阅读说明：本技术 用于折叠衣物的宽度折叠系统和方法 (Width folding system and method for folding garments ) 是由 N·盖白 A·纳姆 I·瑙尔 于 2018-08-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：主动宽度折叠器系统,其构造成用于在紧凑的物品折叠机内折叠物品,并且包括具有在物品运动方向上延伸的两个相对的保持边缘的保持构件,构造成用于在运动方向上传送物品的输送机,以及一对致动的折叠构件,每个致动的折叠构件构造成用于提升和折叠物品的至少一部分。其中,每个折叠构件具有可伸缩的提升表面,其至少在垂直于运动方向的宽度方向上具有可变的长度。(An active width folder system configured for folding articles within a compact article folder and including a retaining member having two opposing retaining edges extending in a direction of article movement, a conveyor configured for conveying articles in the direction of movement, and a pair of actuated folding members, each actuated folding member configured for lifting and folding at least a portion of an article. Wherein each folding member has a telescopic lifting surface with a variable length at least in a width direction perpendicular to the direction of movement.)

1. An active width folder system (10) configured for folding articles within a compact article folder and comprising:

a retaining member (12) comprising two opposite retaining edges (20) extending in an article Movement Direction (MD);

a conveyor (16) aligned and configured for conveying the article in a direction of Motion (MD) and located below the holding member (12) in a perpendicular direction (VD) perpendicular to the direction of Motion (MD); and

a pair of opposed actuating folding members (14), each configured for lifting and folding at least a portion of the article across a respective retaining edge (20) in a Width Direction (WD) perpendicular to the direction of Motion (MD) and to the perpendicular direction (VD),

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

each folding member (14) includes a retractable lifting surface (24) having a variable length configured to handle articles of various sizes.

2. The width folder (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each folding member (14) is telescopic and changes its length only in the Width Direction (WD).

3. The width folder (10) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the folding members (14) are synchronized and do not contact each other.

4. The width folder (10) as recited in any one of claims 1-3, wherein each lifting surface (24) retracts or extends before initially engaging the article.

5. The width folder (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each lifting surface (24) is parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of Motion (MD) and the Width Direction (WD).

6. The width folder (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining member (12) is configured to adjust a retaining width (HW) in a Width Direction (WD) between the retaining edges (20) to accommodate different product widths and define different folding widths.

7. The width folder (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining member (12) comprises two ski-like retaining sub-members, each comprising retaining edges (20) on opposite sides thereof, each retaining edge (20) being configured to define a fold line in the article when the article is lifted and folded thereon.

8. The width folder (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the folding member (14) is operated by a single motor (25).

9. The width folder (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein each lifting surface (24) is divided into an actuated base portion and a movable portion (28, 30).

10. The width folder (10) as claimed in claim 9 wherein the base and the mobile portion are connected by a linear actuator (29).

11. A method of width folding an article comprising the steps of:

a. providing a width folder (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10;

b. adjusting the Holding Width (HW) according to a user input or a sensory input to adapt the holding member (12) to the desired article width;

c. adjusting the retractable lifting surface (24) to a desired article width based on user input or sensory input;

d. conveying the article below the holding member (12) and above the retractable lifting surface (24);

e. lifting the article ends in the Width Direction (WD) via the folding member (14) and throwing them over the retention edge (20);

f. repeating steps d and e until the article comprises two fold lines all the way in the direction of Motion (MD).

12. A passive width folder (100) configured for article folding and comprising three members stacked in a Vertical Direction (VD):

a first male member (38) comprising two opposing first folded edges (44) extending along a direction of Motion (MD) perpendicular to the Vertical Direction (VD);

a female member (36) located below the first male member (38) and comprising two opposite second folded edges (46) converging in a direction of Motion (MD); in a bottom view with the folders parallel to the Vertical Direction (VD), each second folding edge (46) intersects the corresponding first folding edge (44) at a first intersection position along the Movement Direction (MD); and

a second male member (40) located below the female member (36), opposite the first male member (38), and comprising two opposite third folded edges separated in the direction of Motion (MD), each third folded edge intersecting, in bottom view, a respective adjacent second folded edge (46) at a second intersection location in the direction of Motion (MD),

wherein

In the bottom view, the second intersection position is located further in the direction of Motion (MD) than the first intersection position.

13. The width folder (100) of claim 12, wherein the width folder (100) further comprises a pulling mechanism configured to pull an article throughout the width folder (100) in a direction of Motion (MD).

14. The width folder (100) as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein each of the first and second male members (38, 40) comprises an adjustable first and second male extension (39, 50), respectively, and the female member (36) comprises an adjustable female extension (42), all configured to allow width adjustment of the width folder (100) in the Width Direction (WD) to accommodate different article widths.

15. The width folder (100) as recited in claim 14, wherein each pair is static in the left and right portions during folding.

16. The width folder (100) as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein a first fold line is defined by the narrowest portion between the first folding edges (44) and a second fold line is defined by the narrowest portion between the second folding edges (46).

17. The width folder (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the width folder (100) is configured to perform two consecutive pairs of width folds in the article as the article is conveyed in the direction of Motion (MD), a first pair of width folds between the first male member (38) and the female member (36), and a second pair of width folds between the female member (36) and the second male member (40).

18. The width folder (100) as recited in any one of claims 12-17, wherein a first pair of width folds are defined at the first intersection location and a second pair of width folds are defined at the second intersection location.

19. The width folder (100) as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein in a bottom view of the width folder (100) a first angle (a1) forming an acute angle with a tangent of each first folding edge (44) and the direction of Motion (MD), wherein the first angle (a1) is 0 or between 0 and 2 degrees.

20. The width folder (100) as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein in a bottom view of the width folder (100) a second angle (a2) forming an acute angle with a tangent of each second folding edge (46) and the direction of Motion (MD), wherein the second angle (a2) is between 20 degrees and 45 degrees.

21. The width folder (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein in a bottom view of the width folder (100), a third corner (a3) forming an acute angle with a tangent of each third folded edge (48) and the direction of Motion (MD).

22. The width folder (100) as recited in claim 12, wherein the third folded edge (48) is at least partially curved and the tangent line gradually changes direction as one progresses along the curved third folded edge (48) from one end to the other at each point thereof, the third angles (a2) gradually changing between 0 and 90 degrees, respectively.

23. The width folder (100) as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein only the first male member (38) is width-adjustable and comprises a first width-adjustable male extension (39) configured to allow width adjustment of the width folder (100) in the Width Direction (WD) by varying the distance between the first folding edges (44) to accommodate different article widths.

24. A method of width folding an article comprising the steps of:

a. providing a width folder (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 23;

b. adjusting the width of the female part (36) to a desired article width in accordance with user input or sensory input;

c. adjusting the width of the second male member (40) to a desired article width in accordance with user input or sensory input;

d. the article is pulled in a direction of Motion (MD) over the top of said first male component (38) while the ends of the article respectively hang over the first folded edges (44) until two double folds are formed on each side of the article.

25. A method of width folding an article comprising the steps of:

a. providing a width folder (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 23;

b. adjusting only the width of the first male member (38) to a desired article width in accordance with user input or sensory input;

c. the article is pulled in a direction of Motion (MD) over the top of the first male component (38) while the ends of the article respectively hang over the first folded edges (44) until two double folds are formed on each side of the article.

26. An active width folder system (10) configured for folding articles within a compact article folder and comprising:

a folding member (14);

a retaining member (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) comprising two opposing retaining edges (20) extending in an article Movement Direction (MD);

a conveyor (16) aligned and configured for conveying the article in a direction of Motion (MD) and located below the holding member (12) in a perpendicular direction (VD) perpendicular to the direction of Motion (MD);

wherein each retaining member (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) comprises:

one or two retaining plates (18, 118, 218, 318, 418);

a width adjustment mechanism; and

for each retention plate (18, 118, 218, 318, 418), the retention plate member (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) has a support assembly (22, 122, 222, 322, 422) configured to support and suspend the retention plate at one end thereof and ensure passage of the article thereunder while counteracting folding forces exerted in a Width Direction (WD) perpendicular to the Vertical Direction (VD) and the direction of Movement (MD).

27. The width folder system (10) as recited in claim 26, wherein each retaining member (212) has a receiving plate (221) located rearward of the retaining member (212), extending in the width direction WD, and oriented transversely with respect to the conveyor (16); the receiving plate (221) is configured to guide the article between the retaining member (212) and the conveyor (16).

28. The width folder system (10) as set forth in claim 26 wherein each retention plate (418) has a slide member (423) rigidly secured between the retention plate (418) and the conveyor (16).

29. The width folder system (10) as set forth in claim 26 wherein each support assembly (22, 322) has a parallelogram hinge structure configured to ensure one degree of freedom of movement, and wherein each retention plate (18, 318) remains parallel to the conveyor (16) after the fabric is transferred therebetween.

30. The width folder system (10) as set forth in claim 26 wherein each support assembly (22, 122, 222, 422) has a dual hinge arrangement that allows at least two degrees of freedom of movement for each retention plate (18, 118, 218, 418).

Technical Field

The subject matter of the present application relates to a compact garment/fabric folding machine. In particular, the present invention relates to a folder or mechanism configured for width folding in articles.

Background

There is a long felt need in the domestic consumer market for a compact, affordable product that can quickly, repeatedly, and reliably fold many types and widths of clothing. Folding machines in the art are known and disclosed in, for example, US 8973792. One of the primary objects according to the subject matter of the present application is to provide an adjustable compact article width folder system that is adaptable inside such a compact folder and that can be self-adjusting for various article widths.

Summary of The Invention

According to a first aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided an active width folder configured for folding articles within a compact article folder and comprising:

a retaining member comprising two opposing retaining edges extending in a direction of article movement;

a conveyor aligned and configured for conveying the article in a direction of motion and located below the retaining member in a vertical direction perpendicular to the direction of motion; and

a pair of opposed actuating folding members, each configured for lifting and folding at least a portion of the article across a respective retaining edge in a width direction perpendicular to the direction of motion and the vertical direction,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

each folding member includes a retractable lifting surface having a variable length configured to handle articles of various sizes.

Any of the following features, alone or in combination, may be applicable to any of the above-mentioned aspects of the subject matter of the present application:

each folding member changes its length in the width direction.

The folding members may be synchronized and not in contact with each other.

Each lifting surface retracts or extends before initially engaging the article.

Each lifting surface is substantially parallel to the direction of motion and the width direction. In other words, there may be a tolerance angle of 2 degrees.

The retaining member may be adjustable in width to accommodate different article widths and/or folding types, and the variation in width corresponds to a variable length of the lifting surface, respectively.

The retention member is configured to adjust a retention width in the width direction between the retention edges to accommodate different article widths and define different fold widths.

The retaining member comprises two ski-like retaining sub-members, each comprising retaining edges on opposite sides thereof, each configured to define a fold line in the article when the article is lifted and folded thereover.

The folding member may be operated by a single motor.

Each lifting surface has a base and a movable portion, at least one of which is actuated.

The base and the movable part are connected by a linear actuator.

A method of width folding an article comprising the steps of:

a. providing a width folder;

b. adjusting the retaining member width to adapt the retaining member to the desired article width according to user input or sensory input;

c. adjusting the retractable lifting surface to a desired article width based on user input or sensory input;

d. conveying an article below the retaining member and above the retractable lifting surface;

e. lifting the article ends in the width direction via the folding member and throwing them over the retaining edge; and

f. repeating steps d and e until the article comprises two fold lines all the time in the direction of movement.

According to a second aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a passive width folder configured for article folding and comprising three members stacked in a vertical direction:

a first male member including two opposing first folded edges extending along a direction of motion perpendicular to the vertical direction;

a female member located below the first male member and comprising two opposing second folded edges that converge in a direction of motion; in a bottom view with the folders parallel to the vertical direction, each second folding edge intersects the corresponding first folding edge at a first intersection location along the direction of motion; and

a second male member located below the female member opposite the first male member and including two opposing third folded edges separated in the direction of movement, each third folded edge intersecting a respective adjacent second folded edge at a second intersection location in the direction of movement in a bottom view,

wherein

In the bottom view, the second intersection position is located further in the direction of movement than the first intersection position.

Any of the following features, alone or in combination, may be applicable to any of the above-described aspects of the subject matter of the present application:

the width folder also includes a pulling mechanism configured to pull an article in a direction of motion throughout the width folder.

According to one aspect, each of the first and second male members includes adjustable first and second male extensions, respectively, and the female member includes adjustable female extensions, all of which are configured to allow width adjustment of the width folder in the width direction to accommodate different article widths.

During folding, each pair is static in the left and right portions.

The first fold line is defined by a narrowest portion between the first fold edges, and the second fold line is defined by a narrowest portion between the second fold edges.

The width folder is configured to perform two consecutive pairs of width folds in the article as the article is conveyed in the direction of motion, a first pair of width folds between the first male member and the female member, and a second pair of width folds between the female member and the second male member.

A first pair of width folds is defined at the first intersection location and a second pair of width folds is defined at the second intersection location.

In a bottom view of the width folder, a first angle forming an acute angle with a tangent of each first folded edge and the direction of motion, wherein the first angle is 0 or between 0 and 2 degrees.

A second angle forming an acute angle with a tangent of each second folded edge with the direction of motion in a bottom view of the width folder, wherein the second angle is between 20 degrees and 45 degrees.

A third corner in a bottom view of the width folder, a tangent to each third folded edge forming an acute angle with the direction of movement.

The third folded edge is at least partially curved and the tangent line gradually changes direction as it progresses along the curved third folded edge from one end to the other at each point thereof, the third angles gradually changing between 0 and 90 degrees, respectively.

According to a preferred aspect, only the first male member is width-adjustable and comprises a first width-adjustable male extension configured to allow width adjustment of the width folder in the width direction by varying the distance between the first folding edges to accommodate different article widths.

A method of width folding an article comprising the steps of:

a. providing a width folder;

b. adjusting the width of the female component to a desired article width based on user input or sensory input;

c. adjusting the width of the second male member to a desired article width according to user input or sensory input;

d. the article is pulled in the direction of motion over the top of the first male component while the ends of the article respectively hang over the first folded edge until two double folds are formed on each side of the article.

A method of width folding an article comprising the steps of:

a. providing a width folder;

b. adjusting only the width of the first male member to a desired article width based on user input or sensory input;

c. the article is pulled in the direction of motion over the top of the first male component with the ends of the article respectively hanging over the first folded edges until two double folds are formed on each side of the article.

According to a third aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided an active width folder system configured for folding articles within a compact article folder and comprising:

a retaining member comprising two opposing retaining edges extending in the article moving direction;

a conveyor aligned and configured for conveying the article in a direction of motion and located below the holding member in a vertical direction perpendicular to the direction of motion;

wherein each retaining member comprises:

one or two retaining plates;

a width adjustment mechanism; and

for each retention panel, the retention panel member has a support assembly configured to support and suspend the retention panel at one end thereof and ensure that an item passes thereunder while counteracting folding forces applied in a width direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the direction of movement.

Any of the following features, alone or in combination, may be applicable to any of the above-described aspects of the subject matter of the present application:

each holding member may have a receiving plate located at a rear portion thereof, extending in the width direction, and oriented transversely with respect to the conveyor; the receiving plate is configured to guide the article between the retaining member and the conveyor.

Each retaining plate may have a sliding member rigidly fixed between the retaining plate and the conveyor.

Each support assembly may have a parallelogram hinge structure configured to ensure one degree of freedom of movement, and wherein each retention plate remains parallel to the conveyor after the fabric is transferred therebetween.

Each support assembly has a dual hinge arrangement that allows each retention plate to have at least two degrees of freedom of movement.