GB862457A - Improvements in or relating to textile article handling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

862,457. Opening and folding textile articles. WULFF, W. Oct. 25, 1958, No. 34242/58. Classes 42 (1) and 42 (2). Apparatus for opening out textile articles into flat condition comprises a table for receiving the articles and thereover a swingable crossstrut, carrying members adapted to engage an article to be opened out, at least one of which comprises two grippers movable towards and away from one another and arranged so that on swinging the cross-strut with an article gripped at one end by the grippers the article is laid out lengthwise and cross-wise. Spreading and transverse folding.-One end of an article to be laid out is held by an operative and the other end inserted between grippers 15, 16, Fig. 1, carried on shoes 37, 38 on the cross-member 11 of a pivotal frame 11, 12, 13 carried by a shaft 14. On depression of a pedal, pneumatic means are actuated to (a) close the grippers, (b) move them apart along member 11 so as to slide along the edge of the article and stretch it transversely, and (c) operate an air cylinder 21 to swing the frame to the dotted line position so as to lay the article over a table 10. A cam on shaft 14 then operates a valve to reverse the supply of air to cylinder 21 and thus return the frame to its starting position. A second cam on shaft 14 is arranged to operate a valve so as to open grippers 15, 16 and return them to their initial positions either (a) at the end of the outward swing of the carriage, in which case the article drops flat on to table 10, or (b) at the end of the return swing, in which case the article is deposited folded once transversely. By using a stirrup 24, Fig. 4, carried by member 11, the article is deposited folded twice transversely. Folding longitudinally.-In a modification, Figs. 10, 12, sleeve 37 carries a bar 53 and sleeve 38 carries grippers 58, 59 mounted on pivoted arms 55, 56. The corners of an open or oncefolded article are inserted in grippers 58, 59 in the Fig. 10 position. The grippers close and move together to the Fig. 12 position, the sleeves 37, 38 move apart so that the article is folded longitudinally about bar 53 and the frame swings away to deposit the folded article on the table. Control of the movement of the parts may be effected, electrically or mechanically instead of pneumatically. Instead of a swinging frame, a traverse member may be used which is guided in a curve on a suitable guide. The spread or folded articles may be stacked on the table or they may be passed directly to the feed conveyer of a calender.