Patent GB-658292-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to shirt folding machines
IPC: D06F89/02
Filed: 1948-08-30
Abstract: 658,292. Folding shirts after ironing. PROSPERITY CO., Inc. Aug. 30, 1948, No. 22778. Convention date, Feb. 5. [Class 138 (ii)] In a shirt-folding machine having a table 1 on which the shirt is laid with the sleeves overhanging the side edges of the table, outside folders 5, 6 pivoted on axes extending lengthwise of the side edges of the table and inside folders 7, 8 pivoted on axes extending lengthwise of the side edges of the area occupied by the folded shirt, the folders including radial and crank portions, the radial portion 13 of one outside folder (6) is of such a length as to fold one sleeve across the median line of the table and the radial portion 14 of the other outside folder (5) is of smaller length sufficient to fold the sleeve to the adjacent edge of the folded shirt area, the inside folders 7, 8 being of substantially the same radius (15, 16) to fold the side portions of the shirt on to the folded shirt area and together therewith folding the sleeves within the width of the folded shirt area with the cuffs entirely within that area, and the machine includes mechanism for operating the folders 5, 6 simultaneously and then 7, 8 successively to each other. This mechanism includes a rotating cylinder 20 having cam tracks thereon coacting with followers, as 25 (Fig. 4), there being one track and one follower for each folder. Each follower 25 is mounted on a rack 26 guided in a slot 260 (Fig. 7) and meshing with a pinion 27 on a shaft carrying a foldei, so that as the cylinder rotates the folders are actuated in a sequence determined by the contour of the cam tracks. The cylinder 20 is rotated by compressed air means comprising cylinders 35, 39 containing pistons actuating piston rods in the form of racks 37, 41 engaging with a gear 38 mounted on a shaft 28 carrying the cylinder 20. The cylinder 35 is stronger than and normally over-rules the weaker cylinder 39 until power is released from the stronger when the cylinder 39 acts to return the folders to starting position. A form 4 about which the shirt is folded is pivoted by an arm 42 at 43 and can be raised to the broken line position (Fig. 2) by means of a rod 49 and foot pedal (not shown) for the purpose of sliding the folded shirt off the form. The cam cylinder 20, the folders 5, 6, 7, 8 and a supporting frame or housing 30 tilt as a unit about the shaft 28, and do so therefore when the form 4 is lifted due to the fact that the folders are interlocked in the folded shirt. The flow of air to cylinder 35 is controlled by a valve 50 actuated by a pushbutton 51 through a lever 52 pivoted at 53 and acting to open the intake head 56 of the valve and close its exhaust head 57. The intake head 56 is connected to an air supply pipe 58 and the outlet of valve 50 is connected by a pipe 59 to cylinder 35 so that when valve 50 is open air will flow to the cylinder 35 and actuate the cam cylinder 20 to fold the folders. Cylinder 39 is connected to the air supply by a pipe 61 having a pressure reducing device 62 therein. A spring- actuated latch 60 holds the lever 52 in its operated position, but the latch is released by mechanism comprising a pressure-operated diaphragm 64 in a chamber 63 and operating a stem 65 which thrusts against a lever arm 66 on latch 60. The chamber 63 is connected by a pipe 67 to one end of a cylinder 68 containing a piston 69 the rod of which is pivoted at 70 to an arm 700 on housing 30. When the foot pedal is depressed to tilt the form 4 and housing 30 to the broken line position of Fig. 2, the arm 700 pulls piston 69 upwardly past air inlet ports 71, thus letting the cylinder below the piston fill with air. On releasing the foot pedal a spring 701 reacts on arm 700 to restore the housing to its full line position and bring the folders and form down on to the table. The resultant downward movement of piston 69 creates a momentary impulse of air through the pipe 67 to the chamber 64 to actuate diaphragm 64 and release latch 60. Air is thus released from cylinder 35 and the weaker cylinder 39 actuates piston 40 and hence restores the folders to starting position. Before the cylinder 20 has completed its return movement a shoulder 45 thereon (Fig. 7) engages with a roller at the end of an arm 44 pivoted at 46 to the arm 42, thus raising the arm 44 and form 4 to the dotted line position in readiness for the next shirt to be placed on the table. Upon the initial forward rotation of the cylinder 20 the form 4 is lowered into position. on the new shirt. A spring 47 maintains arm 44 in contact with the cylinder 20. Specification 630,921 is referred to.