Cloth feeding device having a feeding unit and an intermediate device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an insertion unit for reducing the labor of cloth insertion work. The present invention also addresses the problem of providing a cloth insertion device comprising the insertion unit and an intermediate device. [Solution] An insertion unit according to the present invention comprises: a lower stage part on which one side of a cloth is placed and which conveys the cloth upward; and an upper stage part that is disposed above the lower stage part and conveys the cloth upward. The lower stage part has a placement section on which the cloth is placed, and the upper stage part further has, above the placement section, a movable part that can rotate vertically. When one side of the cloth is placed on the placement section, the movable part that has rotated upward rotates downward, and the one side of the cloth is sandwiched between the placement section and the movable part and is conveyed upward.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric feeding device having a feeding unit for feeding fabrics into the fabric feeding device and an intermediate device. [Background technology]

[0002] The linen supply industry handles linen products such as bath towels and face towels, and once these linen products are collected from customers, they are washed, ironed, folded, and then delivered to the customer. At this time, workers unfold the fabric and feed it into a fabric feeder for transporting it to the next process, where it is transported to a folding device that folds it into a predetermined shape according to the customer's request.

[0003] There are two main methods for feeding fabrics: one is to find one or both ends of the fabric and feed it in, and the other is to feed one side of the fabric onto a conveyor and then automatically find both ends of the fabric and unfold it. One such method is disclosed in JP 2018-510732 A.

[0004] The feeding unit called a charging station for attaching fabrics described in the above publication is particularly disclosed in paragraph 0052 and FIG. 8 of the above publication. That is, it states that "charger station 10', 10'', 10''' may, in one embodiment, comprise upper and lower feed conveyor belts 90, 91, two sets of positioning rolls 92', 92'' and 93', 92'', and three motors (not shown), while the upper and lower feed conveyor belts are controlled by one motor and each set of positioning rolls is controlled by its own motor, i.e., each set of positioning rolls is controlled by a separate motor." It further states in paragraph 0054 that "When fabric (not shown) is fed into charger station 10', 10'', 10''', a first sensor 94 is affected and upper and lower feed conveyor belts 90 and 91 start running. The fabric advances between the upper and lower feed conveyor belts until the fabric affects second sensor 95."

[0005] In the above-described device, an operator (not shown) must attach each piece of fabric by pushing one side of the fabric between the upper and lower feed conveyor belts 90 and 91 one by one.

[0006] Although this type of work does not cause any particular problems when processing a small amount of fabric, it is extremely disadvantageous and inconvenient when processing a large amount of fabric, and it does not allow for any further increase in the number of fabrics that can be processed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2018-510732 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to provide a fabric feeding unit that reduces the labor required for feeding fabrics, and to provide a fabric feeding device that includes the feeding unit and an intermediate device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the feeding unit of the first aspect has a lower section on which one side of the cloth is placed and which transports the cloth upward, and an upper section which is positioned above the lower section and which transports the cloth upward, the lower section has a placement section on which the cloth is placed, and the upper section further has a movable section above the placement section that can rotate up and down, and when one side of the cloth is placed on the placement section, the movable section that has rotated up rotates down, and the one side of the cloth is sandwiched between the placement section and the movable section and transported upward.

[0010] In addition, the feeding unit of the second aspect is the same as that of the first aspect, in that the upper section has a lifting section for rotating the movable section, an expandable cylinder section connected to the lifting section, and an upper conveying section that conveys the cloth together with the lower section, and the lifting section is arranged on the movable section, and the cylinder section is expandably attached to the upper conveying section and the lifting section.

[0011] In addition, the third aspect of the feeding unit is the same as the first or second aspect, in that the lower section has a lower conveying section that conveys the fabrics placed on the placement section upward, and the lower conveying section is positioned so that its slope is large compared to the slope of the placement section when viewed from the side.

[0012] In addition, a fourth aspect of the fabric feeding device has a lower section on which one side of the fabric is placed and which transports the fabric upward, and an upper section which is positioned above the lower section and which transports the fabric upward, the lower section has a placing section on which the fabric is placed, and the upper section further has a movable section above the placing section that can rotate up and down, and when one side of the fabric is placed on the placing section, the movable section that has rotated up rotates down, and an feeding unit is formed which clamps the one side of the fabric between the placing section and the movable section and transports it upward.

[0013] In addition, a cloth feeding device of a fifth aspect has a lower section on which one side of a cloth is placed and which transports the cloth upward, and an upper section which is positioned above the lower section and which transports the cloth upward, the lower section has a placing section on which the cloth is placed, and the upper section further has a movable section above the placing section that can rotate up and down, and when one side of the cloth is placed on the placing section, the movable section that has rotated up rotates down, and the cloth feeding device further has a feeding unit that clamps the one side of the cloth with the placing section and transports it upward by the movable section, an intermediate device that receives the cloth from the feeding unit, and a pair of spreading clamps.

[0014] In addition, the cloth feeding device of the sixth aspect is the fifth aspect, in which the intermediate device has a fixed catch roll section, a movable catch roll section that contacts the fixed catch roll section, and a transfer section that can move in the front-to-back direction to transfer the right rear corner and left rear corner of the cloth transported from the feeding unit to a pair of spreading clamps, and the right rear corner and left rear corner of the cloth transported to the fixed catch roll section are clamped between the fixed catch roll section and the movable catch roll section, and the transfer section moves forward to clamp the right rear corner and left rear corner.

[0015] In addition, the seventh aspect of the cloth feeding device is the same as the fifth aspect, in that the intermediate device has a fixed catch roll section, a movable catch roll section that contacts the fixed catch roll section, and a transfer section that can move in the forward and backward directions to transfer the right rear corner and left rear corner of the cloth transported from the feeding unit to a pair of spreading clamps, and the right rear corner and left rear corner of the cloth transported to the fixed catch roll section are clamped between the fixed catch roll section and the movable catch roll section, and the transfer section moves forward to clamp the right rear corner and left rear corner, and the transfer section is attached to the cloth feeding device.

[0016] The eighth aspect of the cloth feeding device is the same as the fifth aspect, except that the intermediate device further has a peeling roll portion that contacts the fixed catch roll portion, and the peeling roll portion contacts the fixed roll portion to separate the right rear corner and the left rear corner of the cloth from the fixed roll portion.

[0017] In a ninth aspect, the cloth feeding device is the fifth aspect, wherein the intermediate device has a fixed catch roll portion, a movable catch roll portion that contacts the fixed catch roll portion, and a transfer portion that is movable in the front-rear direction, in order to transfer the right rear corner portion that is the right rear corner and the left rear corner portion that is the left rear corner of the cloth transported from the feeding unit to the pair of spreading clamps, and the right rear corner portion and the left rear corner portion of the cloth transported to the fixed catch roll portion are sandwiched between the fixed catch roll portion and the movable catch roll portion. The intermediate device has a lifting section that lifts up the right and left rear corners, and the transfer section moves forward to clamp the right and left rear corners, and the transfer section moves forward to clamp the right and left rear corners, and the transfer section moves rearward while still holding the right and left rear corners, and the lifting section lifts the right and left rear corners, and the lifted right and left rear corners are held by a pair of spreading clamps. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The present invention, which is configured and operates as described above, can provide a feed unit for reducing the labor required for feeding fabrics, and can also provide a fabric feeding device having the feed unit and an intermediate device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1A is a front view of a fabric feeding device having a feeding unit for feeding fabrics and an intermediate device, and FIG. 1B is a plan view of the fabric feeding device having a feeding unit for feeding fabrics and an intermediate device. [Figure 2] Fig. 1A is a side view of a fabric feeding device having a feeding unit for feeding fabrics and an intermediate device, and Fig. 1B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first stage in which fabrics w are placed at a first position X, a second stage in which fabrics w are placed at a second position Y, and a third stage in which fabrics w are placed at a third position Z. [Figure 3] 1A is a schematic side view of the feeding unit, and FIG. 1B is a schematic view showing a state in which an opening appears between the movable part and the placement part of the feeding unit. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are a side view showing the lower part of the feeding unit, a view of the lower part as seen from an arrow A, and a view of the lower part as seen from an arrow B. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are a side view and a view of the upper part of the feeding unit taken out from the direction of arrow A, respectively; [Figure 6] 1A is a front view of the cloth feeding device in a state where cloths are placed on the placement section of the feeding unit, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the cloth feeding device in the state of A. [Figure 7] 1A is a front view of the cloth feeding device in a state where the feeding unit conveys cloths, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the cloth feeding device in the state of A. [Figure 8] 1A is a front view of the cloth feeding device in a state where it is about to hold a rear corner of a cloth, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the cloth feeding device in the state of A. [Figure 9]This is a conceptual side view of the intermediate device in the cloth feeding device, a view from the arrow A showing the fixed catch roll section, peeling roll section, and movable catch roll section, a view from the arrow B of the lifting section, a view from the arrow C of the transfer section, and a view from the arrow D of the lifting section. [Figure 10] This is a conceptual side view of the intermediate device in which fabric passes between the fixed catch roll section, peeling roll section, and movable catch roll section, an A-view showing the fixed catch roll section, peeling roll section, and movable catch roll section, an B-view of the lifting section, an C-view of the transfer section, and an D-view of the lifting section. [Figure 11] 1A is a front view of the cloth feeding device in a state where a rear corner of a cloth is held, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the cloth feeding device in the state of A. [Figure 12] This is a conceptual side view of the intermediate device with the fabric clamped between the fixed catch roll section and the movable catch roll section, a view from the arrow A showing the fixed catch roll section, the peeling roll section, and the movable catch roll section, a view from the arrow B of the lifting section, a view from the arrow C of the transfer section, and a view from the arrow D of the lifting section. [Figure 13] 1A is a front view of the cloth feeding device in a state where a rear corner of a cloth is about to be transferred to a transfer section, and FIG. [Figure 14] This is a conceptual side view of the intermediate device in a state where the rear corner of the fabric is about to be transferred to the transfer section, an A-view showing the fixed catch roll section, peeling roll section, and movable catch roll section, an B-view of the lifting section, an C-view of the transfer section, and an D-view of the lifting section. [Figure 15] This is a conceptual side view of the intermediate device in a state where the rear corner of the fabric is being transferred to the transfer section, a view seen from the arrow A showing the fixed catch roll section, the peeling roll section, and the movable catch roll section, a view seen from the arrow B of the lifting section, a view seen from the arrow C of the transfer section, and a view seen from the arrow D of the lifting section. [Figure 16] 1A is a front view of the cloth feeding device in a state where a rear corner of a cloth has been handed over to a handover section, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the cloth feeding device in the state of A. [Figure 17]This is a conceptual side view of the intermediate device in a state where the rear end corner of the fabric has been transferred to the transfer section, a view seen from arrow A showing the fixed catch roll section, peeling roll section, and movable catch roll section, a view seen from arrow B of the lifting section, a view seen from arrow C of the transfer section, and a view seen from arrow D of the lifting section. [Figure 18] This shows a conceptual side view of the intermediate device in a state where the rear corner of the fabric has been delivered to the delivery section and the lifting section is about to suck up the rear corner, an A-view showing the fixed catch roll section, peeling roll section, and movable catch roll section, an B-view of the lifting section, an C-view of the delivery section, and an D-view of the lifting section. [Figure 19] This is a conceptual side view of the intermediate device with the rear corner of the fabric sucked by the lifting section, an A-view showing the fixed catch roll section, peeling roll section, and movable catch roll section, an B-view of the lifting section, a C-view of the transfer section, and a D-view of the lifting section. [Figure 20] 1A is a front view of the cloth feeding device in a state where the rear corner of the cloth is sucked by the lifting part, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the cloth feeding device in the state of A. [Figure 21] This is a conceptual side view of the intermediate device in a state where a pair of spreading clamps hold the rear corners of the fabric that have been sucked by the lifting unit, a view seen from arrow A showing the fixed catch roll unit, peeling roll unit, and movable catch roll unit, a view seen from arrow B of the lifting unit, a view seen from arrow C of the transfer unit, and a view seen from arrow D of the lifting unit. [Figure 22] 1A is a front view of the cloth feeding device in a state where the rear corners of the cloth are being spread and the clamps are about to be spread, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the cloth feeding device in the state of A. [Figure 23] 1A is a front view of the cloth feeding device in a state where the rear corners of the cloth are spread by the clamps, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the cloth feeding device in the state of A. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0020] The feeding unit 100 will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiment. The feeding unit 100 is arranged in a feeding device 900 together with an intermediate device 600, which will be described later. The feeding device 900 has a feeding unit 100 and an intermediate device 600 on both the left and right sides when viewed from the front. Therefore, only the feeding unit 100 and the intermediate device 600 arranged on the right side when viewed from the front will be described, and the feeding unit 100 and the intermediate device 600 arranged on the left side when viewed from the front will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description may be omitted.

[0021] As described above, the feeding device 900 of this embodiment has one feeding unit 100 disposed on each of the left and right sides when viewed from the front (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). That is, two workers are positioned at the feeding units 100, 100 disposed on the left and right, respectively, and each feeds fabrics w. However, even when only two workers feed fabrics w, the effects of the feeding unit 100 and the intermediate device 600, which will be described later, make it possible to achieve a processing number comparable to that of a conventional case in which three workers feed the fabrics w. In this way, the feeding device 900 of this embodiment is unlikely to reduce the processing number even when operated by fewer workers than conventional cases. This point will be discussed later.

[0022] The input device 900 attaches one side wh of the fabric w to the input unit 100 and transfers the fabric w to the intermediate device 600, which then transfers the fabric w to a pair of spreading clamps 800, 800, which then spread the fabric w and transport it to an ironer (not shown) for ironing, which is the next process.

[0023] Next, we will explain the cloth w. The cloth w refers to sheets, futon covers, etc., and is a rectangular cloth that, when unfolded, has a cloth side wh, which is the front side in the conveying direction, a right rear corner RR, which is the right rear corner, and a left rear corner LR, which is the left rear corner (see, for example, FIG. 6).

[0024] The fabric feeding unit 100 has a lower section 110 that conveys the fabric w upward, and an upper section 170 that is positioned above the lower section 110 and conveys the fabric w upward together with the lower section 110. The lower section 110 has a placing section 120 on which one side wh of the fabric w is placed, and a lower conveying section 140. The placing section 120 is for a worker (not shown) to place one side wh of the fabric w on, and once the worker places one side wh of the fabric w on this section, the feeding of the fabric into the feeding unit 100 is completed. This point will be described later.

[0025] The mounting unit 120 has a first mounting roll unit 121 which is a cylindrical roller, a second mounting roll unit 122 which is a cylindrical roller, a third mounting roll unit 123 which is a cylindrical roller, and a fourth mounting roll unit 124 which is a cylindrical roller, and a belt-like belt, a mounting belt unit 125, is wound around these units. In addition, a belt unit 127 is disposed coaxially with the third mounting roll unit 123, wound around a timing pulley having approximately the same diameter as the third mounting roll unit 123, and wound around a drive timing pulley 128 connected to a drive motor 126. The drive timing pulley 128 is driven by the drive motor 126, and thereby the belt unit 127 drives the timing pulley, which is coaxial with the third mounting roll unit 123, thereby driving the third mounting roll unit 123, and the above-mentioned mounting belt unit 125 rotates (see, for example, FIGS. 3A and 3B and 4).

[0026] The placing section 120 also has a sorting plate 130 near its tip that sorts the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w to the left and right, respectively. Also, a sensor 131 is provided in front of the first placing roll section 121 to detect the state of the fabric w placed on the placing section 120.

[0027] The lower conveying section 140 conveys the fabrics w placed on the placement section 120 upward, and is disposed at an angle relative to the placement section 120 in a side view. That is, it is disposed so that the slope of the placement section 120 is greater than that of the placement section 120. In other words, the slope of the placement section 120 is smaller than that of the lower conveying section 140. The slope of the placement section 120 is preferably 20 to 25 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane, and the slope of the lower conveying section 140 is preferably 50 to 55 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. By disposing the placement section 120 at such an angle, a user (not shown) can place the fabrics w on the placement section 120 in a comfortable position (see, for example, FIGS. 3A and 3B and 4).

[0028] The lower conveying section 140 has a lower first roll section 141 which is a cylindrical roller, a lower second roll section 142 which is a cylindrical roller located above, a lower third roll section 143 which is a cylindrical roller, and a lower fourth roll section 144 which is a cylindrical roller, and a lower belt section 145 which is a band-shaped belt is wound around these. The lower second belt section 147 is wound around a timing pulley which is arranged coaxially with the lower fourth roll section 144 and a pulley (not shown) of a lower drive motor 146. The lower second belt section 147 is driven by the pulley (not shown) of the lower drive motor 146, and the lower second belt section 147 drives a timing pulley which is arranged coaxially with the lower fourth roll section 144 and has approximately the same diameter as the lower fourth roll section 144, thereby driving the lower fourth roll section 144 and causing the lower belt section 145 to rotate. The lower second roll section 142 is disposed at the upper end of the lower conveying section 140.

[0029] The lower section 110 also has a connecting section 150 that connects the placement section 120 and the lower conveying section 140. The connecting section 150 also has belt-shaped connecting belts 151, 151 that are wound around the second placement roll section 122 and auxiliary roll sections 152, 152 that are cylindrical rollers. The auxiliary roll sections 152, 152 are disposed coaxially with the rotation axis of the lower first roll section 141, and have the same outer diameter.

[0030] In addition, the lower section 110 has a first chassis section 160 that arranges the above-mentioned loading section 120, the lower transport section 140, and the connecting section 150, and the above-mentioned components are arranged therein to form part of the input unit 100 (see, for example, Figures 2A, 2B, and 4).

[0031] The upper section 170 has a movable section 180 and an upper conveying section 200 that convey the cloths w together with the above-mentioned lower section 110. The movable section 180 literally rotates upward and downward, and has a first Cheddar roll section 181, which is a cylindrical roller, and a second Cheddar roll section 182, which is also a cylindrical roller. In addition, a belt-shaped Cheddar belt section 183 is disposed and is wound around the first Cheddar roll section 181 and the second Cheddar roll section 182, which is also a cylindrical roller (see, for example, FIGS. 3A and 3B and 5).

[0032] Furthermore, movable section 180 supports first Cheddar roll section 181 and second Cheddar roll section 182 and has first Cheddar chassis 185, which serves as the main body. First Cheddar chassis 185 has lifting section 186 standing upward. Lifting section 186 will be described later. Upper section 170 also has second connecting section 230, which connects movable section 180 and upper conveying section 200. Second connecting section 230 has belt-shaped second connecting belts 231, 231, which are looped around second Cheddar roll section 182 and upper first Cheddar roll section 201, which will be described later.

[0033] Upper conveying section 200 has upper first Cheddar roll section 201, which is a cylindrical roller, and upper second Cheddar roll section 202, which is also a cylindrical roller. Upper conveying section 200 also has upper Cheddar belt section 203, which is a belt-like member that is wound around upper first Cheddar roll section 201 and upper second Cheddar roll section 202. Upper conveying section 200 supports upper first Cheddar roll section 201 and upper second Cheddar roll section 202 and has second Cheddar chassis 205, which serves as the main body.

[0034] Upper conveying section 200 has cylinder section 220, which includes cylindrical cylinder 221 and cylinder shaft section 222, which are arranged so as to be extendable and retractable. Cylinder section 220 is attached to upper conveying section 200 and lifting section 186 so as to be extendable and retractable.

[0035] The cylinder 221 is attached to the upper conveying unit 200, and the cylinder shaft 222 is attached to the lifting unit 186. Specifically, the cylinder 221 is connected to a cylinder mounting unit 206 that is integral with the second Cheddar chassis 205 of the upper conveying unit 200 and protrudes upward, and the cylinder shaft 222 is attached to the lifting unit 186. Therefore, when the cylinder shaft 222 of the cylinder unit 220 is retracted into the cylinder 221, the lifting unit 186 is pulled up, and the movable unit 180 is pulled up, and an opening K appears between the movable unit 180 and the placement unit 120. Conversely, when the cylinder shaft 222 of the cylinder unit 220 is retracted from the cylinder 221, the lifting unit 186 is lowered, and the opening K is closed (see, for example, FIGS. 3A and 3B).

[0036] The fabric w is attached to the fabric feeding unit 100 configured as described above. Specifically, initially, an opening K appears between the movable part 180 and the placement unit 120. That is, when the sensor 131 does not detect the presence of the fabric w, the opening K appears between the movable part 180 and the placement unit 120. In this state, an operator (not shown) places the fabric w so that one side wh of the fabric w is placed on the placement belt part 125 of the placement unit 120. That is, the operator places the one side wh of the fabric w on the placement belt part 125 of the placement unit 120. This state in which the one side wh of the fabric w is placed on the placement unit 120 is referred to as the first stage in which the fabric w is placed at the first position X (see FIGS. 2B, 6A, and 6B).

[0037] When one side wh of the fabric w is placed on the placement belt 125 of the placement unit 120 in this manner, the sensor 131 detects the presence of the fabric w. As a result, the cylinder shaft 222 of the cylinder unit 220 protrudes from the cylinder 221, the lifting unit 186 descends, and the opening K is closed (see the movable unit 180' in FIG. 6B).

[0038] Thereafter, one side wh of the fabric w is sandwiched between the placing section 120 of the lower section 110 and the movable section 180 of the upper section 170, and the placing belt section 125 and the lower belt section 125 are driven by the lower section drive motor 146. As the placing belt section 125 and the lower belt section 145 are driven and rotated in this manner, the fabric w is conveyed upward.

[0039] Furthermore, with one side wh of the cloth w sandwiched between the placement section 120 and the movable section 180, the cloth w is sandwiched between the lower conveying section 140 and the upper conveying section 200 and conveyed upward, and is handed over to the intermediate device 600 described below.

[0040] In this way, the worker (not shown) only needs to place one side wh of the fabric w on the placement section 120 with the opening K already exposed, eliminating the need to search for both corners of the fabric w, and also eliminating the need for the conventional device to push the fabric w into the gap between the upper and lower conveyors. Therefore, since this kind of action can be omitted, labor is reduced, work efficiency is improved, and the number of fabrics that can be processed can be increased.

[0041] Next, the intermediate device 600 of this embodiment will be described. The intermediate device 600 has a fixed catch roll unit 610, a movable catch roll unit 650 that contacts the fixed catch roll unit 610, and a transfer unit 670 that is movable in the forward F and backward R directions in order to transfer the right rear corner RR, which is the right rear corner, and the left rear corner LR, which is the left rear corner, of the cloth w conveyed from the feeding unit 100 to a pair of spreading clamps 800, 800. As will be described later, the fixed catch roll units 610 are arranged on both sides of and coaxially with the lower second roll unit 142, which is a cylindrical roller of the lower conveying unit 140 in the feeding unit 100 (see, for example, the arrow views in FIG. 4A and FIG. 9A).

[0042] The right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric item w conveyed to the fixed catch roll unit 610 are sandwiched between the fixed catch roll unit 610 and the movable catch roll unit 650, and the transfer unit 670 moves forward F to sandwich the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric item w. As will be described later, the transfer unit 670 can hold the fabric item w at a third position Z by moving backward R while sandwiching the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric item w (see FIG. 2B).

[0043] The intermediate device 600 may also have a peeling roll unit 630 that is in contact with and arranged above the fixed catch roll unit 610. The intermediate device 600 may also have a unit 690 that lifts the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w. In this way, the intermediate device 600 may have each of the above-mentioned configurations.

[0044] The fixed catch roll 610, the peeling roll 630, and the movable catch roll 650 are attached to the above-mentioned feeding unit 100, and the transfer unit 670 and the lifting unit 690 are attached to the feeding device 900. In this case, as will be described later, the transfer units 670 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the main body 910 of the feeding device 900, and can move forward F and backward R of the main body 910, i.e., in the front-to-back direction, and can wait at the rear R. The fixed catch roll 610 and the movable catch roll 650 are close to each other so as to come into contact when clamping the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w, so that wear thereon can be reduced and durability can be improved.

[0045] The fabric w conveyed upward by the feeding unit 100 is conveyed with its one side wh at the front, and the intermediate device 600 delivers the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the conveyed fabric w to a pair of spreading clamps 800, 800. That is, in the feeding unit 100, the fabric w conveyed with its front side wh at the front in the conveyance direction at the front is hung upside down, so to speak, by the above-mentioned components respectively gripping the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w, and the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w are delivered to the pair of spreading clamps 800, 800.

[0046] The fixed catch roll unit 610 in the intermediate device 600 has a pair of fixed catch roller units 611, 611. The pair of fixed catch roller units 611, 611 are arranged coaxially with the lower first roll unit 142 in the above-mentioned lower conveying unit 140, on both the left and right sides thereof. The peeling roll unit 630 has a pair of rotatable peeling roller units 631, 631, a peeling shaft unit 631 that supports them, and an extendable first cylinder unit 632 that moves the pair of peeling roller units 631, 631 up and down. The extension and contraction of the first cylinder unit 632 causes the pair of peeling roller units 631, 631 to come into contact with and separate from the pair of fixed catch roller units 611, 611.

[0047] The peeling roll portion 630 prevents the fabric w from being caught in the upper Cheddar belt portion 203 (see FIG. 6B). The peeling roll portion 630 also acts to guide the right rear corner portion RR and the left rear corner portion LR of the fabric w between the fixed catch roll portion 610 and the movable catch roll portion 650.

[0048] Furthermore, the movable catch roll unit 650 has a pair of rotatable movable catch rollers 651, 651, movable catch shafts 652, 652 that rotatably support the pair of movable catch rollers 651, 651, and a pair of second cylinders 653, 653 that drive the movable catch shafts 652. The movable catch roll unit 650 comes into contact with and separates from the pair of fixed catch roller units 611, 611 due to the extension and contraction of the pair of second cylinders 653, 653.

[0049] The transfer section 670 has a pair of chucks 671, 671, each of which has a pair of left chucks 672, 672 and a pair of right chucks 673, 673, which are arranged in a chuck body 675, which is connected to the chuck body 675 by a third cylinder 678 so as to be movable back and forth, and the third cylinder 678 is arranged in the main body section 910.

[0050] The lifting portion 690 has a pair of suction portions 691, 691 that suck the rear right corner RR and the rear left corner LR of the fabric w by vacuum, respectively.

[0051] The operation of the intermediate device 600 configured as described above will be described. The fabric w is fed by the feeding unit 100 with one side wh of the fabric w at the front. At this time, the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w hang down on both sides of the lower section 110, and when this is detected by the deceleration sensor S1, the feeding speed is reduced (see FIGS. 7A and 7B).

[0052] The pair of peeling rollers 631, 631 in the peeling roll unit 630 descend, and the peeling rollers 631, 631 come into contact with the pair of fixed catch rollers 611, 611 in the fixed catch roll unit 610 to sandwich the fabric w (see FIG. 9).

[0053] Furthermore, the fabric w is sandwiched between the fixed catch roll part 610 and the movable catch roll part 650 while the fabric w is sandwiched between the fixed catch roll part 610 and the peeling roll part 630 so that the fixed catch roll part 610 and the peeling roll part 630 are in contact with each other. That is, the fabric w is sandwiched between the pair of fixed catch roller parts 611, 611 and the pair of movable catch rollers 651, 651 of the movable catch roll part 650 (see FIG. 10).

[0054] Thereafter, the cloth w is conveyed, and when the pair of movable catch rollers 651, 651 in the movable catch roll section 650 further conveys the cloth w while holding it therebetween, the sheet catch sensor S2 detects that the cloth w has passed.

[0055] When the sheet catch sensor S2 detects that the fabric w has passed, the rotation of the pair of fixed catch roller units 611, 611 stops, and the rotation of the pair of movable catch rollers 651, 651 in the movable catch roll unit 650 stops, and the pair of movable catch rollers 651, 651 move to come into contact with the pair of fixed catch roller units 611, 611, and the pair of fixed catch roller units 611, 611 and the pair of movable catch rollers 651, 651 respectively hold the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w. Note that this is called the second stage in which the fabric w is placed at the second position Y (see Figures 11 and 12).

[0056] Next, the chuck body 675 is moved forward F by the third cylinder 678 to hold the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the cloth w held by the pair of fixed catch roller parts 611, 611 and the pair of movable catch rollers 651, 651 directly below each other by a pair of chucks 671, 671 in the transfer part 670 (see Figure 14).

[0057] Furthermore, the chuck body 675 is moved forward F by the third cylinder 678, and the pair of left chucks 672, 672 holds the area directly below the right rear corner RR, and the pair of right chucks 673, 673 holds the area directly below the left rear corner LR (see Figure 15).

[0058] Thereafter, the third cylinder 678 moves the transfer section 670 from the front F to the rear R, and the pair of left chucks 672, 672 and the pair of right chucks 673, 673 move from the front F to the rear R while clamping the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w, respectively. At this time, the transfer section 670 is in a state of holding the fabric w. This is referred to as the third stage in which the fabric w is placed at the third position Z (see FIG. 16).

[0059] In the third stage, the transfer section 670 is in a state of holding the fabric w. At this time, the transfer section 670 is moved from the front F to the rear R by the third cylinder 678. Therefore, the held fabric w does not interfere with each other between position Z where the transfer section 670 holds the fabric w and position Y where the pair of fixed catch rollers 611, 611 and the pair of movable catch rollers 651, 651 hold the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w, respectively. Therefore, the fabric w can be held at position X in the first stage, position Y in the second stage, and position Z in the third stage. In other words, a so-called buffer can be provided. The feeding device 900 has a feeding unit 100 and an intermediate device 600 on the left and right sides, respectively, and can have a buffer for up to six pieces of fabric w.

[0060] Next, a pair of left chucks 672, 672 and a pair of right chucks 673, 673 are placed directly below a pair of suction portions 691, 691 of the lifting portion 690 (see FIG. 17).

[0061] At this time, the pair of left zippers 672, 672 hold the area just below the right rear corner RR, and the pair of right zippers 673, 673 hold the area just below the left rear corner LR, so that the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR protrude upward. At this time, because the fabric w is flexible, there is a possibility that the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR will bend (see Figure 17).

[0062] At this time, a pair of suction portions 691, 691 of the lifting portion 690 descends to the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR, respectively (see FIG. 18).

[0063] The pair of suction portions 691, 691 of the lifting unit 690 descends, and the pair of suction portions 691, 691 sucks the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR, respectively (see FIG. 19 ). At this time, it is also preferable to dispose the pair of left zippers 672, 672 and the pair of right zippers 673, 673 of the transfer unit 670 in positions shifted from directly below the pair of suction portions 691, 691 of the lifting unit 690. The positions of the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w may be shifted from the positions of the pair of descending suction portions 691, 691. By shifting the transfer unit 670, the pair of suction portions 691, 691 can reliably suck the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w.

[0064] The pair of suction units 691, 691 suck the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR, respectively, thereby lifting the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR (see FIG. 20). The lifted right rear corner RR and left rear corner LR are then held by the pair of spreading clamps 800, 800, respectively. In this way, the fabric w conveyed by the feeding unit 100 can be transferred by the intermediate device 600 to the pair of spreading clamps 800, 800 at the right rear corner RR and left rear corner LR of the fabric w (see FIG. 21).

[0065] Thereafter, a pair of spreading clamps 800, 800 spreads the fabric w by spreading the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR of the fabric w symmetrically (see FIG. 22), and the spread fabric w is transferred onto a transfer plate 810, and then transferred from the transfer plate 810 to a next process conveyor 820 and then to a final conveyor 830, whereby the fabric w is transported to the next process. Note that the intermediate device 600 can also be applied to a conventional feeding unit that feeds one side wh of the fabric w.

[0066] In the feeding device 900 having the feeding unit 100 and the intermediate device 600, an operator (not shown) places one side wh of the fabric w on the placing section 120 of the fabric feeding unit 100 with the opening K already exposed. The feeding unit 100 then transfers the fabric w to the intermediate device 600, which then transfers the right rear corner RR and the left rear corner LR to a pair of spreading clamps 800, 800, respectively, to spread the fabric w symmetrically. Therefore, it is sufficient to place one side wh of the fabric w on the placing section 120 with the opening K already exposed (first-stage position X). Furthermore, as described above, the intermediate device 600 can be made to wait at the second-stage position Y and the third-stage position Z to spread the fabric w, respectively. This eliminates the need for an operator (not shown) to wait for the fabric w to be attached, thereby improving the number of sheets that can be processed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 100 input units 110 Lower section 120 Placement section 140 Lower conveying section 170 Upper section 180 Moving parts 185 1st Cheddar Chassis 186 Pulling section 200 Upper conveyor 205 2nd Cheddar Chassis 220 Cylinder section 221 cylinder 222 Cylinder shaft 600 Intermediate equipment 610 Fixed catch roll part 630 Peeling roll part 650 Movable catch roll part 670 Delivery Section 690 Lifting section 800, 800 Pair of Expansion Clamps 900 Feeding device 910 Main body K opening w Cloths wh One side of a piece of fabric RR right rear corner LR left rear corner X 1st position Y 2nd position Z 3rd position

Claims

1. A lower section on which one side of a piece of fabric is placed and which transports the fabric upward; an upper stage portion disposed above the lower stage portion and conveying the cloth upward; The lower section has a placement section on which the cloth is placed, the upper stage further includes a movable part that is rotatable up and down above the placement part, an input unit that, when one side of the cloth is placed on the placement section, rotates the movable section that has rotated upward to rotate downward, and conveys the side of the cloth upward while being sandwiched between the placement section and the movable section; A cloth feeding device further comprising an intermediate device for receiving cloth from the feeding unit and a pair of spreading clamps, The intermediate device includes a fixed catch roll portion and a movable catch roll portion that contacts the fixed catch roll portion in order to transfer the right rear corner portion and the left rear corner portion of the fabric conveyed from the feeding unit to the pair of spreading clamps. a transfer section that is movable in the front-rear direction, The right rear corner and left rear corner of the fabric transported to the fixed catch roll section are clamped between the fixed catch roll section and the movable catch roll section, and the transfer section moves forward to clamp the right rear corner and left rear corner.

2. A lower section on which one side of the fabric is placed and which transports the fabric upward; an upper stage portion disposed above the lower stage portion and conveying the cloth upward; The lower section has a placement section on which the cloth is placed, the upper stage further includes a movable part that is rotatable up and down above the placement part, an input unit that, when one side of the cloth is placed on the placement section, rotates the movable section that has rotated upward to rotate downward, and conveys the side of the cloth upward while being sandwiched between the placement section and the movable section; A cloth feeding device further comprising an intermediate device for receiving cloth from the feeding unit and a pair of spreading clamps, The intermediate device includes a fixed catch roll portion and a movable catch roll portion that contacts the fixed catch roll portion in order to transfer the right rear corner portion and the left rear corner portion of the fabric conveyed from the feeding unit to the pair of spreading clamps. a transfer section that is movable in the front-rear direction, The right rear corner and left rear corner of the fabric transported to the fixed catch roll section are clamped between the fixed catch roll section and the movable catch roll section, and the transfer section moves forward to clamp the right rear corner and left rear corner, and the transfer section is attached to the fabric feeding device.

3. A device having a lower section on which one side of a piece of fabric is placed and which transports the fabric upward, and an upper section which is placed above the lower section and which transports the fabric upward, The lower section has a placement section on which the cloth is placed, the upper stage further includes a movable part that is rotatable up and down above the placement part, an input unit that, when one side of the cloth is placed on the placement section, rotates the movable section that has rotated upward to rotate downward, and conveys the side of the cloth upward while being sandwiched between the placement section and the movable section; A cloth feeding device further comprising an intermediate device for receiving cloth from the feeding unit and a pair of spreading clamps, the intermediate device further includes a fixed catch roll portion, a movable catch roll portion in contact with the fixed catch roll portion, and a peeling roll portion in contact with the fixed catch roll portion, in order to transfer the right rear corner portion and the left rear corner portion of the fabric conveyed from the feeding unit to the pair of spreading clamps, A cloth feeding device in which the peeling roll portion comes into contact with the fixed catch roll portion to guide the right rear corner and left rear corner of the cloth between the fixed catch roll portion and the movable catch roll portion.

4. A device having a lower section on which one side of a piece of fabric is placed and which transports the fabric upward, and an upper section which is placed above the lower section and which transports the fabric upward, The lower section has a placement section on which the cloth is placed, the upper stage further includes a movable part that is rotatable up and down above the placement part, When one side of the cloth is placed on the placement section, the movable section that has rotated upward rotates downward, and the placement section and the movable section clamp the one side of the cloth and transport it upward. The cloth insertion device further includes an insertion unit, an intermediate device that receives the cloth from the insertion unit, and a pair of spreading clamps, the intermediate device has a fixed catch roll portion, a movable catch roll portion in contact with the fixed catch roll portion, and a transfer portion movable in the front-rear direction to transfer the right rear corner portion and the left rear corner portion of the fabric conveyed from the feeding unit to the pair of spreading clamps, The right rear corner and the left rear corner of the fabric conveyed to the fixed catch roll section are clamped between the fixed catch roll section and the movable catch roll section, and the delivery section moves forward to clamp the right rear corner and the left rear corner, the intermediate device has a lifting portion that lifts the right rear corner portion and the left rear corner portion, The cloth feeding device has a structure in which the transfer section moves forward, clamping the right rear corner and the left rear corner, and then the transfer section moves backward while still clamping the right rear corner and the left rear corner, the lifting section lifts the right rear corner and the left rear corner, and the pair of spreading clamps hold the lifted right rear corner and the left rear corner.

Images