Folding and holding device for folding and sewing device

Abstract

To provide a fold retainer of a folding sewing device, which can execute a first folding and retain the folded part with tidy finish according to various types of clothing fabric and a plurality of folding sizes.SOLUTION: A fold retainer comprises: a holder having a guide plate for guiding a first folding position on a clothing fabric, a base part, and a pressing part capable of holding the clothing fabric; and a drive mechanism to move the holder relatively to the guide plate. The drive mechanism relatively moves the holder from a first relative position at which a first face of the base part faces one face of the guide plate to a second relative position at which the base part goes over an edge of the guide plate and a second face of the base part faces the other face of the guide plate in a state where one side of the clothing fabric is set between the guide plate at the first relative position and the first face. Consequently the first folding of the clothing fabric is executed, and subsequently the folded part is retained by holding operation by the pressing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding and holding device for a folding and sewing device. [Background technology]

[0002] The process of sewing curtains may include a folding process in which the top and bottom of the curtain fabric are folded in three and sewn together, and a selvedge process in which the left and right sides of the curtain fabric are folded in three and sewn together.

[0003] Patent Document 1 shows a sewing machine that sews the bottom of a curtain fabric in three turns. In the sewing machine, the bottom of the curtain fabric is gradually folded back along a guide while being transported in the process of feeding the curtain fabric, and the three folded parts are sewn together by a sewing mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-210882 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is desirable for a sewing device that performs folding processing of curtain fabric to be able to handle a variety of curtain fabrics with different fabric thicknesses, fabric elasticity, weave types, etc. Furthermore, it is desirable for a device that sews together three rolls to be able to handle both large and small sizes of the first fold and the second fold. However, with a device that gradually folds the curtain fabric as in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to achieve a beautiful finish for each of the various curtain fabrics. It is also difficult to handle cases where the first fold size and the second fold size are different.

[0006] The inventors have studied a folding and sewing device that can make one side of the curtain fabric rolled in three with a beautiful finish. It was expected that if there was a device that could neatly hold the fold created by the first folding, the subsequent second folding process could be realized with a beautiful finish.

[0007] The above problem is not limited to the case of three-roll processing of curtain fabric, but also occurs when three-roll processing of various fabrics such as tent fabrics and apparel fabrics.

[0008] To provide a folding and holding device for a folding and sewing device capable of performing the first folding and holding of the fold with a beautiful finish in response to various fabrics and a plurality of folding sizes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to A folding and holding device is mounted on a folding and sewing device that performs a triple-folding process on one side of a fabric, and performs a first folding of the fabric and holds the fold created by the folding, A guide plate for guiding the first folding position of the fabric; A holder including a base portion having a first surface and a second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface, and a pressing portion capable of holding the dough between the base portion and the second surface; a drive mechanism for moving the retainer relative to the guide plate; Equipped with the drive mechanism is capable of relatively moving the retainer from a first relative position where the first surface of the base portion faces one surface of the guide plate to a second relative position where the base portion passes over an edge of the guide plate and the second surface of the base portion faces the other surface of the guide plate, With one side of the fabric set between the guide plate in the first relative position and the first surface, the drive mechanism moves the base portion relatively to the second relative position, thereby performing a first fold of the fabric, and then the pressing portion performs a gripping action, thereby holding the fold portion in the holder. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, one side of the fabric is set between the guide plate and the base at a first relative position where the first surface of the base faces one surface of the guide plate, and then the base passes the edge of the guide plate, and the holder moves relatively to a second relative position where the second surface of the base faces the other surface of the guide plate, so that the fabric can be folded between the second surface of the base and the presser. Then, the presser sandwiches the fabric between the second surface, so that the holder can hold the fold of the fabric. This fabric folding operation is simple, and no unnecessary operations other than the folding operation are performed on the fabric. In addition, the folding size of the fabric can be changed depending on the setting position of one side of the fabric. Therefore, it is possible to realize a beautiful first folding and holding of the folded part in response to various fabrics and a plurality of folding sizes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a folding and sewing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a feed mechanism and a sewing mechanism of the folding and sewing device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating curtain fabric, where (A) shows the fabric without any folds, (B) shows the fabric after the first fold, and (C) shows the fabric after the second fold. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing a first holder and a motion transmission mechanism that rotates and moves the first holder. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the motion transmission mechanism, (A) to (D) showing the first to fourth steps. [Figure 6] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating operations from a step of setting the curtain fabric to a step of holding the edge of the fabric by the first holder. [Figure 7] 11 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between a guide plate and a pressing portion of a first retainer. FIG. [Figure 8] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the operation of a process for removing the guide plate. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the curtain fabric folding process. [Figure 10] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a folding and sewing device of an embodiment according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a feed mechanism and a sewing mechanism of the folding and sewing device of Fig. 1. Mechanisms above the table are omitted in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining a curtain fabric, where (A) shows an unfolded state, (B) shows a state after the first folding, and (C) shows a state after the second folding. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a first holder and a motion transmission mechanism for rotating and moving the first holder.

[0013] <Curtain fabric folding process> The folding and sewing device 1 according to this embodiment is a device for folding and processing a strip-shaped area H (see FIG. 3) on the first side f1 side of the curtain fabric F. The folding and processing refers to a processing in which the strip-shaped area H is folded in two or in three turns and sewn together. The strip-shaped area H may be the upper part or the hem part of the curtain fabric, or may be a part corresponding to the left and right ear parts. The dimensions of the folding may be different according to the processing part. For example, in the case of folding and processing of the upper part and the hem part, the dimension L2 of the folding areas H2, H3 may be long, and in the case of the left and right ear parts, the dimension L2 of the folding areas H2, H3 may be short. In addition, in the case of three turns, the dimension L1 of the first folding area H1 may be the same as the dimension L2 of the second folding area H2, H3, or may be shorter than the dimension L2. A fold portion fa is generated by the first folding. The case of three turns of the curtain fabric F will be described below. In this case, the fold portion fa becomes the fabric edge portion f2 held by the first holder 20.

[0014] <Folding and sewing device> Hereinafter, with reference to the curtain fabric F set in the folding and sewing device 1, the direction along the first side f1 of the curtain fabric F is referred to as the Z direction, the direction perpendicular to the Z direction and along the top surface of the table 11 is referred to as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction is referred to as the Y direction. In this embodiment, the XZ direction is referred to as the horizontal direction, the Y direction is referred to as the vertical direction, the +X direction is referred to as the back side, and the -X direction is referred to as the front side, but the relationship between the horizontal and vertical directions and the X, Y and Z directions is not limited to the example of the embodiment.

[0015] The folding and sewing device 1 comprises a table 11 on which the curtain fabric F is placed, a first holder 20 capable of holding the fabric edge portion f2 of the curtain fabric F, a motion transmission mechanism 30 for raising and lowering and rotating the first holder 20, a second holder 40 capable of holding the curtain fabric F on the table 11, a guide plate 13 for guiding the first folding point of the curtain fabric F, a feed mechanism 50 capable of gripping and transporting the folded portion of the curtain fabric F, a sewing mechanism 60 (Figure 2) for sewing together the folded portion of the curtain fabric F, and a frame 70 for supporting these.

[0016] The frame 70 includes a first slide mechanism 71 that supports the first holder 20 and the motion transmission mechanism 30 so that they can slide in the X direction, a second slide mechanism 72 that supports the second holder 40 so that they can slide in the X direction, and a third slide mechanism 73 that supports the rear mechanism 52 of the feed mechanism 50 so that they can slide in the X direction.

[0017] Furthermore, the folding and sewing device 1 includes a first slide driving device G71 that drives the first holder 20 and the motion transmission mechanism 30 along the first slide mechanism 71, a second slide driving device G72 that drives the second holder 40 along the second slide mechanism 72, and a third slide driving device G73 that drives the rear mechanism 52 of the feed mechanism 50 along the third slide mechanism 73. The first slide driving device G71 and the second slide driving device G72 are servo devices that can control the amount of sliding. Specifically, the first slide driving device G71, the second slide driving device G72, and the third slide driving device G73 may be electric motors or air cylinders.

[0018] Furthermore, the folding and sewing device 1 includes a first driving device G20 that holds the first holder 20, a second driving device G40 that holds the second holder 40, a guide lifting device G13 that raises and lowers the guide plate 13, a driving device G30 that operates the motion transmission mechanism 30, and a conveying driving device G50 that drives the feed mechanism 50. Specifically, the first driving device G20, the second driving device G40, and the guide lifting device G13 may be air cylinders or electric motors. The driving device G30 and the conveying driving device G50 may be electric motors. The conveying driving device G50 may include two driving devices that drive the front side mechanism 51 and the rear side mechanism 52 in the feed mechanism 50 in a synchronous manner, or may include one driving device and two transmission mechanisms that transmit driving force to the front side mechanism 51 and the rear side mechanism 52 in a synchronous manner.

[0019] The folding and holding device of this embodiment includes, from the above configuration, the first holder 20, the guide plate 13, a drive mechanism (first slide mechanism 71, first slide drive device G71, motion transmission mechanism 30, and drive device G30) that moves the first holder 20 relative to the guide plate 13, and a guide lifting device G13. The first holder 20 corresponds to one example of a holder according to the present invention. The first slide mechanism 71, the first slide drive device G71, the motion transmission mechanism 30, and the drive device G30 make it possible to move the first holder 20 in the X direction and the Y direction, and to rotate it in a rotation direction around an axis in the Z direction.

[0020] The table 11 has a dimension in the Z direction that allows the curtain fabric F to be placed from one end to the other end in the direction along the first side f1. The dimension in the X direction of the table 11 need only be a dimension that allows a partial range of the curtain fabric F to be placed thereon. The table 11 has a linear table edge e11 at the back where the first holder 20 is disposed.

[0021] The first holder 20 is a mechanism for holding the fabric edge f2 of the curtain fabric F. The first holder 20 holds the fabric edge f2 from one end to the other end in the direction along the first side f1. Here, the state of being held from one end to the other end does not mean that one end and the other end of the fabric edge f2 are fixed, nor does it mean that the entire fabric edge f2 from one end to the other end is fixed. The configuration capable of holding from one end to the other end may be a configuration capable of fixing multiple points in the range from one end to the other end to the extent that the fabric edge f2 does not sag beyond the allowable amount.

[0022] The first holder 20 has a base portion 21 (see FIG. 4) having a first surface S21A and a second surface S21B located on the opposite side of the first surface S21A, and a pressing portion 22 that holds the curtain fabric F by sandwiching it between the base portion 21 and the second surface S21B. The pressing portion 22 may have a claw shape with multiple protrusions at its tip. The pressing portion 22 is supported so that its tip can be switched between a state in which it is separated from the base portion 21 and a state in which it is close to or in contact with the second surface S21B, and these states are switched by driving the first drive device G20. When the tip of the pressing portion 22 is close to the second surface S21B of the base portion 21, the first holder 20 can hold the curtain fabric F by sandwiching the curtain fabric F between the tip of the pressing portion 22 and the second surface S21B.

[0023] The base portion 21 is long in the Z direction, and has a length equal to or greater than the range from one end to the other end in the direction along the first side f1 of the curtain fabric F. The tips of the multiple holding portions 22 are aligned in a straight line in the Z direction. When the Z direction is considered to be the left-right direction, the length from the left end to the right end of the multiple holding portions 22 corresponds to a length equal to or greater than the dimension from one end to the other end in the direction along the first side f1 of the curtain fabric F. With this configuration, the first holder 20 can hold the curtain fabric F from one end to the other end in the direction along the first side f1.

[0024] The multiple pressing portions 22 are arranged at intervals in the Z direction. That is, a gap is provided between two adjacent pressing portions 22. In the drawings, the width and spacing of the multiple pressing portions 22 are exaggerated for ease of viewing.

[0025] A guide 23 for aligning the position of the first side f1 of the curtain fabric F is provided on the first surface S21A of the base portion 21. When the first surface S21A is horizontal, the position of the guide 23 is adjustable in the X direction along the first surface S21A.

[0026] The second holder 40 has multiple presser plates 41 located above the table 11. The multiple presser plates 41 are supported so as to be able to rise and fall, and can be switched between a state spaced apart from the table 11 and a state in which the curtain fabric F is pressed down on the table 11 by driving the second drive device G40. The multiple presser plates 41 can hold a portion of the curtain fabric F near the center on the table 11.

[0027] The multiple presser plates 41 are arranged side by side in the Z direction so as to be continuous in the Z direction. This arrangement allows the multiple presser plates 41 to press the curtain fabric F over a wide range in the Z direction.

[0028] The second holder 40 is slidable in the X direction by the drive of the second slide drive device G72. Furthermore, the sliding amount of the second holder 40 in the X direction is controllable. When the second holder 40 holds the curtain fabric F on the table 11, it is slid in the X direction by the second slide drive device G72, so that the held portion of the curtain fabric F can be slid on the table 11 and moved in the X direction.

[0029] The guide plate 13 has a tip that contacts the first folding position of the curtain fabric F and guides the position. The tip of the guide plate 13 has a shape in which a plurality of recesses 13h and a plurality of protrusions 13t are arranged alternately. The width of the recesses 13h corresponds to the width of one pressing portion 22 of the first holder 20. The width of the protrusions 13t corresponds to the gap between two adjacent pressing portions 22 of the first holder 20. Due to this shape, when the guide plate 13 and the first holder 20 are opposed to each other, the plurality of protrusions 13t of the guide plate 13 overlap the gap between the plurality of pressing portions 22 of the first holder 20, and the plurality of pressing portions 22 of the first holder 20 overlap the plurality of recesses 13h of the guide plate 13 (see FIG. 7). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the plurality of pressing portions 22 of the first holder 20 from gripping a part of the guide plate 13.

[0030] The guide plate 13 is supported so as to be able to rise and fall, with its tip extending outward from the table edge e11 and the remaining portion resting on the table 11. By driving the guide lifting device G13, the guide plate 13 can be switched between a state in which it presses the table 11 downward, a state in which it is free in the lifting direction (a state in which it can be lifted and lowered with a light force), and a state in which it is spaced upward from the table 11.

[0031] The feed mechanism 50 includes a front side mechanism 51 disposed below the table 11, and a rear side mechanism 52 disposed behind the table 11. The front side mechanism 51 is configured to be able to pressurize the curtain fabric F in the rearward direction (X direction). The rear side mechanism 52 is configured to be able to pressurize the curtain fabric F in the frontward direction (-X direction).

[0032] The front side mechanism 51 has a belt 51a that contacts the curtain fabric F, multiple support blocks 51b that push the belt 51a in the X direction, and gears 51c, 51c for feeding the belt 51a. Similarly, the back side mechanism 52 has a belt 52a that contacts the curtain fabric F, multiple support blocks 52b that push the belt 52a in the -X direction, and gears 52c, 52c for feeding the belt 52a. The feed mechanism 50 is disposed so that the longitudinal direction of the belts 51a, 52a is aligned with the Z direction. The longitudinal dimension of the feed mechanism 50 is equal to or longer than the length of the first side f1 of the curtain fabric F.

[0033] The front side mechanism 51 is disposed so that the surface in contact with the curtain fabric F is located near the table edge e11 (for example, directly below the table edge e11). The back side mechanism 52 is slidable from a position spaced apart from the front side mechanism 51 to a position where it applies pressure to the front side mechanism 51 by driving the third slide driving device G73. With the back side mechanism 52 and the front side mechanism 51 pressing each other, the feed mechanism 50 drives the belts 51a, 52a by driving the conveyor driving device G50, and the curtain fabric F sandwiched between the belts 51a, 52a is fed in the Z direction.

[0034] The sewing mechanism 60 includes a needle bar mechanism 61 having a needle bar and a drive mechanism for the needle bar, and a shuttle mechanism 62 having a shuttle and a drive mechanism for the shuttle. The sewing mechanism 60 is disposed at the tip side of the feed mechanism 50 in the conveying direction. When the feed mechanism 50 is in a state in which it can convey the curtain fabric F (when the rear mechanism 52 has moved to the front side), the needle bar mechanism 61 and the shuttle mechanism 62 are close to each other, enabling the sewing mechanism 60 to perform sewing operations. The sewing mechanism 60 and the feed mechanism 50 may be configured as an integrated feed mechanism in which the position of the needle bar moves in the feed direction in synchronization with the feed operation of the curtain fabric F, or may be configured as the feed mechanism 50 intermittently feeds the curtain fabric F in synchronization with the elevation and lowering of the needle bar.

[0035] <Motion transmission mechanism for raising / lowering and rotating the first retainer> The motion transmission mechanism 30 includes a base 31, an input shaft 32 rotatably supported on the base 31, a drive unit G30 that inputs rotational power to the input shaft 32, a conversion mechanism (e.g., rack and pinion) 36 that converts the rotational motion of the input shaft 32 into translational motion in the Y direction, a support shaft 33 supported on a translation section 36a of the conversion mechanism 36, a cam plate 34a fixed to the base 31, a cam lever 34b rotatably supported on the translation section 36a of the conversion mechanism 36, and gear mechanisms 35a, 35b that transmit the rotational motion of the cam lever 34b to rotate the support shaft 33. The cam plate 34a corresponds to a driver of the cam mechanism 34, and the cam lever 34b corresponds to a driven section of the cam mechanism 34.

[0036] The base 31 is supported by the first slide mechanism 71 in a state in which it can slide in the X direction. The driving device G30 is a servo motor capable of controlling the amount of rotation. The support shaft 33 supports the first holder 20. The support shaft 33 is fixed to the first holder 20 so as not to rotate. When the support shaft 33 rotates, the first holder 20 rotates around the support shaft 33. A part of the cam lever 34b (for example, a roller 34br) contacts the cam surface of the cam plate 34a, and when the cam lever 34b moves relative to the cam plate 34a, the contact position between the cam plate 34a and the cam lever 34b changes, and the angle of the cam lever 34b changes according to the shape of the cam plate 34a. When the angle of the cam lever 34b changes, the change is transmitted to the support shaft 33 via the gear mechanisms 35a and 35b, and the first holder 20 rotates around the support shaft 33.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the motion transmission mechanism 30, and (A) to (D) show the first state (initial state) to the fourth state. When the input shaft 32 rotates in one direction, the first holder 20 changes from the first state in FIG. 5(A) to the fourth state in FIG. 5(D). The first state is a state in which the first surface S21A of the base part 21 is horizontal at the reference height. The reference height is a height at which the first surface S21A of the base part 21 is flush with the upper surface of the table 11. The second state is a state in which the first surface S21A of the base part 21 remains horizontal and the first holder 20 has risen above the reference height. The third state is a state in which the opening side of the first holder 20 into which the curtain fabric F is inserted starts to rotate so as to face downward. The fourth state is a state in which the opening side of the first holder 20 faces downward, and the tip of the first holder 20 (the end of the base part 21) is located at a height near the upper surface of the table 11. The first retainer 20 may be locked by a stopper so as not to rotate any further when the first surface S21A rotates to a predetermined angle (e.g., 90 degrees from the horizontal). When the input shaft 32 rotates further from that state and the first retainer 20 rises, the cam roller 34br separates from the cam plate 34a, so that the first retainer 20 rises without rotating, and the first retainer 20 may transition to the fourth state in FIG. 5(D).

[0038] The lifting and rotation by the motion transmission mechanism 30 and the movement in the X direction by the first slide drive device G71 enable the first holder 20 to move in the XY directions and to rotate in a rotation direction around an axis in the Z direction.

[0039] The mechanism for rotating the first holder 20 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the above cam mechanism 34 may be omitted, and a configuration may be adopted in which the first holder 20 is driven in a rotation direction about an axis in the Z direction by a separate drive device (such as a servo motor). In this case, the separate drive device and the lifting drive device G30 are controlled in cooperation with each other to realize the movement of the first holder 20 as shown in Figs. 5(A) to 5(D).

[0040] <Measuring instrument and control unit> The folding and sewing device 1 further includes a measuring device 6 that measures the thickness of the curtain fabric F, and a control unit 8 that drives and stops each driving unit and controls the driving amount. The measuring device 6 is provided in the lifting mechanism of the guide plate 13, and measures the thickness of the curtain fabric F from the position of the guide plate 13 when the guide plate 13 is lowered (the distance from the top surface of the table 11), and sends the measurement result to the control unit 8.

[0041] The control unit 8 is a computer or a sequencer that operates according to a program. The control unit 8 determines the drive amount in some drive steps based on the thickness of the curtain fabric F sent from the measuring device 6. In other words, if the thickness of the curtain fabric F is different, the drive amount in some drive steps changes.

[0042] <Control and Operation> Figures 6, 8 to 10 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a series of operations of the folding and sewing device 1. Figure 6 shows the process from setting the curtain fabric to the process of holding the edge of the fabric by the first holder. Figure 8 shows the process of removing the guide plate. Figure 9 shows the process of folding the curtain fabric. Figure 10 shows the sewing process.

[0043] In the process of setting the curtain fabric F, the first holder 20 is brought close to and flush with the upper surface of the table 11 and the first surface S21A of the base portion 21 (the state of FIG. 6(A)), and the second holder 40 and the guide plate 13 are separated upward from the table 11. In this state, the worker spreads and sets the curtain fabric F on the table 11 and the base portion 21 of the first holder 20 so that the first side f1 of the curtain fabric F hits the guide 23 on the base portion 21. Then, when the worker performs an operation to hold down the curtain fabric F, the second holder 40 descends and holds the curtain fabric F between the second holder 40 and the table 11. Furthermore, the guide plate 13 descends onto the table 11 and holds the curtain fabric F at that location. FIG. 6(A) shows this state.

[0044] Before the process of setting the curtain fabric F, the worker inputs the dimension L2 of the folding ranges H2, H3 to the control unit 8 in advance. Then, the control unit 8 moves the pressing plate 41 of the second holder 40 to a position away from the table edge e11 by the "input dimension L2 x 2 - predetermined length N1", and lowers the second holder 40 at that position. The predetermined length N1 is the length by which the guide plate 13 protrudes beyond the table edge e11.

[0045] Next, the operator issues a command to start the folding process to the control unit 8. Then, the control unit 8 first executes the first folding process of the curtain fabric F, as shown in Fig. 6(B) to Fig. 6(E). In this process, the first holder 20 first moves "a1" mm to the rear side (Fig. 6(B)), then the first holder 20 rises "b1" mm (Fig. 6(C)), and further the first holder 20 moves "a2" mm to the front side. The above "a1" mm, "b1" mm, and "a2" mm are controlled by the control unit 8 as follows.

[0046] “a1” mm = length N2 in the X direction where the base portion 21 and the guide plate 13 overlap in a plan view in the setting process of FIG. 6(A) + thickness d of the curtain fabric F + margin α "b1" mm = thickness of guide plate 13 + thickness of base portion 21 + thickness of curtain fabric F d x 2 + margin β “a2” mm = the specified insertion amount M of the curtain fabric F that enters the first retainer 20 + the above margin α - the thickness d of the curtain fabric F The margins α and β correspond to an allowance added to avoid interference between the base portion 21 and the guide plate 13, and may be of a small length.

[0047] 6(A) to 6(D), the first holder 20 moves from a position where the first surface S21A of the base portion 21 faces one surface (lower surface) of the guide plate 13, beyond the tip of the guide plate 13, to a position where the second surface S21B of the base portion 21 faces the other surface (upper surface) of the guide plate 13. Then, due to this movement, the first folding range H1 of the curtain fabric F is folded back at the tip of the guide plate 13, and the fold portion fa generated by this folding back is used as the fabric edge portion f2, and the fabric edge portion f2 is inserted between the base portion 21 and the pressing portion 22 of the first holder 20.

[0048] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 6(E), the control unit 8 drives the pressing portion 22 of the first holder 20, so that the fabric edge portion f2 of the curtain fabric F is held (specifically, gripped) by the first holder 20. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the guide plate 13 and the pressing portion 22 of the first holder 20. As shown in Fig. 7, the multiple pressing portions 22 of the first holder 20 are arranged corresponding to the recesses 13h of the guide plate 13, so that in the state of Fig. 6(E), the pressing portions 22 hold the fabric edge portion f2 of the curtain fabric F without pinching the guide plate 13.

[0049] Next, the control unit 8 executes a process to remove the guide plate 13, as shown in Fig. 8(F) to Fig. 8(I). In this process, first, the second holder 40 moves "a3" mm toward the rear, causing the curtain fabric F on the table 11 to slacken (Fig. 8(F)). Furthermore, the guide plate 13 is made free in the lifting direction (a state in which it can be lifted and lowered with a light force). Next, the first holder 20 moves "b3" mm upward (Fig. 8(G)), and further, the first holder 20 moves "a4" mm toward the rear (Fig. 8(H)). Here, "a3" mm, "b3" mm, and "a4" mm are controlled by the control unit 8 as follows.

[0050] “a3” mm = “b3” mm movement and “a4” mm movement are the distance the curtain fabric F is pulled by. "b3" mm = the distance traveled by the guide plate 13 to release the pressure applied to the table 11 (a small distance is sufficient) “a4” mm = the amount of movement required to eliminate the overlap between the base portion 21 of the first retainer 20 and the guide plate 13 in a plan view + the thickness d of the curtain fabric F + the margin γ The margin γ corresponds to an allowance added to avoid interference between the base portion 21 and the guide plate 13, and may be a small length.

[0051] Due to the movement of the first holder 20, the guide plate 13 moves away from the first holder 20. Thereafter, the guide plate 13 moves up (FIG. 8(I)), and thereby the guide plate 13 moves away from the vicinity of the table 11.

[0052] Next, the control unit 8 executes a folding process for the curtain fabric F, as shown in Fig. 9(J) to Fig. 9(N). In this process, first, the second holder 40 moves to the table edge e11, and then the first holder 20 moves to the rear side by an amount that does not cause the curtain fabric F to become taut (Fig. 9(J)). The above-mentioned movements of the second holder 40 and the first holder 20 may be performed simultaneously in parallel.

[0053] Next, the support shaft 33 of the first holder 20 rises and moves toward the front, during which the first holder 20 rotates around the support shaft 33 (Figs. 9(K) to 9(M)). This operation causes the first holder 20 to move toward the front so as to approach the second holder 40 while rotating in a direction in which the curtain fabric F held by the first holder 20 hangs down (Fig. 9(L)). Then, the first surface S21A of the base portion 21 of the first holder 20 rotates to an angle perpendicular to the upper surface of the table 11, and the first holder 20 stops at a position where the holding point of the first holder 20 (the tip of the pressing portion 22) approaches the table edge portion e11 (Fig. 9(M)). At this time, the ranges H2 and H3 of the curtain fabric F hang down between the first holder 20 and the second holder 40, or between the first holder 20 and the table edge e11 in a state where they are folded together. During the operation of Figs. 9(J) to 9(M), the holding point of the first holder 20 (the tip of the pressing part 22) may approach the table edge e11 (approaching in the height direction and approaching the front side) without repeating rising and falling. However, the movement of the first holder 20 in the height direction in Figs. 9(J) to 9(M) may be the following movement. That is, during the operation of Figs. 9(J) to 9(M), the holding point of the first holder 20 (the tip of the pressing part 22) may rise once and then descend to the height of the table edge e11. Alternatively, it may descend to a position lower than the table edge e11 once and then rise to the height of the table edge e11. The above-mentioned lifting and lowering operations may be performed before, during, or after the change in the rotation angle of the first holder 20.

[0054] Next, the rear mechanism 52 of the feed mechanism 50 moves to the front side, so that the folded portion of the curtain fabric F is sandwiched between the front mechanism 51 and the rear mechanism 52 (FIG. 9(N)). The feed mechanism 50 is positioned as close as possible to the top surface of the table 11 so that the portion sandwiched between the front mechanism 51 and the rear mechanism 52 includes the first folding range H1.

[0055] Thereafter, the first holder 20 and the second holder 40 release their holding action, and the first holder 20 rises once and then retreats to the rear. The temporary rise action is performed to avoid interference between the first holder 20 and the rear mechanism 52. Furthermore, the second holder 40 retreats upward and to the front side. As a result, the folding ranges H2 and H3 of the curtain fabric F are held by the feed mechanism 50 so as to be transportable.

[0056] Next, the control unit 8 executes a sewing process for the folded portion of the curtain fabric F, as shown in Figures 10(O) and (P). In this process, the feed mechanism 50 is driven to feed the folded area H of the curtain fabric F in the Z direction. Furthermore, the sewing mechanism 60 is driven in synchronization with the transport operation of the feed mechanism 50 to sew the folded portion of the curtain fabric F. Then, when sewing is completed from one end to the other end in the direction along the first side f1 of the curtain fabric F, the sewing process for the curtain fabric F ends.

[0057] <Effects> As described above, the folding and holding device (first holder 20, guide plate 13, motion transmission mechanism 30, first slide mechanism 71, etc.) of the folding and sewing device 1 of this embodiment can perform the first folding of the curtain fabric F and hold the fold fa as follows. That is, first, the first side f1 of the curtain fabric F is set between the guide plate 13 and the base portion 21 at a position (first relative position) where the first surface S21A of the base portion 21 faces one surface of the guide plate 13 (FIG. 6(A)). Then, the first holder 20 moves relatively to a position (second relative position) where the base portion 21 exceeds the edge of the guide plate 13 and the second surface S21B of the base portion 21 faces the other surface of the guide plate 13, whereby the curtain fabric F is folded between the second surface S21B of the base portion 21 and the pressing portion 22. Then, the curtain fabric F is sandwiched between the pressing portion 22 and the second surface S21B, so that the fold portion fa of the curtain fabric F is held by the first holder 20. Such a folding operation of the curtain fabric F is very simple, since no unnecessary movement other than folding occurs in the curtain fabric F. Therefore, it is possible to realize a beautiful first folding and holding of the folded portion in a finished state in response to each of a variety of curtain fabrics F. Furthermore, the size of the first fold of the curtain fabric F changes depending on the set position of the first side f1 of the curtain fabric F. Therefore, it is possible to accommodate a variety of folding sizes.

[0058] Furthermore, according to the folding and holding device of the folding and sewing device 1 of this embodiment, the first holder 20 holds the fold portion fa with the guide plate 13 sandwiched between the curtain fabric F. However, thereafter, the first holder 20 and the guide plate 13 are raised by the operation of the motion transmission mechanism 30, and then the first holder 20 moves to the rear by the motion of the first slide mechanism 71, so that the guide plate 13 can be stably removed from the first holder 20. Therefore, after the first folding of the curtain fabric F and holding of the fold portion fa, the guide plate 13 can be removed without destroying the beautiful finish, so that the guide plate 13 does not interfere with the second folding operation.

[0059] Furthermore, the folding and holding device of the folding and sewing device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a guide 23 capable of positioning the first side f1 of the curtain fabric F when the curtain fabric F is set between the guide plate 13 and the base portion 21 of the first holder 20. Furthermore, the position of the guide 23 is configured to be adjustable. The size of the first folding is determined by the position of the guide 23 and the alignment of the curtain fabric F with the guide 23. Therefore, with the above configuration, the first folding at the required folding size can be easily achieved.

[0060] Furthermore, according to the folding and holding device of the folding and sewing device 1 of this embodiment, the first holder 20 has a plurality of pressing portions 22 arranged at intervals in the Z direction, while the guide plate 13 has a plurality of recesses 13h and a plurality of protrusions 13t arranged alternately in the Z direction (see FIG. 7). The plurality of recesses 13h and the plurality of pressing portions 22 are arranged opposite each other. With this configuration, when the first holder 20 holds the fold portion fa of the curtain fabric F, the plurality of pressing portions 22 are prevented from pinching the guide plate 13 too tightly. Therefore, when the guide plate 13 is subsequently removed from the first holder 20, the guide plate 13 can be easily removed without losing the hold on the fold portion fa.

[0061] Furthermore, according to the folding and holding device of the folding and sewing device 1 of this embodiment, the device includes a guide lifting device G13 for lifting and lowering the guide plate 13, and a measuring device 6 for measuring the thickness of the curtain fabric F from the position of the guide plate 13 when the guide plate 13 is lowered. The control unit 8 then changes the amount of movement of the first holder 20 based on the measurement results sent from the measuring device 6. In this way, the operation of the first holder 20 taking into account the thickness of the curtain fabric F can achieve beautiful folding and folding of the curtain fabric F, regardless of the thickness of the curtain fabric F, from thin curtain fabric F to thick curtain fabric F. Furthermore, by measuring the thickness of the curtain fabric F from the position of the guide plate 13 when the curtain fabric F is pressed, the number of processing steps can be reduced compared to a case where the measurement process is performed separately or a configuration where the measured value is input. Furthermore, by using the guide plate 13 that can press the curtain fabric F from one end to the other end, the measurement result of the thickness required for folding can be accurately obtained. In other words, even if only a part of the curtain fabric F is thick, the thickness value of that part can be sent to the control unit 8.

[0062] The above describes the embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the folding and holding device of the present invention is mounted on a sewing device that folds and processes curtain fabric, but the folding and holding device according to the present invention may be mounted on a sewing device that folds and processes various fabrics such as tent fabric and apparel fabric. In the above embodiment, the first holder 20 is configured to hold the fold portion fa of the curtain fabric F from one end to the other end in the direction along the first side f1. However, the first holder 20 may be configured to hold the fold portion fa of the curtain fabric F within a partial range in the direction along the first side f1. In the above embodiment, an example of a configuration in which the second folding is performed and an example of a configuration in which the folded portion is sewn together are shown, but the folding and sewing device in which the folding and holding device according to the present invention is incorporated may be configured to perform the second folding and sew the portion in a manner different from the embodiment. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the first holder 20 holds the fold portion fa of the curtain fabric F, while another holder holds an inner range of the curtain fabric F so that it can be raised and lowered and can rotate in a rotation direction about an axis in the Z direction, and the first holder 20 and the other holder come close to each other to fold the strip-shaped range H of the curtain fabric F between them. Also, as for the sewing mechanism, instead of conveying the curtain fabric F, a sewing unit may move to sew the folded portion of the curtain fabric F. Other details shown in the embodiment may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Folding and sewing device 6 Measuring instruments 8. Control Unit 11 Tables 13 Guide plate 20 1st retainer 21 Base 22 Presser section 23 Guide 30 Motion transmission mechanism (drive mechanism) 32 Input shaft 33 Spindle 34a Cam plate 34b Cam lever 34 Cam mechanism 36 Conversion Mechanism 40 Second cage 41 Presser plate 50 Feed mechanism 51 Front mechanism 52 Back side mechanism 60 Sewing mechanism 61 Needle bar mechanism 62 Kettle mechanism 71 First slide mechanism (drive mechanism) 72 Second slide mechanism 73 Third slide mechanism F. Curtain fabric f1 First side f2 Fabric edge H Band-like range H2, H3 Folding Range e11 Table edge

Claims

1. A folding and holding device is mounted on a folding and sewing device that performs a triple-folding process on one side of a fabric, and performs a first folding of the fabric and holds the fold created by the folding, A guide plate for guiding the first folding position of the fabric; a holder including a base portion having a first surface and a second surface located on the opposite side to the first surface, and a pressing portion capable of holding the fabric between the base portion and the second surface; a drive mechanism for moving the retainer relative to the guide plate; Equipped with the drive mechanism is capable of relatively moving the retainer from a first relative position where the first surface of the base portion faces one surface of the guide plate to a second relative position where the base portion passes over an edge of the guide plate and the second surface of the base portion faces the other surface of the guide plate, a folding and holding device for a folding and sewing device, characterized in that, with one side of the fabric set between the guide plate in the first relative position and the first surface, the base portion moves relatively to the second relative position by the drive mechanism, thereby performing a first folding of the fabric, and then, the fold portion is held in the holder by the gripping operation of the pressing portion.

2. 2. The folding and holding device of the folding sewing device according to claim 1, characterized in that after the holder holds the fold portion with the guide plate sandwiched between the fabric, the drive mechanism moves the holder in a direction perpendicular to the first surface, and then moves the holder in a direction along the first surface and away from the guide plate, thereby removing the guide plate from between the fold portions.

3. a guide for positioning the one side of the fabric when the fabric is set between the guide plate and the first surface, 3. The folding and holding device for a folding and sewing device according to claim 1, wherein the position of said guide is adjustable.

4. The retainer has a plurality of the pressing portions arranged at intervals in a direction along the one side, The guide plate has a plurality of recesses and a plurality of protrusions alternately arranged in a direction along the one side, 4. The folding and holding device for the folding and sewing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses and the plurality of presser portions are disposed opposite to each other.

5. a displacement mechanism capable of displacing the guide plate in a direction intersecting the first plane; a measuring device for measuring the amount of displacement of the guide plate; A control unit that controls a movement amount of the retainer by the drive mechanism; Equipped with The folding and holding device of the folding and sewing device described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit changes the amount of movement of the holder based on the value of the measuring device when the fabric is set between the guide plate and the first surface of the base portion.

Images