hoppers 08 09 to the first folder nip 26 24 of the folder 21 29 which are arranged in the shape of a cross underneath is substantially of the same length in each case this means that a distance a 03 a 04 from the traction roller nip 16 17 of the hopper 08 09 is configured to be approximately equal to a distance a 04 a 03 from the traction roller nip 17 16 of the hopper 09 08 to the first folder nip 24 26 of the folder 19 21 the distances a 04 a 03 can differ from each other maximally by 200 mm however preferably by 100 mm in particular by up to 50 mm the two folders 19 21 are for example arranged in such a way that each of the first folder nips 24 26 is located symmetrically with respect to a center plane m extending between the two hoppers 08 09 the center plane m is located parallel to and centered between the two planes which extend through the longitudinally folded strands 03 04 in the area of the last folding rollers 13 14 or in the area of the traction rollers 16 17 assigned to the hoppers 08 09 as a rule these latter planes coincide with the symmetry planes e 08 e 09 of the hoppers 08 09 such as represented in fig1 for rerouting the paths or for setting the paths to be travelled by.