Patent GB-1427225-A (GB)
Title: Multiple folding device
IPC: B65H45/14
Filed: 1973-06-05
Abstract: 1427225 Folding fabric sheets C ARBTER 5 June 1973 [13 June 1972] 26640/73 Heading D1S A device for folding a textile article 1 comprising a plurality of synchronously controlled longitudinal and transverse folding slides and plates, is characterised in that two upper, relatively opposed, lowerable and raisable, folding plate members 10 11 are provided above two lower oppositely guided transverse folding slides 13, 14 and in that two vertically displaceable, relatively opposed, longitudinal side folding slides 5, 6 and a transverse folding plate 12 are provided between the members 10, 11 and the slides 13, 14, the plate 12 being insertable into a gap between the slides 13, 14 to apply pressure onto a support surface 15, e.g. formed by closely adjacent conveyor belts 16. In one embodiment, Figs. 1-3, the article 1 to be folded is placed on a cover 7 and aligned against a stop rail 8 and its centre area sags slightly downwards through a cut-out 7 in the cover 7. The members 10, 11 are moved towards each other and then downwardly through the cut-out 7' to press the central area of the article I onto the slides 13, 14. The slides 5, 6 move towards each other and fold edges 2 of the article 1 around the inserted members 10, 11, Fig. 2. The slides 5, 6 are withdrawn in succession. Simultaneously, the plate 12 moves to become located in the portion of the article between the slides 13, 14 and moves downwards to rest on the article which has moved onto the surface 15. The slides 13, 14 move towards each other, in succession, to fold edges 3 of the article over the edges of the plate 12 and, simultaneously, the members 10. 11 are withdrawn. Fig. 3. The plate 12 and the slides 13, 14 are then withdrawn from the folded article and the drive of the belts 16 is switched on to convey the article 1' to a stacking position 19 at which it is placed by upward wardly moving slides 20 on arms 21 which are first pivoted upwardly and then returned. Compressed air cylinders (not shown), actuate the folding slides and members. In another embodiment, Figs. 4, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12, an intermediate slide 25 is provided below the folding plane of the members 10, 11 and above the plane of the slides 13, 14 and has openings 26, 27 therein. A fixed support surface 28 is provided below the plane of the slide 25 but above the plane of the slide 14 and is provided with two groups of suction nozzles 29. Suction air nozzles 31 are provided in slots 30 formed .in the slide 13 and project upwardly into the openings 27 when the slide 25 is in its operative position. The slide 14 is formed by two spaced plates 32, 33, Fig. 7, each displaceable independently of the other, the stroke of the plate 33 being adjustable. The plate 12 is formed by two spaced plates 34, 35 connected by a cross-piece 36, Fig. 11, and having slots 37, Fig. 12, to receive stops 38 in the operative position thereof. The plate 35 is hollow and has suction openings 39, Fig. 11, and is connected to a suction air pipeline 41. A guide 42, Fig. 8, receives a plate 43 secured to the plate 12. A vertically displaceable ram 44, Fig. 7, is provided below the belts 16 and has ribs 45 located between these belts. In operation, the article to be folded is placed on the cover 7 and located against the stop rail 8 so that its central area sags downwards through the cut-out 7' to rest on the slide 25 against which it is held by suction. The members 10, 11 are moved towards each other and then downwards to rest on the article on the slide 25. The slides 5, 6 successively fold the edges 2 around the members 10, 11, Fig. 5 (not shown). The slides 5, 6, 25 are withdrawn and the article is held against displacement by the nozzles 29, 31 and rests on the surface 28 and the slide 13. The plate 12 is moved so that its lower plate 35 rests on the article and the plate 43 slips over the portion of the article resting on the slide 13. The plate 12 moves downwards and the article is sucked into contact with the plate 35. The stops 38 ensure that the partly-folded article cannot be twisted. The slide 25 is returned to its operative position over the partly-folded article. The plate 32 of the slide 14 is moved into the gap between the plates 34, 35, Fig. 8, and then the plate 33 is moved to overlie the plate 34. The slide 13 is then moved to fold the article to form shown in Fig. 9. The slide 14 and the plate 12 are removed but the slide 13 remains briefly in position to provide an abutment for the ram 44 which moves upwards to compress the folds. The slide 13 and the ram 44 are withdrawn and the conveyors 16 are switched on to move the folded article to a stacking position 19. Whilst the folding means 12, 13, 14, constituting a second folding station, are operating on the article, a second article may be operated on by the folding means 5, 6, 10, 11, constituting a first folding station, when the slide 25 is in its operative position.