GB935974A - Apparatus for folding laundry articles - Google Patents

Abstract

935,974. Separating laundry articles. McGRAW-EDISON CO. Dec. 18, 1959 [Jan. 28, 1959], No. 43197/59. Class 117. [Also in Groups XIX and XXX] In an apparatus for folding laundry articles as they pass a folding zone having automatic control means for the selection of articles for folding and the rejection of other articles the articles are advanced in a travel path past the folding zone by conveyers, a by-pass member when in an operating position guiding the article through the folding zone and when in inoperative position causing the articles to by-pass the folding zone, the conveyers including a pair of lanes lying side-by-side and each lane being arranged to carry an article not exceeding in width the width of the lane, and both lanes being adapted to co-operate in carrying an article overlapping each lane, sensing means being provided between the two lanes on the travel path upstream from the by-pass member and adapted to be intercepted by the leading portion of any article overlying a portion of each lane, and motors, responsive to the interception of the sensing means, move the by-pass member to its operative position, the sensing means being disposed adjacent to the by-pass member so that the control of the normally spaced articles following each other in immediate sequence is effected without mutual interference. In the arrangement shown laundry articles are conveyed towards by-pass members 10L, 10R by belts 12 and from the by-pass members by belts 13. The conveyer comprises two lanes, one lane leading to and from the by-pass member 10L and the other to and from the by-pass member 10R. Each lane is divided into two courses A, B and C, D respectively. If an article of laundry overlaps two lanes a sensing means CF1, comprising a spring-loaded lever 23c connected to an adjustable actuating screw 23b, is operated to cause the by-pass members 10L, 10R to be pivoted to the open position to guide the articles on to conveyer 14 to be fed to a folding device 86. The by-pass members 10L, 10R are held in the open position until laundry articles pass an article responsive means CF2. The lanes are divided into two courses A, B and C, D respectively and if a laundry article overlaps courses A, B or C, D a between course sensing means FL or FR is operated to open the by-pass member 10L or 10R. If a laundry article passes along course A, B, C or D individual course sensing means S1 S2, S3 or S4 are operated to move the by-pass member 10L or 10R to the by-pass position if such member is in the open position. Gang switches are provided to allow either or both lanes to be set for folding articles if desired. The articles on leaving the conveyer 13 are stacked or draped over a fixed bar 90 by pivoted plate devices 88 reciprocated by an air motor 89.