US3714459A

US3714459A - Timing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3714459A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Gerstenberger; W Field
Original assignee: JENSEN MACHINERY Inc
Current assignee: NEWJENSEN Corp 2775 NW 63RD COURT FORT LAUDERDALE FL A CORP OF FL; Jensen Corp
Priority date: 1971-10-20
Filing date: 1971-10-20
Publication date: 1973-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-30
Also published as: US3926424A

Abstract

A variable charge rate timer including a capacitance, a power source, first and second resistances connected in parallel between the power source and the capacitance, and controls which make and break the circuit path through at least one of the resistances for selecting and controlling the charging rate of the capacitance. In a laundry apparatus, the capacitance charges through one resistance at a relatively slow rate while a laundry article traverses a sensing means, and then the capacitance charges at a faster rate until output means is actuated to fold or otherwise handle the article when a portion of the article reaches a predetermined position.

Description

United States Patent [191 Gerstenberger et al.

[111 3,714,459 1 Jan. 30,1973

[54] 3,634,699 1/1972 Cox ..307/1l8 [75] lnventorsf Roland W. Gerstenberger; William D E. Field, both of Fort Lauderdale, f' P?" scheefer I Asszstant Exammer-William J. Smith Attorney-lohn H. Oltman et a1. [73] Assignee: Jensen Machinery Inc., Fort Lauderdale, [57] ABSTRACT 1 Filed: 1971 A variable charge rate timer including a capacitance, [21] A'PPL NO: 190,812 a power source, first and second resistances connected in parallel between the power source and the v capacitance, and controls which make and break the [52] [1.8. CI. ..307/l41 R, 317/141 R ciilqyigtpath through qgleastuqnle the resistances for [51] 'll. Cl: ur-2:1: v, x' a 4 selecting and controlling the charging rateof the Fleld ofseal'chm- #3071119 132 capacitance. In a laundry apparatus, the capacitance R; 3 l7/DIG- charges through one resistance at a relatively slow rate 141 R while a laundry article traverses a sensing means, and then the capacitance charges at a faster rate until out- [56] References C'ted put means is actuated to fold or otherwise handle the article when a P0111011 Of the article reaches a predetermined position. 3,331,139 7/1967 Finnegan et a1. ..317/D1G. 3 3,339.578 9/1967 Smith ..3l7/DlG. 3 14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures "\AAI i 112 122 9a 120 A 132 128 S Z l j:

116 1/ 136 F 101 l a" i 134 l l 1 J TIMING APPARATUS PATENTEDJAKBO 1925 3; 714.459

INVENTORS ROLAND W. GERSTENBERGER WILLIAM E. FIELD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a variable charge rate timer, and in particular to a timer for a laundry apparatus for measuring a laundry article being conveyed by the apparatus and causing the article to be folded or otherwise handled at a predetermined time.

One known way of accomplishing timing and measuring functions in laundry apparatus has involved the use of motors. It has been found that such motors are susceptible to breakdown and require replacement or repair too frequently.

It is believed that an electronic timing and measuring apparatus which charges a capacitor at different rates at different times to accomplish the timing and measuring functions would be more reliable and also more economical.

' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a timer in which a capacitance charges at a relatively slow rate for one period of time and then charges at a faster rate for another period of time at the end of which it triggers an output means. The difference in charging rates is accomplished by charging the capacitance through one resistance at the slower rate and then charging the capacitance through two resistances in parallel circuit relation which each other to provide charging at the faster rate. In a laundry apparatus, there is a sensing means, such as a photocell switch, which causes the capacitance to charge at first the slow rate and then the faster rate. There are also controls, such as relays, which make and break the circuit path through one of the resistances for selecting and controlling the charging rate of the capacitance. Other control functions are also carried out.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a timer in which a capacitance is charged at different rates at different times.

Another object of the invention is to provide a resistance-capacitance network in which the capacitance is charged through different resistances atdifferent times and thus charges at different rates.

Another object of the invention is to charge a capacitance at a relatively slow rate while a laundry article traverses a sensing means, and then charge the capacitance at a faster rate until an output means is triggered causing the laundry article to be folded or otherwise handled.

A further object of the invention is to provide controls for controlling the connection and disconnection of resistances relative to a capacitance in order to provide charging of the capacitance at different rates at different times.

Still another, and no less important object of the invention is to provide controls which cause the capacitance to be charged through one resistance while a laundry article is measured, and then cause the capacitance to be charged through a parallel combination of resistances at a faster rate until the capacitance reaches a voltage at which an output means is triggered causing the laundry article to be folded or otherwise handled.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following description and, appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a laundry apparatus in which the variable charge rate timer is incorporated;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a variable charge rate timer apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the circuit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a laundry article as its leading edge reaches a sensing means;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram similar to Fig. 4, but showing the laundry article when its trailing edge reaches the sensing means; and

FIG. 6 is also a schematic diagram similar to FIG. 4, but showing the laundry article when its mid-portion reaches a predetermined position when folding of the article commences.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 1 charge rate timer.

In the laundry apparatus 11, there is a conveyor loop 14 which passes around several rollers and includes an upper, generally horizontal flight 14' on which a laundry article is conveyed. The laundry article might be a towel, by way of example. At the entrance end ofthe apparatus, the conveyor 14 passes'around a roller 18 and runs on an incline to another roller 20 where the horizontal upper flight 14 of the conveyor 14 begins. From roller 20, the upper flight 14' of the conveyor 14 extends to a roller 22 at the trailing end of the upper flight 14'. From roller 22, the conveyor has a portion 24 extending generally downwardly and at an angle toward the front of the apparatus. The portion 24 terminates at a roller 26, and the conveyor passes around roller 26 to another roller 28, around roller 28, and back over

rollers

30 and 32 to the entrance of the apparatus.

Two folding

members

34 and 36 are mounted above the upper horizontal flight 14'. As the laundry article moves along the upper flight of the conveyor, its side edge portions ride up on folding

members

34 and 36. These folding members are designed to fold the side edge portions of the article up, over and down on the mid-portion of the article to form a French fold. After the article is folded, it leaves the folding

members

34 and 36 and continues to a position near the right end of the apparatus where the article 38 is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1. At this position, the article is folded in half transversely by forcing it between

rollers

22 and 40 with an air blast from a pneumatic device 42. It is the function of the variable charge rate timer to assure that the air blast from pneumatic device 42 is delivered at exactly the right time to force the mid-portion of the article between

rollers

22 and 40. Of course, if the fold were desired at some point other than the mid-portion, the timer would be suitably adjusted to accomplish that, but in the illustrated embodiment the fold is made at the center of the article.

A separate conveyor loop 44 passes around

rollers

40 and 26, and the upper flight of conveyor 44 contacts and runs parallel with conveyor flight 24. As the article passes between

rollers

22 and 40, it is gripped between the

conveyor portions

24 and 44, so the article passes down and to the left while travelling to roller 26. Then the article passes around roller 26 and into a discharge portion of the apparatus which includes still another conveyor 46 which passes around

rollers

48 and 50. The conveyor 46 presses on the top of the article and drags it along over a pair of plates 52 which are capable of opening in the manner of a trap door. The conveyor 46 stops at a proper time, and the doors 52 open to drop the article onto a table or into a bin or other suitable receptacle.

It may be seen that there is a photocell device 54 cooperating with a mirror 56, these elements being associated with the upper flight 14' of the conveyor 14. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the photocell device 54 is represented by an arrow. Only a portion of the apparatus is shown here to illustrate the principle of measuring and timing functions. In FIG. 4, a towel 38 is shown at the entrance end of the conveyor 14. The upper flight 14' of the conveyor is also shown, although it has been shortened relatively in FIG. 4 to simplify the drawings. The photocell 54 acts as a sensing means to sense the leading edge of the towel 38. Light from the photocell device 54 is blocked from the mirror 56 while the towel 38 passes under the photocell 54. As will be explained further, the variable charge rate timer 12 of FIGS. 2 and 3 measures the towel 38 while it traverses the photocell 54.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the trailing edge of the article 38 passes under the photocell 54, the light from the photocell is no longer blocked. This initiates a timing function of the timer 12 which times the operation of the pneumatic device 42.

As shown in FIG. 6, the towel 38 continues to move to the right while the timer 12 is timing the movement, and when the center of the towel 38 reaches the pneumatic device 42 and is directly over the

rollers

22 and 40, the timer l2 actuates the pneumatic device 42 which then delivers a blast of air to force the center of the towel 38 between

rollers

22 and 40. The

rollers

22 and 40 nip the article and deliver it to the

conveyor portions

24 and 44 which then transport the article on through the apparatus.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a power source 54 consists of a-c

power lines

56, 58 and 60 which enter the circuit through a switch 62 and fuses 64.

Lines

56 and 58 supply a-c power to the timer l2 and also to the motor (not shown) for operating the conveyors of the apparatus II. The timer 12 includes a variable charge circuit 66 which is represented as a block in FIG. 2, but which is shown in a complete schematic diagram in FIG. 3. The terminals 1 through 10 of circuit 66 in FIG. 2 are the same as terminals 1 through 10 in FIG. 3.

The photocell 54 is associated with a relay switch 68, and the switch 68 and photocell 54 together constitute a switching means for sensing the laundry article 38. The switch 68 is shown in an amplifier 70 which is represented schematically by a block since the circuit is standard.

The control means 72 of the timer includes two

relays

74 and 76 which control the operation of the variable charge circuit 66 as will be explained further.

Output means includes a solenoid 78 which actuates a valve of the pneumatic device 42 to deliver a blast of air from device 42 for folding the laundry article 38. Other portions of the output means are included in the circuit 66.

The circuit 66, as shown in FIG. 3, includes a bridge rectifier 80 from which lines 82 and 84 supply d-c power to the circuit 66. The bridge rectifier 80 is cona contact 94 of relay 76, and contact 94 cooperates with a movable contact 96 which is connected to the other power supply line 56. Contacts 94- and 96 are normally open, so when relay 76 is de-ene'rgized, no power is applied to the variable charge circuit 66.

Circuit 66 includes a zener diode 98 connected across

lines

82 and 84 for regulating the voltage of the circuit. A capacitor 100 and a resistance 102 in the form of a potentiometer are connected in series with each other across

lines

82 and 84. Another resistance 104 in the form of a potentiometer is connected in parallel with resistance 102 to the capacitor 100. The line 106 which connects resistance 104 to capacitor 100 passes through

terminals

7 and 6 of circuit 66, and it may be seen in FIG. 2 that

terminals

7 and 6 are respectively connected to

contacts

108 and 110 of relay 74.

Contacts

108 and 110 are normally open when relay 74 is deenergized, so in the deenergized condition of relay 74, resistance 104 is disconnected from capacitor 100.

The relay 74 serves as a means to connect and disconnect the resistance 104 relative to the capacitor 100. When relay 74 is energized, both

resistances

102 and 104 are connected in parallel with each other to capacitor 100. When relay 74 is deenergized, only resistance 102 is connected to capacitor 100. When power is applied to

lines

82 and 84, capacitor 100 charges at a relatively slow rate through resistance 102. As will be explained, this charging occurs while the laundry article 38 traverses photocell 54. When photocell 54 senses the trailing edge of the article 38, the resistance 104 is connected in parallel with resistance 102 to the capacitor 100, and then the capacitor 100 charges at a faster rate while the laundry article travels to the pneumatic device 42. In this particular embodiment, the capacitor 100, when charging at the faster rate, charges twice as fast as when it is charging at the slower rate. This is because the effective recharges to a predetermined voltage, it fires unijunction transistor 112 which is connected through

resistors

114 and 116 across

lines

82 and 84. The gate 118 of a silicon controlled rectifier 120 is connected to one of the base electrodes of unijunction transistor 112, and the output of unijunction transistor 112-fires the silicon controlled rectifier 120. The anode 122 of silicon con trolled rectifier 120 is connected through line 124 and the coil 126 of relay 128 to the power line 82. Thus, when silicon controlled rectifier 120 fires, the relay 128 is energized. Coil 126 of relay 128 then closes

contacts

130 and 132 of this relay.

Contacts

130 and 132 are respectively connected by

lines

134 and 136 through

terminals

3 and 2 of circuit 66 to line 56 and to the solenoid 78 which in turn is connected to line 58. Thus, when relay 128 is energized, the solenoid 78 is actuated to produce the air blast which folds the article.

Transistor 112, controll'ed rectifier 120, relay 128 and solenoid 78 all form part of the output means of the timer.

Charging and discharging of the capacitor 100 is controlled by the control means 72 which includes relays 74 and 76. The switch 68 and photocell 54 cooperate with the control means. Switch 68 is part of a relay which includes

contacts

140, 142 and 144. Contact 144 is connected through terminal 4 of amplifier 70 via line 146 to the coil of relay 74 and from there to line 58.

Contacts

142 and 144 are normally closed, and contact 142 is connected through terminal 5 to line 56. With

contacts

142 and 144 normally closed, the coil of relay 74 is energized. The energizing of relay 74 closes

contacts

108 and 110 of that relay, thus connecting resistance 104 to capacitor 100. When the leading edge of the laundry article 38 passes under the photocell 54, light from the photocell 54 is blocked and this actuates the relay coil of switching device 68 to open

contacts

142 and 144 and

closed contacts

140 and 142. The opening of contacts-142 and 144 deenergizes relay 74 to in turn

open contacts

108 and 110 and thus disconnect resistance 104 from capacitor 100. Therefore, while the laundry article 38 is traversing the photocell 54, capacitor 100 charges through resistance 102 at a relatively slow rate. The closing of

contacts

140 and 142 energizes relay 76 because contact 140 is connected through terminal 6 and line 148 to the coil ofv relay 76 which is in turn connected to power line 58.

The energizing of relay 76 closes

contacts

94 and 96 to supply power through transformer 92 to the bridge rectifier 80. This applies power to the circuit 66 so that the capacitor l00'can charge as previously mentioned. Prior to this time no power has been applied to circuit 66, so the capacitor 100 does not charge. Relay 76 has 7

contacts

150 and 152 which are normally open, but

which close when relay 76 is energized. Contact 152 is connected to line 148, and contact 150 is connected via line 154 through terminal 1 of circuit 66 and through normally closed contacts 130' and 133 of relay 128 and line 134 through terminal 3 back to the power line 56. Thus,

contacts

150 and 152 of relay 76 are latching contacts which hold the relay 76 energized, even after the laundry article, finishes traversing the photocell 54.

Relay 76 also has

contacts

156 and 158 which are normally closed, but which open when the relay 76 is energized. Contact 158 is connected to contact which, as previously mentioned, serves to connect resistance 104 to capacitor 100. Contact 156 is connected via line 160 and terminal 5 of circuit 66 to the minus side of capacitor 100. When

contacts

156 and 158 are closed, the minus side of capacitor 100 is connected through contact 158, line 159, terminal 6 and resistor 101 to the upper side of capacitor 100, so resistor 101 provides a discharge path for discharging the capacitor 100. However, when relay 76 is energized,

contacts

156 and 158 open to disconnect this discharge path so that the capacitor can be charged.

As previously mentioned, relay 76 remains energized after the laundry article 38 finishes traversing photocell 54. However, switch 68 is deenergized, so

contacts

142 and 144 again close and contacts and 142 open. The closing of

contacts

142 and 144 energizes relay 74 to close

contacts

108 and 110, and thus connect resistance 104 to capacitor 100. At this time, capacitor 100 begins charging at twice the rate at which it charges when current is supplied to it only through resistance 102. The capacitor 100 continues charging at this faster rate until it reaches a voltage at which unijunction transistor 112 fires, and this ultimately operates the solenoid 78 to cause a blast of air to fold the laundry article 38 as previously described. in this sequence of operation, relay 128 is energized to close

contacts

130 and 132 and

open contacts

130 and 133. The opening of

contacts

130 and 133 interrupts the power circuit of relay 76, so relay 76 is deenergized. This causes

contacts

156 and 158 to close, thus completing the discharge path through resistor 10] for capacitor 100, and allowing the capacitor 100 to discharge back to its initial condition.

Contacts

94 and 96 open to remove power from circuit 66, and contacts and 152 open to unlatch the relay 76. The control means 72 has now returned to its initial condition.

Thus, the timer includes a capacitance which charges at a relatively slow rate through one resistance such that the capacitance serves to measure the length of the laundry article 38'while the laundry article traverses the photocell 54. Then the capacitance charges at a faster (double) rate through the parallel combination of

resistances

102 and 104, and the time required for the capacitance to charge up to a voltage which will fire the output means is exactly that needed to allow the center of the laundry article to reach device 42 as shown in FIG. 6. The pneumatic device 42 is then operated to fold the laundry article. it may be noted that some other operation besides folding could be performed on the laundry article at this time. It may also be noted that the faster charging rate of the capacitor could be 4 times or 8 times or some other multiple of the slower rate if it is desired to fold the article at a place other than its center. For instance, a quarter fold could be made in this manner. The timer measures the timer required for the article to traverse the sensing means, and subtracts half (or other fraction) of this time from the time required for the article to travel from the sensing means to the fold point to get the time the trailing edge travels from the sensing means toward the fold point. The timing capacitor charges at the faster rate during the latter time.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

l. A variable charge rate timer for a laundry apparatus comprising, capacitance means, a power source, output means connected to said capacitance means and triggered when said capacitance means charges to a predetermined level to initiate folding of a laundry article in said laundry apparatus, the article travelling in a predetermined path prior to folding, switching means associated with said path to be operated by the travelling laundry article, first and second resistance means for controlling the charging 1 rate of said capacitance means, control means for controlling the connection and disconnection of said first and second resistance means to said capacitance means, said control means causing said power source and said first resistance means to be connected to said capacitance means for charging said capacitance means at a slow rate in response to actuation of said switching means by the leading edge of said article, and said control means causing said first and second resistance means and said power source to be connected to said capacitance means to charge said capacitance means at a faster rate in response to actuation of said switching means by the trailing edge of the article, said capacitance means charging at said faster rate until said output means is triggered at a time when a portion of the article reaches a predetermined position.

2. The timer as claimed in claim 1 in which said control means comprises first and second relay means.

3. The timer as claimed in claims 2 in which said first relay means has contacts for connecting one or both of said first' and second resistance means to said capacitance means depending on the condition of said first relay means, and said second relay means has contacts for connecting or disconnecting said power source to said capacitance means through said re sistance means.

4. The timer as claimed in claim 3 in which said switching means alternately energizes said first and second relay means.

5. The timer as claimed in claim 4 in which said switching means includes a photocell.

6. The timer as claimed in claim 3 in which said second relay means has further contacts for latching the same.

7. The timer as claimed in claim 6 in which said second relay means has additional contacts closing to connect ground to said capacitance means when said second relay means isdeenergized.

8. The timer as claimed'in claim 7 in which said output means includes means for unlatching said second relay means in response to operation of said output means by said capacitance means.

9. A variable charge rate timer for a laundry folding apparatus comprising, capacitance means, a power source, output means connected to said capacitance means and triggered when said capacitance means charges to a predetermined level to initiate folding of a laundry article in said folding apparatus, the article travelling in a predeterminedpath in said apparatus prior to folding, switching means associated with said path to be operated by the travelling laundry article, first and second resistance means for controlling the charging rate of" said capacitance means, first relay means for connecting said first and second resistance meansto said capacitance means but withholding charging current therefrom, and second relay means for connecting said power source to said capacitance means through said resistance means, said switching means serving to switch between said relay means and responding to the leading edge of the laundry article to deactuate said first relay means and thereby disconnect said second resistance means and also to actuate said second relay means and thereby connect said power source to said capacitance means for charging said,

capacitance means through said first resistance means at a slow rate, said second relay means having contacts for latching the same in an actuated condition, andsaid switching means responding to the trailing edge of a laundry article to actuate said first relay means and thereby connect said second resistance means to said power source for charging said capacitance means at a faster rate until said output means is triggered by said capacitance means when said article reaches a predetermined position.

10. A variable charge rate timer for a laundry apparatus comprising, a power source, capacitance means, output means connected to said capacitance means including a discharge device triggered when said capacitance means charges to a predetermined level to initiate folding of a laundry article in said laundry apparatus, the article travelling in a predetermined path prior to the folding, photocell means associated with said path to be operated by thetravelling laundry article, first and second resistance means, first relay means having contacts for connecting one or both of said first and second resistance means to said capacitance means depending on the condition of said first relay means, second relay means having contacts for connecting or disconnecting said power source to said capacitance means through said resistance means, said photocell means alternately energizing said first and second relay means so that when said second relay means is energized only said first resistance means and said power source are connected to said capacitance means for charging said capacitance means at a slow rate, and when said first relay means is energized said first and second resistance means are connected in parallel with each other to said capacitance means together with said power source to charge said capacitance means at a faster rate until said output means is triggered, said photocell means energizing said first relay means in response to the leading edge of a laundry article travelling in said path, and said photocell means energizing said second relay means in response to the trailing edge ofa laundry article travelling in said path.

11. The timer as claimed in claim 10 in which said second relay means has further contacts for latching the same. 7

12. The timer as claimed in claim 11 in which said second relay means has additional contacts closing to connect ground to said capacitance means when said second relay means is deenergized.

13. The timer as claimed in claim 12 in which said output means includes means for unlatching said second relay means in response to operation of said output means by said capacitance means.

14. A variable charge rate timer for a laundry apparatus comprising, capacitance means, power source, output means connected to said capacitance means and triggered when said capacitance means charges to a predetermined level to cause folding of a laundry article in said laundry apparatus, the article travelling in a predetermined path prior to folding, sensing means associated with said path to be operated by the travelling laundry article, resistance means including first and second resistances for controlling the charging rate of said capacitance means, control means for controlling the connection and disconnection of said first and second resistances to said capacitance means, said control means causing said power source and said resistance means to be connected to said capacitance means for charging said capacitance means at a slow

Claims

1. A variable charge rate timer for a laundry apparatus comprising, capacitance means, a power source, output means connected to said capacitance means and triggered when said capacitance means charges to a predetermined level to initiate folding of a laundry article in said laundry apparatus, the article travelling in a predetermined path prior to folding, switching means associated with said path to be operated by the travelling laundry article, first and second resistance means for controlling the charging rate of said capacitance means, control means for controlling the connection and disconnection of said first and second resistance means to said capacitance means, said control means causing said power source and said first resistance means to be connected to said capacitance means for charging said capacitance means at a slow rate in response to actuation of said switching means by the leading edge of said article, and said control means causing said first and second resistance means and said power source to be connected to said capacitance means to charge said capacitance means at a faster rate in response to actuation of said switching means by the trailing edge of the article, said capacitance means charging at said faster rate until said output means is triggered at a time when a portion of the article reaches a predetermined position.

3. The timer as claimed in claims 2 in which said first relay means has contacts for connecting one or both of said first and second resistance means to said capacitance means depending on the condition of said first relay means, and said second relay means has contacts for connecting or disconnecting said power source to said capacitance means through said resistance means.

7. The timer as claimed in claim 6 in which said second relay means has additional contacts closing to connect ground to said capacitance means when said second relay means is deenergized.

8. The timer as claimed in claim 7 in which said output means includes means for unlatching said second relay means in response to operation of said output means by said capacitance means.

9. A variable charge rate timer for a laundry folding apparatus comprising, capacitance means, a power source, output means cOnnected to said capacitance means and triggered when said capacitance means charges to a predetermined level to initiate folding of a laundry article in said folding apparatus, the article travelling in a predetermined path in said apparatus prior to folding, switching means associated with said path to be operated by the travelling laundry article, first and second resistance means for controlling the charging rate of said capacitance means, first relay means for connecting said first and second resistance means to said capacitance means but withholding charging current therefrom, and second relay means for connecting said power source to said capacitance means through said resistance means, said switching means serving to switch between said relay means and responding to the leading edge of the laundry article to deactuate said first relay means and thereby disconnect said second resistance means and also to actuate said second relay means and thereby connect said power source to said capacitance means for charging said capacitance means through said first resistance means at a slow rate, said second relay means having contacts for latching the same in an actuated condition, and said switching means responding to the trailing edge of a laundry article to actuate said first relay means and thereby connect said second resistance means to said power source for charging said capacitance means at a faster rate until said output means is triggered by said capacitance means when said article reaches a predetermined position.

10. A variable charge rate timer for a laundry apparatus comprising, a power source, capacitance means, output means connected to said capacitance means including a discharge device triggered when said capacitance means charges to a predetermined level to initiate folding of a laundry article in said laundry apparatus, the article travelling in a predetermined path prior to the folding, photocell means associated with said path to be operated by the travelling laundry article, first and second resistance means, first relay means having contacts for connecting one or both of said first and second resistance means to said capacitance means depending on the condition of said first relay means, second relay means having contacts for connecting or disconnecting said power source to said capacitance means through said resistance means, said photocell means alternately energizing said first and second relay means so that when said second relay means is energized only said first resistance means and said power source are connected to said capacitance means for charging said capacitance means at a slow rate, and when said first relay means is energized said first and second resistance means are connected in parallel with each other to said capacitance means together with said power source to charge said capacitance means at a faster rate until said output means is triggered, said photocell means energizing said first relay means in response to the leading edge of a laundry article travelling in said path, and said photocell means energizing said second relay means in response to the trailing edge of a laundry article travelling in said path.

11. The timer as claimed in claim 10 in which said second relay means has further contacts for latching the same.