EP0960971A1 - Method and device for folding clothes - Google Patents

Abstract

The arms (16) of a garment are folded before the folding process in an automatic folding assembly. The garment arms (16) are folded under the body (17). Initially, the garment is placed on a conveyor (14) with the body (17) centered on it, before the arms (16) are folded. The conveyor (14) has a width which matches the garment size, especially across the shoulders. An Independent claim is included for an automatic garment folding assembly, with at least one conveyor with a conveyor belt (58) over the whole working width. Preferred Features: The conveyor belt (58) has a guide projection, at least at the edges, to work with a guide at the belt drive/deflection drum (59). The belt guide can be a continuous wedge-belt shaped projection at the under side of the conveyor belt (58), to ride in a groove at the drum (59). An arm folding station (15), to fold the garment arms (16), is in front of the leading lateral folding station (18,19) and/or the longitudinal folding station (20). The arm folding station (15) has two arm folding conveyors, where each pivots on a swing axis along the direction of travel of the conveyor (14) which carries the laid body (17) of the garment. The arm folders travel with the carried garment body (17), to fold the arms (16), moving at the same speed as the conveyor (14) in the direction (40) of travel. The arm folders and/or guide at the laying conveyor (14) transfer the garments on hangers (12) at fixed positions.

Description

The invention relates to a method for folding items of clothing according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore The invention relates to devices for folding items of clothing according to the preambles of claims 4 and 7, respectively.

For folding clothing, especially smocks, So-called patient shirts, pants or the like can be found Folding machine use. The items of clothing are made using the folding machines automatically folded, preferably by successive transverse and longitudinal folding.

A disadvantage of known folding machines is that Sleeves of the item of clothing, for example a smock, more or less uncontrolled behind the fuselage part of the Garment are placed and in the longitudinal and transverse folds can be folded. A controlled folding of the sleeves is not possible.

Finally, the well-known folding machine has in particular conveyor used to convey the folded garment, which consist of several narrow belts with a slight Distance next to each other. This creates gap spaces between the narrow belts. In these crevices parts of the item of clothing to be folded, in particular Buttons, caught, causing a warp of the folded Item of clothing or even malfunctions of the folding machine leads.

Proceeding from this, the invention is based on the object Method and device for folding clothing to create what a good folding quality with reliable Function of the device is possible.

A measure to solve this problem is the measure of Claim 1 on. Accordingly, the sleeves of a garment before reaching the first folding station, preferably against the body part of the garment folded over. Especially the sleeves are also folded continuously so that this does not reduce the throughput of the automatic folding machine becomes. Furthermore, in connection with folding Sleeves provided that this is the width of the support of the garment is changeable such that this is the width of the Body part, especially in the shoulder area of the garment, is customizable. In this way, the sleeves of clothing different type and size of their length after being folded exactly.

To ensure that both sleeves are folded evenly, the garment so before folding the sleeves up center the overlay that both sleeves from opposite Hang down the sides of the support with the same length. This prevents the one sleeve of the garment is folded with a different length than the other Sleeves of the same item of clothing.

A device for solving the basis of the invention Task has the features of claim 4. Accordingly at least some sponsors, especially all sponsors one each over the entire worktop Provide conveyor belt. The clothing to be folded lies thereby on a single, continuous conveyor belt that has no gaps that could cause the garment to get caught, especially buttons of the same.

In a preferred development of the device Provide (wide) conveyor belts with straight running guides. Preferably are these straight-line guides by management bodies on the Conveyor belts trained with corresponding management bodies on the drums of the conveyors (deflection drum, drive drum) keep in touch. There is a positive fit Guide the belts towards the drums of the respective Sponsor. This exact guidance of the straps improves the folding quality of the items of clothing because they are the folding stations, especially the longitudinal folding station, can be fed exactly.

Another device for solving the problem on which the task is based Task has the features of claim 9. Because a sleeve folding station in front of the first folding station is arranged, the sleeves are folded before later folding. This gives the sleeves a defined position to the torso part of the item of clothing to be folded, thereby the later folds, especially longitudinal and / or transverse folds be made at such points of the item of clothing can, where the sleeves do not interfere or more advantageous Way can be provided with longitudinal and / or transverse folds. As a result, the sleeves are reliably fixed.

According to a preferred development of the device the sleeve folding station via a sleeve folding conveyor for each sleeve, which is relatively movable to the middle part of the garment receiving (main) conveyor is trained. The Sleeve folding conveyor and the conveyor for the middle part of the garment are arranged so that both of them Transport the garment in the same direction, causing sleeves during transportation of the garment be folded continuously by a relative movement of both Sleeve folding conveyor to the conveyor receiving the middle part. Alternatively, it is possible to replace the sleeve folding conveyor Provide governing bodies, which are also during the transport of the Garment continuously fold its sleeves. The guide members are preferably stationary baffles on opposite sides of the respective item of clothing receiving conveyor arranged. Get supported can fold the sleeves by compressed air coming from at suitable Place attached nozzles to blow the sleeves and thereby influences the folding.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

einen schematischen Querschnitt durch die Vorrichtung im Bereich einer Ärmelfaltstation,

Fig. 3

eine weitere vereinfachte Darstellung des Prinzips der Ärmelfaltstation in ihrer Ausgangsposition,

Fig. 4

die Ärmelfaltstation nach der Fig. 3 in einer Zwischenstellung,

Fig. 5

die Ärmelfaltstation der Fig. 3 und 4 in einer Endposition, und

Fig. 6

einen Längsschnitt durch eine Antriebstrommel eines Förderers samt Fördergurt.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of the device,

Fig. 2

2 shows a schematic cross section through the device in the area of a sleeve folding station,

Fig. 3

another simplified representation of the principle of the sleeve folding station in its starting position,

Fig. 4

3 in an intermediate position,

Fig. 5

3 and 4 in a final position, and

Fig. 6

a longitudinal section through a drive drum of a conveyor including conveyor belt.

The device shown in the figures is a so-called folding machine 10 for the automatic folding of Clothing, in particular smocks, trousers or the like.

1, gowns 11 are shown schematically. The smock 11 are on retractable transport brackets 12 by a partially shown conveyor system 13 on an inclined Lay-on conveyor 14 placed and held. Then will the transport bracket 12 is folded up, out of the smock 11 pulled out and (as indicated in Fig. 1) conveyed away. After in this way the transport bracket 12 from the smock 11th has been pulled out, the smock 11 in several successive Folding stations automatically folded.

There is one in the upper end region of the lay-on conveyor 14 Sleeve folding station 15 for folding over both sleeves 16 of the coat 11 behind its middle fuselage section 17. Two transverse folding stations follow 18 and 19, a longitudinal folding station 20 and another Transverse folding station 21. This folds the gown for the last time 11 through. Then the folded gowns 11 are placed on a stacking table 22 stacked. Once a stack 23 is completed is from the stacking surface designed as a conveyor 24 of the stacking table 22 passed to a removal conveyor 25.

At the upper end area of the lay-on conveyor 14 are two sleeve folding stations 15 arranged. The sleeve folding stations 15 are opposite Assigned to edge regions of the lay-on conveyor 14, so that each sleeve 16 through its own sleeve folding station 15 is folded behind the body part 17 of the gown 11. The Fig. 2 shows a sleeve folding station 15 in its end position, in which the respective sleeve 16 is folded. So everyone has Sleeve folding station 15 via a sleeve folding conveyor 26, which is composed of two adjacent partial conveyors 27 and 28, which is a slightly V-shaped relative arrangement to each other exhibit. The deflection drums 29 and 30 shown in the figure are just like the drive drums, not shown, by a Universal joint 31 connected to each other. This is synchronous both partial conveyor 27 and 28 ensured. To an outside Swivel axis 32 are both partial conveyors 27 and 28 of the sleeve folding conveyor 26 can be pivoted at the same time, namely by a pressure medium cylinder shown only partially in FIG. 2 33. The relative arrangement of the sleeve folding conveyor 26 is made in relation to the lay-on conveyor 14 in such a way that both have the same conveying direction. Beyond that the lay-on conveyor 14 and the sleeve folding conveyor 26 with driven at the same speed.

In the area of each sleeve folding station 15, the lay-on conveyor has 14 a widening in the form of a side support plate 34. Each side of the lay-on conveyor 14 is a side platen 34 assigned, namely pivotable about one in the conveying direction of the lay-on conveyor 14 extending pivot axis 35. Each side support plate 34 is indicated by one in FIG. 2 pressure medium cylinder 36 shown pivotable in a widening the contact surface of the lay-on conveyor 14 Operating position in a downward angled position (in the Fig. 2 dash-dotted) rest position. Alternatively the side support plates 34 can also be swiveled to the opposite sides of the lay-up conveyor 14 are arranged be.

3 to 5 show different operating stages of the sleeve folding station 15 on one side of the lay-on conveyor 14. According to 3 are the side support plate 34 and the sleeve folding conveyor 26 of the sleeve folding station 15 in a somewhat vertical Position running to the support level of the lay-on conveyor pivoted. One edge of the gown 11 with the corresponding one Sleeve 16 hangs on one side of lay-on conveyor 14 freely down. Now the side support plate according to FIG. 4 34 swiveled up, creating the bearing surface of the lay-on conveyor 14 is widened to the corresponding width of the body part 17 of the gown 11 and at the same time a central one Alignment of the fuselage part 17 to the lay-on conveyor 14 and the Side support plate 34 takes place. Then both sleeves hang 16 complete and with the same length on the outside of each Side support plate 34 down and lie on it the inside of the sleeve folding conveyor, which is still almost vertically aligned 26 on (Fig. 4). Now the sleeve fold promoter 26 pivoted from behind against the lay-on conveyor 14 the position shown in FIG. 5. The sleeves 16 are located at a distance behind the body part 17 of the gown 11.

During the folding of the sleeves 16 described above the lay-on conveyor 14 and the sleeve folding conveyor 26 alike continuously driven, thereby during folding the sleeve 16 of the smock 11 is continuously transported is on a subsequent conveyor 37. The smock 11th with the sleeves 16 folded behind the body part 17 via an upper end 38 of the lay-on conveyor 14 with its (in 1 symbolized by a triangle) collar 39 on conveyor 37.

The two transverse folding stations follow the lay-on conveyor 14 18 and 19, which are operated either alternately and therefore each represent first transverse folding stations 18 and 19. Each of the transverse folding stations 18 and 19 is made up of several interacting Sponsors. Both transverse folding stations 18 and 19 have the one already mentioned above and to the Lay-on conveyor 14 adjoining conveyor 37. This conveyor 37 is at its front end region in the conveying direction 40 covered by a pressure conveyor 41. Transversely to the ends of the Conveyor 37 and the pressure conveyor 41 is an intermediate conveyor 42 arranged. The conveyor 37 and the pressure conveyor 41 are assigned to a front section 43 in the conveying direction a V-shaped upper run 44 of the intermediate conveyor 42. The rear section 45 of the upper run 44 in the conveying direction 40 the intermediate conveyor 42 is a further pressure conveyor 46 assigned. The conveyor 37, the pressure conveyors 41 and 46 and the intermediate conveyor 42 are with reversible drives provided, that is drivable in opposite directions. in the Area of the front end 47 in the conveying direction 40 of the Pressure conveyor 41 and the front section 43 of the upper run 44 of the intermediate conveyor 42 finds a first transverse folding of the Kittel 11 instead. The area is therefore in this area first transverse folding station 18. The pressure conveyor 41 is a further reciprocable reversible conveyor 48 assigned. One end 49 of the reversing conveyor 48 is that of Conveyor 37 side facing away in the conveying direction 40 assigned rear end 50 of the pressure conveyor 41. Is becoming Cross folding of the reversing conveyor 48 uses one alternative first transverse fold in the area of the rear end 50 of the pressure conveyor 41 between the pressure conveyor 41 and the Conveyor 37 instead. At this point there is the alternative first transverse folding station 19. This serves in further way described below for the first transverse folding of Pants.

The longitudinal folding station 20 follows the intermediate conveyor 42 forming horizontal longitudinal folding conveyor 51. This consists of a middle and two side sections, the two in Fig. 1, not shown side portions Thickness compensation by one in each case in the conveying direction 40 Swivel axis are pivotable against the central section. Through this pivoting the on the two outer partial conveyors of the longitudinal folding conveyor 51 lying Edge sections of the one already provided with a first transverse fold Kittels 11 with two parallel longitudinal folds Mistake.

At a front end 52 of the longitudinal folding conveyor in the conveying direction 40 51 is followed by an inclined transverse folding conveyor 53. Between the upper run 54 of the transverse folding conveyor 53 and the front End 52 of the longitudinal folding conveyor 52 is followed by a final one second transverse folding of the gown 11 in the transverse folding station 21. The one located below the plane of the longitudinal folding conveyor 51 lower section of the cross folding conveyor 53 is a short one Pressure conveyor 55 assigned. By one between the pressure conveyor 55 and the transverse folding conveyor 53 formed gap the folded gowns 11 become a stacking surface 56 transported, with the help of one above of the stacking surface arranged press conveyor 57. The stacking surface 56 has a closable opening that at least corresponds to the area of the folded gown 11. Below The stackable table is located in the closable opening 22. Coat 11 folded according to the height of the stack 23 the stacking table 22 can be moved up and down. That way the folded smock 11 through the open opening in the stacking surface 56 can be placed on the stack 23.

Has at least some of the sponsors mentioned above via only a single conveyor belt 58 which is continuous runs across the entire width of the respective conveyor. The serving as a support for the items of clothing to be folded The front of the conveyor belt 58 is provided with a preferably antistatic, provided with a felt-like surface.

6 is such a conveyor belt 58 in connection with a drive drum 59 of the transverse folding conveyor 53 is shown. Accordingly, the drive drum 59 is located on the casing facing back 60 of the conveyor belt 58 a trapezoidal Projection 61. The projection designed in the manner of a V-belt 61 is assigned to an edge region of the conveyor belt 58. The V-belt-like projection 61 runs continuously over the entire length of the conveyor belt 58 and is in one piece with this connected. In the jacket of the drive drum 59 is one to the projection 61 corresponding circumferential groove 62 is arranged. In the trapezoidal groove 62 engages with the corresponding projection 61 a, whereby the conveyor belt 58 in the longitudinal direction of the drive drum 59 is guided immovably.

1, the fold of the gown 11 will be shown below are explained on the folding machine. There are intermediate positions of the fully or partially folded smock 11 in Folding machines indicated by black lines.

After placing the unfolded gown 11 on the lay-on conveyor 14 and the removal of the folded transport bracket 12 from the smock 11 is the smock 11 with overhead Collar 39 at the top of the lay-up conveyor 14. Die Sleeves 16 hang on opposite sides of the lay-up conveyor 14 down. The coat 11 is now transported upwards by the lay-on conveyor 14 and around the upper drum of the lay-on conveyor 14 transported around on conveyor 37. Here are still in Area of the lay-on conveyor 14, the sleeves 16 at the sleeve folding stations 15 folded back so that it is under the Body part 17 lie when the smock 11 is on the conveyor 37 is located. The smock is then between the conveyor 37 and the pressure conveyor 41 through to the first transverse folding station 18 transported. After collar 39 the gap between the Leaves conveyor 37 and pressure conveyor 41, he will first transported from the intermediate conveyor 42 down, the conveyor 42 against the conveying direction 40 of the gown 11 by the Folding machine 10 is transported past the pressure conveyor 46. After the smock 11 with two thirds of its length is located on the intermediate conveyor 42, this is reversed, so that he now transports the smock 11 in the conveying direction 40. This is at the first transverse folding station 18 still located between the conveyor 37 and the pressure conveyor 41 lower third of the coat 11 to the middle third of the smock 11 and continuously the first transverse fold performed.

Subsequently, the cross coat 11, once folded, becomes the longitudinal folding conveyor 51 transported. After the smock 11 its Has reached the longitudinal folding position, the longitudinal folding conveyor 51 stopped and opposite edge areas of the coat 11 its middle part folded, making the smock 11 two parallel Receives longitudinal folds. After this discontinuous longitudinal folding the smock 11 is transported further by the longitudinal folding conveyor 51 to the second transverse folding station 21. Here is the smock 11 with the first transverse folding edge leading from the transverse folding conveyor 53 transported up against the general direction of conveyance 40. After the smock 11 with its half remaining Length has left the longitudinal folding conveyor 51, the transverse folding conveyor 53 reversed so that he now the smock 11 in Transport direction 40 transported. This is before the reversal second half still lying on the longitudinal folding conveyor 51 of the coat 11 placed on the lower half of the same, wherein the collar 39 comes to rest at the top in the conveying direction 40. With the second transverse fold so continuously produced the smock 11 completely folded. It is then used by the cross-fold conveyor 53, the pressure conveyor 55 and the press conveyor 57 the stacking surface 56 transported and through the closable opening in the stacking surface 56 on the stack 23 beforehand folded smock 11 filed.

Pants are folded on the folding machine 10 as follows:

The pants to be folded are placed on the bottom with the waistband Lay-on conveyor 14. After the pants to be folded are released from clips of the transport bracket 12, the folding pants with the legs ahead without activating the Sleeve folding stations 15 from the deposit conveyor 14 to the conveyor 37 transported. Before the front edge, i.e. the legs, of the pants get into the area of influence of the pressure conveyor 41 for example by blown from below through the conveyor 37 Compressed air hurled the legs of the pants and over that upper end 38 of the pressure conveyor 41 on the first Reversing conveyor 48 driven in the direction of arrow 63 transported. Once only the bottom two thirds the pants are on the conveyor 37, the drive of the Reverse conveyor 48 and the pressure conveyor 41 reversed. Now the reverse conveyor 48 is in the opposite direction to the arrow 63 driven and the pressure conveyor 41 runs synchronously with Conveyor 37 in the conveying direction 40. This takes place in the gap between the conveyor 37 and the rear end 50 of the Pressure conveyor 41 a continuous first transverse folding of the Pants, with a lower third of the legs on the remaining two Third of the pants are placed. The transverse folding station 19 is located consequently when folding pants in front of the transverse folding station 18 for folding gowns 11.

For folding pants takes place at the transverse folding station 18 for smocks 11 no transverse folding. Therefore, the intermediate conveyor 42 always driven in the direction of conveyance 40 when folding trousers, so that the area of influence of the conveyor 37 and the pressure conveyor 41 leaving trousers from intermediate conveyor 42 directly is transported to the longitudinal folding conveyor 51. Here are the pants as described in connection with the smock 11 with a or two parallel longitudinal folds. It is also conceivable with certain pants on the longitudinal folding conveyor 51 no longitudinal folds.

After the longitudinal folding, the second transverse folding of the pants takes place the second transverse folding station 21 in the same way as for the smock 11. So the pants are folded again in the middle, whereby the waistband comes to rest on the leg ends.

Alternatively, it is conceivable that the pants with an overhead waistband is placed on the lay-on conveyor 14. Then all the folds run as from the smock.

The folding lengths that can be achieved at the transverse folding stations 18, 19 or 21 are variable by increasing depending on the length of each folding garment individual transverse folding stations from Garment can be passed through without cross folding. To the Fold overalls are all transverse folding stations 18, 19, 21 used. Receive short items of clothing (e.g. aprons) no first transverse folding at the folding station 18 by moving from the Intermediate conveyor 42 immediately transported in the conveying direction 40 become. Alternatively, you can use short items of clothing without a first transverse fold, first from the intermediate conveyor 42 be transported far against the conveying direction 40 until they is located entirely on the intermediate conveyor 42. First then the intermediate conveyor 42 is reversed and that Garment transported in the direction of conveyance 40.

Reference symbol list :

10th

Folding machine

11

Smock

12th

Transport bracket

13

Conveyor system

14

Lay-on conveyor

15

Sleeve folding station

16

sleeve

17th

Fuselage

18th

Transverse folding station

19th

Transverse folding station

20th

Longitudinal folding station

21

Transverse folding station

22

Stacking table

23

stack

24th

Stacking area

25th

Conveyor

26

Sleeve folding conveyor

27

Partial conveyor

28

Partial conveyor

29

Deflection drum

30th

Deflection drum

31

Universal joint

32

Swivel axis

33

Pressure cylinder

34

Side support plate

35

Swivel axis

36

Pressure cylinder

37

Sponsor

38

top end

39

collar

40

Direction of conveyance

41

Pressure conveyor

42

Intermediate conveyor

43

front section

44

Obertrum

45

rear section

46

Pressure conveyor

47

front end

48

Reverse conveyor

49

The End

50

rear end

51

Longitudinal folding conveyor

52

front end

53

Cross fold conveyor

54

Obertrum

55

Pressure conveyor

56

Stacking surface

57

Press conveyor

58

Conveyor belt

59

Drive drum

60

back

61

head Start

62

Groove

63

arrow

Claims (11)

A method of folding items of clothing, in particular gowns, trousers or the like, the items of clothing to be folded being conveyed through at least one folding station and the items of clothing being folded in the folding station, characterized in that sleeves (16) of the item of clothing are folded before the first folding will. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sleeves (16) of the item of clothing are folded under a body part (17) of the item of clothing. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that before the sleeves (16) are folded in, the item of clothing, in particular the torso part (17) thereof, is centered on a support (lay-on conveyor 14), preferably the width of the rest (lay-on conveyor 14) is adapted to the width of the body part (17), in particular the shoulder width, of the item of clothing. Device for automatically folding items of clothing, in particular overalls, trousers or the like, with at least one folding station which is formed by at least one conveyor, characterized in that at least one conveyor each has only one conveyor belt (58) extending over the entire working width of the respective conveyor . Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that in at least one edge region of the conveyor belt (58) there is provided a guide member (projection 61) corresponding to at least one drum (deflection drum and / or drive drum 59) of the conveyor for guiding the conveyor belt (58) on the drums is. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the guide member is designed as an uninterrupted, V-belt-like projection (61) on the rear side (60) of the conveyor belt (58) and the projection (61) has a corresponding groove (62) in at least one Drum of the conveyor is assigned. Device for automatically folding items of clothing, in particular smocks, trousers or the like, with folding stations which are formed or connected to one another by conveyors, in particular according to claim 4, characterized in that in front of a first transverse folding station (18, 19) and / or longitudinal folding station ( 20) a sleeve folding station (15) for folding the two sleeves (16) of the respective item of clothing is arranged. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the sleeve folding station (15) is formed from two sleeve folding conveyors (26). Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each sleeve folding conveyor (26) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (32) extending in the conveying direction (40) of the conveyor (lay-up conveyor 14) receiving the body part (17). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each sleeve folding conveyor (26) is arranged relative to the conveyor (lay-up conveyor 14) conveying the body part (17) such that the sleeves (16) during folding in the conveying direction (40) of the conveyor ( Lay-on conveyor 14) can be transported further, preferably the sleeve folding conveyor (26) and the conveyor (lay-on conveyor 14) for the body part (17) of the item of clothing can be driven at essentially the same speed. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve folding conveyors (26) and / or guide members are preferably assigned to a lay-on conveyor (14) for taking over the items of clothing coming from a transport system and hanging on transport brackets (12).

Images