JP7836099B2 - Fabric feeding device and fabric unfolding device having the fabric feeding device. - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a fabric feeding device for lifting fabrics and a fabric unfolding device having the fabric feeding device.

In the field commonly known as the linen supply industry, a cycle is repeated in which fabrics such as sheets, blankets, tablecloths, and duvet covers are collected from hotels, inns, and other users, washed, and then delivered back to the users. In this cycle, the aforementioned fabrics are spread out by workers and fed into a fabric input device for transport to the next process, where they are transported to processing equipment such as ironers, and then to folding devices that fold them into predetermined shapes according to customer requests.

The so-called feeding method for supplying fabric to the fabric unfolding device involves an operator locating both ends of the fabric and securing them with a pair of clamps to feed the fabric into the device, after which the fabric is unfolded. The unfolded fabric is then fed into the next process.

According to this type of fabric unfolding device, the two corners of the fabric supplied by the fabric input device are attached to a pair of mounting clamps, the fabric is then transferred from the mounting clamps to a pair of spreading clamps, and the fabric is unfolded by spreading the pair of spreading clamps symmetrically.

At this point, the two corners of the fabric are attached to a pair of mounting clamps. However, it is necessary to wash the fabric, remove one piece from among several tangled pieces, and then locate the two corners of that piece.

To do this, the worker first grasps the fabric and finds one corner. Then, they pull the other corner towards the first corner and find that corner as well. Finally, they attach both corners of the fabric to a pair of feed clamps.

However, the task of finding the corners of such fabrics is complicated and time-consuming, leading to a decrease in work efficiency. To address such issues, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-123466 discloses a fabric stretching device 10 comprising: a pair of input chucks 22a, 22b that grip adjacent corners Ca, Cb of a fabric C, respectively; a moving device 26 that moves the pair of input chucks 22a, 22b between an input position and a transfer position to pull in the fabric C; and stretching chucks 42a, 42b that directly or indirectly receive the fabric C from the pair of input chucks 22a, 22b and stretch the fabric C in a direction that causes its adjacent corners Ca, Cb to move away from each other, wherein the moving device 26 has individual movement trajectories p1, p2 corresponding to each input chuck 22a, 22b, so that the pair of input chucks 22a, 22b can move independently of each other between the input position and the transfer position.

The aforementioned input chucks 22a and 22b are designed to move between the input position and the delivery position along the movement trajectories p1 and p2, and can move any distance between them. However, even if they move between the input position and the delivery position, that distance is insufficient to pull in the other corner of relatively large pieces of fabric.

On the other hand, if the pair of input chucks 22a and 22b are raised beyond the position of the tension chucks 42a and 42b, interference occurs between the pair of input chucks 22a and 22b and the tension chucks 42a and 42b. As disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the first and second movement trajectories p1 and p2 can be in a vertical position, as shown in the side view in Figure 3. In that case, they do not interfere with each other. However, in order to transfer fabric from the pair of input chucks 22a and 22b to the tension chucks 42a and 42b, the first and second movement trajectories p1 and p2 must be returned to a tilted position, which worsens work efficiency.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-123466

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and its objective is to provide a fabric feeding device in which a feeding clamp, which is an input chuck, and a deployment clamp, which is a tensioning chuck, do not interfere with each other, and in which the input clamp rises above the position of the deployment clamp, and a fabric deployment device having the fabric feeding device.

To solve the aforementioned problems, the first fabric feeding device has a right feeding clamp for attaching the right corner of the fabric, a left feeding clamp for attaching the left corner of the fabric, a right feeding clamp drive unit for rotating the right feeding clamp, a left feeding clamp drive unit for rotating the left feeding clamp, a right lifting drive unit for raising and lowering the right feeding clamp, and a left lifting drive unit for raising and lowering the left feeding clamp. At least one of the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp is raised by either the right lifting drive unit or the left lifting drive unit, and when either the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp is raised by either the right feeding clamp drive unit or the left feeding clamp drive unit, the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp is rotated by either the right feeding clamp drive unit or the left feeding clamp drive unit, thereby avoiding interference with the expanding clamp.

Furthermore, the fabric feeding device from the second perspective includes a right feeding clamp for attaching the right corner of the fabric, a left feeding clamp for attaching the left corner of the fabric, a right feeding clamp drive unit for rotating the right feeding clamp to avoid interference with the right expanding clamp, a left feeding clamp drive unit for rotating the left feeding clamp to avoid interference with the left expanding clamp, a right lifting drive unit for raising and lowering the right feeding clamp, and a left lifting drive unit for raising and lowering the left feeding clamp. At least one of the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp is raised by either the right lifting drive unit or the left lifting drive unit, and when either the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp is raised by either the right feeding clamp drive unit or the left feeding clamp drive unit, either the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp is rotated by either the right feeding clamp drive unit or the left feeding clamp drive unit to avoid interference with the expanding clamp.

Furthermore, the third aspect of the fabric feeding device includes a right feeding clamp for attaching the right corner of the fabric, a left feeding clamp for attaching the left corner of the fabric, a right feeding clamp drive unit for rotating the right feeding clamp to avoid interference with the expanding clamp, a left feeding clamp drive unit for rotating the left feeding clamp to avoid interference with the expanding clamp, a right lifting drive unit for raising and lowering the right feeding clamp, and a left lifting drive unit for raising and lowering the left feeding clamp. At least one of the right feeding clamps or the left feeding clamp will be raised over the expanding clamp by either the right lifting drive unit or the left lifting drive unit, and when either the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp is raised over the expanding clamp by either the right lifting drive unit or the left lifting drive unit, the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp will be rotated by either the right feeding clamp drive unit or the left feeding clamp drive unit to avoid interference with the expanding clamp.

Furthermore, the fabric feeding device in the fourth aspect includes, in the third aspect, a right feeding clamp opening/closing sensor that detects when fabric is attached to the right feeding clamp, and a left feeding clamp opening/closing sensor that detects when fabric is attached to the left feeding clamp. When the right feeding clamp opening/closing sensor detects that fabric has been attached, the right lifting drive unit is activated, causing the right feeding clamp to rise. When the left feeding clamp opening/closing sensor detects that fabric has been attached, the left lifting drive unit is activated, causing the left feeding clamp to rise.

Furthermore, the fabric unfolding device from the fifth perspective further includes a fabric holding device in addition to the fabric feeding device from the first and fourth perspectives, and either the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp is rotated by either the right feeding clamp drive unit or the left feeding clamp drive unit, thereby avoiding interference with the unfolding clamp and also avoiding interference with the fabric holding device.

Furthermore, the fabric unfolding device from the sixth perspective has the fabric input device from the first perspective to the fifth perspective.

As the present invention is configured and operates as described above, it is possible to provide a fabric feeding device in which the feeding clamp, which is an input chuck, and the unfolding clamp, which is an unfolding chuck, do not interfere with each other, and the input clamp rises above the position of the unfolding clamp, and a fabric unfolding device having the fabric feeding device.

This is a right side view of a fabric loading device equipped with a fabric loading device. A is a plan view of a fabric loading device with a fabric loading device. B is a front view of a fabric loading device with a fabric loading device. A is a front view of the fabric feeding device. B is a side view of the fabric feeding device. C is a top view of the fabric feeding device. A is a conceptual diagram showing the right-hand and left-hand loading clamps positioned at their mounting locations. B is a conceptual diagram showing the right-hand and left-hand loading clamps positioned at their avoidance locations. C is a conceptual diagram showing the right-hand and left-hand loading clamps positioned at their transfer locations. A is a plan view of the fabric presser foot. B is a front view and a side view of the fabric presser foot. C is a rear view of the fabric presser foot. Figure A is a conceptual diagram of a fabric unfolding device having a fabric holding device with an opening appearing to the right in a front view. Figure B is a conceptual diagram of the fabric holding device integrated into the device. Figure A is a conceptual diagram of a fabric unfolding device having a fabric holding device with an opening appearing in the center of the front view. Figure B is a conceptual diagram of the fabric holding device integrated into the device. Figure A is a conceptual diagram of a fabric unfolding device having a fabric holding device with an opening appearing to the left in a front view. Figure B is a conceptual diagram of the fabric holding device integrated into the device. A is a front view showing the right corner of the fabric attached to the right-hand input clamp positioned at the mounting location. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A. A is a front view showing the state after detection that the right corner of the cloth has been attached to the right input clamp positioned at the mounting location. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A. This is a front view showing the right corner of the fabric attached to the right-hand input clamp, with the worker holding the edge. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A. A is a front view showing the right corner of the fabric attached to the right-hand input clamp raised. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A. A is a front view showing the right-side insertion clamp positioned in the avoidance position. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A. A is a front view showing the right-hand insertion clamp rising above the position of the expansion clamp. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A. A is a front view showing the left corner of the fabric attached to the left-hand input clamp. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A. A is a front view of the fabric with its right and left corners raised. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A. A is a front view of the fabric holding device with an opening appearing to the right in a front view. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A. A is a front view showing a pair of spreading clamps gripping and spreading the right and left corners of a piece of fabric. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A. A is a front view of the fabric in its unfolded state and the fabric being held between the fabric holding device and transfer plate. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A. A is a front view showing fabrics in an unfolded state placed on a transfer plate and transported to the next process by a conveyor. B is a conceptual side view of the state in A.

The following describes the fabric feeding device 200 and the fabric unfolding device 500 having the fabric feeding device 200 according to this embodiment, with reference to the illustrated embodiment. The fabric unfolding device 500 in this embodiment unfolds the washed fabrics W and transports them to a folding device (not shown) in the next step. The fabrics W are attached to a pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L in the fabric input device 200, and then transferred to a pair of left and right unfolding clamps 400R and 400L, which unfold the fabrics W symmetrically. The unfolded fabrics W are then temporarily held in place by a fabric holding device 10 and a transfer plate 510 from the front F and rear K, respectively. After that, the pair of left and right unfolding clamps 400R and 400L are released, and the fabrics W are dropped onto the transfer plate 510. The fabrics W placed on the transfer plate 510 are then clamped by an opening/closing section 520. The fabrics W, held on the transfer plate 510 by the opening/closing section 520, move in the rearward direction K, and are placed on the conveyor 530, and then transferred to the rear conveyor 540. After that, they are transported to the next process (not shown).

The fabric loading device 500 of this embodiment has three fabric loading devices 200, namely fabric loading devices 200A, 200B, and 200C. Their configurations are identical, and while the fabric loading device 200A will be described, the descriptions of loading devices 200B and 200C may be omitted.

The fabric feeding device 200A has a pair of left and right right feeding clamps 100R and a left feeding clamp 100L. It also has a right opening/closing drive unit 120R and a left opening/closing drive unit 120L that drive the pair of left and right right feeding clamps 100R and the left feeding clamp 100L to open and close them, a right feeding clamp opening/closing sensor 130R and a left feeding clamp opening/closing sensor 130L that detect whether fabric W is attached to the left feeding clamp 100L, respectively.

Furthermore, the fabric feeding device 200A includes a pair of left and right right feeding clamps 100R, a pair of left and right right lifting drive units 140R and a left lifting drive unit 140L that drive the left feeding clamp 100L upwards. The right lifting drive unit 140R also includes a right electric actuator up/down cylinder 145R and a right electric actuator 150R. The right feeding clamp 100R is attached to the right electric actuator 150R, and as the right electric actuator up/down cylinder 145R extends and retracts, the right electric actuator 150R moves up and down, causing the right feeding clamp 100R to move up and down.

Furthermore, the left lifting drive unit 140L includes a left electric actuator up/down cylinder 145L and a left electric actuator 150L. The left input clamp 100L is attached to the left electric actuator 150L, and as the left electric actuator up/down cylinder 145L extends and retracts, the left electric actuator 150L moves up and down, causing the left input clamp 100L to move up and down.

Furthermore, the right input clamp original position sensor 170R is for detecting that the right input clamp 100R is positioned at the transfer position S3 described later. Similarly, the left input clamp original position sensor 170L is for detecting that the left input clamp 100L is positioned at the transfer position S3 described later.

Furthermore, the fabric feeding device 200A includes a right feeding clamp drive unit 160R and a left feeding clamp drive unit 160L, which drive the left and right feeding clamps 100R and 100L respectively to allow them to swing (see Figures 3A and 3B).

As described above, the right input clamp original position sensor 170R is for detecting that the right input clamp 100R is positioned at the transfer position S3 described later. Therefore, using this position as the origin, for example, if it is the mounting position S1 described later, the right input clamp 100R is rotated by 75 degrees by the right input clamp drive unit 160R in a side view. Also, if it is the avoidance position S2 described later, the right input clamp 100R is rotated by 90 degrees by the right input clamp drive unit 160R in a side view (see Figures 4A, B, and C).

Similarly, the left input clamp original position sensor 170L is for detecting that the left input clamp 100L is positioned at the transfer position S3 described later. Taking this position as the origin, for example, if it is the mounting position S1 described later, the left input clamp 100L is rotated by 75 degrees by the left input clamp drive unit 160L in a side view. If it is the avoidance position S2 described later, the left input clamp 100L is rotated by 90 degrees by the left input clamp drive unit 160L in a side view (see Figures 4A, B, and C).

In other words, the pair of right-hand and left-hand input clamps 100R and 100L can be rotated by the right-hand input clamp drive unit 160R and the left-hand input clamp drive unit 160L so that the clamp openings 101R and 101L of the pair of right-hand and left-hand input clamps 100R and 100L, respectively, face forward in the direction F, as described above, for the worker to attach fabrics. At this time, the pair of right-hand and left-hand input clamps 100R and 100L are positioned at the mounting position S1 (see Figure 4A).

Next, the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamp 100L can be rotated by the right-hand input clamp drive unit 160R and the left-hand input clamp drive unit 160L so that their clamp openings 101R and 101L face forward and upward in the U direction, as described above, in order to avoid interference with the pair of left-hand expanding clamps 400R and 400L. At this time, the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamp 100L are positioned in the avoidance position S2 (see Figure 4B). Furthermore, by positioning the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamp 100L in the avoidance position S2, interference with the fabric holding device 10 can also be avoided, as will be described later.

Furthermore, the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamp 100L can be rotated by the right-hand input clamp drive unit 160R and the left-hand input clamp drive unit 160L so that the clamp openings 101R and 101L of the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamps 100L face forward and diagonally downward D, respectively, in order to transfer the fabric W to the pair of left-hand spreading clamps 400R and 400L. As described above, they are positioned at the origin position. Therefore, the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamp 100L are positioned at the transfer position S3 (see Figure 4C).

Thus, the fabric feeding device 200A is pivotably arranged to the three positions described above, namely the mounting position S1, the avoidance position S2, and the transfer position S3, by a pair of left and right right feeding clamps 100R and left feeding clamp 100L, and by a right feeding clamp drive unit 160R and left feeding clamp drive unit 160L.

Furthermore, 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. That is, 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.

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 pair of left and right expanding clamps 400R and 400L receive the fabric W from the pair of left and right right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L. Therefore, the opening 80A can be made to appear at a position corresponding to the three fabric input devices 200A. That is, when the right input clamp opening/closing sensor 130R and the left input clamp opening/closing sensor 130L detect that fabric W is attached to the pair of left and right right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L, the opening 80A corresponding to that fabric input device 200A appears. Therefore, as will be described later, before the fabric W is transferred from the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L in the fabric input device 200B to the pair of left and right expanding clamps 400R and 400L, a second opening 80B corresponding to the fabric input device 200B appears. Similarly, before the fabric W is transferred from the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L in the fabric input device 200C to the pair of left and right expanding clamps 400R and 400L, a third opening 80C corresponding to the fabric input device 200C appears.

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

The right first fabric holding unit 20A has a mounting portion 21A for attachment to the fabric unfolding device 500, a pressing member 22A slidably attached to the mounting portion 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 portion 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 5A, B, C).

Furthermore, the right second first fabric holding unit 20B has a mounting portion 21B for attachment to the fabric unfolding device 500, a pressing member 22B slidably attached to the mounting portion 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 portion 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 5A, B, C).

Furthermore, 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 5A, B, C).

The right first fabric holding unit 20D has a mounting portion 21D for attachment to the fabric unfolding device 500, a pressing member 22D slidably attached to the mounting portion 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 portion 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 5A, B, C).

Next, the operation of creating an opening 80A in the fabric holding device 10 of this embodiment will be described. When the right input clamp opening/closing sensor 130R and the left input clamp opening/closing sensor 130L detect that fabric W is simultaneously or individually attached to the left and right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L of the fabric input device 200A, which is located to the right in a front view R of the fabric unfolding device 500, the left and right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 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 left and right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 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.

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 of the left input clamp 100R and left input clamp 100L, move in the left direction L. Specifically, the drive unit 23B in the right second fabric holding section 20B is driven to extend, and the pressing member 22B, which is slidably mounted to the mounting section 21B, moves in the left direction L. At the same time, the drive unit 23C in the left second fabric holding section 20C is driven to contract, and the pressing member 22C, which is slidably mounted to the mounting section 21C, moves in the left direction 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 mounted to the mounting section 21D, moves in the left direction 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 fabric input device 200A located in the right direction R when viewed from the front of the fabric unfolding device 500.

In this way, the right first fabric holding section 20A of the fabric holding device 10, which is positioned to the right R relative to the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L of the fabric input device 200A, which is positioned to the right R in a front view of the fabric unfolding device 500, moves to the right R. At the same time, 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 right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L of the fabric input device 200A, move to the left L, respectively, causing the opening 80A to appear. In other words, relative to the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L of the fabric input device 200A, the remaining fabric holding parts of the fabric holding device 10, excluding the right first fabric holding part 20A, namely the right second fabric holding part 20B, the left second fabric holding part 20C, and the left first fabric holding part 20D, move to the left L (see Figure 6A).

Furthermore, as the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamp 100L rise, they transfer the fabric W to the pair of left-hand spreading clamps 400R and 400L. After that, the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamp 100L rise further, and then the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamp 100L rotate in the forward direction F (see Figure 14). As a result, the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L, and the right first fabric holding section 20A, right second fabric holding section 20B, left second fabric holding section 20C, and left first fabric holding section 20D do not interfere with each other. Instead, the right first fabric holding section 20A, right second fabric holding section 20B, left second fabric holding section 20C, and left first fabric holding section 20D operate in the opposite direction to the above, closing the opening 80A, and they become one unit to function as a fabric holding device 10 (see Figure 6B).

Next, the operation to make the second opening 80B appear in the fabric holding device 10 of this embodiment will be described. When the right input clamp opening/closing sensor 130R and the left input clamp opening/closing sensor 130L detect that fabric W is attached to the pair of left and right right input clamps 100R and the left input clamp 100L in the fabric 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, which are located to the right R of the left input clamp 100R and the left input clamp 100L, move to the right R. In other words, the drive unit 23A in the right first fabric holding section 20A is driven to contract, and the pressing member 22A, which is slidably attached to the mounting section 21A, moves in the right direction R. At the same time, the drive unit 23B in the right second fabric holding section 20B is driven to contract, and the pressing member 22B, which is slidably attached to the mounting section 21B, moves in the right direction R.

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 of the left input clamp 100R and the left input clamp 100L, move to the left. 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. 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. 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 fabric input device 200B located in the center of the front view of the fabric unfolding device 500 (see Figure 7A).

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 relative to the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L of the fabric input device 200B located in the center of the front view of the fabric unfolding device 500, move to the right R, and 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 right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L of the fabric input device 200B, move to the left L, thereby creating the second opening 80B. In other words, relative to the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L of the fabric input device 200B, the remaining fabric holding parts of the fabric holding device 10, which is positioned to the right R, other than the right first fabric holding part 20A and the right second fabric holding part 20B, the left second fabric holding part 20C and the left first fabric holding part 20D, move to the left L.

Furthermore, as the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamp 100L rise, they transfer the fabric W to the pair of left-hand spreading clamps 400R and 400L. Then, the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamp 100L rise further, and after that, the pair of right-hand input clamps 100R and left-hand input clamp 100L rotate in the forward direction F. As a result, the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L, and the right first fabric holding section 20A, right second fabric holding section 20B, left second fabric holding section 20C, and left first fabric holding section 20D do not interfere with each other. Instead, the right first fabric holding section 20A, right second fabric holding section 20B, left second fabric holding section 20C, and left first fabric holding section 20D operate in the opposite direction to the above, closing the second opening 80B, and they become one unit to function as a fabric holding device 10 (see Figure 7B).

Next, the operation to make the third opening 80C appear in the fabric holding device 10 of this embodiment will be described. When the right input clamp opening/closing sensor 130R and the left input clamp opening/closing sensor 130L detect that fabric W is attached to the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L in the fabric input device 200C located to the left in a front view L 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, which are located to the right R of the pair of left and right input clamps 100R and the left input clamp 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. Simultaneously, the drive unit 23B in the right second fabric holding section 20B is driven to contract, and the presser member 22B, which is slidably mounted to the mounting section 21B, moves to the right in direction R. At the same time, the drive unit 23C in the left second fabric holding section 20C is driven to extend, and the presser member 22C, which is slidably mounted to the mounting section 21C, moves to the right in direction R.

Furthermore, simultaneously, the left first fabric holding section 20D, positioned to the left of the left input clamp 100R and the left input clamp 100L, moves to the left. 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. 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 fabric input device 200C positioned to the left in a front view of the fabric unfolding device 500 (see Figure 8A).

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 holding device 10, which is positioned to the right R in a front view of the fabric unfolding device 500, move to the right R relative to the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L of the fabric input device 200C, and the left first fabric holding section 20D, which is positioned to the left L relative to the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L of the fabric input device 200C, move to the left L, thereby creating a third opening 80C. In other words, relative to the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L of the fabric input device 200C, 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 holding device 10, which are positioned to the right R, move to the right R, while the remaining fabric holding section other than the right first fabric holding section 20A, the right second fabric holding section 20B, and the left second fabric holding section 20C, the left first fabric holding section 20D, moves to the left L.

Furthermore, as the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L rise, they transfer the fabric W to the pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L. Then, as the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L rise further, the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L rotate in the forward direction F, causing 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 to operate in the opposite direction to the above, thereby closing the third opening 80C. These components then become one unit and function as a fabric holding device 10 (see Figure 8B).

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 fabric feeding devices 200.

Next, we will explain the operation and configuration of the fabric feeding device 10, describing how the fabrics W attached to the left and right right feeding clamps 100R and left feeding clamp 100L are transferred to the left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L.

Worker P will describe the process of attaching fabric W to fabric feeding device 200A, which is located to the right R of the three fabric feeding devices 200A, 200B, and 200C. The pair of left and right right feeding clamps 100R and left feeding clamp 100L are positioned such that their respective openings, clamp openings 101R and 101L, face forward F in a side view. As described above, the pair of left and right right feeding clamps 100R and left feeding clamp 100L are positioned at mounting position S1. In this way, since the pair of left and right right feeding clamps 100R and left feeding clamp 100L are positioned at mounting position S1, the worker can see the pair of left and right right feeding clamps 100R and left feeding clamp 100L in order to grasp the fabric W.

Worker P attaches the right corner WR of the fabric W to the right input clamp 100R of the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamps 100L (see Figures 9A and 9B). However, some workers may attach the left corner WL of the fabric W to the left input clamp 100L; in this case, the following explanation can be reversed.

The right input clamp opening/closing sensor 130R detects that the right corner WR of the fabric W has been attached to the right input clamp 100R. Upon this detection, the input clamp opening/closing drive unit 120R is driven, and the right input clamp 100R grips the right corner WR of the fabric W (see Figures 10A and 10B). The right input clamp 100R is positioned at the mounting position S1.

Subsequently, worker P, while holding the edge portion WH of the fabric W in their hand (see Figures 11A and 11B), activates the right lifting drive unit 140R at any time, causing the right input clamp 100R to rise (see Figures 12A and 12B). Specifically, the right electric actuator up/down cylinder 145R and the right electric actuator 150R in the right lifting drive unit 140R are activated, causing the right input clamp 100R to rise.

As the right-hand input clamp 100R, to which the right corner WR of the fabric W is attached, rises, the worker P, holding the edge portion WH of the fabric W in their hand, holds that edge portion WH in a sliding manner.

Furthermore, when the right-hand input clamp 100R, to which the right corner WR of the fabric W is attached, rises, it interferes with the pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L. Therefore, as the right-hand input clamp 100R rises, the right-hand input clamp drive unit 160R rotates the clamp opening 101R so that it faces diagonally upward in the U direction. In other words, the right-hand input clamp 100R is positioned in the avoidance position S2.

As described above, the right input clamp 100R, which is rotated to face diagonally upward in the U direction, does not interfere with the pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L (see Figures 13A and 13B). Furthermore, at this time, the right input clamp 100R is positioned at the avoidance position S2, and therefore does not interfere with the fabric holding device 10.

As described above, the right input clamp 100R, positioned at the avoidance position S2, rises beyond the positions of the left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L by the drive of the right electric actuator up/down cylinder 145R and the right electric actuator 150R in the right lifting drive unit 140R. Since the right corner WR of the cloth W is gripped by the right input clamp 100R, as the right input clamp 100R rises beyond the positions of the left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L without interfering with them, the right corner WR of the cloth W is pulled further upward (see Figures 14A and B). In this case, the worker holding the edge portion WH of the cloth W can easily pull the left corner WL of the cloth W closer.

When the right-hand insertion clamp 100R rises to its maximum height, the worker P holds the fabric W by its edge WH and searches for the left corner WL of the fabric W. In this way, the right-hand insertion clamp 100R rises beyond the pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L, so the amount of fabric W the worker needs to pull is reduced, and the left corner WL of the fabric W can be found quickly.

Next, worker P attaches the left corner WL of the found piece of cloth W to the left input clamp 100L. At the same time, the right input clamp 100R, which had risen to its maximum height, lowers slightly (see Figures 15A and 15B). At that moment, the left input clamp 100L, with the left corner WL of the piece of cloth W still attached, rises to align with the position of the slightly lowered right input clamp 100R.

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.

When the right input clamp opening/closing sensor 130R and the left input clamp opening/closing sensor 130L detect that fabrics W are attached to the left and right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 100L of the fabric input device 200A, which is located to the right in a front view R of the fabric unfolding device 500, the left and right input clamps 100R and left input clamp 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 17A and 17B). At this time, the right input clamp 100R is positioned at the transfer position S3.

At that moment, the left input clamp 100L, with the left corner WL of the fabric W still attached, rises to align with the slightly lowered right input clamp 100R, and the right input clamp 100R, with the right corner WR of the fabric W still attached, and its left input clamp 100L align with it. At this time, the right input clamp 100R and the left input clamp 100L are rotated in the rearward direction K by the right input clamp drive unit 160R and the left input clamp drive unit 160L, respectively (see Figures 16A and B). In other words, the right input clamp drive unit 160R and the left input clamp drive unit 160L rotate their respective clamp openings 101R and 101L so that they face the rearward direction K, and the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamps 100L are positioned at the transfer position S3.

Subsequently, the right input clamp 100R and the left input clamp 100L rise slightly, causing the fabric W to pass 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 17A and 17B).

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 18A and 18B). 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.

At this time, the right input clamp 100R and the left input clamp 100L, which have received the fabric W from the pair of spreading clamps 400R and 400L, are again positioned at the avoidance position S2 (see Figure 18B).

Furthermore, as the transfer plate 510 moves forward in the forward direction F when viewed from the side, the unfolded fabric W is temporarily held 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 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 19A and 19B). 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).

Subsequently, the fabrics W, which have been spread out by a pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L, are blown with air in the rearward direction K by opening/closing blowers 26A, 26B, 26C, and 26D, 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.

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, returning to their mounting position S1. Then, the input clamps 100R and 100L are lowered by the driving of the electric actuator upper and lower cylinders 140R and 140L and the electric actuators 150R and 150L, and the right input clamp 100R and left input clamp 100L are again positioned at the lowest position (see Figures 19A, B, 20A, B). As described above, the right input clamp 100R and left input clamp 100L can be positioned at the lowest position by driving the electric actuator upper and lower cylinders 140R and 140L and the electric actuators 150R and 150L. However, not only in this case, but also when the worker P can easily attach the fabrics W, the right input clamp 100R and left input clamp 100L can be positioned at any height, as long as they are in a position where they are easily visible. Furthermore, as described above, the right input clamp 100R can be rotated 75 degrees from the transfer position S3 in a side view to the attachment position S1 by the right input clamp drive unit 160R, but it is not limited to this angle, and can be positioned at any angle that makes it easy for the worker P to attach the fabrics W. Similarly, the left input clamp 100L can also be rotated at any angle from the transfer position S3 in a side view to the attachment position S1 by the left input clamp drive unit 160L.

Furthermore, the fabric feeding device 200B located in the center of the three fabric feeding devices 200, and the fabric feeding 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 is as previously described. Also, when worker P attaches the left corner WL of the fabric W to the left feeding clamp 100L, the above process should be performed in reverse order, as previously described. However, the operation after the formation of the opening 80A in the fabric holding device 10 is the same.

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 hold the fabrics W across their entire width, allowing the fabrics W to be temporarily held without wrinkles and transported to the next process.

Furthermore, the right input clamp drive unit 160R and the left input clamp drive unit 160L allow the pair of right input clamps 100R and left input clamps 100L to be pivotably positioned at three locations: mounting position S1, avoidance position S2, and transfer position S3. Of these, mounting position S1 allows for easy visual inspection of the fabric W, and avoidance position S2 allows the right input clamp 100R and left input clamp 100L to avoid interference with the pair of left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L, enabling them to rise above the positions of the left and right spreading clamps 400R and 400L, thus facilitating the search for any corner of the fabric W. It goes without saying that if the operator can search for both sides of the fabric W, they can be raised simultaneously.

10 Fabric holding device 20A Right first fabric holding part 21A Mounting part 22A Pressing member 23A Drive unit 20B Right second first fabric holding part 21B Mounting part 22B Pressing member 23B Drive unit 20C Left first fabric holding part 21C Mounting part 22C Pressing member 23C Drive unit 20D Left second first fabric holding part 21D Mounting part 22D Pressing member 23D Drive unit 80A Opening 80B Second opening 80C Third opening 100R Right input clamp 100L Left input clamp 120R Right opening/closing drive unit 120L Left opening/closing drive unit 130R Right input clamp opening/closing sensor 130L Left input clamp opening/closing sensor 140R Right lifting drive unit 140L Left lifting drive unit 145R Right electric actuator up/down cylinder 145L Left electric actuator up/down cylinder 150R Right electric actuator 150L, Left electric actuator 160R, Right input clamp drive unit 160L, Left input clamp drive units 400R, 400L, Spreading clamps 200A, 200B, 200C, Fabric input device 400R, 400L, Spreading clamp 500, Fabric unfolding device 510, Transfer plate 520, Opening/closing unit 530, Conveyor 540, Rear conveyor

Claims (5)

To transfer the fabric to the spreading clamps that extend to the left and right,
A right-hand insertion clamp for attaching the right corner of the aforementioned fabric,
A left-hand insertion clamp for attaching the left corner of the aforementioned fabric,
The right input clamp drive unit rotates the right input clamp,
The left input clamp drive unit rotates the left input clamp,
The right lifting drive unit raises and lowers the right input clamp,
The left lifting drive unit raises and lowers the left input clamp,
It has a fabric holding device,
The fabric holding device has a plurality of fabric holding parts, and before the fabric is transferred from the right input clamp and the left input clamp to the spreading clamp, the fabric holding parts move so that an opening appears through which the fabric attached to the input clamp passes .
At least one of the right-hand insertion clamp or the left-hand insertion clamp,
When the unit rises using either the right lifting drive unit or the left lifting drive unit,
A fabric feeding device in which either the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp is rotated by the right feeding clamp drive unit or the left feeding clamp drive unit to avoid interference with the spreading clamp. To transfer the fabric to the spreading clamps that spread it out to the left and right,
A right-hand insertion clamp for attaching the right corner of the aforementioned fabric,
A left-hand insertion clamp for attaching the left corner of the aforementioned fabric,
A right-side insertion clamp drive unit rotates the right-side insertion clamp to avoid interference with the expanding clamp,
A left-loading clamp drive unit rotates the left-loading clamp to avoid interference with the expanding clamp,
The right lifting drive unit raises and lowers the right input clamp,
The left lifting drive unit raises and lowers the left input clamp,
It has a fabric holding device,
The fabric holding device has a plurality of fabric holding parts, and before the fabric is transferred from the right input clamp and the left input clamp to the spreading clamp, the fabric holding parts move so that an opening appears through which the fabric attached to the input clamp passes .
At least one of the right-hand insertion clamp or the left-hand insertion clamp,
When the unit rises using either the right lifting drive unit or the left lifting drive unit,
A fabric feeding device in which either the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp is rotated by the right feeding clamp drive unit or the left feeding clamp drive unit to avoid interference with the spreading clamp. To transfer the fabric to the spreading clamps that spread it out to the left and right,
A right-hand insertion clamp for attaching the right corner of the aforementioned fabric,
A left-hand insertion clamp for attaching the left corner of the aforementioned fabric,
A right-side insertion clamp drive unit rotates the right-side insertion clamp to avoid interference with the expanding clamp,
A left-loading clamp drive unit rotates the left-loading clamp to avoid interference with the expanding clamp,
The right lifting drive unit raises and lowers the right input clamp,
The left lifting drive unit raises and lowers the left input clamp,
It has a fabric holding device,
The fabric holding device has a plurality of fabric holding parts, and before the fabric is transferred from the right input clamp and the left input clamp to the spreading clamp, the fabric holding parts move so that an opening appears through which the fabric attached to the input clamp passes .
At least one of the right-hand insertion clamp or the left-hand insertion clamp,
When either the right lifting drive unit or the left lifting drive unit lifts above the expanding clamp,
A fabric feeding device in which either the right feeding clamp or the left feeding clamp is rotated by the right feeding clamp drive unit or the left feeding clamp drive unit to avoid interference with the spreading clamp. It includes a right input clamp opening/closing sensor that detects when fabric is attached to the right input clamp, and a left input clamp opening/closing sensor that detects when fabric is attached to the left input clamp,
The fabric feeding device according to claim 3, wherein when the right feeding clamp opening/closing sensor detects that fabric has been attached, the right lifting drive unit is driven to raise the right feeding clamp, and when the left feeding clamp opening/closing sensor detects that fabric has been attached, the left lifting drive unit is driven to raise the left feeding clamp. A fabric loading device having the fabric loading device described in any one of claims 1 to 4.