Folding assist device and folding device having the same

Abstract

Provided is a folding assistance device and a folding apparatus including the folding assistance device that can certainly fold a cloth formed from non-woven fabric that is stiffer than a cloth formed from cotton or synthetic fiber.　A folding assistance device (10) is attached to a folding apparatus (200) provided with a gauge (211) defining a folding position for folding a cloth (W), folds the cloth at the folding position, and includes a pressing part (20) that clamps and presses the cloth against the gauge, and a driving part (30) that drives the pressing part so as to bring in contact with the gauge.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding assist device and a folding device having the folding assist device. [Background technology]

[0002] Devices for folding uniforms, bathing suits, and other clothing have been well known for some time, and some folding devices have multiple folding steps, such as folding the clothing in three, i.e., French folding, in which the width (short side) of the clothing is folded along the length of the clothing so as to divide it into thirds, and then folding the length of the clothing so as to divide it into two.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-233321 discloses a folding device for folding garments on both sides. This device has a pair of gauge bars 13, 13 arranged on a conveyor at a distance approximately equal to the base of the sleeves, and a pair of sleeve folding units 14, 14 that are movable up and down and left and right to narrow or widen the gap between them, provided between the pair of gauge bars 13, 13 and the conveyor belt.

[0004] To French fold a uniform or bathing suit, a pair of gauge rods 13 retracted above the conveyor conveyance surface descends to press the garment W near the base of the sleeves. Meanwhile, a pair of sleeve folding units 14 retracted below the conveyor conveyance surface rises, and the pair of sleeve folding units 14 move from the outside to the inside of the pair of gauge rods 13, brushing above the pair of gauge rods 13, thereby French-folding the garment W.

[0005] On the other hand, due to the recent spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) infection (COVID-19), the wearing of nonwoven gowns and protective clothing is recommended in medical settings to prevent infection with the virus. Such nonwoven gowns and protective clothing are disposable and should be replaced after each use.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to mass-produce nonwoven gowns and protective clothing, and efforts are being made to improve production efficiency by automating the folding process of these gowns and protective clothing into specified shapes during the production stage.

[0007] In this case, it is possible to consider applying a folding device that can fold the above-mentioned clothing on both sides, but since this is intended for clothing such as gowns made of nonwoven fabric that is firmer than conventional clothing, there is a problem in that the clothing cannot be folded reliably.

[0008] Specifically, as described above, the fabric is French-folded by moving the pair of sleeve folding sections 14 along the pair of gauges, which are the pair of gauge rods 13. However, if the nonwoven fabric is taut, i.e., relatively stiff, the folded section may return to its original shape, which may cause a problem that the fabric cannot be folded reliably along the pair of gauge rods 13.

[0009] Furthermore, there is a demand for more reliable folding not only for such taut fabrics but also for conventional fabrics. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-233321 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention has been made with the above points in mind, and its object is to provide a folding assist device that can reliably fold fabrics made of relatively stiff nonwoven fabrics rather than fabrics made of cotton or synthetic fibers, and a folding device that has such a folding assist device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the folding assist device of the first aspect is attached to a folding device having a gauge that determines a folding position for folding fabric, and has a pressing unit that clamps the fabric and presses it against the gauge to fold the fabric at the folding position, and a driving unit that drives the pressing unit so that it comes into contact with the gauge.

[0013] In addition, a folding assist device of a second aspect is attached to a folding device having a gauge that determines the folding position for folding cloth items and a conveyor that transports the cloth items, and has a pressing unit that clamps the cloth items and presses them against the gauge to fold the cloth items at the folding position, and a driving unit that drives the pressing unit to contact the gauge, and the pressing unit presses the cloth items against the gauge while the conveyor transports the cloth items.

[0014] A third aspect of the folding assist device is the folding assist device of the first or second aspect, wherein the driving unit is capable of adjusting the pressing force with which the cloth is pinched and pressed against the gauge.

[0015] Further, in a fourth aspect of the folding assist device, in any of the first to third aspects, the drive unit rotates the pressing unit in plan view to pinch and press the cloth against the gauge.

[0016] In addition, a fifth aspect of the present invention is a folding assist device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the drive unit is a rotary actuator.

[0017] In addition, the folding assist device of a sixth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the drive unit moves the pressing unit in a straight line to pinch and press the cloth against the gauge.

[0018] In addition, a seventh aspect of the present invention is a folding assist device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the drive unit is an air cylinder or an electric cylinder.

[0019] A folding device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes the folding assist device according to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] Because the present invention is configured and operates as described above, it is possible to provide a folding assist device that can reliably fold fabrics made of relatively stiff nonwoven fabrics rather than fabrics made of cotton or synthetic fibers, and a folding device that includes the folding assist device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1A is a conceptual diagram showing the front and back of a piece of fabric, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram showing the folding device having the folding assist device of the first embodiment and the folding position of the piece of fabric. [Figure 2] 1A is a plan view showing a state in which the folding assist device of the first embodiment is attached to the folding device, B is a side view of A, and C is a right side view of A. [Figure 3] 1A is a plan view of the folding device with the folding assist device of the first embodiment attached thereto and cloth placed on the folding device, FIG. 1B is a side view of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a right side view of FIG. [Figure 4] 1A is a plan view of the folding device with the folding assist device of the first embodiment attached, in which fabric is folded lengthwise into thirds (French fold); [Figure 5] 1A is a conceptual plan view showing a state in which a piece of fabric that has been folded lengthwise into thirds is about to be further folded in half when the folding assist device of the first embodiment is attached to the folding device, B is a side view of A, and C is a right side view of A. [Figure 6] A is a conceptual side view of fabric folded in half again. B is a conceptual side view of fabric that has already been folded in half and is about to be folded in half again. C is a conceptual right side view of fabric that has been folded in half again in the state of B and is then stacked. [Figure 7] 1A is a plan view showing a state in which a folding assist device according to a first embodiment in which a lifting device is attached to a folding device is attached, B is a side view of A, and C is a right side view of A. [Figure 8]1A is a right side view of the folding device with the folding assist device of the second embodiment attached, B is a plan view of the state shown in A, and C is a right side view of the folding device with the folding assist device of the second embodiment attached, with fabric being folded lengthwise into thirds. [Figure 9] 1A is a plan view of a folding device with a folding assist device of a second embodiment attached, and FIG. 1B is a right side view of the folding device with a fabric folded lengthwise in thirds. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] A folding assist device 10 of a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiment. The folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment is attached to a known folding device 200 for use (see FIG. 1B). A brief description of the folding device 200 will now be given. The folding device 200 includes an input conveyor 201 for inputting fabric W into the folding device 200, a first conveyor 210 for transporting the fabric W in the forward direction F and the backward direction R, and a second conveyor 220 for transporting the fabric W in the forward direction F. The first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220 are disposed with a gap T between them, and the fabric W is placed across the gap T. A folding knife 225 enters the gap T to fold the fabric W in half in the longitudinal direction. In addition, a pair of gauges 211, 211 are disposed above the first conveyor 210. Here, the cloth W is preferably a gown made of nonwoven fabric, but is not limited to this and may also be a towel or bath towel.

[0023] Furthermore, a pair of gauges 211, 211 are arranged on the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220, and are used to determine the folding position when folding the fabric W along the longitudinal direction W1, W1 (folding the fabric W along the longitudinal direction to narrow the width, see FIGS. 1A and 1B). A pair of folding units 212, 212 are arranged on both sides of the first conveyor 210. The pair of folding units 212, 212 are used to fold the fabric W along the longitudinal direction W1, W1 to the position determined by the pair of gauges 211, 211, and are arranged on both sides of the first conveyor 210. The folding units 212, 212 are preferably, but not limited to, plate-shaped.

[0024] The folding device 200 also includes a first conveyor 210, a second conveyor 220 that transports the fabric W in the forward direction F, a third conveyor 230 below the second conveyor 220 that transports the fabric W in the backward direction R or the forward direction F, and a fourth conveyor 240 that moves in conjunction with the third conveyor 230 and transports the fabric W in the backward direction R. The folding device 200 also includes a fifth conveyor 250 and a sixth conveyor 260 that transport the fabric W in the backward direction R. The folding device 200 also includes a stacking unit 300 for stacking the folded fabric W. As described above, the folding device 200 itself without the folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment is already known, and it goes without saying that the number of conveyors can be increased or decreased as needed.

[0025] The folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment reliably folds the fabric W into a position defined by a pair of gauges 211, 211 using a pair of folding units 212, 212. The folding assist device 10 can be arranged on both the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220. The folding assist device 10 has a pressing unit 20 that sandwiches and presses the fabric W against the gauges 211 arranged on the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220, and a driving unit 30 that drives the pressing unit 20 so that the fabric W is sandwiched between the gauges 211 and in contact with them.

[0026] The pressing unit 20 has a flat upper end 21 and a main body 22 having a side portion 22a that is wedge-shaped in plan view and has a predetermined thickness below the upper end 21. The driving unit 30 literally drives the pressing unit 20 to press the pressing unit 20 against the gauge 211. The predetermined thickness of the side portion 22a is preferably a thickness that does not interfere with the position where the folding unit 212 operates.

[0027] As will be described later, it is preferable that the driving unit 30 is capable of adjusting the pressure with which the fabric W is pinched and pressed against the gauges 211, 211. For example, it is preferable that the driving unit 30 is a rotary actuator that drives the pressing unit 20 to rotate in a plan view. A rotary actuator is operated by air pressure, and even if the width between the gauges 211 is changed according to the width of the fabric W, the pressing force of the driving unit 30 against the pressing unit 20 can be appropriately adjusted, so that the fabric W is not damaged.

[0028] The ability to adjust the pressing force applied to the pressing unit 20 by the drive unit 30 means that, for example, if the drive unit 30 is a rotary actuator driven by air pressure, an operator (not shown) can adjust the air pressure of the rotary actuator, which is the drive unit 30, in advance depending on the type of fabric W, thereby preventing the pressing unit 20 from being too strong and stopping the transport of the fabric W by the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220, and conversely, preventing the pressing unit 20 from being too weak and being unable to press down on the fabric W.

[0029] That is, when the cloth W is being transported by the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220, the pressing unit 20 may press the cloth W excessively, causing the transport by the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220 to stop. However, by adjusting the air pressure of the rotary actuator, which is the drive unit 30, in advance, the pressing force on the pressing unit 20 can be adjusted, thereby preventing the transport by the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220 from being stopped. In this way, by adjusting the pressing force of the drive unit 30, the pressing force on the pressing unit 20 does not resist the transport force of the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220. Therefore, the pressing force of the drive unit 30 on the pressing unit 20 does not resist the transport force of the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220, and productivity does not decrease due to the stop of transport.

[0030] Next, a method for attaching folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment to folding device 200 will be described. Folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment is arranged on each of first conveyor 210 and second conveyor 220 in folding device 200. Folding assist device 10 is attached via attachment unit 50 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of first conveyor 210 in a plan view, for example, at positions corresponding to both banks of first conveyor 210 if first conveyor 210 is likened to a river. Specifically, drive unit 30 is attached to attachment unit 50, and pressing unit 20 is attached to drive unit 30.

[0031] Next, a method of using the folding device 200 equipped with the folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment will be described. First, the sleeves of the fabric W are folded and fed onto the feeding conveyor 201 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The fabric W is transported so that it straddles the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220. In this state, a pair of gauges 211, 211 descends onto the fabric W and presses the fabric W onto the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220. At this time, the pair of gauges 211, 211 are placed at a position dividing the width of the fabric W into thirds (the longitudinal direction W1, W1 of the fabric W, see Figures 1A and 1B), and then the pair of folding sections 212, 212 move alternately from positions corresponding to both banks of the river when the conveyor transport is likened to the flow of a river, to a position corresponding to the so-called center of the river, so as to brush above the gauges 211, 211, and the fabric W is folded in a so-called French manner (folded in three) along the longitudinal direction at a position dividing the width of the fabric W into thirds (the longitudinal direction W1, W1 of the fabric W).

[0032] After the fabric W is French-folded, the drive unit 30 is driven and the pressing unit 20 comes into contact with the fabric W. Since the fabric W is folded along the gauges 211, 211, the fabric W is sandwiched between the pressing unit 20 and the gauges 211, 211, and the fabric W is in a state of being mountain-folded along the gauges 211, 211 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).

[0033] At this time, the gauge 211 is arranged inside the mountain-folded portion of the fabric W, and the pressing unit 20 is arranged outside, so that the mountain-folded portion of the fabric W is sandwiched between the gauge 211 and the pressing unit 20. In this state, the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220 start transporting again, and the fabric W is folded in half lengthwise and transported in the gap T between the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220 while being sandwiched between the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220.

[0034] At the same time, the fabric W is sandwiched between the pressing section 20 and the gauges 211, 211 and moves by the transport of the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220, so that the sandwiched state is maintained, and the folded part is reliably folded, and the mountain-folded part is, so to speak, squeezed, so that the fold line where the fabric W is folded can be further emphasized in the sandwiched part.

[0035] That is, in the past, the fabric W was folded using a pair of gauges 211, 211 and a pair of folding portions 212, 212, but in this case, the fabric W is simply folded along the pair of gauges 211, 211, and the pair of gauges 211, 211 are simply attached to the inside of the fabric W, and after the pair of gauges 211, 211 are pulled out, the folded portions of the fabric W may return to their original state, as if springing back, so to speak.

[0036] However, the sandwiched portion of the fabric W is sandwiched, so to speak, from the inside and outside of the fabric W by the pair of gauges 211, 211 and the folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment, and this state is maintained for a while, so the mountain-folded portion can be folded reliably. Furthermore, as described above, the portion is also squeezed, so to speak, and the fold lines are further emphasized, so this is particularly effective when the garment W is made of nonwoven fabric. However, regardless of the type of fabric of the garment W, using the folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment can reliably maintain the folded state and further create fold lines, so it goes without saying that it is suitable not only for nonwoven fabrics but also for conventional synthetic or cotton fabrics.

[0037] Thereafter, the folding device 200 operates in the same manner as the conventional folding device 200. In order to fold the bottom portion of the so-called French-folded fabric item W, the fabric item W is conveyed so as to be sandwiched in the gap T between the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220. The fabric item W is then further folded in half by the third conveyor 230 and the fourth conveyor 240. The fabric item W is then further conveyed by the fifth conveyor 250 to the sixth conveyor 260 and placed on the stacking unit 300 (see FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C).

[0038] Next, the folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment can be further provided with an up-down cylinder 60 that moves up and down. The up-down cylinder 60 is provided to move the drive unit 30, to which the pressing unit 20 is attached, up and down, and can move up and down to correspond to the position of the gauge 211. Here, "corresponding to the position of the gauge 211" means that the gauge 211 is preferably made of a rigid metal, but even if it is made of metal, it may "flex" and move up and down slightly. To accommodate this flex, the position of the pressing unit 20 is moved up and down by the up-down cylinder 60, so that the cloth W is securely sandwiched between the gauge 211 and the pressing unit 20. Note that, apart from the provision of the up-down cylinder 60, the folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the same reference numerals are used and a description thereof may be omitted. The up-down cylinder 60 is attached by an attachment unit 70.

[0039] The method of using folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment having upper and lower cylinders 60 is almost the same as that of folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment not having upper and lower cylinders 60. The difference is that after drive unit 30 is driven to pinch fabric W between pressing unit 20 and gauge 211, upper and lower cylinders 60 are lowered, causing pressing unit 20 to move upper and lower cylinders 60 up and down to correspond to the position of gauge 211. Therefore, other points are the same as folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted (see Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C).

[0040] Next, a folding assist device 100 of a second embodiment will be described. The folding assist device 100 of the second embodiment has a second pressing unit 120 that presses against the gauge 211 with the cloth W interposed therebetween, and a second driving unit 130 that drives the second pressing unit 120 so that the second pressing unit 120 contacts the gauge 211 with the cloth W interposed therebetween. The folding assist device 100 of the second embodiment is the same in that the cloth W is sandwiched between the gauge 211 and the second pressing unit 120, but differs in the operation of the second driving unit 130 that drives the second pressing unit 120. Therefore, the folding assist device 100 of the second embodiment is similar in that it can be arranged on both the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220.

[0041] Second pressing unit 120 has a flat second upper end 121 and a second main body 122 having a second side 122a below second upper end 121 that is wedge-shaped in plan view and has a predetermined thickness. Second driving unit 130 drives second main body 122 to move from the outside to the inside of first conveyor 210 or second conveyor 220, and is preferably a guided cylinder. Second driving unit 130 is attached to second mounting unit 150, which is attached to folding device 200. The predetermined thickness of second side 122a is preferably a thickness that does not interfere with the position where folding unit 212 operates.

[0042] It is also preferable that the second driving unit 130 is also adjustable in the pressing force with which the fabric W is pinched and pressed against the gauges 211, 211. This is to prevent the pressing force of the second pressing unit 120 from being too strong and stopping the transport of the fabric W by the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220, and conversely, to prevent the pressing force from being too weak and failing to hold the fabric W.

[0043] Furthermore, it is preferable that the second drive unit 130 drives the second pressing unit 120 so as to move in a straight line relative to the gauges 211, 211. For example, it is preferable that the second drive unit 130 moves in a straight line from the outside to the inside of the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220, and may move in a straight line in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220. Furthermore, the ability to adjust the pressing force applied to the second pressing unit 120 by the second drive unit 130 means that, for example, the second drive unit 130 is preferably an air cylinder driven by air pressure or an electric cylinder driven by a motor.

[0044] Note that, when the second drive unit 130 is an air cylinder driven by air pressure, for example, the pressing force applied to the second pressing unit 120 by the second drive unit 130 can be appropriately controlled by an operator (not shown) adjusting the air pressure in advance according to the type of fabric W, thereby adjusting the pressing force applied to the second pressing unit 120, and this adjustment can prevent the conveyance by the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220 from being stopped. Also, when the second drive unit 130 is an electric cylinder driven by a motor, for example, the pressing force applied to the second pressing unit 120 can be adjusted by adjusting the torque of the motor. Therefore, even in this case, it is possible to prevent the conveyance by the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220 from being stopped.

[0045] That is, when the second driving unit 130 causes the second pressing unit 120 to press the cloth W excessively, it stops the conveyance of the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220, but by adjusting the air cylinder driven by air pressure or the electric cylinder driven by a motor, which is the second driving unit 130, in advance, it is possible to adjust the pressing force on the second pressing unit 120, thereby preventing the stop of conveyance by the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220. By adjusting the pressing force of the second driving unit 130 in this way, the pressing force of the second driving unit 130 on the second pressing unit 120 does not resist the conveyance force of the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220, and productivity does not decrease.

[0046] Next, a method for attaching and using folding assist device 100 of the second embodiment to folding device 200 will be described. Folding assist device 100 of the second embodiment is arranged on each of first conveyor 210 and second conveyor 220 of folding device 200. Folding assist device 100 is attached via second attachment unit 150 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of first conveyor 210 in a plan view, for example, at positions corresponding to both banks of first conveyor 210 if first conveyor 210 is likened to a river. Specifically, second drive unit 130 of the second embodiment is attached to second attachment unit 150, and second pressing unit 120 is attached to second drive unit 130.

[0047] In this state, the fabric W is placed across the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220. In this state, the pair of gauges 211, 211 descend to hold down the fabric W. At this time, the pair of gauges 211, 211 are placed on the fabric W at a position dividing the fabric W into thirds in the width direction, and then the pair of folding units 212, 212 move alternately from positions corresponding to both banks of the river to a position corresponding to the center of the river, so as to brush against the gauges 211, 211, if the conveyor movement is likened to a river flow, and fold the fabric W along the longitudinal direction to a position dividing the fabric W into thirds in the width direction, a so-called French fold (a three-fold). This is the same as the folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0048] At this time, the gauge 211 is positioned inside the mountain-folded portion of the fabric W, and the second pressing unit 120 is positioned outside, so that portion can be folded reliably. In this state, the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220 start transporting again, and the fabric W is transported in a state where it is sandwiched between the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220 in a state where it is folded in half, in the gap T between the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220.

[0049] At the same time, the fabric W is moved by the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220 while being sandwiched between the second pressing unit 120 and the gauges 211, 211, and this sandwiched state is maintained, so that the fabric W can be folded reliably, and the sandwiched portion is, so to speak, squeezed, so that the fold lines of the fabric W folded at the sandwiched portion can be more clearly marked. This is particularly effective when the fabric W is a nonwoven fabric. Note that the following steps are the same as those of the folding device 200 having the folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, by appropriately controlling the pressing force of the second drive unit 130 on the second pressing unit 120, the fabric W is not damaged, and by preventing excessive pressing on the fabric W from stopping the conveyance by the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220, the fabric W does not resist the conveying force of the first conveyor 210 or the second conveyor 220, so that productivity is not reduced.

[0050] As described above, not only the folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment but also the folding assist device 100 of the second embodiment can reliably fold fabrics, not limited to so-called stiff fabrics such as nonwoven fabrics, i.e., relatively stiff fabrics. Furthermore, by transporting the fabric W in this state by the first conveyor 210 and the second conveyor 220, a crease can be made in the area of ​​the fabric W sandwiched between the first pressing unit 20 or the second pressing unit 120 and the gauges 211, 211, and the folded state can be maintained. In this way, the folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment or the folding assist device 100 of the second embodiment can reliably fold not only stiff or stiff fabrics such as nonwoven fabrics, which are therefore highly elastic and therefore less likely to crease, and which easily return to their original shape even after folding, but also cotton and synthetic fabrics W. In this way, it is possible to provide the folding assist device 10 of the first embodiment or the folding assist device 100 of the second embodiment, and the folding device 200 having them. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10. Folding assist device of the first embodiment 20 Pressing section 30 Drive unit 21 Upper end 22a Side 22 Main body 30 Drive unit 50 Mounting part 60 Upper and lower cylinders 100 Second embodiment folding assist device 120 Second pressing part 130 Second drive unit 121 Second upper end 122a Second side 150 Second mounting part 200 Folding device 201 Input conveyor 210 First Conveyor 220 Second Conveyor 211 gauge 212 Folding section 230 Third Conveyor 240 4th Conveyor 250 5th Conveyor 300 Stack Section W Cloths

Claims

1. a pressing unit that is attached to a folding device having a gauge that defines a folding position for folding the fabric, and that sandwiches the fabric and presses it against the gauge to fold the fabric at the folding position; a drive unit that drives the pressing unit so that the pressing unit comes into contact with the gauge.

2. a pressing unit that is attached to a folding device having a gauge that defines a folding position for folding the fabric and a conveyor that transports the fabric, and that sandwiches the fabric and presses it against the gauge to fold the fabric at the folding position; a drive unit that drives the pressing unit so that the pressing unit comes into contact with the gauge, The pressing unit presses the fabric against the pair of gauges while the conveyor conveys the fabric, thereby folding the fabric.

3. 3. The folding assist device according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit is capable of adjusting the pressure with which the cloth is pinched and pressed against the gauge.

4. The folding assist device according to claim 1 , wherein the drive unit rotates the pressing unit in a plan view to pinch and press the cloth against the gauge.

5. The folding assist device according to claim 4, wherein the drive unit is a rotary actuator.

6. The folding assist device according to claim 1 , wherein the drive unit moves the pressing unit in a straight line to pinch and press the cloth against the gauge.

7. 7. The folding assist device according to claim 6, wherein the drive unit is an air cylinder or an electric cylinder.

8. A folding device comprising the folding assist device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images