Device and method for folding foldable blanks

Abstract

A device for folding foldable blanks device includes a conveyor belt for conveying the blanks and a folding cylinder for receiving a first region of a blank from the conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt is provided with a plurality of suction openings which are arranged such that, by means of a vacuum unit assigned thereto, the suction openings hold a second region of the foldable unfashioned piece on the conveyor belt at least during folding.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A device for folding foldable blanks, comprising:
 a conveyor belt for conveying the blanks; and a folding cylinder for receiving a first region of one of the a blanks from the conveyor belt said conveyor belt being provided with a plurality of suction openings said suction openings being arranged so that, by means of a vacuum unit assigned to the suction openings, the suction openings hold a second region of the blank on the conveyor belt at least during folding.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the suction openings are arranged in a plurality of rows which extend transverse to a conveying direction of the blank. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein one of the rows of suction openings is directly adjacent to an intended fold of the blank resting on the suction openings and has a larger number of suction openings than any of the remaining rows of suction openings. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the number of suction openings in each of the rows either decreases in steps or remains constant, starting from the intended fold of the blank, and counter to the conveying direction. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a folding plate arranged downstream of the folding cylinder in the conveying direction. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of flattening rollers. 
     
     
         14 . A method for folding a foldable blank, comprising:
 conveying the blank in a conveying direction by means of a conveyor belt;   holding a first region of the blank on the conveyor belt by means of a suction device;   receiving a second region of the blank, situated in front of the first region in the conveying direction, by means of a folding cylinder;   folding the blank by guiding the first region further in the conveying direction and below the second region; and   placing the second region on the first region by causing the folding cylinder to release the second region.