Folding Device With Nested Stacker Modules to Reduce Floor Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial folding devices for laundered cloth pieces require a large floor area for length-wise and cross-wise folding operations, including stacking, which limits space efficiency and maintenance accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A folding device with integrated stacker modules and conveyor systems that allow for both length-wise and cross-wise folding with a reduced footprint, enabling upright maintenance and efficient linen sheet handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If prior art industrial folding devices are used for length-wise and cross-wise folding operations, then folding functionality is achieved, but the device occupies a large floor area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the stacker modules inside the housing of the folding device, with the stacker conveyor and stacking mechanisms integrated within the existing structural envelope. This allows the stacking function to be nested within the folding device footprint, eliminating the need for separate stacking equipment and reducing overall floor area while maintaining both folding and stacking functionalities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions (length-wise folding, cross-wise folding, and stacking) into a single integrated device. The housing contains both folding stations and stacker modules, combining what were traditionally separate operations into one compact unit, thereby reducing the total floor area required while preserving all necessary folding and stacking capabilities
2Ease of repair
If folding devices are designed with large footprint, then all folding and stacking operations can be accommodated, but maintenance accessibility is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs movable components including movable blades for folding operations and a movable stacker conveyor system. These dynamic elements allow the internal components to be repositioned or accessed from different angles, improving maintenance accessibility without requiring a larger overall device footprint, as technicians can work on components from the front or sides while the device maintains its compact form
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 2d~3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a folding device (1) for forming folded linen sheets (L), comprising a housing (H) having opposite side walls (W), a rear side (5) and a front side (6),the direction from the rear side (5) to the front side (6) defining a first machine direction of said folding device (1) and a direction perpendicularly thereto, towards one of said side walls (W) defining a second machine direction of said folding device (1),a first conveyor (10) defining a conveying surface for introducing linen sheets (L) in said first machine direction, such as with two opposite edges of said linen sheets (L) generally parallel to said first machine direction, wherein in operation of the folding device (1) said linen sheets (L) are cross-wise folded defining fold lines parallel with said first machine direction and length-wise folded defining fold lines perpendicularly thereto,at least one length-wise folding station (S1, S2) for forming length-wise folded linen sheets (L),characterised in a second machine direction conveyor loop (35) arranged in said housing (H) below said length-wise folding station(s) (S1, S2)and advancing said length-wise folded linen sheets (L) in said second machine direction to a housing part (H2), said housing part (H2) comprising a number of cross- wise folding stations (S4, S5) for cross-wise folding said length-wise folded linen sheets (L) and including a number of secondary conveyor loops (40, 45, 50, 55), said secondary conveyor loops (40, 45, 50, 55) carrying and advancing said folded linen sheets (L) in said second machine direction and opposite said second machine direction.