JP2021097857A

JP2021097857A - Cloth folding device

Info

Publication number: JP2021097857A
Application number: JP2019230924A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 誠矢野; Makoto Yano; 大雄井本; Daiyu Imoto
Original assignee: Plex Co Ltd
Current assignee: Plex Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-20
Filing date: 2019-12-20
Publication date: 2021-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-20
Also published as: JP7348057B2

Abstract

To provide a folding device capable of folding a cloth in a state that a face visible at the top of the cloth is always a prescribed face after folding even when either of a front face and a rear face of the cloth is placed in a prescribed direction at the time of placing the cloth in the folding device.SOLUTION: A folding device that finishes folding work by folding an extended cloth on a conveyance path from a conveyance start point to a conveyance end point comprises: means for indicating a cloth prescribed direction face that outputs a signal for indicating whether a front face or a rear face of a cloth before folding on the conveyance path is in a prescribed direction; and a folder 3 for folding the cloth on the conveyance path so that a prescribed face of the front face and the rear face can be at the top of the cloth, based on the signal outputted by the means for indicating a cloth prescribed direction face.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

本発明は、布類洗濯工場等において洗濯された後に伸展されたバスタオルやフェイスタオル等の布類を、布類の表面と裏面のどちらを表向きにして投入しても、折り畳み後に一番上に見える面を常時一定面として畳み仕上げする布類の折り畳み装置に関するものである。 In the present invention, cloths such as bath towels and face towels that have been washed and stretched in a cloth washing factory or the like are thrown in with either the front side or the back side facing up, and the top is after folding. It relates to a cloth folding device that always folds and finishes the visible surface as a constant surface.

リネン製品においてタオル等の布類は、ホテル名やロゴが刺繍されていたり、ジャガード織込みされていたりするものが多数存在しており、該布類の洗濯後においてはホテル名やロゴが表に見える面となるように畳み仕上げをする傾向がある。また、この種の布類は、縫製の関係でヘム部分に折り返しがあり、その折り返しが表に見えない面になるように畳み仕上げをする場合もある。 There are many linen products such as towels with the hotel name and logo embroidered on them or jacquard woven, and the hotel name and logo can be seen on the front after washing the cloth. It tends to be folded so that it becomes a surface. In addition, this type of cloth may have a fold on the hem portion due to sewing, and the fold may be finished so that the fold is on an invisible surface.

布類の折り畳み装置において、例えばホテル名やロゴが見えたりヘム部分の折り返しが見えなかったりする「表面」を一番上に見えるようにして折り畳む「表折り」の畳み仕上げとするか、逆に、ホテル名やロゴが隠れたりヘム部分の折り返しが見えたりする「裏面」を一番上に見えるようにして折り畳む「裏折り」の畳み仕上げとするかは、エンドユーザー側の要求によりなされるものであるが、何れの場合であっても、折り畳み後に一番上に見える面を常時一定面として畳み仕上げすることが望ましい。 In a cloth folding device, for example, a "front fold" folding finish that folds the "surface" where the hotel name or logo can be seen or the hem part cannot be seen is visible at the top, or vice versa. It is a request of the end user to fold the "back side" so that the hotel name and logo are hidden and the hem part is folded so that it can be seen at the top. However, in any case, it is desirable to fold and finish the surface that can be seen at the top after folding as a constant surface at all times.

ところで、従来の布類の折り畳み装置としては、例えば特許文献１に開示されたものが知られており、この折り畳み装置は、幅および長さの異なる２種類の布類を識別するとともに、布類を吸着保持する布類保持部への布類の投入位置の、コンベヤの中央から左右方向へのずれをその布類の幅に応じて識別し、投入位置がずれている布類は布類保持部でコンベヤの中央に移動させてからコンベヤ上に移載し、その後に布類をその長さに応じた位置で１／４折りに折り畳んでから、布類の種類毎に異なる所定の搬出位置に積み上げて搬出している。 By the way, as a conventional cloth folding device, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known, and this folding device identifies two types of cloths having different widths and lengths, and also cloths. The deviation of the position of the cloth from the center of the conveyor to the left and right in the cloth holding part for sucking and holding the cloth is identified according to the width of the cloth, and the cloth whose putting position is shifted is held by the cloth. After moving the cloth to the center of the conveyor and then transferring it on the conveyor, fold the cloth in 1/4 fold at the position according to its length, and then carry it out to a predetermined position that differs depending on the type of cloth. It is piled up and carried out.

特開２００５−１３１００５号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-131005

しかしながら上記従来の布類の折り畳み装置は、コンベヤ上の布類の表向きの面が折り畳み後に内側に折り込まれる構造になっているので、「表面」が一番上に見える「表折り」の畳み仕上げを行おうとすると、その「表面」を内側に折り込まれないように裏向きにして投入する必要があり、また「裏面」が一番上に見える「裏折り」の畳み仕上げを行おうとすると、その「裏面」を内側に折り込まれないように裏向きにして投入する必要があることから、投入の際に作業者が、布類の「表面」または「裏面」が表向きになっているか裏向きになっているかを目視により判定するとともに、布類の「表面」または「裏面」の向きが所定の向きでない場合には所定の向きになるように布類を反転させる作業を行う必要があり、布類の効率的な折り畳みを行うことができないという問題があった。 However, the conventional cloth folding device has a structure in which the front surface of the cloth on the conveyor is folded inward after folding, so that the "front" can be seen at the top. If you try to do this, you need to put it face down so that the "front side" is not folded inward, and if you try to do a "back fold" folding finish where the "back side" is visible at the top, that Since it is necessary to turn the "back side" face down so that it will not be folded inward, the operator will be asked to turn the "front side" or "back side" of the cloth face up or face down at the time of loading. It is necessary to visually determine whether the cloth is in the correct direction, and if the "front side" or "back side" of the cloth is not in the predetermined direction, it is necessary to invert the cloth so that the direction is the predetermined direction. There was a problem that it was not possible to perform the kind of efficient folding.

それゆえ本発明の目的は、折り畳み装置に布類を投入する際に布類の「表面」または「裏面」を表向きおよび裏向きのうちのどちらの向きで投入しても、表面と裏面のうち所定の面が常に一番上に見えるようにして布類の畳み仕上げをすることができる布類の折り畳み装置を提案することにある。 Therefore, an object of the present invention is that when the cloth is put into the folding device, the "front side" or the "back side" of the cloth is put in either the front side or the back side. It is an object of the present invention to propose a cloth folding device capable of finishing a cloth folding so that a predetermined surface is always visible at the top.

上記課題を有利に解決する本発明の布類の折り畳み装置は、伸展された布類を搬送開始点から搬送終了点に至るまでの間の搬送経路上で折り込むことにより畳み仕上げを完了させる折り畳み装置であって、
前記搬送経路上の折り込み前の布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかを示す信号を出力する布類所定向き面指示手段と、
前記布類所定向き面指示手段の出力信号に基づき、表面と裏面のうち所定の面が一番上になるように前記搬送経路上で前記布類を折り込む折り込み器と、
を備えることを特徴としている。 The cloth folding device of the present invention that advantageously solves the above problems is a folding device that completes the folding finish by folding the stretched cloth on the transport path from the transport start point to the transport end point. And
A cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means for outputting a signal indicating which of the front surface and the back surface of the cloth before folding on the transport path is a predetermined orientation, and
Based on the output signal of the cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means, a folding device that folds the cloth on the transport path so that the predetermined surface of the front surface and the back surface is on top.
It is characterized by having.

なお、本発明の折り畳み装置においては、前記折り込み器は、前記布類所定向き面指示手段により示された、前記布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかに応じて、その布類の搬送方向でのその布類の表面または裏面の端部から全長の１／２の部位を折ることでその表面または裏面の半部同士を重ねて２つ折り状態に折り込む２つ折り部を有するものであってもよい。 In the folding device of the present invention, the folding device conveys the cloth according to whether the front surface or the back surface of the cloth is in the predetermined direction, which is indicated by the cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means. It has a double-folded part that folds half of the total length from the end of the front or back surface of the cloth in the direction so that the half parts of the front or back surface are overlapped and folded in half. May be good.

また、本発明の折り畳み装置においては、前記折り込み器はさらに、前記２つ折り状態の布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位を折ることでその２つ折り状態の布類の半部同士を重ねて４つ折り状態に折り込む４つ折り部を有するものであってもよい。 Further, in the folding device of the present invention, the folding device further folds a half of the total length from the end of the cloth in the folded state to fold half of the cloth in the folded state. It may have a quadruple-folded portion that is folded in a quadruple-folded state.

一方、本発明の折り畳み装置においては、前記折り込み器は、前記２つ折り部に替えてまたは加えて、前記布類所定向き面指示手段により示された、前記布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかに応じて、その布類の搬送方向でのその布類の表面または裏面の端部から全長の１／４の部位を折ってその１／４の部位から続く３／４の部位までの部分を２つ折りに垂れ下がらせるとともに残りの１／４の部分と先の１／４の部分との表面または裏面同士を重ねて４つ折り状態に折り込む４つ折り専用部を有するものであってもよい。 On the other hand, in the folding device of the present invention, the folding device is replaced with or in addition to the two-folded portion, and which of the front surface and the back surface of the cloth indicated by the cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means is predetermined. Depending on the orientation, from the end of the front or back surface of the cloth in the transport direction of the cloth, fold a 1/4 part of the total length from the 1/4 part to the following 3/4 part. It may have a quadruple-dedicated portion in which the portion is hung down in half and the front or back surface of the remaining 1/4 portion and the previous 1/4 portion are overlapped and folded into a quadruple state. ..

さらに、前記布類所定向き面指示手段は、前記搬送経路上での布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかを検出する例えばカメラやセンサー等の所定向き面検出手段と、前記所定向き面検出手段が検出した所定の向きの面に基づき前記布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかを示す信号を出力する信号出力手段と、を有するものであってもよい。 Further, the cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means includes a predetermined orientation surface detecting means such as a camera or a sensor for detecting which of the front surface and the back surface of the cloth on the transport path is a predetermined orientation, and the predetermined orientation surface. It may have a signal output means for outputting a signal indicating which of the front surface and the back surface of the cloth has a predetermined direction based on the surface of the predetermined direction detected by the detection means.

また、前記布類所定向き面指示手段は、布類の搬送経路上での布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかを識別した作業員の操作に基づき、前記布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかを示す信号を出力する例えばスイッチ等のものであってもよい。 Further, the cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means is based on the operation of a worker who identifies which of the front surface and the back surface of the cloth is the predetermined orientation on the cloth transport path, and is based on the operation of the front surface and the back surface of the cloth. It may be, for example, a switch or the like that outputs a signal indicating which direction is the predetermined direction.

本発明によれば、折り畳み装置への布類の投入の際に布類の表面と裏面のどちらを所定の向きにして投入しても、布類所定向き面指示手段の出力信号に基づき、表面と裏面のうち所定の面が一番上になるように、搬送開始点から搬送終了点に至るまでの間の搬送経路上で折り込み器が布類を折り込むことから、折り畳み後に一番上に見える面を常時一定面として畳み仕上げすることができるので、作業者が投入前に布類の面を目視によって確認して所定の向きに反転させる作業が不要となって、作業者の作業労力を削減することができ、しかも、作業者が常に一定のリズムで効率良く布類を投入できるので、作業者の１枚の投入時間が最大約２〜３秒短縮できて、布類の効率的な折り畳みを行うことができ、生産枚数の向上を図ることができる。 According to the present invention, when the cloth is loaded into the folding device, regardless of whether the front surface or the back surface of the cloth is oriented in a predetermined direction, the surface surface is based on the output signal of the cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means. Since the folder folds the cloth on the transport path from the transport start point to the transport end point so that the predetermined surface of the back surface is at the top, it looks at the top after folding. Since the surface can be folded and finished as a constant surface at all times, it is not necessary for the operator to visually check the surface of the cloth and invert it in a predetermined direction before putting it in, which reduces the work labor of the operator. Moreover, since the worker can always put in the cloth efficiently with a constant rhythm, the time for putting in one piece of cloth can be shortened by up to about 2 to 3 seconds, and the cloth can be folded efficiently. It is possible to improve the number of production sheets.

本発明にしたがう布類の折り畳み装置の一実施形態としての布類の折り畳み機を模式的に示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows typically the cloth folding machine as one Embodiment of the cloth folding device according to this invention. （ａ）および（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機の折り込み器の２つ折り部を示す平面図および断面図である。(A) and (b) are a plan view and a cross-sectional view which show the folding part of the folding machine of the cloth folding machine of the said embodiment. （ａ）および（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機の折り込み器の２つ折り部の一変形例を示す平面図および断面図である。(A) and (b) are a plan view and a cross-sectional view which show one modification of the folding part of the folding machine of the cloth folding machine of the said embodiment. 上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機の折り込み器の２つ折り部の他の一変形例を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the other modified example of the folding part of the folding machine of the cloth folding machine of the said embodiment. （ａ）および（ｂ）は、布類の一例を示す平面図および側面図である。(A) and (b) are a plan view and a side view showing an example of cloth. （ａ）〜（ｄ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を示す図である。(A) to (d) are diagrams showing a procedure of folding a cloth into four folds using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図３に引き続いて示す図である。FIGS. (A) to (C) are views following FIG. 3 showing a procedure of folding the cloth into four folds using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. （ａ）〜（ｄ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順を示す図である。FIGS. (A) to (D) are diagrams showing a procedure of folding the cloth in four and folding it back using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、本発明にしたがう布類の折り畳み装置の他の一実施形態としての布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図である。In (a) to (c), the procedure for folding the cloth into four folds using the cloth folding machine as another embodiment of the cloth folding device according to the present invention is described as the cloth. It is a figure which shows the main part of the folding machine of. （ａ）および（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図６に引き続いて示す図である。FIGS. 6A and 6B are views following FIG. 6 showing a procedure for folding the cloth into four folds using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図である。(A) to (c) are diagrams showing the procedure of folding the cloth into four folds and back folds using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment for the main part of the cloth folding machine. （ａ）および（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順を図８に引き続いて示す図である。FIGS. 8A and 8B are views following FIG. 8 showing a procedure of folding the cloth in four and folding it back using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. （ａ）〜（ｄ）は、本発明にしたがう布類の折り畳み装置のさらに他の一実施形態としての布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図である。(A) to (d) are the steps of folding the cloth into four folds using a cloth folding machine as yet another embodiment of the cloth folding device according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the main part of the folding machine of the kind. （ａ）〜（ｄ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図１０に引き続いて示す図である。FIGS. 10A to 10D are views following FIG. 10 showing a procedure for folding the cloth into four folds using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図である。(A) to (c) are diagrams showing the procedure of folding the cloth into four folds and back folds using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment for the main part of the cloth folding machine. （ａ）〜（ｄ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順を図１２に引き続いて示す図である。FIGS. 12A to 12D are views following FIG. 12 showing a procedure of folding the cloth in four and folding it back using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、図１に示す実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図である。(A) to (c) are diagrams showing the procedure of folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 for the main part of the cloth folding machine. is there. （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図１４に引き続いて示す図である。FIGS. (A) to (C) are views following FIG. 14 showing a procedure of folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above-described embodiment. （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図である。(A) to (c) are diagrams showing the procedure of folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above-described embodiment for the main part of the cloth folding machine. （ａ）および（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順を図１６に引き続いて示す図である。(A) and (b) are views following FIG. 16 showing a procedure of folding the cloth in half and folding it back using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. （ａ）および（ｂ）は、図６に示す実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図である。(A) and (b) are diagrams showing the procedure of folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 for the main part of the cloth folding machine. is there. （ａ）および（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図１８に引き続いて示す図である。(A) and (b) are views following FIG. 18 showing a procedure for folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図である。(A) to (c) are diagrams showing the procedure of folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above-described embodiment for the main part of the cloth folding machine. （ａ）および（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順を図２０に引き続いて示す図である。(A) and (b) are views following FIG. 20 showing a procedure of folding the cloth in half and folding it back using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、図１０に示す実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図である。(A) to (c) are diagrams showing the procedure of folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 for the main part of the cloth folding machine. is there. （ａ）〜（ｄ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図２２に引き続いて示す図である。(A) to (d) are views following FIG. 22 showing a procedure of folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above-described embodiment. （ａ）〜（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図である。(A) to (c) are diagrams showing the procedure of folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above-described embodiment for the main part of the cloth folding machine. （ａ）および（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順を図２４に引き続いて示す図である。(A) and (b) are views following FIG. 24 showing a procedure of folding the cloth in half and folding it back using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment.

以下、図面を用いて本発明をより具体的に説明する。
図１は、本発明にしたがう布類の折り畳み装置の一実施形態としての布類の折り畳み機を模式的に示す断面図であり、図１Ａ（ａ）および図１Ａ（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機の折り込み器の２つ折り部を示す平面図および断面図である。 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cloth folding machine as an embodiment of a cloth folding device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 1A and 1A and 1A (b) are the above-described embodiments. It is a plan view and a cross-sectional view which shows the folding part of the folding machine of the cloth folding machine.

図１における符号１−１〜１−６は、布類の搬送開始点Ｐｓから搬送終了点Ｐｅに至るまでの間で搬送経路を形成するコンベアである。これらのコンベヤ１−１〜１−６は各々、コンベヤ１−４について代表で図１Ａの平面図に示すように、幅狭のベルト１ａを幅方向に互いに隙間を明けて複数本並べて構成されており、ローラに対するベルトの巻き掛け形状やコンベアの台数は、適宜変更することが可能で、図示のものに限定されることはない。 Reference numerals 1-1 to 1-6 in FIG. 1 are conveyors that form a transfer path from the transfer start point Ps of the cloth to the transfer end point Pe. Each of these conveyors 1-1 to 1-6 is configured by arranging a plurality of narrow belts 1a side by side with a gap in the width direction, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 1A as a representative of the conveyors 1-4. The shape of the belt wrapped around the rollers and the number of conveyors can be changed as appropriate, and are not limited to those shown in the figure.

また、符号２は、布類の搬送経路上の布類の向きを検知する検知器である。検知器２は例えば、コンベア１−２，１−３の相互間に配置されてその上に布類を通過させる、例えばガラス板等の透明な板からなるガイド２ａと、ガイド２ａ上を通過する布類の表向き（図では上向き）面と裏向き（図では下向き）面とを撮像して、搬送経路上にある布類の表面あるいは裏面が表向きであるか裏向きであるかを認識するカメラ２ｂ等とで構成される。検知器２で検知された情報は、図示しない制御装置に入力される。 Further, reference numeral 2 is a detector that detects the orientation of the cloth on the cloth transport path. The detector 2 is arranged between the conveyors 1-2 and 1-3 and passes the cloth on the guides 2, for example, the guide 2a made of a transparent plate such as a glass plate and the guide 2a. A camera that captures the front (upward) side and back (downward) side of the cloth and recognizes whether the front or back side of the cloth on the transport path is face up or face down. It is composed of 2b and the like. The information detected by the detector 2 is input to a control device (not shown).

また、符号３は、検知器２による検知結果にしたがって布類を折り込む折り込み器である。折り込み器３は、ここでは２基で構成されており、そのうちの一基は、検知器２により布類の表面（ロゴ等がある面）または裏面（ロゴ等がない面）が表向き（上向き）面になっていることを検知した布類につき、その布類の表面と裏面のうち検知器２が検知した表向きになっている面を外面側として２つ折り表折り状態に折り込む、２つ折り部としての２つ折り器３ａになっており、もう一基は、２つ折り表折り状態に折り込まれた布類を、その布類の表面と裏面のうち検知器２が検知した表向きになっている面が一番上になるようにさらに２つ折りして４つ折り状態に折り込む、４つ折り部としての４つ折り器３ｂになっている。 Further, reference numeral 3 is a folding device that folds the cloth according to the detection result by the detector 2. The folding device 3 is composed of two units here, and one of them has the front surface (the surface with the logo etc.) or the back surface (the surface without the logo etc.) of the cloth facing up (upward) by the detector 2. For cloth that has been detected to be a surface, fold it in half with the face-up surface detected by the detector 2 out of the front and back surfaces of the cloth as the outer surface side. The other is the double-folded cloth 3a, and the front and back sides of the cloth folded in the double-folded front-folded state are the face-up surfaces detected by the detector 2. It is a four-folder 3b as a four-fold part that is further folded in half so that it is at the top and folded into a four-fold state.

なお、この４つ折り器３ｂは、検知器２により布類の表面と裏面のうちどちらが表向きになっているかを検知した布類につき、後述のように、その表面と裏面のうち検知器２が検知した表向きになっている面を内面側として一回の動作により４つ折り状態に折り込む、４つ折り専用部としても機能する。 In the four-folder 3b, the detector 2 detects which of the front and back surfaces of the cloth is facing up, and the detector 2 detects which of the front and back surfaces of the cloth is facing up, as will be described later. It also functions as a four-fold dedicated part that folds into a four-fold state with a single operation with the face-up surface facing up as the inner surface side.

２つ折り器３ａは、コンベア１−４を構成する複数本横並びした幅狭のベルト１ａの上をコンベア１−４の全幅に亘って延在するとともに、枢軸Ｓ１を支点にアームaを介して斜め上下方向に揺動可能な折り込み板３ａ１と、その折り込み板３ａ１の上昇位置に位置して互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベヤ３ａ２とから構成されるものを適用することができる。 The two-folder 3a extends over the entire width of the conveyor 1-4 on a plurality of narrow belts 1a arranged side by side to form the conveyor 1-4, and is oblique with the pivot axis S1 as a fulcrum via the arm a. A folding plate 3a1 that can swing in the vertical direction and a pair of conveyors 3a2 that are located at the raised positions of the folding plate 3a1 and whose belts rotate in opposite directions can be applied.

折り込み板３ａ１は、図示しない制御装置からの指令により布類の搬送方向においてその布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位がその上を通過するタイミングで作動して、ベルト１ａ上の初期位置から斜め上方に揺動することにより布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位を幅方向において支持し、その布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位をベルト１ａ上から持ち上げて、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転している一対のコンベヤ３ａ２の間に押し込み、コンベヤ３ａ２は、その布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位を折り込み板３ａ１で間に押し込まれることにより該布類を全域にわたって挟持し、折り込み板３ａ１は、一対のコンベア３ａ２間へのその布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位の押し込みを終えた後は初期位置に復帰する。 The folding plate 3a1 operates at the timing when a portion of half of the total length from the end of the cloth passes over the cloth in the transport direction of the cloth by a command from a control device (not shown), and the folding plate 3a1 is initially operated on the belt 1a. By swinging diagonally upward from the position, half of the total length is supported from the end of the cloth in the width direction, and half of the total length is lifted from the end of the cloth from above the belt 1a. Then, the belts are pushed between the pair of conveyors 3a2 in which the belts are rotating in opposite directions, and the conveyor 3a2 is pushed between the ends of the cloth and a portion of half of the total length by the folding plate 3a1. The cloth is sandwiched over the entire area, and the folding plate 3a1 returns to the initial position after finishing pushing a portion of the cloth from the end portion of the cloth into the pair of conveyors 3a2.

図１Ｂ（ａ）および図１Ｂ（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の折り畳み機の折り込み器の２つ折り部の一変形例を示す平面図および断面図であり、この変形例では、コンベア１−４がコンベア前部１−４ａとコンベア後部１−４ｂとに分かれるとともに、それらコンベア前部１−４ａとコンベア後部１−４ｂとの間の隙間にコンベア１−４の全幅に亘って折り込み板３ａ１が延在している。 1B (a) and 1B (b) are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the two-folded portion of the folding device of the folding machine of the above embodiment. In this modified example, the conveyors 1-4 are It is divided into a conveyor front part 1-4a and a conveyor rear part 1-4b, and a folding plate 3a1 extends over the entire width of the conveyor 1-4 in the gap between the conveyor front part 1-4a and the conveyor rear part 1-4b. Exists.

この折り込み板３ａ１は、枢軸Ｓ１を支点にアームaを介してコンベヤ１−４の搬送面よりも下の初期位置とコンベヤ１−４の搬送面よりも上の押し込み位置との間で揺動可能で、図示しない制御装置からの指令により布類の搬送方向において布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位がその上を通過するタイミングで作動して、コンベヤ１−４の搬送面よりも下の初期位置から斜め上方に揺動することにより、コンベア前部１−４ａとコンベア後部１−４ｂとの間の隙間を渡っている布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位を幅方向において支持し、その布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位を持ち上げて、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転している一対のコンベヤ３ａ２の間に押し込み、コンベヤ３ａ２は、布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位を折り込み板３ａ１で間に押し込まれることにより該布類を全域にわたって挟持し、折り込み板３ａ１は、一対のコンベア３ａ２間への布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位の押し込みを終えた後は初期位置に復帰する。 The folding plate 3a1 can swing between the initial position below the transport surface of the conveyor 1-4 and the push-in position above the transport surface of the conveyor 1-4 via the arm a with the pivot S1 as a fulcrum. Then, according to a command from a control device (not shown), it operates at the timing when a part of half of the total length from the end of the cloth passes over it in the transport direction of the cloth, and it operates from the transport surface of the conveyor 1-4 By swinging diagonally upward from the lower initial position, the width of half of the total length is widened from the end of the cloth that crosses the gap between the front part 1-4a of the conveyor and the rear part 1-4b of the conveyor. Supporting in the direction, lifting a half of the total length from the end of the cloth and pushing it between a pair of conveyors 3a2 with rotating belts in opposite directions, the conveyor 3a2 is the end of the cloth. The cloth is sandwiched over the entire area by pushing half of the total length from the portion between the folding plates 3a1, and the folding plate 3a1 is 1 of the total length from the end of the cloth between the pair of conveyors 3a2. After finishing pushing the part of / 2, it returns to the initial position.

図１Ｃは、上記実施形態の折り畳み機の折り込み器の２つ折り部の他の一変形例を示す断面図であり、この変形例では、コンベア１−４がコンベア前部１−４ａとコンベア後部１−４ｂとに分かれるとともに、コンベア後部１−４ｂがコンベア前部１−４ａよりも低くされ、コンベア前部１−４ａと同じ高さに一対のコンベヤ３ａ２の一方が配置され、一対のコンベヤ３ａ２の他方をコンベア後部１−４ｂが構成しており、それらコンベア３ａ２とコンベア後部１−４ｂとの間に向き合い、コンベア１−４の全幅に亘って折り込み板３ａ１が延在している。 FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the two-folded portion of the folding machine of the folding machine of the above embodiment. In this modified example, the conveyors 1-4 are the conveyor front portion 1-4a and the conveyor rear portion 1. It is divided into -4b, the rear part 1-4b of the conveyor is made lower than the front part 1-4a of the conveyor, and one of the pair of conveyors 3a2 is arranged at the same height as the front part 1-4a of the conveyor. The other side is composed of the rear portion 1-4b of the conveyor, which faces between the conveyor 3a2 and the rear portion 1-4b of the conveyor, and the folding plate 3a1 extends over the entire width of the conveyor 1-4.

この折り込み板３ａ１は、枢軸Ｓ１を支点にアームaを介してコンベア前部１−４ａの下の初期位置と、コンベア３ａ２とコンベア後部１−４ｂとの間の押し込み位置との間で揺動可能で、図示しない制御装置からの指令により、布類の搬送方向において布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位がコンベア前部１−４ａから垂れ下がって前方を通過するタイミングで作動して図示の初期位置から前方へ揺動することにより、コンベア前部１−４ａから垂れ下がっている布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位を、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転しているコンベヤ３ａ２とコンベア後部１−４ｂの間に押し込み、コンベヤ３ａ２とコンベア後部１−４ｂは、布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位を折り込み板３ａ１で間に押し込まれることにより該布類を全域にわたって挟持し、折り込み板３ａ１は、コンベア３ａ２とコンベア後部１−４ｂの間への布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位の押し込みを終えた後は初期位置に復帰する。 The folding plate 3a1 can swing between the initial position under the conveyor front portion 1-4a and the pushing position between the conveyor 3a2 and the conveyor rear portion 1-4b via the arm a with the pivot axis S1 as a fulcrum. Then, in response to a command from a control device (not shown), the part of 1/2 of the total length from the end of the cloth hangs down from the front part 1-4a of the conveyor in the transport direction of the cloth and operates at the timing of passing in front of the conveyor. By swinging forward from the initial position of the conveyor 3a2, the part of the total length halved from the end of the cloth hanging from the front part 1-4a of the conveyor is rotated in opposite directions to the conveyor 3a2. The conveyor 3a2 and the conveyor rear 1-4b are pushed between the rear parts of the conveyor 1-4b, and the cloth is pushed over the entire area by pushing a portion of the total length of the conveyor 3a2 and the rear part 1-4b of the cloth between the folding plates 3a1. The sandwiching and folding plate 3a1 returns to the initial position after finishing pushing the portion of the cloth that is half of the total length from the end of the cloth between the conveyor 3a2 and the rear portion 1-4b of the conveyor.

一方、4つ折り器３ｂは、枢軸Ｓ２を支点にアームｂを介して前後方向に揺動可能で、かつ布類を幅方向において支持する折り込み板３ｂ１と、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転して、折り込み板３ｂ１にて布類の端部から全長の１／４の部位と３／４の部位とを重ねて間に押し込まれることにより該布類を全域にわたって挟持する一対のコンベア３ｂ２とから構成されるものを適用することができる。 On the other hand, the four-folder 3b can swing in the front-rear direction via the arm b with the pivot axis S2 as a fulcrum, and the belt rotates in opposite directions to the folding plate 3b1 that supports the cloth in the width direction. It is composed of a pair of conveyors 3b2 that sandwich the cloth over the entire area by overlapping the 1/4 part and the 3/4 part of the total length from the end of the cloth with the folding plate 3b1 and pushing the cloth between them. Can be applied.

４つ折り器３ｂを構成する一対のコンベア３ｂ２は、図示例では布類の搬送経路を形成するコンベア１−４，１−５を利用しているが、コンベア１−４，１−５とは別途に設けることも可能であり、この点については図示例に限定されない。また、４つ折り器３ｂには、折り込み板３ｂ１が作動したとき常に一定の位置で停止することができるようにストッパ３ｂ３が設けられている。 In the illustrated example, the pair of conveyors 3b2 constituting the four-folder 3b uses the conveyors 1-4, 1-5 that form the cloth transport path, but they are separate from the conveyors 1-4, 1-5. This point is not limited to the illustrated example. Further, the four-folder 3b is provided with a stopper 3b3 so that the folding plate 3b1 can always be stopped at a fixed position when the folding plate 3b1 is operated.

４つ折り器３ｂの折り込み板３ｂ１は、２つ折り器３ａを経て２つ折りになった布類については、その布類の搬送方向において端部から１／２（全長の１／４および３／４）の部位が通過するタイミングでこれらの部位を一対のコンベア３ｂ２の相互間に押し込む一方、４つ折り専用部の折り込み板として機能する際は、該布類の搬送方向において端部から全長の１／４の部位が通過するタイミングでこの１／４の部位を支持し、さらに該布類の端部から全長の３／４の部位が通過するタイミングでこれら１／４の部位および３／４の部位を重ねて一対のコンベア３ｂ２の相互間に押し込むものであり、コンベア３ｂ２の相互間への押し込みを終えた後は初期位置へと復帰するようになっている。 The folding plate 3b1 of the four-folder 3b is 1/2 (1/4 and 3/4 of the total length) from the end in the transport direction of the cloth for the cloth folded in half through the two-folder 3a. While pushing these parts between the pair of conveyors 3b2 at the timing when the parts pass, when functioning as a folding plate of the quadruple-dedicated part, 1/4 of the total length from the end in the transport direction of the cloth. Support this 1/4 part at the timing when the part of the cloth passes, and further support these 1/4 part and 3/4 part at the timing when the part of 3/4 of the total length passes from the end of the cloth. It is pushed in between the pair of conveyors 3b2 in an overlapping manner, and returns to the initial position after the pushing of the conveyors 3b2 into each other is completed.

２つ折り器３ａの折り込み板３ａ１に設けられたアームａおよび４つ折り器３ｂの折り込み板３ｂ１に設けられたアームｂは、それぞれアクチュエータ３ａ３，３ｂ４に駆動結合されており、検知器２による検知結果や布類のトラッキング情報等を基に、上記制御装置からの指令によりアクチュエータ３ａ３，３ｂ４を適宜駆動させることにより折り込み板３ａ１，３ｂ１を揺動作動させることができるが、他の手段を用いて揺動あるいは進退作動させてもよい。 The arm a provided on the folding plate 3a1 of the two-folding device 3a and the arm b provided on the folding plate 3b1 of the four-folding device 3b are drive-coupled to the actuators 3a3 and 3b4, respectively, and the detection result by the detector 2 and the detection result The folding plates 3a1 and 3b1 can be oscillated by appropriately driving the actuators 3a3 and 3b4 according to a command from the control device based on the tracking information of the cloth, but the folding plates 3a1 and 3b1 can be oscillated by using other means. Alternatively, the advance / retreat operation may be performed.

なお、上述した変形例ではさらに、図１Ｂ（ｂ）に示すように、コンベア前部１−４ａの横並びのベルト１ａ間の各隙間に細長い渡し部材３ａ４を配置し、この渡し部材３ａ４をコンベア前部１−４ａの幅方向に繋げ、例えばそのコンベア前部１−４ａの幅方向中央部に配置したアクチュエータ３ａ５で進退駆動して、折り込み板３ａ１が初期位置にある間は図中一点鎖線で示す前進位置に位置させ、折り込み板３ａ１が上昇位置にある間は図中実線で示す後退位置に位置させるようにしてもよい。 Further, in the above-described modification, as shown in FIG. 1B (b), an elongated transfer member 3a4 is arranged in each gap between the side-by-side belts 1a of the conveyor front portions 1-4a, and the transfer member 3a4 is placed in front of the conveyor. It is connected in the width direction of the portions 1-4a, and is driven forward and backward by, for example, an actuator 3a5 arranged at the center portion in the width direction of the conveyor front portion 1-4a, and while the folding plate 3a1 is in the initial position, it is indicated by a chain line in the figure. It may be positioned in the forward position, and may be positioned in the backward position indicated by the solid line in the figure while the folding plate 3a1 is in the ascending position.

図２（ａ）および図２（ｂ）は、表面にロゴＬが設けられた布類Ｎの一例を模式的に示す平面図および側面図であり、また図３（ａ）〜図３（ｄ）および図４（ａ）〜図４（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を順次に示す図である。図２に示す布類Ｎを処理対象物として４つ折りかつ「表面（ロゴＬが設けられた面）」が一番上に見える「表折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器２にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは先ず、図３（ａ）および図３（ｂ）に示すように、布類Ｎの搬送方向において端部から全長の１／２の部位が２つ折り器３ａの折り込み板３ａ１の先端上を通過するタイミングで折り込み板３ａ１により持ち上げられて支持され、該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位を起点に一対のコンベア３ａ２の間に押し込まれ、布類ＮのロゴＬが見える表面を外面側として２つ折り状態に折り込まれる。 2 (a) and 2 (b) are a plan view and a side view schematically showing an example of the cloth N provided with the logo L on the surface, and FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d). ) And FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c) are diagrams showing sequentially the procedure of folding the cloth into four folds using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. The detector 2 is used to fold the cloth N shown in FIG. 2 in four and fold the "front fold" so that the "surface (the surface on which the logo L is provided)" can be seen at the top. When the "surface" of the cloth is detected as an ostensibly (upward) surface as a surface in a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is first described in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (a) and 3 (a). As shown in b), the portion halved in total length from the end in the transport direction of the cloth N is lifted and supported by the folding plate 3a1 at the timing of passing over the tip of the folding plate 3a1 of the double folder 3a. The cloth N is pushed between the pair of conveyors 3a2 starting from a portion halved in total length from the end of the cloth N, and is folded in half with the surface on which the logo L of the cloth N can be seen as the outer surface side.

そして、２つ折り状態に折り込まれた布類Ｎは、図３（ｃ）および図３（ｄ）に示すように、コンベア３ａ２を経たのち搬送経路のコンベヤ１−４上に合流し、次いで図４（ａ）に示すように、その２つ折りの布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位（２つ折り前の全長の１／４および３／４の部位）が、コンベア３ｂ２から垂れ下がって４つ折り器３ｂの折り込み板３ｂ１の先端の前方を通過するタイミングで、図４（ｂ）に示すように、折り込み板３ｂ１により該２つ折りの布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位（２つ折り前の全長の１／４および３／４の部位）を起点に一対のコンベア３ｂ２の間に押し込まれ、図４（ｃ）に示すように、布類ＮのロゴＬが見える表面を外面側としてさらに２つ折り状態に折り込まれることとなり、その後、図１に示す搬送終了点Ｐｅに設けられた積層部４で落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの４つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 (c) and 3 (d), the cloth N folded in half joins the conveyors 1-4 of the transport path after passing through the conveyors 3a2, and then joins the conveyors 1-4 in the transport path. As shown in (a), half of the total length (1/4 and 3/4 of the total length before folding) hangs down from the conveyor 3b2 from the end of the folded cloth N. As shown in FIG. 4B, at the timing of passing in front of the tip of the folding plate 3b1 of the four-folding device 3b, the portion of the folding plate 3b1 is halved from the end of the folded cloth N. It is pushed between the pair of conveyors 3b2 starting from (1/4 and 3/4 of the total length before folding in half), and as shown in FIG. 4C, the surface on which the logo L of the cloth N can be seen. The outer surface side is further folded in half, and then the fabric N is dropped and laminated at the laminated portion 4 provided at the transfer end point Pe shown in FIG. 1, and the four-fold finish of the cloth N is completed.

上記の手順で４つ折りに畳み仕上げられた布類Ｎは、図４（ｃ）の右端に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面に位置する「表折り」となる。 As shown at the right end of FIG. 4C, the cloth N folded in four by the above procedure is "front-folded" in which the logo L on the surface is located on the uppermost surface.

図５（ａ）〜図５（ｄ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順を示す図である。布類Ｎを処理対象物として４つ折りかつ「裏面（ロゴＬが設けられていない面）」が一番上に見える「裏折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器２にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは、図５（ａ）に示すように、２つ折り器３ａを経ることなしにコンベヤ１−４で、この場合は４つ折り専用部として機能する４つ折り器３ｂに向けて搬送され、図５（ｂ）に示すように、該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／４の部位がコンベヤ１−４からなるコンベア３ｂ２から垂れ下がって４つ折り器３ｂの折り込み板３ｂ１の先端の後方を通過するタイミングで、折り込み板３ｂ１の揺動によりその布類Ｎの端部から１／４の部位を折られて端部から１／４までの部分を折り込み板３ｂ１の背面とストッパ３ｂ３との間に挟持される。 5 (a) to 5 (d) are views showing a procedure of folding the cloth in four and folding it back using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. When folding the cloth N into four and folding the "back fold" so that the "back side (the side without the logo L)" can be seen at the top, the detector 2 is used to fold the cloth. When the "surface" is detected as an ostensibly (upward) surface as a surface in a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is a double folder as shown in FIG. 5 (a). It is conveyed by the conveyor 1-4 without passing through 3a toward the quadruple folder 3b, which in this case functions as a quadruple-dedicated portion, and as shown in FIG. 5 (b), from the end of the cloth N. At the timing when a part of 1/4 of the total length hangs down from the conveyor 3b2 made of the conveyor 1-4 and passes behind the tip of the folding plate 3b1 of the four-folder 3b, the end of the cloth N is caused by the swing of the folding plate 3b1. A 1/4 portion is folded from the portion, and a portion from the end portion to 1/4 is sandwiched between the back surface of the folding plate 3b1 and the stopper 3b3.

その後、布類Ｎは、図５（ｃ）に示すように、その１／４の部位から続く３／４の部位までの全長の１／２の部分がコンベア３ｂ２から２つ折りに垂れ下がって、その端部から３／４の部位が折り込み板３ｂ１の先端の前方を通過するタイミングで、図５（ｄ）に示すように、それら端部から１／４の部位と３／４の部位を起点として折り込み板３ｂ１によりコンベア３ｂ２の間に押し込まれ、これにより該布類Ｎは、４つ折り状態に折り込まれることとなり、その後、図１に示す搬送終了点Ｐｅに設けられた積層部４で落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの４つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 After that, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), the cloth N hangs in half from the conveyor 3b2 at a portion of the total length from the 1/4 portion to the 3/4 portion following the cloth N. At the timing when the 3/4 part from the end passes in front of the tip of the folding plate 3b1, as shown in FIG. 5D, starting from the 1/4 part and the 3/4 part from those ends. The cloth N is pushed between the conveyors 3b2 by the folding plate 3b1 so that the cloth N is folded in a four-folded state, and then falls at the laminated portion 4 provided at the transport end point Pe shown in FIG. Laminated to complete the four-fold finish of cloth N.

上記のように検知器２にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された後、４つ折り器３ｂのみを通されて４つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされた布類Ｎにおいては、図５（ｄ）の右端に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内側に位置する「裏折り」となる。 As described above, after the "surface" of the cloth is detected by the detector 2 as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, only the four-folder 3b is passed through and the cloth is folded in four. In the cloth N, as shown at the right end of FIG. 5D, the logo L on the surface is not the top surface (outer surface) but is located inside, which is a “back fold”.

そして、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機では、上記の場合と逆に検知器２にて布類の「裏面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合に、その後、２つ折り器３ａと４つ折り器３ｂとに順次に通されて４つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内側に位置する「裏折り」となり、また上記検知後、４つ折り器３ｂのみを通されて４つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）に位置する「表折り」となる。 Then, in the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, contrary to the above case, when the "back surface" of the cloth is detected as the front (upward) surface as the surface in the predetermined direction by the detector 2. After that, if it is passed through the two-folder 3a and the four-folder 3b in sequence to complete the four-fold fold, the logo L on the surface is located inside instead of the top surface (outer surface). If it becomes "folded" and after the above detection, only the four-folder 3b is passed through and the four-folded finish is made, the logo L on the surface is located on the uppermost surface (outer surface). Become.

従って、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機によれば、検知器２にて布類の「表面」と「裏面」のどちらが所定の向きとしての表向き（上向き）あるいは裏向き（下向き）の面として検知されても、その検知された面の向きに応じて布類を、２つ折り器３ａと４つ折り器３ｂとに順次に通して４つ折りするか、４つ折り器３ｂのみに通して４つ折りするかによって、「表折り」と「裏折り」との何れの４つ折りの畳み仕上げも行うことができる。 Therefore, according to the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, either the "front side" or the "back side" of the cloth is set as the front side (upward) or the back side (downward) as the predetermined direction by the detector 2. Even if it is detected, the cloth is passed through the two-folder 3a and the four-folder 3b in sequence and folded in four, or passed through only the four-folder 3b and folded in four, depending on the orientation of the detected surface. Depending on the method, any of the four-fold fold finish of "front fold" and "back fold" can be performed.

それゆえ、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機によれば、布類の「表面」と「裏面」のどちらを表向き（上向き）面あるいは裏向き（下向き）面として投入しても、折り畳み後に一番上に見える面を常時「表面」と「裏面」のうちの一定面として畳み仕上げすることができるので、作業者が投入前に布類の面を目視によって確認して所定の向きに反転させる作業が不要となって、作業者の作業労力を削減することができ、しかも、作業者が常に一定のリズムで効率良く布類を投入できるので、作業者の１枚の投入時間が最大約２〜３秒短縮できて、布類の効率的な折り畳みを行うことができ、生産枚数の向上を図ることができる。 Therefore, according to the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, regardless of whether the "front side" or "back side" of the cloth is inserted as the front side (upward) side or the back side (downward) side, one after folding. Since the surface that can be seen on the top can always be folded and finished as a fixed surface of the "front surface" and the "back surface", the operator visually checks the surface of the cloth before putting it in and flips it in a predetermined direction. Since work is not required, the work labor of the worker can be reduced, and the worker can always and efficiently put in the cloth with a constant rhythm, the time for putting in one piece of the worker is about 2 at the maximum. It can be shortened by about 3 seconds, the cloth can be folded efficiently, and the number of sheets produced can be improved.

なお、検知器２は、折り畳み機に投入された布類Ｎの表向き（上向き）面を基準にして、その表向き面が「表面」であるか「裏面」であるかを検知するものを用いることができるが、布類Ｎの裏向き（下向き）面を基準して検知するものでもよいし、表向き面、裏向き面の両方を基準にして検知するものでもよく、この点については限定されない。 It should be noted that the detector 2 is used to detect whether the face-up surface is the "front surface" or the "back surface" with reference to the face-up (upward) surface of the cloth N put into the folding machine. However, the detection may be performed based on the back (downward) surface of the cloth N, or may be detected based on both the front surface and the back surface, and this point is not limited.

積層部４としては、例えば、バスタオル積層部やフェイスタオル積層部等、処理対象物を種類別に積層する複数の積層部を設けておくことができ、畳み仕上げが完了した布類Ｎを、センサー等を使って該当箇所に落とし込む機構を採用することができる。 As the laminated portion 4, for example, a plurality of laminated portions such as a bath towel laminated portion and a face towel laminated portion for laminating the objects to be processed can be provided, and the cloth N having been folded and finished can be sensored. It is possible to adopt a mechanism to drop it in the corresponding place by using such as.

図６（ａ）〜図６（ｃ）は、本発明にしたがう布類の折り畳み装置の他の一実施形態としての布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図であり、図７（ａ）および図７（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図６に引き続いて示す図である。図６および図７における符号５−１〜５−５は、布類の搬送経路を形成するコンベアである。これらのコンベヤ５−１〜５−５も各々、コンベヤ１−１〜１−６におけると同様、幅狭のベルトを幅方向に互いに隙間を明けて複数本並べて構成されており、ローラに対するベルトの巻き掛け形状やコンベアの台数は、適宜変更することが可能で、図示のものに限定されることはない。 6 (a) to 6 (c) show a procedure for folding the cloth into four folds using a cloth folding machine as another embodiment of the cloth folding device according to the present invention. 7 (a) and 7 (b) show the main part of the cloth folding machine, and the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment is used to fold the cloth in four. It is a figure which shows the procedure of folding up following FIG. Reference numerals 5-1 to 5-5 in FIGS. 6 and 7 are conveyors forming a transport path for the cloth. Similar to the conveyors 1-1 to 1-6, each of these conveyors 5-1 to 5-5 is configured by arranging a plurality of narrow belts side by side with a gap in the width direction, and the belts with respect to the rollers. The winding shape and the number of conveyors can be changed as appropriate, and are not limited to those shown in the figure.

また、コンベヤ５−１の上流部分には、布類の搬送経路上の布類の向きを検知する図示しない検知器が設けられており、検知器は例えば、その上に布類を通過させるガイドと、ガイド上を通過する布類の表向き（図では上向き）面と裏向き（図では下向き）面とを撮像して、搬送経路上にある布類の表面あるいは裏面が表向きであるか裏向きであるかを認識するカメラ等とで構成される。検知器で検知された情報は、図示しない制御装置に入力される。 Further, in the upstream portion of the conveyor 5-1, a detector (not shown) for detecting the direction of the cloth on the cloth transport path is provided, and the detector is, for example, a guide for passing the cloth over the detector. And, the front side (upward in the figure) and the back side (downward in the figure) of the cloth passing over the guide are imaged, and the front or back side of the cloth on the transport path is face up or face down. It is composed of a camera or the like that recognizes whether or not it is. The information detected by the detector is input to a control device (not shown).

また、符号６ａは、上記検知器による検知結果にしたがって布類を折り込む折り込み器である。折り込み器６ａの折り込み板６ａ１に設けられたアームｃは、アクチュエータ６ａ３に駆動結合されており、上記検知器による検知結果や布類のトラッキング情報等を基に、上記制御装置からの指令によりアクチュエータ６ａ３を適宜駆動させることにより折り込み板６ａ１を揺動作動させることができるが、他の手段を用いて揺動あるいは進退作動させてもよい。この折り込み器６ａは、上記検知器により布類の表面（ロゴ等がある面）または裏面（ロゴ等がない面）が表向き（上向き）面になっていることを検知した布類につき、後述のように、その表面と裏面のうち検知器が検知した表向きになっている面を外面側として一回の動作により４つ折り状態に折り込む、４つ折り専用部として機能する。 Further, reference numeral 6a is a folding device that folds the cloth according to the detection result by the detector. The arm c provided on the folding plate 6a1 of the folding device 6a is drive-coupled to the actuator 6a3, and based on the detection result by the detector, the tracking information of the cloth, and the like, the actuator 6a3 is commanded by the control device. The folding plate 6a1 can be oscillated by appropriately driving the folding plate 6a1, but other means may be used to oscillate or advance / retreat. The folding device 6a is a cloth that has been detected by the detector that the front surface (the surface with the logo or the like) or the back surface (the surface without the logo or the like) is the front (upward) surface of the cloth, which will be described later. As described above, it functions as a quadruple-folding dedicated portion that folds into a quadruple-folded state by one operation with the front surface and the back surface detected by the detector as the outer surface side.

すなわち、布類Ｎを処理対象物として４つ折りかつ「表面（ロゴＬが設けられている面）」が一番上に見える「表折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは、図６（ａ）に示すように、コンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−２とコンベヤ５−３で、折り込み器６ａに向けて搬送され、図６（ｂ）に示すように、該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／４の部位がコンベア５−３から垂れ下がって折り込み器６ａの折り込み板６ａ１の先端の後方を通過するタイミングで、図６（ｃ）に示すように、折り込み板６ａ１の揺動によりその布類Ｎの端部から１／４の部位を折られて端部から１／４までの部分を折り込み板６ａ１の背面とストッパ６ａ２との間に挟持される。 That is, when the cloth N is used as the object to be processed and the cloth is folded in four and the "surface (the surface on which the logo L is provided)" is visible at the top, the cloth is folded by the detector. When the "surface" of the above is detected as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is the conveyor 5 as shown in FIG. 6 (a). -1 and conveyor 5-2 and conveyor 5-3 are conveyed toward the folding device 6a, and as shown in FIG. 6B, a part of 1/4 of the total length from the end of the cloth N is a conveyor. As shown in FIG. 6C, at the timing of hanging from 5-3 and passing behind the tip of the folding plate 6a1 of the folding device 6a, the folding plate 6a1 swings to 1 / from the end of the cloth N. The portion 4 is folded and the portion from the end to 1/4 is sandwiched between the back surface of the folding plate 6a1 and the stopper 6a2.

その後、布類Ｎは、その１／４の部位から続く３／４の部位までの全長の１／２の部分がコンベア５−３から２つ折りに垂れ下がって、その端部から３／４の部位が折り込み板６ａ１の先端の前方を通過するタイミングで、図７（ａ）に示すように、それら端部から１／４の部位と３／４の部位を起点として折り込み板６ａ１により、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベアを構成するコンベヤ５−３とコンベヤ５−４の間に押し込まれ、これにより該布類Ｎは、４つ折り状態に折り込まれることとなり、その後、コンベヤ５−５で、図１に示す積層部４と同様の図示しない積層部に搬送されてそこで落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの４つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 After that, in the cloth N, a half part of the total length from the 1/4 part to the following 3/4 part hangs down from the conveyor 5-3 in half, and the part of the cloth N is 3/4 part from the end part. At the timing of passing in front of the tip of the folding plate 6a1, as shown in FIG. 7A, the folding plates 6a1 are oriented in opposite directions by the folding plate 6a1 starting from the 1/4 portion and the 3/4 portion from those ends. The cloth N is pushed into the conveyor 5-3 and the conveyor 5-4 forming a pair of conveyors in which the belt rotates, whereby the cloth N is folded into a four-folded state, and then the conveyor 5-5 is used. , It is conveyed to a laminated portion (not shown) similar to the laminated portion 4 shown in FIG. 1, dropped there, and laminated to complete the four-fold finishing of the cloth N.

上記のように検知器にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された後、折り込み器６ａを通されて４つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされた布類Ｎにおいては、図７（ｂ）の左端に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）に位置する「表折り」となる。 As described above, after the "surface" of the cloth is detected as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation by the detector, the cloth is folded in four by passing through the folding device 6a. In N, as shown at the left end of FIG. 7B, the logo L on the surface is a "front fold" located on the uppermost surface (outer surface).

図８（ａ）〜図８（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図であり、図９（ａ）および図９（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図８に引き続いて示す図である。 8 (a) to 8 (c) show the procedure of folding the cloth in four and folding it back using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment for the main part of the cloth folding machine. 9 (a) and 9 (b) are views following FIG. 8 showing a procedure for folding the cloth into four folds using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. ..

布類Ｎを処理対象物として４つ折りかつ「裏面（ロゴＬが設けられていない面）」が一番上に見える「裏折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは、図８（ａ）に示すように、コンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−２とで先ず前方へ搬送された後、該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位がコンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−２の間に位置したときにコンベヤ５−２の逆転により、図８（ｂ）に示すように、コンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−３の間にロゴＬが内向きになる２つ折り状態で送られる。 When performing the "back fold" folding finish with the cloth N as the object to be processed and the "back side (the side without the logo L)" being visible at the top, the "back side" of the cloth is "folded" with a detector. When the "surface" is detected as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is the conveyor 5-1 as shown in FIG. 8 (a). After being first conveyed forward by the conveyor 5-2 and the conveyor 5-2, when a portion of the total length halved from the end of the cloth N is located between the conveyor 5-1 and the conveyor 5-2, the conveyor 5-2 Due to the reversal of 2, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the logo L is sent between the conveyor 5-1 and the conveyor 5-3 in a folded state in which the logo L faces inward.

なお、図示しない気体吹き付けノズルにて布類Ｎに上方から気体を吹き付け（エアブロー等）、布類Ｎをその端部から全長の１／２の部位を起点にコンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−２の間に送り込むことにより、布類Ｎの送り込みをより確実にしてもよい。 A gas blowing nozzle (not shown) is used to blow gas onto the cloth N from above (air blow, etc.), and the cloth N is started from the end portion of the cloth N at a portion of the total length of the cloth N, and the conveyor 5-1 and the conveyor 5-2 By feeding between the cloths N, the feeding of the cloth N may be made more reliable.

その後、布類Ｎは、図８（ｃ）に示すように、コンベア５−３から２つ折り状態で垂れ下がって、布類Ｎの先端から１／４の部位と３／４の部位が折り込み板６ａ１の先端の前方を通過するタイミングで、図９（ａ）に示すように、それら端部から１／４の部位と３／４の部位を起点として折り込み板６ａ１により、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベアを構成するコンベヤ５−３とコンベヤ５−４の間に押し込まれ、これにより該布類Ｎは、布類ＮのロゴＬが見える表面を内向きにしたままさらに２つ折り状態に折り込まれることとなり、その後、コンベヤ５−５で、図１に示す積層部４と同様の図示しない積層部に搬送されてそこで落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの４つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 After that, as shown in FIG. 8C, the cloth N hangs down from the conveyor 5-3 in a folded state, and the 1/4 part and the 3/4 part from the tip of the cloth N are folded plates 6a1. As shown in FIG. 9A, the belts rotate in opposite directions by the folding plate 6a1 starting from the 1/4 part and the 3/4 part from the ends at the timing of passing in front of the tip of the above. It is pushed between the conveyors 5-3 and the conveyors 5-4 that form a pair of conveyors, whereby the cloth N is further folded in half with the surface on which the logo L of the cloth N can be seen facing inward. It will be folded, and then, by the conveyor 5-5, it is conveyed to a laminated portion (not shown) similar to the laminated portion 4 shown in FIG. 1, dropped there, and laminated to complete the four-fold finish of the cloth N. ..

上記のように検知器にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された後、折り込み器６ａを通されて４つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされた布類Ｎにおいては、図９（ｂ）の左端に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内向きに位置する「裏折り」となる。 As described above, after the "surface" of the cloth is detected as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation by the detector, the cloth is folded in four by passing through the folding device 6a. In N, as shown at the left end of FIG. 9B, the logo L on the surface is not the top surface (outer surface) but an inward "back fold".

そして、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機では、上記の場合と逆に検知器にて布類の「裏面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合に、その後、そのまま折り込み器６ａを通されて４つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内側に位置する「裏折り」となり、また上記検知後、コンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−２の間で２つ折りにされてから折り込み器６ａを通されて４つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）に位置する「表折り」となる。 Then, in the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, contrary to the above case, when the "back surface" of the cloth is detected as a front (upward) surface as a predetermined orientation surface by the detector, after that, If the folding device 6a is passed through as it is and the fold is finished in four, the logo L on the surface will be "back fold" located inside instead of the top surface (outer surface), and after the above detection, If it is folded in half between the conveyor 5-1 and the conveyor 5-2 and then passed through the folding device 6a to complete the folding in four, the logo L on the surface will be on the top surface (outer surface). It becomes the "front fold" that is located.

従って、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機によれば、検知器にて布類の「表面」と「裏面」のどちらが所定の向きとしての表向き（上向き）あるいは裏向き（下向き）の面として検知されても、その検知された面の向きに応じて布類を、そのまま折り込み器６ａに通して４つ折りするか、コンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−２の間で２つ折りしてから折り込み器６ａに通して４つ折りするかによって、「表折り」と「裏折り」との何れの４つ折りの畳み仕上げも行うことができる。 Therefore, according to the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, the detector detects which of the "front side" and "back side" of the cloth is the front side (upward) or the back side (downward) as a predetermined direction. Even if it is done, the cloth is passed through the folding device 6a as it is and folded in four according to the direction of the detected surface, or folded in half between the conveyor 5-1 and the conveyor 5-2 and then folded in the folding device 6a. Depending on whether it is folded in four through the cloth, any of the "front fold" and "back fold" can be folded in four.

図１０（ａ）〜図１０（ｄ）は、本発明にしたがう布類の折り畳み装置のさらに他の一実施形態としての布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図であり、図１１（ａ）〜図１１（ｄ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図１０に引き続いて示す図である。図１０および図１１における符号７−１〜７−６は、布類の搬送経路を形成するコンベアである。これらのコンベヤ７−１〜７−６も各々、コンベヤ１−１〜１−６におけると同様、幅狭のベルトを幅方向に互いに隙間を明けて複数本並べて構成されており、ローラに対するベルトの巻き掛け形状やコンベアの台数は、適宜変更することが可能で、図示のものに限定されることはない。 10 (a) to 10 (d) show that the cloth is folded in four by using a cloth folding machine as yet another embodiment of the cloth folding device according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the procedure about the main part of the cloth folding machine, and FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (d) show the cloth folding in four using the cloth folding machine of the said embodiment. It is a figure which shows the procedure of folding up to FIG. 10 following FIG. Reference numerals 7-1 to 7-6 in FIGS. 10 and 11 are conveyors forming a transport path for the cloth. Similar to the conveyors 1-1 to 1-6, each of these conveyors 7-1 to 7-6 is configured by arranging a plurality of narrow belts side by side with a gap in the width direction, and the belts with respect to the rollers. The winding shape and the number of conveyors can be changed as appropriate, and are not limited to those shown in the figure.

また、コンベヤ７−１の上流部分には、布類の搬送経路上の布類の向きを検知する図示しない検知器が設けられており、検知器は例えば、その上に布類を通過させるガイドと、ガイド上を通過する布類の表向き（図では上向き）面と裏向き（図では下向き）面とを撮像して、搬送経路上にある布類の表面あるいは裏面が表向きであるか裏向きであるかを認識するカメラ等とで構成される。検知器で検知された情報は、図示しない制御装置に入力される。 Further, in the upstream portion of the conveyor 7-1, a detector (not shown) for detecting the direction of the cloth on the cloth transport path is provided, and the detector is, for example, a guide for passing the cloth over the detector. And, the front side (upward in the figure) and the back side (downward in the figure) of the cloth passing over the guide are imaged, and the front or back side of the cloth on the transport path is face up or face down. It is composed of a camera or the like that recognizes whether or not it is. The information detected by the detector is input to a control device (not shown).

また、符号８ａ〜８ｃは、上記検知器による検知結果にしたがって布類を折り込む折り込み器である。折り込み器８ａは、図１に示す実施形態の布類の折り畳み機における２つ折り器３ａと同様に、折り込み板８ａ１と、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベヤ８ａ２で構成されており、上記検知器により布類の表面（ロゴ等がある面）または裏面（ロゴ等がない面）が表向き（上向き）面になっていることを検知した布類につき、後述のように、その表面と裏面のうち検知器が検知した表向きになっている面を外面側または内面側として２つ折り状態に折り込む、２つ折り部として機能する。 Further, reference numerals 8a to 8c are folding devices that fold the cloth according to the detection result by the detector. The folding device 8a is composed of a folding plate 8a1 and a pair of conveyors 8a2 in which the belts rotate in opposite directions, similarly to the double folding device 3a in the cloth folding machine of the embodiment shown in FIG. For cloths that have been detected by the detector that the front side (the side with the logo, etc.) or the back side (the side without the logo, etc.) is the front side (upward) side, the front side and back side of the cloth, as described later. Of these, the face-up surface detected by the detector is folded in half as the outer surface side or the inner surface side, and functions as a double-folded portion.

折り込み器８ｂは、折り込み板８ｂ１と、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベヤを構成するコンベヤ７−３およびコンベヤ７−４で構成されており、２つ折り表折り状態に折り込まれた布類をさらに２つ折りして４つ折り状態に折り込む、４つ折り部として機能する。そして折り込み器８ｃは、折り込み板８ｃ１と、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベヤを構成するコンベヤ７−１およびコンベヤ７−２で構成されており、折り込み器８ａと逆の向きに布類を２つ折りして折り込み器８ｂに供給する、２つ折り部として機能する。折り込み器８ａの折り込み板８ａ１に設けられたアームｄと、折り込み器８ｂの折り込み板８ｂ１に設けられたアームｅと、折り込み器８ｃの折り込み板８ｃ１に設けられたアームｆとは、それぞれアクチュエータ８ａ３，８ｂ３，８ｃ３に駆動結合されており、検知器２による検知結果や布類のトラッキング情報等を基に、上記制御装置からの指令によりアクチュエータ８ａ３，８ｂ３，８ｃ３を適宜駆動させることにより折り込み板８ａ１，８ｂ１，８ｃ１を揺動作動させることができるが、他の手段を用いて揺動あるいは進退作動させてもよい。 The folding device 8b is composed of a folding plate 8b1 and a conveyor 7-3 and a conveyor 7-4 forming a pair of conveyors in which the belts rotate in opposite directions to each other. Further folds in half and folds into a quadruple state, which functions as a quadruple fold. The folding device 8c is composed of a folding plate 8c1 and a conveyor 7-1 and a conveyor 7-2 forming a pair of conveyors in which the belts rotate in opposite directions to each other. Is folded in half and supplied to the folding device 8b, which functions as a folded portion. The arm d provided on the folding plate 8a1 of the folding device 8a, the arm e provided on the folding plate 8b1 of the folding device 8b, and the arm f provided on the folding plate 8c1 of the folding device 8c are actuators 8a3 and 8a3, respectively. It is driven and coupled to 8b3, 8c3, and the folding plate 8a1, by appropriately driving the actuators 8a3, 8b3, 8c3 by a command from the control device based on the detection result by the detector 2 and the tracking information of the cloth. 8b1 and 8c1 can be oscillated, but other means may be used to oscillate or advance / retreat.

すなわち、布類Ｎを処理対象物として４つ折りかつ「表面（ロゴＬが設けられている面）」が一番上に見える「表折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは先ず、図１０（ａ）および図１０（ｂ）に示すように、布類Ｎの搬送方向において端部から全長の１／２の部位が折り込み器８ａの折り込み板８ａ１の先端上を通過するタイミングで折り込み板８ａ１により持ち上げられて支持され、該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位を起点に、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベア８ａ２の間に押し込まれ、布類ＮのロゴＬが見える表面を外面側として２つ折り状態に折り込まれる。 That is, when the cloth N is used as the object to be processed and the cloth is folded in four and the "surface (the surface on which the logo L is provided)" is visible at the top, the cloth is folded by the detector. When the "surface" of the above is detected as an ostensibly (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is first described in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). As shown in the above, half of the total length from the end in the transport direction of the cloth N is lifted and supported by the folding plate 8a1 at the timing of passing over the tip of the folding plate 8a1 of the folding device 8a, and the cloth is supported. Starting from the end of class N to half the total length, the belts are pushed between a pair of conveyors 8a2 that rotate in opposite directions, and folded in half with the surface on which the logo L of cloth N can be seen as the outer surface side. Folded into the state.

そして、２つ折り状態に折り込まれた布類Ｎは、図１０（ｃ）および図１０（ｄ）に示すように、コンベア８ａ２を経たのち搬送経路のコンベヤ７−１上に合流し、次いで図１１（ａ）に示すように、コンベヤ７−３からコンベヤ７−４に運ばれ、図１１（ｂ）に示すように、その２つ折りの布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位（２つ折り前の全長の１／４および３／４の部位）がコンベヤ７−３とコンベヤ７−４の間に位置する通過するタイミングで、図１１（ｃ）に示すように、折り込み器８ｂの折り込み板８ｂ１により該２つ折りの布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位（２つ折り前の全長の１／４および３／４の部位）を起点に、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベアを構成するコンベヤ７−３とコンベヤ７−４の間に押し込まれ、図１１（ｄ）に示すように、布類ＮのロゴＬが見える表面を外面側としてさらに２つ折り状態に折り込まれることとなり、その後、コンベヤ７−６で、図１に示す積層部４と同様の図示しない積層部に搬送されてそこで落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの４つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 Then, as shown in FIGS. 10 (c) and 10 (d), the cloth N folded in half merges on the conveyor 7-1 of the transport path after passing through the conveyor 8a2, and then joins the conveyor 7-1 in the transport path, and then in FIG. As shown in (a), it is carried from the conveyor 7-3 to the conveyor 7-4, and as shown in FIG. 11 (b), a portion of half of the total length from the end of the folded cloth N ( As shown in FIG. 11 (c), at the timing when (1/4 and 3/4 of the total length before folding in half) passes between the conveyor 7-3 and the conveyor 7-4, the folding device 8b The folding plate 8b1 causes the belts to rotate in opposite directions from the end of the folded cloth N at 1/2 of the total length (1/4 and 3/4 of the total length before folding). It is pushed between the conveyors 7-3 and the conveyors 7-4 that form a pair of conveyors, and as shown in FIG. 11D, the surface on which the logo L of the cloth N can be seen is set as the outer surface side and further folded in half. After that, the conveyor 7-6 is conveyed to a laminated portion (not shown) similar to the laminated portion 4 shown in FIG. 1, falls there, and is laminated to complete the four-fold finish of the cloth N. ..

上記の手順で４つ折りに畳み仕上げられた布類Ｎは、図１１（ｄ）の右端に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面に位置する「表折り」となる。 As shown at the right end of FIG. 11D, the cloth N folded in four by the above procedure is "front-folded" in which the logo L on the surface is located on the uppermost surface.

図１２（ａ）〜図１２（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図であり、図１３（ａ）〜図１３（ｄ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を４つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図１２に引き続いて示す図である。 12 (a) to 12 (c) show the procedure of folding the cloth in four and folding it back using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment for the main part of the cloth folding machine. 13 (a) to 13 (d) are views following FIG. 12 showing a procedure for folding the cloth into four folds using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. ..

布類Ｎを処理対象物として４つ折りかつ「裏面（ロゴＬが設けられていない面）」が一番上に見える「裏折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは、図１２（ａ）に示すように、コンベヤ７−１とコンベヤ７−２とで先ず前方へ搬送された後、該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位がコンベヤ７−１とコンベヤ７−２の間に位置したときにコンベヤ７−２の逆転と、折り込み器８ｃの折り込み板８ｃ１とにより、図１２（ｂ）および図１２（ｃ）に示すように、その類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位を起点として、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベヤを構成するコンベヤ７−１とコンベヤ７−２の間にロゴＬが内向きになる２つ折り状態で送られる。 When folding the cloth N into four and folding the "back fold" so that the "back side (the side without the logo L)" can be seen at the top, the detector is used to "fold the cloth". When the "surface" is detected as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is the conveyor 7-1 as shown in FIG. 12 (a). After being first conveyed forward by the conveyor 7-2 and the conveyor 7-2, when a portion of half the total length from the end of the cloth N is located between the conveyor 7-1 and the conveyor 7-2, the conveyor 7- By the reversal of 2 and the folding plate 8c1 of the folding device 8c, as shown in FIGS. 12 (b) and 12 (c), each other starts from a portion of 1/2 of the total length from the end of the class N. It is sent in a folded state in which the logo L faces inward between the conveyor 7-1 and the conveyor 7-2, which form a pair of conveyors in which the belt rotates in the opposite direction.

その後、布類Ｎは、図１３（ａ）に示すように、コンベヤ７−３からコンベヤ７−４に運ばれ、図１３（ｂ）に示すように、その２つ折りの布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位（２つ折り前の全長の１／４および３／４の部位）がコンベヤ７−３とコンベヤ７−４の間に位置する通過するタイミングで、図１３（ｃ）に示すように、折り込み器８ｂの折り込み板８ｂ１により該２つ折りの布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位（２つ折り前の全長の１／４および３／４の部位）を起点に、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転するコンベヤ７−３とコンベヤ７−４の間に押し込まれ、図１３（ｄ）に示すように、布類ＮのロゴＬが見える表面を内向きにしたままさらに２つ折り状態に折り込まれることとなり、その後、コンベヤ７−６で、図１に示す積層部４と同様の図示しない積層部に搬送されてそこで落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの４つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 After that, the cloth N is carried from the conveyor 7-3 to the conveyor 7-4 as shown in FIG. 13 (a), and the end portion of the folded cloth N is carried as shown in FIG. 13 (b). 13 (c) at the timing when the half of the total length (1/4 and 3/4 of the total length before folding in half) passes between the conveyor 7-3 and the conveyor 7-4. As shown in the above, the folding plate 8b1 of the folding device 8b starts from the end of the folded cloth N at 1/2 of the total length (1/4 and 3/4 of the total length before folding). The belts are pushed between the conveyors 7-3 and the conveyors 7-4 in which the belts rotate in opposite directions, and as shown in FIG. 13D, the surface on which the logo L of the cloth N can be seen remains facing inward. Further, it is folded in half, and then, by the conveyor 7-6, it is conveyed to a laminated portion (not shown) similar to the laminated portion 4 shown in FIG. Complete the folding finish.

上記の手順で４つ折りに畳み仕上げられた布類Ｎは、図１３（ｄ）の右端に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内向きに位置する「裏折り」となる。 As shown at the right end of FIG. 13 (d), the cloth N folded in four by the above procedure has the logo L on the surface located inward instead of the top surface (outer surface). It becomes "back fold".

そして、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機では、上記の場合と逆に検知器にて布類の「裏面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合に、その後、折り込み器８ａおよび折り込み器８ｂを順次に通されて４つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内側に位置する「裏折り」となり、また上記検知後、折り込み器８ｃおよび折り込み器８ｂを順次に通されて４つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、コンベ表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）に位置する「表折り」となる。 Then, in the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, contrary to the above case, when the "back surface" of the cloth is detected as a front (upward) surface as a predetermined orientation surface by the detector, after that, , If the folding device 8a and the folding device 8b are passed through in sequence and the folding finish is made in four, the logo L on the surface becomes a "back fold" located inside instead of the top surface (outer surface). Further, after the above detection, if the folding device 8c and the folding device 8b are passed through in order to complete the folding in four, the logo L on the surface of the combo is located on the uppermost surface (outer surface). It becomes.

従って、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機によれば、検知器にて布類の「表面」と「裏面」のどちらが所定の向きとしての表向き（上向き）あるいは裏向き（下向き）の面として検知されても、その検知された面の向きに応じて布類を、そのまま折り込み器８ａに通して２つ折りしてから折り込み器８ｂに通して４つ折りするか、折り込み器８ｃに通して２つ折りしてから折り込み器８ｂに通して４つ折りするかによって、「表折り」と「裏折り」との何れの４つ折りの畳み仕上げも行うことができる。 Therefore, according to the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, the detector detects which of the "front side" and "back side" of the cloth is the front side (upward) or the back side (downward) as a predetermined direction. Even if it is done, the cloth is passed through the folding device 8a and folded in half according to the direction of the detected surface, and then passed through the folding device 8b and folded in four, or passed through the folding device 8c and folded in half. Depending on whether it is passed through the folding device 8b and then folded in four, any of the "front fold" and "back fold" can be folded in four.

次に、上記三種類の実施形態の布類の折り畳み機によって布類Ｎの２つ折りの畳み仕上げを行う場合について説明する。ここで、布類の折り畳み機の構成自体は上記各実施形態から変更されないので、上記実施形態におけると同様の部分はそれと同一の符号にて示す。 Next, a case where the cloth N is folded in half by the cloth folding machine of the above three types of embodiments will be described. Here, since the configuration itself of the cloth folding machine is not changed from each of the above-described embodiments, the same parts as in the above-described embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals.

図１４（ａ）〜図１４（ｃ）は、図１に示す実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図であり、図１５（ａ）〜図１５（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図１４に引き続いて示す図である。 14 (a) to 14 (c) show the main part of the cloth folding machine in which the cloth is folded in half by using the cloth folding machine of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 (a) to 15 (c) show a procedure for folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment, following FIG. It is a figure.

布類Ｎを処理対象物として２つ折りかつ「表面（ロゴＬが設けられている面）」が一番上に見える「表折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器２にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは、図１４（ａ）に示すように、２つ折り器３ａを経ることなしにコンベヤ１−４で、この場合は２つ折り部として機能する４つ折り器３ｂに向けて搬送され、図１４（ｂ）に示すように、該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位がコンベヤ１−４からなるコンベア３ｂ２から垂れ下がって４つ折り器３ｂの折り込み板３ｂ１の先端の後方を通過するタイミングで、折り込み板３ｂ１の揺動によりその布類Ｎの端部から１／２の部位を折られて端部から１／２までの部分を折り込み板３ｂ１の背面とストッパ３ｂ３との間に挟持される。 In order to fold the cloth N in half and fold the "front fold" so that the "surface (the surface on which the logo L is provided)" can be seen at the top, the detector 2 is used to fold the cloth. When the "surface" is detected as an outward (upward) surface as a surface in a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is a double folder as shown in FIG. 14 (a). It is conveyed by the conveyor 1-4 without passing through 3a toward the four-folder 3b, which in this case functions as a two-fold portion, and as shown in FIG. 14 (b), the total length from the end of the cloth N. At the timing when the half part of the cloth hangs down from the conveyor 3b2 made of the conveyor 1-4 and passes behind the tip of the folding plate 3b1 of the four-folder 3b, the end of the cloth N is caused by the swing of the folding plate 3b1. The portion from 1 1/2 is folded and the portion from the end to 1/2 is sandwiched between the back surface of the folding plate 3b1 and the stopper 3b3.

その後、布類Ｎは、図１５（ａ）に示すように、その端部から１／２の部位から続く残りの１／２の部分がコンベア３ｂ２から折り込み板３ｂ１の後方に垂れ下がって、布類Ｎの全長が折り込み板３ｂ１の先端に掛かるタイミングで、図１５（ｂ）に示すように、その端部から１／２の部位を起点として折り込み板３ｂ１によりコンベア３ｂ２の間に押し込まれ、これにより該布類Ｎは、２つ折り状態に折り込まれることとなり、その後、図１に示す搬送終了点Ｐｅに設けられた積層部４で落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの２つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 After that, as shown in FIG. 15A, the remaining 1/2 portion of the cloth N, which continues from the portion 1/2 from the end portion, hangs down from the conveyor 3b2 to the rear of the folding plate 3b1, and the cloth N is made of cloth. At the timing when the entire length of N is applied to the tip of the folding plate 3b1, as shown in FIG. 15B, the folding plate 3b1 pushes the entire length of N between the conveyors 3b2 starting from the portion halved from the end. The cloth N is folded in half, and then falls at the laminated portion 4 provided at the transfer end point Pe shown in FIG. 1, is laminated, and the double-folded finish of the cloth N is completed. To do.

上記のように検知器２にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された後、４つ折り器３ｂのみを通されて、一旦布類Ｎの全長が折り込み板３ｂ１の先端に掛けられてから２つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされた布類Ｎにおいては、図１５（ｃ）の右端に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）に位置する「表折り」となる。 As described above, after the "surface" of the cloth is detected by the detector 2 as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, only the four-folder 3b is passed through the cloth N, and the entire length of the cloth N is once passed. In the cloth N which has been folded in half after being hung on the tip of the folding plate 3b1, the logo L on the surface is the uppermost surface (outer surface) as shown in the right end of FIG. 15 (c). ) Is located in the "front fold".

図１６（ａ）〜図１６（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図であり、図１７（ａ）および図１７（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図１６に引き続いて示す図である。 16 (a) to 16 (c) show the procedure of folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment and showing the main part of the cloth folding machine. 17 (a) and 17 (b) are views following FIG. 16 showing a procedure for folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. ..

布類Ｎを処理対象物として２つ折りかつ「表面（ロゴＬが設けられている面）」が一番上でなく内向きに位置する「裏折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器２にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは、図１６（ａ）に示すように、２つ折り器３ａを経ることなしにコンベヤ１−４で、この場合も２つ折り部として機能する４つ折り器３ｂに向けて搬送され、図１６（ｂ）に示すように、該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位がコンベヤ１−４からなるコンベア３ｂ２から垂れ下がって４つ折り器３ｂの折り込み板３ｂ１の先端の前方を通過するタイミングで、図１６（ｃ）に示すように、その端部から１／２の部位を起点として折り込み板３ｂ１によりコンベア３ｂ２の間に押し込まれ、これにより該布類Ｎは、図１７（ａ）に示すように、表面のロゴＬを内向きにして２つ折り状態に折り込まれることとなり、その後、図１に示す搬送終了点Ｐｅに設けられた積層部４で落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの２つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 Detector 2 is used to fold the cloth N in half with the cloth N as the object to be processed and to perform the "back fold" folding finish in which the "surface (the surface on which the logo L is provided)" is located inward rather than at the top. When the "surface" of the cloth is detected as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is as shown in FIG. 16 (a). In addition, the cloth N is conveyed by the conveyor 1-4 without passing through the two-folder 3a toward the four-folder 3b which also functions as a two-fold portion, and as shown in FIG. 16B. As shown in FIG. 16 (c), at the timing when a portion of half of the total length hangs down from the conveyor 3b2 made of the conveyor 1-4 and passes in front of the tip of the folding plate 3b1 of the four-folder 3b. , The cloth N is pushed between the conveyors 3b2 by the folding plate 3b1 starting from the portion 1/2 from the end portion, whereby the cloth N faces the logo L on the surface inward as shown in FIG. 17 (a). After that, it is dropped at the laminated portion 4 provided at the transfer end point Pe shown in FIG. 1 and laminated to complete the double-folded finish of the cloth N.

上記のように検知器２にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された後、４つ折り器３ｂのみを通されて、コンベア３ｂ２から垂れ下がった状態から折り込み板３ｂ１で折り込み板３ｂ１の間に直接押し込まれて２つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされた布類Ｎにおいては、図１７（ｂ）に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内向きに位置する「裏折り」となる。 As described above, after the "surface" of the cloth is detected by the detector 2 as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, only the four-folder 3b is passed through and the cloth hangs down from the conveyor 3b2. In the cloth N which is directly pushed between the folding plates 3b1 by the folding plate 3b1 and folded in half, the logo L on the surface is the uppermost surface (as shown in FIG. 17B). It is a "back fold" that is located inward rather than (outer surface).

そして、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機では、上記の場合と逆に検知器２にて布類の「裏面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合に、その後、４つ折り器３ｂのみを通されて、一旦布類Ｎの全長が折り込み板３ｂ１の先端に掛けられてから２つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内側に位置する「裏折り」となり、また上記検知後、４つ折り器３ｂのみを通されて、コンベア３ｂ２から垂れ下がった状態から折り込み板３ｂ１で折り込み板３ｂ１の間に直接押し込まれて２つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）に位置する「表折り」となる。 Then, in the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, contrary to the above case, when the "back surface" of the cloth is detected as the front (upward) surface as the surface in the predetermined direction by the detector 2. After that, only the four-folder 3b is passed through, and once the entire length of the cloth N is hung on the tip of the folding plate 3b1, the two-fold folding finish is performed, and the logo L on the surface is the top surface ( It becomes a "back fold" located inside instead of the outer surface), and after the above detection, it is pushed directly between the folding plates 3b1 by the folding plate 3b1 from the state where it hangs down from the conveyor 3b2 through only the four-folder 3b. If the folding finish is made in half, the logo L on the surface becomes a "front fold" located on the uppermost surface (outer surface).

従って、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機によれば、検知器２にて布類の「表面」と「裏面」のどちらが所定の向きとしての表向き（上向き）あるいは裏向き（下向き）の面として検知されても、その検知された面の向きに応じて布類を、一旦布類Ｎの全長を折り込み板３ｂ１の先端に掛けてからコンベア３ｂ２の間に押し込んで２つ折りするか、コンベア３ｂ２から垂れ下がった状態から折り込み板３ｂ１で折り込み板３ｂ１の間に直接押し込んで２つ折りするかによって、「表折り」と「裏折り」との何れの２つ折りの畳み仕上げも行うことができる。 Therefore, according to the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, either the "front side" or the "back side" of the cloth is set as the front side (upward) or the back side (downward) as the predetermined direction by the detector 2. Even if it is detected, the cloth can be folded in half by hanging the entire length of the cloth N on the tip of the folding plate 3b1 and then pushing it between the conveyors 3b2, depending on the orientation of the detected surface, or from the conveyor 3b2. Depending on whether the folding plate 3b1 is pushed directly between the folding plates 3b1 and folded in half from the hanging state, either "front folding" or "back folding" can be performed.

図１８（ａ）および図１８（ｂ）は、図６に示す実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図であり、図１９（ａ）および図１９（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図１８に引き続いて示す図である。 18 (a) and 18 (b) show the procedure of folding the cloth in half using the cloth folding machine of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, which is the main part of the cloth folding machine. 19 (a) and 19 (b) show a procedure for folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment, following FIG. It is a figure.

布類Ｎを処理対象物として２つ折りかつ「表面（ロゴＬが設けられている面）」が一番上に見える「表折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器２にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは、図１８（ａ）に示すように、コンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−２とコンベヤ５−３で、折り込み器６ａに向けて搬送され、図１８（ｂ）に示すように、該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位がコンベア５−３から垂れ下がって折り込み器６ａの折り込み板６ａ１の先端の前方を通過するタイミングで、図１９（ａ）に示すように、折り込み板６ａ１の揺動によりその布類Ｎの端部から１／２の部位を起点として、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベアを構成するコンベヤ５−３とコンベヤ５−４の間に押し込まれ、これにより該布類Ｎは、２つ折り状態に折り込まれることとなり、その後、図１９（ｂ）に示すように、コンベヤ５−５で、図１に示す積層部４と同様の図示しない積層部に搬送されてそこで落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの２つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 In order to fold the cloth N in half and fold the "front fold" so that the "surface (the surface on which the logo L is provided)" can be seen at the top, the detector 2 is used to fold the cloth. When the "surface" is detected as an ostensibly (upward) surface as a surface in a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is a conveyor 5-, as shown in FIG. 18 (a). 1 and Conveyor 5-2 and Conveyor 5-3 are conveyed toward the folding device 6a, and as shown in FIG. 18B, a portion of the cloth N that is half the total length from the end of the cloth N is the conveyor 5. As shown in FIG. 19A, at the timing of hanging from -3 and passing in front of the tip of the folding plate 6a1 of the folding device 6a, the folding plate 6a1 swings to 1/2 from the end of the cloth N. The cloth N is folded in half by being pushed between the conveyors 5-3 and the conveyors 5-4, which form a pair of conveyors in which the belts rotate in opposite directions from the above-mentioned part. After that, as shown in FIG. 19B, the conveyor 5-5 was conveyed to a laminated portion (not shown) similar to the laminated portion 4 shown in FIG. 1, dropped there, and laminated to form cloth N. Complete the two-fold finish.

上記のように検知器にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された後、折り込み器６ａのみを通されて、コンベア５−３から垂れ下がった状態から折り込み板６ａ１でコンベヤ５−３とコンベヤ５−４の間に直接押し込まれて２つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされた布類Ｎにおいては、図１９（ｂ）の左端に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）に位置する「表折り」となる。 As described above, after the "surface" of the cloth is detected as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation by the detector, only the folding device 6a is passed through and the cloth hangs down from the conveyor 5-3. In the cloth N which is directly pushed between the conveyor 5-3 and the conveyor 5-4 by the folding plate 6a1 to be folded in half, the logo on the surface is shown at the left end of FIG. 19 (b). L is the "front fold" located on the top surface (outer surface).

図２０（ａ）〜（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図であり、図２１（ａ）および図２１（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順を図２０に引き続いて示す図である。 20 (a) to 20 (c) are views showing the procedure of folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above-described embodiment for the main part of the cloth folding machine. 21 (a) and 21 (b) are views following FIG. 20 showing a procedure of folding the cloth in half and folding it back using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment.

布類Ｎを処理対象物として２つ折りかつ「裏面（ロゴＬが設けられていない面）」が一番上に見える「裏折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは、図２０（ａ）に示すように、コンベヤ５−１で前方へ搬送された後、コンベヤ５−１に対し逆向きにベルトが回転するコンベヤ５−２により、図２０（ｂ）に示すように、コンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−３の間に送られる。 When folding the cloth N in half and folding the "back fold" so that the "back side (the side without the logo L)" can be seen at the top, the detector is used to "fold the cloth". When the "surface" is detected as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is a conveyor 5-1 as shown in FIG. 20 (a). The conveyor 5-2, in which the belt rotates in the opposite direction to the conveyor 5-1 after being conveyed forward by the conveyor 5-2, is fed between the conveyor 5-1 and the conveyor 5-3 as shown in FIG. 20 (b). Be done.

なお、図示しない気体吹き付けノズルにてコンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−２の間で布類Ｎに上方から気体を吹き付け（エアブロー等）、布類Ｎをコンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−２の間に送り込むことにより、コンベヤ５−１とコンベヤ５−３の間への布類Ｎの送り込みをより確実にしてもよい。 A gas blowing nozzle (not shown) is used to blow gas from above onto the cloth N between the conveyor 5-1 and the conveyor 5-2 (air blow, etc.), and the cloth N is blown between the conveyor 5-1 and the conveyor 5-2. The delivery of the cloth N between the conveyor 5-1 and the conveyor 5-3 may be made more reliable.

その後、布類Ｎは、コンベア５−３から垂れ下がって、布類Ｎの先端から１／２の部位が折り込み板６ａ１の先端の後方を通過するタイミングで、図２０（ｃ）に示すように、該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位がコンベヤ５−３から垂れ下がって、この場合は２つ折り部として機能する４つ折り器６ａの折り込み板６ａ１の先端の後方を通過するタイミングで、折り込み板６ａ１の揺動によりその布類Ｎの端部から１／２の部位を折られて端部から１／２までの部分を折り込み板６ａ１の背面とストッパ６ａ２の間に挟持される。 After that, the cloth N hangs down from the conveyor 5-3, and at the timing when the portion 1/2 from the tip of the cloth N passes behind the tip of the folding plate 6a1, as shown in FIG. 20 (c). A portion of the total length of the cloth N hangs from the conveyor 5-3 from the end portion, and in this case, at the timing of passing behind the tip of the folding plate 6a1 of the four-folder 6a functioning as a two-folding portion. The swing of the folding plate 6a1 folds a portion of the cloth N from the end to 1/2, and the portion from the end to 1/2 is sandwiched between the back surface of the folding plate 6a1 and the stopper 6a2.

その後、布類Ｎは、図２１（ａ）に示すように、その端部から１／２の部位から続く残りの１／２の部分がコンベア５−３から折り込み板６ａ１の前方に垂れ下がって、布類Ｎの全長が折り込み板６ａ１の先端に掛かるタイミングで、その端部から１／２の部位を起点として折り込み板６ａ１によりコンベア５−３とコンベヤ５−４の間に押し込まれ、これにより該布類Ｎは、２つ折り状態に折り込まれることとなり、その後、コンベヤ５−５で、図１に示す積層部４と同様の図示しない積層部に搬送されてそこで落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの２つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 After that, as shown in FIG. 21A, the remaining 1/2 portion of the cloth N, which continues from the portion 1/2 from the end portion, hangs down from the conveyor 5-3 in front of the folding plate 6a1. At the timing when the entire length of the cloth N hangs on the tip of the folding plate 6a1, the folding plate 6a1 pushes the cloth N between the conveyor 5-3 and the conveyor 5-4 starting from a portion 1/2 from the end, whereby the cloth N is pushed into the conveyor 5-3 and the conveyor 5-4. The cloth N is folded in half, and then is conveyed by a conveyor 5-5 to a laminated portion (not shown) similar to the laminated portion 4 shown in FIG. 1, where the cloth N is dropped, laminated, and the cloth is laminated. Complete the two-fold finish of N.

上記のように検知器にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された後、折り込み器６ａを通されて２つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされた布類Ｎにおいては、図２１（ｂ）の左端に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内向きに位置する「裏折り」となる。 As described above, the "surface" of the cloth is detected by the detector as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, and then the cloth is folded in half through a folding device 6a. In N, as shown at the left end of FIG. 21 (b), the logo L on the surface is not the top surface (outer surface) but is an "back fold" located inward.

そして、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機では、上記の場合と逆に検知器にて布類の「裏面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合に、その後、そのまま折り込み器６ａのみを通されて、コンベア５−３から垂れ下がった状態から折り込み板６ａ１でコンベヤ５−３とコンベヤ５−４の間に直接押し込まれて２つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内側に位置する「裏折り」となり、また上記検知後、折り込み器６ａのみを通されて、一旦布類Ｎの全長が折り込み板３ｂ１の先端に掛けられてから２つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）に位置する「表折り」となる。 Then, in the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, contrary to the above case, when the "back surface" of the cloth is detected as a front (upward) surface as a predetermined orientation surface by the detector, after that, If only the folding device 6a is passed through the conveyor 6a as it is, and the folding plate 6a1 is pushed directly between the conveyor 5-3 and the conveyor 5-4 from the state of hanging from the conveyor 5-3, the folding finish is completed. The logo L on the surface becomes a "back fold" located inside instead of the top surface (outer surface), and after the above detection, only the folding device 6a is passed through, and the total length of the cloth N is once the folding plate 3b1. If the folding finish is made by folding in half after being hung on the tip of the surface, the logo L on the surface becomes a "front fold" located on the uppermost surface (outer surface).

従って、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機によれば、検知器にて布類の「表面」と「裏面」のどちらが所定の向きとしての表向き（上向き）あるいは裏向き（下向き）の面として検知されても、その検知された面の向きに応じて布類を、折り込み器６ａに通してコンベヤ５−３とコンベヤ５−４の間に直接押し込んで２つ折りするか、折り込み器６ａに通して一旦布類Ｎの全長を折り込み板３ｂ１の先端に掛けてから２つ折りするかによって、「表折り」と「裏折り」との何れの２つ折りの畳み仕上げも行うことができる。 Therefore, according to the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, the detector detects which of the "front side" and "back side" of the cloth is the front side (upward) or the back side (downward) as a predetermined direction. Even if it is done, the cloth is passed through the folding device 6a and pushed directly between the conveyor 5-3 and the conveyor 5-4 to be folded in half, or passed through the folding device 6a, depending on the orientation of the detected surface. Depending on whether the entire length of the cloth N is hung on the tip of the folding plate 3b1 and then folded in half, either "front fold" or "back fold" can be folded in half.

図２２（ａ）〜図２２（ｃ）は、図１０に示す実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図であり、図２３（ａ）〜図２３（ｄ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り表折りに畳みあげる手順を図２２に引き続いて示す図である。 22 (a) to 22 (c) show the main part of the cloth folding machine in which the cloth is folded in half by using the cloth folding machine of the embodiment shown in FIG. 23 (a) to 23 (d) show a procedure for folding the cloth in half by using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment, following FIG. 22. It is a figure.

布類Ｎを処理対象物として２つ折りかつ「表面（ロゴＬが設けられている面）」が一番上に見える「表折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは先ず、図２２（ａ）および図２２（ｂ）に示すように、布類Ｎの搬送方向において端部から全長の１／２の部位が折り込み器８ａの折り込み板８ａ１の先端上を通過するタイミングで折り込み板８ａ１により持ち上げられて支持され、該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位を起点に、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベア８ａ２の間に押し込まれ、布類ＮのロゴＬが見える表面を外面側として２つ折り状態に折り込まれる。 In order to fold the cloth N in half and fold the "front fold" so that the "surface (the surface on which the logo L is provided)" can be seen at the top, the detector is used to "fold" the cloth. When the "surface" is detected as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is first shown in FIGS. 22 (a) and 22 (b). As described above, in the transport direction of the cloth N, a portion of 1/2 of the total length from the end is lifted and supported by the folding plate 8a1 at the timing of passing over the tip of the folding plate 8a1 of the folding device 8a, and the cloth N is supported. It is pushed between a pair of conveyors 8a2 in which the belts rotate in opposite directions from the end of the cloth N, starting from the part of 1/2 of the total length, and folded in half with the surface where the logo L of the cloth N can be seen as the outer surface side. Folded in.

そして、２つ折り状態に折り込まれた布類Ｎは、図２２（ｃ）および図２３（ａ）に示すように、コンベア８ａ２を経たのち搬送経路のコンベヤ７−１上に合流し、次いで図２３（ｂ）に示すように、コンベヤ７−３からコンベヤ７−４に運ばれ、図２３（ｃ）に示すように、その２つ折りの布類Ｎの端部に対する反対側の折り部（端部から全長の１／２の部位）がコンベヤ７−３とコンベヤ７−４の間に位置する通過するタイミングで、コンベヤ７−４の逆転と、好ましくは折り込み器８ｂの折り込み板８ｂ１の揺動の助けにより、該２つ折りの布類Ｎのその折り部を起点に、布類ＮのロゴＬが見える表面を外面側として、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転する一対のコンベアを構成するコンベヤ７−３とコンベヤ７−４の間に押し込まれ、図２３（ｄ）に示すように、コンベヤ７−６で、図１に示す積層部４と同様の図示しない積層部に搬送されてそこで落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの２つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 Then, the cloth N folded in half, as shown in FIGS. 22 (c) and 23 (a), passes through the conveyor 8a2 and then joins on the conveyor 7-1 of the transport path, and then joins the conveyor 7-1 in the transport path, and then in FIG. 23. As shown in (b), it is carried from the conveyor 7-3 to the conveyor 7-4, and as shown in FIG. 23 (c), the folded portion (end portion) on the opposite side to the end portion of the folded cloth N. At the timing when the part (1/2 of the total length) passes between the conveyor 7-3 and the conveyor 7-4, the conveyor 7-4 is reversed and preferably the folding plate 8b1 of the folding device 8b is swung. With the help of the conveyor 7-3, the conveyors form a pair of conveyors in which the belts rotate in opposite directions with the surface on which the logo L of the cloth N can be seen as the outer surface side starting from the folded portion of the folded cloth N. It is pushed between the conveyor 7-4 and the conveyor 7-4, and as shown in FIG. 23 (d), it is conveyed by the conveyor 7-6 to a laminated portion (not shown) similar to the laminated portion 4 shown in FIG. Then, the folding finish of the cloth N is completed.

上記の手順で２つ折りに畳み仕上げられた布類Ｎは、図２３（ｄ）の右端に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面に位置する「表折り」となる。 As shown at the right end of FIG. 23 (d), the cloth N which has been folded in half by the above procedure is "front-folded" in which the logo L on the surface is located on the uppermost surface.

図２４（ａ）〜図２４（ｃ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順をその布類の折り畳み機の要部について示す図であり、図２５（ａ）および図２５（ｂ）は、上記実施形態の布類の折り畳み機を使用して布類を２つ折り裏折りに畳みあげる手順を図２４に引き続いて示す図である。 24 (a) to 24 (c) are views showing the procedure of folding the cloth in half using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment and folding the cloth back and forth with respect to the main part of the cloth folding machine. 25 (a) and 25 (b) are views following FIG. 24 showing a procedure of folding the cloth in half and folding it back using the cloth folding machine of the above embodiment. ..

布類Ｎを処理対象物として２つ折りかつ「裏面（ロゴＬが設けられていない面）」が一番上に見える「裏折り」の畳み仕上げを行うに当り、検知器にて布類の「表面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合には、この実施形態の折り畳み機では、布類Ｎは、図２４（ａ）に示すように、先ずコンベヤ７−１により前方に搬送され、次いでコンベヤ７−１に対し逆転するコンベヤ７−２の助けでコンベヤ７−１により、図２４（ｂ）および図１２（ｃ）に示すように、コンベヤ７−３からコンベヤ７−４に運ばれ、さらに図２４（ｃ）に示すように、その布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位がコンベヤ７−３とコンベヤ７−４の間に位置する通過するタイミングで、図２５（ａ）に示すように、折り込み器８ｂの折り込み板８ｂ１により該布類Ｎの端部から全長の１／２の部位を起点に、互いに逆向きにベルトが回転するコンベヤ７−３とコンベヤ７−４の間に押し込まれ、図２５（ｂ）に示すように、布類ＮのロゴＬが見える表面を内向きにて２つ折り状態に折り込まれることとなり、その後、コンベヤ７−６で、図１に示す積層部４と同様の図示しない積層部に搬送されてそこで落下し、積層されて、布類Ｎの２つ折り畳み仕上げを完了する。 When folding the cloth N in half and folding the "back fold" so that the "back side (the side without the logo L)" can be seen at the top, the detector is used to "fold the cloth". When the "surface" is detected as an outward (upward) surface as a surface having a predetermined orientation, in the folding machine of this embodiment, the cloth N is first subjected to the conveyor 7-as shown in FIG. 24 (a). From conveyor 7-3, as shown in FIGS. 24 (b) and 12 (c), by conveyor 7-1 with the help of conveyor 7-1, which is conveyed forward by 1 and then reversed relative to conveyor 7-1. It is carried to the conveyor 7-4, and as shown in FIG. 24 (c), a portion of half of the total length from the end of the cloth N is located between the conveyor 7-3 and the conveyor 7-4. As shown in FIG. 25A, the conveyor 8b1 of the folding device 8b causes the belts to rotate in opposite directions from the end of the cloth N to a portion halved in the total length. It is pushed between the 7-3 and the conveyor 7-4, and as shown in FIG. 25 (b), the surface on which the logo L of the cloth N can be seen is folded inward in half, and then the conveyor is folded in half. In 7-6, the fabric N is transported to a laminated portion (not shown) similar to the laminated portion 4 shown in FIG. 1, dropped there, and laminated to complete the double folding finish of the cloth N.

上記の手順で２つ折りに畳み仕上げられた布類Ｎは、図２５（ｂ）の右端に示すように、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内向きに位置する「裏折り」となる。 As shown at the right end of FIG. 25 (b), the cloth N folded in half by the above procedure has the logo L on the surface located inward instead of the top surface (outer surface). It becomes "back fold".

そして、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機では、上記の場合と逆に検知器にて布類の「裏面」が所定の向きの面としての表向き（上向き）面として検知された場合に、その後、折り込み器８ａを通されて２つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）でなく内側に位置する「裏折り」となり、また上記検知後、折り込み器８ｂを通されて２つ折りの畳み仕上げがなされれば、表面のロゴＬが一番上の面（外表面）に位置する「表折り」となる。 Then, in the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, contrary to the above case, when the "back surface" of the cloth is detected as a front (upward) surface as a predetermined orientation surface by the detector, after that, If the folding device 8a is passed through and the folding finish is made in half, the logo L on the surface becomes a "back fold" located inside instead of the top surface (outer surface), and after the above detection, the folding is performed. When the container 8b is passed through and folded in half, the logo L on the surface becomes a "front fold" located on the uppermost surface (outer surface).

従って、この実施形態の布類の折り畳み機によれば、検知器にて布類の「表面」と「裏面」のどちらが所定の向きとしての表向き（上向き）あるいは裏向き（下向き）の面として検知されても、その検知された面の向きに応じて布類を、折り込み器８ａに通して２つ折りするか、折り込み器８ｃに通して２つ折りするかによって、「表折り」と「裏折り」との何れの２つ折りの畳み仕上げも行うことができる。 Therefore, according to the cloth folding machine of this embodiment, the detector detects which of the "front side" and "back side" of the cloth is the front side (upward) or the back side (downward) as a predetermined direction. Even if it is done, "front fold" and "back fold" depending on whether the cloth is folded in half through the fold-out device 8a or in half through the fold-in device 8c according to the direction of the detected surface. Any of the two folds can be done.

以上、図示例に基づき説明したが、この発明は上述の例に限定されるものでなく、特許請求の範囲の記載範囲内で適宜に変更することができる。 Although the above description has been made based on the illustrated examples, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the claims.

かくして本発明の布類の折り畳み機によれば、折り畳み機へ布類を投入する際に布類の向きに違いがあったとしても、折り畳み後に一番上に見える面を常時一定面として畳み仕上げすることができるので、作業者が投入前に布類の面を目視によって確認して所定の向きに反転させる作業が不要となって、作業者の作業労力を削減することができ、しかも、作業者が常に一定のリズムで効率良く布類を投入できるので、作業者の１枚の投入時間が最大約２〜３秒短縮できて、布類の効率的な折り畳みを行うことができ、生産枚数の向上を図ることができる。 Thus, according to the cloth folding machine of the present invention, even if there is a difference in the orientation of the cloth when the cloth is put into the folding machine, the surface that can be seen at the top after folding is always a constant surface for folding and finishing. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to visually check the surface of the cloth and invert it in a predetermined direction before putting it in, and the work labor of the operator can be reduced. Since the person can always put in the cloth efficiently with a constant rhythm, the time for putting in one piece of the worker can be shortened by up to about 2 to 3 seconds, and the cloth can be folded efficiently, and the number of sheets to be produced can be reduced. Can be improved.

１―１〜１−６コンベア
１−４ａコンベヤ前部
１−４ｂコンベヤ後部
１ａベルト
２検知器
２ａガイド
２ｂカメラ
３折り込み器
３ａ２つ折り器
３ａ１折り込み板
３ａ２コンベア
３ａ３アクチュエータ
３ａ４渡し部材
３ａ５アクチュエータ
３ｂ４つ折り器
３ｂ１折り込み板
３ｂ２コンベア
３ｂ３ストッパ
３ｂ４アクチュエータ
４積層部
５−１〜５−５コンベヤ
６ａ折り込み器
６ａ１折り込み板
６ａ２ストッパ
６ａ３アクチュエータ
７−１〜７−６コンベヤ
８ａ折り込み器
８ａ１折り込み板
８ａ２コンベヤ
８ａ３アクチュエータ
８ｂ折り込み器
８ｂ１折り込み板
８ｂ３アクチュエータ
８ｃ折り込み器
８ｃ１折り込み板
８ｃ３アクチュエータ
Ｌロゴ
Ｎ布類 1-1-1-6 Conveyor 1-4a Conveyor front 1-4b Conveyor rear 1a Belt 2 Detector 2a Guide 2b Camera 3 Folder 3a Folder 3a1 Folding plate 3a2 Conveyor 3a3 Actuator 3a4 Passing member 3a5 Actuator 3b 4 fold Instrument 3b1 Folding plate 3b2 Conveyor 3b3 Stopper 3b4 Actuator 4 Laminating part 5-1-5-5 Conveyor 6a Folding device 6a1 Folding plate 6a2 Stopper 6a3 Actuator 7-1 to 7-6 Conveyor 8a Folding device 8a1 Folding plate 8a2 Conveyor 8a3 Actuator Folding device 8b1 Folding plate 8b3 Actuator 8c Folding device 8c1 Folding plate 8c3 Actuator L Logo N Cloth

Claims

伸展された布類を搬送開始点から搬送終了点に至るまでの間の搬送経路上で折り込むことにより畳み仕上げを完了させる折り畳み装置において、
前記搬送経路上の折り込み前の布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかを示す信号を出力する布類所定向き面指示手段と、
前記布類所定向き面指示手段の出力信号に基づき表面と裏面のうち所定の面が一番上になるように前記搬送経路上で前記布類を折り込む折り込み器と、
を備えることを特徴とする布類の折り畳み装置。 In a folding device that completes the folding finish by folding the stretched cloth on the transport path from the transport start point to the transport end point.
A cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means for outputting a signal indicating which of the front surface and the back surface of the cloth before folding on the transport path is a predetermined orientation, and
A folding device that folds the cloth on the transport path so that the predetermined surface of the front surface and the back surface is on the top based on the output signal of the cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means.
A cloth folding device characterized by being provided with.

前記折り込み器は、前記布類所定向き面指示手段により示された、前記布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかに応じて、その布類の搬送方向でのその布類の表面または裏面の端部から全長の１／２の部位を折ることでその表面または裏面の半部同士を重ねて２つ折り状態に折り込む２つ折り部を有することを特徴とする、請求項１記載の布類の折り畳み装置。 The folding device is the front surface or the back surface of the cloth in the transport direction of the cloth, depending on whether the front surface or the back surface of the cloth is the predetermined direction indicated by the cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means. The cloth according to claim 1, further comprising a double-folded portion in which half of the total length is folded from the end of the cloth so that the front or back halves are overlapped and folded in half. Folding device.

前記折り込み器はさらに、前記２つ折り状態の布類の端部から全長の１／２の部位を折ることでその２つ折り状態の布類の半部同士を重ねて４つ折り状態に折り込む４つ折り部を有することを特徴とする、請求項２記載の布類の折り畳み装置。 The folding device further folds a half of the total length from the end of the cloth in the folded state, so that the half parts of the cloth in the folded state are overlapped and folded into a four-folded state. 2. The cloth folding device according to claim 2.

前記折り込み器は、前記布類所定向き面指示手段により示された、前記布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかに応じて、その布類の搬送方向でのその布類の表面または裏面の端部から全長の１／４の部位を折ってその１／４の部位から続く３／４の部位までの部分を２つ折りに垂れ下がらせるとともに残りの１／４の部分と先の１／４の部分との表面または裏面同士を重ねて４つ折り状態に折り込む４つ折り専用部を有することを特徴とする、請求項１から３までの何れか１項記載の布類の折り畳み装置。 The folding device is the front surface or the back surface of the cloth in the transport direction of the cloth, depending on whether the front surface or the back surface of the cloth is the predetermined direction indicated by the cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means. Fold the part of 1/4 of the total length from the end of the cloth and let the part from the 1/4 part to the following 3/4 part hang down in half, and the remaining 1/4 part and the previous 1/4 part. The cloth folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a quadruple-folding dedicated portion that overlaps the front surface or the back surface with the portion 4 and folds the fabric in a quadruple-folded state.

前記布類所定向き面指示手段は、布類の搬送経路上での布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかを検出する所定向き面検出手段と、前記所定向き面検出手段が検出した所定の向きの面に基づき前記布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きの面かを示す信号を出力する信号出力手段と、を有することを特徴とする、請求項１から４までの何れか１項記載の布類の折り畳み装置。 The cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means includes a predetermined orientation surface detecting means for detecting which of the front surface and the back surface of the cloth on the cloth transport path has a predetermined orientation, and a predetermined orientation surface detecting means detected by the predetermined facing surface detecting means. Any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cloth has a signal output means for outputting a signal indicating which of the front surface and the back surface of the cloth has a predetermined orientation based on the surface of the cloth. The cloth folding device described in the section.

前記布類所定向き面指示手段は、布類の搬送経路上での布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかを識別した作業員の操作に基づき、前記布類の表面と裏面のどちらが所定の向きかを示す信号を出力することを特徴とする、請求項１から４までの何れか１項記載の布類の折り畳み装置。 The cloth predetermined orientation surface indicating means determines which of the front surface and the back surface of the cloth is predetermined based on the operation of the worker who has identified which of the front surface and the back surface of the cloth is the predetermined direction on the cloth transport path. The cloth folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a signal indicating the direction of the cloth is output.