FR2682404A1 - APPARATUS FOR FOLDING GARMENTS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN'S SHIRTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for folding clothes, especially women's shirts, which has longitudinal and transverse folding flaps, characterized in that at least one pre-pleating element (pre-pleating strip 29) is added to at least one longitudinal folding flap (17 or 18 ) on which it can be adjustably placed and which can be placed approximately in the region of opposite extensions of an axis of rotation (23, 24) of each transverse folding flap (19, 20).

Description

1 - Apparatus for folding clothes, especially women's shirts La

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for folding clothes, especially women's shirts, which has

  longitudinal and transverse folding shutters.

  Apparatuses of this type are called in the art "automatic folding machines" and are used for folding garments such as, especially, women's shirts, hospital dresses and similar garments. These garments are folded by successive longitudinal and transverse folding. An apparatus of this kind is presented for example in German patent 27 30 656 This apparatus has longitudinal and transverse folding flaps Elongated opposite edge portions of the garment are folded successively onto a central part by the longitudinal folding flaps (longitudinal folding) It an elongated "folding tube" is thus formed. This tube is then folded by transverse folding flaps (transverse folding). However, it appeared that due to the accumulation of material after the longitudinal folding, the garment resisted transverse folding, so that the fully folded garment tended to "jump" at the transverse folds, which made it relatively bulky and could cause problems

during transport.

  The problem underlying the invention was by

  therefore to fit out a device of the type indicated above

  on it so that the clothes can be

exactly folded.

  -2 - To resolve this problem, the apparatus of the invention is characterized in that at least one pre-pleating element is added to at least one longitudinal folding flap. Thus, the garment is already provided with preliminary folds during its longitudinal folding. This pre-pleating is a pressing of the folding tube formed during the longitudinal folding in the region of the transverse folds formed during the following transverse folding. These transverse folds are, so to speak, premarked in the folding tube. Clear folds are thus formed in the region of the transverse folds after the following transverse folding and prevent the folded garment from skipping and cause the transversely folded parts of the garment to rest tightly

one against the other.

  In addition, pre-pleating allows the garment to be folded

low stacking height.

  In a preferred device, the pre-pleating elements are placed in an adjustable manner on the longitudinal folding flaps. It is thus possible to position them on these flaps in such a way that the garment is pre-pleated or premarked at a location very favorable for subsequent transverse folding. A very important point is that it is possible to adjust the device to different materials and different thicknesses of clothing material, for example on the one hand to women's shirts and on the other

share in hospital gowns.

  It is good that pre-folding elements are attached to the two longitudinal folding shutters so that they extend the axis of rotation of each transverse folding shutter In this case, the device comprises four pre-folding elements Each time that a longitudinal folding shutter folds down to fold down a strip of 3 - elongated edge of a garment, the garment to be folded is pre-pleated or premarked Some layers of the garment are thus pre-pleated several times, namely on the one hand by the first longitudinal folding flap and on the other part by the second However, it would also be possible to add the pre-pleating elements to a single longitudinal folding flap, in particular to that which performs the last longitudinal folding In this case, the part of the garment folded longitudinally before is pre-pleated or premarked during the last longitudinal folding. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pre-folding elements are elongated pre-filling strips These strips are detachably joined to the longitudinal folding flap, preferably by a junction means It is good to use two-part fastening means such as Velcro fasteners, spring fasteners, hook fasteners or similar fasteners These fasteners allow a particularly easy and durable connection of the pre-pleating strips to the longitudinal folding flaps In addition, this connection can be dismantled relatively easily when it is necessary to

adjust the pre-pleating tapes.

  Other characteristics which are essential to the invention and relate in particular to the shape of the pre-pleating bands and the joining means are

shown below.

  A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention is described in detail below with the aid of the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the apparatus,

  Fig 2 is a top view of a table holder

  part of the apparatus, fig 3 is a section on a larger scale of the apparatus of fig 2 along line III-III and fig 4 is a section on an even larger scale of a pre-pleating strip of fig 3 along the line

IV-IV.

  The device shown (automatic folder) is used for

  automatic folding of women's shirts preferably.

  However, it can also be used for automatic folding

  other clothing, such as hospital gowns.

  This device includes a workpiece table il which is tiltably mounted on a base frame 10 which is only sketched in fig 1 Women's shirts 12 (or other clothing), which are sketched only in fig 3, can be automatically placed on the workpiece table there by means of transport known per se These shirts 12

  can also be placed by hand on the table 11.

  As shown in fig 2, the workpiece table it has a rectangular surface As shown in fig 1, the workpiece table it whole can be tilted in the direction of the arrow 14 by a mechanism with parallel guide rods 13 from a position for transferring the liners 12 which in this case is inclined relative to the vertical to an almost horizontal position for folding and evacuating the folded liners 12 FIG. 1

  shows the initial inclined position of the table

  piece 11, while the position of folding and evacuation thereof is indicated in phantom A conveyor 15 for the evacuation of folded shirts 12 -5 - is placed under the workpiece table 11 tilted approximately at horizontal This discharge conveyor 15 is here a belt conveyor which

  rotates in an approximately horizontal plane.

  Further details of the apparatus, in particular of the parallel guide rod mechanism 13, are presented in the German utility model application G 91 05

  042, to which we refer in its entirety.

  On the front face 16 of the workpiece table 11, which is directed towards the liner 12, two elongated longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 and two transverse folding flaps 19 and 20 are mounted to rotate around fixed axes of rotation respectively 21 , 22 and 23, 24 The longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 are assigned, spaced apart, to opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 25 of the workpiece table 11 The axes of rotation 21 and 22 are located on edges (long) opposite the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 As shown in FIG 2, these axes of rotation 21 and 22 are

  slightly tilted in opposite directions,

  i.e. diverging from the longitudinal axis 25 An approximately trapezoidal central portion 26 is thus formed between the two folding flaps

  17 and 18 on the workpiece table 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the longitudinal folding flaps 17, 18 of the illustrated embodiment is made up of several, in particular three, parts. The different parts of each of the longitudinal folding flaps 17, 18 can however be subjected to rotation. in synchronism by a common control The longitudinal folding flaps can also

be one piece.

  -6- The longitudinal folding flaps 17, 18 are formed of rigid frames or similar elements which are provided with a cover 37 of textile (for example a nylon fabric). Elongated edge portions of the liner 12 are folded successively by the two longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 on the central portion of the liner 12 which is located in the region of the central portion 26 by successive folding of these flaps 17 and 18 against this central part 26 After the longitudinal folding, the jacket 12 has the shape of a pre-folded folding tube In FIG. 3, the folding position of the longitudinal folding flap 18 (located opposite the part

  central 26) is indicated in phantom.

  The transverse folding flaps 19 and 20, which are smaller than the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18,

  are located in the region of the central part 26.

  As shown in Fig 2, these transverse folding flaps 19 and 20 are attached to opposite end parts of the central part 26 These flaps 19 and 20 can be folded down towards the center of the workpiece table il around the axes of rotation 23 and 24, which are placed at the opposite ends of these flaps The axes of rotation 23 and 24 of the transverse folding flaps 19 and 20 are parallel, which means that they are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 25 of the table carrier -piece 11 The transverse folding flaps 19 and 20 fold successively against a central portion of the liner 12 of the opposite end portions of the bending tube of the liner 12 formed by

  the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18.

  A closable orifice 27 is located in the central part 26 of the workpiece table 11, in particular 7 - between the transverse folding shutters 19 and 20 and the longitudinal folding shutters 17 and 18 This orifice 27 can be closed by two tilting shutters 28 which are assigned to opposite sides of the longitudinal axis 25 of the workpiece table 11 These tilting flaps are mounted at their opposite longitudinal edges on the workpiece table it around axes of rotation which are not shown in detail in the figures The orifice 27 can be opened for the evacuation of the folded shirts 12 on the evacuation conveyor 15 located under the workpiece table it by opposite tilting of the flaps

  tilting 28 below it.

  According to the invention, pre-pleating elements or markers are attached to the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 In the apparatus shown, these elements are elongated pre-folding strips 29 Several, in particular two, pre-folding strips 29 are added to each of the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 The pre-pleating strips 29 are situated approximately in the regions of the axes of rotation 23 and 24 of the transverse folding flaps 19 and 20 As shown in FIG. 2, these pre-pleating strips are provided at opposite ends of the axes of rotation 23 and 24 , in particular so that these bands 29, which extend transversely on the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18, are in the extension of the axes of rotation 23 and 24 Consequently, the pre-pleating bands 29 extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 25 of the workpiece table 11 relative to the direction of their

longitudinal extent.

  The pre-pleating strips 29 protrude from the upper face 30 of the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 which faces the shirt 12 They have for this, -8 - as shown in FIG. 4, an approximately T-shaped profile They have a blade pleating machine 31 which extends perpendicular to the upper face 30 of the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 and a fixing blade 32 which extends parallel to this face 30. The end of the pleating blade 31 is pointed to intensify the effect The pleating blade 31 and the fixing blade 32 are integral and are preferably

  made of plastic or aluminum.

  The pre-pleating strips 29 are joined so

  removable with the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18.

  They can thus be moved relative to the imaginary extension of the axes of rotation 23 and 24 of the transverse folding flaps 19 and 20 Consequently, the folders 12 to be folded can be provided with preliminary pleats positioned exactly. It is also possible to fix the pre-pleating bands 29 to the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 so that they do not extend exactly perpendicular to the inclined axes of rotation 21 and 22 of these flaps 17 and 18 When these flaps 17 and 18 are folded down on the central part 26, the pre-pleating strips 29, and especially their pleating blades 31, consequently reach a position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 25, that is to say that they come to rest exactly above the axes of rotation 23 and 24 of the folding flaps transverse 19 and 20 or, if necessary, parallel to them, despite the inclination of the axes of rotation 21 and 22 relative to the longitudinal axis 25

of the workpiece table 11.

  The pre-filling strips 29 are removably joined to the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 by easily removable joining means. In the device shown, these joining means are -9 -

  formed by Velcro 33 fasteners, which are known per se.

  A part of each Velcro fastener 33, namely a fastening strip 34, is joined, preferably by gluing, to the lower face 35 of the fixing blade 32 of the pre-pleating strip 29, which lower face

  is directed towards the longitudinal folding flap 17 or 18.

  A second part of the Velcro fastener 33, namely a nonwoven strip 36, is tightly joined to the upper face 30 of the longitudinal folding flap 17 or 18. The nonwoven strip 36 is therefore sewn onto the

cover 37.

  As shown particularly in FIG. 4, the surface of the fleece strip 36 is larger than that of the fastening strip 34. The pre-pleating strips 29 can thus be easily fixed by the fastening strip 34 to the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 in different positions in the region of the nonwoven strip 36, which has a larger surface, in particular a wider area. At the same time, it is ensured that the nonwoven strip 36 covers the

  entire surface of the fastening strip 34.

  During the longitudinal folding of the jacket 12, preliminary folds or impressions directed transversely are formed in the folding tile, folded longitudinally, by the pre-pleating strips 29 which project from the upper face 30 of each of the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18 With a appropriate positioning of the pre-folding strips 29 on the longitudinal folding flaps 17 and 18, the folds or preliminary impressions can determine in advance the transverse fold lines formed during the following transverse folding. Thus, not only is the transverse folding easier and more precise. , but also, the folder 12 surely retains its fully folded position after the transverse fold. In addition, the height of the folded piece formed from the folder 12 is reduced, because of transverse fold lines, namely folds. transverse, intense and lasting are formed by pre-pleating and (second) pleating

  resulting from the following transverse folding.

  The pre-filling strips 29 of the invention can also be used in devices having longitudinal folding flaps which can rotate around parallel axes of rotation and in devices having

  other relative provisions of the folding shutters.

  The invention is therefore not limited to

  the device described above (automatic folder).

-11-

Claims (8)

  1 Apparatus for folding clothes, especially women's shirts, which has longitudinal and transverse folding flaps, characterized in that at least one pre-folding element (pre-folding strip 29) is added to at least one longitudinal folding flap (17 or 18).   2 Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pre-pleating element (or pre-pleating elements) is (or are) placed (s) in an adjustable manner on the longitudinal folding flap (17 or 18) or the folding flaps longitudinal (17, 18).   3 Apparatus according to one of claims 1 and 2, in   which a pre-folding element is placed approximately in the region of opposite extensions of an axis of rotation (23, 24) of each flap transverse folder (19, 20).   4 Apparatus according to one or more of claims 1   to 3, in which the pre-folding elements are elongated pre-filling strips (29) which are placed, as regards their longitudinal direction, on the longitudinal folding flaps (17, 18) approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (25) of a workpiece table (11) which is provided with longitudinal folding shutters (17, 18 and folding shutters transverse (19, 20).   Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the elongated pre-pleating strips (29) are provided with a pleating blade (31) which is directed approximately perpendicular to the plane of the -12longitudinal folding flaps (17, 18) and projects relative to the upper face (30) thereof.   6 Apparatus according to one of claims 4 and 5, in   which the pre-pleating strips (29) are detachably joined to the longitudinal folding flaps (17, 18), especially by a joining means, preferably in two parts, located between the pre-pleating strips (29) and the longitudinal folding flaps (17, 18).   7 Apparatus according to one or more of claims 4   to 6, in which the pre-pleating strips (29) have a fixing blade (32) which extends perpendicular to the pleating blade (31).   8 Apparatus according to one of claims 6 and 7, in   which part of the joining means is placed on the fixing blade (32) of the pre-filling strips (29) and another (a second) part of the joining means is fixed to the corresponding longitudinal folding flap (17, 18). 9 Apparatus according to claim 7, in which the parts of the joining means which are attached to the longitudinal folding flaps (17, 18) have a larger surface area than the parts of the joining means which are attached to the fixing blades (32), so that the parts of the joining means which are attached to the longitudinal folding flaps (17, 18) extend approximately over the entire adjustment region of the pre-pleating strips (29) on these flaps (17, 18).   10 Apparatus according to one or more of claims 6   to 9, in which the joining means are Velcro fasteners (33), and in which part of this fastener, preferably a fastening strip (34), is glued to the underside (35) of the fixing blade (32) and a second part of this Velcro fastener (33), preferably a non-woven strip (36), is sewn onto a cover (37) of the longitudinal folding flaps (17, 18).