WO2007049501A1

WO2007049501A1 - Hanger and clothes folding machine

Info

Publication number: WO2007049501A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/320850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoshito Saji; Teruyuki Takizawa; Yoshihiko Matsukawa
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-10-24
Filing date: 2006-10-19
Publication date: 2007-05-03
Also published as: JPWO2007049501A1; US20090045231A1; CN101278088A

Abstract

A hanger for hanging clothes thereon comprising a body part, a suspension part connected to the body part for suspending the hanger, and a pair of arm parts connected to the body part for supporting the clothes from the inside in a suspended state. The arm parts are deformed so as to fold at least a part of the clothes in an unfolded and supported state.

Description

Specification

Clothes hanger and clothes folding machine

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hanger and a clothes folding machine capable of automatically folding clothes.

Background art

[0002] Folding work of clothes at home is listed as one of the relatively stressful housework. Various household appliances have been developed and are in general use, but machines that automatically fold clothing have not yet been put into practical use. For this reason, domestic workers are keen to develop products that reduce the work of folding clothing.

[0003] On the other hand, as a business application, a device for folding clothes for cleaning business, particularly shirts is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a device that folds the hanging parts on both sides of the garment by spreading the garment upward and with both sides hanging down on the table and sliding the side force folding plate below the garment. Is disclosed. Patent Document 2 discloses a device that folds clothing on both sides by spreading the clothing on a table divided into three in a downward state and moving the divided tables on both sides above the clothing. These devices are mainly used in actual cleaning work.

However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to provide a machine with a wide work table for spreading clothes on a horizontal plane. For this reason, the floor area which a machine occupies becomes large. Also, the work of spreading the shirt on the table was inefficient because it required manual labor.

[0005] On the other hand, in Patent Document 3, in order to reduce the floor area, the garment is hung on an inclined board, air is blown to both sides of the garment, and the side force folding plate is slid to the rear of the garment. Thus, an apparatus for folding clothing is disclosed.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-68798

Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-70499

Patent Document 3: JP-A-8-143015

Disclosure of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] However, the apparatus for folding a garment disclosed in Patent Document 3 requires a device such as a compressor that blows air in order to lift the garment backward.

[0007] For this reason, the conventional apparatus for folding clothes as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 requires a large installation space or a compressor that emits a large operating noise. There was a problem that even though it was suitable for factory use, it was not suitable for home use.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to solve such problems of the prior art and to provide a clothing folding machine and a nonger suitable for use at home.

Means for solving the problem

[0009] A hanger according to the present invention is a hanger for hanging clothes, and is connected to a main body part, a suspension part connected to the main body part for hanging the hanger, and the main body part. And a pair of arm portions that are supported in a suspended state from the inside, wherein the arm portions are deformed so as to fold at least a part of the clothing.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the arm portion automatically performs the deformation based on an external force command.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, each of the pair of arm portions includes at least an arm base portion connected to the main body portion, and an arm tip portion connected to the arm base portion, The connecting portion between the arm base and the arm tip is bent in a direction intersecting with the vertical direction in which the hanger is suspended, whereby the garment supported in a state of being spread by the arm is removed from the arm base. And a first deformation that bends at the connecting portion between the arm end and the end of the arm.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the first deformation causes the garment to be provided with a pair of folds parallel to the vertical direction, and the garment is located in the middle of the pair of folds. And a pair of clothing side portions located on the end side from the pair of crease portions.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the projection area of the main body part in the plane perpendicular to the vertical direction is within the projection area of the opening part of the garment supported by the arm part. Is located.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, after the first deformation, the pair of arm portions are deformed so that a projection area on the plane is located within a projection area of the opening of the garment.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, after the first deformation, a second deformation rotating around the connecting portion with the arm base so that the arm tip extends in the vertical direction, and the arm A third deformation that rotates through a connecting portion with the arm base so that the tip portion passes through the fold portion of the clothing and enters the clothing central portion, and a projection region on the plane of the arm portion is provided. The arm base portion and the arm tip end portion perform a fourth deformation in which the arm base portion and the arm tip end portion move within the clothing central portion so as to be located within the projection area of the opening portion of the clothing.

In a preferred embodiment, the arm tip portion and the arm base portion have air ejection holes, and the arm portions ejected from the air ejection holes when performing the second, third, and fourth deformations. Air reduces friction with the garment.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the length of the distal end portion of the arm is shorter than the upper end force of the fold portion of the garment after the first deformation and the distance to the lower end of the base of the sleeve.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, according to the embodiment, the arm portion includes first and second coupling portions rotatably connected to the arm base portion and the arm tip portion, respectively. The first and second connecting portions are connected to each other so as to be rotatable.

In a preferred embodiment, the first modification is that the first connecting portion rotates with respect to the arm base, and the arm tip rotates with respect to the second connecting portion. Further, the arm tip is bent in a direction intersecting a vertical direction in which the hanger is suspended, and the second deformation is performed so that the tip of the arm tip does not intersect with the lower end of the base of the garment sleeve. When the second connecting portion rotates with respect to the first connecting portion, the arm tip portion rotates so as to extend in the vertical direction.

[0020] In one preferred embodiment, after the fourth deformation, the main body and the arm portion have a projection area in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction in a circle having a diameter of 15 cm.

[0021] The garment folding machine according to the present invention deforms while supporting the garment in a suspended state. A hanger that folds the hanger horizontally, a clothes bar that suspends the hanger, and a folding mechanism that performs a folding operation in the horizontal and vertical directions of the clothing in cooperation with the deformation of the hanger.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, according to an embodiment, the folding mechanism collaborates with the deformation of the hanger so that the hanger abuts on the clothing when the clothing is folded in the horizontal direction. A fold width determining unit that determines a position of the fold portion in the vertical direction; and a garment side portion holding unit that presses an end portion of the garment folded inward along the fold portion.

[0023] In one preferred embodiment, according to an embodiment, the folding mechanism includes a folding unit that vertically folds a suspended garment hung on the hanger, and the folding unit extends in a horizontal direction. A folding length determining portion having first and second end portions and a lower end holding portion for holding the lower end portion of the garment, wherein the folding portion is in a state in which the lower end holding portion holds the lower end portion of the garment. Then, by moving upward while winding the first end portion of the folding length determining portion, a fold portion is formed along the first end portion, and further, the second end portion is wound while the second end portion is being wound. By moving the end of 1 upward, a fold along the second end is attached to the garment, and the garment is folded vertically.

According to a preferred embodiment, during the operation of folding the garment in the vertical direction, the lower end holding part operates integrally with the second end.

The invention's effect

[0025] According to the hanger and the garment folding device of the present invention, the hanger automatically folds the garment while the garment is suspended, so that the folding operation can be performed without placing human hands such as installing the garment on the folding machine. Can be automated. Further, since the clothes can be folded while being hung, the floor area occupied by the clothes folding machine can be reduced. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a garment folding machine including a hanger according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the noger shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a connecting portion of a hanger.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a hanger and a clothes folding machine. [5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the operation of the hanger and clothing folding machine.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the operation of the hanger.

[7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the operation of the hanger and clothing folding machine. [8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the hanger and clothing folding machine. 9] A cross-sectional view showing the operation of the hanger and clothing folding machine.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the operation of the hanger and clothing folding machine.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the operation of the hanger and clothing folding machine.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the operation of the hanger and clothing folding machine.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the operation of the hanger and clothing folding machine.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the operation of the hanger and clothing folding machine.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the operation of the hanger and clothing folding machine.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the operation of the hanger.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the operation of the hanger and clothing folding machine.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a hanger.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a hanger.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a hanger.

Explanation of symbols

10 Clothing

110 Clothesline

121

200

210 Main unit

220, 230

221 、 231 End -Mu base

222, 232 D

400 Vertical folding part

411, 412 Clothing side holder

420 Folding width determination part 430 Fold length determination part

440 Hem holding part

450 folding mechanism

451 Longitudinal folding part

490 case

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of a hanger and a clothes folding machine according to the present invention will be described. The hanger according to the present invention is automatically deformed based on an external force command and can fold at least a part of the clothes hung on the hanger. In addition, the clothes folding machine includes the hanger according to the present invention, and by collaborating with the hanger, the clothes hung on the hanger can be folded. For this reason, the clothes folding machine according to the present invention can be suitably folded on clothes that are dried on a hanger after washing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment folding machine according to the present embodiment. The clothes folding machine includes a clothes rack 110, a hanger 200, and a folding mechanism 450. The folding mechanism 450 includes a folding width determining unit 420 and a vertical folding unit 451. The hanger 200 and the folding mechanism 450 cooperate to fold the garment 10 hung on the hanger 200 so as to have a predetermined size in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. In the present specification, the direction in which the clothes 10 hung on the hanger hang down due to gravity is the vertical direction, and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is the horizontal direction. The vertical direction and the horizontal direction are also called the length (length) direction and width direction of the clothes hung on the hanger, respectively. Further, in the present specification, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction do not need to be strictly vertical and horizontal, and the vertical direction or horizontal direction force may be shifted by about ± 5 degrees.

The clothes rack 110 is held at a predetermined height by the clothes rack 101 in order to dry the washed clothes 10. A plurality of hanger carriers 121 are attached to the clothes rack 110, and a nonger 200 is suspended from each of the hanger carriers 121. The hanger carrier 121 is movable in the directions of arrows 120A and 120B with respect to the clothes hanger 110, for example, a pion gear (not shown) that meshes with a rack (not shown) provided on the clothes hanger 110. And a drive unit for rotating a pinion gear (not shown). [0031] The clothes hung on the clothes hanger 110 are hung and dried. For this reason, it is preferable that the clothes folding machine is installed outdoors. When the clothes folding machine is installed outdoors, the folding mechanism 450 preferably includes a case 490 having a roof so that the folded clothes are not wetted by rain. A part of the laundry basket 110 is placed in the case 490. The folding mechanism 450 is provided inside the case 490.

In addition to this, the case 490 includes a drive unit 471 that drives the folding mechanism 450 and a control unit 472 that controls the entire clothes folding machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing hanger 200. The hanger 200 includes a main body part 210, a suspension part 211, and a pair of arm parts 220 and 230.

[0034] The main body 210 has a horizontal surface in a state where the hanger 200 spreads and supports the garment 10 so that the opening force of the collar of the folded garment 10 can also be pulled out. The projection area of 200 has an outer shape that fits within the projection area of the opening of the garment 10 to be spread and supported.

[0035] The suspension part 211 is connected to the main body part 210 and has, for example, a hook shape. Suspension part 2

11 is inserted into the hole of the hanger carrier 121 so that the hanger 200 can be

Hanging on 110.

[0036] The arm parts 220 and 230 are connected to the main body part 210 and are supported in an inner force suspended state. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the hanger 200 unfolds and supports the garment 10 in a state in which the arm portions 220 and 230 extend in a substantially horizontal direction. For this reason, preferably, the arm part 220 and the arm part 230 form an obtuse angle of about 185 degrees with a force of 160 degrees according to the shoulder line of the garment 10.

[0037] The arm portions 220 and 230 can be deformed so that at least a part of the garment 10 is folded from the state in which the garment 10 is spread and supported. For this purpose, the arm part 220 includes an arm base part 221 and an arm tip part 222. Similarly, the arm portion 230 includes an arm base portion 231 and an arm tip portion 232.

[0038] The arm bases 221 and 231 rotate from the state in which they extend to the main body part 210 in a substantially horizontal direction to the state in which they hang downward as indicated by arrows 221A and 231A. It is connected to the main body 210 so that it can roll. Further, the arm tip portions 222 and 232 are rotatably connected as shown by arrows [3222A, 232A and arrows [3222B, 232B], respectively, to the arm bases 221 and 231. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first connecting portion 223 and the second connecting portion 224 are provided between the arm base 222 and the arm tip 222 and between the arm base 231 and the arm tip 232B. In addition, a first connecting part 233 and a second connecting part 234 are provided.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing in detail the structure of the connecting portion between the arm base portion 221 and the arm tip portion 222. The first connecting portion 223 is connected to the arm base portion 222 so as to be rotatable about the shaft 223a. The second connecting portion 224 is connected to the arm tip portion 222 so as to be rotatable about the shaft 222a. The first connecting portion 223 and the second connecting portion 224 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable around the shaft 224a.

Therefore, if the first connecting portion 223 and the second connecting portion 224 are arranged between the arm base portion 221 and the arm tip portion 222 so that the shaft 223a and the shaft 222a are parallel to each other, FIG. As shown, the arm tip 222 can be rotated about 180 degrees in the direction of the arrow 222A about the axis (in the length direction of the garment) perpendicular to the arm base 221. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the first connecting portion 223 is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the arm base portion 221 about the shaft 223a, and the second connecting portion 224 and the arm tip portion 222 connected thereto are pivoted. When rotated around the center of 224a, the arm tip 222 can be rotated with respect to the arm base 221 about an axis perpendicular to the clothing surface. Similarly, the first connecting portion 233 and the second connecting portion 234 are also connected to the arm base portion 231 and the arm tip portion 232.

[0041] Such a rotation operation of the connecting portion may be performed by a small motor (not shown) corresponding to each rotating shaft built in each connecting portion, or may be built in the main body portion 210 of the hanger 200. You may carry out by the motor and the wire (both not shown) extended | stretched to the connection part. Each part of hanger 200 is controlled based on a command by a radio signal transmitted from control unit 472 shown in FIG. Since a driving mechanism such as a motor is incorporated in the hanger 200, it can be automatically deformed to the arm arm 220, 230 ° of the nongar 200 based on the instruction of ff¾ control 472.

Next, the folding mechanism 450 will be described with reference to FIG. The folding mechanism 450 In cooperation with the deformation of the hanger 200, the clothing 10 is folded horizontally and vertically. The folding width determination unit 420 of the folding mechanism 450 has vertical ends 420el and 420e 2 and cooperates with the hanger 200 so that the hanger abuts the clothing 10 when the clothing 10 is folded horizontally. The position of the fold portion in the vertical direction of the garment 10 is determined. In order to hold down the end of the folded garment 10, the garment side portion holding portions 411 and 412 are provided in the folding width determining portion 420. In the specification of the present application, the crease portion means a straight crease produced by folding a garment or a bent part of a garment having a certain width.

[0043] The vertical folding unit 451 folds the garment 10 in the vertical direction. For this purpose, the vertical folding part 451 has a rod-like folding length determining part 431, 432 having a first end part 431e and a second end part 432e extending in the horizontal direction, and a lower end part of the garment 10. The lower end part to hold The holding parts 441 and 442 are included. The folding length determination units 431 and 432 are coupled by a coupling unit 430, and the folding length determination units 431 and 432 are moved in the direction of the arrow 430A or 430B by a moving mechanism (not shown). The lower end holding parts 441 and 442 are provided in the folding length determining part 432. The vertical folding portion 451 moves to the first end portion by moving upward while winding the first end portion 431e while the lower end holding portions 441 and 442 hold the lower end portion of the garment 10. In addition, the fold portion along the second end portion 432e is moved to the garment 10 by moving the first end portion 431e upward. Attach and fold clothing 10 in the length direction.

[0044] These components of the folding mechanism 450 can approach the garment 10 or evacuate at an appropriate timing under the control of the control unit 471 as described below. The drive mechanism for the component elements to approach and retreat from the garment 10 can be realized by combining known mechanical mechanisms and machine elements.

Hereinafter, the operation of the garment folding machine will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 to FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the operator hangs the clothes 10 after washing on the hanger 20 0 with the arms 202 and 203 open, and hangs the hanger carrier 121 provided on the laundry basket 110 on the hanger carrier 121. Hang 200. At this time, since the hanger carrier 121 is provided so as to be freely slidable on the clothes rack 110, the operator can arbitrarily set intervals between the plurality of clothes 10. Can. Even if the nongar carrier 121 moves due to wind or the like while the garment 10 is drying, the garment 10 cannot be approached below the length of the hanger carrier 121 itself, so there is no risk that the garment 10 will be stuck and drying will be delayed. .

[0047] When the operator finishes hanging an arbitrary number of clothes 10 in this manner, the clothes 10 are dried over time by the heat of sunlight so as to hang ordinary laundry. If the operator inputs a command to the control unit 472 using a switch (not shown) or the dryness sensor (not shown) detects the dryness of the clothing 10 above a certain level, the hanger carrier closest to the folding mechanism 450 is used. 121 moves in the direction of arrow 120A and enters case 490 and stops. As a result, the hanger 200 and the folding mechanism 450 start the folding operation of the garment 10. Hereinafter, the operation of the hanger 200 and the folding mechanism 450 will be described with reference to FIGS. The operations of the hanger 200 and the folding mechanism 450 are performed at a predetermined timing based on a command from the control unit 472.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the folding width determination unit 420 moves toward the garment 10 as indicated by an arrow 420 A and is applied to the back side of the garment 10. Next, the arm tips 222 and 232 of the hanger 200 are connected to the arm bases 221 and 231 and, as shown by arrows 222A and 232A, intersect the vertical direction, preferably generally vertical. Bends in any direction. As a result, the garment 10-force arm base portions 221, 231 and arm tip portions 222, 232 supported by the arm portion in a spread state are bent at the connecting portion.

More specifically, the first connecting portions 223 and 233 are rotated with respect to the arm base portions 221 and 231, so that the arm tip end 222 and the 232 force S-axis 223 a and 233 a are moved to the arrow 222 A. Rotate 90 degrees in the 232A direction, and the state shown in Fig. 6 is obtained. Subsequently, the arm tip portions 222 and 232 rotate 90 degrees in the directions of the second connecting rods 224 and 234 with respect to the shafts 222a and 232a in the direction of the arrows [3222A and 232A]. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, the arm 咅 220, 230 force S bending force S so as to embrace the fold width determining portion 420, and the left and right ends 420el, 420e2 of the fold width determining rod 420 A fold portion in the vertical direction is formed on the garment 10, and the garment 10 is folded in the width (shoulder width) direction. This is called the first variant.

[0050] Since the arm part 220 and the arm part 230 preferably form an obtuse angle, the arm tip 咅 222, the tip of the 232, the arm tip 咅 222, 232 force rotate in the direction of the arrowhead 222Α, 232Α As a result, the first connecting portion 223, the second connecting portion 224, and the first connecting portion 233 and the second connecting portion 234 are slightly raised (for example, about 5 cm). As a result, the garment 10 is folded in the width direction without the shoulder of the garment 10 slipping off from the arm tips 222 and 232.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the folded garment cut by a horizontal plane immediately above the arm portions 220 and 230 of the hanger 200 according to the first modification. As a result of the first deformation, the garment 10 is divided into the garment center 10c and the left and right garment sides 10s 1 and 10s2 folded 180 degrees so as to overlap with the folds 10fl and 10f2. It is done. A hanger body 210 and arm bases 221 and 231 are included in the clothing central portion 10c, and arm tip portions 222 and 232 are included in the clothing side portions 10sl and 10s2.

[0052] This state force also moves in the direction of arrows 411A and 412A while the clothing side portion holding portions 411 and 412 rotate in the directions of arrows 411R and 412R, and as shown in FIG. Press against the folding width determining section 420 so that the tips of the sections 10sl and 10s2 are scraped. At this time, the gripping operation is performed while adjusting the pressing force to the folding width determining unit 420 so that the arm tip portions 222 and 232 of the hanger 200 included in the clothing side portions 10sl and 10s2 are not gripped together. Thereafter, in order to make it easier to distribute the movement of the hanger 200, the folding width determining part 420 and the clothing side part holding parts 41 1 and 412 holding the shoulders of the clothes 10 folded in the width direction are not shown. .

[0053] When the first deformation is completed, the arms 220 and 230 of the hanger 200 complete the operation of folding the garment 10 in the horizontal direction. The garment 10 is folded in the vertical direction by the length direction folds 451. The arm portions 220 and 230 are deformed so that the hanger 200 can be extracted from the garment 10. This is achieved by deforming the arm parts 220 and 230 so that the projection area of the arm parts 220 and 230 in the horizontal plane is within the projection area of the opening of the garment. Hereinafter, folding of the garment 10 in the horizontal direction and deformation of the arm portions 220 and 230 will be described.

[0054] After the gripping operation of the garment 10 by the garment side portion holding portions 411 and 412, as shown in FIG. 10, the arm tip ridges 222 and 232 are indicated by arrows 224A and 234A with the shafts 224a and 234a being in the middle 'direction. As shown, it rotates along the plane of the garment 10 (parallel to the length direction of the garment 10). This makes the arm The tip portions 222 and 232 are extended in the vertical direction. This is called the second variant.

[0055] Next [Fig. 1 U] J 、, Arm tip 咅 222, 232ί Rotate spindles 223a, 233a as shown by [Koya | 32 23A, 233A]. As a result, the arm tip portions 222 and 232 pass from the clothing side portions 10sl and 10s2 through the clothing fold portions 10fl and 10f2, and enter the clothing central portion 10c. This is called the third variant. In order to allow the third deformation, it is preferable that the lengths of the arm tip portions 222 and 232 are shorter than the distance between the upper end force of the fold portion of the garment 10 and the lower end of the sleeve base after the first deformation. ,.

[0056] Next Figure 12 [Indicating J 【, Arm tip 咅 222, 232ί Center shafts 224a, 234a in the middle, [Koya | 32 24A, 234A, along the plane of clothing 10] Rotate. As a result, the arm tip ends 222 and 232 are positioned substantially parallel to the arm bases 221 and 231. This is the first half of the fourth variant.

[0057] In this way, the arm sections 220 and 230 complete preparations for deformation so that the hanger 200 can be extracted from the garment 10.

Next, the folding operation of the garment 10 by the length direction folding unit 451 is performed. For the garment 10 that has been folded in the width direction and is suspended by the noner 200, the back side force is also folded so that the folding length determining sections 431 and 432 abut as shown in FIG. Part 451 approaches clothing 10. The lower end holding parts 441, 442 provided integrally with the folding length determining part 432 extend as indicated by the direction of the arrow 440A, detect the bottom end of the garment 10, and the lower end holding parts 441, 442 detect the garment 10 Clamp and hold the hem.

[0059] This state force also rotates about 180 degrees around the first end 431e as shown by the arrow 431A. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the folding length determining section 432 and the hem force of the clamped garment 10 are moved above the first end 431e while applying tension to the garment 10. As a result, the garment 10 is folded up while the first end 431e is wound around.

[0060] Further, the connecting portion 430 is rotated about 180 degrees around the second end portion 432e as indicated by an arrow 432A. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the folding length determining unit 431 and the hem of the garment 10 are moved above the second end 432e while applying tension to the garment 10. As a result, the garment 10 is folded up while the second end 432e is rolled up. In this way By turning the garment 10 twice, the folding operation in the length direction of the garment 10 is completed.

[0061] Next, an operation of removing the hanger 200, the length-direction folding unit 451, and the folding width determination unit 420 together with the folded garment 10 from the garment 10 will be described.

[0062] First, the folded garment 10 is supported by a mechanism not shown so as not to unfold. For example, an arm or the like approaches the garment 10 to support the garment from unfolding. Next, the lower end holding parts 441 and 442 are moved in the direction of the arrow 440B, and the folding length determining part 432 is put into the thread. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, it moves to the nonger 200! And hangs downward as shown by arrows 221A and 231A around the connecting portion with the main body 210 of the arm base 221 and 231 ring 200. Rotate in the plane of the garment 10 to move the arm tip portions 222 and 23 2 together below the main body portion 210. As a result, the arms 220 and 230 fit under the body part 210 and the umbrella part 212 of the nongar 200, and the projection area of the horizontal plane of the hanger 200 when viewed from above is large enough to fit within a 15 cm diameter circle. The projection area is smaller than the collar of clothing 10. In addition, the transformation of the hanger 200 into a shape that can be extracted from the garment 10 is completed.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 17, by moving the folding length determining units 431, 432 and the connecting unit 430 in the direction of the arrow 440B, the hanger 200 and the folding width determining unit 4 20 are moved from the folded garment 10. Pull out. Next, the folding length determination units 431 and 432 are moved from the garment 10 by moving in the direction of the arrow 430B with respect to the coupling unit 430. At this time, the connecting portion 430 does not move, and the movement of the side surface of the clothing 10 is restricted, so that the clothing 10 is pulled by friction or a catching force with the folding length determining portions 431 and 432. There is no. In this way, the garment 10 is folded once in the width direction and twice in the length direction.

[0064] Thereby, folding of the garment 10 is completed. After the folding of the clothing 10 is completed, the folding width determining unit 420 and the vertical folding unit 451 move, for example, downward, and the hanger 200 from which the clothing 10 has been removed moves to the back of the case 490. Thereafter, the next hanger 200 on which the garment 10 is hung is moved into the case 490, and the folding operation of the garment 10 is repeated.

[0065] As described above, according to the hanger and the clothes folding device of the present invention, the clothes are automatically folded while the clothes are suspended, so that the clothes can be installed in the folding machine. The folding operation can be automated without human intervention. Moreover, since the clothes can be folded in a suspended state, the floor area occupied by the clothes folding machine can be reduced. In addition, since it does not use a compressor, it is suitable for home use that does not generate a large operating noise. Since it folds while applying tension to the clothes, it can also be folded and wrinkled.

[0066] Various modifications can be made to the hanger and clothing folding machine of the present embodiment. For example, by providing a plurality of air ejection holes 200h in the arm part of the hanger as shown in FIG. 18, after the first deformation, as shown in FIGS. When forming, the air blown out from the arm can reduce the friction with the clothing, and the arm portions 220 and 230 can be smoothly deformed. In this case, the air ejected from the air ejection hole 200h can be filled in, for example, a small bomb built in the arm base and the arm tip. Also, before starting the folding operation, it is possible to blow out steam from the air ejection hole 200h shown in Fig. 18 and to apply moisture and heat to the inner force of the clothing to make the clothing flexible and to remove wrinkles due to its own weight. .

Further, prior to the second deformation of the arm portions 220 and 230 shown in FIG. 10, as shown in FIG. 19, the angle formed by the arm base portion 231 and the first connecting portion 233 becomes larger than 90 degrees. By rotating the first connecting portion 233 and the arm tip portion 232 around the axes 233a and 232a so that the angle formed by the arm tip portion 232 and the second connecting portion 234 is smaller than 90 degrees, the arm Move the tip 232 (222) in the direction of the arrow 230C (220C) so that the tip of the arm tip 2 32t (222t) separates the root of the sleeve of the clothing!

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 20, the arm tip itself shrinks so that the length in the longitudinal direction is shortened as indicated by arrows 220C and 230C, and then as indicated by arrows 224A and 234A. You can rotate the tip to extend vertically! /.

[0069] This makes it possible to prevent the second deformation difference, that is, the tips 222t and 232t of the arm tip portions 222 and 232 do not intersect with the base 10r of the garment sleeve.

In addition, the folding width determining unit shown in FIG. 4 has a single plate shape, but may not have a plate shape as long as it has a pair of vertical end portions. For example, the folding width determination unit may include a pair of vertical bars. Also, the clothing side part holding part can be of any shape other than the roller shape as long as it can grip the tip of the clothes. It may have a shape or structure. For example, the same effect can be obtained even if a structure such as a robot node is provided.

Industrial applicability

The hanger and garment folding machine according to the present invention can automatically fold the garment in a non-hanger hanging state. is there.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A hanger for hanging clothes,

The main body,

A suspension part connected to the body part for suspending the hanger;

A pair of arm portions coupled to the main body portion and supporting the garment in an internal force suspended state;

The arm portion is a hanger that is deformed so as to fold at least a part of the garment from a state in which the garment is spread and supported.

[2] The hanger according to claim 1, wherein the arm portion automatically performs the deformation based on an external force command.

[3] Each of the pair of arm portions includes at least an arm base portion connected to the main body portion, and an arm tip portion connected to the arm base portion,

The arm portion is bent in a direction intersecting with the vertical direction in which the hanger is suspended at the connecting portion between the arm base portion and the arm tip portion, and is thus supported in a state of being spread by the arm portion. 3. The hanger according to claim 2, wherein a first deformation is performed in which clothing is bent at the connecting portion between the arm base and the arm tip end.

[4] By the first deformation, a pair of folds parallel to the vertical direction is attached to the garment, and the garment includes a garment central portion located inside the pair of folds and a pair of folds. 4. The hanger according to claim 3, wherein the hanger is divided into a pair of clothing side portions located on the end side from the eyes.

5. The projection area according to claim 4, wherein the projection area of the main body part in the plane perpendicular to the vertical direction is located within the projection area of the opening part of the garment supported by the arm part. One ₀

6. The hanger according to claim 5, wherein after the first deformation, the pair of arm portions are deformed so that a projection area on the plane is located within a projection area of the opening of the clothing.

[7] After the first deformation, a second deformation rotating around the connecting portion with the arm base so that the arm tip extends in the vertical direction; A third deformation in which the tip of the arm passes through the crease of the garment and rotates around the connecting portion with the arm base so as to enter the center of the garment;

A fourth modification in which the arm base and the arm tip move within the center of the garment so that the projection area of the arm portion on the plane is located within the projection area of the garment opening. The hanger according to claim 6, wherein:

[8] The arm tip portion and the arm base portion have an air ejection hole, and when the arm portion performs the second, third, and fourth deformations, friction with the clothing due to the air ejection hole force The hanger according to claim 7, wherein the hanger is reduced.

[9] The hanger according to claim 8, wherein the length of the tip of the arm is shorter than the distance from the upper end of the fold portion of the garment to the lower end of the base of the sleeve after the first deformation.

[10] The arm portion includes first and second connecting portions rotatably connected to the arm base portion and the arm tip portion, respectively.

The hanger according to claim 9, wherein the first and second connecting portions are rotatably connected to each other.

[11] In the first modification, the first connecting portion rotates with respect to the arm base, and the arm leading end rotates with respect to the second connecting portion. , Bent in a direction intersecting the vertical direction in which the hanger is suspended,

The second deformation is performed by rotating the second connecting portion with respect to the first connecting portion so that the tip of the arm tip does not intersect with the lower end of the base of a sleeve of clothing. 11. The hanger according to claim 10, wherein the arm tip rotates so as to extend in the vertical direction.

12. The hanger according to claim 11, wherein after the fourth deformation, the main body and the arm portion are within a circle having a projection area force diameter of 15 cm in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[13] A hanger that folds the garment horizontally by deforming it while supporting the garment in a suspended state;

A laundry basket for hanging the hanger;

A folding mechanism for performing a horizontal and vertical folding operation of the garment in cooperation with the deformation of the hanger; Clothing folding machine equipped with.

[14] The folding mechanism includes:

As the cooperation with the deformation of the hanger, the fold width determining unit determines the position of the fold portion in the vertical direction of the garment by contacting the garment when the hanger folds the garment in the horizontal direction. When,

A garment side portion holding portion that holds an end portion of the garment folded inward along the crease portion;

The garment folding machine according to claim 13, comprising:

[15] The folding mechanism includes a folding portion that folds the suspended clothing hung on the hanger in a vertical direction,

The folding portion includes a folding length determining portion having first and second ends extending in the horizontal direction, and a lower end holding portion that holds the lower end of the clothing,

The folding portion moves along the first end portion by moving upward while winding the first end portion of the folding length determining portion in a state where the lower end holding portion holds the lower end portion of the clothing. Forming a folded crease, and further moving the first end upward while winding the second end, thereby connecting the crease along the second end to the garment, and The clothes folding machine according to claim 14, wherein the clothes are folded vertically.

16. The garment folding apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the lower end holding portion operates integrally with the second end during the operation of folding the garment in the vertical direction.