阅读说明：本技术 折叠衣物移动物品的装置、方法和系统 (Device, method and system for folding clothes moving article ) 是由 G·罗佐夫 A·纳姆 I·瑙尔 N·盖白 H·马塔拉索 于 2018-08-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：折叠装置(14’,14”)包括从动接触装置(15’,15”),所述从动接触装置构造成在折叠装置的操作折叠模式期间在移动的物品(12)中连续地产生折痕。在操作折叠模式下,物品沿底平面在运动方向(MD)上移动。折叠装置包括支撑结构(54),该支撑结构连接到接触装置并构造成用于支撑接触装置。该接触装置包括外围表面(48),该外围表面至少部分地围绕至少一个旋转轴线延伸。外围表面包括从其向外突出的多个指状件(44)。在操作折叠模式中,指状件从限定其轮廓的边缘(28)开始连续地且逐渐地接合并折叠物品。(The folding device (14', 14 ") comprises a driven contact device (15', 15") configured to continuously generate creases in the moving article (12) during an operative folding mode of the folding device. In the operative folding mode, the article is moved in a direction of Motion (MD) along the bottom plane. The folding device comprises a support structure (54) connected to the contact device and configured for supporting the contact device. The contact arrangement includes a peripheral surface (48) extending at least partially around at least one axis of rotation. The peripheral surface includes a plurality of fingers (44) projecting outwardly therefrom. In the operative folding mode, the fingers engage and fold the articles continuously and progressively, starting from the edge (28) defining their profile.)

1. A folding device (14', 14 ") comprising a driven contact device (15', 15"), said driven contact device (15', 15 ") being configured to continuously create creases in a moving article (12) during an active folding mode of said folding device (14', 14"), the orientation of said folding device (14', 14 ") being defined with respect to a three-dimensional euclidean space described by a first, a second and a third axis (X, Y, Z);

in the operative folding mode, the article (12) is moved along a bottom plane (P) defined by the first and second axes (X, Y) in a Movement Direction (MD) parallel to the first axis (X);

the folding device (14', 14 ") comprises a support structure (54) connected to the contact device (15', 15") and configured for supporting the contact device (15', 15 ");

the contact device (15', 15 ") comprises a peripheral surface (48) extending at least partially around at least one rotation axis (R, R1, R2); the peripheral surface (48) including a plurality of elongated fingers (44) projecting outwardly therefrom;

wherein

In an active folding mode of the folding device (14', 14 "), the fingers (44) engage and progressively fold the article (12) continuously.

2. Folding device (14', 14 ") according to claim 1, wherein, in top view, the article (12) comprises a first and a second article surface (24, 26) and a peripheral article edge (28) extending between the first and second article surfaces and defining the outline of the article (12), the first article surface (24) facing the contact device (15', 15") and the second article surface (26) facing away from the contact device (15', 15 "); and wherein, in the operative folded mode, the respective fingers (44) forming the fold are configured to primarily engage the article edge (28) and the second article surface (26).

3. Folding device (14', 14 ") according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the folding device (14', 14") has a drive motor (56) driving the contact device (15', 15 ") enabling continuous folding.

4. Folding device (14', 14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the peripheral surface (48) is an outwardly facing belt outer surface (50) of a belt (46), the belt (46) extending around at least one pulley (52) whose axes of rotation respectively coincide with the axes of rotation (R).

5. The folding device (14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the folding device (14") comprises a first and a second pulley (52a, 52b), each of which has a first and a second axis of rotation (R1, R2); wherein the peripheral surface (48) is an outwardly facing belt outer surface (50) of the belt (46) that extends around the first and second pulleys (52a, 52 b).

6. The folding device (14 ") according to claim 5, wherein the peripheral surface (48) is an outward-facing belt outer surface (50) of a belt (46) having a belt speed (BV); and wherein in a view of the third axis (Z), the belt speed (BV) is directed in the direction of Movement (MD) and forms an acute speed angle (aV) therewith, or an obtuse angle (180-aV) with respect thereto, facing away from the direction of Movement (MD).

7. Folding device (14 ") according to claim 6, wherein the speed angle (aV) is between 30 and 70 degrees, and preferably between 40 and 60 degrees.

8. The folding device (14', 14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one finger (44) has a circular or rectangular cross section.

9. Folding device (14', 14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fingers (44) are made of rubber or polymer.

10. Folding device (14', 14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one finger (44) is at least partially deformable.

11. The folding device (14', 14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one finger (44) has a smooth finger peripheral surface (68).

12. The folding device (14', 14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each finger (44) has a finger top surface (66) and a finger peripheral surface (68) extending from the finger top surface to the peripheral surface (68); and wherein the finger peripheral surface (68) has a plurality of ridges (70) projecting outwardly therefrom.

13. Folding device (14', 14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the peripheral surface (48) comprises fingers (44) aligned in a line.

14. Folding device (14', 14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one finger (44) is curved or comprises at least one bend in its longitudinal direction.

15. The folding device (14', 14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the fingers (44) have a finger length (E L) measured from the peripheral surface (48), and wherein the finger length (E L) is at least 10 mm.

16. The folding device (14', 14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the contact device (15', 15") has a contact device length (M L) and a contact device width (MW), and wherein the size ratio L WR-M L/MW is greater than 0.5.

17. A folding system (10) configured to continuously create at least one crease along a respective fold line (20) in an article (12) during movement thereof, the folding system (10) comprising:

folding device (14', 14 ") according to any one of claims 1 to 16;

a conveyor (18) configured for conveying the article (12) in a direction of Motion (MD); before folding, the article (12) comprises: a first article surface (24) facing away from the conveyor (18); a second article surface (26) facing and contacting the conveyor (18); and

the retention member (16) comprises a retention member edge (30), only the retention member (16) being configured to retain at least a portion of the article (12) during folding in a direction perpendicular to the direction of Motion (MD), and being configured to define a fold line (20) in the article (20) along the retention member edge (30).

18. The folding system (10) of claim 17, wherein the retaining member (16) does not rotate.

19. Folding system (10) according to claim 17 or 18, wherein, in an operative folding mode of the folding system (10), the articles (12) are located between the conveyor (18) and the retaining member (16), the rotation axes (R, R1, R2) of the contact devices (15', 15 ") being located above the articles (12) and above the retaining member (16).

20. The folding system (10) according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein, in an operative folding mode of the folding system (10), creases are formed in the article (12) only during relative movement between the article (12) and the folding devices (14', 14 ") in the direction of Movement (MD).

21. Folding system (10) according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein at least one rotation axis (R) of the contact means (15', 15 ") is not perpendicular to the direction of Movement (MD).

22. The folding system (10) of any of claims 17 to 21, wherein at least one finger (44) is configured to contact the conveyor (18) if there is no article between the at least one finger (44) and the conveyor (18).

23. Folding system (10) according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein said contact means (15 ") comprise a first and a second parallel pulley (52a, 52b) and at least one belt (46) stretched in the vicinity thereof.

24. Folding system (10) according to any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the folding system (10) comprises two or four folding devices (14', 14 ").

25. The folding system (10) according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the folding system (10) comprises two elongated folding devices (14 "), and wherein, in a top view of the folding system (10), parallel to the third axis (Z), the respective axes of rotation (R) diverge in a direction of Motion (MD).

26. Folding system (10) according to any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein the contact means (15) comprise two distinct belts (46) arranged side by side, each belt comprising distinct folding fingers (44).

27. The folding system (10) according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the peripheral surface (48) is an outward-facing belt outer surface (50) of a belt (46) having a belt speed (BV); wherein, in a view of the third axis (Z), the belt speed (BV) is directed in the direction of Movement (MD) and forms an acute speed angle (aV) therewith or an obtuse angle (180-aV) away from the direction of Movement (MD) therewith.

28. A method of folding a continuous article comprising the steps of:

a. providing at least one folding system (10) according to any one of claims 17 to 27;

b. -providing a continuous relative movement between the article (12) and at least one folding device (14', 14 ") along a Movement Direction (MD);

c. holding an article (12) with a holding member (16);

d. using the retention member edge (30) and establishing the location and orientation of the fold line (20) in the article (12);

e. continuously engaging a second article surface (26) with fingers (44) and collecting and folding articles (12) at said fold line (20) at least in a direction perpendicular to the direction of Motion (MD).

29. An article folding method for folding an article (12), said article (12) including a first article surface (24) facing in a first direction, a second article surface (26) facing in a second direction opposite said first direction, opposing said first and second article lateral edges (28a, 28b), and an article centerline (C L) passing between the article lateral edges (28a, 28b), the method comprising:

(a) conveying the article (12) in a direction of Motion (MD) coincident with the article central axis (C L), and

(b) incremental portions of a first lateral edge (28a) of the article are sequentially collected and folded toward the centerline (C L) while the article is moving in the direction of Motion (MD) until at least an entire cross-section of the first lateral edge (28a) is folded over the second article surface (26).

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

(c) incremental portions of the opposite second lateral edge (28b) of the article are sequentially collected and folded toward the centerline (C L) while the article is moving in the direction of Motion (MD) until at least the entire cross-section of the second lateral edge (28b) is folded over the second article surface (28).

31. The method of claim 30, wherein steps (b) and (c) occur simultaneously.

32. A garment folding device (14 ") configured to engage and fold a garment moving on a garment conveyor (18) in a direction of Motion (MD), the folding device (14") comprising:

a support arm (54) configured to be mounted to a garment folder;

-a contact device (15 ") fixed on said supporting arm (54) so that, when said supporting arm (54) is mounted on said folding machine, said contact device (15") is located above said laundry conveyor (18), said contact device (15 ") comprising:

first and second pulleys (52a, 52b) spaced from each other along an elongation axis (L) of the contact device (15') and having respective first and second axes of rotation (R1, R2), and

a belt (46) wrapped around the spaced apart pulleys (52a, 52b) and configured to rotate in a belt Rotation Direction (RD) along an elongation axis (L), the belt having an outer belt surface (50) with a plurality of elongated fingers (44) projecting outwardly therefrom, and

a drive motor (56) operatively connected to the contact member (15) and configured to drive at least one of the first and second pulleys (52a, 52b) to rotate the belt (46).

33. The garment folding device (14 ") according to claim 32, wherein:

the contact device (15) has a contact device width (MW) measured along one of the rotational axes (R1, R2) and a contact device length (M L) perpendicular to the contact device width (MW) along the elongation axis (L), and

the ratio of the contacting device length (M L) to the contacting device width (MW) is greater than 10.

34. A garment folding system (10) configured to fold a garment (12), comprising:

a laundry conveyor (18) defining a conveyor plane (P) and having a longitudinal axis (X), the laundry conveyor (18) being configured to support and transport articles (12) in a direction of Motion (MD) along the longitudinal axis (X);

a holding member (16) having a holding member edge (30) and configured to hold an article (12) transported on the laundry conveyor (18) along a Moving Direction (MD) at least in a direction perpendicular to the Moving Direction (MD);

folding device (14 ") according to claim 32, located above the laundry conveyor (18), and

wherein:

-in a top view of the laundry conveyor (18), the retaining member (16) and the folding device (14 ") overlap at least partially; and is

In the operative folding mode, a plurality of elongate fingers (44) disposed on a peripheral surface (48) of the belt (46) are configured to engage and push an edge (28) of the garment over the retention member edge (30) to form a fold line (20) in the article (12) as the article (12) is transported on the garment conveyor (18) in the direction of Motion (MD).

35. Folding system (10) according to claim 34, comprising a first and a second folding device (14 "), each of which is located at least partially on each side of the longitudinal axis (X).

36. An article folding method for folding an article (12), the article (12) including a first article surface (24) facing in a first direction, a second article surface (26) facing in a second direction (26) opposite the first direction (24), opposing first and second article lateral edges (28a, 28b), and an article centerline (C L) passing between the article lateral edges (28a, 28b), the method comprising:

(a) conveying the article (12) in a direction of Motion (MD) coincident with the article central axis (C L);

(b) collecting and folding a portion of a first lateral edge (28a) of the article in a scooping motion while the article is moving in the direction of Motion (MD) such that a first portion of a second article surface (26) is folded over a first portion of a first article surface (24) and at least temporarily becomes part of the first article surface (24); and

(c) while the article is moving in the direction of Motion (MD), a portion of the second lateral edge (28b) of the article is collected and folded in a scooping motion such that a second portion of the second article surface (26) is folded over a second portion of the first article surface (24) and at least temporarily becomes part of the first article surface (24).

Technical Field

The subject matter of the present application relates to automatic fabric/article folding machines. In particular, the present invention relates to a folding mechanism for an automatic or semi-automatic folding machine that folds articles as they move.

Background

Since the beginning of the last century, there have been automatic article folding machines designed for folding articles. Some folding mechanisms may be more complex than others, however, many automatic folding mechanisms mimic the simple folding method that people use to manually fold clothing. In other words, during the folding operation, the article is stationary, placed on a plane, and folded in stages, for example one after the other. In particular, fold lines are first defined or maintained in the product, and then a portion of the product is dragged by the respective edge or pivoted about the fold line. This is a simple but time consuming method. These non-continuous automatic folding mechanisms are typically mechanically complex, slow, noisy and inefficient in terms of energy consumption and maintenance. Another disadvantage of these mechanisms is that they can only fold a narrow selection of articles or article types. In particular, these folding mechanisms are not designed to handle articles of different widths, or sometimes even a single article having a variable width. The main reason for this disadvantage is that the size adjustability of the folding mechanism (e.g. to accommodate variable widths or thicknesses) often implies additional mechanical and electrical complexity, which often translates into compromised folding reliability, quality and robustness.

EP2330248B1 discloses a continuous trousers folding method and device comprising two non-driven or passive brush rollers which roll the respective trousers legs inwards relative to each other during continuous movement in the direction of movement. Due to the height difference between the different paths or planes of movement, the parallel movement inwards towards the centre line of the trousers is folded up by placing one of the two trousers halves on top of the other. This approach is limited in terms of garment type, geometry and weight. Furthermore, the level difference may be problematic because it requires more space for the folding device. Another disadvantage is that to the extent that two portions of the top surface of the same article are folded at least to (and facing) each other, the final fold is not a standard "pivot" fold about the crease line. EP2330248B1 discloses a folding method in which a parallel movement keeps the folded surfaces facing in the same direction. EP2330248B1 does not disclose another disadvantage, but it is easy to understand that, after folding, the waist of the trousers will include a twist or tangle which does not appear in a simple "pivot" fold and which may protrude upwardly from the article.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems while achieving simultaneous and continuous folding and conveying in a folding machine.

Summary of The Invention

According to a first aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a folding device comprising a driven contact device configured to continuously generate creases in a moving article during an active folding mode of the folding device, the orientation of the folding device being defined with respect to a three-dimensional euclidean space described by first, second and third axes;

in the operative folded mode, the article moves along a bottom plane defined by the first and second axes in a direction of motion parallel to the first axis;

the folding device comprises a support structure connected to the contact device and configured for supporting the contact device;

the contact arrangement comprises a peripheral surface extending at least partially around at least one axis of rotation; the peripheral surface including a plurality of elongated fingers (44) projecting outwardly therefrom;

wherein

In an active folding mode of the folding device, the fingers continuously and gradually engage and fold the article.

According to a second aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a folding system configured to continuously create at least one crease along a respective fold line in an article during movement thereof, the folding system comprising:

a folding device;

a conveyor configured for conveying articles in a direction of motion; prior to folding, the article comprises: a first article surface facing away from the conveyor; a second article surface facing and contacting the conveyor; and

the retaining member includes a retaining member edge, only the retaining member being configured to retain at least a portion of the article in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement during folding, and configured to define a fold line in the article along the retaining member edge.

According to a third aspect according to the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a method for folding a continuous article comprising the steps of:

a. providing a folding system;

b. providing a continuous relative movement between the article and the at least one folding device in the direction of movement;

c. holding the article using the holding member;

d. using the retaining member edge and establishing the location and orientation of the fold line in the article;

e. the fingers are used to continuously engage the second article surface and collect and fold the articles on the fold line at least in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement.

According to a fourth aspect according to the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a laundry folding device configured to engage and fold a laundry moving on a laundry conveyor in a movement direction, the folding device comprising:

a support arm configured to be mounted to a garment folder;

a contact device secured to the support arm such that the contact device is positioned above the garment conveyor when the support arm is mounted on the folder, the contact device comprising:

first and second pulleys spaced from each other along an elongated axis of the contact device and having respective first and second axes of rotation; and

a belt wrapped around the spaced apart pulleys and configured to rotate in a belt rotation direction along an elongation axis, the belt having an outer belt surface with a plurality of elongated fingers projecting outwardly therefrom; and

a drive motor operatively connected to the contact member and configured to drive at least one of the first and second pulleys to rotate the belt.

According to a fifth aspect of the subject matter of the present application, there is provided a garment folding system configured to fold a garment, comprising:

a laundry conveyor defining a conveyor plane and having a longitudinal axis, the laundry conveyor mechanism being configured to support and transport articles in a direction of motion along the longitudinal axis;

a holding member having a holding member edge and configured to hold an article transported on the laundry conveyor along the moving direction at least in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction;

a folding device located above the clothes conveyor and

wherein:

in a top view of the laundry conveyor, the retaining member and the folding device at least partially overlap; and is

In the operative folding mode, a plurality of elongated fingers disposed on the peripheral surface of the belt are configured to engage and push an edge of the garment over the retention member edge when the article is transported on the garment conveyor in the direction of motion, thereby forming a fold line in the article.

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:

in top view, the article comprises a first article surface and a second article surface and a peripheral article edge extending therebetween and defining an article contour, the first article surface facing the contact means and the second article surface facing away from the contact means; and wherein, in the operative fold mode, each of the fingers forming the fold is configured to primarily engage the article edge and the second article surface.

The folding device has a drive motor which drives the contact device, so that a continuous folding is achieved.

The peripheral surface may be an outward-facing belt outer surface of the belt extending around at least one pulley having respective axes of rotation coincident with the axes of rotation.

The folding device may comprise a first pulley and a second pulley, each pulley having a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation; and wherein the peripheral surface is an outward-facing belt outer surface of a belt stretched around the first and second pulleys.

The peripheral surface is an outward-facing belt outer surface of the belt having a belt speed; wherein the belt speed, viewed along the third axis, is either directed in the direction of movement and forms an acute angle Av with it or is directed away from the direction of movement and forms an obtuse angle 180-Av with it.

The velocity angle aV may be between 30 and 70 degrees, preferably between 40 and 60 degrees.

The at least one finger may have a circular or rectangular cross-section.

The fingers are made of rubber or polymer.

The at least one finger may be at least partially deformable.

At least one of the fingers may have a smooth finger peripheral surface.

Each finger has a finger top surface and a finger peripheral surface extending from the finger top surface toward the peripheral surface; and wherein the finger peripheral surface may include a plurality of ridges projecting outwardly therefrom.

The peripheral surface may include fingers arranged in rows.

The at least one finger may be curved or comprise at least one curve in its longitudinal direction.

The fingers may have a finger length E L measured from the peripheral surface, and wherein the finger length E L is at least 10 mm.

The contact device has a contact device length M L and a contact device width MW, wherein the size ratio L WR M L/MW is greater than 0.5.

The holding member does not rotate about itself.

In an operational folding mode of the folding system, the article is located between the conveyor and the holding member, and the axis of rotation of the contact device is located above the article and above the holding member.

In the operative folding mode of the folding system, a crease is formed in the article only during the relative movement between the article and the folding device in the direction of movement.

At least one axis of rotation of the contact device is never perpendicular to the direction of movement.

The at least one finger may contact the conveyor if there is no article between the at least one finger and the conveyor.

The contact means may comprise first and second parallel pulleys and at least one belt extending therearound.

The folding system may comprise two or four folding devices.

The folding system may comprise two or four elongated folding devices and wherein in a top view of the folding system parallel to the third axis the respective axes of rotation diverge along the direction of motion.

The contact means may comprise two different straps arranged side by side, each strap may comprise a different folding finger.

The peripheral surface may be an outward belt outer surface of the belt having a belt speed BV; wherein the belt speed BV is either directed in the direction of movement and forms an acute angle Av with it or faces away from the direction of movement and forms an obtuse angle 180-Av with it in a view along the third axis.

The contact set cam has a contact set width measured along one of the axes of rotation and a contact set length perpendicular to the contact set width along the elongated axis; the ratio of the contact means length to the contact means width is greater than 10.