EP0616943A1 - Method and device for the automatic laying and folding of textile goods, like stockings, tights and similar - Google Patents

Abstract

The method and the device for carrying out the method for the fully automatic laying and folding of textile products of elongate shape are based on four stations each having revolving silicone-coated bands (Fig. 9). The stocking arrives on the band (1) and is transported further with the same direction of rotation by the band (2). In the correct positioning, the laying arm (28) extracts the winding card (10) from the winding-card magazine (15) and lays it onto the stocking (31) located on the band (1). The bands (2) and (3) are raised by means of a hydraulic device (11) and (13). By varying the direction of rotation and opening of the bands (2) and (3), the stocking, together with the winding card (10), is drawn into the rotating bands (2) and (3) and is applied 1/3-folded onto the band (4) which is provided with eight rotating silicone-coated bands. The further folding operations take place on the band (4), initially by means of the first rake (56) as well as the folding rake (57) and the offsettable rake (58), the rake (58), offset at 180@, bringing about the final folding in a left-hand fold instead of a right-hand fold. The positioning takes place by means of two photoelectric switches (49) and (50). After the final folding, the stocking is transferred to the band (61) which has a braking and also accelerating function. The eight rotating silicone-coated bands transport the stocking or the hosiery article to the packaging station. Integrated into this station (61) are seven stripping fingers (65) which prevent the stocking from being drawn into the machine. The entire device (Fig. 9) is controlled electronically (44), so that the advantage of higher efficiency and rapidity is afforded in relation to the machines known hitherto.

Description

The invention relates to a method for laying and folding elongated textile goods, such as. B. fine tights, stockings and the like. Together with a winding card and possibly a plug-in card and a device for performing the method.

The known devices for the semi-automatic or automatic folding of elongated textile goods to be packaged, for example women's tights, tights and stockings and the like, have a large number of operations which do not meet today's requirements. The folding and laying of the previously known machines takes place too slowly.

The advantage of the method according to the invention and the device for carrying out the method compared to the previously known methods and devices is that this machine works faster and more efficiently. Another advantage is that it works more variably than the previous ones. This is u. a. on the variably adjustable photocells, and also on the convertibility of the rake. Simply converting this calculation switches from right-handed to left-handed. The electronic speed control of the folding tapes is also advantageous. This is necessary because the different types of stockings (fabric types) in cooperation with the wrapping card prevent it from slipping. This is controlled by the electronic regulation. Corresponding to this, it is also advantageous to reduce or increase the number of cycles of the types of stockings to be laid or packaged.

After manufacture hosiery, e.g. B. women's tights, stockings and the like from a suitably aligned device that dries the stockings and checks for material and color defects. If the pantyhose proves to be satisfactory, it is transferred to the device according to the present invention, which is arranged on one level and at the same height in four stations, which causes the corresponding types of stockings and the like to be inserted fully automatically.

This object is achieved in that the tights, stockings and the like. Coming from the conveyor belt of the drying and checking device with the foot shape in the working direction from the first folding belt, which is an all-round endless belt, which is advantageously silicone-coated. The picture is taken via a photocell which, in cooperation with the control program and the corresponding electric motor, transports the elongated textile goods via folding belt 1 to the folding belt 2, which is also at the same level and height (Figure 1, schematic drawing). Slipping or warping is excluded according to the invention due to the uniform speed of the two all-round belts and the applied silicone coating. Depending on the length of the textile goods, the process of taking them over or applying them to the first two folding tapes is electronically controlled.

In a certain position of the tights after reaching the second folding band, which is brought about by the upstream light barrier, folding bands (2) and (3) are raised pneumatically and also opened pneumatically (FIG. 2 schematic drawing).

In this position, the wrapping card with the wrapping card laying arm is lowered to the end of the first folding band via the electronic control. At the same time, the running direction of the second folding tape changes in the left direction and thus causes the threading the tights between folding tapes (2) and (3), so that the stocking is now folded onto the folding tape (4) with the eight endlessly circulating and silicone-coated tapes in the first third (FIG. 4 schematic drawing).

Two adjustable photocells are integrated in the folding band (4), which determine the positioning of the elongated textile goods. With a folding rake at the beginning of the folding tape (4), the thickened end of the tights is inserted by means of right folding (Figure 5 schematic drawing).

When the second folding rake is reached, the tights are folded right again (Figure 6, schematic drawing).

With folding rake 3, the last right folding takes place, so that the stocking is now finally folded (Figure 7 schematic drawing).

Through the inventive adjustment of the folding rake three by 180 °, a left end fold is achieved in the last laying process (FIG. 8 schematic drawing). This has the advantage that when the tights and the like are packed in a transparent pouch, the color impression and the quality are visible from the outside due to the double layer of fabric, while an equally desirable, stronger shade is visible when folded to the right. It also results from this implementation of the folding rake (58) according to the invention the possibility of a viewing window insert.

The elongated shaped and inserted textile goods are handed over to the last belt, the conveyor belt, which is arranged at the same height and level. The function of this conveyor belt according to the invention is that the incoming stocking can be electronically controlled, both slowed down and accelerated. This depends on the weight of the folded stocking. This conveyor belt has the further task of transferring the folded textile goods to the packaging belt.

The invention is described below in drawings, with further advantageous details being shown in the drawings.

The drawings show in detail:
The folding system consists of two folding stations (5) and (46) and a conveyor belt (61).

The first folding station (5) is composed of three folding belts (1-3), the transport straps of which are closed and endless all round. The second folding station (46) consists of the folding belt (4) and the conveyor belt (61).

The transport belts of the folding tapes are provided with a silicone coating on the surface according to the invention. This advantageous embodiment has the effect that the stocking to be transported on the transport belt or belts does not slip and is thereby positioned. The stocking cannot pull between the folding straps and there are no wrinkles. The stocking is taken over smoothly by the folding tape (4).

The all-round closed transport belts of the folding belts (1-3) are fixed to the drive and deflection rollers (6) by a certain system in such a way that they are prevented from running off. For this purpose, there is a web (7) on the underside of the transport belts, which runs in a groove (8) in the drive and deflection rollers (6) of the folding belts (1-3).

The folding tapes (1) and (2) arranged one behind the other at the same height and level initially run in the same direction, the stocking is transported to the folding tape (2) by the circulating movement of the folding tape (1). According to the invention, the elongated Textile goods moved into the intended position according to the upstream light barrier (9). After inserting the wrapping card (10), the folding tape (2) runs in the opposite direction, especially in the left direction, and pulls the stocking with the wrapping card (10) lying between it and the folding tape (3). By pulling in between the folding tape (2) and the folding tape (3), the stocking is folded over the wrapping card sheet for the first time. This first fold is variable in the fold length.

When the stump with the overlying winding card is positioned on belts (1) and (2), the conveyor belts (2) and (3) are each raised on axially mounted shafts (6a) by means of a pneumatic system, cylinder (11), the upper one Band (2) in cooperation with two other smaller pneumatic cylinders (12) attached to the folding band (3) opened so that the stocking with the wrapping card can be inserted. After the introduction of the wrapping card or plug-in card and stocking, the two folding tapes (2) and (3) close again pneumatically and the stocking with the wrapping card is removed from the folding tapes (2) and (3) in a correspondingly folded form. The stocking and the like is now folded in one third in the direction of the subsequent folding tape (4) over the winding card (FIG. 1-4 schematic drawing).

The pneumatic cylinder (11) according to the invention brings about the pneumatic lifting of the bands (2) and (3) via a ball joint (13) connected to a shaft (14) and a supply air line (15) for the cylinder (11).

Folding tape (1) is driven by a small electric motor (16). The axially mounted motor (16) is connected to a chain wheel (18) via the shaft (17). This chain wheel (18) is connected via a chain (19) to a smaller chain wheel (20). This revolving chain (19) drives folding belt (1) via the motor (16).

The folding tapes (2) and (3) are driven by a small electric motor (21) by means of chain wheels (22) and chains (23). A toothed belt drive (24), which drives a second axis (25), is located on the drive axis (6). The spur gear (26) is located on the opposite side of the second axis (25). This meshes with a second spur gear (27) on the drive axis (6) of the conveyor belt (2) and thus drives the belt (2) via the connection according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, a winding card laying station (28) is provided. This wrapping card laying station (28) consists of the wrapping card magazine (15) and the wrapping card laying arm (29), whose function according to the invention is achieved by the cylinder (30) of the laying arm (29) moving forward and by means of four suction cups (32) the wrapping card (10) takes from the magazine (15). Four hoses (33) are connected to the four suction cups (32) via feed lines, which in turn correspond to a vacuum pump (34). This vacuum pump (34) causes the acceptance of the winding card (10) via the four suction cups (32). The laying arm (29) with the sucked-in winding card (10) moves in the horizontal direction towards the coated conveyor belt (1) of the first folding belt and the stocking (31) positioned there in the horizontal direction (FIG. 1-3, schematic drawing).

The drive (35) of the winding card laying arm (29) is located on a holder (36). A rotary cylinder drive (35) with initiators (37) is located on this holder (36). These electrical contacts control the position of the rotary cylinder. The rotating cylinder (35) is supported by spring force (2 tension springs) (38), which overcomes the inertia of the cylinder. The force of the rotary cylinder (35) is transmitted to the laying arm (29) via a toothed belt (39). The appropriate swivel angle can be achieved by translating the two toothed belt rollers (40). When the laying arm (29) swings down, the two conveyor belts (2) and (3) open. The entire laying arm mechanism moves by means of a second cylinder (41) in the direction of folding tapes (2) and (3) and thus pushes the winding card (10) between the first two rolls of folding tapes (2) and (3). In this position, the suction process is ended and the winding card (10) is released. Due to the material of the textile goods, the stockings and the like, as well as the type and thickness of the cardboard from which the wrapping card is made, it has the endeavor to spring back again after the end of the suction process. One attached to the laying arm mechanism (29) Holding plate (42) holds the winding card (10) in position under the pressure of a tension spring (43) and thereby prevents it from springing back. After inserting the winding card (10) and the stocking (31), the folding tapes (2) and (3) close. From this position, the folding belts (2) and (3) start up again and pull the stocking with the wrapping card through the conveyor belts (2) and (3). The winding card (10) and the stocking (31) are transported on the belt (4) by the orbital movement of the previous belts. This ends the first folding of the elongated textile goods.

The thickened end of the elongated textile, such as. B. fine tights, pantyhose etc. make a further step according to the invention necessary, namely that when the stocking (31) with the wrapping card (10) after the previous pulling-in process, the folding tapes (2) and (3) briefly open to the strong Reduce pressure on the first two shafts (6) of the folding tapes. The pressure must be reduced because the rubber at the end of the sock forms a thickening. In the case of a permanently closed band, this thickening causes an inaccurate folding and a beating of the upper folding band (2) when the rubber pants pass this point. After this process, the folding tapes (2) and (3) close again. The short opening and closing is effected by the electronic control program (44), which interacts with the tension springs (45) and the two pneumatically working cylinders (12) which are firmly connected with the belt (3).

The elongated textile, such as. B. women's tights and the like. Is now transferred to folding tape (4) by the all-round folding tapes (2) and (3). The folding belt (4) has eight circumferential individual transport belts (47), which are also coated on the surface with silicone. Each individual transport belt (47) is centered on the drive or deflection roller, which each have eight elevations (48) and thereby prevent the transport belt (47) from running off. The folding band (4) has two speed levels. Below the conveyor belts there are two photo switches (49) and (50) in the middle of the same, which regulate these speeds in conjunction with the electronic program (44).

The stocking arrives at the beginning of the folding belt (4) at a higher speed and is steered down to a lower speed by the first photocell (49). On the one hand, this is to prevent the stocking from slipping with the wrapping card (10), and on the other hand, this is to ensure the exact positioning of the stocking. This is variable. Depending on the length of the elongated textile goods, the light barriers (49) and (50) are adjusted manually by moving them. The first light barrier (49) stops the stocking, the second light barrier (50) ends the transport of the stocking on this conveyor belt (4) exactly at this point.

The conveyor belt (4) is driven by a small electric motor (51). This axially mounted motor (51) is provided with a chain wheel (53) via the shaft (52). This chain wheel (53) is connected via a chain (54) to a smaller chain wheel (55). This revolving chain drives the folding belt (4) via the motor (51).

In the laying and folding device according to the invention, the folding rake (56), which is generally present in the device or can be retrofitted there, is used for oversize stockings. Folding rake (56) has the function of first folding in the trousers part (FIG. 5 schematic drawing). Folding rake (57) folds in the trousers part again (Figure 6 schematic drawing). If there is no oversize stocking, the folding rake (56) takes over the function of the folding rake (57). The final folding takes over the folding rake (58) by swiveling upwards like the two rakes before and thus completing the last folding (FIG. 7 schematic drawing).

This system can be varied by converting the folding rake (58) in such a way that it is moved axially in the same place, i. H. he is now offset by 180 ° on the opposite side and now folds the stocking in the left fold (Figure 8 schematic drawing). In the first position, folding rake (58) effects the right folding. The preferred configuration of the respective direction of folding is based on the needs of the user.

At the point where the axis of the folding rake (58) is a pin (59) is attached, which is extended pneumatically (60) to prevent displacement of the winding card (10) and the stocking (31). In the extended position, the pin (59) is at right angles in parallel directly above the eight transport belts (47). The pin (59) moves in the vertical up and down direction depending on the timing of the folding tape. These movements of the pin (59) are also achieved with the electronic control program (44).

The movements of the pin (59) are necessary to initially hold the stocking and the wrap card together in this position and then to release them again.

The folding described on the folding tapes (1-3) and (4) also works without inserting the winding card (10). In this case, instead of the wrapping card, a plug-in card pushes the stocking (Figure 3a schematic drawing) between the folding tapes (2) and (3). The further folding takes place as shown in (Figures 4-8 schematic drawing). This procedure is chosen when folding without a winding card (10) is desired.

A conveyor belt (61) of the same height is associated with the folding belt (4). This also consists of eight circulating belts (62) coated with silicone and has the function of both braking and accelerating the incoming stocking. This depends on the weight of the folded stocking. The regulation of this Conveyor belt (61) takes place via a controllable direct current motor (63). The eight transport belts are centered (64) on the acceleration or braking belt (61) in the same way as for the folding belt (4). In the transition from the folding belt (4) to the conveyor belt (61) and in the outlet of the conveyor belt (61) there are seven stripping or overflow fingers (65), each arranged between the eight conveyor belts (62). Due to their arrangement and bending (FIG. 19), these prevent parts of a stocking from pulling between the drive or deflection rollers (66) due to the grip of the transport belts (62) and destroying the stocking. At this point, the elongated textile fabric is folded fully automatically and can be packed.

All of the features of the subject of the application reproduced in the description, the patent claims and the drawing can be of particular importance for the invention on their own or in any conceivable combination.

Claims (5)

Method and device for the fully automatic laying and folding of elongated textile goods to be packaged, such as stockings, tights and the like, together with a wrapping card or a plug-in card (Fig. 3a schematic drawing), characterized by - A first folding station (5), consisting of three folding belts (1-3), the transport belts are closed and endlessly driven by electric motors all round and silicone-coated on the surface, and the first folding of the stocking (31) with the automatically inserted winding card (10) or Effect plug-in card (Fig. 3a schematic drawing), - A changing card laying station (28) consisting of a changing card magazine (15) and a wrapping card laying arm (29), which takes the wrapping card sequentially from the wrapping card magazine (15) by means of four pneumatically operated suction cups attached to the laying arm, supported by a holding plate (42) attached to the laying arm (29) and by a holding plate (42) with the laying arm ( 29) connected rotary cylinder (35) reaches a certain swivel angle, whereby by means of a translation of two toothed belt rollers (40) the laying arm (29) is placed horizontally on the stocking (31) positioned on the belt (1) and (2) and the winding card with the stocking between the circumferential bands (2) and (3), - A second folding and laying station (46) with eight endlessly circulating silicon-coated transport belts (47) centered by eight elevations on the drive or deflection roller (48) at two speed levels driven by the movable photo switches (49) and (50) , in which three folding rakes (56-58) are integrated to ensure the desired folding and the third folding rake (58) is assigned a pneumatically moved pin (59) that moves in vertical and horizontal directions to fix the winding card ( 10) and the stocking (31), furthermore the left folding of the stocking is achieved by moving the folding rake (58) through 180 ° in addition to the right folding, - A conveyor belt (61), provided with eight endlessly circulating on the surface silicone-coated electric motor-driven (63) conveyor belts (62) centered by eight elevations on the drive or deflection roller (66) that both brake and brake on the incoming stocking in two functions accelerating action provided with seven scraper or overflow fingers (65), - That all control processes and procedures are effected by an electronic control program (44). Method and device according to claim 1, characterized in that the all-round closed transport belts of the folding belts (1-3) are fixed on the drive and deflection rollers (6) in such a way that they are prevented from running out by being on the underside of the transport belts Web (7) is located, which runs in a groove (8) of the drive and deflection rollers (6) of the conveyor belts (1-3). Method and device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that by means of an upstream light barrier (9) the stocking and the like. By the circulating movement of the folding tape (1) onto the folding tape (2), which are located on one level and in the same direction have, is transported to the top and when the folding belt (2) reaches it in the opposite direction runs and pulls the stocking with the wrapping card (10) between it and the folding tape (3), the stocking being folded for the first time, the tape (1) is driven by an electric motor (16) in conjunction with chain wheels and rotating chain , The belts (2) and (3) are driven by an electric motor (21) in conjunction with chain wheels, chains and a toothed belt drive. Method and device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the stocking with the winding card (10) lying thereon is positioned and conveyor belts (2) and (3) raised with a pneumatically operating cylinder (11) and the upper belt (2) in the Interaction with two smaller pneumatic cylinders (12) attached to this band is opened to pull in the stocking, the two folding bands (2) and (3) closing pneumatically after the end of the drawing-in process and the stocking coming out of the folding bands (2) and ( 3) is deployed to the next folding station (46) in a correspondingly folded form. Method and device according to claim 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that after the previous pulling-in process into the folding tapes (2) and (3), these briefly open again in order to avoid strong pressure on the shafts (6) due to the thickening of the rubber pants at the end of the stocking and then close again.

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