GB946991A - Improvements in or relating to cloth folding - Google Patents

Abstract

946,991. Folding fabrics. W.WULFF. Jan. 31, 1961 [Aug. 13, 1960], No. 3558/61. Heading D1S. A folding device for folding articles comprises clamping means for gripping the leading edge of an article passing around the outer surface of a rotatable drum, the clamping means being located above the outer surface of the drum whose circumference corresponds at least to the maximum length of the article being folded, the lower peripheral half of the drum being provided with pressure means for compressing the article after folding. In the arrangement shown (Fig. 9) article 11 from a calender 10 is fed to a conveyer table 12 which terminates in front of a driven folding drum 17. The article is folded transversely on table 12 by means of clamping beam 21 and is folded again above the drum 17 by another beam 21. Fig. 2 shows the fold forming mechanism. When the leading edge of article 11 reaches feeling member 28 the latter is raised and contact 26 closed. The leading edge then passes along the upper surface of clamping plate 24 until it engages feeler 29 which is also raised closing contact 27. This completes the circuit 32 causing operation of solenoid 25. This raises clamping plate 24 so that the leading edge of the article is clamped against jaw 23. The remainder of the article is drawn under the clamped leading edge until such time as the trailing edge allows feeler 28 to drop thus breaking the contact 26 and releasing the clamping plate 24. Endless conveyer belts 20 engage and press the folded article against the lower half of the periphery of drum 17. The solenoid 25 may be replaced by electro-pneumatic means and further folding operations may be made on drum 17.