Stack comprising wide sheets with narrow folded width

Abstract

A stack of large sheets includes first and second groups of folded sheets. Each of the sheets of each group is folded substantially in half along a first fold to form first and second plies, and the first and second plies are folded along a second fold to provide a first panel which extends from one edge of the sheet to the second fold, a second panel which extends from the other edge of the sheet to the second fold, a third panel which is a continuation of the second panel and which extends from the second fold to the first fold, and a fourth panel which is a continuation of the first panel and which extends from the second fold to the first fold. The third and fourth panels are joined at the first fold. The sheets of the stack can be either interfolded or non-interfolded. If the sheets are interfolded, the first panel of each sheet of each group is interfolded between the second and third panels of a sheet of the other group.

1 . A stack of folded sheets having a right side and a left side comprising: 
 first and second groups of folded sheets,    each of the folded sheets of the first group having first and second edges and a central portion and being folded along a first fold in the central portion to form first and second plies, the first and second plies being folded along a second fold which is spaced from the edges to provide a folded portion which extends between the first and second folds, the second fold being positioned on the right side of the stack, the folded portion extending for less than the distance from the second fold to the first and second edges to provide a first panel which extends from the first edge to the second fold, a second panel which extends from the second edge to the second fold, a third panel which is a continuation of the second panel and which extends from the second fold to the first fold, and a fourth panel which is a continuation of the first panel and which extends from the second fold to the first fold, the third and fourth panel being joined at the first fold,    each of the folded sheets of the second group having first and second edges and a central portion and being folded along a first fold in the central portion to form first and second plies, the first and second plies being folded along a second fold which is spaced from the edges to provide a folded portion which extends between the first and second folds, the second fold being positioned on the left side of the stack, the folded portion extending for less than the distance from the second fold to the first and second edges to provide a first panel which extends from the first edge to the second fold, a second panel which extends from the second edge to the second fold, a third panel which is a continuation of the second panel and which extends from the second fold to the first fold, and a fourth panel which is a continuation of the first panel and which extends from the second fold to the first fold, the third and fourth panels being joined at the first fold,    the first panel of each sheet of each group being interleaved between the second and third panels of a sheet of the other group.    
   
   
       2 . The stack of  claim 1  in which said first fold of each of the folded sheets is substantially at the center of the sheet and the first and second edges of each of the folded sheets are substantially aligned.  
   
   
       3 . The stack of  claim 2  in which said folded portion of each of the folded sheets extends for about one-half of the distance from the second fold line to the first and second edges.  
   
   
       4 . The stack of  claim 2  in which said folded portion of each of the folded sheets extends for less than one-half of the distance from the second fold line to the first and second edges.  
   
   
       5 . The stack of  claim 1  in which said folded portion of each of the folded sheets extends for about one-half of the distance from the second fold line to the first and second edges.  
   
   
       6 . The stack of  claim 1  in which said folded portion of each of the folded sheets extends for less than one-half of the distance from the second fold line to the first and second edges.  
   
   
       7 . The stack of  claim 1  in which the uppermost panel of the stack is folded to form a starter tab.  
   
   
       8 . A stack of folded sheets having a right side and a left side comprising: 
 first and second groups of folded sheets,    each of the folded sheets of the first group having first and second edges and a center and being folded along a first fold at the center to form first and second plies, the first and second edges being substantially aligned, the first and second plies being folded along a second fold which is spaced from the edges to provide a folded portion which extends between the first fold and the second fold, the second fold being positioned on the right side of the stack, the folded portion extending for less than the distance from the second fold to the first and second edges to provide a first panel which extends from the first edge to the second fold, a second panel which extends from the second edge to the second fold, a third panel which is a continuation of the second panel and which extends from the second fold to the first fold, and a fourth panel which is a continuation of the first panel and which extends from the second fold to the first fold, the third and fourth panels being joined at the first fold,    each of the folded sheets of the second group having first and second edges and a center and being folded along a first fold at the center to form first and second plies, the first and second edges being substantially aligned, the first and second plies being folded along a second fold which is spaced from the edges to provide a folded portion which extends between the first and second folds, the second fold being positioned on the left side of the stack, the folded portion extending for less than the distance from the second fold to the first and second edges to provide a first panel which extends from the first edge to the second fold, a second panel which extends from the second edge to the second fold, a third panel which is a continuation of the second panel and which extends from the second fold to the first fold, and a fourth panel which is a continuation of the first panel and which extends from the second fold to the first fold, the third and fourth panels being joined at the first fold.    
   
   
       9 . The stack of  claim 8  in which said folded portion of each of the folded sheets extends for about one-half of the distance from the second fold to the first and second edges.  
   
   
       10 . The stack of  claim 8  in which said folded portion of each of the folded sheets extends for less than one-half of the distance from the second fold line to the first and second edges.  
   
   
       11 . The stack of  claim 8  in which the first fold of each of the sheets is substantially in the center of the sheet.