EP0246594B1 - Device for folding articles of laundry - Google Patents

Device for folding articles of laundry Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0246594B1
EP0246594B1 EP87107203A EP87107203A EP0246594B1 EP 0246594 B1 EP0246594 B1 EP 0246594B1 EP 87107203 A EP87107203 A EP 87107203A EP 87107203 A EP87107203 A EP 87107203A EP 0246594 B1 EP0246594 B1 EP 0246594B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conveyor
folding
machine according
inlet conveyor
inlet
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP87107203A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0246594A2 (en
EP0246594A3 (en
Inventor
Uwe Wenck
Herbert Busch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
E & E Peters Uwe Wenck & Co GmbH
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E & E Peters Uwe Wenck & Co GmbH
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Application filed by E & E Peters Uwe Wenck & Co GmbH filed Critical E & E Peters Uwe Wenck & Co GmbH
Publication of EP0246594A2 publication Critical patent/EP0246594A2/en
Publication of EP0246594A3 publication Critical patent/EP0246594A3/en
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Publication of EP0246594B1 publication Critical patent/EP0246594B1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H45/00—Folding thin material
    • B65H45/02—Folding limp material without application of pressure to define or form crease lines
    • B65H45/04—Folding sheets

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a machine for folding laundry items along a desired line, with a switchable infeed conveyor, a folding device assigned to the infeed conveyor and a further conveying device, which under the control of edge sensors on the infeed conveyor lie laundry items with a movement transverse to the longitudinal direction of the infeed conveyor to the folding device promotes.
  • Folding "along a desired line” means a center fold, a third fold or a quarter fold of the laundry items. In the majority of cases, a center fold occurs, in which a piece of laundry is folded along a center line. Folding machines of the type mentioned in the introduction are therefore usually referred to as folding machines working with intermediation. This term is used in the description below, but it is to be understood that this term generally means folding along a desired line.
  • Folding machines of the type mentioned in the introduction are usually arranged behind longitudinal folding machines in order to subject the items of laundry which have been longitudinally folded in the longitudinal folding machine at the end to at least one transverse folding. Folding machines of the type mentioned in the introduction are therefore often referred to as cross-flattening machines.
  • the known transverse folding machines usually have a width which corresponds to the width of the longitudinal folding machine.
  • one or more longitudinal folds can be carried out on a piece of laundry in the longitudinal folding machine, while at least one transverse folding along a desired line, that is to say a transverse folding with switching, can be carried out in the downstream transverse folding machine.
  • the machine known from DE-PS-1 785 577 has in the middle of the infeed conveyor a further conveying device in the form of pairs of rollers which convey a piece of laundry that has run in under the control of edge sensors transversely to the extension of the longitudinal conveyor inwards and downwards, where then folding is performed using a folding sword. It can be seen that in this known machine there is precisely the disadvantage explained above that, for example, when small items of laundry arrive in three or four lanes on the infeed conveyor, transverse folding is no longer possible, unless by hand.
  • the present invention aims to provide an improvement in order to be able to carry out a very precise final transverse folding, particularly on small items of laundry.
  • this is achieved in that the folding device is arranged in the region of a longitudinal side edge of the infeed conveyor.
  • a folding machine according to the invention requires only comparatively little space in the width direction, so that a folding machine according to the invention can be provided behind a conventional longitudinal folding machine of greater width for each web along which small items of laundry are placed and longitudinally folded. If, for example, small items of laundry are to be treated on three webs, each with a width of one meter, on a longitudinal folding machine with a width of three meters, three transverse folding machines are arranged downstream of the longitudinal folding machine when the present invention is used.
  • a folding machine has an infeed conveyor 1, which is arranged on an appropriate frame and is arranged downstream of a laundry treatment machine, for example a longitudinal folding machine.
  • the laundry items pass from the upstream laundry treatment machine to the infeed conveyor 1 via a conveyor 2.
  • the infeed conveyor 1 is switchable and it is always switched off when a laundry item lies on it, and is switched on again when the laundry item is from him is deducted, as explained below.
  • the infeed conveyor 1 can be a conventional belt conveyor which runs around a front roller 3 and a rear roller 4.
  • the direction of movement of the belts of the infeed conveyor 1 and the feed conveyor 2 is shown in FIG. 1 with an arrow.
  • the surface of the belts of the infeed conveyor 1 is preferably such that there is only slight friction between the infeed conveyor and the items of laundry.
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment, as seen from the right according to FIG. 1.
  • a further conveying device 6 is arranged above the right side of the infeed conveyor 1 according to FIG.
  • this further conveyor 6 comprises an endless belt conveyor 7, the belts 8 of which run around a front roller 9 and a rear roller 10.
  • a frame (not shown) carrying the rollers 9, 10 and thus the belts 8 is articulated via two links 11 and 12 to a frame, also indicated only schematically, so that the belt conveyor 7, 8, 9 from the one shown in FIG. 2 with a broken line Position at a distance above the infeed conveyor 1 in the position shown in Figure 2 with a solid line in contact with the upper surface of the infeed conveyor 1 and vice versa can be moved by pivoting.
  • a preferably pneumatic piston-cylinder device 13 is provided for causing these movements of the belt conveyor 9, which, in an appropriate manner, with the frame or frame carrying the belt conveyor 7 or with one of the links 11 or 12 and a stationary part of the Folding machine is connected.
  • a piston-cylinder device 13 can expediently be provided on each side of the belt conveyor 7. When the piston rod is pushed out, the belt conveyor 7 moves from the position shown with the broken line to the position shown with the solid line, and vice versa.
  • roller 9 To drive the belt conveyor 7, one of its rollers, here the roller 9, is connected to a drive belt 14 which also runs over a pulley which is arranged at the articulation point of the link 11, which is coupled to the roller 9. At this point, a further pulley is provided, over which a belt 15 runs, which continues to run over a further pulley, which is arranged on the output shaft of a drive motor 16, which is appropriately provided on the machine frame, not shown.
  • the belts 5 of the infeed conveyor 1 can all have a width as indicated on the left-hand side according to FIG. However, for the intended function of the machine it is advantageous if in the area of the belt conveyor 7 the infeed conveyor 1 has a uniform belt band, the width of which corresponds approximately to the length of the belt conveyor 7 shown in FIG. Such an embodiment is not shown.
  • the infeed conveyor 1 has in the region of the belt conveyor 7 a wider belt band 5a, the width of which corresponds to approximately half the length of the belt conveyor 7.
  • a table surface 5b On the right side of the webbing 5a according to FIG. 2 there is a table surface 5b, which can be made of plastic, metal or the like, provided that it has a smooth surface.
  • This table surface 5b is bent downward at its right end according to FIG. 2, as is indicated in FIG. 2 by the dashed line.
  • the surface of the table surface 5b lies approximately in the plane of the upper runs of the belts 5 and 5a.
  • a folding station which has two cooperating folding conveyors 17 and 18 and an associated folding sword 19.
  • the direction of movement of the folding conveyor is indicated by arrows and it runs from right to left on their mutually facing runs according to FIG.
  • the folding station 17, 18, 19 is assigned various components which serve to place the item of laundry emerging from the folding station 17, 18, 19 on a further conveyor, which can be a stacking conveyor known per se, for example.
  • a further conveyor which can be a stacking conveyor known per se, for example.
  • the details of these components are not part of the invention, so that they are not explained.
  • An incoming piece of laundry is delivered from the feed conveyor 2 to the infeed conveyor 1 running at this time.
  • the infeed conveyor 1 is stopped.
  • the belt conveyor 7 is in the position shown in FIG. 1 at a distance above the infeed conveyor 1.
  • the belt conveyor 7 is removed from that in FIG 1 shown position brought into the position shown in Figure 2 with a solid line in contact with the infeed conveyor 1 or pivoted.
  • the belt conveyor 7 is already driven at this point in time, so that the laundry item is drawn off from the infeed conveyor 1 according to FIG.
  • the folding sword 19 is then actuated at the point in time which was determined in a direction transverse to the conveying direction of the infeed conveyor 1 as a function of the previously determined dimension of the item of laundry.
  • the folding sword 19 pushes the laundry item along the desired line into the gap between the folding conveyors 17 and 18, which perform the folding as a result of their drive and then deliver the laundry item to the downstream components and the like.
  • the surface of the belts 8 is expedient to form the surface of the belts 8 from a material which has a comparatively high coefficient of friction compared to the laundry. This ensures safe removal of the items of laundry in the transverse direction since the belts 5 and 5a have a surface made of a material with a relatively low coefficient of friction, and because the table surface 5b is made of a material with a smooth surface over which the item of laundry slides easily.
  • a machine according to the invention has a comparatively small width, so that when working in conventional longitudinal folding machines with a plurality of webs, a folding machine according to the invention can be provided for each web, yet folding along a desired line, i.e. folding with Mediation can take place, as was previously not possible for small items of laundry.
  • a guide plate can be provided, by which it is ensured that the removed laundry items run correctly to the folding station 17, 18, 19.
  • endless belt conveyor 7 can be driven intermittently or continuously.
  • a folding station with a folding sword 19 instead of a folding station with a folding sword 19, a folding station with an air jet device can also be provided.

Landscapes

  • Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Maschine zum Falten von Wäschestücken entlang einer gewünschten Linie, mit einem schaltbaren Einlaufförderer, einer dem Einlaufförderer zugeordneten Falteinrichtung und einer weiteren Fördereinrichtung, welche unter der Steuerung von Kantentastern auf dem Einlaufförderer liegende Wäschestücke mit einer Bewegung quer zur Längsrichtung des Einlaufförderers zur Falteinrichtung fördert.The invention relates to a machine for folding laundry items along a desired line, with a switchable infeed conveyor, a folding device assigned to the infeed conveyor and a further conveying device, which under the control of edge sensors on the infeed conveyor lie laundry items with a movement transverse to the longitudinal direction of the infeed conveyor to the folding device promotes.

Faltmaschinen der genannten Art sind bekannt, wozu beispielsweise auf die DE-PS-1 785 577 verwiesen wird.Folding machines of the type mentioned are known, for which reference is made, for example, to DE-PS-1 785 577.

Unter einem Falten "entlang einer gewünschten Linie" ist eine Mittenfaltung, eine Drittelfaltung oder eine Viertelfaltung der Wäschestücke zu verstehen. In der überwiegenden Zahl der Fälle erfolgt eine Mittenfaltung, bei welcher ein Wäschestück entlang einer Mittellinie gefaltet wird. Daher werden Faltmaschinen der einleitend genannten Art üblicherweise als mit Vermittlung arbeitende Faltmaschinen bezeichnet. Dieser Ausdruck wird in der nachstehenden Beschreibung verwendet, wobei jedoch zu verstehen ist, daß mit diesem Ausdruck allgemein das Falten entlang einer gewünschten Linie gemeint ist.Folding "along a desired line" means a center fold, a third fold or a quarter fold of the laundry items. In the majority of cases, a center fold occurs, in which a piece of laundry is folded along a center line. Folding machines of the type mentioned in the introduction are therefore usually referred to as folding machines working with intermediation. This term is used in the description below, but it is to be understood that this term generally means folding along a desired line.

Faltmaschinen der einleitend genannten Art werden üblicherweise hinter Längsfaltmaschinen angeordnet, um die in der Längsfaltmaschine längsgefalteten Wäschestücke zum Abschluß zumindest einer Querfaltung zu unterwerfen. Daher werden Faltmaschinen der einleitend genannten Art oftmals als Querfattmaschinen bezeichnet. Die bekannten Querfaltmaschinen haben üblicherweise eine Breite, die der Breite der Längsfaltmaschine entspricht. Somit können in der Längsfaltmaschine an einem Wäschestück eine oder mehrere Längsfaltungen vorgenommen werden, während in der nachgeordneten Querfaltmaschine wenigstens eine Querfaltung entlang einer gewünschten Linie, das heißt eine Querfaltung mit Vermittlung, ausgeführt werden kann.Folding machines of the type mentioned in the introduction are usually arranged behind longitudinal folding machines in order to subject the items of laundry which have been longitudinally folded in the longitudinal folding machine at the end to at least one transverse folding. Folding machines of the type mentioned in the introduction are therefore often referred to as cross-flattening machines. The known transverse folding machines usually have a width which corresponds to the width of the longitudinal folding machine. Thus, one or more longitudinal folds can be carried out on a piece of laundry in the longitudinal folding machine, while at least one transverse folding along a desired line, that is to say a transverse folding with switching, can be carried out in the downstream transverse folding machine.

Wenn mit einer solchen Kombination aus Längsfaltmaschine und Querfaltmaschine kleine Wäschestücke behandelt werden sollen, so werden diese kleinen Wäschestücke in mehreren nebeneinanderliegenden Bahnen auf die Längsfaltmaschine aufgelegt. Hierbei ist es dann nicht mehr möglich, an diesen kleinen Wäschestücken eine nachgeordnete Querfaltung vorzunehmen, weil die Querfaltmaschine nur eine einzige Faltstation besitzt, die in der Mitte der Breite der Querfaltmaschine angeordnet ist. Somit wird vielfach so vorgegangen, daß die in der Längsfaltmaschine längsgefalteten Wäschestücke anschließend von Hand quer gefaltet werden, was offensichtlich nachteilig ist.If small items of laundry are to be treated with such a combination of longitudinal folding machine and transverse folding machine, these small items of laundry are placed on the longitudinal folding machine in a number of adjacent tracks. It is then no longer possible to carry out a subsequent transverse folding on these small items of laundry because the transverse folding machine has only a single folding station which is arranged in the middle of the width of the transverse folding machine. Thus, it is often done in such a way that the items of laundry which are longitudinally folded in the longitudinal folding machine are then folded transversely by hand, which is obviously disadvantageous.

Die aus der DE-PS-1 785 577 bekannte Maschine weist in der- Mitte des Einlaufförderers eine weitere Fördereinrichtung in Form von Rollenpaaren auf, die ein eingelaufenes Wäschestück unter der Steuerung von Kantentastern quer zur Erstreckung des Längsförderers nach innen und nach unten fördern, wo dann eine Faltung mittels eines Faltschwertes vorgenommen wird. Es ist ersichtlich, daß bei dieser bekannten Maschine genau der oben erläuterte Nachteil besteht, daß, wenn beispielsweise kleine Wäschestücke in drei oder vier Bahnen auf dem Einlaufförderer ankommen, eine Querfaltung nicht mehr möglich ist, es sei denn von Hand.The machine known from DE-PS-1 785 577 has in the middle of the infeed conveyor a further conveying device in the form of pairs of rollers which convey a piece of laundry that has run in under the control of edge sensors transversely to the extension of the longitudinal conveyor inwards and downwards, where then folding is performed using a folding sword. It can be seen that in this known machine there is precisely the disadvantage explained above that, for example, when small items of laundry arrive in three or four lanes on the infeed conveyor, transverse folding is no longer possible, unless by hand.

Um dem genannten Nachteil abzuhelfen, könnte in Betracht gezogen werden, bei Längsfaltmaschinen, die überwiegend oder ausschließlich für kleine Wäschestücke verwendet werden, für jede der nebeneinanderliegenden Bahnen eine getrennte Querfalteinrichtung vorzusehen. Hierbei kann dann zwar eine mechanische Querfaltung auch bei kleinen Wäschestücken durchgeführt werden, jedoch erfolgt dann die Faltung in den meisten Fällen nicht genau entlang der gewünschten Linie. Dies ergibt sich daraus, daß, wenn eine Maschinenkombination der gerade beschriebenen Art verwendet wird, die Genauigkeit der Querfaltung von der Genauigkeit abhängt, mit welcher. das Wäschestück auf die Längsfaltmaschine gelegt wird. Hier besteht die Gefahr, daß bei längerem Betrieb das Auflegen nicht mit der gewünschten Genauigkeit erfolgt. Außerdem ergibt es sich, daß, selbst wenn die Wäschestücke sehr genau aufgelegt werden, die Wäschestücke beim Durchlauf durch die verschiedenen Längsfaltstationen aus der genauen Lage verschoben werden, so daß dann letzlich die Querfaltung doch nicht genau entlang der gewünschten Linie ausgeführt wird.In order to remedy the disadvantage mentioned, it could be considered to provide a separate transverse folding device for each of the adjacent webs in the case of longitudinal folding machines which are used predominantly or exclusively for small items of laundry. In this case, mechanical transverse folding can then also be carried out on small items of laundry, but in most cases the folding then does not take place exactly along the desired line. This results from the fact that when a machine combination of the type just described is used, the accuracy of the transverse folding depends on the accuracy with which. the item of laundry is placed on the longitudinal folding machine. There is a risk here that the hang-up will not take place with the desired accuracy during longer operation. In addition, it results that, even if the laundry items are placed very precisely, the laundry items are displaced from their exact position as they pass through the various longitudinal folding stations, so that the transverse folding is ultimately not carried out exactly along the desired line.

Die vorliegende Erfindung bezweckt, hier eine Verbesserung zu schaffen, um insbesondere an kleinen Wäschestücken eine sehr genaue abschließende Querfaltung durchführen zu können.The present invention aims to provide an improvement in order to be able to carry out a very precise final transverse folding, particularly on small items of laundry.

Gemäß der Erfindung wird dies dadurch erreicht, daß die Falteinrichtung im Bereich einer Längsseitenkante des Einlaufförderers angeordnet ist.According to the invention, this is achieved in that the folding device is arranged in the region of a longitudinal side edge of the infeed conveyor.

Mit einer Faltmaschine gemäß der Erfindung können zum erstenmale auch kleine Wäschestücke nach ihrem Durchlauf durch die Längsfaltmaschine entlang einer gewünschten Linie quergefaltet werden, was bedeutet, daß eine Vermittlung erfolgt.With a folding machine according to the invention, for the first time even small items of laundry can be transversely folded along a desired line after they have passed through the longitudinal folding machine, which means that mediation takes place.

Weiterhin benötigt eine Faltmaschine gemäß der Erfindung in Breitenrichtung nur vergleichsweise wenig Raum, so daß hinter einer üblichen Längsfaltmaschine größerer Breite für jede Bahn, entlang welcher kleine Wäschestücke aufgelegt und längsgefaltet werden, eine Faltmaschine gemäß der Erfindung vorgesehen werden kann. Sollen beispielsweise auf einer Längsfaltmaschine einer Breite von drei Metern kleine Wäschestücke auf drei Bahnen von jeweils einer Breite von einem Meter behandelt werden, so werden bei Anwendung der vorliegenden Erfindung der Längsfaltmaschine drei Querfaltmaschinen nachgeordnet.Furthermore, a folding machine according to the invention requires only comparatively little space in the width direction, so that a folding machine according to the invention can be provided behind a conventional longitudinal folding machine of greater width for each web along which small items of laundry are placed and longitudinally folded. If, for example, small items of laundry are to be treated on three webs, each with a width of one meter, on a longitudinal folding machine with a width of three meters, three transverse folding machines are arranged downstream of the longitudinal folding machine when the present invention is used.

Die Erfindung wird nachstehend anhand der Zeichnung beispielsweise erläutert.

  • Figur 1 ist eine schematisch gehaltene Seitenansicht einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung.
  • Figur 2 ist eine ebenfalls schematisch gehaltene Vorderansicht einer Ausführungsform gemäß der Erfindung.
The invention is explained below with reference to the drawing, for example.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment according to the invention, also shown schematically.

Bei der zeichnerischen Darstellung sind nur die für das Verständnis der Erfindung notwendigen Bauteile dargestellt.In the drawing, only the components necessary for understanding the invention are shown.

Gemäß Figur 1 weist eine Faltmaschine gemäß der Erfindung einen Einlaufförderer 1 auf, der an einem zweckentsprechenden Gestell angeordnet und einer Wäschebehandlungsmaschine, beispielsweise einer Längsfaltmaschine nachgeordnet ist. Bei der dargestellten Ausführungsform gelangen die Wäschestücke aus der vorgeordneten Wäschebehandlungsmaschine über einen Förderer 2 auf den Einlaufförderer 1. Der Einlaufförderer 1 ist schaltbar und er wird immer dann abgeschaltet, wenn ein Wäschestück auf ihm liegt, wobei er wieder angeschaltet wird, wenn das Wäschestück von ihm abgezogen ist, wie es nachstehend erläutert wird.According to FIG. 1, a folding machine according to the invention has an infeed conveyor 1, which is arranged on an appropriate frame and is arranged downstream of a laundry treatment machine, for example a longitudinal folding machine. In the embodiment shown, the laundry items pass from the upstream laundry treatment machine to the infeed conveyor 1 via a conveyor 2. The infeed conveyor 1 is switchable and it is always switched off when a laundry item lies on it, and is switched on again when the laundry item is from him is deducted, as explained below.

Der Einlaufförderer 1 kann ein üblicher Gurtförderer sein, der um eine vordere Rolle 3 und eine hintere Rolle 4 läuft. Die Bewegungsrichtung der Gurte des Einlaufförderers 1 und des Zuführförderers 2 ist in Figur 1 jeweils mit einem Pfeil dargestellt.The infeed conveyor 1 can be a conventional belt conveyor which runs around a front roller 3 and a rear roller 4. The direction of movement of the belts of the infeed conveyor 1 and the feed conveyor 2 is shown in FIG. 1 with an arrow.

Die Oberfläche der Gurte des Einlaufförderers 1 ist vorzugsweise derart beschaffen, daß nur geringe Reibung zwischen dem Einlaufförderer und den Wäschestücken vorhanden ist.The surface of the belts of the infeed conveyor 1 is preferably such that there is only slight friction between the infeed conveyor and the items of laundry.

Wie bereits gesagt, ist Figur 2 eine Vorderansicht der bevorzugten Ausführungsform, und zwar gesehen gemäß Figur 1 von rechts.As already stated, FIG. 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment, as seen from the right according to FIG. 1.

Wie Figur 2 zeigt, ist über der gemäß Figur 2 rechten Seite des Einlaufförderers 1 eine weitere Fördereinrichtung 6 angeordnet. Gemäß der Darstellung umfaßt diese weitere Fördereinrichtung 6 einen endlosen Gurtförderer 7, dessen Gurte 8 um eine vordere Rolle 9 und eine hintere Rolle 10 laufen. Ein die Rollen 9, 10 und damit die Gurte 8 tragender nicht dargestellter Rahmen ist über zwei Lenker 11 und 12 an einem ebenfalls nur schematisch angedeuteten Gestell angelenkt, so daß der Gurtförderer 7, 8, 9 aus der in Figur 2 mit einer unterbrochenen Linie dargestellten Stellung in einem Abstand oberhalb des Einlaufförderers 1 in die in Figur 2 mit einer ausgezogenen Linie dargestellten Stellung in Berührung mit der oberen Fläche des Einlaufförderers 1 und umgekehrt durch Verschwenkung bewegt werden kann. Bei der dargestellten Ausführungsform ist zum Hervorrufen dieser Bewegungen des Gurtförderers 9 eine vorzugsweise pneumatische Kolben-Zylinder-Einrichtung 13 vorgesehen, die in zweckentsprechender Weise mit dem den Gurtförderer 7 tragenden Rahmen bzw. Gestell oder mit einem der Lenker 11 oder 12 und einem ortsfesten Teil der Faltmaschine verbunden ist. Zweckmäßig können auf jeder Seite des Gurtförderers 7 je eine Kolben-Zylinder-Einrichtung 13 vorgesehen sein. Beim Ausschieben der Kolbenstange gelangt der Gurtförderer 7 aus der mit der unterbrochenen Linie wiedergegebenen Stellung in diejenige Stellung, die mit der ausgezogenen Linie wiedergegeben ist, und umgekehrt.As FIG. 2 shows, a further conveying device 6 is arranged above the right side of the infeed conveyor 1 according to FIG. As shown, this further conveyor 6 comprises an endless belt conveyor 7, the belts 8 of which run around a front roller 9 and a rear roller 10. A frame (not shown) carrying the rollers 9, 10 and thus the belts 8 is articulated via two links 11 and 12 to a frame, also indicated only schematically, so that the belt conveyor 7, 8, 9 from the one shown in FIG. 2 with a broken line Position at a distance above the infeed conveyor 1 in the position shown in Figure 2 with a solid line in contact with the upper surface of the infeed conveyor 1 and vice versa can be moved by pivoting. In the embodiment shown, a preferably pneumatic piston-cylinder device 13 is provided for causing these movements of the belt conveyor 9, which, in an appropriate manner, with the frame or frame carrying the belt conveyor 7 or with one of the links 11 or 12 and a stationary part of the Folding machine is connected. A piston-cylinder device 13 can expediently be provided on each side of the belt conveyor 7. When the piston rod is pushed out, the belt conveyor 7 moves from the position shown with the broken line to the position shown with the solid line, and vice versa.

Zum Antrieb des Gurtförderers 7 ist eine seiner Rollen, hier die Rolle 9, mit einem Antriebsriemen 14 verbunden, der außerdem über eine Riemenscheibe läuft, die an dem Anlenkpunkt des Lenkers 11 angeordnet ist, welcher mit der Rolle 9 gekoppelt ist. An dieser Stelle ist eine weitere Riemenscheibe vorgesehen, über die ein Riemen 15 läuft, der weiterhin über eine weitere Riemenscheibe läuft, die auf der Ausgangswelle eines Antriebsmotors 16 angeordnet ist, der in zweckentsprechender Weise am nicht dargestellten Maschinengestell vorgesehen ist.To drive the belt conveyor 7, one of its rollers, here the roller 9, is connected to a drive belt 14 which also runs over a pulley which is arranged at the articulation point of the link 11, which is coupled to the roller 9. At this point, a further pulley is provided, over which a belt 15 runs, which continues to run over a further pulley, which is arranged on the output shaft of a drive motor 16, which is appropriately provided on the machine frame, not shown.

Es ist ersichtlich, daß bei Betätigung der Kolben-Zylinder-Einrichtung 13 der Gurtförderer 7 um die Anlenkpunkte der beiden - Lenker 11 und 12 verschwenkt wird.It can be seen that when the piston-cylinder device 13 is actuated, the belt conveyor 7 is pivoted about the articulation points of the two links 11 and 12.

Die Gurte 5 des Einlaufförderers 1 können sämtlich eine Breite haben, wie sie auf der gemäß Figur 2 linken Seite angegeben ist. Jedoch ist es für die beabsichtigte Funktion der Maschine vorteilhaft, wenn im Bereich des Gurtförderers 7 der Einlaufförderer 1 ein einheitliches Gurtband aufweist, dessen Breite etwa der aus Figur 2 ersichtlichen Länge des Gurtförderers 7 entspricht. Eine solche Ausführungsform ist nicht dargestellt.The belts 5 of the infeed conveyor 1 can all have a width as indicated on the left-hand side according to FIG. However, for the intended function of the machine it is advantageous if in the area of the belt conveyor 7 the infeed conveyor 1 has a uniform belt band, the width of which corresponds approximately to the length of the belt conveyor 7 shown in FIG. Such an embodiment is not shown.

Bei der dargestellten Ausführungsform weist der Einlaufförderer 1 im Bereich des Gurtförderers 7 ein breiteres Gurtband 5a auf, dessen Breite etwa der halben Länge des Gurtförderers 7 entspricht.In the embodiment shown, the infeed conveyor 1 has in the region of the belt conveyor 7 a wider belt band 5a, the width of which corresponds to approximately half the length of the belt conveyor 7.

An der gemäß Figur 2 rechten Seite des Gurtbandes 5a schließt sich eine Tischfläche 5b an, die aus Kunststoff, Metall oder dergleichen bestehen kann, vorausgesetzt, daß sie eine glatte Oberfläche hat. Diese Tischfläche 5b ist an ihrem gemäß Figur 2 rechten Ende nach unten umgebogen, wie es in Figur 2 durch die gestrichelte Linie angedeutet ist. Die Oberfläche der Tischfläche 5b liegt etwa in der Ebene der oberen Trums der Gurte 5 und 5a.On the right side of the webbing 5a according to FIG. 2 there is a table surface 5b, which can be made of plastic, metal or the like, provided that it has a smooth surface. This table surface 5b is bent downward at its right end according to FIG. 2, as is indicated in FIG. 2 by the dashed line. The surface of the table surface 5b lies approximately in the plane of the upper runs of the belts 5 and 5a.

In dem Bereich zwischen den Gurtrollen 3 und 4 des Einlaufförderers 1 befindet sich eine Faltstation, die zwei zusammenarbeitende Faltförderer 17 und 18 sowie ein zugeordnetes Faltschwert 19 aufweist. Die Bewegungsrichtung der Faltförderer ist durch Pfeile angedeutet und sie verläuft an ihren einander zugewandten Trums gemäß Figur 2 von rechts nach links.In the area between the belt rollers 3 and 4 of the infeed conveyor 1 there is a folding station which has two cooperating folding conveyors 17 and 18 and an associated folding sword 19. The direction of movement of the folding conveyor is indicated by arrows and it runs from right to left on their mutually facing runs according to FIG.

Der Faltstation 17, 18, 19 sind verschiedene Bauteile zugeordnet, die dazu dienen, das aus der Faltstation 17, 18, 19 austretende Wäschestück auf einen weiteren Förderer zu legen, der beispielsweise ein an sich bekannter Stapelförderer sein kann. Die Einzelheiten dieser Bauteile gehören nicht zur Erfindung, so daß sie nicht erläutert sind.The folding station 17, 18, 19 is assigned various components which serve to place the item of laundry emerging from the folding station 17, 18, 19 on a further conveyor, which can be a stacking conveyor known per se, for example. The details of these components are not part of the invention, so that they are not explained.

Es ist noch zu bemerken, daß im Bereich des Einlaufförderers 1 sich bekannte Abtaster vorgesehen sind (nicht dargestellt), welche die Abmessung der einlaufenden Wäschestücke quer zur Förderrichtung des Einlaufförderers 1 feststellen. Die Arbeitsweise bei der Feststellung solcher Wäschestückabmessungen ist an sich bekannt, so daß sie hier nicht erläutert zu werden braucht. Die für jedes Wäschestück festgestellte Abmessung quer zur Förderrichtung des Einlaufförderers 1 wird dazu benutzt, das Faltschwert 19 zu einem solchen Zeitpunkt zu betätigen, daß das Wäschestück in der Faltstation 17, 18, 19 entlang der gewünschten Linie gefaltet wird. Solche Faltsteuerungen sind ebenfalls bekannt, so daß ihre Einzelheiten nicht erläutert sind.It should also be noted that in the area of the infeed conveyor 1, known scanners are featured can be seen (not shown), which determine the dimension of the incoming laundry items transverse to the conveying direction of the infeed conveyor 1. The procedure for determining such laundry item dimensions is known per se, so that it need not be explained here. The dimension determined for each item of laundry transversely to the conveying direction of the infeed conveyor 1 is used to actuate the folding sword 19 at such a time that the item of laundry is folded in the folding station 17, 18, 19 along the desired line. Such folding controls are also known so that their details are not explained.

Die Arbeitsweise der soweit beschriebenen Faltmaschine ist wie folgt:The operation of the folding machine described so far is as follows:

Ein ankommendes Wäschestück wird von dem Zuführförderer 2 auf den zu diesem Zeitpunkt laufenden Einlaufförderer 1 abgegeben. Sobald das Wäschestück auf dem Einlaufförderer eine bestimmte Lage erreicht hat, die beispielsweise durch einen vorderen Kantentaster bestimmt wird, wird der Einlaufförderer 1 stillgesetzt. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt befindet sich der Gurtförderer 7 in der in Figur 1 wiedergegebenen Stellung in einem Abstand oberhalb des Einlaufförderers 1. Sobald der Einlaufförderer 1 angehalten bzw. stillgesetzt ist, wird durch Betätigung der Kolben-Zylinder-Einrichtung 13 der Gurtförderer 7 aus der in Figur 1 wiedergegebenen Stellung in die in Figur 2 mit einer ausgezogenen Linie wiedergegebene Stellung in Berührung mit dem Einlaufförderer 1 gebracht bzw. verschwenkt. Der Gurtförderer 7 ist zu diesem Zeitpunkt bereits angetrieben, so daß über seine Gurte 8 das Wäschestück von dem Einlaufförderer 1 gemäß Figur 2 nach rechts in Querrichtung abgezogen wird. Hierbei läuft dann das Wäschestück über die gemäß Figur 2 rechte gebogene Endkante der Tischfläche 5b nach unten an der Eintrittsstelle der Faltstation 17, 18, 19 vorbei. Dann wird das Faltschwert 19 zu demjenigen Zeitpunkt betätigt, der in Abhängigkeit von der zuvor festgestellten Abmessung des Wäschestückes in einer Richtung quer zur Förderrichtung des Einlaufförderers 1 bestimmt wurde. Das Faltschwert 19 schiebt in bekannter Weise das Wäschestück entlang der gewünschten Linie in den Spalt zwischen den Faltförderern 17 und 18, die als Folge ihres Antriebes die Faltung durchführen und das Wäschestück dann an die nachgeordneten Bauteile und dergleichen abgeben.An incoming piece of laundry is delivered from the feed conveyor 2 to the infeed conveyor 1 running at this time. As soon as the item of laundry has reached a certain position on the infeed conveyor, which is determined, for example, by a front edge sensor, the infeed conveyor 1 is stopped. At this time, the belt conveyor 7 is in the position shown in FIG. 1 at a distance above the infeed conveyor 1. As soon as the infeed conveyor 1 is stopped or stopped, by actuating the piston-cylinder device 13, the belt conveyor 7 is removed from that in FIG 1 shown position brought into the position shown in Figure 2 with a solid line in contact with the infeed conveyor 1 or pivoted. The belt conveyor 7 is already driven at this point in time, so that the laundry item is drawn off from the infeed conveyor 1 according to FIG. 2 to the right in the transverse direction via its belts 8. The item of laundry then runs down over the end edge of the table surface 5b, which is bent on the right in accordance with FIG. 2, past the entry point of the folding station 17, 18, 19. The folding sword 19 is then actuated at the point in time which was determined in a direction transverse to the conveying direction of the infeed conveyor 1 as a function of the previously determined dimension of the item of laundry. The folding sword 19 pushes the laundry item along the desired line into the gap between the folding conveyors 17 and 18, which perform the folding as a result of their drive and then deliver the laundry item to the downstream components and the like.

Um die gewünschte Wirkung zu erzielen, ist es zweckmäßig, die Oberfläche der Gurte 8 aus einem Material zu bilden, welches gegenüber der Wäsche einen vergleichsweise hohen Reibungskoeffizienten hat. Damit ist dann ein sicheres Abziehen der Wäschestücke in Querrichtung gewährleistet, da die Gurte 5 und 5a eine Oberfläche aus einem Material mit verhältnismäßig niedrigem Reibungskoeffiezienten haben, und weil die Tischfläche 5b aus einem Material mit glatter Oberfläche besteht, über welche das Wäschestück leicht gleitet.In order to achieve the desired effect, it is expedient to form the surface of the belts 8 from a material which has a comparatively high coefficient of friction compared to the laundry. This ensures safe removal of the items of laundry in the transverse direction since the belts 5 and 5a have a surface made of a material with a relatively low coefficient of friction, and because the table surface 5b is made of a material with a smooth surface over which the item of laundry slides easily.

Eine Maschine gemäß der Erfindung hat eine vergleichsweise geringe Breite, so daß, wenn bei üblichen Längsfaltmaschinen mit mehreren Bahnen gearbeitet wird, für jede Bahn eine Faltmaschine gemäß der Erfindung vorgesehen werden kann, wobei dennoch ein Falten entlang einer gewünschten Linie, das heißt ein Falten mit Vermittlung erfolgen kann, wie es bisher für kleine Wäschestücke nicht möglich war.A machine according to the invention has a comparatively small width, so that when working in conventional longitudinal folding machines with a plurality of webs, a folding machine according to the invention can be provided for each web, yet folding along a desired line, i.e. folding with Mediation can take place, as was previously not possible for small items of laundry.

Zwischen der Kante, über welche die Wäschestücke mittels des endlosen Gurtförderers 7 abgezogen werden, und dem Faltschwert 19 kann ein Führungsblech vorgesehen sein, durch welches gewährleistet wird, daß die abgezogenen Wäschestücke richtig zur Faltstation 17, 18, 19 laufen.Between the edge over which the laundry items are pulled off by means of the endless belt conveyor 7, and the folding sword 19, a guide plate can be provided, by which it is ensured that the removed laundry items run correctly to the folding station 17, 18, 19.

Weiterhin ist festzustellen, daß der endlose Gurtförderer 7 intermittierend oder dauernd angetrieben sein kann.It should also be noted that the endless belt conveyor 7 can be driven intermittently or continuously.

Weiterhin ist zu bemerken, daß anstelle einer Faltstation mit Faltschwert 19 auch eine Faltstation mit Luftstrahleinrichtung vorgesehen sein kann.It should also be noted that instead of a folding station with a folding sword 19, a folding station with an air jet device can also be provided.

Claims (12)

1. Machine for folding pieces of washing along a desired line with a switchable inlet conveyor (1), a folding device (17, 18, 19) arranged with respect to the inlet conveyor and a further feeding device (6) which, under the control of edge sensors, feeds pieces of washing lying on the inlet conveyor with a movement transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inlet conveyor to the folding device, characterised in that the folding device (17, 18, 19) is arranged in the region of a longitudinal side edge of the inlet conveyor (1).
2. Machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that the further feeding device (6) has an endless belt conveyor (7) which can be brought to pull off a piece of washing from the inlet conveyor (1) in transverse direction into and out of engagement with the inlet conveyor, the belts (8) of the belt conveyor (7) have an outer surface with a high coefficient of friction and that the surface of the inlet conveyor (1) consists of a material with a low coefficient of friction.
3. Machine according to Claim 2, characterised in that the endless belt conveyor (7) is arranged swingably on the machine frame via oblique links (11, 12).
4. Machine according to Claim 3, characterised by a preferably pneumatic piston cylinder unit (13) for moving the endless belt conveyor (7) into and out of engagement with the inlet conveyor (1 ).
5. Machine according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that a roller (9) of the endless belt conveyor (7) is driven via a belt (14) which runs over a pulley which is arranged at the pivot point of the link (11) connected with this roller on the machine frame.
6. Machine according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the belts (5, 5a) of the inlet conveyor (1) have in the region below the endless belt conveyor (7) a unitary conveyor belt (5a).
7. Machine according to one of Claims 2'to 6, characterised in that the endless belt conveyor (7) is arranged in the region of a side edge of the inlet conveyor (1) and that in the region below the endless belt conveyor, in which no inlet conveyor belts are present, a table surface (5b) with a smooth surface is provided.
8. Machine according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the folding station (17, 18, 19) is arranged in the region of the side edge of the inlet conveyor (1) in its region also of the endless belt conveyor (7) and is arranged essentially below the surface of the upper run of the inlet conveyor.
9. Machine.according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the folding station has two cooperating endless folding conveyors (17, 18) as well as a folding blade (19).
10. Machine according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the folding station has an air stream folding unit.
11. Machine according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that in the region of the inlet feed (11) feelers or sensors are provided to determine the dimension of the piece of washing in a direction tranverse to the direction of movement of the inlet conveyor.
12. Machine according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that in the region of the side edge across which the pieces of washing are pulled from the inlet conveyor (1) a guide plate is provided.
EP87107203A 1986-05-23 1987-05-18 Device for folding articles of laundry Expired EP0246594B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3617320 1986-05-23
DE19863617320 DE3617320A1 (en) 1986-05-23 1986-05-23 MACHINE FOR FOLDING LAUNDRY PIECES

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0246594A2 EP0246594A2 (en) 1987-11-25
EP0246594A3 EP0246594A3 (en) 1988-09-07
EP0246594B1 true EP0246594B1 (en) 1989-10-04

Family

ID=6301437

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87107203A Expired EP0246594B1 (en) 1986-05-23 1987-05-18 Device for folding articles of laundry

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0246594B1 (en)
DE (2) DE3617320A1 (en)
DK (1) DK160619C (en)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1583428A (en) * 1968-03-01 1969-10-31 Jesus Henri Leon Lucien CHANGE OF DIRECTION CONVEYOR DEVICE
DE2031808A1 (en) * 1970-06-26 1971-12-30 Kleindienst & Co, Maschinenfabrik, 8900 Augsburg Device for folding laundry items and the like
DE2453470C2 (en) * 1974-11-12 1983-07-28 Kleindienst GmbH, 8900 Augsburg Device for cross-folding flat items of laundry that have already been folded lengthways
IE44198B1 (en) * 1976-03-30 1981-09-09 Weir H Sheet folding machine and method
DE3103468A1 (en) * 1981-02-02 1982-10-07 Wilh. Cordes GmbH & Co, 4740 Oelde Process and folding machine for the longitudinal folding of web-shaped laundry articles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3617320A1 (en) 1987-11-26
EP0246594A2 (en) 1987-11-25
DK160619B (en) 1991-04-02
DE3760666D1 (en) 1989-11-09
DE3617320C2 (en) 1991-04-11
DK160619C (en) 1991-09-02
DK260787D0 (en) 1987-05-22
EP0246594A3 (en) 1988-09-07
DK260787A (en) 1987-11-24

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