EP3702517A1 - Method and device for folding laundry items - Google Patents

Abstract

When folding items of laundry (10) having emblems (40), it is desirable that the emblems (40) remain visible after the items of laundry (10) have been completely folded by lying on the outside and not being covered during folding. In order to ensure this, the items of laundry (10) with emblems (40) had to be fed to the folding machine the right way up. The invention provides for an imaging device (38) to be arranged at the beginning of the folding machine, which determines whether the next the item of laundry (10) to be folded, the emblem (40) lies on an upper side (39) of the item of laundry (10). If an emblem (40) on the top (39) of the item of laundry (10) is detected by the imaging device (38), the longitudinal folding in a longitudinal folding station (11) is carried out in a different manner to items of laundry (10) in which the imaging device (38) has not detected an emblem (40) on the top (39). The invention makes it possible to automatically fold items of laundry (10) with an emblem (40) on any side or even no emblem (40), in that the emblems (40) are always freely visible on the outside.

Description

The invention relates to a method for folding items of laundry according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device for folding items of laundry according to the preamble of claim 6.

Items of laundry such as table linen, bed linen, towels, serviettes or the like (flat linen) or even smocks, shirts, shirts or the like (items of clothing) are automatically folded with devices, so-called folding machines. Such folding machines have at least one longitudinal folding station, which folds the laundry items with fold lines extending longitudinally to the direction in which the laundry passes through the folding machine, and optionally at least one transverse folding station following the longitudinal folding station, which folds the laundry items in such a way that the folding lines run transversely to the direction in which the laundry items run through the folding machine .

Some items of laundry have emblems on a flat side. Such emblems can have digits (numbers and / or letters) and alternatively or additionally at least one graphic representation (logo). Such emblems must be on the outside after the respective item of laundry has been folded so that they are visible when the item of laundry is folded, namely smaller emblems completely and larger emblems partially, in particular mostly.

The laundry items to be folded are usually fed to the folding machine with the emblem either on the top side or the bottom side. In this case, the emblems are randomly on top or bottom, whereby items of laundry with an emblem on top or bottom usually follow one another irregularly. For this reason, known folding machines do not always allow the items of laundry to be folded in such a way that the at least one emblem is on the outside after folding, i.e. is visible.

The invention is based on the object of creating a method and a device for folding items of laundry having emblems, with which the items of laundry can be folded in such a way that the emblems are always on the outside and are therefore visible.

A method for solving this problem has the measures of claim 1. Accordingly, when the item of laundry is still unfolded, it is determined whether at least one emblem is present on a specific side of the item of laundry. Depending on whether there is an emblem on the specific (viewed) side of the item of laundry or not, opposite longitudinal edge strips of the item of laundry are placed against one or the other side of an inner or central longitudinal strip or, if necessary, the longitudinal edge strip that has already been folded against the relevant side of the item of laundry folded. It is thus automatically ensured that at least one emblem that may be present on one side or the other of the item of laundry is always visible on the outside after the longitudinal folding. The at least one visible emblem can be present on the outside on the top or the bottom of the longitudinally folded item of laundry.

Preferably, the procedure is such that when no emblem is determined on the observed side of the still unfolded item of laundry, the longitudinal folding takes place as if there were at least one emblem on the opposite side of the item of laundry, even if the item of laundry has no emblem at all. In this way, the method can also be used for items of laundry without an emblem, without having to additionally determine whether the item of laundry in question even has an emblem.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided, in front of longitudinal folding members of the longitudinal folding station, to determine whether there is at least one emblem on a specific observed side, preferably an exposed upper side, of the item of laundry. The longitudinal folding takes place only when at least one emblem is detected on this particular or viewed side of the item of laundry the other way around than with items of laundry for which no emblem has been determined on this particular and / or viewed side. With this procedure, it is irrelevant whether the item of laundry in question even has an emblem.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, if no emblem has been determined on the particular side considered to detect the presence of at least one emblem, preferably the top, the longitudinal edge strips of the item of laundry are folded one after the other onto this side, in particular the central longitudinal strip, and only Then, when at least one emblem has been determined on the particular side viewed, in particular the top side, of the item of laundry, the longitudinal edge strips of the same are folded the other way around under the particular side viewed, preferably the underside of the central longitudinal strip. As a result, it is particularly easy to implement that an emblem or several emblems of the item of laundry in question are not covered during longitudinal folding.

Another advantageous embodiment of the method provides, after determining the presence or absence of at least one emblem on the particular side viewed, the central longitudinal stripe of the respective item of laundry, if the presence of at least one emblem on the relevant side viewed is on one side of the at least one Folding template and, if it is determined that at least one emblem is not present on the particular side of the item being viewed, to the other side of the at least one folding template, preferably under the same, in particular with at least one switch. This makes it possible to specifically fold the longitudinal edge strips onto or below the middle longitudinal strips of the item of laundry in such a way that the at least one emblem is not covered by the folded longitudinal edge strips of the item of laundry when it is folded lengthwise.

The longitudinal edge strips of the item of laundry are preferably always folded over to such a side of the central longitudinal strip of the item of laundry on which no emblem has previously been found. This also applies in the event that the opposite, unobserved side of the item of laundry also has no emblem, i.e. an item of laundry without any emblem.

The method can be developed in such a way that when the at least one emblem lies on a certain side of the lengthwise folded item of laundry after the longitudinal folding, such items of laundry are before the first transverse folding, preferably before the first, seen in the direction of passage of the laundry items through the folding machine, the transverse folding station following the longitudinal folding station, are turned over or turned. In contrast, items of laundry with at least one emblem on the side opposite the viewed side are fed to the first transverse folding station without being turned around. In this way it is ensured that in the case of items of laundry which are folded transversely after being longitudinally folded, in the case of transverse folding and possibly also several successive transverse folding processes, the at least one emblem of the item of laundry is not covered again. Even with items of laundry that are folded across at least once more after being folded lengthwise, the at least one emblem is always on the outside and is always visible on the outside even after being folded lengthways and crossways, either on top of the folded item of laundry or under it. In this latter case, the folded item of laundry only needs to be turned over by the hotel staff when it is put to use, for example when a folded towel is placed on a vanity shelf by the hotel staff so that the emblem is on top.

A device (folding machine) for solving the object mentioned at the beginning has the features of claim 6. In this device it is provided that a detection device is arranged in front of the longitudinal folding station or the beginning of the longitudinal folding station. The detection device determines whether at least one emblem is present on the side of the item of laundry detected by it, in particular viewed and / or determined. Furthermore, the device has at least one switch which allows the respective item of laundry to be guided optionally over at least one folding template or under the at least one folding template and / or on or under the folding slide for the longitudinal folds. This makes it possible to guide laundry items that have at least one emblem on the side viewed by the detection device to one side of the at least one folding template and laundry items that have no emblem or no emblem at all on the side viewed by the detection device have to lead to the opposite side of the at least one folding template. The device makes it possible to feed the laundry items to that side of the at least one folding template from where the longitudinal edge strips can be folded around the at least one folding template and the central longitudinal stiffener without the emblems of such laundry items being covered by the folded longitudinal edge strips.

The device is preferably designed such that the at least one folding template can be moved up and down. This is preferably done in such a way that the longitudinal folding of the respective item of laundry the middle longitudinal strip of the same optionally on the at least one folding template or below it. In this way, it is not only possible to transport items of laundry, in particular their central longitudinal edge strips, over or under the at least one folding template as required; it is also prevented that the longitudinal edge strips cover the emblem after the longitudinal folding.

Provision is preferably made for the detection device to be assigned to a feed conveyor to the longitudinal folding station or a conveyor to the longitudinal folding station in front of the longitudinal folding members. This assignment takes place in particular such that the detection device can determine whether or not the side of the still unfolded, flat item of laundry facing it has at least one emblem. As a result, it is possible for the detection device to determine, before the lengthwise folding begins, whether the side of the respective item of laundry that has been trimmed and viewed by it has at least one emblem or not. Thereupon at least some organs of the longitudinal folding device and possibly at least one diverter arranged upstream of these can be adjusted so that the laundry item in question can be conveyed into the longitudinal folding station positioned in the intended manner to the longitudinal folding elements.

A further development of the device provides for a switch to be assigned to opposite sides or outer sides of the adjacent folding templates, preferably fixedly assigned guide plates. Through the respective switch, opposite longitudinal edge areas of the respective item of laundry can be guided over the guide plates or under the guide plates of the lengthwise folding station when being transported into the longitudinal folding station, depending on whether or not at least one emblem has been found on the detected side. The longitudinal edge areas of the respective item of laundry can then be transferred above or below the central longitudinal strips of the item of laundry in such a way that they do not cover the at least one emblem, so that it would no longer be visible from the outside to the viewer.

Furthermore, it is provided that the switches and other means of the longitudinal folding station involved in the longitudinal folding are controlled and / or positioned accordingly by the at least one detection device or a control unit of the same, in order to realize longitudinal folding without overlapping the side of the item of laundry that has at least one emblem .

The device can advantageously be developed in such a way that a turning device is provided between the longitudinal folding station and the first transverse folding station following it in the direction of passage of the laundry items through the device. The turning device is designed for turning over certain lengthwise folded items of laundry as required. In particular, this device uses such an item of laundry in which the detection device has determined that at least one emblem is on such a side of this item of laundry that would be covered by a folded transverse edge strip of the item of laundry when it is folded crosswise. This ensures in a simple manner that the at least one emblem of the item of laundry that was left free during longitudinal folding is not covered during at least one subsequent transverse folding and thus that the at least one emblem is still visible from the outside after the respective item of laundry has been completely folded.

The detection device is preferably designed as an imaging device. For example, the detection device is formed by at least one camera. The imaging device, in particular a camera, records an image of a side of the respective item of laundry viewed by it, from which it can be derived whether this side of the item of laundry viewed has at least one emblem or not. In particular, it is intended to evaluate this image. This evaluation is preferably carried out electronically, in that image data of the image recorded by the imaging device, in particular the camera, are electronically evaluated in an evaluation device to determine whether there is at least one emblem on the page being viewed.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

das Faltschema eines mit der Vorrichtung der Fig. 1 gefalteten Wäschestücks in einer Seitenansicht gemäß der Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

einen vergrößert dargestellten Querschnitt durch eine Längsfaltstation der Vorrichtung zum Falten von Wäschestücken mit einem oben liegenden Emblem,

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt durch die Vorrichtung analog zur Fig. 3 nach dem Umfalten eines Längsrandstreifens des Wäschestücks,

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung analog zur Fig. 1,

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht des Faltschemas für ein Wäschestück mit einem untenliegenden Emblem in einer Darstellung analog zur Fig. 2,

Fig. 7

einen vergrößerten Querschnitt durch die Vorrichtung der Fig. 5, und

Fig. 8

einen Querschnitt analog zur Fig. 7 nach dem Umfalten eines Längsrandstreifens des Wäschestücks.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In this show:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of the device,

Fig. 2

the folding scheme of one with the device of Fig. 1 folded laundry in a side view according to FIG Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3

an enlarged cross-section through a longitudinal folding station of the device for folding laundry items with an overhead emblem,

Fig. 4

a cross section through the device analogous to Fig. 3 after folding over a longitudinal edge strip of the item of laundry,

Fig. 5

a side view of the device analogous to Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 6

a view of the folding scheme for an item of laundry with an underlying emblem in a representation analogous to FIG Fig. 2 ,

Fig. 7

an enlarged cross section through the device of Fig. 5 , and

Fig. 8

a cross-section analogous to Fig. 7 after folding over a longitudinal edge strip of the item of laundry.

The device shown in the figures is used for the longitudinal folding and then double transverse folding of an item of laundry 10. In technical jargon, such a device is also referred to as a "folding machine".

The invention is not limited to the device shown here for longitudinal folding and subsequent double transverse folding. The invention is also suitable for differently designed and / or configured devices for longitudinal folding and subsequent, single or even more than twice transverse folding. In the context of the invention, devices for longitudinally folding laundry items 10 only once are also conceivable.

The device shown in the figures and similar devices are used in particular for folding flat linen, such as tablecloths, bed sheets, duvet covers, pillows, towels and / or serviettes. In the case of serviettes in particular, it can be sufficient if the device has only a single longitudinal folding station or, if necessary, a single transverse folding station. However, the invention is also suitable for devices for folding items of laundry which are molded parts, for example smocks, shirts, shirts, pants or the like.

The device described below and shown in the figures has a longitudinal folding station 11 and two successive transverse folding stations, namely a first transverse folding station 12 and a second transverse folding station 13. The longitudinal folding station 11 follows in the direction of passage 14 (in the Fig. 1 , 2 , 5 and 6th from right to left) the first transverse folding station 12 and then the second transverse folding station 13.

First of all, the respective item of laundry 10 is folded in the longitudinal folding station 11 in such a way that it receives two parallel longitudinal folding lines running along the direction of passage 15. The width of the item of laundry 10 is essentially divided into three by folding a first longitudinal edge strip 16 and a longitudinal edge strip 17 against a central longitudinal strip 15, the width of which corresponds to approximately one third of the width of the item of laundry 10. The three longitudinal edge strips 16 and 17 also correspond to approximately one third of the width of the item 10. After the longitudinal folding, the first longitudinal edge strip 16 covers one side of the longitudinal strip 15 and the second longitudinal edge strip 17 covers the previously longitudinally folded longitudinal edge strip 16.

In the first transverse folding station 12, a first transverse edge strip 19 is brought through a first folding gap 18 through a transverse fold line running transversely to the direction of passage 14 to overlap with half of the remaining part of the laundry item 10 with two thirds of the length thereof. Subsequently, in the second transverse folding station 13, a second, rear transverse edge strip 20 with a length or width of likewise one third of the length of the item of laundry 10 is folded against the first transverse edge strip 19. Thereafter, the item of laundry 10 is divided into three in the longitudinal direction 10 by a so-called tube fold with a central transverse strip 21 of the item of laundry lying at the bottom, on which the first transverse edge strip 19 and then the second transverse edge strip 20 lie ( Fig. 2 and 6th ).

The device has a conveyor 23 extending continuously through the longitudinal folding station 11. Longitudinal folding members of the longitudinal folding station 11 are located above an upper run 24 of the conveyor 23. In the exemplary embodiment shown, these are two parallel and preferably identical, and preferably the same ones, arranged at a distance above the upper run 24 Folding templates 25. The elongated folding templates 25 extend in the direction of passage 14. The spacing of the folding templates 25 can be varied to adapt to laundry items 10 of different widths. Alternative devices with only a single folding template are conceivable.

On the outside, next to each folding template 15, a flat, stationary guide plate 26 and, underneath, a folding slide 27 are provided. These are also elongated, about as long as the folding templates 25. Their widths correspond to the width of a respective longitudinal edge strip 16 or 17 of the largest item of laundry 10 to be folded 10. The folding slide 27, which is arranged at a distance below the guide plate 26, is also above of the upper run 24 of the conveyor 23.

The first transverse folding station 12 is formed from two cooperating conveyors 28 and 29. The conveyor 28 is triangular and the conveyor 29 is straight. The conveyors 28 and 29 cooperate with two parallel and adjacent or possibly contiguous strands 30 and 31. An upper strand 32 of the triangular conveyor 28 follows the upper strand 24 of the conveyor 23 of the longitudinal folding station 11, seen in the direction of passage 14, between the mutually facing ends of the conveyors 23 and 28, the first folding gap 18 is formed, which represents a transverse folding gap. Approximately in the middle under the two conveyors 28 and 29 there is another conveyor 34 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, runs approximately horizontally. A second transverse folding gap 22 is located between an upper run 35 of this conveyor 34 and the lower end of the conveyor 29. When the conveyor 34 is driven in the direction for carrying out the second transverse folding in the second folding gap 22, this is followed by a second transverse folding gap Fig. 1 and 5 Destacking device 37, indicated only symbolically by a straight line, for folded laundry items 10. However, this destacking device 37 is not absolutely necessary or can also be arranged elsewhere.

All conveyors 23, 28, 29 and 34 of the device are designed as belt conveyors that can be driven in a rotating manner. The conveyors 28 and 34 are preferably reversible, as a result of which a part of the item of laundry 10 that is to be folded over by a transverse fold, in particular the transverse edge strips 19 or 20, can initially be transported across the respective folding gap 18 or 22 before the direction of rotation of the relevant conveyor 28 or 34, the respective transverse folding of the laundry item 10 takes place.

Seen in the direction of passage 14, a feed conveyor 33 for still unfolded, unfolded items of laundry 19 is provided in front of the conveyor 23. The feed conveyor 33 is preferably part of the device. The feed conveyor 34 is arranged close to the start of the conveyor 23. This is done in such a way that an item of laundry 10 spread out on an upper run 36 of the feed conveyor 36 ends directly in front of the beginning of the conveyor 23 and thus transports the laundry 10 from the upper run 36 of the feed conveyor 33 to the upper run 24 of the conveyor 23 and transfers it to it. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the feed conveyor 33 is arranged in front of the conveyor 23, seen in the direction of passage 14, rising slightly. However, the conveyor 34, like the conveyor 23, can also run horizontally, with the upper run 36 of the feed conveyor 33 and the upper run 24 of the conveyor 23 lying in a preferably identical and / or horizontal plane.

The device has a detection device, preferably an imaging device 38. This can be a camera, for example. The imaging device 38 is arranged upstream of the longitudinal folding station 11 as seen in the direction of passage 14.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the imaging device 38 is arranged approximately centrally above the feed conveyor 33 in such a way that it is directed at the upper run 36 of the conveyor 34 and / or a side to be detected or viewed of the item of laundry 10 lying on the upper run 36 . In the Fig. 1 and 5 the side viewed by the imaging device 38 is the exposed upper side 39 of the item 10 of laundry Fig. 1 this top side 39 of the laundry item 10 is shown with a series of dots. These points are intended to symbolize that part of the upper side 39 of the item of laundry 10 which (in the exemplary embodiment shown) has an emblem 40, but can also have several emblems. In the Fig. 5 the emblem 40 is on the other side of the item of laundry 10, namely the underside 41 of the item of laundry facing the upper run 24 or 36 of the feed conveyor 33 and the conveyor 23. The ones in the Fig. 1 and 5 The imaging device 38 shown is arranged vertically above the inclined conveyor 34. It is also conceivable to arrange the imaging device 38 approximately centrally over the upper run 36 of the conveyor 34, so that in particular its optical axis meets the upper run 36 and the item of laundry 10 lying on it perpendicularly.

In the transition area between the end of the feed conveyor 33 and the beginning of the conveyor 23 of the longitudinal folding station 11 running under the longitudinal folding elements, there are two spaced, adjacent and preferably identically designed switches 42. Each switch 42 has a pivotable guide finger 43, the front of which is seen in the direction 14 free end 45 is pivotable about a common horizontal pivot axis 44 extending transversely to the direction of passage 14. This pivot axis 44 lies in or slightly above the transition area between the mutually facing ends of the feed conveyor 33 and the conveyor 23. The two guide fingers 43 can be pivoted together around the pivot axis 44 by at least one actuating means, not shown, in such a way that the pivot axis 44 the opposite free end 45 of each guide finger 43 is located just above the upper run 24 of the conveyor 23 ( Fig. 1 ) or is pivoted up, whereby the free end 45 of each guide finger 43 lies in front of a front transverse edge 46 of the respective guide plate 26 ( Fig. 5 ). For this purpose, each of the two folding templates 25 is on opposite sides lying guide plates 26 assigned to one of the two switches 42. The switches 42 are therefore located in front of the longitudinal folding station 11.

The folding templates 25 of the longitudinal folding station 10 are designed to be adjustable in height. The height adjustment is carried out by a suitable drive depending on the presence or absence of at least one emblem 40 on the upper side 39 of the respective item of laundry 10 determined by means of the imaging device 38. If an emblem 40 is present on the upper side 39 of the item of laundry 10, which is initially to be longitudinally folded, the Folding templates 25 raised ( Fig. 1 , 3 and 4 ). The folding templates 25 are raised so that the height-adjustable folding slides 27 can slide the first transverse edge strip 19 and then the second transverse edge strip 20 under the folding templates 25, preferably one after the other. If no emblem 40 is found on the top 39 of the item 10, the folding templates 25 are lowered ( Fig. 5 , 7 and 8 ), so that the folding slides 27 push and / or fold the first transverse edge strip 19 and the second transverse edge strip 20 over the folding templates 25.

The guide plates 26 are fixedly arranged at the same distance above the upper run 24 of the conveyor 23. However, it can be provided that the folding slide 27 pushing the first longitudinal edge strip 16 under the folding templates 25 is arranged at a greater distance from the upper run 24 of the conveyor 23 than the other opposite guide plate 26 for longitudinally folding the second longitudinal edge strip 17 ( Figures 3 and 4 ).

Drawings are in the Figures 3 and 4 on the one hand and 7 and 8 on the other hand the distances between the guide plates 26 and the folding slide 27 to the conveyor 23 below are shown differently. In fact, these differences do not exist. The arrangement of the guide plates 26 and the folding slides 27 is when longitudinally folding items of laundry 10 with an overhead emblem 40 ( Figures 3 and 4 ) preferably exactly the same as when folding laundry items 10 lengthways with the emblem 40 below ( Figures 7 and 8 ).

The folding slides 27 are preferably one after the other transversely to the direction of passage 14 of the laundry items 10 through the longitudinal folding station 11 from their starting position under the guide plates 26 (cf. Fig. 3 and 7th ) movable under or over the folding templates 25, depending on which side of the item of laundry 10 to be longitudinally folded is a possibly present emblem 40. In this way, the transverse edge strips 19 and 20 are preferably folded in succession under the folding templates 25 with the emblem 40 on top and over the folding templates 25 with the emblem on top. However, it is also conceivable that, due to the height offset, the folding slide 27 (only in the Figures 3 and 4 shown) the folding slides 27 are moved together at the same time or almost simultaneously (with a slight time lag).

In the device shown here, a turning device 47, shown only symbolically, is provided behind the longitudinal folding station 11. This can be a turning gripper ( Fig. 1 , 2 and 5 , 6th ) act, but also a turning conveyor on which items of laundry 10 with an overhead emblem 40 can be turned in front of the first transverse folding station 12, for example.

The method according to the invention is explained below with reference to the device described above:
The detection device, in particular the imaging device 38, determines in a contactless manner in front of the longitudinal folding station 11 whether or not there is at least one emblem 40 on a specific, viewed side of the item of laundry 10, for example the top 39 of the item of laundry 10. Depending on whether or not there is at least one emblem on the viewed side of the item of laundry 10, this item of laundry 10 is folded in the longitudinal folding station 19 such that the longitudinal edge strips 16, 17 folded against the central longitudinal strip 15 do not cover the emblem 40 .

If, after the longitudinal folding, at least one transverse folding of the item of laundry 10 is carried out, the item of laundry 10 is possibly due to the determination made before the longitudinal folding station 11 whether an emblem 40 is present on the side of the item of laundry 10 viewed by the detection device, preferably imaging device 38 turned so that no emblem 40 of the respective laundry item 10 is covered when it is folded crosswise. If no emblem 40 is found on the observed side of the item of laundry 10, this means that either an emblem 40 is present on the opposite side of the item of laundry 10 or that the item of laundry 10 has no emblem 40 at all. In both cases, the item of laundry 10 is then folded in the longitudinal folding station 11 and at least one subsequent transverse folding station 12, 13, if applicable, so that the side of the item of laundry 10 opposite the viewed side is (also) not covered during folding, regardless of whether this side is an emblem 40 or not.

In the device shown here, the imaging device 38 determines in front of the longitudinal folding station 11, namely in the area of the feed conveyor 33, whether an emblem 40 is present on the upper side 39 of the respective item of laundry 10.

The Figs. 1 to 4 relate to the case of the presence of an emblem 40 on the top 39 of the laundry item 10. Due to the emblem 40 established on the top 39 of the laundry item 10, the switches 42 are operated in front of the guide plates 26 and the folding slides 27 so that the guide fingers 43 down to Upper run 24 of the conveyor 23 are pivoted ( Fig. 1 ). In addition, both folding templates 25 are raised equally so that they are above the level of the highest guide plate 26 ( Figures 3 and 4 ). The item of laundry 10 is now transported by the conveyor 23 into the longitudinal folding station 11 and here the drive of the conveyor 23 for longitudinally folding the item of laundry 10 is briefly stopped. A folding slide 27 is now first moved transversely to the direction of passage 14 under the folding templates 25 and the first longitudinal edge strip 16 is pushed under the folding templates 25 and thus under the central longitudinal strip 15 of the item 10, i.e. a first longitudinal fold is carried out. Then the opposite folding slide 27 is moved in the opposite direction to the first folding slide 27 transversely to the direction of passage 14 into the area under the folding templates 25 and the second longitudinal edge strip 17 of the item 10 is pushed under the first longitudinal edge strip 16. This results in the second longitudinal fold. In the embodiment shown, where the folding slides 27 are offset in height, the lower (second) folding slider 27 is moved at a distance below the first folding slider 27, the second longitudinal edge strip 17 coming to lie between the two folding slides 27, which are spaced one above the other. After both longitudinal edge strips 16 and 17 of the laundry item 10 have been pushed under the central longitudinal strip 15 of the laundry item 10 and folded in this way, both folding slides 27 are moved back into their starting position on both sides next to the folding templates 25 ( Fig. 3 ) and under the guide plates 26. The longitudinal folding of the laundry item 10 is then completed.

Subsequently, the longitudinally folded item of laundry 10 is transported further in the direction of passage 14 by the conveyor 23, leaving the area of the longitudinal folding station 11. The emblem 40 lies freely and visibly on the upper side 39 of the central longitudinal strip 15 of the longitudinally folded item of laundry 10.

The longitudinally folded item of laundry 10 with the emblem 40 on top is now, if necessary, if at least one transverse fold is to take place, from the turning device 47 before the first Transverse folding station 12 turned so that the original upper side 39 of the central longitudinal strip 15 with the emblem 40 after turning on the upper run 24 of the conveyor 23, that is now at the bottom. Subsequently, the item of laundry 10 is successively first folded transversely a first time in the first transverse folding station 12 and then transversely folded a second time in the second transverse folding station 13. After the longitudinal folding and double transverse folding, the result is a multi-layer tube of the item 10 of laundry, in which the emblem 40 lies at the bottom on the upper run 35 of the conveyor 34. Subsequently, the fully folded item of laundry 10 is transported by the conveyor 34 to the stacking device 37 which may follow it directly.

If the imaging device 38 or some other detection means does not detect an emblem 40 on the upper side 39 of the item of laundry 10, either at least one emblem 40 for the imaging device 38 is undetectable on the underside 41 of the item of laundry 10 or the item of laundry 10 has no emblem 40. In both cases, the subsequent folding of the laundry item 10 takes place in the same way.

The Figures 5 to 8 show the folding of an item of laundry 10 with at least one emblem 40 on the underside 41. Similarly, an item of laundry 10 is folded without any emblem 40. If the imaging device 38 or a detection means on the top 39 of the item of laundry 10 has not detected an emblem 40, the two switches 42 arranged in front of the guide plates 26 are positioned in a controlled manner in such a way that their guide fingers 43 are pivoted up about the pivot axis 44. This pivoting up takes place in such a way that the free ends 45 of both guide fingers 43 lie in front of the front transverse edges 46 of the guide plates 26 which are at the front in the direction of passage 14 ( Fig. 5 ). As a result, the item of laundry 10 can be pushed onto the stationary guide plates 26 by the conveyor 23 and possibly also supported by the feed conveyor 33 with its longitudinal edge strips 16 and 17. In addition, in the case of laundry items 10 with an emblem 40 below or no emblem 40, the folding templates 25 are moved down before the laundry item 10 is transported into the longitudinal folding station 11, namely so far that they are a short distance above the upper run 24 of the conveyor 23 and the guide plates are located 26 and folding slide 27 are located above the folding templates 25 ( Figures 7 and 8 ).

After the item of laundry 10 has been transported into the longitudinal folding station 11, in particular by the conveyor 23, the longitudinal folding takes place with the conveyor 23 at a standstill. Here is first by a process of a lateral folding slide 27 on the Folding templates 25 of the first longitudinal edge strips 16 of the item of laundry 10 pushed from the folding slide 27 over the folding templates 25 and the central longitudinal strip 15 and the first longitudinal folding of the item of laundry 10 is carried out. The second folding slide 27 is then pushed into the middle of the longitudinal folding station 11 over the folding template 25 and the second longitudinal edge strip 17 of the item of laundry 10 is pushed over the longitudinal edge strip 16 and the second longitudinal fold is thereby carried out.

If the folding slides 27 and lightweight sheets 26 as shown in the Figures 7 and 8 are arranged at the same height, after the first longitudinal fold, the folding slide 27 is retracted before the opposite folding slide 27 carries out the second longitudinal fold. If as shown in the Figures 3 and 4 the folding slide 27 and guide plates 26 are offset in height, the second transverse folding can already take place when the folding slide 27 made the first transverse folding is still above the first longitudinal edge strip 16 placed over the folding templates 25 during the first transverse folding.

After the longitudinal folding, the longitudinally folded laundry item 10 is transported by the conveyor 23 from the longitudinal folding station 11 to the first transverse folding station 12. The item of laundry 10 is transported through the turning device 47 without being turned. The turning device 47 thus remains inactive in the case of laundry items 10 with the emblem 40 below.

Following the longitudinal folding (if necessary or desired), the two transverse folding stations 12, 13 sequentially fold the laundry item 10 transversely, just as in connection with the Figs. 1 to 4 described, to which reference is made.

After the complete folding of an item of laundry 10 with the emblem 40 lying at the bottom before the folding, this emblem 40 is visible on the outside of the item of laundry 10 after the item of laundry 10 has been completely folded, namely outside on the underside of the central transverse strip 21 of the item of laundry 10 ( Fig. 6 ). <b> List of reference symbols: </b> 10 Laundry item 41 bottom 11 Longitudinal folding station 42 Soft 12 first cross folding station 43 Guide finger 13 second cross folding station 44 Swivel axis 14th Flow direction 45 free end 15th Longitudinal stripes 46 front transverse edge 16 Longitudinal margins 47 Turning device 17th Longitudinal margins 18th first folding gap 19th first transverse edge strip 20th second transverse edge strip 21st middle horizontal stripe 22nd second folding gap 23 Sponsor 24 Upper run 25th Folding template 26th Baffle 27 Folding slider 28 Sponsor 29 Sponsor 30th Dream 31 Dream 32 Upper run 33 Feeder 34 Sponsor 35 Upper run 36 Upper run 37 Stacking device 38 imaging facility 39 Top 40 emblem

Claims (11)

A method for folding items of laundry (10), wherein in a longitudinal folding station (11) a first longitudinal edge strip (16) of the item of laundry (10) by folding means around at least one folding template (25) against a central and / or inner longitudinal strip (15) of the item of laundry (10) folded, then an opposite longitudinal edge strip (17) of the item of laundry (10) is folded against the longitudinal edge strip (16) previously folded under the longitudinal strip (15), and then the longitudinally folded item of laundry (10) is optionally folded transversely at least once, characterized in that before the longitudinal folding, when the laundry items (10) are still unfolded, it is determined whether there is at least one emblem (40) on an adjacent side of the laundry item (10) and, depending on whether on the viewed side of the laundry item (10) an emblem (40) or no emblem (40) has been determined, the two longitudinal edge strips (16, 17) against one or the other side of the longitudinal strip (15) or the longitudinal edge strips (16, 17) already placed against the longitudinal strip (15) are folded. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is determined spatially in front of the longitudinal folding station (11), in particular in front of longitudinal folding members of the longitudinal folding station (11), whether on a specific and / or viewed side, preferably the viewed side, of the item of laundry (10) at least one emblem (40) is located and only if no emblem (40) is detected on this side of the item of laundry (10), the lengthwise folding of the item of laundry (10) takes place the other way around than in the case of items of laundry (10) in which at least one emblem (40) has been determined on this particular side. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that if no emblem (40) has been determined on the specific and / or viewed side of the item of laundry (10), the longitudinal edge strips (16, 17) of the item of laundry (10) appear one after the other this side are folded and then, when at least one emblem (40) has been determined on the particular side of the item of laundry (10) viewed, the longitudinal edge strips (16, 17) of the item of laundry (10) on the side of the item of laundry opposite this side viewed ( 10) can be folded. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, after determining the presence or absence of at least one emblem (40) on the specific and / or viewed side of the item of laundry (10), a central longitudinal strip (15) of this item of laundry (10) is detected Presence of at least one emblem (40) is routed to one side of the at least one folding template (25), and upon determination of the absence of at least one emblem (40) on the specific and / or viewed side of the item of laundry (10), the longitudinal strips (15) thereof is passed to the other side of the at least one folding template (25), in particular through at least one switch (42). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the at least one emblem (40) lies on one side of the longitudinally folded item of laundry (10) after the longitudinal folding, such a laundry item (10) is turned over before the first transverse folding, whereas in the case of an item of laundry with at least one emblem on a side opposite the side, is fed to a first transverse folding station (12) without turning it around. Device for folding items of laundry (10) with a longitudinal folding station (11) and optionally at least one transverse folding station (12, 13), at least one conveyor (23) for transporting the items of laundry (10) through the longitudinal folding station (11) and the longitudinal folding station (11) associated longitudinal folding elements, such as at least one folding template (25), guide plates (26) and / or folding elements, characterized in that the conveyor (23) of the longitudinal folding station (11) in front of the longitudinal folding elements or in the area of a feed conveyor (23) arranged in front of the conveyor (23) 33) is assigned at least one detection device from which it can be determined whether the Detection device detected and / or viewed side the item of laundry (10) in question has at least one emblem (40), and at least one switch (42) in front of the longitudinal folding members for optionally guiding a central longitudinal strip (15) of the item of laundry (10) under or over the at least a folding template (25). Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one folding template (25) can be moved up and down in such a way that, for longitudinal folding of the respective item of laundry (10), the inner longitudinal strip (15) of the same for longitudinal folding either on or under the at least a folding template (25) lies. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a switch (42) is arranged in front of the two opposite sides of the single folding template (25) or on the outside next to each of two adjacent folding templates (25), preferably stationary, guide plates (26) is. Device according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the detection device is assigned to the feed conveyor (33) or the conveyor (23), preferably in such a way that the detection device can determine whether the side facing and / or viewed by it can be determined of the respective item of laundry (10) has at least one emblem (40). Device according to one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that a turning device (47) is provided between the longitudinal folding station (11) and the first transverse folding station (12) following it, which turns over those items of laundry (10) which the detection device has detected that the emblems (40) lie on such a side that is covered by a transverse edge strip (19, 20) of the laundry items (10) when folded transversely. Device according to one of Claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the detection device is designed as an imaging device (38), preferably at least one camera.

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