US3493151A

US3493151A - Apparatus for folding and creasing fabric and fabric-like workpieces

Info

Publication number: US3493151A
Application number: US690973A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert E Scherr
Original assignee: Ivanhoe Research Corp
Current assignee: Ivanhoe Research Corp
Priority date: 1967-12-15
Filing date: 1967-12-15
Publication date: 1970-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 1987-02-03

Description

E. SCHERR 3, APPARATUS FOR FOLDING AND CREASING FABRIC AND Feb. 3, 1970 FABHIC-LIKE WORKPIECES 6 Sheets-$heet 1 'Filed Dec. 15, 1967 INVENTOR. ROBERT E. SCH/ERR ATTORNEY Feb. 3', 1970 R. E. scHERR 3,493,151

- APPARATUS FOR FOLDING AND CREASING FABRIC AND FABRICLIKE WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 15, 1967 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 3O 5 I] manna I J W r-,) 5 S a f 72 66 32 2| 72 FIG. 3

INVENTOR ROBERT E. SCHE'RR ATTORNEY Feb. 3, 1970 R. E. SCHERR APPARATUS FOR FOLDING ,AND CREASING FABRIC AND FABRIC-LIKE WORKPIECES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 15, 1967 a a W RR w x N E r w 0 R Feb. 3, 1970 R. a. 5mm I 3,493,151

M'PARATUS FOR FOLDING AND CREASING FABRIC AND FABRIC-LIKE WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 15, 1967 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 i a: I 30 72 use 1-2 I FIG. 5

5| ii? (a) FIG.7

. INVENTOR ROBERT E SCHER/F VZZ ATTORNEY R. E. SCHERR Feb. 3, 1970 3,493,151 APPARATUS FOR FOLDING AND CREASING FABRIC AND FABRICLIKE WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 15, 1967 ESSheets-Shet FIG. 8

FIG. 9

FIG. /0

mvsm'oa ROBERT ESCHERR 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ZOTSENEO no m u 0 mzO R. E. SCHERR FABRIC-LIKE WORKPIECES mm $552 E0235 azfixm v APPARATUS FOR FOLDING AND CREASING FABRIC AND Feb. 3, 1970 Fi'led Dec. 15, 1967 I N 9. oE m 9. m oE v oE m QE mdE 0P mmm mmzwmmmm INVENTOR ROBERT E. SCHERR- 32M United States Patent 3,493,151 APPARATUS FOR FOLDING AND CREASING FABRIC AND FABRIC-LIKE WORKPIECES Robert 'E. Scherr, Greenwich, Conn., assignor to Ivanhoe Research Corporation, New York, N.Y.

Filed Dec. 15, 1967, Ser. No. 690,973 Int. Cl. A41h 33/00 US. Cl. 223-38 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A stationary die is recessed in a table or work surface for providing a flat surface. A movable die is recessable into the work surface thereby extending the fiat surface A fabric workpiece may be slid across the unobstructed work surface so to lie flat on or in the work station formed by the cooperating dies and part of the table surfaces. A movable clamp foot is provided to arrest the positioned workpiece. With the workpiece held in place. the movable die rises angularly from its recessed position wiping that portion of the workpiece extending over the movable die back on itself with part of the clamp foot sandwiched between the folded portions of the workpiece. The clamp foot is removed and the movable die presses or creases the folded workpiece. The movable die and the clamp foot are removed from the folded and creased workpiece with the movable die retreating to its recessed position and the clamp foot being elevated above the stationary die. The folded-creased workpiece may then be slid out of the work station or across the work surface (including both dies) and another workpiece slid into the work station, thus positioned on the work surface fo folding and creasing.

The present invention relates to apparatus for folding and creasing workpieces, particularly material in the general category of dry goods, such as cloth and/or fabric material or other cloth-like and/or fabric like material.

In the manufacture of apparel, such as garments, headgear, footwear, etc., it is common practice to precut material into panels according to predetermined patterns and join such panels with other panels. In some cases a precut panel, herein referred to as a workpiece, may be prepared for joining with other panels by folding and creasing the panel along or partly along its edge thereby forming a finished edge on the panel.

An example of a panel which may be prepared prior to joining with other or another panel, by folding and creasing the edge to provide a finished edge, is a workpiece used to form a patch-pocket." The preparing of a workpiece, i.e., folding and creasing to be used for a patch pocket may be done manually by use of an iron for creasing or may be done by using a folder-creaser device.

The present invention is a greatly improved foldercreaser which automatically folds and creases the edge of a workpiece thereby providing a workpiece with a finished edge. The subject apparatus has a novel structure which lends itself to be easily employed in an automatic or an automated system. The novel structure is such as to permit folding and creasing of very flimsy material such as material with very little self-supporting strength. Another novel feature is the structure of the movable die and its relationship to the stationary die and the manner in which the folding and subsequent creasing of a workpiece is accomplished.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for folding and creasing fabric material which apparatus is readily employable in an automatic and/ or automated system.

3,493,151 Patented Feb. 3, 1970 Another object is to provide apparatus for folding and creasing limp material workpiece in which the upper surfaces of the cooperating dies'normally lie in a common plane, at the same level.

Another object is to provide an improved folder-creaser which employs a movable die cooperating with a stationary die and the folding and subsequent creasing of a workpiece is accomplished by operation of the movable die from a recessed position in the same plane and same level as the stationary die.

These and other objects will become apparent from reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a representation of the structure of the preferred form folder-creaser device;

FIGURES 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are drawings representing each of a series of sequential steps in the operating cycle of the folder-creaser;

FIGURES 2a, 3a, 5a are overhead perspective drawings of the FIGURES 2, 3 and 5 respectively;

FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 are sectional drawings of part of a movable die as seen in plan view, side elevationand front elevation, respectively; and

FIGURE 11 is a graph of the functional operation of the motive force components during a cycle of operation.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, FIGURE 1 shows the supportive structure or frame and cooperating components of the folder-creaser device. The motive force is supplied by double action pneumatic cylinders. FIG- URE 11 shows graphically the condition of each cylinder, with respect to pressure applied to the piston inside the cylinder during a cycle of operation, referenced to the FIGURES 2 through 7, inclusive.

FIGURE 1 shows the movable die 2(1) and the stationary die 21 having upper surfaces lying in the same plane and at the same level as the surface 72. It will be appreciated that the movable die 20 and stationary die 21 form the work station which is part of the work surface, represented by the part 72. This may be more clearly seen in FIGURES 2a, 3a and 5a. In the FIGURES 2a, 3a and and 5a the stationary die 21 is not seen since it is assumed covered by the workpiece 30 which lies on part of the movable die 20 (FIGURE 2a) and part of the surface 72 (FIGURES 2a, 3a and 5a) and all of the stationary die 21 (FIGURES 2a, 3a and 5a).

The FIGURES 2 through 7 inclusive show the physical relation and relative movement of the two movable components (the wiping and creasing (movable) die 20 and the clamp foot 22) with respect to the stationary component, die 21 and the table or surface 72. Further, the attitude of the wiping and creasing die 2'0, with respect to the stationary die 21 and surface 72 is clearly shown, at the various stages of the cycle of operation.

FIGURE 1 illustrates the working or movable components in their rest condition. This is essentially the same physical relationship as represented in FIGURES 2, 2a and 7. The structure represented in FIGURE 1 shows the motive force components and movable components mounted on a basic frame or supportive structure formed by horizontal members 25 and 26 and vertical members 27 and 28. The basic frame may be fitted into or mounted in or on a Work table or other structure so that the surfaces of the wiping and creasing die 20 and stationary die 21 lie in the same plane and at the same level as the surface of the table work surface when the die 20' is at rest. The stationary die 21 may be mounted in the table or work surface or mounted on the supportive structure, as desired.

In the FIGURES 2 through 7 inclusive, the sequential movements of the wiping and creasing (movable) die 20 and the clamp foot 22 may be observed diagrammatically piece 30 lies substantially on the stationary die 21 with,

that part of the workpiece 30 to be folded extending on to the surface of the movable die 20 (see FIGURES 2 and 2a). FIGURE 3 shows that the clamp foot 22 is lowered onto the body of the workpiece (this is indicated by the arrow 11, the movement occurring at a time (a)) clamping or securing the workpiece 30 against the stationary die 21. The serrations 31 contour the edge of the die 21 and aid in holding the positioned workpiece in place. The edge of die 21 mates with or contours the edge of die 20, the edge 2% of die 20 being seen in part in FIGURE 8 and in broken line form in FIGURE a. The movable die 20 is then lifted slightly, (lift supplied by the pin 62) so that the toe or blunt edge 20a of the die is elevated above the toe of the die 21. This lifting action supplied by the pin 62 causes the die 20 to pivot about the coupling 74 which pivotally secures the die 20 to the pivot bar 66. The lifting action occurs at time (b), however, in point of time, (a) occurs before (b). The movable die 20 is thus in an angular position with the top of the beveled edge 32 at the same level as the top surface of the die 21. The movable die 20 is then moved forward by action of the cylinder 63 so that the beveled edge 32 rides up on the edge of the die 21 thus wiping the workpiece 30 upward and folding the end of the workpiece over on itself (see FIGURES 3 and 4). The movement of the edge 202 follows a diagonal (broken arrow 12) over the edge of the stationary die 21. The pivot bar 66 rotates thereby lifting the end of the movable die 20 so that the upper surface of movable die 20 is generally in the same plane as the upper surface of the stationary die 21 but at a higher elevation than the work surface 72. This is seen clearly in FIGURES 4 and 5. It should be noted that the clamp foot 22 is holding the body of the workpiece 30 on the stationary die 21 and when the movable die 20 is moved forward, the edge of die 20 rises over the toe 22' of the clamp foot 22. This provides a sharp fold of the workpiece 30. The movement of the wiper-creaser die 20 essentially wipes and/ or folds that part of the workpiece 30 which extends onto the surface of the die 20' tightly back-over or around the edge 22 of the clamp foot 22. This may be seen clearly in FIGURES 3 and 4.

After the movable die 20 is raised on the beveled or wiping step 32, the die 20 is further advanced by the action of the piston in the cylinder 63 fully bending or folding the workpiece 30 over the thin edge of the toe 22' of the foot 22. This may be seen in FIGURE 4.

The foot 22 is then slid out from under the toe of the die 20 (see FIGURES 5 and 5a). The movable die 20 has a substantially constant pressure in the down direction held by a bias spring 69 (see FIGURE 1) and as the clamp foot 22 is removed or slid out from under the die 20 the void is taken up by the die 20. After the foot 22 has been removed a downward pressure exerted on the piston in the cylinder 65 is applied to the die '20 through arm 70. In point of time the foot 22 is moved in the direction of arrow 13 at time (a). The void is filled by the die 20 moving in the direction of arrow 14 at time (b), after which pressure is applied by the cylinder 65 at time (c). This can be seen clearly in FIGURE 11 which represents in graph form the operating functions in time relation. The down pressure applied to die 20 effectively intimately creases the previously folded workpiece on itself, bet-ween the creasing surface 32' of the die 20 and the surface of die 21.

Referring to the graphic representation of the functions of the

cylinders

51, 65, 63 and 52, these cylinder con ditions, i.e., PRESSURE TO EXPANDNEUTRAL- CONTRACT are related to the FIGURES 2 through 7 inclusive. The term EXPAND means that pressure is applied to the proper port of the cylinder so that the actuating arm of the cylinder is extended, CONTRACT means that pressure is applied to the proper port of the cylinder so that the actuating arm of the cylinder is retracted and NEUTRAL means that the pressure or force normally employed for moving or positioning the piston of the cylinder is neutralized as by opening both air ports to the atmosphere.

As will be more fully described below, the wiper creasing die 20 is heated, preferably by internally located heating means, such as electric heating elements. In addition, the die 20 includes a manifold into which liqud water is timely pumped. The liquid water forced or pumped, in relatively small amounts, into the manifold is converted into steam by the heat in the walls of the manifold of the movable die 20. The steam so generated is emitted from steam ports onto the folded edge of the workpiece 30. Emission of steam is represented in FIGURE 4, at 33. Thus the heating of the movable die serves a dual purpose; firstly, the die is heated to effect creasing and/or ironing of the folded part of the workpiece and, secondly the heat is employed to generate steam from liquid water, such steam being applied to that part of the workpiece folded and creased for effectively providing a sharp fold and intimate crease of the workpiece. The positive creasing of the folded portion of the workpiece may be seen in FIGURE 5.

After pressing or creasing the wiped and folded portion of the workpiece 30, the die 20* is raised upward by expansion of the cylinder 65 at a time (a) and then moved back by contraction of the cylinder 63 at (b) a time later. As the cylinder 63 contracts the pivot bar 66 is urged arcuate- 1y so that the die 20 totally recesses into the table top 72 thereby positioning the upper surface of the die 20 in the same plane and at the same level as the upper surface of the die 21. This occurs when the cylinder 65 contracts, as seen in FIGURE 7.

As the cylinder 65 contracts the cylinder 51 expands, thus the arrows 65 and 51 (representing the force applied by

cylinders

65 and 51 respectively) are both labeled (a). After the clamp foot 22 has been elevated above the workpiece 30 the cylinder 52 expands, this occurring at time (b). Thus the cycle of operation is completed and the folded and creased workpiece may be removed from the work station.

It will be noted that only a portion or part of the workpiece 30 has been folded and creased. A larger part of the perimeter of the workpiece 30 may be folded and creased in incremental steps, as more fully described and claimed in a copending application Ser. No. 601,768 filed Dec. 14, 1966, by George F. Hawley, under the title, Method and Apparatus for Treating Fabric Workpieces in Sequence at a Plurality of Work Stations, such application having been assigned to a common assignee.

Referring to FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, sequential drawings of part of a typical wiping and creasing die are presented. The die is preferably made of a metal, such as aluminum, having good heat distribution characteristics, although other materials having substantially corresponding characteristics of heat distribution and strength may be used, if desired. In order to heat the die 20', heating elements (not shown) may be employer. Heating element receptacles are provided for receiving such elements, of which four

receptacles

36, 37, 38 and 39 are illustrated. Also illustrated is the water manifold 40* and

steam ports

41, 42 and 43. A suitable hose and coupling would be screwed into the threaded or tapped opening of the manifold through which water may be supplied to the manifold 40 from a supply not illustrated. When the die 20 is heated to an operating temperature, for example over 325 F. or to a temperature desirable for creasing and/ or pressing the material used, liquid water may be pumped into the water manifold by a water pump means (not shown), in small, predetermined amounts and such water will be vaporized into steam. The steam will be emitted out through the

steam ports

41, 42 and 43. By proper timing, the steam may be applied to the wiped or folded portion of the workpiece 30 thereby aiding in the folding process. In some cases live steam may be released from under pressure into the manifold if desired. This will reduce any cooling effect by the liquid water on the movable die 20, which effect may be undesirable.

Keeping the cycle of operation in mind, reference to FIGURE 1 shows the basic frame or mounting structure formed by the rigid coupled horizontal members 25 and 26 and vertical members 27 and 28. The cyclic movement of the clamp foot 22 is obtained by timely operation of the

double action cylinders

51 and 52. Each cylinder is represented with two parts, each of which may serve as an inlet as well as an outlet. Suitable hosing (not shown) couples the parts to a source of air under pressure through control valves, (not shown) for operating the cylinders. The piston, represented in phantom form, is positioned as desired by applying air under pressure to one port and releasing air from the other port. Any cylinder may be neutralized by opening both ports to the atmosphere. Both

cylinders

51 and 52 are shown with their

respective actuating arms

61 and 68 extended.

The clamp foot 22 is coupled to an L-shaped member 53 which is pivotally coupled to a vertical member 54. Vertical member 54 is pivotally coupled at its other end to the horizontal frame member 25. The action of cylinder 52, that is extending and withdrawing its actuating arm, moves the member 54 arcuately which imparts horizontal movement to the clamp foot 22 in the forward (arrow 113) direction and the reverse (arrow direction. The cylinder 52 is coupled between the fixed vertical frame member 28 and the pivotable member 54 for providing positive movement of the foot 22 in the forward and reverse directions.

To provide up and down travel or movement of the clamp foot 22, cylinder 51 is coupled to the L-shaped member 53. When cylinder 51 is expanded the clamp foot 22 is raised or elevated above the stationary die 21. When the cylinder 5-1 is contracted the clamp foot 22 is drawn down onto the surface of die 21. It will be noted that the toe 22 of the clamp foot 22 essentially contours the edge or toe of the stationary die 21. As seen in FIGURES 2, 3, and 4, the toe 22' of the clamp foot 22 is positioned slightly back from the edge of the stationary die 21 when the foot 22 is in its rest position and when the foot 22 is lowered onto and is arresting the workpiece 30.

In order to impart the vertical movement to the clamp foot 22 the cylinder 51 may be coupled to the frame member 26, however, it is desirable to obtain a short elevating movement for the movable die directly after the clamp foot 22 is drawn down onto the upper surface of stationary die 21 and in this respect cylinder 51 is coupled to a pivotally mounted biased horizontal member 59. Spring 60 holds member 59' horizontal against a stop 58 until foot 22 meets the surface of die 21. The travel of the piston of cylinder 51 is such that when the foot 22 meets the die 21 the piston has not yet fully traversed the cylinder and the cylinder arm 61 is not yet fully retracted. Thus, stolen motion is obtained by lifting member 59 off the stop 58 against the bias of spring 60. The elevation of the member 59 lifts the bar 62 upward and the shoulder of bar 62 contacts the movable die 20 thereby raising the die 20' giving the initial rise or lift to the movable die 20.

The initial rise of the die 20 is sufficient to elevate the end or toe of the wiping die 20 over the toe of the stationary die 21. This action positions the bevel 32 (see FIGURE 3) sufliciently high so that when cylinder 63 is actuated for extending its arm 64 the movable die 20 advances angularly or diagonally (arrow 12). The bevel 32 is thereby raised over the toe of the die 21 thus wiping the material extending onto the surface of die 20 and folding such material over the edge of toe 22' of the foot 22 while the body of the material is held between the clamp foot 22 and the stationary die 21. This may be seen in FIGURE 4.

Also, as seen in FIGURE 4, steam (33) is emitted from the steam ports during the folding process. The steam aids in reducing the resistance in the material so folded and further aids in the subsequent creasing. Timely emission of the steam is accomplished by timely injection of liquid water into the heated manifold of the die 20. The diagonal movement of ride-up of the wiper die 20 provides a positive wiping of the material 30 over the thin edge 22' of the clamp foot 22 and causes a controlled, sharp folding of the material 30'.

After the ride-up of the wiper-creaser die 20 has been complete (see FIGURE 4) the cylinder arm 68 is retracted thus imparting forward movement (arrow 13) to the clamp foot 22 (see FIGURE 5) thus removing the foot 22 from between the movable die 20 and the stationary die 21. The serrations 31 hold the workpiece 30 in place preventing the workpiece 30 from following the clamp foot 22 during its forward travel.

When the movable die 20 is initially elevated (by the stolen motion FIGURE 3) and is driven diagonally forward (arrow 12, FIGURE 4) the cylinder 65 is in a neutralized condition. Neutralization of a cylinder is accomplished by essentially opening both air ports to the atmosphere, leaving the piston free from pressure on both sides so that the piston, and therefore, the actuating arm are both free to move in either direction. The movable wiping and creasing die 20 is biased downwardly by the spring 69 and a down pressure is exerted on the die 20 as the die rides up over the toe of edge of the die 21 on the beveled edge 32 of die 20. After the die 20 has ridden up on the stationary die 21 and has effectively wiped part of the workpiece 30 over itself, and the clamp foot 22 has been removed from between die 20 and 21 (see FIGURE 5) the cylinder 65 is contacted and retracts its actuatable arm 70 thus drawing the movable die 20 down thereby creasing the folded portion of the workpiece 30 intimately on itself.

After effectively creasing the folded portion of the workpiece 30, die 20 is lifted off of the creased portion by expanding the cylinder 65 thus extending the arm 70. This may be seen in FIGURE 6. Cylinder 63 then contracts, retracting its arm 64 and arcuately moving the pivot bar 66 so that the die 20 is retracted over its recess or bed in the surface 72. The cylinder 65 is then contracted which retracts its arm 70 thereby seating the movable die 20 in its recessed position. At substantially the same time the cylinder 51 expands, extending its actuatable arm 61 and causing the clamp foot 22 to lift off of the workpiece 30 (see FIGURE 7). The workpiece is then free from constraint and may be removed from the work surface. After elevating the foot 22 the cylinder 52 is expanded and its arm 68 extends thus imparting movement to the foot 22 in the direction of arrow 15. Thus the moving components have been returned to their rest position (see FIGURES 2 and 7) after the workpiece has been folded and creased.

Thus it has been described how the apparatus, in a wiping ride-up action has wipe-folded and creased the workpiece. In addition, the structure of the device provides a flat work surface on which the workpiece may be slid to an original position (see FIGURE 2a) and from which the movable die rises and effectively accomplishes the actual folding and creasing.

This structure has the advantage of providing a fiat, unobstructed surface over which a workpiece may he slid. Further, the work area being flat, and in a common plane and level, very flimsy material may be folded and creased. It is also particularly advantageous since the workpiece may be previously registered, i.e., the workpiece positioned with respect to a known reference so its position and orientation are precisely known, and the workpiece may be transferred from its registered position into a known position on the dies of the foldercreaser device, without the need of further registering the workpiece. The structure is such that, if desired, a registration station may be made so that the registration stop is located on the die 20 so that the workpiece may be transferred onto the dies 20/21 and thereafter registered on the folder-creaser device itself.

A workpiece, such as 30 may be positioned on the folder-creaser during its rest period (FIGURE 2) and may be removed after having been folded and creased while the clamp foot is being returned to its rest position (see FIGURE 7). The aforementioned copending application shows how workpieces may be moved into and out of a work position or work station, such as the work station of the folder-creaser apparatus. FIGURE 21: illustrates the workpiece 30 positioned on the work station of the folder-creaser apparatus.

The present invention has been illustrated in its preferred form having pneumatic cylinders providing the motive force for moving the movable die and the movable clamp foot. Other types of cylinders or a cam arrangement or other motive force means may be used which may perform the same function as provided by the pneumatic cylinders, here illustrated, if desired. Although the preferred structure of the present invention has been illustrated and described, changes and/or substitution of parts may be made, as will be familiar to the skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for folding and creasing a fabric workpiece including:

a surface over which said workpiece is slidable,

a first die forming part of said surface, the upper surface of said first die lying in the same plane and at the same level as said surface,

said first die having a predetermined contour on one of its edges,

a second die recessable in said surface, the upper surface of said second die lying in the same plane and at the same level as said surface when said second die is recessed,

said second die having an edge adjacent to said contoured edge of said first die and countoured for mating with the said predetermined contoured edge of said first die,

the said edge of said second die adjacent to said contoured edge of said first die having thickness between the upper surface and lower surface and said thickness including a bevel along the length of said edge,

means for pivotally raising the said edge adjacent to said first die so that the upper part of said bevel is essentially at the same level and closely adjacent to the upper edge of the predetermined contoured edge of said first die and means for advancing said second die for riding up on the upper end of the contoured edge of said first die on the said bevel of said second die.

'2. Apparatus for folding and creasing a fabric workpiece as in claim 1 and in which said second die further includes;

means for heating said second die to predetermined temperature.

3. Apparatus for folding and creasing a fabric workpiece as in claim 1 and in which said second die further includes;

means for heating said second die to a predetermined temperature,

a manifold having an opening for receiving water and steam ports for emitting steam after water has been injected into the heated said manifold and converted into steam.

4. Apparatus for folding and creasing a fabric workpiece as in claim 1 and further including;

clamp means for arresting said fabric workpiece positioned on said surface and over said first die,

means for lowering said clamp means on to said upper surface of said first die for so arresting said workpiece and means for raising said clamp means above said upper surface of said first die for releasing said workpiece.

5. Apparatus for folding and creasing part of a fabric workpiece for forming a finished edge on part of the perimeter of said workpiece including;

a surface over which said workpiece is slidable,

a first die forming part of said surface, the upper surface of said first die lying in the same plane and at the same level as said surface for forming a portion of said surface,

clamp means adapted to be lowered on to the said upper surface of said first die for arresting a workpiece positioned on said surface,

a second die recessable into said surface, the upper surface of said second die lying in the same plane and at the same level as said surface when said second die is recessed for forming another portion of said surface,

one edge of said second die being closely adjacent to one edge of said first die, along their respective lengths, said one edge of said second die including a beveled portion along its length,

means for raising said one edge of said second die for positioning the top of said beveled portion at substantially the same level as the upper surface of said first die, and

means for urging said second die toward said first die for causing said second die to ride up on said first die on the said beveled portion of said one edge.

6. Apparatus for folding and creasing part of a fabric workpiece as in claim 5 and said second die including;

means for heating said second die for pressing said fabric workpiece.

7. Apparatus for folding and creasing part of a fabric workpiece as in claim 5 and said second die further including;

means for heating said second die for pressing said fabric workpiece,

a manifold for receiving water and converting said water into steam when heated and steam outlet means for emitting steam when so generated.

8. Apparatus for folding and creasing a predetermined portion of a fabric workpiece positioned in a work station, said apparatus including;

a surface over which said workpiece is slidable,

a stationary die forming part of said surface, the upper surface of said stationary die lying in the same plane and at the same level as said surface,

a movable die recessable in said surface, the upper surface of said movable die lying in the same plane and at the same level as said surface when said movable die is recessed in said surface,

said movable die having one edge which is adjacent to and conforms with one edge of said stationary die when said movable die is recessed in said surface,

said one edge of said movable die including a bevel along its length,

clamp means for arresting said fabric workpiece when positioned in said work station,

said stationary die and said movable die defining said work station,

means for elevating said one edge of said movable die for positioning the top of said bevel adjacent to said upper surface of said stationary die at said one edge of said stationary die,

means for urging said movable die forward for causing said movable die to ride-up on said bevel over the said upper surface .of said stationary die and for wiping that portion of said workpiece extending on the said movable die over on itself thereby folding said workpiece and means for drawing said movable die downward on to the said upper surface of said stationary die for creasing said folded portion of said workpiece.

9. Apparatus for folding and creasing a predetermined portion of a fabric workpiece as in claim 8 and in which said movable die further includes means for heating said movable die to a predetermined temperature and means for generating steam and for emitting steam so generated on to the folded portion of said workpiece during ride-up of said movable die on said bevel.

10. Apparatus for folding and creasing a predetermined portion of a fabric workpiece as in claim 8 and further including means for further elevating said one edge after having creased said workpiece,

means for recessing said movable die into said surface and means for causing said clamp means to release said fabric workpiece after said workpiece has been creased.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,726,020 12/1955 Fenby 22338 2,858,967 11/1958 Gilbert 22338 2,929,537 3/1960 Price et al. 22338 2,934,247 4/1960 West 223-38 M ERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner