GB701542A - Apparatus for folding laundry flatwork - Google Patents

Abstract

701,542. Folding sheets. JENNER, Ltd., A. & C. Nov. 6, 1951 [July 12, 1951], No. 16595/51. Class 42 (2) An apparatus for folding flatwork 'has a substantially horizontal power driven pick-up arm which picks up work from a table on which it is laid and delivers it through an arcuate path with a single transverse fold therein, and has a substantially horizontal bar arranged in the path of the work to engage it and initiate a second transverse fold, and means actuated when the power driven arm is vertically below the bar to withdraw the arm from the work by an upward angular movement, to leave the work suspended on the bar. A work table comprising two parts 1 and 2, separated by a gap, is provided, and a counterbalanced arm 3 is rotated about a horizontal axis, above the surface of table 1, by a motor 5. A pick-up arm 6, counterweighted by a weight 7 is pivoted on the arm 3 at 8, and normally is retained in horizontal position by the forked end of a rod 9, the other end of which is spring pressed against a stationary cam 12. The arm 6 sweeps upwards through the gap between the portions 1 and 2 of the table, forming a first transverse fold in a longitudinally folded article placed on the table, and carries it over the table. The article in its path engages a transverse horizontal bar 14, carried on a counterbalanced pivoted arm 13, the movement of which is limited by a stop 15 ; a second transverse fold is thus formed. When the arm 6 is vertically beneath the bar 14, it is released by the action of the cam 12 and rod 9, and swings upwards in a vertical plane, the pivot 8 being .set at the appropriate angle for this, and is thus released from the folded article. While passing beneath the table 1, the arm 6 returns to horizontal position, either by gravity, or by that of a cam member, and the forked end of the rod 9 is re-engaged. Specification 689,572 is referred to.