FR2963797A1 - INVERTER PLATE MODULE, OLITING MACHINE AND CORRESPONDING FOLDING METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an inverter ply module comprising: - a first conveyor (301) comprising a first drive shaft (307) of a first conveying means, - a second conveyor (303) comprising a second drive axis (313) a second conveying means, the two conveyors forming a V-angle and being spaced apart by a gap (305), - a first actuating means (309) of the first drive shaft (307) controlled by first control means (311); second actuating means (315) of the second driving axis (313) controlled by a second control means (317) configured to control the inversion of the rotation direction of the second drive shaft (313). The first control means (311) is configured to control a slowing down of the first conveyor (301) when an article engages the second conveying means, so as to avoid excess material at the gap (305). ). The invention further relates to a corresponding machine and a folding method.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the transverse folding of textile articles by an inverting fold.

Some known folding machines have one or more inverter fold stations. An exemplary embodiment of an inverting folding station comprises a first and a second conveyor arranged one behind the other in the direction of advance of a textile article, these two conveyors being separated from a gap forming a corridor. inversion folding. In operation of the inverting fold station, when the middle of the article advancing on the two conveyors is substantially at the gap between the two conveyors is controlled reversal of the first conveyor to fold the piece. According to this known solution, a jack may be provided to move the conveyor rollers away from the conveyors so as to enlarge the gap before folding the article by inversion. In a variant, a system equivalent to symmetrical and vertical swallowing is known. Inverting ply stations are for example used for the last two transverse folds of articles according to a commonly used folding technique comprising two first longitudinal folds in the third and two last folds transverse to the third. Folding machines equipped with "V" reversing folds are also known, for example when they are implanted directly at the outlet of drying-ironing machines to perform first folds on fine articles in thickness, such as towels, tea towels, tablecloths, sheets. With this type of inverting "V" fold, it is indeed difficult to bend parts having very large thickness variations. Such reversing plies operate with constant speeds of the order of 20 to 50 mm / min chosen to have a compromise to obtain precision during the formation of the folds without penalizing production. The current implementation of these inverting folds in the chassis of a folding machine does not make it possible to have good visibility on the various phases of execution of folding on an article, which makes the adjustments and the search for anomaly plus BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -2- "complicated" and makes it difficult maintenance and change of parts of the folding machine as well as cleaning. In addition, the drive systems driving the various conveyors for the inverting fold are traditionally indirectly via, for example, pulleys, belts, tensioners, return rollers, electromagnetic clutches thus complicating in particular the access to the mechanical and the interview. However, a live edit can operate very randomly in precision and folding quality, because the inversion for folding takes some time to be done taking into account the stopping of the conveying system and the change of direction of rotation, and the article continues to advance on the other conveyor; there is therefore a risk of surplus material of a thick textile article in the folding zone. Moreover, in order to improve the quality of folding by also avoiding the jams of thick articles, it is possible, according to a known solution, to discard the conveyors according to predetermined and fixed values, before folding for a given category of textile article. The interstice between the conveyors is therefore preset and fixed before and during the folding of the textile articles. However, depending in particular on the difference in texture or the number of washes of textile articles of the same category, these textile articles may have different dimensions and thicknesses. Textile articles in good condition can be more crushed during the passage in the pre-set gap compared to textile articles a little more worn, which can instead be very tight even though belonging to the same category. In addition, with such a system, for folding various textile articles ranging for example from an article called "small dish" such as a thick cloth of the order of 4 mm to an article said "large dish Or "shaped" such as a bathrobe with a thickness of about 120 mm, it is necessary to program many spacer positions to preselect for adaptation to each item, which further complicates the mechanical design and pneumatic, as well as servo. This solution therefore applies rather to the folding of textile articles having limited thickness variations and may not be effective when there is too much variation in thickness. Moreover, on certain folding machines, when a textile article is jammed between the two conveyors, an emergency stop is triggered and the gap between the two conveyors can be enlarged so as to loosen the textile article stuck between the two conveyors. two conveyors and allow the removal of this textile article by an operator. However, the removal of a coin stuck between the conveyors remains manual and not automatic and therefore slows down production. In addition, with the existing folding machines, if the inverted-fold downstream station is not available and is for example occupied by a stack of folded textile articles, it is known to stop the advancement of the next textile article at fold and put it on hold at the upstream station at the inverting crease. As a result, no textile article is at the inverting fold, and this leads to a loss of production. It is therefore an object of the invention to at least partially overcome one or more of these disadvantages by providing a less complex manufacturing inverter fold module with respect to the prior art by improving the bending quality and the production particularly for thick items. To this end, the subject of the invention is an inverter ply module of a textile article folding machine, comprising: a first textile article conveyor to be folded comprising a first article conveying means and a first driving axis of said conveying means, a second textile article conveyor to be folded comprising a second textile article conveying means and a second driving axis of said conveying means, said second conveyor being arranged to form a substantially at "V" angle with the first conveyor and such that the two conveyors are spaced from each other by a gap, a first actuating means for driving in rotation the first driving axis, a second means for actuation for driving in rotation the second drive axis BRT0600-pli inverter, a first means for controlling the first actuating means, and a second means for controlling the second actio means configured to control the reversal of the direction of rotation of the second drive axis, characterized in that the first control means is configured to control a slowing of the first conveyor when a textile article to be folded from the first conveying means. is engaged on the second conveying means, so as to avoid excess material at the gap during the reversal of the direction of rotation of the second drive axis. Said module may furthermore comprise one or more of the following characteristics, alone or in combination: the first control means is configured to determine the moment when to control the slowing down and the slowing down time of the first conveyor according to the textile article. to bend, the first control means is configured to control the reversal of the direction of rotation of the first drive axis, each actuating means is directly connected to the associated drive shaft and to on the other hand by means of associated control, each control means is configured to vary the speed of the associated conveyor 20 according to the cycle phase of said inverter ply module, said module comprises a textile article presence detector on a downstream zone of the second conveyor, and said control means are configured to respectively control an acceleration of said conveying means of said conveyors after reversing the sen s advancement of the second conveying means if the downstream zone is free, and to control a stop of said conveying means if the downstream zone is occupied,

the second conveyor is pivotally movable so as to adapt, during the folding of a textile article, the opening angle of the gap between the two conveyors to the thickness of the textile article being bent, The module comprises an actuator for progressively driving the second conveyor pivotally in a first direction so as to continuously open the gap to a predefined opening angle, and once the in a second direction to reach the opening angle, the closing angle of the aperture angle is determined by the thickness of said article being bent, the opening angle is determined according to the textile article, the second conveying means is elastically deformable, so as to flex when a textile article passes between the two conveyors via the gap, the second conveying means comprises a plurality of full straps The second conveyor has a flexible element fixed below the second conveying means to homogenize the bending of said conveyor belts and to create a complementary compensation, said module comprises a means complementary folding aid for a textile article to strengthen the execution of the transverse folding, the complementary means of folding aid comprises a folding knife mounted on the second conveyor and movable in linear translation, said knife is integral with the second a conveyor via a rotational axis connected to a connection system integral with the frame of said machine, so that during the pivoting of the second conveyor said knife is configured to pivot in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of rotation of the machine; second conveyor, said knife is configured to pivot at an angle substantially equal to half of the the pivot module of the second conveyor, the module comprises a position sensor (336) arranged on the actuator (334) of said knife (333), so that at the detection of a predetermined position of the actuator, this This drive causes translation of said knife (333) during a predetermined stroke, the additional means of folding assistance comprises a blowing means for BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -6- generate a flow of air transversely to the textile article , the blowing means is integral with the folding knife. The invention also relates to a folding machine comprising an inverting fold module as defined above. The invention also relates to a folding method implemented by such an inverter ply module comprising the following steps: the textile article advances on the first conveyor means at a first nominal speed in a first downward direction of the conveyor. first conveying means, the textile article arrives on the second conveying means at a first nominal speed in a first upward traveling direction of the second conveying means, - the first conveying means is slowed down for a predefined duration, reverses the direction of travel of the second conveying means, so that the textile article advances in a second downward direction of travel opposite the first direction of travel, it is checked whether the downstream zone is free and the speed is adjusted advancement of conveyors in operation. Said method may furthermore comprise one or more of the following characteristics, alone or in combination: if the downstream zone is free, the speed of advancement of the conveyors is accelerated, if the downstream zone is free, it is defined as the forwarding speeds of the conveyors Said nominal conveyor speeds, if the downstream zone is occupied, the textile article is blocked, said method comprises the following steps: the second conveying means is driven in the first upward direction of travel; in a second direction of advancement amount opposite to the first downward direction of travel 30 for a predefined period, BRT0600-pli inverter 2963797 -7- - after the lapse of the predefined duration, the first conveying means is conveyed in the first direction of downward advancement so as to eject any textile article stuck between the two conveyors, said step so as to eject any textile article e stuck between the two conveyors is implemented at the start of the folding machine, said step so as to eject any textile article wedged between the two conveyors is implemented when a blockage of a textile article between the two conveyors is reported manually or automatically, said method comprises the steps of: controlling the pivoting of the second conveyor so as to open the gap between the first and second conveyors to compensate for the thickness of a textile article being bent; to a predefined opening angle and then closing said opening angle, - the folding knife is angularly displaced during the pivoting of the second conveyor so as to substantially center said knife relative to the gap; said knife is moved linearly in translation in a predefined stroke, and - a flow of air is generated via a blowing means integral with said knife 20 f to help with inversion folding. Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example, without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the invention; schematically a side view of a folding machine with respect to the direction of advancement of a textile article to be folded on the machine, FIG. 2 a is a simplified representation of a textile article to be folded according to a third-fold principle, FIG. 2b shows the article of FIG. 2a after transverse folding to the third above, FIG. 2c represents the article of FIG. 2b after a first longitudinal folding to the third, FIG. 2d represents the article of FIG. 2c after a second longitudinal folding to the third, FIG. 2e shows the article of FIG. 2d after a transversal fold in two form, FIG. 3a is a simplified representation of a textile article to be 3b represents the article of FIG. 3a after transverse folding to the third from below, FIG. 3c represents the article of FIG. 3b after a first longitudinal folding at the end of FIG. third, FIG. 3d represents the article of FIG. 3c after a second longitudinal folding to the third, FIG. 3e represents the article of FIG. 3d after a transverse folding in two parts; FIG. 4a is a simplified representation of an article. textile fabric to be folded according to a quarter fold principle, Fig. 4b shows the article of Fig. 4a after a transverse folding to the half-roll of the article, Fig. 4c shows FIG. 4b after a first longitudinal folding to the third, FIG. 4d shows the article of FIG. 4c after a second longitudinal folding to the third, FIG. 4e represents the article of FIG. 4d after a folding. Finally, FIG. 5a schematically represents a textile article to be folded according to a fold-in-fold principle by means of a double inner transverse fold, FIG. 5b shows the article of FIG. 5a after a first transverse folding at FIG. 5c shows the article of FIG. 5b after a second quarterwise transverse folding, FIG. 5d represents the article of FIG. 5c after a first longitudinal folding to the third, FIG. 5e represents the article of FIG. Fig. 5d after a second longitudinal folding to the third, Fig. 5f shows the article of Fig. 5e after a two-sided transverse folding, Fig. 6a schematically shows a textile article to be folded according to a quarter folding principle. FIG. 6b shows the article of FIG. 6a after a first transverse folding in two, FIG. 6c represents the article of FIG. 6b after a second folding. Transverse to the third of the folded article, Fig. 6d shows the article of Fig. 6c after a first longitudinal fold to the third, Fig. 6e shows the article of Fig. 5d after a second longitudinal fold to the third, FIG. 6f shows the article of FIG. 6e after a transverse folding into two BRT0600-fold reverser 2963797 -10- fmal, FIG. 7 schematically and simplifiedly illustrates a view from the side with respect to the direction of advancement of an article. 1 to fold, a first and a second successive transverse folding modules of the machine of Figure 1, Figure 8a partially and in simplified form a top view of a conveying means 9 of the machine FIG. 8b partially and schematically shows a side view of the conveying means of FIG. 8a; FIG. 9 is a schematic and simplified representation of a view from above of the first transverse folding module; and the second transverse folding module of FIG. 7, FIG. 10a schematically and partially illustrates a view from above of the conveying means of FIG. 8a carrying an article to be folded, FIG. 10b partially and in simplified manner illustrates a view 10 is a side view of the first transverse folding module of the machine of FIG. 1 in a first lower position of a clamp. Fig. 12 shows in a simplified manner a side view of the first transverse folding module of Fig. 11 in a second upper position of the finger grip for gripping the upstream edge of an article to be folded, FIG. 13 schematically shows a side view of the first transverse folding module of FIG. 11 in a third intermediate position of the finger grip for releasing the FIG. 14 schematically and schematically illustrates a side view of a first and second successive transverse folding module of FIG. 7 in the folded position of a finger flap of the second transverse folding module, FIG. 15 schematically and schematically shows a top view of the first transverse folding module of the second transverse bending reversing module BRT0600-fold, of a thickness compensating folding module, and of a final transverse folding module of the machine of FIG. 1, FIG. 16a shows schematically and simplified a front view of the thickness-compensated folding module, with respect to the direction of advance of a machine. FIG. 16b partially represents a perspective view of a folding flap of the folding module of FIG. 16a; FIG. 17a partially and in a simplified manner In front of the folding flap of FIG. 16b in the receiving position of an article to be folded, FIG. 17b partially and in simplified form shows a front view of the fold flap of FIG. 17a in a pivoting manner, FIG. shows partially and in a simplified manner a front view of the folding flap of FIG. 17b after pivoting in the folding position of a thick article, FIG. 17d partially and in a simplified manner shows a front view of the folding flap of FIG. FIG. 17b after pivoting in the folding position of an article fm, FIG. 18 schematically and simplifiedly illustrates a view from above of the folding flap of FIG. 16b implanted transversely on the machine of FIG. 1 for a transverse folding, FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic and simplified illustration of a side view with respect to the direction of advancement of a textile article, of an inverting fold module of the machine of FIG. 1, FIG. Partly a simplified side view of the inverter fold module during folding of a thick article with a double compensation of the thickness of the article, Figure 21 schematically and schematically illustrates a side view of a first variant of an evacuation module for crumpled textile articles of the machine of FIG. 1, FIG. 22 schematically and schematically illustrates a side view of a variant variant BRT0600-pli 2963797 -12- of an evacuation module crumpled textile articles of the machine of Figure 1, Figure 23 is a front view of a squeegee to evacuate a stack of textile articles on a transfer means of a module d Figure 24 is a partial perspective view of the squeegee and transfer means of Figure 23, Figure 25 schematically and schematically illustrates a side view of the evacuation module. of Figure 22 after receipt of a 10 is a stack of crushed textile articles, FIG. 26 schematically and schematically illustrates a side view of the evacuation module of FIG. 25 after transfer of the stack of textile articles received on a transient portion of the transfer means, Fig. 27 schematically and schematically shows a side view of the evacuation module of Fig. 26 illustrating the receipt of a new stack of folded articles during the staging of the previous stack on the transient portion, and Figure 28 schematically and schematically illustrates a side view of the evacuation module of Figure 27 after evacuation of a stack of textile articles 20 on an evacuation conveyor. In these drawings and in the rest of the description, the substantially identical elements bear the same references.

Folding machine as a whole: FIG. 1 shows a folding machine 1 for textile articles 3 (FIGS. 2a to 6f) of various categories of articles, such as tea towels, pillowcases, sponges, sheets of bath or pants, jackets, blouses and bathrobes. This folding machine 1 (FIG. 1) comprises several successive folding modules Ml to 30 M4 of textile articles 3 and an evacuation module M5 of the folded reversing textile articles 3 BRT0600-fold. More specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment the folding modules are arranged as follows: a first transverse folding module M1, a second transverse folding module M2 downstream of the first transverse folding module Ml to perform a transverse folding separately from the first transverse folding module M1, - a longitudinal folding module M3 downstream of the transverse folding modules M1 and M2, and a last transverse folding module M4.

Principles of folding obtained by the folding machine 1:

This particular arrangement of the folding modules M1 to M4 of the folding machine 1 allows for specific folding principles, with good folding quality and improved production. Some of these folding principles are now described.

1) One-third folding (FIGS. 2a to 2e) The third folding comprises: a first transverse fold exerted on the third of the article 3, along a transverse folding axis A1 illustrated in FIG. 2a, by folding back the article 3 above that is to say on the face of the article 3 opposite the face intended to be in contact with the machine 1 (Figure 2b), 25 a second longitudinal fold to the third of the article 3 along an axis longitudinal folding A2 shown in Figure 2b, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in Figure 2c, a third longitudinal fold to the third of the article 3 on the other side of the article 3 along another axis of longitudinal folding A3 shown in FIG. 2b, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in FIG. 2d, and BRT0600-fold inverter -13- 2963797 -14- a last transverse fold to half of the article 3 such that it is presented (Figure 2d) already folded transversely and longitudinally, the latter fold being made along a pliag axis e transversal A4 illustrated in Figure 2d, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in Figure 2e. This folding principle can be applied for the folding of various articles, such as tea towels, placemats or sponges, bath towels. With such a folding, for example a towel folded according to this principle holds properly on a towel holder without unfolding, unlike a towel folded in the traditional manner with two longitudinal folds third followed by two folds 10 transverse to the third which unfolds a once placed on a towel rail. The transverse folds can be made from the front or rear of the article 3 relative to the direction of advance SA of article 3 on the machine 1 (Figure 1).

2) Folding with a third pocket (FIGS. 3a to 3e) This second type of folding differs from the first in that the first transverse fold is made by folding the article 3 from below (FIG. 3b). that is to say on the face of the article 3 intended to be in contact with the machine 1. Such folding from below is possible thanks to a transverse folding module M1 comprising a finger grip as detailed below.

Thus, the third fold with pouch comprises: a first transverse fold exerted on the third of the article 3, along a transverse folding axis A1 illustrated in Figure 3a, by folding the article 3 from below (Figure 3b), a second longitudinal fold to the third of the article 3 along a longitudinal fold axis A2 shown in Figure 3b, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in Figure 3c, a third longitudinal fold to the third of the article 3 of the the other side of the article 3 along another longitudinal folding axis A3 shown in FIG. 3b, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in FIG. 3d, and a last transverse fold at half of the article 3 such BRT0600-fold invertor 2963797 -15- already folded transversely and longitudinally, this fold being made according to a transverse folding axis A4 illustrated in FIG. 3d, so as to obtain the folded article 3 (FIG. in Figure 3e with a pocket 5. As a result at the end of the folding, we obtain the pocket 5 in which we can slide 5 for example a leaflet or a decoration or hotel object such as a soap. As before, this folding principle can be applied for the folding of various articles, such as tea towels, placemats or sponges, bath towels. With such a folding, for example a folded towel according to this principle also fits correctly on a towel holder without unfolding, unlike a towel folded in the traditional manner with two longitudinal folds third followed by two folds transverse to the third which unfolds. once on a towel rack.

These two previous third-fold principles make it possible to obtain, once the article 3 has been folded, dimensions similar to those obtained by traditional third-party folding principles.

3) Quarter folding (FIGS. 4a to 4e) For the quarter folding, provision is made for: a first transverse fold exerted at half of the article 3 along a folding transverse fold axis B1 illustrated in FIG. 4a, in folding article 3 over (FIG. 4b), a second longitudinal fold to the third of article 3 along a longitudinal folding axis B2 represented in FIG. 4b, so as to obtain article 3 folded in FIG. 4c , a third longitudinal fold to the third of the article 3 on the other side of the article 3 along another longitudinal folding axis B3 shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in FIG. 4d, and a last transverse fold to half of the article 3 as it is (FIG. 4d) BRT0600-fold inverter already folded transversely and longitudinally, the latter fold being made along a fold axis transverse B4 shown in Figure 4d, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in Figure 4e. As before, this folding principle can be applied for the folding of various articles, such as tea towels, placemats or sponges, bath towels. Similarly, the transverse folds can be made from the front or rear of the article 3 with respect to the direction of advance SA of article 3 (Figure 1).

4) Fourfold folding by double transverse folding (FIGS. 5a to 5e) According to a variant, folding is provided by internal double transverse folding, that is to say with: a first transverse fold exerted at a quarter of the article 3 and from the front of the article 3, along an upstream transverse folding axis C1 illustrated in FIG. 5a, by folding article 3 over it (FIG. 5b), a second transverse fold exerted at a quarter of the article. 3 and from the rear of article 3, along a downstream transverse folding axis C2 illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b, by folding article 3 over (FIG. 5c), this second transverse fold is dissociated and independent of the first transverse fold, a third longitudinal fold to the third of the article 3 along a longitudinal folding axis C3 shown in FIG. 5c, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in FIG. 5d, a fourth longitudinal fold to the third of Article 3 on the other side of Article 3 along a fold axis e longitudinal C4 shown in Figures 5c and 5d, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in Figure 5e, and a final transverse fold to half of Article 3 as it stands (Figure 5e) already folded transversely and longitudinally, the last fold being along a transverse folding axis C5 illustrated in Figure 5e, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in Figure 5f. Two longitudinal plies have been described here, one third after the two transverse reverse plies BRT0600-ply. As an alternative, it is possible to provide a single longitudinal fold at a given predetermined value of the article, which may be at half, for example. With this folding principle, at the last transverse fold, there are only three thicknesses of article to be folded, reducing the risk of creating creases. In addition, once the article 3 folded, no edge or corner of the article 3 is visible but is inside the fold. This folding principle can be carried out on all kinds of articles, but is particularly suitable for folding articles of length up to twice the length of the longitudinal folding module, for example of length of the order d a 10 meter. This folding principle is also very suitable for folding articles whose outer corners and edges are not uniform and rectilinear such as fitted sheets or blankets whose elastics and fringes are found entirely inside the article. 3 folded providing a good quality of folding, and avoiding various 15 jams in the machine 1 during bending.

These two previous one-quarter folding principles also make it possible to obtain once article 3 folded dimensions similar to those obtained by traditional quarter folding principles. 5) Reduced Quarter Folding (FIGS. 6a to 6f) According to yet another variant, a folding is provided to reduce at the most the dimensions of the articles comprising: a first transverse fold exerted at half of the article 3, following a transverse folding axis D1 illustrated in FIG. 6a, by folding article 3 from above (FIG. 6b), a second transverse fold exerted by the rear of article 3 to a predefined value of article 3 chosen in FIG. depending on the desired final result, this value being for example one-third of the article 3 in the illustrated example, and along a transverse folding axis D2 illustrated in FIG. 6b, by folding the article 3 by BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -18- above (Figure 6c), a third longitudinal fold to the third of the article 3 along a longitudinal folding axis D3 shown in Figure 6c, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in Figure 6d, 5 a fourth longitudinal fold to one-third of Article 3d the other side of the article 3 along a longitudinal folding axis D4 shown in Figures 6c and 6d, so as to obtain the article 3 folded in Figure 6e, and a last transverse fold to half of the article 3 as it is (FIG. 6e) already folded transversely and longitudinally, the latter fold being made according to a transverse folding axis D5 illustrated in FIG. 6e, so as to obtain article 3 folded in FIG. 6f . We have described here two longitudinal folds at the third following the two transverse folds. As an alternative, it is possible to provide a single longitudinal fold at a given predetermined value of the article, which may be at half, for example. The transverse bends can be done from the front or the back. This gives reduced dimensions of the folded article 3. Indeed, this folding machine 1, having first one or two transverse folding modules can shorten the parts before longitudinal bending, for faster longitudinal bends. This folding principle can be carried out on all kinds of articles, but is particularly suitable for folding articles longer than twice the length of the longitudinal folding module, for example about one in length. metre.

For all these new folds, it was found that beginning with a first transverse fold, the length of the folded articles at one third and the length of the folded articles by one-quarter before the next folding steps were decreased by 33%. A textile article 3 to be folded can thus arrive at the level of the longitudinal folding module with a standardized length irrespective of the initial length of the article 3. BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -19- Moreover, thanks to this decrease in front length any other folding, the folding times in particular at the longitudinal fold module M3 and the module of the final transverse fold M4, are decreased by about 30% to 40%, especially at the level of the longitudinal fold module which can have a about 50% shorter in length than traditional longitudinal ply modules of machines. This makes it possible to manufacture shorter longitudinal ply modules, for example having a length of the order of one meter, and thus improves the production performance at lower cost.

The folding machine 1 and these different folding modules are now described in more detail.

Referring again to FIG. 1, to bring the textile articles to bend to the different folding modules of the machine 1, the latter comprises a conveyor 7 having an engagement portion E on which an operator deposits an article 3 to bend.

Commitment portion E:

The conveyor 7 also comprises means for determining the type of article deposited so as to determine a suitable folding method. These determination means comprise position sensors 8, for example optical sensors occulted by article 3 on the engagement portion E. The determination means also comprise processing means for determining from the obscured sensors 8 the type of article to be folded, and select a folding program appropriate to the article 3 determined. The type of article can be determined for example according to the number of aligned sensors 8 occulted at the time of the filing by the operator of section 3 on the engagement portion E. Alternatively, the size of the article can measured by the number of sensors 8 obscured at the same time during the advancement of the article 3 on the BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -20- commitment portion E for a predetermined time to determine the category of the article and so the proper folding program. The start of the article to the various folding modules can be done automatically or manually according to the folding program. This conveyor 7 comprises a conveying means 9 of the articles 3 deposited on the engagement portion E to transport the articles 3 in a forward direction SA to the first folding module Ml.

First transverse folding module Ml: According to one aspect, a transverse folding module, for example the first transverse folding module M1 better visible in FIG. 7, comprises: a stop 11 integral with the frame of the folding machine 1 and disposed above the conveying means 9, and 15 - a finger clamp 13 disposed transversely above the conveying means 9 to raise an upstream edge of a textile article 3 and pinch for a predefined time this upstream edge against the stop 11 in masked time during the advancement of the rest of the textile article 3 on the conveying means 9, so that a loop is formed. This finger clamp 13 makes it possible to produce a transverse fold through the front of the article 3 carried out over the entire width of the article, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b and 6b. The conveying means 9 (see FIGS. 8a, 8b and 9) comprises a plurality of full, i.e., non-perforated, parallel conveyor belts extending longitudinally in the advancing direction SA of the invention. textile article 3 to fold. In addition, for the maintenance of articles 3 on the conveying means 9, the conveyor 7 comprises one or more suction means 17. These suction means 17 when they are at the engagement portion E can serve maintaining articles 3 at the time of posting articles on this commitment portion E by an operator. Injection means 17 have a plurality of suction holes 19 aligned parallel to the longitudinal edges of the straps 15, and arranged to be partially covered by the straps 15. Thus, when For the generation of a vacuum, for example by a turbine T (see FIG. 1), a suction A is exerted on both the straps 15 and on the textile article 3 (see FIGS. 10a, 10b). Depending on the type of article to be maintained, the suction means 17 can be adapted. More specifically, the number of suction holes 19 allowing the passage of the depression may be more or less important, their diameters and shapes may vary, and also the drilling axes may be more or less distant from the 10 borders of the straps of For example, it can be provided that all the conveying means 9 comprise suction means 17 or that one or more suction means 17 are arranged upstream and / or downstream of the finger grip 13. In the example illustrated in Figures 7 and 9, there is shown a plurality of suction means 17 disposed upstream and downstream of the finger clamp 13. Thus, when determining the type of article to be folded on the E engagement portion, only some of the suction means 17 can be started or all suction means 17 according to the article. This principle has the advantage that the small width parts are maintained as well as large parts closing all 20 suction holes 19 for the passage of the vacuum. In addition, a suction means 17 allows the maintenance of a textile article 3 with a constant force during deposition and retains the same holding force during the advancement of the conveyor belts 15 to transport the items 3 to different folding modules. As a result, the speed of the articles 3 is identical to the speed of the conveyor belts 15 avoiding slippage of the articles 3 which may give rise to position errors. In addition, when the suction means 17 are installed under the straps 15 at various locations, the speed of advancement of the articles 3 in transfer from one point to another is constant. This or these suction means 17 thus give the article 3 a homogenous BRT0600-fold adhesion 2963797 -22- homogeneous with respect to the conveying means 9 and ensure a constant speed advancement of the article 3 on the means of 9. Thus, an article 3 to bend advancing at the same speed as the conveyor belts 15, thanks to the use of these suction means 17 implanted under the 5 conveyor belts 15, can be obtained with the gripper. Fingers 13 a precise and quality folding, since the loop is formed in a uniform and regular regardless of the size or category of articles 3 when pinching an upstream edge of the article 3 by the finger clamp 13. By Moreover, referring again to FIG. 7, the conveying means 9 may have an inclination angle α with respect to a horizontal plane H of the frame of the folding machine 1, so that the upstream part of a textile article 3 engaged on the conveying means 9 always at a height higher than the downstream portion of the textile article 3. This angle of inclination al is for example of the order of 20 °. Article 3 thus advances on an inclined plane and the overturning of the article 3 to form the loop by means of the finger grip 13 is made easier because of the gravity. Concerning the finger grip 13, it is set in motion by an actuator 21 between: a first low position illustrated in FIG. 11, a second raised position illustrated in FIG. 12, and a third position intermediate the positions. The actuator 21 comprises, for example, a system of two cylinders mounted back to back, each actuator operating with a double effect, making it possible to improve the precision of the positioning of the gripper with fingers in the various positions. positions relative to an actuation with single-acting cylinders in which it is the weight of the clamp that causes the descent of the finger clamp. In the first low position (FIG. 11), the fingers of the clamp 13 are interposed between the conveyor belts 15 at an angle with the conveyor belts 15, so as to allow the upstream edge of the textile article 3 In the second up position (FIG. 12), the ends of the fingers of the gripper 13 are positioned at the abutment 11, so as to be able to bend BRT0600-fold reverser 2963797 -23-. pinch the upstream edge of the textile article 3 against the stop 11. 5 And in the third intermediate position illustrated in Figure 13, the clamp 13 is no longer in contact with the stop 11 without returning to the level of the conveyor belts 15 so that the textile article 3 descends from the finger gripper 13. To facilitate the rise of the article 3 on the finger gripper 13 in the first low position and also the descent of the article 3 of the gripper 13 fingers 13 in the intermediate position to fall back ur the conveying means 9, the fingers of the clamp 13 may respectively comprise a wheel 23 at their ends. In addition, to further facilitate the descent of the article 3 of the clamp 13, the latter may comprise at each finger an ejector blow gun 25. This blow gun 25 of the article attached to the finger clamp 13 increases the precision of the fold when the finger clamp 13 releases the article 3 since the latter is not retained at the end of folding by the finger clamp 13 but easily disconnects from the finger clamp 13. Moreover, the first transverse folding module M1 comprises a detecting means 27 of the textile article 3 to be folded at a predefined location of the conveying means 9 visible in FIGS. 7, 9 and 11 to 14. This detection means 27 is used in combination with the sensors 8 detecting the article 3 at predefined locations. Specifically, the actuator 21 is configured to drive the finger clamp 13 to the first down position (Fig. 11) when at least one sensor 8 detects the beginning of the fabric article 3 at a predefined location, and the means detection device 27 serves for the adjustable gripping time of the article according to the desired type of folding determined for example in the detection of the article 3 by the sensors 8. The detection means 27 and the sensors 8 to be dust-free for reliable operation, they can be permanently cleaned by a suction taken bypass on the suction means 17. In addition, a compression means 29 can be provided which can be provided in FIG. FIGS. 11 to 13, downstream of the finger grip 13 for flattening at a standstill the loop formed during the transverse folding of the textile article 3 by the finger grip 13 in order to avoid the creation of false folds at the level of the b on the following bends. The operation of this first transverse folding module M1 is now described once an article 3 has been placed on the engagement portion E of the conveyor 7 and a folding program has been launched.

Operation of the first transverse folding module M1: It can be provided that during a preliminary step, the type of article 3 deposited on the engagement portion E is detected by the sensors 8 and a suitable folding program is selected. The conveyor belts 15 cause the article 3 in the direction of advance 15 SA. The detection means 27 detects the presence of an article 3 at the predefined location on the conveying means 9 and the actuator 21 positions the fingers of the finger clamp 13 downwardly between each conveyor belt 15. Article 3 rises on the finger grip 13 (Figure 11). When a predetermined length depending on the bending program initiated is mounted on the finger clamp 13, the actuator 21 positions the clamp 13 upward thereby pinching the beginning of the article 3 against the stop 11 (Fig. 12) . The transverse folding begins. A loop is formed on the article 3 with a lower strand integral with the conveyor belts 15 in motion, and an upper strand becoming static and friction after the formation of the loop which does not disturb the advancement of the lower strand thanks to the principle of suction on either side of the conveyor belts 15. The article 3 arrives at the end of folding, as a function of the settings of the bending program launched, the actuator 21 puts the gripper 13 in the intermediate position, thus releasing the front end of the pinched article 3 so that it is at the level of the inverter belts 15 (FIG. 13). The release of the article 3 can be aided by the actuation of the ejector blower 25. The loop of the article 3 folded by the finger gripper 13 can subsequently be crushed by the compression means 29. 5 Such a transverse folding module M1 with a finger grip 13 makes it easy to realize the various folding principles described above and in particular with a particular presentation such as for folding with a third pocket or folding a quarter by double transverse folding or for reduced quarter folding. Of course, certain operating steps can be reversed.

Second transverse folding module M2:

Furthermore, a transverse folding module, for example the second transverse folding module M2 (FIG. 1) comprises a finger flap 101. This finger flap 101 is pivotally mounted between a first rest position (see FIGS. 7) in which the finger flap 101 is disposed substantially in the plane of the conveying means 9, with the fingers interposed between the conveyor belts 15 and a second position (FIG. 14) in which the finger flap 101 forms an angle with the conveying means 9, so as to make a transverse fold from the rear of the article 3 when the conveying means 9 of the textile article 3 is stopped. The transverse folding module M2 may also include position sensors of an article 3 to be folded so as to begin folding when the article is correctly positioned at the finger flap 101. In addition, the compression means 29 may be disposed downstream of this finger flap 101 to flatten the loop formed during the first transverse folding of the textile article 3 by the finger clamp 13 (Figure 14). In this case, the second transverse folding by the finger flap 101 is made at the same time as the compression means 29 flattens the loop formed by the first transverse fold.

The operation of such a finger flap transverse folding module 101 is now described.

Operation of the second transverse folding module M2: It can be provided that during a preliminary step, the type of article 3 deposited on the engagement portion E is detected by means of the sensors 8 and an appropriate folding program is selected. Initially finger flap 101 is in the rest position (Figure 1) so that an article 3 leaving the upstream folding station, for example the first transverse folding module M1, can advance on the finger flap 101 According to the selected bending program, when a certain length of article 3 is passed over the finger flap 101, the latter pivots (FIG. 14), thanks to an actuator, not shown, to effect the transverse folding of the flap 101. article from the back, at the stop. This transverse folding can be performed at the same time as the loop formed by a first transverse folding by the finger clamp 13 is crushed. Once the article has been folded transversely, the finger flap 101 returns to the rest position (FIG. 1) waiting for a new item to fold. For example, this second transverse folding module M2 makes it possible to obtain the folding illustrated in FIG. 5c for the quarter bending by double transverse folding or the one illustrated in FIG. 6c for the reduced quarter bending. Of course, certain operating steps can be reversed.

The second transverse folding module M2 folding at the rear, for example after the first transverse folding module M1 has transversely folded from the front before any other folding, offers numerous possibilities concerning the presentation of the folded articles. , associated with an increased production. BRT0600-Inverting Folder 2963797 -27- These two successive and separate transverse folds are also necessary to fold the back of long items such as bath towels, fitted sheets, or long clothes such as blouses or bathrobes.

5 Longitudinal folding module M3:

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 15, the longitudinal folding module M3 comprises pivoting folding shutters 201, thanks to actuators 202 connected to the shutters by levers 202A (see FIG. 16a), and of a size proportional to that of the articles 3 to fold 10 arriving at the level of the folding flaps 201. These folding flaps 201 can be made in the form of a solid surface plate without being pierced, in various materials such as metal, plastic, composite, conferring sufficient rigidity for the folding and can be of varying thickness. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16a, 16b, the longitudinal folding module M3 comprises two lateral folding flaps 201 on either side of a substantially flat central folding zone 203. The assembly formed by the folding flaps 201 and the tilting zone 203 is supported by a base 205 connected to the frame of the machine 1, via movable armatures 229 subsequently described respectively associated with a flap of FIG. Folding 201. The folding flaps 201 and the folding area 203 extend longitudinally in the direction of advancement SA of the article 3 to fold so as to allow longitudinal folding. In addition, at the level of the folding zone 203, the longitudinal folding module M3 has a conveying means 9 of textile article 3, for example as previously, comprising parallel full conveyor belts 15 extending longitudinally in the direction of Advancement SA of the textile article 3. As can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 16a and 16b: on the one hand each folding flap 201 is fixed directly without an intermediate part to at least one pivot axis 207, and BRT0600 In addition, at least one web 209 of smooth surface is attached to an associated folding flap 201, each fabric 209 being intended to be in contact with the article 3 to be folded and connected to 211. These fasteners may be, for example, fasteners by screwing, gluing, welding, crimping, or any other fastening means. Each folding flap 201 is therefore pivotally mounted (see FIGS. 17a to 17d) between: a first position (FIG. 17a) for receiving article 3 to be folded conveyed by a conveying means 9 upstream, and 10. a second folding position (Figure 17c for a thick article or Figure 17d for a thin article) in which the folding flap 201 is folded over the folding area 203 forming an acute angle with the folding area 203 so as to fold the portion of the article which extends over the folding flap 201 on the portion of the article 3 which extends over the folding zone 203. In the first position (FIG. 17a) according to the illustrated embodiment, the flap bend 201 is below the pivot axis 207, in the second folding position (Figs. 17c, 17d) the folding flap 201 is above the pivot axis 207. The pivoting speed folding flaps 201 can be adjusted according to article 3 to to fold.

Pivot axis 207 With regard to the pivot axes 207, in the illustrated examples, they have a circular section. Other forms such as hexagonal or oval may be provided for example. The section and length dimensions of these pivot axes 207 are chosen proportionally to the size of the folding flaps 201. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16a to 17d, the pivot axes 207 are arranged at a desired angle. height greater than the height of the drawdown zone 203. This arrangement is required for folding machines of textile articles BRT0600-fold reverser 2963797 -29- 3 of varied thickness, for example folding both thin cloths, and bath towels or bathrobes of greater thickness. The assembly of the pivot axes 207 above the folding zone 203 implies that the upper part of the upstream conveying means 9 is at the same level or higher than the top of the pivot axes 207; these pivot axes 207 are therefore arranged at a height substantially less than or equal to the height of the conveying means 9 upstream. Alternatively, the upstream conveying means 9 can be arranged lower than the top of the pivot axes 207, but in this case a leveling means 10 between the pivot axes 207 and the upstream conveying means 9 is provided for passing the items 3 above the pivot axes 207 during their advance.

- According to a variant not shown, the pivot axes 207 of the folding flaps 201 may be at the level of the tilting zone 203 for machines 15 do not have the need to have linen thicknesses to compensate. It can also be provided that each pivot axis 207 is mounted on a support 213 fixed or movable in height as shown by the arrow in two directions F1 in Figure 16b, so as to adjust the height positioning of the pivot axis 207 in relation to the tilting zone 203. In the latter case, the positioning of the pivot axes 207 can be adapted, for example, to be at the same level as the tilting zone 203 or above the tilting zone 203 or at any intermediate position, according to Article 3 to be folded. For example, moving the movable support 213 can be done using position cylinders or by spring that compresses or stretches. In addition, at the junction of the pivot axis 207 and the folding area 203, there may be provided a conduit 215, better visible in Figure 16b, perforated on its upper part, for the passage of a vacuum. in order to supplement, if necessary, the maintenance of the article 3 during the folding phase, depending for example on the required folding quality or the type of textile article 3. The longitudinal edges of the 203 are respectively attached to such a conduit 215. BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -30- - The number or shape of the orifices 217 provided on the upper part of the conduit 215 can be adapted according to the folding machine 1. The conduit 215 openwork can be geometric and varied in size. - Pressurized air evacuated through the plurality of orifices 217 may also lift the edge of a folded article of fabric 3 over the pivot axis 207 when adjusting the gap between the shutters as described below. As regards the smooth web 209, it is fixed by a first edge 209a to the folding shutter 201 in the lengthwise direction of the folding flap 201 at a position more or less distant from the web. pivot axis 207 and so as to cover the pivot axis 207 in the first receiving position of the flap (see Figure 17a). In the example shown, the smooth fabric 209 extends over the entire longitudinal upper portion 15 of the folding flap 201 (see Figure 16b). By longitudinal upper part is meant the longitudinal part of the folding flap 201 closest to the pivot axis 207. In addition, the smooth fabric 209 passes into the free zone between the pivot axis 207 and the duct 215 at which is fixed the folding area 203, and can descend vertically being plated (see Figures 16a to 17d) by gravity against a frame 229, thereby ensuring a seal at the pivot axis 207. This fabric 209 smooth makes it possible to reduce the coefficient of friction on the lateral folding flaps 201 of an article 3 progressing towards the folding zone. The energizing means 211 is attached to a second edge 209b of the web 209 opposite the first edge 209a so as to tension the web 209 above the fold flap 201. This energizing means 211 may for example be a weighting means or a spring or one or more cylinder (s). This arrangement of the tensioned fabric 209 fixed to the folding flap 201 makes it possible to create a thickness-compensating zone 218 (better visible in FIGS. 17a, 17b and 17d) between the folding flap 201 and the fabric 209 making it possible to fold 30 indifferently articles 3 of different thicknesses crushing (17c, 17d) correctly folds and this regardless of the uniformity or not the thickness of the articles 3 on their lengths. In addition, this stretched smooth fabric 209 makes it possible to prevent a surplus of material from an article 3 in the angle formed by the junction of the folding flap 201 and of the pivot axis 207, and thus makes it possible to avoid when pivoting the folding flap 201 to effect folding on the article 3, creating a crease at the crease formation zone and also gripping the article 3 at the pivot axis 207, especially for soft and fine items. During the pivoting of the folding flap 201, the assembly formed by the folding flap 201 and the stretched integral fabric 209 is configured to advance towards the crimping zone 203. In fact, more precisely the fabric 209 advances in the direction of the energizing means 211. This advancement is directly proportional to the angle of rotation described by the folding flap 201 and the diameter of the pivot axis 207 and inversely proportional to the thickness of the article 3 to bend. Clearly, for a thin article, the web 209 may have a significant advance (Figure 17d) and for a thick article, the web 209 may have a lower partial advancement (Figure 17c). By this kinematics of the web 209, the article 3 is driven by the web 209 and is brought into the fold formation zone. In addition, the web 209 does not necessarily have a homogeneous advance 20 depending on the thickness variations of the article 3 to bend. This tensioned smooth fabric 209 thus makes it possible to exert a constant and homogeneous crushing force over the entire width of the article 3 at the end of folding by the folding flap 201, whatever the thickness variations of 3. In the illustrated embodiment, there is shown a single fabric 209 on each folding flap 201. This fabric 209 can extend over almost the entire length of the folding flap 201. According to a variant embodiment not shown, can be provided several webs 209 in parallel fixed to a folding flap 201 successively in the direction of the length of the folding flap 201, and similarly to the attachment 30 of a single fabric 209 on a folding flap 201 as described above. According to yet another alternative not shown, it can provide a retreat of the fabric 209 fm folding according to the thickness of the article which compensates for this thickness. In this case, the fabric 209 no longer brings the article 3 to the fold formation zone during the pivoting of the folding shutter 201. 5 Blowing nozzles 219,221 Moreover, a driving force complementary to the conveying means 9 can be used for example depending on the nature of the items 3 to transport. For this, referring again to Figures 15 and 16b, there can be provided a blowing means connected to nozzles 219,221 attached directly to the surface of the folding flaps 201 intended to be in contact with the article 3 to bend , in the example shown, on the lower longitudinal surface of the folding flaps 201 not covered by the smooth fabric 209. Thus, when the blowing means generates an air flow, an air cushion is formed between the article 3 to be folded and the folding flap 201. Among the nozzles 219,221 provided on the folding flap 201, first nozzles 219 can be oriented so as to direct the flow of air substantially in the direction of advance SA of the article 3 and possibly second nozzles 221 can be oriented so as to direct the flow of air in a substantially parallel manner the centrifugal force generated during the pivoting of the folding shutter 201. The nozzles 219, 211 can also be rotated as required. In this case, an actuator makes it possible to modify the orientation of the nozzles 219,221. In order to prevent the directional air flow (s) passing via the nozzles 219,221 from passing below the folding shutter 201, thus losing energy, it can be predicted as can be seen in FIGS. 16a and 16b that a flat surface 225 connected to a frame 229, comprises in the lower part for each folding flap 201, a seal 223 carrying the free longitudinal edge of the folding flap 201. - In this way, the air flow or flows retain all their energy to create a driving force of advancement on the articles 3 and this even if the articles 30 have a width greater than that of the folding flap 201 and cover the surface BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -33- plane 225 lying substantially in the same plane as the folding area 203 and substantially in the same plane as the folding flap 221, in the receiving position of the article 3. In addition, the blowing means can be actuated at the end of folding of a 5 article 3. In this case, the air flows passing through the nozzles 219,221 creating an air cushion between the folding flaps 201 and the folded article 3, allow the article 3 to disengage from the folding flaps 201 which they can return to the receiving position (Figures 16a, 16b, 17a) without unfolding the article 3 for example by gluing or suction effect or by static effect of Article 3 on the folding flap 201. 10 Medium In addition, the folding flaps 201 can have a variation of the difference between them, adjustable, for example by means of actuators not shown, according to each article 3 to to fold, more precisely according to the desired folding width. By adjusting the gap between the folding flaps 201, is meant a decrease as well as an increase in this difference. It is therefore possible to narrow the gap between the folding flaps 201 or to enlarge it. For this purpose, provision is made for at least one means for adjusting the distance between two lateral folding flaps 201. According to the illustrated embodiment, each folding flap 201 is integral with a frame 229 which can be moved in translation as shown in FIG. illustrate the arrows F2 in FIG. 16a, 16b so as to modify the gap between two lateral folding flaps 201. The folding zone 203 may comprise two plates 203a, 203b which are also integral with the movable armatures 229, for example by intermediate of the conduit 215, and substantially offset in height relative to each other, so that when adjusting the gap between two lateral folding flaps 201, the two plates 203a, 203b move between a first position (Figure 16a) in which they overlap and a second position in which the two plates 203a, 203b are spaced apart. In addition, the adjustment means can adjust the gap between the folding flaps 201 at the same time as a textile article 3 advances on the conveying means 9 at the crimping zone. 203, either arriving from an upstream folding station to be folded by the folding shutters 201 or leaving the folding shutters 201 after being folded to go to a downstream station of the machine 1. Of course, there may be both an unfolded article 3 that arrives and a folded article 3 that comes out during the adjustment of the gap between the folding flaps 201. For such folding flaps 201, no additional conveying means 9 such as belts , strips, straps, chains, in motion, is not necessary at the outer lateral edges of the folding flaps 201, which facilitates the variation of width, in particular a tightening, that is to say a reduction of the gap between the folding flaps 201, penda conveying an article 3 without deformation or deflection of article 3 during its transfer to the folding zone or during its evacuation. Indeed, the straps 15 of the conveying means 9 are in a fixed position in the direction transverse to the direction of advancement SA of the article, that is to say that the straps 15 are in fixed position in width independently of the variation of the gap between the two flaps 201 and therefore do not move transversely during an adjustment of the gap between two folding flaps 201. In addition, since a folded article 3 can leave the zone of At the same time, an unfolded article 3 enters this zone during the variation of width, thus eliminating the time losses of implementation of the fold width variations.

According to the embodiment described, the folding flaps 201 respectively 25 equipped with a web 209 of thickness compensation are mounted in the longitudinal direction of the machine 1 relative to the direction of advance SA of an article 3. However, it is possible to mount these folding flaps 201 in the transverse direction of the machine 1 as shown in Figure 18 so as to allow transverse folding. In this case, such a folding module with folding flaps 201 to BRT0600-ply inverter transversely extending thickness compensation can be used to effect for example a transverse folding from the rear as an alternative to second transverse folding module M2 described above after a first transverse folding by the front made for example by the finger clamp 13 described above. Such a thickness-compensated transverse folding module that can perform both front and rear folding allows the article 3 to be properly crushed.

The operation of a longitudinal folding module M3 as defined above is now described.

Operation of the longitudinal folding module M3: As previously, it can be provided that during a preliminary step, the type of article 3 deposited on the engagement portion E is detected by the sensors 8 and a folding program is selected. appropriate. With reference to FIGS. 15 to 16b, an article 3 to be folded is upstream of the longitudinal folding module M3. The pivot axes 207 can be at a fixed position or can be adjusted via the movable supports 213. In the latter case, depending on the type of article detected, it is determined whether thickness compensation is necessary. If a thickness compensation is necessary, the top of the pivot axis 207 is positioned at a height greater than the folding zone 203, otherwise the top of the pivot axis 207 is positioned substantially at the same height. It is possible, of course, that the pivot axes 207 are not height-adjustable and are mounted fixed at a greater height than the tilting zone 203. Article 3 succeeds. then at the level of the folding zone 203 and at least one folding flap 201 in the first receiving position (FIG. 17a) transported by a conveying means 9. BRT0600-fold reverser 2963797 -36- In addition, it is possible to generating a flow of air passing via the first nozzles 219 oriented in the advancing direction SA of the textile article 3 to advance the textile article 3 to a folding position on the folding area 203 and the the shutters of p At the same time, the movable armature 229 associated with each folding flap 201 can move to adjust the gap between the folding flaps 201 to the desired folding width. Article 3 being in the folding position, the conveying means 9 stops, and the blowing means, if it has been used to generate a flow of air passing through the nozzles 219, stops. - Article 3 can also be maintained by a depression which is established in the conduit 215 fixed longitudinally to each folding flap 201. - Then, it performs a pivoting movement (Figure 17b) of each folding flap 201 and therefore smooth web 209 for the compensation of thickness which is integral therewith, from the receiving position (Figure 17a) to the folding position (Figure 17c or 17d). - During the pivoting (Figure 17b) of each folding flap 201 by nearly 180 °, regardless of the position angle of the folding flap 201, by the effect of the centrifugal force exerted on the article due to the the speed of the folding flap 201, the portion of the article 3 remaining on the folding flap 201 is stretched on the folding flap 201 while the portion of the article 3 resting on the folding area 203 remains stationary. In addition, it is possible to generate a flow of air passing via the second nozzles 221 of the same direction as the centrifugal force exerted on the article 3, so as to tension the article 3 resting on the folding flap 201, especially if this item 3 protrudes from the folding flap 201. These blowing nozzles 221 considerably attenuate the known defects of wave effects of the prior art. In addition, during the pivoting of each folding flap 201, as previously described, the associated smooth fabric 209 advances more (FIG. 17d) or less (FIG. 17c) as a function of the thickness of the article 3, which can be more or less BRT0600-fold reverser 2963797 -37- uniform over its length, so as to crush the article 3. The time during which each folding flap 201 remains in the folding position can be adjusted according to the desired crushing on the article 3 Once the folding is completed, a pivoting movement is made in the opposite direction of each folding flap 201 and thus of the integral smooth fabric 209, to bring them back to the first receiving position (FIG. 16a, 16b, 17a). - At the same time, it is possible to generate a flow of air passing through the first 219 and / or the second 221 nozzles to take off the article 3 of the folding flaps 201. The folded article 3 leaves this folding zone. and goes to a downstream station conveyed by the conveying means 9. Three options are then possible. Firstly, the folded article 3 leaves the folding zone and at the same time a new unfolded article 3 enters the folding zone at the folding zone 203 and the folding flaps 201, as previously described, conveyed by the conveying means 9 and possibly using the first nozzles 219 blowers without variation of the folding width and therefore without variation of the gap between two folding flaps 201. As a second option, the folded article 3 leaves the area at the same time, an unfolded article 3 enters this fold zone with a width variation greater than the previous folding width. Or, the folded article 3 leaves the folding zone, and at the same time, an unfolded article 3 enters on this folding zone with a width variation smaller than the previous folding width. In this third case, when the gap decreases, the longitudinal edges of the folded article 3 must, from the beginning of the advancement of the folded article 3, pass above the pivot axes 207, especially if the one it is at a height greater than the folding area 203, at the same time as the adjustment of the gap between the flaps. For this purpose, an injection of pressurized air may intervene in the conduit 215 at each pivot axis 207, to create an upward force to lift the longitudinal edge of the folded article 3 and pass it along. above the pivot axis BRT0600-fold reverser 207 when it leaves the folding zone during a decrease in the deviation from a new smaller article 3 entering the folding zone. Of course, certain operating steps can be reversed. Last transverse folding module M4:

Finally, the last transverse folding module M4 is an inverting fold module (see FIG. 19). An input detector 300 may be provided to detect the presence of an article 3 from an upstream folding station, such as the longitudinal folding module M3, and arriving at the inverter ply module M4. This inverter fold module M4 comprises a first conveyor 301 and a second conveyor 303. As can be seen in FIG. 19, these two conveyors 301, 303 are arranged one after the other at a "V" angle to make a single fold on an article 3, the second conveyor 303 being partially below the first conveyor 301. This having the advantage that a folded article 3 goes directly to a downstream stacking system. The implantation of the conveyors 301,303 in "V" implies that an article 3 20 arriving at this level undergoes a pre-folding of the value of the angle between the two conveyors 301,303 simply by the transfer of this article 3 of the first conveyor 301 at the second conveyor 303. Each conveyor 301, 303 comprises an associated conveying means 9. As before, the conveying means 9 may comprise a plurality of parallel conveyor belts 15 extending longitudinally. In addition, the two conveyors 301, 303 are spaced from each other by a gap 305, through which the article 3 can pass after reversing the forward direction of the conveying means 9 of the second conveyor 303. Thus, for since an article 3 arrives, for example, from the longitudinal folding module M3, and transported on the two conveyors 301 and 303, only the portion of the article 3 located on the first conveyor inverter 301 may be subjected to a conveyor 301. folding action by folding effect on the other portion of section 3 on the second conveyor 303 (see Figure 20). In addition, the first conveyor 301 is inclined at an angle a2 (FIG. 19) with respect to a horizontal plane H of the frame of the machine 1. The greater the angle of inclination a2, the smaller the portion of the article. 3 to be folded down is urged to be superimposed on the other portion of the article 3 on the second conveyor 303. In addition, the first conveyor 301 comprises a first drive shaft 307 of the conveying means 9 rotated in rotation. direct by a first actuating means 309, without intermediate piece such as: pulley, belt, tensioner, return, clutch. And, the first actuating means 309 is directly linked to a first control means 311 which can deliver start-stop commands, braking with adjustable intensities, reversal of the direction of advance between a first downward direction of advancement SA1 or a second opposite direction of travel SA2, of different speeds, or acceleration or deceleration of the first conveyor. The portion of the article 3 to be folded to rotate about the first drive axis 307, this implies that the diameter of the drive shaft 307 is substantially greater than or equal to the thickness of the textile article 3 to bend. The diameter of the drive shaft 307 must therefore, for example, be substantially within the thickness range of the thickest article to be bent by the machine 1. In fact, a thick article encounters more difficulties to perform. its rotation around an axis of small diameter that around an axis with a larger diameter. It is furthermore avoided that the various layers composing article 3, due to upstream bends, are offset from each other, creating wrinkles and fold offsets. The folding quality of the thick articles with a "V" inverting bend therefore depends on a mechanical compromise between the inclination of the first conveyor 301 and the diameter of the first drive axis 307. Similarly, the second conveyor 303 comprises a second drive axis 313 30 of the conveying means 9 driven in direct rotation by a second means BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -40- 315 actuating, without intermediate piece. And, the second actuating means 315 is directly linked to a second control means 317 capable of delivering start-stop commands, braking with adjustable intensities, reversal of the direction of advance between a first direction of advancement SA1 'or a second direction of travel 5 opposite downward SA2', different speeds, or acceleration or deceleration of the second conveyor. Conveyors 301,303 and their respective conveying means 9 are therefore driven directly without intermediate parts, which allows for simple drive mechanisms. Furthermore, the first control means 311 of the first actuating means 309 of the first drive shaft 307 can control slowing down of the first actuating means 309 when a textile article 3 to be folded from the first conveying means 9 the first conveyor 301 engages the second conveying means 9 of the second conveyor 303, so as to avoid a surplus of material 15 at the gap 305 during the inversion of the direction of rotation of the second drive shaft 313 of the second conveyor 303. Indeed, any inversion for folding requires a time to be made since it is necessary to count the downtime of the second conveyor 303 and the change of direction of rotation. The slowing down of the first conveyor 301 thus makes it possible to retain the rear part of article 3 on the first conveyor 301 during this inversion and the article 3 will tend to be more or less taut above the gap 305. thus avoiding any excess material at the gap 305 may cause difficulty to initiate the folding of the article 3 see jams. Further, the first control means 311 is configured to determine when to control the deceleration of the first conveyor 301 and the duration of this deceleration as a function of the textile article 3 to be folded. Furthermore, an output detector 319 may be provided to detect the presence of textile article 3 on a downstream zone of the second conveyor 303, and in this case, the control means 311 and 317 are configured to control an acceleration 30 respectively of the first conveying means 9 of the first conveyor 301 and the second inverting BRT0600-pli 2963797 -41 second conveying means 9 of the second conveyor 303, after inversion of the forward direction of the second conveying means 9 of the second conveyor 303 if the zone swallows is free, and to control a stop of the conveying means 9 of the two conveyors 301 and 303 if the downstream zone is occupied. The flexibility of adjusting the speed of conveyors 301, 303 makes it possible to obtain a good quality of folding with optimum production. Furthermore, the second conveyor 303 can be pivotably mounted as shown by the arrow F3, so as to adapt, during the folding of a textile article 3, 10 the opening angle of the gap 305 between the two conveyors 301,303 to the thickness of the textile article 3 being folded. For this, a single actuator 321, for example a compressed air cylinder, is provided for continuously driving the second conveyor 303 in a pivoting manner in a first direction so as to open the gap 305 to an opening angle 15 predefined and immediately once the predefined opening angle reaches, in a second opposite direction to close the opening angle. During closing of the opening angle conditioned by the thickness of the article 3, it is possible to approach more or less the original opening angle of the gap 305, which generates a constant tightening of article 3 being folded regardless of its variations of uniform thicknesses or not along its length. Only one of the conveyors is articulated by one of its ends by means of an axis of rotation allowing it to pivot, while the other conveyor is fixedly mounted on the frame of the machine 1. In the example described it is the first conveyor 301 which is fixed and the second conveyor 303 articulated but of course we can provide the opposite. In addition, the articulated conveyor is not necessarily by its end at the bend outlet as in the example shown but this is left to the choice of the manufacturer. Moreover, the predefined opening angle is variable, for example according to the selected folding program of article 3 to be folded. A processing device 323 can be provided for determining the type of article BRT0600-inverter-fold detected for example by the sensors 8 on the engagement portion E and as a function of the information transmitted by the input detector. 300 concerning the arrival of an article 3 at the inverter ply module M4, the processing device 323 transmits execution orders to the control means 311, 317, 321. The second articulated conveyor 303 does not remain in a position fixed clearance given by the predefined opening angle as a function of a time of non-activation of the actuator 321, and closing of the opening angle is immediate once the predefined angle reached and stabilizes depending on the thickness of the article 3 with an adjustable force of the actuator 321 to maintain the second conveyor 303 in equilibrium. Thus, increasing the value of the opening angle of the second conveyor 303 promotes the introduction of any article 3 between the two conveyors 301,303 during the reversal of the direction of advance of article 3 on the second Conveyor 303 then the gap between the two conveyors 301, 303 is tightened more and more for a more homogeneous crushing. In addition, a tension means 326 on the second conveyor means 9 of the second conveyor 303 activated for example by an adjustable spring 325, for example fixed by one of these ends at a fixed point 327 of the second conveyor 303 and at the other end on the tensioning means 326 illustrated in FIG. 19. This tensioning means 326 applies a tension to the conveying means 9 which ensures a good coefficient of adhesion on the drive shaft 313 of the second conveyor 303. This ensures a constant speed of the second conveying means 9 despite the passage in the gap 305 of an article 3 having different thicknesses and thus deforming the conveying means 9 of the second conveyor 303. The second conveying means 9 can also be deformable elastically, so as to flex when an article 3 passes between the two conveyors 301,303 via the gap 305 and the crushing force on an article 3 is greater than the setting of the tensioning means 325, in order to provide additional compensation to keep a substantially parallel gap over its length. This complementary compensation compensates for the deformations at the second conveying means BRT0600-fold reverser 2963797 -43- 9 of the second conveyor 303 located below the first conveyor 301 to obtain the parallelism on either side of the interstice 305. This ensures a regular and uniform tightening of the article 3 during bending. A flexible element 329, for example a flexible plate, can be fixed or held below the second conveying means 9 by means 331. This flexible element 329 makes the bending of all the conveyor belts 15 (not visible) uniform. in FIGS. 19 and 20) of the second conveying means 9. In addition, this flexible element 329 prevents a part of the article 3 on the conveying means 9 from entering the conveyor belts 15 that are likely to provoke jamming and malfunctions. In addition, for a better quality of folding, it is possible to provide a complementary means of folding assistance at the time of the reversal of the forward direction SA, such as a folding knife 333 performing, thanks to an actuator 334, a movement Linear illustrated by the arrow in two directions F4 in Figure 20, and / or blowing means 335 for creating a uniform air gap and is for example integral with the folding knife 333. This complementary means allows to strengthen the folding performance. According to the embodiment shown, the folding knife 333 is attached to the second conveyor 303 via an axis of rotation R and is inclined at an angle α3 with respect to the second conveyor 303 so as to be centered at the gap 305. This folding knife 333 is mounted on the second conveyor 303 so that if the second conveyor 303 is continuously opened at a given angle, the folding knife 333 also undergoes angular variation substantially. equal to half of the value of the opening angle of the second conveyor 303. For this, the axis of rotation R is connected to a connecting system, for example two links B1 and B2, connected to the frame of the In addition, a position sensor 336 mounted on the knife 333 can be provided so that, upon detection of a predetermined position, the actuator 334 drives the knife in translation for a predefined stroke. Thus, one can vary the action of the BRT0600-fold reverser 2963797 -44- knife for example depending on the thickness of the fold to be made and the article. For an article fm, one will choose a long race while for a thick article, it will be short. It is therefore possible to provide different adjustable races of the knife 333. The stroke of the knife 333 can be adjusted to approach more or less the knife 333 of the article without necessarily having contact with the article 3 during folding. With regard to the blowing means 335, its implantation on the linearly movable folding knife 333 allows, according to the desired folding, to approach more or less the impact of the air knife on the article 3 at the level of the 305. Thus, when the blowing means 335 is put into operation, the impact of the air knife is greater compared to an impact of an air knife generated by a blowing means in a fixed position. more distant and not adaptable according to the folding. The quality of folding is further improved and the M4 module is given a certain degree of flexibility. Operation of the last folding module M4: At the start of the folding machine 1, it is possible to provide a preliminary emptying cycle of the inverter fold module M4. To do this, the first conveying means 9 of the first conveyor 301 is driven for a predetermined duration in the advancing direction SA2 amount. Similarly, the second conveying means 9 of the second conveyor 303 is driven during this predetermined time in the advancing direction SA1 'amount. At the end of this predetermined period, only the first conveying means 9 of the first conveyor 301 changes direction and advances in the descending direction SA1; the second conveying means 9 of the second conveyor 303 keeping the upstream direction SA1 'so as to eject the defective article 3, which is jammed or still waiting at the inverting fold by a machine stop, outside the machine, then in the end, the two conveying means 9 stop waiting for an article 3 to fold. The two conveyors 301, 303 are thus stopped and the second conveyor 303 is held in a first position with a predefined minimum gap 305 with the first inverter BRT0600-fold first conveyor 301 with a force given by the actuator 321 holding it just in balance in a constricted position. The absence of contact between the two conveyors makes it possible to avoid premature wear of the conveying means. A step can then be provided in which the type of article deposited on the engagement portion E is detected by means of the sensors 8 and a suitable folding program is selected. When an article 3 leaves an upstream folding station such as the longitudinal folding module M3, the first conveyor 301 is started in the advancing direction SA1 descending from the conveying means 9 of the first conveyor 301 at a nominal speed . When the article 3 is detected by the input sensor 300 substantially at the beginning of the first conveyor 301, the second conveyor 303 is started in the direction of advance SA1 'rising at a nominal speed of the same order as the nominal speed of the first conveyor 301. The article 3 arriving at the first conveyor 301 is conveyed in the advancing direction SA1 descending on the first conveyor 301 inclined. Then the beginning of the article 3 arrives on the second conveyor 303 in the advancing direction SA1 'amount. During the advancement of the article 3 on the conveying means 9 of the second conveyor 303, according to the advancing direction SA1 'amount, the first control means can reduce the speed of the first conveyor 301 for a predefined duration, this reduction may be total or partial, for example from about 10 to 80% of the nominal speed and this regardless of the article 3. Clearly, a stop is possible. Adjustments of anticipations with respect to the beginning of folding on the various articles 3, position the moment when the slowing takes place before folding. Generally, a thick or very thick article will have a higher anticipation and slowing time than for a thin article. The forward direction of the conveying means 9 of the second conveyor 303 is reversed, so that the textile article 3 advances in the direction of advance SA2 'descending opposite the direction of advance SA1' amount. At the time of reversal of direction of travel for the second conveyor 303, the use during a predefined time BRT0600-pli inverter of a speed lower than the nominal speed or of a low amplitude acceleration for the second conveyor 303, allows the article 3 to pass gradually between the two conveyors 301,303 through the gap 305. At the time of the inversion, this folding can be reinforced by the use of the folding knife 333 ( see FIG. 20) with linear movement and / or an air gap generated by the blowing means 335 integral with the folding knife 333, for example as a function of the thickness of the articles 3 and their textures, to obtain a better quality of folding. It is not necessarily necessary to control the pivoting of the second conveyor 303 for the opening of the gap 305, since an article 3 is located at the entrance to the gap 305 between the two conveyors 301,303 undergoing a folding action by reversing the direction of travel of the conveying means 9 of the second conveyor 303, exerts a non-excessive force to open the gap 305 of the thickness corresponding to this article 3, at the moment when it It will begin to pass through the gap 305 between the two conveyors 301, 303, it is called self-compensation. The force exerted is not excessive because the actuator 321, made for example in the form of a compressed air cylinder, maintains the second conveyor 303 in the original position of the gap 305 between the two conveyors 301,303 in equilibrium. In addition, according to the embodiment described, the tensioning means 326 facilitates self-compensation, in the manner of an air cushion on which the piston of the jack 321 rests. For an article of substantial thickness requiring compensation of thickness, it is possible to control the pivoting of the second conveyor 303 to a given position allowing the introduction of the article 3 in the gap 305 between the conveyors 301,303 and is closed immediately after pivoting the second conveyor 303 into Inverted direction to uniformly crush article 3. The opening angle is closed with a clamping force adjustable by actuator 321. This force is constant and homogeneous and also serves to maintain the second conveyor 303 with the 305 gap in original position. In this way, if an excess thickness appears during bending, the second conveyor again moves angularly back into self-compensation. BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -47- Compensation is therefore constantly ensured during the folding of an article 3. There is no permanent fixed compensation but on the contrary continuous and scalable. The pivoting time of the second conveyor 303 to open the gap 305 is taken into account from the beginning of the folding of the article 3. As soon as an article 3 leaves the zone between the two conveyors 301,303, the latter being released, the pivoting of the second conveyor 303 in the opposite direction ends to close the opening angle to be found again in the starting position with a gap 305 minimum between the two conveyors 301,303 waiting for a new article 3 to fold. Once the beginning of the article 3 at the output of the second conveyor 303, after passage between the two conveyors 301,303, it is checked whether the downstream zone, for example a stacking system, is free. If the downstream zone is not free, the article 3 stops at the output detector 319, and the conveying means 9 of the two conveyors 301, 303 are stopped. Article 15 3 is therefore stored and put on hold at the inverting fold module M4, even if the rear part of article 3 does not have its fold completely executed and is still between the two conveyors 301,303 . On the contrary, if the downstream zone is free, when the beginning of the article 3 arrives at the output detector 319, the first control means 311 increases the speed of the first conveyor 301, and likewise the second control means 317 increases the speed of the second conveyor 303. These increased speeds are greater than the nominal speeds of the two conveyors 301 and 303. By this principle of acceleration of the two conveyors 301 and 303, the article 3 is transferred more quickly to carry out operations at the same time. subsequent stations of the machine 1, and thereby a new article 3 from the upstream zone can be driven at the inverter fold module M4. In a variant, article 3 is transferred to the downstream zone while keeping the nominal speeds of the conveying means 9. Finally, when the rear part of the folded article 3 releases the output detector 319, a predefined time is expected and stops the conveying means 9 of the two BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -48- conveyors 301,303 pending a new item 3 from the upstream zone. On the other hand, if an item 3 has been detected by the input detector 300 but is not detected after a time predefined by the output detector 319, the processing device 323 determines that there is a problem operation such as jamming of article 3 or a jam and machine 1 is stopped. This malfunction can also be detected by an operator who triggers an emergency stop. In this case, a dump cycle, as described above, is started to release the inverter fold module M4 of any article and eject it directly to the outside of the machine 1 without any human intervention. Of course, certain operating steps can be reversed.

M5 evacuation module: Referring again to Fig. 1, after the final transverse fold module M4, a presser belt 401 can convey the folded articles 3 of various categories to the corresponding stacking system 404.

The presser belt 401 conveying the folded articles 3 can stop in various positions to group the articles 3 of the same category. The training of the articles 3 folded by the pressing belt 401 is effected by the upper part of the articles 3 in contact with the pressing belt 401 while the lower part of the articles 3 slides on the slide 403. 25 This pressing belt 401 can according to the needs more or less crush the item 3 folded.

As can be seen in FIGS. 21 and 22, a drawer 403 may comprise two plates 403a, 403b facing one another, for example spaced apart from one longitudinal opening, and these two plates 403a, 403b are pivotally or translationally movable. in order to drop the items 3 on an elevator 404 of the evacuation module or BRT0600-fold inverter directly onto a transfer means 405 of the articles 3 on an evacuation conveyor 407 through a squeegee 409 with fingers 410.

Transfer means 405 5 The transfer means 405 is held by a support 411 secured to the frame of the machine 1. The transfer means 405 comprises for example at least two portions: a receiving portion 405a of textile articles 3 and a portion transient 405b of a stack of textile articles 3 interposed between the receiving portion 405a and the evacuation conveyor 407, for a standby of a stack of textile articles 3 before its transfer on the evacuation conveyor 407. Moreover, the transfer means 405 can either: be fixed (FIG. 21); in this case the folded articles 3 fall from the drawer 403 to form a stack on the receiving portion 405a of a given height h separating the drawer 403 and the transfer means 405, or be at least partially movable to retrieve the articles 3 in the drawers 403. In the latter case, the receiving portion 405a may be movable and form an elevator 404 (FIGS. 1 and 22) driven by an actuator 413 to effect a vertical translational movement by means of a guide 412. , ascending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fixed transient portion 405b, to position itself below the drawer 403 thus avoiding the fall of the folded articles 3 and a shifting of the folds previously made. Once a stack of articles 3 has been received, this elevator portion 404 can perform a downward reverse vertical translation movement to reposition itself substantially at the same level as the transitional portion 405b of the transfer means 405 and allow the stack to be evacuated by the squeegee 409. When the transfer means 405 is fixed, the receiving portions 405a and transient 405b are made in one piece (see Figure 21). In more detail, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the 405 BRT0600-inverter transfer means 2963797 -50- comprises a plurality of parallel longitudinal bars 415 on the same horizontal plane, of number and size chosen according to the the size of the stacks of articles 3 to evacuate. These transfer bars 415 are spaced apart by an interval i in order to leave a passage for the fingers 410 of the squeegee 409 having the function of moving the stacks of articles 3 on these transfer bars 415 by sliding, an article 3 can be introduced in these intervals i. These transfer bars 415 may be relatively short when the transfer means 405 does not have a transitional portion 405b and there is direct evacuation of the piles formed on the discharge conveyor 407 without intermediate storage or when the transfer means 405 has a transitional portion 405b distinct from the receiving portion 405a (Figure 22). In contrast, when the receiving 405a and transient portions 405b are integrally formed (Fig. 21), the transfer bars 415 are longer to allow a stack to wait on the transient portion 405b while releasing the receiving portion 405a so as to allow the formation of a new stack of articles 3. In order to reduce the coefficient of friction, it can be provided on the upper part of the transfer bars 415 son 417 (see Figures 23 and 24) having a certain degree of elasticity and a good slip coefficient of nylon type, mounted in the longitudinal direction of the transfer bars 415. Of course any other means for decreasing the coefficient of friction can be used, it can be for example, the use of blowing systems to create an air cushion on each transfer bar 415. To further contribute to the reduction of the coefficient of friction, 415 of substantially U-shaped cross-section, as can be seen in FIGS. 23 and 24.

Squeegee 409 With regard to the squeegee 409, it comprises a plurality of fingers 410 BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -51- interposed among the transfer bars 415 in the intervals i between these transfer bars 415, and is movable in translation since a starting position upstream of the receiving portion 405a (Figs. 22, 23, 25) to an evacuation position on the evacuation conveyor 407 so as to cause the folded textile articles on the evacuation conveyor 407. In addition, the fingers 410 are retractable between a retracted position in which the fingers 410 are arranged below the transfer bars 415 or flush with these bars 415, and an extended position in which the fingers 410 extend perpendicularly to the transfer bars 415 (see Figures 21 to 28). An actuator 419 makes it possible to position the fingers 410 in the retracted or deployed position. Of course, one could provide a variant in which the fingers 410 are not retractable. These retractable fingers 410 are located next to each other on a support axis 421 arranged substantially transversely to the transfer means 405 and so that the fingers 410 are at the intervals i between the transfer bars 415. This axis support 421 is integral with a movable assembly 423 driving the squeegee 409 in translation forward to push a stack of articles 3 to the evacuation conveyor 407 or back to bring it back to the starting position before the receiving portion 405a. The mobile assembly 423 driving the squeegee 409 may for example comprise a carriage 423 mounted on guide means 425 allowing the movement of forward or backward movement horizontally, and can be actuated by an actuator 427 such as a single cylinder with locking system for one to several intermediate positions, a cylinder with different stages, or an electric motor 25, pneumatic or other, driving the carriage 423 through for example pulleys, belts, gears, chains, racks . In the case where the fingers 410 are retractable, it is conceivable that the fingers 410 pass above or below or flush with the transfer bars 415 by a vertical translation movement or rotation. In the latter case, the support shaft 421 of the fingers 410 is an axis of rotation with a freedom of rotation relative to the BRT0600-pli inverter 2963797 -52- to the mobile carriage 423. The fingers 410 can therefore return to the starting position before the receiving portion 405a whether or not occupied by a stack of articles 3 waiting to pass beneath the transfer bars 415 or being flush with them. This principle of retractable fingers 410 combined with the transitional portion 405b of the transfer means 405, allows immediately after release of the receiving portion 405a to continue the production of a new battery that the previous stack is put on hold on the transient portion 405b (see FIG. 27) or evacuated (see FIG. 28) on the evacuation conveyor 407. Moreover, the retractable fingers 410 may respectively have a generally stair-like general shape. One can of course provide fingers 410 simpler that are straight. This staircase shape has at least three parts 410a, 410b, 410c such that the first part 410a fixed to the support axis 421 and the third part 410c free 15 are parallel and the second part 410b of connection between the first 410a and third 410c parts either perpendicular to these first 410a and third 410c parts. These different parts 410a to 410c can be made in one piece or alternatively an assembly of parts. Thus, in the retracted position of a finger 410, the third part 410c is parallel to the transfer bars 415 and below them or flush, and in the deployed position the second part 410b is parallel to the transfer bars 415 and below latter or flush, while the third portion 410c protrudes from the transfer bars 415. In addition, referring again to FIG. 24, the support 411 of the transfer means 405 is arranged on both sides. other than the transfer means 405, and on the discharge conveyor side 407, the support 411 may have recesses extending the intervals i so as to allow the step-shaped fingers 410 of the squeegee 409 to pass to the 411. These fingers 410 can therefore position an article 3 or a stack of articles 3 directly on the evacuation conveyor 407. For this, the upper part of this evacuation conveyor 407 is found substantially at the same level as the bottom of the recesses I 'of the support 411, and the fingers 410 can pass above this evacuation conveyor 407. Furthermore, the evacuation conveyor 407 can be located at the same level as the bottom of the recesses 40 of the support 411. be mounted in a direction perpendicular to the advancement of the squeegee 409 as shown in Figures 21 to 28 or alternatively in the same direction as the advancement of the squeegee 409.

The operating principle of such an evacuation module M5 is now described.

Operation of the evacuation module M5: The squeegee 409 is in the starting position upstream of the receiving portion 405a of the transfer means 405 and the fingers 410 of the squeegee 409 are retracted. A predetermined number of folded textile articles 3 is picked up and stacked on the receiving portion 405a of the transfer means 405 by dropping articles 3 on the receiving portion 405a or by upward movement of the elevator 404 to locate itself. below the drawer 403 and then by a downward movement to reposition substantially in vis-à-vis the transitional portion 405b. It is then checked whether the transient portion 405b is free. If the transitional portion 405b is free, the fingers 410 of the squeegee 409 are deployed among the transfer bars 415 as illustrated by the arrow F5 in FIG. 25, and the stack of textile articles 3 is pushed onto the portion transient 405b by linear movement of the squeegee 409 for example via the movable carriage 423 as illustrated by the arrow F6. Articles 3 thus slide on transfer bars 415 to arrive at transitional portion 405b (FIGS. 26-27). It is then detected whether the evacuation conveyor 407 is free or occupied. If the evacuation conveyor 407 is free (FIG. 26), the stack of textile articles 3 is continued as illustrated by the arrow F7 until the stack of articles 3 arrives on the conveyor. 407 evacuation (Figure 28). On the contrary, as long as the evacuation conveyor 407 is occupied (FIG. 27), the article stack 3 remains in standby on the transitional portion 405b. Once the evacuation conveyor 407 has been released, the stack of articles 3 waiting on the transitional portion 405b can be completely transferred to the evacuation conveyor 407. A new stack of articles 3 can immediately be formed at the level of the 5 receiving portion 405a released that the previous stack is put on hold on the transitional portion 405b (Figure 27) or is discharged on the discharge conveyor 407 (Figure 28). Once a stack is evacuated on the evacuation conveyor 407 (FIG. 28), the fingers 410 of the squeegee 409 are retracted as shown by the arrow F8 and the squeegee 409 is returned to the receiving portion 405a by a linear displacement illustrated by the arrow F9, to be able to push a new stack formed after deployment of the fingers 410 upstream of the receiving portion 405a passing below the new stack formed. The stacks transferred to the evacuation conveyor 407 can then, for example, be evacuated to a storage mat 500 (see FIG. 1) or to a packaging machine such as a wrapper or the like. Of course, certain operating steps can be reversed. Thus, with such an evacuation module M5 (FIGS. 21 to 28), it is possible to immediately create another stack of articles 3 during the evacuation of the previous one with intermediate storage waiting if the conveyor of 407 evacuation is busy, avoiding blocking production. In addition, the transfer means 405 and the squeegee 409 for the formation and disposal of the batteries are of very simplified mechanical manufacture using no electric motor, pulleys, belts or conveyor belts.

It is therefore understood that a folding machine 1 as described, not only optimizes production but also the quality of folding. BRT0600-fold inverter 30

Claims (27)

REVENDICATIONS1. Inverting crease module of a textile article folding machine (1), (3) comprising: a first textile article conveyor (301) to be folded comprising a first textile article conveying means (9) (3) and a first drive shaft (307) of said conveying means (9), a second textile article conveyor (303) to be folded comprising a second textile article conveying means (9) (3). ) and a second drive axis (313) of said conveying means (9), said second conveyor (303) being arranged to form a substantially "V" angle with the first conveyor (301) and such that both conveyors (301; 303) are spaced apart from one another by a gap (305), first actuating means (309) for rotating the first drive shaft (307), a second drive means actuating (315) to drive in rotation the second drive axis (313), first control means (311) of the first actuating means (309), and second control means (317) for the second actuating means (315) configured to control the reversal of the direction of rotation of the second drive shaft (313), characterized in that the first control means (311) is configured to control slowing down of the first conveyor (301) when a textile article (3) to be folded from the first conveying means (9) engages the second conveying means (9) so as to avoid a surplus of material at the BRT0600-fold reverser level (305) during the inversion of the direction of rotation of the second drive shaft (313). 2. Module according to claim 1, characterized in that the first control means (311) is configured to determine the moment when to control the slowing down and the slowing down time of the first conveyor (301) according to the textile article. (3) to bend .. 3. Module according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the first control means (311) is configured to control the reversal of the direction of rotation of the first drive shaft (307). 4. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each actuating means (309; 315) is directly connected on the one hand to the associated drive shaft (307; 313) and to the other by the associated control means (311; 317). 5. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each control means (311; 317) is configured to vary the speed of the associated conveyor (301; 303) according to the cycle phase of said inverter ply module. 6. Module according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a detector (319) of textile article presence (3) on a downstream zone of the second conveyor (303), and in that said control means (311, 317) are respectively configured to control an acceleration of said conveying means (9) of said conveyors (301, 303) after inversion of the forward direction of second conveying means (9) if the downstream zone is free, and to command a stop of said conveying means (9) if the downstream zone is occupied. BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -57- 7. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second conveyor (303) is pivotally movable so as to adapt, during the folding of a textile article (3), the opening angle of the gap (305) between the two conveyors (301; 303) to the thickness of the textile article (3) being bent. 8. Module according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises an actuator (321) for progressively driving the second conveyor (303) pivotally in a first direction so as to open continuously the gap (305). 10 to a predefined opening angle, and - once the predefined opening angle is reached, in a second direction to close the opening angle, the closing of the opening angle being conditioned by the thickness of said article (3) being folded. 9. Module according to claim 8, characterized in that the opening angle is determined according to the textile article (3). 10. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second conveying means (9) is elastically deformable so as to flex when a textile article (3) passes between the two conveyors (301; 303). via the gap (305). 20 11. Module according to claim 10, characterized in that: the second conveying means (9) comprises a plurality of parallel parallel conveyor belts (15) extending longitudinally on the second conveyor (303), and in that the second conveyor comprises a flexible element (329) fixed below the second conveying means (9) for homogenizing the bending of said conveyor belts (15) and creating a complementary compensation. BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -58- 12. Module according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a complementary means (333; 335) for assisting the folding of a textile article (3) to enhance the execution of the transverse folding. 13. Module according to claim 12, characterized in that the additional folding aid means comprises a folding knife (333) mounted on the second conveyor (303) and movable in linear translation. 14. Module according to claim 13, characterized in that said knife (333) is secured to the second conveyor (303) via an axis of rotation (R) connected to a connecting system (B 1, B2). secured to the frame of said machine (1), so that during the pivoting of the second conveyor (303) said knife (333) is configured to pivot in a direction substantially opposite to the pivoting direction of the second conveyor (303). The module of claim 15, characterized in that said knife (333) is configured to pivot at an angle substantially equal to half the pivot angle of the second conveyor (303). 16. Module according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that it comprises a position sensor (336) arranged on the actuator (334) of said knife (333), so that at the detection of In a predefined position of the actuator, the latter drives said knife (333) in translation during a predefined stroke. 17. Module according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the additional folding aid means comprises a blowing means (335) for generating an air flow transversely to the textile article. 18. Module according to any one of claims 13 to 16 taken in combination with claim 17, characterized in that the blowing means (335) is integral with the folding knife (333). A textile article folding machine comprising an inverter ply module (M4) according to any one of the preceding claims. BRT0600-fold inverter 2963797 -59- 20. Inverting ply process for textile article implemented by an inverting ply module according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: the textile article (3) advances on the first conveying means (9) at a first nominal speed in a first downward direction (SA1) of the first conveying means (9), the textile article (3) arrives on the second conveying means (9) at a first nominal speed in a first rising direction (SA1 ') of the second conveying means (9), the first conveying means (9) is slowed down for a predefined period, the direction of movement of the second conveying means (9), so that the textile article advances in a second downward direction of advancement (SA2 ') opposite the first direction of advance (SA1'), 15 - it is checked whether the downstream zone is free and the forward speed of the conveyors (303,305) is adjusted accordingly. 21. The method of claim 20, characterized in that if the downstream zone is free accelerates the forward speed of the conveyors (301; 303). 22. The method as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that if the downstream zone is free, the conveyor speeds (301; 303) are defined as said conveyor nominal speeds (301, 303). 23. Method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that if the downstream zone is occupied is blocked the textile article (3). 24. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that it comprises a step according to which: the second conveying means (9) is driven in the first direction BRT0600-fold inverter-60-d progress up (SA1 '), the first conveyor means (9) is driven in a second upstream travel direction (SA2) opposite the first downward traveling direction (SA1) for a predefined period of time, - after the of the predefined duration, the first conveying means (9) is driven in the first downward direction of advancement (SA 1) so as to eject any textile article (3) wedged between the two conveyors (301; 303). 25. The method of claim 24, characterized in that said step of ejecting any textile article (3) wedged between the two conveyors (301; 303) is implemented at the start of the folding machine (1). 26. Method according to one of claims 24 or 25, characterized in that said step so as to eject any textile article (3) wedged between the two conveyors (301; 303) is implemented when a blockage of a textile article (3) between the two conveyors (301; 303) is signaled manually or automatically. 27. Method according to any one of claims 20 to 26, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: it controls the pivoting of the second conveyor (303) so as to open the gap (305) between the first (301) ) and the second (303) conveyor to compensate for the thickness of a textile article (3) being folded, to a predefined opening angle and then to close said opening angle, angularly displacing the folding knife (333) during pivoting of the second conveyor (303) so as to substantially center said knife (333) relative to the gap (305), - linearly translating said knife (333) in a predefined stroke and BRT0600-fold inverter is generated a flow of air via a blowing means integral with said knife (333) so as to assist inversion folding. BRT0600-fold inverter