Width-folding system and method for creating width-folds in an article of laundry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding machines struggle to efficiently perform width-folds on articles of laundry, particularly with excess fabric or stiff extremities, as they often fail to handle these features effectively, leading to inconsistent and unpredictable fold formation.
Innovation Solution
A width-folding system comprising a male and female member configuration with folding protrusions that extend outward from the female member to guide and converge excess fabric, ensuring consistent folding by creating two folds on each side of the article, even with wide or bulging items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional folding machines are used, then basic folding function is provided, but they fail to handle excess fabric and stiff extremities effectively, leading to inconsistent fold formation
Solution Approach 1:
The folding system is divided into distinct functional segments: the male member with folding edges for creating primary folds, the female member with converging edges for guiding fabric, and folding protrusions for managing excess fabric. Each segment performs a specific function that contributes to overall fold consistency while handling various fabric conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding protrusions act as intermediary elements between the male and female members, specifically addressing excess fabric and stiff extremities. These protrusions guide and contain problematic fabric portions, preventing them from disrupting the folding process and ensuring consistent fold formation across different article types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the folding system uses simple male and female members, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot manage excess fabric or wide bulging articles effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The female member features localized converging edges and folding protrusions at specific positions to address excess fabric and wide extremities. Rather than redesigning the entire system, these localized structural modifications provide the necessary adaptability for handling various article shapes while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding protrusions extend in the width direction (WD) from the female member, adding a dimensional element that actively engages with excess fabric. This width-directional feature allows the system to handle wide and bulging articles by providing lateral guidance and containment, transforming a two-dimensional folding surface into a three-dimensional fabric-management structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If the female member has parallel edges, then the structure is simple, but it cannot converge excess fabric to create consistent folds
Solution Approach 1:
The female member transitions from parallel edges to converging edges, creating an asymmetric geometry that actively guides fabric toward a central folding point. This asymmetric converging design ensures that excess fabric from both sides is directed toward the same location, improving fold repeatability and consistency while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A width folder is configured for width-folding an article of laundry, and especially lateral excess portions thereof. The width folder includes male and female members stacked along a vertical direction. The male member includes two opposite first folding edges which extend along a laundry article motion direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and further includes opposite male top and bottom surfaces each of which extends between the first folding edges. The female member being located at least partially beneath the male member and includes two opposite second folding edges which converge in the motion direction. The female member further includes opposite female top and bottom surfaces. The female member further includes opposite folding protrusions which extend outwardly therefrom in a direction away from the female top surface.