GB669184A - Improvements in means for folding sheets, tablecloths and like flat articles - Google Patents

Abstract

669,184. Folding sheets &c. LISTER, S. W. Feb. 10, 1949 [Feb. 10, 1948], No. 3895/48. Class 42 (ii). Means for folding sheets, tablecloths, &c. comprises a tetrahedral former combined with endless conveyer bands adapted to feed the articles in succession over the former from one edge of one triangular face thereof towards the opposite apex of the face with a longitudinal fold line of the articles disposed along a line joining the apex to the mid-point of the said edge, the conveyer bands maintaining each article in face-to-face contact with the surfaces of the former throughout its travel thereover, and includes guide means for each band which causes it to twist face-for-face and edge-for-edge during a part of its travel while it is running clear of the former. This twisting results in the face of each band which is nearer the former during one circuit thereover becoming the face which is farther from the former during the next successive circuit. As shown, a sheet D to be folded is fed from the delivery end B of an ironer or drying machine on to a conveyer A on a carriage 4 mounted for transverse movement on rails 6. Carriage 4 is adjusted transversely by an operator by means of a hand wheel 7 controlling servomotor mechanism, so that sheet D is located as desired (e.g. centrally) relative to a folding mechanism C; for this purpose a gauge-bar 9 with a central mark 10 and coloured graduations 11 is provided. Sheet D passes from conveyer A on to endless conveyer bands 25, 26 of the folder C. Bands 25, 26 pass around a driven roller 19, over the rear and side surfaces of a tetrahedral former 12, around rollers 17 or 18, 24, 23, 22, over guidebars 21 and around roller 20. Each band, during its travel clear of the former, is twisted face-for-face and edge-for-edge. The sheet is carried between bands 25, 26 upwards over the rear and side surfaces of former 12 to emerge folded longitudinally (as shown, centrally) on the top run of band 25. The sheet now passes on to a conveyer E which is adjusted transversely, similarly to conveyer A, to position the sheet relative to a second folding mechanism F. Folder F is similar to folder C, except that it is half the width and is inverted as compared with folder C, giving the sheet a second longitudinal fold by passing it downwards over a former 12a. From folder F the article is delivered on to a conveyer G which may carry the twice-folded sheets over a transverse folder of any known type.