Improvements in or relating to Folding and Ironing Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd July, 1899
Complete Sonnifination Loft 22nd Anc 1000 Annanted Orth Nov 1000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Folding and Ironing Machines.
I, RUDOLF LOEB, of Camden, in the County of Camden, State of New Jersey,
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to hem-folding and ironing machines. According to
this invention' I provide such machines with a folder which is hinged at one end
and free at the other so that it may yield when passing the double folds of the
fabric. Further the machine is provided with an automatic and frictionally heated
ironing roller and means for rotating and imparting frictional contact to the
same for ironing down the folded hems and double corners of the fabric. One
construction of machine according to this invention has a bed plate adapted to
be fixed to a table top on which is a driven shaft carrying a pinion in gear with
spur wheels on other two shafts. On the opposite ends of each of these two
shafts are pulleys whilst on the main shaft is a pulley connected by a belt with
another pulley journalled in a sliding bearing block which is operated by a
drawing screw for longitudinally adjusting the belt. The pulley aforesaid is
connected with a pulley by a belt or the like which may be tightened by a
drawing screw and preferably roughened or sanded so that it frictionally conveys
a handkerchief or fabric to and through the folders. One of the folders com-
prise a longitudinal bar provided with an upturned guide edge and hinged to
the top of the bed plate whilst its other end is loose and in spring contact with
the contiguous belt to enable it to yield and thus provide for the passage of the
doubled corners of the folded sides of the fabric. In the passage of said corners
the loose or yielding end of the folder is returned to place against the bottom of
the belt by a spiral spring suspended between the end of the folder and a bent
rod on the bed plate. Located on the bed plate between two of the pulleys and
aligned with the bottom length of the belt is a second former through which
said belt passes and carries the once folded fabric and imparts a second folding
to it by which it is refolded and the ragged or loose edge turned under out of
sight and subsequently sewn down.
From the last folder the fabric is conveyed by a belt and pulley beneath a
guide to the other pulley which by rolling and frictional contact with the belt is
automatically warned and heated to a degree suitable for ironing the folded
hem as it passes beneath it over the belt.
To attain the necessary speed for warming said ironing roller by frictional
contact with the belt its spur gear should be diametrically proportioned to the
driving pinion.
The guides or folders are preferably made changeable to accommodate the
machine to hems of different sizes.
1
1000
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant,

page_text: COMPLETE-SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Folding and Ironing Machines.
I, RUDOLF LOEB, of Front and Pearl Streets, in the City and County of Camden,
State of New Jersey, one of the United States of America, Mechanical Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:
My invention relates to machines for folding and pressing the edges of hand-
kerchiefs and like articles previous to sewing: such edges down. I will describe
my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
Figure represents in plan a folding machine constructed in accordance with
my invention;.
Figure 2 is a similar view of a folding machine, constructed in accordance
with my invention, in which the edge of a handkerchief is folded by being passed
through the machine in the reverse direction to that in which it is passed through
the machine shewn in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section of the machine shown in
Figure 1
'Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of the belts and rollers forming part of the
pressing and folding mechanism;
Figure 5 is a transverse section of the machine on the line 5-5, Figure 1,
looking in the direction of the arrow x;
Figures 6 and 7 are views at right angles to each other of one of the folders
detached from the machine;
Figures 8 to 11, inclusive, are perspective views, illustrating the steps taken in
forming the folded edge of the handkerchief, and
Figures 12 and 13 shew in side elevation and plan, respectively, a modification
of one of the parts of my invention.
1 is the bed plate of the machine which plate is fixed to a table top, screw
holes 1 Leing provided for securing the said bed plate firmly in position.
Mounted on the shaft 2, which is journalled in suitable bearings 3, Figure 5,
beneath the bed plate I, are fast and loose pulleys 4 and 5 respectively and a
pinion 6. The pulley 4 drives the shaft 2 and the pinion 6 in the direction of
the arrow y, Figure 3, which pinion 6 gears with pinions 7 and 8 fast on shafts 9
and 11 respectively mounted in bearings 10 and 12, the bearing 12 being a
yielding bearing and both of the said bearings being secured to the bed plate
of the machine. Carried on the shafts 2, 9 and 11 are the pulleys 2ª, 9 and 11*
respectively. The pulley 2ª is connected by means of a belt 13 with a pulley 14ª
on a shaft 14, journalled in a sliding bearing block 15, which is operated by a
screw 16, whereby the said belt 13 can be tightened and slackened. The pulley 9"
is connected by means of a belt 19 with a pulley 17ª carried on a spindle or shaft 17,
which is mounted in an adjustable bearing 18. The bearing 18 can be adjusted
by means of a screw 20 which abuts against a stop 21 on the bed plate 1. The
belt 19 may be sanded or roughened upon its outer surface to increase its
frictional contact with the handkerchief or other article. operated upon, in its
pássage to and through the folders and pressers.
The first folder for the article, which I will refer to as a handkerchief, consists
of a flat, longitudinal, resilient strip of metal 22 having an upturned edge 2
forming a guide. This folder is secured to the bed plate 1 by means of a
screw 24 passing through a slot 25 in the folder, into the said bed plate 1,
a spring 26 being interposed between the bed plate and the said folder to support
_

page_text: the latter at one end. The opposite end of the folder 22 is considerably lightened
and forms a thin tongue 27 which lies between the belts 13 and 19, the said
belt 19 imparting to the thin end of the said folder a downwardly yielding motion
to admit of the passage of the doubled corners of the folded sides of the hand-
kerchief, as shown for instance in Figure 11.
After the folded corner of the handkerchief has passed the loose or yielding
end 27 of the folder the said end returns to its position against the bottom of
the belt 19, by its inherent resiliency, or it may be aided by a spiral spring 28,
connected at one end to a rod 29 secured to the frame of the machine and at
its opposite end to a projection 22" on the folder.
I prefer to secure the folder 22 to the bed plate of the machine in the manner
shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3; but in Figures 12 and 13 I have shown the
folder 22, connected to a plate 30, secured to the bed plate 1, by means of a
screw 31, passing through a slot 32 in the said plate 30 and to this plate the
folder 22 is hinged as shewn at 33. Both of these devices for securing the
folder to the machine, maintain the said folder at a slight distance above the bed
plate 1.
Secured to the bed plate 1 and in line with the bottom run of the belt 19 is
a second folder 34, having a lip 34" clearly shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7
by which the fabric is folded through which folder 34 the said belt 19 passes and
carries the handkerchief or fabric A with one fold, as shown in Figure 9, and
imparts a second folding to it, as shown in Figure 10, by means of which the
ragged or loose edge is turned under and out of sight to be subsequently pressed
and sewed down. From the second folder 34, the edge of the folded handkerchief
is carried by the belt 19 until it is caught between the said belt and the belt 13,
which extends through an opening in the bed plate 1 of the machine. When
the handkerchief reaches this point, it is directed by a guide 35 between the
belt 13 and the pulley 11 which pufley is heated to a suitable degree by its
frictional contact with the said belt 13. To attain the necessary frictional contact
the speed of the pulley 11 and the belt 13 is not the same, one running faster
than the other, but necessarily in the same direction so as to carry along and
Fress the folded edge of the handkerchief. In the present instance, the belt 13
moves slower than the pressing roller or pulley 11 which is the same diameter as
the pulley 2 round which the belt 13 passes.
The operation of the folding mechanism is as follows: That side or edge of
the handkerchief or other fabric to be folded is first wrapped around the folder 22
as shown in the perspective view Figure 8. The machine having been put in
motion by power applied to the pulley 4, the edge of the handkerchief can be
slid along the folder 22 until it is caught between the same and the belt 19,
thereby completing the first folding as shown in the perspective view Figure 9
after which it is drawn by belt 19 through the folder 34 whereby the ragged or
loose edge is turned under out of sight, as shown in the perspective view Figure 10,
by the lip 34 of the said folder, and it then moves on to the point of contact
between the belts 13 and 19. After the handkerchief passes this point,, it is
directed by the guide plate 35 to between the roller 11 and the belt 13, where
it is finally pressed and passed onto the table 36, ready for hemming. Each edge
of the handkerchief is similarly folded and pressed, and any irregularity in the
folds at their point of commencement is covered by the rear end of the succeeding
fold.
4
By passing the handkerchief beneath a heated roller, such as 11", which is
rendered hot by friction or other suitable agency, the folds of the handkerchief
are made flat and smooth, and it will retain such folds until they are ready to be
sewn down. While I prefer to use a heated roller and maintain such heat by
friction, I do not wish to limit myself to the use of a heated roller, as the same
result may be accomplished with a cold roller. If it is desired to use a cold
roller for pressing the folds of the handkerchief, the roller 11" may be run at the
same speed as the belt 13.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: -
1. In a hem folding machine, the combination of the bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, and means for pressing the said hem and conveying the hand-
kerchief or the like along the said resilient plate to receive a second folding sub-
stantially as herein before described.
2. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, a fixed folder for turning a second fold in the said edge
whereby the raw edge of the material is turned under and concealed previous to
sewing down, and means for conveying the said material through said folder
substantially as herein before described.
3. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, a fixed folder aligned with the resilient plate for turning a
second fold in said edge whereby the raw edge of the material is turned under
and concealed previous to sewing down, and means for conveying the said material
through the said second folder substantially as herein before described.
4. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, means for pressing the said hem and conveying the said
article along the said resilient plate, and means for giving the folded edge of the
article à second folding substantially as herein before described.
5. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, means for conveying the said article along the said resilient
plate, and means for returning the loose end of the said resilient plate to its normal
position after the passing through of a folded corner of the handkerchief or article,
previous to sewing down, substantially as hereinbefore described.
6. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, a friction belt for conveying the said handkerchief or article
along the said resilient plate,, and a coiled spring secured to the said resilient
plate and suspended from a suitable support whereby the loose end of the said
support, may be returned to its normal position after passing through a folded
corner of the handkerchief or article substantially as herein before. described.
7. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other similar article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, an aligned second folder for turning a second fold in the
said edge whereby the raw edge of the handkerchief or the like is turned under
and concealed, means for conveying the said handkerchief or the like along and
through the first and second folders, a pressing roller, means for rotating the
said pressing roller, and means for conveying the handkerchief or the like to
the said pressing roller previous to sewing down, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
8. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which

page_text: the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, an aligned second folder for turning a second fold in the
said edge whereby the raw edge of the handkerchief or the like is turned under
and concealed, a pair of friction belts for conveying the said handkerchief or the
like along and through the said folders, one of the belts being in contact with the
first folder and both belts contacting beyond the folders whereby the folded
handkerchief or the like may be engaged by the said belts, a pressing roller to
which the handkerchief or the like is fed by the belts, means for rotating the said
pressing roller, and a fixed guide for directing the handkerchief or the like to
the pressing roller previous to sewing down substantially as herein before described.
9. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, an aligned second folder for forming a second fold in the
said hem or edge whereby the raw edge of material is turned under and concealed,
means for conveying the handkerchief or the like along and through the said
folders, and a heated roller for pressing the hem previous to sewing down sub-
stantially as herein before described.
10. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, an aligned second folder for forming a second fold in the
said hem or edge whereby the raw edge of the material is turned under and con-
cealed, means for conveying the handkerchief or the like along and through
the first and second folders, and a frictionally heated roller for pressing the hem
previous to sewing down, the said roller being heated by revolving in contact
with and at a different speed from that of its friction producing means, substan-
tially as herein before described.
11. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or like article, may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, a pair of friction belts for conveying the said handkerchief
or the like through the said folder, and tension devices for maintaining the said
belts taut substantially as herein before described.
12. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or like article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, a pair of friction belts for conveying the said handkerchief
or the like through the folder, pulleys for the said belts, one pulley of each belt
being journalled in an adjustable bearing, and screws for moving the said adjust-
able bearings so as to keep the belts taut substantially as herein before described.
13. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around
which the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming
the first fold of a hem, the said resilient plate having an upturned edge providing
a guide in forming the hem, and means for pressing the said hem and conveying
the handkerchief or the like along the resilient plate to receive the second fold,
substantially as herein before described.
14. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around
which the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming
the first fold of a hem, the said folder having its free end reduced in thickness,
and means for pressing the said hem and conveying the handkerchief or the like
along the said resilient plate for a second fold, substantially as herein before
described.
15. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which

page_text: the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
first fold of a hem, the said folder having its free end reduced in thickness, upper
and lower travelling belts for pressing the said hem and conveying the handkerchief
or the like along the resilient plate for a second fold, and means for holding the free
end of the folder against the upper belt substantially as herein before described.
16. In a hem folding machine of the character described, a folder consisting
of a longitudinal resilient plate having a yielding support at one end, and securing
means for the said plate combined with the said yielding support substantially as
hereinbefore described.
17. In a hem folding machine of the character described, a folder consisting
of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which the
edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming a first
fold, a securing screw for the said plate, and a spring interposed between the said
resilient plate and the bed plate of the machine, the said spring affording a yield-
ing support for the folder, substantially as herein before described.
18. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
fold of a hem, travelling belts arranged on opposite sides of the said plate for
conveying the said handkerchief or the like along the same, and means for
driving the said belts, substantially as herein before described.
a
19. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming the
fold of a hem, travelling belts arranged on opposite sides of the said plate for
conveying the said handkerchief or the like along the same, drive pulleys over
which the said belts pass arranged at one end and idler pulleys at the opposite
ends of the said belts, the said idler pulleys being mounted in adjustable journals,
and means for adjusting said journals, substantially as herein before described.
20. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of the handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming
fold, travelling belts arranged on opposite sides of the said plate for conveying
the handkerchief or the like along the same, one of the said belts being in contact
with the plate forming the folder, and both of the said belts contacting beyond
the folder whereby the handkerchief, or the like, may be carried away from the
same, and means for driving the said belts, substantially as herein before described.
21. In a hem folding machine, the combination of a bed plate, a folder con-
sisting of a longitudinal resilient plate suspended from one end and around which
the edge of a handkerchief or other like article may be turned for forming a
fold, travelling belts arranged on opposite sides of the said plate for conveying
the handkerchief or the like along the same, a second folder arranged between
the belts and having a lip whereby the raw edge of the handkerchief or the like
may be turned under, the said second folder being arranged to engage the hand-
kerchief or the like just before it leaves the first folder, and means for driving
the belts to convey the said handkerchief or the like through said second foldet
substantially as herein before described.
Dated this 23rd day of April 1000
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields London, W.C.,
Agents.