US2362976A

US2362976A - Garment folding machine

Info

Publication number: US2362976A
Application number: US433223A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry G Cooper
Original assignee: Prosperity Co Inc
Current assignee: Prosperity Co Inc
Priority date: 1942-03-03
Filing date: 1942-03-03
Publication date: 1944-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 1961-11-21
Also published as: FR962040A

Description

Nov. 21, 1944. H. G. COOPER 2,362,976

GARMENT FOLDING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1942 r 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1' INVENTOR. H.s.coqP:-:R

ATTORNEYS Nov. 21 1944. H. G. COOPER 2,362,976

GARMENT FOLDING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1942 5 Sheets-Shee't 2 I INVENTOR.

H.G.COOPER ATTORNEYS -Nov 21, 1944. O P 2,362,976

GARMENT FOLDING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

I H.G.-COOPER ATTORNEYS Nov. 21, 1944.

FIG. 6

H. G. COOPER GARMENT FOLLDING MACHINE Filed March 3, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I a In qi N N INVENTOR, BY l-LG. c OOP E 7 ATTORNEYS Nov. 21, 1944.

4 H. a. COOPER GARMENT FOLDING MACHINE Fiied March 5. 1942 I l 4 I 1'" I II; a I} x' ll 1 n H I! HF I. I 11 N 1 on n n w v N (D Q 3 N n 0' II n N N N m a 2 3 Q FIG. Io

FIG.9

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 N v N s 3 N 3 N. s INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS cranks. shafts thereof are mounted on the support 9 in cylinder 23. pressed air to the cylinder 23 is controlled, as will The folding mechanism comprises two sets of folding members. H designates one set of right and left folding members, and I2 the other set of right and left folding members. The shirt or garment, when initially laid by the operator on the table with the neckband or collar in the recess 3 (or with the front of the garment-facing down) is also arranged so that the sleeves of the garment hang down from opposite edges of the table. The folding members II are initially arranged so that they are in juxtaposition to fold,

when operated, the hanging sleeves up over the body of the shirt or garment and over the form l into the position shown in Figure '7. Each of the folding members H i in the general form of a crank including a crank shaft l3 and a crank pin [4 in the form of an arm or rod which coacts with the sleeve of the shirt or garment. There are suitable motion transmitting means between the motor of the actuating means and these The folding member's II or the crank suitable bearings 15. The motion transmitting means between the motor and these cranks, in

the illustrated embodiment of the invention, concarried by the frame 6 of the form 4. The portions of this crank formation, which coact with the garment to fold the same, normallyextend in the plane of the form 4 and are shiftable bodily with the form into and out of a position flatwise over the table.

The actuating means includes a motor, and preferably a pressure-operated motor and a power and control system therefor. The motor is carried by the support 9 and partakes of the pivotal or tilting movement thereof. It is here shown as of-the cylinder and piston type and comprises a cylinder 23 and a piston 24 working therein, the

' piston rod 25 of which is connected to the shaft Bto rotate said shaft through suitable mechanism, as a rack and pinion. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the piston rod is formed with a rack 26 meshing with a pinion 21 mounted on the shaft 8 between the ends thereof.

The :piston rod 25 is also provided witha piston 28 at the end thereof remote from the piston 24,

the piston 28 working in' a cylinder 29 alined with the cylinder 23. The pressure face of the piston 28 is less than that of the piston 24, and the cylinder. 29 is connected to asourc of motive fluid, as compressed air, which is in constant communication therewith, so that the piston 28 acts to return the folding mechanism to its starting position, when the pressure is released from the v The flow of motive fluid or com-- be hereinafter described.

The frame 6 for the form is connected to the shaft 8 through a lost-motion coupling, which, i during the power operation of the shaft 8 by the motor, also moves the form '4 about the axis of the shaft 8 into a position on the garment on the table I and which also permits continued movement of the shaft 8 to operate the folding members H, after the form 4 isin a position flatwise on the garment on the table I. As here shown, this coupling consists of a rock arm 30, best seen in Figures 12 and 13, on the shaft 8 and having a transverse arm or pin 31 coacting with the frame 6, it coacting with a nose 32 extendin to the opposite side of the axis of the frame 6 or shaft 8 from that on which the form 4 is located, when the form 4 and its frame 6 is. in its starting elevated position (Figure 1).

When the shaft 8 is actuated and rotates clockwise, said arm 3| moves away from the nose 32; permitting the form to move by gravity flatwise down onto the garment on the table I. As the form moves through an arc of less than 45, the arm 3| moves away from the nose 32 as the form 4 moves by gravity toward and into the position, flatwise over the garment on the table I into the position shown in Figure 13. The shaft. 8 during rotation thereof is actuating the folding member s II.

The folding members l2 are, in this embodiment of the invention, operated by hand, and

- one in advance of the other, the operation being against the action of returning springs 34, these being shown as torsion springs encircling the shafts 2|, and each anchored at its opposite ends to a head on the shaft and to: the bearing 22 (Figure 5). Releasable means, are provided for holding the members I2 in their operatedposition, that is, the position shown in Figure 3.

In the illustrated embodiment of our invention, the holding means is power operated and released when the power is released. The holding means here shown frictionally holds the members l2 against return movement by the springs 34. The friction means illustrated consists of brake shoes 35, best seen in Figures 5, 6 and 11, coacting with a drum or hub 36 on the shaft 2| and each operated by a pressure-operated member, as a diaphragm 31 in a diaphragm chamber 38, the pressure side of which is connected toa source of supply of compressed air, as will hereinafter be described in connection with the power system. The diaphragm thrusts against a plunger 39 which in'turn thrusts against the brake shoe 35.

The power system includes a main supply line 4| havingan open branch conduit 42 leading to the intake end of the cylinder 29 and a, conduit communicating with the intake end of the casing of a controlvalve 44 of the combined intake and exhaust type, this valve including a movable valve member having a normally closed intake valve head 45 and a normally open' 'exhaust valve head 46, this valve being acted upon by a spring 41, which holds it in its normal position. In Figure 6, the valve is shown as in its operated position.

The power system also includes a conduit 48 leading from the casing of the valve 44 through a timer device 49 and conduit 59 to the intake end of the cylinder 23 and also'from the timer device 49 through conduits 5| and 52 to the diaphragm chamber's'38 respectively; The movable valve member of the valve 44 is operated from I its normal position into the position shown in Figure 6 by an operator-operated member 53, which is connected by a rod 54 to anarm of a three-arm I rocking lever 55, one arm of which coacts with the stem 56 of the movable member of thevalve 44'. This lever 55, and hence the movable valve member, is held in its operated position shown in Figure 6, by a pressure-operated device, as a diaphragm 51 in a chamber58, the pressure side of which is connected by a duct 59 to the interior the. BXhaHStiOf-aiP from: the diaphr m chambers .38 rand: 58,. and ,henoenthe .release of the brake shoes'35and thetexhaust of the cylinderq23 and 'the actuation. of -thepistonr-28 and the cylinder .29, so that thespring G ls freeto. reactlto return of the valve casing i441 Y The diaphragm-55:! acts through a-plunger or stem. 60 ion anotherlarmtof :thethree-armllever 55. Thus, when :theoperat ing member 153 isoperated, .andithe .exhaus't valve head 46 closed and the -intake-valve 'headr45 opened, the air i'n its passagethrough theicasing of the valve 44 into the'.pipe;48, also passesinto the diaphragm chamber '58 through the duct :59 and holds the-valve inits operated position; The operating member53 is here shownasialever pivoted at .Blbetween itsends to the under-side :of the table I, and as having a head 62 extending -beyond one side edge of the table and-located to be. pressed against by the bodyor the hipof:-the

operator. that when the operator operatesit, her hands are outof the range of movement of the folding mem- I .lberszll. v v ,:Means.isprovidedforreleasing. the air from the cylinder at the end of the folding operation,

.this including arelease control operable by lifting of thefOrm 4 with the shirt thereon to with- ,draw the folded shirt or garment therefrom. The release control member here shown is'a normally closed exhaustyalve forthe;

diaphragm chamber

58, 63 designates thecasing of the exhaust valve and 64 anormallyclosed exhaust -valve head, which-is pressed to closed position by aspring, ,65, The exhaust valve casing .63 is connected by a pipe 68 to the'pressureside of the diaphragm -.cha mber 58.- The'valvehead84 has a stem 61. This exhaust valve is mounted on the table frame in position to be engaged byan arm 68- on-the support or leaf 9 when the support is tilted, as

will be presently described. The arm 68 has a.

yieldingly mounted head 69 for pressing against the stem .61 of the exhaustvalve. Thus, the exhaust valve 64 is normally closed under the influence of its;spring,65 or is in the positionshown fin Figure 6, sothat upon operation of the operating. lever 53,.the air will flow to the cylinder 23,

the diaphragm chambers 38,;and upon lifting of the form into the position shown inEigure ,,the exhaust valve head 64 will be opened, permitting air to exhaust from the ,diaphragm chamber,58,z

and hence the control valve in the casing 44 to return to its normalposition, wherein the exhaust valve head 46 is openedand the intake valve head 45 closed. Upon this operation, the aircanexhau st back through the pipes 58,. 5| and 52, through the timer, as will be presently described, to the outer air an'd also through pipe 48 and throttle therein and exhaust passageof valve casing 44, permitting.thesjprings34 to .re-act and return-the foldingrnernbers to their normal positionand the piston 28 to re-act and return through the rack 26, pinion 21 and shaft 8, the

folding members H to their starting position.

The release of air from the diaphragm chambers 38 effects the release of the .brake shoes so that thejspring 6 returns the leaf or support 9 and frame 6 to its normal position (Figure 1) from that shown in Figure 2. When the'brake shoes 35 are applied and the form 4 lifted to the angle.v

shown in Figure ,2, for the purpose ;of re,moving the foldedigarrnent therefrom, the form 4. is locked from pivotal movement about the shaft 8. Hence, when the upward tilting force is applied 4 the form, the frame 6 thrusts against :the shoulder 3| (Figure 13) ofv-therockarm 38 (Figure 13), and as ,the form 4 can: not pivot about theshaft. 8,,the supportzor. leaf 9 is til-tedabout lthe pivot l 8 ;(F i gure;2,) :aridthe arm .sa actuated Jig ppm-the; exhaust ltalveiheadifill. wfl'hiss'efiects This operating headz62 is so located;

the support .or leaf .9 to theposition shown ,in Figure '1. .Also, iunder"the action of the piston-28,

the shaft 8 -.isactuated in .a retrograde direction to return the folders tozstartingposition. 1 This operation causes the shoulder :3! of the rock-arm 3.0 togmove from theposition shown @in Figure 3 to that shownin Figure 12,;and during the latterpart of this movement. whenit moves into engagement with the nose 32,. tilts the form 4 and its frame .6 into the position. shown in Figure 1.

The elevating movement of the frameis limited by. astop S. When the garment has been first laid on'the table handthe controlmemberjii actuated,qthe shaft -8.-is turned, permitting the form to drop by gravity from its elevated position fiatwise on the garment on -the table. The-form reaches its position flatwise. on the table when the shoulder 3l has,-comp 1et,ed about one-third of itsmovement from the. position shown-inFigure 1'2 to that shown in Figure 13.

Thetimer (Figure .6) includes the cylinder '49 and a piston 18 therein,- the piston rod 1 I .of which is provided with a cross-head 12 to which-returning springs 13 are connected. The ,cylinder is provided with ports arrangedto be uncovered. by the piston progressively, these ports designated A,

. .B and C communicating respectively with-the pipe actuate the piston 24 therein, and alsoflow to position.

.150 leading to the main cylinder23 and to the diaphragm chambers .38 38 respectively which operate brake shoes;.g35. The operationof the timer is of more consequence during the retrograde movement of :-the timer piston, in order to time the releasing of the :brake shoes-35cmsecutivelysorone ahead of the other, =in.order to prevent eitherfrom obstructing theother during the return of the folders. I 2 to their starting In additionto the. timer cylinder and piston49,

lfl the-timing means includes athrottlevalve in 36.0; is opened by "the lifting of the form. 4 with the folded shirt thereon into the .positionshown in Figure 2. 48 designates the throttle valvein the feed pipe 48 .to the cylinderof the timer... .5fi'

designates athrottle valve in the pipe 5Klleading from the port A inthe timer-to thecylinderZS. These throttles valves are check -.valves with bleeder passages orflneedlevalve controlled Ipassages therein. The'gthrottle valve .48 isqreversely arranged from valve {ill and is so arranged that the full pressure'tfiows ;only into the timer cylinder 49 to actuate the Piston .10 therein, when the valve 44 is operated to open the .air intake head 45 andclosethe exhaust valve headAS or .valve is connected to the port A to .be first uncovered and is arranged to throttle or cause the air to .flow slowly from the timer cylinderthrough the pipe .50 to the vcylinder 23 to the motor. and

to exhaust back, freely. -(Dne construction ,of. the throttle valve ,isiillustrated in Figured wherein the throttles-valve 15 0% iS.;5. 0W ..i 2tqm throttle valve 48 is of the same construction, except that it is reversely arranged with respect to the flow of power. Each throttle valve includes a spring-pressed check valve 500 and a by-pass or bleeder passage controlled by a needle valve 50| around the port controlled by the check valve.

The timer cylinder 49 is provided with exhaust ports 49 at the outer end thereof. Thepipe 5| to the diaphragm chamber 38 leads from the port B of the timer cylinder; the pip 52 to the other diaphragm chamber 38 leads from the port 0 in the timer cylinder. The pipe 50 to the cylinder 23 of the motor leadsfrom the first port A to be uncovered. Thus, upon the'operation of the valve 44 to open its intake head 45 and close its exhaust head 46, air will flow from the main line 43 through the pipe 48 and throttle valve 48 therein to the timer cylinder 49, actuating the piston therein, so that the air first passes through the pipe 50 and throttle valve 50 to the cylinder 23. As before stated, the throttlevalve 48 is so arranged as to open the pipe 48 to the full flow of power, and the throttle valve 58 is arranged to throttle the air in its passage to the cylinder 23. Thus, when the piston 10 uncovers the port A, the piston 24 is actuated comparatively slowly giving time for the form 4 to come fiatwise down onto the garment before the folders II have traveled far enough to complete the folding of the sleeves of the garment. This movement of the form 4 fiatwise ontothe garment also carries the folders l2 into position to fold before the folders II have folded the sleeves of the garment over onto the form, and the folders [2. When the piston 10 of the timer uncovers the ports B and C consecutively, and applies the brake shoes consecutively, but during folding operation, this consecutive operation is of no consequence, but the consecutive releasing of these brake shoes is of consequence during the return of the parts from folded to starting position. Upon the uncovering of the port A, the form 4 first moves from the position shown in Figure l, carrying the folders I2 therewith, and then the folders ll complete the folding of the garment into the position shown in Figure 7. The operator then folds the folders I2 by handgone after the other, as shown in Figure 8, into the position shown in Figure 9. She then folds the tail portion of the i shirt from the position shown in Figure 9 to that shown in Figure 10; applies a retaining band R, and then lifts the form with the shirt thereon into the position shown in Figure 2, and slips the folded shirt off the form. The elevating of the form 4 with the shirt thereon into the position shown in Figure 2 opens the exhaust valve 64, as previously described, thus causin the portsC, B on its retrograde action, the air exhausts from the

pipes

52, 5| behind the piston 10 through the ports 49 to the outer air. When the piston on its retrograde movement uncovers the port A, the cylinder 23 is then freed of the slow throttling exhaust action of the throttle valve 48* and can exhaust fully through the valve 50 into the timer cylinder behind the piston 70 and out through the ports 49 The operator in folding the folders l2 by hand applies enough force to overcome the holding friction of the brake shoes 35.

' In the general operation, the operator arranges the shirt on the table in the position shown in Figure 1, the cardboard 5 having been placed on the form 4 or on the garment. She then operates the operating member 53, which opens the valve intake head of the control valve and closes the exhaust valve head 46 and the air flowing through the pipe 48 into the timer cylinder 49, actuates the piston E0 of the timer. The air then flows to the cylinder 23 anddiaphragm chambers 38*, 38 as described, the form 4 dropping by gravity fiatwise on the garment during the initial part of the movement of the folders H. The flow of air to the cylinder 23 is timed by the throttle valve 50*. The operator then immediately folds the left and right folding members 12 by hand into the position shown in Figures 2 and 3. She then makes any smoothing operations necessary and folds the tail portion of the shirt from the position shown in Figure 9 to that shown in Figure 10.

The band R is then applied. These holding bands R arearranged in a recess 14 in the table. The operator takes hold of the ends of one of these bands and brings the ends up around over the shirt and fastens them together by a pin, clip or adhesive. The operator then tilts the form 4 upwardly away from the table toward the position shown in Figure 2, and while doing so, slips the folded shirt and the cardboard therein, off the form. This operation of tilting the form also tilts the support or leaf 9 about the pivot 10 into the position shown in Figure 2, opens the exhaust valve 64 permitting the control valve heads 45,

the control valve 54 to return to its normal position, wherein the exhaust valve head 45 is open and the exhaust valve head 45 closed, permitting the air to exhaust solely with a throttling action through the pipe 48 and the check or throttle valve 48 therein. However, the throttling through the throttle valve 48 is not sufficient to release the pressure in the cylinder 23 and the diaphragm chambers 38 38, but is only sufficient to permit retrograde movement of the piston 10 under the action of the spring 13 sufficiently to uncover the ports 0, B consecutively effecting the release of the brake shoes 35 consecutively so that the folding members i2 move out of their folded position consecutively and do not interfere with each other during their unfolding action. When the piston 10 uncovers.

46 to return to normal position with the intake head 45 closed and the exhaust head open, so that the parts return to their starting position ready for the next folding operation, the same being controlled or timed during the return by the timer means including the cylinder 49 and piston 10 and the

throttle valves

48 and 50 What I claim is:

l. A garment folding machine including a table on which the garment is laid, a form pivotally mounted to shift into and out of a position fiatwise over the table and the garment thereon, folding mechanism operable to fold portions of the garment relatively to the form and to other portions of the garment, power mechanism for operating the folding mechanism including means for permitting the operation of the form into a position fiatwise over the table and the garment in advance of the folding of the garment about the form by the folding mechanism, an operator-operated control for effecting the operation of the power mechanism, and means operated by the movement of the form out of a position fiatwise over the table to effect the unfolding of the folding mechanism and the return of the form to starting position.

2. A garment folding machine including a table on which the garment is laid fiat, a form mounted to shift into and out of a position fiatoperation" 53 of:

power mean .owisesiover -tha'table'and the garment "thereon,

foldingim'e'chanism' including tw'o' ysets of folding members flpower'i' mechanism:for" operating: :one set of foldiiiglimembersihe other set being i'n dependent'ly;operated; pow'erzme'chani'sm -for operating the-first set of *folding-fimembers and eluding": means for permitting: the' operation: of the fo'rm:'-Jin1advance-.of the "folding operation by th-lfil'st' set of folding members-"aboutnthe form; I and an?operator-operated"control for thepo'wer 1 meansgftlie independently operated' s'et 'oficontrol membersbeing sniftable'with the-form'iintb and out 'f -position to' operate to 'fold the garment.'-v 3 A garment folding machine includinga ta-' ble": n =which the garment is laid "flatfa form' mounted to shift into and out of a position flatwis'e'=-*over thel'table and the garment thereon; folding mechanismfin'cluding" twosets of folding members, power mechanism-for operating one set of folding mernbers, the se'cond set being indepe'n er'itly operatedl'mean's for'retur'ning' the latter'set t'o starting position, means for holdingthe seconwset in ope'rat'ed "position, power mocha nism for operating the one set offolding mem- -bers' andi' iricluding -means for permitting-the operation of the' formin advance ofthe folding the first gset' offolding members ab'o'u "the form; an operator-operated control for the po'wer means, and means operated by the shifting of the' formawa'yfrom a position' -flah wise on the table, I to control the: operation of "the "to restore the power-"operatedifolde ing meiiitrs ano the form to startingiposition,

and r'eleas'e the holding means for the second set.

i garment folding machine including a tamotor, and a second control member operable by the initial lifting movement of the form with the folded garment thereon from a position flatwise on the table to effect de-energi-zation of the motor, and means for returning the folding mechanism and the form to their starting positions when the motor is ale-energized.

- 5. A garment folding machine including a table on which the garment is laid flatwise, a form mounted to shift into and out of a position flatwise over the table and the garment thereon, a motor, folding members operable to fold portions of the garment relatively to the form and to other portions of the garment, motion transmitting meansbetween the motor and the folding members and the form, a power system for the motor including an operator-operated control operable to control the flow of power to the motor, and a second control member operable by'the initial lifting movement of the form with the folded garment thereon from a position flatwise on the table to effect de-energization of the motor, means for returning the folding mechanism and the form to their starting positions, when the motor is de-energized, a support for the motor, the form, the folding members and the motion transmitting means, said support being pivotally connected to the table, and'the form being pivotally mounted on the support on an axis parallel to and spaced from the pivotal axis of the support, and means tending to return the supportito normal position, all whereby upward tilting'force applied to the form when flatwise on theptable and the motor is energized tilts the support about its pivot, and connections between the. pivoted support and the second control memher to operate it. q l

6; A, garment folding machine, including a table on which the garment is laid flatwise, a form mounted to shift into and-out of a position flatwise over the table and the garment thereon, a motor, folding; members operable to fold portions of-e-theagarment relatively :tofthe form-and to other ,portions of thegarment, motion transmitting means between the; motor and the :folding membersand-Ithe form, apower-system forlthe motorincluding an operator-operated control operable. to control theflow ofrpo'wer to the motor, and ,a s'econdpco'ntrol member operable by the initial-lifting movement of the form with the folded garmenfithereori: fronr-a position flatwise on the table Ito: efiect'fde energization of the motor,

means for returning the folding mechanism and the form to their startingtpositionsya support for the motor, the form, the foldingmembersand the". motion transmitting means, :pivotally connected: to theintableg'said motion transmitting means including a shaft"extendingzparallel to and spacedwfrom the-axis of thesupportgthe form being pivotally mounted on'theT'shaft, a connection between the shaft and the "form by. which the'r form i's' moved on its' pivotby the rotation of the shaft' into andiout" of position flatwise on v the" table, whereby upward tilting force applied to theform-wher'i flatwiseon=the table and the 7 motor is energized tilts the support about'its pivot; and conne'ctions betweenthe pivoted supportand the control member 1 tooperate it. 7. A garment folding machine includinga table on which the garment is laid flatwise, a form .m'ounted to shift intoand out of a position flatwise over the table and the garment thereon, a

pressure-operated motor, folding members operable to fold portions of the garment relatively to the form and to other portions of the garment, motion transmitting means between the motor and the folding members and the form, a fluid "pressure system for the motor including an operator-operated, self-returning combined intake and exhaust valve normally arranged with the intake closed and'the exhaust open, and a second control member consisting of a normally closed, self-closing exhaust valve, means operable by the tilting of the form with the folded garment thereon from a position flatwise on the table to open the second control member, and means acting on the motion transmitting mechanism tending to return the form, the motor and the folding members to their starting positions;

8. A garment folding machine including a table on which'the garment is laid flatwise, a form mounted to shift into and out of a position flatwise over the table and the garment thereon, a pressure-operated motor, folding members operable to fold portions of the garment relatively to the form and to other portions of the garment, motion transmitting means between the motor and the folding members and the form, a fluid pressure system for the motor including an operator-operated, a first control member including a self-returning combined intake and exhaust valve normally arranged with the intake closed and the exhaust open, and a second .control member consisting of a normally closed, selfclosing exhaust valve, means operable by the tilting of the form. with the folded garment thereon from a position fiatwise on the table to open the second control member, and means acting on the motion transmitting mechanism tending to return the form, the motor and the folding -of folding mechanism, each includin folding members, one set of folding members being normally in position to coact with the garment, when actuated, to fold the same, and the other set operator-operated andinitially out of position to coact with the garment, and movable into such position by the movement of the form into a, po-

. sitlon flatwise over the table and the garment,

actuating mechanism, and connections operated thereby for operating the form into a position flatwise over the table and operating the first set of folders, and operator-operated control means for the actuating mechanism.

10. A garment folding machine including a table on which the garment is arranged, a, form operable to shift into and out of a position fiatwise over the table and the garment thereon, two sets of folding mechanism including folding members, one set of folding members being normally in position to coact with the garment, when actuated, to fold the same, and the other set initially out of position to coact with the garment and movable into such position by the movement of the form into a position over the table and the garment, actuating mechanism, and connections operated thereby for operating the form and first set of folding members, and control means for the actuatingmechanism, the second set of folding members being manually operable, means tending to return them to their starting positions, releasable holding means operated by the control means for holding them in their folded positions, the control means including timer means for effecting first the operation of the form and the folding operation of the first set of folding members, and then the operation of the holding means for the operator-operated folding members and the return of the first set of folding members, the release of the holding members and the return of the form in the reverse order upon the release of the control means.

11. A garment folding machine including a table, on which the garment is arranged, a form mounted to shift into and out of a position flatwis'e over the table and the garment thereon, folding mechanism operable to fold a portion of the garment relatively to the form and the other portions, a pressure-operated motor for operating the folding mechanism to effect the folding, and a second pressure-operated motor for returning the folding mechanism to starting position, a power system for the motors, the second motor being of less strength than the first motor and being in constant open communication with the 'power system,

member in the power system for controlling the an operator-operated control energization of the first motor, and a second control member operated by the initial movement of the form away from the table to effect the deenergization of the first motor.

HARRY G. COOPER.