Patent GB-630921-A (GB)
Title: Garment folding machine
IPC: D06F89/02
Filed: 1947-04-22
Abstract: 630,921. Folding garments. PROSPERITY CO., Inc. April 22, 1947, No. 10702. Convention date, March 3, 1942. [Class 138 (ii)] A machine for folding garments comprises a table 1, a form 4 pivotally mounted to move into and out of a position flatwise over the table and a garment thereon, inner and outer sets 11, 12 of folding members, and power-actuated mechanism for actuating the outer set 11 to fold portions of the garment about the inner set 12 and flatwise on to the garment, the inner set being movable to fold the partially folded portions of the garment on to the form and about the folded outer set 11. The form 4, Figs. 1 and 3, which may be shaped to hold a cardboard sheet 5 adapted to support the folded garment, is carried by a frame 6 pivoted on a transverse shaft 8 which is supported on a leaf 9 hinged to one side of the table 1; a spring normally holds the leaf 9 level with the table top. The members 11 are initially arranged so that they are in a position to fold the hanging sleeves of the garment disposed on the table 1 over the body of the garment. Each of the members 11 is in the form of a crank, the shaft 13 of which is mounted in bearings 15 on the leaf 9 and is adapted to be operated by gearing 18, 19 from the transverse shaft 8. The members 12 are also in the form of cranks mounted on shafts 21 carried in bearings 22 on the frame 6; these members normally extend in the same plane as the form 4 and are shiftable bodily with the form into and out of a position flatwise on the table. The actuating means for the form and folders comprises a compressed-air motor carried by the leaf 9 and in the form of a cylinder 23, Fig. 6, in which works a piston 24. The piston-rod 25 embodies a rack 26 meshing with a pinion 27 on the shaft 8 and is also provided with a second piston 28 which works in a cylinder 29 and is of smaller area then the piston 24. The cylinder 29 is constantly fed with compressed air so as to urge the pistons 24, 28 and folding mechanism to starting position. The driving connection from the shaft 8 to the frame 6 comprises a transverse pin 31, Fig. 12, on a rack arm 30 in the shaft 8 coacting with a rearward extension 32 on the frame 6; with the frame 6 and form 4 in the elevated starting position, actuation of the shaft 8 disengages the pin 31 from the extension 32 so that the frame and form swing by gravity downwardly on to the table 1, and the continued rotation of the shaft 8 acts through the gearing 18, 19 to cause the folding members 11 to fold on to the garment. The members 12 are adapted to be swung by hand into folded position over the form 4, one in advance of the other, against the action of returning springs 34 which encircle the shafts 21. Releasable means for holding the members 12 in operated position against the return action of the springs 34, consist of brake shoes 35, Fig. 6, each coacting with a drum 36 on the shaft 21 and operated by a diaphragm 37 in a chamber 38B, 38C; the diaphragms operate on the brake shoes through plungers 39. The compressed-air circuit controlling the machine includes a combined intake and exhaust valve 44, Fig. 6, which is connected with the cylinder 23 through a pipe 48 and timer 49. The valve 44 is moved to supply compressed air to the cylinder by the actuation of a lever 53 which is pivoted underneath the table in such a position that, when operating it, the hands of the operator are out of the range of movement of the members 11. The handle 53 operates the valve 44 through a rocking lever 55 which is also adapted to set a diaphragm 57 for locking the valve 44 in its open position. The timer 49 comprises a cylinder which has a spring-urged piston 70 and three spaced ports A, B, C communicating, respectively, with the main cylinder 23 and the diaphragm chambers 38B, 38C, for operating the brake shoes 35. Operation.-After the garment has been placed on the table 1 with its neckband or collar F disposed in a recess 3 therein, the control valve 44 is opened by the handle 53 so as to pass compressed air to the timer cylinder 49; the air then passes, by actuation of the piston 70 of the timer, first through the port A to the cylinder 23 in order to drive the shaft 8 and then through the ports B, C to the diaphragm chambers 38B, 38C. A throttle valve 50A between the cylinders 23, 49 ensures that air passes to the cylinder 23 comparatively slowly so as to give time for the form 4 to move by gravity into a position flat on the garment before the shaft 8 operates to complete the turning of the folders 11 and, therefore, the folding of the sleeves of the garment. The operator then swings the two folders 12 on to the central portion of the form against the friction of the brake shoes 35 and the action of the springs 34, and folds the tail portion of the garment on to its body. A band R, which is positioned in a recess 74 in the table 1, is then fastened over the garment, and the form 4 tilted upwardly, the folded garment and enclosed cardboard sheet 5 being, at the same time, slipped off the form. When the form 4 is tilted upwardly, the leaf 9 is also tilted so that a yieldable head 69 on a depending arm 68 thereon presses against the stem 67 of a valve 63 in the compressed-air system and opens the circuit to exhaust. The control valve 44 then returns to normal position so that air exhausts back from the cylinder 23 and timer 49. The piston 70 is then urged upwardly by its springs 73 so as to uncover the ports C, B in turn. A throttle valve 48A provided between the timer 49 and control valve 44 ensures that, under the action of springs 73, the piston 70 uncovers the ports C, B in turn, whereby the brake shoes 35 of the two folders 12 are released consecutively, and the folders are moved by their springs 34 out of their folded position in turn without interfering with each other. When the piston 70 uncovers the port A, the cylinder 23 exhausts directly through the ports 49a in the timer, so that the pinion 26 is operated to return the folders 11 to normal position. The leaf 9 also returns to normal position under spring action, and the rock arm 30 on the shaft 8 acts through its pin 31 to tilt the form 4 and frame 6 into the initial position.