High speed horizontal folder

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a mechanism for high speed horizontal folding of fabrics, such as tubular knitted fabrics, enabling the fabric to be folded at greatly increased linear speed in relation to the prior art. The folder apparatus includes horizontally reciprocating downfeed rollers which receive the incoming fabric and propel it downwardly, while guiding the fabric horizontally to lay it in back and forth folds of substantially uniform length. Means are provided for reciprocating the downfeed rollers horizontally at high speed during the folding operation. Means are also provided for continuously rotating the downfeed rollers, independently of the horizontal reciprocating motion thereof, for directing the incoming fabric downward toward the accumulating fold stack. Reciprocating weight is held at a minimum by providing a novel external drive for the downfeed rollers, which are operative to provide a constant rate of downfeed of the fabric in any horizontal position of the downfeed rollers. The invention also provides an optimum geometrical condition for the incoming fabric web, for minimizing the effects of air inertia and resistance on the rapidly oscillating fabric web. In accordance with still another feature of the invention, an advantageous arrangement of counterweights is provided. The means for reciprocating the downfeed rollers are also connected to the counterweights for reciprocation 180.degree. out of phase with the reciprocating motion of the downfeed rollers to effectively balance the inertia thereof.