GB985234A - Improvements relating to methods and means for folding in laundry operation - Google Patents

Abstract

985,234. Folding fabrics. FINIMASTER FOLDERS Ltd. Oct. 29, 1962 [Feb. 2, 1962], No. 4221/62. Heading D1S. Apparatus for folding sheets into multiple folds comprises means for feeding the sheet to a winding mandrel at a linear speed in excess of the peripheral speed of the mandrel whereby the sheet is wrapped round the mandrel into spiral form, and means for ejecting the sheet from the mandrel in a direction approximately in the line of the axis of rotation of the mandrel. In the embodiment shown frame 10 carries driving unit 11 for driving a shaft 14 through suitable clutch means. Shaft 14 carries a freely rotatable hollow drum 20, a braking pad 16 being provided to act on the drum. The drum 20 has a V-notch or recess 21 running lengthwise of its surface into which the leading edge of a sheet S can be fed. Concentrically within the drum 20 there is a roller 25 fixed on shaft 14 and also having a V-notch 26 corresponding to the notch 21. The arrangement is such that the roller 25 can rotate inside the drum 20 across the notch 21 and thus trap the leading edge of sheet S. Feeding of the sheet is effected by conveyers 30 driven by belt means from shaft 14. The conveyer 30 carries the sheet forward and the leading edge lifts a floating roller 33 which operates a microswitch 34 and thence a solenoid valve unit 35 which in turn admits air to the face of piston 36 in cylinder 37. The piston rod passes a one-way trip device 38 and makes contact with micro-switch 40. During the time delay the leading edge has been fed into the notch 21. Operation of switch 40 energizes another solenoid valve unit 44 which in turn operates brake pad 16 and clutch means (not shown) to drive the inner roller 25. The V-notch in the roller nips the leading edge of sheet S and the drive continues, to wind the sheet round the drum. When the trailing edge of the sheet passes roller 33 the circuit is broken and the various operations are reversed. When the roller 25 comes to rest with the sheet wound thereon a further solenoid valve assembly 53 is operated which admits air to cylinder 54 (Fig. 4). This governs the means for withdrawing the wound up sheet from the drum. This means comprises an annular plate 57 which closely encircles drum 20 and is connected to piston 56 working in cylinder 54 such that when the latter is pressurized the plate 57 is forced along guide rods 58 so that it slides along the drum 20 and pushes the sheet off on to a table or conveyer where it collapses to a folded form.