste (102a is folded to side side 103c, for example), as illustrated by the dotted lines in the first folding area 105. The packaging material was folded in a corresponding manner, as shown in figure 5b; - after that, or simultaneously with the displacement of the paste bale 103 in the first longitudinal direction, the rotating base 107 is rotated 180 degrees, after which the conveyor belts are rotated in an opposite direction to displace the paste bale in the R2 direction to a position adjacent to the vertically displaceable folding element 112 (as shown by the paste bale in dashed lines in figure 2a); - the folding element 112 is moved vertically downwards to the position shown as a dotted circle in figure 2a, whereby the folding element comes into contact with part 102b of the packaging material and pushes it vertically downwards to fold 102b onto the back side 103b of the paste bale (see the dotted line in figure 2a); - after that, the bale of paste is moved to the second conveyor belts 108. As the bale of paste enters the conveyor belts 108, the projecting downward portion of 102b is folded over the lower side 103e of the bale of paste 103. The packaging material was folded in a corresponding manner, as shown in figure 5c; - conveyor belts 108 further move the bale of paste in direction R2 to the second folding area 109 with the rear side 103b of the bale of paste facing direction R2, so that, Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 73 / 112 / 28 when the pulp bale is moved to the second folding area, end 102b (and the corresponding end on the opposite side, as seen in the side direction) of the packaging material comes into contact with the folding plates in the second folding area and is therefore folded around the edges of the pulp bale on the sides of the pulp bale, as illustrated by the dotted lines in the first folding area 109. The packaging material was folded accordingly, as shown in figure 5d; - while the paste bale 103 is moved to the position adjacent to the folding element 112 or while the paste bale 103 is moved to the second conveyor belts 108, an additional paste bale may be provided to the opposite end of the conveyor belts 104 for transport to the first additional folding area 105' (which is then arranged to the left in the figure).

[0041] The above operational sequence is repeated, so that the pulp bales are repeatedly fed onto the conveyor belt to be moved alternately to the first folding area or to the first additional folding area.

[0042] The operation described above can be described as an embodiment of the method according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0043] The folding apparatus may comprise a control unit (not shown) configured to control the conveyor belts 104, 108, the rotating base 107 and the folding element so as to achieve the operation described above. At least one position sensor may be connected to the control unit to determine whether the bundle of paste is in the first or second folding area.

[0044] As understood from the description above, directions R1 and R2 are defined in relation to the first folding area and the first additional folding area, that is, in relation to a coordinate system that Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 74 / 112 / 28 rotates with the folding areas.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a folding apparatus 201 according to the first aspect of the invention. The folding apparatus is configured to handle a bundle of paste supplied with packaging material in the same manner shown in Figures 2a-b and described above.

[0046] The folding apparatus 201 is configured to fold ends (202a for example) of the packaging material 202 that extend beyond the opposite sidewalls of a bundle of pulp 203 to said sidewalls. The folding apparatus is further configured to fold part of 202b on the underside of the bundle of pulp.

[0047] The folding apparatus comprises two parallel conveyor belts 204 configured to move the paste bale in a first longitudinal direction R11 with the lateral sides of the paste bale facing perpendicularly to the first longitudinal direction to a first folding area 205.

[0048] Similar to the embodiments in Figures 1a and 2a, a first fixed folding plate 206a and 206b is arranged on both sides of the first folding area 205. The first folding plates comprise a folding surface and guide parts at both longitudinal ends of the first folding plates, wherein the guide parts are angled inwards so as to provide a narrowing distance between the two first folding plates, as seen in the first / second longitudinal directions R11 / R12 to align the bundle of paste laterally.

[0049] The first conveyor belts 204 are configured to move the bale of paste in the first longitudinal direction R11 from the first folding area 204 to the second conveyor belts 208, which move the bale of paste further to a second area of Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 75 / 112 / 28 fold 213 arranged on the rotating base 207 and arranged in the same plane and adjacent to the first fold area. The first and second conveyor belts may be referred to as the first means of displacement. A fold element 212 is arranged horizontally and parallel to the first and second fold areas. The fold element 212 is movable in a substantially vertical plane arranged between the first and second fold areas. The fold element has a width equal to or greater than the width of the packaging material, where the fold element is movable between an upper vertical position corresponding to a position above the bale height (as seen in Figure 3) to a lower vertical position below the first and second fold areas. Second bending plates 210a, 210b are arranged in the second bending area 213 on each lateral side of the second bending area.The second folding plates correspond to the first folding plates and are arranged accordingly.

[0050] The second folding area 213 and the second folding plates 210a-b are arranged symmetrically with the first folding area and the first folding plates in relation to the geometric axis of rotation of the rotating base.

[0051] The folding apparatus further comprises a rotating base 207 which can be rotated about a geometric axis of rotation perpendicular to the folding areas 205, 213. The conveyor belts 204, 208 and the folding plates 206a-b, 210a-b are arranged on said rotating base.

[0052] The folding device in figure 3 works as follows: - the bale of paste 203 is provided with packaging material 202 (in a corresponding manner as described above and shown in figures 2a-b); Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 76 / 112 / 28 - the bale of paste 203 is moved in the first longitudinal direction R11 using the conveyor belts 204 to the first folding area 205 with the front side of the bale of paste facing the direction R11, so that when the bale of paste is moved to the first folding area, the end 202a (and the corresponding end on the opposite side, as seen in the lateral direction) of the packaging material comes into contact with the folding plates 206a-be, therefore being folded around the edges of the bale of paste on the sides of the bale of paste (202a is folded on side 203c, for example). The packaging material was folded in a corresponding manner, as shown in figure 5b; - after that, the bundle of paste is moved to the second folding area 213 using the first and second conveyor belts 204, 208. The ends (sides) of the packaging material (202a for example) have already been folded, so that the plates 210a-b serve only as guide plates at this stage; - while in the second folding area, the folding element 212 is moved vertically downwards, so that the folding element comes into contact with part 202b of the packaging material and pushes it vertically downwards to fold 202b onto the back side 203b of the bundle of paste; - after that, the bale of paste is moved to the second folding area 205 using the first and second conveyor belts 204, 208. As the bale of paste enters the conveyor belts 204, the now projecting downward part of 202b is folded over the underside of the bale of paste 203. The packaging material was folded in a corresponding manner, as shown in figure 5c; - as the pulp bale is displaced in the R12 direction of the second fold area 213 with the rear side 203b of the pulp bale Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 77 / 112 / 28 facing in the R12 direction towards the first folding area, the side parts of end 202b of the packaging material come into contact with the folding plates 206a, 206b in the first folding area and are therefore folded around the edges of the paste bale on the sides of the paste bale. The packaging material was folded accordingly, as shown in figure 5d; - Simultaneously with the displacement of the paste bale in direction R11 or R12, the rotating base 207 is rotated 180 degrees. After the paste bale leaves the second folding area 213, or upon exiting the second folding area, a subsequent / additional paste bale may be supplied to the second conveyor belts 208 for displacement towards the second folding area to fold the packaging material in a manner corresponding to that described above, but in the opposite direction with respect to the first / second folding areas.

[0053] The above operating sequence is repeated, so that the bales of paste are repeatedly fed onto the conveyor belts to be moved alternately to the first folding area or to the second folding area.

[0054] The folding apparatus comprises a control unit 214 connected and configured to control the conveyor belts 204, 208, the rotating base 207 and the folding element 212 in order to achieve the operation described above. At least one position sensor may be connected to the control unit to determine whether the bundle of paste is in the first or second folding area.

[0055] The operation described above can be described as an embodiment of the method according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0056] As understood from the description above, directions R11 and R12 are defined in relation to the first and second folding areas, that is, in relation to a coordinate system that rotates with the areas of Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 78 / 112 / 28 folding.

[0057] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a system according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0058] The system comprises a packaging material applicator 215, a folding apparatus 201 and a long-end folding apparatus 217. The packaging material applicator 215 comprises a packaging material holder 215a configured to hold a sheet of packaging material 202 having a length greater than the circumference of the pulp bale 203 and a width greater than the width of the pulp bale. The packaging material holder 215a is arranged to hold at least a portion 202' of the sheet, or part of a roll, of packaging material substantially vertically.The packaging material applicator is configured to receive the pulp bale in a direction towards and through the packaging material holder 215a with a front side of the pulp bale facing at least part 202' of the packaging material held substantially vertically, so that the packaging material is applied to the front side of the pulp bale and is folded over on an upper side and at least parts of a lower side of the pulp bale in such a way that the packaging material, after the pulp bale has passed through the packaging material holder, covers the entire upper side of the pulp bale and extends beyond the rear side of the pulp bale (as shown in figure 5a).The conveyor belts 215b of the packaging material applicator are configured to move the bale of paste to the first or second conveyor belts 204, 208 of the folding apparatus 201 (depending on the direction of rotation of the folding apparatus). Figure 4 shows an intermediate conveyor belt arrangement 216 between the packaging material applicator 215 and the folding apparatus 201, but this arrangement may be omitted. When received by the folding apparatus 201, the... Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 79 / 112 / 28 packaging material is folded as described above with reference to figure 3, i.e., the three folds shown in figures 5b-d are performed. The bundle of paste is moved from the folding apparatus by means of conveyor belt 204 or 208 (depending on the rotation of the folding apparatus) to the long-end folding apparatus 217. The long-end folding apparatus comprises four electrically driven folding arms, each provided with a contact element adapted to come into contact with the packaging material, two upper folding arms 217a-b and two lower folding arms 217c-d.When the bale of paste (with its folded packaging material, as shown in figure 5d) is received into the long-end folding apparatus, conveyor belts 218 move the bale of paste to a folding area / position, after which the lower folding arms 217cd are actuated to fold the packaging material around the respective lower long edge, as shown in figure 5e, and then the upper folding arms 217a-b are actuated to fold the packaging material around the respective upper long edge, as shown in figure 5f.

[0059] The control unit 214 shown in figure 3 can be further configured to control at least one, or each of the conveyor belts 215b, 216, 218 and / or the folding arms 217a-d to achieve the operation described above. At least one position sensor can be connected to the control unit to determine whether the paste bale is in the folding areas 205, 213, or on the conveyor belts 215b or on the conveyor belts 217c.

[0060] The above description and the accompanying drawings should be considered as non-limiting examples of the invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that various alterations and modifications can be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the folding apparatus not Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 80 / 112 / 28, does not necessarily need to be part of a straight line of packaging material application / folding, but it can, conversely, be configured to rotate, for example, 90 degrees (instead of 180 degrees). Furthermore, the folding apparatus in Figures 3 and 4 does not necessarily need to include folding plates in the second folding area. Additionally, the rotating part of the folding apparatus in Figure 2 can be replaced by the corresponding part in Figure 1. Furthermore, other means of displacement besides two parallel conveyor belts are possible, such as a single wide conveyor belt. Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, pp. 81 / 112

Claims

1 / 7 CLAIMS 1. Folding apparatus (101; 201) for folding ends of packaging material (102; 202) extending beyond the opposite lateral sides (103c; 203c) of a bundle of paste (103; 203), characterized in that the folding apparatus comprises: - a first displacement means (104; 204, 208) configured to displace the bundle of paste in a first longitudinal direction (R1; R11) with its lateral sides facing substantially perpendicularly to the first longitudinal direction to a first folding area (105; 205), and - at least one first fixed folding plate (106;206ab) disposed in the first folding area on each lateral side of the first folding area, wherein the fixed folding plates are at a distance from each other adapted to a width of the paste bale, wherein the folding plates define a respective folding surface (106a) which is disposed i) substantially parallel to the first longitudinal direction, and ii) substantially perpendicular to the folding area, wherein the first displacement means (104; 204, 208) is additionally configured to displace the paste bale in a direction (R12) opposite to the first longitudinal direction (R1; R11) away from the first folding area, which additionally comprises a rotating base (107; 207) which is rotatable about a rotational geometric axis perpendicular to the first folding area (105;205), wherein the first means of displacement and at least one first folding plate are arranged on said rotating base, which further comprises a vertically movable folding element (112; 212) disposed adjacent to the first folding area (105; 205) so as to act in conjunction with the packaging material of the bale of paste before or after leaving the first folding area, wherein the folding element has a width equal to or greater than the width of the packaging material, wherein the folding element is movable between an upper vertical position corresponding to a position above the height of the bale to a lower vertical position that is below the first folding area.; 2. Folding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first displacement means (204, 208) is additionally configured to displace the bundle of paste in the first longitudinal direction (R11) from the first folding area (205) to a second folding area (213) disposed on the rotating base (207) and disposed in the same plane and adjacent to the first folding area, wherein the folding element (212) is displaceable in a substantially vertical plane disposed between the first and second folding areas.

3. Folding apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one second fixed folding plate (210a-b) is disposed in the second folding area (213) on each lateral side of the second folding area, viewed in a lateral direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal direction, wherein the fixed folding plates are at a distance from each other adapted to the width of the bale, wherein the folding plates define a respective folding surface that is disposed i) substantially parallel to the first longitudinal direction, and ii) substantially perpendicular to the folding area.

4. Folding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a second displacement means (108) configured to displace the bundle of paste in a second longitudinal direction (R2) to a second folding area (109), and at least one second fixed folding plate (110) Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, page 41 / 112 3 / 7 disposed in the second folding area on each lateral side of the second folding area, as seen in a lateral direction perpendicular to said second longitudinal direction, wherein the fixed folding plates are at a distance from each other adapted to said width of the bundle, wherein the folding plates define a respective folding surface that is disposed i) substantially parallel to the second longitudinal direction, and ii) substantially perpendicular with respect to the folding area.

5. Folding apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said folding element (112) is movable in a substantially vertical plane disposed between the first and second displacement means (104, 108).

6. Folding apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 4 or 5, characterized in that it further comprises a first additional folding area (105') disposed on the rotating base (107), wherein the first displacement means (104) extends along the first folding area and the first additional folding area so as to, simultaneously with the displacement of the paste bale in said direction opposite to the first longitudinal direction (R1) away from the first folding area, displace an additional paste bale in said direction opposite to the first longitudinal direction to said first additional folding area (105'), wherein the folding apparatus further comprises at least one first fixed additional folding plate disposed in the first additional folding area on each lateral side of the first additional folding area, as seen in a lateral direction perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction,wherein the fixed folding plates are spaced at a distance from each other adapted to said bale width, wherein the additional folding plates define a respective folding surface that is arranged i) substantially parallel to the first longitudinal direction, and ii) Petition 870250083433, dated 16 / 09 / 2025, page 42 / 112 4 / 7 substantially perpendicular to the first additional folding area.

7. System for covering a bale of pulp with packaging material, characterized in that said system comprises: - a packaging material applicator (215), and - a folding apparatus (201) as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging material applicator comprises a packaging material holder (215a) configured to hold a sheet (202) of packaging material or a portion of a roll of packaging material having a length greater than the circumference of the bale of pulp, wherein the packaging material holder is arranged to hold at least a portion (202') of the sheet, or portion of a roll, of packaging material substantially vertically, wherein the means of displacement of the packaging material applicator, or associated with the packaging material applicator,It is configured to move the paste bale (203) towards and through the packaging material holder with a front side of the paste bale facing at least part of the packaging material held substantially vertically, so that the packaging material is applied to the front side of the paste bale and is folded on an upper side and at least parts of a lower side of the paste bale, wherein the displacement means (215b) of the packaging material applicator (215) is additionally configured to move the paste bale (203) towards the folding apparatus.

8. Method for folding a sheet of packaging material (202) around a bundle of pulp (203) using a folding apparatus (201) as defined in claim 2 or 3, wherein said sheet of packaging material has a length such that the packaging material that Petition 870250083433, dated 16 / 09 / 2025, page. 43 / 112 5 / 7 covers said upper side extending beyond a rear side (203b) of the pulp bale facing said direction (R12) opposite to the first longitudinal direction (R11), characterized in that the method comprises: - providing a pulp bale with packaging material (202) folded around at least one upper side of the pulp bale, one front side of the pulp bale and at least part of one lower side of the pulp bale, wherein said packaging material has a width that is greater than the width of the pulp bale, such that the ends (202a) of the packaging material extend beyond the opposite side sides (203c) of the pulp bale,as seen in a lateral direction that is perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction (R11); - move the pulp bale (203) using the first displacement means (204, 208) in the first longitudinal direction (R11) to the first folding area (205) with the front side of the pulp bale facing the first longitudinal direction, so that when the pulp bale is moved to the first folding area, the ends (202a) of the packaging material come into contact with the folding plates (206a-b) and are thus folded around the edges of the pulp bale to the lateral sides (203c) of the pulp bale; - move the pulp bale (203) using the first displacement means (204, 208) in the first longitudinal direction (R11) from the first folding area (205) to the second folding area (213); - when the pulp bale (203) is in the second folding area (213),fold the packaging material that extends beyond the rear side around an upper edge of the paste bale on the rear side (203b), moving the folding element (212) vertically downwards so as to come into contact with the packaging material (202); - after said folding, move the paste bale using the first moving means (204, 208) in said direction (R12) opposite to Petition 870250083433, dated 16 / 09 / 2025, page. 44 / 112 6 / 7 first longitudinal direction, away from the second folding area, with the rear side (203) of the paste bale facing said opposite direction, towards the first folding area (205), so that the ends of the packaging material extending beyond the opposite side sides of the paste bale, as seen in a side direction perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction, come into contact with the folding plates (206a-b) in the first folding area and are thus,folded around the edges of the paste bale over said side edges (203c) of the paste bale; - rotate the rotating base (207) 180 degrees, and - move the paste bale using the first means of displacement (204, 208) in the opposite direction to the first longitudinal direction, away from the first folding area (205).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the folding apparatus is a folding apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the rotation is carried out simultaneously with the displacement of the bundle of pulp to the second folding area (213), wherein the method further comprises: - providing an additional bundle of pulp with a sheet of packaging material folded around at least one lower side of the bundle of pulp, one front side of the bundle of pulp and one upper side of the bundle of pulp, wherein said packaging material has a width that is greater than the width of the bundle of pulp, such that the ends of the packaging material extend beyond the opposite sideways of the bundle of pulp, as seen in a side direction that is perpendicular to said first longitudinal direction;- simultaneously with the said displacement of the pulp bale from the second folding area (213) to the first folding area (205), displace the additional pulp bale using the first displacement means (204, 208) in the direction (R12) opposite to the first longitudinal direction to the Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 45 / 112 7 / 7 second folding area (213), so as to fold the ends of the packaging material around the edges of the pulp bale on the sides of the additional pulp bale. Petition 870250083433, dated 09 / 16 / 2025, p. 46 / 112;

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