Patent Abstract:
A folding system for a fabric product is provided. The folding system includes an information obtaining device, a folding device and a width controlling device. The information obtaining device obtains first information held by a fabric product. The folding device includes a platen member, a width adjusting mechanism and a folding mechanism. The platen member is for holding the fabric product. The width adjusting mechanism adjusts the width directional length of the platen member. The folding mechanism folds the fabric product on the platen member. The width controlling device controls the width adjusting mechanism by using the first information obtained by the information obtaining device.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. National Stage Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-272686, filed in Japan on Nov. 30, 2009. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-272686 is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a folding system for a fabric product. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A variety of “folding devices for automatically folding a fabric product such as a shirt” have been proposed so far. 
     Depending on folding methods, the folding devices are roughly classified into slide type folding devices (see Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication Nos. JP-A-H08-215500, JP-A-H08-215499, JP-A-H08-215498, JP-A-H08-215497, JP-A-2008-18100, JP-A-2000-202200 and JP-A-H05-294552), a flip-up-to-the-bottom type folding device (see Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication Nos. JP-A-H06-304399 and JP-A-H10-218485), a flip-up-to-the-top type folding device (see Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication Nos. JP-A-H07-61703, JP-A-2008-264316, JP-A-2003-532451, JP-A-2003-181200 and JP-A-2002-119800) and a rotary type folding device (see PCT International Application Publication No. WO2008/032826). 
     The folding devices as described above are mutually provided with a platen for putting a fabric product thereon. Every time the fabric product size is changed, the platen width is required to be suitably adjusted to the changed fabric product size. For example, the following methods are required for implementing the above. Every time the fabric product size is changed, a platen is replaced with another one with a width suitable for the fabric product size. Alternatively, the platen width is adjusted by means of a width adjusting mechanism as described in a brochure of International Patent Application Publication No. WO2008/032826 and etc. The latter method is herein preferable in consideration of a workload imposed on a worker. 
     Now, there exist a variety of fabric products for a variety of age groups (e.g., clothing of a grandfather, a grandmother, a father, a mother, a child and etc.) at home. Therefore, frequent width adjustment is required for the platen when the folding device as described above is installed in a home. A workload imposed on a worker is accordingly increased. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to reduce worker&#39;s workload required for adjusting the platen width in a folding system for a fabric product. 
     A folding system for a fabric product according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an information obtaining device, a folding device and a width controlling device. The information obtaining device is configured to obtain first information held by the fabric product. It should be noted that the term “first information” may herein refer to identification information (including image information, identification number information, etc.), or alternatively, “information of the width directional length of a platen member”. When the first information is the identification information, “information of the width directional length of a platen member” is required to be derived from the identification information. Further, the first information may be obtained from an information medium fixed to the fabric product. Examples of the information medium herein include a RFID tag, a barcode (e.g., one-dimensional barcode, two-dimensional barcode, further, a barcode made of fluorescent paint), fluorescent paint (forming information, for instance, by means of emission wavelength when being irradiated by black light), a metal piece (forming information depending on metal elements contained therein) and a magnetic recording medium. Alternatively, the first information may be data of the shape, the pattern, etc. of the fabric product (corresponding to the identification information in this case), in other words, imaging data (note the information obtaining device is herein an imaging device, i.e., a camera). The folding device includes a platen member, a width adjusting mechanism and a folding mechanism. It should be noted that examples of the folding mechanism include a rotary type folding mechanism as described in the brochure of PCT International Application Publication No. WO2008/032826, a flip-up-to-the-bottom type folding mechanism as described in Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication Nos. JP-A-H06-304399 and JP-A-H10-218485, a flip-up-to-the-top type folding device as described in Publication of Japanese Translation of PCT International Application No. JP-A-2003-432451 and Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication Nos. JP-A-H07-61703, JP-A-2008-264316, JP-A-2003-181200 and JP-A-2002-119800, and a slide type folding mechanism as described in Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication Nos. JP-A-H08-215500, JP-A-H08-215499, JP-A-H08-215498, JP-A-H08-215497, JP-A-2008-18100, JP-A-2000-202200 and JP-A-H05-294552. The platen member is a member for putting the fabric product thereon. The width adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust a width directional length of the platen member. The folding mechanism is configured to fold the fabric product to be put on the platen member. The width controlling device is configured to control the width adjusting mechanism using the first information obtained by the information obtaining device. 
     According to the folding system for a fabric product of the first aspect of the present invention, the width controlling device is configured to control the width adjusting mechanism using the first information obtained by the information obtaining device. Therefore, the folding system for a fabric product requires a worker to execute only a work for assisting input of the first information into the information obtaining device (e.g., a work of disposing a fabric product to be closer to the information obtaining device). In other words, the folding system for a fabric product can reduce worker&#39;s workload required for adjusting the width of the platen. 
     A folding system for a fabric product according to a second aspect of the present invention relates to the folding system for a fabric product according to the first aspect of the present invention. In the folding system, the first information is identification information for the fabric product. The folding system further includes a first storage device and a second information deriving device. The first storage device is configured to store a first association table. In the first association table, the first information is associated with second information. The second information deriving device is configured to check the first information obtained by the information obtaining device against the first association table and derive the second information associated with the first information therefrom. The width controlling device is configured to control the width adjusting mechanism using the second information derived by the second information deriving device. 
     According to the folding system for a fabric product of the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the information amount of the first information. Therefore, the folding system for a fabric product can reduce the cost of a medium holding the first information and reduce chances of causing troubles, for instance, in repurchase of fabric products (e.g., clothing). 
     A folding system for a fabric product according to a third aspect of the present invention relates to the folding system for a fabric product according to the first aspect of the present invention. The folding system further includes a sorting device. The sorting device is configured to sort the fabric product folded by the folding device using the first information. It should be herein noted that the first information may contain “sorting information (e.g., owner information, storage position information, etc.)”. 
     According to the folding system for a fabric product of the third aspect of the present invention, the fabric products can be sorted depending on owners of or storage positions of the fabric products. Therefore, the folding system for a fabric product can eliminate a sorting-related workload of a worker. 
     A folding system for a fabric product according to a fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the folding system for a fabric product according to the third aspect of the present invention. In the folding system, the first information is identification information for the fabric product. The folding system further includes a second storage device and a third information deriving device. The second storage device is configured to store a second association table. In the second association table, the first information is associated with third information. The third information deriving device is configured to check the first information obtained by the information obtaining device against the second association table and derive the third information associated with the first information therefrom. Further, the sorting device is configured to sort the fabric product folded by the folding device using the third information derived by the third information deriving device. 
     According to the folding system for a fabric product of the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the information amount of the first information. Therefore, the folding system for a fabric product can reduce the cost of a medium holding the first information and reduce chances of causing troubles, for instance, in repurchase of fabric products (e.g., clothing). 
     A folding system for a fabric product according to a fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the folding system for a fabric product according to the third aspect of the present invention. The folding system further includes a transporting device. The transporting device is configured to transport the fabric product sorted by the sorting device to a predetermined storage position using the first information. It should be herein noted that the first information may contain “transportation position information”. 
     According to the folding system for a fabric product of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the fabric product is automatically transported to a predetermined storage position after being sorted depending on an owner of or a storage position of the fabric product. Therefore, the folding system for a fabric product can eliminate a storage-related workload of a worker. 
     A folding system for a fabric product according to a sixth aspect of the present invention relates to the folding system for a fabric product according to the fifth aspect of the present invention. In the folding system, the first information is identification information for the fabric product. Further, the folding system further includes a third storage device and a fourth storage device. The third storage device is configured to store a third association table. In the third association table, the first information is associated with fourth information. The fourth information deriving device is configured to check the first information obtained by the information obtaining device against the third association table and derive the fourth information associated with the first information therefrom. Yet further, the transporting device is configured to transport the fabric product sorted by the sorting device to a predetermined storage position using the fourth information derived by the fourth information deriving device. 
     According to the folding system for a fabric product of the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the information amount of the first information. Therefore, the folding system for a fabric product can reduce the cost of a medium holding the first information and reduce chances of causing troubles, for instance, in repurchase of fabric products (e.g., clothing). 
     A folding system for a fabric product according to a seventh aspect of the present invention relates to the folding system for a fabric product according to one of the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention. In the folding system, the sorting device is disposed below or lateral to the folding device, while the transporting device is disposed below the sorting device. 
     According to the folding system for a fabric product of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the folding system for a fabric product can supply the fabric product to the transporting device by means of inertia forth (gravity force) after sorting by the sorting device. Therefore, the folding system for a fabric product is expected to contribute to energy saving. 
     A folding system for a fabric product according to an eighth aspect of the present invention relates to the folding system for a fabric product according to one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention. In the folding system, the fabric product is provided with a medium containing the first information. The medium is herein fixed to a predetermined position on the fabric product. It should be herein noted that examples of “the medium” include a RFID tag, fluorescent paint (including the patterned one), a metal piece and a magnetic recording medium. Moreover, the folding system for a fabric product further includes a position detecting device, a clamping device and a clamping device controlling device. The position detecting device is configured to detect a position of the first information. The clamping device is configured to clamp the fabric product. The clamping device controlling device is configured to control the clamping device for causing the clamping device to hold the position of the fabric product detected by the position detecting device and put the fabric product on the platen member. 
     According to the folding system for a fabric product of the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cause the clamping device to easily clamp the fabric product at an appropriate clamping position. Therefore, the folding system for a fabric product can appropriately put the fabric product on the platen member of the folding device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic wash-dry-fold system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a control device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a conceptual diagram of a matching table stored in a storage unit of the control device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a folding device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the folding device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the folding device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a folding mechanism, set to be in a second state, of the folding device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the folding mechanism, set to be in a third state, of the folding device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the folding mechanism, set to be in a fourth state, of the folding device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the folding mechanism, set to be in a fifth state, of the folding device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a transporting mechanism, set to be in a second state, of the folding device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the transporting mechanism, set to be in a third state, of the folding device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the transporting mechanism, set to be in a fourth state, of the folding device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of the folding mechanism, set to be in a sixth state, of the folding device of the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view illustrating an arrangement relation among the folding device, a sorting device and the transporting device in the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating a condition where a laundry is moved from the transporting device to a closet in the automatic wash-dry-fold system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic wash-dry-fold system according to a modification (G). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     An automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is configured to wash, dry and fold a laundry in a fully automatic manner. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  mainly includes a washing machine  200 , a drying machine  250 , RFID tag readers  331  to  333 , a laundry transporting robot arm  310 , a dried laundry transporting robot arm  320 , a folding device  400 , a sorting device  700 , a transporting device  800  and a closet  850 . 
     It should be noted in the present exemplary embodiment that each of all the laundries LD includes two passive-type RFID tags (not illustrated in the figures) attached to two specific portions thereof (e.g., “shoulder parts” for a shirt, “waist parts” for pants and etc.). Further, each RFID tag stores identification number data D 0  (see  FIG. 3 ) uniquely set for each laundry LD (e.g., clothing). 
     The aforementioned elements will be hereinafter described in detail. 
     &lt;Elements of Automatic Wash-Dry-Fold System&gt; 
     (1) Washing Machine 
     The washing machine  200  is a normal washing machine and is communicatively connected to a control device  900  as represented in  FIG. 2 . Further, the washing machine  200  is configured to automatically open or close a cover, put therein a detergent and/or a softener from a dispenser  220  (see  FIG. 2 ), and start or stop an operation in response to a command from the control device  900 . 
     Further, the washing machine  200  includes a first weight sensor  210  (see  FIG. 2 ) attached thereto. The first weight sensor  210  is configured to measure the weight of the laundries LD put into a washing tub of the washing machine  200 . Further, the washing machine  200  is configured to transmit a measured value of the weight to the control device  900  at predetermined time intervals. 
     (2) Drying Machine 
     The drying machine  250  is a normal drying machine and is communicatively connected to the control device  900  as represented in  FIG. 2 . Further, the drying machine  250  is configured to automatically open or close a cover, and start or stop an operation in response to a command from the control device  900 . 
     Further, the drying machine  250  includes a second weight sensor  260  (see  FIG. 2 ) attached thereto. The second weight sensor  260  is configured to measure the weight of the laundries LD put into a drying drum of the drying machine  250 . The drying machine  250  is configured to transmit a measured value of the weight to the control device  900  at predetermined time intervals. 
     (3) RFID Tag Readers 
     The RFID tag readers  331  to  333  are readout devices for RFID tags. Each of the RFID readers  331  to  333  is configured to irradiate radio waves towards a RFID tag for actuating the RFID tag and receive the identification number data D 0  from the RFID tag. 
     Further, the present system  100  includes three sets of RFID tag readers ( 331  to  333 ) installed therein. Each of the RFID tag readers  331  to  333  is communicatively connected to the control device  900  as represented in  FIG. 2 . The RFID tag readers  331  to  333  are herein configured to transmit intensity data of reflective waves from the RFID tags to the control device  900 . In response, the control device  900  is configured to detect the positions of the RFID tags by means of the triangulation method based on the intensity data of the reflective waves received from the respective RFID tag readers  331  to  333 . 
     (4) Laundry Transporting Robot Arm 
     The laundry transporting robot arm  310  is a robot arm including a two-finger hand attached to the tip thereof. As represented in  FIG. 2 , the laundry transporting robot arm  310  is communicatively connected to the control device  900 . The laundry transporting robot arm  310  is configured to move the laundries LD from a laundry basket to the washing machine  200  and move the laundries LD from the washing machine  200  to the drying machine  250  in response to a command from the control device  900 . It should be noted that the laundry transporting robot arm  310  is configured to sequentially pick up the RFID tags in response to a command from the control device  900 , starting from the one positioned on the top of the RFID tags (i.e., the specific part of the laundry LD). 
     (5) Dried Laundry Transporting Robot Arm 
     Similarly to the laundry transporting robot arm  310 , the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  is a robot arm including a two-finger hand attached to the tip thereof. As represented in  FIG. 2 , the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  is communicatively connected to the control device  900 . In response to a command from the control device  900 , the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  is configured to pick up one of the dried laundries LD from the drying machine  250  and halt in a predetermined position. It should be noted that the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  is configured to sequentially pick up the RFID tags in response to a command from the control device  900 , starting from the one positioned on the top of the RED tags, (i.e., the specific part of the laundry LD). 
     (6) Folding Device 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the folding device  400  mainly includes a frame  420 , a folding mechanism  500  and a transporting mechanism  600 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the folding device  400  is disposed under the roof of a house or the like. As represented in  FIG. 2 , the folding device  400  is further communicatively connected to the control device  900 . The folding device  400  is configured to adjust the width between platen plates (to be described), fold the laundry LD, and deliver the laundry LD to the sorting device  700  in a folded state in response to a command from the control device  900 . Elements of the folding device  400  will be hereinafter respectively described in detail. 
     (6-1) Frame 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the frame  420  is mainly formed by a front frame  430 , side frames  440  and a rear frame  450 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the front frame  430  is mainly formed by four first pillar members  431 , four first upper beam members  432 , four first intermediate beam members  433 , a second intermediate beam member  434  and four first lower beam members  435 . The first pillar members  431  are disposed while the axes thereof are arranged along a vertical direction Dv. The first upper beam members  432  are extended among the first pillar members  431  in a horizontal direction Dh in order to connect the top ends of the first pillar members  431 . The first intermediate beam members  433  are extended among the first pillar members  431  in the horizontal direction Dh in order to connect the intermediate parts of the first pillar members  431  in the height direction. It should be noted that the folding mechanism  500  is fixed to the first intermediate beam members  433  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 . The second intermediate beam member  434  is extended between rear-frame side two of the first pillar members  431  in the horizontal direction Dh in order to connect parts, positioned slightly above the bottom ends, of the rear-frame side two first pillar members  431 . The first lower beam members  435  are extended among the first pillar members  431  in the horizontal direction Dh in order to connect the bottom ends of the first pillar members  431 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the side frames  440  are two beam members, each of which connects a lower part of the front frame  430  and that of the rear frame  450 . Further, four leg members  441  are attached to the side frames  440 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the rear frame  450  is mainly formed by two second pillar members  451 , a second upper beam member  452  and a second lower beam member  453 . It should be noted that the transporting mechanism  600  is attached to the rear frame  450 . The second pillar members  451  are disposed while the axes thereof are arranged along the vertical direction Dv. The second upper beam member  452  is extended between the second pillar members  451  in the horizontal direction Dh in order to couple the top ends of the second pillar members  451 . The second lower beam member  453  is extended under the second pillar members  451  in the horizontal direction Dh in order to couple the bottom ends of the second pillar members  451 . 
     (6-2) Folding Mechanism 
     As described above, the folding mechanism  500  is fixed to the first intermediate beam members  433 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the folding mechanism  500  mainly includes a pair of platen plates  501 , four folding plates  511  to  514 , dual nested shaft rotary mechanisms  520 , an inter-platen-plate distance adjusting mechanism  530  and folding plate sliding mechanisms  540 . It should be noted that the folding plates with reference numerals of  511 ,  512 ,  513  and  514  may be hereinafter referred to as “a first folding plate”, “a second folding plate”, “a third folding plate” and “a fourth folding plate”. Elements of the folding mechanism  500  will be hereinafter respectively explained in detail. 
     The platen plates  501  are a pair of roughly rectangular plate members. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , each platen plate  501  is extended towards the rear frame in the horizontal direction. In an initial state, the laundry LD is put on the platen plates  501 . When the folding device  400  receives a command signal and platen plate width data D 1  sent from the control device  900 , the inter-platen-plate distance adjusting mechanism  530  is configured to adjust the width between the platen plates  501  based on the platen plate width data D 1 . 
     The folding plates  511  to  514  are members for serving to fold the laundry LD put on the platen plates  501 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , each of the folding plates  511  to  514  has a roughly rectangular shape. The folding plates  511  to  514  are disposed beside the platen plates  501  while being arranged perpendicularly thereto in an initial state. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the dual nested shaft rotary mechanisms  520  are a pair of mechanisms disposed in the right-and-left direction. Each dual nested shaft rotary mechanism  520  mainly includes a dual nested shaft  521 , an inner shaft rotary motor  522 , an outer shaft rotary motor  523 , an inner shaft pulley  524 , an outer shaft pulley  525 , a first pulley belt  526  and a second pulley belt  527 . Each dual nested shaft  521  is formed by an inner shaft  521   a  and an outer shaft  521   b . It should be noted that each inner shaft  521   a  is a columnar shaft that the folding plate  511 / 512  is attached to the tip thereof. On the other hand, each outer shaft  521   b  is a cylindrical shaft that the folding plate  513 / 514  is attached to the tip thereof. Further, each inner shaft  521   a  is rotatably inserted into each outer shaft  521   b  while the base end thereof is partially protruded from each outer shaft  521   b . Each inner shaft pulley  524  is fitted into the base end of each inner shaft  521   a . Each outer shaft pulley  525  is fitted into the base end of each outer shaft  521   b . Each first pulley belt  526  is stretched over a shaft of each inner shaft rotary motor  522  and each inner shaft pulley  524 . Each first pulley belt  526  serves to transfer rotary power of each inner shaft rotary motor  522  to each inner shaft  521   a  for rotating each inner shaft  521   a . Each second pulley belt  527  is stretched over a shaft of each outer shaft rotary motor  523  and each outer shaft pulley  525 . Each second pulley belt  527  serves to transfer rotary power of each outer shaft rotary motor  523  to each outer shaft  521   b  for rotating each outer shaft  521   b . Each inner shaft rotary motor  522  and each outer shaft rotary motor  523  are forwardly and reversely rotatable. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the inter-platen-plate distance adjusting mechanism  530  mainly includes a first ball screw  531 , first nuts (not illustrated in the figures), a first rail member (not illustrated in the figures), a platen plate attachment member (not illustrated in the figures) and a first ball screw driving motor  532 . The first ball screw  531  is formed by a right-handed thread ball screw portion and a left-handed thread ball screw portion. It should be herein noted that the right-handed thread ball screw portion and the left-handed thread ball screw portion are disposed concentrically to each other. Further, the first ball screw  531  is rotatably fixed to the first rail member while the axis thereof is arranged in parallel to the rail portion (not illustrated in the figures) of the first rail member. The first nuts are screwed onto the right-handed thread ball screw portion and the left-handed thread ball screw portion of the first ball screw  531 , respectively. The first nuts are configured to be slid and moved on the rail portion along the axial direction of the first ball screw  531  in conjunction with driving of the first ball screw driving motor  532 . It should be noted in the present exemplary embodiment that the first nuts are configured to be slid and moved in opposite directions due to the structure that the first nuts are respectively screwed onto the right-handed thread ball screw portion and the left-handed thread ball screw portion of the first ball screw  531 . In other words, the first nuts are configured to be slid and moved closer to or away from each other. Further, the platen plate attachment member serves to fix the platen plates  501  to the first nuts. Yet further, the platen plate attachment member includes a rail engaging portion (not illustrated in the figures) on the back face thereof. The rail engaging portion is meshed with the rail portion of the first rail member. The first ball screw driving motor  532  is coupled to an end of the first ball screw  531  while the shaft thereof is arranged along the axis of the first ball screw  531 . 
     A pair of the folding plate sliding mechanisms  540  is disposed correspondingly to the dual nested shaft rotary mechanisms  520  in the right-and-left direction. As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the folding plate sliding mechanisms  540  mainly include the third ball screws  541   a  and  541   b , third nuts (not illustrated in the figures), third rail members  543 , third ball screw driving motors  545 , 31 st  pulleys  546 , 32 nd  pulleys  547  and third pulley belts  548 . Further, in the following explanation, the third ball screws with reference numerals of  541   a  and  541   b  may be respectively referred to as “a 31 st  ball screw” and “a 32 nd  ball screw”. As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , two third ball screws  541   a  and  541   b  are disposed in roughly parallel to the first ball screw  531 . The third nuts are screwed onto two third ball screws  541   a  and  541   b , respectively. The dual nested shaft rotary mechanisms  520  are attached to the third nuts, respectively. Each 31 st  pulley  546  is fitted onto the tip of each third ball screw driving motor  545 . Each 32 nd  pulley  547  is fitted onto the base end of each third ball screw  541   a / 541   b . Each third pulley belt  548  is stretched over each 31 st  pulley  546  and each 32 nd  pulley  547 . Each third pulley belt  548  serves to transfer rotary power of each third ball screw driving motor  545  to each third ball screw  541   a / 541   b  through each 31 st  pulley  546  and each 32 nd  pulley  547  in order to rotate each third ball screw  541   a / 541   b . Each third ball screw driving motor  545  is forwardly and reversely rotatable. 
     (6-3) Transporting Mechanism 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the transporting mechanism  600  mainly includes a pull-out plate  601 , a pull-out plate up-and-down transporting mechanism  610 , a pull-out plate rotary mechanism  620  and a pull-out plate back-and-forth transporting mechanism  630 . Elements of the transporting mechanism  600  will be hereinafter respectively explained in detail. 
     The pull-out plate  601  is a roughly rectangular plate member. It should be noted that the pull-out plate  601  includes two protrusions  603  and a rotary bar  602  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The protrusions  603  are backwardly extended, while the rotary bar  602  is fixed to the protrusions  603 . Further, a 21 st  pulley (not illustrated in the figure) is attached to the rotary bar  602 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the pull-out plate up-and-down transporting mechanism  610  mainly includes a fourth ball screw  612 , a fourth ball screw driving motor  611 , a fourth nut  614 , an attachment plate  613 , an 11 th  pulley  615 , a 12 th  pulley belt  616  and a 12 th  pulley  617 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the fourth ball screw  612  is disposed while the axis thereof is arranged along the vertical direction Dv. The fourth nut  614  is screwed onto the fourth ball screw  612 . The fourth nut  614  is configured to be moved along the axial direction of the fourth ball screw  612  in conjunction with driving of the fourth ball screw driving motor  611 . The fourth nut  614  is fixed to the attachment plate  613 . Further, the attachment plate  613  includes rail portions  613   a  and  613   b  on the both ends thereof. It should be noted that the rail portions  613   a  and  613   b  are fitted onto the second pillar members  451  of the rear frame  450 . Therefore, the attachment plate  613  is configured to be moved up and down along the second pillar members  451  when the fourth nut  614  is moved up and down along the fourth ball screw  612 . Further, the pull-out plate  601  is attached to the front face of the attachment plate  613  through the pull-out plate rotary mechanism  620 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the 11 th  pulley  615  is attached to the shaft of the fourth ball screw driving motor  611 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the 12 th  pulley  617  is attached to the bottom end of the fourth ball screw  612 . The 12 th  pulley belt  616  is stretched over the 11 th  pulley  615  and the 12 th  pulley  617 . In other words, in conjunction with driving of the fourth ball screw driving motor  611 , rotational power of the fourth ball screw driving motor  611  is transferred to the fourth ball screw  612  through the 11 th  pulley  615 , the 12 th  pulley belt  616  and the 12 th  pulley  617 . As a result, the fourth ball screw  612  is rotated about the axis thereof. The attachment plate  613  is consequently moved up and down along the second pillar members  451 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the pull-out plate rotary mechanism  620  mainly includes rotary bar support bodies  622   a  and  622   b , a 22 nd  pulley  623 , a 22 nd  pulley belt  624  and a rotary bar driving motor  621 . The rotary bar support bodies  622   a  and  622   b  support the rotary bar  602  disposed rearwards of the pull-out plate  601  for allowing it to rotate. The 22 nd  pulley  623  is attached to the shaft of the rotary bar driving motor  621 . The 22 nd  pulley belt  624  is stretched over the 22 nd  pulley  623  and the 20 pulley attached to the rotary bar  602 . In short, in conjunction with driving of the rotary bar driving motor  621 , rotational power of the rotary bar driving motor  621  is transferred to the rotary bar  602  through the 22 nd  pulley  623 , the 22 nd  pulley belt  624  and the 21 st  pulley. As a result, the pull-out plate  601  is upwardly pivoted and lifted up. In reverse driving of the rotary bar driving motor  621 , by contrast, rotary power of the rotary bar driving motor  621  is transferred to the rotary bar  602  through the 22 nd  pulley  623 , the 22 nd  pulley belt  624  and the 20 pulley. As a result, the pull-out plate  601  is downwardly pivoted and tilted downwards. 
     The pull-out plate back-and-forth transporting mechanism  630  is disposed for implementing back-and-forth movement of the transporting mechanism  600 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the pull-out plate back-and-forth transporting mechanism  630  mainly includes a back-and-forth driving motor  631 , a wire (not illustrated in the figure) and a wire support portion  632 . In conjunction with driving of the back-and-forth driving motor  631 , the wire is configured to be moved along the wire support portion  632 . In conjunction with the wire movement, the transporting mechanism  600  is configured to be moved back and forth. 
     (6-4) Actions of Folding Device 
     Actions of the folding device  400  will be hereinafter explained with reference to  FIGS. 4 to 14 . 
     In the folding device  400 , the folding mechanism  500  is firstly set to be in a state illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In other words, the folding device  400  is set to be in a state (initial state) that the folding plates  511  to  514  are hung down roughly in the vertical direction in a front view. In the state, a laundry LD is put on the platen plates  501 . It should be noted that the width between the platen plates  501  is adjusted by the inter-platen-plate distance adjusting mechanism  530  as described above. 
     Next, the inner shaft rotary motor  522  of the dual nested shaft rotary mechanism  520  rotates the second folding plate  512  leftward (clockwisedly) at an angle of roughly 90 degrees in  FIG. 7  (see an arrow R 1  in  FIG. 7 ). The second folding plate  512  is thereby set to be in a state illustrated in  FIG. 7  (a second state). In other words, the second folding plate  512  is disposed adjacent to the bottom face of the platen plate  501 . It should be herein noted that a part of the laundry LD, hung down from the right side of the platen plates  501  in  FIG. 7 , is interposed and folded between the second folding plate  512  and the platen plate  501 . 
     Next, the inner shaft rotary motor  522  of the dual nested shaft rotary mechanism  520  rotates the first folding plate  511  rightward (counterclockwisedly) at an angle of roughly 90 degrees in  FIG. 8  (see an arrow R 2  in  FIG. 8 ). The first folding plate  511  is thereby set to be in a state illustrated in  FIG. 8  (a third state). In other words, the first folding plate  511  is disposed adjacent to the bottom face of the second folding plate  512 . It should be herein noted that a part of the laundry LD, hung down from the left side of the platen plates  501  in  FIG. 8 , is interposed and folded between the first folding plate  511  and the second folding plate  512 . 
     Next, the outer shaft rotary motor  523  of the dual nested shaft rotary mechanism  520  rotates the fourth folding plate  514  leftward (clockwisedly) at an angle of roughly 90 degrees in  FIG. 9  (see an arrow R 3  in  FIG. 9 ). The fourth folding plate  514  is thereby set to be in a state illustrated in  FIG. 9  (a fourth state). In other words, the fourth folding plate  514  is disposed adjacent to the bottom face of the first folding plate  511 . It should be herein noted that a part of the laundry LD, hung down from the right side of the first folding plates  511  in  FIG. 9 , is interposed and folded between the fourth folding plate  514  and the first folding plate  511 . 
     Next, the outer shaft rotary motor  523  of the dual nested shaft rotary mechanism  520  rotates the third folding plate  513  rightward (counterclockwisedly) at an angle of roughly 90 degrees in  FIG. 10  (see an arrow R 4  in  FIG. 10 ). The third folding plate  513  is thereby set to be in a state illustrated in  FIG. 10  (a fifth state). In other words, the third folding plate  513  is disposed adjacent to the bottom face of the fourth folding plate  514 . It should be herein noted that a part of the laundry LD, hung down from the left side of the fourth folding plate  514  in  FIG. 10 , is interposed and folded between the third folding plate  513  and the fourth folding plate  514 . 
     Next, the pull-out plate up-and-down transporting mechanism  610  lifts up the pull-out plate  601  to a predetermined height as illustrated in  FIG. 11  (a second state). The pull-out plate back-and-forth transporting mechanism  630  then forwardly moves the pull-out plate  601  to a predetermined position as illustrated in  FIG. 12  (a third state). It should be noted that the pull-out plate  601  is herein positioned while the plate face thereof is arranged along the vertical direction Dv. The pull-out plate rotary mechanism  620  then rotates the pull-out plate  601  to a position where the pull-out plate  601  is disposed roughly in parallel to the third folding plate  513  as illustrated in  FIG. 13  (a fourth state). 
     Subsequently, the right-side folding plate sliding mechanism  540  rightwardly slides and moves the right-side dual nested shaft rotary mechanism  520  in  FIG. 10 , while the left-side folding plate sliding mechanism  540  leftwardly slides and moves the left-side dual nested shaft rotary mechanisms  520  in  FIG. 10  (see arrows L 1  and L 2  in  FIG. 14 ). The folding device  400  is thereby set to be in a state illustrated in  FIG. 14  (a sixth state). The folding plates  511  to  514  are herein removed from the laundry LD, and the laundry LD can be easily pulled out by means of the pull-out plate  601 . 
     Then, the pull-out plate  601  is lifted down by the pull-out plate up-and-down transporting mechanism  610 , while being backwardly moved by the pull-out plate back-and-forth transporting mechanism  630 . The pull-out plate  601  is thereby set to be in a state illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     Subsequently, the pull-out plate rotary mechanism  620  rotates the pull-out plate  601  to a position where the pull-out plate  601  is downwardly tilted. With the action, the folded laundry LD on the pull-out plate  601  slips down to a sorting table  720  disposed below in a stand-by state. 
     (7) Sorting Device 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the sorting device  700  mainly includes a rail  710 , the sorting table  720  and sorting table detection sensors (not illustrated in the figures). As represented in  FIG. 2 , the sorting device  700  is communicatively connected to the control device  900 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the rail  710  is linearly extended oppositely to the folding device  400  from a position below the folding device  400 . 
     The sorting table  720  mainly includes a rail engaging portion (not illustrated in the figures), wheels, a driving motor (not illustrated in the figures), a platen plate  730 , a 90-degree rotary mechanism (not illustrated in the figures) and a tilting mechanism (not illustrated in the figures). The rail engaging portion is engaged with the rail  710 . The wheels are a pair of wheels disposed in the inside of the rail engaging portion. The wheels are disposed on the both lateral sides of the rail  710  while interposing the rail  710  therebetween. The wheels are configured to be driven by the driving motor. The driving motor is configured to be forwardly rotated, reversely rotated and stopped in response to a command from the control device  900 . The platen plate  730  is a plate for being put thereon the laundry LD folded by the folding device  400 . The platen plate  730  is disposed on the 90-degree rotary mechanism and the tilting mechanism. The 90-degree rotary mechanism is configured to rotate the platen plate  730  at an angle of 90 degrees (see the platen plate  730  depicted with a broken line in  FIG. 15 ) in response to a command from the control device  900 . The tilting mechanism is configured to tilt the platen plate  730  in response to a command from the control device  900  so that the plate face of the platen plate  730  is downwardly tilted towards a platen plate  840   a  (to be described) of a transporting table  810   a  (to be described). 
     Each of the sorting table detection sensors mainly includes a light emitter and a light receiver. The sorting table detection sensors are disposed in the vicinity of the rail  710  while being opposed to the positions where the transporting tables  810   a  to  810   d  are respectively disposed. It should be noted in the present exemplary embodiment that the light receivers are positioned higher than the sorting table  720  while the light emitters are positioned lower than the sorting table  720 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, when receiving a command signal and storage position data D 2  from the control device  900 , the sorting device  700  is configured to cause the corresponding one of the sorting table detection sensors associated with the storage position data D 2  to execute a sensing processing (i.e., emit light from the light emitter to the light receiver) and cause the other sorting table detection sensors to stop executing the sensing processing (i.e., stop light emission from the light emitter). 
     (8) Transporting Device 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  15  and  16 , the transporting device  800  mainly includes the transporting tables  810   a  to  810   d , level sensors (not illustrated in the figures) and transporting mechanisms  820   a  and  820   d . It should be noted in the present exemplary embodiment that each of sections  850   a  to  850   d  of the closet  850  is independently provided with a pair of the transporting table ( 810   a  to  810   d ) and the transporting mechanism ( 820   a  to  820   d ). Further, the transporting device  800  is communicatively connected to the control device  900  as represented in  FIG. 2 . It should be noted that the transporting tables with the reference numerals of  810   a  to  810   d  are identical to each other. Therefore, only the transporting table with the reference numeral of  810   a  will be hereinafter explained. Likewise, the transporting mechanisms with the reference numerals of  820   a  to  820   d  are also identical to each other. Therefore, only the transporting mechanism with the reference numeral of  820   a  will be hereinafter explained. 
     The transporting table  810   a  mainly includes a belt joint portion (not illustrated in the figures), the platen plate  840   a  and a pusher device  830   a . The belt joint portion is joined to a transporting belt (to be described) provided for the transporting mechanism  820   a . The platen plate  840   a  is a plate for putting thereon the laundry LD sorted by the sorting device  700 . The platen plate  840   a  is disposed on the belt joint portion. The pusher device  830   a  is disposed on the platen plate  840   a  while being positioned lateral to a laundry put area. The pusher device  830   a  is configured to push a piston in response to a command from the control device  900  (see  FIG. 16 ). 
     Each level sensor mainly includes a light emitter and a light receiver. Each level sensor is disposed above the laundry put area on each of the transporting tables  810   a  to  810   d  while the laundry put area is interposed between the light emitter and the light receiver. When laundries are laminated to a predetermined height on the laundry put area, each level sensor is configured to detect it and transmit a detection signal to the control device  900 . When receiving the detection signal, the control device  900  is configured to command the transporting device  800  to drive the corresponding one of the transporting tables  810   a  to  810   d  associated with the level sensor by means of the corresponding one of the transporting mechanisms  820   a  to  820   d.    
     The transporting mechanism  820   a  mainly includes a transporting belt (not illustrated in the figures), a transporting belt driving mechanism (not illustrated in the figures) and a sensor (not illustrated in the figures). The transporting belt is an annular endless belt. The transporting belt driving mechanism is a mechanism configured to drive the transporting belt. The transporting belt driving mechanism is configured to start and stop driving of the transporting belt in response to a command from the control device  900 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, when receiving a command signal and the storage position data D 2  from the control device  900 , the transporting device  800  is configured to drive the corresponding one of the transporting tables  810   a  to  810   d  by means of the corresponding one of the transporting mechanisms  820   a  to  820   d  and stop the transporting table (e.g.,  810   a ) in front of the corresponding one of the storage spaces associated with the storage position data D 2 , and cause the transportation table (e.g.,  810 ) to push the piston thereof. 
     (9) Closet 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the closet  850  is divided into four sections, i.e., the first section  850   a , the second section  850   b , the third section  850   c  and the fourth section  850   d . Further, each of the sections  850   a  to  850   d  includes seven storage spaces aligned along the up-and-down direction. 
     (10) Control Device 
     As represented in  FIG. 2 , the control device  900  mainly includes a control unit  910 , an arithmetic-and-logic unit  920 , a storage unit  930  and a communication unit  940 . 
     The control unit  910  is configured to control the arithmetic-and-logic unit  920 , the storage unit  930  and the communication unit  940 . 
     The arithmetic-and-logic unit  920  is configured to run a program stored in the storage unit  930  in response to a command from the control unit  910  in order to execute a variety of computations. 
     The storage unit  930  stores the aforementioned program, and further, a matching table Tr as represented in  FIG. 3 . In the matching table Tr, the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2  are associated with the identification number data D 0 . 
     As represented in  FIG. 2 , the communication unit  940  is communicatively connected through a communication line to an electronic meter  50 , the washing machine  200 , the drying machine  250 , the RFID tag readers  331  to  333 , the laundry transporting robot arm  310 , the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320 , the folding device  400 , the sorting device  700  and the transporting device  800 . The communication unit  940  is configured to receive data and a notifying signal from the aforementioned devices and send a variety of command signals thereto. 
     &lt;Actions of Automatic Wash-Dry-Fold System&gt; 
     The control device  900  is configured to send a first command signal to the washing machine  200  when the weight of a laundry basket disposed in a predetermined position reaches a first threshold value (note the electronic meter  50  (see  FIG. 2 ) is disposed under the laundry basket). When receiving the first command signal, the washing machine  200  is configured to open the lid thereof. 
     Next, the control device  900  is configured to send a second command signal to the laundry transporting robot arm  310 . When receiving the second command signal, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  is configured to pick up the laundries LD from the laundry basket on a one-by-one basis and put them into the washing machine  200 . 
     Next, the control device  900  is configured to send a third command signal to the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and send a fourth command signal to the washing machine  200  when the weight measured value of the first weight sensor  210  embedded in the washing machine  200  reaches a second threshold value. When receiving the third command signal, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  is configured to be automatically stopped. When receiving the fourth command signal, the washing machine  200  is configured to close the lid thereof, put a detergent and a softener into the washing tub from the dispenser  220 , and start a washing operation. 
     When washing is completed (i.e., when the washing operation is stopped), the washing machine  200  is subsequently configured to send a washing completion notifying signal to the control device  900 , and simultaneously, open the lid thereof. When receiving the washing completion notifying signal, the control device  900  is then configured to send a fifth command signal to the drying machine  250  and send a sixth command signal to the laundry transporting robot arm  310 . When receiving the fifth command signal, the drying machine  250  is configured to open the lid thereof. When receiving the sixth command signal, on the other hand, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  is configured to pick up the laundries LD from the washing machine  200  on a one-by-one basis and put the laundries LD into the drying machine  250 . 
     Subsequently, the control device  900  is configured to send a seventh command signal to the laundry transporting robot arm  310 , send an eighth command signal to the washing machine  200 , and further send a ninth command signal to the drying machine  250 , when the weight measured value of the first weight sensor  210  embedded in the washing machine  200  reaches a third threshold (less than the second threshold). When receiving the seventh command signal, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  is configured to be automatically stopped after a predetermined period of time elapses. When receiving the eighth command signal, on the other hand, the washing machine  200  is configured to close the lid thereof. When receiving the ninth command signal, the drying machine  250  is configured to close the lid thereof and start a drying operation. 
     When drying process is completed (i.e., the drying operation is stopped), the drying machine  250  is configured to send a drying completion notifying signal to the control device  900 , and simultaneously, open the lid thereof. When receiving the drying completion notifying signal, the control device  900  is configured to send a tenth command signal to the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320 . When receiving the tenth command signal, the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  is configured to pick up one of the dried laundries LD from the drying machine  250  and stop moving at a predetermined position. 
     When halting at the predetermined position, the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  is then configured to send a first halt notifying signal to the control device  900 . When receiving the first halt notifying signal, the control device  900  is configured to send an eleventh command signal to the laundry transporting robot arm  310 . When receiving the eleventh command signal, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  is configured to clamp another part of the laundry LD currently clamped by the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320 . In other words, the laundry LD is clamped by both of the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320 . 
     When clamping the laundry LD, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  is configured to send a clamp completion notifying signal to the control device  900 . When receiving the clamp completion notifying signal, the control device  900  is configured to send a twelfth command signal to the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320 . When receiving the twelfth command signal, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  are configured to transport the laundry LD clamped by the both rams  310  and  320  to a readable range for the RFID tag reader  332  and stop moving in the position. 
     When transporting the laundry LD to the readable range for the RFID tag reader  332  and halting in the position, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  are configured to send a second halt notifying signal to the control device  900 . When receiving the second halt notifying signal, the control device  900  is configured to send a thirteenth command signal to the RFID tag reader  332 . When receiving the thirteenth command signal, the RFID tag reader  332  is configured to irradiate radio waves to the RFID tags attached to the laundry LD and receive the identification number data D 0  from the RFID tags. 
     When receiving the identification number data D 0  from the RFID tags, the RFID tag reader  332  is configured to send the identification number data D 0  to the control device  900 . 
     When receiving the identification number data D 0 , the control device  900  is configured to check the identification number data D 0  against the matching table Tr stored in the storage unit  930  and derive the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2 , both of which are associated with the identification number data D 0 . Subsequently, the control device  900  is configured to send the platen plate width data D 1  to the folding device  400 , and simultaneously, send the storage position data D 2  to the sorting device  700 . 
     When receiving the platen plate width data D 1  and a fourteenth command signal, the folding device  400  is configured to adjust the width between the platen plates  501  based on the platen plate width data D 1 . When completing the width adjustment, the folding device  400  is then configured to send an adjustment completion notifying signal to the control device  900 . When receiving the adjustment completion notifying signal, the control device  900  is configured to send the fourteenth command signal to the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320 . When receiving the fourteenth command single, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  are configured to put the laundry LD on the platen plates  501  of the folding device  400 . 
     After unclamping the laundry LD, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  are subsequently configured to send a laundry release notifying signal to the control device  900 . When receiving the laundry release notifying signal, the control device  900  is then configured to send a fifteenth command signal to the folding device  400 . 
     When receiving the fifteenth command signal, the folding device  400  is configured to fold the laundry LD and transport the folded laundry LD to the sorting table  720  of the sorting device  700 . When completing transportation of the laundry LD to the sorting table  720 , the folding device  400  is configured to send a transport completion notifying signal to the control device  900 . When receiving the transport completion notifying signal, the control device  900  is configured to send a tenth command signal to the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320 . When receiving the tenth command signal, the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  is configured to pick up one of the dried laundries LD from the drying machine  250  and halt at a predetermined position. The aforementioned processing will be subsequently repeated as described above. 
     Next, the control device  900  is configured to send a sixteenth command signal to the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  and send a seventeenth command signal to the drying machine  250 , when a sensor value of the second weight sensor (see  FIG. 2 ) embedded in the drying machine  250  reaches a fourth threshold (i.e., when the dryer drum becomes empty). When receiving the sixteenth command signal, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  are configured to automatically stop. When receiving the seventeenth command signal, on the other hand, the drying machine  250  is configured to close the lid thereof. 
     Meanwhile, when receiving the storage position data D 2  and an eighteenth command signal, the sorting device  700  is configured to cause one of the sorting table detection sensors corresponding to the storage position data D 2  to execute a sensing processing (i.e., cause the light emitter thereof to irradiate light to the light receiver thereof) and cause the other sorting table detection sensors to stop executing a sensing processing (i.e., cause the light emitters thereof to stop irradiating light). Accordingly, the sorting table  720  is configured to stop in front of one of the transporting tables  810   a  to  810   d  corresponding to the storage position data D 2 . 
     Next, the sorting device  700  is configured to send a detection notifying signal of the sorting table detection sensor to the control device  900 . When receiving the detection notifying signal, the control device  900  is configured to send a nineteenth command signal to the sorting device  700 . 
     Next, when receiving the nineteenth command signal, the sorting device  700  is configured to cause the 90-degree rotary mechanism to rotate the platen plate  730  at an angle of 90 degrees (see the platen plate  730  depicted with a broken line in  FIG. 15 ) and then cause the tilting mechanism to tilt the platen plate  730  so that the plate face of the platen plate  730  is downwardly tilted towards the corresponding one of the platen plates  840   a  to  840   d  of the transporting tables  810   a  to  810   d . Accordingly, the laundry LD slides down onto one of the transporting tables  810   a  to  810   d  corresponding to the storage portion data D 2  from the platen plate  730  of the sorting table  720  (see  FIG. 15 ). 
     When the laundries LD are thus laminated on each of the transporting tables  810   a  to  813   d  to a predetermined height, the top one of the laundries LD is detected by the level sensor. When confirming detection by the level sensor, the transporting device  800  is configured to send a detection notifying signal to the control device  900 . When receiving the detection notifying signal, the control device  900  is configured to send a twentieth command signal to the transporting device  800 . When receiving the twentieth command signal, the transporting device  800  is configured to drive one of the transporting tables  810   a  to  810   d  corresponding to the aforementioned level sensor by means of the corresponding one of the transporting mechanisms  820   a  to  820   d . Further, the transporting device  800  is configured to cause the corresponding one of the transporting tables  810   a  to  810   d  to stop in front of one of the storage spaces corresponding to the storage position data D 2  and then push the piston for moving the laundry LD to the storage space corresponding to the storage position data D 2 . 
     &lt;Features of Automatic Wash-Dry-Fold System&gt; 
     (1) 
     The automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment is configured to completely automatically wash, dry, fold, sort and store laundries. Therefore, the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  only requires a worker to put laundries on a laundry basket. Therefore, it is possible to remarkably reduce worker&#39;s workload required for washing, drying and folding laundries. 
     (2) 
     In the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment, the RFID tag reader  332  is configured to obtain the identification number data D 0  from the RFID tags and the control device  900  is configured to check the identification number data D 0  against the matching table Tr. Accordingly, the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2  are derived based on the matching. Therefore, the RFID tags are required to hold a less amount of information in the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100 . As a result, the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  can reduce the cost required for the RFID tags and reduce chances of causing troubles, for instance, in repurchase of fabric products (e.g., clothing). 
     (3) 
     The automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment is provided with the sorting device  700 . Further, the sorting device  700  is configured to sort the laundries LD based on the storage position data D 2 . Therefore, the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  can sort the laundries LD based on owners of the laundries LD or storage positions. Therefore, the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  can eliminate sorting-related workload of a worker. 
     (4) 
     The automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment is provided with the transporting device  800 . Further, the transporting device  800  is configured to move the laundries LD to the storage spaces based on the storage position data D 2 . Therefore, the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  can eliminate a storage-related workload of a worker. 
     (5) 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, all the laundries LD include the passive-type RFID tags (not illustrated in the figures) attached thereto at two predetermined positions (e.g., “a shoulder part” for a shirt, “a waist part” for pants, etc.). Further, the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment is provided with three RFID tag readers  331  to  333  configured to detect the positions of the RFID tags by means of the triangulation method. Yet further, the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  is provided with the laundry transporting robot arm  310 , the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  and the control device  900 . Therefore, the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  can cause the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  to easily clamp the laundry LD at appropriate clamping positions. Therefore, the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  can properly put the laundry LD on the platen plates  501  of the folding device  400 . 
     &lt;Modifications&gt; 
     (A) 
     In the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the RFID tags contain the identification number data D 0 . However, the RFID tags may contain the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2  instead of the identification number data D 0 . With the configuration, the matching table Tr and the matching processing are not required. 
     (B) 
     The automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment uses the RFID tags as the storage media of the identification number data D 0 . However, a barcode (e.g., a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, etc.) may be used as the storage medium of the identification number data D 0 . It should be noted that a barcode reader is herein required instead of the RFID tag readers  331  to  333 . Further, the positional detection of the barcode is herein very difficult. Therefore, the positional detection is not herein executed and a worker is required to manually cause the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  to clamp the laundry LD. Yet further, the barcode is herein preferably attached to the lining of the laundry LD without being outstandingly visible to the outside. 
     Moreover, the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2  may be converted into barcodes without using the identification number data D 0 , as described in the aforementioned exemplary modification (A). 
     (C) 
     In the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the identification number data D 0  of the RFID tags is configured to be checked against the matching table Tr and the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2  are configured to be derived therefrom. However, the following configuration may be employed instead of the above. 
     First, an imaging device such as a camera is configured to preliminarily obtain the imaging data of the laundry LD or the imaging data of a distinctive part of the laundry LD. Then, a matching table is preliminarily created by associating the imaging data with the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2 . It should be herein noted that the imaging data may be obtained by irradiating light or the like from the back of the laundry LD. 
     Next, the imaging device such as a camera images the laundry LD, and the control device  900  checks the imaging data (either partially or entirely) against the aforementioned matching table and derives the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2  therefrom. 
     It should be herein noted that the imaging device used for creating the matching table and the imaging device used for checking the matching table may be identical to or different from each other. When the imaging data of the entirety of the laundry LD is used for creating the matching table, positional detection is quite difficult. Therefore, a worker is required to manually cause the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  to clamp the laundry LD without executing positional detection. By contrast, when the imaging data of the distinctive part of the laundry LD is used for creating the matching table, positional detection of the distinctive part may be executed and the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  may be caused to clamp the distinctive part of the laundry LD. 
     (D) 
     In the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the RFID tags are used as the storage media of the identification number data D 0 . However, fluorescent paint of a variety of colors may be used as the storage media of the identification number data D 0 . It should be herein noted that a black light and an imaging device are required instead of the RFID tag readers  331  to  333 . Further, barcodes may be herein formed using the fluorescent paints. 
     In this case, a matching table is preliminarily created by associating the data of colors and/or shapes of the fluorescent paint with the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2 . Further, the laundry LD is imaged while being irradiated by a black light. The control device  900  checks the color and/or the shape of the fluorescent paint in the imaging data (either partially or entirely) against the aforementioned matching table and derives the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2  therefrom. 
     It should be herein noted that the fluorescent paint may be applied to two predetermined positions (e.g., “a shoulder part” of a shirt, “a waist part” of pants, etc.) and positional detection of the fluorescent-paint applied parts may be executed. Further, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  may be caused to clamp the fluorescent-paint applied parts of the laundry LD. 
     Moreover, the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2  may be converted into barcodes without using the data of the color and/or the shape of the fluorescent paint, as described in the aforementioned exemplary modification (A). 
     (E) 
     In the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the RFID tags are used as the storage media of the identification number data D 0 . However, metal pieces made of a variety of metal elements may be used as the storage media of the identification number data D 0 . It should be herein noted that a metal detector is required instead of the RFID tag readers  331  to  333 . 
     In this case, a matching table is preliminarily created by associating the data such as detection sensitivity with the platen plate width data. D 1  and the storage position data D 2 . Further, the metal detector is actuated with respect to the laundry LD, and the control device  900  checks the detection sensitivity of the metal detector against the matching table and derives the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2  therefrom. 
     It should be herein noted that two metal pieces may be disposed on two predetermined positions (e.g., “a shoulder part” of a shirt, “a waist part” of pants, etc.) and positional detection of the metal pieces may be executed. Further, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  may be caused to clamp the metal piece embedded portions of the laundry LD. 
     (F) 
     In the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the RFID tags are used as the storage media of the identification number data D 0 . However, magnetic recording media may be used as the storage media for the identification number data D 0 . It should be herein noted that a magnetic recording reader is required instead of the RFID tag readers  331  to  333 . 
     It should be herein noted that two magnetic recording media may be disposed on two predetermined positions (e.g., “a shoulder part” of a shirt, “a waist part” of pants, etc.) and positional detection of the magnetic recording media may be executed. Further, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  may be caused to clamp the magnetic recording media embedded portions of the laundry LD. 
     Moreover, the platen plate width data D 1  and the storage position data D 2  may be stored instead of the identification number data D 0 , as described in the aforementioned exemplary modification (A). 
     (G) 
     In the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the transporting device  800  is configured to move the laundry LD sorted by the sorting device  700  to one of the storage spaces corresponding to the storage position data D 2 . Alternatively, an automatic wash-dry-fold system  100   a  may be structured as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . In the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100   a , the laundry LD sorted by the sorting device  700  is transported by means of free fall. 
     It should be noted that the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100   a  as described above includes falling spaces  870   a  to  870   d  for the sections  850   a  to  850   d , respectively, and each of the storage spaces is provided with a pull-in slide plate  880 . In response to a command from the control device  900 , a driving device (not illustrated in the figure) is configured to drive the pull-in slide plates  880  to protrude towards the falling spaces for receiving the falling laundries LD and then retract the pull-in slide plates  880  for pulling the received laundries LD into the storage spaces. The configuration is expected to contribute to energy saving. 
     (H) 
     In the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, laundries are completely automatically washed, dried, folded, sorted and stored. However, laundries may be manually washed and dried. In this case, the laundry LD may be manually taken out of the drying machine  250  and may be manually passed over the RFID tag readers  331  to  333 . Subsequently, the laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320  may be manually caused to clamp the laundry LD. Even in this configuration, a worker is only required to execute a work for assisting input of the identification number data D 0  into the control device  900  (e.g., a work for taking a fabric product closer to the control device  900 ). Therefore, it is possible to reduce worker&#39;s workload required for width adjustment of the platen plates  501 . 
     The washing machine  200  as described above is employed in the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment. However, any other washing machines may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     (J) 
     The drying machine  250  as described above is employed in the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment. However, any other drying machines may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     (K) 
     The laundry transporting robot arm  310  and the dried laundry transporting robot arm  320 , as described above, are employed in the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment. However, any other robot arms may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     (L) 
     The flip-up-to-the-bottom type folding mechanism  500  is employed for the folding device  400  in the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment. However, a rotary type folding mechanism, a flip-up-to-the-top type folding mechanism or a slide type folding mechanism may be employed as the folding mechanism of the present invention. 
     (M) 
     The sorting device  700  as described above is employed in the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment. However, any other sorting devices may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     (N) 
     The transporting device  800  as described above is employed in the automatic wash-dry-fold system  100  of the aforementioned exemplary embodiment. However, any other transporting devices may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The folding system for a fabric product according to the present invention is characterized in that worker&#39;s workload required for width adjustment of a platen can be reduced, and is especially useful as a home-use folding system for a fabric product.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3