U.S. patent application number 12/090929 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-19 for hanger and clothes folding machine.
Invention is credited to Yoshihiko Matsukawa, Yoshito Saji, Teruyuki Takizawa.
Application Number | 20090045231 12/090929 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37967614 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090045231 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saji; Yoshito ; et
al. |
February 19, 2009 |
HANGER AND CLOTHES FOLDING MACHINE
Abstract
A hanger according to the present invention is a hanger for
hanging a garment thereon, including: a main body section; a
suspension section at which the hanger is suspended, the suspension
section being connected to the main body section; and a pair of arm
sections for supporting the garment in a suspended state from
inside, the pair of arm sections being linked to the main body
section, wherein, from a state of supporting the garment spread,
the arm sections transform to fold at least a part of the
garment.
Inventors: |
Saji; Yoshito; (Hyogo,
JP) ; Takizawa; Teruyuki; (Osaka, JP) ;
Matsukawa; Yoshihiko; (Nara, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARK D. SARALINO (PAN);RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
1621 EUCLID AVENUE, 19TH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44115
US
|
Family ID: |
37967614 |
Appl. No.: |
12/090929 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
October 19, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2006/320850 |
371 Date: |
April 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
223/37 ;
223/85 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 89/02 20130101;
A47G 25/4061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
223/37 ;
223/85 |
International
Class: |
A41H 33/00 20060101
A41H033/00; A41D 27/22 20060101 A41D027/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 24, 2005 |
JP |
2005-308160 |
Claims
1. A hanger for hanging a garment thereon, comprising: a main body
section; a suspension section at which the hanger is suspended, the
suspension section being connected to the main body section; and a
pair of arm sections for supporting the garment in a suspended
state from inside, the pair of arm sections being linked to the
main body section, wherein, from a state of supporting the garment
spread, the arm sections transform to fold at least a part of the
garment.
2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the arm section automatically
performs the transformation based on an external instruction.
3. The hanger of claim 2, wherein, each of the pair of arm sections
at least includes an arm butt linked to the main body section and
an arm fore-end link to the arm butt; and at a linking section
between the arm butt and the arm fore-end, the arm section bends in
a direction intersecting a vertical direction in which the hanger
is suspended, thereby performing a first transformation of allowing
the garment having been supported spread by the arm sections to be
folded at the linking sections between the arm butts and the arm
fore-ends.
4. The hanger of claim 3, wherein the first transformation applies
to the garment a pair of crease portions which are parallel to the
vertical direction, such that the garment is divided into a garment
central part spanning in between the pair of crease portions and a
pair of garment side parts spanning from the pair of crease
portions toward edges.
5. The hanger of claim 4, wherein a projected region of the main
body section on a plane which is perpendicular to the vertical
direction fits within a projected region of an opening of the
garment supported spread by the arm sections.
6. The hanger of claim 5, wherein, after the first transformation,
the pair of arm sections transform so that the projected region on
the plane fits within the projected region of the opening of the
garment.
7. The hanger of claim 6, performing: a second transformation
where, after the first transformation, the arm fore-ends rotate at
the linking sections with the arm butts so as to be extended in the
vertical direction; a third transformation where the arm fore-ends
move past the crease portions of the garment, and rotate at the
linking sections with the arm butts so as to enter into the garment
central part; and a fourth transformation where the arm butts and
the arm fore-ends move within the garment central part so that
projected regions of the arm sections on the plane fit within the
projected region of the opening of the garment.
8. The hanger of claim 7, wherein the arm fore-ends and arm butts
have an air outlet, and when the arm sections perform the second,
third, and fourth transformations, friction with the garment is
reduced with air which is blown through the air outlet.
9. The hanger of claim 8, wherein length of the arm fore-end is
shorter than a distance from an upper end of each crease portion to
a lower end of a sleeve root of the garment after the first
transformation.
10. The hanger of claim 9, wherein, each arm section includes first
and second link portions connected respectively to the arm butt and
the arm fore-end so as to be capable of rotating; and the first and
second link portions are connected to each other so as to be
capable of rotating.
11. The hanger of claim 10, wherein, in the first transformation,
the first link portions rotate relative to the arm butts and the
arm fore-ends rotate relative to the second link portions, whereby
each arm fore-ends is bent in a direction intersecting the vertical
direction in which the hanger is suspended; and in the second
transformation, the second link portions rotate relative to the
first link portions in such a manner that tips of the arm fore-ends
do not intersect the lower ends of the sleeve roots of the garment,
whereby the arm fore-ends rotate so as to be extended in the
vertical direction.
12. The hanger of claim 11, wherein, after the fourth
transformation, a projected region of the main body and arm section
on a plane which is perpendicular to the vertical direction fits
within a circle having a diameter of 15 cm.
13. A garment folding apparatus comprising: a hanger which while
supporting a garment in a suspended state transforms to fold the
garment in a horizontal direction; a hanging pole for suspending
the hanger; and a folding mechanism for performing a folding
operation for the garment in a horizontal direction and a vertical
direction in cooperation with the transforming hanger.
14. The garment folding apparatus of claim 13, wherein, the folding
mechanism includes: a folding width determining portion for, in
cooperating with the transforming hanger, determining a position of
a crease portion along a vertical direction of the garment by
abutting with the garment when the hanger folds the garment in the
horizontal direction; and a garment side part holder for holding an
edge of the garment having been folded inside along the crease
portion.
15. The garment folding apparatus of claim 14, wherein, the folding
mechanism includes a folding section for folding in the vertical
direction the suspended garment which is hung on the hanger; the
folding section includes a folding length determining portion
having first and second edges extending along the horizontal
direction and a lower end holder for holding a lower end of the
garment; and in a state where the lower end holder is holding the
lower end of the garment, the folding section moves upward while
wrapping around the first edge of the folding length determining
portion to form a crease portion along the first edge, and
furthermore moves the first edge upward while wrapping around the
second edge to apply a crease portion along the second edge to the
garment, thus folding the garment in the vertical direction.
16. The garment folding apparatus of claim 15, wherein, in an
operation of folding the garment in the vertical direction, the
lower end holder operates integrally with the second edge.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a hanger and a garment
folding apparatus capable of automatically folding garments.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Folding garments in households is listed as one of
relatively stressful housekeeping works. Various electric and
electronic housekeeping apparatuses have been developed and
generally used, but no apparatus for automatically holding garments
has been put to practical use. Therefore, people engaged in
housekeeping strongly desire the development of an apparatus for
alleviating the work of folding garments.
[0003] For industrial use, apparatuses for folding garments,
especially shirts, for cleaning business are known. Patent Document
No. 1 discloses an apparatus which works as follows. A garment is
spread on a table with the front side up and with both side parts
being hung down. Folding plates are slid to below the garment from
both sides to fold the hung-down side parts of the garment. Patent
Document No. 2 discloses an apparatus which works as follows. A
garment is spread with the front side down on a table divided into
three parts. Two side parts of the table are moved to above the
garment to fold side parts of the garment. Such apparatuses are
mainly used in the actual cleaning business practice.
[0004] However, an apparatus having such a structure needs to
include a large working table on which the garment can be spread
horizontally, which requires a large floor area. In addition, the
work of spreading the garment on the table needs to be done
manually and is inefficient.
[0005] By contrast, Patent Document No. 3 discloses an apparatus
which works as follows in order to decrease the necessary floor
area. A garment is hung on a sloped plate. Air is blown to both
side parts of the garment to flap the side parts rearward. Then,
folding plates are slid from both sides of the garment to the back
thereof to fold the garment.
[0006] Patent Document No. 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication
No. 5-68798
[0007] Patent Document No. 2: Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model
Publication No. 5-70499
[0008] Patent Document No. 3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication
No. 8-143015
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0009] However, the garment folding apparatus disclosed in Patent
Document No. 3 requires a device such as a compressor or the like
for blowing air in order to flap the garment rearward.
[0010] For these reasons, the conventional garment folding
apparatuses as disclosed in Patent Documents Nos. 1 through 3
require a wide installation area or a compressor which generates a
large operation noise. Although being suitable for use in cleaning
plants, such apparatuses are not suitable for use in
households.
[0011] The present invention has an object of solving these
problems of the conventional art and providing a garment folding
apparatus and a hanger suitable for use in households.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0012] A hanger according to the present invention is a hanger for
hanging a garment thereon, comprising: a main body section; a
suspension section at which the hanger is suspended, the suspension
section being connected to the main body section; and a pair of arm
sections for supporting the garment in a suspended state from
inside, the pair of arm sections being linked to the main body
section, wherein, from a state of supporting the garment spread,
the arm sections transform to fold at least a part of the
garment.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the arm section automatically
performs the transformation based on an external instruction.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, each of the pair of arm sections
at least includes an arm butt linked to the main body section and
an arm fore-end link to the arm butt; and at a linking section
between the arm butt and the arm fore-end, the arm section bends in
a direction intersecting a vertical direction in which the hanger
is suspended, thereby performing a first transformation of allowing
the garment having been supported spread by the arm sections to be
folded at the linking sections between the arm butts and the arm
fore-ends.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the first transformation applies
to the garment a pair of crease portions which are parallel to the
vertical direction, such that the garment is divided into a garment
central part spanning in between the pair of crease portions and a
pair of garment side parts spanning from the pair of crease
portions toward edges.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, a projected region of the main
body section on a plane which is perpendicular to the vertical
direction fits within a projected region of an opening of the
garment supported spread by the arm sections.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, after the first transformation,
the pair of arm sections transform so that the projected region on
the plane fits within the projected region of the opening of the
garment.
[0018] A preferred embodiment performs: a second transformation
where, after the first transformation, the arm fore-ends rotate at
the linking sections with the arm butts so as to be extended in the
vertical direction; a third transformation where the arm fore-ends
move past the crease portions of the garment, and rotate at the
linking sections with the arm butts so as to enter into the garment
central part; and a fourth transformation where the arm butts and
the arm fore-ends move within the garment central part so that
projected regions of the arm sections on the plane fit within the
projected region of the opening of the garment.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the arm fore-ends and arm butts
have an air outlet, and when the arm sections perform the second,
third, and fourth transformations, friction with the garment is
reduced with air which is blown through the air outlet.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, length of the arm fore-end is
shorter than a distance from an upper end of each crease portion to
a lower end of a sleeve root of the garment after the first
transformation.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, each arm section includes first
and second link portions connected respectively to the arm butt and
the arm fore-end so as to be capable of rotating; and the first and
second link portions are connected to each other so as to be
capable of rotating.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, in the first transformation, the
first link portions rotate relative to the arm butts and the arm
fore-ends rotate relative to the second link portions, whereby each
arm fore-ends is bent in a direction intersecting the vertical
direction in which the hanger is suspended; and in the second
transformation, the second link portions rotate relative to the
first link portions in such a manner that tips of the arm fore-ends
do not intersect the lower ends of the sleeve roots of the garment,
whereby the arm fore-ends rotate so as to be extended in the
vertical direction.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, after the fourth transformation,
a projected region of the main body and arm section on a plane
which is perpendicular to the vertical direction fits within a
circle having a diameter of 15 cm.
[0024] A garment folding apparatus according to the present
invention comprises: a hanger which while supporting a garment in a
suspended state transforms to fold the garment in a horizontal
direction; a hanging pole for suspending the hanger; and a folding
mechanism for performing a folding operation for the garment in a
horizontal direction and a vertical direction in cooperation with
the transforming hanger.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the folding mechanism includes: a
folding width determining portion for, in cooperating with the
transforming hanger, determining a position of a crease portion
along a vertical direction of the garment by abutting with the
garment when the hanger folds the garment in the horizontal
direction; and a garment side part holder for holding an edge of
the garment having been folded inside along the crease portion.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the folding mechanism includes a
folding section for folding in the vertical direction the suspended
garment which is hung on the hanger; the folding section includes a
folding length determining portion having first and second edges
extending along the horizontal direction and a lower end holder for
holding a lower end of the garment; and in a state where the lower
end holder is holding the lower end of the garment, the folding
section moves upward while wrapping around the first edge of the
folding length determining portion to form a crease portion along
the first edge, and furthermore moves the first edge upward while
wrapping around the second edge to apply a crease portion along the
second edge to the garment, thus folding the garment in the
vertical direction.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, in an operation of folding the
garment in the vertical direction, the lower end holder operates
integrally with the second edge.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0028] With the hanger and garment folding apparatus according to
the present invention, a garment is automatically folded while
being suspended on a hanger, whereby an automated folding operation
is realized without incurring manual work such as placing the
garment into the folding apparatus. Moreover, since the garment is
folded while in a suspended state, the floor area occupied by the
garment folding apparatus is reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] [FIG. 1] A perspective view showing an embodiment of a
garment folding apparatus including a hanger according to the
present invention.
[0030] [FIG. 2] A perspective view of the hanger shown in FIG.
1.
[0031] [FIG. 3] A perspective view showing enlarged a link portion
of the hanger.
[0032] [FIG. 4] A perspective view showing a main portion of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0033] [FIG. 5] A perspective view showing an operation of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0034] [FIG. 6] A perspective view showing an operation of the
hanger.
[0035] [FIG. 7] A perspective view showing an operation of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0036] [FIG. 8] A cross-sectional view showing an operation of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0037] [FIG. 9] A cross-sectional view showing an operation of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0038] [FIG. 10] A perspective view showing an operation of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0039] [FIG. 11] A perspective view showing an operation of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0040] [FIG. 12] A perspective view showing an operation of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0041] [FIG. 13] A perspective view showing an operation of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0042] [FIG. 14] A perspective view showing an operation of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0043] [FIG. 15] A perspective view showing an operation of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0044] [FIG. 16] A perspective view showing an operation of the
hanger.
[0045] [FIG. 17] A perspective view showing an operation of the
hanger and garment folding apparatus.
[0046] [FIG. 18] A perspective view showing another embodiment of
the hanger.
[0047] [FIG. 19] A perspective view showing another embodiment of
the hanger.
[0048] [FIG. 20] A perspective view showing another embodiment of
the hanger.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0049] 10 garment [0050] 110 hanging pole [0051] 121 hanger carrier
[0052] 200 hanger [0053] 210 main body section [0054] 220, 230 arm
[0055] 221, 231 arm butt [0056] 222, 232 arm fore-end [0057] 400
vertical direction folding section [0058] 411, 412 garment side
part holder [0059] 420 folding width determining portion [0060] 430
folding length determining portion [0061] 440 hem holder [0062] 450
folding mechanism [0063] 451 length direction folding section
[0064] 490 case
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0065] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hanger and a garment folding
apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The
hanger according to the present invention is able to automatically
transform to fold at least a part of a garment which is hung on the
hanger, based on an external instruction. Moreover, the garment
folding apparatus includes the hanger according to the present
invention, and in cooperation with the hanger, allows a garment
which is hung on the hanger to be folded. Therefore, the garment
folding apparatus according to the present invention is capable of
preferably folding a garment washed and then dried while being hung
on a hanger.
[0066] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the garment folding
apparatus according to the present embodiment. The garment folding
apparatus includes a hanging pole 110, hangers 200, and a folding
mechanism 450. The folding mechanism 450 includes a folding width
determining portion 420 and a vertical direction folding section
451. Each hanger 200 and the folding mechanism 450 cooperate to
fold a garment 10 hung on the hanger 200 into a predetermined size
in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. In the present
specification, the direction in which the garment 10 is hung on a
hanger due to the gravitational force is the vertical direction,
and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction is the
horizontal direction. The vertical direction and the horizontal
direction will also be respectively referred to as the "length
(longitudinal) direction" and the "width direction" of the garment
hung on a hanger. Moreover, in the present specification, the
vertical direction and the horizontal direction do not need to be
strictly vertical and horizontal, but may deviate from the vertical
direction and the horizontal direction by about .+-.5 degrees.
[0067] The hanging pole 110 is kept at a predetermined height by a
pole stand 101 in order to allow a washed garment 10 to be dried
thereon. A plurality of hanger carriers 121 are attached to the
hanging pole 110, and a hanger 200 is suspended from each of the
plurality of hanger carriers 121. Each hanger carrier 121 has, for
example, pinion gears (not shown) which mesh with a rack (not
shown) that is provided on the hanging pole 110 and a driving
section for rotating the pinion gears (not shown), thus being able
to move in the directions of arrows 120A and 120B relative to the
hanging pole 110.
[0068] On each hanger 121 suspended from the hanging pole 110, a
washed garment is hung to be dried. Therefore, the garment folding
apparatus is preferably installed outdoors. In the case where the
garment folding apparatus is installed outdoors, the folding
mechanism 450 is preferably provided with a case 490 having a roof
in order to prevent the folded garment from being wetted by the
rain or the like. A part of the hanging pole 110 is placed inside
the case 490. The folding mechanism 450 is located inside the case
490.
[0069] In addition, the case 490 includes a driving section 471 for
driving the folding mechanism 450 and a control section 472 for
controlling the entire garment folding apparatus.
[0070] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a hanger 200. The
hanger 200 includes a main body section 210, a suspension section
211, and a pair of arm sections 220 and 230.
[0071] In order that the hanger 200 may be pulled out through an
opening such as a neck of the folded garment 10, the main body
section 210 has an outer shape such that, in a state where the
garment 10 is supported spread by the hanger 200, a projected
region of the main body section 200 on a horizontal plane fits
within a projected region of the opening of the garment 10 being
supported spread.
[0072] The suspension section 211 is connected to the main body
section 210, and has a hook shape, for example. By inserting the
suspension section 211 into a hole of a hanger carrier 121, the
hanger 200 is suspended by the hanging pole 110.
[0073] The arm sections 220 and 230 are linked to the main body
section 210 and provide support from inside, in a suspended state.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the arm
sections 220 and 230 are extended in a generally horizontal
direction, the hanger 200 supports the garment 10 spread.
Therefore, preferably, the arm section 220 and the arm section 230
constitute an obtuse angle of about 160 degrees to 185 degrees, in
accordance with the shoulder lines of the garment 10.
[0074] From the state of supporting the garment 10 spread, the arm
sections 220 and 230 are able to transform in such a manner as to
fold at least a part of the garment 10. For this reason, the arm
section 220 includes an arm butt 221 and an arm fore-end 222.
Similarly, the arm section 230 includes an arm butt 231 and an arm
fore-end 232.
[0075] The arm butts 221 and 231 are linked to the main body
section 210 so as to be capable of rotating from a state of being
extended in a generally horizontal direction to a state of being
hung downward as shown in arrows 221A and 231A, respectively,
relative to the main body section 210. Moreover, the arm fore-ends
222 and 232 are linked respectively to the arm butts 221 and 231 so
as to be capable of rotating as shown by arrows 222A and 232A and
arrows 222B and 232B. As a result, in the present embodiment,
between the arm butt 221 and the arm fore-end 222 and between the
arm butt 231 and the arm fore-end 232B, a first link portion 223
and a second link portion 224 as well as a first link portion 233
and a second link portion 234 are provided.
[0076] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing in detail the structure
of a linking section between the arm butt 221 and the arm fore-end
222. The first link portion 223 is connected to the arm butt 222 so
as to be capable of rotating around an axis 223a. The second link
portion 224 is linked to the arm fore-end 222 so as to be capable
of rotating around an axis 222a. Moreover, the first link portion
223 and the second link portion 224 are linked so as to be capable
of rotating relative to each other around an axis 224a.
[0077] Therefore, when the first link portion 223 and the second
link portion 224 are arranged between the arm butt 221 and the arm
fore-end 222 in such a manner that the axis 223a and the axis 222a
lie parallel, as shown in FIG. 2, it becomes possible to allow the
arm fore-end 222 to be rotated by about 180 degrees in the
direction of arrow 222A, around an axis (in the garment length
direction) which is perpendicular to the arm butt 221. Moreover, as
shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the first link portion 223 is
rotated around the axis 223a by 90 degrees relative to the arm butt
221, the second link portion 224 and the arm fore-end 222 connected
thereto may be rotated around the axis 224a, whereby the arm
fore-end 222 can be rotated relative to the arm butt 221 around an
axis whose direction is perpendicular to the garment plane. The
first link portion 233 and the second link portion 234 are
similarly linked to the arm butt 231 and the arm fore-end 232.
[0078] Such rotating operations of the link portions may be
achieved by small motors (not shown) which are internalized in the
respective link portions corresponding to the respective rotation
axes, or achieved by a motor which is internalized in the main body
section 210 of the hanger 200 and wires which are drawn to the link
portions (neither of which is shown). Moreover, the respective
elements of the hanger 200 are controlled based on instructions by
wireless signals which are transmitted from the control section 472
shown in FIG. 1. Since a driving mechanism(s) such as a motor(s) is
incorporated in the hanger 200, the arm sections 220 and 230 of the
hanger 200 can automatically perform transformations, based on
instructions from the control section 472.
[0079] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the folding mechanism 450
will be described. In cooperation with the transforming hanger 200,
the folding mechanism 450 performs folding operations of the
garment 10 in the horizontal direction and in the vertical
direction. The folding width determining portion 420 of the folding
mechanism 450 has vertical edges 420e1 and 420e2, and cooperates
with the hanger 200 in such a manner that the folding width
determining portion 420 abuts with the garment 10 when the hanger
folds the garment 10 in the horizontal direction, thus determining
the position of a crease portion of the garment 10 along the
vertical direction. In order to hold the edge of the folded garment
10, garment side part holders 411 and 412 are provided on the
folding width determining portion 420. In the present
specification, a crease portion means a linear crease that appears
when a garment is folded, or any bent portion of a garment spanning
some width.
[0080] The vertical direction folding section 451 folds the garment
10 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the vertical direction
folding section 451 includes bar-like folding length determining
portions 431 and 432 having a first edge 431e and a second edge
432e extending along the horizontal direction, and lower end
holders 441 and 442 for holding the lower end of the garment 10.
The folding length determining portions 431 and 432 are linked by a
link portion 430, and the folding length determining portions 431
and 432 are moved in the direction of arrow 430A or 430B by a
moving mechanism (not shown). The lower end holders 441 and 442 are
provided on the folding length determining portion 432. In a state
where the lower end holders 441 and 442 are holding the lower end
of the garment 10, the vertical direction folding section 451 may
move upward while wrapping around the first edge 431e, thus forming
a crease portion along the first edge. Furthermore, by moving
upward the first edge 431e while wrapping around the second edge
432e, a crease portion along the second edge 432e is applied to the
garment 10, whereby the garment 10 is folded in the length
direction.
[0081] As described below, these elements of the folding mechanism
450 can approach, or retract from, the garment 10 at an appropriate
timing under the control of the control section 471. A driving
mechanism for allowing the elements to approach, or retract from,
the garment 10 may be realized by a combination of known mechanical
mechanisms or mechanical elements.
[0082] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 through
FIG. 17, an operation of the garment folding apparatus will be
described.
[0083] First, an operator hangs washed garments 10 on the hangers
200 in the state where the arms 202 and 203 are opened as shown in
FIG. 1, and suspends the hangers 200 from the hanger carriers 121
provided on the hanging pole 110. Since the hanger carriers 121 are
provided slidably on the hanging pole 110, the operator can set an
interval between the plurality of garments 10 as desired. When the
hanger carriers 121 are moved by winds or the like during drying of
the garments 10, the garments 10 cannot come any closer together
than is allowed by the length of each hanger carrier 121 itself,
and thus the garments 10 are prevented from contacting one another
to result in delayed drying.
[0084] After the operator finishes hanging an arbitrary number of
garments 10 in this way, the garments 10 are dried by the heat of
the sun as time passes like garments hung on a usual hanging pole.
When the operator inputs an instruction to the control section 472
with a switch (not shown), or when a dryness sensor (not shown)
detects more than a certain level of dryness of the garments 10,
the hanger carrier 121 that is the closest to the folding mechanism
450 moves in the direction of arrow 120A to enter inside the case
490, and stops. As a result, the hanger 200 and the folding
mechanism 450 start a folding operation for the garment 10.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 17, this will be
described by referring to an operation of the hanger 200 and the
folding mechanism 450. The operation of the hanger 200 and the
folding mechanism 450 is performed with predetermined timing based
on instructions from the control section 472.
[0085] First, as shown in FIG. 5, the folding width determining
portion 420 moves toward the garment 10 and is rested on the back
side of the garment 10, as indicated by arrow 420A. Next, as
indicated by arrows 222A and 232A, at their linking sections with
the arm butts 221 and 231, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 of the
hanger 200 are bent in directions intersecting the vertical
direction, preferably directions which are generally perpendicular
thereto. As a result, the garment 10 having been supported spread
by the arm sections is bent at the linking sections between the arm
butts 221 and 231 and the arm fore-ends 222 and 232.
[0086] More specifically, the first link portions 223 and 233
rotate relative to the arm butts 221 and 231, and the arm fore-ends
222 and 232 rotate by 90 degrees in the directions of arrows 222A
and 232A around the axes 223a and 233a, thus resulting in a state
shown in FIG. 6. Next, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 rotate
relative to the second link portions 224 and 234 by 90 degrees in
the directions of arrows 222A and 232A around the axes 222a and
232a. As a result, the arm sections 220 and 230 are bent in a
manner of embracing the folding width determining portion 420 as
shown in FIG. 7, and crease portions along the vertical direction
are formed in the garment 10 at the left and right edges 420e1 and
420e2 of the folding width determining portion 420, such that the
garment 10 is folded in the width (shoulder-to-shoulder width)
direction. This is referred to as a first transformation.
[0087] Since the arm section 220 and the arm section 230 preferably
constitute an obtuse angle, rotation of the arm fore-ends 222 and
232 in the directions of arrows 222A and 232A causes the tips of
the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 to be slightly (e.g., by about 5 cm)
elevated from the plane on which the first link portion 223, the
second link portion 224, and the first link portion 233 and the
second link portion 234 are located. As a result, the garment 10 is
folded in the width direction, without its shoulder ends dropping
off the arm fore-ends 222 and 232.
[0088] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view taken along a horizontal
plane immediately above the arm sections 220 and 230 of the hanger
200, showing the garment having been folded by the first
transformation. As a result of the first transformation, the
garment 10 is divided into a garment central part 10c and left and
right garment side parts 10s1 and 10s2 which are folded up by 180
degrees so as to overlie it, as bounded by the crease portions 10f1
and 10f2. The garment central part 10c contains the hanger main
body 210 and the arm butts 221 and 231, whereas the garment side
parts 10s1 and 10s2 contain the arm fore-ends 222 and 232.
[0089] From this state, the garment side part holders 411 and 412
proceed in the directions of arrows 411A and 412A while rotating in
the directions of arrows 411R and 412R, and as shown in FIG. 9,
press the tip ends of the garment side parts 10s1 and 10s2 against
the folding width determining portion 420, as if to take them off
the tips of the arm fore-ends 222 and 232. At this time, the
gripping operation is performed while adjusting the pressing force
against the folding width determining portion 420 so that the arm
fore-ends 222 and 232 of the hanger 200 contained in the garment
side parts 10s1 and 10s2 are not also gripped. Hereinafter, in
order to clarify the motion of the hanger 200, the folding width
determining portion 420 and the garment side part holders 411 and
412, which grip the shoulder ends of the garment 10 having been
folded in the width direction, will be omitted from
illustration.
[0090] As the first transformation is completed, the arm sections
220 and 230 of the hanger 200 complete the operation of folding the
garment 10 in the horizontal direction. The garment 10 is folded in
the vertical direction by the length direction folding section 451.
The arm sections 220 and 230 transform in such a manner that the
hanger 200 can be pulled out of the garment 10. This is achieved by
the arm sections 220 and 230 undergoing transformations such that
the projected regions of the arm sections 220 and 230 on a
horizontal plane fit within the projected region of an opening of
the garment. Hereinafter, the folding of the garment 10 in the
horizontal direction and the transformations of the arm sections
220 and 230 will be described.
[0091] After the gripping operation for the garment 10 by garment
side part holders 411 and 412, as shown in FIG. 10, the arm
fore-ends 222 and 232 rotate on the plane of the garment 10 (which
is parallel to the length direction of the garment 10) around the
axes 224a and 234a, as indicated by arrows 224A and 234A. As a
result, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 are in a state where they are
extended in the vertical direction. This is referred to as a second
transformation.
[0092] Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232
rotate around the axes 223a and 233a, as indicated by arrows 223A
and 233A. As a result, from the garment side parts 10s1 and 10s2,
the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 move past the garment crease portions
10f1 and 10f2, and enter into the garment central part 10c. This is
referred to as a third transformation. In order to enable the third
transformation, it is preferable that the arm fore-ends 222 and 232
have a length which is shorter than the distance from the upper end
of each crease portion to the lower end of each sleeve root of the
garment 10 after the first transformation.
[0093] Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the arm fore-ends 222 and 232
rotate on the plane of the garment 10 around the axes 224a and
234a, as indicated by arrows 224A and 234A. As a result of this,
the arm fore-ends 222 and 232 are positioned substantially parallel
to the arm butts 221 and 231. This defines a former half of a
fourth transformation.
[0094] In this manner, the arm sections 220 and 230 complete their
preparation for making a transform to enable the hanger 200 to be
pulled out of the garment 10.
[0095] Next, a folding operation for the garment 10 by the length
direction folding section 451 is performed. For the garment 10
having completed its folding operation in the width direction and
now being hung by the hanger 200, the folding section 451
approaches the garment 10 in such a manner that the folding length
determining portions 431 and 432 will abut on the back side, as
shown in FIG. 13. The lower end holders 441 and 442 provided so as
to be integral with the folding length determining portion 432 are
extended as indicated by the direction of arrow 440A; the hem edge
of the garment 10 is detected; and the hem of the garment 10 is
clamped by the lower end holders 441 and 442.
[0096] From this state, the link portion 430 is rotated by about
180 degrees around the first edge 431e, as indicated by arrow 431A.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 14, the folding length determining portion
432 and the clamped hem of the garment 10 move above the first edge
431e while tensioning the garment 10. As a result, the garment 10
is folded upward while wrapping around the first edge 431e.
[0097] Furthermore, the link portion 430 is rotated by about 180
degrees around the second edge 432e, as indicated by arrow 432A. As
a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the folding length determining
portion 431 and the hem of the garment 10 move above the second
edge 432e while tensioning the garment 10. As a result, the garment
10 is folded upward while wrapping around the second edge 432e. In
this manner, by folding the garment 10 twice, the folding operation
for the garment 10 in the length direction is completed.
[0098] Next, an operation of removing from the garment 10 the
hanger 200, the length direction folding section 451, and the
folding width determining portion 420, which are with the folded
garment 10, will be described.
[0099] First, by a mechanism not shown, the folded garment 10 is
supported so as not to unfold. For example, arms or the like
approach the garment 10 and support the garment so as to prevent it
from unfolding. Next, the lower end holders 441 and 442 are moved
in the direction of arrow 440B, so as to be accommodated into the
folding length determining portion 432. Moreover, in the hanger 200
as shown in FIG. 16, the arm butts 221 and 231 rotate within the
plane of the garment 10, around their link portions with the main
body section 210 of the hanger 200, into a hung-down state as
indicated by arrows 221A and 231A, whereby the arm fore-ends 222
and 232 also move below the main body section 210. As a result, the
arms 220 and 230 fit within the main body section 210 and an
umbrella section 212 of the hanger 200, such that the projected
region of the hanger 200 on a horizontal plane as seen from above
has a size fitting within a circle with a diameter of 15 cm, thus
resulting in a smaller projected region than the neck of the
garment 10. Thus, the transformations of the hanger 200 into a
shape which permits pulling out from the garment 10 are
completed.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 17, by moving the folding length
determining portions 431 and 432 and the link portion 430 in the
direction of arrow 440B, the hanger 200 and the folding width
determining portion 420 are pulled out of the folded garment 10.
Next, the folding length determining portions 431 and 432 are
pulled out of the garment 10 by being moved relative to the link
portion 430 in the direction of arrow 430B. At this time, the link
portion 430 does not move, but rather is limiting the movement of a
side face of the garment 10, so that the garment 10 will not be
pulled due to friction with, or being caught by, the folding length
determining portions 431 and 432. In this manner, the garment 10 is
folded once in the width direction, and twice in the length
direction.
[0101] Thus, folding of the garment 10 is completed. After folding
of the garment 10 is completed, the folding width determining
portion 420 and the vertical direction folding section 451 move
downward, for example, and the hanger 200 which is now free from
the garment 10 is moved to the rear of the case 490. Thereafter, a
next hanger 200 having a garment 10 hung thereon moves into the
case 490, and a folding operation for the garment 10 is
repeated.
[0102] Thus, with the hanger and garment folding apparatus
according to the present invention, a garment is automatically
folded while being suspended on a hanger, whereby an automated
folding operation is realized without incurring manual work such as
placing the garment into the folding apparatus. Moreover, since the
garment is folded while in a suspended state, the floor area
occupied by the garment folding apparatus is reduced. Furthermore,
since no compressor or the like is used, generation of a large
operation noise is prevented, resulting in suitability for use in
households. Since the garment is folded while being tensioned, it
is also possible to obtain a neat folded state free of
wrinkles.
[0103] The hanger and the garment folding apparatus according to
the present embodiment admit of various modifications. For example,
a plurality of air outlets 200h may be provided in the arm sections
of the hanger as shown in FIG. 18, and after the first
transformation, friction with the garment may be reduced with air
which is blown from the arms during the transformations of the
hanger inside the garment as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 16,
thus enabling smooth transformations of the arm sections 220 and
230. In this case, the air to be blown through the air outlets 200h
can be filled in a small cylinder or the like internalized in the
arm butts and arm fore-ends, for example. Moreover, steam may be
let out from the air outlets 200h as shown in FIG. 18 before start
of the folding operation, thus applying moisture and heat from
inside the garment to render the garment soft, thus enabling
wrinkle removal due to its own weight.
[0104] Moreover, prior to the second transformation of the arm
sections 220 and 230 shown in FIG. 10, as is shown in FIG. 19, the
first link portion 233 and the arm fore-end 232 may be rotated
around the axes 233a and 232a so that the angle between the arm
butt 231 and the first link portion 233 is larger than 90 degrees
and the angle between the arm fore-end 232 and the second link
portion 234 is smaller than 90 degrees, thus moving the arm
fore-end 232 (222) in the direction of arrow 230C (220C) to allow
the tip 232t (222t) of the arm fore-end to come away from the
sleeve root of the garment.
[0105] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 20, the arm fore-ends
themselves may shrink as indicated by arrows 220C and 230C so as to
result in a shorter length along their longitudinal direction, and
thereafter the arm fore-ends may rotate so as to become extended in
the vertical direction, as indicated by arrows 224A and 234A.
[0106] As a result, during the second transformation, it can be
ensured that the tips 222t and 232t of the arm fore-ends 222 and
232 do not intersect the sleeve roots 10r of the garment.
[0107] Moreover, although the folding width determining portion
shown in FIG. 4 appears to be a single plate, it does not need to
be in a plate form so long as it has a pair of vertical edges. For
example, the folding width determining portion may have a pair of
vertical bars. Moreover, the garment side part holders may be of
any shape and structure other than a roller shape, so long as they
are capable of gripping tip ends of the garment. For example,
similar effects can also be obtained by providing a structure such
as a robot hand.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0108] The hanger and the garment folding apparatus according to
the present invention are able to automatically fold a garment
which is suspended on a hanger, and thus are useful because they
realize a garment folding operation free of manual work, without
occupying a large floor area.
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