WO2022176165A1

WO2022176165A1 - Cloth folding device

Info

Publication number: WO2022176165A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/006415
Authority: WO
Inventors: 祐介前嶋; 春男小島
Original assignee: 東都フォルダー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2021-02-19
Filing date: 2021-02-19
Publication date: 2022-08-25
Also published as: JPWO2022176165A1

Abstract

Abstract Problem: To provide a compact cloth folding device. Solution: This cloth folding device comprises an inverting part for inverting cloth carried from the front to the back, a carrying part for carrying the cloth inverted by the inverting part from the back to the front, and a transverse folding part for transversely folding, in the transverse direction, the cloth carried by the carrying part, wherein the transverse folding part has a transverse folding member for transversely folding the cloth, and the transverse folding member is disposed immediately below the carrying part and appears above the carrying part when the cloth is transversely folded. Selected drawing: Figure 1

Description

Cloth folding device

The present invention relates to a cloth folding device for folding cloth.

Work clothes or nightgowns, white coats, uniforms, towels, and other cloths are washed, dried, folded, and handed over to customers. A cloth folding device is used in the process of folding cloth in this way.

For example, in Japanese Patent No. 3073729, this cloth folding apparatus is described as "a folding apparatus including a step of folding the body of a garment such as a bathrobe into three in the width direction. The central part of the body is supported by the conveying means, and the left and right sides of the body when folded in three are placed under the left and right sides of the body during transportation and serve as a base for sliding the left and right sides. The three-folding member is arranged outside the conveying means and below the left and right sliding plates, and the left and right sides in the conveying direction are for three-folding of the body of the garment. The central part of the garment is pressed on the conveying means by the gauge plate that defines the position of , and the tri-folding member is alternately left and right with respect to the left and right sides of the body part lifted by the left and right sliders. A garment made of thick fabric characterized in that the garment is folded in three in the width direction of the torso portion by performing a linear detour movement consisting of two steps of movement inward and inward, and moving toward the central portion of the garment. 'folding device' is disclosed.

The above-mentioned device is particularly well received in the linen industry, where so-called cloth is washed, as a device for folding clothes into a predetermined shape. On the other hand, industries other than the above-mentioned linen industry also demand that cloth be folded mechanically.

However, the above equipment used in the linen industry is large and manufactured with installation and use in linen factories in mind. Therefore, there is the problem that the device is too large to be installed in places other than linen factories, such as laundromats, for example.

Japanese Patent No. 3073729

The present invention has been made focusing on the above points, and its object is to provide a compact cloth folding device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the cloth folding device of the first aspect includes a reversing section for reversing the cloth conveyed from the front to the rear, and conveying the cloth reversed by the reversing section from the rear to the front. and a horizontal folding unit that laterally folds the cloth transported by the transport unit, the horizontal folding unit has a horizontal folding member that laterally folds the cloth, and the horizontal folding member is , is arranged directly below the conveying section, and appears above the conveying section when the cloth is laterally folded.

In the first aspect, the cloth folding device of the second aspect has a longitudinal folding portion for longitudinally folding the cloth conveyed by the conveying portion, and the longitudinal folding portion is a fold line in the longitudinal direction of the cloth. A pair of first right tri-fold gauges and a first left tri-fold gauge are provided, and the pair of first right tri-fold gauges and first left tri-fold gauges determine the cloth It appears above the cloth conveyed by the conveying unit when vertically folded.

Further, in the cloth folding apparatus of the third aspect, in the second aspect, the vertical folding section includes a pair of second right tri-fold gauges and second left tri-fold gauges for determining folding lines of the cloth, and a pair of vertical fold gauges. The vertical folding unit section has a first right-hand folding knife for longitudinally folding the cloth and a first left-hand folding knife, the first right-hand folding knife comprising a first right-hand side three-fold gauge and a third folding gauge. 2 Fold the cloth longitudinally along the right tri-fold gauge, and the first left folding knife longitudinally folds the cloth along the first tri-fold gauge for the left tri-fold and the second tri-fold gauge for the left tri-fold. That's what it means.

In addition, in the third aspect, the cloth folding device of the fourth aspect aligns the first right torso three-folding gauge and the second right torso three-folding gauge in the longitudinal direction of the cloth, and the first left torso three-folding gauge. The folding gauge and the second left tri-folding gauge are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the cloth.

In the fourth aspect, the cloth folding device of the fifth aspect further includes an input conveying section for conveying the cloth to the reversing section, and the vertical folding unit section is located below the input conveying section. It is arranged above the conveying section.

In addition, the cloth folding device of the sixth aspect is, in the first to fifth aspects, an oblique conveying section arranged with a gap in front of the conveying section, and a final horizontal folding section for horizontally folding the cloth in two. and the final lateral folding portion has a knife portion for folding the cloth in two, and the knife portion laterally folds the cloth when the cloth is placed across the space. It is to do.

Further, in the cloth folding device of the seventh aspect, in the first to sixth aspects, the reversing section and the conveying section are integrated.

Since the present invention is constructed and operates as described above, it is possible to provide a compact cloth folding device.

Fig. 3 is a right side view of the cloth folding device; Fig. 3 is a left side view of the cloth folding device; 1 is a front view of a cloth folding device; FIG. It is a top view of a cloth folding device. It is a V arrow directional view of FIG. A is a plan view showing a state in which a jacket among the cloths is attached to the cloth folding device. B is its front view. C is its side view. A is a plan view showing a state in which the jacket is pulled into the cloth folding device by the jacket clamp and both sleeves are folded by the sleeve guide. B is its front view. C is its side view. A is a plan view showing a state in which the jacket is being transported backward by the first transport unit. B is its front view. C is its side view. FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a state in which the jacket is reversed to the reversing section and is being transported forward from the rear; B is its side view. A is a view in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the jacket that has been turned over by the turnover unit is being conveyed from the back to the front. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which a jacket conveyed forward from the rear is stopped at a predetermined position. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the hem portion of the jacket is about to be folded horizontally. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a V arrow view as seen from the V arrow direction in FIG. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which a jacket with its hem portion horizontally folded is transported further forward by the transport unit and transported to a three-fold position. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. At A, a jacket with its hem portion folded horizontally is subjected to a pair of a first right tri-fold gauge and a first left tri-fold gauge, and a pair of a second right tri-fold gauge and a second left tri-fold gauge. 1. It is a V arrow view seen from the V arrow direction in FIG. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. At A, a jacket with its hem portion folded horizontally is subjected to a pair of a first right tri-fold gauge and a first left tri-fold gauge, and a pair of a second right tri-fold gauge and a second left tri-fold gauge. 1. It is a V arrow view seen from the V arrow direction in FIG. 1 which shows the state pressed by. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which a jacket with its hem portion horizontally folded is lifted by a first right-turning knife and a first left-turning knife. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the jacket lifted by the first right-turning knife and the first left-turning knife is vertically folded by the first left-turning knife. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the jacket lifted by the first right-turning knife and the first left-turning knife is vertically folded by the first right-turning knife. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the jacket is vertically folded in three. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the jacket folded vertically in three is horizontally folded in two. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a right side view of A; A is a view in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1 , showing a state in which the jacket folded vertically in three is folded horizontally in two. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a right side view of A; FIG. 10 is a right side view showing a state in which the outerwear, which is vertically folded in three and then horizontally folded in two, is arranged on the final conveyor. A is a plan view showing a state in which trousers among the cloths are attached to the cloth folding device. B is its front view. C is its side view. A is a plan view showing a state in which the trousers are conveyed from the front to the rear by the loading conveying unit. B is its front view. C is its side view. A is a plan view showing a state in which the trousers are reversed to the reversing section and transported from the rear to the front. B is its side view. A is a view in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the trousers turned over by the turnover unit are conveyed from the rear to the front. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which trousers conveyed from the rear to the front are about to stop at a predetermined position. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the hem portion of the trousers is about to be folded horizontally, and a view in the direction of the arrow S in the V arrow view. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a V arrow view as seen from the V arrow direction in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the hem portion of the trousers is folded horizontally. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the trousers with their hem portions horizontally folded are transported further forward by the transport unit and transported to a three-fold position. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. At A, the trousers with their hem portions folded horizontally are subjected to a pair of first right tri-fold gauge and first left tri-fold gauge, and a pair of second right tri-fold gauge and second left tri-fold gauge. It is the V arrow view seen from the V arrow direction in FIG. 1 which shows the state which it is going to hold down. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. At A, the trousers with their hem portions folded horizontally are subjected to a pair of first right tri-fold gauge and first left tri-fold gauge, and a pair of second right tri-fold gauge and second left tri-fold gauge. It is a V arrow view seen from the V arrow direction in FIG. 1 which shows the pressed state. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 1 showing the trousers with their hem portions folded horizontally, the first right-turning knife, and the first left-turning knife raised. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a left side view of A; D is a right side view of A. FIG. A is a view in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which trousers with their hem portions folded horizontally are folded horizontally in two. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a right side view of A; A is a view in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 1 showing a state in which the trousers with their hem portions folded horizontally are folded horizontally in two. B is a view on the arrow S seen from the direction S in the view on the arrow V of A. FIG. C is a right side view of A; FIG. 10 is a right side view showing a state in which the trousers with their hem portions horizontally folded are further horizontally folded in two, and the trousers are placed on the final conveyor.

The cloth folding device 10 will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. The cloth folding device 10 has a horizontal folding function to shorten the length of the cloth W and a vertical folding function to shorten the width of the cloth W. As will be described later. These functions are compactly configured.

The cloth folding device 10 includes a reversing section 20 for reversing the cloth W conveyed from the front to the rear, a conveying section 30 for conveying the cloth W reversed by the reversing section 20 from the rear to the front, and and a lateral folding unit 200 for laterally folding the cloth W conveyed by the conveying unit 30 . The cloth folding device 10 also has a longitudinal folding section 300 for longitudinally folding the cloth W. As shown in FIG. It also has a final lateral folding section 500 for laterally folding the cloth W. As shown in FIG.

Here, to fold the cloth W horizontally means to fold the cloth W so as to shorten the length thereof. Further, folding the cloth W vertically means folding the cloth W so as to shorten the width thereof.

The cloth folding device 10 also has an input conveying section 100 that conveys the cloth W to the reversing section 20 . The input conveying section 100 conveys the cloth W to the reversing section 20 . Also, the cloth W is put in by the cloth attachment unit 150 described later, and is conveyed to the above-described input conveying unit 100 . Also, the input conveying section 100 conveys the cloth W from the front F to the rear R. As shown in FIG. In addition, the input conveying unit 100 includes a first roll unit 101 that is a cylindrical roller, a second roll unit 102 that is a cylindrical roller, a third roll unit 103 that is a cylindrical roller, and belt-shaped rollers 103 that are cylindrical rollers. and a first belt portion 105 consisting of a plurality of belts, the first belt portion 105 is wound around them, and driven by a driving portion (not shown) to convey the cloth W from the front F to the rear R. is doing.

The cloth attachment unit 150 for loading the cloth W into the input transport unit 100 includes a pair of jacket clamps 160, 160 for attaching the jacket W1 of the cloth W, and a pants clamp 170 for attaching the trousers W2. and have It should be noted that the outerwear clamps 160, 160 are suitable not only for attaching outerwear but also for relatively wide cloths (for example, bath towels). Also, the trouser clamp 170 is suitable not only for attaching trousers but also for attaching relatively narrow cloths (for example, towels) (see FIG. 3 in particular).

In addition, the cloth folding device 10 includes a plate-like L-shaped loading guide 180 so as to slide the hem of the cloth W when the cloth W is attached to the cloth attachment portion 150 . have. The cloth folding device 10 also has a pair of sleeve guides 190, 190 directly below the cloth mounting portion 150. As shown in FIG. When the cloth W is a jacket, it is for folding both sleeves WS, WS which are sleeve portions of the jacket.

The reversing section 20 reverses the conveying direction of the cloth W and turns the cloth W upside down. It is to face up. In other words, reversal means not only reversing the transport direction, but also turning the chest portion of the cloth W, which is directed upward, to the back portion of the cloth W, which is directed upward.

The reversing section 20 has a first reversing roll section 21 that is a cylindrical roller, a second reversing roll section 22 that is a cylindrical roller, and a third reversing roll section 23 that is a cylindrical roller. , and a conveying belt portion 25 consisting of a plurality of strip-shaped belts.

The conveying section 30 conveys the cloth W turned upside down in the reversing section 20 from the rear R to the front F and obliquely downward from above. The conveying section 30 includes a first rear roll section 31 which is a cylindrical roller, a second rear roll section 32 which is a cylindrical roller, a third rear roll section 33 which is a cylindrical roller, and a cylindrical roller. A rear fourth roll portion 34 that is a roller, and the above-described transport belt portion 25 includes them, a first reversing roll portion 21, a second reversing roll portion 22 that is a cylindrical roller, and a cylindrical , and is driven by a drive unit (not shown).

As described above, in this embodiment, the reversing section 20 and the conveying section 30 share the conveying belt section 25, and the reversing section 20 and the conveying section 30 are integrated. Therefore, this point also contributes to making the cloth folding device 10 compact.

The rotating shaft 21a of the first reversing roll portion 21, which is a cylindrical roller in the reversing portion 20, is F in front of the rotating shaft 103a of the third roll portion 103, which is a cylindrical roller in the input conveying portion 100, in a side view. placed in the direction Further, the rotation shaft 31a of the rear first roll portion 31 in the transport portion 30 is also arranged in the forward F direction in a side view from the rotation shaft 103a of the third roll portion 103, which is a cylindrical roller in the input transport portion 100. there is Therefore, the conveying belt portion 25 that is wound around the belt portion 105 contacts the third roll portion 103 so as to bite into the cloth W conveyed by the input conveying portion 100, and the cloth W is conveyed by the input conveying portion 100. The first belt portion 105 wound around the third roll portion 103, which is a cylindrical roller in the portion 100, and the conveying belt portion 25 wound around the rear first roll portion 31 in the conveying portion 30, the cloth is By inverting so as to sandwich the cloth W, the surfaces in contact with the cloth W can be turned upside down, and the cloth W can be conveyed from the rear R to the front F. The reversing section 20 also has a hem sensor 250 . The hem sensor 250 is arranged below the conveyor belt portion 25 . The hem sensor 250 measures the timing of the passage of the cloth W to measure the total length of the cloth W, and in order to laterally fold the cloth W, a control signal (not shown) to stop the conveying unit 30 is generated. Department. A control unit (not shown) stops driving the conveying unit 30 according to the signal.

In addition, an oblique conveying section 40 for further conveying the cloth W is provided in front F of the conveying section 30 and obliquely downward. The oblique conveying unit 40 includes a first oblique roll portion 41 that is a cylindrical roller, a second oblique roll portion 42 that is a cylindrical roller, a third oblique roll portion 43 that is a cylindrical roller, and a cylindrical roller. It has a fourth oblique roll portion 44 that is a roller, a fifth oblique roll portion 45 that is a cylindrical roller, and an oblique belt portion 48 . An oblique belt portion 48 is wound around them. In addition, rotatable transport

auxiliary rollers

290 and 290 for pressing the cloth W are provided on the transport section 30 .

The oblique first roll portion 41 in the oblique conveying portion 40 and the rear first roll portion 31 in the conveying portion 30 are arranged so that a gap G is generated. As will be described later, the cloth W can be laterally folded by pushing the knife portion 510 having a thin plate shape in the final lateral folding portion 500 for laterally folding the cloth W into the interval G. Further, the cloth W is conveyed so as to be sandwiched between the conveying belt portion 25 and the oblique belt portion 48 and conveyed to the opening/closing portion 70 that can be opened and closed. The conveyed cloth W is dropped on the final conveyor 80 by opening and closing the opening/closing part 70 that can be opened and closed.

As described above, the lateral folding section 200 is for laterally folding the cloth W, and folds the cloth W so as to shorten the length of the cloth W in the conveying direction. The lateral folding section 200 has a plurality of lateral folding members 201 , a rotating shaft 202 that rotates the lateral folding members 201 , and a drive section 205 that drives the rotating shaft 202 to rotate. In this embodiment, there are seven horizontal folding members 201, but the number is not limited to this.

The horizontal folding member 201 has an elongated plate-like shape in a plan view. They are arranged in the gaps X, respectively.

The drive unit 205 includes a cylinder portion 210 that is driven to extend and contract, a rack portion 211 that is attached to the cylinder portion 210 and moves in the front-rear direction, and a pinion portion 212 that meshes with the rack portion 211 and rotates, Literally, the rack portion 211 and the pinion portion 212 form a so-called rack and pinion. Further, the rotating shaft 202 is attached to the center of rotation of the pinion portion 212, and when the rotating shaft 202 rotates, the plurality of horizontal folding members 201 attached thereto rotate. That is, the plurality of horizontal folding members 201 arranged directly under the conveying section 30 in the gaps X between the plurality of band-shaped belts in the conveying belt section 25 are rotated, and the plurality of transverse folding members 201 are arranged in the conveying belt section 25. appears above the As a result, the cloth W placed on the conveyor belt portion 25 is laterally folded (see FIG. 1). The cylinder portion 210 and the rack portion 211 are arranged below the conveying portion 30 and the oblique conveying portion 40 and on the side surfaces thereof (see FIGS. 1 and 5). Therefore, by arranging the main members of the drive section 205 as described above, the horizontal folding section 200 can be configured compactly.

Thus, at least, the plurality of laterally folding members 201 in the laterally folding portion 200 are directly below the conveying belt portion 25, the belt gap X between the belt-shaped belts in the conveying belt portion 25, and the conveying portion Since they are arranged directly under 30, they contribute to making the cloth folding device 10 compact.

In addition, the vertical folding section 300 folds the cloth W so as to shorten the width thereof, as described above. The longitudinal folding section 300 also has a pair of first right tri-fold gauges 310R, first left tri-fold gauges 310L, and a first driving section 320 for driving them. The first driving portion 320 includes a first cylinder portion 321 that is driven to be extendable, a first rack portion 322 that is attached to the cylinder portion 321 and that moves in the front-rear direction, and a first rack portion 322 that meshes with the first rack portion 322 and rotates. The first rack portion 322 and the first pinion portion 323 form a so-called rack and pinion. A first rotating shaft 324 is attached to the center of rotation of the first pinion portion 323, and a pair of a first right trifold gauge 310R and a first left trifold gauge 310L are attached to the first rotating shaft 324. installed. (See Figure 5). A pair of the first right tri-fold gauge 310R and the first left tri-fold gauge 310L are L-shaped in side view. The first cylinder portion 321 and the first rack portion 322 are arranged below the conveying portion 30 and the oblique conveying portion 40 and on the side surfaces thereof (see FIGS. 2 and 5). Therefore, by arranging the main members of the first driving section 320 as described above, the folding section 300 can be made compact.

A pair of the first right torso tri-fold gauge 310R and the first left torso tri-fold gauge 310L are arranged in the gap X between the strip-shaped belts in the conveying belt unit 25 when the first driving unit 320 is not driven. It is arranged directly under the transport section 30 . The pair of the first right tri-fold gauge 310R and the first left tri-fold gauge 310L is thin plate-shaped and has a shape that is longer and narrower than the width of the gap X between them.

In this state, when the first cylinder portion 321 is driven, the first rack portion 322 attached to the cylinder portion 321 moves in the front-rear direction, and the first pinion portion 323 engages with the first rack portion 322 to rotate. By rotating the first rotating shaft 324 attached thereto, a pair of the first right tri-fold gauge 310R and the first left tri-fold gauge 310L attached thereto rotates to form a plurality of band-like belts in the conveyor belt portion 25. and appears above the conveying belt portion 25 in the conveying portion 30 from directly below the conveying portion 30 .

In addition, the vertical folding section 300 has a pair of a second right tri-fold gauge 350R and a second left tri-fold gauge 350L, which are arranged in advance above the oblique conveying section 40. Here, the pair of first right tri-fold gauges 310R, the first left tri-fold gauge 310L, the pair of second right tri-fold gauges 350R, and the second left tri-fold gauges 350L are made of cloth. It determines the broken line of W.

The vertical folding section 300 has a vertical folding unit section 400. The vertical folding unit section 400 includes a first right folding knife 410R, a first left folding knife 410L, and a right folding knife for driving the first right folding knife 410R in the horizontal direction. It has a drive section 420R and a left-right drive section 420L that drives the first left-turn knife 410L in the left-right direction. Further, the vertical folding section 300 has a pair of left and right vertical

movement driving sections

450, 450 for moving the vertical folding unit section 400 up and down (see FIGS. 5, 16 and 17).

In addition, the vertical folding unit section 400 is arranged below the input conveying section 100 and above the conveying section 30 and the oblique conveying section 40 . Therefore, it contributes to making the cloth folding device 10 compact. 5, the rotating shaft 202 in the horizontal folding section 200 overlaps the first rotating shaft 324 in the vertical folding section 300. However, in FIG. 1 or FIG. 202 is arranged, and in the cloth folding device 10, the horizontal folding section 200 and the vertical folding section 300 are arranged close to the conveying section 30, so that the cloth folding device 10 is configured compactly. .

The cloth folding device 10 also has a final lateral folding unit 500 for laterally folding the cloth W in two. The final horizontal folding section 500 has a knife section 510 having a thin plate shape for folding the cloth W, and a knife vertical driving section 520 for vertically moving the knife section 510 (see FIG. 21). The knife vertical drive unit 520 uses a pneumatic cylinder to vertically move the knife unit 510 along a guide (not shown). A linear actuator can also be used for the knife vertical drive unit 520 . Further, the knife portion 510 having a thin plate shape in the final lateral folding portion 500 is arranged above the interval G between the first oblique roll portion 41 in the oblique transport portion 40 and the rear first roll portion 31 in the transport portion 30 described above. Then, by pushing the knife portion 510 into the space G, the cloth W is folded in two. It also has a final folding sensor 560 . A final folding sensor 560 is also arranged below the conveyor belt portion 25 . The final folding sensor 560 measures the total length of the cloth W and transmits a signal to stop the conveying unit 30 to a control unit (not shown) in order to further fold the cloth W in two laterally. A control unit (not shown) stops driving the conveying unit 30 according to the signal. Thereby, the cloth W is placed at an appropriate position with respect to the transport section 30 and the oblique transport section 40 .

The process of folding the outerwear W1 out of the cloths W using the cloth folding device 10 configured as described above will be described. Although not shown, bath towels, which are relatively wide cloths W like the outerwear W1, can also be folded in the same manner. A jacket W1 is attached to a pair of jacket clamps 160,160. The hem portion WB of the jacket W1 is slidably dragged along the loading guide 180 which is L-shaped in side view. At the same time, both sleeves WS, WS of jacket W1 are folded inward by sleeve guides 190, 190 so as to be in contact with input conveying section 100. As shown in FIG. Although not shown, relatively wide bath towels such as the jacket W1 can also be folded in the same manner as when both sleeves WS and WS are absent. Therefore, except that the sleeve guides 190, 190 are not used, they can be folded in almost the same steps (see FIG. 6).

The outer garment W1 is placed on the input transport section 100 by the pair of

outer clamps

160, 160, and is moved from the front F to the rear R by the input transport section 100 (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

Next, the jacket W1 is turned over by the turnover unit 20. That is, the jacket W1 is on the first belt portion 105, and when it reaches the third roll portion 103, which is a cylindrical roller in the input conveying portion 100, the first belt portion 105 and the reversing portion 20 It enters between the conveyor belt part 25 so as to be caught.

Thus, the outer garment W1 is reversed by the reversing section 20. That is, the outer garment W1 changes its position by the reversing portion 20 so that the surface facing upward faces downward, and also changes its movement direction from the rear R to the front F (see FIG. 9). . Therefore, both sleeves WS, WS of the outer garment W1 folded inward by the sleeve guides 190, 190 are arranged at a position in contact with the first belt portion 105 on the loading conveying portion 100, and the conveying belt portion At 25, it is arranged upward (see FIG. 10). That is, the outer garment W1, which has been placed face up, is placed face down through the reversing section 20. As shown in FIG.

The hem sensor 250 positions the outer garment W1 at a predetermined position between the reversing section 20 and the conveying section 30 . At this time, the outer garment W1 is arranged between the pair of the second right tri-fold gauge 350R, the second left tri-fold gauge 350L, and the oblique transport section 40 in side view (see FIG. 11).

Next, the lower part of the jacket W1 is laterally folded by the lateral folding part 200. Specifically, when the cylinder portion 210 in the drive portion 205 extends, the rack portion 211 moves and engages with it to rotate the pinion portion 212. When the shaft 202 rotates, the plurality of horizontal folding members 201 attached thereto rotate, and the plurality of horizontal folding members 201 appear above the conveyor belt portion 25 from the gaps X between the strip-shaped belts of the conveyor belt portion 25. . At this time, the hem portion of the jacket W1 is laterally folded by the appearance of the plurality of laterally folding members 201 in the laterally folding portion 200 above the conveying belt portion 25, thereby shortening the length of the jacket W1. It is folded (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

Next, by performing the operation opposite to the above, the plurality of horizontal folding members 201 are again arranged so as to return from the gaps X between the plurality of band-shaped belts in the conveying belt portion 25 to directly under the conveying belt portion 25 (FIG. 14). reference). Further, the outer garment W1 is conveyed slightly obliquely downward from the rear R to the front F by the oblique conveying section 40 to a position for vertical folding. As a result, part of the jacket W1 is sandwiched between the transport section 30 and the transport

auxiliary rollers

290, 290, and the other part of the jacket W1 is placed on the oblique transport section 40. As shown in FIG. That is, the jacket W1 is placed so as to straddle the transport section 30 and the oblique transport section 40 .

The jacket W1 is placed between the pair of the second right tri-fold gauge 350R and the second left tri-fold gauge 350L and the diagonal transport section 40 in a side view. Therefore, a pair of the second right tri-fold gauge 350R and the second left tri-fold gauge 350L are arranged above the jacket W1, and another part of the jacket W1 is placed on the oblique conveying section 40. be placed. At this time, the first right-turning knife 410R and the first left-turning knife 410L are arranged flush with the slanted conveying section 40 in advance, but the jacket W1 is placed between the conveying section 30 and the conveying

auxiliary rollers

290, 290. Since it is sandwiched, it can be stably conveyed (see FIG. 15).

Next, the vertical folding section 300 that vertically folds the jacket W1 is driven. That is, when the first cylinder portion 321 is driven, the first rack portion 322 attached to the cylinder portion 321 moves in the front-rear direction, and the first pinion portion 323 with which the first rack portion 322 meshes rotates. As the first rotating shaft 324 rotates, a pair of first right tri-fold gauge 310R and first left tri-fold gauge 310L attached to it rotates to form a gap between a plurality of band-shaped belts in the conveyor belt section 25. It appears above the conveyor belt portion 25 from directly below X. As a result, the outer garment W1 is arranged between the pair of the first right tri-fold gauge 310R and the first left tri-fold gauge 310L and the conveying section 30. As shown in FIG.

At this time, the first right tri-fold gauge 310R and the second tri-fold gauge 350R are aligned, and the first tri-fold gauge 310L and the second tri-fold gauge 350L are also aligned. arranged in a straight line. That is, the first right tri-fold gauge 310R and the second tri-fold gauge 350R are aligned in the transport direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the cloth. The first left tri-fold gauge 310L and the second left tri-fold gauge 350L are also aligned in the transport direction, which is the vertical direction of the cloth. Specifically, the right sides of the first right tri-fold gauge 310R and the second tri-fold gauge 350R are arranged in a straight line to determine the folding line of the cloth W, and the first left tri-fold gauge 310R. The tri-fold gauge 310L and the left side surface of the second left torso tri-fold gauge 350L are arranged in a straight line to define the folding line. Therefore, along the first right tri-fold gauge 310R and the second right tri-fold gauge 350R, and the first left tri-fold gauge 310L and the second left tri-fold gauge 350L, By vertically folding W1, the jacket W1 can be vertically folded in three (see FIG. 16).

Specifically, in a state in which the jacket W1 is arranged straddling the slanting conveying section 40 and the conveying section 30, the first right-turn knife 410R in the vertical folding unit section 400 arranged in advance under the jacket W1 , and the first left-turn knife 410L are lifted upward. That is, the vertical folding unit 400 is lifted by driving the pair of vertical

movement driving units

450, 450 that vertically move the vertical folding unit 400, thereby moving the first right folding knife 410R and the first Left turn knife 410L is lifted (see FIG. 17). As a result, the left and right side portions of the jacket W1 are aligned with the first right tri-fold gauge 310R and the second right tri-fold gauge 350R, and the first left tri-fold gauge 310L and the second left tri-fold gauge 310L. It is lifted along the folding gauge 350L.

In a state in which the left and right sides of the jacket W1 are lifted by the first right-turning knife 410R and the first left-turning knife 410L, the first left-turning knife 410L is driven by the left drive unit 420L like the first left-turning knife 410L'. Move right. As a result, the left side of the outer garment W1 is folded along the first left tri-fold gauge 310L and the second left tri-fold gauge 350L arranged in a straight line (see FIG. 18).

Also, in this state, the first right-turning knife 410R is moved leftward like the first right-turning knife 410R' by the right driving section 420R. As a result, the right side portion of the outer garment W1 is folded along the first right tri-fold gauge 310R and the second tri-fold gauge 350R arranged in a straight line. Thus, the jacket W1 is vertically folded in three (see FIG. 19).

Next, the jacket W1 that has been vertically folded into three is arranged so as to straddle the gap G between the transport section 30 and the oblique transport section 40 (see FIG. 20). At this time, the knife portion 510 in the final horizontal folding portion 500 is moved downward by the knife vertical drive portion 520 . As a result, the knife portion 510 pushes the jacket W1 vertically folded in three into the space G (see FIG. 21). As a result, the jacket W1 that has been vertically folded in three can be further horizontally folded in two (see FIG. 22).

Further, the outer garment W1 that has been folded in two laterally is conveyed to the opening/closing part 70 that can be opened and closed, and when the opening/closing part 70 opens, it falls onto the final conveyor 80 and the outer garment W1 is piled up (see FIG. 23). .

Next, the process of folding the trousers W2, which have been folded in half lengthwise in advance, out of the cloth W, using the cloth folding device 10 configured as described above will be described. Although not shown, relatively narrow towels, such as trousers W2 that have been previously folded in half, can also be folded in the same manner. Trousers W2 are attached to the trouser clamp 170 (see FIG. 24). The trousers W2 are slidably dragged along an L-shaped loading guide 180 when viewed from the side. In the case of the pants W2, the sleeve guides 190, 190 are not used.

The trousers W2 are placed on the input transport section 100 by the trouser clamp 170, and are moved from the front F to the rear R by the input transport section 100 (see FIG. 25).

Next, the trousers W2 are reversed by the reversing section 20. That is, when the trousers W2 are on the first belt portion 105 and reach the third roll portion 103, which is a cylindrical roller in the input conveying portion 100, the first belt portion 105 and the reversing portion 20 convey the trousers W2. It enters between the belt part 25 so as to be caught.

The trousers W2 are reversed by the reversing unit 20 (see FIG. 26). That is, the position of the trousers W2 is changed by the reversing portion 20 so that the surface facing upward faces downward, and the moving direction of the trousers W2 is changed from the rear R to the front F.

The pants W2 are conveyed from the reversing section 20 to the conveying section 30 by the hem sensor 250 (see FIG. 27). The trousers W2 are thereby placed in place. At this time, the trousers W2 are arranged between the pair of the second right tri-fold gauge 350R, the second left tri-fold gauge 350L, and the oblique transport section 40 in side view.

Next, the hem portion of the trousers W2 is laterally folded by the lateral folding section 200. Specifically, when the cylinder portion 210 in the drive portion 205 extends, the rack portion 211 moves and engages with it to rotate the pinion portion 212. When the shaft 202 rotates, the plurality of horizontal folding members 201 attached thereto rotate (see FIG. 29), and the plurality of horizontal folding members 201 move from the gap X between the strip-shaped belts in the conveyor belt portion 25 to the conveyor belt portion 25. appears above the At this time, the hem portion of the trousers W2 is laterally folded by the appearance of the plurality of laterally folding members 201 in the laterally folding portion 200 above the conveying belt portion 25, and the trousers W2 are folded so as to shorten the length. ) (see FIG. 30).

Next, by performing the operation opposite to the above, the plurality of laterally folding members 201 are arranged so as to return from the gaps X between the plurality of band-shaped belts in the conveying belt portion 25 to directly under the conveying belt portion 25 (FIG. 31). reference). Further, the trousers W2 are conveyed slightly obliquely downward from the rear R to the front F by the conveying section 40. As shown in FIG. As a result, part of the trousers W2 is placed on the transport section 30 and the other part of the trousers W2 is placed on the transport section 40. As shown in FIG. However, since the width of the trousers W2, which is previously folded in half and attached, is narrow, the trousers W2 are not folded vertically by the vertically folded portion 300. - 特許庁

However, a pair of the first right torso tri-fold gauge 310R and the first left torso tri-fold gauge 310L is driven to press the trousers W2. That is, when the first cylinder portion 321 is driven, the first rack portion 322 attached to the cylinder portion 321 moves forward and backward, meshes with the first rack portion 322, rotates the first pinion portion 323, and is attached thereto. As the first rotating shaft 324 rotates, a pair of first right tri-fold gauge 310R and first left tri-fold gauge 310L attached to it rotates to form a gap between a plurality of band-shaped belts in the conveyor belt section 25. It rotates from directly under X and appears above the conveyor belt portion 25 . As a result, the trousers W2 are arranged between the pair of the first right torso tri-fold gauge 310R and the first left torso tri-fold gauge 310L and the conveying unit 30 (see FIG. 34).

At this time, the trousers W2 are placed on the slanted conveying section 40 and arranged on the conveying section 30. As shown in FIG. In this state, although the first right-turning knife 410R and the first left-turning knife 410L move upward, the trousers W2 remain unchanged.

Next, the trousers W2 with the hem part folded in two are arranged so as to straddle the space G between the conveying section 30 and the oblique conveying section 40 . At this time, the knife portion 510 in the final horizontal folding portion 500 is moved downward by the knife vertical drive portion 520 (see FIG. 35). The knife portion 510 thereby pushes the trousers W2 into the space G. As a result, the trousers W2 can be folded horizontally in two (see FIG. 36).

Further, the trousers W2 that have been folded in half are transported to the opening/closing part 70 that can be opened and closed, and when the opening/closing part 70 is opened, the trousers W2 are dropped onto the final conveyor 80 and stacked (see FIG. 37).

As described above, the reversing section 20 for reversing the cloth W, the lateral folding section 200 and the vertical folding section 300, and the final lateral folding section 500 for laterally folding the cloth W are concentrated near the conveying section 30. Because of the arrangement, the cloth folding device 10 having the above configuration has these functions compactly. Therefore, it can be installed in a place other than a place where a large-sized device can be installed, such as a linen factory. For example, it can be installed in a coin laundry or cleaning shop for general consumers in the city. Needless to say, it is not limited to these.

10 Cloth folding device 20 Reversing unit 30 Conveying unit 40 Oblique conveying unit 100 Input conveying unit 150 Cloth attaching unit 200 Horizontal folding unit 300 Vertical folding unit 310R First right trifold gauge 310L First left trifold gauge 350R 2 Right tri-fold gauge 350L Second left tri-fold gauge 500 Final lateral folding section 510 Knife section 520 Knife vertical drive section

Claims

a reversing unit for reversing the cloth conveyed from the front to the rear;
a conveying section that conveys the cloth reversed by the reversing section from rear to front;
a horizontal folding unit that laterally folds the cloth conveyed by the conveying unit;
The lateral folding section has a lateral folding member that laterally folds the cloth,
The cloth folding device, wherein the horizontal folding member is arranged immediately below the conveying unit and appears above the conveying unit when the cloth is transversely folded.
a vertical folding unit that vertically folds the cloth transported by the transport unit;
The vertical folding section has a pair of first right tri-fold gauges and a first left tri-fold gauge for determining vertical folding lines of the cloth,
2. The pair of the first right tri-fold gauge and the first left tri-fold gauge appear above the cloth conveyed by the conveying unit when the cloth is longitudinally folded. Cloth folding device.
The vertical folding section includes a pair of second right tri-fold gauges and a second left tri-fold gauge for determining folding lines of the cloth, and a vertical folding unit section. Having a first right-turning knife and a first left-turning knife for vertically folding cloth,
The first right folding knife longitudinally folds the cloth along the first right trifold gauge and the second trifold gauge for the right torso,
3. The cloth folding device according to claim 2, wherein the first left folding knife longitudinally folds the cloth along the first left tri-fold gauge and the second left tri-fold gauge.
Aligning the first right torso tri-fold gauge and the second right torso tri-fold gauge in the longitudinal direction of the cloth,
4. The fabric folding device according to claim 3, wherein said first left tri-fold gauge and said second left tri-fold gauge are aligned in the longitudinal direction of said fabric.
and an input conveying unit that conveys the cloth to the reversing unit,
5. The cloth folding device according to claim 4, wherein the vertical folding unit is arranged below the input conveying section and above the conveying section.
an oblique conveying unit arranged with an interval in front of the conveying unit;
a final lateral folding portion that laterally folds the cloth in two;
The final lateral folding section has a knife section for folding the cloth in two,
2. The cloth folding device according to claim 1, wherein the knife portion laterally folds the cloth when the cloth is placed so as to straddle the gap.
2. The fabric folding device according to claim 1, wherein said reversing section and said conveying section are integrally formed.