Fabric pressing device and fabric unfolding device having the fabric pressing device.

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a cloth holding device that holds a cloth over the entire lateral width of thereof, and a cloth spreading device including this cloth holding device.　[Solution] Provided is a cloth holding device for temporarily holding a cloth that is attached to a pair of insertion clamps, that is handed over to a pair of spreading clamps, and that is spread by the spreading clamps. The cloth holding device includes a plurality of cloth holding parts. Before handing over the cloth from the pair of insertion clamps to the pair of spreading clamps, cloth holding parts, of the plurality of cloth holding parts, disposed in a right direction with respect to the pair of insertion clamps move in the right direction, and the remaining cloth holding parts, of the plurality of cloth holding parts, disposed in a left direction with respect to the pair of insertion clamps are moved in the left direction, thereby forming an opening.　

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric pressing device for temporarily holding expanded fabric and a fabric unfolding device having the fabric pressing device.

Background Art

[0002] In the field commonly known as the linen supply industry, for example, a cycle is repeated in which fabrics such as sheets, wrapping cloths, tablecloths, duvet covers, etc. are collected from hotels, inns, and other users, washed, and then delivered back to the users. In such a cycle, the above-mentioned fabrics are expanded by an operator and put into a fabric input device for conveying to the next process, and then conveyed to a processing device such as an ironer in the next process, and further conveyed to a folding device that folds the fabrics into a predetermined shape according to customer requirements.

[0003] As a so-called input method for supplying fabrics to a fabric unfolding device, an operator searches for both ends of the fabric, holds both ends by a pair of clamps, thereby supplying the fabric to the fabric unfolding device, and then expands (unfolds) the fabric. The expanded fabric is then input into the next process.

[0004] According to such a fabric unfolding device for unfolding fabrics, both corner portions of the fabric supplied in the fabric input device are attached to a pair of attachment clamps, and then transferred from the pair of attachment clamps to a pair of expanding clamps, and the pair of expanding clamps are symmetrically expanded with respect to each other to unfold the fabric.

[0005] In this case, the upper part of the fabric is spread out by the spreading clamp, but the central part may sag. To solve this problem, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-162216 discloses a fabric stretching machine in which the corners of both sides of a large area fabric S, such as a sheet, are held and lifted to a predetermined height, the holding parts of the lifted fabric S1 are separated to the left and right to stretch the upper part Sb of the fabric to the left and right, and the stretched upper part fabric S2 is pulled downward to stretch it neatly. In this machine, the area near the center of the upper part Sb of the stretched upper part fabric S2 is held by a holding device 5, and then the stretched upper part fabric S2 is pulled downward, thereby reducing the burden on the holding parts of both corners of the fabric and enabling the upper part of the fabric to be stretched neatly in a straight line.

[0006] As described above, the fabric unfolding device, which is a fabric stretching machine, temporarily holds the fabric near the center of the upper edge Sb of the stretched fabric S2 with the holding device 5, which is a fabric presser device. However, it does not temporarily hold the fabric over its entire width, but only a portion of its width. However, if the width of the fabric presser device were made the same as the width of the fabric in order to temporarily hold the fabric over its entire width, the fabric would have to go over the fabric presser device when transferring the fabric from the pair of input chucks 11, 11 to the receiving chucks 21, 21, making it extremely difficult to spread the fabric out and arrange it in a wrinkle-free state. Therefore, when transferring the fabric from the pair of input chucks 11, 11 to the receiving chucks 21, 21, the holding device 5, which is a fabric presser device, is configured to hold a portion of the width of the fabric in order to secure a path for the fabric to pass through. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-162216 [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and its objective is to provide a fabric holding device for temporarily holding fabrics across their entire width, and a fabric unfolding device having the fabric holding device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the aforementioned problems, the first fabric holding device has a fabric holding device for attaching fabric to a pair of input clamps, transferring the fabric to a pair of spreading clamps, and temporarily holding the fabric after it has been spread out by the spreading clamps. The fabric holding device has a plurality of fabric holding parts, and before the fabric is transferred from the pair of input clamps to the pair of spreading clamps, the fabric holding parts positioned to the right of the pair of input clamps move to the right, and the remaining fabric holding parts positioned to the left of the pair of input clamps move to the left to form an opening.

[0010] Furthermore, the fabric holding device from the second perspective has a fabric holding device for attaching fabric to a pair of input clamps, transferring the fabric to a pair of spreading clamps, and temporarily holding the fabric after it has been spread out by the spreading clamps. The fabric holding device has a plurality of holding members and a plurality of drive units for moving each of the plurality of holding members to the left and right. Before the fabric is transferred from the pair of input clamps to the pair of spreading clamps, the holding members in the fabric holding parts positioned to the right of the pair of input clamps are moved to the right by the drive units, and the holding members in the remaining fabric holding parts positioned to the left of the pair of input clamps are moved to the left by the drive units, thereby forming an opening.

[0011] Furthermore, the third fabric holding device has a fabric holding device for attaching fabric to a pair of input clamps, transferring the fabric to a pair of spreading clamps, and temporarily holding the fabric after it has been spread out by the spreading clamps, and the fabric holding device has a plurality of holding members and a plurality of drive units for moving each of the plurality of holding members left and right, and before the fabric is transferred from the pair of input clamps to the pair of spreading clamps, the holding members of the fabric holding unit which is positioned to the right of the pair of input clamps are moved to the right by the drive unit The presser members of the remaining fabric holding parts among the multiple fabric holding parts positioned to the left relative to the pair of input clamps are moved to the left by the drive unit to form an opening. Furthermore, the presser members of the fabric holding parts positioned to the right relative to the pair of input clamps are moved to the left by the drive unit, and the presser members of the remaining fabric holding parts among the multiple fabric holding parts positioned to the left relative to the pair of input clamps are moved to the right by the drive unit to close the opening, so that the multiple fabric holding parts become one unit.

[0012] Furthermore, the fabric holding device of the fourth aspect has a fabric holding device and a transfer plate on which to place the fabric, in order to attach the fabric to a pair of input clamps, transfer the fabric to a pair of spreading clamps, and temporarily hold the fabric that has been spread out by the spreading clamps, and the fabric holding device has a plurality of holding members and a plurality of drive units for moving each of the plurality of holding members to the left and right, and before the fabric is transferred from the pair of input clamps to the pair of spreading clamps, the holding members of the fabric holding unit which is positioned to the right of the pair of input clamps are moved to the right by the drive unit and the pair of input clamps With respect to the clamp, the pressing members of the remaining fabric holding parts among the multiple fabric holding parts positioned to the left are moved to the left by the drive unit to form an opening. Furthermore, with respect to the pair of input clamps, the pressing members of the fabric holding parts positioned to the right are moved to the left by the drive unit, and the pressing members of the remaining fabric holding parts among the multiple fabric holding parts positioned to the left are moved to the right by the drive unit to close the opening. The multiple fabric holding parts become one unit, and the fabric is then clamped between the fabric holding device, which is the multiple fabric holding parts integrated into one unit, and the transfer plate.

[0013] Furthermore, in the fifth aspect, the fabric holding device is such that, in the third aspect, the integrated fabric holding section has a width equal to or greater than the width of the fabric.

[0014] Furthermore, the fabric holding device in the sixth aspect, as described in the third aspect, has multiple opening and closing blowers that blow the fabric backward, and these multiple opening and closing blowers can blow the fabric, which is sandwiched between the fabric holding device and the transfer plate, backward.

[0015] Furthermore, the fabric unfolding device of the seventh perspective has the fabric holding device of the first and fourth perspectives. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] Since the present invention is configured and operates as described above, it is possible to provide a fabric holding device that temporarily holds the fabric over the entire width of the fabric width, and a fabric unfolding device having the fabric holding device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a right side view of a fabric unfolding device having a fabric holding device. [Figure 2] A is a plan view of a fabric unfolding device having a fabric holding device. B is a front view of a fabric unfolding device having a fabric holding device. [Figure 3] A is a front view of the input device. B is a side view of the input device. [Figure 4] A is a plan view of the fabric holding device. B is a front view and a side view of the fabric holding device. C is a rear view of the fabric holding device. [Figure 5] A is a conceptual diagram of a fabric unfolding device having a fabric holding device in a state where an opening appears in the right direction in a front view. B is a conceptual diagram in a state where the fabric holding device is integrated. [Figure 6] A is a conceptual diagram of a fabric unfolding device having a fabric holding device in a state where an opening appears in the center in a front view. B is a conceptual diagram in a state where the fabric holding device is integrated. [Figure 7] A is a conceptual diagram of a fabric unfolding device having a fabric holding device in a state where an opening appears in the left direction in a front view. B is a conceptual diagram in a state where the fabric holding device is integrated. [Figure 8] A is a front view of a state where the right corner of the fabric is attached to the rightward input clamp. B is a side conceptual diagram of the state of A. [Figure 9] A is a front view of a state where the right corner of the fabric attached to the rightward input clamp is raised. B is a side conceptual diagram of the state of A. [Figure 10] A is a front view of a state where the left corner of the fabric is attached to the leftward input clamp. B is a side conceptual diagram of the state of A. [Figure 11]A is a front view of the right and left corners of the cloth in a raised state. B is a side conceptual view of the state of A. [Figure 12] A is a front view of the cloth pressing device with an opening appearing in the right direction when viewed from the front. B is a side conceptual view of the state of A. [Figure 13] A is a front view of a state where a pair of spreading clamps grip and spread the right and left corners of the cloth. B is a side conceptual view of the state of A. [Figure 14] A is a front view of the spread cloth sandwiched between the cloth pressing device and the transfer plate. B is a side conceptual view of the state of A. [Figure 15] A is a front view of the state where the spread cloth is placed on the transfer plate and conveyed to the next process by a conveyor. B is a side conceptual view of the state of A.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, referring to the illustrated embodiments, the cloth pressing device 10 of the present embodiment and the cloth unfolding device 500 of the present embodiment having the cloth pressing device 10 will be described. The cloth unfolding device 500 of the present embodiment spreads the washed cloth W and conveys it to a folding device (not shown) in the next process. The cloth W is attached to a pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L, and the cloth W is transferred to a pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L. The pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L spread the cloth W symmetrically left and right. The spread cloth W is temporarily held by being sandwiched between the cloth pressing device 10 and the transfer plate 510 from the front F and the rear K respectively. Then, the pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L are opened, and the cloth W is dropped and placed on the transfer plate 510. The cloth W placed on the transfer plate 510 is sandwiched by the opening / closing part 520. The cloth W held on the transfer plate 510 by the opening / closing part 520 moves in the rear K direction, and the cloth W is placed on the conveyor 530 and further transfers to the rear conveyor 540. Then, it is conveyed to the next process (not shown).

[0019] The left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L are respectively located in the input devices 200A, 200B, and 200C. Thus, the fabric unfolding device 500 of this embodiment has three input devices 200A, 200B, and 200C, and since they have the same configuration, the input device 200A, located to the right in the front view R, will be described, and the descriptions of input devices 200B and 200C may be omitted. The input device 200A includes a left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L, input clamp opening / closing drive units 120R and 120L that drive the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L to open and close them, and input clamp opening / closing sensors 130R and 130L that detect whether fabric W is attached to the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L, respectively. The left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L can be attached by gripping the fabric W.

[0020] The system includes a pair of left and right electric actuator upper and lower cylinders 140R and 140L that drive the left and right input clamps 100R and 100L to be raised, a pair of left and right electric actuators 150R and 150L, ​​and input clamp drive motors 160R and 160L that drive the left and right input clamps 100R and 100L to be rotated in the rearward K direction in order to transfer them to a left and right expanding clamp 400R and 400L, respectively (see Figures 3A and 3B).

[0021] The fabric unfolding device 500 of this embodiment has a fabric pressing device 10, and the fabric pressing device 10 has a plurality of fabric holding parts. Specifically, the fabric pressing device 10 of this embodiment has a right first fabric holding part 20A, a right second first fabric holding part 20B, a left first fabric holding part 20C, and a left second first fabric holding part 20D. In this way, the right first fabric holding part 20A, the right second first fabric holding part 20B, the left first fabric holding part 20C, and the left second first fabric holding part 20D are integrated to function as the fabric pressing device 10.

[0022] Furthermore, as will be described later, the fabric holding device 10 moves each of its fabric holding parts, the right first fabric holding part 20A, the right second first fabric holding part 20B, the left first fabric holding part 20C, and the left second first fabric holding part 20D, to either the left or the right, thereby creating an opening through which the fabric W passes before the left and right pair of expanding clamps 400R, 400L receive the fabric W from the left and right pair of input clamps 100R, 100L. Therefore, the opening 80A can be made to appear at a position corresponding to the three input devices 200A. That is, when the input clamp opening / closing sensors 130R, 130L detect that fabric W is attached to the left and right pair of input clamps 100R, 100L, the opening 80A corresponding to that input device 200A appears. Therefore, as will be described later, before the fabric W is transferred from the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L in the input device 200B to the left and right pair of spreading clamps 400R and 400L, a second opening 80B corresponding to the input device 200B appears. Similarly, before the fabric W is transferred from the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L in the input device 200C to the left and right pair of spreading clamps 400R and 400L, a third opening 80C corresponding to the input device 200C appears.

[0023] The fabric holding device 10 of this embodiment has four right first fabric holding parts 20A, right second first fabric holding part 20B, left first fabric holding part 20C, and left second first fabric holding part 20D. The right first fabric holding part 20A and the left first fabric holding part 20D are mirror images of each other, and the right second first fabric holding part 20B and the left second first fabric holding part 20C are mirror images of each other. As described above, when the four right first fabric holding parts 20A, right second first fabric holding part 20B, left first fabric holding part 20C, and left second first fabric holding part 20D are connected and formed as a single unit, it is preferable that their width (length) is the same as or greater than the width of the fabric W.

[0024] The right first fabric holding unit 20A has a mounting part 21A for attachment to the fabric unfolding device 500, a pressing member 22A slidably attached to the mounting part 21A, and a drive unit 23A for driving the pressing member 22A left and right. The drive unit 23A is preferably a pneumatic cylinder, but may also be a linear actuator. The drive unit 23A is attached to the mounting part 21A and the pressing member 22A. Therefore, when the drive unit 23A is driven, the pressing member 22A moves to either the left or the right. It has a first sensor 24A and a second sensor 25A. It also has an opening / closing blower 26A that blows the fabric W in the rearward direction K. The first sensor 24A or the second sensor 25A detects whether the drive unit 23A is in an extended state or a retracted state (see Figures 4A, B, C).

[0025] Furthermore, the right second first fabric holding unit 20B has a mounting part 21B for attachment to the fabric unfolding device 500, a pressing member 22B slidably attached to the mounting part 21B, and a drive unit 23B for driving the pressing member 22B left and right. The drive unit 23B is preferably a pneumatic cylinder, but may also be a linear actuator. The drive unit 23B is attached to the mounting part 21B and the pressing member 22B. Therefore, when the drive unit 23B is driven, the pressing member 22B moves to either the left or the right. It has a first sensor 24B and a second sensor 25B. It also has an opening / closing blower 26B that blows the fabric W in the rearward direction K. The first sensor 24B and the second sensor 25B detect whether the drive unit 23B is in an extended state or a retracted state (see Figures 4A, B, C).

[0026] The left second fabric holding section 20C has a mounting section 21C for attachment to the fabric unfolding device 500, a pressing member 22C slidably attached to the mounting section 21C, and a drive section 23C for driving the pressing member 22C left and right. The drive section 23C is preferably a pneumatic cylinder, but may also be a linear actuator. The drive section 23C is attached to the mounting section 21C and the pressing member 22C. Therefore, when the drive section 23C is driven, the pressing member 22C moves to either the left or the right. It has a first sensor 24C and a second sensor 25C. It also has an opening / closing blower 26C that blows the fabric W in the rearward direction K. The first sensor 24C and the second sensor 25C detect whether the drive section 23C is in an extended state or a retracted state (see Figures 4A, B, C).

[0027] The right first fabric holding unit 20D has a mounting part 21D for attachment to the fabric unfolding device 500, a pressing member 22D slidably attached to the mounting part 21D, and a drive unit 23D for driving the pressing member 22D left and right. The drive unit 23D is preferably a pneumatic cylinder, but may also be a linear actuator. The drive unit 23D is attached to the mounting part 21D and the pressing member 22D. Therefore, when the drive unit 23D is driven, the pressing member 22D moves to either the left or the right. It has a first sensor 24D and a second sensor 25D. It also has an opening / closing blower 26D that blows the fabric W in the rearward direction K. The first sensor 24D and the second sensor 25D detect whether the drive unit 23D is in an extended state or a retracted state (see Figures 4A, B, C).

[0028] Next, the operation of creating an opening 80A in the fabric holding device 10 of this embodiment will be described. When the input clamp opening / closing sensors 130R and 130L detect that fabrics W are simultaneously or individually attached to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200A located to the right in a front view R of the fabric unfolding device 500, the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L rise simultaneously or individually and wait in the forward direction F in a side view of the fabric holding device 10. At this point, the right first fabric holding part 20A, located to the right R of the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L, moves further to the right R. That is, the drive unit 23A in the right first fabric holding part 20A is driven to contract, and the holding member 22A, which is slidably attached to the mounting part 21A, moves to the right R. As a prerequisite, it may be necessary that other fabrics W previously fed into the fabric holding device 10 have already been transferred from the spreading clamps 400R and 400L onto the transfer plate 510 or conveyor 530.

[0029] Simultaneously, the right second fabric holding section 20B, the left second fabric holding section 20C, and the left first fabric holding section 20D, all positioned to the left (L) of the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L, move to the left (L). Specifically, the drive unit 23B in the right second fabric holding section 20B is driven to extend, causing the presser member 22B, which is slidably mounted to the mounting section 21B, to move to the left (L). At the same time, the drive unit 23C in the left second fabric holding section 20C is driven to contract, causing the presser member 22C, which is slidably mounted to the mounting section 21C, to move to the left (L). Furthermore, at the same time, the drive unit 23D in the left first fabric holding section 20D is driven to contract, causing the presser member 22D, which is slidably mounted to the mounting section 21D, to move to the left (L). In this way, an opening 80A appears between the right first fabric holding section 20A and the right second fabric holding section 20B. This opening 80A corresponds to the input device 200A located to the right in the front view R of the fabric unfolding device 500.

[0030] In this way, the opening 80A appears as the right first fabric holding section 20A of the fabric pressing device 10, which is positioned to the right (R), moves to the right (R) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200A, which is positioned to the right (R) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200A, and the right second fabric holding section 20B, left second fabric holding section 20C, and left first fabric holding section 20D, which are positioned to the left (L) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200A, respectively. In other words, relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200A, the remaining fabric holding sections other than the right first fabric holding section 20A of the fabric pressing device 10, which is positioned to the right (R) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L, the right second fabric holding section 20B, left second fabric holding section 20C, and left first fabric holding section 20D, each move to the left (L) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200A (see Figure 5A).

[0031] Furthermore, as the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L rise, they transfer the fabric W to the pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L. Then, the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L rise further, and subsequently, the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L rotate in the forward direction F (see Figure 14). As a result, the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L do not interfere with the right first fabric holding part 20A, the right second fabric holding part 20B, the left second fabric holding part 20C, and the left first fabric holding part 20D. The right first fabric holding part 20A, the right second fabric holding part 20B, the left second fabric holding part 20C, and the left first fabric holding part 20D move in the opposite direction to the above, closing the opening 80A, and they function as a single unit, functioning as the fabric holding device 10 (see Figure 5B).

[0032] Next, the operation to make the second opening 80B appear in the fabric holding device 10 of this embodiment will be described. When the input clamp opening / closing sensors 130R and 130L detect that fabrics W are attached to the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L in the input device 200B located in the center of the front view of the fabric unfolding device 500, the right first fabric holding part 20A and the right second fabric holding part 20B, located to the right of the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L, move to the right. That is, the drive unit 23A in the right first fabric holding part 20A is driven to contract, and the holding member 22A, which is slidably attached to the mounting part 21A, moves to the right. At the same time, the drive unit 23B in the right second fabric holding part 20B is driven to contract, and the holding member 22B, which is slidably attached to the mounting part 21B, moves to the right.

[0033] At the same time, the left second fabric holding section 20C and the left first fabric holding section 20D, which are positioned to the left (L) of the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L, move to the left (L). Specifically, the drive unit 23C in the left second fabric holding section 20C is driven to contract, and the pressing member 22C, which is slidably attached to the mounting section 21C, moves to the left (L). Furthermore, at the same time, the drive unit 23D in the left first fabric holding section 20D is driven to contract, and the pressing member 22D, which is slidably attached to the mounting section 21D, moves to the left (L). In this way, a second opening 80B appears between the right second fabric holding section 20B and the left second fabric holding section 20C. This second opening 80B corresponds to the input device 200B located in the center of the front view of the fabric unfolding device 500 (see Figure 6A).

[0034] In this way, the right first fabric holding section 20A and the right second fabric holding section 20B of the fabric holding device 10, which is positioned to the right (R), move to the right (R) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200B, which is positioned to the center of the front view of the fabric unfolding device 500. At the same time, the left second fabric holding section 20C and the left first fabric holding section 20D, which are positioned to the left (L) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200B, move to the left (L) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200B, thereby creating a second opening 80B. In other words, the left second fabric holding section 20C and the left first fabric holding section 20D, which are the remaining fabric holding sections other than the right first fabric holding section 20A and the right second fabric holding section 20B of the fabric holding device 10, which is positioned to the right (R) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200B, move to the left (L) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200B.

[0035] Furthermore, as the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L rise, they transfer the fabric W to the pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L. Then, the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L rise further, and subsequently, the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L rotate in the forward direction F. As a result, the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L do not interfere with the right first fabric holding part 20A, the right second fabric holding part 20B, the left second fabric holding part 20C, and the left first fabric holding part 20D. The right first fabric holding part 20A, the right second fabric holding part 20B, the left second fabric holding part 20C, and the left first fabric holding part 20D operate in the opposite direction to the above, closing the second opening 80B, and they function as a single unit, functioning as the fabric holding device 10 (see Figure 6B).

[0036] Next, the operation to make the third opening 80C appear in the fabric holding device 10 of this embodiment will be described. When the input clamp opening / closing sensors 130R and 130L detect that fabrics W are attached to the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L in the input device 200C located to the left L in a front view of the fabric unfolding device 500, the right first fabric holding part 20A, the right second fabric holding part 20B, and the left second fabric holding part 20C, located to the right R of the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L, move to the right R. That is, the drive unit 23A in the right first fabric holding part 20A is driven to contract, and the holding member 22A, which is slidably attached to the mounting part 21A, moves to the right R. At the same time, the drive unit 23B in the right second fabric holding part 20B is driven to contract, and the holding member 22B, which is slidably attached to the mounting part 21B, moves to the right R. At the same time, the drive unit 23C in the left second fabric holding unit 20C is driven to extend, and the retaining member 22C, which is slidably attached to the mounting unit 21C, moves to the right in direction R.

[0037] Furthermore, simultaneously, the left first fabric holding section 20D, positioned to the left (L) of the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L, moves to the left (L). That is, the drive unit 23D in the left first fabric holding section 20D is driven to contract, and the pressing member 22D, which is slidably attached to the mounting section 21D, moves to the left (L). In this way, a third opening 80C appears between the left second fabric holding section 20C and the left first fabric holding section 20D. This third opening 80C corresponds to the input device 200C positioned to the left (L) in a front view of the fabric unfolding device 500 (see Figure 7A).

[0038] In this way, the right first fabric holding section 20A, the right second fabric holding section 20B, and the left second fabric holding section 20C of the fabric pressing device 10, which is positioned to the right (R) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200C, move to the right (R) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200C, and the left first fabric holding section 20D, which is positioned to the left (L) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200C, move to the left (L) relative to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200C, thereby creating a third opening 80C. In other words, with respect to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200C, the right first fabric holding part 20A, the right second fabric holding part 20B, and the left second fabric holding part 20C of the fabric holding device 10, which is positioned to the right in direction R, move to the right in direction R, while the remaining fabric holding part other than the right first fabric holding part 20A, the right second fabric holding part 20B, and the left second fabric holding part 20C, which is the left first fabric holding part 20D, moves to the left in direction L.

[0039] Furthermore, as the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L rise, they transfer the fabric W to the left and right pair of spreading clamps 400R and 400L. Then, as the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L rise further, the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L rotate in the forward direction F, causing the right first fabric holding part 20A, the right second fabric holding part 20B, the left second fabric holding part 20C, and the left first fabric holding part 20D to operate in the opposite direction to the above, thereby closing the third opening 80C, and they become one unit to function as a fabric holding device 10 (see Figure 7B).

[0040] In this embodiment, the fabric feeding device 10 has four fabric holding sections: the right first fabric holding section 20A, the right second fabric holding section 20B, the left second fabric holding section 20C, and the left first fabric holding section 20D. However, since an opening can be formed with two or more sections, the number is not limited to this. It can be appropriately determined depending on the number of feeding devices 200.

[0041] Next, we will explain the operation and configuration of the fabrics W attached to the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L in the fabric input device 10, and how they are transferred to the left and right pair of spreading clamps 400R and 400L.

[0042] Worker P will describe the process of attaching the fabric W to the input device 200A, which is located to the right (R) of the three input devices 200A, 200B, and 200C. Worker P attaches the right corner WR of the fabric W to input clamp 100R, one of the pair of input clamps 100R and 100L. When the input clamp opening / closing sensor 130R detects that the right corner WR of the fabric W has been attached to input clamp 100R, the input clamp opening / closing drive unit 120R is activated, and input clamp 100R grips the right corner WR of the fabric W (see Figures 8A and 8B). Worker P can also attach the left corner WL of the fabric W to input clamp 100L. This will be described later.

[0043] Subsequently, while worker P holds the edge portion WH of the fabric W in their hand, the input clamp opening / closing sensor 130R detects that the right corner portion WR of the fabric W has been attached to the input clamp 100R. At any given time, the electric actuator up / down cylinder 140R and electric actuator 150R are driven, causing the input clamp 100R to rise (see Figures 9A and 9B).

[0044] When the input clamp 100R rises to its maximum height, worker P grasps the edge portion WH of the cloth W by hand and searches for the left corner portion WL of the cloth W.

[0045] Next, worker P attaches the left corner WL of the fabric W to the input clamp 100L. At the same time, the input clamp 100R, which had risen to its maximum height, lowers slightly (see Figures 10, A and B). At that moment, the input clamp 100L, with the left corner WL of the fabric W still attached, rises to align with the position of the slightly lowered input clamp 100R.

[0046] Next, the fabric holding device 10 forms the opening 80A. As already explained, the fabric holding device 10 forms the opening 80A through the operation of four units: the right first fabric holding unit 20A, the right second first fabric holding unit 20B, the left first fabric holding unit 20C, and the left second first fabric holding unit 20D. However, for the sake of clarity, a brief explanation will be given.

[0047] When the input clamp opening / closing sensors 130R and 130L detect that fabrics W are attached to the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L of the input device 200A located to the right in a front view R of the fabric unfolding device 500, the left and right pair of input clamps 100R and 100L rise and wait in the forward direction F in a side view of the fabric holding device 10. As a result, the drive unit 23A is driven, causing the holding member 22A to move to the right in a front view R, while the holding members 22B, 22C, and 22D are driven by the drive units 23B, 23C, and 23D respectively, causing them to move to the left in a front view L. This causes the opening 80A to appear (see Figures 12A and B).

[0048] At that moment, the input clamp 100L, with the left corner WL of the fabric W still attached, rises to align with the slightly lowered input clamp 100R, and the input clamp 100R, with the right corner WR of the fabric W still attached, and the input clamp 100L are aligned with it. At this time, the input clamps 100R and 100L are rotated in the rearward direction K by the input clamp drive motors 160R and 160L, respectively (see Figures 11A and B).

[0049] Subsequently, as the input clamps 100R and 100L rise slightly, the fabric W passes through the opening 80A, and the right corner WR and left corner WL of the fabric W are handed over to the pair of expanding clamps 400R and 400L (see Figures 12A and 12B).

[0050] Subsequently, the fabrics W, which have been passed to the pair of spreading clamps 400R and 400L, are spread out (unfolded) symmetrically. At the same time, the drive unit 23A is driven again in the opposite direction, causing the pressing member 22A to move to the left L, while the pressing members 22B, 22C, and 22D are driven by the drive units 23B, 23C, and 23D respectively, causing them to move to the right R (see Figures 13A and 13B). The resulting opening 80A is closed, and the four right first fabric holding units 20A, the right second first fabric holding unit 20B, the left first fabric holding unit 20C, and the left second first fabric holding unit 20D become one, forming the fabric holding device 10.

[0051] At this time, the transfer plate 510 moves forward in the direction F when viewed from the side, temporarily holding the unfolded fabric W between the fabric holding device 10 and the transfer plate 510. That is, the fabric holding device 10 contacts the surface of the fabric W, and the transfer plate 510 contacts the back surface of the fabric W, so that the fabric W can be temporarily held by being held between the front and back. In this way, the fabric W can be temporarily held over almost its entire width, so the risk of the fabric W bending or sagging can be eliminated as much as possible (see Figures 14A and 14B). Also at this time, the upper part of the fabric W is unfolded by a pair of spreading clamps 400R and 400L, but if the bottom part of the fabric W is tangled, the worker can untangle the tangled bottom part of the temporarily held fabric W (not shown).

[0052] Subsequently, the fabrics W, which have been spread out by a pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L, are subjected to air blown onto them by opening / closing blowers 26A, 26B, 26C, and 26D that blow air in the rearward direction K, causing them to fall onto the transfer plate 510. The fabrics W are then placed on the transfer plate 510 and held in place by being sandwiched between the transfer plate 510 and the opening / closing section 520. In this way, the opening / closing blowers 26A, 26B, 26C, and 26D blow air across the entire width of the fabrics W, smoothing out wrinkles and allowing the neatly arranged fabrics W to be placed on the transfer plate 510.

[0053] Subsequently, the transfer plate 510, while holding the fabrics W, moves further in the rearward direction K, so that the fabrics W are placed on the conveyor 530, and then transferred to the rear conveyor 540 and transported to the next process (not shown). Also, the input clamps 100R and 100L, which have rotated in the rearward direction K, are rotated in the opposite direction by the input clamp drive motors 160R and 160L and return to their original positions. Then, the input clamps 100R and 100L are lowered by the electric actuator upper and lower cylinders 140R and 140L and electric actuators 150R and 150L, ​​and then return to a position where an operator (not shown) can easily reattach the fabrics W (see Figures 14A, B, 15A, B).

[0054] Furthermore, the input device 200B located in the center of the three input devices 200, and the input device 200C located to its left L, operate in the same manner. The operation when the second opening 80B and the third opening 80C appear has already been explained. Also, when worker P attaches the left corner WL of the fabric W to the input clamp 100L, the above process should be performed in reverse order. However, the subsequent operation of forming the opening 80A in the fabric holding device 10 is the same.

[0055] Thus, when temporarily holding the fabrics W, the fabric holding device 10 has a right first fabric holding section 20A, a right second fabric holding section 20B, a left second fabric holding section 20C, and a left first fabric holding section 20D integrated into one unit. Therefore, together with the transfer plate 510, it can press the fabrics W across their entire width, allowing the fabrics W to be temporarily held without wrinkles and transported to the next process. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 10 Fabric Pressing Device 20A Right 1st cloth holding section 21A Mounting section 22A Retaining member 23A Drive Unit 20B Right 2nd 1st cloth holding section 21B Mounting section 22B Retaining member 23B Drive Unit 20C Left 1st cloth holding section 21C Mounting section 22C Retaining Member 23C Drive Unit 20D Left 2nd 1st cloth holding section 21D Mounting section 22D Retaining Member 23D Drive Unit 80A opening 80B Second opening 80C Third opening 100R, 100L Input Clamp 400R, 400L Expanding Clamp 200A, 200B, 200C loading device 400R, 400L Expanding Clamp 500 Fabric unfolding device 510 Transfer plate 520 Opening / Closing Section 530 Conveyor 540 Rear conveyor

Claims

1. The fabric is attached to a pair of input clamps, the fabric is transferred to a pair of spreading clamps, and a transfer plate is used to temporarily hold the fabric that has been spread out by the spreading clamps. It includes a fabric holding device that temporarily holds the fabric between the transfer plate and the fabric, The fabric holding device has a plurality of fabric holding parts, Before transferring the fabric from the pair of input clamps to the pair of spreading clamps, the fabric holding part among the plurality of fabric holding parts that is positioned to the right of the pair of input clamps moves to the right, With respect to the pair of input clamps, the remaining fabric holding portion of the plurality of fabric holding portions, which is positioned to the left, moves to the left to form an opening through which the fabric attached to the input clamps passes, thus forming a fabric holding device.

2. The fabric is attached to a pair of input clamps, the fabric is transferred to a pair of spreading clamps, and a transfer plate is used to temporarily hold the fabric that has been spread out by the spreading clamps. It includes a fabric holding device that temporarily holds the fabric between the transfer plate and the fabric, The fabric pressing device comprises a plurality of pressing members and a plurality of drive units for moving each of the plurality of pressing members from left to right. Before the fabric is transferred from the pair of input clamps to the pair of spreading clamps, the pressing member of the fabric holding part, which is positioned to the right of the pair of input clamps among the plurality of fabric holding parts, is moved to the right by the drive unit. A fabric holding device in which, with respect to the pair of input clamps, the pressing member of the remaining fabric holding part among the plurality of fabric holding parts arranged to the left is moved to the left by the drive unit, thereby forming an opening through which the fabric attached to the input clamp passes.

3. The fabric is attached to a pair of input clamps, the fabric is transferred to a pair of spreading clamps, and the fabric is held in place by a fabric holding device to temporarily hold the fabric that has been spread out by the spreading clamps. It has, The fabric pressing device comprises a plurality of pressing members and a plurality of drive units for moving each of the plurality of pressing members from left to right. Before the fabric is transferred from the pair of input clamps to the pair of spreading clamps, the pressing member of the fabric holding part, which is positioned to the right of the pair of input clamps among the plurality of fabric holding parts, is moved to the right by the drive unit. With respect to the pair of input clamps, the pressing member of the remaining fabric holding part among the plurality of fabric holding parts arranged to the left is moved to the left by the drive unit, thereby forming an opening through which the fabric attached to the input clamp passes. Furthermore, the presser member in the fabric holding section, which is positioned to the right of the pair of input clamps, is moved to the left by the drive unit. With respect to the pair of input clamps, the pressing member of the remaining fabric holding part among the plurality of fabric holding parts positioned to the left is moved to the right by the drive unit to close the opening, thereby forming a fabric holding device in which the plurality of fabric holding parts become one.

4. The system includes a fabric holding device and a transfer plate on which to place the fabric, for attaching the fabric to a pair of input clamps, transferring the fabric to a pair of spreading clamps, and temporarily holding the fabric after it has been spread out by the spreading clamps. The fabric pressing device comprises a plurality of pressing members and a plurality of drive units for moving each of the plurality of pressing members from left to right. Before the fabric is transferred from the pair of input clamps to the pair of spreading clamps, the pressing member of the fabric holding part, which is positioned to the right of the pair of input clamps among the plurality of fabric holding parts, is moved to the right by the drive unit. With respect to the pair of input clamps, the pressing member of the remaining fabric holding part among the plurality of fabric holding parts arranged to the left is moved to the left by the drive unit, thereby forming an opening through which the fabric attached to the input clamp passes. Furthermore, the presser member in the fabric holding section, which is positioned to the right of the pair of input clamps, is moved to the left by the drive unit. With respect to the pair of input clamps, the pressing member of the remaining fabric-holding section among the plurality of fabric-holding sections positioned to the left is moved to the right by the drive unit, thereby closing the opening, and the plurality of fabric-holding sections become one unit. A fabric holding device comprising the aforementioned plurality of fabric holding parts integrated together, and a fabric holding device that clamps the fabric with the transfer plate.

5. The fabric holding device according to claim 3, wherein the integrated fabric holding portion has a width equal to or greater than the width of the fabric.

6. It includes a transfer plate for temporarily holding the aforementioned fabrics, The aforementioned fabric holding device has multiple opening and closing blowers that blow the fabric backward, The fabric holding device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of opening and closing blowers can blow the fabrics held between the fabric holding device and the transfer plate backward.

7. A fabric unfolding device having a fabric pressing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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